Episode Name:  War Games

   Written By:  Belgarath

         Cast:  Starfleet.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Belgarath

     Aired On:  Wed Aug 08 22:00:00 2001

     Stardate:  51994.5

Aegis Bridge - Station 419 - IC

This is clearly the nerve center of the ship. It is a roughly circular room, laid out symetrically along a central axis, with the ends of the curved gun-metal gray walls giving way to a section which houses the main view screen at one end of that axis. A turbolift door opens on either side of the room, and further back are doors leading to a conference room and the captain's ready room. A long, curving 'wishbone' structure divides the room unevenly between two levels, and the floor slopes down in a ramp to the lowered area before the viewscreen. On this lower side, and built into the wishbone is set of three command chairs, with the Command Station in the center. Between here and the viewscreen are two seats at the station for Operations/Helm and Communications. On the upper side of the wishbone is the centrally located Tactical station. Arrayed along the curving wall on the upper level are stations for Mission Ops, Science and Engineering. A large circular port overhead grants a breathtaking view of the stars above.

The Romulan Star Navy has requested a mock battle between one of their ships and a Starfleet ship, which was approved. This is the chosen ship. One of the purposes of this mock battle is to aid in the Romulan/Federation invasion of Dominion-held Betazed, which was recently delayed due to logistic problems. A Romulan shuttle has already taken Ambassador S'Terik to serve as the Federation observer on their bridge. Sublieutenant Sukhar serves as the Romulan observer on the Aegis' bridge. Neither are allowed to aid either ships. Prior to departure, the Romulan shuttle gave Lieutenant Edwards the coordinates to the selected battle site, in the Neutral Zone.

Jade steps onto the bridge with Itaani, pausing just inside to survey the occupants.

Itaani steps onto the bridge from the lift, glancing about.

Edwards stands behind the tactical station idly, looking over the controls, because he just enjoys eyeballing the big ole 'fire' button. It makes him giddy. Thankfully, he doesn't let it show.

Tyler stands up from the sciences console and nods to Accolon. "The station is yours, sir," she says quietly. She turns and heads for the door. She stops when she spots Jade, but only for a moment. She then rushes off the bridge and onto the turbolift.

Bela has arrived.

Gellan has arrived.

Bela steps on as Tyler is going off, dodging as the Ensign rushes past. She assumes her post at Damage Control.

Laco steps onto the bridge and looks about. He heads toward the sciences consoles.

Sukhar stands at the railing separating the command dais and flight control and ops stations from the aft of the bridge, one hand holding lightly onto the railing, the other clasped behind his back. His eyes take in the rest of the bridge.

Itaani comes up alongside Lt. Commander Gerok. "Good evening, Commander. Are we prepared?"

Gellan steps on to the bridge, lingering a moment at the back.

Jade's gaze had just alighted upon Tyler as she departed, at which time his expression froze, and fixed on the viewscreen. Another glance takes in Accolon, then moves on to the other officers. He steps a few meters into the room, eyes returning to the screen, remaining silent, hands clasped behind his back.

Laco sits down at Science.

Bela glances toward Edwards as she boots up her terminal. She offers him a slight smile.

Gerok is standing next to the turbolift, surveying those on the bridge. "I believe so, Mister Itaani. Although I am curious to know why Mister Ghorev is not here."

Accolon walks over toward the sciences station as well, but doesn't take a seat. He stands nearby and looks toward Gerok, awaiting his possible instruction. In the meantime, he says to Laco. "Hi Ensign. How're you doing?" casually.

. o O Jade's emotions are in turmoil, as if he were recovering from a shock. The sight of Accolon sparked a similar, if weaker, response.

Edwards notices Bela's arrival and flashes a smile back at her briefly. Because he doesn't need anyone to gawk at him, besides her, he swiftly looks back to his station.

Itaani tilts her head. "I will see, sir. He had been most enthusiastic. Perhaps he is still in his preparations."

Leah steps onto the bridge, drawing the usual quick glances... she tends to do that. At any rate, she proceeds to Edwards and stands at attention. "Permission to ask Lieutenant Commander Gerok if I could help at the helm, sir?"

Itaani taps her comm badge, "Lieutenant Itaani to Lieutenant Ghorev."

Itaani smiles a bit to Gerok as she anticipates his next request.

Gerok moves to the front and center of the bridge, "If I might have your attention for a moment."

Laco pauses in setting up the Science II console, and looks up at Accolon, "Hello sir. I'm fine, how are you?"

Edwards glances sideways at Leah and nods curtly, "Go for it, Cadet." He offers an encouraging smile.

Accolon gives a brief nod to Laco, but doesn't answer in light of the XO's request for attention. He turns to face him.

"Thank you, sir." Leah responds softly, smiling at Edwards before turning her attention to Gerok.

Gellan stands at loose attention, still at the back of the bridge.

Bela turns and stands at her station, locking her hands behind her in a parade rest. She watches the Vulcan XO.

Edwards looks up from his station and fixes his attention on Gerok silently.

Gerok waits momentarily for silence, "Is there anyone present who is unsure of why we are here?"

Jade glances at his position, realizing that he's half blocking the way down to the fore of the bridge. Tugging his suit jacket then reclasping his hands behind him, he moves to the rear of the area, remaining silent, and listening to Gerok.

A voice responds over Itaani's comm badge, "Lieutenant Ghorev here."

Gerok takes that as a no, as silence answers, "Very well. Crew assignments are as follows: Mister Edwards-Tactical. Mister Accolon-Science One. Mister Laco-Science Two."

Itaani says into her comm badge, "Mister Ghorev, we are ready to begin our exercise. Please report to Aegis immediately."

From Itaani's comm badge, Ghorev says, "Of course. I assume Lt. Bela did not arrive to serve at Damage Control, then?"

Bela glances to Edwards, then to Itaani.

Itaani says into her comm badge, "She is here, Mister Ghorev. I was hoping to have your talents in the engine room."

Gerok says "Mister Bela-Engineering Two. Mister Gellan-Mission Ops Two."

Commander Balin's voice chimes in over Itaani's comm. "Negative, Mr. Itaani. You will have to proceed without the chief's services - I have some.. other work.. for him."

Gerok hears Commander Balin's order, "Mister Bela, please move to Engineering One."

Itaani says into her comm badge, "(pauses briefly) Acknowledged, Commander. If there is nothing else?"

Bela nods once to Gerok. "Aye, sir," she says quietly. She moves to Engineering one behind the command center.

Jade glances to Itaani at Balin's response, then back to the viewscreen, occasionally looking to the other members of the crew. A simple observer, observing.

Gellan lifts a brow in surprise. "Um..ops sir?" She looks a bit uneasy but nods.

Accolon takes his seat at sciences one and preps his station. He occasionally glances around the room toward the others. When his gaze passes Jade a strange smile lights on his face, almost as though he were sharing in some humor with the man.

Sukhar looks around, himself, holding onto the railing lightly.

Balin states over the comm channel. "I'm counting on you to win, Mr. Itaani. Four One Nine's honor is at stake. Go kick some Romulan tail. 419 out."

Jade glances at Accolon a few moments after the man's gaze has passed him. No similar reaction to the Trill's registers on his face.

Itaani taps her comm badge, and mutters. "I do wish he wouldn't phrase it so."

From Itaani's comm badge, Ghorev says, "Given the Commander's orders, Lt. Itaani, I presume Lt. Bela will be sufficient?"

Itaani says into her comm badge, "Affirmative, Akeen Ghorev. I presume you have a good team in the engine room?"

Gerok says "Mister Itaani, please take Ops. Mister Leah, take the helm."

Gellan moves over to the mission ops station and assumes a seat.

Itaani nods to Gerok. "Aye, sir.

Gellan sits down at Mission Ops.

Gerok sits down at Command.

Edwards sits down at Tactical.

Itaani sits down at Ops.

Leah sits down at Conn.

Bela reports, "We have primary systems online and awaiting your orders, sir." She looks up to Gerok. "We can unmoor on your command."

Bela sits down at Engineering.

Gerok says "Mister Itaani, please inform S419 that we are ready for departure."

From Itaani's comm badge, Ghorev says, "I should hope so. Lts. Bela and Nevaren are themselves better rated in warp propulsion than I am, given that my specialties are matter-energy conversion systems, and they have kept a sharp edge on the warp core skills of that team. That was why I asked her to fill in for me to begin with."

Leah smiles at Gerok... who obviously wouldn't return the sentiment and says, "Aye, aye, sir." She eagerly makes her way down to the conn position and takes a seat.

Itaani hits a control. "Four one nine upsilon, this is Aegis. Please clear us for undocking and departure, over."

Accolon sits down at Science.

Jade sits down at Mission Ops.

Itaani says into her comm badge, "Acknowledged, Mister Ghorev. Itaani out".

Itaani reaches up and taps her badge, terminating transmission.

. o O Bela feels angry towards Itaani suddenly - as if she weren't a trusted member of the crew.

Gerok mutters to Itaani, "Mister Itaani, would you have a problem in taking the helm prior to the commencement of the battle?"

Gellan glances to Jade with a brief smile, returning quickly to perusing her station. Hmm..starship bridge...don't press the big red button.

Bela turns back to Jade, then looks to Edwards. "A civilian?" she asks him quietly.

Itaani says "Not at all, sir."

Edwards shrugs in response to Bela's question, since he doesn't have a clue as to what's going on.

Jade nods to the Counselor, with the slightest of smiles, before looking back to the rest of the bridge, remaining quite silent.

Gerok says "Mister Bela, clear all moorings."

Bela's fingers dance across her console. "Moorings cleared. Impulse engines online."

Itaani says "Impulse engines at neutral, thrusters to stationkeeping, stand by."

Gerok says "Mister Leah, take up ahead at half Impulse. Set course 223 mark 87."

"Aye, sirs." Leah responds, using thrusters to clear the station first. "Setting course 223 mark 87, half-impulse."

Itaani checks the scopes, then checks all systems are up and running.

. o O Bela feels at home. She's doing what she does best - playing with machines.

Gerok says "Mister Bela, systems status please."

Positioned at Mission Ops, the only real adornment to Jade's formal civilian wear is the sigil of the Department of Temporal Investigation on his lapel. Presumably, he is one of the Department's observers here to watch the exercise; presumably he's not been here long, as those who didn't know him before have not seen him on Station.

Gerok says "Mister Leah, as soon as we are clear, set speed to Warp Factor 5."

Bela taps at her console. "Primary and secondary systems are operating at peak efficiency, sir," she says to Gerok.

"Aye, sir." Leah readies the ship for warp 5, setting the course to the predetermined coordinates of the mock battle. "Course set, speed set. Ready to engage warp engines."

Sukhar, from his vantage point, casts a wary eye on the Tactical and Science stations. He isn't so blunt as to lean forward and look at settings, and doesn't even look like he cares to; he's merely ... watching the men at those stations, keeping an eye on them, silently.

Edwards eyeballs Sukhar when he notices the Romulan watching him.

Gerok nods in response to Bela. "Thank you." Looks forward once again, "Engage engines, Mister Leah."

. o O Jade received a burst of attraction as he studied Gellan, followed oddly by a burst almost of guilt, then confusion.

Jade's expression remains quite neutral, though his gaze drifts more frequently to the Romulan delegate present.

Leah nods and makes it so, engaging the warp drive. "Going to warp."

The Aegis arrives exits warp by a small star system with a red sun. A small, barren planet orbits closest to that star, followed by an asteroid belt, and finally one gas giant.

Gerok mutters to Itaani, "It would be logical to have the most skilled individual at the Helm."

Jade stands and leaves Mission Ops.

Laco, who was looking over his shoulder at the viewscreen during most of the trip, turns around and prepares to begin scans.

Itaani says "Entering Parin system. Scopes are clear. Secure from warp."

"Plenty of places to hide..." Leah says softly, gazing at her console and the display she has there. Speaking up, "Dropping from warp. Engaging impulse engines... waiting for your orders, sir."

Itaani nods to Gerok. "Cadet Leah. I believe, it is time for you to discover the wonders of Operations. Let us exchange stations.

Having powered down the station, when Sukhar neared it, Accolon reactivates it and reports, "Conducting routine sensors sweeps."

Bela (claiming advantage) contests her Systems Engineering (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Jade rises, slowly, eyes shifting from Sukhar. He moves casually across the bridge, treading softly, towards the science console and Accolon. He steps towards the console plate, narrowing his eyes at some of the readouts, then looking back to the viewscreen. His position has placed him roughly between Sukhar and Accolon's console.

Leah sighs, not voicing her opinion though it shows.... she knew it was too good to be true. "Aye, sir." She nods and stands, moving instead to an open Ops console.

Leah stands and leaves Conn.

Itaani rises from her own console. "I need your eyes on scopes, Cadet. Do not take it amiss."

Itaani stands and leaves Ops.

Leah sits down at Ops.

Itaani sits down at Conn.

"I won't, sir... You'll get nothing but my best." Leah responds, taking her seat and quickly taking a cursory glance at the console before running her fingers over it.

Sukhar returns Edwards' gaze, evenly, with a curt nod. If he is aware of the precautions that the others may be taking to avoid him seeing anything of import -- and, after all, how could he not be? -- he does not show it. He simply ... observes, as is his function here.

Accolon glances back toward Jade as he nears his station and kind of crowds over his console shifting in his chair, apparently not comfortable with the man's proximity.

Itaani checks into the station. "Are we to presume a hostile situation, Commander, or behave naturally?"

Gellan glances to the viewscreen, settled back in her chair. Her eyes drift across the bridge casually, expression neutral as she watches positions switching around. A longer gaze is cast to Jade, Sukhar and Accolon.

Accolon (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Edwards looks to his various tactical readouts silently and waits for some sort of order to come his way.

. o O Sukhar thinks "I will allow them their precautions, but if I find that they are using them to cover any treachery in this little wargame, they'll learn I'm not so easily guiled."

Jade was seemingly paying more attention to Accolon than appeared to be the case. At the hint of unease, he takes a step sideways and back, eyes lingering on the Trill before returning to the fore of the bridge.

. o O Jade's feelings towards Accolon are not positive or friendly, but do not smack either of hostility. Far more confusion, uncertainty, and fear from those feelings.

Sukhar spares the fellow Jade a light smile -- which, alas, is spoiled in effect by his severe appearance -- as the other man moves past him and towards the fore. His eyes flick back briefly to Accolon, and then to Edwards, and then he turns his head towards the viewscreen.

Laco nods at something Accolon says, then brings up the sensor data on his own screen.

. o O Bela feels very confident. Perhaps too much so.

Gerok looks at Sukhar, "Mister Sukhar, what are Romulan Star Navy protocols prior to the commencement of a simulation such as this?"

Accolon says, "There's a nearby asteroid field with some odd emissions coming from them. I can't quite tell what they are... One moment." He works at the console, then turns to Laco. "Ensign?"

Bela taps her fingers on her console. She glances to Accolon.

Itaani taps a control. "All hands, this is the bridge. We are entering a battle exercise. Repeat, this is an exercise."

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, please raise shields."

Edwards hits a few of the touchpads on his station and reports, "Shields up."

Laco nods, and scans the area Accolon indicated.

Gerok says "Mister Bela, please engage the simulation protocols."

Laco says "It appears to be some kind of charged coonio field."

Bela's fingers work at the console. "Protocols engaged. Sir, I can work up some extra power from the unused quarters and decks."

The tactical station beeps.

Sukhar looks to Gerok. "I'm sorry, Commander, but I'm not at liberty to divulge such protocols. I am here merely to observe. Unless I misunderstand your question."

Gerok nods at Bela, "Proceed."

Itaani says "Coonio field, Mister Laco?"

Sukhar's neck-craning means that his head is turned 2/3 to eye Gerok while his body faces practically to port. This makes him look even more bird-like, and *can't* be comfortable. Slowly he shifts his weight to turn his body.

Edwards reports, "An unidentified ship is decloaking 100 km in front of us."

Laco turns to face Itaani, "Yes sir, a Coonio field.. Unless I am mistaking the data."

Gerok looks back to Sukhar, "Did the simulation begin upon our arrival?"

Itaani opens intership. "Red alert, shields to full. This is an exercise."

Itaani says "Commander, your orders?""

Bela (claiming advantage) contests her Systems Engineering (Life Support) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

The unidentified ship hails the Aegis.

Itaani gives Leah the nod.

Gerok raises an eyebrow at Itaani's order of Red Alert. "Mister Leah, open a channel."

Accolon replies, "It's an event which sometimes occur in protons. The energy of a proton is absorbed and the nuclei undergo the spin flip from lower to higher energy, the energy absorption is detected in a radio-frequency receiver and shown as a peak."

Sukhar frowns. "I am led to believe that there will be a brief exchange of identities so that each side knows that this *is* the wargame and not an actual hostile situation."

Leah follows orders and opens the channel, having just been about to announce the hail.

Itaani turns in her seat to face Gerok. "In simulation, sir, the rules were as spartan as this. Given the confusion..."

The image of a male Romulan seated in the commanding officer's chair with Federation Ambassador S'Terik standing behind him appears on the viewscreen.

Bela glances up from her console to look between Gerok and Itaani.

. o O Bela feels as if her command has lost control.

Itaani turns back in her seat to watch her displays.

Gerok nods in response to Sukhar's statement, "Thank you." He turns back to Itaani, "Understood, Mister Itaani. Stand down from Red Alert."

Gerok stands and leaves Command.

Bela glances to Edwards. Her face is like an open book - she looks rather shocked.

Gerok addresses the viewscreen, "This is Lieutenant Commander Gerok, commanding the USS Aegis."

Edwards just gives Bela a sheepish look before he glances back at his console quietly.

Tenkar looks on the crew with a fairly blank expression as he delivers his oratory. "Starfleet vessel, this is Commander Tenkar, commanding the RSN Daka'Sienov. I assume your crew is ready for the task at hand?" Tenkar steeples his hands to an upright position.

Itaani stands the ship down.

Gerok claps his hands behind his back, "We are commander."

Gellan glances across the bridge crew again briefly, then turns her attention back to the viewscreen and Gerok. Her formerly blank expression carries the vaguest hint of a frown for only a moment.

S'Terik is silent and emotionless as he stands with his hands slid into the sleeves of his robe.

Tenkar nods and faintly smiles. "Excellent. We are prepared to begin the exercise, of course. I will be happy to speak with you once again after your ignominious defeat. Daka'Sienov out."

Gerok raises an eyebrow at the comment, and then shakes his head slightly.

Gerok sits down at Command.

The viewscreen shows the unidentified Romulan vessel - a non-D'deridex class Romulan vessel, moving away and disappearing.

Gerok says "Mister Itaani, move us into the asteroid field. Mister Edwards, arm phasers and photon torpedoes."

"Rather confident, aren't they," Gellan murmurs to no one in particular, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

Edwards looks up from his readouts and reports, "The Romulans have cloaked." A beat. "Obviously." He nods to Gerok, "Aye, sir."

Gerok says "Mister Accolon, see if you can locate the warbird once we enter the field."

Gerok says "Computer, Red Alert."

Accolon prepares his station for doing so, even as Gerok issues the command. "Yes sir."

Itaani says "Aye sir, making course into the asteroid field."

Itaani says "Can you reference that vessel's silhouette, Cadet?"

Gerok nods and looks over at Gellan, "Indeed they are confident, Mister Gellan."

Edwards goes about efficiently arming the harmless lasers and computer simulated torpedoes that will be standing in for their normal weaponry.

. o O Bela feels amused by Gellan's statement.

Sukhar smiles lightly.

. o O Sukhar thinks "Amazing how these Starfleet officers see their own confidence as a virtue and my own people's as a vice."

Jade frowns momentarily at the configuration of the ship on the viewscreen, then draws a breath and, letting his arms fall to his sides, runs his eyes over a nearby viewscreen. Despite the casual air, he seems to be paying close attention to the orders of the command crew. Occasionally, his focus drifts to the nearby Romulan.

Itaani says "Tactical. Length and displacement of bogey?"

Having nothing better to do at the moment, Gellan returns to what she does best..observing. A trace of a smile lingers.

Edwards reports, "About 330 meters long... a lot smaller than their usual warbirds."

Itaani takes the Aegis through a course through the asteroid field. "Smaller than we, then. Commander, advising that we compromise maneuverability and sensor coverage while among these asteroids..."

And so the battle simulation begins. The smaller, unidentified Romulan ship, with S'Terik as observer on their bridge, has cloaked. To succeed, the Aegis must deal enough simulated damage to "cripple" to the opposing vessel.

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, what information do we have available on this class of Romulan vessel?"

Leah shakes her head as the Romulan disappears off the channel, "He's too cocky...," she comments softly before going to her duties.

Laco leans toward Accolon, "How do you plan to track a cloaked ship, sir?"

Itaani calls up a thruster control, charting a path through the asteroids.

Edwards contests his Computer (Research) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Sukhar eyes the exchange between Science officers, but then returns to watching Gerok pointedly, at least as the exercise now begins.

The viewscreen shows the ship weaving through asteroids.

Itaani looks to Leah. "Scans. The asteroid field is still an even playing field while they are cloaked.

Edwards accesses the ship's computer from his station and frowns once he's finished his information search, "All of... nothing, sir. Might be a new configuration."

Leah nods to Itaani, "Aye..." She monitors the sensor readings.

Itaani says "Well, then, this should be entertaining. Given the size, we may assume we face our opposite number. Possibly lighter and possibly more maneuverable."

Gerok nods, "Thank you, Mister Edwards."

Leah looks alarmed and sits upright, "Ship decloaking above us, sir!"

. o O Sukhar thinks "Oh, very *very* good ... they know as much about Commander Tenkar's vessel as we know about this one, given how severely they've classified the data. A nice touch, for evening out the intelligence factor."

Gerok says "Evasive action, Mister Itaani. Mister Edwards, lock weapons and fire."

Edwards' fingers swiftly dance over the tactical controls, as he tries to achieve a weapons lock and fire his simulation weapons at the Romulan vessel.

Bela moves the extra power she coaxed from life support into the shield power grid.

Itaani spins the ship rapidly on full thrusters, engaging drives toward open space.

Gellan tenses slightly, her eyes drifting upward..like that would help. She glances toward the viewscreen.

Simulated booming noises come from the computer.

Jade remains to all intents and purposes quite relaxed, regarding the events as one would a non-interactive holodeck program.

"They've scored hits.... Dorsal shields down to 95 percent." Leah seems a little less tense this time, remembering it's a simulation. She still frowns though.

. o O Jade is far more curious, and far less relaxed, than he would appear.

Itaani rolls the ship to get a faster turn... "We need cover, tactical, phaser spread, aft port."

Edwards contests his Shipboard Systems (Weapon Systems) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Itaani says "Commander, I will try to get us around this asteroid. We won't be covered long.."

Gerok says "Mister Accolon, damage to the Romulan Vessel?"

The viewscreen shows a beam of red laser tagging the bottom of the Daka'Sienov.

Accolon doesn't answer Laco, right away. He appears engaged at his station. He frowns when the ship is hit and works faster. "There might be a way." He comments.

Accolon reports, "The Romulan vessels ventral shields are down to 93 percent."

Itaani says "Scans, sciences."

Itaani says "We need to know their relative power and weapons configurations."

Gerok says "Mister Itaani, bring our forward weapons to bear. Mister Edwards, fire at will."

The Romulan ship zooms ahead.

Laco glances at Accolon, then begins to scan the Rommie vessel.

Itaani works the ship into a loop around the asteroid, trying to get angle on the Romulan vessel.

Edwards attempts to keep a bead on their ventral shields and fires off another salvo of simulated torpedo and laser fire.

Laco contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Itaani says "Aye, sir. We should be low and aft in ..five, four.. three.."

Itaani says "Count off range, Ops."

Sukhar keeps an eye on Edwards, and nods somewhat, though whether this is in genuine respect and approval of the man's skill at the tactical console, or for some other reason, isn't quite clear.

Gerok says "Mister Bela, reinforce Dorsal shields."

The Romulan ship swings away and disappears behind another asteroid.

Laco says "Wow, that ship is sporting a lot of weaponry...5 disruptor turrets and two torpedo bays, it appears."

Bela moves the spare power to the dorsal shields.

Itaani increases speed, hoping to get phaser angle before the Romulans can cloak

Gerok looks over at the science station, "Best angle of attack, Mister Laco."

Accolon reports, "There's a way we could track the chroniton emissions left by their cloak generators, but some of the ship's equipment isn't cooperating." quickly, to Gerok.

Edwards slams a fist into the wishbone that his controls are embedded in when the Romulan ship disappears. "Damn." he mumbles under his breath.

Itaani says "They'll attempt to cloak, Commander, and repeat their maneuver. They have advantage here."

Gerok says "Explain, Mister Accolon."

Itaani looks over her shoulder. "I advise, sir, a full head of steam."

Itaani says "And clear space."

Bela glances up. Uncooperative systems? She wonders what it could be malfunctioning and runs a level five diagnostic.

"They're behind us!.... they've circled the asteroid." Leah announces, using the sensors.

Itaani says "Evasive. Mister Edwards..."

Accolon sighs and says, "It would take too long to explain. But right now, I assure you nothing can be done. Request that the commander ask me again at a different time."

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, fire aft torpedoes."

Itaani turns the ship in a sudden roll-out and dive.

Edwards loads up a full spread of torpedoes and hits the fire button quickly, "Firing!"

The computer makes simulated booming sounds.

Gerok says "Damage report, Mister Leah."

Itaani says "Commander... This asteroid field is not working for us..."

. o O Itaani feels A disciplined sort of frustration... Building slowly.

Laco says to Gerok, "Sir, the best approach is probably from below. They can only bring 1 disruptor and one torpedo bay to bear on us fully, but another of the disruptors partially covers that arc partially. Not exactly a weak point, but its better than nothing I suppose."

Leah keeps on monitoring the sensors and the ship's shields. "Their forward shields are down to 80 percent... our aft to 90 percent."

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, fire at will."

The Romulan ship increases speed to move up to the starboard side of the Aegis.

Gellan watches the viewscreen, occasionally wincing when the ship appears to move a bit closer to an asteroid than she'd like.

Gerok says "Mister Itaani, evasive action."

Itaani says "They are coming abreast. Phasers, Mister Edwards..."

Itaani hits reverse impulse to get out of arc the faster.

"What in the.... Two Nausicaan vessels approaching... they're practically on top of us already." Leah looks a little miffed at how they came so close.

Edwards switches to the lasers when the Romulan ship begins to sidle up next to them, "Firing."

. o O Bela's confused as she can't figure out who is in charge here.

Laco begins scans on the new arrivals.

Itaani says "Mission ops, hail the Nausicaan vessels. Mister Laco, scan for hot weapons. Shields to full, for real."

Bela doesn't wait for the order, she drops the simulation protocols.

Laco yells, "The Nausicaans are firing!"

Gerok says "Evasive action."

Itaani says tries to angle to give Edwards a point-blank shot with "torpedoes."

The ship rocks under fire. Consoles burst and lights flicker.

Itaani aborts her angle and rolls out at full impulse, clearing the asteroid field as quickly as possible.

Bela frowns to herself as she scans for damage.

Gerok says "Mister Gellan, report to S419 that we have come under attack."

Gellan glances from Itaani to Gerok, then to the viewscreen and sits up a bit straighter. Not even time to make a comment, she grabs onto the console for support and lets out a soft curse. "It just couldn't be easy..."

Edwards clamps down on the wishbone when real damage begins to occur, "Oh hell!" He swiftly attempts to raise the Aegis' real shields.

Itaani says "And that I told them so. Rising off ecliptic at full impulse."

Gellan nods to Gerok. "Aye Sir."

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, disengage simulation protocols and return fire."

Leah calls to get Gerok's attention briefly, already fingering the com system to try and hail the Romulan vessel. "Romulan vessel, we are under attack... we request your assistance."

The ship shakes violently again under a second barrage of fire. Everything goes dark.

Bela falls back on her back side and yelps. She scrambles back up to her post and taps the controls uselessly.

A few fires erupt on the bridge, offering the only light. All systems are down.

. o O Bela's quite mad. And it's directed at the command officers.

A moment later, everyone finds themselves in a transporter beam.

***

Nausicaan Brig IC

The Nausicaan brig is cubic with ugly, brown walls. There are no furnishings whatsoever, just the hard, metal floor to sit on. A wide opening on one side of the cube leads out of the brig. Light fixtures all around this opening signals whether the security forcefields are up or not. The room was not designed for quite so many people, making it starting to cramp, but still have enough leeway to give each individual their breathing space. From a certain angle, one can just see that there is another brig adjacent to this one, but cannot see into it.

. o O Bela's furious when she's no longer on the bridge. And still, it is directed at the command officers.

Bela's first move upon rematerialization - her nostrils flare.

When you get your bearings, you find yourself inside a brig...and with people other than the Starfleet crew. A few Romulans are here as well.

Bela swallows hard and moves against the wall.

Gerok looks remarkably calm and takes a look around to ensure that all his bridge crew are present.

Edwards mutters with all due annoyance after the transport finishes, "Wonderful."

Leah falls directly onto her butt as she rematerializes without a seat underneath her. "Ouch!" She stands almost immediately and rolls to her feet, looking for a way out.

Dathe looks around, finding herself being held captive after being attacked by real weapons.

Sukhar immediately drops into a low crouch, some kind of defensive stance, and looks around, while patting himself to verify that, yes, his possessions are gone.

Itaani says "Scans." She touches her combadge before even looking around. "Computer."

Standing, outraged, in one corner, is Mekara, replete in her Romulan garb. She places her hands on her hips. "Varool Nausicaans," she hisses.

Sukhar slowly rises from his combat crouch. "Is everyone uninjured?"

There are no Nausicaans around, surprisingly.

Gellan stumbles as the beam releases her and grabs out for support while batting at an imaginary flame near her foot. She glances up and looks over the crew. She quickly fumbles for a tricorder, frowning to see it doesn't work.

Edwards adds, after a moment, "I hope they're not going to make us mine dilithium... I really hate that." He's a funny guy. Idly, he looks around at everyone else in the cell.

Laco pulls out his phaser, but notices that the display on the top is unlit, meaning it is probably busted.

Gerok moves over toward the front of the cell, attempting to see if there is anyone in the hallway.

Accolon says, "Mekara." as though to draw everyone's attention to the same surprise he gets.

"Mine dilithium?" Leah inquires of Edwards, standing not too far away from him. "Those Nausicaans don't realize who they're dealing with." She looks so indignant when she's cute... eerr, yeah.

No one is in the hallway - from what little view Gerok can manage to get.

Itaani flips out her chaka. "Or a hologram of her. I'm sure *she'd* be able to get a standing order through to never run with shields down."

Dathe looks at all the Starfleet officers, then spots Mekara. "Commander...wha-what happened?"

Mekara looks about the Starfleet crew. She spots who she is looking for, and the Romulan Commander immediately approaches Gerok. "You. Did you see anyone in the hall." It's not a question. It's an order.

Gellan turns a bit, still eyeing the Aegis crew for injuries. "Everyone okay?" She turns again at Accolon's voice and frowns.

Gerok says "I did not, Commander Mekara. I take it that all of your electronic devices have been disabled as well as ours?"

Itaani says "We are not okay. We are without Aegis." She looks for the door. "Commander. I recommend that we move quickly, before any guards arrive."

Sukhar, having spent a moment or two checking over his gear, speaks up. "Mine have, Commander," he says to Mekara.

Edwards responds to Leah, "You don't wanna know." He takes to quietly looking about with a frown on his face. Right now, he's more annoyed than anything.

Dathe checks her Romulan PADD, finding that it no longer functions.

Mekara glances back to Dathe, then looks to Gerok. "Our first priority is escape. I'm open to suggestions."

Gellan arches a brow at Itaani. "I was referring to injuries, Sir." She moves carefully through the crew, nearer the front of the cell.

Itaani says "We can attempt to overload the forcefield."

A door on the far end of the room opens and a trio of Nausicaans enters, grins on their faces and swords on their belts.

Itaani says "But, I still believe..."

Bela crosses her arms. She looks to Edwards - her glare is unforgiving.

Gerok looks on either side of the door to see if there is a panel of any kind.

Edwards catches Bela's glare and looks at her innocently, "What? This isn't /my/ fault."

The Nausicaans stand on the other shield of the security forcefield, laughing at their captives.

Gellan turns as the door opens, narrowing her eyes at the visitors in a hard stare.

Bela mutters to Edwards, "I know.".

Leah pushes her way gently towards the one entrance/exit of the brig. She quotes, simply, as she arrives at Gerok's side. "General Order 15." Her stare is cold as she looks at the Nausicaans, sizing them up.

Itaani walks up to the forcefield. "You will not be laughing long."

The Nausicaan in the front says, "Federation! Romulans! Funny!"

Accolon says, "Is anyone as surprised as me to see Mekara here?" He turns toward the Romulan Commander. "Why am I getting the picture that there's been something up the old Romulan sleeve here, all the while. Perhaps they can better explain our current predicament?"

Itaani says "Idiots! Do you believe the Federation is so patient when you commit an act of war?"

"Nausicaans, -ugly-." Leah replies easily, looking non-plussed.

The Nausicaan says, "Andorian be quiet!"

Sukhar snorts at Accolon, but doesn't dignify the other man's undisguised accusations with an answer. He turns to Mekara and watches her, content to follow her lead, at the very least.

Itaani says "You are too stupid to be real. You must be Romulan holograms."

Mekara snorts in derision at Accolon. She then looks to Itaani. "Or Andorian intellectuals."

Itaani holds her chaka back, and holds out one hand in an open stance. "Nausicaans. You. Are under arrest."

Gerok looks at Itaani, "Mister Itaani, as you were."

The Nausicaan turns to his comrades and says, "Federation fight Romulans, their allies, and she calls me stupid!" The three roar in laughter again.

Edwards looks around at everything that's going on and mutters, "Are they slipping us some kind of hallucinogen."

The Nausicaans laugh even harder at what Itaani says. "Us, under arrest! HAHAHAHAHA!"

Gellan glances to Mekara, then to Accolon, her expression neutral. "If the Romulan vessel was under the same conditions as we were, Lt Accolon, it's quite possible that they fell victim as well." She glances back to Mekara, curious. "Though it is all rather coincidental."

"Ugly, too, don't forget ugly." Leah makes sure to remind the two captors, then goes silent, half-turning to Gerok.

Gerok looks back toward the Nausicaans, "What are your intentions?"

Itaani flicks the chaka shut. "It is called practice. A practice being monitored by two of the major powers, gentlemen. You are in a great deal of trouble."

Sukhar mutters quietly to Mekara, "Commander, are we going to enter separate negotiations with these brutes, or are we throwing in our lot with the Starfleet officers?"

Accolon says, "I'm just curious that Commander Mekara wasn't in command of the ship we were in simulated combat with. What is she doing here?" He asks, as though her very presence means alarm.

The leading Nausicaan whacks the other two in their abdomen. "Enough." He turns to his captives, "You under my arrest. Why are Federation and Romulan fighting? You are allies!"

Itaani steps away from the door, like she can no longer be bothered with the Nausicaans.

Gerok addresses the "leader", "Apparently, there was some misunderstanding. You interrupted a simple training exercise."

Itaani says "That's right. Figure it out," she says, just audibly. "I give five minutes."

Edwards decides that all of this is just a little too surreal for him. So he steps back and glances sideways at Bela. Maybe she's still sane.

Dathe nibbles nervously on her lower lip.

Mekara looks to Accolon. "Silence your officer or I will have him silenced," she says over her shoulder to Gerok.

Accolon lifts his brows and shrugs, not needing to be silenced. He walks toward the back of the cell, giving further consideration to the predicament with a finger on his chin.

Itaani looks to Accolon and Mekara. Then seems to watch them.

The Nausicaan thinks about that. For about half a second. "Exercise? You do not fight to exercise, you fight to kill."

Mekara turns and moves toward the Nausicaans. "Release us immediately and I will pay you one bar of gold pressed latinum. Otherwise, you will suffer at the hands of the Romulan Empire."

Gerok pauses as he attempts to digest Nausicaan logic, "We were honing skills to be used against our enemies."

"One bar?" the Nausicaan repeats the amount. He laughs, and the other two follow suit. "I sell Romulan ship for more than one bar!"

. o O Gerok feels absolutely NOTHING!

Mekara smirks. "Yes. But if you accept the bar then you won't have the price on your head that the ship is worth. There is no place you can hide from the Tal'Shiar."

Edwards heaves a sigh and glances toward the dealmakers, "Would rather just fight my way out. I hate forcefields." He shrugs and waits impatiently for this to end.

Leah turns again, standing nearby Gerok. She crosses her arms, stares at the ugly aliens outside the cell.

. o O Accolon is remarkably calm. Concentrating, going over facts. Not worried too much about danger. Suspicious of the Romulans.

The Nausicaans become serious at that threaten. Then the leader says, "Tal'Shiar not think I did it. Tal'Shiar think Federation destroyed Romulan ship."

. o O Dathe is nervous. Very nervous. She's having second doubts about being in the Star Navy.

Laco sits in the corner.

Sukhar moves up as Mekara does, standing off to one side of her, unless some of her own people do in his stead. He frowns, keeping his arms well clear of his sides, not crossed or idle but loose and available.

Mekara shakes her head. "Think what you wish. The Tal'Shiar are far smarter than that, though."

Gerok says "Not when they scan the area and find no debris."

Itaani says "The Tal'Shiar were monitoring telemetry all along, Nausicaans. Think about it."

Itaani says "I know the Federation was."

Gellan allows herself a soft snort as she eyes the Nausicaans. "Considering a Federation ship may well have been destroyed as well.." She glances to Gerok thoughtfully, then simply nods.

. o O Sukhar feels tension, and some annoyance.

The Nausicaan unsheathes his sword to make himself look more aggressive. "Then I take information from Romulan and Federation computers and destroy both ships."

Accolon says, "Someone should ask them why they bothered to interrupt us, even if we were in combat."

. o O Leah is surprisingly cool at the moment. You sense she's drawing on something from her past, but that's about it.

Bela glances between Mekara and the Nausicaan. It's a tough bet on who she dislikes more.

The Nausicaan says, "Then both Romulans and Federation think each other destroyed ships."

Edwards glances around at his fellow officers, "Why don't we let Commander Gerok handle this? I'm sure he knows what he's doing."

Mekara sighs. "Again. A price on your head."

. o O Laco feels tired.

. o O The Nausicaans are certain they're going to profit from this and will get away from it.

. o O Itaani very frustrated. Skeptical as to the reality of the situation.

Mekara looks to the Nausicaan. "I'll give you five bars if you let me and my crew go free. And we'll /assist/ in eliminating the Aegis and clearing you of charges from the Romulan empire."

The Nausicaan shakes his head, "Romulans lie. I don't trust Romulans."

Itaani says, more quietly, "Mister Edwards, when the time comes, I will lead. I will attempt to disable the first one's arm and make a rush at the others, you must get a weapon before they break my neck, Understood?"

Mekara spreads her hands. "Ten bars, then. That's more money than you'll see in your lifetime, Nausicaan. Just my crew. We'll destroy the Federation ship, help you download their information and you can kill the Starfleet crew if you wish."

Edwards scowls at Mekara after she makes her offer, but listens to his own advice. He turns his gaze to Itaani and just blinks at her.

Gellan nods to Edwards in agreement, then glances to Gerok and Mekara. She leans in a bit to say something to Gerok.

Accolon turns toward Mekara, snorting a laugh. "I would expect as much." He comments.

"You filthy bitch..." Leah mutters, obviously speaking about Mekara. She doesn't move from her position though she glares at the Romulan Commander.

Itaani says, very quietly, "If she's not bluffing, I'll kill her too, now, the rest of you, be ready.

. o O Sukhar feels sudden apprehension at Mekara's offer, as if a thought has occurred to him.

The Nausicaans look at each other again. "Romulan ship damaged. You won't survive if you try to fight both our ships."

Accolon steps up toward Gerok and says, "Commander, we need a course of action." He glances toward Itaani, apparently not in agreement with hers.

Itaani says "Mister Laco. What technique could they be using to jam our equipment? Something like our brig equipment?"

Mekara smiles. "I know."

Gellan mutters to Gerok, "It's all about profit, Commander. I believe they've stolen the ships. They think they will profit and win. We will have to make it more profitable to release us, I believe. Or less worth the trouble.".

The Nausicaan says, "I take latinum now. Let you go after I get latinum."

Edwards finally speaks up softly, "Itaani, let Gerok handle it. It's his job."

Laco thinks, "Ah, well, I'm not entirely sure what they could be using...I'm not exactly an expert on how they work..."

Gerok says "Sir, I should point out that the Federation is aware that we came under attack and will be sending ships."

Mekara shakes her head. "I don't have it on me. I will have it delivered to your ship once we reach ours."

Itaani suddenly turns and half-smiles. "Cadet Dathe. Hello." Then looks to the others. "Nausicaans can be quite resilient. If we must do this my way, get energy weapons as quickly as possible and don't concern yourself for settings. If Aegis has been captured, we must prevent her from falling into foreign hands at all costs."

Bela glances to Edwards then looks to Gerok.

The Nausicaan says, "We get latinum from ship now." To Gerok: "They won't get here in time."

. o O Bela's hoping Gerok can get out of this mess. She is loathe of Itaani.

Gerok mutters to Leah, "Cadet, you are to tell Mister Itaani that she is not to take any action without my order."

Dathe looks at Itaani, stopping her lip-chewing. "Lieu-Lieutenant Itaani?"

Leah nods to Gerok and moves to Itaani's side, speaking softly. "Sir. Please..." She lowers her voice a bit more and continues.

Gerok says "But once they do, they will begin to ask questions, especially once they find the residual energy discharges from a Nausicaan Vessel."

Leah mutters to Itaani, "Commander Gerok has ordered that you take no action without his order, sir."

Itaani looks to Edwards. "Gerok has the call. I simply intend to be well prepared when he makes the call. Right now, he is distracting them."

Itaani doesn't even look at Leah. "Of course, Cadet."

Mekara rolls her eyes.

The Nausicaan says, "Federation has war to fight. Dominion more important than Nausicaans."

Itaani looks to Leah and smiles a bit. "But I think I can safely say we've been locked up more times than he."

Leah blinks, responds to Itaani. "I've been locked up once, sir... at the Academy, practicing break out techniques."

Itaani says "The most opportune moment for escape is the first thirty seconds of captivity, Cadet. We seem to have overrun that limit, however, I'm not sure the Nausicaans know that."

Edwards remarks to Leah, "It's never anything like that for real. Obviously."

Edwards comments, idly, after Itaani speaks, "I'm not sure the Nausicaans know what two plus two equals."

Gerok raises an eyebrow, "Do not delude yourself into thinking that the Federation won't find you. Once they learn that the Nausicaans were involved and the Romulan ship survived."

With that, the Nausicaan turns around and leaves, flanked by the other two Nausicaans and ignoring Gerok.

Mekara looks to Gerok. "They'll search high and low for the latinum. I've bought us some time, at the very least."

Accolon says to Gerok, "Commander. Have you considered that we might 'out bid' the Romulans for our freedom?" He glances toward them, and continues, "Our word is surely better than theirs, in the eyes of the Nausicaans."

"Sirs, forgive me for contradicting you..." Leah says, looking between Edwards and Itaani, then says, "I meant the specialized class I took for Red Squad... .. I don't think either of you had it.... sirs. I'll return to the Commander now." With that she moves back to Gerok.

Gellan crosses her arms and leans against the cell wall. "As long as they believe they will make a profit /and/ not be caught, we have little to deal with here."

Edwards gives Leah an annoyed look. Red Squad and their fancy shmancy classes. Hmph.

Bela looks to Edwards, then moves to Gerok. "Sir? Can I speak to you, over here?" She gestures towards a corner.

Sukhar turns to look at Gellan. "Then make the compound a not-true thing, in their eyes, yes? We can't convince them they won't be caught, clearly." And then looks back to Mekara. "Commander, can we perhaps convince them they can't make a profit?"

Gerok says "Mister Accolon, gather up all the equipment and attempt to find a way to overload the forcefield."

Gerok nods in understanding of Mekara's tactic, and moves over to Bela.

Gellan nods to Sukhar and smiles slightly. "Federation self destruct sequences can be tricky things," she says quietly and shrugs. "Especially if the Nausicaans don't know anything about them."

Mekara looks to Sukhar. "You have an idea?"

Gerok mutters to Bela, "Yes?".

Accolon looks toward the Romulans, appearing hard-pressed to trust them. Then he does as the Commander orders and quietly goes about, gathering equipment from everyone.

Itaani hands over her phaser. "Disabled or not, we still have a great deal of sarium krellide. Charged, if I do not mistake my guess."

Bela mutters to Gerok, "Sir.. May I speak freely?"

Dathe is standing against the wall, trying to be unnoticed.

Gerok nods to Bela.

Itaani looks to Dathe, "If I understand, the Nausicaans were once a Romulan client state?"

Sukhar looks around at the Starfleet officers. And then back to Mekara, as if he is not quite entirely comfortable speaking openly in this situation. But if her body language tells him to continue loud enough for them to hear, he will do so by all means.

Bela mutters to Gerok, "Get a tighter grip on Lt. Itaani. She's been something of a loose canon this whole trip. I blame our current predicament on her stepping on your orders."

Dathe looks up again at Itaani, then hesitantly nods. "Yes, the Star Empire has sold them things before..."

Laco says to no one in particular, "You know, just because they can't speak so well, doesn't mean they're complete idiots. They probably have microphones in the cell, and can hear all we say, maybe even whispers."

Gerok mutters to Bela, "I am aware of the situation, Mister Bela. I had orders to give and Nausicaans to deal with prior to dealing with Mister Itaani. Once I have concluded this, I will do so. Place no blame on anyone. We cannot afford distraction.".

Bela nods once to Gerok. "Aye sir," she says, then turns crisply and walks back toward Michael.

Assuming various people gave him equipment for the cause, Accolon activates one of the tricorders, powering it up. He looks over toward Laco. "Ensign, your assistance please."

Edwards glances at Bela and arches an eyebrow questioningly.

Laco steps over to Accolon and looks over his shoulder.

Itaani says "Then you may have some insight into their technology." She glances over her shoulder. Bela gets a withering glare. Yes, she heard.

Mekara folds her arms across each other and fumes.

Bela smiles to Edwards. She reaches for his hand and squeezes it lightly.

Itaani walks up to Gerok. Stands there.

Sukhar says something quietly to Mekara.

Gerok looks at Itaani, "Yes, Mister Itaani?"

"Oh, I don't know," Dathe shakes her head. "It was only minor trading. The Star Empire doesn't sell its weapons."

Edwards squeezes Bela's hand back and smiles at her as well. He then looks toward the forcefield and mutters, "Let the great jailbreak begin any time now..."

Leah leaves Gerok's side briefly as Itaani approaches, and heads for the forcefield blocking the way to freedom. She reaches out a hand, not quite touching the invisible field.

Gellan continues leaning against the wall, her lips drawn into an intense frown. Occasionally she glances to the cell door, as if awaiting the inevitable return of the Nausicaans.

Itaani points at Bela. "That, sir, is exactly my point. Our status, sir?"

. o O Itaani does not trust Gerok. Not at all.

Gerok mutters to Itaani, "You will keep your voice down, Mister Itaani. If you have something to say, then say it. Quietly."

Mekara glances to Sukhar. "That is not an easy proposition, Sublieutenant. I am open to suggestions."

Gerok motions Bela to assist the Science Officers.

Laco says to Accolon, "Are the power sources in anyway explosive? Maybe we could take one out and toss it at the force field?"

Itaani mutters to Gerok, "You do realize, sir, that Romulan intelligence is known to use holodecks to attempt to extract intelligence?"

Laco mutters to Accolon, "I think I have an idea, sir."

Sukhar replies quietly.

Gerok mutters to Itaani, "Yes, I am Mister Itaani. Your point."

Accolon contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

Bela moves across the cell and kneels down with the science officers. "Do any of them have any power?" she asks.

Leah stares at the lights along the outer rim of the forcefield, looking for anything that might distinguish the type of field projection technology the Nausicaans are using... looking, obviously, for a weakness of some sort.

Laco mutters to Accolon, "What if we pretended we knew how to drop the field, and acted like that tricorder was the key to it. If the Nausicaans are secretly listening, they might come in here to take it, and that could be our chance to get out..."

Accolon doesn't actually manage to get a tricorder powered up. He says to Laco, "Yes. Though, this might be something better suited for an engineer to look at. I understand why, but not really how." He chuckles a little sheepishly. "Can you give it a look ensign? Try to power up the tricorders and see if you can get a phaser working." He glances back toward Bela.

Itaani mutters to Gerok, "Whatever you plan, I do not know what it is. I cannot verify that this is real. The Counselor.... may be able to."

Accolon says, "Not yet, Ensign Bela. Some assistance would be appreciated."

Gerok mutters to Itaani, "I am certain that she would have informed us if that were the case, but I will ask her, Mister Itaani."

Itaani nods.

Gerok motions for Gellan to approach.

Itaani mutters to Gerok, "Why did you lead them to believe that the Federation might not know our situation? I do not understand."

Gellan pushes off s to Itaani. "I'm not sure, yet, sir, we're trying to best determine our resources."

Accolon brings a hand to his chin and looks over toward Bela, nodding.

Itaani says "I brought a few with me. This will not take long." She flicks out her chaka again as she strides to the wall. Begins tapping on it. Morse code."

Bela looks to Sukhar. "I could probably boot a compin with one. Then the other two could power a phaser..." She starts to work on assembling the pieces.

Itaani says "Quiet!"

Edwards mumbles to himself, "You know what this reminds me of? Irdosia." He shakes his head.

Gellan squints at Itaani. "You think our crew is in the next cell?"

Laco sighs and sits on the floor.

Itaani says "has anyone reported yes or no?"

Sukhar looks up annoyedly at Itaani.

Itaani raps hard on the wall.

Mekara looks to Itaani. "You. Andorian dog. Be quiet and be still. You are getting on my nerves."

Gellan waits for the Nausicaans to come barreling in and silence everyone.

There is no answer to Itaani's attempts.

Itaani holds up one finger to Mekara and listens.

Itaani says then, "Carry on."

Mekara looks to Accolon. "Your plan is what we will use. Clear the technology from the open floor, we will use that as a backup. You." She gestures toward Gellan. "You are Betazoid, correct?"

Leah ponders, almost to herself, though maybe more to Accolon. "What if we made it so the forcefield couldn't detect someone approaching it?... Some sort of a cloak, or a dampening field?"

Gellan nods to Mekara. "Yes." she answers simply. "You have something in mind?"

Laco says "I thought the forcefields were always on, they were just invisible unless something was in contact with them?"

Accolon says, "We're talking about performing miracles with tricorders, really."

Mekara takes a step toward Gellan. "You will negotiate for the side of the Federation. We are going to start trying to outbid each other for profit while our crews work on getting the technology operable."

Leah purses her lips, not waiting for an answer, and turns, staring at the exit again. "The forcefield doesn't turn on until we get too close... Saves energy... I wonder how much power it has."

Edwards remarks, "We're Starfleet officers. We perform miracles daily." Boy, doesn't he sound confident? Well, he's not.

Itaani says "And ignore the chain of command. Subcommander, you deal with me."

Gellan looks thoughtful, then nods. "As a distraction. When they return, anyway." She glances to Itaani. "If I may make an observation Sir...we will get out of this situation a bit safer and quicker if we work together, will we not?"

Itaani says "And how do we do that in Starfleet? Counselor? *Lieutenants?"

Sukhar mutters to Bela, "Damn. They disabled OUR devices by not rematerializing the antimatter power-cells. Unless you Starfleet engineers can generate antimatter from nothing, none of our Romulan devices are good for anything except providing circuits to cannibalize."

Edwards glances back at Itaani, "Work together, you mean? We do that all the time." He smiles and glances toward Mekara quietly.

Laco slides back a little from the group of science officers and watches the exit.

Itaani says "You're not paying *attention,* Mister Edwards. How *do* we work together?"

Itaani is treating the officers like children now.

Sukhar stands up from where he crouches near Bela, clearly frustrated, and walks over to Mekara.

Mekara looks to Sukhar. "Report."

Itaani settles on the floor, then gestures broadly for one hand. "For the Romulans, now. For the Nausicaans. How do we in Starfleet, work together?

Edwards gives Itaani an annoyed look, "Will you cut it out? For pity's sake, Itaani... Get a grip."

Laco says "Lt Accolon, are the drained tricorders pretty much useless?"

Gellan crosses her arms and watches Itaani, a deep frown forming as a foot taps irritatingly on the metal floor. "Perhaps if the command and crew would begin getting along instead of arguing, we might accomplish something?" She shakes her head, the crew's frustration and edginess finally wearing on her.

Mekara looks down to Itaani. "It's obvious you don't."

Itaani says "Put yourself on report for insubordination, Mister Edwards."

Accolon says, "By supporting each other and the decisions of our command." He turns to Laco, "No. They're just not powered up. They're not drained."

Leah speaks up, a little miffed again. "We start working together by respecting each other, Lts..."

Itaani says "You are close, Mister Accolon. It is called... Chain... Of Command."

Bela glares over at Itaani from the pile of equipment.

Edwards remarks, "Do it yourself." He wanders away and frowns.

. o O Bela feels Much anger.

Itaani says "Refusing a direct order as well, Mister Edwards. Very good. And very bad. I had hopes for you."

. o O Edwards feels awfully pissed off, and isn't getting any calmer.

Gellan rolls her eyes skyward and moves back over to the wall, eyeing Gerok as she nears.

Sukhar speaks low, and in Romulan, to Mekara.

Itaani says "Anyone else?"

Gellan mutters to Gerok, "You are about to have a mutiny if you don't get her under control..Commander."

Leah looks incredulously at Edwards, hard to do yes in a crowded room. She moves a little closer to Itaani, "Sir... As a little aside from... these other plans. Should we move the most combat capable of us closer to the entrance?"

Accolon says, "Let's put aside our personal prides for a moment and imagine that we have a plan to get out." He exhales a rather tired breath and turns to Mekara. "What are your orders?"

Gerok says "Everyone, quiet."

Edwards looks toward Mekara and comments, "I really hope this plan will somehow involve me getting to hurt someone."

Gerok says "Mister Accolon, any progress?"

Edwards does quiet down after that.

Mekara looks to Gerok. "That's the first sensible thing you've said all day, Commander." She looks back to Sukhar and nods to him.

The lights in the brig flicker, as does the ring of lights around the exit to the brig and the lights outside in the hall.

Accolon says, "Commander, we have the forcefield ready to overload if need be."

Sukhar, because someone has to, asks "What was that?"

Bela looks up.

Leah heads back towards the brig's entrance when the lights flicker and she reaches out to test the field again.

A small group of Romulans come into view, with S'Terik near the back.

Laco starts removing his rank pips from his uniform, "Lt Accolon, I'd like to try something." He sees the lights go off, "Oh well, maybe not."

Leah's hand is unimpeded.

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, take the point."

Accolon looks toward S'Terik then back to the Commander. "Commander, Romulans are headed our way."

Leah steps out into the hall, noting the Romulans and S'Terik. She glances up and down the hall for entrance ways... strategic points.

Edwards responds, "Aye, sir." He moves past anyone in his way, so he can guard the front of the group.

Gellan looks beyond the forcefield. "Here comes the calvary," she says quietly and moves to follow.

"Commander," Tenkar says to Mekara, "hurry."

Itaani is on her feet in a moment.

Gerok moves out into the hall, "Ambassador S'Terik."

Laco gets to his feet grinning, allowing his pips to drop to the ground, "Alright, this is more like it" He moves toward the center of the group, judging there to be the safest.

Gellan follows out into the hall and stretches. That cell was getting cramped.

Mekara is ushered outside by Tenkar and she steps toward the security console. "Sublieutenant Sukhar. See if you can access command functions from this terminal."

Sukhar says "I'll do my best, Commander."

Sukhar moves forward to do so, unless some information is brought up by the rescue party that would make Mekara retract that order.

Gerok says "Mister Laco, utilize the tricorder to attempt to uplink to the Aegis."

Itaani gets ready to move with the rest of the group.

Bela chucks a phaser in Edwards' direction. "Heads up, Michael," she calls. "I got it working."

Laco brings out Accolon's tricorder and begins following Gerok's instruction.

Edwards catches the phaser deftly after Bela tosses it to him, "Thanks." He checks the charge and setting while he looks about."

S'Terik nods to Gerok, "Lieutenant. It appears that the Romulans have been able to disable this section of the Nausicaan vessel. Temporarily, at least."

Itaani steps out hurriedly. "Distribute our remaining weapons, then." She looks to Gerok.

Itaani says "Counselor. Can you locate any more of our crew here?"

Gerok gives Itaani an icy glare, well at least as Icy as a Vulcan can do.

Edwards sidles closer to Bela and comments softly, "I don't suppose it'd be against regulations to phaser myself in the head, would it?"

Gellan glances to Itaani. "I have been trying to do so since our capture, Lieutenant. I do not believe they are here."

Itaani says "Thank you, Counselor."

Laco, with the tricorder it turns out Accolon didn't really have, tries to uplink to the Aegis.

Gerok says "Mister Laco, were you able to uplink?"

Bela grins to Edwards. "Against mine," she says to him.

Sukhar frowns. "Commander, this console is inoperative. It appears to be without power. I don't think we have time to restore."

Obviously being in the security area of the ship, Leah starts to look around for a weapon's locker of some type. She also notes all of the doors that she can see.

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, watch the door. Mister Gellan, go with him and let him know if any of the Nausicaans are approaching."

Gerok says "Mister Leah, attempt to locate additional weapons."

Itaani looks to Gerok, waiting for orders.

Gellan nods to Gerok. "Yes sir." She turns to Edwards and nods, following to the door.

Gerok says "Mister Itaani, you are to provide back up to Mister Edwards position."

Mekara nods to Sukhar. "All right. We move to the bridge, then." She looks to Gerok. "We will have more of a chance if we split up. I'll take my crew, you take your crew."

Edwards snaps his fingers at Bela's response, then nods to Gerok. He moves off toward the entrance and glances at Gellan, "Hope you got good range."

Itaani nods to Gerok.

The Romulans, unable to find any Nausicaan weapons, quickly take positions along the wall as they hear footsteps running toward their position.

Laco says "I can't seem to contact them sir. If they're even there anymore."

Leah groans softly and takes the nearest cover she can. She clenches her hands into fists.

Itaani pulls out her chaka again as she comes behind Edwards. "Just like the mines, Mister Edwards."

Edwards glowers at Itaani momentarily, before his full attention turns to the entrance.

There's some yelling in a harsh language and the footsteps become louder.

Laco looks for somewhere to hide.

. o O Itaani feels Fury at Edwards. Muffled at the sound of footsteps.

Gerok says "Mister Laco, find us a way out of here. Scan the ship and get us a layout."

A beam of energy shoots into the room from the corridor where the Nausicaans are approaching from, hitting no one.

Laco crouches to the floor, hopefully the Nausicaans will start shooting at chest height, and tries to use the tricorder to map the deck.

Gerok moves up toward the door, attempting to move close enough to help, but not close enough to hinder Edwards or Itaani.

Mekara stands aside, waiting and watching. She slides her necca from its sheath.

<CONTEST> Laco contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Edwards grumbles and returns fire through the entrance, "I think this is the part where we fight."

Itaani says "Let's let a few in, Mister Edwards."

Gerok says "Mister Laco....."

Laco says "I'm working on it sir!"

Tall Nausicaans charge in, some with energy weapons, some with swords.

Itaani says "I'll try to hold the door..."

Sukhar ducks down to use the console for cover.

Edwards watches the Nausicaans come a-charging in. "Stupid." he mutters. Naturally, he fires pointblank at the nearest one.

Leah glances across to Edwards, smiling faintly. "Glory and Honor, sir." She waits until the Nausicaans get too close to her position, then leaps at the first one, bringing her hands together for a blow to it's midsection.

Gerok attempts to flank one of the Nausicaans and Nerve Pinch him.

GAME: Leah spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Leah (claiming advantage) contests her Unarmed Combat (Starfleet Martial Arts) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Edwards contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

GAME: Gerok spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Gerok contests his Unarmed Combat (Nerve Pinch) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

GAME: Sukhar spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Sukhar (claiming advantage) contests his Unarmed Combat (Romulan) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Laco contests his Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Itaani (claiming advantage) contests her Primitive Weaponry (Chaka) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Gellan contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Itaani (claiming advantage) contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

Laco dives to the floor and covers his head with his hands.

Sukhar tries to move around the console, using it for cover from beams and swung swords long enough to come in from the side and nail a Nausicaan with a solid blow.

Itaani attacks the second or third as opportunity allows, trying to disable the weapon-arm with her chaka, hoping to engage another one in the doorway as a delaying action.

Bela is blown back by a shot from a Nausicaan's energy weapon. She slumps down against the bulkhead, the grey area above her compin smoldering black.

S'Terik remains far from the fray.

Gellan sticks herself against the wall and glances at her useless phaser, almost as if considering throwing it at one.

Sukhar unable to get a solid shot in the confusion, is left exposed for just a moment, long enough for the pommel of a Nausicaan sword to do what the blade is too long to do is such close quarters. The Romulan science officer slumps back against the console he was just using for cover, flips over it, and falls in entirely wrong-looking heap.

Mekara slices into the arm of the Nausicaan who attacked Sukhar, then draws back and rams the necca up under his jaw. She doesn't bother to withdraw the weapon, but turns quickly to rip out its throat and set up defense for what comes at her next.

Edwards blasts the first one coming in, but by then half a dozen others have made their way in. Leah hits one in the stomach, sending him doubling over. As Gerok reaches out for the neck of a Nausicaan, he misses and nearly gets his entire arm chopped off if Itaani had not sliced the weapon arm of that Nausicaan. Another one comes up behind her and hits her at the base of the neck with the butt of his sword. Gellan and Laco are similarly hit.

Edwards notices when Bela goes down and grits his teeth. Now he's really pissed. Without further adieu, he swings his phaser around to blast the next closest Nausicaan, while already searching for a third target.

Laco lays on the ground, dazed.

Gellan crumples, a look of dazed surprise on her face.

"Ugly, I said!" Leah growls, not letting up on the Nausicaan she has hit. While it's doubled over, she brings her knee up into it's face... or at least tries to.

The Romulans jump in, and soon, Starfleet and Star Navy manage to incapacitate the remaining Nausicaans.

Edwards looks mildly disappointed when the last Nausicaans falls. He was just getting started, after all. But that's when he remembers what really pissed him off. Quickly, he spins around and darts over to Bela's side, "Bela?"

Laco gets to his hands and knees, and starts feeling around for the tricorder he dropped.

The Romulans quickly pick up weapons of their own from the Nausicaans and prepare to head toward the bridge - once they figure out which direction it is in.

Leah just isn't her bubbly self at the moment, dirt smudges on her nose and a bruise around one eye. She glances back towards the other Starfleet officers, notes Gellan is down and moves over to her, bending to pick up a Nausicaan energy weapon. Kneeling, she touches her friend's shoulder gently and calls softly, "Sharra?"

Itaani rises, when it's over, looking disheveled and bruised. She flicks blood from her blade and rises, painfully, having done her best to hold the doorway and paid for it. "Status, everyone. Commander?"

Laco finds the small device, and tries to bring up the deckplan he was working on.

Dathe doesn't look like she's too thrilled to see all this.

Mekara sheathes her bloodied necca.

Gellan lifts her head and blinks at Leah. "Morgan?" She shakes her head and glances around, taking stock of the situation, then uses the wall to pull herself up. Or rather, push herself up. She flashes a quick, if slight smile. "I'm fine."

A couple of Romulans are working at a console, but they cannot seem to route power to it.

Itaani glances up, glad, for the moment to see Gerok up and about. Tries her combadge. "Itaani to Aegis."

No response.

Bela's lying against a bulkhead, unconscious.

Gerok says "Mister Laco, I need that floor plan."

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, gather and distribute weapons."

Edwards crouches down and takes Bela's pulse, "Didn't we take any damn doctors with us?!"

Gerok moves over to the console to see if he can get power to it.

Laco walks over to Gerok, "Its right here."

Leah offers her arm to the counselor. "Are you sure?" She doesn't look convinced, a pout on her face. In her other hand she hefts the weapon she picked up.

Gellan nods to Leah and turns to glance toward Bela and Edwards, then moves that direction, albeit slowly. "Got a working tricorder?" she says softly and kneels down next to Bela. "I have some training, Lt. I'll do what I can."

Itaani picks up an energy weapon from a fallen Nausicaan. "WE did, Mister Edwards, apparently the Nausicaans neglected to bring us one." Looks at the weapon. "Can anyone read 'Heavy Stun' in whatever language this is?"

Edwards nods at Gellan and stands up slowly. With some reluctance, he manages to move off, and begins to pillage the Nausicaan's for weaponry to pass out. "I'm really beginning to hate this mission." he mutters.

The lights flicker back on, and the console the two Romulans are at begins functioning again.

Itaani says "I agree, Mister Edwards. Orders, Commander?"

Gerok says "We are going to find out where we are, and then attempt to get back to the ship."

"The Nausicaans have locked down this section of the ship," one of the Romulans at the console announces.

Itaani nods. "We're in the brig, sir. Suggest we move before.... (At the Romulan pronouncement, quietly...) Thath. "

"No, sir, Lt." Leah responds as she glances at her weapon's settings. She moves off toward the doors the Nausicaans had erupted from. "Pardon my choice of words, sir, but they have made the first move... it was hostile. We are clear to use any and all force to save ourselves and our allies."

Itaani says "Can we get through any bulkheads or tubes or vents, Mister Laco? I need a comm channel."

"I've managed to get a partial map of the ship," the Romulan continues. "The lockdown is restricting almost everything."

Laco consults his map, "Just a moment Lt Itaani. Let me see if there is something we could cut through..."

Gerok says "Try to get us into their engineering section, Mister Laco."

Mekara looks to the rest of her crew. "Let's go. We'll try to find the bridge the old fashioned way. We'll ask." She ushers her officers out the door.

Itaani looks around. "All right, gather our wounded. And if our combadges are useless, I suggest we mark the Nausicaan wounded with them if our Sickbay could save them."

Gellan looks over Bela carefully, checking pulse and respiration and the like. She glances to Gerok finally, remaining in her position. "We need to get Lt Bela back to the station," she says to Gerok. "She's not going to be walking out of here either, Sir."

The Romulans take a last glance of the partial map on the console and begin heading out.

Itaani looks to Mekara questioningly.

Edwards finishes handing out Nausicaan weapons. He frowns deeply in concern at Gellan's comment and looks toward Gerok expectantly.

Laco sticks his hand out, pointing, while staring at the map. He moves it slowly, consulting the tricorder, he stops, pointing downward, "Two decks."

<CONTEST> Gerok (claiming advantage) contests his Computer skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!

Itaani motions for someone to cover the hallway and goes where Laco is. "Hatch? Or need we make one, Mister Laco?"

Laco scrolls the tricorder's little screen about, "Uh.....I'm not seeing one."

Itaani says to Laco. "But this would be the place?"

Laco says "Yeah, I think so."

Edwards looks around momentarily, "I got an idea... Why don't we just go?"

Gerok accesses the system to get a complete ships schematic. He also attempts to ascertain if the Aegis is still in the area.

Itaani looks to Gerok. "Commander. There may be a way out, if we can cut through."

Itaani points down where Laco's been pointing.

Gerok says "There is nothing useful here. Mister Laco, find us the most direct route to their engineering section. Mister Edwards, you are on point again."

Edwards nods swiftly to Gerok, "Aye, sir."

Bela just lies there. It's her only defense.

Gerok says "Mister Leah, you will take the second position. Mister Itaani, you will cover the rear."

Gellan glances to Gerok. "What about Lt Bela, Sir. We can't leave her here."

Gerok says "Mister Gellan, can Mister Bela be moved?"

Itaani says "And which way will we go, Commander, if we are locked down? Mister Laco has found a potential escape route."

Gellan shakes her head. "No sir. She will need to be transported directly to sickbay."

Laco says "Maybe some of us should stay here and keep an eye on her?"

Gerok says "Negative, Mister Itaani. That will take too much time."

Edwards speaks up, "I'll stay behind."

Gellan nods to Laco. "The Nausicaans will be searching for the main group, not here in the brig." She glances to Gerok again. "I can stay with her sir."

Itaani looks to Gerok. "If we are locked in, will remaining so take less time, sir?"

Gerok looks hard at Itaani, "As you were, Mister Itaani."

Itaani says "Commander. It is my duty as your second in command to ask these questions, and present options. If there is somewhere we could have been going, let us."

"Aye sir," Leah responds quietly, lowering her weapon to hip height and moving towards the door.

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, put Mister Bela into the cell in the back of the brig. Place her under one of the cots and attempt to conceal her as best you can."

Laco sighs, "I'd offer to stay as well, but I guess you need me to operate the tricorder."

Edwards looks at Gerok incredulously, "/What/?" The poor man is surely about to go off the deep end by now.

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, the Nausicaans will not be looking here for anyone. She will be safe until we can obtain a method of egress from this vessel."

Gellan glances to Gerok. "Sir, let me stay with her, at least. We cannot leave her alone, especially as badly wounded as she is. I can't keep her stabilized if she's stuffed under a cot. Sir."

Edwards barely contains the string of profanity that wants to escape his lips. He grits his teeth and looks toward Gellan, hoping she can talk some sense into the XO.

Itaani says "Commander... Might I point out that brig cells are often shielded against transporters?"

Itaani says "We must secure means of extracting her, and soon."

"The longer we wait, the more easily they will be able to bottle us up here... sirs." Leah makes sure to point out, glancing back at the senior officers. "Lt. Edwards, Commander Gerok said you have point."

Gerok says "Mister Gellan, will it be fatal to move Mister Bela?"

Itaani says "Mister Laco, are there any other means out of here than down?"

Gellan looks at Bela closely. "It might. It would certainly be detrimental, Commander. I don't recommend it."

Laco says "Yeah, there's a door right there, and a lift down the corridor, I think."

Itaani nods. "The Romulans said this section of the ship was locked down. Can you verify or refute?"

Gerok says "There is no other choice. She cannot be left behind alone and we cannot afford to leave anyone here."

Edwards smacks his forehead. "Oh for crying out loud." he comments. "We can leave the Counselor behind, sir." He tosses his phaser toward Gellan, "Catch."

Itaani says "Commander. Whatever we do, we must do it soon. Orders, please!"

Gerok says "You all have your positions. Move out."

Gellan catches the phaser almost out of reflex. "If you can get to the ship sir and establish contact, I can move her out of the secured area for transport."

Gerok picks up Bela and carries her.

Some Nausicaan shouting comes from down the hall.

Itaani is still near the door.

Leah growls and moves forward, hoping to get a bead on the lead Nausicaans... her finger waits on the trigger.

Gellan sighs and hands the phaser back to Edwards, standing.

Edwards takes his phaser and looks at Gerok wide-eyed, like the Vulcan is completely insane. "Will that hurt her?" he demands of the Counselor.

Itaani says "Too late, Mister Edwards, the die is cast."

Laco stays with Bela and Gellan.

Three streams of energy fire comes from down the hall, making attempts to move out into the hall deadly stupid.

Itaani brings her weapon to bear.

Gellan snatches up one of the remaining weapons (if there is one). She looks to Edwards and spreads her hands in uncertainty. "I can't be sure, Lt." She looks to the hall and nods. "But /that/ will."

Itaani returns fire.

Edwards growls and turns toward the entrance, so he can fire several phaser blasts into the hall.

Gerok says "Mister Laco, how far away are the Nausicaans?"

Itaani says "Mister Laco. Emergency upload your tricorder. It may be enough for a transporter lock...."

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, set my weapon to overload and use it as a grenade against the Nausicaans."

"No flash grenades... inferior position." Leah sighs to herself in between taking blind shots down the hallway, not daring to actually lean out and aim.

Laco gives the tricorder to someone else...yeah...that's the ticket.

Since Gerok obviously has his hands full, Gellan moves to the front a bit to cover if necessary.

Itaani sticks her weapon around the corner and lays fire down the hallway....

GAME: Itaani spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Itaani (claiming advantage) contests her Energy Weapon skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

GAME: Leah spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Leah (claiming advantage) contests her Energy Weapon skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

One of the stream of energy fire stops, but the two other continue. A couple of Nausicaans take defensive positions right outside and fire into the room, rarely taking their fingers off the trigger.

Itaani sits back and crouches low. "How many shots do you suppose these have, Cadet?!

Itaani sticks the weapon around the corner and lets loose a blind, low volley to keep them back...

<CONTEST> Edwards contests his Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

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

<CONTEST> Leah contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Gerok contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Gellan contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Gellan tries to pull Bela out of the line of fire and behind a cot.

The Nausicaans manage to hit Gerok in the leg and the arm that Leah has outstretched to fire her weapon.

Leah pulls her arm back, wincing at the pain. "Oh, God!" She involuntarily lets the Nausicaan weapon go and pulls back under some cover.

Gerok falls to the ground, and rolls into one of the cells for some cover.

Gerok attempts to return fire.

The firing between both sides continue, neither seeming to be gaining much advantage. Then the lights flicker again.

Itaani says "Someone! The emergency signal of the tricorder! We are out of time!"

Gellan ducks down behind the cot and fumbles with the weapon till she figures it out, finally aiming and returning fire as well.

Edwards remarks casually as he stands there, in the open, and fires at the Nausicaans, "I hope that's the warp core breaching."

The entire ship shudders as if under attack.

<CONTEST> Itaani contests her Energy Weapon skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Something down the hall explodes, but the two Nausicaans are set on wiping the Starfleet personnel out.

Itaani continues trying to lay down fire to defend the room. Suddenly, she shouts "I told you! Surrender, Nausicaans, Surrender NOW!"

Gellan grabs onto the cot as the ship shudders. "The ship is under attack." She taps at her combadge, hoping it's the Aegis.

Gellan receives no reply.

The ship jerks and forces those not well-balanced to go tumbling to the floor.

Edwards rolls his eyes as a phaser blasts wizzes by, inches away from his head. "Wow. Could feel the heat on that one." he comments.

Gerok attempts to uplink the tricorder to the Aegis, is its out there......

Gerok is unable to uplink his tricorder.

Edwards can't seem to get shot by standing out in the open, but he does hit the ground when the ship jerks. "Damnit."

Gerok sets up the tricorder to transmit a beacon, hoping that this is a friendly ship that will transport them off.

Itaani falls back during the shaking. She laughs once.... Begins... Singing... "Born in the back-woods! Raised by a bear! <zap, zap...> Double set of dog teeth... <zap, zap...> Triple coat of hair!" <zap....>

Leah was already on the floor, so she doesn't go far, but she uses the opportunity to lean forward and grab for the weapon she dropped... or for the closest one to her, using her other arm.

Edwards attempts to climb back to his feet tentatively, "You need to work on your insults, Itaani." He fires another blast into the hall.

Something else explodes, much nearer. The Nausicaans break off their attack. The ship continues to rock further until the Starfleet officers find themselves inside a green transporter beam.

Itaani tries to get her finger off the trigger when she realizes what's happening...

Gellan reaches a hand out to steady Bela as the ship gets rocked by another explosion. "Cripes! Don't they know we're in...."

...and then find themselves in a transporter room of Romulan design.

A Romulan is standing behind a transporter console, and two Romulan security guards are in the room as well.

Gellan rematerializes without the cot to hang on to and falls flat on her face.

Edwards looks around quickly and remarks, "Saved by the Romulans. Never thought I'd say that before."

Itaani lowers her weapon, mostly to the floor. "Good evening, gentlemen. I'm sure this exercise has instilled a great deal of mutual confidence. May I present my commanding officer?"

Gerok looks around the room to ensure that all his officers are accounted for.

Leah winces and stands up, clutching her right arm gingerly. She just stares at the Romulans.

Itaani sways a bit. Maybe she got hit harder than it looked....

The Romulan behind the transporter console looks up at the group of Starfleet officers. The two guards remain mostly motionless.

Itaani tries her combadge again. "Itaani to Aegis."

There is no reply.

Gerok says "Gentlemen, your timing is impeccable."

Gellan pulls herself up and immediately glances to Bela, then to the Romulans with relief. "We need sickbay..." She glances to Itaani and frowns. "Where is she....?" referring to Aegis.

"We will return you to your ship shortly," the Romulan behind the console says. "When we are no longer threatened by the Nausicaan ship."

Gerok looks at the transporter operator, "Very well. We have crewmen that are in need of medical attention."

The Romulan's hair is a bit disheveled and a bruise is forming on the side of his face, but he acts as if nothing is wrong.

Leah stares, "You've been boarded?" She looks about ready to grab a weapon and start firing again, though she's still clutching her right arm.

The Romulan says, "Our medical ward is equipped for Romulans." He looks at the injured people, pauses, then says, "However, I may be able to attain a dermal regenerator."

Gerok nods, "That would be helpful. May we be of service?"

The Romulan looks at one of the guards, who nods and leaves. Without looking back at Leah, but rather at his console, he says, "That is not your concern." To Gerok, he says, "No. We have the situation under control."

Itaani says "I will be all right, for now, Commander. If we can get.. to Aegis, we may be able to assist."

The Romulan ship rocks, but instead of feeling the G-forces pushing you aside, you feel it pushing you down.

Itaani says "We could.. beam through shield harmonics."

Gerok raises an eyebrow, "As you wish."

The Romulan looks directly at Itaani.

Edwards decides to just go with it and parks himself down on the transporter pad silently.

Leah nods, following Itaani's reasoning. "We know our own ship's shield harmonics frequency... we could use it to beam through."

Itaani looks to the Romulan. "You know yours, and we know ours, yes?"

Gerok shakes his head, "That is not feasible considering that the Romulan vessel is under attack."

Itaani says "They must synchronize at regular intervals..."

The Romulan looks on with skepticism. "You do not know of what you speak of. Shields cannot be so simply pierced by transporters."

Leah sighs heavily, attempting a frowning glare at the Romulan transporter chief but coming up with a cute pout. "Whatever..." That said, she takes a seat, cradling her arm.

Itaani glances to Gerok.

Gellan stays kneeled next to Bela, idly following the conversation. She glances to Leah. "Morgan, are you okay?"

The comm starts up, and Tenkar's voice says, "The threat has been neutralized. The Starfleet ship is completely offline. We will bring it online before commencing transport."

The Romulan says, "Understood."

Gerok attempts to uplink to the Aegis.

Leah looks over to Gellan lazily and nods, "I'm fine.... just a burn I think." She touches her arm and winces.

Itaani says "The crew?"

There is a long wait before Gerok's tricorder connects with the Aegis.

Gerok attempts to ascertain who is onboard, and get a status report from the ship.

Gellan nods to Leah, then glances to Gerok hopefully. Tired, sore, and well...cranky, she lets out a long breath and waits.

Commander Tenkar's voice returns, "The Starfleet ship is functional. Transport them back."

"Please return to the transporter pad," the Romulan says to those who have stepped off.

Itaani shakes her head. "And we just painted the 'old girl.'" Looking to the Romulans, and laughs painfully. "Let us buy you a drink sometime, gentlemen," She never, actually, left the pad....

The security guard who had left returns with a Romulan dermal regenerator in her hand.

Leah stands back up and moves to the pad, offering a brief terran-style salute to their Romulan rescuers.

The Starfleet officers are beamed back to the bridge of their ship along with the rest of the Aegis crew, making it somewhat crowded.

Gerok says "Mister Gellan, get Mister Bela to sickbay."

Itaani steps down immediately to ops, checking systems status. To the crowd, she says, "Ops and Engineering to your posts, the rest of you, see to any injured."

Gellan nods to Gerok. "Yes sir. We'll need an antigrav unit, or an intraship transfer."

Edwards climbs to his feet and mumbles softly, "Maybe we can limp back home with the remaining shreds of our pride intact now."

Leah moves to the Ops console and checks ship systems, also checking sensors.

Itaani says "There's a reason I logged a standing order never to run without shields, Mister Edwards."

Gerok nods and looks to Edwards, "Mister Edwards, please transport them to sickbay."

Those who do not belong on the bridge head toward the turbolifts, but only so many can fit into the turbolifts. The bridge is still rather crowded when a hail comes from the Romulans.

Itaani hands off Ops to Leah, as soon as she has an idea what it can tell her.

Gerok says "Mister Itaani, you will keep your comments to yourself."

"Commander... I'm putting a hail from the Romulans on screen." Leah announces, then does so.

Gerok nods in acknowledgment of Leah.

S'Terik, having not reached the turbolift yet, turns to face the viewscreen as the hail is answered.

Itaani shakes her head, then leans over the helm console, not bothering to sit until she sees ship status.

The image of the Romulan commander appears on the screen again. "It seems that our simulation must be cut short," Tenkar states.

Leah checks to see if there's power available for a site-to-site, then glances over to Bela and Gellan. "Beaming you.... *now*."

Gerok nods in agreement, "Unfortunately, it seems so, Commander. However, I would like to express our appreciation for your actions."

Edwards wades through to the tactical station since Leah seems to have the transporting well in hand.

Tenkar says, "Are you able to return to your station unaided?"

Gerok uses his command chair to access Engineering Status.

Leah beams Bela and Gellan to sickbay, then reads off the scanners. "Reading no ships on sensors but the Romulans... some debris though, in the asteroid field."

Itaani looks to Gerok, shakes her head, subtly.

Gerok furrows his brow, "Apparently not, Commander. All our propulsion systems are offline."

Tenkar steeples his fingers and looks over to someone off the screen. He arches an eyebrow when the response to his question - or rather lack of question, since he never actually spoke out, is too slow.

Finally, a voice says, "We should be able to tow them back, Commander."

Tenkar nods and returns his attention to the viewscreen. "We can return you to the station."

Itaani looks to Leah, still leaning on the chair. "Start compiling damage reports as they come available, Cadet." Something creaks in her chest and she winces.

Gerok says "Mister Itaani, report to Sick Bay."

Gerok nods at the viewscreen, "Again, your assistance is appreciated Commander."

Leah looks a bit weary herself, but continues, one-handed at her post. "Aye, sir... detailed reports should be coming in soon."

Gerok says "Mister Leah, get a replacement and report to Sick Bay."

Tenkar says, "You have ten minutes before we will tractor you. Make the necessary preparations. Daka'Sienov out." His image disappears from the screen.

Leah looks back at Gerok, almost ready to argue with him, then remembers her place. She nods, "Aye, sir...." A suitable replacement comes out of the still milling crowd of people, the junior ops officer no less. "Thanks..." Standing she makes her way for the turbolift.

Gerok says "Mister Edwards, you have the Conn. I'll be in Engineering."

Itaani straightens. Yanks down her uniform coat, saying, "Aye, sir." She steps toward the turbolift.

Edwards nods a little to Gerok as he leans against his station, "Aye, sir."

Leah tries to catch Edwards' eye as she leaves, giving him a brief smile. "Cheer up, sir." She winces as she moves her arm just a tad, "Mmmm.... tranquilizers please." Then she steps onto the turbolift.

Itaani heads into the lift. "I can see it now. I shall end up like Gawen, ..."

Edwards mutters, "I'd cheer up if I got the tranquilizers." He shakes his head and moves down to the command chair, since everyone else has left the bridge. "I could get used to this, though."

Leah turns to Itaani curiously, asking in a soft voice. "Who's Gawen?"

Itaani says "My predecessor."

Itaani steps into the lift, leaning heavily on the wall.

"Lt. Poole." Leah says rhetorically. A second passes.... then a look of understanding crosses her features, "You won't get court-martialed, sir."

Itaani says "Not alive, Cadet."

Gerok gets to engineering, and seeing that the damage is not very severe, informs the Romulans that the Aegis will be able to return to Station 419 under her own power.