The Easy Way II

 Episode Name:  The Easy Way II

   Written By:  Spider

         Cast:  Birev, Gela Leres, Klingon Warrior, Nathan, 
                Stewart, Taimol Edan, Takamura and Thorne.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Eidolon

     Aired On:  Sun Aug 29 10:32:39 2004

     Stardate:  54348.6

Time: Sat Aug 21 21:34:30 2004

Stardate: 54330.5

GAME: Takamura spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Birev contests his Planetside Survival (Forest) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

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

<CONTEST> Thorne contests his Planetside Survival (Forest) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Nathan contests his Planetside Survival (Forest) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Stewart contests his Planetside Survival (Forest) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Gela Leres contests his Planetside Survival (Forest) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

After the beamout, it's possible to look up and watch the ship disappear under cloak into the sky; moments later, a Cardassian patrol ship skims overhead. Fortunately, the forest's thick canopy protects the group from visual reconnaisance, and luck is with them: the sensors of the ship don't /appear/ to pick them up, as they're not waylaid.

Thorne is good to his word and his work: a pause some distance away from the fortress allows him to upload the command-code overrides and New Hire information, and while the group is stared at quite a bit by the Cardassian guards, they manage to maneuver their way in without much incident. Once inside, Hiroshi gestures to Takamura, instructing him to take his group one way, while he moves another way and begins to remove a plate that appears to lead into jeffries-tube-like passages through the wall.

Takamura nods to his green-skinned self as he leads his team off in the other direction. After a few meters, he pauses beside another plate so that his team can enter the maze of passages in the wall.

Stewart follows along behind, doing his best to look nonchalant as he walks. He drums his fingers along his hips, hands above where his weapons are concealed, just in case.

Birev reaches tbe building winded, grateful for the pause to catch his breath before the team begins to enter. He seems to have finally beaten the urge to fix his antennae, at least.

The three amigos -- Nathan, Gela, and Randal -- pant softly as they try to bring their heart rates down. That said, they do know their jobs -- they fan out and try to look casual up until Takamura has the panel open, and then they scurry inside like rats.

Takamura motions for the rest of his team to go inside, waiting for them before he shuts the panel behind them.

Stewart steps into the tunnel carefully behind Takamura, hands still above his weapons, and looking around as he goes through, peering ahead and trying to make sure he can see nasty things before they see him.

Birev moves through the passageway easily, well used to this from his engineering duties.

Randal, Nathan, and Gela all glance around the inside of the tube, then look to their leader. "What next?"

Once the panel is closed behind them, Takamura speaks in hushed tones. "Nathan, take point. Birev and Randal scan the second floor to determine what's above us. Stewart take drag."

Stewart holds up following to let others pass behind him so that he can cover the rear, nodding towards Tak. "Right."

GAME: Birev spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Birev contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Dramatically Fails!

GAME: Thorne spends a courage point.

Birev pulls out his tricorder, frowning as he taps at it. "Um... I can't get a proper reading, sir. Although I can tell you the Cardassian guards are bored."

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

Drawing his phaser, Nathan scurries off along the tunnel, headed south in silence.

Randal pulls out his anciently massive Federation (or in this case, Imperial) tricorder and pokes at it. "I've got nothing," he mutters. "Nothing at all. Must be some kind of interference."

Gela, for her part, just smirks at Birev and waits.

Takamura draws his own phaser, smirking. "Well, let's just hope they stay that way, Ensign." Turning to the group, he motions to the south. Let's head in deeper. Maybe the interference will die down."

Stewart mentions, "If we look like maintenance crew, it might be better not to have weapons on display. If nothing else, palming them seems like it could give us the advantage of surprise while they try to figure out why we're in the wrong area." He doesn't draw his own phaser, so much as he just loosens it from its holster, trying to keep the inconspicuous look for now.

Birev follows along with the others, tucking his tricorder away again. "We may get a better reading once we're fully inside."

<CONTEST> Thorne (claiming advantage) contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

Nathan comes to a ladder which leads upstairs and pauses, kneeling just out of sight of the people at the top should any come down.

Randal slaps his tricorder, shaking his head. "Still nothing," he murmurs.

Gela falls in just behind Stewart as they move, still remaining silent.

Takamura nods to Stewart. "Good suggestion. Keep your weapons out of sight." When Nathan stops, Tak pulls up next to him, glancing upwards. Pointing to him, Tak then points at his own eyes and up. Next he points to himself, his eyes and Nathan.

Stewart remains towards the back, occasionally looking behind them to make sure they're not being followed, but generally just keeping pace.

Birev watches Takamura and Nathan quietly, waiting to see what the group is doing.

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

Nathan holsters his phaser, judging the ladder for a moment before he nods. "On it," he murmurs softly to Takamura before he moves forward and up as rapidly as he can while being silent. When he reaches the top, he vanishes for a second before reappearing and signalling all clear.

Randal, meanwhile, has managed to beat his tricorder into submission. "We're directly below a set of storage rooms. Three rooms to the left is a large room -- I've got one Klingon female and one Klingon/Bajoran juvenile male. There are several lifesigns further left -- one Bajoran, one Orion, sex indeterminate."

Gela turns to watch the approach behind them, still smirking to herself.

Takamura nods to Nathan when he signals all clear. Then he motions for the others to climb up. After Randal and Birev climb up, he does so.

. o O Gela Leres thinks "Why did we let one of -them- lead this?"

. o O Gela Leres has no love lost for the Starfleet/Timefleet folks, that's for sure.

Stewart moves up next to the ladder, crouching slightly, waiting for the others to climb so that he can continue taking up the rear. "Let's also make very, very certain we don't accidentally run into the other group without knowing it first."

Birev climbs up quickly, a hand near his weapon once he reaches the top.

Without further ado, Randal and Gela move up the ladder, vanishing over the edge.

The Jeffries tube at this point appears to run between the roof and the tops of the rooms below, with gratings that allow tube access spaced every ten meters or so.

Takamura looks to his two scanner scouts. "Try to determine where the transporter controls are. We want to try to avoid the occupied rooms. But if we must pass over one, keep silent."

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

Stewart comments quietly, "The transporter controls are almost certain to be one of the occupied rooms. I think we can probably rule out any without occupants in our search. Probably. Can we also figure out which of them are armed?"

Birev pulls his tricorder out again, taking readings for a few moments before reporting, "There's a large computer access point ahead and to the left. We'll need to cross over three rooms, and one of them has a single lifesign, human. There's also a Bajoran male at the destination."

<CONTEST> Thorne (claiming advantage) contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

Nathan perks up a bit at the human lifesign, raising both eyebrows.

Randal shakes his head at his tricorder once again. "I can't tell if they're armed or not," he whispers.

Gela finally speaks up. "If they're up here, they probably are."

. o O Nathan thinks "Please be Kait."

Takamura nods to Birev. "Good work. Let's head to the room with the terminal. Along the way, we'll peek in on the room with the human in it. Maybe we'll get lucky and find one of the prisoners." With that, he motions for Nathan to lead the way.

"Prisoner wouldn't be a single lifesign," Stewart points out, "Prisoner would be one human and at least one guard. Suggest that the human is likely a hostile."

"I can't tell more from here," Birev says, preparing to move again, "But I'd assume hostile."

Once again, Nathan moves forward until he reaches the point where the tube turns left. Hesitating for a moment, he peeks around the corner, then signals the all-clear and heads off again.

Randal closes his tricorder, crawling along after Nathan with a grim expression.

Leres waits for Birev and Tak to start moving, and then falls in behind them.

. o O Thorne thinks "Traitors."

Takamura follows along behind Randal. When they get close to the room with the human life sign, he motions for another scan to be taken.

Stewart continues bringing up the rear, keeping an eye out behind the group for any signs of trouble.

<CONTEST> Birev (claiming advantage) contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Fails!

<CONTEST> Birev (claiming advantage) contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

<CONTEST> Birev (claiming advantage) contests his Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

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

Birev checks his tricorder again, speaking in a low whisper now. "Human female, late twenties. Healthy. Unarmed."

A blond head passes underneath the grating, accompanied by the soft sounds of a woman crying. The doors swish, and then she's gone.

Nathan looks positively lost for a few moments, and then he shakes his head and clears it.

Randal continues to frown, but the sound of crying seems to have tempered it a bit.

Gela looks absolutely sick. "A concubine," she hisses.

Takamura glances through the grate, shakes his head, then points to Nathan to move on.

"Concubine seems a very generous term," Stewart says, a little irritably, adding, "I will be glad to be out of this universe. It's defective."

Birev has no comment on the situation, moving along through the tubes as quietly as possible.

Nathan strikes off again, pausing when he catches the sound of a voice on the air. He motions for everyone to stop, and all the Resistance members do as he says.

"...do not care, Captain, if you have to make an example out of every Terran in your dilithium mine. You -will- meet your quotas, or I will come and visit you personally. Do I make myself clear?" This from a harsh male voice.

<CONTEST> Takamura contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Takamura halts at Nathan's gesture, then cocks his head to the side as he listens to the conversation below. Turning to the others he mouths the word 'Taimol'.

Stewart just gives that a quick nod of understanding in response, though he places his hand on his phaser, crouching down slightly as he waits for word.

Birev reaches for his own phaser, watching the others carefully.

"Of course, your Eminance. We shall redouble our efforts," comes the Cardassian voice from the other end of the comms. He sounds like a visit from Taimol is probably close to a visit from Death himself -- and in fact, Death might be preferred.

"See to it. Out," Taimol snaps before there's a soft sound indicating that the channel is closed. "Idiot."

The three members of the Resistance share a look of disgust, remaining silent.

Takamura points to himself, then at the grate. Next he points at Stewart, his own eyes, and himself. Pointing to Gela, he mimes opening the grate. Then he holds up three fingers.

Stewart gives a little nod, and then slips his phaser free from its concealment, tugging his sleeve down a little to cover most of said phaser. He slides a little closer to the grate, and gives a thin smile.

Birev just hangs back quietly, letting the others handle this bit.

Randal and Nathan exchange a look, each one cocking an eyebrow at the other before they pull their phasers.

Gela smiles grimly, crawling over to the point that releases the grate and waits.

There's silence from below, and then, for some reason, Taimol starts to hum a tune which is easily recognizable as a Bajoran lullaby.

. o O Thorne thinks "Is he nuts?"

. o O Nathan thinks "Is he nuts?"

. o O Taimol Edan thinks "The mines on Dulcais aren't meeting their quotas either. Captain Groloth is such a waste of skin."

Takamura moves to where he can get out of the jeffries tube easily. Holding up his hand, he starts the countdown. Three. Two. One.

Stewart slips his phaser out and into a ready position, waiting for Takamura to drop in, leaning out towards the grate a little.

<CONTEST> Takamura contests his Planetary Tactics (Small Unit) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Birev watches apprehensively, checking the setting on his phaser one more time.

<CONTEST> Gela Leres contests her Stealth skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

<CONTEST> Taimol Edan (claiming disadvantage) contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

Gela lifts the grating. It squeaks as it rises, but she gets it all the way to the top and stops.

The humming below stops, and then starts up again. Apparently Edan didn't notice.

Randal and Nathan ready their phasers.

Takamura takes a good look down below and shakes his head. Wincing when he hears the squeak, he carefully grasps the grate and lowers it back in place.

Stewart pauses a second or two, before he sets his phaser back in its holster. He takes a step or two back, and leans up against the wall of the tube, waiting for the line to move again.

Birev keeps a hold on his own phaser, looking around questioningly.

After a moment, there's a sound of soft squeaking, like leather on leather. "I tire of this. Where's Go'laH?" Heavy footsteps, like those of combat boots sound from below... a door swishes open and closed... there's silence.

The three Resistance members share a look of relief before looking back to Takamura. "What now?" Randal asks softly.

Takamura lets out a heavy sigh, then whispers to the others. "We move on a little bit and take another scan. We need to find the transporter controls."

. o O Takamura thinks "That was close. It just didn't feel right."

Stewart nods over towards Takamura, and says, "Let's get moving." He slips back to the rear of the group once again.

"This room here has computer access," Birev points out.

Nathan gets ready to move, but pauses, looking back over his shoulder, and the other Resistance members hang tight.

Takamura looks to the scanning team. "Scan the area. If it's clear, we'll go down adn access the computer."

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

Birev checks his tricorder briefly before nodding. "Clear."

Stewart continues standing back, watching and listening to keep an eye on the rear.

Takamura nods to Birev, then motions for the others to go down into the room.

Gela lifts the grate again, and Nathan and Randal jump down.

"Clear." A few moments. "Clear."

Takamura drops down into the room, and draws his phaser to cover the door. Looking to the Andorian, he says, "Birev, see if you can access their computer system and get a layout for us."

Birev nods briskly to Takamura. He keeps an eye on his tricorder as he drops into the room, looking around quickly before moving to the computer.

Stewart crouches near the grate to the room, leaning down to give himself a view of the room and of the tubes above. "Want me to come down, or cover from here?"

GAME: Birev spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Birev (claiming advantage) contests his Computer (Programming) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Gela remains in the tube, ostensibly watching Stewart's back, while Randal and Nathan busy themselves with poking at various consoles and recording everything they can. REPORTS: New FLEET report # 115 submitted by Sharei: Reporting for Duty

Takamura glances up to Stewart. "Cover us from up there with Gela." He then looks over to Birev briefly, before taking up position by the door.

<CONTEST> Takamura contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Stewart gives Tak a quick nod, and then draws his phaser to wait in position, giving Gela a brief glance, but directing most of his attention to his surroundings.

Birev steps up to the console, looking it over carefully before beginning to work. It doesn't take long before he reports success. "I'm in. I've got a copy of the facility's map and I can work the transporter from here."

<CONTEST> Birev contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Thorne contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Stewart contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Nathan contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

<CONTEST> Gela Leres contests her Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

Both Randal and Nathan stare at Birev, then burst into wide smiles. "All right!" Nathan exclaims.

"SHH! Someone's coming!" spits Gela from her spot in the tube.

And indeed, there is. A few moments after she says something, rough Klingon voices can be heard approaching.

Takamura glances to Gela at her warning, then motion to the others to remain silent and find hiding places. Following his own advice, he looks for somewhere to be out of sight.

Stewart pulls back a little bit from the entry to the grate, but waits to see what the others are doing before he'll hide proper. No point hiding if you're the only one.

Birev looks around, slightly panicked. He ducks behind the console after a moment or two of hesitation.

GAME: Gela Leres spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Gela Leres contests her Fitness (Strength) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

Gela leans out of the hole in the ceiling to grab Randal's hand, and hauls him up. "Help me..." she spits at Stewart as Thorne scrambles past her.

The Klingons pause right outside the door. "Have you seen Casya? A spirited female like that would be a prize indeed." His companion laughs roughly. "Casya is -nothing- compared to Bela! The Right Hand hardly know what they have there!" Providence keeps them outside the door for the moment.

. o O Takamura thinks "Casya and Bela are still slaves here. Alright, Hiroshi. Focus on the mission. We can't save everyone."

<CONTEST> Takamura contests his Planetary Tactics (Small Unit) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Takamura takes up position behind the door, holstering his phaser and holding his hands at the ready. He motions for the others to hide and be ready.

Stewart sets his phaser down to one side so that he can lend Gela assistance pulling people up, and quietly notes, "This... could be messy."

Birev remains low behind the console, peeking around it cautiously.

<CONTEST> Stewart contests his Fitness (Strength) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

Grabbing Stewart's hand, Nathan is pulled up into the hole. Seconds after that, Gela lowers the grate most of the way -- leaving enough room to stick a phaser through.

The door slides open, allowing two beefy warriors in. "Bela?! What about the Governor? She is a -spirited- female!" the first says, completely oblivious to Takamura and Birev's presence.

"You would have to kill her husband," notes the second as he follows. "It would be no small matter."

<PROVE> Takamura has the merit of Battle-hardened at 3.

Takamura silently draws his blade and springs from behind the door to strike the closest Klingon in the neck.

<CONTEST> Takamura (claiming advantage) contests his Primitive Weaponry (Knife) skill vs Klingon Warrior's Unarmed Combat (Mok'bara) skill and Succeeds!

Stewart draws a quick bead on the second Klingon and, hoping that the silencers are operational, fires a quick shot at said Klingon through the little opening left through the grate.

<CONTEST> Stewart (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs Klingon Warrior's Dodge skill (given disadvantage) and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Klingon Warrior contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Fails!

<CONTEST> Klingon Warrior contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

Birev leans around the side of the console, phaser out. He trains his weapon on Stewart's target and quickly fires.

<CONTEST> Birev (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs Klingon Warrior's Dodge skill and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Klingon Warrior (claiming disadvantage) contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

"The Bajoran? I'd snap him..." And that's all that the first warrior gets out before he's slammed with dual phaser beams and drops like a stone. The other Klingon is dead with Tak's knife in his spine before he hits the ground.

The three Resistance fighters peek past the grate and blink for a moment at the carnage below.

"You were right about the mess," Gela notes to Stewart.

Takamura turns to Birev. "Do you have the location of Mike and Jim?" As he asks this, he moves to lock the door. "Let's move these bodies away from the door. If we have a location on Mike and Jim, we'll contact the other team and beam us all out of here."

<CONTEST> Birev (claiming advantage) contests his Computer (Research) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

"Usually am," Stewart replies, and then calls down, "How about we stick the bodies up in the tubes. They're less likely to get any traffic. Can you do anything about the blood?"

Birev hops to his feet, glancing just briefly at the Klingons before returning his attention to the console. He frowns in frustration as he works. "I can't find them. It seems to be restricted."

Gela lifts the grate completely once again, allowing Randal and Nathan to hop back down. "He's right," says Nathan. "We can't just leave them lying here."

Takamura finishes locking the door, then pulls his victim towards the grate. "Alright. Let's get them up there. Randal, help Birev find those files. Nathan, you're with me. Let's move these bodies."

<CONTEST> Birev contests his Shipboard Systems (Security) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Stewart holsters his phaser, and leans down to help lift the bodies back up. "So far, so good. What do we do with the stunned one? I don't imagine it'll be long before he's mobile again."

<CONTEST> Takamura contests his Fitness (Strength) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Stewart contests his Fitness (Strength) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Nathan contests his Fitness (Strength) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Gela Leres contests her Fitness (Strength) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

GAME: Thorne spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Thorne (claiming advantage) contests his Computer (Research) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

The stunned Klingon finds his way into the tubes with no difficulty, between the efforts of Gela and Nathan. The dead one, however, slips from Stewart's fingers and splashes Tak with pink blood.

Randal works on the console for a moment, shaking his head. "Apparently we don't have clearance," he mutters darkly.

"I'm trying to locate the prisoners with the internal sensors," Birev says as he does so before shaking his head. "No good. Damn Klingons can't calibrate sensors to save their lives."

<PROVE> Takamura has the merit of Athletic Ability at 2.

<CONTEST> Stewart contests his Athletics (Lifting) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

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

Takamura readjusts his grip on the dead Klingon as he tries to heave him up into the tube. Grunting, he calls over his shoulder. "Nathan, Gela, give us a hand. Randal, Birev keep trying."

<CONTEST> Birev contests his Shipboard Systems (Security) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

"Bloody slippery Klingon," Stewart grumbles, and then mutters, "Here, give me his hand. See if I can't get a better grip."

Birev growls angrily at the console, banging it with a fist. "What's wrong with this stupid thing?!"

<CONTEST> Thorne (claiming advantage) contests his Computer (Research) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

GAME: Gela Leres spends a courage point.

. o O Takamura thinks "Come on you big oaf get up in that hole."

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

<CONTEST> Nathan contests his Athletics (Lifting) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

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

<CONTEST> Stewart contests his Athletics (Lifting) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

"What the hell do they feed these... things?" Gela asks as she hauls away, huffing and puffing.

Nathan can't keep a grip on the Klingon's legs as he pushes, and only manages to lose his balance and fall down. "Too much," he mutters.

Randal slams his fist on the computer console, earning an angry buzz. "Access denied. I'll keep trying."

With the combined efforts of all four, the dead Klingon makes it into the tubes.

. o O Nathan thinks "My God, this Klink is heavy."

And with a mighty heave, Takamura pushes the Klingon up. He then turns to the two at the console. "Let Nathan and me have a go at it. I don't want you guys to get too frustrated. Watch the door in case someone decides to unlock it."

Stewart starts searching over the bodies of the dead and the unconscious Klingon, on the off chance they have anything useful. In any event, he removes weapons and electronic devices, and passes them down to those on the ground.

Birev eyes the console angrily for a moment before nodding and stepping away to watch the door.

GAME: Nathan spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Nathan (claiming advantage) contests his Computer (Research) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

Randal nods too, drawing his phaser and eyeing the door as if he dares someone to come through it.

Nathan allows a tiny grin to slip out as he works the console, but it turns to something much different. "Dammit," he mutters as it buzzes at him too.

Gela returns to watching Stewart's back.

Takamura collects the items Stewart passes down, dropping them under the console. He then begins tapping away to override the security systems.

GAME: Takamura spends a courage point.

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

Stewart points out, "If we're trapped, I'm going to be very unhappy." He eyes the Klingon, and adds, "I'm sure these two have a lot of friends."

Birev continues watching the door quietly.

<CONTEST> Nathan (claiming advantage) contests his Computer (Research) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

Nathan works the console again. "I don't understand it," he mutters.

Randal shifts nervously, eyeing the door.

Outside the door, there's suddenly a female voice. "It's locked. It's never locked. Oh no. It's never locked. Make with your scanny thing."

<CONTEST> Takamura contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Fails!

<CONTEST> Birev (claiming advantage) contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Fails!

<CONTEST> Stewart contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Fails!

<CONTEST> Nathan contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Fails!

<CONTEST> Thorne contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Fails!

<CONTEST> Gela Leres contests her Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Impossible and Fails!

Takamura continues working at the console, when a grin crosses his face. "I've located them. Attempting a transporter lock. Birev, contact Commander Edwards. Everyone else, prepare for visitors."

GAME: Takamura spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Takamura (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Transporter) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Stewart covers the door, and notes drily, "It would be nice if we could be gone by the time they get the room scanned. Because I don't think our makeup does tricorder readings."

Birev readies his phaser again, standing beside the door. He pulls out his communicator to get in touch with the other team.

Birev taps his com badge. "Ensign Birev to Commander Edwards."

Randal drops to a knee and levels his phaser at the door; Nathan unholsters his and aims over the top of the console, and Gela covers from the other side of the hole in the ceiling.

Over Birev's com badge, someone says, "Commander Edwards here."

Into his com badge, Birev says, "Sir, we've located the transporter controls and we can get the prisoners."

Takamura works feverishly at the console. Growling lowly, he says. "I almost had them. I'm going to try again. Ask the Commander his location and tell him we're expecting company. Nathan, give me a hand."

"When we go, perhaps leave one of those disruptors to overload. If the panel goes, they can't just use it to transport us back here," Stewart says, adding, "Or just directly to the brig."

Birev nods briskly to Takamura, continuing his conversation as he watches the door.

<CONTEST> Thorne contests his Shipboard Systems (Transporter) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

Nathan drops his weapon on the console, frowning at the transporter systems. "All right..." he mutters, the tip of his tongue sticking out of his mouth as he works. "Got 'em."

Over Birev's com badge, Edwards says, "Great. We're right outside. If someone could just open the door..."

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

"Great job, Nathan." Takamura hits a few keys on his console, unlocking the door to the room. "Stand down. It's them outside the door."

. o O Stewart thinks "Well, this went from bad to worse. It's not enemies. It's Edwards."

. o O Thorne thinks "We need to get out of here."

. o O Takamura feels some relief.

. o O Takamura thinks "Whew, that was another close call. Man, am I glad it's them out there."

"Great," Stewart says, though it's hard to tell if he's being sarcastic or not. Usually is. "How's the attempt to get the prisoners going?"

Birev steps back from the door and tucks his phaser away with a sigh of relief.

Into his com badge, Birev says, "Come on in, sir. It's secure."

Randal and Gela lower their phasers, looking relieved.