Mission 12: "When It Rains..."

[Taurik]

(OFF: Sorry about the slow response, I've been working on the Rivendell's new site. I'll post a link once it's ready.)

"This is Captain Taurik of the Rivendell. I would like permission to send a research team to Red Acropolis."

The base commander came over the line. "Certainly, Captain. Might I ask what for?"

"We are on a mission," Taurik said, "to gather information on a new species that seems to have allied itself with the Heraan. Given that Red Acropolis was once a Heraani outpost, perhaps their old databanks would have something that would give us a clue as to where to find them."

"Very good, Captain. We'll be awaiting your team. Acropolis out."

Taurik stood from his chair. "Commander T'lana, and Ensign Beta, please meet me in Transporter Room Two. Miss Sar, if you wish, you are also welcome to join. Your insight would be useful."

[T'lana]

"Indeed." Stated T'lana, "You just came on board and already you want to alter the Rivendell's operations, interesting."

T'lana thought for a moment...

"Discuss your ideas with the chief Engineer, if your designs improve the current user interfaces, then I will put it to the Captain."

[Taurik]

Taurik pressed a button on a PADD, and a black pin appeared on Beta's collar, as the pin in the box was simply for show. He then handed the medal to the Lieutenant, so that he could display it in his quarters.

"And finally, Lieutanant Commander T'lana. You have been a valued member of my crew from the moment you stepped onboard. You have been a vital consult, a constant voice of reason and logic... and a friend. You have never faltered in your efforts to make this vessel, and Starfleet as a whole, more than it is. Your service to this ship has been beyond exemplary, and it is for this that I grant you the rank of full Commander, and award you the Meritorious Service Medal. I would also like to take this opportunity to offer you the position as the permanent executive officer of the Rivendell."

(OFF: If you want to display it, http://www.expansionfleet.com/medals/meritoriousservice.gif" target="_blank">here's the medal.)

[THE BORG COLLECTIVE]

As the Quantum Torpedoes tore through sections of the Borg Cube, the cutting laser lost power. The Borg Cube began immediately regenerating as the cube's Disruptor Banks fired.

Three Borg Drones were beamed onto the vessel, two in engineering and one on the Bridge. The ones in engineering were directed by the Hive Mind to deactivate the Rivendell's Warp Core. The one on the Bridge was directed to capture her Captain and administer the first stage of assimilation, nanoprobes.

[Taurik]

Taurik entered the transporter room a moment after T'lana and Chaya. Since it was a Starfleet installation - and he had his khala firmly affixed to his belt - he passed up on donning a phaser.

Once all four of them had arrived, the transporter chief fired up the pattern buffers.

"Energize," came Taurik's single word.

[T'lana]

T'lana left her quarters to see how things were going in engineering. As the first officer, it was her duty to make sure everything and everyone on the Rivendell was functioning as it and they should.

On the way, she passed Ensign Voison, nodding she greeted him, "Ensign."

Reaching engineering, T'lana walked in and approached the chief engineer.

"How are the repairs progressing Commander?"

[T'lana]

T'lana was visibly shocked that Taurik materialized onto the Bridge, even more shocked that he was not assimilated.

T'lana calmed herself and brought herself back under her mental control.

"It is agreeable to see you Captain. Computer, as of stardate 60898.6, I am returning command of the Rivendell back to Captain Taurik."

[T'lana]

Before Morgan left for engineering, T'lana nodded,

"Thank you Morgan."

After the banquet, T'lana picked up the oaken case and went to her quarters. It was illogical to place anything in pride-of-place, but this was the first award T'lana had ever received, so she placed the oaken case open on a table near the door.

After a sonic shower and a change of uniform, T'lana made her way to engineering to check on the only invention that was all hers, the Jumpdrive.

[T'lana]

"Captain we are nearing the source of the distress beacon."

[T'lana]

=A=USS RIVENDELL TO THE BORG COLLECTIVE=A=

"Kelata Mana Darsha Kree." Stated T'lana, carefully and calmly.

[Chaya Sar]

"Chaya Sar, nice to meet you Morgan."

[Taurik]

(OFF: Red Acropolis is a planetary base... the captured Heraani fortress that we attacked a few missions back. Let's assume they only have the Rivendell in a tractor beam.)

Taurik got a blank gaze on his face as he began to hear the voice of the Collective in his mind. Although it was only brief, he was still haunted by his time as Three of Twelve.

The captain slammed his communicator. "Rivendell! Beam us up immediately!"

[Morgan Freeman]

Looking at the diagram Morgan smiled "Yes we can, I think it will take the full two weeks to accomplish though.  Larial may be able to watch over it for us.  WOuld you like me to start the process?"

[T'lana]

OOC: I was actually still in my quarters, but no matter, I can go with Engineering as a location.

IC:

T'lana looked at her PADD and then went to the access the computer to run a simulation, when her sensitive Vulcan hearing picked up Peters' question.

Moving over to the origin of the voice, T'lana seen the new security officer standing there, looking quite lost.
"I am Lieutenant Commander T'lana, you must be our new academy graduate, welcome aboard."

[THE BORG COLLECTIVE]

The Borg Queen stroked Taurik's cheek gently with her fingers, at the same time directing a drone to pick up the Khala for analysis and possible assimilation into the Matter Buffer.

"Many have thought as you do, they are now Borg. Why fight me, it is your destiny."

The Central Plexus' Main Holographic Viewer switched to a swirling mass of bioplasmic energy, a collection of Life Forms known to the Borg as SPECIES 0003, known to themselves as the Na'Jigat.

"Look familiar Three of Twelve?"