Trading Places
Episode Name: Trading Places
Written By: Lace
Cast: Darhiem, Harris, Idrani, Lace, Mulwray, Nabrun, Novairen, O'Carroll, Spider and Valentine.
Produced By: Starfleet
Directed By: Lace
Aired On: Mon Aug 30 12:33:30 2004
Stardate: 54351.2
Time: Sun Aug 29 19:46:18 2004
Stardate: 54349.5
The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.
Valentine steps out of the turbolift.
Valentine has arrived.
The turbolift doors slide closed.
Valentine glances about as she steps onto bridge, then lifts her gaze upwards. "And I stopped for a fresh uniform." Shaking her head, amused, the ensign moves toward the bridge's engineering station to start a pre-flight check.
The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.
Idrani steps out of the turbolift.
Idrani has arrived.
Valentine sits down at Engineering.
The turbolift doors slide closed.
Idrani steps onto the bridge, sitting down in the command chair.
Idrani sits down at Command.
Valentine doesn't look up from her checklists, but she does lift a hand in a vague wave toward the Andorian. "Evenin', Lieutenant."
Idrani nods. "Good evening, Ensign. Have you been briefed?"
Valentine looks up with a blink at that before comprehension hits her, and she shakes her head. "No, sir, just heard we're going for a ride."
The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.
Novairen steps out of the turbolift.
Novairen has arrived.
Mulwray steps out of the turbolift.
Mulwray has arrived.
O'Carroll steps out of the turbolift.
O'Carroll has arrived.
The turbolift doors slide closed.
. o O Valentine pictures various briefs. Thongs, boxers, modest cotton panties.
The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.
Nabrun steps out of the turbolift.
Nabrun has arrived.
The turbolift doors slide closed.
Nabrun steps out of the turbolift, patting to make sure everything's in the right place.
Mulwray checks his Type III Phaser Rifle.
After making a short stop at the armory so that everyone could secure the rifles that were transfered aboard, Novairen exits the turbolift with the rest of the bridge crew. She waits at the back of the bridge.
Mulwray sits down at Tactical.
O'Carroll sits down at Conn.
Nabrun sits down at Science.
Idrani taps her com badge. "Lieutenant Idrani to Lieutenant JG Harris."
Over Idrani's com badge, someone says, "Lieutenant JG Harris here."
Into her com badge, Idrani says, "Report to the USS Thomas Paine immediately, please. We've need of your services this evening."
Over Idrani's com badge, Harris says, "On my way. Harris out."
Idrani's com badge clicks as Harris drops off channel. The channel closes.
The turbolift doors slide open with a hiss.
Harris steps out of the turbolift.
Harris has arrived.
The turbolift doors slide closed.
Harris darts out of the lift, breathing heavily. "Reporting as ordered."
Idrani nods. "Excellent. Take operations. Helm, take us out."
Nabrun has settled into her position by this point and sits waiting, pensive.
Harris sits down at Ops.
. o O Harris is worried about Meg.
. o O Harris thinks "She's going to be furious that I'm not home."
Novairen sits down at Command.
"Aye, sir." O'Carroll replies as her hands begin dancing about the instruments in front of her, "Docking clamps disengaged. Manuvering thrusters online." the stars in the view display shift as the ship slides away from the station ever so slowly, "One quarter impulse, sir."
Mulwray stands over the Tactical station, looking as if he were carved from stone and set there - stern, silent, watchful. The lights of the console blink on and off, reflected in the glossy skins of his dark eyes, and he remains fixed upon his duty.
Valentine looks around at the weaponry being carried, rather curious and a trifle apprehensive. At the order to head out, she glances toward Idrani, lifting an amused eyebrow. "I suppose it's a bit late, but... engineering reports ready, full power at your command, Lieutenant."
. o O Valentine thinks "What's her bloody hurry? And what the heck is going on here anyhow?"
The Thomas Paine departs from Station 419 and turns away, heading for an unknown. Dulcais Prime slips past on sensors. A bit more than an hour later, long range sensors pick up the asteroid field, and the Romulan Neutral Zone beyond.
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Projective Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Receptive Empathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Receptive Empathy skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Receptive Empathy skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
During the trip out here, Idrani updates those who were drafted for the mission. "We are entering a hostage situation, ladies and gentlemen. An Orion named Darhiem has kidnapped several Starfleet officers and his holding them hostage in exchange for his two minor children, currently wards of the Federation Courts. The Federation does not capitulate to the demands of terrorists and the children will not be turned over to him. That said, all the psychological profiles of this individual suggest that he is willing and able to execute the hostages if his demands are not met. We do not know the capabilities of his ship, nor that of his crew. We suspect he may have telepaths aboard. To counter this, we do have the children aboard, under heavy security, including transporter inhibitors. This is allowed by the Federation courts, in such situations. We also have a telemetry bug in his comm system and a sensor net waiting for him at the rondevous point. Our first course of action is to attempt to convince him that if he wants his children returned, his best option is to surrender the hostages and himself, face Federation justice, then apply for custody after the completion of his sentence." She pauses, "In the event that we are unable to convince him of that, we have combat and boarding scenarios in place, but will require fine tuning once we get a good understanding of the capabilities of his ship. Does anyone have any questions or anything to add?"
"No questions at this time, ma'am," Harris replies crisply as his hands move. "Operations standing by."
"Yes, sir," Novairen says from where she's sitting in the XO's chair. "By completely refusing to accept an exchange as a possibility, we risk exposing our intentions if in fact he does have a trained telepath. Further, I do not believe he can be negotiated with. At least not a complete surrender. He's facing a life sentence for murder among other charges. He'll never see his children if he surrenders. Tactical, establish a navigational link to the three reconnassaince probes. Tight beam, LOS only."
Mulwray clears his throat. "There /is/ the asteroid. Shall I interface with the probes and set up real-time scanning on the way in, until we get close enough to either retrieve or scuttle them?" And behold! His question is answered. "Right away, sir." Beep-beep-ba-boop.
. o O Idrani thinks "By completely refusing to accept an illegal and unethical solution, you mean."
Valentine slowly frowns as she listens, and just shakes her head at Idrani's question.
<CONTEST> Mulwray contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
. o O Valentine thinks "Murder, eh? Well, that explains why the courts won't let him have his kids."
O'Carroll gazes at the navigational readings ahead, "Conn is ready to, ah, rock, sir."
Nabrun's voice is quiet as she comments, quietly, "They're all alive, I'm fairly certain of that. And I cannot feel any telepaths, though that doesn't mean they're not there. I just can't get a sense of them. Otherwise, no questions, Sir."
. o O O'Carroll thinks "It's just a big shuttle. A big shuttle. This will be easy. You've saved people in an asteroid field before. No problem. Big shuttle."
. o O O'Carroll feels confident
"I've got report data coming in, the last twelve hours' worth," announces Jim from Tactical, playing the console like a baby grand; his eyes tighten as he regards the information as it pops up in the display. "I've got a freighter coming in an hour ago...must be Darhiem...and...whoa." A beat; Jim blinks twice before picking back up. "I've got some sort of vessel decloaking in the field eleven hours ago. It's...huge. Hull looks like it's made of some sort of liquid metal. It's /beautiful/." He stops, realizing what he's just said, and clears his throat. "It only came up for a moment, then vanished from sensors. Nothing again until the freighter appeared."
Idrani blinks, sitting straighter in her chair. "Understood. Can you get me any tactical readout on the freighter?" She doesn't comment further on the strange appearing ship.
<CONTEST> Mulwray contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Novairen rolls her eyes and glances at Idrani. "That's great. First Contact part two and a hostage situation."
. o O Novairen thinks "Great. Perfect. Wonderful. Blue wonder here can save the hostages, get the silver people to join the Federation, and we can be home in time for my transfer to the janitorial section."
"Ship's got...a /huge/ power core," states Jim, working the tactical board over. "Heavy displacement - probably bends the curve where speed's concerned with a generator like that. It's got heavy shielding...but no weapons detected. Probably hidden." He looks up. "Should I get to work calling up information on that other vessel, sir?"
<CONTEST> Novairen contests her Command (Combat Leadership) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Valentine's eyebrows lift at Mulwray's report of odd decloaking ship, and her fingers twitch hungrily. Her only comment, though, is "Can you shoot the freighter readouts to me, Lieutenant? I'll see if I can track down a layout for the ship."
<CONTEST> Idrani contests her Command (Starship Command) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
. o O Valentine thinks "Oooooooooooh, new ship. I'd give Edwards' favorite anatomy to get my hands on it."
Nabrun looks as though she's attempting to become one with her seat, or perhaps that's simply Betazoid for meditating. Her eyes are open, hands folded in her lap, expression tense.
GAME: Harris spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Harris (claiming advantage) contests his Space Sciences (Astrogation) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
<CONTEST> Harris contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Idrani glances at Novairen, "The Marcedians are probably going to sit back and see what happens, if in fact, they're still here. Mister Mulwray, send your data of the freighter over to Ensign Valentine. Keep an eye out for the Marcedian ship. I'd just like to know where they are. Mister Valentine, figure out where all the power from that huge core is going. It's got to be used for something and I'd rather have some ideas on it, than be surprised. Lieutenant Novairen, go to Yellow alert. Raise shields as a precautionary measure."
Harris frowns at his console. Yes, frowns. As if all the frowning in the world can make it better, which it can't. So, he stays silent for a long moment until his sensor window catches his eye. "New contact, astern. Querying IFF... contact identified as USS Dvorak."
. o O Harris starts to get frustrated.
Novairen echoes the orders. "Yellow alert. Shields up. We're likely now visible to their sensors with active shields."
<CONTEST> Valentine contests her Propulsion Engineering skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
The sound of the word 'Dvorak' puts steel in Jim's back even as he transmits the data to Valentine's station; he stands up straight, face growing hard. "The Dvorak? Sir, if Darhiem detects them, he'll kill the hostages. Didn't anyone send the message to Petersen stating this?"
Valentine nods, her fingers flying over her console, blue eyes flipping from one screen to the next. "Aye, sir..." She ends up looking rather annoyed. "Ugh. She's fast and well-shielded; if I ever wanted to turn space pirate..." She clears her throat. "A lot of that power is going to their shields, sir, but it's impossible to account for the rest of it. More than enough left over for weapons though."
O'Carroll is, of course, caught off guard at this new turn of events, "I think we might need to remind them." O'Carroll points out, using her incredible 'State the Obvious' abilities.
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Projective Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
Nabrun continues to be Betazoid upholstery for a little bit, focused on something that only she can see or hear. Suddenly she straightens. "Sirs? One of the hostages is badly injured and in pain. Another one...It's possible he's about to do something. According to Logan, it's something that will get hostage killed. Some kind of decision has been made in the hostage's mind."
Idrani frowns slightly. "Lieutenant Harris, hail the Dvorak. Mr. Mulwray, Mr Valentine, find me weaknesses that we can exploit without making that oversized power supply breach. I don't want to get into a shooting match, but if we do, I want to be able to hit those shields if we need to do a snatch and grab. Lieutenant Novairen, go over that data as well, find the best places to board and the location of the hostages. If one of them is going to try something, that may be the best opportunity to act in conjunction, if it comes to that. Keep me posted, Ensign Nabrun."
<CONTEST> Harris (claiming advantage) contests his Space Sciences (Astrogation) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Novairen contests her Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!
GAME: Mulwray spends a courage point.
GAME: Valentine spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Mulwray (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Mulwray (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
<CONTEST> Valentine (claiming advantage) contests her Systems Engineering skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
<CONTEST> Valentine (claiming advantage) contests her Systems Engineering skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
"Hailing frequencies open," Harris replies before he adds, "Mystery ship's course was to go around the asteroids... if that helps at all."
"Aye, sir," Novairen replies as she turns to consult her display. "Ensign Nabrun, tell them to sit tight. I need information; location, guards; if they can move, anything of use. I don't need them dying."
"I can only find a weakness amidships," says Mulwray, frowning intensely at his console. "Shields seem weaker there. Maybe we can focus firepower there, cut them off from the rest of the ship? The hostages are in the cargo bay, at least they were last time I saw them."
GAME: Nabrun spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Nabrun (claiming advantage) contests her Projective Empathy skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
<CONTEST> Nabrun (claiming advantage) contests her Projective Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
"Aye, sir," Tara murmurs, getting to work. An eyebrow rises as she overhears Mulwray, and shakes her head herself. "I'm not finding anything useful so far. Damn ship's a clam." She blinks, looking around toward Mulwray to mouth 'last time?'.
Nabrun bites her lower lip, eyes closed. "Still too far away," she murmurs. "Need to get a little closer." The strain is evident in her voice.
The viewscreen opens on the bridge of the USS Dvorak. A graying man bearing Captain's pips sits in the center chair, looking stern and foreboding. "Dvorak here. Ah." He evidently recognizes Mulwray at least, from an earlier conversation. "We are enroute to catch up with you, Thomas Paine."
Idrani nods, "This is Lieutenant Jaylas Idrani, Diplomatic officer of S419 and CO of the Thomas Paine. Sir, be advised that Darhiem has promised to kill the hostages if he detects your presence. Recommend that you stay within range of a quick warp-burst, if things go bad, but do not approach further."
"The hostages are concentrated in what appears to be a transporter room," Novairen reports after a minute or two spent working the console. "It's likely he's preparing to transport them to the surface. Lieutenant Mulwray, start bringing our probes in. Same closure speed. Keep them pass for now. When we're in range, I want a full scan of the asteroid. I want to know he thinks we can't just beam the hostages up once he's there."
"Bringing them in," states Jim, sending signals to the probes and beaming over the proper telemetry data. He nods to Captain Peterson from behind his console, a little bit of respect shot his way.
Valentine saves the data she'd called for on the freighter, turning to another screen to turn the ship's image in a slow revolution as she continues to work, ignoring the latest oddities like interfering Peterson people.
O'Carroll glances to the viewscreen as it's image changes to the bridge of the approaching starship. After a casual glance, her eyes drop down to the conn. Navigational reading and planning underway.
On the bridge of the Dvorak, Captain Peterson silently absorbs that information, and then turns to his Conn officers. "Cut speed to one half impulse. Helm, adjust course to parallel the asteroid field. Keep us out of sensor range." He then turns back to the viewscreen and Idrani. "Pardon my manners, Lieutenant Idrani. I am Captain Peterson..and we will do as you suggest. Hail us if we're needed. Dvorak out."
<CONTEST> Mulwray contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Idrani nods. "Lieutenant Mulwray, report."
"All right," says Jim, stabbing at the console again, "I've got passive sensor data from the probes. Goes like this - the asteroid is mostly the same as everything else; big holes, enormous, full of rock, etcetera etcetera. The far narrow end of the thing has a deep shaft carved into it; there's a power soruce inside that, which is probably what generates the air and power needed for mining - this place /was/ a mining installation ten years ago. It's hollowed out in other places as well, caves typical of such an installation."
<CONTEST> O'Carroll contests her Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
O'Carroll furrows her brow as she listens to the bridge chatter, a side glance cast to her neighbor and friend and Ops before she returns her attention to her station. "I think I've found some decent paths into the field, sir. Should be able to navigate them without much problem."
Nabrun continues to do her thing, fingers curling into the chair beneath her as she does so. From time to time her lips move, as if she's willing someone to hear her.
Idrani nods. "Mr. Mulwray, get me a long range scan of the ship, correlate that data with what the probes have and see if that presents any other points of interest. Feed that data to Ensign Valentine. Lieutenant Novairen, what are your recommendations? Is it more fesiable to board their ship or to go to the asteriod? Lieutenant O'Carroll, when we reach the asteroids, drop out of warp and take us in. I want to take enough time to get a good look around for anything that might be waiting for us. Ensign Nabrun, anything more?"
<CONTEST> Mulwray contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
"Several options, sir," Novairen replies as she turns her attention back to her station. "If the personnel on the asteroid are in the open we can beam them up and run. That's the simplest solution, but likely they've taken it into consideration. Another option is, if we get their fast enough, attempt to board their ship when they lower shields to transport. We knock out their shield generators and try to jam their transporters. If they're up to spec, they'll abort the transport and put the prisoners right back in the transporter room along with our boarding party."
"Sir," states Jim from Tactical, "Long range sensors show that the freighter's apparently...well, more or less in a 'sleep' mode. Power readings are all low...she's running only on necessary systems."
Valentine tap tappitas, clearing a screen on her console so she can study the new data alongside the old.
"Aye, sir." O'Carroll responds to her orders, brushing some stray red hair from her eyes and tucking it behind her ear.
Nabrun takes a breath and nods. "Yes, Sir," she calls to Idrani. "Something's about to happen over there. Something with the transporter. They may be about to transport them?" The last is phrased as a question.
Idrani nods slowly. "All right, if they've powered down the ship, where is everyone? Mulwray, do another scan of the area and make sure they're not laying an ambush. Lieutenant O'Carroll, take us in. Lieutenant Harris, I'm going to need you to start prepping the Mission Ops station, run it from Primary Ops."
Harris inclines his head. "Aye, sir."
<CONTEST> Mulwray contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Satisfied for now, Novairen turns her chair to face the viewscreen again. "Bring us in as fast as you dare, Mr. O'Carroll. I want to be there before they transport."
"Sensors now show eight lifeforms inside the asteroid, sir," pipes up Jim. "One Andorian, a Centauan, four humans and two Orions. They're ready to make the exchange, I beleive."
. o O Novairen thinks "Damn."
Valentine eyes her readouts with a bit of suspicion. "Minimal power going on the freighter, but it's going to critical systems. Passive sensors, minimal shields, and the like. Five'll getcha ten somebody's playing possum." She grunts softly at Mulwray's news.
O'Carroll brings up her computed trajectory, being watchful for moving rocks in the field. "Impulse engines online." the redhead calls, her eyes glancing from the viewscreen to the console as she makes sure she has the right door, "Entering the field, sir." and with that, the impulse engines thrum in a quick burst as O'Carroll brings the ship up to a speed she's decently comfortable with.
Thomas Paine enters the asteroid field with the clear precision of expert navigation, icing between tumbling asteroids for a point inside the mass of rocks. Shadows flit across the viewscreen, too quickly to be seen, the deeper into the asteroid field they get. Finally the destination asteroid becomes visible..and parked less than a kilometer away from it, the hulking shape of a freighter. The SS Marcana Doyle is of the most current design and very streamlined, rather than the bulky boxy look of most frieghters. Built for speed for those quick trade trips. No lights reflect from her hull, as all lighting power has been cut. The ship just..sits there, waiting. And when the Paine gets close enough, the communications panel comes to life. Someone is sending a signal.
Idrani's antennae flick toward the Ops console. "Put the hail onscreen please, Mr. Harris."
"On screen, aye," Rob replies, running his hands over the console.
There is no video. A deep raspy voice booms through the intercom speakers. "I seeeeee you, Starfleet. You didn't think you could sneak up on me, did you?" The voice chuckles, dryly. "Your people await you. Anxiously. And I await my boys."
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Valentine keeps her expression directed toward her consoles, rolling her eyes a bit at the nutty man on the other end of the communication.
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Projective Empathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
O'Carroll keeps a watch out of unexpected suprises. Be it a rock or anything else moving out in the darkness. Steady hands pilot the ship towards the intended destination. There's even a smile plastered across her features as she navigates. Someone might be having too much fun.
. o O Valentine thinks "He doesn't suffer from insanity. I'd say he enjoys every minute of it."
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Projective Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
. o O O'Carroll thinks "Wheeee! What a ride!"
. o O O'Carroll feels obnoxious.
<CONTEST> Valentine contests her Shipboard Systems (Engineering) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Nabrun's fingers tighten on the chair. "Sir? I cannot get to Logan directly. They're afraid and determined, another's in pain and trying to fight through it. Stowes is apparently the one who's going to attempt something, another is saying that there is no escape, and yet another is thinking that the crew must be protected. There's...some determination and some relief, from Logan." She seems a little baffled by that last, given her tone.
Idrani nods to Nabrun, acknowledging her. White brows furrow slightly and long blue fingers steeple. "I am Lieutenant Jaylas Idrani, Commanding officer of the Thomas Paine. This would be Mr. Darheim, I presume. We were not attempting to 'sneak' up on you. If you have visual capabilities, I would enjoy seeing the person with whom I am speaking. If you would be so kind." She puts a smooth and soothing tone in her voice.
"Sure," says the voice, dryly. "Let me see my boys, while you're at it." The voice is hard as nails.
<CONTEST> Mulwray (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Novairen crosses one leg over the other and sits back in her chair. "Mr. Harris, prepare to patch in a feed from the brig's security monitors. Visual only."
"Aye, sir." And with that, Harris' hands walk over the console and patch in the feed.
Don't mind Lieutenant Mulwray, kids - he's just going to keep his trap shut, and continue to poke about at his board. Tra la, tra la.
Valentine glances toward Nabrun, a bit surprised, then back to her console, studying the freighter readouts. To one side, a red light begins to blink, and her eyes move to its accompanying screen automatically. Then she blinks and murmurs, "What the hell...?" The engineer sits up and forward intently, slender fingers flying across touchpads. "Lieutenant Idrani," she calls, voice pitched too low for the comm pickup, "I'm reading a power drain on our systems. Trying to track it down."
Nabrun's eyes go distant again and she turns so she's faced in profile to the viewscreen, not looking directly at it, not looking away.
The video feed is transmitted, an echo of it visible on the viewscreen. Two male Orion teens sit on the floor of their brig cell, obviously bored, and oblivious to the camera feed. The voice makes a 'harumph' sound. "Good. We're ready to make the transfer. Your people are in the staging area of the asteroid. You may transport the boys to those coordinates."
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
GAME: Nabrun spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Nabrun (claiming advantage) contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Receptive Empathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Idrani frowns darkly, antennae flattening with irritation. "Standby." She makes the 'cut' sign. Once the call is on hold, she looks over her shoulder at Valentine, "Find out how our power is getting drained and stop it. Lieutenant Harris, get on that as well. Ensign Nabrun, your telepathic connection with the hostages, is it coming from the asteroid or the ship?"
. o O Valentine thinks "Gee, I never would've thought of that."
<CONTEST> Harris contests his Shipboard Systems (Engineering) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Valentine contests her Shipboard Systems (Engineering) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!
<CONTEST> Harris contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
"On it," Harris calls over his shoulder as he works the problem. "Got it isolated... there's a power drain from the starboard nacelle. Give me a second..." His hands dance again. "Uh, Lieutenant? There's... a lifeform attached to the nacelle."
"Helm, keep us out of firing range. I don't want them getting brave when we lower shields for transport." Novairen taps on her chair's arm rest and activates the ship's intercom. "Relief crew to the bridge." She taps it off with a click. "Can we get a transporter lock on our people?" Harris' report gives her a moment of pause before the pieces click together. "Through our shields?"
"I told you," mutters Jim very faintly to himself, then clears his throat. "Should I go out there and snipe it off, sir? I figure I can't pinpoint that thing with phasers."
Valentine glances up from her console toward the rear of the ship, confirming, "Aye, it's coming from-" Her gaze snaps around toward Harris. "A lifeform?" Her eyes narrow, then she switches her screens around to pull up the data on that odd liquid metal ship detected earlier, muttering something about sour milk.
O'Carroll wrinkles her nose, her right shoulder rocking back and forth in a futile attempt to will the ship to shake it's nacelle free off the creature. "Get off me." she mumbles softly to herself.
Nabrun relaxes back into her chair. "Asteroid...and HE'S with them, Sir," she calls to Idrani. "He's near Logan."
<CONTEST> Harris contests his Shipboard Systems (Transporters) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
"Through the shields.... yes. It's a small energy-based lifeform. Coincidentally, we've got another coming in." Harris pauses, his left hand dancing over another part of the console. "There's some kind of transporter interference from the asteroid itself. I can beam up... say four at once. I say that as a definite 'maybe', too."
Idrani considers, "Standby, Lieutenant Mulwray. Try to see if you can pinpoint the source of that transporter interference." That part wasn't unexpected. "Mister Valentine, see what magic you can work with the nacelle to convince our unwanted guest to leave." She glances at Novairen, "We can beam up the most injured, along with the kidnapper, in the first cycle. Then take evasives for the few seconds it takes for the transporter to recycle."
"Four is good," Novairen says firmly as she turns her attention on Idrani. "If we can beam them up and put a team in at the same time, we can secure the area and then pull out in two more cycles." Then she nods. "Right. Someone find out how many hostiles are with the prisoners."
<CONTEST> Mulwray (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Tactical) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
<CONTEST> Mulwray contests his Shipboard Systems (Sensors) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Nabrun contests her Receptive Telepathy skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
GAME: Valentine spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Valentine contests her Systems Engineering skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
<CONTEST> Valentine (claiming advantage) contests her Systems Engineering skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
"It's the combination of the materials on the asteroid," says Jim, "A melange of dense alloys causing problems. But! Happily enough, I can pinpoint them by their species - two Orion hostiles on the rock right now. Transmitting coordinates to Operations."
Valentine nods grimly. "Working on it, sir. I've got a last resort idea in mind, but considering the circumstances..." She shakes her head, continuing to search for a way to get rid of the parasites. "Hope there's no more out there. At this rate, I'm going to have to start allocating power soon. Careful on the transporters, there. A brownout at the wrong second and our hostages are gonna be strawberry jam."
O'Carroll frowns.
O'Carroll frowns, "I kinda need that nacelle, ye know. Wonder how stuck 'e is. Might be able to shake'em off."
Nabrun's features twist slightly, frustration evident. "One of the Orions is upset, angry, frustrated. He's...determined. There's betrayal going on somewhere. Something's not quite right, Sir.
Idrani nods. "All right. Open hailing frequencies. We can't keep stalling too much longer."
"No dice, Tactical. I can see he's there, but I can't lock on," Rob mutters after a moment, glowering at his console. "I've got firm locks on the four human lifesigns, though." He pauses, then nods and adds, "Hailing frequencies open, sir."
. o O Harris finds himself wishing for an old-school transporter, circa 2281.
Darhiem's voice growls over the coms. "I'm starting to think you don't take me seriously, Starfleet. I didn't come out here to spin my wheels. Either we make this transfer or we don't.." A pause, followed by the whine of an energy weapon. "Move again, bug, and I'll splatter you all over that rock over there."
To add insult to injury..an alarm goes off on Valentine's board.
"We should probably touch down there, sir," says Jim simply. "If something's getting crazy and we can't transport them all up, it's going to be four out of six with the two remainder in the morgue." The Lieutenant gestures to the door. "Especially if they're dealing with what we're dealing with up here."
"Hell's bells!" Tara hisses, slapping to turn the alarm off. "Third lifeform, on the port nacelle now, Lieutenant. We can't keep up the power levels, and our shields are weakening." It's last resort time. "I strongly suggest cutting our power way back. If they ain't getting the power they need, they critters'll probably drop off. Think of 'em as leeches. No blood, no sucking."
O'Carroll thinks she can see where this is going, and it shows on her face. Pale blue eyes brighten with an inner fire as she stares hard at her console.
Nabrun remains very quiet, very still.
Idrani says in her soft tone, "I apologize for the delay, Mr. Darhiem. We seem to have picked up a parasite on one of our nacelles and it is affecting our power output. We're concerned that the transporter integrity could be compromised and I do not want to jeopardize the safety of anyone, either the officers or your children. We need a little more time to ensure a smooth transition. As soon as we can, we'll begin transporting down. Thomas Paine out." She makes the 'cut' sign again. "All right, Mister Valentine. Go ahead. Lieutenant Novairen, get your team ready. Mr. Harris, I want to transport a live stun grenede right by the hostiles. Make sure that the live weapons filter on the transporter is disabled for that. Keep it an extremely short delay; I want it to go off as soon as it materializes. Lieutenant Novairen, your team can go in immediately afterwards, secure the area."
. o O Valentine thinks "That explains why the freighter's on minimal. Dammit."
GAME: Harris spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Harris (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Transporter) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!
Harris tags his communicator. "Stun grenade to the transporter room, stat." He glances over his shoulder. "It'll be a minute, but I can get it in no problem."
"Disperse our subspace field and power down the nacelles," Novairen orders. "We can't go to warp inside this morass anyway. Initiate reduced power mode with exceptions for all primary systems and transporters. Mulwray, Nabrun, O'Carroll with me." She stands up and heads for the turbolift.
<CONTEST> Valentine contests her Shipboard Systems (Engineering) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
"Amen to that," rumbles Jim, following after Novairen with his expresson stony. A game face for game time. It's /on/.
. o O Valentine starts to get a trifle irritated.
Valentine nods approvingly in Idrani's direction, "Aye, sir," arcs an eyebrow at Novairen without looking toward her, and starts cutting back on various systems. Minimal shields. Life support. Transporters. Passive sensors. Et cetera. Just like Mr. Critter-free Freighter sitting over there. The bridge lighting dims somewhat, but not so much that her rather unhappy expression is hidden. "Nacelles're powered down. Power allocated."
O'Carroll slips out of her seat, standing tall and following Novairen to the turbolift. A gentle tug at the tunic of her uniform to straighten it, "Aye, sir."
Nabrun stands as well, shoulders straightening as she rolls the kinks out. "Yes, Sir."
. o O Valentine thinks "Thank you so much for that insight, Novairen. Wait, wait... why, no, I'm not a bloody cadet! I /do/ know how to power down a bloody ship."
Idrani gets up, "Go to Red Alert. I want medical teams standing by. Mr. Harris, transport the grenede when Lieutenant Novairen is ready. I want her team down in the next possible instant."
"I'm putting the grenade down right next to the Orion I have a clear signal on," Harris advises with a nod. "Good luck."
Novairen takes her Away Team first to the armory and then to the transporter room. They have rifles for firepower and EVA suits in case of decompression. Now assembled in the transporter room, Novairen opens a channel to the bridge. "Ready for transport."
From The Asteroid: A great cavern has been hollowed out of the asteroid here, about 8 kilometers in height and 20 kilometers wide. The cavern hums, an echo produced from the mines somewhere deep below, where the power-source that provides breathable air and power resides. A tunnel leads off into another section of the asteroid, but is completely dark. The lighting here is subdued, casting odd shadows from the stacked crates that line the cavern walls. A transporter pad has been installed along the north wall, presumably for cargo and personnel transport, and a rather old control console is positioned off to the side of it
From the Asteroid: In the next instant, as transport takes place..there is pandemonium. Harris' transport target was true: The stun grenade popped in right next to the Orion guard..who was on the /other/ side of the hostages, guarding from behind. He and four of the Starfleet hostages were caught in the stun blast, leaving Darhiem, the Andorian Dovoro, and LtCmdr Stowes still standing. The cavern erupts in disruptor fire, as Darhiem realizes what's happened and starts shooting. "Aram, down!" That was Stowes, the imposing Centauran, who shoves the injured Andorian to the floor, taking the blast from the disruptor instead. The Orion jumps over the console for cover.
Novairen is in a kneeling position as she materializes within the asteroid cavity. As soon as she's released from the immobility of the transporter beam she snaps her head side to side to take in the situation. "Paine, energize!"
GAME: Mulwray spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Mulwray (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser Rifle) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Stepping out of the sparkling storm that placed him there, Jim - in the glossy plates and fabric of his EVA suit - pulls his rifle up and sights Darhiem. It's a spot that he finds, right off the junction of neck and shoulder, and pulls the trigger. "Told you I'd get you, you son of a bitch," the Lieutenant can be heard growling as his rifle looses a golden lance of energy at his target.
Mulwray's shot blasts the console Darhiem hides behind, leaving the Orion scuttling for a new hiding spot behind a stack of crates, firing off disruptor blasts as he goes.
<CONTEST> Mulwray (claiming advantage) contests his Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!
<CONTEST> Novairen (claiming advantage) contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> O'Carroll (claiming advantage) contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Nabrun (claiming advantage) contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Mulwray contests his Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
For the most part, the Orion's disruptor blasts go far and wide..but a stray hits Mulwray in the leg, knocking him to his feet. Luckily it was a glancing hit. That disruptor is set to kill.
O'Carroll moves towards the hostages to better protect them from anyone in her line of sight, crouching low as she does so.
Nabrun gets down rather quickly and takes a second to look around. "He's desperate," she calls to her teammates. "He knows it's over." Why Barana, what big optimism you have! She, too, trains her weapon on Darhiem - only she aims low, around the kneecap region.
<CONTEST> Nabrun (claiming advantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
Nabrun's phaser shot hits a crate, and not the one Darhiem is hiding behind. But it's enough to get him moving, again. Behind another stack of crates. His direction is toward the darker cavern in the wall, where a stack of equipment sits on the floor. He doens't shoot again this time, but seems intent on another destination. In the open for the beat of a second, he can be seen with his free hand gripping some device on his belt.
<CONTEST> Harris (claiming advantage) contests his Shipboard Systems (Transporter) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
Meanwhile, back on the Thomas Paine..Valentine's powering down of the nacells apparently has the desired affect. It takes a bit for the creatures to realize their food source has dried up, but one by one they detach, though they don't leave the area. And..four unconcious forms materialize on the Paine's transporter padd, likewise sparkling out of existance in the asteroid cavern.
With only one obvious target remaining and the Away Team manuevering as instructed, Novairen swings her rifle to track the fleeing Orion. There's a second's pause as she exhales and then she depresses the firing stud.
<CONTEST> Novairen (claiming advantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Rifle) skill vs Darhiem's Dodge skill and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Darhiem contests her Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Novairen's shot is true, catching the Orion in between the crates and hitting him in the chest. The shot knocks him into the rocky wall behind him, but doesn't completely bring him down. On his knees, he props himself against the crate in front of him and fires off a volley of disruptor fire..
<CONTEST> Nabrun (claiming advantage) contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> O'Carroll (claiming advantage) contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!
<CONTEST> Mulwray (claiming advantage) contests his Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Novairen (claiming advantage) contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> O'Carroll contests her Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!
As the component atoms in his suit and muscles transition painfully out of this continuum in the general vicinity of his hip, Jim lets out a mingled snarl of anger and pain - there's a hole in his thigh now, a clean and cauterized tunnel running an inch into his flesh, and suddenly the big man is on his knees. His leg a brushfire concentrated into a single point, Jim prepares his shot, dodging the next blast that sails past him, and aims another shot. His target? Not Darhiem, but one of the cargo boxes piled above him. This is what we call using one's cover against him - Jim tests the theory with another blast.
<CONTEST> Mulwray (claiming advantage) contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser Rifle) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!
And misses...
O'Carroll attempts to slide out of the way of the incoming fire, only to take a round right in her forearm. She lets out a high pitched cry of pain, but that's all she gives to new hole in her body. Instictively, the wound is pressed aginst her body and coddled with her torso as she uses her good arm to try and end this fire fight with her own phaser blast.
<CONTEST> O'Carroll (claiming advantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs Darhiem's Dodge skill and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Darhiem contests her Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!
Nabrun does her best to do the incoming-fire dance and manages to avoid being hit. Apparently she's not too thrilled with this whole being fired-upon thing, so takes aim again and pulls the trigger.
<CONTEST> Nabrun (claiming advantage) contests her Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs Darhiem's Dodge skill and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Darhiem contests her Fitness (Vitality) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!
Teeth gritted, Darhiem tries to fire off another volley, aiming square at the one who brought him down: Novairen. Intent on his target, he doesn't even see what hits him. O'Carroll's shot catches him in the shoulder, knocking him straight in to the line of Nabrun's fire. That one catches him in the chest. Big Orion or not, three consecutive phaser blasts is quite enough. He slumps to the floor behind the crate.
Novairen rolls forward on her shoulder in one of those cliche holonovel dodges. But hey, it worked. She rolls to her feet and sets off at a run. Just because the target dropped doesn't mean a damn thing in her experience. As she closes the distance toward Darhiem she thumbs the intensity setting on her rifle up into the red range.
"Uh, Lieutenant? The freighter's warp core is overloading," Harris reports, glancing over his shoulder.
Idrani frowns, "How many life signs still on the freighter?" she asks, "And can we use the tractor beam to move the freighter to a safe distance from the away team?"
Valentine shakes her head, grimacing at the readings. "No way, Lieutenant. We just don't have the power. As it is we've just critical systems and impulse engines up."
Harris is quiet for a moment. "Nine, sir... and what Lieutenant Valentine said."
. o O Valentine thinks "At the rate people keep calling me that, they might as well hand me the bloody pips."
Idrani frowns darker, not liking this. "Hail Captain Peterson, advise him of our situation." She says to the relief communications officer. "Harris, Valentine, what are our options? Can we beam over to try and shut down the overload? How much time before it goes?"
Valentine glances toward a screen. "Best option would be to transport our people and the remaining hostages up and get the hell out of here. Beaming over's a possibility if we've the time...?" She glances toward Harris for the answer to that.
Harris lifts his shoulders in a shrug. "We've got ten minutes before it blows, sir."
The Communications officer nods, fingers dancing over his console. "Hailing the Dvorak..sir, coms strength may not be enough to reach him."
O'Carroll sprints over to the downed Orion, a bit slower as she coddles her arm and it doesn't appreciate the bouncy motions too much. Her phaser remains trained on the down target, "Bugger best not be dead." she warns heatedly. There is a visible showing of pain through her helmet, but she seems to be ignoring it as best she can.
Nabrun is already opening the medkit as she scuttles toward Dovoro and Stowes. Stowes is only given a brief glance and a touch of her fingertips to his throat before she turns her attention to Dovoro. "Good evening, Sir. My name is Ensign Nabrun and I'll be your designated field medic for today's expedition. I apologize in advance for hurting you, but you know as well as I do that there's no help for it. Now, let's see what we can do about patching you up." And to work she goes, almost singleminded
. o O O'Carroll thinks "Bloody hell. Haven't ye learned to get out of the way, yet, Alley? Robbie's going to have a field day with this one. Ow."
Idrani nods. Ten minutes is remarkably good news, all things considered. "Get our people on board, Mr. Harris. Triage them in and let Sickbay know to expect incoming. Then get those people off the freighter, secure them in the brig for now, but send medical to treat any injured."
Idrani adds, "When everyone's aboard, Helm, get us to minimum safe distance."
Valentine nods approvingly, giving the image of the sweet little freighter on one of her screens an apologetic look.
Novairen's first action is to kick the disruptor away from Darhiem. Keeping her rifle pointed in his general direction she orders, "Ensign, guard the prisoner. Novairen to Thomas Paine. Mission accomplished. Status report?"
Jim, limping off to the transporter side, sweeps his rifle over the area one last time before clearing his throat. "Can anyone radio the freighter and tell the crew to reach escape pods," he calls over the comm. "Is there nothing we can do for them otherwise?"
"Locking transporters on the freighter. Energizing." Harris pauses for a moment, then nods. "Got 'em. Locking transporters on the lifesigns below. We'll bring them up in the in two groups. Energizing one." A pause. "Energizing two." Another pause. "We're clear, Lieutenant. Sickbay has been alerted."
With the injured secured in sickbay, and the freighter personnel secured in the brig..very fast crew, there..the away team members are back safe, if not sound. The USS Dvorak is out of the Paine's limited coms reach, leaving the little ship on its own to race against time, heading out of the asteroid field as fast as it's impulse engines can go.
Idrani is back in the Command chair, "Divert all available power to the impulse engines. Get us out of here."
"Way ahead of ya, Lieutenant." Tara Valentine keeps a close eye on the distance between the Paine and the freighter, as well as the bloodsucking critters.
Harris slips free of the Ops station, kicking the relief helmie out of the chair. "Full impulse, aye," he calls, flipping the ship over and blazing through the asteroids at top speed. "Hang on. This might get bumpy."
<CONTEST> Harris contests his Shipboard Systems (Flight Control) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Succeeds!
Nabrun seems oddly cheerful as she works. Strangely so. In fact, she sings as she works. What does she sing? "Country Roads," by John Denver. "Country roads, take me home, to the place, I belong! Ducalais, Spaceship haven, take me home, country roads." And she doesn't sing well, either. She's down there in Sickbay, with O'Carroll and Mulwray.
The USS Thomas Paine zooms between asteroids. And over them, and under them, as Harris takes the closest and shortest route out at full impulse. Miraculously, the ship doesn't hit anything, and aft sensors show nothing on their 'tail'. The relief officer at Comms meanwhile does a countdown as the ship is exiting the asteroid field: "..10, 9, 8.." Counting down the last remaining seconds until the freighter's core explodes, sending asteroids careening everywhere...
Idrani grips the side of her chair. "Brace for impact. Mr. Harris, take evasive action. Power to shields."
The tip of Harris' tongue sticks out of his mouth as he works the helm, beads of sweat standing forth on his forehead. Asteroids scream past on the screen, blurring chunks of rock which barely miss the hull in all directions as he pushes the Paine through manuevers which are not recommended by the Starfleet Pilot's Guide. "This -is- evasive action!"
Valentine's hovering fingers press three touchpads at once, redirecting energy to where it's needed most.
Nabrun continues to sing as she works, never faltering as she latches onto tables, counters, and anything else stable in sickbay to keep from ending up a casualty.
. o O Harris thinks "Left! RIGHT! LE... NO, RIGHT! ROLL!"
. o O Harris is right on the edge of being elated... or soiling himself. Depending on if he makes it through this asteroid belt alive, that is.
The ship does it's best to outrun the blasted asteroid field. And then there's the shockwave, which sensors pick up and trigger the collision alert. And then..space wavers. And a spot of silver appears and expands between the fleeing Paine and the rocky shockwave. Taking shape into a great silver bird; the gleaming silver hull of a Marcedan ship. The much larger ship takes the brunt of the shockwave, and it's liquid-silver hull /glows/ as it's knocked sideways. The Paine's security panels light up as the ship is scanned. And then..the mysterious ship dissapears, without a word.
. o O Nabrun thinks "Harris? You're a dead man when we get out of this."
. o O Nabrun thinks "I take that back, Harris. I love you. Whatever you did, I love you. Or I would if Meg wouldn't eviscerate me with her coffee cup."
. o O Nabrun is both elated and terrified, focusing on work and the ship rather than anything else. Her focus is VERY narrow at this point.
Idrani keeps a tight grip on the armrests of her chair until the shockwave has passed. At the sight of the Marcedan ship, she opens her mouth to order a hail, but changes her mind when the ship cloaks. "I suppose if they want to talk, they know where to find us..." She pauses. "Helm, set a course to meet with the Dvorak. Engage."
Valentine takes a brief moment to eye the image of that strange ship wistfully, then she glances toward Idrani, her fingers working on her touchpads even as she speaks. "I doubt the critters survived that blast. Permission to bring the nacelles back online, sir?"
"We're clear," Harris breathes, allowing himself to actually settle to a seated position at the helm. Nerves jangling, he nods to Idrani. "Aye, sir... engaging."
Mulwray, for his part, is...in a sickbay bed. Being serenaded by women. Perhaps if he were from West Virginia, or possibly Japanese, he would be pleased with the singing. Instead, he is wishing just now that Darhiem aimed a foot or so upward with his shot. You know. In the heart and such.
Idrani nods to Valentine, "Bring our nacelles back online, Ensign."
O'Carroll tries to pick up on Nabrun's song as rapidly as possible, just to join in. She avoids eye contact with the gaping hole in her forearm as she allows it to be tended to by the medical team.
. o O Harris gives over to elation at beating the odds again.
. o O Harris thinks "I'm smiling back, Mister Reaper. I'm looking you in the eye and smiling back."
"Aye, sir," Tara calls happily, and soon the subtle hum of power through the ship increases, as does the lighting. More softly, addressing the great ship, "Good job, Tommy."
