Maxine Tapert "
By: Maxine Lucinda Tapert, Operations Officer , [PC]
Kelly Forrester, Assistant Chief Operations Officer, [RNPC]
Jonathan Wright, Executive Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.17 0900

=Bridge=

Munson turned around to Westfall who was sitting in the command chair, "Sir, a klingon supply ship is signaling us on a secure channel."

"Acknowledged, Mr. Munson". Commander Wright, I have an incoming transmission for you.

"I will take it in my office, Ensign," said Wright.

Acknowledged, Commander, I'll transfer it to you immediately.

"Mr. Munson, route that transmission, and hash it internally, to Commander Wright, nothing goes over the ship-board system "in the open".

"Yes Sir," said Munson as he made the necessary configurations.

Wright activated his console and a Klingon filled the screen. "This is the Klingon ship Vord. You sure do have strict communications protocols," observed the klingon.

"Yes, we do," replied Wright, "What can I do for you?"

"We have a passenger to deliver to you," he said in a gruff voice. "Ensign Maxine Tapert."

Wright pulled up the new crew manifest and found her name in the list. She was a computer specialist, transferring from the USS Trident. "Thank you, our transporter room will signal you when we are ready for transport."

"Very well, Vord out," said the Klingon. Wright's screen went blank. Wright got up and headed towards transporter room one. On his way he alerted the transporter room of their new arrival and asked Ensign Forrester to meet him in transporter room one.

Wright entered the transporter room and greeted Ensign Forrester, turning to the transporter operator and said, "Energize."

The sparkle of a transporter beam coalesced over the pad and a moment later Maxine was standing there with her bags.

"Welcome to the Zion," said Wright, "I am Commander Wright." Turning to Ensign Forester, "This is Ensign Forrester, she will show you to your quarters."

Maxy was a bit taken aback at being greeted by the First Officer, but she recovered quickly enough and snapped a smart salute accompanied by a, "Yes sir, thank you sir...." and then rubbed her head where she'd saluted a bit too hard as she turned to Forrester. "It's a pleasure, Ensign." She readjusted her hold on her bags and stepped off the transporter pad.

Ensign Forrester stepped forward with a polite smile and a nod, "I'm sure you've had a long journey, follow me and I will help you get settled in."

"Thanks," Maxy smiled and glanced back at the XO before she followed along after Forrester. "It was a long journey," she agreed. "I'm pretty familiar with the Klingon ship now. I think they're right glad to get rid of me though. Wouldn't let me near their computer. Distrustful buggers..." Max talked as they walked and didn't seem to expect any answer from the Ensign leading her at all.

Forrester led Tapert to the turbolift where she instructed it to take them to deck 7. As they walked down the corridor, Forrester apologized, "I'm sorry, we didn't have much notice of your arrival. I hope you will find these quarters satisfactory." Forrester opened the door and entered. She walked over to the replicator and transfered Tapert's voice authorization to the near by console.

"There," she said handing a PADD to her, "Here is your orientation schedule, You have the rest of the day to relax and familiarize yourself with the ship's amenities. You will need to report to Doctor Dane tomorrow at 1000 and then report for duty at 1300."

Maxine took the PADD and briefly glanced at it before turning her attention back to Forrester. "Got it. Med at 1000, duty at 1300.. And don't worry about the room, eh? All I need is computer access and food, and I'm right good to go."

"Do you need anything else before I go?" asked Forrester.

"No. Don't think so. I'll just get something to eat and then explore the ship. Name's Max, by the way," she smiled at the other woman. "And thanks for taking the time to show me to my room. I appreciate it."

Forrester nodded as she walked toward the door, "You are welcome, it is quite alright."

Maxine Settles In"
By: Krystal, Pixie Hologram , [RNPC]
Maxine Lucinda Tapert, Computer Specialist, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.17 1000

"A'roight now." The young computer wiz popped a small isoliner chip into her mouth as she settled into a cross-legged position on the floor in the middle of the room. She opened the personal computer nestled in her lap and pulled up her AI program. It was only a moment or two until a shower of gold sparkles appeared in the air just in front of Maxine and a little winged Pixie popped into existence.

She stood all of 5" tall and was dressed in wispy gossamer scraps of material and had equally gossamer looking wings. Her blonde spiky hair framed a tiny elfin face and curled about delicately pointed ears. There was a warm golden glow about her skin and 'pixie dust' seemed to hover around her and follow her everywhere.

"Welcome to th' Zion, Pixie," Max grinned at her.

"M'Krystal!" the pixie corrected as it zipped around the room, exploring every nook and cranny to be seen and leaving a virtual trail of pixie dust.

"Oh, roight, Krystal. Well then.. Make yourself at 'ome, eh.. 'Ey now, that there's *my* bunk!" Max called out as the little pixie seemed to be trying to nest in her bed. "Find your own.. Y'little blighter."

Maxine spent several more hours tweaking the AI program, much to the little pixie's complaints at being disrupted in her nest building, and familiarizing herself with the Zion's computer system. She'd downloaded the ship's deck layout into her PADD and she and Krystal had studied it rather intently. She'd also downloaded the very generic personnel listing along with pictures so that she wouldn't get too confused when meeting new people.

"A'roight now. think y'can stay outta trouble, Pixie?" Maxine asked the holographic image of her AI program.

The pixie peeked out of the replicator and eyed Maxine. "*You* did not program me to," she reminded her.

Max snorted softly and chewed on the small chip in her mouth. "Y'can't stay there, y'know.. It's th' replicator. You'll 'ave to move your gear every time I need to use it."

"And you use it quite frequently," the pixie acknowledged.

"Roight. Just move it, eh? Before I get back. M'gonna check out th' ship now. I'll be in touch." And with her "gear" tucked into a pouch and secured around her waist, she waved to the tiny creature before stepping out of her room.

Digging Out"
By: Teilani Dane, Chief Medical Officer, [PC]
Ian Hunter, Commanding Officer, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.17 1333

Teilani nodded. "Question is only Sir, How??"

Hunter stood up went to the snow speeder. He walked around it and then climbed up on the deck of it. He opened several access panels and examined the machinery with his tricorder to understand how it worked. There was nothing that he could adapt to help this situation. Fortunately, he now knew how the speeder could be refueled.

He jumped down from the tracks and continued walking around the speeder. On the other side there was an storage locker. He opened it and found some mining supplies. He pulled out a rock pick and a shovel. There was also some sort of hand held boring tool. He slung the pack on his shoulder and picked up the bore, looking at the controls as he walked toward the cave's entrance.

He turned the device on, it emitted cold red distruptor beams with pulverized the ice beneath it. "This will get us out of here in no time." said Ian.

Looking at Hunter, Teilani doubted it. The ice was so thick. She hoped that at least some efforts could be made or otherwise they would be found here as ice mummies.

Ian looked at his chronometer, it was now after 1600 hours. He new it would take him 3 to 4 hours at best to blast away the ice.

Ian worked feverishly blasting and shoveling away the ice debris. He took a break after two hours of work. He scooped up ice and placed as much as he could inside the reactant fuel cell of the speeder. He climbed into the cockpit of it and ignited the reactor. He wanted to make sure it was ready to go when the entrance was cleared. He waited a couple minutes, he realized he was shivering from the cold. Looking at his chronometer it was now 1820. He went to the inner cavern and found Teilani inside the sleeping bag. The last thermal flare had faded. "Let's go, I'm just about through."

Teilani had curled up in a foetal position to conserve her body heat as the last flare died. Somewhere in the back of her mind she could hear Ian working the ice. She was so sleepy.

She shook her head vigorously as she hear Hunters voice and he bruskly helped her up. He took her to the cab and helped her in.

He resumed his efforts. After 45 minutes of work he had broken through. It was dark out and the bitter winds now blew through the cave. His only illumination was from the speeder. By the time he finished making removing enough ice from the cavern entrance, he could barely move.

He painfully climbed back into the cab and rested from exhaustion.

Slumped in her chair Teilani looked at Hunter's face. He was not looking that good. Frostbite marks were clearly visible at this face and hands. She shook him. "Captain, don't doodle we gotta go now!!" She took his hands in hers and blew on them trying to give him back some feeling in it.

"I said. MOVE!!!" Teilani yelled at him grabbing him at the collar of his jacket. "Please Captain we need to go now!!."

Hunter nodded and engaged the vehicle and it lurched forward. The tracks sparked against the ice and rock as it made its way through to the outside. He eased the machine down the embankment and started out across the frozen wasteland. He looked at his chronometer. It was now almost 2100 hours.

They traveled for more than an hour and finally made it to where the crevasse was. The terrain was much more rugged than before the storm, making the way more difficult. The speeder would get bogged down on dunes of ice. Hunter looked at the fuel indicator. It was low on fuel again. The ice didn't work as well as the deuturium that was in there before. He looked at Teilani, "we're not going to make it back in time, Barlok will be upset, but I'm going to call the Zion and have them pick us up."

She nodded as she tried to keep her eyes on the navigational sensors.

Hunter reached into his coat and tried to activate his combadge. His link was dead. "Wonderful." muttered Hunter.

Teilani glared at him. She noticed that no call back came from the Zion. She tapped hers. There is no response Captain,' she said with a shivering voice.

The lights from the speeder shined into the crevasse. Hunter noticed that the crevasse had nearly filled with snow and ice. Hunter gingerly took out his tricorder, he could barely move. It felt like his joints where made of concrete. He knew they were both suffering from severe hypothermia. The crevasse had a bridge of ice, and now resembled a large bowl. "If we don't try to cross here I don't think we'll make it." he said.

Teilani bearly registered Hunter's words she was soo sleepy. Everything in her body acked from the cold. "Just....... just try it Ian." she said softly. She could not care less what happend now, he had to try.

Hunter threw the controls forward and the vehicle lurched and picked up speed. It sped down the embankment and crossed to the other side. Four minutes of tense driving passed. Hunter was very nervous about breaking through an ice pocket. At last they emerged from the other side and were on solid ground.

Hunter gunned it and headed into the direction of Barlok's compound. It was 2305.

They arrived at the equipment bay at 2345. Hunter helped Dane from the vehicle. Barlok was standing there. "You don't look so good Hunter." Hunter smiled as he dragged Dane, who was slumped against him up closer to Barlok. "We're just fine. We had a little too much fun infact." Hunter faltered, "Enjoy your brandy."

Barlok laughed. He nodded to two of his sentries, "get them to the transport," he said pointing. The two big klingons picked up Hunter and Dane and carried them to the transport just as they were loading up the last of the mined dilythium.

With the last effort both Hunter and Teilani managed to get on the transport which took them back to the Zion.

Jackets are Required "
By: Melissa Jarvis, Chief Security Officer, [RNPC]

Stardate: 58205.17 1600

It was clear to Melissa that the Security staff had learned from their recent training. The transfer of the prisoners had thus far gone very smooth, however, you would not know it in the eyes of her men; they looked and behaved as if trouble was just around the corner. From her office, she watched her staff as another group of prisoners were escorted in.

The prisoners were brought into the main security section. Several security guards stationed around the room armed with phaser rifles kept a close watch on them. Once all of the prisoners scheduled for this transport were there, they were addressed by a Klingon called K'tor. He was a representative from the Rura Penthe penal colony.

"Hello, I am K'tor," he began in a menacing tone, "You are about to be welcomed to Rura Penthe." He paused as one of the security personal handed out heavy coats. "The coats you a re receiving are standard issue. For those of you not fmailiar with our frozen rock, it is very cold. You will thank us for the gift." He scowled, "Put them on now."

Most of the prisoners did as they were told, however, one of them tossed his on the ground, "And if I don't," he asked.

K'tor continued talking as if he had not heard him. "On your arrival, you will be welcomed," he chuckled as he said it, "by the warden. Pay close attention to what he sa-"

The defiant prisoner suddenly lunged at one of Melissa's security officers grabbing a hold of his phaser rifle. Melissa noted that the security guard, although surprised, thought quickly, he focused his attention on the rifle's power cell and expertly popped it out before allowing the prisoner to have the rifle.

The prisoner turned the gun triumphantly on the guard and pulled the trigger; nothing happened. The guard held up the inert power cell and said, "Need this?"

The prisoner revised his grip on the rifle and attempted to use it as a club, however, another guard stationed above them hit him square in the chest with a phaser blast. The prisoner fell to the ground.

"There is always one," said K'Tor, "You there," he pointed at another prisoner put his coat on him." He then pulled a communicator from his belt and uttered several words in the harsh klingon language.

Melissa watched as the orange shimmering transporter effect took the prisoners away. She was quite glad to see them go. Rura Penthe was the best place for these prisoners. She had to admit she was impressed with K'tor and the transport team. They were very experienced with this type of thing. The coats that they so graciously gave them contained a tracking device, that allowed their ship to lock on and beam them away. All in all things were going well, Melissa estimated that they would be finished with the transfer by the end of the day. She was certain she would sleep easier when they were gone.

Maxine Explores "
By: Miranda, Lounge Manager, [RNPC]
Giuseppe Silvio, Chief Engineer, [RNPC]
Maxine Lucinda Tapert, Computer Specialist, [PC]

Stardate: 58205.17 2000

The door whooshed closed behind Maxine and she looked both ways down the corridor, chewing thoughtfully on the small chip in her mouth. She consulted her PADD and headed off. The ODN/EPS Main Trunks were on this level and she was going to get a peek at the ODN. And when she finally found them, she stood in awe and just stared for the longest time.

Her eyes became unfocused and she ceased seeing what it looked like. Instead, she was seeing what it *was*. She was seeing the entire computer network and it was reflected in the depths of her eyes. She reached out and touched it, letting out a deep sigh as she felt the data moving through the fiber-optics. Some day... Some day she was going to discover a way to become part of that... Some day...

She was still rather "binary-eyed" when she stepped into Miranda's and looked around to get her bearings before moving up to the bar and perching on a stool.

"So, now you know who the mystery woman in my life is," said Silvio to Miranda as he put his glass down.

"Yes, and I am truly sorry for being so mean to you about it," she said filling his glass again. Turning her head she noticed Maxine sitting down at the bar.

"It's all water under the Bridge Miranda," he said also noticing Max sit down.

Mirnada walked over to Maxine, "Hi, can I get you something?"

Maxine blinked the binary from her eyes and actually managed to focus on Silvio and Miranda. After another second of accessing her protocol parameters, she even smiled a greeting at both of them before turning her attention to the other woman and her question.

"'Ello there, I'm Maxine Tapert. Just call me Max," she told her. "Could I bother you for a menu, ma'am? I'd like to see what you 'ave."

Miranda smiled and reached under the bar. She came back with a PADD and set it down in front of Maxine, "Pleased to meet you Max, I am Miranda, and the fellow over there who looks like he is walking on air is Silvio."

"Thank you ma'am. It's a pleasure." Max smiled and took the PADD, looking over to where Miranda indicated.

"Hello Max, did you just come on board," asked Silvio.

Silvio... Silvio... Giuseppe... Engineering Chief... Lieutenant Junior Grade... "Oh, yes sir. Just this morning," Max slipped from the chair and gave him an informal salute cause they were in Miranda's and all and she was in off duty coveralls. "Ensign, sir. Computers," she smiled. "I was going to come see you," she announced.

"Take it easy Max," said Silvio with a smile, "Miranda's is the one place on the ship where rank means nothing. It is a place to relax and have fun." He flashed Miranda a grin, "Miranda is the only one with Rank in here."

Miranda chuckled.

"A'roight, sir," Max's smile turned to a grin at Miranda's chuckle.

Silvio knew of no new additions to his staff. Why would she be coming to see him. "What were you coming to see me about?"

"About a project of mine, sir," Max gathered the PADD Miranda gave her and went to sit by Silvo. "I'm in need of some very small holo emitters." She reached into her pocket and pulled out one of the larger ones she used in her room and offered it to him. "Like this.. Only small enough to put three on my body. Like jewelry or hair clips..."

Silvio looked at the device, "Interesting, what would you need to have holo-emiters on your person for," he asked.

"For my AI program, sir," Max explained. "These are the ones I 'ave in my room. Roight now she's confined there. I want to be able to take 'er with me."

"Uh-oh, you are about to talk shop," said Mirnada with a smile. "Give me a holler if you need anyting."

"Your AI program is a hologram?"

"Yes, sir," Max nodded. "She's not very big..." she indicated about five inches tall with her hands.

Silvio found this holographic sidekick an interesting idea, however, he doubted that the Captain would allow it. "Well, first I think you will need to get the captain's permission to install your program. Once that is done you can talk to one of my Engineers. Craig Witmore. He is very good at tinkering with things."

"Roight. I can do that, sir. Usually I just keep 'er confined to my personal computer and PADD," she told him. "But I'll requisition the Captain."

Silvio smiled, "I hope the captain says you can go ahead with it, it sounds like an interesting project." Silvio held up his glass for Mirnada to bring him another.

"She's my link to the internal workings of computers, sir," Max smiled. "I 'aven't figured out a way to get myself in yet," she explained.

Silvio thought this a strange comment but said nothing.

Miranda returned with another drink for Silvio. Looking at Max she said, "Can I get anything for you?"

"Oh, some root beer, if you 'ave it, ma'am," Max asked and looked back to Silvio. "That usually leaves people speechless because they think I'm nuts," she smiled.

"One root beer, coming right up," sang Miranda as she left to get the drink.

Silvio smiled at her and sipped his drink. "So, where are you from?"

"New Zealand, sir," she smiled. Not the least bothered that people think she's nuts.

"I have never been to New Zealand," said Silvio.

"It's beautiful country if you take the time to see it. And it 'as some *amazing* places to climb," Max told him, clearly excited about it.

Miranda placed a root beer in front of Max.

"Thank you, ma'am," the young computer wiz smiled up at the other woman.

"Well, those prisoners should be out of our hair now," said Silvio. "I am glad they are gone."

"Yes, they did cause a lot of damage," agreed Miranda, "I'm ready to get away from here."

"Amen," said Silvio.

"When are we scheduled to leave?" Max asked curiously.

"As soon as the captain gets back from Rura Penthe I would guess. He and the doctor went down there for something." Silvio would not imagine what would possibly make a person want to go down there. He finished his drink and stood up. "Well, I am off to bed, good luck with your project and nice to meet you Max."

"G'night, sir," Max hastily stood up, but managed to refrain from saluting. "And thank you. I'll get right on it."

"See ya later Miranda," he said to the woman behind the bar.

"Later Silvio," she said.

"It's it all like... Frozen down there, isn't it?" she asked Miranda after Silvio left, and was back to lightly chewing on the small chip she had in her mouth.

"Indeed it is,"said Miranda looking at the strange young lady, "If you are hungry I can get you some food, you do not need to eat isolinnear chips."

Log Index | Go to Stardate 58205.18