Written By The Victors

 Episode Name:  Written By The Victors

   Written By:  Starfleet

         Cast:  Donavon, Etena, Foster, Krylow, Quin, Starfleet, 
                Stewart, Su'krah, Takamura and Tyler.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Starfleet

     Aired On:  Sun Sep 19 04:05:51 2004

     Stardate:  54398.3

Time: Sat Sep 18 20:31:43 2004

Stardate: 54397.6

Her usually multicolored hair dyed back to its natural black and arrayed in an elaborate, archaic style comprised of multiple looping braids, Agent Etena steps into the Fighter Bay, dressed in an androgynous suit, styled after the retro-styles of centuries ago. She's retro twice over. Her speech begins in its usual lilting Centauran, at least for a moment, though she switches over to Federation Standard after saying, "Good evening," and while her speech starts out heavily accented, it, like her clothing, undergoes a change over the next few moments, leaving her speaking quite passable English with a slight New Jersey accent. She folds her hands behind her back and nods her head once before beginning.

"DTI has narrowed down both the physical and the temporal location of Professor Berlinghoff Rasmussen's time travel pod. I assume you are all familiar with his interception of the Enterprise and attempts to remove artifacts therefrom, so I won't go over that again unless such is required." She glances around the group, pausing here in order to allow someone to speak up if, in fact, this is required of her.

Foster simply nods, clearly all too familiar with the incident in question.

Tyler remains quiet, knowing full well what the mission will be entailing, but she gives Magret a single supportive nod. She double-checks her gear; her com badge hidden under the breast of her black jacket, her temporal tricorder, and her Type I phaser.

Takamura stands listening to Etena, but watching the rest of his team. Apparently, he's already been brief on this mission as well.

Krylow imitates Foster and gives no repsonse but a curt nod.

. o O Etena is a little nervous. Okay, she's very nervous. Accordingly, she's trying very hard to keep her thoughts on-track.

Donavon is for once quiet and only offers a brief nod while verifying all her equipment is in order.

Stewart stands listening, though he doesn't nod or anything else. In fact, he just remains standing quietly and impassively.

. o O Etena thinks "I wonder if I took Erisa's clothing out of the reclimator. I hope Isole doesn't worry too much. I like these pants. Okay. Time for you to talk again."

Quin cocks his head to the side waiting for Etena to continue

"Due to the fact that our sensors cannot penetrate the pod's hull, we have had more than a little difficulty actually locating the pod; the best we have been able to accomplish is narrowing the pod's location down to a three-block radius in suburban New Jersey, in the year 2139." Magret brushes a hand down the front of her jacket absently before folding her hands behind her back again. "We are to find this pod, and destroy it. DTI has provided me with a specialized glove which will allow me to pass the hand-scanner on the pod, since it is likely that we will have to actually gain entry to it in order to figure out how, exactly, we can best destroy it." A pause. "Are there any questions?"

Quin speaks up, "What's going to prevent him from leaving as soon as we arrive, or worse yet him leaving with us after we've boarded?"

"He's currently being detained in this century," Etena replies.

"How did the pod get there?" Foster asks. "And who appears to have control of it?"

Quin says, "I'm not the best with temporal mechanics, but there isn't some sort of temporal loophole to this where his previous past-self frees him in the present before we get there and... you get my point?""

Takamura turns to his his officers as they begin their questions. But he remains quiet, allowing Etena to field the questions.

"The pod was sent there by an auto-return program initiated by the Professor when he attempted to kidnap Commander Data and take him back to the 22nd century in order to 'invent' him." Etena turns her attention to Foster for a moment, answering him first. "We do not know who may currently have control of the pod, because we do not know its exact location. Three blocks encompasses a large number of individuals in that particular area and time period." Her eyes turn to Quin, then, and her brow wrinkles up. "By basic temporal physics, such a thing would be impossible. Rasmussen has not had access to the time machine since he found out that he would be detained. If he had access to the pod, naturally, he would no longer be in our custody. There is no way for his current self to warn his past self of danger or loss of the pod, according to our calculations." A pause. "Besides which, he barely knew how to use the thing."

. o O Etena just likes saying 'according to our calculations.' It makes her feel official.

"And what sort of resistance are we expecting here" Stewart asks, noting, "From the moment it just sounds like we're going in, doing a hand search, and then getting out. But we've got the whole team here, so are there hostiles expected or is this just precautionary?"

. o O Etena thinks "These /are/ comfy pants. Hm. Stewart's talking now. He reminds me of Randal. He has nice hair. I think it's just precautionary. I should probably say that."

"We do not expect to encounter much resistance or hostiles, but we have to be prepared for anything," Tyler interjects. "Unless of course, the rumors of Ancient New Jersey have any truth to them."

. o O Etena thinks "... where the weak are killed and eaten? Yeah."

Krylow nods to Tyler's answer and then asks a question of his own. "I understand we don't have a definite answer yet, but do we have any ideas on what is required to destroy the target?"

Quin process the information nodding reluctantly at Etena, his head tilts to the floor where his gaze falls to his boots, he mumbles to himself "There's always a loophole"

Tyler replies, "Considering that it is 26th century technology, we're not entirely sure - we're not entirely sure what it is made of. So bring along something that packs a punch."

. o O Etena becomes vaguely irritated.

. o O Etena thinks "No. There's not. That just doesn't make any SENSE. Good GOD."

Krylow nods to Tyler and like others on the team, double checks his equipment. Apparently he was already carrying something along those lines because he doesn't add anything new.

. o O Stewart thinks "Let's just bring along a Lithian. I'm sure it'd have no problem with the pod."

Etena raises a single slender black eyebrow at Quin before turning her attention away from him and to the rest of the group, hands still folded behind her back. "Were there any further questions?"

Foster comments, "I presume that we will be needing to replicate clothing appropriate to the era, unless we believe that we will be able to search from orbit?"

Takamura finally addresses the team. "We'll only be carrying equipment easily concealed on our persons. So, no rifles are coming with us. And yes, we will be wearing period clothing."

. o O Stewart thinks "No rifles? I'm liking this less already."

"We can't search from orbit unless you're going to hitch a ride on an old Earth communications satellite," Tyler says to Foster. "We'll be transporting via artifact to the surface of Earth, to Trenton, New Jersey."

Foster nods, "Is there a recommendation for style of clothing? If we are going to be searching areas open to the public, some kind of official garb is probably best suited? Law officer, or..." He tips his hat to Etena. "the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Or janitors?" His lips only twitch a little at this last possibility. "Actually, with enough oxygen, that could be fun."

Stewart asks, "Are we going to be bringing period weaponry as well, or modern ones, or a combination of both?"

Takamura shakes his head at Stewart's question. "Negative on the period weapons. We'll bring out Type I's and II's and our combat knives for weaponry. We just need to keep them out of sight. We'll also be bringing tricorders, medkits and explosives. Everything will be kept under wraps until we need it."

"I'm glad you asked that, Lieutenant," Etena replies, reaching into her suit-jacket's pockets and producing a set of wallets. She flips through, finding the appropriate ID cards, and passes them out. "Inside you will find New United Nations ID cards and NUNBI badges, as well as the odd faux personal artifact. The latter makes them look more authentic." Foster's, for example, contains a dog-eared holoprint of a woman who isn't Lanie, and another, likewise dog-eared print of a chubby baby boy. She almost answers Stewart, before handing him a wallet with a beat-up residential card-key in it, but Takamura does so instead, so she just nods.

Tyler flips open her ID and examines it. She chuckles to herself.

. o O Tyler thinks "Couldn't I have been given a cuter husband?"

Krylow takes his wallet and flips through it. He pauses at what must be a picture of his girlfriend or wife and smirks a little, before closing it again to listen to the rest of the brief.

Donavon merely listens without providing much in the way of questions.

<CONTEST> Foster contests his History (Human) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Takamura accepts his wallet from Etena and opens it to examine his new ID. He then grins at what he finds.

Donavon flips the ID open, verifies it, and stows it away.

Stewart looks carefully at his ID, examining the various details in an attempt to memorize all the pertinent aspects. At least, those that don't match up with reality.

Quin flips through the wallet looking at his ID and then his other 'personal' things before closing the wallet, which remains in his hand.

Etena flips open the last one, her own, and idly tucks the holoimage of two golden retrievers lounging in a yard back under the ID card a little more securely before asking, "Any further questions?"

Krylow shakes his head, without saying a word.

Foster considers the details of his new identification thoughtfully, likely doing the same as the rest of the team in memorizing them. "Cute kid," he remarks. "So, what techniques are we going to use as a team to handle this? I presume that we do not wish to interface with the law enforcement forces of the time. All they'd have to do is check their computer records to find out that we're not legitimate. Unless we intend to modify that as well once we arrive. In any case, knowing the plan would be a good thing."

"We're to minimize contact with all down-timers, as usual," Tyler says. "That includes the authorities. We're not going to go swaggering around showing our ID's to everyone; they're like the phasers, to be used in emergencies. As for the plan's specifics, Lt. Takamura is in charge of that aspect of the mission."

Takamura says, "We'll split into three groups to cover the area more quickly. Team one will consist of Lt. Tyler, Quin and myself. Team two will be Stewart and Etena. Team three is Foster, Donavon and Krylow. We will take chroniton readings and try to triangulate the position of the time pod.""

"Alright," Tyler says. "Get your gear, and stand by for transport."

Krylow nods to Tyler as the final information is passed on. He once again double checks his gear, probably a little nervous over his first mission.

Etena pats herself down once, absently, doublechecking for her gear, and glances around as she prepares for transport.

. o O Etena thinks "I miss her already."

Foster doesn't salute, but his formal style is as close to it as one can come. He disappears briefly, to his quarters, in order to get the appropriate clothing together for himself. When he comes back, he's in a standard business suit. His gear? Nowhere to be seen. But there are lots of pockets in that suit, so...

Tyler flips open her tricorder and begins tapping at the interface as she waits for the team to fully assemble.

Business suit, casual, white pinstripes, airline stewardess length skirt. All too feminine on Donavon when she reappears in a pair of flats, one inch heel. All gear has been properly stowed away, hidden in breast pockets. She stands at attention beside Foster and Krylow, ready for transport.

Etena, already assembled, stands next to Tyler.

Stewart heads off to get his gear. When he returns, he's dressed in a neat gray suit, and equipped with a briefcase. His various odds and ends have been tucked away into pockets. He then makes his way over towards Etena, "I imagine you have more practice hunting chronitons than I do. So I hope you won't mind if I let you take the lead on that, and I'll take the lead on making sure nothing shoots either of us."

"I think, given the situation, I can handle that quite well," replies Magret, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Takamura changes into a gray suit with teal shirt. As he returns to his place near Tyler, he makes sure he has a good grip on the large briefcase he carries.

Krylow returns dressed along the same lines as Donavon and Foster, only his choice is a rather dapper gray suit with a grey dress shirt underneath. He moves over to stand with the rest of the team.

Quin follows on the heals of Foster to his own room for appropriate attire. He steps off the lift in a simple and charcoal grey suit over a white shirt; his shoes are black boots similar to standard issue. On his face he wears small darkly tinted oval sun glasses. Merric returns several minutes after Foster, looking quite pleased with his outfit.

Foster snaps his fingers as he sees Merric arrive. "Knew I forgot something." He glances around briefly, and then shrugs, "I'll make do."

As everyone is assembled, Tyler looks to Takamura for the 'go' signal. Once it is given, she punches the magic button. A blue-white ball of light coalesces before the crew, and as it spins it begins to expand slowly. Then, with a sudden bright flash and a wash of nausea, the team is standing in a grimy alley in downtown Trenton, New Jersey, 2139. "Yuck," Tyler comments softly at the smell that wafts in from the nearby factories. "The rumors of Ancient New Jersey /are/ true."

A few pieces of trash stir in a soft breeze of the street adjacent. A quick alignment of chronometers indicates that it is 8:22 PM, July 4, 2139, and the night is hot and stifling. Pops and cracks can be heard in the near distance.

Merric eyes Hiroshi's briefcase from the briefing he surmises these are the explosives. His head tilts at the case, as he says to Tak "Only one?"

<CONTEST> Donavon contests her History (Human) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Krylow glances to Quin and hefts his own suitcase a little. "Nope."

Stewart tilts his head to one side, and says, "Sounds like weaponry." He points towards the source of the noise, and says, "Someone's in a fight. Suggest we go check that out first, before we split up. Because our target seems the most likely thing to fight over in the area."

Donavon cracks a minor grin at hearing the cracks and pops. "Guess we arrived in time. Standard celebrating for Independence Day. While America doesn't exist, people ran this holiday up til the late 2100s. Those should be..fireworks." She leans forward to peer around the area, then pops her head upwards to the sky to see if any colors appear.

Foster grimaces, wrinkling his nose and containing his gorge. "I'm suddenly glad that the vids are only video and audio. And unhappy I'm not watching one." He glances up at the popping and cracking sounds, then blinks at Donavon. "So, not weaponry, but they are explosives of some kind."

Obviously reflected in his causal regard for explosives and not the jump in time Quin is a veteran of Cassandra translation. He lifts his glasses and places them in his pocket, scanning the area a bit for anyone who may have noticed the team's arrival. He nods at Krylow "Just wanna make sure I know where they are"

Etena's eyes widen a little at the flash of light, and she stands very, very still, her eyes half-closing after their momentary flinch. She hasn't really gotten used to Artifact Transport yet. Not at all. Clearing her throat, she tugs on her jacket slightly, smoothing it out. "Recommend we don't dally." She doesn't seem too bothered by the mess.

. o O Etena thinks "Yeah, so what? It looks like a low-end port town. Spoiled Feddies."

. o O Etena is briefly annoyed.

. o O Foster thinks "Yuck. How could people LIVE in this filth?"

The major celebrations have yet to begin; there are no flashes in the skies. The current fireworks are probably snappers and crackers let off by the local kids.

Tyler looks to Takamura to start barking the orders.

Takamura shakes his head at Quin. "Negative. Take a look at Krylow." After Donavon's explanation and Etena's suggestion, he nods. "Exactly. Let's go ahead and break off into our groups."

Su'krah has arrived.

"Well, if those are the normal sounds, we should be doing just fine," Stewart says, "As they'll cover the sounds of any trouble. Just be careful that they don't cover the sounds of incoming trouble, though." He then nods to Etena, "Lead on."

Donavon absently tucks a fallen lock back into place, smoothing out the business styled hair bun. "Explosives, yes. Loud too, but nothing to be worried much about." She stops from watching the skyline, lowering her head to nod acknowledgement to Takamura.

The three groups fan out across the three blocks indicated by Etena during the mission briefing. There are few people in this area of Trenton at night; and much less so during the Independence celebrations. Initial scans indicate a huge throng of people further to the south, as if there is a celebration in the streets, but around here it could be a ghost-town.

GAME: Donavon spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Donavon (claiming advantage) contests her Personal Equipment (Temporal Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

<PROVE> Etena has the merit of Synergy at 3.

<CONTEST> Etena (claiming advantage) contests her Personal Equipment (Temporal Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Tyler contests her Personal Equipment (Temporal Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

The teams have successfully triangulated a warehouse that has Ode d'Chroniton readings screaming from it - definitely Rasmussen's time pod. This is reported to the mission commander, and the teams await further orders.

Once the warehouse has been located, Takamura hails the team. "We have found the warehouse. I'll be sending the coordinates and then we will converge on the area. When we have all arrived, we will attempt to gain access to the building. Remember to keep a low profile and avoid contact with the locals."

<CONTEST> Foster contests his Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<PROVE> Quin has the merit of Shadow Master at 1.

<CONTEST> Takamura contests his Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Tyler contests her Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Quin (claiming advantage) contests his Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Etena (claiming advantage) contests her Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Krylow contests his Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Fails!

<CONTEST> Donavon contests her Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Stewart (claiming advantage) contests his Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

As Takamura, Tyler and Quin make their way along to a warehouse, someone steps out of the shadows. "Well well well, what do we have here?" It's a young man in his 20's, wearing a green military jacket and blue jeans. His hair is unkempt and his face unshaven. One hand is shoved in his pocket, and by the bulge in the pocket, it probably isn't alone. "Hand over that briefcase, and nobody gets hurt."

<PROVE> Quin has the merit of Sense Of Character at 2.

<CONTEST> Quin (claiming advantage) contests his Intellect (Perception) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

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

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

Takamura slowly turns to face his assailant, holding the briefcase out to his side as he takes a firm stance. "You want this briefcase? Here, you can have it." He then quickly spins his body so that he can try to club the guy in the head with the case.

GAME: Tyler spends a courage point.

Tyler yelps and does what her combat training has ingrained her to do; duck, cover, and flee. She leaps for a nearby dumpster to hide behind because it's starting to look ugly.

<CONTEST> Tyler contests her Dodge skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Takamura (claiming advantage) contests his Primitive Weaponry (Briefcase) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Quin looks at the thug sizing him up, deciding that he means business Quin visually searches the alley for other threats

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

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

It all happens in a blur; Tak swings the briefcase, Tyler dives behind a dumpster. The young mugger looks surprised that these three 'easy marks' are fighting back, and in his shock he pulls the trigger. His jacket pocket shreds and begins to smoulder as the crack of his slugthrower shot rings out. Thankfully, it is probably smothered out in the sounds of the fireworks going off throughout the city. Thankfully again that the shot rings off the pavement as Takamura's swing takes him out of the path of the slug.

Following the momentum of his missed swing, Takamura windmills so that his foot can make contact with the mugger's head. As he does so, he lets the briefcase fall at his feet to free up his hands.

Quin stays out of range of Hiroshi's sweeping kick

Tyler reaches into the breast of her jacket and withdraws her Type I phaser and checks that it is on stun.

GAME: Tyler spends a courage point.

The mugger tries to scramble backwards out of the mad swinging Sumo's martial arts maneuvers. In the process, he lets another round off from his jacket pocket.

<CONTEST> Takamura (claiming advantage) contests his Unarmed Combat (Aikijutsu) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

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

Another shot ricochets off the sidewalk with a whiz-ping, and this time, Tak connects. From the momentum of the kick, the guy ends up sprawled on the pavement on his back, but he isn't completely out for the count. Blood starts to stream from the ear that got the brunt of the kick.

Tyler peeks out from her cover just enough to level the phaser on the mugger. And in an uncharacteristic display of weapons handling, depresses the thumb activator.

Quin draws the type I from his pocket and fires at the seemingly unaccompanied mugger

<PROVE> Quin has the merit of Quick-draw at 2.

Now that his opponent is on the ground, he attempts to kick the gun hand.

Now that his opponent is on the ground, Takamura attempts to kick the gun hand.

GAME: Tyler spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Tyler contests her Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Takamura (claiming advantage) contests his Unarmed Combat (Aikijutsu) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

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

<CONTEST> Quin contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

. o O Tyler thinks "Ohmygod, I just shot that guy! I hope he's okay!"

A final shot cracks from the mugger's shredded (and on-fire) pocket. There's not much left of him, now. Stunned by two phasers, kicked in the head, kicked in the hand, jacket burning... He's quite the mess.

Tyler springs up from behind her cover and rushes to the man's side. "Is he going to be okay?" she asks. "Is he going to die?" She looks stunned herself.

. o O Tyler thinks "I can't believe I shot someone. I can't believe I just shot someone. I'm a horrible, horrible person! But the adrenaline! How thrilling!"

Takamura pats out the burning jacket as he rolls the mugger over to fish the gun out of the pocket. "He'll live. He's just going to have one heck of a headache when he wakes up." Tossing the gun into the dumpster, he reclaims the briefcase. "We should get moving after all thos gunshots."

Quin looks at the mugger, then to Tyler "If you fired on stun he should be ok, bruised but ok"

Tyler looks slightly green and out of breath, but she follows the lead (and orders) of Takamura. Alpha team hurries off toward their warehouse rendezvous.

. o O Takamura thinks "This guy will think twice before trying to mug someone again."

Stewart and Magret are trying to move to the warehouse, attempting to keep to the shadows. A slow-moving vehicle comes around the corner, just in time to catch them crossing the street. Blue lights start to flash from the top of the vehicle like two miniature Anomalies. A spotlight from the passenger side of the vehicle shines directly on the pair.

Stewart looks briefly over towards Etena, and says, "Any idea what this is? It looks ridiculous." He keeps moving across the street, though he's now watching the odd vehicle.

. o O Stewart thinks "That light is really annoying me."

GAME: Etena spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Etena (claiming advantage) contests her History (Human) skill vs a difficulty of Difficult and Fails!

"Let me talk," Magret says softly, leaving her hands out and in plain view, palms turned forward and empty as she turns toward the bright light. "I don't know," she answers quietly and briefly. Raising her voice, she calls, with concern in her voice, "Can we help you?" Smile pretty. You're /official./

"Hold it right there," comes an officious voice over a loudspeaker. The vehicle starts to pull over to the curb where the two of them are standing.

Stewart gives a little nod to Etena, and sighs to himself. "I hope you know what you're doing," he says quietly, and folds his arms over his chest loosely. For the moment he's just watching.

Very quietly, and in Cardassian, Etena replies, "if this doesn't work, it's your turn." And returning to English, she allows her smile to fade just a little, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Is there something I can help you with?"

The spotlight is near blinding, but shadowy figures can be seen exiting the vehicle from both sides. "Keep your hands where we can see them," says a gruff, forceful voice. "Set the case down, sir," says another voice, to Stewart.

Stewart gives a little look over to Etena, before slowly setting down the briefcase in front of him, turning it over to face towards the vehicle, and then pushing it over flat with one foot. "I take it that there is some sort of a problem?", Stewart asks.

"Let's see some logo," says the gruff voice. "Easy, though, no swift movements." They sound like law enforcement. Logo?

<PROVE> Etena has the merit of Language Ability at 2.

<CONTEST> Etena (claiming advantage) contests her Language: Federation Standard skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

There's a little crease in Magret's forehead now, the sort that Isole would know as her 'oh, now you're just getting on my nerves' look. "Excuse me?" Her expression is weary, now, almost incredulous.

<CONTEST> Stewart contests his Language: Federation Standard skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Stewart adds, "Could you repeat that? I couldn't quite catch it over the sound of the fireworks." He looks up at the sky briefly, before directing his attention back to the police. "What's this about, anyway?"

"/Identification,/" replies the gruff voice, tone turning sarcastic. "You're dressed pretty nice for a couple of retards." The light continues to bear down on the pair, blue lights flashing atop the vehicle.

The look on her face radiating casual 'this is /such a waste of my valuable time/' annoyance, Etena reaches slowly into her pocket and flicks open her wallet, showing both ID card and badge in one long-fingered motion. "I'll try not to forget how to open this. Was there something /else?/"

Stewart digs into his own pocket for his ID, matching Etena's gesture. He uses one hand to brush down his jacket a little, a gesture mostly intended to cover for the fact that said hand is near his pocket.

The not-so-gruff voice, the passenger, makes an appearance in front of the light. "Let me see that," he says. He's young, probably a rookie, wearing a grey and black cop uniform with a silver badge. He examines the ID without taking it, all the while keeping one hand on his holster. Suddenly, three shots ring out from a couple of streets over. Gruff says, "That wasn't fireworks."

Rookie says, "They're clean, Rog, NUNBI agents. What are you guys doing out here? This isn't a good side of town. Anything interesting you're working on?"

Gruff says, "Forget 'em, did you hear those gunshots? Dispatch, this is Bravo Six, we've got three shots fired, sounds like it came from around Idlewild. Get in the car, Newbie."

Etena takes her ID back, gives Stewart a glance, tilting her head in the direction of the gunshots as she tucks the wallet back into her jacket. The Rookie gets a smooth, unconcerned glance, and she turns away from the car, apparently no longer giving it even a thought. Once the Rookie's back in the car, though, she switches back to Cardassian briefly, hissing, "now what?"

Stewart looks over at the Rookie, and says, "If it was your business, we'd have told you about it by now." He then crouches down to recover his briefcase, looks over to Etena, "Stay with the schedule. Got a job to do."

The patrol cruiser pops on its siren, and with a brief squeal of tire, it drives off down the road and around the corner.

As Foster, Krylow and Donavon make their way toward the warehouse, a vehicle comes rolling down the mostly road along side them. Three young men are within the car. The passenger rolls down his window. "Damn, honey, you sure are a nice rack of lamb!" he calls out to (hopefully) Donavon. The driver laughs, and the one in the back seat makes a wolf-whistle.

Click, crack. The sounds of Donavon's heels hitting pavement noticeably sharpens while she expels a quiet snort and an eyeroll shared with her walking companions. "Fun," she whispers, obviously not amused, to Foster and Krylow, "hooligans." Lips thin to a sweet, no-nonsense, isn't that nice and why don't you move along smirk which she flashes at this would be whistler. An arm slips around to claim Krylow's lightly, feigning that this one is her companion and that boy better find a different rack of lamb tonight -- Meg might as well carry on an act.

. o O Donavon thinks "And you're a nice rack of dead meat if you come near me"

Krylow glances towards the car ever so briefly as its rolls along side of them, but that's it. When he feels Meg's arm around his, he responds in kind. His expression mirrors Donavon's, a grim and expressionless face.

"She is pretty good-looking, isn't she?" Foster replies, agreeably. "Too bad she's taken." He shakes his head, and waves, "Have a good evening, guys!" And he begins to try and move the three of them on, heading in the direction they were heading.

. o O Foster thinks "Probably not a good idea to mention how she looks in her Pirate Queen costume here, nope."

"I'll pay you more than he is, honey!" calls the passenger. They don't seem discouraged by either Krylow or Foster. "Come on, baby, drop the ground beef and style it with the sirloin. Come over here and tell me how much for an hour with you. That's all I need, just an hour! How much, baby?"

. o O Donavon thinks "And I only need an hour to pound manners into your head. Fortunate for you, I don't have that time."

Donavon appears to completely ignore these wolf calls for a night's meow. One hand raises for a short farewell wave while she tugs on her companion's arm. "We have a mission. Ignore them," she whispers sharply, teeth gritting, to both Foster and Krylow. She shakes her head, lifting it in pride, while she continues to stride ahead.

Krylow seems to be doing pretty much Donavon is advising. He's matching her step by step and after that first glance hasn't looked at the car again. He does look over to Foster, making eye contact with him for a moment before looking ahead.

Foster was already headed that way anyway, and he just shrugs. "Sorry, boys. Better luck next time." You'll need it, he doesn't add.

The boys continue to ride beside the trio, making various sexually-oriented comments. It appears as if they're about to pull the car over and become more aggressive, when a vehicle comes around the corner in front of them at a higher rate of speed, with two blue lights flashing on the top of the vehicle and a wailing siren. "Engage," says the one in the back. "It's the shield! She's not worth it." The blue-siren vehicle passes, but by then, the vehicle with the youths have driven to the end of the block. The passenger shouts back down the street, uncouthly questioning her virtue. They turn the corner, and both vehicles are gone.

<CONTEST> Donavon contests her Language: Vulcan (Federation Standard) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Krylow spares the departing car a brief look, but once its around the corner his attention is back on the course they're following. "Let's keep moving before we run into any other trouble," he says to Donavon and Foster, letting his arm fall from Donavon's.

Foster rolls his eyes, "Idiots." He says it in Klingon, because Klingon is always good for insults, and then stops, turning to watch the blue-sirened vehicle go by. "I wonder where the police are going in such a hurry tonight." But he shrugs and turns back, heading on.

<CONTEST> Donavon contests her Language: Federation Standard skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Fails!

Donavon snorts once more. "Almost dirtier than some pub mouths I know." Her lips quirk once more before disengaging her arm from Krylow's; the act is over. "And whoever this shield is, hope they catch those hooligans." She nods to both teammates sharply and starts heading for their destination.

The team gathers together at a corner near the warehouse. Blooms of light begin to explode above them, cascading back down to earth in a brightly colored spectacle.

Takamura huddles the team around him, glancing to each face. "Alright, I want scans of the building so we have a basic layout and assessment of the security involved. From there we will derive a plan of attack."

Tyler follows behind Takamura, looking a little distracted and more than a little distraught. During their trip, she's fretted over the man she help to down. She looks about to the others on Takamura's order.

Etena, still looking annoyed, offers Takamura only a spare nod before patting down her pockets and removing her tricorder. She doesn't say a word, just flips the device open and starts poking at it.

Krylow nods to Takamura and digs out his own tricorder. He sets down his briefcase so allow the use of both hand while he starts the scan.

Foster draws his own tricorder from an inner jacket pocket, and flips it open, commencing to do just that - read in the building layout, scan for obvious and electronic security measures and check for lifesigns.

Donavon relaxes in seeing all arrive precisely as scheduled. While tugs out her tricorder from beneath the suit jacket, her eyes visually scan the building and its surrounding areas for signs of security.

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

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

Stewart stops up behind Etena, and just keeps an eye out on the area, leaving the tricorder work to others for the moment.

Takamura keeps his eyes peeled in the opposite direction of Stewart while the others make with the scanning.

<CONTEST> Donavon contests her Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Moderate and Succeeds!

Quin stands guard like Stewart and Hiroshi, looking for anyone lurking in the night

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

"One occupant," Foster says. "With the signature as well. I'm guessing whoever he or she is, he or she is moving the pod."

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

"The signature and occupant are both in motion," agrees Magret, fine-tuning her tricorder slightly.

Donavon's eyes wander over the building before dropping to her tricorder. "There appears to be several smaller rooms along the perimeter and corners as well."

Takamura turns back to the scanning group. "Any sign of security measures or best modes of entry?"

Krylow glances up from his tricorder, but doesn't add anything to the running commentary. Instead he glances back down and taps on the tricorder some more.

Foster continues concentrating on his scan for several long moments, and then reports, "The occupant is male, and does not appear to be the type used to heavy workloads. In addition, he is carrying a firearm no bigger than our Type II pistols. It's possible he may know what he has in there."

. o O Quin thinks "Both are in motion? Here comes that catch I was worried about earlier"

Stewart looks around, and says, "Well, if there's one of him... it seems like we outnumber him by a goodly number. Or, we could just try to sneak in and stun him before he knows what's going on."

Tyler looks green at that idea.

. o O Tyler thinks "Let's not shoot any more people today, ok, thanks."

"Unless he has a safety security system installed," remarks Donavon. "Then this team could be knocked to one." She taps more on her tricorder, adjusting to locate these systems, if any.

Etena offers her tricorder a baleful glance before looking up. "Whatever we're going to do, we should do it soon. I don't like the signature being in motion." She glances aside at Tyler, offers her a thin smile, and pokes her tricorder again.

"We'd have to take him out of the building," Foster says, turning to Krylow. "After all, what's the yield on these?"

"That's a pretty weak signature for such a big time pod," notes Etena aloud, almost an afterthought, her voice uncertain and a little concerned.

<CONTEST> Donavon (claiming advantage) contests her Personal Equipment (Tricorder) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!

Quin snaps his fingers looking frusterated. He says quietly, "Flash-bangs. Why do we always forget flash-bangs?" he rants "We always need them..."

Krylow glances up to Foster. "Its not just the yeild on the explosives, its the state of the target. There's no point detonating on the outside if that doesn't accomplish the goal." He glances over to Etena and frowns a little.

Takamura listens to his officers and nods. "Stewart and Quin, you two sneak into a firing position to cover the rest of us. We'll try to sneak in on the ground. As for the explosion, maybe Lt. Tyler and Etena can get us inside the pod and send it somewhere safe while Krylow and I set the explosives. Donavon and Foster can watch our six."

Foster considers, "Well, you did say that it was difficult to scan the device. Also, it's entirely possible it's in a low-power mode or generally non-functional. It *is* producing chronitons, which, I don't think was supposed to be possible for this time period. Even if it isn't the pod, anything producing chronitons is something we should probably have an interest in." He nods at Takamura, and moves to stand next to his partner.

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

. o O Stewart thinks "Why blow it up? Could just send it back to when it came from."

"We can't translate into the pod," Tyler says. "Cassandra can't see it."

"Or we could use the front door," states Donavon. "There's an alarm system, but it's inactive for some reason. And we were advised not to draw attention to ourselves." She arches an eyebrow a touch, then shares a look with her partner who stands beside her.

Krylow takes another crack as tricorder even as Takamura is speaking. Even after that, he doesn't say anything. He glances up to Takamura as the orders are completed and nods. He tucks his tricorder away, and picks up the briefcase again.

"Somewhere safe? I thought we were trying to destroy this thing," Magret mutters, poking at her tricorder. "We can't keep standing out here, anyway. We stick out. Nice clothes. bad neighborhood."

Quin says "Aye Aye. We'll try to find a way up and in." He looks to Foster, and tilts his head to the side "Ready?"

Stewart looks over towards Quin, and says, "Sorry, you're starting to confuse me. I thought you and I were supposed to grab a firing position. Where are you going?"

Foster hms, "Alarm system that's off, one human, armed but not... wait a moment." He taps something into his PADD, then his tricorder.

Quin blinks at Stewart "Right. Sorry Jim, I duno what I was thinking." He then looks to Hiroshi "You did want us to cover you on the inside right?"

GAME: Foster spends a courage point.

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

Takamura begins to look impatient himself. "Hurry, Foster. Stewart and Quin, see if you can find a place to cover us on the inside." To Etena, he replies. "And I was thinking of using that hand scanner of yours to get us into the pod. Then you and Tyler figure out how to get the thing to a safe detonation place while we plant explosives."

Donavon waits patiently alongside her partner, eyes peeled for any danger.

Foster works his way through the calculations and suddenly lets out a breath. "That's a relief. It's /not/ Rasmussen. I was thinking we might have been precipitating a temporal paradox. Rasmussen was from this century, after all."

"Sir," Tyler says, trying not to question Takamura's authority. "It took weeks for Rasmussen to figure out how the time pod works; I doubt it would take us less time... We need to destroy it here. The less that anyone interacts with the 26th century tech, the better."

Krylow fingers his briefcase handle while he waits. He hasn't said a whole lot since they arrived, and he's definitely getting a little itchy now with all the waiting.

. o O Foster thinks "Oh my. That's an ugly thought there."

"Right..." Stewart looks over towards Quin and gestures with a tilt of his head, before making hiw way towards the fire escape. "Keep it quiet, but if you see him come to investigate, don't hesitate to drop him."

This isn't Etena's part of the party, so she just hangs back and waits, keeping an eye on the streets and her tricorder. "They're exiting, draggin the chronal signature."

Foster considers, "Sir, do we know that this version of this pod is from /after/ Rasmussen used it? If it's before he used it, and we destroy it before he can use it, it means that he never takes it to the Enterprise in the first place, which could change history, not the least of which is the possible deaths of every person on Penthara IV." He adds, "Oh, and if we want to do something... what she said."

"If you can't figure out how to do it, we blow it here. But we get that person out of the blast radius." Takamura replies to Tyler. "Now, let's move people."

Takamura grunts at Etena's update. "Change of plans. They're coming out of the building. Quick, let's set up an ambush. Remember, phasers on stun and shoot only if necessary."

Krylow glances to Etena and then nods to Takamura's new orders. His hand slides into his pocket and he pulls out his phaser, glancing down at it quickly to check the setting. To Etena he asks, "Which way are they coming?"

<CONTEST> Stewart contests his Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Donavon contests her Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<PROVE> Quin has the merit of Shadow Master at 1.

<CONTEST> Krylow contests his Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

<CONTEST> Quin (claiming advantage) contests his Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

The team rushes into a position of ambush, covering the back doors of the building. The individual in question can be seen clearly trying to drag something heavy (but far too small to be a timepod) out the front door. It looks like a rolled-up carpet. He leaves his burden just inside the front door. He peeks left, peeks right, and nervously and briskly rushes to a vehicle that is parked near the back doors. He nervously takes out some keys and unlocks the trunk of the vehicle. As he moves back toward the entrance, Krylow ends up accidentally kicking a can which clangs down the sidewalk. The man nearly jumps out of his skin. His hand goes into his pocket. "Who's there?!" he says in a shaky voice.

GAME: Foster spends a courage point.

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

With the noisy clanging can, Krylow doesn't say anything. He simply drops into a crouch immediately and moves a little behind some cover. His phaser is at the ready, but he doesn't try to move up with the others yet.

Takamura takes up a position where he can see the back door and still watch the two non-combatants on the mission. He draws his phaser, but keeps it out of sight.

Quin stands still hoping not to be noticed

Stewart keeps his Type II in hand, readying to fire if the man makes a move to draw his weapon.

Tyler waits anxiously, for whatever comes next. She doesn't second-guess her team's actions, but merely waits for them to exercise their exhaustive training.

Foster, like most of the rest of the team, draws his sidearm, adjusting to a heavy stun setting, but does not fire. Instead, he hunkers down to wait and watch. If he goes for the firearm, he's going to get multiple shots.

The man turns back and forth, scanning the dark street with his weapon shaking nervously in his hand. Boom go the fireworks above and somewhere far off, the white-noise swell of a crowd's appreciation. The man finally gives up, perhaps thinking it's just his nerves talking, or maybe telling himself that it was only the wind. He returns to his burden, which he struggles to drag onto the loading dock.

Donavon attempts to duck out to the man's notice, then shoots a look towards Tak.

Takamura motions to Donavon to move in, since she's the only one watching him.

Krylow having been caught a little behind, Krylow is a little out of position. He watches those ahead of him, the closet happening to be Donavon. He seems to be keying in on her lead, phaser at the ready.

Foster taps his combadge. "Lieutenant JG Foster to Lieutenant JG Takamura," he whispers.

Donavon nods in reaction before slipping out in approaching this male individual. Phaser drawn, she holds it ready, on stun, and aimed for his backside.

Takamura taps his combadge. "Go." He whispers back.

Krylow stands from his crouch and moves Donavon, keeping to her side to give him a line of sight on the man as he too moves in.

<CONTEST> Donavon contests her Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

GAME: Krylow spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Krylow (claiming advantage) contests his Stealth (Stealthy Movement) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!

Foster whispers into his combadge, "The temporal signature is coming from the dead body wrapped in ... whatever that is." He's human, it's dark, and his eyesight is normal. "It's nothing ON the body, it's the body proper. And he's beyond our capacity for medical care."

Quin doesn't waist anymore time Quin steps out and shoots at the man, hopfuly before he can react

Takamura replies back. "Understood. Takamura out." He taps the badge off as he raises his phaser to cover the advance of the others.

Phaser in hand, Stewart steps out. He draws a bead on the man, and fires a quick shot to take him down.

<CONTEST> Quin contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

<CONTEST> Stewart contests his Energy Weapon (Phaser) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Succeeds!

Upon hearing Krylow (again), the man turns and lets out a nervous yelp. He fumbles at his pocket, and manages to get the slugthrower revolver out of his pocket. He's so nervous, though, that he fumbles it and it drops to the ground, which is shortly followed by the man himself. He crumples under the weight of two stuns from Stewart and Quin. By then, Donavon is on top of his position.

Krylow does his noisy routine again, and starts to raise his phaser. Before he comes close to needing it though the man is stunned and out of it. He moves quickly up beside Donavon, but rather than at the man or the carpet, he is looking around to make sure there are no other threats.

Donavon quickly covers the distance between the man and herself. Her foot gently knocks the revolver out of the way as she crouches to use one hand in holding the crumbled one's arms -- standard security lock-hold. The other reaches around to touch his neck in reading for a pulse.

Takamura motions for the rest of the team to advance, glancing around as he moves forward.

Quin takes a knee. He looks for other targets while reporting for those who may not be able to see it. "He's down, stunned."

Foster moves out of his defensive position and up towards the rest of the group, "All clear." He says, still indicating the tricorder. "Closest lifesign is some fellow several blocks away waking up... well, in what looks like the place we translated in." He explains, for the others, the same thing he did to Tak just before. "I recommend we take the body and translate out of here."

Tyler lets out a breath of relief. At Takamura's signal, she and Etena make their way to Tak's position, and starts to follow him again.

Quin says, "Just for my own referance, is this the guy we have in our holding cell who couldn'"

. o O Tyler thinks "I'm glad it didn't turn into a gun fight."

"Who's the corpse?" Stewart asks, before he makes his way on to pick up the revolver, examining it. "And what do we do about this guy?"

"He'll be out for a while. Shall we leave him here or take him with us?" asks Donavon while the hand on his neck starts to pat the man down -- checking for weapons, gear. Her knee still rests to the small of his back, holding him down.

"Probably Rasmussen's historian, the one he took the pod from, at a guess," Foster says. "I suppose we could just unroll this carpet over the edge of the pier and make him think that he threw the body over?"

Krylow glances to the others as they approach and listens to Foster's information. "There's no sign then of our original target?"

Quin gets up and join the others near the two limp bodies.

Takamura points to Stewart and Donavon. "Stick this guy in the back of that vehicle and close the hatch." He then hands his case to Quin. "Take this. I'm going to pick this body up and bring it inside. Let's see if our target is inside."

"Agent Etena did mention the weak signal," Foster says.

Donavon discovers a wallet in his pocket; this she shakes open and peers at the photo and id. "Name's Carl Danvers on this NUN ID. There's some photos of kids but I don't see a wife anywhere." Quickly, eyes divert to the man's left hand, looking for an indention, a ring, or tan line.

"No signs of a wedding band either," says Donavon. "Could be relatives. Nieces, nephews, maybe younger cousins."

Foster chuckles, but it's not a 'ha ha' chuckle. "Or it could be that he has the same kind of ID we do."

Krylow doesn't seem to worry about the guy that Stewart and Donavon have been tasked with disposing of. Instead he moves towards the opening where Takamura will be carrying to body. He glances cautiously through the doorway, and if clear enter before Takamura who will have his hands full.

Donavon hands off the wallet to Takamura, then starts to rise, hands still on Mr. Danvers. "Stewart, if you could open that hatch," she requests while tuggin the body up.

Quin takes the case "Ok." Merric enters the door carefully scanning the room, the case in one hand and his type I in the other, where he waits just inside for Hiroshi to follow.

Apparently the way seems clear as Krylow moves through the doorway.

Stewart opens the trunk, and then looks it over. "Is he going to be able to get out of this? Not much good if we leave him in here to starve to death."

Tyler looks at the proceedings with puzzlement, but doesn't comment. She doesn't, after all, want to undermine Takamura's newfound authority. She waits, chewing her bottom lip, glancing up and down the street.

"By the time he wakes in less than 20 minutes, he'll have a headache and a hard time climbing out," remarks Donavon as she lifts the body into the truck. "Wonder what he was doing." She looks to Stewart.

Takamura squats down to heft the body over his shoulder. To Stewart, he says, "Shut it, but don't lock him in. We want him out of sight." He then moves back inside the warehouse.

The warehouse is large, and pretty much empty. Several smaller rooms line the edge, and from scans it appears there are two single-room residences here, as well as a workshop. There's some mechanical clutter scattered to one side, but nothing dangerous or threatening - it's just collected junk. There does not appear to be a time pod in this warehouse, as it couldn't fit in one of the smaller rooms, and the warehouse is devoid of it.

Having been one of the first two members into the warehouse, Krylow is moving caustiously around, double checking that everything appears safe.

. o O Quin thinks "I hope the invisible Romulan guard in here is light, 30 or 40 well armed guards should be about right. The guard always seems to be inversely proportional to how many we expect... We never have flash bangs and it's always the Romulans. No one ever listens to me about it either. There's probably a sniper about to pick me off."

Foster follows along, continuing to man the tricorder, scanning for lifesigns, security measures, and things that he CAN'T scan.

Takamura sets the body down and unwraps it from the carpet. He then looks to Stewart, Krylow and Quin. "Secure the warehouse. The rest of you see if you can find that pod." In the meantime, he takes out his own tricorder to scan the body.

Drawing up the rear, Donavon finally makes an appearance while stuffing a device back into the hidden pockets of her jacket. Her phaser is re-drawn and eyes keep on the look-out.

As Takamura unwraps the final fold of the carpet, he reveals the much-older but unmistakable face of Dylan Golden. His expression is one of peaceful repose, but the three gunshot wounds to his chest indicate that his final moments were anything but peaceful.

Tyler covers her mouth as she looks down at the body, and a soft gasp comes emanates from her. "Oh my," is all she can muster to say.

. o O Tyler is, naturally, rather horrified.

Quin lets out a single expressive swear looking confusedly at the corpse

Takamura is taken aback by what he sees. Practically yelling, he says, "Quin, give me my case!" In the meantime, he hands fumble with his tricorder to try to determine how long he's been dead. "No. It can't be. There has to be something I can do."

Foster turns at the voiced comment, his attention having been on the tricorder while the rest was going on, making sure of what's going on around the team. He blinks a couple of times, and then says, "Is that who I think it is?" There's true dread in his voice.

. o O Takamura thinks "Come on. There has to be a way to bring him back. Something. Anything."

Seeing Lt. Golden's body, his dead body rather, wrapped in that carpet equates to a swift drop kick to the head. Donavon stares in entire disbelief, moritified to even acknowledge that -- it cannot be him. The phaser about slips from her hands before she dares to blink and regrip it. Stunned.

. o O Takamura feels sickened, frustrated, sad, and angry.

Stewart looks down towards the corpse, and says, "Huh. This is going to be one of those situations that never manages to make any sense, isn't it?" He shakes his head wearily, "Wonder who shot him. Sure wasn't that guy," he says, thumbing towards the trunk. He looks at the corpse a moment longer, before he grits his teeth a little, and moves into the warehouse to secure it.

Krylow glances down the body, looking surprised but lacking the stunned disbelief of the others. After all, he barely got to know Golden.