USS Vanguard Star Trek RP (IC/OPEN)

[Mincaldenteans]

OCC Sign-up Page: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=236564


Welcome!

The year is 2400: the Dominion War has been over for more than 25 years, though some areas are still recovering from its wounds. New civilizations have been discovered, and older ones have reawakened. The Borg hasn’t been a threat for some time and no longer considered a serious issue. Peace, it seems, has finally been achieved.

We are the crew of the U.S.S. Vanguard; our primary mission is one of peaceful exploration. We’ve been deployed deeper into the alpha quadrant, beyond the known territories of the Cardassian Union and the Breen Confederacy. Our objective is simple, explore, discover, and make contact with new races that could be beneficial to the Federation.

Basic rules:

1. This will be an uncensored RP, so be an adult about it.
2. No godmoding, no taking over other peoples characters. Your characters are not omniscient.
3. No flaming each other over the OOC/IC thread. You have an issue, you bring it to us. Keep OOC comments out of the IC as much as possible!
4. No, you cannot be a former Borg, a Q, species 8472, insert-overpowered Trek species as your character, or be related to Kirk, Worf, Picard, in other words: be a bit original in your creation.
5. You are highly encouraged to develop your characters personally and within the plot. You can make as many NPCs as you like as long as you do not lose focus on your main character. If you have an NPC you hold dear, you are to treat it like a main character and all the rights and restrictions that apply to it. Please let us know if that is the case so the roster can be updated accordingly.
6. You are restricted to 2 main characters. All characters are given the opportunity to progress in rank.
7. The OP and the Co-Ops make the plot setting, but you are encouraged to bring ideas forward, seriously, do not be shy about sharing your ideas with us!
8. There will be times when the OP and the Co-Ops make an action post that will involve all or most characters. This is meant only to put plot devices down and set you free. No action will be taken upon your characters. An example would be that we post your characters were present at a mission briefing and then dismissed to do what you need to do, nothing more. No random occurrences will happen without my or the Co-Ops prior approval. Make sure you post said approval of in your post to let everyone know.
9. Real life demands our attention. There’s nothing we can do about that and we can only get back to RP when time permits, but please let us know if it effects your participation over an extended time (and if anyone else is involved with your character also, simple courtesy and consideration is all we ask).
10. Our word is law.
11. The most important rule: Be kind to others and each other. Have fun!

The U.S.S. Vanguard is a Sovereign class ship. Details can be found here. What is not on there: the Vanguard is currently equipped with a quantum slip-stream drive. Highly experimental and only used as deemed necessary or in an emergency. We also have a Hazard Team, an elite group trained to deal with extremely hostile encounters/situations.


Known Limits of Explored Space. Please take a look if you like.


Current Roster: (updated as needed: Rank/Char Name/Position/Player)

Command Team
Captain Ethan Treece - Commanding Officer [Mincaldenteans(OP)]
Commander Jack Torrance – First Officer [Mauritania Tigitana(Co-Op)]
Lt.Commander Arelle Delatorre – Second Officer[Sirius Cybernetics Corporation (2nd Co-Op)]


Tactical/Security
Lt. Yamamoto 'Kage' Ishiyama [Conjoined Empire]


Medical Department
Doctor Thaddeus Dowad (Lt.) - Chief Medical Officer [Key West]
Counselor Tazar Beta (Lt.) - Counselor [The United Soviet Socialist Republic]
The Emergency Medical Hologram (Mark V) - Medical Officer (when CMO is not around)


Science Department


Operations/Helm
Lt.Commander Hoopla Signtai - Chief Operations Officer [The New Earth Coalition]
Ensign Grant Smith - Helms Officer [Saint B]


Engineering Department
Lieutenant Morgan Kinsley [Deckersia]


Diplomatic Services

MISSION ONE: The Orralian Society

Nation: The Orralian Society

Race: Cardassian, Breen, Bajoran, (many others, i.e. some Klingons, Romulans, etc., etc.)

Intro: Clearing Cardassian space, a subspace message was intercepted on a non-local Bajoran frequency resulting in the Vanguard to divert course to trace the source of the transmission. This placed the ship almost 35 light years away from the borders of the Cardassian Union, and the first discovery deep within the Alpha Quadrant. Upon discovery, the Vanguard find themselves seeing a society based on cooperation by races that are (some say genetically ingrained) traditionally opposed to one another (i.e., Cardassians and Bajorans have never gotten along, same with Klingons and Romulans). This baffles the crew, and per mission statement the Vanguard will be orbiting the Capital world of Zerax V. The society inhabits one solar system with 16 habitable planets and moons (all colonized in varying degrees), making it a political entity/unified government in its own right with technology mixes in abundant and weirdly working together in cohesion.

Orralian Culture: The Orralian Way is based on a precept that all beings are connected with the Orralius, and to some extent, the beings that reside in the Bajoran Wormhole. A democratic society based on tolerance and understanding, the Orralian Society is made on equanimity and tolerance that accept all races without prejudice, promoting coexistence and unwavering faith in Orralius. Orralius itself, is a 'goddess' who speak through 'speakers' that wear a mask. This speaker is something of a religious leader, holding no political sway (but like every religion - such as the Bajoran faith), but it not unheard to have its influence in government. Despite this seemingly peaceful society, dissident movements are on the rise. Old racial hatreds cannot be forgotten. And the past cannot be laid to rest because a philosophical way of living demand it so.

Mission: The Vanguard will be here for two weeks to explore this nascent state and see if its citizens and nation as a whole will behoove the Federation and vise-versa. All personnel are expected to conduct themselves accordingly.

PLOT: This has A LOT of lee way (maybe more, meaning its possible to get into conflict). I want you guys to decide how, whom and what your character will interact to/with/who as the plot progresses. There is no time restriction, and I want you guys to have fun, feel free to create this society's background. Remember: any action that affects the ship and crew will not be approved unless your run it by me and/or co-ops (i.e., dissident ship attacks the Vanguard, or bomb found on Vanguard, definitely NO). What you do on planet-side or within the solar system, and how you get yourself involved in Orralian society, is up to you.

[Mincaldenteans]

Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, the true strength of Starfleet was here, for without it, Starfleet wouldn’t have existed at all. It was no doubt that the various member-governments formed the Federation, but it was the engineers, the vast bays and forming semblance of starships and its crews that made it all possible. Ethan hadn’t been here in almost four years and prior to that it was a routine visit as an academy graduate. Each time, he was in awe as he saw ships being constructed and newly christened alike. Each time he felt like a tiny part in a bigger tapestry. Today he felt no different.

Well, somewhat different, Ethan mused to himself. His shuttle pilot had taken the ‘scenic route’ to get to the USS Vanguard, a newly commissioned starship that Ethan was granted command of. What surprised him was the fact it was a Sovereign class, and while he eagerly accepted the command of such a prestigious class vessel, it was also daunting. He had taken months to hand pick a crew (and he wasn’t even finished), study its schematics, and pored over details about the ships newer capabilities. He wished he had more time to fully assemble a complete crew, but Command had given a go ahead, for their objectives could no longer be pushed to a later date. He’d have to pick up his remaining crew enroute if they weren’t here by the time of their launch.

The shuttle passed a newly christened frigate, a Saber class vessel and Ethan couldn’t help but smile to himself remembering the days on board such a ship as an ensign. He looked up and forward from that ship as the shuttle gently veered left and the view was taken up by the Vanguard’s massive starboard nacelle and then changed to show the opening bays of the Vanguard’s shuttlebay.

“We’ve been cleared for landing procedures,” the young ensign said out loud. Ethan merely nodded, letting the pilot do his job while he surveyed his ship. Once the shuttle landed, Ethan thanked the ensign and disembarked. He didn’t want any fanfare for his arrival considering this ship was still being worked on before launch.

“Captain, we weren’t expecting you so soon,” came from a direction behind him. The shuttlebay was massive, and he spotted a couple Danube-class runabouts situated next to the new type 10 shuttles along with what looked like a vary pudgy arrow-shaped craft. He’d have to go over the ships auxiliary craft one more time. He turned to see a lieutenant with close cropped hair and nervous eyes, “I’m lieutenant Standstrom, sir. I’ve been assigned to the Vanguard for her final preparations. Would you like a tour?”

Ethan shook his head and gave a reassuring smile, “That won’t be necessary; you must be busy. Are the living quarters and the bridge online?”

The lieutenant nodded, “Yes, sir. We should expect all other ship systems to be operational in two days. The warp core will be powered up tomorrow afternoon and all remaining crew transfers will be here once all systems are within operational status. Is there any other thing I could assist you with?”

“Yes, this,” Ethan pulled a datapadd from his bag and handed it over. In the padd were the names of the lead department and command teams, “there’s a few names on there I want you to contact and ascertain their whereabouts. I want them here before we launch.”

“I’ll get right on it, Captain.”

“Good, carry on,” Ethan nodded with approval and the young man zipped out of the shuttlebay. He smirked at the edginess the officer was vibrating. Taking another glance around the shuttlebay, he and walked out and made his way to the bridge.

[Pragia]

Thomas was in his temporary guest quarters when he recieved the call to report to the Vanguard. This was his first stationing on a cruiser of such size, having only served on a Prometheus-class before hand as an assistant engineer. With his promotion to commander, and the re-assignment of his vessel, he was moved to chief engineer aboard the vessel. He had spent most of his time over the past week looking through notes on a Sovereign , trying to comprehend the magnitude of the vessel and understand its workings.

He left his quarters, already packed and ready for reassignment at a moments notice, and left to find the docking station. He made it to a type 11 shuttle that would be transporting crew over to the vessel and waited aboard.

[Mauretania Tingitana]

"What do you mean, you don't take money?" Jack Torrence eyed the store attendant from behind the counter.

"I'm sure where you come from, sir, but we're actually-"

"You know what, forget it. I guess I'll just take the candy bar." Jack snatched the chocolate rectangle from the counter and left the store, the helpless attendant wondering what just happened.

Jack ripped the wrapper and began to chew the chocolate. "Even the chocolate bars taste different." He thought to himself as he heard the crunch of almonds in his mouth.

It had been almost six months since he had made the perilous trip from one universe to the other, and Jack still stuck out like a Vulcan's ear. Everything was so... disturbing here. The people were different. The food tasted funny. The air felt... wrong. Still, it was a marked improvement over what he had escaped from.

Following the Terrran Empire's resurgence against the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance, Terrans were once more the dominant power of the Alpha Quadrant. And if the Federation thought the Empire was savage before, well, let's just say Jack was glad to be where he is today. Even so, Jack never forgot his roots or where he came from, and carried an old Terran Imperial sash across his waist all the time. It had belonged to his great-great-grandfather, a decorated soldier of the Empire. Once the Terrans freed themselves of the Alliance servitude, many previously forbidden objects became available again. Jack was actually one of the first to be born in the "reborn" Terran Empire, coming into the galaxy on the Martian moon of Phobos.

But none of that mattered right now. Jack struggled to understand the flurry of different signals that indicated the direction in which to go. "So many alien languages." Jack thought once more.

After a moment, a line flashed on the screen. It read "USS Vanguard", and Jack finally knew where he was going.

[New Roman Empire]

Ensign John Brackmen
Security Officer, aboard USS Vangaurd

John Brackmen had been waiting for hours when he had received the call to come aboard. He hopped on the nearest shuttle just as it took off towards the ship. The shuttle slowly made its way to the shuttle bay which had just opened. John had been looking forward to this for weeks and he couldn't wait to meet the rest of the crew that he would be working with. The ship was massive and he had been studying the plans for the ship and he knew every room on the ship and how to get to them the fastest in theory. But soon he knew that might be tested. When the ensign who was flying the shuttle yelled, "Coming in on final approach and land procedures. We will be landing in a few seconds." John then took the seat next to him and looked back at his bag which he had brought the maximum amount of bags per crew member.

When the shuttle landed he tanked the pilot and walked off the shuttle with his bags. When he was off he heard the captain in the distance and looked over and he assumed that it was the captain of the USS Vanguard by default or it might have been his number two. John did a quick jog towards the captain and when he reached him he said, "Hello captain, I am Ensign John Brackmen, I have been assigned as a Security officer aboard your ship. If you don't mind me asking, where should I put my things?" Asked John as he extended his hand to let the captain shake it.

[Hydrichastan]

Sovak fell to the ground as a huge muscly Klingon threw him across the forest floor. His weapon was knocked out of his hand and out of reach.
"I have you now, foolish Vulcan!" The Klingon said standing over him.
The Klingon thrust his Bat'leh into where Sovak fell, he swiftly rolled to the side and kicked the back of his legs.
The Klingon fell to the ground as Savok up and went for weapon.

The forest was dark and moist, several other Klingons stood around in a circle urging and cheering his adversary to "Pluck his ears."
The Klingon regained his footing and said, "You honorless Pahtak Vulca..." The Klingon and everything froze, Sovaks communicator said, "Johnson to Sovak, report to transporter room 4"
"On my way. Sovak out. Computer, end program."
The entire forest then turned back into into the square grid room.

"You have been called to duty aboard the
USS Vanguard to serve as chief science officer. Congratulations, Lieutenant!" Said the transporter chief.
Sovak was honored to be selected. This was the position he requested for because of the good labs on board.
"Energize" Sovak was then on board the Vanguard and was greeted by Lieutenant Dawson.
"Welcome aboard, Lieutenant. Let me show you to your quarters."

[Mincaldenteans]

Ensign John Brackmen
Security Officer, aboard USS Vangaurd

John Brackmen had been waiting for hours when he had received the call to come aboard. He hopped on the nearest shuttle just as it took off towards the ship. The shuttle slowly made its way to the shuttle bay which had just opened. John had been looking forward to this for weeks and he couldn't wait to meet the rest of the crew that he would be working with. The ship was massive and he had been studying the plans for the ship and he knew every room on the ship and how to get to them the fastest in theory. But soon he knew that might be tested. When the ensign who was flying the shuttle yelled, "Coming in on final approach and land procedures. We will be landing in a few seconds." John then took the seat next to him and looked back at his bag which he had brought the maximum amount of bags per crew member.

When the shuttle landed he tanked the pilot and walked off the shuttle with his bags. When he was off he heard the captain in the distance and looked over and he assumed that it was the captain of the USS Vanguard by default or it might have been his number two. John did a quick jog towards the captain and when he reached him he said, "Hello captain, I am Ensign John Brackmen, I have been assigned as a Security officer aboard your ship. If you don't mind me asking, where should I put my things?" Asked John as he extended his hand to let the captain shake it.

Ethan turned, and actually looked up. The man was at least a half-head taller than he was, but it wasn't imposing. His face was familiar as well, and he knew it may have been one of the more recent selection of people he accepted to serve on board, but he wasn't sure. At almost a 120 officers on board, not counting the hundred more in enlisted, it was becoming a challenge to remember his officers alone. But Ethan smiled and shook the Ensign's hand, not wanting to make the young man feel as though he was under scrutiny, "Welcome aboard Ensign. I'd say you'd need to talk to the Senior Operations Officer or one of his team serving under him. This is a fairly huge ship, so be sure not to accidentally get the wrong quarters. I did that my first year, the XO had me scrubbing plasma vents the first week on duty."

[The New Earth Coalition]

Hoopla Signtai, Senior Operations Officer onboard the USS Vanguard

Lieutenant Commander Hoopla Signtai nodded towards the Starfleet Academy transporter chief, having walked into the room seconds before. He was still clothed in his dress whites, having just come from his resignation ceremony at Starfleet Academy; he was stepping down from his Academic Advisory and Operations Officer position to join Captain Ethan Treece, onboard the newly-christened USS Vanguard. He was looking forward towards his job as chief operations officer on board the sovereign-class starship.

He stepped on the transport pad, and said in his most professional voice, "one to beam up, Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards: the USS Vanguard" The transporter chief replied with, "aye sir", and Hoopla began dematerializing, and as quickly as it began, Hoopla rematerialized onboard the Vanguard. He was met Lieutenant Dawson. The Lieutenant saluted Hoopla, and Hoopla asked, "where are my quarters?". The lieutenant quicly replied with, "deck 6, section 3, first door on your right". "Thank you lieutenant" and Hoopla exited the transport room, headed towards the turbolift.

[Ameriganastan]

"Would it kill you to act a little proud? This is a big deal for me."

A skinny Ferengi sat in his room on board the Vanguard, currently arguing with another one over a video screen.

"I was never proud of you in the first place, Brak. You have all the business skills of a brain damaged Klingon. And then you had to shame the family even more by running off to Starfleet! You know how many jokes I have to hear about being a Daimon with a son in Starfleet? You should- "

Brak cut the communication then and there.

"I've come up with a few of those jokes myself. Old buzzard."

Checking his uniform in the mirror, he exited his room, heading for the nearest turbolift.

"Bridge, please."

Arriving a few moments later, he stepped out of the lift.

"Helmsman Salm, reporting for duty."

[Pragia]

Thomas felt as the Shuttle lurched out of docking, loaded with fellow crewmen of all races and creeds. He wondered what sort of people were going to join him aboard in Engineering, hopefully people who can get jobs done without much instruction. Thomas was no great teacher, he merely did his job and made damn sure he did it to the best of his ability. Through the shuttle window, Thomas saw massive craft, among them the Vanguard.

The shuttle connected to the vessel, unloading the couple dozen personelle on there relatively quickly. The bridge was rather far, so he decided to use the lift instead of walk. As he shot through the lift, reaching the bridge rather quickly he said in a thin Austalian accet "Lieutenant Thomas Steele, Chief Engineer, reporting for duty." A little surge of pride upon the saying if his position. He was as ready as ever to maintain and make sure the vessel is working at peak efficiency.

[The New Earth Coalition]

Hoopla Signtai, Senior Operations Officer onboard the USS Vanguard

As he entered the turbolift doors, he was greeted by an unkown security officer, who had an enlisted rank on. Hoopla said to the computer, "bridge". The turbolift jumped to life and shot upwards towards deck 1. The doors opened, and Hoopla stepped onto the bridge.

He turned to face the captain, snapped to attention, saluted Captain Treece, and asked, "permission to come onboard, sir?"

[Sirius Cybernetics Corporation]

Not long after the Vanguard's operations officer stepped out of the transporter room, another figure shimmered into view in the Federation-style "dotted pulses" transporter beam.

Lieutenant Commander Arelle Delatorre nodded politely to Lieutenant Dawson. Setting down her tote bag for a moment, she slid her hand into a small sack hanging off her shoulder and removed a PADD. Ignoring the lieutenant trying to check her out, she studied its contents for a second to remind herself where her quarters were.

As she headed out of the room, she smiled briefly at Dawson. He had been at least somewhat subtle about it, much more so than the cadets back at Starfleet Academy.

A quick side trip to her quarters on Deck 2 let her set down her bags - she'd unpack later. Getting back in the turbolift, she straightened her uniform.

"Bridge."

She stepped out, and looked for either the captain or the first officer.

[New Roman Empire]

Ensign John Brackmen
Security Officer, USS Vanguard
"Thank you sir, well if the Senior Operations Officer is on board he or she will be on the bridge by now. I studied the ships schematics, and I know some of the quickest ways around the ship. So lets get to the bridge shall we?" Asked John as get to into the nearest turbo lift and waited for the captain. Man he had to scrub plasma vents. That sucked to clean those, but I guess that was a bit harsh. But who knows, how strict that XO was.

[Mincaldenteans]

Treece merely smiled at the Ensigns enthusiasm and good nature. He followed the man, taking a turbolift that was the quickest to the bridge. The moment he entered the bridge however, he was greeted by three officers waiting for him. The bridge itself was at a buzz, with several shipyard technicians moving and working in an almost agitated state. Some even stole wary glances at the 'new people' (including himself) being on the bridge. He immediately recognized the three officers that stood in front of him, but he wondered how on earth they got here also and not happened to be on the same lift.

There's three lifts, he reminded himself. Ample time for everyone to get onto the bridge without him. The doors to his turbolift swished close, with the young Ensign at the corner of his right eye.

"Gentlemen, welcome aboard the Vanguard. I wasn't expecting you all so soon, but I suppose better now than later," Ethan greeted with a smile. He offered his hand in greeting, the Chief Engineer - Thomas Steele - being the first.

The turbolift doors swished open again, and this time a young looking woman was shown. He immediately knew who she was by looking at her, smiled and greeted, "Counselor."

The Captain turned his attention back to the rest, hearing the lift doors close behind him, he finished his greeting at shaking the hands of his Chief Engineer, his Operations Officer, and his Helmsman. "Commander Signtai, this is Ensign Breckman, perhaps you can help him with finding his living accommodations. But before you two get that, let me just say welcome aboard, again. There will be a meeting tomorrow at 0830, hopefully the rest of the department heads will have arrived by then. Especially for you, Ensign, as you'll be reporting directly to Lieutenant Amor. Until such time, you're free to do as you please, and my doors are open if you wish to talk in private."

[New Roman Empire]

John Brackmen
Security Officer, USS Vanguard

John had leaned against the wall and waited for a few.minutes then said, "I am looking for the Senior Operations Officer. I need to figure out where to put my stuff here on the ship. Also has anyone seen the security chief?" Asked John as he put his bags down in a section near the wall and walked towards the center of the bridge. Man, this ship is huge and I bet this thing has a massive engine in its belly.

[The New Earth Coalition]

Hoopla Signtai, Senior Operations Officer of the USS Vanguard

As soon as his captain finished his announcement, heard turned to address the ensign.
"Ensign Brackmen, next time you wish to contact someone on this ship, please use the comm system, or at least ask the computer where I am." He then let a smile emerge and shook the ensign's hand.

"Greetings, I am Lt. Commander Hoopla Signtai, senior operations officer." He continued, "as for your quarters, check the computer." He glanced at a PADD, "Also, the security chief, lieutenant Amor, has not yet come on board. But I will alert you when he is."

Hoopla set the PADD back down, and proceeded to his station, and started to become familiar with the controls: after 28 years at the Academy, he was going to have to get used to a starship again.

[Sirius Cybernetics Corporation]

Arelle came briefly to attention, nodding to Captain Treece. "Sir," she greeted him. Unable to restrain her curiosity, she let her eyes wander across the bridge, studying its layout, but carefully not moving her head, in case the captain was one of those who preferred more formality, like Edward Jellico.

[Pragia]

Thomas shook the commander's hand, rather eager to start working, but somewhat nervous around high ranking officials, as usual. He said, "My pleasure Commander, sir" he said, near emotionlessly. He waited for the briefing, he could care less about quarters when he works most of the time anyways, really only sleeping when it begins to affect work.

He began looking through others who had reported in, most of which seem normal enough, except for that ferengi, not really due to his race, but thomas had lost a considerable amout of credits to a ferengi cardshark once, and he's always been a bit suspicious.

[Key West]

Thaddeus sat at his medical station, staring off blankly across the room. He sat perfectly still, almost in a trance. He kept thinking about his rendezvous last night. He had snuck a very drunk cadet from the academy, 7 years his junior, back aboard the newly minted starship, to his quarters. 7 years. He couldn't help but think how old he was getting. And feeling. Especially after all the synthahol.

Ha! He laughed to himself, breaking his stare. He shook off his laughter and thought to himself "Come on, you're not even thirty yet!" His chuckle quickly subsided into a scowl. "I can't believe how much I sound mom..." Mom.

He jolted up, walked over to a station on the far side of sickbay. He punched a few commands angrily into the LCARS display and the computer acknowledged that the communiqué had been sent off. 'Hope you get that letter, kiddo..."

He wiped his eyes, yawning widely. He went back to his station and picked up the PADD. After scrolling through the last of the medical physicals, he decided it was time to go report into the Captain . Yeah, it was time. Time to finally leave Earth in the rear-view finder --safely in the wake of the warp nacelles.

Walking through the halls he thought to himself how there must have been an infinite number of other qualified doctors around Starfleet who could've filled this assignment. He couldn't help but think that some sort of nepotism was involved, his superiors back in San Francisco feeling both overwhelmed and impressed by the events of the last six months. He had demonstrated a keen sense of grace under fire. He wondered, almost aloud but catching himself, how he managed to fool the various counselors.

He realized that he had been thumbing through the reports again, unconsciously, when another member of the crew stepped onto the turbolift. Thaddeus quickly became flush, easily recognizable on his pale face, when the other crewman looked at him puzzled.

"Wow. How long have I been standing here?" He murmured to the engineer.

"Long night, doctor?"

Thaddeus quickly looked away, feigning a cough and responded "Yeah I had to check and double check to make sure everyone's fit and able for duty to come aboard. There are eight hundred & eighty four souls aboard, excluding myself, all of whom needed special clearance for this assignment. I wanted to ensure my staff was up to the task of handling such a compliment. I double checked their work by hand myself."

Images of rumpled up uniforms and pairs of boxer-briefs strewn about his quarters from last night flashed through his mind's eye. The only thing Thaddeus had been investigating was the anatomy of an inebriated and closeted student from San Francisco he had met at a dive in Chinatown after double checking if all the medical supplies had been brought aboard. He didn't want to spend his last night around alone after all.

"Oh. That must have been a daunting task."

Thaddeus nodded and rolled his eyes.

"Computer? Deck one. Bridge."

The computer responded with it's signature chirping as the turbolift ascended seven decks to the top of the vessel.

[Mincaldenteans]

==//Action Post\\==

All Department Heads


Ethan stared out to the vast shipyards. Again. He couldn't quite get enough of looking at the ships the came and went, assembled and disassembled. He held a steaming cup of coffee, a requirement he thought he'd never take up but did the moment he made Captain. The sweet light brown Irish-creme flavored holy liquid of all things godlike, as far as he was concerned. The day really couldn't get by unless he had his coffee. It was 1000 hours, having changed the meeting at last minute when he realized he stayed up almost half the night looking over diagrams and mission specs.

As if on cue, his officers walked in one by one and took their seats. Ethan had turned to see them all while he hid half his face with his mug and sipped on it. When they all sat, Ethan pushed himself off the ledge of the window and made his way to the chair at the head of the table. This was an informal meeting, but he felt it essential for everyone to meet each before the Vanguard set sail. To his right sat Jack Torrance, and to his left was Arelle Delatorre. Next to Jack sat Sovak, Brak, and Dr. Dowad. The other side after Arelle were Steele, Amor and Signtai. There were some empty seats on this huge conference table past them, and Ethan wondered if there would be a chance when this conference table would be filled all the way.

"Good morning everyone," Ethan said with a friendly smile, setting his cup down to his right. "Its good to finally meet all of you. I know some of you are... new, to life on a starship, and some have more than adequate experience being on one. That said, I expect you all to work together. I want a functioning, cohesive, team. That said, I think I'll address one key issue that's going to set the ground work on our cooperation from here on out: formality.

"I've never been one for it. In fact I'd prefer to be called by my last name. However, regulations being what they are - and especially important to those not of the senior staff and the enlisted - I'd expect formality within their hearing, outside of that you can call me Treece or if you insist, Captain. I'll make the same consideration for you."

When he saw some quiet nods, Ethan finally took his seat, "My command style is a bit laissez faire, not because I don't wish to be involved in what you're doing but because I have to trust you know your job. If I have to babysit you, we're going to have a problem, starting with you doubting yourself to your own duties. If you have do a problem, I hope you'll come to one of us," Ethan gestured to Jack and Arelle, "And we'll do our best to help you.

"Our mission, if you don't already know, will be exploration beyond the Cardassian and Breen frontiers. Starfleet Command has negotiated with them for safe passage and we're to cross their territory as quickly as possible. The Cardassians and the Breen will be providing a flight path for us to follow by, no doubt they'll want us as far away from the industrial and military facilities as possible. We'll to hold that path to the letter. After that its free bound to whatever pretty little star catches our eyes," Ethan smiled at all of them, "I think that concludes the meeting folks, you're free to stick around and get acquainted, or you can choose to do as you like. There's a replicator in here," he thumbed behind him at the far wall, "so grab something and introduce yourselves. We don't set sail until tomorrow."

[Key West]

Thaddeus breathed out a heavy sigh of relief. He hoped his elation wasn't too visible. At least the captain wasn't going to be one of those by the book stiffs.

He smiled as he arose and motioned toward the captain.

"Captain! Nice to see you again-- " he began. "I trust you remember our last meeting during your physical? Speaking of which, here's the full medical report on the crew. Ahead of schedule."

The doctor gestured the PADD towards the Captain.

[Mincaldenteans]

Thaddeus breathed out a heavy sigh of relief. He hoped his elation wasn't too visible. At least the captain wasn't going to be one of those by the book stiffs.

He smiled as he arose and motioned toward the captain.

"Captain! Nice to see you again-- " he began. "I trust you remember our last meeting during your physical? Speaking of which, here's the full medical report on the crew. Ahead of schedule."

The doctor gestured the PADD towards the Captain.

Ethan took the padd with a polite nod, a friendly smile and a perked eyebrow, "I remember, doctor. That was months ago, though, how have you been? I'm glad you took my offer to be posted here." He held the padd, but didn't read it. There would be plenty of time to do that later. "You must've given hell to the all the crew members for getting their physicals done ahead of time."

[Key West]

Thaddeus shook his head in agreement.

" I'm quite well, thank you. I have a keen memory Captain, to be sure. My instructors back at StarFleet Med. called it 'photographic'. Came in handy when I had to cram for exams. I like to think it makes me all the more capable a physician. And I wouldn't have missed this assignment for much else, sir. The chance to expand the Federation is something which I'm honored to help be a part of. Even if all I do is quarrel with the damned EMH and play with hyposprays all day!"

Thaddeus burst out laughing, grinning widely.

"Of course I'm only joking, sir. I'm aware of my function onboard and take it quite seriously. The health of the crew is no laughing matter and requires quite a bit of serious attention.

If would excuse me though, I would like to enjoy a cup of tea and introduce myself to the members of the senior staff of whom I am not acquainted yet?"

[Ameriganastan]

"...Wait, we aren't leaving until tomorrow? Ugh, I knew that snarky Bajoran was pulling my leg. 'Sudden change in departure' my foot."

Brak wasn't exactly huge on socialization. And he wasn't keen to stick around and meet everyone if he wasn't guiding the ship somewhere.

"I'm returning to my quarters."

He meandered back to the nearest Turbolift, heading for his room.

[Hydrichastan]

In the turbolift, Sovak was joined by Ensign Salm.

"Greetings, Ensign Salm, this is your first mission aboard a starship, i presume?"