7:01:11 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Hi y'all

7:01:44 PM majdougmcknight: Evening.

7:01:58 PM ltpercybusard: Heya.

7:05:15 PM majdougmcknight: BRB

7:07:53 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Hm, well, nice crowd tonight!

7:08:01 PM ltpercybusard: Yes, yes indeedy.

7:08:02 PM majdougmcknight: Isn't it?

7:08:07 PM ltpercybusard: WB

7:08:11 PM majdougmcknight: Thanks.

7:10:00 PM VAdm Blackthorne: test

 

7:17:04 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Hey hey, got back in!

7:17:21 PM ltpercybusard: Hooray!

7:17:30 PM VAdm Blackthorne: And there's even some blue guy in here.

7:17:31 PM ltpercybusard: Now we are simply missing the pointy-eared one.

7:17:59 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Well, let's begin without her.

7:18:09 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Major, care to fill us in on where we are tonight?

7:18:39 PM majdougmcknight: If I must.

7:19:03 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Indeed.

7:19:35 PM cmdrshelev: am i in jail

7:19:38 PM VAdm Blackthorne: yes

7:19:40 PM cmdrshelev: ok

7:19:48 PM VAdm Blackthorne: But you get out tonight I think...?

7:20:18 PM majdougmcknight: When last we left off, though by some miracle no one had actually gotten shot down, the Sharks returned to Atlantis in shambles after a grueling stalemate in the skies above a parking garage where a force of 39 marines found

7:21:51 PM majdougmcknight: themselves under seige by a larger Nyberrite force with armored support.  By the time said force retreated, the marines counted 17 casualties, nine of those KIA, and Blackthorne ordered an immediate evacuation of all remaining

7:21:55 PM majdougmcknight: forces on the ground.

7:22:31 PM majdougmcknight: Also, Blackthorne and Sellers are supposed to have a beer at some point.

7:22:38 PM VAdm Blackthorne: :unsmith:

7:23:03 PM ltpercybusard: Hooray, beer!

7:23:21 PM majdougmcknight: Oh, and McKnight is one of those 17, though thankfully, he's conscious in sickbay, recovering from only minor wounds.  And I think that's it.

7:23:33 PM VAdm Blackthorne: And Shelev is in jail.

7:24:28 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Questions?

7:24:46 PM ltpercybusard: Can I have a puppy?

7:25:35 PM VAdm Blackthorne: NO!

7:25:54 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Also get a new screen name, Commander!

7:26:04 PM VAdm Blackthorne: And Captain, gawd

7:26:06 PM VAdm Blackthorne: BEGIN SIM

7:26:09 PM VAdm Blackthorne: BEGIN SIM

7:26:10 PM VAdm Blackthorne: BEGIN SIM

7:26:11 PM ltpercybusard: Oh whoops.

7:26:47 PM majdougmcknight: (Haw, I'm still current!)

7:27:11 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::storms onto the bridge, still in his flightsuit:: Get Gerard on the horn, now.

7:28:23 PM ltpercybusard: (BRB)

7:28:24 PM cmdrshelev: ::Continues scratching profanity on the walls of his cell.::

7:28:32 PM majdougmcknight: (Crap, that's my NPC's job, isn't it?)

7:28:47 PM VAdm Blackthorne: (yep)

7:29:35 PM majdougmcknight: Tac guy> Hailing frequencies open, sir.

7:29:54 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Captain Gerard this is Admiral Blackthorne, please respond.

7:31:32 PM majdougmcknight: ACTION> It takes another ten seconds, but eventually, the viewscreen comes to life, showing Gerard on his bridge in his green uniform with the gold lace, hands behind his back.

7:31:54 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Let's talk, Captain. Your ship or mine?

7:32:57 PM majdougmcknight: Gerard> Sorry to make you wait, but I've been waiting for all my posts to report in.  Bit of confusion down there.  Is that what this is?  Pulled out all your troops just to get my attention?

7:34:15 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::nods:: Not the tactically superior move of someone out to annex the planet.

7:34:58 PM ltcmdrbusard: (Back)

7:35:27 PM VAdm Blackthorne: (Yay, nice screen name!)

7:35:34 PM ltcmdrbusard: (Thanks)

7:36:14 PM majdougmcknight: Gerard> ::Clenches his jaw as he looks down at his carpet for a moment in concentration before looking back to the viewscreen::  Maybe not, but I think we've both tried our hand at chess enough to know what a gambit is.  Alright

7:36:43 PM majdougmcknight: Blackthorne, you and no more than two officers.  My office, one hour.  Hemingway out.

7:36:50 PM majdougmcknight: ACTION> The viewscreen goes dead.

7:37:10 PM VAdm Blackthorne: (I only have two officers left :( )

7:37:48 PM VAdm Blackthorne: +McKnight+ Blackthorne to McKnight.

7:38:05 PM majdougmcknight: (Right, um...choose wisely.)

7:38:29 PM cmdrshelev: ((take bob from shipping))

 

7:38:45 PM ltcmdrbusard: (And Puddington. You know he'll do an awesome job)

7:39:02 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Dude in Jail Next to Shelev> Nobody knows, de trouble I seen...

7:39:18 PM VAdm Blackthorne: DIJNTS> Nobody knows, but Jesus...

7:39:21 PM cmdrshelev: :pwn:

7:39:31 PM majdougmcknight: Some random doctor> +Blackthorne+ Major McKnight isn't in arms reach of a comm at the moment, Admiral. 

7:39:46 PM VAdm Blackthorne: +Doc+ How is he, doctor?

7:41:19 PM majdougmcknight: +Blackthorne+ Impatient.  Enough energy from those disruptor blasts bled through to temporarily overload his nervous system into shutdown, but he's regained consciousness, and is being treated for minor burns to the chest and

7:41:22 PM majdougmcknight: abdomen.

7:41:32 PM VAdm Blackthorne: +Doc+ How long until I can speak with him?

7:42:03 PM VAdm Blackthorne: (Believe it or not, I may actually have us a doctor soon.)

7:42:23 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::Fix, fix, fix the broken fighters!::

7:43:06 PM majdougmcknight: +Blackthorne+ In person?  Right now.  Otherwise, he should be out of here, WITH permission, if he can sit still for about 20 minutes.

7:43:09 PM VAdm Blackthorne: DIJNTS> So whatreyainfor. :gruff voice::

7:43:23 PM VAdm Blackthorne: +Doc+ Send him to my ready room on the way out. Blackthorne out.

7:43:30 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ACTION> 20 minutes pass.

7:44:34 PM cmdrshelev: ::Singing:: I hear the train a-comin' it's comin' round the bend...

7:44:54 PM VAdm Blackthorne: DIJNTS> :toot:

7:45:33 PM cmdrshelev: I'm stuck in Folsom Prison...

7:45:45 PM cmdrshelev: And time keeps DRAGGING ON

7:46:49 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::enters the flag office:: Harper, you have the bridge.

7:47:05 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Harper> Yes, Admiral. ::takes the center seat::

7:47:58 PM majdougmcknight: ::And, as ordered, McKnight appears from the turbolift 25 minutes later, and moving somewhat stiffly, crosses over to the flag office.  He EVEN rings the chime this time.::

7:48:08 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Come in.

7:50:06 PM majdougmcknight: ::Stands at attention as the door swishes shut behind him, despite a brief wince.:: Reporting as ordered, sir.

7:51:02 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Major, glad to see you in one piece. Meeting with Gerard in half an hour, and he needs to be convinced we're not out to annex this planet. Your thoughts?

7:53:45 PM majdougmcknight: ::Seems to hesitate just a moment, before shrugging::  We could leave?

7:54:51 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Our mission is to restore the status quo - and you know damned well I'm not leaving my XO behind.

7:55:20 PM majdougmcknight: Captain Dex> ::Pounds on the forcefield once to secure Shelev's attention::  Hey, enough.  The men think we're torturing you back here.

7:56:07 PM VAdm Blackthorne: DIJNTS> HE A GOOD SANGER YOU SHADDUP

7:56:07 PM majdougmcknight: ::Frowns::  I DID mean with Shelev, sir.  Whatever Shelev knows, Gerard knows it to by now.

7:56:53 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Shelev knows nothing because there's nothing to know. There's no grand conspiracy.

7:57:00 PM cmdrshelev: (( oh shi ))

7:57:15 PM cmdrshelev: Who says they ain't

7:57:26 PM majdougmcknight: Dex> Carl, you douchebag, would you knock off the jailhouse stereotype routine?  You want to audition for daytime TV, sober up, then do it on your own time.

7:57:28 PM cmdrshelev: I haven't watched television in almost a DAY!

7:57:31 PM cmdrshelev: SADISTS.

7:57:53 PM majdougmcknight: Dex> ::Looks back to Shelev::  On your feet then, Captain.  You're checking out.

7:58:09 PM cmdrshelev: \o/

7:58:12 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Carl> ::sulks in the corner::

7:58:21 PM cmdrshelev: ::Stands up and limps over to the door.::

7:58:52 PM cmdrshelev: Hey can you let the guy in the next cell out, too? Put it on my tab.

7:59:23 PM majdougmcknight: Dex> ::Deactivates the forcefield.  Shelev's, not Carl's.::  You know, I've seen your chart.  Milking that leg injury a little hard, dontcha think?

7:59:31 PM majdougmcknight: Sir.

7:59:40 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Carl> ::perks up hopefully::

8:00:06 PM cmdrshelev: I'm practicing to get more shore leave.

8:00:30 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::stands, his fingertips on the desk:: Major... do you actually believe that communique to be genuine?

8:01:44 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::Fix fix fix::

8:02:06 PM majdougmcknight: ::Frowns.  Part of him is plainly reluctant to admit it, but he's not a liar, as he told Blackthorne last time.  And as disgusted as he's been with some of the man's actions of late, he just doesn't believe the man's sunk THIS low.:

8:02:13 PM majdougmcknight: ::Sighs::  No.  I don't.

8:02:57 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Okay then, good to know that's out of way. You know Gerard, what would make him believe our intentions are good?

8:03:16 PM majdougmcknight: Dex> Nice.  Try throwing in a sniffle.  More subtle than a cough.  It demands attention without LOOKING like you're demanding attention.

8:03:38 PM cmdrshelev: Righto.

8:04:13 PM cmdrshelev: ::Points at Carl.::

8:04:19 PM cmdrshelev: What's he in for?

8:04:34 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Carl> ::looks pitiful::

8:04:43 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Carl> I ain't dun nuthin...

8:05:36 PM majdougmcknight: Dex> Drunk and disorderly.  Decided to write his name on the wall.  And by wall, I mean the lady trying to walk her dog past it.

8:06:08 PM majdougmcknight: Dex> Can we go?

8:06:12 PM cmdrshelev: Yep.

8:06:16 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Carl> She wuz perdy....

8:06:19 PM cmdrshelev: See ya in the next joint, Carl!

8:06:43 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Carl> :smith:

8:07:14 PM majdougmcknight: ::Feels some irritation in his gaze as he looks at Blackthorne, so he shifts said gaze to the window as he exhales, concentrating on the issue at hand.::

8:07:32 PM majdougmcknight: I understand all my men are back onboard?

8:07:59 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::nods slightly::

8:08:44 PM majdougmcknight: That's a good start.  But as I was trying to say last time, it

8:09:15 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::the slight nod due to lingering thoughts on the KIAs::

8:09:44 PM majdougmcknight: 's not just the PADD we're dealing with.  Gerard's men captured a man who apparently confessed to being an operative for Star Fleet intelligence.  So long as we've got a dreadcought in orbit, and more ships on the way, it won't be

8:10:23 PM majdougmcknight: enough for Ron to tell his employers in good conscience that everything they think they've learned was bogus.

8:10:56 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Well I could certainly turn around the reinforcements easily enough, but I doubt that would convince anyone of anything.

8:12:50 PM VAdm Blackthorne: If... I were to create a militia, composed of forces from both sides, but commanded by a Nyberrite, to restore order, what message would that send to Gerard?

8:15:33 PM majdougmcknight: Um...not much, sir.  I mean, it's kind of academic, since you'd need Gerard's help to create such a force to begin with, but the fact is, as high ranked as you are, you don't run Star Fleet.

8:15:52 PM majdougmcknight: This has gotten serious enough that we'll need someone involved who can make a GUARANTEE.

8:16:29 PM VAdm Blackthorne: I may not run the `Fleet, but Zuriyev essentially does in this quadrant. And he would take my advice and make such a guarantee.

8:16:52 PM ltcmdrbusard: ::Takes out a damaged engine drive, examining it. It was a wonder all the fighters had gotten back in one piece, but this was all going to take ages to get back to good functioning order again.::

8:19:44 PM majdougmcknight: ::Thinks for a moment::  If such advice was given, in his presence so that he could see what was going on at something reasonably close to every step of the way...Ron might be satisfied with that.

8:19:53 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ::checks the chrono:: It'll have to do. Get Commander Busard and meet me in transporter room one.

8:22:06 PM majdougmcknight: ::Waits where he stands a moment longer, plainly thinking something over.::

8:22:59 PM VAdm Blackthorne: ...Major?

8:23:44 PM majdougmcknight: Permission to speak freely, sir.

8:23:49 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Granted.

8:24:42 PM majdougmcknight: You know, there was a time I never would have given that PADD a second look before discarding it as so much garbage.

8:26:17 PM majdougmcknight: Oh, right.  Dex> ::Leads Shelev to a transporter pad.::  If you need to use the bathroom, now's the time.

8:27:33 PM VAdm Blackthorne: At least you came to the right conclusion.

8:29:03 PM cmdrshelev: I'll use my own head, thank you kindly

8:29:54 PM majdougmcknight: There shouldn't have been any doubt.  But the fact is, just because I don't personally believe you're guilty of this doesn't mean you didn't cross a line, and commit a serious breach, both of the spirit AND the letter of the laws

8:31:01 PM majdougmcknight: you swore to uphold.  I believe that if these uniforms are supposed to stand for anything, actions have to have consequences.  And if you ever want to really restore credibility with me, real credibility and not "shut up

8:31:30 PM majdougmcknight: and count my pips" credibility, then one of these days, you ARE going to have to pay some sort of price for what you did.

8:32:28 PM VAdm Blackthorne: It's difficult to truly pay a price when you don't believe your actions to be wrong.

8:33:55 PM majdougmcknight: Look, I realize I may come across as a bit thick from time to time, but I actually DO have some grasp of this "Different cultures, different philosophies." phenomenon.  But the truth is, that's a cop out.  THIS culture,

8:34:55 PM majdougmcknight: the one you agreed to serve, feels differently.  And if the best you can manage is a quiet contempt for Federation law, then you shouldn't be wearing that uniform.

8:36:15 PM majdougmcknight: Dex> Suit yourself.  If all goes well, that may work out.

8:36:36 PM majdougmcknight: Dex> ::Guides Shelev onto the transporter pad.:: Energize.

8:36:56 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Perhaps. But I will continue to do whatever is necessary to protect my ship and crew while I wear it, even if sometimes I may have to cross lines.

8:37:36 PM cmdrshelev: ::Gets beamed somewhere, hopefully atlantis!

8:37:51 PM VAdm Blackthorne: (Shelev has never been beamed anywhere)

8:38:25 PM majdougmcknight: ACTION> To the Hemingway, actually!  That's almost as good, right?  Right?

8:39:02 PM cmdrshelev: ... Where am I?

8:41:00 PM VAdm Blackthorne: (Eden... the Andorian word is unpronounceable.)

8:41:33 PM majdougmcknight: ::Nods:: I guess that's it, then.  You just remember the warning I gave you last time you crossed it, because nothing's changed.  I'll go get Busard now, Admiral.

8:41:57 PM VAdm Blackthorne: See to it, Major.

8:42:14 PM majdougmcknight: Gerard> The bridge of my ship, Captain.  Blackthorne will be here before too long.  All goes well at the meeting, you'll be going back to Atlantis with him.

8:42:38 PM majdougmcknight: ::Turns on his heel and walks out, more stiffly than he came in.::

8:43:23 PM VAdm Blackthorne: PAUSE SIM

8:43:24 PM VAdm Blackthorne: PAUSE SIM

8:43:27 PM VAdm Blackthorne: PAUSE Sim

8:43:35 PM ltcmdrbusard: *pauses*

8:44:37 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Maybe next week, Shelev will make it home!

8:44:44 PM VAdm Blackthorne: At least he's out of jail.

8:46:06 PM cmdrshelev: yase

8:46:07 PM majdougmcknight: Yeah...that's some progress for starting so late.

8:46:11 PM cmdrshelev: I am still in manatombs :V:

8:46:15 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Yeah, the late start hurt us.

8:46:27 PM VAdm Blackthorne: HAY SHELEV THE SIM'S AT 7 OK COOL

8:46:37 PM cmdrshelev: cool

8:46:46 PM cmdrshelev: I will inform 101 post haste

8:47:27 PM VAdm Blackthorne: :woop:

8:48:21 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Also Shelev you need an updated screen name

8:48:49 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Capt Shelev would be awesome

8:49:22 PM cmdrshelev: ok

8:49:37 PM VAdm Blackthorne: We need a party for all the promotions.

8:49:49 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Shelev, T'Kirr, Busard, Harper

8:51:39 PM cmdrshelev: that's everyone but mcknight

8:52:20 PM VAdm Blackthorne: And me :(

8:54:09 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Zuriyev> And me :(

8:54:12 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Jack> And me :(

8:54:13 PM cmdrshelev: harper is you

8:54:25 PM cmdrshelev: jack has a tip jar though

8:54:29 PM majdougmcknight: Zinthys> And me.

8:54:35 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Zinthys is long gone!

8:54:39 PM VAdm Blackthorne: He can't get promoted.

8:54:45 PM majdougmcknight: There ya go!

8:54:50 PM ltcmdrbusard: Puddington> And me?

8:54:58 PM VAdm Blackthorne: You shaddup Pudding.

8:55:17 PM ltcmdrbusard: Puddington> ::Goes back to his corner::

8:55:28 PM VAdm Blackthorne: At least we don't have Ensign Kim who saves the ship 2908502938420 times but never gets promoted.

8:55:34 PM majdougmcknight: Every day Puddington doesn't get jailed for criminal incompetence should feel like promotion.

8:55:51 PM ltcmdrbusard: Or killed by a tar monster.

8:55:58 PM majdougmcknight: That is also good.

8:56:34 PM VAdm Blackthorne: Stupid tar monsters.

8:56:52 PM ltcmdrbusard: Tar Monsters> :-(

8:59:26 PM cmdrshelev: ok I gotta give something else my attention, see you next week

8:59:52 PM majdougmcknight: Night!

9:00:43 PM ltcmdrbusard: g'night

9:01:10 PM VAdm Blackthorne: G'night!