Subject: Grail: "The Great Brightness" - `In Preparation for Kerestia'

<<Stardate: 47307.30- 08:45>>

<<Touring the Ship>>

Epic Terrakian had started on Deck 36 at about 06:00. He had only

had about 5 and 1/2 hours of sleep, but he usually only required 4. But,

that was testament to the weariness he had felt from the long weeks of

concern and dread. And the advent of the Torrilion Ambassador had set

him on the keenest edge yet.

Epic had no desire to alienate any potential allies on this

journey. Especially one whose Empire Kyp Firespray spoke of with such

reverence. However, the Torrilions promised to be a difficult race to

deal with if they took such minor precautions as Acts of War.

Unfortunately, if they expected obsequience, they were going to be

disappointed. And more than that, they would have a tenacious foe in the

Grail. Epic took some pride in his crew, now that he had been able to

see them in action.

The Grail crew didn't take shit from anyone. Not even each other.

On Deck 3, Epic decided that his `tour' was over. He was now among

the more familiar surroundings of the Senior Officers stomping grounds.

And his Senior Staff needed no inspirational presence in their Captain.

They had all they needed in themselves.

Going to the turbolift, he ordered it to the Bridge. Upon opening,

he immediately walked toward the Observation Lounge. He entered without

a word to the Bridge Crew. Most of them would be joining him shortly. He

had sent a letter to the crew before retiring, informing them that the

Staff Meeting would be moved up to 09:00 for everyone. It was going to

be an open forum, this one. There was too much new information. He

wanted everyone to get the undiluted low-down on what was about to

transpire.

And he wanted all their ideas on how it should be handled.

They started trickling in at about 08:56, all present by 09:00.

Good. There was much to do.

Epic noted some faces that he might not expect to find at a normal

Staff Meeting. But Epic wanted things to be different on the Grail.

There would be few promotions [unless there was a death, he begged the

Four Deities that there be no more funerals in the near future] and

there would be no layovers at Starbases waiting for the new blood.

So, Epic had modified some of the advice given him by Mirka

Tzavaras. He was going to give everyone the opportunity to know what was

happening with the Grail and her `family'. He ordered almost every

departmental supervisor and shift leader to the table.

Even Tony Verde, who would have an interest in communicating with

new cultures, could be seen standing in the corner. Jhari Ryes, the

accepted, but not specifically named, Asst. Security Chief stood behind

Logan Castles chair. Jarel Deschaine, one time sabotuer-cum-Project

Supervisor, also stood near to Eve Mallory. Eve and Logan seemed to be

sharing an electricity. Epic looked on.

He saw Arda Kaje sitting quietly and almost regally. Having the

responsibility of a `fighter squadron' as well as a child prodigy had

done wonderful things to her. She had not only risen to the challenge,

but was enhanced by it. Was she wearing her hair differently?

Lt. Major Brinn sat at his right hand, though he thought she might

rather not. Brinn was a superior soldier, a gifted tactician, and a

passionate woman, but the dedication to command might be a burden should

would rather have done without. Certainly, he had thrust it upon her,

but he did so with the expectation that she would overcome this obstacle

as she had all others. In time, he knew, she would. He only hoped she

would give herself the time.

Corvette Hunt stood silent and rigid near the door. The man seemed

to `need' to be in an advantageous position at all times. Despite the

mans terse communication skills and almost detail bare reports, this

ship ran like a mega-corporation, so Epic let the man be.

Dr. Ramius sat silently studying a padd. The man looked like Hell.

His eyes were burdened by heavy bags showing his lack of sleep, but with

his assistant, Oku Ramin, on his back from the viral contaminant, Bill

Ramius was working overtime. Sorry, Epic corrected himself. `William'.

Counselor Tzavaras was whispering something to him, but Epic could not

hear.

There was an odd strength in Mirkas eyes this morning. And it

wasn't a thing that he felt was for anyones benefit but his own. Her

strength was defiant, but it didn't defy anything undefinable. It defied

him. Epic Terrakian. Good. She was a strong one, made stronger by her

awareness of her vulnerabilities. She was going to be an excellent

Counselor. She practiced what she was going to need to preach.

Alison Donucci sat almost singly, despite being surrounded. She did

not chatter or whisper or even look at anyone. Her troubles with

Francois DeMontigny were not far behind them. And Francois had received

another unfavorable discommendation from Brinn. That man had better

learn, and learn fast, or these women were going to burn him at the

stake. It was also rumored that DeMontigny had been fighting with one of

the Security Officers, though it was rumored that DeMontigny reacted in

self-defence. Epic shrugged.

Lt. Fionn stood opposite Corvette Hunt at the door. Epic repressed

a smile. It seemed as if the Observation Lounge was `the place to be'

and Hunt and Fionn were checking ID's at the door. And to be certain,

your ID better check out.

Janice Hargen and Kait Brennan were almost the last to enter. This

stood to reason. Their department had had the heaviest workload. And

they had performed admirably. Epic didn't exactly understand why they

had ended up on the Grail, they certainly didn't belong here, but he was

glad they were. He and Janice shared a quick smile that only about half

of those present had noticed.

Finally, Ambassador T'Nek Destazio of the Torrilion Empire and

Ambassador Kyp Firespray of Gamma Alteries entered, escorted by En. Kwan

Lo Pan and En. Tifa Charr. Charr had been moved in the shift rotation to

accomodate the removal of En. Vohck T'Arna, pending charges.

Epic stood, bringing the subdued murmur of nearly a score of people

to an end. He nodded, and spoke.

"Thank you all for your attendance. Before we continue with reports

and anything else, I would like to formally introduce you to Ambassador

T'Nek Destazio of the Torrilion Empire. It is my hope that the Empire

and we, the Ambassadors of the United Federation of Planets, might find

in one another a common ally.

"But the Ambassador brings us news of Kerestia. None of it good,

apparently. I want you all to give him your attention as he explains

their plight.

"Ambassador?"

<<OOC: Ambassador T'Nek, your report on the situation on Kerestia. Be as

complete as you can be, based on the `Life on Kerestia' reports.

Thereafter, this Staff Meeting will be an open forum. I want all of you

to post your ideas, concerns, needs, of this planet. Don't restrict your

imaginations in any way. Can we help these people? Is there a way to

repair their ecosystem? Do we care to even try? What do we need, besides

`Clean Blood'? Everyone must have either a question, suggestion, opinion

or comment. I want to hear them all. Remember, it is an open forum. This

means that before you post, consider the information relayed by the

posts previous to yours. If Joe posts before John, Johns post should

reflect, at least, that information. I am curious to see how an `open

forum' meeting will work. I will be prepared over the next couple of

days to respond promptly to any questions, in or out of character. Thank

you all.>>