Deity Debrief Bruncheon

Posted on Sun Jan 6th, 2019 @ 9:17pm by Commander Rita Paris & Captain Enalia Telvan & Lieutenant Commander Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant Seregon French & Lieutenant Commander Sonak & Lieutenant Samuel Clemens XV & Lieutenant Commander Mnhei'sahe Dox & Lieutenant Asa Dael & Rear Admiral Farenia Meowlith
Edited on on Sun Jan 6th, 2019 @ 11:22pm

Mission: Escaped Pantheons
Location: Senior Officer's Mess
Timeline: After Leaving the Worldship

It was time once again for the officers of the USS Hera to come together for a meal and a meeting in honor of their latest successful mission. This time though, it was more of a bruncheon catered by the normal kitchen staff with dishes from over a dozen worlds ranging from Bolian crepes to Trill waffles to French toast and with a whole range of sides made from meats, potatoes, and eggs. On top of that, there were donuts and pastries as well as a drink replicator and fresh, real coffee and tea on demand. Just like last time, everything prepared was 100% real and not replicated and as fresh as it could be - one of the perks of being Captain of the USS Hera.

As Enalia entered and headed to the line to plate up, she hoped that this time it would be a bit more informal as she was really hungry this time. Grabbing a couple of the waffles and smothering them in butter and preserves, she added some of the bacon to her plate and grabbed a cup of coffee before taking her place at the head of the table to await the rest of the senior staff and dug in.

Following her was Commodore Meowlith, whom went for a plate of the Bolian crepes and some preserves along with some of the scrambled eggs and a mug of coffee. Sitting next to Enalia, she grinned wryly. "You certainly eat better over here than I expected. Maybe I should put in a transfer order for myself next."

"Don't you dare. You've almost lost more ships..." Enalia couldn't help but chuckle though. Having Farenia aboard the Hera would make things a bit easier in some regards.

Striding into the officer’s lounge like she owned it, Commander Rita Paris stepped up to the table where the Captain was eyeing her suspiciously, then broke into a grin. “Please. I know what the word ‘informal’ means, Cap’n. Brunch it is. Commodore,” Paris offered a respectful nod to the one-star admiral as she pivoted and headed for the serving line, fetching some French toast with butter and maple syrup, and her eyes lit up at the sight of a donut. Looking around as if afraid someone might notice, she dropped a few strips of bacon on her plate as well, then grabbed a cup of coffee, dropping a few sugar cubes in it before finding herself a seat.

“An entire world and people that were completely artificial, the constructs of a powerful mind. That’s a new one even on me, Commodore,” Paris offered, folding a piece of bacon to get the entire strip in her mouth then savoring the burst of flavor before talking around it. “Even wackier than the Great Park on Omicron Delta 3.”

"Tell me about it..." Replied Farenia, punctuating the air with her fork. "I just wish I had been there when you ended the whole thing."

As if magically drawn by the smell of pastries, Doctor Asa Dael was the next through the doors. The doctor had almost as much a sweet tooth as the peoples that had lived on the worldship and it would take more than murderous munchkins to stop them from enjoying a sugary repast with friends and ship mates. There was much to celebrate, a mission without Starfleet death, a people’s wish for rest being granted, and a demon vanquished.

They piled their plate high with French toast dripping in syrup, bacon, cheese danishes, and a chocolate éclair. After grabbing a few extra napkins (just in case), the doctor poured themselves a tall cup of coffee and added the requisite cream and sugar. The few people already in the room looked at them, and those that knew the doctor rightly feared the sugar high the young doctor was giving themselves. Heedless of any questioning gazes, the doctor took a seat at the table with their back to the door, ever aware that security personnel and bridge staff by and large liked to keep their back to the wall, not the door.

Next into the room was the HERA's pilot and Chief Flight Control Officer, Lieutenant Junior Grade Melanie Dox. The young, part-Romulan officer entered the room somewhat hesitantly, hoping she didn't look as tired as she felt. For the past few nights, she hadn't slept well and the sleep she got was broken by nightmares. The perpetually anxious woman was more uncomfortable than usual, but put on her level best game face and stepped up to grab a plate.

With a cup of black coffee and a tray of mostly bacon and some eggs, she smiled and nodded towards the Captain, Commodore and Commander Paris who she didn't want to interrupt. Finding a seat next to Asa, she sat down quietly.

Asa lightly bumped shoulders with Dox as she sat down in greeting.

Next in was the chief engineering officer who slid into the room with a spring in her step as she headed for the food table. Pilling up a pile of pancakes, bacon and syrup. Walking over to her seat she sat down smiling at everyone. She was clearly in a good mood.

It was a rare occurence for Sonak not to enter at exactly the appointed time of any meeting, be they formal or informal. This time however, the proper safe disposal of the worldship's artefact had required extra measures to ensure that the entire reposit of an alien civilization would be preserved comes what may. Only when he calculated safety probability beyond 99.9% did he declared the task finished and headed for the luncheon room.

Once there, he opted for Earth oatmeal, plain with Vulcan tea and joined the bridge officers at their table.

"Captain," he formally said then gave a nod to each of the others present before sitting down.

The Chief Spook came through the door, leaning heavily on the cane he'd been using during his rehab period, post-surgery. The grimaces as he perambulated were markedly-less intense, today- certainly a good sign the the biosynthetic replacement was communicating better with his recently-rebuilt spinal column.

His biosynthetic hand waved a greeting at the assembled crew, as he sidled up to the bar, and loaded up a plate with a truly unsettling amount of carnivorous foods of many varying types, stacked high. This replacement was obviously not as troublesome.

"A most sumpshus spread, Cap'n n'Missus, as we've all become a'customed-to! Mah compliments to th'chef, indeed!" He settled into a seat with his treasures.

French entered the bruncheon still a bit overwhelmed after that session with Thor and the Baroness. But she was coming around. Since she arrived on the Hera she had not been herself. Now that she had bragging rights. It was time she snapped out of it and got down to business. She nodded to this crew member and that one as she found herself a place to sit and consume her meal.

----------

After everyone had gathered and mostly eaten, Captain Telvan finished off her coffee and addressed the table. "Everyone, this is the first time in many years that we've come through a mission without losing a single person. For that accomplishment, I commend you all. Thank you."

As a light cheer went around the table, the Captain continued. "That being said, we were present and somewhat responsible for the end of a one million year era of a people that, for lack of a better phrase... Went completely crazy being alive that long. We've also released a lot of powerful energy beings into the galaxy. However, the titans that are being woken up are no longer being fed energy from them and no more summonings are being performed. On top of that, Commander Paris and her team were able to prevent the summoning of what I'm told would have been a cataclysmic level being. Overall, I'd say this was a highly successful mission. Commander Paris, your comments?"

"Judging from the reports and our experience on the Worldship, the entire region was a pocket of subspace that made it that much easier for Log'yerm/// to project what he perceived to be a paradise for the 12 billion souls he had records of to sustain. He just wanted to make them happy, and he managed it by using powerful reality altering abilities. Mr. Sonak has some input on that," Paris nodded to the blue-uniformed scientist.

"But after a million years- not sure if we've confirmed that figure, but however long it was, they went a little stir crazy and started summoning stuff because they figured out how to channel his energies. As an 'indulgent parent' he let them, and that's how we got mythological figures come to life in the galaxy. He did say most of them would probably fade away, though some might stay. This universe now has some more interesting and potentially powerful residents, it seems."

"They'd summoned one demon..." the first officer paused to pick up her omnipresent PaDD, tapped it a few times, then continued. "Haagenti, legendarily attributed to be a Great President of Hell, ruling thirty-three legions of demons. He makes men wise by instructing them in every subject, transmutes all metals into gold, and changes wine into water and water into wine. About four and a half meters tall, like a humanoid bull with feathered batwings."

"So they summon this joker and he in turn teaches them the proper incantation to summon Asmodeous, who is apparently real. Or could be made real by their belief in calling him forth, more appropriately. Again, I leave the actual metaphysics to the Science department. But they needed blood for sacrifice, we were part of the ritual- nothing like a little prognostication to create predestination that leads to you being the centerpiece at a blood sacrifice to summon a demon lord, amirite?" Paris quipped. Looking around, she realized the line wasn't flying, so she finished the report.

"Sacrifice averted, demon on hand dispersed into a subspace pocket that doesn't exist anymore- or at least the access point has vanished from our reality, according to the scans. The Baroness sacrificed herself to prevent the ritual from coming to pass, and it was damned heroic. She may not be Starfleet, but I'm still putting her in for a medal all the same, ma'am." Paris nodded to the commodore and the captain, checking the political barometer on that one, which looked very good on both fronts. "Once the cultists and the summoning were foiled, I spoke with Loggy, convinced him of the error of his ways with a simple truth, and he entrusted us with the World Core of the Alfarin people. Again, I defer to science."

"Lieutenant Dox steered us out of the anomaly towing the Forthright- commendable flying, Miss Dox- and we're all still here to tell the tale. Even the Baroness, who is recovering I believe? I'll leave that report for Sickbay to expand upon." With that, Paris ended the report. It was a much dryer version of the tale she would tell when entertaining shipmates with the tale, or the treatise she would someday write on the detrimental effects of immortality.

Dox smiled at the compliment and replied softly. "Thank you, Commander." She didn't want to elaborate overtly, but also didn't want to come off as so quiet as to draw too much attention to her distracted mood. "The... sensory helmet I used to fly us in is currently dismantled and in the security vault until Ensign Gonadie and Commander sh'Zoarhi can determine how it... um... well... apparently based on the comments of the entity that invaded the ship for it, it made me visible from some kind of... astral plane while using it."

"Our current knowledge would rather point towards subspace rather than some fanciful magical realm," Sonak offered after a sip of his tea. "The helmet apparently allows you to connect to it on a sensory level and detect it's flow and currents for ship travel. A remarkable feat of navigational engineering; but useful only with someone having the proper perceptions, talents and training."

Feeling more than a little uncomfortable recounting the events, Dox never the less elaborated to the best of her ability. "While the scientific expertise is beyond me, it's being investigated to determine exactly how the helmet possibly enabled me to... react... biologically to the initial attempts by the Worldship entity that affected those on board with psychic abilities. I experienced a dangerous blood pressure spike that should have been controlled by prior medical preparation coordinated with Doctor Dael. That and other unusual medical readings were recorded that coincided with the... for lack of a better term... psychic event. And those symptoms subsided when I removed the helmet while the event was still ongoing. Until it can be safely tested under lab conditions, it could very well be a false correlation, but every potential esper test Starfleet gave me when I joined up came up negative so it's still being investigated to see if there's any truth to the creatures claims that the helmet artificially connected me to it's mental network telepathically."

Again the Vulcan spoke in his usual deadpan tone.

"There is no need for you to be psionic at all if a powerful enough telepath makes contact with your mind. The hypothesis you are submitting is that the helmet grants you such mental sensibility artificially. That seems validated by your experience. Current psionic technology is rather crude, as the Federation is much reluctant with mind manipulation; especially since there were incidents in mental therapy facilities in the last century when such experiments were conducted. Klingons have also been using mind sifters for centuries but do not have any serious knowledge beyond interrogation applications. Romulans too limit their studies to brainwashing techniques. Even my own people have abandoned such technological application of our own psionics for millenia now, as they almost destroyed our world."

He took a sip of his tea before concluding.

"However, ignorance, failure and fear must never dictate our approach to understanding."

The uncomfortable pilot changed the subject off of her herself and the helmet experience. "I put in my reports a note of commendation for Yeoman Dedjoy, Ensigns Paulson, Harnell and Gonadie for their performance in the... incident.

"Noted and sent up the chain of command," the first officer confirmed. "We might never be able to tell the stories, but the commendations in the service record still count, and good to see you recognizing your shipmates for their commendable actions."

Smiling somewhat awkwardly, Dox nodded in reply.

"As to the medical aspect of things, the baroness and I went to the worldship to observe the locals. Once there we interrupted an attempt to murder a being who came to identify herself as the corporeal manifestation of Death, and I might add she is a lovely person, surprisingly. We then proceeded to speak to a Flumia, a priestess of sorts, to see what we could do to stop the summonings and aid the elfin people. The Flumia was a bit unhinged and proceeded to lure the our trio to the summoning chamber where Commander Paris and Lieutenant Sonak were waiting. I spent most of the ensuing confrontation running away to avoid having the Flumia draw my blood to further strengthen Asmodeus."

"Once the conflict was over, Lieutenant Sonak aided me in getting the Baroness back to the Hera. She was in bad shape, the Flumia had eviscerated her and she was bleeding profusely, but the EMH and Nurse Vimes and I were able to repair damage to her spinal column, nerve cluster, and abdomen. She will need a minimum of six weeks bed rest to fully recover, and physical therapy after, but thanks to her augmentations she will live where others would have died before reaching the Hera. She serves as an example to me on what bravery looks like, and I am forever grateful to her. As I understand it, Death has hitched a ride, so if anyone sees her, have no fear, she's quite lovely. " the doctor concluded.

"Lieutenant Clemens, I'm afraid I have to plead ignorance. It's clear you were injured during our stay on the Worldship but I'll admit I missed the report." Leave it to Rita Paris to own it when she didn't know something and just come right out and ask. "What happened to you?"

The Missouri Spymaster paused in his repast, and regarded the XO for a moment, uncharacteristically quiet.

"...Trelane happened," he replied, in measured tones. "He decided he didn't like muh parryin' skills when ah was winnin'."

"...so he gave me a handicap."

He grinned, though, as he praised the multitasking skills of the EMH in repairing him.

"...th'man was a wonder. Ah've put in a request fuh special commendation fuh him."

"I'll read the report- sorry we lost track of you, Chief. Glad you're still with us," Paris offered, resolving to spend more time with the Hera's elusive resident 'spook'.

"In other news, as is with all things, we already have our next assignment," The captain announced, launching into the mission briefing. "However, we'll be doing some prep work before getting there. As you all may or may not know, after the Dominion War, Section 31 was disbanded and all that's supposedly left of them is an office of records in San Francisco now." Letting that sink in, Enalia paused dramatically. "One of their old installations sent out a distress call while we were dealing with the world ship and is in a state of quarantine. Since Intel Command sees us as the only ship capable of handling whatever research may have been done there, we've been assigned the task of looking into it. It will take us about three weeks to get there because it's a bit close to Breen space and the Federation doesn't want to piss them off so we're apparently warning them ahead of time."

Sonak recalled what he had learned of the former shadow organization; one that boasted it's very name from a nonexistent article of the Federation Charter and pretended to do behind the scenes whatever they deemed necessary to be done for the Federation to live up to it's lofty ideals, whatever the means. This very idea was so irrational and illogical as to be laughable if he had not been a being of reason and logic himself. Had it been true, it would have made the Federation nothing else than a lie, a farce, a sham and the embodiment of the total failure and denial of what it said it stood for. It would just as well have made everything Starfleet and countless of beings that had dedicated and even lost their lives for utterly meaningless.

No wonder the Federation had disbanded this occult manipulating movement once it's true nature and purpose had been exposed, along with the few Starfleet officers and Federation officials that had backed them. But the root of such corrupting delusion ran deep in the core of some sentient beings like Humans. It would take but a spark, just one man at the right place like an Admiral Pressman or Haggerthy to bring it forth anew... and there might not be another Jean-Luc Picard this time around to stop them.

But if this upcoming mission foreshadowed such a dark revival, this time it might be for the Hera and her crew to rise up to truly protect the Federation... even if from itself.

Slowly Paris raised her hand. One of her handicaps in this era was that her knowledge of 130 years of history was not that of her brilliant spouse. Also, while she still read up on history, there was still a lot to cover while performing her duties. "So one from the slow kid- what IS Section 31 exactly, and what might be in store with this abandoned base? Do we have any idea what sort of base it was?"

Enalia fielded that question since she'd been embroiled in their leftover plots so many times before. "To start with, Section 31 was a shadow organization within Starfleet that was founded back when Earth was just starting to explore the cosmos that made it it's mission to protect first the Earth, then the Federation at all costs, no matter what it took. By their own hand they committed atrocities in the name of the greater good of the Federation that never saw the light of day, from mass murders to assassinations to political espionage. Some say that every war that the Federation was ever in we would have lost if it weren't for them... But I'd prefer to think that there was a better way and we just didn't find it before them. On the bright side, when they were disassembled, we got a lot of tech that was a lot more advanced than the rest of the fleet that we still can't fully understand up in the mission pod."

"As for this base," the Commodore interjected before Enalia could derail the conversation any further. "Judging by their other remote outposts like this, it's likely a research station of some sort. It also likely has a data dump. If my guess is correct, they were probably doing bioweapons research there before and during the war and no one told them the war was over and now something's gotten loose."

"Hence why we're taking our time getting there..." Enalia added. "Any personnel are likely already dead and if we wait a few weeks it's hopeful any infectious material or whatever killed them will be as well. Otherwise we would have gotten a follow up transmission after the automated distress beacon." Sighing heavily, Enalia couldn't help but think back to the last time they sent an away team to a similar station. "As long as we're not fighting augmented soldiers and giant voles or some crazy stupid computer system..."

"We'd hear rumors out in the Neutral Zone when I was growing up, but just whispers." Dox commented. "It sounds an awful lot like the Romulan Tal'Shiar."

"And the Cardassian Obsidian Order, the Klingon House Pegh, and just about any other shadow organization out there." Farenia smiled softly at Dox's admission. "I think the Federation and the Klingon Empire hid theirs about the best though, if I'm to be fair."

From the ebb and flow of this conversation. French could see another Security nightmare brewing. This would mean Eye only protocol and very tight lips on the part of security since they would without a doubt be lending bodies to this one. “Captain, I’ll be sure to brief the Security Department accordingly. Don’t want any data or info getting out on this one. “ offered French sounding better than she had in weeks. She thought to herself, it felt good to finally find her voice. She felt ready.

"We are an intel ship, so no leaks would be nice," Commander Paris offered with a raised eyebrow and a small smile. "If we're going on an investigation into what's likely an abandoned research base who were digging into the proverbial Things Man Was Not Meant To Know, I personally would feel good knowing you have a handpicked team of security personnel ready to accompany the away teams. The better to keep our investigating personnel safe, Chief French, since you and I are likely going to be on point for this one."

"Not a problem. You'll be getting the A team on this one. And a handful of badasses to get us out of there if we encounter something that just won't die." And she giggled a little

Thex had been sitting and listening patiently. She knew little of section 31, but from the rumors, she'd heard it would be something to poke around in one of their bases. " I'll make sure my boys and girls are up to scratch on data recovery. I doubt the base will have anything, but if we could recover any of their data it could be of great help to the internal security boys." The andorian responded.

"The science department will have a lab dedicated to study those findings," Sonak assured them.

"I have seen records of what types of research was done there before the shut down, " the doctor said with a shudder, "All away team members need to come by Sickbay for genetic stabilizers as a precaution. I also want full workups on everyone going so we have a recent baseline to compare to post mission. Also if at all possible, I'm recommending a 48 hour quarantine on return from the base."

"Chief Clemens, I believe a little intel is called for on this mission," Paris turned to address the Chief Intelligence officer with a coffee cup in one hand and a doughnut in the other, which she used to emphasize her points. "Let's dig up all we can so that we'll have some idea of what we're in for, as well as reports of the Breen activity in the area, and any other interested parties. That distress beacon may mean that something escaped or went wrong. Or it might mean that they're being raided by individuals who we do not want getting their hands on whatever is in that base. Let's examine the likely possibilities and work up probable scenarios for what we're going to be facing."

At the end of the string of orders, Rita took a satisfied bite of the circular ring that comprised one of her favorite Earth confection- a simple glazed doughnut. Savoring the flavor, she remained silent as she waited for the next addition to the mission briefing.

Enalia leaned forward and fixed each of her senior staff with a steely gaze. "We'll have some time to prepare at least. Yeoman Dedjoy has access to an older database of theirs in the pod so that should help as well. We've lost people on similar missions, but with enough preparation and luck, we can walk out of this one unscathed and with a win on our side. We've proven we can do this so let's do it again. For now though..." Turning to look at the rest of the breakfast buffet with a grin. "Let's make it our mission to finish off that amazing breakfast buffet first, shall we? There's still plenty to eat. Let's not let non-replicated food go to waste."

Then with one last look back at the others, she added one more note. "After this mission, I think it's time for a little shore leave again. You've all earned it and I'm very proud of you and the whole crew. Commodore, please consider this our official request."