Ashes of Siinoga

 Episode Name:  Ashes of Siinoga

   Written By:  Belgarath

         Cast:  Absyn, Belgarath, Haven, Idrani, O'Rielly, Poole, Spect and Valen.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Belgarath

     Aired On:  Mon Jul 07 01:56:23 2003

     Stardate:  53342.1

Time: Sun Jul 06 21:20:32 2003

Stardate: 53341.6

Investigating the claims about the extinction of the Siinogans, the Thomas Paine was sent to the insectoid homeworld. The voyage there was smooth sailing until a third of the way through, or one day into the journey, when the sensors pick up on something unusual and emit the characteristic double beep as an audible warning.

Haven sits down at Tactical.

Couldn't be an easy flight could it? Poole takes notice from the captain's chair, sitting up and glancing over towards sciences, "Sciences, report." She's still calm. It's not like it's some sort of alien supershipdestroyer or giant space worm or something dangerous like that. Nope, that would be a triple beep.

Idrani sits at the helm, occasionally making minor adjustments to her console. Her antennae twitch, picking up the alarm sound, then swivel to focus on the sensor station. She does not look up from her console, however.

Spect glances up and over his shoulder at science as the beeps come. A small grin comes over his face. NO, a supershipdestroyer or a giant space worm would be too fun. He glances down towards OPS and says, "I could go to OPS if you need Commander."

O'Rielly is sitting in the command chair next to Poole, just looking over his padd and various reports as the ship travels on its way to his mission. The beeping does attract his notice and he frowns slightly, as the quiet that had formerly been the bridge is broken. He glances around to the science station, waiting the response.

Haven shifts a bit from foot to foot as she stands at Tactical. It's been awhile since she's been at this console but she's relaxed. Mostly. She frowns as the beep comes across and her head rises too look over at Science as well.

Absyn raises a brow at the double beep and begins to check over his systems, examining the sensor readings as he speaks, "Running scans now Commander," pauses for a moment before he looks over to Poole, "A Siinogan ship is approaching Commander, all biotech readings show that the life within is quite... little or dieing."

"Siinogan...?" Poole asks in a murmur. "Open hailing frequencies and attempt to contact them. Ask them if they require assistance, Ensign Spect." She has become very interested and very curious now.

Idrani speaks from her console. "Yellow alert. Raise shields." She adds, "The Siinogans did -not- sign the Treaty of Bajor. We are technically still at war with them."

Spect hops up and goes over to OPS. "Opening Hailing Frequencies sir." he taps a few buttons and shakes his head, "No Response."

Spect stands and leaves Mission Ops.

Spect sits down at Ops.

O'Rielly perks up upon hearing that the ship is Siinogan in origin. He mutters something quietly to Poole which sounds a lot like, "This is why we don't let the Klingon's handle our intelligence." He glances to the tactical console. "When we are within range, I want a full tactical readout on that vessel."

Bajor. War. Joy. Haven shakes her head as her fingers run over her console. "Shields, aye." Then she nods to O'Rielly. "Aye, Sir.."

Absyn sits there quietly for a moment, "Commander the Siinogan ship is heading in the direction we are currently going away from. We will be passing them very soon, I believe their course to be the S419."

GAME: Haven spends a courage point.

"Plot a course to intercept, helm and engage. Ops, send a message to S419 that we are interdicting a Siinogian vessel." Poole looks over her shoulder to Absyn, "Sciences, once you can get a fully detailed scan, send that to Mr. O'Rielly as well." She taps her fingers on her armrest, "Tactical, begin charging our phasers. Just in case."

<CONTEST> Haven (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Idrani begins tapping at her console, "Aye Commander." A pause. "How many lifesigns aboard, Ensign?"

Spect begins to smile, and he thought this was going to be a boring mission. "Aye Aye Sir." he says as he prepares the message, encrypts it and sends it. And the RRT hasn't even shown up yet.

<CONTEST> Absyn contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

O'Rielly nods to Poole, interfacing his padd with the command chair he is sitting in. "Please confirm that the vessel is on a direct course for S419."

Haven taps at her console and then speaks, "Sir.. I'm showing that the vessel is traveling at low warp with her shields currently down. I show no weapons systems and even their shielding in minimal and the vessel is only about the size of a shuttle."

Absyn moves his fingers over the displays before him as he nods "Yes Sir." Considers a moment at the latest question before he speaks again, "The sensors pick up only one lifesign.. it is either Vulcan or Siinogan, I am afraid the sensors are unable to discern which."

The Siinogan vessel enters visual range as the two ships fly closer together.

Poole breathes one word. "S'ral." She looks to O'Rielly, then starts giving orders. "Bring us into range immediately. I want a heavy scan for biocontaminants. Once it's cleared, we're bringing him aboard... and I want a fully armed security squad there to meet him." Another look to O'Rielly, "Thoughts?"

<CONTEST> Absyn contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Idrani's antennae move to focus on Absyn as he speaks. "Can confirm intercept course to S419, Lieutenant O'Rielly." She turns her head just enough to look at the command station. "Recommend full containment procedures, Commander."

Spect prepares the transporters for the job,

Spect prepares the transporters for the job, "Preparing to transport to Sick Bay Commander."

At his place, O'Rielly says "If I was cleared for line already Commander, you would have been rather slow. But I have no doubt it's S'ral, and half of my primary mission objectives being complete."

O'Rielly says something to Poole quietly at the command chairs before standing. He walks forward a few paces and the grin grows on his face for the first time since they've left the station. "I concur, full containment procedures." He glances back to Poole, "Perhaps we should forcefully dock the shuttle, as opposed to transporting?"

<CONTEST> Haven contests her Shipboard Systems (Medical) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Dramatically Succeeds!

"I would rather not. The Siinogans, in previous encounters, have shown themselves quite willing to destroy their ships to cripple their enemies. I don't want that thing near the Paine." Poole shifts in her seat, eyeing O'Rielly. "Full containment procedure. And I want what security officers we have in the infirmary to meet him. Fully armed."

Haven frowns, biting her lip as she works at her console. After what seems like forever, she raises her head and cuts through the talk between OR and Poole. "Sirs", she barks out, a bit more then she means too. Taking a breath, she starts again. "Sirs.. Life signs are fading fast." Her console beeps and draws her attention. "I'm showing both Vulcan *and* Siinogan biosignatures. Whatever we do, we need to do it *now* before we loss someone. As it stands now, I'm looking at the complete failure of all bodily function..."

Absyn his voice is still as flat as it has been from the begining as he answers the questions fired at him, "No biocontaminants Sir," looks over to watch the passing ship for a moment before he goes back to his work on his sensors.

The combined speed of the two ships moving towards one another at faster-than-light speeds quickly brings the Siinogan vessel into transporter range.

"I've already given the order, doctor," Poole says over her shoulder at the tactical station, perhaps a tad coolly. "I want security in place first, once they're down there, beam him over. Head down to meet them, Doctor Haven." She stands and moves to take Haven's place at tactical, unwilling to leave the station unmanned for now.

Poole stands and leaves Command.

O'Rielly stands and leaves Command.

Idrani speaks up, "We're in transporter range, Commander. Decelerating to match speed."

Spect does his thing at OPS readying the transport, "Security is in place Commander. It is going to be hard to do it at these speeds. If we can get the other ship to drop out of warp it would make this a whole lot easier."

O'Rielly nods to Poole as she passes, and already responded to him. He turns to sit back in his chair, bringing up the readouts to watch the unfolding events as they happen.

Haven perks a brow but says nothing. She was busy scanning.. so didn't hear the order. With a nod, she steps away from Tactical with a hurried, "Aye, Sir."

Absyn continues his work at his section, listening to the others and waiting for any further orders as he works on some of his scans, examining them.

GAME: Poole spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Poole (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Tractor Beam) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

"Let's try a tractor beam. Idrani, when I get a lock begin slowing us down. Spect, if I this works, beam him to the infirmary." Wasting no time, Poole launches into her attempt, working at the console.

Idrani nods, tapping on her console. "Aye, sir." When the tractor beam is locked, she begins decreasing the speed by small increments, attempting to facilitate the drop to impluse speeds.

<CONTEST> Spect (claiming disadvantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Transporter) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

Spect takes a deep breath, it is till going to be tough, "I can't seem to get a lock Commander. It is his strange signature. It is causing problems."

O'Rielly frowns as he hears the report on the transporters, and looks down to the readouts on his console. "Dammit, we need to get him onboard!"

The turbolift opens to the touch of Haven's hand and she vanishes inside. The doors slide closed as she's head saying, "Deck 3, stat!" then she says, "Hold..." and the doors stop half way through the closing cycle. She's torn between going and staying. But with a sigh, she says, "Resume" and the doors close. She has to trust that they'll do their best. Not an easy thing for her.

Absyn just does his work, looking over his scans, has nothing useful to add to assist them, that isnt really his job.

<CONTEST> Poole contests her Shipboard Systems (Transporters) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Brow furrowing, Poole taps at her console, "The tractor beam is stable... I'll try for the beam out. Cycling the buffer and narrowing the confinement beam.... Got him." She straightens up a touch, breathing out.

Idrani hits the communication terminal. "Bridge to Sickbay, report."

Spect sort of glance back between the Commander and his console. She is good.

O'Rielly pumps his fist, looking absolutely estatic in his chair. "Excellent. Now for Doctor Haven to work her magic and stabilize him."

A voice comes from the communications terminal. "This is sickbay." Whoever's voice it is, it isn't Haven.

Absyn looks over and shakes his head for a moment before he goes back to his work, "As a note the vessel had damage to it but the damage was not from weapon's fire."

GAME: Haven spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Haven contests her Medical Sciences skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

"I want to maintain shields and the tractor beam, Idrani, resume course to Siinoga. Watch your speed, I don't want to damage this ... " Poole says the next word with distaste, "Ship." She remains at tactical, scratching her elbow.

Idrani nods. "Aye sir, resuming course and speed." She pauses. "Recommend we send a team over to the Siinogan vessel to secure it, sir. Full EVA precautions."

Spect looks at his console for a moment the stands and goes back to Mission Ops. He is sure he can make himself useful somewhere. Then at Idrani's suggestion he perks, but he doesn't say anything until the Commander makes a decision.

Spect stands and leaves Ops.

Spect sits down at Mission Ops.

O'Rielly frowns as he listens to what's going on around him, "Before we send over a team, what exactly damaged the vessel if not weapons fire?"

A voice comes from the communications terminal. "Bridge, stand by for Dr. Haven." There is a pause then Loni's voice is heard. "I have the patient stabilized for the moment. That's the good news. The bad news is I don't know how long I can keep him this way. The Paine lacks what the station has and what I need to save his life. And Sir.. it is S'ral."

Absyn shrugs after a moment, "I am afraid I do not know what the cause of the damage is but I am able to tell you it is not from any weaponry."

Poole speaks up now, "I'm not an expert on Siinogans, but their technology is biologically based... at least in some things. Perhaps this is a disease or something similar. Perhaps it has infected their entire population, and thusly their biological technology as well.... it would explain their scarceness." Tapping at her console, she adds, "The Dominion wouldn't be above poisoning them. Anyways. We need to keep this ship for analysis once we get home, but we have more objectives awaiting us on the planet. I'd rather not send a team over if we don't have to. There's no telling they'd be able to figure out the ship's systems."

Idrani says, "Dr. Haven, can you put S'ral into stasis? Or barring that, use a pattern enhancer and store him in one of the transporter buffers?" To Absyn, "Ensign, can you verify the stability of the vessel? Was the warp core damaged?"

Spect just shrugs a little disappointed. He continues to go over the Mission data.

O'Rielly nods, "Percisely what I was just thinking Commander. He stands from the command chair again, taking his padd. "Sciences, if you could keep monitoring the vessel while we're still in transit to the planet, watch for any degridation in the ship's condition." He heads to the turbolift, "I'm going down to sickbay."

<CONTEST> Absyn contests his Shipboard Systems (Engineering) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Absyn contests his Shipboard Systems (Medical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Haven's voice comes again over the communication's terminal, "Stasis? No. The Paine doesn't have the storage space for stasis devices."

Absyn begins moving his fingers quickly over the equipment before him as he speaks, "Scans of the ship show that there are no known diseases or poisons on the ship nor any unknown elements. Further the ship's structural integrity as well as the warp core are fine," same monotone voice.

In the cramped, poor excuse for an infirmary, the unconscious S'ral takes in a sudden, deep breath of air and slowly opens his eyes. The security officers are immediately on the alert. After a few more painful gulps of air, the half humanoid, half insectoid being manages to say in a ver yweak voice, "Help..."

Haven isn't far off, really. There is no room to be far all. But she does step in a bit closer so she's at least in his field of vision. "I'm here" she tells the man. "You're on the Thomas Paine. What can I help you with?" Help because he's sick? Help because he's gone in the head. Or help because there is something more?

The eyes, which upon closer inspection reveal prisms, look at Haven, then wander about in a nervous jitter as if uncertain as to his predicament. "Help..." he manages again after some more straining. "All...all Siinoga...dead..." Then with a scream of pain, almost half animal, S'ral arches his back and falls unconscious again. The biobed computer sounds the alarm as the creature's biosigns once again deteriorate.

<CONTEST> Haven contests her Medical Sciences skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

The doctor once again attempts to stabilize the strange, hybrid creature. The biosign readouts show that S'ral's systems are slowly calming back down as the door to the infirmary slides open for O'Rielly.

O'Rielly steps inside the small infirmary, just barely enough for the doors to automatically close. He doesn't make any sounds, he just stands there, observing, listening for anything that could be of use for him.

<CONTEST> Haven (claiming advantage) contests her Shipboard Systems (Medical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Haven mutters, "Damn it!" The tricorder, still in her hand, begins to run over the man. While he shows that he's stabilizing again, Loni knows it won't last. "Get me an open line to the bridge" she tells one of the security types. Turning, she links into the ships systems and uses its power to perform a better scan. As the data starts to feed over the terminal, she sighs and shakes her head, waiting for a comm link.

S'ral moans, head moving ever so slightly from side to side.

O'Rielly remains quiet, glancing to the security officers as he watches the situation.

Poole gets on the line to Medical as the call comes through. "Poole here, what's going on Doctor?"

Haven says into the comm terminal, "Commander, his body is in a state of flux. Likes it's undergoing a mutation process that was never completed. He's been living and breathing nothing besides ash and sulfur. I'm honesty shocked he's alive at all." She sighs and says, "I can't keep him stable. He won't survive the trip to the planet then back to Four-One-Nine. If we don't turn back *now*, he'll die. I can't make it any clearer then that, Sir."

Idrani's antennae twitch. She frowns. "Why can't we put him in the transporter buffer?" She asks.

Spect says, "Maybe there is something on his ship that can help us?"

. o O Idrani thinks "This is -way- too conveinent."

"I understand, Doctor. Put O'Rielly on the com, please." Poole sighs and looks to Idrani and Spect.

Haven blinks and looks around her. "Oh" she offers, sounding startled. "I didn't realize you where here, Sir." She gestures to the com and says, "Commander for you.." Then returns to her patient.

O'Rielly glances upon hearing this, and smiles to haven at her reaction. "Do we have any auxiliary craft? I would prefer if we didn't delay our mission. The fact that we haven't heard from the Rapid Response Team on the planet already worries me greatly. I do realize the importance of keeping S'Ral alive of course, given he's part of the reason we're out here."

Idrani actually looks over her shoulder at Poole, or more precisely, her combadge, at O'Rielly's words.

. o O Idrani thinks "Haven't heard from... oh gods... Craig..."

Spect shakes his head, "Commander, the only AUX craft we have is the one we just docked with. No shuttles."

"To be honest with you, Lieutenant, and I don't mean to sound cruel here, because I knew S'ral before he became whatever he is now, but I'm more concerned about the RRT's condition. We don't have any auxiliary craft. What do you and Doctor Haven think of the feasibility of storing him temporarily in a transporter buffer? Perhaps we can keep him alive until we get back to S419?" Poole looks back to Idrani, then down at her console as she speaks.

Idrani nods in agreement with Poole. "I suggest that Lieutenant O'Rielly get his debriefing done now."

O'Rielly glances to Haven, "How about the transporter buffer." He turns back to the comm. "Ensign Spect, queery Starfleet Cartography. What is the closest federation instalation or Vessel to the Paine?"

Haven shakes her head at O'Rielly as she hears the suggestion. "I advice against that course of action. He's already unstable.. that will likely destabilize him further and we'll lose him for sure."

Spect goes through his motions and replies, "Station four one nine." he says into the comm.

O'Rielly speaks into the Comm again. "Commander, if the RRT was successful without any problems, they already will have left the planet before we arrive. If they got in trouble, we would know, unless they're dead. Given what we're out here to do, S'ral is priority number one. Turn the ship around now. Open a signal to 419. We can have the Aegis or auxiliary craft deploy to meet us, arrange a personel transfer, and S'ral and doctor haven can be on the way back to S419. It's the safest course of action for what we need done."

Haven pipes up, "Sir.. It would be best to have another Doc from the station deploy with the other vessel. If the RRT is in danger, you'll need a Doc."

<CONTEST> Absyn contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

"Thank you for the advisement, Mr. O'Rielly. Doctor Haven. It was what I was looking for, Poole out." Poole nods to Idrani, "Lay in a course for 419, best possible speed while we're dragging that shuttle. Engage." Then to Spect, "Signal the station... tell them we need to arrange a transfer of personelle. Make sure they send a doctor to meet us."

Absyn considers a moment as he speaks, his fingers moving over his equipment, "Commander, if you give me a moment I might be able to give us an insight as to what lay at our original destination."

Spect just nods and sends another message towards S419, "Aye Aye Sir."

Idrani taps the console. "Course for 419 set, sir. Engaged." Once that is done, she starts making some calculations on her console, brow furrowed.

<CONTEST> Absyn (claiming disadvantage) contests his Computer (Research) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

"Make it quick," says Poole. The lab technician has her attention.

Absyn nods and begins to work quickly now.. speaking under his breath, "Not sure if I can.. this is not a common course for me.. but I might be able to get something..." continues now, looking at his console as he shakes his head after a moment, not getting it right at first.. "How long do I have Commander?"

Absyn shakes his head, "I am afraid I cant slip into the other ship's computer systems Commander, my apologies I thought I might be able to, but the security on it is beyond me."

"No worries, Mr. Absyn," Poole resumes working at her own console, looking up as Valen enters. "Take tactical." She leaves the tactical station and heads back down into the command area.

Valen nods. "Aye", she replies as she heads for the station.

O'Rielly glances to Haven, "I know you can keep him alive doctor. Please keep us advised as to his condition."

<CONTEST> Idrani contests her Shipboard Systems (Engineering) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Idrani comments, "Commander, I did a check for Baryon buildup on the Siinogan shuttle. It shows about two month's worth of buildup. At Warp 3, from Siinoga, this ship would have travelled for just under two months. The Baryon reading might not be reliable, as it depends on when the last time the ship was in for a Baryon sweep."

Spect taps a few more buttons then says, "Message sent commander. Awaiting a reply."

Haven stands and leaves Tactical.

Valen sits down at Tactical.

Poole nods once to Idrani. "Just keep us on course." Taking a seat in the command chair, she asks Spect, "Any word?"

Idrani says, "Aye sir."

Valen reviews her tactical readouts, catching up on the situation. Quickly pulling up some more information, she speaks up. "Ma'am", she says to Poole after a bit, trying to pick a quiet moment in which to 'butt in', "if you suspect the RRT's in trouble down on Siinoga... there's an AAS science survey vessel with armed ADF support craft at Fimdari. That's closer than we are -- they can rescue the RRT, if needed, and even do the survey we're supposed to do, if you decide that getting our guest back to the station is top priority."

Spect shakes his head, "No Sir, no response from S419."

Haven remains in the infirmary, working to keep her patient stable.

Spect sits down at Mission Ops.

"Mr. O'Rielly didn't seem to think it was necessary that we rush out there, Valen." Poole just sits and waits, as it seems that's the best they can do right now.

Idrani is silent, brow furrowed. She makes occasional course adjustments.

Spect perks up, "Response coming in from S419." he pauses for a second to look it over. "Commander, they are not able to send out the Aegis. They can send a roundabout, and judging the speed of the craft will will be more than halfway back to the station to Rendez-vous with the Roundabout."

Valen nods. "Aye, ma'am", she replies, minding her station.

O'Rielly steps out of the turbolift finally and turns to head back down to the command pit, resuming his seat next to the captain's chair.

The ship rumbles slightly as stresses on the tractor beam pulling on the Siinogan vessel flare up. The Thomas Paine is a small ship, after all.

<CONTEST> Valen contests her Shipboard Systems (Tractor Beam) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Idrani frowns even more. Last time she was on the Thomas Paine, the power conduits failed. Now she's threatening more problems. Next time, bring the Akira. "Recommend we divert auxilliary power to tractor beam, sir. Showing a little stress."

Valen starts tapping at her console as soon as the tractor beam stresses start to flare up. The rumbling eases off, gradually... "... tractor beam stabilized", she reports. "Is that other ship operable?", she asks a moment later. "If so, we could send a team to pilot her in, freeing the Paine to make better speed back to the station?", she suggests.

Spect looks up at Poole, "Commander? Do you want to go 3/4's of the way back to S419. Should I send a message to the ADF ship" he glances back at Valen then to Poole expectantly, "I don't know the capabilities of that ship but maybe we can just send a team back with it?"

O'Rielly glances to Valen, "Unless you have knowledge we don't Lieutenant, then no, it can't be flown." He frowns as he looks to Spect, not having heard the report of Aegis not coming. "Why would we need to go that far back?

"The Aegis isn't coming, Lieutenant," Poole informs O'Rielly, pondering the situation. "However, if Haven can keep S'ral stabalized, I'd be willing to put them in that shuttle with a security officer and fly back towards S419 on their own, until the runabout picks them up."

Idrani comments, "Fimdari would be closer, sir. An ADF ship could get out here sooner than a runabout from the station."

Valen remains silent, watching the tractor-beam readings.

O'Rielly sighs, "Very well, let's just head back to the station." He looks to Spect, "Find out why they can't send the Aegis." He stands, "Open a line between Sector Command and my quarters, this is ridiculous." He sighs as he heads towards the turbolift. "If they can't send the Aegis, we should just return to the station ourselves, it will be quicker for saving the patient. Oh, and the finding of S'ral is hereby classified if you didn't think about it. If the station doesn't give a damn about it, then they can find out when the whole situation is done." He is definitely not happy as he heads to the turbolift.

Spect raises both eyebrows, "Aye aye sir." and he does it.

Valen continues to remain silent at her post. Her suggestions and ideas have been given.

"I'm in agreement with Mr. O'Rielly and thusly his orders are mine. Keep us steady. We accomplished a primary objective..." Poole doesn't look too pleased herself and asks Spect, "Or, we've almost completed one. We weren't anticipating running into him on the way there and if he dies..." she trails off there and shakes her head. "We can't send the ADF to Siinoga... just sit tight. We're bound for home."

Idrani is silent as well, making minor adjustments to her console, compensating for the vessel in tow.

O'Rielly adds right before he leaves for the turbolift. "But we haven't accomplished the other half. We're gonna get an update on the RRT, and then we should take off again once we get our crew shifed and S'Ral off the ship."

And so the Thomas Paine heads back to Station 419 with a Siinogan shuttlecraft in tow and a Vulcan/Siinogan hybrid in the infirmary.