Thanks For All The Fish

 Episode Name:  Thanks For All The Fish

   Written By:  Fortunae

         Cast:  Claness, Devereaux, Fortunae, Golden, Idisha, Idrani, Takamura,

                Turtledove and Tyler.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Fortunae

     Aired On:  Mon Dec 30 16:28:29 2002

     Stardate:  52890.1

Time: Sun Dec 29 21:31:36 2002

Stardate: 52888.2

The Andorian Colony of Fimdari, a glacial planet in general climate punctuated by variable environments along the equatorial zone and along areas supported by the planets version of the Gulfstream. The scene opens on a redoubt in what the locals consider "the Temperate Zone", though for those not of Andorian or Efrosian birth the classification may be up for discussion. It is in this region where elements of the Starfleet presence as Station 419-Upsilon have come for planetary survival refresher training and OpFor joint training with the Andorian Defense Forces assigned to defend this recently beleaguered planet.

Idisha is standing with his parka wide open and most assuredly warm even with that being the case. His eyes are closed. His breathing calm, steady. A fog billowing from his lips. Here on Fimdari he is reminded of home. And home is something so far from his heart that even with dark memories it warms his soul. And a look of contentment for the moment is placed upon his face.

Claness breathes in the fresh Fimdari air, the big Andorian rising to the balls of his feet a few times as he gets his "ground legs" set firmly beneath him. Adequately adjusted to the gravity on Fimdari, he turns to look over the group of 'fleet officers, a big cheesy smile plastered on his face.

Earlier this day, after the arrival and establishment of a redoubt camp supervised by Ensign Idisha, the members of the Rapid Response team and their accompanying officers had their first engagement with the "enemy". While Chakev Claness and Lt Idrani remained at Colonel Kolchav's Headquarters field company observing the engagement process, the others manuevered to the engagement zone overland and set up their ambush point for the ADF elements of the B company Mountain Light Infantry. A clean ambush was expected, the terrain selected carefully and the by the book points addressed each in turn. What happened instead was a surprise counter ambush and envelopment of the Starfleet team by the ADF that took down the Starfleet officers who put up a valient but shortlived effort. After lunch the next engagement was an overland approach to take out a listening station atop a rocky rise -- the Starfleet team again practiced carefully their well honed techniques for approach and capture of the Company C Artillery company's position. Again, shockingly to the Starfleet team, their attack was counterpointed and turned into a near rout retreat against the extremely disadvantageous terrain, only a few managing to escape the practice zone before being captured themselves. After dinner is scheduled a run through an obstacle course, Lt Golden's mood has remained professional but those that know him can tell he's deeply troubled by the double loss earlier in the day. Now, back in camp and ready for chow, they are meet by Idrani and Claness who have just been dropped off by Impulse troop transport to confer about the day's progress so far....

<CONTEST> Idrani (claiming advantage) contests her Search skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

GAME: Tyler spends a courage point.

Golden deliberately ignores the itch on his reddening nose as he tromps through the snow towards the Andorian officers. Clearly he's not looking forward to the post action analysis, but perhaps he is looking forward to eating. "I hope you brought enough hot food with you, Mister Takamura is very hungry."

Idisha is seated on a rock, next to a snowbank, and out of the wind nicely for it. As such his parka is still unzipped and he's not quite sweating. A quietly thoughtful expression is on his face as he reviews a PADD. Tactical movements are something he needs to brush up on. One more thing to the list it would seem.

Idrani walks toward the Starfleet officers. She looks calm, collected and refreshed, as though she spent the day in a warm field headquarters sipping Endilev ale and enjoying an engaging conversation with several ADF officers instead of trouncing through the snow on exercises. "There should be plenty of hot food to go around, lieutenant." Even from the short time spent among her people, her accent is more pronouced. "You look like you could use it."

Takamura is standing watch with his rifle cradled in his arm. He glances over his shoulder when he hears the transport land, but then redirects his attention to the perimeter of the camp, scanning the area with his tricorder. The expression on his face leaves no doubt that he's disappointed with the day's exercises so far.

Turtledove eyes Golden quietly from afar. She is likewise sitting on a cargo bin near Idisha, her expression peaceful. Defeat doesn't seem to bother her so much, at least not visibly. Her eyebrows perk gently, acknowledging the arrival of the Claness and Idrani. She nudges Idisha with her foot, then nods her head toward Golden.

Claness walks next to Lt. Idrani, a warm smile on his lips as he greets his Starfleet friends and comrades. That warm smile is counteracted somewhat by the nasty-looking ADF pulse phase rifle that he has slung over his shoulder. He nods to Lt Golden as he reaches speaking distance but remains silent, letting Lt. Idrani do the talking.

Idisha lifts his head and after a look to Tera, he tracks his gaze to Golden. A nod and he rises to his feet, stuffing the padd into one of the jacket's pockets and hefting his rifle. Walking through the snow now without much care for its depth, he picks his way towards the Golden/Idrani/Claness trio.

Tyler comes crunching through the snow back to camp, her tricorder glowing in her hand in an active scan. As she nears camp she snaps it shut with a click and approaches the crew, approaching Turtledove's cargo bin. "Hi," she says quietly to Tera.

Golden blows on his gloved hands with a puff cloud of breath and musters a smile. "Indeed. We can take this into the structure we have set up for Mess.... we aren't expecting and surprise attacks from our hosts during chow time are we?" He looks towards Claness with an expression boardering on suspicions, but that doesn't stop him from picking a couple of the sealed hot chow containers that were dropped off.

Claness offers a shoulder shrug coupled with a look of supressed boylike mischieviousness. One large index finger wags in the air. "You can never tell with the ADF. They're sneaky." He glances over and waves at Idisha. "Good day, my friend! Isn't the climate beautiful? Much better than last time you and I tread on Fimdari together."

Cold - definitely not a California-born man's best friend. Ethan's hazel eyes sweep out across the snow-covered expanse, and once again the thought of how much he dislikes snow creeps through his mind. The young Ensign, dressed in the warm parka with the hood up, rests in the snow, his phaser rifle resting in his lap. He isn't too impressed with how the day has turned out thus far; yet, he does a good job of hiding the disappointment, most likely with the aid of hope - that, and a few well-placed shots to go with it. Soon, very soon, Devereaux will see about getting himself some chow.

Turtledove slides to her feet as Tyler approaches, giving the girl a warm smile and wave. "Hey Wendy. How goes the exploration? I don't suppose you found an oasis of warmth in this arctic hell?" She speaks through gently clenched teeth. No, there will be no gratuitous tank-top scenes for her this time. This is _not_ the Fimdari she remembers.

Idrani shrugs smoothly, "I would say to expect anything, lieutenant. But as far as surprise attacks might go, they had better not make me spill my dinner."

Idisha laughs outright at Claness' comment. "Well. I can't say its any warmer. But certainly more welcome!" He doesn't seem to mind the lack of victory. Likely Andorian pride in his fellows keeping him toasty warm. Still, he pans the area with eager ears before looking back to the trio. "Nothing wrong with catching ones foes napping. They shouldn't be sleeping anyway." He grins.

Golden moves his cargo into the designated Mess Hall structure and cracks open the cases releasing the heat and the wonderful scents within. Not standing on ceremony takes a mess kit down and serves up a generous helping onto it before raising his voice and saying, "Soups On!". He then begins to serve another plate, one after another, clearly planning on serving everyone else first then eating himself.

Idrani pulls out her tricorder and scans her food before eating it. These are playful Andorians we're talking about. Can't be too careful.

Takamura continues to circle the camp, eyes peeled for stealthy Andorians. He takes a deep breath of the cold air, refreshing, not unlike the Cascades back home, except colder. He seems right at home with the firm ground beneath his feet, as opposed to a bridge deck. He hears Golden's dinner call. And while he's famished, he still has a duty to perform.

Golden looks clearly alarmed when Idrani's starts to scan the food, a "They wouldn't dare" expression on his face though the sentiment is unsaid -- and he waits to see what her scan reveals.

Raising a brow, Devereaux's head tilts to the side as he watches Idrani scan her food, a light grin tracing his lips so very lightly as he comments idly, "That's very reassuring." With an 'oof', Ethan lifts off the packed ground beneath him, and begins to make his way towards Takamura casually, rifle at the ready across his chest, "Go grab something to eat, Takamura," smile still worn on Ethan's face, "When you're finished, I'll grab something."

Claness politely declines any offer of food. Apparently, he's already eaten. Or simply does not want to eat what was brought. To Idisha he adds "More welcome indeed! There is nothing like a cool breeze and the crunch of snow to counteract the bare walls and recycled air of a space station." Claness looks around, then steps aside to allow the hungry to eat.

<CONTEST> Idrani contests her Search skill vs Claness's Stealth skill and Succeeds!

Tyler gestures Turtledove toward the mess tent. "Looks like the oasis is here. There's nothing much out there." She smiles to her friend and prepares to lower her hood.

Idrani looks at her tricorder, nods to herself, then puts it back into her pocket. She catches Golden's alarmed look and shrugs faintly. "You /did/ accept food from the enemy, right? Just so we're perfectly clear." She picks up her plate and moves toward one of the tents, out of the elements, apparently.

When Devereaux relieves him, Takamura smiles and nods to his teammate. "Thanks, buddy. I'll try to leave you some." He closes his tricorder and stows it. Slinging his rifle over his shoulder, the large Asian makes his way to the mess tent.

Turtledove turns her head at Golden's declaration of lunch, looking in the direction of the 'Mess Hall'. She looks back at Tyler, grinning. "Well, maybe not exactly an oasis. Unless he actually is serious about the soup." She gest a wistful expression, her eyes shining. "We should grab some, in any case. Before we get ambushed again." She grins. "After you?"

Golden raises an eyebrow. "We are enemies in the engagement zone during the exercises, maybe I'm be culturally insensitive but I am pretty sure in the reverse positions we wouldn't mess with thier food."

Tyler leans close to Turtledove as they walk toward the building together. Tyler whispers to Turtledove, "Sorry if I dragged the team down. I don't have quite the training you guys do."

"No Problems," offers the tanned man freezin' his rump off, "Just be sure you do." Obviously hungry himself, Ethan just chuckles and begins to take up a vigilant sentry post. Eyes sharp, and scanning the vast horizon, he doesn't search for anything in particular, just movement and that sort of jazz. And so in the mean time, he just moves about the camp here and there, weapon at the ready.

Idisha seems to be near enough the chow line to fit himself in. Oddly, he scans his food too. And with a smile on his face as he does so. Slipping the tricorder back onto its clip and opening up is rations, he makes with more Claness chat. "So Chakev. We've had little chance to talk since Fimdari. How are you? Anything new in your life?" His eyes flit to Idrani as if in querry.

Idrani pauses, antennae moving slightly in Golden's direction. "Well, that would be the Starfleet mode of thinking, wouldn't it?"

Turtledove turns her head, glancing at Tyler as they walk. She seems surprised. "Hey now, don't say that." She regards Tyler warmly. "For one thing, it's completely untrue. I am absolutely certain that your presence had no part in our disasters today. You have my word as a trained person." She winks at Wendy, still smiling.

Claness casts his eyes towards Idrani, then shakes his head silently back at Idisha. "Things are about the same for me, Thaal'vor." Glancing around, Claness finds a nearby tree and moves to sit at its base, his weapon propped up against the trunk. "I would like to spend more time here on Fimdari, but where my duties will take me remains to be seen."

Golden says, "I'm not sure of Starfleet's thoughts on this regard. It's my mode of thinking that you train in the specified locations and times agreed to and for safety reasons don't in other locations or other times." He grins slightly, "That and I'd like to not have the meal interrupted, it smells wonderful. I'm sure it was a merry time at the HQ evaluaters's base today, eh?"

Idisha lifts his chin slighty and shrugs. "Yes well. Fimdari would be a welcome haven as well. But duty is duty and thus I serve." Cinching his rifle securly on his shoulder, he stands casually and makes with the eating. "Isole should be close to finishing that program of the Deshni Colliseum for us. And after that maybe we can start some practices. Though the terran Takamura seems intent on hockey instead." He sighs. "I suppose concessions for our less than resilient allies need to be made, but I do so miss a good game. Even if I'm not very good." He grins.

Idrani sits just inside the mess tent, out of the wind, but close enough to talk. "Oh, certainly. There was much good-natured ribbing coming my way." She begins to eat her dinner, delicately avoiding spilling any of it on her parka or uniform.

Tyler pulls her parka down as they enter the building. She gives her friend a smile. "Uh-huh," she says as she takes a plate that Golden prepared. She lets Turtledove pick a place to sit at.

Takamura stops in his tracks and cocks his head to the side. He slips his weapon back to a ready position. Then, pulling his tricorder back out, he begins scanning in the direction of the sound he's heard. "Uh, sir, are we expecting company soon?"

Claness smiles, nodding. "If we have to play "Hoc-Kee" that would be fine with me. Just as long as it is a sport that appeals to an Andorian." He glances over towards Takamura, then cocks his head towards Takamura, watching the officer as he continues speaking. "Ice is a requirement..."

Turtledove's mouth curves upward affectionately as Tyler turns away to get her food. She follows behind the Science Officer, grabbing food with quiet gusto, and then heads outside... finding a couple of cargo bins outside for the two of them. She holds her hand out to the bin, grinning at Tyler. "Your table, sir."

"Oh... the weather outside is frightful - " but that is about as far into the sound as Ethan gets, shutting up as he hears Takamura and quickly straightening up, readying his weapon all the more if such a thing is even possible without actually pointing it at a target. None the less, Devereaux turns a tentative eye outwards, looking for whatever Hiroshi has heard.

Idrani continues to eat her meal, giving no reaction whatsoever to the alarm.

Idisha nods in agreement with Claness. "From what I understand of the sport it does indeed have ice. And sticks. And armor. Though no cleats, but skates." He shrugs at the difference and crouches near to a rock, his rifle brought forward slightly on its sling. Perhaps in response to Takamura's querry. The only other sign outwardly of paranoia is eating just a little faster.

Tyler isn't sure she likes the sound of that. Company. Back on the station she'd welcome company, into the warmth of her own home. She sits down on the crates that Turtledove has chosen, outside the warmth of the mess tent. She flips her parka hood up and looks at Takamura as she picks at the food.

Takamura flips his tricorder shut and heads for cover. He yells outloud "INCOMING!"

Idrani mms quietly. "Needs salt." she mutters, presumably regarding her food.

Claness picks up his plate and scooches back against the tree, as much as his bulk will allow.

Golden steps quickly away from the serving table and to the doorway, stepping carefully around Idrani as he does so...Takamura's question takes a more serious turn as he yells the alarm and so Dylan raises his voice to shout -- "Battle Stations!" Then he moves at a more rapid clip unslinging his rifle from his shoulder and joining Takamura demanding, "Report!"

Takamura points in the direction of the approaching aircraft. "Sir, we've got 5 vessels approaching in a overpassing trajectory."

"Oh yeah, gotta love the Andorians." And well, that is about all Ensign Devereaux really has to say about that, instead, he slings his rifle and draws his Type-II, all this done while moving for some cover - not one to be caught out in the open and all. Hood up, he brings the fabric across the front of his face, hoping to blend in with the terrain all the more.

Turtledove flicks a look at Tyler, even as her tray lowers quickly to the bin, resting there peacefully enough. She gives Tyler a reassuring half-smile, then dashes to her 'battle station', her eyes going to the skies as Takamura reports. She pulls out her Type II en route, checking it absently as she goes.

Idisha ponders for a moment using Claness as cover. But that would be rude. If fitting revenge upon the ADF man for disturbing his dinner. Still, he moves quickly to an embankment of snow and plows his back into it, forming a nice pocket where he can eat and watch the skies at the same time. His type III is loosened on its strap for readiness.

Incoming? What the hell is that again? Wendy Tyler yelps in surprise and her rattles as she startles. The food, followed by the tray, ends up flying over Turtledove and crashing into the snow. "Oh my," she says as she jumps off the crate and into the snow, ducking behind the crate and flattening out. Where was her battle station again? Right here, behind something solid.

To those outside, the source of Takamura's alarm becomes evident as the 5 specks in the sky grow larger and larger. ADF troop transport elements from their Air Mobile company. Their engine sounds become more pronounced and then as they streaming over the camp high, the they simulataneously roll and disgorge an ever expanding cloud of ... something. Something that falls towards the camp, lots of small somethings. Somethings that wriggle.

Idrani calls over to Claness, "Don't suppose they would drop a salt shaker, would they?"

Claness blinks, looking towards Idrani. "Who?" He almost pulls off sounding innocent. All the same, he peers up through the branches to see what, pray tell, might be up there.

"What the heck ---" Golden asks quietly, then he bellows -- "TAKE COVER!" Following his own advise, unsure what this is but not wanting to be caught out in the open when whatever they are lands, he moves for cover.

After taking some cover behind a rock, Takamura flips open his tricorder and scans the wriggling "bombs."

With a few deft movements of his fingertips... well... more like clumsy movements of gloves fingertips, Ethan checks his Type-II and makes sure it's ready to go, and at the same time checks his combat knife and backup Type-I. Yep. All there. Now all he needs to do is survive long enough to get to use them all. Head looking over his shoulder, Devereaux takes a moment to locate those members of his team he can still see, before once more turning his attention to the dropping wiggling things, moving as little as possible.

Turtledove raises an eyebrow at the wriggling somethings, then glances at Idrani with mild perplexion. Golden's order sets her in motion, however, and slips into something more coverful. A nearby tent serves nicely. She puts her phaser down, and out comes the tricorder.

Tyler stays behind the crate. She waits, eyeing her uneaten food spread in the snow near the plate almost sympathetically. She frowns deeply to herself but doesn't dare risk a peek over the crate.

Claness isn't giggling. He sneezed. Repeatedly. Into his sleeve. Yeah, thats it. But he /is/ /not/ /giggling/.

Idrani continues to eat, from under the relative shelter of the mess tent, watching the show.

*PLOP* The first bomb impacts with as smacking sound. *PLOP PLOP PLOP bang tang PLOP SMACK bang BZZT PLOP" It's a positive rain of meaty objects, the camp rapidly being pounded as if by a hail storm.

Takamura snaps his tricorder shut and shakes his head. "IT'S FISH!!!"

Claness guffaw.

Idrani shakes her head, chuckling in spite of herself.

Golden says, "FISH!?!"

Turtledove's lips quirk upward before the 'bombs' hit. A wry half-smile. Her suspicious eyes flicker from her tricorder to Claness, then to Idrani. Still looking at the Andorian female, she tucks her tricorder away. "Fish."

Idisha is deep in a snowbank. But with the expletive of Takamura, he pulls his hood up and rolls over into the snow, burrying himself. Fish? At least he had a chance to snarf food first.

Tyler straightens up. "They're bombing us with fish?" she asks. She looks over the crate and jumps back as one hits the crate she's behind.

*PLOP PLOP PLOP bang tang PLOP SMACK bang BZZT PLOP* The snow and mud of the grounds of the camp is being covered in the fish, many who still flop and writhe as if they were only recently plucked from their watery abode to play their part in this "attack" *PLOP PLOP PLOP bang tang PLOP SMACK bang BZZT PLOP*

Turtledove shakes her head quietly. "Give it to us raw and wriggling... I wonder if these little guys are edible."

Golden says, "I - can't - Be-*lieve* - they bombed us with *Fish*."

Takamura slings his rifle, picks up a fish and looks toward Claness. He says wryly, "I guess we're having sushi for dinner."

Tyler is one step ahead of Turtledove. She ows as she is hit by one of the missiles in the shoulder, but she's already flipping open her tricorder. "Yeah." She grins to Turtledove. "If there's one thing I can cook, it's fish."

With a few more plopping impacts, the last of the fish are "delivered", and now the smell of the piscene creatures fills the chilled air with their scents as the creatures continue to flop and wriggle for some air.

Pfft. Pfft. Pfftwhap. Ow. Next time, Idisha, dig deeper. Its fish alright. Reaching up through the snow with a gloved hand, he looks at it. Then a though occurs to him. Burrowing a little further until he pokes a small sort of viewport in the embankment, looking out from the camp. Thankfully the smell is nicely filtered by a meter or two of snow.

Idrani emerges from the tent, deftly avoiding stepping on the fish. "Expect anything. And be sure that the enemy's idea of when the engagement ends is the same as yours."

Turtledove kneels down and pokes one of the poor little guys with her finger. It flops around quite unhappily. She looks up to Tyler, grinning.

Wiping tears from his eyes, Chakev Claness comes out from under his tree, but only after peeking to make sure that the last of the seafood has fallen. He looks around at the fishy mess, hands on his hips, then glance towards Takamura. "For the record, and so I am not taken prisoner in this exercise, the second delivery of edibles was not my idea." His eyes twinkle with quirky Andorian amusement, though.

"Alright People," Golden says with an even voice coming out from his own cover, "Just because it's only fish doesn't mean it's safe. Begin scanning the fish for listening devices or booby traps, then move them into an area we can contain -- these may be bait for another wilderness friend our hosts would like to drop by and visit us."

Hungry Takamura pulls out his Idisha fillet knife and prepares his dinner. If the Andorians are going provide fresh fish, he's not going to let them go to waste.

Tyler starts to gather some of the fish together, the ones who are too stunned to wriggle by the impact, doing what Golden says. "Do you know how to clean them?" she asks Turtledove as she gathers up the poor slimy buggers and places them on her fallen plate.

Idrani walks a few meters away from the camp. Upwind.

Golden looks at a fish... looks at Idrani... seems to contemplate something. Looks back to the fish, looks at Claness, seems to consider something else. Then he extracts his own tricorder and follows his own advice.

Turtledove looks back down at the fish, with a vaguely sympathetic expression, and pulls out her tricorder. As she starts scanning, she looks back to Tyler. "Not at all." She grins. "But, perhaps between the two of us we can come up with something... Forensics, exobiology... etc.. Assuming they aren't little Trojan fishies." She grins then looks at her tricorder readings.

Ignoring the gather of fish operation that is currently underway, Claness clears his throat (and regains some composure) before addressing Lt Golden. "Colonel Kolchav wanted me to commend you and your team for their fighting spirit and resourcefulness when facing overwhelming odds." Pause. "Or a superior force. Or something like that." Shrugging, the big Andorian continues. "He was very impressed with your ability to fall back under fire. He swore to me that he was sincere, but I warned the Colonel to no underestimate the cunning and ability of our Starfleet comrades." He looks around at the group, who seem to be in various stages of fish scanning and/or removal. "Good job. I am proud to serve amongst you."

Takamura sighs and let's his dinner wait. Again. Scanning not only the fish, but the area beyond the perimeter for Andorians, he collects more food for the team to eat.

"Can I see your knife, and I'll show you," Tyler says to Turtledove. She turns to Golden while she awaits the approval or denial of her knife request and says, "With the Lieutenant's permission, any clean fish I'd like to start work on cooking. No reason to let these go to waste, and seafood is my specialty."

Idrani looks over at Claness during his speech, quirking a brow. Quick as a mouse, she scoops up one of the fish and hurls it at him, aiming for the center of his big chest.

<CONTEST> Idrani (claiming advantage) contests her Athletics skill vs Claness's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Succeeds!

Squish. Not only does the fish hit Claness in the chest, but if "slimes" down his fatigues until it reaches his belt buckle, where gravity finally takes hold and pulls it to the ground. Claness simply offers Idrani a playful smile in return, refusing to wipe the slimetrail from his uniform in defiance.

Golden "You may return our thanks for the compliment to the Colonel." He says... then he pulls his own knife out and offers it to Tyler by setting it before her. "You can use my knife... Utlara is different." He smiles indicating Turtledove's knife...then laughs heartily as Claness is Fished.

Idrani uses a little clean snow to get the fish goo off her fingers. "Well, I guess the ADF isn't as good at falling back under fire."

Claness shrugs. "It was just a flesh wound.:

Idisha is actually getting cozy in his little snowburrow. Go fig. Its winter survival training at its finest. He has a little bunker of coziness in there. Now all he needs is a little snowfall to conceal the evidence. Moving his rifle into better position, he wiggles his torso and gets comfortable for the long haul. "Sir." Comes his muffled voice. Yes, the snow is speaking. "After the camp has been cleared. Perhaps I recommend we prepare the camp for ambush." Setting his PADD to silent, he uses the faint glow of its readouts to type by.

Turtledove's eyebrows dip. Utlara? Gutting fish? Her grimace is part wince, in fact, her mouth starting to form her reply... when Golden gracefully steps in. She glances at Golden with an oh-so grateful expression, then looks to the freshly fish-wounded Claness with a quirked eyebrow. She regards the spectacle with perplexion, and perhaps some amusement, before flicking a curious glance at Golden.

Idrani walks over to Golden, murmuring to him.

Idrani whispers to Golden, "Sir, essentially, Starfleet came over to the ADF and asked them to play. The ADF is having fun. You need to play back."

Tyler picks up the knife and instructs Turtledove on how to gut the fish. "It's messy work, but it's worth it," she says, cutting off the head. She explains to Turtledove, "I grew up on a boat and my brother was an anti-technologist. We ate off the ocean." She cuts the fish's belly lengthwise and dumps waste in the snow, then sets about expertly fileting the fish. She scans the filet to make sure it contains no surprises, then begins on the next one.

Golden whispers to Idrani, " I plan on playing back now that I understand the bounderies or lack of them. Don't you worry."

Claness moves to retrieve his weapon, checking to make sure the weapon is in a safe mode before slinging it back over his shoulder. He nods to himself, or to what is being said around him, as he sets to help in the fish roundup. Yee-haw.

Idrani nods to Golden, smiling just a little. She also begins to help gathering fish.

Takamura yet again puts his tricorder away. He brings the collected fish over to Tyler and Turtledove. "Here's some more victims for the Idisha blades." He grins at the women, before moving back out to watch over the camp.

Golden responds with to Idrani with a serious tone but a game smile on his face, then he raises his voice and says "Your suggesting is well noted Mister Idisha. In the mean time, I could go for some fresh fish fry. I need to check over some details, Mister Takamura if you could have Mister Devereaux relieve you I need to speak with you and Mister Idisha inside the planning hut."

Idrani uses more snow to get more fish slime from her hands. Then she walks over to Claness and deliberately takes him by the arm. "Come along, Thalev." She leads him in the opposite direction of the planning hut, out of earshot, even for Andorians.

Idisha sighs in his little pocket. And he had just gotten comfortable. A little more wriggling and he backs out to the beginning of his little tunnel, rolling to his left and plop, there's an Andorian. Getting up, he surveys the fishyness with a shake of his head. "Aye, sir."

Golden enters the hut where he has a hushed conversation with the two officers after they have both arrived.

Takamura pauses when Lt. Golden calls his name. Shooting a glance to Devereaux, he heads towards the planning hut. "Aye, aye."

Claness protests even as he allows himself to be led away. "But I have fish...!" Ah, shoot. He drops his fish in the snow, tossing this RRT comrades a look of apology, or a look of amusement. Off he goes, being led away by the beautiful Andorian woman. There are worse fates in the universe.

Turtledove grins at Tyler. "Just a sec", she says, as she walks off. She returns shortly thereafter with a survival kit, from which she pulls a bladed utensil traditionally used for dressing game. She follows Tyler's instruction, faring not so badly... cutting the wrong places at times, but at least her cuts are nice and clean. Why, she could've been a Sushi chef, maybe.

Golden emerges from the hut a few moments later and patrols around for any missed fish while the gentlemen inside work on his directive.

Tyler turns it into a two-woman assembly line. "Just like men," she mutters to Turtledove. "Leave us to cooking and they go play war." She shakes her head and filets another fish. "This is a nice knife Lt. Golden has. It's rather sharp," she says. She wouldn't know a masterly crafted knife if it poked her in the eye, but she's certainly impressed at how well it's cleaning the fish.

Idrani keeps Claness well away from the war planning until the meeting appears to be adjourned.

Claness doesn't even try to eavesdrop. He may be an informer, but he's no spy.

GAME: Takamura spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Idisha contests his Computer (Research) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Turtledove severs the head from one of the little dudes with a single gleeful slice. She looks at Golden's knife, then to Tyler, with a grin. "Made by a master forgeman. Ensign Idisha, himself, actually. He made one for each of the RRT members, at Golden's request." She lifts her guts-smeared hands, turning slightly to show the hilt of her weapon to Tyler. "Behold Utlara." She grins. "A truly fine blade... of which, I am barely worthy."

<CONTEST> Takamura (claiming advantage) contests his Planetside Survival (Urban) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Out of earshot of the camp, Idrani says quietly to Claness, "Have to keep the spies away from the command bunker." She quirks a half-smile, speaking her native tongue with mock severity.

Claness chuckles as Idrani speaks, tossing a look over his shoulder at the far-off camp. "You have me all wrong, Lt. Idrani. I would never spy on Starfleet during an active training exercise." Hmm, that statement left the ADF officer plenty of wiggle-room.

Idrani rolls her eyes skyward. "No, you just provide them with past training reports." She chuckles. "You weren't fooling anyone, Thalev."

Tyler examines Utlara on Turtledove's hip. She smiles. "I can see why you didn't give it over for cleaning fish guts." Now that Turtledove is sufficiently initiated into the Fish Cleaning Society, Wendy sets about the task of cleaning her hands and then figuring out what ingredients she has to work with.

Claness shushes Lt. Idrani, even though distance separates the pair from any prying ears.

Claness says, "I did no such thing." He says quietly. "The good Colonel and I simply had a long conversation about my duties as it relates to working side by side with Starfleet. Sure, we may have compared ground small unit techniques between the two organizations, but it was merely for the betterment of all." Pause. "Honest."

Takamura pokes his head out the hut and beckons Golden to come inside. "Lieutenant Golden, if you would join us please." Then Tak ducks back inside waiting for his commander.

Golden "Right." He hurries to join them after taking a careful scan of the camp and who is where.

Idrani snorts softly, stifling back a chuckle. "Sure it was." She shakes her head. "But I didn't say anything and I still won't. It is a good lesson for the RRT. Creative utilization of resources and the not-so-simple concept of taking nothing for granted." She peers back in the direction of the camp.

Turtledove turns back to the task of gutting, though she does send a quick glance over toward the command centre, before turning back to the fish. Slice. Gut. Fillet. Examine. "So... your brother was an anti-technologist? Are you sure you two were related?" She grins as she prunes the little fishes.

Claness giggles, looking for all the world like a 320 lb. 4-year old as he covers his mouth with is gloved hands. "Did you see them all dive for cover? Idisha looked like a snow-mole!" He laughs out loud at that, the sound carrying far and wide. Quickly he lowers his volume. "They are a good bunch of officers. Not all species would take to Andorian humor after such a day that they have had."

Tyler brings some of the supplies that the ADF sent over to Turtledove. "It's got butter-like-stuff with the bread, it's a whipped spread so I'm not sure how well it'll hold up under heat. We need to gather up as much of this as possible. When I was out hiking about earlier I found some roots that might make a good seasoning. Plus there's some salt and pepper in the mess tent. We'll have to be creative. Though I recommend broiled."

Idrani nods, agreeing. "Yes, they are. I am glad they were able to take the fish bombing in the manner of which it was intended." She chuckles, then. "Yes, I had a nice vantage point from inside the mess tent. Idisha /did/ look like a snow-mole."

Turtledove stops chopping and slicing long enough to look-over the gathered bounty with an appreciative glance. "Broiled. That's like... what? On a stick over a fire?"

Claness glances back towards the camp, then to his companion. "Jaylas, can we go back to the camp now?"

Turtledove meanwhile sets the blade down, and picks up some snow, scrubbing the fishy remnants from her hands. She then starts gathering up what seasonings she can find, looking through the ADF supplies with Tyler.

Idrani nods. "Looks like the planning session is finished." She eyes Claness sidelong. "You just keep out of trouble."

Tyler grins. "No, you place the filets in a shallow pan with the sauce, and cook the top. The boiling liquid cooks the bottom. I don't know what they've got in terms of an oven in there, but I'm sure there's something that can broil. If not we can get creative with that too. A phaser in one of these crates somehow?" She shrugs. "I'll go see if we've got an oven, then I'm going to go forage."

Claness chuckles as he starts back towards the camp. "I always do" he says softly.

Idrani follows Claness back to the camp.

Turtledove raises an eyebrow at the 'phaser-oven' proposal. She eyes the crates, skeptical... yet intrigued. Mostly to herself, she says, "I... hope we have an oven." She then shrugs, grins, and continues gathering anything and everything edible from the crates, digging deep.

A light breeze plays across the camp, carrying the linger fish smell about in it's white furls of tossed snow.

Tyler comes out of the mess tent. "No ovens, just some sternos. But I think I've got an idea..." She wanders out of the camp, flipping her tricorder out and going out to forage.

<CONTEST> Turtledove contests her Planetside Survival skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Golden exits the HQ tent with Takamura and Idisah, breaking off to check on their picket line.

Idisha exits the tent and gives a look about. Still mucking with the fish eh? He shakes his head and goes over to Devereaux. "Why don't you get some food? I'll take over."

Takamura heads over to the mess tent for some of the rations the ADF supplied until the fish is ready. Nothing is going to stop him from eating this time.

<CONTEST> Tyler contests her Planetside Survival skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

<CONTEST> Tyler (claiming advantage) contests her Athletics skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Outside of camp, a casual outing within the outer perimeter to gather the right sort of flat rocks and local tubers and roots nearly turns into disaster as a snow shelf gives way beneath Wendy's slight weight and gives her a sudden rush of downward movement. Her booted feet skitter across the slopping rock of the hill that was just hidden, and reflexes honed on a board on waves reactivate despite the alieness of the incident -- balance, adjust, balance, adjust -- forage dropped in the more pressing need to stay alive and unhurt Wendy extends her arms to help keep herself righted. Then, the fall is over with her pitched into the deeper snow... a bit cold, a bit wet... and miraculously unhurt.

With Devereaux off to get himself some food, Thaal makes with the burrowing again and turns himself into a snowcovered sentry. Little motion involved once he gets settled looking out from the camp.

Claness returns to the camp in time to see the fish preparations coming to a close. Nodding to himself, then casting a knowing glance towards Idrani, he settles in and watches the goings-on of the camp.

Tyler is dead silent through her ordeal. Her face is wrought with concentration until she stops with a sudden, "Oh!" She sits in the snow, indignant, gathering her wits and her breath, tasting what her crew of Timefleet officers experience all the time. Pure adrenaline. She returns to the camp, crunching through the snow, wet and embarrassed. She's got part of her forage, two large tubers she was able to find after the tumble.

Takamura fixes himself a double helping of the warm chow and sits down outside the tent waiting for Tyler to say that the fish is ready. He hungrily snarfs down his food, slipping back into his old infantry eating habits. All the while, he tries to keep an eye on the perimeter. He doesn't want to get surprised again.

Idrani finds a place to settle in as well, pulling up her hood and tucking her gloved hands in her sleeves. She remains silent, observing.

Turtledove, meanwhile, gathers up her meagre findings, and carries them over to the fully-scanned, and apparently bug-free, fish piles. She sniffs quietly, winces, then moves upwind of the fish piles, setting down the supplies, and considering the fillets and the whole fishes... her phaser... the crate. The crate gets a skeptical appraisal, and a decisive shake of her head. Then a thought seems to occur to her. When Tyler returns, she finds Tera on her knees, digging a hole in some freshly-thawed (obviously phasered) ground. She looks up at Tyler with a grin, then a raised eyebrow as she notes the officer's embarrassed expression. "I... got an idea." She eyes Tyler curiously, refraining from comment, apparently.

GAME: Tyler spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Tyler (claiming advantage) contests her Artistic Expression (Cooking) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!

Soon, despite any real expectations, the camp is filled with the delectable scent of the baked fish. It is delectable, delicious... and devoured. While Idisha and Takamura have to handle the clean up, Golden pulls Turtledove and Tyler aside and has a discussion with them privately in the command hut. Shortly aftewards the pick up for the obstacle course where it's still dayside arrives and the Diplomat, the Liaison and the RRT board, with the exception of Turtledove and Tyler who have been picked to stay back and secure the camp. The vessel lifts off slowly, reorientates and takes off into the twilight sky.

GAME: Golden spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Golden (claiming advantage) contests his Athletics (Climbing) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Golden (claiming advantage) contests his Athletics (Climbing) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Golden (claiming advantage) contests his Athletics (Climbing) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Golden (claiming advantage) contests his Planetside Survival (Arctic) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Golden (claiming advantage) contests his Planetside Survival (Arctic) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

GAME: Idisha spends a courage point.

GAME: Takamura spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Idisha (claiming advantage) contests his Athletics (Climbing) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Idisha (claiming advantage) contests his Athletics (Climbing) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Idisha contests his Planetside Survival (Arctic) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Idisha contests his Planetside Survival (Arctic) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Takamura (claiming advantage) contests his Athletics (Climbing) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Takamura (claiming advantage) contests his Athletics (Climbing) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

<CONTEST> Takamura (claiming advantage) contests his Athletics (Climbing) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Takamura (claiming advantage) contests his Planetside Survival (Arctic) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

GAME: Idrani spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Idrani (claiming advantage) contests her Athletics (Running) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Idrani (claiming advantage) contests her Athletics (Running) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

<CONTEST> Idrani (claiming advantage) contests her Athletics (Running) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Idrani (claiming advantage) contests her Planetside Survival (Arctic) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Idrani (claiming advantage) contests her Planetside Survival (Arctic) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

GAME: Tyler spends a courage point.

GAME: Turtledove spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Tyler (claiming advantage) contests her Planetside Survival skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Planetside Survival skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Athletics (Jumping) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Tyler contests her Athletics (Jumping) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

GAME: Turtledove spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Security (Security Systems) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

GAME: Turtledove spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Tyler contests her Computer (Hacking) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Vehicle Operations skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

<CONTEST> Tyler contests her Vehicle Operations skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Act II -- Translated the from the native tongue, the Course is called Bitter Creek. The course candidates are brought into a small log cabin where they are briefed on the course rules such as they are given an emergency transport band incase of an accident requiring immediate medical attention. The ADF enlistedmen who supervise the course seem in quite amused moods, deliberately making comments as if whispered asking about something smelling fishy. They lead Golden out first... five minutes later they come for Devereaux, and so on until each willing participant has been sent out into the bitter creek...

Starting off from a run, Golden moves fluidly across the rough wintery terrain, running skiddingly at times down fallen log bridges, loping up hills and tackling free climbs up faces where his long body has an advantage to make up speed. He miscalculated the strength of the ice trying to make a short cut across a frozen river and ended up wasting precious moments breaking his foot free and this wetness proved more inconvenient as he neared the end of the course and his toes were burning or numb. After finishing with a respectable 20 minute time, he immediately got replacement socks enduring the patronizing chuckles of the ADF medics on the course site.

After the pace set by their commander, Idisha can do no less. Setting himself into a steady breathing he seems to relish the cold winter air and seems to snort like a bull as he waits to be given the go ahead on the run. He gets off to a clumsy start for his enthusiasm sadly and finds his feet slipping on the frozen turf, hands failing to get grips on the first two of the obstacles. Further frustrated by the sudden presence of a deep patch of snow that brings him to the ground, he rises much like a mythical terran Phoenix. Though this time from the white of snow. After baptism of frozen waters, he seems to have been cooled into a steady run. His mind less on impressing his fellows and more upon the pace. The run. The task at hand. And so he tackles the remainder of the course with the efficiency he is well known for. Passing the course with a minute to spare.

Takamura starts out of the blocks running. He manages to clear the first few obstacles with no problem and decides to pick up the pace. Maybe it's the cold and ice, maybe it's too many fish at dinner, but Tak stumbles over the next couple of obstacles. He slows down trying to salvage the rest of his attempt. Unfortunately, his slipups have cost him too much time and he just barely fails to make the cut.

Idrani starts the obstacle course at a brisk sprint for the first few minutes, then after a near-fall that results in a painfully twisted ankle, eases off the breakneck pace. The ankle is enough to irritate and slow her down, keeping herfrom beating Golden's time. But she finishes the course with a respectible score. The young Andorian is highly displeased with her performance, but controls her body language to the point where it betrays only mild disappointment, not showing the full extent of her emotion. As for the ankle, she refuses to even limp on it, in the sight of the ADF Andorians.

Claness is at the end, cheering on each Starfleet officer as they come into view and offering each in turn a hearty pat on the back and a shoulder to lean on in case they need to see the medic. He's all smiles, enjoying the competition and playing the cheerleader.

After the course is run, the ADF evaluators congratulate them all for their work, even Hiroshi who they politely (if condescendingly) assure did a great job considering human frailty when it comes to anything close to a reasonable temperature. After the congratulations there is a doling out of hot food and drink and a small ceremony where those who passed are given a patch for finishing the course as well as certificate, both with Andorian scripted blazons of Bitter Creek Course showing a wintery river and fallen logs with a deliberate sinister mien. It's a nice break from the pounding the Starfleeters have been provided since the exercises started... Meanwhile, elsewhere on Fimdari...

....All is not as quiet as one might expect. Having said good-bye to their compatriots (and Claness), Turtledove and Tyler turn to each other with, perhaps, a mischievious twinkle in their eyes. After some initial reading of maps, and plotting of trajectories, and decidedly NOT just sitting idle at the camp while everyone is running for the pride of Starfleet... Turtledove starts off into the wilderness... picking her way among rocks as carefully and quickly as possible, checking on Tyler's progress from time to time.

Wendy Tyler lets Turtledove lead, since Tera has the strategic and survival training, becoming hopelessly lost in the process. She could never find her way back to the camp. Her snowboard is strapped to her back. The two women arrive at the vehicle intercept point without incident, due to Turtledove's skill.

Turtledove grins quietly as they near their destination: an ambush point. With bare minutes to spare, they find their quarry approaching. Turtledove glances at Tyler with a reassuring grin, as she crouches, preparing. As the vehicle nears... her muscles tense up slightly... preparing... until the moment comes. "I guess... Surf's up, eh?" She grins, then she jumps! Landing on the roof of the vehicle, and depending on her innate sense of balance to keep from falling over. She clings to whatever she can, obviously relieved to have made the difficult leap.

Tyler musters all of her courage and makes a running leap for the truck. She lands short, however, and yelps in terror as she starts sliding down the side on her stomach. The board on her back makes getting purchase difficult, and she slips toward a certain, crushing death at the hands of the industrial tires on the vehicle.

Turtledove looks back immediately, fully expecting Tyler to have jumped with her, and be somewhere behind her. Her grin vanishes completely, as her hand goes reflexively to her friend, grabbing hold of her with a death-grip. Her eyes reveal fear, of all things, as she braces herself, pulling as best as she can, and in the process, possibly, enabling Tyler to get a foothold on the side of the vehicle and maneuver herself up to safety. She gives Wendy a reassuring squeeze, making sure that she is alright, before carefully maneuvering into the interior of the vehicle, and disabling the security system.

Tyler stays on the roof until Tera has the security system disarmed, grasping whatever she can for dear life. Too close, much too close. When the security system is disengaged she slips into the interior of the truck to take control of it. Interfacing her tricorder with the system is easy, taking it off the network is easy. "Viola," she says. "That wasn't so hard. She's all yours, Tera." She gives her friend a meaningful look and says, "Thank you for saving me."

Turtledove regards Tyler with an impressed expression. "That was quick." Her eyes darken a bit, an unreadable emotion, as she adds, "And, hey. What are friends for?" She smiles warmly at Tyler, then turns toward the machinery of the automated vehicle... with a raised eyebrow. Blast these foreign technologies. Attempting to drive turns out to be a big issue... as the now manual vehicle careens around, much to Tera's chagrin. "Urgh." Her eyebrows ascend. "...Tree."

"Tree? TREE!" Tyler yells. She reaches over and grabs the wheel of the butterfly yoke of the truck and yanks it toward her. She pushes down on Tera's knee and mashes the accelerator. The back end of the truck swings around in the snow and barely misses the back of the tree. She pulls Tera's foot off the gas now that the truck is turned. "Move over, I'm driving," she says. Wendy gives Tera a grin and says, "Well, we're even now." Tyler drives the rest of the way back to the base. After loading the fish into the back, as fast as they can, they hide the truck behind a berm and cover it with a camouflage white net.

<CONTEST> Claness contests his Diplomacy (Federation Law) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Idrani (claiming advantage) contests her Diplomacy (Federation Law) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Claness contests his Law (Adf Regulations) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Idrani contests her Law (Starfleet Regulations) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

GAME: Tyler spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Tyler (claiming advantage) contests her Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

GAME: Turtledove spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Tyler contests her Artistic Expression (Cooking) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

GAME: Turtledove spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Turtledove (claiming advantage) contests her Security (Security Systems) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

GAME: Takamura spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Takamura (claiming advantage) contests his Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Takamura (claiming advantage) contests his Security (Security) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Idisha contests his Material Engineering (Structural) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Idisha contests his Demolitions (Military Explosives) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

GAME: Golden spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Golden (claiming advantage) contests his Planetary Tactics (Small-unit) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Golden (claiming advantage) contests his Security (Security) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

ACT III -- The ADF airmobile transport finally disappears from view and Claness and Idrani can sense a shift in the attitude of the RRT team as soon as it's gone. The casual "boy that was fun" demeanor dropping away for a focused "let's get it going" attitude, Golden starts giving commands short and truncated and only decipherable by those already in the mission loop. Moments later a massive and usually automated Fimdari Automated Agricultural Services vehicle rumbles up to the redoubt gate and Claness and Idrani are ushered along with the rest of the response team to join Tyler and Turtledove inside the large but now cramped cab of the vehicle. When asked what is going on they are met with wraggled eyebrows and playful winks, and any calls out are discouraged with amused scowls and wagging of fingers. The trip is longer due to the mystery and anticipation, but a few hours on it's own merit as well -- soon it enters the Fimdari colonial capital. The Agri Truck follows the appropriate service lane regulations but then slips away from the industiral processing sector and until in the glow of the dashboard console light Golden issues more intricate time tables and objective cues until only He, and the two "observers" are left aboard while Idisha, Devereaux, Stewart, Malloy, Turtledove and Tyler are debarked at different location.

The vehicle continues it's innocent appearing manuevers around the outlaying blocks of the ritzier neighborhood of the capital, the Colonial Governor's Mansion a regular vista as they circle the hill on which it lays.... meanwhile, the smaller teams causually and at times stealthily padd towards their real objective... Tyler and Turtledove moving to position one, Takamura and Idisha moving to position two and so on....

Turtledove slips quietly past the Andorian security measures, leading Tyler, her eyes sparkling with amusement now, as the Starfleet officers set about this arguably important task. She crouches slightly, looking up at Tyler with a cheerful light in her eyes. Waiting for Tyler to do her thing.

Takamura and Idisha skulk about the capital streets, darting from one dark shadow to the next. He leads his Andorian partner up to the window of the Governor's Mansion without raising any suspicions. He nods to Thaal as the get ready for the next phase of their plan.

Tyler creeps along with Turtledove. She flips open the tricorder and scans the interior of the dwelling. She runs the tricorder up and down. "There's almost a hundred," she whispers to Turtledove. "Six of them aren't Andorian."

Takamura surveys the window and attempts to bypass the locks to pop it open. But, he's not used to quietly going through windows. He prefers kicking in doors and it shows. Tak's unable to get past the locks and calls Golden for some advice.

Turtledove raises an eyebrow at Tyler, quiet cheer mingling with curiousity. "Well, there may not be enough for seconds, but... if they share nicely, they should do ok." She grins, winks, then turns her attention to the security system. Her brow creases thoughtfully... her fingers move tentatively over the controls, attempting to bypass security around the windows to the ballroom. No dice. The system beeps indignantly at Tera. Denied! She, too, comms her resourceful Commander for advice.

Looks to Claness and almost asks him on tips for bypassing ADF grade security measures, but thinks better of it and suggests running an interphase bypass from the tertiary control wiring backup into the primary flow then pinching off the primary after disabling the secondary relay the returning the power to the primary to hopefully fool the router of the control codes.

... Then Golden looks to Claness again to see if that evokes any reaction.

Claness casts a dubious eye towards Idrani, but doesn't say anything to Golden. It's his show.

Turtledove attempts Golden's suggestion, only to be beeped at again. She regards the system as if it were some recalcitrant child. She comms Golden, whispering, "That didn't work, sir."

Idrani catches the dubious glance and returns it. She's been getting that sinking feeling ever since they were shanghai'd onto the truck. But surely, if the RRT has something planned that would be a major faux pas, Idisha, being Andorian, would see it coming and make the humans aware. Wouldn't he?

Golden says... "Alright. Thaal'vor, fix us a bypass and cue me to bring the delivery."

Takamura listens to Golden's suggestion and tries it. But, Tak must have gotten part of the instructions wrong, because the window still won't budge. He taps his commbadge. "No go."

<CONTEST> Claness (claiming advantage) contests his Culture skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Idisha just shakes his head as things start to go awry and he too gets that sinking feeling. A sigh and he digs into his kit o' goodies. Hmm. Examining the windows he makes note of framework and hinges, and squeezes just a little bit of some gelatinous joy near to the respective locks. Well. At least this way they'll be sure to have the attention of the recipients before the main course? A detonator later and he waves Tera and Tak away from the windows before giving Golden the com'd go ahead.

Claness glances out the window. Then does it again. Then again. Big white brows furrow has big mental gears turn.

RRRRMMMMGGGGMMNN The hefty engine of the large argritruck rumbles then starts making the beeping sound universal to clear the way for a backing up truck... on his combadge Golden counts it back with the guide-on directions from the field crew..."9... 8.... 7... 6... 5... 4..." across a manicured lawn, through some artful flower beds, just missing a decorative fountain with statue of a naked Lor'Veal holding a Chaka above her head... "3" ... *poppoppoppopboompoppoppop --Keerash!* the windows are skillfully seperated still in thier frames from the side of the Colonel's Manse... "2... 1... breaking. Delivering now!" Golden hits the "Dump" button for the cargo and the back of the agritransport lifts up opening it's large doors...

Idrani buries her face in her hands, muttering something about it being a good thing that she packed her chaka because blood is going to have to hit the floor for this one.

Claness can't help but smile.

Idisha jogs over to the van on the quicktime. He brought his, too, but far better that nobody gets caught. Yes?

Fish, glorious fish, lots of fish, pours from the back of the truck through the now opened wide ballroom windows. Dead now, but still slimy and chilled, the fish flow and spin across the marbled floor across the feet of the now shocked and stunned party at the Colonel's ball. On the feet of the visiting Diplomatic Legate from Dulcais, across the shoes of the Colonial governer, just in time to make the Colonel's husband slip and send his drink into the face of the Bolian naval company's Commander. Fish and dancing, dancing and fish -- this mix is not the best. There is only the sound of the truck...then a cacophanous roar of outrage and confusion.

Golden says, "We heard they were having a dinner party..."

Idrani looks at Golden from between her fingers. If looks could kill, that would be one DEAD human.,

Claness chuckles, spying Idrani's withering gaze and following it to Golden's face. "Funny." Yep, he means it.

Tyler chews her lower lip nervously looking to Tera, "Do we go in now? Or wait?"

Golden opens the door to the cab. "Well, now we have to go take credit... coming?" He says this so innocently that his boyish smile is even more humorous.

Idisha pats the side of the truck upon arrival and sticks his head in. "Well. One could tern deserves another eh? And what tern doesn't like fish eh?"

Claness shakes his head so vigorously that his antenna jiggle. "Nope." It seems that one word, indeed, says it all.

Takamura lets out a roar of laughter as the fish pour into the ballroom. He waits for his teammates before climbing up through the windows.

Turtledove grins at the other girl with conspiratorial glee. "Now. I think we make dinner." She winks, then leads the girl to the rendez-vous point, to claim credit with her Starfleet peers.

Guests are now at the windows, voices are raised demanding to know what is going on, even more shocked comments arise as they see Starfleet uniforms. And then the front doors open and a large Andorian in a full dress uniform stomps through them bearing on the truck with a muderous gleam of consternation that only a Kor could carry, behind him his quadmates and behind them a stream of likewise curious party guests.

Idisha looks over at Golden and gives one of those fatalistic shrugs before coughing and straightening his demeanor. Turning to face the incoming Kor with as much dignity as a purveyor of fish can manage.

Golden is out of the cab and joining his companions, he makes sure to step a little forward so that he's between them and the approaching Colonel, his expression polite and even eager.

Tyler agrees with Tera and goes with her quickly.

Turtledove glances at the approaching Kor with barely contained glee. She attempts, and manages, to acquire a straight face. Yes, this is quite the mentos moment.

Idrani glances sidelong at Claness before leaving the truck as well. By the time her feet are on the street, she has eased out of her angry posture and adapted a more diplomatic demeanor.

Claness follows Idrani out, blowing a low, barely audible whistle out between his lips as steps to the right of Idrani, perhaps a few inches behind her. He watches things unfold, preparing to keep Andorian humor the central point of the whole affair. Even then, the smell of fish bring a hint of a twinge of a smile to his face for a split second.

Seeing that the party has moved outside, Takamura hops down from the truck and stands next to his partners in crime. He tries to wipe the smug grin off his face, but to no avail.

"Whaaaaaatt..." comes the gravelly voice of the aged Andorian ADF Colonel "Is the *meaning* of this outrage?!?" His voice, his presence, demands cowed respect -- insists on it -- "How dare you hooligans dress up as Starfleet personnel then Vandalize my home with your --" He clearly seems to hesitate as recognition begins to click. "-- fish?" He looks at the faces, recognition dawning as he sees Turtledove... then when he sees Idrani his left eyebrow begins to climb up his forehead. At the sight of Claness it's is clear the larger significance of what is occuring has occured to him. He seems to ignore the other officers momentarily to focus on the two Andorians making a deliberate effort by placement to say we are here but not really with them. "I think there better be some explaining youngsters."

... Colonel Kor folds his arms awaiting them to do precisely that.

Idrani approaches the Kor, inclining her head slightly to regard him. "I believe, Colonel, that the Starfleet Rapid Response Team has been exploring the Andorian custom of reciprocial pranking. Referring, of course, to the overhead bombing on their base earlier today."

Kor blusters, "My Lodgehouse is no where near the engagement zone for the training exercises!"

Claness nods. "It appears that, per the implied guidelines of the exercise, the Starfleet RRT team chose to respond in a manner that they saw as not only fit, but as a planned and executed exercise in city combat tactics, infiltration and small unit operations. If, for example, this team was sent to neutralize this location, I would say that they succeeded." Long pause, perhaps just a bit too long for his career's good health. "Sir."

Idrani makes an appeasing gesture, using the frequently-practiced psychological trick of lowering your voice to de-escalate an angry individual. "That is true, Colonel." She allows, "However, the aforementioned bombing raid on the Starfleet encampment took place well after the timeframe allotted for the exercises." A brief pause. "You do recall planning that prank, sir? I believe you were speaking with two of your subordinants who shortly thereafter warned Chakev Claness so he would be prepared to take cover."

Turtledove's mouth twitches. She glances at Idrani, then back to Kor, regarding the Andorian with quiet, good-natured, cheer.

Idisha clears his throat a bit, seeming to massage his jaw/mouth a bit. No doubt wiping the smile off of his face before batting his eyes so very innocently.

Takamura still can't remove the grin from his face, but he's at least managed to stand at parade rest. His eyes follow the exchange between the Andorians.

Colonel Kor starts to turn purple as he opens his mouth to retort to the ADF liaison officer, but is brought to a soundless mouthing as Idrani tags in and reveals his earlier activities. It is at this point that a stately Andorian woman puts a hand on his shoulder and says, "Are these the same unseasoned children who were walking into your casual operational exercises like Tellarites blundering into a crockhouse?" The Colonel looks sharply at the woman, undoubtably one of his wives even as a quiet cascade of chuckling starts from the onlooking crowd of guests. Another Andorian female rounds about to stand before the Colonel poking his decorated chest with an extended finger demanding, "Are you saying my dinner party was befished because of your antics!" her tone is playful in it's anger, but has the underlying edge only the females of the species can weave into a question. Kor blinks and begins to explain which which brings a rush of exuberant laughter from the onlooking guests.

Claness leans closer to Idrani and using the laughter as a cover whispers, "You know they do say that Revenge is a fish best served cold."

Idisha can't help but stand in silence any longer. The pair of wives chastizing their husband so very kindly. Its not to say he laughs. But the gentle smile on his face and warm sigh that escapes his lips at the familial 'bliss' before him is notable. For the briefest of instants. Then it is replaced with a quiet reserve as memory sets in.

Idrani lets out a slow breath, falling silent as she lets the Colonel deal with his guests. Bantying words with a Kor is never something to be taken lightly, /especially/ if your last name happens to be Idrani and she watches the older Andorian carefully to make sure she is really off the hook, so to speak. However, at Claness's comment, she blinks, turning to regard him with a rueful smile.

Turtledove can't keep a straight face. A fish best served cold? Ahhhhahaha. Her grin breaks through, complementing the cheerful glint in her eyes.

Tyler's hands go to her ears, nervously smoothing back non-existant stray hairs as the encounter goes on. She glances around, watching the scene unfold. "No need to serve it cold..." She pipes in, sort of self-conciously, glancing at Golden. "I mean. We're going to cook it for them, right?"'

Golden says, "Right you are!" He avoids Idrani's gaze to protect himself from any further looks that might kill be snuck in under the cover of the crowd's reaction. "Alright people, get in there and police up that fish and take it to the kitchen.. go go go!""

Takamura chuckles to himself as the Colonel is caught by his two wives. Hearing Claness' comment he snorts out a laugh and shakes his head.

The Colonel is defused, and soon joins in the laughter for social form if nothing else and the other guests swarm around the Station officers clapping them on the shoulders and congratulating them on a prank well played as well as well as cracking their own verbal ripostes.

Idisha seems to snap from the momentary reverie and gives an officious nod. He may not be a cook. But he's got one hell of a serving knife! And off he goes after a smile and nod to the Colonel. Complementing his wive's choice of attire, of course, along the way.

Idrani reaches out to tug at Golden's uniform as he passes her. She mouths silently. "You. Owe. Me. Big." She smiles a little, now that the immediate tension is broken, she can appreciate the prank. And, to be honest, there she feels that bit of evil glee watching the Kor have to deal with a little social embarassment.

Takamura falls out of formation and sets about collecting fish. For the second time in one day. But he doesn't seem to mind too much this time around. Not at all.

Turtledove snaps a nod to her team commander and, with one last cheerful look to the party guests, makes for the ballroom at a professional pace. For to collect fish.

And so the party moves back inside, joyeous again. The RRT collect up the fish -- Idrani completely not helping with that onerous chore and instead using this opportunity to network with the social elite of Fimdari while Claness skillful social butterflies away from Colonel Kor as much as dutifully possible. The Kor hostesses are dubious at first at Wendy Tyler's offer to prepare them fish but agree after only a little assurance from those who ate the wonderful camp version of the dish earlier. Now with a fully stocked kitchen she soon has the dead fish smell being surpressed by the delectable scents of her gourmet presented creations. It doesn't take long for an Andorian to ask about the knives the rapid response officers are carrying, and without any need for Idisha to speak up they each in turn declare the wonders of their handcrafted Idisha smithed blades -- referring always to the mother of all the S419 RRT blade, Utlara. With no small amount of pride, Tera reveals this masterwork that even outshines the mastery of her sister blades and to this there is a murmer and then a crowding to see, to touch, to sample the balance. Everyone, even the Idisha keth Chieftain on Fimdari, says that Utlara is like a blade of the ancient masters, a few more drunken guests suggest that it should be presented back to Kors on Andorian (no offense to the current wielder of course). As the fish is served and all are well satisifed by it's savory flavors, the Starfleet officers find the day has ended far better then it had started -- for some it's a taste of social interaction long denied her Keth, for others an opportunity to regale in the tales of both sides of this prank exchange, for one a moment of the recognition he's long craved and requets for more creations...but for all of them it's most importantly, finally, some respect. Still -- there is more training exercises scheduled for the next day and no party crashed can last forever. Even as the windows are being set back into place and halfhearted grousings made about the need for such by the Colonel, and Golden attempts to talk his way out of the parking ticket for his illegal parking job; Wendy Tyler stops on the way out -- she being the last to depart -- and with a clear act of courage on her part she raises her voice to address the Andorians. "So Long," she says, "And thanks for all the fish!"

--- fin ---