Cast of Characters:

CO    Captain K’Beth T’Kar                                            played by     Beth Kelley-Wharton
OPS  LtCmdr. Twelk                                                   played by     Rich Robbins
CTO  Lt. Tiberius Cassious McQueen                                  played by     John Flory
CEO  Lt. Maximus Heller                                              played by     Michael Hiles

NPCs:
Various                                                               played by     Ted Wharton

Summary: The Del was now docked at the station hidden in the Rolor Nebula.  Soon the station would begin offloading the dilithium crystals now stored in aging Excelsior's cargo bay.
 
The station commander a Tzenkethi known as Blachloch had contacted the Del and invited the bridge crew to dinner.  Likely in honor of completion of the supply mission...and perhaps to negotiate more work for the ship and crew
 
Unknown to the space station and its crew the crystals had been altered to degrade by the Del's crew.  The crystals should work but not for long.
 
Still about half of the replacement crew members have been cleared for duty by House and have been issued uniforms, quarters, and communicators.
 
Meanwhile ships continue to be repaired by the station at an alarming rate.  And with the station building onto itself in a manner that makes it look as if a mirror image of itself is being built on its bottom.  The station could build and/or repair an invasion fleet faster than Starfleet could repair its ships.
 
Now the crew stands exchanging pleasantries with the station commander and his personal guard.  From here its to the food and hopeful just a night of hospitality.
 
Star Trek, A Call to Duty is proud to present the USS Delphyne, Chapter Twelve - “Changes”  Eyes opened...Oh the sights they have to show you...  Star date 10807.09
 
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CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::looking over her crew assembled there and nodding in satisfaction::

Blachloch says:
:: stands with his honor guard at his side ready to proceed through the station ::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::stands silently watching the Tzenkethi::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: checks over the personal at the airlock to see who would be the easiest to get information from::

CEO_Lt_Heller says:
::stands silently leaning against the wall of the airlock::

Blachloch says:
CO: So captain let me show you my complex. I am rather proud of the work that has been done here in just 60 days...by Starfleet time that is

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: It must help when the station can build and repair itself.  How do you do that?  It would be a good thing to incorporate into our ship.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::raises an eyebrow:: Blachloch: Only 60 days?

Blachloch says:
CO: I wish I knew captain, only the 'eight' and the station know how it works

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: The eight?

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: remembers the last ship that could rebuild itself and wonder it is such a good thing::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::looks at Twelk::

Blachloch says:
CTO: Yes lieutenant, 60 days.  You think we should have been able to do it more quickly :: pauses :: I agree with you Bralaar is a fool

Blachloch says:
CO: Yes the eight :: motions for them to follow :: but we can discuss that opportunity over a good meal.

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::nods as she limps along after him, indicating the rest of her crew to follow::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: follows the group checking everything out as they move along::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::falls in beside Twelk::

Blachloch says:
:: points out one of the portholes :: CEO: Lt. I think you will find this interesting.  The repair bays change to accomodate each ship

CEO_Lt_Heller says:
::follows the captain and watches everything as they go::

CEO_Lt_Heller says:
Blachloch:  Really?  I'd be interested to see how that works.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::lowers his voice:: OPS: Something`s fishy

Blachloch says:
CEO: If your captain has no objection I believe I can arrange a tour :: smiles revealing his fangs ::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: keeping his voice just a quiet:: CTO: You just figuring that out?

Blachloch says:
OPS: Ah Mr. Twelk I believe.  I think you will enjoy the computer systems on this station.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
Blachloch: I believe I would after I have something to eat.

CEO_Lt_Heller says:
Blachloch:  I believe I can convince her to spare me for a while to take that tour.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::looks at Twelk:: OPS: Boy you’re a funny bugger

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
CTO: Naw just a hairy one :: grins::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::chuckles::
 
Action: The bridge crew is lead to a grand hall, large enough to make a Klingon envious.  Inside a huge table...real wood not polymer; filled with foods from every race present.  And if this is replicated, the Del needs a set of the replicators its the finest food served to you in a good while.  A small cage sits on the floor full of live selection

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
OPS: Think they`ll have steak at this shindig?

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::overhears the CTO:: CTO: looks like you can have whatever you want, Lt.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: sees the live selection:: CTO: If they have that I can bet they have steak. :: point towards teh cages::

CEO_Lt_Heller says:
All:  Now that's a dinner.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Don’t suppose they`ll have a nice curry by chance?

Blachloch says:
CTO: If you have a taste for something tell the server.  The station will replicate it for you

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::chuckles::CTO: Sounds like they have curry.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Curry and beer sounds good

Blachloch says:
All: Please be seated  :: takes his seat at the head of the table.  The live cage is between he and Twelk ::

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::sits down at the table and looks around:: Blachloch: nice place you have here.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::takes his seat to the Captains right::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: overhears the CTO:: CTO: The beer doesn't sound bad but I have no idea how you eat that other stuff.

CEO_Lt_Heller says:
::takes a seat::

Blachloch says:
CO: Not mine captain, but as long as our interests are the same as the stations and we pose no harm to the eight, we may do as we wish

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::eyes the cage:: OPS: Maybe that’s for you

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: looks over the contents of the cage as he sets down:: Blachloch: Looks like you have a fine selection of animals here.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: You talk as if the station is alive

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::looks at a server and asks for an orange juice::
 
Action: Blachloch calmly removes one of the disruptors from a body guard and shoots the bulkhead closest to him.  Within seconds an access door opens and a robotic arm begins making repairs

Blachloch says:
CTO: How do you classify alive?

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::leans back in her chair:: Blachloch: That is amazing.  We really need something like that on our ship.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: Sentient
 
Action: The server brings back the orange juice.  It looks like it was just squeezed

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: sees the station taking its action:: CEO: Something like that on the ship would cut down on your repair time.

Blachloch says:
CTO: Oh yes this station has a collective intelligence

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::nods in thanks and picks the glass up looking it over before sipping ::

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::quietly tells the server she'll have a root beer::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: Where did you get fresh oranges out here?

CEO_Lt_Heller says:
OPS:  Something like would put me out of a job.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: looks over the cage and waits for their host to make his selection first::

Blachloch says:
CTO: Fresh...replicated by the station

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
Blachloch: I hope that those are replicated? :: points to the cage::

Blachloch says:
OPS: Please help yourself :: reaches in grabbing a ferret and breaks its neck quickly putting it on his plate :: I recommend the ferret, quite good

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::take a deeper sip:: Blachloch: Amazing. Collective consciousness you say

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: So you were going to tell me about the 'eight'.

Blachloch says:
OPS: Acquired, much like the dilithium shipment was acquired

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: In my business it`s called resource reallocation

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: reaches in and grabs a ferret himself and kills it before taking a bite:: Blachloch: Thank you I believe I will start with that.

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::takes her root beer from the server and then reaches over, grabbing something that looked like a purple apple.  Takes a bite and finds it quite tasty::

Blachloch says:
CO: Ah yes.  This station was built by Vaadwaur.  It was originally discovered by a Federation ship.  But when the ship found the station had certain needs they tried to destroy it.  The station repaired itself enough to move out of that quadrant.  It hid in the nebula and tried to become fully operational :: pauses to take a drink from his chalice ::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::Turns to the server:: Server: I`ll have a meat pie with chips and gravy thanks cobber

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::looks up:: Blachloch: The Vaadwaur?

Blachloch says:
CO: A Ferengi ship found the station and docked with it.  The station emptied their computer core and used that information to begin to improve itself so it could fight off another attack.  The Ferengi had just come from one of the old Nor stations built by the Cardassians.  It used that as a blueprint.

Blachloch says:
CTO: Yes it was the race that the Borg assimilated to gain trans-warp technology

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: Delta Quadrant yes?

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: But what of this...'eight'?

CEO_Lt_Heller says:
Server: I'll take a porterhouse medium rare, and steak fry's.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: orders some coffee from the Server::

Blachloch says:
CO: The remaining...the eight has no love for the Federation.  When we found the station just 2 months ago, we found that it and our movement had the same ideals and we were allowed to set up operations
 
Action: The food is brought by the servers and it is still the best you have tasted in quite a while

Blachloch says:
CO: The eight are the bioelectric computer core for this station

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::picks a chip up and takes a bite::

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::looks a little puzzled:: Blachloch: So the 'eight' are running the station?

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: A humanoid interface?

Blachloch says:
CO: They are responsible for all station systems

CEO_Lt_Heller says:
::takes a cut of his steak and savors the taste, listening to the conversation intently::

Blachloch says:
CTO: Very good, quite right

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
Blachloch: if my memory serves me right when the federation found this station it wanted to use some of the personal from the ships to help run the station.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::chews over the chip:: Blachloch: So are these 8 Vaadwaur or Tzenkethi?

Blachloch says:
CO: The eight were very stimulated by the plans we had but could not execute without a supply base, a supply base that needed a purpose

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: Would it be possible for us to see them?  I'm curious as to whether it would be worth our while to get our own bioelectric computer core.  if it could do all of this...::waves her hand around::...it would be worth sacrificing some of our prisoners.

Blachloch says:
OPS: You know your history Mr. Twelk

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: So you need us to run supplies for you.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
Blachloch: Unfortunately that is about all I remember about that.

Blachloch says:
CTO: 1 Vulcan, 2 Cardassians, 2 Klingons, 1 Trill, 1 Betazoid, 1 Bajoran

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
OPS: The old NX missions if you’re right?

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: Hard to picture a Trill or Betazoid so against the Federation.

Blachloch says:
CO: We need supplies true and Intel as well.  :: wipes his mouth :: Oh they didn’t go against, the station took what was available

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: finishes the ferret and reaches in and grabs one of the pigs biting down on it throat to suffocate it before eating::
 
Action: Pig squeals loudly

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: bites harder to silence the pig::

Blachloch says:
CO: Let’s not toy around, I am sure you saw the Dominion craft on the way in

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: Is the Trill joined?
 
Action: Pig goes limp

Blachloch says:
CTO: Yes we were quite fortunate, the implant has had over 12 lives

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: ::nods:: they were a little hard to miss.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: lays the pig on the plate and continues to dine on it::

Blachloch says:
:: sits back :: CO: What would you say if I told you that my organization is planning to bring the Dominion to power in this quadrant  :: sips his drink ::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
Blachloch: And how long have the 8 been in charge of this station?

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::shrugs:: Blachloch: As long as we can make money off of them....I don't care who you bring in.

Blachloch says:
OPS: The current 8, for just over 2 of your years.  But with the station expanding I need at least 8 more bio-electrics

Blachloch says:
CO: By the way captain do you have a Klingon or Vulcan you would be willing to sell.  Young, pureblood, in good health?

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
Blachloch: Besides me do you have anyone else in mind?

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::raises an eyebrow:: Blachloch: I don’t care who`s in power as long as the Latinum flows

Blachloch says:
OPS: Besides you? :: laughs loudly :: No no I need creatures with longer life spans than Anticans.

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::shakes her head regretfully:: Blachloch: As it is, we are short handed.  We had to take old prisoners from the Breen to make up our losses.  But if you speak to them...we might be able to get more prisoners and then we'd have a few to spare.

Blachloch says:
CO: Those Dominion craft have been reverse engineered from damaged or mostly destroyed ships.  There are some systems we cannot replicate; I would pay handsomely for whatever Intel on captured Dominion ships you could acquire for me

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: They need to be in good health you say?

Blachloch says:
CO: The prisoners in the camps are too old, too ill, or too broken to be dependable

Blachloch says:
CTO: Of course, running this station strains their bodies.

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: Let me see what we have in our database.  As for the prisoners...you are right.  But if we could get enough for our needs...I might have a few youngsters that you can have.  If we could work out a deal, of course.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: What medical checks need be done? I want to know for if i find someone for you
 
Action: There is a slight click as the door shuts and the repair arm disappears.  Leaving a completely repaired bulkhead

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
::listens as the conversation goes on::

Blachloch says:
CTO: If they are ready for service on a starship then they would be ready for service here

CEO_Lt_Heller says:
::finishes up his steak then leans back in his chair and listens::

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::takes another piece of fruit and bites into it.  Almost spits it out as it is too tart.  Takes a big swig of her root beer and then reaches for the purple apple she liked before::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: Excellent then. I shall keep an eye out for you

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::slides his plate forward::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: What Intel on the ships do you want?

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
Blachloch: Then you also don't care what gender they are as long as they are healthy?

Blachloch says:
CEO: You could see why this station’s systems would not be right for you engineering department, unless you and your engineers are willing to undergo the coupling

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: As I said....only if we can work out a deal for replacement prisoners.  And we'd have to have the prisoners first so that we can get them up to health.

Blachloch says:
OPS: Correct we find no performance deficit due to gender

Blachloch says:
CTO: We are having trouble duplicating the power and drive systems.  We have tried substituting systems from technologies we know but no great success as yet

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::holds up her hand to stop the CTO from replying::

CEO_Lt_Heller says:
Blachloch:  Hmm well seems like I seldom ever leave engineering anyway but I don't think I'd like that.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::takes note and nods::

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: I'm sure you can understand that we really can't discuss anything about what you need until we come to some sort of financial arrangement.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: finishes the pig and set back and sips his coffee::

Blachloch says:
CO: There are several listening posts and outposts nearby.  All have potential candidates, but would never allow a Tzenkethi or Breen ship to approach..ah but a Starfleet vessel you would be greeted with open arms

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::watches the Captain::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
OPS: You’ve got a little blood there on your beard mate
 
Action: The servers begin to take the food away and replace it with desserts

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
:: take a napkin and wipes his mouth:: CTO: Was saving that for a midnight snack. :grins::

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: You obviously haven't been keeping up on the latest news.  We've been declared rogue traitors and orders are to destroy us on sight.  Taking any of those outposts would be a costly venture.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
::chuckles at his friends humor::

Blachloch says:
CO: Of course.  Now what would you want to be paid in and what is a fair price for this Intel?

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: Not too mention the Federations response if there out posts are hit

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: I think the fee just went up skipper

Blachloch says:
CO: Ah yes the Delphyne couldn’t, but how long do you think it would take this station to alter you warp signature and transponder to look like any other ship in any other fleet?

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::thinks for a moment:: Blachloch: I'd say 25,000 bars of gold pressed latinum for a start.  After all...we are going to be business partners so I'll give you a discount on our first transaction.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Another 10,000 for the Intel

Blachloch says:
CTO: Federation response.  Am I mistaken or is there not a saying that dead men tell no tales... and send no communications :: laughs ::

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
CTO: That was for the Intel, lieutenant.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: Even a dead man can talk ::smiles at the CO::

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
Blachloch: If you don't have any objections I will take that look at the computer system on the station. It will give me a chance to see what information that you are lacking so that we can give you your moneys worth.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Your sure you’re not part Ferengi?

Blachloch says:
CTO: Ambition is a good thing, greed can cause a man’s demise...ask your Ferengi friends

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::gives the CTO a look and turns back to Blachloch::

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
Blachloch: Yes but i understand my limitations and when to quit

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
::growls quietly:: CTO: And that is now...Lt.

CTO_Lt_McQueen says:
CO: Yes skipper

CEO_Lt_Heller says:
::grabs some peach cobbler from in front of him.:: All:  I think I’m going to like this friendship.

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: Why don't you let my crew take those tours you offered...and you and I can get down to business.

Blachloch says:
CO: I tell you what captain I have enjoyed our gathering so much.  Why don’t you and bridge crew take accommodations on the station and I will give you that tour in the morning...after a good meal that is

CO_Capt_K`Beth says:
Blachloch: That would be most welcome.  Thank you.

OPS_LtCmdr_Twelk says:
Blachloch: Do you have any good company on this station if you get my drift?
 
Action: The bridge crew is assigned quarters, all eloquent enough for an admiral.  After a sound sleep and a good breakfast the tour begins.
 
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