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<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman,new york,times,serif">~Captains
Mess~<BR>
<DIV id=AOLMsgPart_0_f88fe30d-9a58-4ad1-9003-e26173faa63d
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 12px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Sans-Serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255)"><TT><PRE style="FONT-SIZE: 9pt"><BR><BR><BR>Rog sat at his usual place and waited for his guests to arrive. He'd sent out <BR>the word earlier as to when the welcoming dinner would be held. Rog was hoping <BR>everything went well, they couldn't afford to lose the Vulcans as allies.</TT></PRE></DIV><TT>
<DIV
style="MARGIN-TOP: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 12px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Sans-Serif; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(255,255,255)"><BR><BR><BR><BR>Sarah
and her aides arrived early to make sure all the arrangements were
<BR>satisfactory. Sarah<BR>had spoken to Otto and inquired about all the food
and was <BR>quite impressed by the Chef's offerings for the evening. She was
sure the <BR>Vulcans would be quite satisfied with his choices. As soon as Sarah
had <BR>finished checking out the kitchen they arrived at the Captain's
table.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"Good evening Captain Finney.", she smiled as she and her
aides found their <BR>respective seats.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Rog replied,"Good evening
Madam Ambassador. I hope you're doing well this <BR>evening." Where was Sepok he
wondered?<BR><BR><BR><BR>"Indeed Captain thank you.", she
smiled.<BR><BR><BR><BR>T'Paz arrived a minute later after the ambassador and
nodded at Sarah. <BR>"Ambassador." She gave Captain Finney a</DIV>slight nod as
she sat down next to her table. It appeared that Captain Finney had thankfully
remembered that Vulcans were vegetarians and had arranged a variety of dishes
that should be <BR>satisfactory.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"Good evening Sub-Commander.",
Sarah nodded. She had hoped T'Paz would avail <BR>herself of some of the
selections the chef had prepared.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Ghayith entered the Captain's
Mess stiffly, taking a seat near the foot of the <BR>table. His dress uniform
pulled uncomfortably at his neck. He exhaled slowly <BR>and tried to still his
frustration. Something about that Orion's tricorder <BR>scan... none of the
inorganics had seemed unusual, exactly, but then they <BR>weren't all standard
compounds either. Two rare inerts and a boron tryclide in <BR>particluar... He
tried to put them out of his mind, concentrating on keeping <BR>his expression
blank and his hands from fidgeting.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Timo wasn't too excited about
the idea of the dinner. Formality was bad enough. Throwing Vulcan into the mix
was going to make the atmosphere even more stiff and formal - like too much
starch in his jumpsuit. He hadn't had to wear his dress uniform since the awards
ceremony they had on Forrest Outpost after the Klingon mission. It had not
gotten any more comfortable since then. He took a seat at one innocuous corner
of the table and waited for Zoe to arrive. It had been a long day in engineering
arranging repair schedules. He would have preferred a simple quiet, dinner alone
with her tonight.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Sepok arrived and said,"Good evening Capt.
Finney." He nodded to the rest of <BR>the officers and took a seat near the
captain. Delvok and Tolaris stood at the back of the room in case Sepok required
anything.<BR><BR><BR>"Good evening Councilor Sepok.", Sarah added as he
sat.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Zoe zipped into the mess hall knowing she was late but
quickly composed herself before stepping into the Captain's mess. She hadn't had
an opportunity to wear her dress blues in a while and was pleased to get the
chance again. She never could understand why everyone else hated it so much.
With a grin she stepped into the room and quickly found a place next to
Timo.<BR><BR><BR>Sepok looked across the table and said,"Good evening Ambassador
Berger."<BR><BR><BR>Rog looked around and realized that they were waiting on
Ian. He knew Ian was <BR>probably still checking on Bardeck and would be here
shortly. One of the Mess <BR>attendants stood nearby and he said,"Wait for Lt.
Cmdr. Fraiser and then you may begin serving. In the meantime, please bring in
some refreshments." The <BR>attendant nodded and went to get the
drinks.<BR><BR><BR><BR>A few moments had past and Ian briskly walked through the
door. Out of a <BR>trained habit, he surveyed the entire dinning hall taking
note of who was there and where they were seated. He then made his way over to
the Captain.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"Sorry fahr tha tardiness sar... had a matter ta
follow up at tha Armory. Also <BR>oor guest has departed." Ian then took a seat
just past the<BR>delegates. He looked <BR>over to Zoe with raised eyebrows and
shrugged.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Rog nodded and said,"Quite alright Ian." He motioned to
the mess attendant who <BR>brought in the meals. Rog said,"I hope everyone
enjoys their meal." The stew is placed before the crew and the vegetarian meals
in front of the Vulcan guests. As Rog began to eat his meal, he wondered about
Bardeck. Ian had said he'd departed. Well the green guy is gone and nothing has
happened. Maybe it was just an accident he had after all.<BR><BR><BR><BR>T'Paz
poked at her salad, which tasted funny. She had heard the crew constantly praise
the chef, but lately his food had been standard at best, and this was
no different. The first officer hoped that the Vulcan delegates wouldn't be
too insulted. Often the meal itself can make or break negotiations. With that
in mind, T'Paz gave Captain Finney an ice-cold look, silently announcing
her displeasure.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Ian wasn't too please with the thought of eating
something that was just placed in front of him. He would have rather ordered
something that he liked instead. Etiquette ruled out in this case and he decided
to at least eat some of it. <BR><BR><BR><BR>Sarah was well pleased with the
offerings and curious as to why T'Paz settled <BR>on salad when there were so
many vegetarian dishes to choose from. Sepok, on <BR>the other hand seemed to be
sampling everything. Then she saw it. The division <BR>she'd have to deal with
in the council chambers. Those who clung to the old ways and those who were
prepared to embrace other possibilities. She had a rough road ahead. For now
though she'd concentrate on this fabulous stew Otto had prepared. <BR><BR>Sarah
always ate quickly at diplomatic dinners so as to be prepared if any
<BR>discussions arose and still have had some nourishment. Those discussions
tended to interrupt the continuation of the meal and by the time they concluded
the food had gone cold.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Zoe on the other hand was too excited to
eat. She had never been this close to <BR>so many Vulcans at the same time and
was curious. <BR><BR><BR><BR>"Councilor Sepok, what do you think of the
Meridian?", she asked trying to start some dinner
conversation.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Sepok looked over at Zoe and replied,"Your ship is
quite interesting lieutenant. A bit primitive in some ways, but all in all I'm
sure she's a fine ship."<BR><BR><BR>Rog was starting to get indigestion from the
stew. He wondered what was wrong <BR>with it and if anyone else felt
ill.<BR><BR></TT><TT><TT>Timo let go a soft,rumbling burp. He thought the meal
was tasty enough, but something about it just wasn't setting right with the CEO.
Zoe looked at him, wide eyed with surprise and elbowed him gently in the rib.
"Excuse me," he said bashfully.<BR></TT></TT><BR><TT><BR>Sarah felt something
twitch in her stomach and before she could even guess what it was doubled over
in pain.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Ian noticed several of the crews faces and it was a look
of displeasure. A look that he was sure that he had if the way his stomach was
feeling. Sharp pains began to pulsate. <BR><BR><BR><BR>"Ambassador!", Nigel
exclaimed as he was by her side at warp speed.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Ghayith half rose
from his chair as the ambassador collapsed, but was caught <BR>short by a sudden
pain in his own abdomen. He gasped, sucking in air quickly, <BR>and leaned
against the table with one hand.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"Fraiser ta Koss... get a detail
ta tha Mess Hall on tha double."<BR><BR><BR><BR>Just then Otto rushed in and
said,"Don't anyone eat the stew." Seeing that he <BR>was too late he
said,"Captain, that green bastard was stirring the stew, he <BR>must've put
something in it."<BR><BR><BR><BR>Rog had only eaten a little stew, but he too
was feeling some pain. He nodded <BR>and said,"Get the doctor in here
asap."<BR><BR><BR><BR>Sepok stood and replied,"Does anyone have an idea as to
what poison was put into the stew?" He had an idea as to what it might be, but
wanted confirmation first before saying anything else.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Suddenly,
sickeningly, Ghayith put it all together. He looked up, his face
<BR>gray.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"It's strychnine, Ambassador. A simple vermicide that's
been in use for <BR>centuries." He sat down unsteadily and glanced an apology at
the Captain. "I <BR>was reviewing the tricorder data on the Orion, he was
carrying a couple of inert compounds. But he also had boron triclyde, a catalyst
that could have..." he winced "... activated the inerts, caused them to combine
into..."<BR><BR><BR><BR>His eyes flicked to the Ambassador, doubled over in
pain. "Captain, in <BR>sufficient quantities it can cause convulsions...
worse."<BR><BR><BR><BR>Sepok immediately said, "Delvok go get those zuclid
tablets from our quarters. <BR>There might still be time. Captain, due to our
copper based blood, we seem not <BR>to be affected. However, we have something
that will cure this insidious poison. I hope we are not too late to help the
ambassador." Delvok quickly went to the lift to get to the Guest Quarters. As he
did so Tolaris went to assist the ambassador. Rog said,"That is most kind of you
Councilor Sepok."<BR><BR><BR><BR>In the meantime Nurse Jacobs arrived and began
assisting the officers and others who were ill. A short time later Delvok
returned and handed each officer atablet.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"Madam Ambassador. Help
is coming just stay with us.", Nigel almost pleaded.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"You know...
I've felt worse...", she winced trying to smile and put up a brave
front.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"I imagine it's like when you ate those
Tellerite<BR>appetizers at the last trade negotioations? You were sick for a
week but managed to keep from throwing up throughout the entire conference.", he
grinned.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"Don't make me laugh.", She winced.
<BR><BR><BR><BR>Jacobs was by her side doing a scan. The look on his face wasn't
inspiring as he did a second scan to confirm his findings.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"What
is it?", Nigel asked recognizing the look on Jacob's face.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"There
is too much poison in her system. There's nothing I can do.", Jacobs
<BR>reported sighing in defeat.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Sepok responded,"Nonsense. Delvok
give her another of the zuclid tablets. While a second dose is usually not
required Ambassador Berger, apparently in your case it is." Turning to Nigel he
said,"After Ambassador Berger takes the second tablet, see that she gets plenty
of rest and she may eat soup or light foods starting
tomorrow."<BR><BR><BR><BR>"Of course Councilor.", Nigel responded in
relief.<BR><BR><BR><BR>"Captain Finney this is most unfortunate. Clearly this
Orion was responsible. He must have been working for the Romulans to disrupt our
negotiations."<BR><BR><BR><BR>Rog started to feel better almost as soon as he
took the pill. He <BR>replied,"You're quite right Councilor Sepok. I intend to
make up for my mistake in letting him aboard. Madame Ambassador, I'm so sorry
that this happened and I hope that you get better soon." <BR><BR><BR><BR>"I
think that is a certainty thanks to our Vulcan friends.", she said with a kind
nod to Sepok. If she didn't know before she certainly knew he was a friend
<BR>now. <BR><BR><BR><BR>"Mr. Abdurrashid, good work on those compounds. When
you get better continue your work on them." <BR><BR><BR><BR>He saw Timo was
still green around the gills and said,"When your up to it Timo, I'd like to know
the progress on the engine repairs." <BR><BR>Timo nodded. "I'll check in vid my
men right avay." <BR><BR>Rog continued,"Zoe when you're up to it, I'd like to
know more about the signal we heard coming from the ship. Maybe you can pick it
up from the Vulcan surface. If so, we can perhaps trace Bardeck and catch him.
Speaking of catching that little green bastard, Sub-Cmdr. T'Paz, Ian, I'd like
to see you both in the Ready Room to discuss how we're going to capture
Bardeck." He nodded his thanks to Otto and said,"Otto find out how he got the
<BR>poison in the stew." Otto said,"No need sir. Staines let him stir the stew
before I kicked Bardeck out. He must've done it then." Rog nodded and made a
mental note to talk to Staines about ship security.<BR><BR>T'Paz nodded. "Yes,
Captain."<BR><BR>"I'm up to it right now Sir.", Zoe replied with a determined
look on her face as she made her way to the bridge. This guy would most likely
be calling for a <BR>pickup and she needed to be at her station to pick up the
distortion signal. She knew what she was listening for. She wouldn't miss it
this time.<BR><BR><BR><BR>Ian still rubbing his stomach replied, "Aye sar... on
me way." Ian turn to the Armory detail that had just arrived, "Ya stay right
next ta tha Ambassadors an they doon't leave yahr sight." <BR><BR>A Joint Log
by</TT></DIV><TT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>Capt. Roger Finney</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>CO</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>NX-06 Meridian</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>&</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>Sub-Cmdr. T'Paz</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>XO/CSO</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>NX-06 Meridian</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>&</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>Lt.Cmdr. Ian Fraiser</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>2XO/CAO</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>NX-06 Meridian</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>&</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>Lt. Timo Vanhanen</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>CEO</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>NX-06 Meridian</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>&</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>Lt. Zoe Sanderson</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>CCO</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>NX-06 Meridian</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>&</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>Ens. Ghayith Abdurrashid</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>SO</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>NX-06 Meridian</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>&</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>Councilor Sepok</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>apb</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>Capt. Roger Finney</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>CO</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>NX-06 Meridian</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>&</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>Amb. Sarah Berger</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>apb</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>Lt. Zoe Sanderson</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>CCO</FONT></TT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: verdana,helvetica,sans-serif"><TT><FONT
size=3>NX-06 Meridian</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman,new york,times,serif"><FONT
face=Arial
size=2></FONT><BR></TT><BR></DIV></DIV><BR><BR></DIV></FONT><BR><BR><BR><DIV><FONT style="color: black; font: normal 10pt ARIAL, SAN-SERIF;"><HR style="MARGIN-TOP: 10px">Gas prices getting you down? Search AOL Autos for fuel-efficient <A title="http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007" href="http://autos.aol.com/used?ncid=aolaut00050000000007" target="_blank">used cars</A>.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>