Host SMLea says:
Summary: The original Andromeda away team has returned safely to the station, but many questions remain to be answered:  Who really sabotaged the station? Were the Chalak conducting illegal experimentation, and if so, can it to proven? What was the Federation signature within the nebula? Who sent the mysterious message to the Captain and Doctor?
Host SMLea says:
Summary: As well as older questions: If the Captain's children are not dead, where are they? Who took them? And why? What is the source and purpose of the mysterious Ferengi crystals?
Host SMLea says:
Summary: With the Away Team returned, each member has followed its own path toward answers: Ensign Ivara is busily at work in the Science Lab, following a line of investigation with her assistant and Attaché Light.
Host SMLea says:
Summary: Counselor Varesh has taken a shuttle back into the nebula in search of the Federation signature, presumably an Andromeda shuttle sent under Lieutenant Zdunowski's command to search for the original Away Team. Doctor Knight-Sky continues to work in surgery upon the severely injured and unconscious Ensign McQuade...
Host SMLea says:
Summary: ...as Doctor Wilcox oversees the recovery of the Agtak sub-administrator Meekin. Meanwhile, Commander Power and Captain Knight have filled each other in, each with their own course to follow in the investigations.
Host SMLea says:
~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~Begin USS Andromeda Mission: "Safe Passage" 11204.07~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
::steps back out on to the bridge while the CO is in his ready room::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
*CNS* Status?
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@*XO*: I'm about to deviate from the aperture and we'll probably lose communications.
Host Meekin says:
<MO_Wilton>::Rolls Ensign McQuade's unconscious body out of the operating room, and into post-op::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
*CNS* Roger that. Check back in 30 minutes. I'm coming in to fetch you after 60 if I hear nothing.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@*XO*: Aye, sir. Going off the path now. I'll try check back in 30 if I can.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Moves his hand to his head.  Still not wanting to open his eyes.::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
*CNS* Understood. Andromeda out
Host Meekin says:
@ACTION: As the shuttle's path leaves the small, but relatively peaceful path along the communications aperture, the ride grows more rough and sensors readings begins to flicker, then fade....then flicker weakly back to life.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::nods over at Aidan and changes course, grimly holding on as the ride gets quite rough.""
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Opens his eyes slowly seeing the ceiling of sickbay.::
Host Meekin says:
<MO_Wilton>::Lays a hand on McQuade's shoulder gently:: CEO: Don't move yet... Just rest.     ::Presses the comm panel and continues post-op procedures:: *CO/XO*: Doctor Wilton to Knight and Power. Doctor Knight-Sky thought you'd like to know that Ensign McQuade is now out of surgery.
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
*MO Wilton* Understood.
Host Meekin says:
::Lying back on a bed in the main ward of sickbay, her treatment time under the surgical arm entirely complete now, but not particularly inclined to do anything about it::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
OPS_Wilson: You have the bridge. I'll be down in sickbay dealing with our guest.
Host Meekin says:
<MO_Wilton> CEO: Here...  ::Turns to a tray, removing a glass bottle of water, and, flipping open the top, holds it to McQuade's lips:: ...Try this. Carefully.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::makes minor course adjustments.::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
::steps into the TL:: TL: Sickbay
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Slowly takes a sip of the water.:: MO:  How long have I been here?
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Tilts his head looking around sickbay.::
Host Meekin says:
<MO_Wilton> CEO: Oh, the team returned a few hours ago, I think. You and Ensign Foxx are the only ones still in treatment.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
MO:  How’s Meekin?
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::frowns as the shuttle jumps around on sensors and peers out the main viewer:: Aidan: The shuttle looks like its listing to one side and engines are definitely not active. Prep the tractor.
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
::steps into sickbay and takes a quick glance around::
Host Meekin says:
<MO_Wilton> ::Smiles:: CEO: Fully recovered.  ::Smile fades:: As far as sickbay's concerned.   ::Looks up to see Power enter and waves from the back side of sickbay:: XO: Commander!
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
::nods back in the direction of the MO::
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Tries to sit up.::  XO:  Commander.
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
::heads over towards the CEO and MO:: CEO: Don't worry about it. Rest up
Host Meekin says:
::Raises her head slightly as she hears the doors open, then the doctor's voice from the other side of the room. A quick glance confirms - yes, it's him - and she lays her head back down::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::watches as Aidan gets the tractor beam ready as he maneuvers the shuttle into position.::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
CEO: I hope this is a valuable lesson in keeping your pants on.
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
MO: I trust he'll escape this experience without any permanent damage?
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@<Aidan> CNS: You need to get in close... within 3 meters or thee nebular gasses will disrupt the beam.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
XO:  I don't think pants on or off would have changed the outcome of getting beat by thugs.
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::steps out of the sonic shower and stretches, bending over to pick up the damaged robes from the floor where she left them.  Wrapping a towel around her hair and tying it in a loose knot she searches the multitude of pockets carefully pulling out the gear and laying it on a nearby counter::
Host Meekin says:
<MO_Wilton> ::Smiles as the XO and CEO banter, and sets the instruments down:: XO: All of his thoracic injuries will fully recover. However, Doctor Knight-Sky wants to follow up with an additional hyperencephalogram once he's had some time to recover, due to his head trauma.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::grimaces:: Aidan: Make it more difficult next time? ::starts edging the shuttle closer, hoping the sensors will be better once they are that close in::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
MO: Got it, if you wouldn't mind can I have a word with the CEO in private assuming his treatment for now is done?
Host Meekin says:
@ACTION: Sensors fades once more and for a brief moment, the two shuttle brush against one another - scratching the paint ever-so-slightly and mildly jostling their inhabitants.
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::pauses at the small data crystal that martinis had given her as they departed.  She picked it up and looked at it, before setting it on the fresh folded uniform nearby.  A few more items came from the pockets before she was satisfied that the robes were empty.  She looked at the battered garment and sighed slightly::
Host Meekin says:
<MO_Wilton> XO: Not a problem.  CEO: Just take is easy, and stay here in sickbay until you've heard from Doctor Knight-Sky.    ::Smiles to the two officers, then leaves the room, disappearing into a large supply closet::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::grimaces as the shuttles scrape together and then adjusts distance between them.:: Aidan: Engage the beam.
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::places the garments in the matter reclamation slot of the replicator and then goes back to the bathroom to beginning to pull her Starfleet uniform back on, pinning one pip to her collar and snapping the combadge to her chest all while releasing her hair from the towel and running a brush through it quickly.::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
::lowers his voice:: CEO: We have Meekin aboard obviously. I've had a discussion with the CO about this situation we have.
Host Meekin says:
@ACTION: The tractor beam flickers to life, fades a moment, then fully engages, its bright blue beam glowing against the blue-and-purple softness surrounding the shuttles.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@<Aidan> CNS: We got it. Now take us back nice and slow.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Watches Wilton move off, then turns to Commander Conor.::  XO:  And what where his thoughts on this mess?
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@Aidan: Nice and slow, aye. ::adjusts the shuttle's heading back to the aperture::
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::moves into the living room section as she pulls the blue lab coat on over her uniform and slides a few PADDs into the cavernous pockets.  She stops at the replicator again looking thoughtfully at it before walking away from it for now as she palms the crystal and heads out for the Stellar Cartography lab on deck 8::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
CEO: He wants no part of it. They aren't a member race of the Federation. She can apply for asylum or we will have to return her to the station. I'm sure we can come up with something to cover her involvement in helping us.
Host Meekin says:
@ACTION: The shuttles maneuver in a gentle 180, turning back toward (hopefully) the aperture, rocking gently in the gasses...But about halfway back, both shuttles are hit by a powerful wave of turbulence - strong than anything Varesh has experienced so far.
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::enters stellar cartography and sets the data chip on a universal reader plate:: Computer: Attempt to access this drive using all known Chalak algorithms.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
XO:  If we send her back, they may just kill her.  However I disagree with the Captain.  They are applying for membership.  If we let it go though it will only be worse.  If we recommend they not be involved they will continue as is....  ::Sighs.::   Sir if I may be blunt about it.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::frantically adjusts the shuttle's compensators:: Aidan: Increase power to the tractor beam.
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
CEO: Go for it
Host Meekin says:
@ACTION: The shuttles buck in the turbulence, throwing Aiden and Varesh out of their seats, but the tractor beam holds steady, and the shuttles continue forward.
Host Meekin says:
<Computer> CSO: Accessing....     ::A moment later::  Displaying.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
XO:  While Meekin did help us.  She is one of the persons involved.  She should be arrested for attempted murder.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
XO:  If we get the Federation involved it would only help their people in the long run.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::picks himself up off the floor, looking over at Aidan to check if the other man is OK before lunging for the pilot's seat and getting the shuttle back under control:: Aidan: You alright?
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
::pauses for a second:: CEO: I believe you left this part out when we were thinking about bringing her back.
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
Computer: Overlay all reports of unexplained phenomenon in a 1 ly area of the indicated system.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
XO:  We hardly had time to discuss the full scope of these people and this away mission.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@<Aidan> CNS: Probably some bruising but nothing permanent. You can explain the bruises to Aaron. :;grins::
Host Meekin says:
ACTION: Several screens in stellar cartography come to life: The main screen displays a large map centered around Delta IV, while auxiliary panels scrolls planetary survey reports and raw data scans.  Moments later an overlay of red and orange speckles the original map.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
XO:  I should have died in that station, but Meekin took me away from that area for...  ::Pauses.::  Lunch.
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
CEO: Yes but harboring one of the known members of this so called terrorist or freedom fighter depending on your viewpoint is a slightly different ballgame compared to what I thought we were getting in to.
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::tilts her head slightly:: Self: Well hello... ::on a hunch:: Computer: Limit display to reports including morphogenic fields.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::laughs and pays attention to getting the shuttle back to the aperture.:: Aidan: Just make sure the tractor beam stays active.
Host Meekin says:
::Finally slides off the biobed and to her feet, approaching the XO and CEO from across the ward, eyes flickering with resigned resolution::
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
XO:  She maybe a terrorist, but she has given important information that shows just how screwed up these people are.  She is a direct eyewitness and should be allowed to speak to the federation.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Pauses as he hears someone approaching.
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
::looks up and sees Meekin approaching::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
Meekin: I see you are up and about again. Has the doctor cleared you yet?
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::flicks eyes from screen to screen looking for a common thread between the reports as the computer works::
Host Meekin says:
::Nods and speaks slowly:: XO: No one has exactly told me I could leave...but the Doctor -- Wilcox? -- said I was fine now.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::frowns:: Aidan: Check my calculations please. With timing, speed and direction as shown by the sensors we should be at the aperture, but it’s not coming up on sensors. ::tries not to sound too concerned::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
Meekin: That is good to hear. I'll be over to talk with you about that once I'm finished with the CEO here.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@<Aidan> ::nods, hearing what's not said and pulls up the information::
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Offers a smile to Meekin.::  Meekin:  Welcome aboard the Andromeda.  It’s good to see you are recovering.
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::tabs over to the solar activity display and raises an eyebrow making note of what she saw::
Host Meekin says:
::Nods, her eyes flickering to McQuade's, and warming for the slightest moment. But the warmth quickly fades as she looks back to Conor:: XO: I understand. And I appreciate your medical care. But I want you to know that I understand you'll need to send me back.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::tries to get a mental lock on the ship::
Host Meekin says:
::Raises a breath, as if to add more, but instead clamps her jaw firmly shut, and ekes out a meager smile:: XO: Commander.  ::Nods, then nods to McQuade:: CEO: Tavish.   ::Turns to leave them to their conversation::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
::waits for Meekin to return to her biobed:: CEO: I think this is mostly sorted. We'll get all the info we can from here and give it to the diplomats. They can take it from there. Our mission is only to discreetly observe them not make direct judgments. I'll offer her the chance to apply for asylum aboard the ship but I think she is resigned to her fate aboard the station.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::breathes deeply, taps in a few course corrections and eases the shuttle forward:: Aidan: Between the faint bearing on the ship I got mentally and the sensors clearing up, the aperture is up ahead.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Nods.::  XO:  I think we should keep her onboard here until we can give her to Starfleet.  As you said let them handle the Chalak.  But we should not send her back alone.  Her life will be in danger if we do.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@<Aidan> CNS: Good going,
Host Meekin says:
::Slides back onto the biobed and lies down on her side, her back to the officers across the room, staring unseeingly at some medical cabinetry across the way::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@Aidan: Thanks, we should be in the aperture in a few. ::smiles over at the other man::
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::flips through a few more screens as she frowns in thought., typing away at her PADD and the nearby computer screen::
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
XO:  The Agtak, or Meekin’s people, are not treated the same as the Chalak.  There is a good change she will die before getting a trial.  Even if she makes it to trial she may not get a fair one.
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
CEO: They aren't Federation members. Unless she applies for asylum we can't hold her against her will. While I may not agree with letting the Chalak in based on what we've seen, we have only one side of this story nor is it our job either to police them. As I've said earlier we'll get all the info we can to hand over but I think she wants to go back regardless.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::gives a small sigh of relief as they enter the aperture:: *XO*: Varesh to Conor.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
XO:  In my opinion Commander.  I think we should have her arrested and tried by the Federation for attempted murder of Starfleet officers.  At least she would get a fair trial.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
XO:  I understand Commander.  I'll talk with her.
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
CEO: That would be a tough sell and in your own words she saved your life. Hardly an excellent start to building an attempted murder case with.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::increases speed a little:: Aidan: I'll be glad to be back on board.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Smiles.::  XO:  Hence the word attempted.  She was part of the plot none the less.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@*XO*: Varesh to Conor.
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
CEO: Look, I'll see that you have a chance to say goodbye or talk to her assuming she wants to return to the station. In the meantime I'll debrief her and hand it over to SF, but this is coming from the CO. We are already far too involved in their internal politics.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
XO:  Not to mention that the Agtak believed Starfleet where just puppets of the Chalak.
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
*CNS* Power here.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@*XO*: Sorry to interrupt, sir. Shuttle retrieval was successful, we'll be back on board shortly.
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
*CNS* What is the state of the FCO?
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
::Waits for Conor to get off the comm.::
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
*XO*: Unknown, sir. I couldn't do a proper scan until we're outside the nebula. Will do one now but it will be less than accurate until we're out the nebula. ::nods at Aidan to scan the shuttle they were towing::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
*CNS* Understood. We'll debrief when your back. Power out.
CSO_Ens_Ivara says:
::compares what is on her PADD to one of the screens, then holds it up to the large screen.:: Self: Huh.
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@<Aidan> CNS: He's alive but unconscious. Lifesigns are weak but steady..
CNS_Cmdr_Varesh says:
@::nods and heads for the exit to the aperture and heading back to the ship::
XO_LtCmdr_Conor says:
CEO: I've already discussed this with the CO and we're decided on this course of action. I will debrief her and then give you an opportunity to speak with her before she leaves. Unless she decides to apply for asylum we'll bring her back to the station before the day is out. Otherwise we'll keep her here while we decide the merit of her application.
CEO_Ens_McQuade says:
XO:  Understood sir.
Host Meekin says:
~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~Pause Mission - Time Lapse: 10 minutes~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~"~

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