| In a Corridor of the Station | In Engineering |
|---|---|
|
Q-Three: walks down the hall on the way to Sick Bay Tamar: "Spoiled, ruined everything!" Still runs blindly through the corridors, passing people at scrape. Q-Three: bumps into Tamar, dropping two pads and a tricorder Q-Three: oop! Q-Three: I'm sorry, are you alright? Tamar: halfway falls to the ground Q-Three: helps her up Tamar: I... rubs some tears from her eyes I believe so. Tamar: Oh, darn, I am sorry. stares at the floor, at the pads and the tricorder Q-Three: oh, that's okay... are you sure you're okay? Tamar: wipes a last tear away. Yes, I am. I am... stresses I in an odd way Q-Three: hmm... can I help you with anything? Tamar: looks at him, silent and with large eyes. Something is not quite right in her mind, that's clear Q-Three: really, I cannot stand seeing anyone unhappy... grins Tamar: doubts for several moments.. She knows about the rumours... Tamar: thinks how unhappy James is I couldn't help it... Q-Three: Well, are you going to just stand there and look at me? Tamar: speaks merely to herself Tamar: No. No, I have to go back to him! Tamar: I have to tell him I am so sorry! looks at Q in a rather feverish way Q-Three: To whom? Tamar: James... Q-Three: starts to put things together in his mind Q-Three: You must be Tamar... I've heard quite a bit about you Tamar: Oh? Tamar: Yes, of course. bitterly Rumours even go faster than warpspeed. Q-Three: Yes... James hasn't stopped saying how wonderful you are! smiles warmly Tamar: drops her jaw Tamar: James actually... told you? Tamar: Who are you anyway? Q-Three: Not in so many words... I am a friend of James Q-Three: My name is Q Tamar: has closed her mouth only to drop it again You're kidding... his friend? Tamar: I thought everyone hated him. Tamar: is very confused Q-Three: Those who know a little about him are not so quick to judge. Q-Three: As I'm sure you've learned. Tamar: Oh yes, I did... Tamar: Do you mind... uhm... well... doesn't know how to put it in words Q-Three: looks into her eyes and smiles Q-Three: What do you need, dear? Tamar: Help. Q-Three: blinks, but still smiles Q-Three: You're going to have to be a little more specific than that! Tamar: I have screwed it. I need to apologize. Q-Three: thinks to himself... "hmmm... two in one week" Tamar: looks around to see people watch her Tamar: But not here... Q-Three: Well, I was on my way to sick bay... will you join me there? Tamar: Are you busy? Q-Three: Not too busy to help a friend. smiles more warmly than before Tamar: Then I will gladly join you. Tamar: smiles too, but rather uncertain Q-Three: picks up his fallen equipment Tamar: feels guilty and hopes everything will still work Tamar: Uhm... will you show me the way? I am new here, you see... get lost all the time. Tamar: giggles nervously Q-Three: chuckles Q-Three: sure... follow me, then Q-Three: makes his way to sick bay, and allows the door to close behind him and Tamar Tamar: does so, her face hidden in her dark hair for the glances of the people Tamar: looks up. A sickbay. And Q. Q-Three: motions for his assistant to leave Assistant: leaves with strange looks at the woman Tamar: feels quite nervous Q-Three: what's on your mind, dear? Tamar: sighs deeply Tamar: James... Q-Three: looks into her eyes as if to coax it out of her Tamar: can't resist those eyes Tamar: We have been together all day long. You might have heard about things going on in the greenery? Q-Three: A little, but only that the two of you were there Q-Three: and that James usually shows his garden to no one. Tamar: blinks Uhm... yes. Well, later we got to my quarters since the lunch was being spoiled. Q-Three: (hmm... so that's what you two were doing ; ) ) Tamar: It was all good. doesn't mention what happened in the park Q-Three: simply listens Tamar: And then... Damian burst in. They fought... Q-Three: Hold on... who's Damian? Tamar: shivers as she revives the moments Tamar: Damian... my former boyfriend. notes her voice gets bitter as she mentions him Q-Three: I see... then what happened? Tamar: A knife... Damian was wounded. Mortally as it seemed... hesitates to go on. Does Q know about James' abilities? Q-Three: knows very little about that area of James' life Q-Three: James killed him? Tamar: No! No... James got wounded himself. Tamar: He was dying... Tamar: her lower lip trembles Q-Three: strokes her hair a bit... it's alright... then what? Tamar: I wanted to give him life, my life... It was an instinct. Tamar: I kissed him to give him the power of love to live on. Q-Three: I see Tamar: It worked! Tamar: He lives! Tamar: doesn't notice poor Q must be entirely confused now Q-Three: is ; ) Tamar: We had some good moments. He was so happy... looks at Q, happy and sad at the same time Tamar: We kissed again. Not for any reason but love. And then... Q-Three: waits for her to continue Tamar: He said he could be everything I wanted. I told him to just be himself. Tamar: Looks at Q His eyes... Tamar: It seemed they shattered. the face of the man blurrs by tears Q-Three: tries to understand... wipes away one of her tears Tamar: And I didn't try to make it better, I ran away. I left him... oh, he must hate me now. Q-Three: sits her down on a biobed Tamar: tries to control her emotions Q-Three: Dear, I assure you, he doesn't hate you Q-Three: Deep in James lies a love for you that I know cannot die Tamar: You haven't seen him! He donned his mask... With two words I dashed him back to his shields. Q-Three: frowns Q-Three: It seems I will have to have yet another talk with him... or perhaps you should do it Tamar: I am afraid to spoil it all. Q-Three: spoil what? from what you told me, it can't get much worse than it already is Tamar: digs her nails into her tighs True... she says with a low voice Q-Three: will you talk to him if I accompany you? Tamar: looks at him, silent. Then nods Tamar: Please... Q-Three: smiles... Q-Three: Do you know where he is? Tamar: No. Probably in his own quarters. Tamar: Oh no... he went to Engineering. Q-Three: then so shall we... Tamar: nods again Q-Three: takes her by the hand and exits, finding a confused assistant in the hall |
Quinn Mallory: walks into Engineering carrying a PADD James J. Phantom: enters the engineering section, his footsteps are telling he is bothered with something James J. Phantom: heads for a random console and starts calculating something Quinn Mallory: spots James, notes that something isn't quite right with him Quinn Mallory: approaches him James J. Phantom: looks up Bonjour. Can I help you, Monsieur Mallory? Quinn Mallory: yes, sir, I have the latest science scans in the area James J. Phantom: Is there anything I should know about? James J. Phantom: is happy about the distraction Quinn Mallory: scans over the material Quinn Mallory: Nothing of note, other than a local star seems to be going through a state of instability Quinn Mallory: but it appears to be within tolerable levels James J. Phantom: It might be worth an observation. Quinn Mallory: I thought so Quinn Mallory: clears his throat Quinn Mallory: Is something wrong, sir? James J. Phantom: looks at him and his eyes seem darting No. And how is your latest experiment going? Quinn Mallory: Ah yes, the experiment... Quinn Mallory: It is going as well as it can, but I still can't get a handle on this artifact James J. Phantom: What are your results so far, if I may ask? Quinn Mallory: but of coarse Quinn Mallory: I have a relative idea of what it is made up of... James J. Phantom: motions towards a scientific table and two chairs Quinn Mallory: various metal alloys, blitorite, polytherol, etc. but there seems to be something amiss James J. Phantom: Like? sits down Quinn Mallory: sits down in one of the chairs Quinn Mallory: but all it has an interesing reflectave property that won't allow me to scan the inside James J. Phantom: I assume you have tried to open it? Quinn Mallory: but of coarse Quinn Mallory: but it seems to be sealed, and I don't dare try to break the sealant without damaging the artifact itself Quinn Mallory: I do have an approximate age for it though James J. Phantom: Hmm... have you tried to remodulate the scanners? Oh yes? Quinn Mallory: yes, it appears to be approximately five thousand years old Quinn Mallory: and yes, I have tried to remodulate the scanners, but it seems to remodulate at will, with them James J. Phantom: This is highly fascinating... Quinn Mallory: I believe that there is some sort of power module, which contains an incredible amount of power capability James J. Phantom: Maybe we should spend a little more time observing this item. Quinn Mallory: I agree James J. Phantom: Did you already set a plan? Quinn Mallory: I have taken the liberty of drawing up a list of other science officers who have expertise in the required areas James J. Phantom: nods. This is the kind of work he expects of a member of the Kedanya staff. Very good. Quinn Mallory: hands James the PADD with the list of names James J. Phantom: scrolls through the list and seems rather thoughtful Quinn Mallory: Any thoughts? James J. Phantom: must admit he didn't think of the names and tries to concentrate on them now James J. Phantom: I suggest we try to win Captain Maelwys for the project. James J. Phantom: He was one of the persons who experienced the power of the artifact. Quinn Mallory: I agree James J. Phantom: Unfortunately he is on an away mission right now. So we will have to do the first steps on ourselves. Quinn Mallory: Also, do we have a linguistics experts on the station at present? James J. Phantom: I believe Senator Troi is considered as such. Quinn Mallory: okay, because I have observed some inscriptions on the outside of the artifact Quinn Mallory: but they are too complicated for the computer to translate Quinn Mallory: but I am still running them through some algorithms of my own creation James J. Phantom: sighs a little Unfortunately she, too, is currently away. James J. Phantom: Very good. Let me see them. Quinn Mallory: They are in the lab, do you have time to go there? James J. Phantom: I have. any time in the world... Quinn Mallory: motions to James and leads him to the lab Quinn Mallory: enters the lab James J. Phantom: follows Quinn Mallory: shows James the artifact, sitting in a level 5 containment field James J. Phantom: looks at the beautiful shape of the artifact once again ... well, it would have been a nice lamp James J. Phantom: then looks at the diagnostics console Quinn Mallory: checks the status of the scans while he was gone James J. Phantom: frowns... Quinn Mallory: notices James Quinn Mallory: what? Quinn Mallory: goes over to him James J. Phantom: Have you run a test on this gamma wave already? Quinn Mallory: yes, I did, the results were normal Quinn Mallory: goes back and brings up the past gamme wave scans Quinn Mallory: compares them to the new ones James J. Phantom: Then why are they heavily fluctuating now? I assume this is new. Quinn Mallory: Yes Quinn Mallory: intensity has gone up 10 fold and is still rising James J. Phantom: types something into a PADD Quinn Mallory: resists looking over his shoulder Quinn Mallory: tries to scan the artifact again Quinn Mallory: Although I still cannot scan the inside of the object... then, suddenly, everything is back to normal readings Quinn Mallory: hits some more buttons Quinn Mallory: frowns James J. Phantom: Fascinating... Quinn Mallory: All readings are back to normal James J. Phantom: Oui, I have seen that. Quinn Mallory: but before everything went flat line.. James J. Phantom: types a brief report James J. Phantom: Please go on ... Quinn Mallory: the energy output was up 25% Quinn Mallory: but now, its barely registering Quinn Mallory: as it was before James J. Phantom: I can only assume there is another kind of shifting going on, like the first time this occured. James J. Phantom: Captain Maelwys should have a closer look at this, he is the expert on this... Quinn Mallory: but... he's not here James J. Phantom: And that is why we better do not take any other actions. James J. Phantom: This should only be done by an expert. like some other things... Quinn Mallory: thinks that he doesn't like being ussurped by 'experts' but keeps it to himself James J. Phantom: Well, thank you for your effort, Monsieur Mallory. You did a very good job here. Quinn Mallory: Thank you sir, nods James J. Phantom: Please resume observing the artifact and find out whatever you can. Quinn Mallory: Yes sir salutes |
|
Q-Three: walks in, with Tamar close behind James J. Phantom: bows briefly and then walks back to his working console James J. Phantom: stops when he sees the two of them entering the Engineering section Quinn Mallory: goes back to work, going over the last ten minutes of data very carefully Quinn Mallory: looks over his shoulder and spots Q and Tamar Tamar: feels very little Quinn Mallory: silently nods to Q James J. Phantom: has the bad feeling he is supposed to talk now and a muscle in his cheek hardens Q-Three: James... could we possibly go somewhere? James J. Phantom: I would think we are "somewhere" already. Tamar: notes it and wants to run. He doesn't like her. James J. Phantom: turns back to his working console, checking the running tests Q-Three: feels Tamar tugging lightly at his arm Quinn Mallory: gives a quick smile to Tamar and returns to his duties Q-Three: Well, if that's what you like Tamar: clenches fists Q-Three: but I think that the two of you have some talking to do Quinn Mallory: has a hypothesis and finds the records of the scans from the time of the increased energy levels Tamar: "Don't go..." James J. Phantom: throws a hidden glance at Tamar James J. Phantom: We can go to a vacant laboratory. Quinn Mallory: compares the records from the artifact to the records of the station James J. Phantom: points at one of the seperated rooms ahead Tamar: anything you like James J. Phantom: I will be right back, Monsieur Mallory. Quinn Mallory: nods to James James J. Phantom: goes there, not letting any emotion show | |
|
Q-Three: motions for the two of them to sit down Q-Three: leans back against the wall Tamar: feels terribly. It's too early James J. Phantom: sits down, but his motions express nothing at all Q-Three: knows this must be uncomfortable for the both of them James J. Phantom: Well? James J. Phantom: does the only thing he knows. Distance himself. Q-Three: James... do you remember what we talked about the other day? Tamar: I... James J. Phantom: Yes, I do. Q-Three: and do you remember how happy you were when you realized how to show Tamar how much you loved her? Tamar: the cold... James J. Phantom: throws another glance at Tamar and wonders if it's even true. If it even happened. Or was it just a dream? James J. Phantom: pierces Q-Three with hostile looks. "Stop telling her!" Q-Three: Why? are you so afraid that she will learn too much about you? Tamar: listens James J. Phantom: This is none of your concern! Q-Three: You came to me for help, and I am doing just that Tamar: have they spoken about her? What does Q actually know? James J. Phantom: is angry because Tamar is going to find out now... he considered this to be a private matter James J. Phantom: his eyes give a short flash of anger Tamar: thinks that is meant for her and shrivels. Too early... Q-Three: James, she knows who you are, you can't hide it anymore James J. Phantom: sees Tamar's reaction and feels the urge to take her in his arms, but doesn't do anything, of course Tamar: wishes Q was right James J. Phantom: What do you know. he mumbles, it was meant for Q Q-Three: I know you love her! and I know she loves you! James J. Phantom: stiffens even more Tamar: gasps for breath James J. Phantom: Go now ... he hisses at the Q Q-Three: slits his eyes, turns around and leaves |
Quinn Mallory: Ha! slamms his fist down on the top of the console in excitement Quinn Mallory: would rush to James, but realizes he is having some sort of private moment, and doesn't want to interfere Quinn Mallory: runs some Stellar cartography scans |
|
James J. Phantom: doesn't even notice, has turned to Tamar already Tamar: trembles I didn't mean too... James J. Phantom: gets up and nears her, his eyes soften with every movement Tamar: doesn't move James J. Phantom: drops to one knee in front of her James J. Phantom: I am sorry. Tamar: swallows It should be me... who should apologize. James J. Phantom: No... no. |
Q-Three: and locks the door from the outside on the way out Quinn Mallory: obersves something in his Stellar cartography scans Quinn Mallory: realizes it is of great importance Shade: 's image shimmers into view near Quinn Shade: Hello Q-Three: Quinn... are you working on something? Quinn Mallory: debates something in his mind Quinn Mallory: Yes, it is too much to explain right now, but I need to talk to James Quinn Mallory: gives a sigh and realized the consequances of interrupting their conversation Shade: Do you require my help? Quinn Mallory: Shade, actually I do, I can't explain it all right now, but I need you to observe this star points to one of the Stellar Cartography map Quinn Mallory: If there are any fluctuations, notify me at once Shade: very well Quinn Mallory: taps his commbadge |
|
Quinn Mallory: (over the Comm System) Mallory to Phantom Tamar: I ran away. James J. Phantom: grabs his comm badge and smashes it on the ground. James J. Phantom: "This should have gotten rid of this disturbance..." James J. Phantom: But I made you running away. Tamar: stares and then continuesI asked... for something you couldn't give. Yet. James J. Phantom: Then teach me. Tamar: If you let me... looks at him, uncertain, but encouraged by the tone of his voice James J. Phantom: tries to smile and even halfway manages Tamar: something twists inside as she sees him smiling. Something good. James J. Phantom: his hand searches for hers Tamar: she reaches for his, so happy it's not destroyed James J. Phantom: What can I do to make you stay? To prevent you from running away again? Tamar: her fingers close around his, stroke the skin and she smiles Tamar: Love me, she whispers say that you love me. James J. Phantom: puts his other hand on hers, which is holding his and looks her straight into the eyes I love you. And I want to be with you. James J. Phantom: "That wasn't so hard, was it?" Tamar: Oh James... I love you too. With whole my soul. James J. Phantom: doesn't even realise he is not trembling this time Tamar: does realise and smiles even broader Tamar: I am happy, she sighs James J. Phantom: So am I. remains in this position, just holding her hand Tamar: kneels too, to face him Tamar: I will never leave you... never. James J. Phantom: looks her deeply into the eyes and plays with the thought of kissing her... but doesn't. Instead gets up and gently pulls her back to her feet as well James J. Phantom: Then come with me now. Tamar: has played with that thought as well, but doesn't want to force it. He must say when time is ready for everything Tamar: I will. James J. Phantom: leads her to the door and knocks |
Quinn Mallory: Mallory to Phantom Q-Three: stops Quinn Q-Three: nonono, let them go Q-Three: it can wait Quinn Mallory: No, it can't actually Quinn Mallory: gets fuzz over the commbadge Q-Three: scowls Quinn Mallory: Dangit! Q-Three: do you have ANY idea how long it took me to get them talking? Quinn Mallory: Do you have any idea what could happen to the station if I don't do something? Quinn Mallory: fidgets Quinn Mallory: has an idea Shade: looks at Quinn Shade: Quinn, i'm reading a fluctuatution Quinn Mallory: runs over to the Stellar Cartography station Shade: how did you know there would be a fluctuation? Shade: *sigh* no one tells the hologram anything :-( Quinn Mallory: I did a scan of the sector earlier, the star's core is becoming rather unstable Quinn Mallory: scans the artifact and notices an increase in the artifact's power output Q-Three: is also scanning the artifact Quinn Mallory: tries to initiate a dampening field around the artifact Quinn Mallory: can I get some assistance Q? Shade: looks at Quinn and the Q why was i not told about this artifact? Q-Three: You most certainly can! Quinn Mallory: the dampening field is ineffective Quinn Mallory: makes some modifications and tries again Shade: eyes Quinn Shade: what are you trying to do? Quinn Mallory: Shade, can the grudge wait? I am kinda busy right now... Q-Three: goes to check on the two of them Quinn Mallory: I am trying to initiate a dampening field around the artifact to avoid another Alternate Universe shift Shade: well, i might be of some help if you would be so kind as to tell me what you are trying to do! Shade: AU?! Shade: geez Shade: okay - try this - taps the console Quinn Mallory: Yes, this artifact was brought on board, and transported James, Q, and some others into an alternate Kedanya Lt. Lucas:comes into Engineering scatching his head and yawning Lt. Lucas:Anything happen recently? Quinn Mallory: sighs at Lucas Quinn Mallory: Anyone volunteer to explain? Lt. Lucas:trys to wipe the sleep from his eyes Quinn Mallory: notes that the power levels of the artifact are still increasing Lt. Lucas:Artifact? Lt. Lucas:What the hell are you talking about? Shade: hits Lucas on the head Quinn Mallory: Why is it that whenever you need someone, they are always missing... Quinn Mallory: Shade, how is the star doing? Shade: Quinn, i can try to go get them Lt. Lucas:winces and sits down in a chair Shade: it's still fluxating Quinn Mallory: If anyone should go and get them, it should be Q Q-Three: let them come on their own, please! Shade: Quinn, but i can just vanish into air before they try to kill me ;-) Q-Three: takes a look at the schematic Q-Three: It looks as if that star is about to go supernova Quinn Mallory: sighs Lt. Lucas:(screams out a variation on DACK in exasperation) Quinn Mallory: mumbles to himself love can be such a pain Quinn Mallory: Supernova?? Quinn Mallory: re-examines the schematics Quinn Mallory: If that star goes supernova, I have no idea what will happen to the artifact, it seems to be in direct connection with the star Lt. Lucas:starts pacing Quinn Mallory: Q, do you know of anyway to at least delay a supernova knows there is no way, but tries anyway Q-Three: well... Q-Three: it's risky, but tachyons may help Quinn Mallory: That would requre alot of power... Shade: :-/ Quinn Mallory: hmm... Shade: where could we get that power? Quinn Mallory: looks at the artifact Quinn Mallory: What if... what if we could somehow use the power that the artifact is producing to give Kedanya power a boost? Q-Three: do you think..? Quinn Mallory: isn't an engineer Shade: hmmmm, Q-Three: we'd have to lower the force field though Shade: Looks at the artifact Q-Three: I'm not prepared to do that Quinn Mallory: Well, I suppose we don't have any choice Shade: wait Shade: we might be able to run it through my program, i can go through the force field and we wouldn't have to lower it Quinn Mallory: raises an eyebrow Quinn Mallory: looks at Shade, looks at Q Shade: i just hope i don't get fried Quinn Mallory: looks at the scan of the star Quinn Mallory: I believe the call goes to you Q Quinn Mallory: As you are the ranking officer Q-Three: sighs Q-Three: how far away is that star? Shade: looks at the artifact again Quinn Mallory: approximately four light years Lt. Lucas:steps out the door to Engineering with a sad look on his face Shade: looks over at LL Shade: returns his eyes to the artifact Quinn Mallory: looks at Q expectantly Q-Three: goes and gets James |
|
Q-Three: hears the knocking and lets them out Tamar: had forgotten they were imprisoned here James J. Phantom: smiles at Q-Three, but only for a heartbeat Tamar: smiles so happily Q has to see how it eneded Tamar: What will we do now? James J. Phantom: looks at Q-Three, still holding Tamar's hand... Q-Three: James... we're having a bit of a MAJOR problem out here! James J. Phantom: Oh really? What kind of problem? Q-Three: I'm not sure exactly... the artifact is reacting to a star going nova Tamar: looks interested and disturbed the same time. HAd hoped for something... well... romantic |
Quinn Mallory: realizes he'll have to explain it all again to James... |