Apologies if I over-assume here, but will have ch'Pertha acting as Captain until otherwise noted

With Gullak JavKer and his team working on getting the ship ... well, 'ship shape' ... as swiftly as possible, and ch'Pertha (having noted Xanatos Mcreeg's efficient work with the weapon's systems during the earlier crisis) had sent the Lt JG Helsman into Engineering to assist.

And while Christopher Decker providing admirable assistance to Dr Stoorer, ch'Pertha was attempting to liaise with the Velkath government.

His place, though, was on the ship ... and so he'd delighted the task of direct planet-side diplomacy to T'Lara; having great confidence in her ability to work efficiently with the native populous, and create an environment of social support.
She was, for most definition, the ship's 'Face' upon the planet below.

Medbay was keeping him debriefed on Ffion Parry-Jones's condition regularly.

Meanwhile, when not required to be directly involved with any number of duties, ch'Pertha was lending his extensive knowledge of espionage, and leading his security department, in attempting to discover the identity of this apparent Orion, Zazz'rit.
He was intently curious to discover why the Orion (individual, or government?) wanted to see this mission fail.
rolling Reason(8)+Security(5), 'Espionage' Focus; with Ship's Computer(8)+Security(2).
- Naryss ch'Pertha rolled  2,2,10.
to my calculations, thats 4 successes for ch'Pertha, plus another success from the ship's database?   = 5 successes.
If that leads to any additional information, I'd be awfully grateful.

Mcreeg gets his order, tho not really happy about leaving the bridge, he does see the wisdom in it. Turning to Ens Nyshuri, he smiles.."watch my station, ok? even of someone else mans it, keep an eye on it..I trust you"

Getting up from his chair he heads for the doors, running a soon as he's able, wanting to get to Engineering as fast as he can, urging the Turbolift to go, then almost laughing at himself.

Arriving in Engineering, he looks around, as much seeking the reining officer amid all the chaos as trying to figure out where he can do the most good.

T’Lara drowned herself in work once things settled down, best to get her mind from thinking about her recent loss.  She helped with reproducing the destroyed Serum (she was a graduate of Starfleet Medical School, after all), treat the injured, and consul those who were similarly grieving over Dr. de Montaine.

Once the Ship finally arrived at its destination she joined the medical team on the ground to administer the cure and care for anyone already suffering from the plague

LCDR JavKer and his team, now assisted by LT JG Mcreeg, labor to repair the damage to the Indy.  Although she's suffered no major structural harm, lots of system burnouts and overloads throughout the ship have made her a wiring nightmare... at least until repairs are completed.

ENS Nyshuri smiled and took her station as Mcreeg left her in charge of the conn with an inspirational speech.  It seemed to work the way he'd intended it.  Not that there was much to do at conn with the ship damaged and just orbiting.

LCDR Decker continues to assist with the production and dissemination of the serum, even as T'Lara interfaces with the ground staff.  The fever is most dangerous to Tellarites, but there are cases of it jumping species.  So, every precaution is taken. Planetside, she finds a Starfleet doctor on hand, diverted via fast transport. DR. Laila Abdool is working with the Tellarites to treat the plague.

CDR Parry-Jones remained comatose, in critical condition.  Her spine had been crushed and there were probable brain injuries as well.  With time, and advanced rehabilitation, she would survive.  But the odds of her ever commanding a starship again were slim.

Turning his focus to sleuthing, CDR ch'Pertha digs for leads.  The Orion name, Zazz'rit, would seem most likely linked to a renegade Orion by the same name.  The Orion government has several bounties on this man's head.  Starfleet records suggest... a freebooter, perhaps a minor smuggler.

The Orion government itself, of course, disavows any knowledge of the saboteur or his actions.  But with some digging, ch'Pertha discovers an Orion investment firm recently purchased a large amount of pharmaceutical material used in crafting the serum to cure the plague.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:01, Thu 22 Aug 2019.

Meanwhile, an Oberth-class scout, the USS Goddard, has been diverted to Dourap IV at best possible speed.  Her captain, Commander Manantena Rakoto, has erceived a bittersweet order from Starfleet Command...



"Commander, things on the border are quite delicate.  You've been on the block for a promotion for your next billet... but with the losses to the command crew of the Independence, we're going to have to speed things up."

"You're to hand command of the Goddard over to your XO upon arrival at Dourap IV and assume command of the Independence.  Critically injured... like CDR Parry-Jones... are to be transferred to the Goddard for transport to a dedicated medical facility."

"A Doctor Layla Abdool was diverted to Dourap IV by the Bonhomme Richard.  She'll be tapped to replace the Independence's CMO.  A copy of her orders has been delivered to your console."

"In addition, we're transferring your Chief Comms officer, LT T'Kres, along with you.  She's more experienced than LT Nipay and will assume duties as Chief Comms."

"Any questions, CAPTAIN?  And congratulations on your promotion," the Admiral said.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:14, Thu 22 Aug 2019.

JavKer wasin fine form. His expert opinions on the timeframes a d severity of repairs needed had fallen on deag ears. They'd make do with what the Chief Engineer considered patches and jury-rigging.

While not exactly in his element, Mcreeg was still confident in what could be accomplished, checking all the readouts and displays, lending a hand where he could, actually glad, after all they so recently went thru not to have to be the one to make the decisions, carrying out the orders of LCDR JavKer to the best of his ability.

JavKer can make an Insight + Engineering check to reflect the overall state of repairs.  Difficulty WOULD BE 2.  2 dice, plus 1 for an assist from the ship's Computers + Engineering.  "Rugged Design" means the difficult is reduced by 1, to 1.

Mcreeg can make a Control + Engineering check to repair systems regarding Flight Control and Phasers.  His focii will apply! 2 dice, plus 1 for an assist from the ship's Computers + Engineering.  "Rugged Design" means the difficult is reduced by 1, to 1.

Meanwhile, planetside, T'Lara is coordinating with the civilian government when she learns a Starfleet doctor, Laila Abdool, from the Bonhomme Richard, has been assisting until they could arrive.  Counselor T'Lara is led into a sick ward where Dr. Abdool is treating fevered Tellarites.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:27, Thu 22 Aug 2019.

"Thank you, sir.  It's not an ideal situation for assuming command; I'm hoping CDR Parry-Jones is able to regain some motor function.  From the report it appears the crew performed admirably in her stead, managing to catch the saboteur and avoid a major confrontation with the Klingons.  I'm looking forward to counting myself among them."

Mana was understandably reflective; the ship's previous captain and chief medical officer had paid a heavy price in the line of duty.  But she believed in Starfleet's mission and had leaned a long time ago that it was one that required a bloody-nose once in a while.  Which was a simple way of comparing such an incident to the Starfleet as a whole but for the men and women lost, their family and friends, the pain was much greater than that.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:00, Sat 24 Aug 2019.

---

Planetside - Infectious Diseases Ward

   At one of the beds in the sick ward, two masked orderlies tried to hold down a Tellarite who'd been brought in. His short arms flailed about, his voice somewhere between a shout and a squeal. "Where's the Doctor!" His voice tose to a roar that carried into Sickbay at large. "I can't see, damnit! Where's the Doctor?!?"

   A third person entered - a darkly complected woman dressed in a once-white Starfleet medical tunic that was now stained with both blood and other faded blotches of colour. She held a hypospray in her right hand as she moved closer to the stricken Tellarite. "Sir, I'm Doctor Abdool, and I need you to calm down and--"

   "Calm down?" the Tellarite turned to look toward the Doctor, but his eyes only followed the sound of her voice, while they darted frantically. "I'm blind, my skin's on fire, and you want me to CALM DOWN??"

   "Hold him," Abdool ordered as she advanced towards the bed. The two orderlies moved in and tried to get a hold of the man, but his struggles only intensified as he felt their approach. Flesh slapped flesh as the infected Tellarite fought harder to try and free himself while Abdool moved closer. A short, meaty hand quickly lashed out and the Doctor gasped as the hypospray flew out of her hand and sailed towards the entryway. It clattered to the floor and bounced once before it settled close to the doorway she'd come in.

   "Dammit!" Abdool hissed as she glared at the two men. "Hold him down, I told you! Burgh lan 'oH!*"

   The epithet, as well as the Doctor's tone, surprised both orderlies. Even the blind Tellarite had started suddenly at the woman's abrupt admonishment. Her words had the desired effect, as both men leaned in and took the heavyset alien by his shoulders and pinned him down. Abdool walked to where the device was and quickly scooped it up, then moved next to one of the orderlies and pressed the gadget to his side just under his shoulder. A long hiss of the hypospray was heard, and the patient's outbursts began to slow as the sedative took effect. A last muttered word - Klingon - was mumbled before the man lapsed into unconsciousness.

   Once he'd been sedated, Abdool's other hand went in front of her face. She quickly moved a tendril of black hair which had escaped the tied back gathering and placed it behind an ear before she spoke to the orderlies. "If we're going to be getting more of these cases, we're going to have to move faster to sedate them. The last thing we need is for one of you to be on a bed with a fractured jawbone next to one of these men. I know you're tired, overworked and underappreciated ... but we have to keep going. These people are depending on us - despite their inherently combative nature. Remember, Tellarites are 12-16% stronger by weight than we are.

   "We may have a couple of minutes - go get yourselves something to eat. If there's one thing I know about times like these, you never know when the next crisis will hit."

---

* "Burgh lan 'oH!": loosely translated as "Put your stomachs into it!" - a Klingon rebuke against laziness, or a rally to get more effort from a perceived lack of enthusiasm.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:58, Sun 25 Aug 2019.

T’Lara stood at the entrance of the room and waited patiently; she didn’t want to disturb the Doctor in the middle of her work.  Whatever she had to say could wait a few moments longer.
Once the patient was sedated, and the orderlies dismissed for their break, she stepped into the room proper:

”Hello.  Doctor Abdool?  I’m Counselor T’Lara. From the Independence?” she paused for a moment before continuing

”I came here to report following my meeting with Governor Blasch Pansh today.  He ordered the planet wide quarantine we’ve been asking for.   He’s also going to send his own medical staff to your clinic for further instructions.  The local production of the serum is going well; they’re replicating as much as they’re able using the formula Lieutenant Commander Decker recreated.  They should have enough for the entire population within six days.  But distributing it to every city on the continent, including the more remote settlements, and treating all the people already infected is going to be a challenge”

She summarized as best she could

”Is there anything I can do to help while I’m here?  I’m not needed back on the ship just yet”

   Abdool looked up, then over to where the Vulcan stood patiently as she turned to face the other woman and nod her head in acknowledgement. She took two steps over to one of the tables and picked up a small bottle, upended it, and squeezed out a small dab of clear liquid into her pale palm. After she'd returned the bottle to its place, she began working the clear liquid into her hands absently while she listened to the Lieutenant/Commander's words. "From the Independence," her tone was a confirmation of what she'd heard, not a question. "Well, it's good that someone got to Pansh and convinced him to quarantine the planet before this," she extended her arms to indicate the improvised Sickbay area, then widened her fingers. "Got any worse. From what I've learned about him, he can be a little ... thick ... at times, but his heart's in the right place."

   She looked towards the Vulcan and her head cocked slightly to the right. "If your ship is here, what class is it? If she has any ability to help replicate the serum, we could use her transporters to deliver the antidote in a matter of hours, rather than days. And I'd prefer to do that, rather than have a handful more people falling to this sickness that doesn't have to. Can you make that happen?"

   She stopped for a moment as she gave T'Lara another once-over. "If you're going to be here for much longer, Lieutenant/Commander ... I'd feel better if you were not at risk, so if you have a moment, I can give you a dose of the serum."

T'kres received her new orders with the air of unflappable calm common to her people- though perhaps she had gotten into the practice of overcompensating among her new crewmates. It was quite logical to wish to prove herself as Vulcan as she ever was despite her injury and placemate on a non-Vulcan-crewed vessel, but she would have to meditate upon it nonetheless to make certain it did not inhibit her ability to function among her compatriots.

She was quite looking forward to beginning the new posting. Starfleet Command had perhaps sought to ease her transition by posting her to another Oberth-class vessel with the assignment to the Goddard, but perhaps a clean break would be best. Serving on a Miranda-class should be a fascinating challenge, indeed. The Vulcan is attentive and waiting whenever the Goddard reaches the rendesvouz, prepared to follow her Captain over like a good Starfleet officer when Rakoto is ready to leave.

In reply to Starfleet Command (msg # 286):

00:53, Today: LT JG Xanatos Mcreeg rolled 9 using 1d20 with rolls of 9. the ship computer =8 engineering =2 (10).

00:51, Today: LT JG Xanatos Mcreeg rolled 6 using 2d20 with rolls of 3,3. control =11 engineering = 4 (15) with focus help and Rugged design.

”Oh, that’s a fine idea” She said in response to Dr. Abdool’s question

”The Independence is a Miranda class, and once the repairs are completed I do hope it can expedite the distribution of the vaccine”

Sitting on top of one of the biobeds, she pulled the pure white medical jacket over her head, full black hair cascading over her shoulders.  After rolling up the sleeve of the green shirt she was wearing underneath, she nodded to the Doctor and waited her to administer the vaccine, as she suggested

”So… Klingon?”  it was not only an attempt to make conversation, but genuine curiosity as well ”Where did you pick it up?”

Science Officer Decker has stayed aboard ship. He's curious about the progression of the epidemic and the possibility of local mutation in Dourap IV's environment, but remains focused on maintaining the smooth makeshift production of the serum and even more importantly, quality control under these circumstances.

   The Doctor made her way over to a desk where she'd left the hypospray. She ejected the cartridge vial and saw that half of the serum remained, and nodded to herself and re-inserted it while she listened to the Vulcan, T'Lara. She walked back with a quizzical look, one that quickly changed to one of understanding. "Miranda Class? Those are research ships, with just enough firepower to dissuade any pirate or marauder from thinking they are an easy target. But like I said earlier, with the Independence's facilities and transporters, the serum will be available ..." Abdool brought up her left hand and snapped her fingers to emphasize her point.  "... just like that."

   She walked to where T'Lara sat and noted the difference in the pristine white jacket that the Vulcan removed, compared to the stained and marked one she currently wore. Her cheeks coloured slightly, a hint of strawberry lightened the Doctor's dark cheeks. From what anyone might guess, Abdool had been in the middle of a war zone, and if the subdual of the Tellarite patient had been any indication ... it wasn't a dull assignment for her, either.

   Abdool stepped to T'Lara's right side and brought up her hand, but stopped short of taking her arm. She knew some Vulcans were adverse to touch; not only was it a breach of privacy but occasionally lead to an inadvertent sharing of any strong emotions from the initiator, if performed without consent. The Doctor waited a moment until she'd offered her arm before she took and cupped her wrist and placed the 'spray over and pressing it to T'lara's bare arm. "To answer your question, my father serves in the Diplomatic Service and speaks a half dozen languages fluently. My mother retired from Starfleet a couple of years ago and speaks a couple of languages herself. I can remember from an early age where he would come home and speak in a language they both knew, and only speak English to my sister and me until we were toddlers. I largely learned languages by osmosis at first, but Dad taught us both Arabic and Persian from the time we could walk. He also took us all over Terra, along with an occaisional visit to other planets in the Federation - he wanted me to be well-educated and what they used to call 'worldly'. My mother spent some time on the Klingon border on starships and starbases and probably picked some up along the way. I had a working knowledge of Klingon before I entered the Academy, but I took it as an elective, which made me at least conversational in it."

   She placed the device against the Vulcan woman's arm and waited for the spray to dispense the vaccine before she continued. Her lips pulled back slightly, and one corner curled into the beginnings of a smirk. "I don't normally speak like that, but the look on some people's faces when I've said something has been priceless." She gently let go of the other woman's wrist and brought up the hypospray. "That should keep you from anything serious for the time being, Lieutenant/Commander. And now that you're protected, I could use the help in getting this situation under control."

   "Seems strange, tho ..." Abdool mused, "That they'd send a Ship's Department Head to oversee an operation like this. I thought you might be co-ordinating things upstairs." The Doctor turned and glanced up, inferring the starship above them.

In reply to CPT Manantena Rakoto (msg # 287):

The Admiral nodded, rubbing his smooth-shaven chin, and regarded the newly-promoted Captain Rakoto carefully.

"It's tricky, all right," he allowed, a hint of a southern American accent telling in his high-pitched, aged voice.  "I've already cut some orders for ch'Pertha.  He's a good officer, and I plan to promote him to full Commander.  Admired by his crew. Tough in a fight.  But his primary focus is Tactical, and he needs a little more seasoning before taking the center seat full time."

"You couldn't count on a better officer to have your back," Chichester continued.

"As for CDR Parry-Jones," he continued, "Once she's aboard the Goddard, I have Phil Boyce himself standing by at Starfleet Medical.  She'll have the best care."  The Admiral's tone, however, was carefully neutral.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:56, Sun 25 Aug 2019.

Mcreeg's efforts are exemplary, and even as he labors under a console, he hears a hissed curse from a nearby Jeffries Tube.

"Shiksho!" comes a feminine rasp.  "Nandeo..."


Then the access hatch slams open and a young Japanese woman sticks her head out.  "Who the hell's screwing around with helm control and phasers?!  We had..."

And then a chirp sounds from within the tube.  She pauses, looks down at her wrist comp, and then slides back in the tube for a moment.

"Shimata..."

"Uh... nevermind!  Arigato!  Good work!!"

"Bridge, this is the Transporter Room," came a deep, gravelly drawl.  "Standing by to beam down synthesized serum, courtesy of Commander Decker."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:57, Sun 25 Aug 2019.

On the bridge, even as CPO Carter's message rings through, LT Nipay steps over from the Comms station to the center seat, data disc in hand.

"Lieutenant Commander," she says to ch'Pertha - unusually using the full formal title of his rank - "I have new orders from Starfleet Command for you, courtesy of Admiral Chichester."

She handed him the disc, then stepped back and headed for the turbolift.  With a wan smile, she said, "Congratulations, Commander."

The doors slid shut.  The orders, when read, contained ch'Pertha's promotion to full Commander... as well as confirmation as his status as XO.  It detailed the transfer and arrival of CPT Rakoto from the Goddard, arriving soon, and the transer of Dr. Abdool, already helping on the planet below. It also mentioned the transfer of LT T'Kres, assuming department head duties in Comms, also from the Goddard.  LT Nipay would be moved to Assistant Comms Officer.

Nipay was gone by the time the last was read.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:00, Sun 25 Aug 2019.

Mcreeg feels the satisfaction of a job well done..that feeling those on his home world get from creating art or music, or some deep thought that explains the world yet again..but with him, it circuits and conduits and wires, control systems and junctures, taking that which is broken or just in need of care and making it as good as it ever was, if not better..

Poking his head out when he hears the commotion, he prepares to defend himself and his actions, but instead bursts out laughing at the way things unfold..

"Thanks..and you're welcome!"

In reply to DR Laila Abdool (msg # 295):

T’Lara smiled thankfully at the Doctor; the consideration to her personal space hasn’t gone unnoticed.  She curiously looked at her arm before reaching to her coat (she was a tad worried that the formula would have some adverse effect on Vulcan physiology, a concern that turned out to be completely unfounded).

”That must have been interesting growing up like this; visiting so many worlds, experiencing different cultures.  I bet you have lots of stories to tell!”

She slipped off the biobed, and cupped both her hands behind her nape to release the hair caught up within the turtleneck

”I’d love to hear about it, if we ever get the time while we’re still here.  What is your current assignment?”

   The Doctor walked over to the table where she'd recovered the hypospray and replaced the device where it had lain. The same loc of hair that she'd brushed aside earlier slipped down from her ear, and Abdool absently replaced it back behind her ear. She looked over her shoulder before she turned, and another hint of a smirk showed. "I've got a few," she replied dryly, "And you're right, if we have the time."

   Weary eyes looked about the Sickbay; for the moment, at least, it was reasonably quiet. They'd managed to deal with the latest batch of the infected quickly enough and it had afforded her a short respite until the next Medical Shuttle arrived. "One of my areas of expertise is infectious diseases, so Starfleet ordered me here to deal with the contagion here. And now that there's a serum in place and it is being distributed planet-wide, I'll likely clear things up here and get ready for whatever my next assignment will be."

   She picked up a small datapadd and glanced to it before she slipped it into one of the jacket's pockets. Dark eyes glanced to T'Lara's as she began to turn her body away. "Now that it's quiet, I was thinking of making my rounds and check on a few things. You're welcome to join me if you like."

ch’Pertha read the report and orders.
Then he read them again, paying greater attention to the details; it wasn’t that he couldn’t believe any of it, but it helped him to digest relevant information if he took in the meaning and context with the first, quicker read, then ‘read for detail’ a second time.   He learned this about himself in the Academy.

He noted, and was grateful for, his promotion ... even though he hadn’t been expecting it.
And he was glad that Command had assigned a new captain; because, regardless of his outward appearance, he wasn’t sure that he was ready for ‘the chair’ yet.

And he felt sorry for Nipay; although, it occurred to him, he wasn’t sure whether she even wanted that role yet, any more than he wanted the captaincy.


ch’Pertha quickly typed up several infra-ship missives, public and private as were necessary, disseminating this new information ... including to ‘the troops’ planetside.
Then, he went about ensuring that the ship’s bureaucracy and electronic paperwork were in order, to facilitate the handover to Captain Rakoto upon her arrival.
... and was reminded of another reason he didn’t really want the captain’s position just yet.   The paperwork and reporting for the Security Department was bad enough.