Hide and Seek Part IV
Episode Name: Hide And Seek Part IV Written By: Starfleet Cast: Code Master, Duncan, Ghorev, Golden, Haven and Starfleet. Produced By: Starfleet Directed By: Starfleet Aired On: Mon Apr 15 02:44:47 2002 Stardate: 52267
Time: Sun Apr 14 20:43:33 2002
Stardate: 52266.5
Ghorev, as the gear is being checked out, gives the quick-and-dirty briefing. "Alright," says the Andorian, "this is the situation: we have a Lithian ship floating nearby, half-caught in some kind of anomalous rift in subspace. Enough of them is free of the rift for us to beam in, collect a dormant Lithian, and beam out." He passes out the Phaser Rifles. "A previous mission cost us Lieutenant Dakin Rann's arm, so if we can, a secondary goal, we're retreiving that. We don't have much time, so I'll ask once, and only once, for questions. Once we beam over, there'll be no time for questions to any order. So ask now, or wait until we get back."
Golden raises his hand as he has questions
Haven takes the rifle being handed to her and runs a quick check on it. Her brow perks in question, "His arm, Sir?"
Duncan hefts his phaser rifle, checks its setting then rests the butt on his hip and waits.
Ghorev nods. "His arm." He eyes Golden. "Yes, Lieutenant?"
The away team has been issued Type III-C's, a variant of the III-A that has sophisticated tracking features, is more powerful, and with a smaller profile. They also have three force grenades, for erecting forcefields in case of the necessity of a hasty retreat. They also have their comm badges. Haven has been issued a field medic's kit as well.
Golden "Yes sir, I have several questions. One," he ticks up a figer, "Have we been able to get a high resolution imaging scan on this vessel -- I know the Nebula is playing hell with the sensors so I am talking about a solid sonic bounce pulse or may a thrumb resonance from an exterior hull bounce? Two," he flicks up another finger" I am lead to understand these aliens have been able to get around containment fields -- has there been any tests on whether they can penetrate the portable force fields we use for LZ securing when dropping into a combat hot zone -- and if not, perhaps I have an idea on how to catch one using those. And finally, 3" he holds up another finger, " would we be at less risk of containment if we approached this op like a fully toxic enviroment and used reinforce EVA suits to pursue it?" He leaned back to see what the Andorian had to say.
Ghorev ticks off on his own fingers. "Fancy sensor tricks have failed us. We're doing this so we *can* have one to experiment on. And EVA suits have been ruled out by Command." A pause. "Now, any other questions, before we go?"
Duncan raises a hand and looks to Ghorev. "Has a decision been made regarding power settings? Are we going to go two at max and two at slightly lower with broad beam or all with max power?"
Ghorev says "Personally, I'd prefer the latter, if only because I've never pretended to be a marksman. I'm a hand-to-hand fighter, in the manner of my people. If all three of you can look me in the eye now and say 'Yes, Sir, we're marksmen and damned proud of it', then we'll all go in with tight beam full power settings."
Duncan almost smiles. "I cant claim to be a marksman but with the increased power of the type C, we should be able to safely step down slightly to aid accuracy."
Golden looks towards Ghorev's eyes and says, "Sir, I am a marksman and certain of my training in this area -- but I can't attest to anyone else's abilities." His eyes flick towards the DTI agent as he finishes.
Haven nods in agreement with Duncan. "I'm no marksman, not with this rifle, Sir."
Golden "What about ordnance sir, grenades for example?"
Ghorev says "We've got force grenades for emergency force fields, Mr. Golden." A pause. "Alright then. Slightly reduced power, wide beam settings. Mr. Golden, you may fire full power tight beam." He steps forward, to the transport pads. "One last thing: the last time we went over, a few hours ago, one of the major contributing factors to Lt. Dakin's current condition was that at least one officer, and then a second, made the mistake, when the Lithian barelled into the Lieutenant, of thinking they had a virgin's chance at an Orion fertility dance" -- apparently, this is some colorful Andorian metaphor similar to the Terran one about snowballs and Hell -- "of yanking him out from under the creature *before* we killed it. That mistake will NOT be made again. If one of us gets grabbed, *FIRE ANYWAY*. Do not think you can effect rescue until the Lithian is dead. Is that clear?"
Golden says "Aye, Aye Sir.""
Haven nods as she follows Ghorev to the transporter pad. "Aye, Sir," she responds.
Duncan nods to Ghorev and steps up onto the pad, phaser rifle at the ready.
Golden "Sir, do we have any seismic survey gear on the station for use by Planetary Sciences and colonial survey?"
Ghorev looks annoyed now. "We're not *on* the station, Mister Golden. The station is some distance away. Perhaps in the future I'll limit questions on these emergency, last-minute, time-sensitive briefings to those questions absolutely germane and within the realm of possibility of mattering. Now, if you're coming, step lively."
Golden steps onto the transporter pad as he explains, "It's a counter smuggling trick we used against arms runners into the DMZ before the war... you use the seismic pulse to rattle the hull from the inside or outside -- the bounce back gives you a map that shows hidden areas the sensor blockers prevented normal scans from reaching." Is well in place for beaming before finishing his explanation and shuts up.
The transport beam engages the away team is sent to the Lithian ship.
Golden raises his weapon to a ready position and side steps to provide an oblique firing angle but otherwise is quiet
The Lithian ship is exactly as it was reported to be, with a crystalline architecture, onyx floors and ceilings. The away team materializes in the triangulated beams of a trio of pattern enhancers. The field shimmers and waves with a static hiss across the room.
Duncan watches as Golden steps away from the beamdown point. "Dont get too close to the walls Lt. Golden, they may all be doors and accidentally opening one is generally a bad idea."
Golden :looks suspiciously at the wall then nods a thanks at Duncan, now being wary of the walls:
Ghorev says "Indeed. Look alive, and stand close. The walls are NOT safe haven, and should not be taken as such." A pause. "No pun intended, Ensign Haven." He levels his own weapon. "That field there demarcs the edge of the chroniton field. Beyond it, as they say, other rules apply. On the far side of it is, unless it's been moved or transformed, Dakin Rann's arm. These enhancers are home base, and we will return to them for beamout. UNderstood?"
Golden says "Aye Aye, sir.""
Duncan nods to Lt. Ghorev and takes out his tricorder for a quick scan.
Haven steps slowly away, rifle raised. a rueful grin flashes at the pun then it's back to business. She nods in understanding as her eyes sweep the area, implanting an mental layout.
Duncan flicks his tricorder shut and says "Still no luck with getting a
decent scan on the immediate vicinity Lt. Ghorev."
Ghorev says "Alright. Now remember, we move in a straight-line or
quarter-arc whenever possible, so that we don't catch each other in a crossfire.
Ensign Haven, Agent Duncan, give me a voice confirmation that your rifles are
set for 75 maximum power, continuous beam fire. Mine now is likewise."
Duncan says "Setting confirmed Lt."
Haven's eyes drop down so she can check the settings on her rifle. Satisfied
they are correct, she lifts her head to answer but suddenly stops the movement.
Her eyes narrow as she looks closely at the floor. "Sir, I suggest no one
moves for a minute. There's something.. that looks light a snake of light moving
under the surface of the floor. Best guess puts it at about four feet in length
and moving about six inches per second. It appears to be moving from one of the
pillars, towards Lieutenant Golden."
Golden Stands there upon hearing that and looks unflappably cool about it,
but is really looking for a good place to jump to if need be.
Sure enough, like a blip in a video game, is a bright dot with a four-foot
tail beneath it, moving from one of the red stumps towards Golden's direction.
It banks and weaves, moving at about a foot every two seconds.
Golden says "Uhhhh...sirrrrr ?""
The 'snake' is under the surface of the floor, glowing from underneath.
Ghorev says "Evasive action, Lieutenant. See if it changes course to
follow. If so, consider it hostile. Agent Duncan, scan."
Golden says "Aye Sir. evasive action on my mark..."
Ghorev reminds the younger officer: "But beware the walls."
Duncan watches the 'snake' while he re-opens his tricorder and and tries to
get a scan of it.
Golden counts three then long jumps away from his position with rifle held
carefully.. side-steps twice wary of the walls...then another leap where he
stops and balances and waits to see what the result of that might be
Ghorev starts to track the creature with his weapon, while awaiting an
analysis.
Haven answers a bit late, "Settings correct, Sir," as she too
tracks the creature with her weapon.
The snake continues on its previous winding path, before disappearing under a
wall.
Haven watches it vanish under the wall and flicks her gaze to Duncan, Did you
get anything on it before it vanished, Agent Duncan?" her gaze moves back
to the wall as she awaits an answer.
Duncan nods while working to analyze the data. "I got something alright,
its just energy, that might be a plasma conduit under our feet." stores the
readings and flicks the tricorder shut, then holsters it.
Golden says "Agent Duncan or Lt Ghorev, is there some way we can bounce
the chronitons away and expand our avenue of normal space further down that
corridor to our objective?"
Ghorev, considers the suggestion for a moment. "Just a moment, Mr.
Golden. Agent Duncan, as I recall, the Lithians *inside* the field" -- a
quick glance at the curtain of energy -- "are active, and the ones outside
are dormant. I need you to confirm, if possible, the current status of that
field, so we can estimate our leeway here."
Duncan says "Not without equipment and materials we don't have here Lt.
Golden." listens to Ghorev's question and responds. "I think that
there's only one way to find out that particular answer Lt. Ghorev and thats to
do a little reconnoiter here on this side of the chronoton field.""
A green light emanates throughtout the room as a sensor beam sweeps across
it.
Golden reflexively tries to avoid being caught in the beam
Duncan looks up and grabs his tricorder out of its holster and quickly tries
to take a reading.
Haven listens closely to the conversation that's being held but says little
if anything as the green sensor beam sweeps the area.
Ghorev frowns but, seeming to realize there's little he can do about being
scanned, simply adjusts his grip on the rifle. "Alright, we move out, then.
Stick close. Someone get the door, and everyone else cover."
Ghorev's comm badge chirrups, and a voice says, "Ensign Ashilav to
Lieutenant Ghorev."
Duncan curses under his breath. "We have bigger problems gentlemen, we
need to get moving, that scan had a Borg energy signature. They've just found
the lithian ship and therefore us."
Ghorev taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Ghorev here."
From Ghorev's comm badge, Ashilav says, "Sir, we have a sitation.
Lieutenant Edwards requests your status."
Golden moves to the door that Ghorev indicated but holds position there
awaiting Go confirmation or abort
Into his comm badge, Ghorev says, "We're reconnoitering, Ensign. And if
you mean a Borg situation, we're aware of it. Keep passive monitoring on our
vitals as much as possible, but otherwise, don't be alarmed if I don't answer
hails right away, as I may be very busy."
Ghorev motions with his rifle for folks to proceed with the previously given
order.
Haven moves a bit closer then ducks, taking what cover she can.
Golden moves forward as soon as the cover fire team is in position, all that
is important now is Mission - Goal - Completion
From Ghorev's comm badge, Ashilav says, "We're being actively scanned by
the Borg, sir. We may not be /around/ to passively scan you. We'll do our best.
Good luck."
Into his comm badge, Ghorev says, "So are we. Ghorev out."
Ghorev reaches up and taps his comm badge, ending transmission.
Duncan puts his tricorder back in its holster and leaves it on scan and
record mode then brings his rifle up to ready position.
The crystal door slides open, revealing a hallway about thirty meters long.
Standing in the corridor, about halfway down, is the crystalline monstrosity
known as a Lithin. It appears to be frozen in mid-stride.
Ghorev readjusts his grip on his weapon. "We proceed. No further
dawdl---"
Ghorev narrows his eyes at the frozen figure about fifteen or twenty meters
away. Not that far at all, all things considered. And takes a single step.
"Alrighty, then. That's the kind of good luck we need." A pause.
"I'm now officially open to quick ideas -- that's QUICK ideas, Mr. Golden
-- as to how to get this thing back over here intact, in record time."
Golden moves foward in a slanting run, almost like he's skating forward
pulled by the tip of his rifle. At 10 meters he stops and sinks a bit lower
towards the ground, awaiting the rest of the formation to move up and now
covering their approach
Ghorev suddenly sighs, a high trilling sound. "Forget it. If we can't
bring Borva to the wedding bower, we'll bring the bower to Borva." Another
Andorian expression, apparently. "Agent Duncan, assist me in moving the
pattern enhancers. Mister Haven, Mister Golden, you cover us."
Golden says "Aye, sir."
Duncan shoulders his rifle strap and joins Lt. Ghorev."Certainly
Lt."
Haven pops up from her cover position, her rifle coming up to bear. her gaze
sweeps down the corridor and stops on the seemingly frozen Lithin. Quickly she
closes the distance between herself and the others though she remains slightly
apart to offer a better angle for suppression cover if needs be.
Ghorev says "You take two. I'll grab the third." He moves for the
third one in rapid steps, keeping his rifle butt against his hip so he can at
least make SOME attempt at a firing resolution if necessary. "Ready?"
Duncan puts the pattern enhancers in standby mode and tucks both of them
under his arm. "Ready Lt."
Ghorev takes the third. "Alright. Move out. We need good cover, and
fast."
Golden eases back up to his slant move posture so he can move point off of
Ghorev up the passage and react with a clear shot should something get... active
The team retrieves the three pattern enhancers without incident. They return
to the site of the Lithian frozen in the corridor, and the creature hasn't
moved.
Haven remains in the rear of the group, offering protection at their flank as
well as of point.
Duncan follows Ghorev closely and as quickly as he can, on arrival at the
frozen Lithian, Duncan begins setting up the enhancers as quickly as possible.
Ghorev sets up the third, likewise, quickly recalibrating.
Duncan looks to Ghorev, "which of us to get the other item?"
Golden moves continually forward, past the Lithian when Ghorev has to move up
far enough to establish the third post -- and he considers another way to move
this thing in case this fails.
Haven speaks up, "Be very careful in how you handle that item,
Sir."
Ghorev says "That arm is *right near* the door, in a zone of active
Lithians, and now the Borg are back in the game, as it were. Risk factor is too
high. We don't have time to figure out a safe transport method for that arm. We
leave now and if we evade the borg, we'll come back."
Ghorev taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Ghorev to Ensign Ashilav."
Over Ghorev's comm badge, someone says, "Go ahead, sir."
Into his comm badge, Ghorev says, "We have the enhancers moved and set
up around a frozen subject. Five to beam up. The big crystal one without the
combadge to remain frozen in a pattern buffer, if you pleae."
Duncan looks to Ghorev, "Given our current situation I think we're going
to have to consider that it may well be a lost cause unless we've got a track
star on this away team who can cover me while I dive in grab it and run
out."
From Ghorev's comm badge, Ashilav says, "Acknowledged, sir. Ashilav
out."
Ghorev's comm badge ends its transmission.
Golden backpedals go get within the transport radius, but careful not to
brush against the frozen Lithian
Haven offers up, "Or someone trained in a different athletic area."
Duncan nods to Haven and looks at Ghorev for confirmation or denial of the
idea.
Golden says "Sir, in my opinion this situation does not have the time
frame for an acceptiable margin of success to retrieve the arm. I recommend we
evac as you planned immediately and deal with the borg problem - perhaps by
being this reactivated lithian onto thier ship and watching the fireworks."
Ghorev says "I've already given the order to beam out, troops. So we
go."
Duncan nods to Ghorev and waits for beamout with is rifle in ready position.
Haven shakes her head but moves as ordered back to the beam out location.
Ghorev catches Haven's gesture. "I wasn't the one who amputated the
man's arm, Loni," he says, quietly, as his last word on the subject, while
awaiting the sweep of the annular confinement beam.
The away team shimmers in the blue light of the transport.
The ship rocks mercilessly as she is yanked again in another tractor beam.
Golden protects his rifle from dropping as he tries to steady himself against
a fall on the hard plates of the deck
Ghorev growls as he stabilizes himself against the nearest solid object that
isn't another Away Team member. "One of these days ..... "
The ship is at red alert.
Golden says "According to tactical doctrine Borg boarding parties favor
Engineering, the Bridge and Auxilliary Control points."
Duncan sholders his phaser rifle and tries not to take a tumble as the floor
is yanked about beneath his feet. "I think we might well hang onto these
for the time being in case we have to repel boarders." pats the rifle
strap.
Ghorev is appearently already thinking the same thing as Golden and taps his
combadge. "Ghorev to Main Engineering. Status report."
"Deck two, section five is being ripped open like a can of Fiburnian
beets, sir!" comes the reply.
Haven opens her stance quickly, steadying herself as the ship's deck rocks
under her booted feet. Her eyes narrow up on Ghorev for a moment as his comment,
made before beam out, sinks in. "Quite obviously, Sir," she states
flatly, "as I'm sure it is beyond the scope of even your skills."
Ghorev growls. "Damn, that's the main airlock, or close to it." He
breaks the compin link, then immediately makes another one.
Ghorev taps his comm badge, "Lieutenant Ghorev to Lieutenant
Edwards."
Over Ghorev's comm badge, someone answers hurriedly, "What?"
Into his comm badge, Ghorev says, "Need me up there, or down with my
people?"
Golden looks at the U.S.S. Cape Fear with a narrow eyed look of
contemplation, "Perhaps we should transfer the Lithian into the pattern
buffer on the Runabout -- that way we can perhaps still get *it* back to
Starbase 419 - or, deploy it if we can activate it, onto the Borg ship as a
distraction while an away team sets timed denotation Torpedoes from the Ordnance
bay at localized node junctures so we can terminate the cube and back to the
Lithian vessel at our leisure." Perhaps more thinking out loud then
directed at anyone.
From Ghorev's comm badge, Edwards says, "I need you and the rest of the
away team up, before we get assimilated."
Into his comm badge, Ghorev says, "Coming to the bridge, then. On my
way."
Ghorev reaches up and taps his comm badge, ending transmission.
Ghorev says "You heard the man. Double time."
Duncan nods to Ghorev and makes for the turbolift at a surprisingly fast run.
Golden brings up the rear of the foursome rush for the Turbolift.
Haven heads to the lift, her rifle balanced easily in her hands. Her glance
sweeps across Golden obviously impressed on some level with his idea.
