The Business of Secrets
Episode Name: The Business of Secrets
Written By: Spider
Cast: Donavon, Edwards, Gwen Poole, Havaris, Krylow, Leres, Spider and Valentine.
Produced By: Starfleet
Directed By: Spider
Aired On: Thu Jul 15 23:14:54 2004
Stardate: 54241.8
Time: Thu Jul 15 17:47:07 2004
Stardate: 54241.3
Officers move about Operations, busily keeping Four One Nine in running order.
"Is this bothering you?" Edwards glances at Donavon, then back to the readouts on the station. "I used to sit there all the time, you know."
Donavon's head twists to peer back at Edwards. "Interpreting readouts, sir? Actually this is one of my favorite moments of the shift." To prove such, she turns in order to review the security console, fingers smoothly sliding across its surface. "Was it this station, sir, that you previously sat at or was it at another posting?"
Valentine tilts her head slightly, half-listening to ongoing conversation despite her concentration at Engineering.
"That one. I used to be the Chief of Security here." Edwards replies. "So it was there and tactical." He gestures off toward the tactical station. Then he wanders away and heads toward the engineering station. "Then they decided it'd be safer to promote me away from those buttons."
Donavon permits herself to jest once while on-duty. "Fingers too itchy for the torpedos, sir?" She glances around to cock a half-smile at the Commander. In doing so, the engineer is noticed. "Ensign Valentine," suffices as a greeting with a brief nod.
Valentine's mouth quirks as she suppresses a smile at Edwards' comment. "Commander, Lieutenant," she nods in return with a brief glance toward the pair.
"They make pretty explosions." Edwards comments. He stops near the engineering station and peers at Valentine. "Ensign Valentine? I'm so out of touch with the current crew."
An ensign in Engineering gold pops the cover off a bulkhead and begins to reprogram an isolinear array.
Amused and in agreement, Donavon chuckles softly during a head shake. Back to her readouts she looks.
Valentine straightens from her work at his approach. "Ensign Tara Valentine, sir, VME. Expert in propulsion engineering and drinking RRT officers under the table." The corner of her mouth quirks, but she doesn't look in Donavon's direction, nope nope nope.
Valentine straightens from her work at his approach. "Ensign Tara Valentine, sir, VME. Expert in propulsion engineering and drinking RRT officers under the table." The corner of her mouth quirks, but she doesn't look in Donavon's direction, nope nope nope.
"Huh. Reminds me of Leftenant Medes." Edwards says, eyeing Valentine. "If any short, surly Bajorans catch your eye, run the other way. We don't need that kind of confusion around here."
Eyes roll in reaction. Donavon snorts gruffly albeit shortly. "Ye can't claim that title yet, Ensign."
Valentine pauses. "I'll take that as a compliment. I think. No worries, sir, I'm not planning on shaving my head any time soon." She casts a grin toward Meg now. "Just anticipating victory. And you croaking." Another pause, with a quick glance toward Edwards. "Long story."
. o O Valentine thinks "*snort* I'm a pussycat, not a Wolf!"
Leres steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
Leres has arrived.
The computer chirrups, followed by its usual friendly feminine voice. "Warning. Computer security breach on level five."
"Uh-huh. Keep thinking that--" Donavon halts all talk. Time for business. She begins to scan into level five to locat the center of the security breach.
Edwards looks between Valentine and Donavon. "Nobody tell Havaris I said that." Then he pauses at the computer message. "What's going on?" He heads back toward Donavon.
Valentine quirks an eyebrow, shuttle fuel consumption rates forgotten for the moment as she looks toward Donavon.
Leres enters at just the magic moment as the computer announces the breach. She halts the motion of her coffee towards her mouth. "Oh boy. Great timing Gela." She shakes her head and moves immediately towards the engineering station getting onto the problem like the white on rice.
Leres sits down at Engineering I.
GAME: Donavon spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Donavon contests her Shipboard Systems Security skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
An operations ensign spins in his chair once before returning to his sensor sweeps.
<CONTEST> Donavon claiming advantage contests her Shipboard Systems Security skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!
Donavon steers the computer expertly, much to her satisfication. "Unauthorized voice code entered in Science Lab I. Deck Five. Shall I dispatch a security team immediately, sir?"
"Go for it." Edwards replies. He glances toward Valentine. "Scan the deck. Let's see what we can find out."
<PROVE> Donavon has the merit of Bold at 1.
<CONTEST> Donavon claiming advantage contests her Shipboard Systems Sensors skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!
Valentine's brow furrows, and she turns back to her own station, fingers rapidly moving on the touch pads. "Murphy's Law," she murmurs in Leres' direction. Louder, "Aye, sir, scanning."
GAME: Valentine spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Valentine claiming advantage contests her Shipboard Systems Sensors skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
"Whoever entered the lab is gone," pipes in Donavon, who automatically scanned a second ago. She taps the console to contact Station Security. "Ops to Dispatch. There's an authorized entry into Science Lab I. Send a team immediately to investigate."
GAME: Leres spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Leres claiming advantage contests her Shipboard Systems Computer skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!
Leres taps at engineering station one. She's totally locked on her job. She announces, "Level five's computer system's have been secured. Further orders, Commander?"
A yeoman paces quickly through the doors, up the stairs, and into the CO's office.
Edwards gives Donavon a look when she carries out the scan. "Keep in contact with the security team. I want to know if they find anything." he says. Then he looks to the engineers, considering them. "Lock down the deck, after security gets there. And let's make sure no transports occurred." He grunts. "I hate people breaking into places they shouldn't be in."
. o O Valentine thinks "As opposed to breaking into places they /should/ be in."
Valentine glances toward Donavon, her expression inscrutable, and switches her focus as further orders are heard. "Aye, Commander, readying lockdown."
The terminal chirrups. "Lieutenant JG Foster to Operations."
<CONTEST> Donavon contests her Shipboard Systems Sensors skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Donavon does not acknowledge any of the directed looks. Investigating is an automatic occurance when at security, at least for her. Moreso when she responds in haste, "Shuttlecraft exiting the station's immediate space at full impulse, sir. The transponder signal is disabled. It will reach warp-capable distance in five seconds. On viewscreen."
Leres nods to Edwards, "Aye, sir. Checking for most recent transports." She squints her eyes and focuses on her terminal. Her expression is vaguely like that of a dog searching for its favorite toy.
<CONTEST> Leres contests her Shipboard Systems Transporter skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
On the viewscreen, a small, Federation-make shuttlecraft speeds away from the station.
"Son of a! Tractor beam! Transporter!" Edwards leaps into action, bounding down to the lower level, so he can try to grab the tactical station and implement a tractor beam before its too late.
GAME: Edwards spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Edwards claiming advantage contests his Shipboard Systems Tractor Beam skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Succeeds!
A senior chief in Sciences blue does a double-take at some readings, before clearing his head and realizing his mistake.
Valentine's face takes on a savage look, and she spares a quick look toward the viewscreen. If that's one of /her/ beloved shuttles out there, somebody's gonna get dangled over an antimatter pool just for fun. Her hand slaps toward a comm tab.
Valentine taps the com terminal. "Ensign Valentine here."
Over the terminal, Foster says, "This is Lieutenant Foster, currently in Security. Security team is prepared for dispatch to Science Lab One. Your message came through as garbled, and seemed to indicate we are mobilizing for an authorized access to the lab. Can you confirm?"
<CONTEST> Valentine contests her Intellect Perception skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Donavon grins wildly, pride and satisfaction reflected. An awe nod to the Commander before she cants a glance around. "Shall I proceed with beaming the offender directly into the brig?"
Leres nods as if she knew the answer all along. "There was a recent transport from deck five that was not initiated from the station." She makes a few more taps on the console's buttons with a raised brown. "That was one nice move."
The ship in the tractor beam shudders once, like a fish trying to break free from a line, and then is completely still.
<CONTEST> Donavon contests her Shipboard Systems Sensors skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Donavon claiming advantage contests her Shipboard Systems Sensors skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Donavon claiming advantage contests her Shipboard Systems Sensors skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!
Edwards actually pulls it off. He blinks. Then he relaxes. "All in a day's work." he comments. Yeah, he's just that damn cool. "Donavon, get me a scan first. See if we got a squad of Jem'Hadar or an arboreal squid or something on there." He looks to Leres. "Then, uh, you. Transport whoever it is to a cell. Unless it's the squid." Then Valentine. "And tell Foster to move it already. But cancel the level five lockdown."
Valentine frowns at the viewscreen, shaking her head a bit both at it and at the message coming through from Security. "Aye, sir."
Into the com terminal, Valentine says, "Negative, Lieutenant. We've had an /un/authorized entry in Lab I. Please secure immediately."
Over the terminal, Foster says, "Security team en-route. Foster out."
The terminal clicks as Foster drops off channel. The channel closes.
Donavon tears her stare away from the viewscreen. Fishing at its best but the line going limp causes worry. To her console, scans are initiated before the order. Lips curl together to hint at an expletive but none is stated. "Whoever it was is gone, been transported off already. Scanning further into space to locate any vessels in the vicinity - be it cloaked or not." Now, does she flick a significant glance at Edwards then down to her work.
A yeoman leaves the CO's office with a look of relief on his face.
Spider has left.
Spider has arrived.
GAME: Spider is joining this location.
Leres has gotten prepared to transport, but of course, if there's no one way to transport. "I'm holding for a target to transport, sir. Unless you have further orders?"
Edwards slams a fist down on his console in frustration. Away from the touchpads, of course, so he doesn't accidently blow anything up. "Damnit. Can we pick up a transporter signature?" he asks.
Valentine's fingers fly. "Working on it, sir." A quick glance toward Leres for backup this isn't her specialty.
<CONTEST> Donavon claiming advantage contests her Shipboard Systems Sensors skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Fails!
Donavon's eyebrows push together in fierce determination. "Finding empty space, sir. Continuing efforts, sir." She presses on.
GAME: Leres spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Leres claiming advantage contests her Shipboard Systems Transporter skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Leres contests her Shipboard Systems Computer skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
Leres blinks as she taps furiously at her console. "Okay, the transport didn't go...anywhere." She continues to chase down information, her eyes following read outs frantically. "But I can't find their pattern anywhere. It's like they just folded themselves into the buffer. I can't even confirm a race."
The deckplates hum underfoot as the power plants work to provide the station with energy.
Edwards starts to reel the shuttlecraft back in. "What the..." He shakes his head. "I have no idea what that's supposed to mean." He glances at Donavon. "Send a security team to check out the shuttle. I want them to go over every inch of it. And make sure they know someone might still be aboard. If I'm understanding... her correctly." He points at the nameless Leres. Then he looks around. "Computer, red alert. We'll pretend I did that earlier."
Edwards says, "Computer, red alert."
The computer acknowledges Edwards with a bleep.
The red alert klaxon sounds throughout the station.
Valentine twitches, her fingers curling a bit once Leres takes care of the transporter signature problem, and she takes a moment to alert her crews in the shuttlebay to the security teams and the reeling.
Gwen Poole steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
Gwen Poole has arrived.
Donavon's eyes widen significantly in surprise. "Shutting down the power may trap the form inside the buffer," she offers as if this has been dealt with before. "Ops to Dispatch. Send a security team ASAP to the shuttlebay. This team will board a shuttlecraft in order to meet the incoming shuttlecraft, being pulled in by our tractor beam."
Leres speaks up as she watches the monitors, her eyes going wide. "Commander? The ship's engines are experiencing a huge power build. Warp core breach is imminent. We can't stop that from here, and if it goes? It's going to blow a huge hole in the station." She tries to say it calmly, but there's just that edge of 'the sky's falling!' in her voice she can't hide. But then aren't all engineers trained in being chicken little at the academy?
The terminal chirrups. "Lieutenant JG Foster to Operations."
<CONTEST> Valentine contests her Vehicle Operations Shuttlecraft skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
Edwards swears under his breath. "Do we have time to send someone down to stop it?" he asks quickly.
Valentine shakes her head quickly. "No, sir." She casts an apologetic look toward Donavon. "The buffer'll degrade, fast, if we shut down the power. And no, sir," she looks toward Edwards as she reaches for the com button again after a frantic second's thought, "No way to do it from this far away."
Valentine taps the com terminal. "Ensign Valentine here."
The doors part to admit a blue-shirted sciences NCO, drawing the attention of eyes and antennae all around Ops.
"Dispatch belay that order and stand by for further orders," Donavon states immediately following Leres' announcement. "Can we transport the warp core away from the station but maintain the shuttle's intergrity?" And another question follows with a look to Edwards, "Permission to boost shields as a precautionary measure, sir?"
<CONTEST> Leres contests her Propulsion Engineering Warp skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
<CONTEST> Leres contests her Shipboard Systems Transporter skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
Over the terminal, Foster says, "Ensign Valentine, Science Lab One is secure. The lab, however, has been trashed. Security logs indicate an Andorian female, using the falsified voice of Lieutenant Laco, gaining access and then beaming out. What trace I can do from here indicates that the transport originated off-station. You may be able to determine more from there. Visual logs indicate that the Andorian was dressed entirely in black, even to the extent of covering her antennae, so further details are hard to come by."
"Black suited andorian. I'll be damned," Poole says as she enters, moving towards Edwards. "Could you use a hand, sir?"
Leres shrugs a little. "Maybe, sir? At this point there's no definitive answer. We could try, but we'll have no guarantees on how much time we have before it blows. I'd considered trying to fire at the craft to disable it without shutting down power, but it would only make things worse." She looks over towards Donavon. "I'm not sure. It might work? I can hail someone who's more of an expert with transporters than I am to find out quickly however."
Havaris steps into the bustle of Ops from the corridor. The door slides shut with a whisper.
Havaris has arrived.
Over the terminal, Foster also appears to be having a conversation with another person, whom he has only addressed as 'Lieutenant'. He is asking that Lieutenant about, apparently, the trashed lab.
"If that hand can stop a warp core breach." Edwards glances at Poole, then back to the tactical station, where he's standing. "Okay, okay. Imminent breach. Right. Nameless ensign, get me a second opinion now. If they sign off, do it. Donavon, prepare to give us all the shields we got. If I have to, I'll shoot this thing away from us, but that might kill us all anyway. I want that shuttle, people. Get it for me."
Over the terminal, Foster says, "Lieutenant Bright has identified the smashed specimens as coming from the recent Fimdari exhibition. She notes that some of them were taken as well."
Havaris goes home.
Havaris has left.
Leres taps her com badge. "Ensign Leres to Lieutenant Medes."
Over Leres's com badge, someone says, "Go ahead, Ensign."
The computer clicks and beeps to itself as its parameters change.
Valentine blinks abruptly, her own words echoing back to her. No way to stop it from here... "Commander, that's a Fleet shuttle. Beam over, we can probably stop it at the source. Hell, beam me over." She /really/ hates to see shuttles get hurt. She adds, "Other than that, I'd suggest reversing the tractor."
Into her com badge, Leres says, "Lieutenant, not to put you on the spot, but I need this fast. Shuttle warp core about to breach. Federation make. What would happen if we teleported it somewhere if it's even possible?"
Into the com terminal, Valentine says, "Acknowledged, Lieutenant. Please post a team, let's not let anybody in there that doesn't need to be in there until the computer techs can make sure that's the only thing that was taken."
<CONTEST> Donavon claiming advantage contests her Shipboard Systems Tactical skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!
Over Leres's com badge, Medes says, "I take it this isn't a theoretical question." Pause. "It's doable, but you'll need an immense amount of power to manage it properly. If you channel the pattern through the electrostatic reflection collector, however, it should provide enough stability that it won't explode. If you don't channel it properly, however, you would rip the ship, or the station, to pieces."
"I know a little bit about warp cores," Poole informs Edwards, though her tone indicates she may know more than a little. "Beam me in there... or if you can't get me in close, let me help your engineer do it from here. My second posting was on a ship studying warp drive and warp physics." She moves over towards the engineering stations.
Over the terminal, Foster says, "Acknowledged. The exit to the main corridor from the lab does not have a forcefield unit, so I will be required to post a secondary team to prevent access. Lieutenant Bright has agreed to see if she can help me facilitate matters in terms of finding any leftover traces from the perpetrator, but we will hold off until a team gets here. Are you routing one to me, or do you want me to call them?"
Into her com badge, Leres says, "No, it isn't theoretical I'm afraid. Thanks for the advice, Lieutenant. Leres out."
Leres taps her com badge and terminates transmission.
Without delay, the hums outside the station increase as energy pours into the shields. Donavon breathes out a little easier, but the situation is not resolved. A look to Edwards, then to Poole and she waits for further orders, but appears ready at any moment to assist in ANY endeavour.
Leres takes a deep breath. "Okay, we can try it. But it's still risky. We could blow up the station that way too. If you'll forgive my saying sir, it looks like any way we go if we don't get it perfect we're going to blow everyone up." Yep. We're screwed. "Lieutenant Medes told me how we can try the transport of the core, but it's tricky."
Edwards inhales a deep breathe and releases it slowly. "Go for it. And if we die, well, sorry." He looks to Gwen. "Follow Commander Poole's lead."
A security crewman turns aside to quietly answer his compin, before checking his phaser and walking quickly from the room.
"Lieutenant Medes is rarely if ever wrong in matters of engineering. So we'll go with her transport idea," Poole says to Leres as she takes an engineering duty station. "One of us should handle keeping the electrostatic reflection collector stable while the other handles the beam out.... we'll need someone else watching the power, as well.
"
Valentine moves aside quickly for Poole, though she remains close. "Aye on the power, Commander." Which she keeps an eye on while communicating with the security team.
Into the com terminal, Valentine says, "Call 'em, Lieutenant, we've got a bit of a crisis up here at the moment." Understatement of the century."
Over the terminal, Foster says, "Very well. Foster out."
Donavon nods in respect to Lt. Commander Poole. "Acknowledged, sir. If Ensign Leres does not object, I can handle the beam out while the two of you tackle the electrostatic reflection collector?"
The terminal clicks as Foster drops off channel. The channel closes.
Leres nods to Donavon. "That's fine with me, if it suits?" She looks to Poole. "Awaiting your orders."
Edwards monitors the scanners and crosses his fingers.
. o O Edwards thinks "Let's not die. Let's not die. Let's not die."
"Let's do it, people," Poole says and begins working at the collector. "Mister Leres, double check my work and I'll double check yours..."
<CONTEST> Gwen Poole contests her Administration Logistics skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
GAME: Leres spends a courage point.
GAME: Gwen Poole spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Gwen Poole claiming advantage contests her Systems Engineering Engineering skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Leres claiming advantage contests her Systems Engineering Engineering skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Donavon contests her Shipboard Systems Transporter skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
The computer clicks and beeps to itself as its parameters change.
Valentine just anxiously watches that power reading now that she's not distracted by annoying wife-loyal lieutenants.
. o O Leres is immensely relieved.
. o O Donavon thinks "When this is all done, then and ONLY then may you freak out!"
. o O Valentine thinks "Well, at least it'll be a nice quick death. Tak... *keen regret*"
Donavon responds hastily and moves in to follow along the workings of Poole and Leres. Configurations are computed in order to ready for the beam out.
Leres finishes her work and gives a look to Poole. "I think that does it. Commander? I think we're ready to try the beam out." She takes a deep breath. "Okay, everyone cross their fingers, toes, and whatever appendages you can manage."
The team works in near-perfect synchronicity Poole and Leres encounter some difficulty in keeping the systems stable, but it hangs on just long enough for Donavon to transport the warp core off the shuttle and out into space. It explodes far out of the traffic lanes, a brief blast of orange that takes up the still-open visual channel in Ops.
The station shakes violently and briefly. Pictures fall off of walls, vases topple. A bright orange explosion appears in the viewports, and then fades.
Edwards braces himself against his station when the explosion occurs and uncrosses his fingers. "I knew we could do it. Good work, people." he comments. "Now I'll finish reeling the shuttle in. Make sure security meets and looks out for trouble, Donavon."
. o O Edwards thinks "We didn't die! We didn't die! We didn't die!"
. o O Donavon thinks "We did it?! We did it!"
"Good work," Poole echoes Edwards with just a hint of triumph in her voice. She looks to Leres and smiles, nodding once at the woman in respect.
. o O Gwen Poole thinks "Our officers are of the same caliber as ever. Thank goodness."
Valentine takes a deep breath and lets it out, and glances around. "Whoa. Alive. This is a plus." She grins abruptly toward Poole and Leres. "Nice. /Very/ nice." She turns to peer toward the viewscreen. "Can we get a magnification on that shuttle?"
Donavon breaks out of her intense level of concentration and gradually begins to blink in surprise. Eyes linger on Poole a moment with a respectful smile, over to Edwards for a nod, and lastly to Leres in grinning. Time for clean-up. "Ops to Dispatch. Now you may dispatch the security team according to my previous orders. Inform each officer to remain cautious. There *is* a life form on the shuttle. Last known to be inside the buffer. When the team debarks, have them maintain communications with Ops." While saying this, she works on the viewscreen request.
Leres grins broadly as she braces and watches the explosion. "Yes!" She looks to Poole and returns the nod of respect. Smiles are given to Valentine and Donavon. Girl power! "And since we're alive, I'm awaiting orders, sir."
. o O Leres thinks "Oh my! We actually did it! I so have to tell Medes about this. I own you electrostatic reflection collector!"
A petty officer steps in through the doors and sets about tapping things on the console beside the entrance.
Edwards enters some commands to zoom the viewscreen in on the shuttlecraft, so it can be identified before he finishes pulling it in. "Someone see if Foster thinks there might be any other trespasser still aboard."
Gwen Poole's com badge chirrups. "Casya to Lt Commander Gwen Poole."
GAME: Valentine spends a courage point.
Gwen Poole taps her com badge. "Lt Commander Gwen Poole here."
<CONTEST> Valentine claiming advantage contests her Intellect Perception skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Over Gwen Poole's com badge, Casya clears her throat softly, trying hard to keep the quiver of fear out of her voice as she asks, choosing her words very carefully, "Gwen... I'm sorry to bother you, I know you're busy. But... I was wondering..." There is a brief pause, as Casya takes a deep breath, then continues, "Should I be helping in the Children's Center, now?"
Into her com badge, Gwen Poole says, "No, dear. Stay in your quarters until the alert is ended or you hear an anouncement which says otherwise. I'll hail you when the situation is resolved. Hail me if you need me sooner and I'll see what I can do. Poole out."
Gwen Poole taps her com badge and terminates transmission.
Poole squeezes the bridge of her nose between a thumb and forefinger, then glances about Ops to catch up on things.
"Thanks, Meg," Tara murmurs, but the resulting picture only makes her glare at the viewscreen. She mutters something vile to herself, says more clearly, "Still can't tell," then calls toward Edwards, "Commander, permission to skedaddle to the shuttle bay?"
Donavon appears perplexed by the unusual hail, but comments not. Overseeing the security team becomes her focus, along with the shuttlecraft on the viewscreen and...
Donavon taps her com badge. "Lieutenant JG Donavon to Lieutenant JG Foster."
. o O Valentine thinks "@# ^&*"
Leres watches Valentine, "Do you want me to stay at my station, or assist the Ensign with the shuttle, Sir?"
Over Donavon's com badge, someone says, "Lieutenant JG Foster here."
"Granted. Both of you. And be careful." Edwards replies.
<CONTEST> Leres contests her Systems Engineering Engineering skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
Into her com badge, Donavon says, "Ops is inquiring if there might be any other trespassers still aboard"
<CONTEST> Valentine contests her Systems Engineering Engineering skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
<CONTEST> Leres contests her Systems Engineering Computer skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
<CONTEST> Valentine contests her Systems Engineering Computer skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
Over Donavon's com badge, Foster says, "I'm still in Science Lab One with the broken specimens and Security. There aren't any /here/ and Security has not mentioned seeing any strangers en-route."
A crewman rises from the second engineering station and heads for the turbolift to correct some unseen problem.
Into her com badge, Donavon says, "Acknowledged. Stay on stand by for the moment."
Over Donavon's com badge, Foster says, "Lieutenant, if you're still up in Ops, can you tell me what's happening up there? I read that explosion as coming from a shuttle's warp core?"
Poole says, "I'll go with Lieutenant Valentine, sir," she looks to Edwards as she stands from her seat.
Valentine skedaddles, giving Gwen Poole and Leres a smile of thanks for their volunteering. "Oh no. Whoever's aboard that shuttle better be careful. I have orifice-stretching hydrospanners."
Valentine heads out of Operations and into the main corridor.
Valentine has left.
Into her com badge, Donavon says, "Ops will provide an announcement at the appropriate time. At the moment, we're handling the situation."
Leres stands and leaves Engineering I.
Leres stands up from her station and takes off after Poole and Valentine.
Leres heads out of Operations and into the main corridor.
Leres has left.
Gwen Poole heads out of Operations and into the main corridor.
Gwen Poole has left.
Donavon glances over to Edwards in silently requesting if he has further questions of Foster. A nod directs over to Poole and Leres and Valentine at their departure.
Poole leads the group in, checking her hand phaser's setting: stun. "Lead the way to the shuttle, Mister Valentine."
Spider has left.
Spider has arrived.
GAME: Spider is joining this location.
Valentine casts a quick look around to make sure her crews are safely gone, and practically stalks her way toward the shuttle in question, her eyes going to where Starfleet ID numbers would normally be painted.
<CONTEST> Valentine contests her Vehicle Operations Shuttlecraft skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!
Krylow comes into the Shuttle Bay slightly behind the other, having responded from somewhere else in the station. For now he just follows up the group, trying to get caught up with what's going on.
Leres follows along after Valentine and Poole, her tricorder in her hand. She keeps looking around the shuttle bay. "Well, if we're lucky it won't be full of squid at any rate."
The yellow alert lights flash throughout the station.
Poole shakes her head, "It may very well be Mister Bright's research into those Fimdarian samples..." Then she adds, "And if the culprit was a black suited andorian?" She wrinkles her nose at that, but follow right after Valentine. "Leres, scan the interior, Valentine, open that door and come in behind me... I'll go first."
"Probably stolen," Tara mutters. "No ID marks." She nods grimly at the Commander's order, taking up a hydrospanner as she moves to open the door. Apparently she wasn't kidding. Leres definitely earns herself a blink. "Full of... Tell me later."
Krylow steps forward when he hears Poole's order and nods to her. "I can try and help with the hatch, Sir. I'm the new Engineer with the RRT, Ensign Krylow," he says by way of quick and simple introduction.
<CONTEST> Leres contests her Personal Equipment Tricorder skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Leres is apparantly distracted at the thought of arboreal squid. She hits the tricorder with her hand and takes a deep breath. "Okay, I'm getting conflicting readings. Trying again."
<CONTEST> Leres contests her Personal Equipment Tricorder skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
"Take your time, Leres... there isn't a warp core on there so we're relatively safe..." Poole says, swinging her gaze to Krylow, "Leftenant Commander Gwendolyn Poole. Pleased to meet you, Mister Krylow. You're carrying your sidearm?"
Valentine glances toward the RRT guy, her gaze swiftly moving down and up his form. "Ensign Krylow." She smiles faintly, obviously having heard the name before. "Let's try to avoid the use of explosives, eh?"
Krylow glances to Poole and shakes his head. "No sir. I am still getting my BPM sorted out. Sorry sir." He glances back to Valentine and grins at her comment.
Leres looks frustrated as she deals with her errant tricorder. Because it has to be the tricorder's fault. "Still getting conflicting readings. I will keep trying if you like."
"Once more if you please, then we enter regardless," Poole says to Leres, then nods Krylow's way. "In any case, come in behind Valentine and cover her. Mister Valentine, if you'll open the hatch?" She waits while Leres tries one more time.
Valentine nods as she works the hatch controls. "Aye, sir. Three to one it's security-coded," she mutters.
. o O Gwen Poole thinks "In that case... /blow/ the hatch."
Krylow nods to Poole and then moves beside Valentine, eyeing the hatch. "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help," he says. He however doesn't crowd her at all.
<CONTEST> Leres contests her Personal Equipment Tricorder skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Leres lets out a sigh of relief and smiles. "Finally. Okay. There are no life forms inside at present, and I can't detect any sort of traps that someone might have set out."
"Very good Mister Leres. Mister Valentine, open the hatch," Poole instructs. "Lets get in there."
Valentine hits the final tab to open the hatch, and holds her breath. The way her night's been going...
<CONTEST> Valentine claiming advantage contests her Vehicle Operations Shuttlecraft skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Krylow allows for a small smile as Valentine opens the hatch. He takes up the position that Poole had ordered, standing behind the engineer while allowing the others to enter first.
GAME: Valentine spends a courage point.
Leres follows up behind Krylow. "Okay, here we go." She mutters under breath. "Please no squid."
Poole, as she said she would, enters first as the hatch comes down and heads forward into the cockpit.
Valentine follows swiftly, though she casts a look aftwards, her expression grim.
Krylow offers Leres a reassuring smile, before turning and following Valentine into the shuttle. His combat training shows as he watches behind them, letting Poole and Valentine watch ahead.
The shuttle is quiet. Creepily so. Dead silent, pardon the pun. All the controls are still, now, barely glowing. Silence, all around.
Leres stands with Krylow waiting to see what the verdict is from Poole and Valentine.
"If someone will check the buffer... I believe our culprit is in there," Poole states, satisfied for the moment that the shuttlecraft isn't a complete deathtrap. "Mister Leres... Mister Krylow, you may enter."
. o O Valentine thinks "Bloody hell!"
Valentine relaxes slightly, and heads aft. "Ensign Leres!" she calls. "Could use your assistance here."
GAME: Leres spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Leres contests her Systems Engineering Transporters skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Krylow steps into the ship upon Poole's order, taking care to look over the shuttle as he does. He makes his way until he is standing with the senior officer and the engineer.
<CONTEST> Valentine contests her Shipboard Systems Transporters skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Leres heads into the shuttle and she heads aft with Valentine. "I'm right behind you." Once she's arrived, she sets about checking the buffer.
<CONTEST> Gwen Poole contests her Computer Programming skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Valentine contests her Computer Programming skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
GAME: Krylow spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Leres contests her Computer Programming skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Krylow claiming advantage contests his Computer Programming skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!
"Bloody hell..." Poole says as she examines the data, then goes rather quiet, looking thoughful as she heads into the aft of the shuttle.
Valentine nods her agreement, spreading her hands. "Sorry, Commander. Nothing we could do. Unfortunately." Her eyes glitter- she was /very/ much looking forward to watching Gwen Poole cut down the intruder in a blaze of phaser fire. Or a shower of barbed wire and tacks topped by rubbing iodine. Either or.
Krylow glances over his tricoder readings, before glancing back up to the shuttle. As Valentine speaks, he nods to her. There's not much to add after all.
. o O Gwen Poole thinks "God... prophets... whatever... save that woman's soul, what's left of it. Why-ever she did this, she must have believed in it strongly."
Leres stares at the computer readings and shakes her head. "Maybe a squid /WOULD/ have been better? We could've shot the squid."
