Black Operations

 Episode Name:  Black Operations

   Written By:  Eidolon

         Cast:  Eidolon, Green, Harris, King, Krylow, Lopez, Nabrun, Pierce, Shamash and Turtledove.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Eidolon

     Aired On:  Tue May 10 03:13:49 2005

     Stardate:  54957.4

Time: Mon May 09 20:01:29 2005

Stardate: 54956.7

Lightning rips across the sky, bathing the whole area in an other-worldly white glow for a few seconds before everything fades back to the darkness of a city night. The rain, though, doesn't stop falling -- it just keeps coming, pouring down in sheets of wetness.

The skyscraper stands in the midst of the cityscape, lit by floodlights from the base, and, coincidentally, towering over everything for miles.

It's at the top of this building that our heroes find themselves on this black night, with one objective in mind. Find the data disks that contain the secret behind a weapon of infinite power, codenamed 'Vulcan' -- then destroy the building, and quite possibly, the twisted mind that invented it.

Harris kneels in the middle of the rain-slicked surface, old style laser-pistol in hand. "First things first -- we've gotta find a way in."

Shamash is still in mid orientation as to the locality he is in. As it changes, he squats down close to Harris. "Did you bring the blueprints?

<CONTEST> Krylow contests Search vs Moderate and Fails.

Training kicking in, Krylow is down on knee half listening to Harris and half watching the roof. His weapon is held in hand, always pointed carefully towards to the ground. For now he is quiet though.

Green takes a moment to examine her weapon, looking rather satisfied. She sends a nod in Harris' direction and, moving in a crouch, angles off to make a spiral search of the roof.

<CONTEST> Lopez contests Search vs Moderate and Succeeds.

The antithesis of ninja-ops, Pierce is crouched low near Nabrun, adjusting his secure-pack on his back, and then putting down his laser pistol to tug on his ski-mask like thing. "Darn it. Can't see..." Grumble.

<CONTEST> Lopez contests Intellect/perception vs Moderate and Fails.

Nabrun remains where she is, crouched, ready, listening.

Shamash's com badge chirrups. "Lieutenant Laco to Lieutenant Shamash."

<CONTEST> Green contests Search vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Shamash taps his com badge. "This is not a good timing... can it wait?"

Lopez keeps her center of gravity low in the crouch, easing backward to the edge and its dizzying height. She peers northwards, frowning as she does not find what she was apparently looking for. But finds somethign else instead. She creeps back. "Elevator machinery bank, about... 25 meters. Thattaway."

Over Shamash's com badge, Laco says, "Yes, but not long. Laco out."

Shamash's com badge clicks as Laco drops off channel. The channel closes.

King moves into place back and behind everyone, and draws a weapon. With his back to everyone, he drops to his knee. With his weapon up, eyes sighted, Howard precedes to watch the rear at the moment, searching for any danger.

Lightning slashes across the sky again, searing the eyes with the light it provides to reveal -- yes, indeed, there is an elevator shaft 25 meters thattaway, just like Lopez said.

Of course, the roar of the thunder that comes next is fairly intense, and rattles everyone's heads just a bit.

Harris pushes to his feet, glancing at Shamash as he stands. "Krylow, open the door," he whispers before his gaze is back on Shamash. "Do you need to go, Lieutenant?" Of course, he's tugging a PADD free of his belt as he speaks.

Shamash looks over to Harris, then shakes his head, muttering soto voce. "And miss all the fun? Not bloody likely."

Turtledove has arrived.

Krylow glances to Lopez and Pierce, who happen to be flanking him as they kneel and says, "Come with me." He stands and begins to more across the roof in a half crouch. He tries to catch Green's attention, and then makes a waving motion, palm towards his hand towards his own face, then extends his arm towards the shaft. He does this as he himself heads towards the elevator shaft, unslinging his pack as he does.

Green appears beside Harris again. "Roof's secure," she murmurs, watching Krylow. With a quick nod, she moves off at an angle again, still moving in that crouch, to circle toward the shaft.

"Coming, coming," says Pierce, starting to follow. Then. "Wait. Forgot my gun. Hang on." Shuffle back. Get laser pistol. "All right. Right behind you..."

. o O Green thinks, "Doctor Pierce is, gasp, carrying a pistol without protest? I may faint."

Nabrun follows along behind Pierce, quiet.

Lopez slides along at the order, a short, occasionally lightening-lit presence at the wing of Krylow's party. She motions at the door and says only two words, and that barely above a hiss of air. Economy of communication: "Slide? Hinge?"

<CONTEST> King contests Search vs Moderate and Succeeds.

King backs up slowly, in his crotch. He extends his left hand, since the right has the phaser, behind him. He keeps backing up until his left hand gently touches the back of Harris, consolidating their position. "Six, clear and secure." Just enough to be informative.

Handing the PADD over to Shamash, Harris whispers, "Blueprints," to the man before he gestures for King to move forward. "We'll be rappeling down, find me a good anchor-point."

Shamash accepts the PADD from Harris and starts to flip through the data immediately, familiarizing himself with the general layout of the floors below them and the potential way where the X marks the spot.

Lightning crashes. Turtledove appears next to Krylow and co., by the shaft. She quirks a grin. Her voice is low. "Going somewhere, friends?" She gives Krylow a wink. Her phaser is drawn.

<PROVE> Krylow has the merit of Engineering Aptitude at 3.

<CONTEST> Krylow contests Demolitions/military explosives+A vs Moderate and Marginally Fails.

. o O Green thinks, "Oh <CENSORED>, what is /she/ doing here?"

. o O Lopez thinks, "Well. Yep, that is one *clear* roof."

Krylow doesn't respond to Turtledove as he sets his pack down and begins to pull out demoltions. The charges he selects are small and compact and he begins to slap them in place. "Hinge. Lock. Everything," he says with a glance to Lopez before turning to Turtledove. "We can hope." A moment later he slides the detonators into place and stands. "Clear the doorway," he says, moving off the side and crouching himself. "Fire in the hole," he calls out clearly once everyone has moved, and then he depresses the trigger. The only sound is the quiet click of the trigger as nothing happens.

Green's gaze whips around toward Turtledove, and she goes very still for a moment. Krylow's comments, though, get her attention enough to make her move back hastily. At the quiet click, she turns her gaze toward him, quirking an eyebrow.

. o O Krylow thinks, "It hasn't been that long. What the hell?"

Pierce nudges Nabrun slightly, and leans over. "Is this the part where I try to seduce the beautiful double agent for the other si --" He then cuts himself off, bringing his laser gun up at Turtledove. "I mean, we're going there. It depends whether it's with or through you..."

<PROVE> Pierce has the merit of Sexy at 2.

. o O Krylow is rather agitated that things didn't explode the way he was expecting them.

Nabrun glances over at Pierce and quirks a brow, grinning wryly at Tera's appearance and Pierce's response. "I think you'd better NOT attempt the seduction, Frank," she murmurs. "Please don't shoot her. It wouldn't be a good thing. Honest."

Lopez seems to think being 'blowed up' is a bad thing, and moves appropriately.

<CONTEST> King contests Search vs Moderate and Succeeds.

King starts to move forward, as his weapon comes over his teammates for the evening, the laser pistol goes down then up as he clears them. Though his eyes keep looking around for that anchor point. He stops instantly, moving to the side as he hears the 'clear the doorway.' Instinctively bracing, when 'fire in the hole' is called, he turns towards Krylow, and raises an eyebrow. He moves slowly on though, and find a decent size air conditioning unit. He motions Harris over with his hand, not daring to raise his voice.

Harris pushes to his feet, holstering his pistol in favor of his pack, from which he draws a bundle of mountaineering equipment and starts to fasten it around the air conditioner with as much rapidity as he can muster.

<CONTEST> Harris contests Coordination/dexterity vs Challenging and Fails.

<CONTEST> Krylow contests Demolitions/military explosives+A vs Moderate and Fails.

Shamash nods to himself as he studies the plan, having now a better understanding where to go. He hefts the PADD in a secure place. After Krylows demo charge explodes, he rejoins the group, mentioning "we have a long way down, people." He is checking his gear, harness and all.

Turtledove quirks an eyebrow up at Pierce, regarding him, eyes sparkling. Her smile widens. "A little quick on the trigger aren't you, Doctor?" Her eyes linger briefly, before her attention transfers to Nabrun in the form of a welcoming grin. Then she looks curiously to Krylow, and references the clicking noise by pointing in its general direction. She grins. "How ..bad.. is that?" Clearly, winging involvement in this one.

Krylow doesn't bother to address the various Vulcan like elevated eyebrows. Instead he steps back to the doorway to double check the gear there. After a moment he returns to his crouch, double checks the placement of the team members, and then again calls out, "Fire in hole." Again, nothing. Now the neutral expression cracks a little as he frowns.

. o O Krylow thinks, "You have got to be kidding."

<CONTEST> Lopez contests Energy Weapon vs Moderate and Fails.

Green lifts the other brow. She doesn't, however, comment, instead looking over her shoulder toward Shamash and Harris to see what they're up to.

. o O Green thinks, "C'mon, Alek, don't make all my bragging about you go down in vain."

"It's what the women like about me," says Pierce, flashing his most winning smile as he looks at Turtledove, and then Krylow. "The word is doomed at this rate, though."

Nabrun grins at Turtledove, then looks to Alek, head tilting slightly to one side. She studies him for a moment, then moves to stand a safe distance behind. "I hate to tell you, Frank," she murmurs, voice still very low. "But the last thing a woman wants is a man who's quick on the trigger. Makes a very bad first impression, you know. Besides, now's not a good time to be chatting about your trigger finger, itchy or otherwise." She crouches down and eyes the bomb, weapon out, at the ready.

. o O Green thinks, "/First/ impression? Doesn't foreplay come first?"

Lopez loses that healthy respect for explosives, and from her remote position draws a bead on the door itself. Specifically the hinges. "Everybody, heads up," she says, forbearing to join the 'trigger' conversation. "Alright, me, don't think of target dots..."

King covers the corner, and doesn't brace this time. He does let out a little grunt as the explosives don't go off again.

. o O King thinks, "Great, repelling, at least we're not going Zero-G....I wonder if its bad explosives, or triggers. Heck, could be bad Operator in general"

It's an amazing thing, really, those little things called coincidences. They could lead you to run into your best friend at the coffee house, and you end up having a wonderful chat about life and everything in general. They could have you put on brown pants instead of white pants, and thus, the coffee stain that you get from spilling coffee on yourself while you laugh at your best friend in the coffee house isn't nearly as noticable as you think it would be.

Of course, this evening's coincidence is no different. Ana Lopez takes aim and fires her laser pistol, and it works exactly as it was designed by Starfleet in the 2230s -- there's a blue beam of light, and it punches a nice, sizzling hole in the machinery for the elevator.

The coincidence, however, comes directly after this. Having not hit anything of real substance, the beam continues on, intersecting with another tallish sort of structure on the roof and creating an arc of sparks.

Three seconds after this, the door to the stairwell slides open.

Harris fumbles with his knot, frowning a bit as the light from the stairwell plays over the roof. Looking up, he raises an eyebrow. "Green, Nabrun, King, secure that door," he orders, voice still low as he goes back to the knots.

<CONTEST> Harris contests Coordination/dexterity vs Challenging and Fails.

It is time for Shamash to join the vulcanesque raised eyebrows. Glance from the door to King to the door and then to Lopez. Back to Harris: "Need a hand with that?"

. o O Lopez thinks, "Well. That certainly worked out differently in my head."

Turtledove's eyes shift from the door to Pierce, meanwhile, her expression quietly cheery. "Mmm. Doom." She gives the doctor a wink then turns back to the rain-soaked darkness, eyes quietly watching.

Krylow is frowning as he watches the door slide open. For the moment he takes up a position to offer cover fire for those moving to secure the door.

Green's eyes widen when she realizes Lopez's intent, and she opens her mouth to forestall it... too late. Naturally, she blinks when results are obtained. Shaking her head a bit, she moves forward at Harris' command, both hands on her pistol pointed at the ground, which raises as she takes a knee at the open stairwell doorway to peek around its jamb, eyes at knee height.

"Look, I write my own material. You try to do an original show three nights a week with this kind of audience," says Pierce, gesturing out at the group, before he then realizes the door is open. "Well, all right."

. o O Krylow thinks, "Reminder to self, if I ever go on a mission with Doctor Pierce I need to pack a gag for him."

Nabrun drops to one knee and levels the phaser at the now-open door. "Green," she calls quietly. "I'll cover you."

<CONTEST> Shamash contests Intellect/perception vs Moderate and Fails.

King watches as Lopez opens the door. A smirk, and a nods, "Aye." moving towards the door. He takes position standing behind and above Turtledove. The object of course is to provide cover, and be able to fire. His weapon comes up, and he peers around the door, weapon first.

The stairwell is well lit, and empty for the moment. Undoubtedly, this is the longest stretch of moderately good luck (no one is bleeding, maimed, or dying yet) in recent memory.

Of course, this means it can't last. Faint echoes sound on the stairs -- boots, moving quickly.

GAME: Harris spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Harris contests Coordination/dexterity+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

"I've got it," Harris replies to Shamash as he finally gets the knot tied. "Krylow, get that shaft open."

<CONTEST> Krylow contests Demolitions/military explosives+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Shamash listens. hard. "We will soon have company.. There is nothing on the plan, but.. from the sound of it, there might have been an alarm hooked up to the door." He moves towards said door to take a quick peek down, trying to estimate how far the steps are, before quickly retracting his steps again. He involuntarily twitches, trying to fight back a suggestion.

<CONTEST> Green contests Intellect/perception vs Challenging and Fails.

Turtledove registers the sounds of impending doom with a mild grin. "That's the problem with show business these days. So many pretty faces, so few talented writers." That was to Pierce, with mild, charming smile. To Green, Nabrun, and King, she offers, "You guys going to need some help sealing that exit?"

Krylow nods to Harris and steps back to the elevator shaft. Rather than trying to adjust the explosives he set before, he now simply strips off the first set and withraws new explosives and detonaters. After taking a moment to set them he steps back and glances to Harris and Shamash. "Fire in the hole," he says again and presses the trigger. This time things work and the charges go off with a small, controled explosion.

. o O Krylow thinks, "About damn time."

Green nods once to acknowledge Nabrun's statement, cocking her head to listen. The aim of her pistol shifts, to aim where she estimates a head will appear on the stairwell. "Probable incoming," she says coolly, confirming Shamash's statement. "Too many for comfort's sake." And at Turtledove's question, she gives a very short, "No." The woman doesn't even blink at Krylow's explosion, keeping her eyes on the stairwell.

Pierce shakes his head at that, but smiles at Turtledove, looking back at the explosion. "What should I be doing now?" he asks Nabrun, keeping his pistol out.

Nabrun keeps her eyes on the door, providing cover, as she said, for Green. "Cover the other side of the door," she tells Pierce. "And keep your eyes to the back of the doorway and the sides, to make sure no one's flanking." Her lips turn up into a grin at something, but she doesn't take her eyes from the doorway.

King looks back at Turtledove, and blanches at the little fireworks finally caused by Krylow. He lets Green take charge of his little formation and answer. She, after all, has the combat experience. He lets his pistol stay where its at, waiting for a target.

The boots continue making their way up the stairs, thudding ominously as they draw ever closer.

Harris, in the meantime, tests the strength of his rope. "Shamash, Green, Lopez, Krylow, Nabrun, Pierce, King, hook up to the rope. Lieutenant Shamash has the blueprints, he knows where you need to go. Tera and I will watch the door." Pistol in hand again, he moves to the door to relieve Green. "Go as fast as you can."

Shamash checks the rope himself once before snapping the hook over the rope. He moves over to the edge of the shaft, looks down to check that it is really clear. Then mentions shortly before letting himself fall down: "Down to the basement."

<CONTEST> Krylow contests Demolitions/military explosives+A vs Routine and Succeeds.

. o O Green does not trust Turtledove, almost to a paranoid degree.

. o O Harris trusts Turtledove implicitly, and would rather have no one else at his side as all hell breaks loose -- except, maybe, Meg.

Turtledove quirks an eyebrow at Harris, grinning good-natured, as she levels her phaser on the doorway and the sounds of doom, ready to defend the team at any cost. "Well, this is familiar."

Before hooking up to the rope Krylow reaches into his kit again and draws out another explosive charge. He slides a detonator into it, draws out a trigger, adjusts it and then jogs over near Harris and Turtledove. "This is ugly, but it throw it, then press the trigger. Make sure you're at least five meters away from it." Dirty grenade dropped off, he turns and jobs back over to others to hook into the rope, waiting on Pierce, Lopez and Nabrun to go first.

Green hesitates, then falls back to follow orders. "Good luck, sir. Watch your back," is offered in Harris' direction, before she turns to run and swiftly hook up to the rope, pistol still at the ready. "I suggest you allow me to go down first, Lieutenant," is aimed at Shamash.

Pierce goes over and then makes his way up to the rope, looking down at the clip on his belt around his waist. "Oh. So that's what this is for," he says. He waits for the marching orders.

Nabrun secures her weapon so that it's easily at hand and rises, heading for the rope. "Aye, Sir," she says. "Cover me, Lopez?" she asks, grinning briefly as she reaches for the rope.

Lopez clips herself in behind the pair of doctors at the order. She doesn't have the training to handle the action of arming herself and rapelling at the same time, and so she secures the weapon in the front of the belt. She listens to the sounds of approach, looking anxious to get moving. "Hopefully not by landing on you."

King is relieved from his position, and backs off last. "Check Six." Is said, to both and he moves back to the rope, jogging. He holsters his weapon, and hooks onto the rope last, and says, "Ready Here."

GAME: Pierce spends a courage point.

GAME: Green spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Pierce contests Athletics/rapelling+A vs Moderate and Marginally Fails.

<CONTEST> Green contests Athletics/rappelling+A vs Moderate and Fails.

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

<CONTEST> Shamash contests Athletics/rappelling vs Moderate and Succeeds.

GAME: Krylow spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> King contests Athletics/rappelling+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

<CONTEST> Krylow contests Athletics/rapelling+A vs Moderate and Marginally Fails.

GAME: Nabrun spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Nabrun contests Athletics/rapelling+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

GAME: Lopez spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Lopez contests Athletics/rappelling vs Moderate and Marginally Fails.

<CONTEST> Lopez contests Athletics/rappelling+A vs Moderate and Fails.

<CONTEST> Harris contests Energy Weapon vs Moderate and Succeeds.

<CONTEST> Turtledove contests Energy Weapon vs Moderate and Succeeds.

And so the decent begins. The vast majority of everyone makes it down to the bottom okay -- with Krylow and Pierce slipping and sliding until they hit the ground. It's about three seconds after that that the impact of Lopez hitting Krylow, and Green lands on top of Pierce.

Meanwhile, up at the top, the first heads pop up over the stairs, and are blasted down by Harris and Turtledove.

"Familiar?" Harris asks before he drills a guard between the eyes. "We do this regularly?"

Shamash, down at the bottom of the shaft, unhooks himself from the rope harness and gets his gear. With the two people crashing down, he jumps back as if expecting more people falling from the sky. Moment later, the customary check comes: "Ana? Alek? Green? Pierce? all of you okay? Groan means yes." a pause for them to respond, then he mentions to the group "Now, the elevator shaft ends in the first basement. From here, we have to go down two more to the main testing facility. Expect an increase in passice and active security from here on. Bur now lets get out of the shaft first."

Turtledove nails her guard right in the heart. "Well, we used to," she replies to Harris with a slight grin. "Before you lost your mind, and certain doom became somehow less interesting. Don't ask me how that works."

Krylow slides down, touching onto the floor with a grunt and unhooks his rope again. A moment later Lopex comes crashing down and knocks him to the ground. Another grunt and he rolls to the side then to his feet.

Green lets out an "oof" of breath, taking a second to recover from her fall. Not for a second does she loose her grip on her weapon, though. Then she realizes where she is, and hastily rolls off of Pierce to climb to her feet, her face flushing dark red. "... Of course I am fine." Tay looks around swiftly, and moves to secure the shaft door.

"And we're the best that the United Federation of Planets has to offer?" mutters Pierce as he stands up and rubs at himself, groaning as he does so. "Thank God the universe doesn't rely on us in real life."

Nabrun goes down the rope like an old pro, landing at the bottom, phaser coming out as she unhooks herself.

Having Alek and the others break her fall so well really doesn't take the sting out of it. The small cuban customs officer says in a groan, "Can't wait." And smaller, several times, to several people, "Lo siento, sorry, sorry..."

King slides down the rope, making it look easy. He unhooks quickly, pulling out his weapon. He surveys the scene, and move towards the shaft following Green, covering her as it were. Sometimes coming down last has it advantages and its disadvantages.

<CONTEST> Harris contests Energy Weapon vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Harris keeps firing, dropping another guard. "Right, I'll keep that in mind," he replies.

<CONTEST> Turtledove contests Energy Weapon vs Moderate and Marginally Fails.

Shamash takes an odd shaped tool from out of his backpack and inserts it into a depression at one side of the doorframe. A quick twist anti-clockwise and the elevator door opens to open the view into a corridor. "Green, Tera, the corridor."

Turtledove gives her target's hairstyle a wee change as her shot grazes his head --- but any designer will tell you it's the little touches that really contribute to style. To Harris, "Just keep an eye on your inner child. If he starts to draw pictures of PADD-work and desk paraphrenalia, be afraid. Be very afraid."

Krylow recovers from the landing and crash, and draws his sidearm again. He advances with the others, weapon held out in front and pointed towards the ground. He's silent, eyes watching the corridor.

"Aye, sir." Tay does that crouching thing again, moving along at a low profile to stick first the end of her pistol, then an eye around to sweep the corridor.

<CONTEST> Green contests Intellect/perception vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Pierce nods his head once and then just, well, tries to keep himself low and keep out his laser pistol. "All right," he says finally. "So we're alive, saving the world. Alive, saving the world."

Nabrun glances over to Pierce and grins wryly. "Frank? Stop talking. We know you're there. You watch the left, I'll watch the right."

. o O King thinks, "Yes, but we won't be if you don't shut you tail up!"

Lopez is meanwhile digesting her inner child, ruminating as they move along, weapon coming out to the ready.

King moves behind Green, not saying a word. He walks behind her slowly, standing tall, business end pointed over her, actively searching for a target.

<CONTEST> Harris contests Athletics/throwing vs Moderate and Succeeds.

<CONTEST> Turtledove contests Energy Weapon vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Harris tosses the dirty grenade into the stairwell. "If you'd be so kind as detonate that," he calls to Turtledove as laser blasts fly past his head. "I'd be much obliged."

Turtledove grins at Harris. She cheerily presses the trigger.

Krylow continues to move with the group, having dropped to the rear position where he keeps an eye out behind them.

Green's gaze narrows abruptly, and she goes very still indeed, one eye fixed on whatever she's watching. Her pistol remains firmly in place, unmoving. "Lieutenant Shamash," she says in her neutral voice, keeping lip movement to a minimum, "There's a camera covering the corridor. Do you want me to take it out?"

"Well, all right," says Pierce to Nabrun, keeping his laser pistol out and pointed at his designated area, providing what weak 'cover' that he can.

. o O Green just /itches/ to take that camera out.

Nabrun grins at Pierce and shakes her head, somewhat bemused, but fondly. Upon hearing Tay's words, however, the Counselor's eyes sharpen a bit and she starts alternating glances up with glances around her "area."

King freezes as Green stops in place, and drops to a knee. He moves to the side a little, pistol traces up too it, then back down. He forces himself to watch the corridor, covering the group.

. o O Nabrun thinks, "Why are you taking a knee? Do you WANT to get shot or stepped on? I'm a COUNSELOR and I know better than to do that in this situation. You've been watching too many vids."

There's a big explosion as Turtledove sets off the bomb from above, dropping out the top of the stairs with a kaboom that vibrates the whole building, and echoes down the elevator shaft.

Harris holsters his pistol. "Do you trust me?" he asks Turtledove as he runs back toward where the rope is secured, and begins tying off another length of it.

<CONTEST> Harris contests Coordination/dexterity+A vs Challenging and Marginally Succeeds.

Shamash explains "All of you. Once the corridor is clear, take a left..." he continues some explanations as where to head to exactly. "... then we will be in front of a stairwell. The door will be protected. Alek, it will be your job to open it. I want King as rear-end charlie. Green, Blast it! you'll take point. Alek, you are with Ana behind Green. The rest of us? somewhere in the middle" he closes with a small smile.

Turtledove's eyes shift from the exploded stairwell access, to Harris, tying the rope. She shakes her head, grinning, replying mostly to herself. "Like you wouldn't believe, Robbie." She stands, and makes for the shaft, to ensure that all is clear on that end.

<CONTEST> Green contests Energy Weapon vs Routine and Succeeds.

<CONTEST> Krylow contests Demolitions/military explosives+A vs Routine and Succeeds.

Green repeats, "Aye, sir," and coolly squeezes the trigger on her weapon. "Camera destroyed," she says, and moves out into the corridor to swing portside. She never leaves that odd crouching position, even as she swiftly moves forward, quite at ease in doing so, and then she pushes her back against the corridor wall, glancing behind her.

A moment after Green takes care of the camera Krylow moves forward from the back of the group at a light jog, again unslinging his kit as he does. "Keep at least four meters from the door," he says to Green and Lopez as he passes them. It only takes him a moment to set the charges, and then he's pulling back. He visually checks to make sure everyone's clear, then crouches and says, "Fire in the hole." He presses the trigger and the charges go off.

Pierce steps after Krylow and Green. "Impressive. Like, you guys actually do something to help the mission go further. Me? I do the color commentary." He halts up a bit while they do the big explosive ka-boom deal.

. o O Green thinks, "Damn, I'm good."

<CONTEST> King contests Search vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Nabrun flinches just a little at the kaboom and grins just a bit. "Be careful," she murmurs.

Lopez follows the door-opener and the gal on point. "Not even tempted to get closer, there, pal." Explosions behind, explosions ahead. The air always feels so very very still to Ana before something vaporizes, even on the holodeck. And she puts her fingers to her ears too, knowing that being able to hear might come in handy at some point.

King nods as his his position is given. He shifts into position, and turns his attention to the rear. A faint grin, as the shot lands, and the camera goes buh byes. The explosion doesn't phase him this time around. He moves along, and looks around. "Shamash," he whispers, "No ones here now, but it was traveled through here recently."

The door falls over with a loud clang after Krylow blows it, revealing one of the guards behind it -- but this one's different from the ones that Turtledove and Harris were fighting upstairs by about the same amount that night is not day.

She's blonde, buxom, about 5'5" and 120 pounds, clad in a skimpy guard uniform... and well, looking pretty surprised (yes, the pun was intended) as she looks at the group on the other side of the door.

This, quite obviously, is a job for Doctor Franklin Pierce.

"Catch," says Pierce, tossing his laser gun to Nabrun as he makes his way up towards the door, flashing a bright smile as he removes his ski mask, his hair wind-swept just so. "Why, I believe we have the wrong building, gentlemen. We seem to have come upon Heaven..."

Meanwhile, on the roof...

Harris secures himself to the rope. "There's not enough rope left to make it more than a couple of floors. So, we're improvising," he says to Turtledove. "In that spirit, I'm going to insist that you hug me with all your strength and close your eyes." Whatever he has in mind, it must be... well... interesting.

"Well if you insist..." Turtledove grins as she grabs on, unabashed. She eyes Harris, amused. "This better be fun."

Krylow just generally looks disgusted for a few moments, turning his gaze away and shaking his head.

Green just levels her pistol at the buxom guard. "Lieutenant?" she inquires of Shamash.

. o O Green thinks, "Oh gods. Now is /really/ not the time for your ego in penis form, Doctor!"

Nabrun shakes her head ruefully. "Deities," she murmurs to herself, amused.

. o O Lopez thinks, "Madre de... ?Quiin escribe esta materia?"

Lopez raises an eyebrow, incredulous but equally willing to let the Doctor 'do his thang'. Whatever thats going to be. Aside, to the others, she mutters, "Nice shoes."

King rolls his eyes as Pierce talks. He sneaks a peek back, and even the engaged King, says, "Damn." But, he goes back to all business as the ring reminds of something or other. Stealing one last glance towards Pierce and the woman, he turns back to being all business as the rear becomes his responsibility again.

. o O King thinks, "What is that wanna be romantic, talking about....WOW, Damn....Oh right, ring, engaged Saelonna. She's decent, about as good looking as Saelonna."

"Really?" Guard Girl is, apparently, not all that bright, either. "Aww, you're sweet. Are you headed to the Vulcan? It's three floors down -- I'll buzz you through."

GAME: Turtledove spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Turtledove contests Fitness/strength +A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

GAME: Harris spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Harris contests Athletics/running+A vs Challenging and Fails.

GAME: Harris spends a courage point.

<CONTEST> Harris contests Fitness/vitality+A vs Challenging and Succeeds.

Without further ado, Harris runs at Turtledove, wrapping his arms around her and racing right off the edge of the building. Of course, he doesn't quite get the speed up that he needs, and so the distance isn't all that great, but it's enough to drop them for five stories (rather than two intended) and send them crashing through a plate glass window and into an office.

Harris, himself, is silent for a moment after they come to a stop. "Okay, that hurt," he whispers.

Shamash looks from the guard to Pierce and back. With a dry chuckle over his shoulder he mentions to Green. "Lets give Doc Pierce a chance with Hot Lips here." beat. "Though if its a ruse? stun them. and yes. i mean stun them both."

Turtledove pats Harris on the head. Rather, she brushes debris from his hair. It's both thoughtful and patronizing, see. "But, it /was/ fun." She grins at Harris. "It was a blast. We should do this more often. I'll see you later... it's a bit past this rope-hanging hero's bedtime."

Turtledove goes home.

Turtledove has left.

"No stun setting on these," Tay mentions. Yet she moves her aim to cover both Pierce and Hot Lips. If she were the type to show it, she'd be gleeful. Good thing she isn't.

"See?" says Pierce with a bright smile as he pats the guard's cheek, waving the others on, like he has no doubt at all that this will work. "You're an angel, and the pearly gates open for us."

King smiles at the thought of Pierce getting shot, but besides that he just watches the rear, like a good ninja.

. o O King thinks, "Shoot him, oh please shoot the jerk."

The girl giggles again and waves them on. "C'mon, you're going to miss the show."

. o O Lopez thinks, "Show?"

About ten seconds after that, the elevator dings and Harris steps out, all non-chalantly like -- just minus a sidekick, because she escaped.

. o O Harris is a little bit sore.

Shamash wields his own weapon, not all guards can be as... odd... as HotLips here, then mentions, "Okay.. lets follow our happy couple here, but don't let your guard down."

. o O Green thinks, "Show? What show?"

Krylow slides his pack back into place across this shoulders, and lifts his weapon to begin moving with the others. The guard doesn't get any of his attention. She's got more than enough from Pierce, after all.

Green nods grimly at Shamash's adice, and takes point, as ordered, moving forward. "Welcome back, Lieutenant," she says in reference to Harris without looking toward him.

Pierce waits for the rest to proceed on by before he falls into line. "Comm me sometime," he says with a wink as he heads off after them and towards 'Vulcan'.

Nabrun falls into step behind Green, still looking a touch amused. Her eyes, however, keep scanning the area, falling on Harris as he arrives. A brow goes up slightly, followed by a grin.

Lopez hops along to keep up, rather in the middle of the moving clump of people, more or less.

King walks backwards slowly, not wanting to miss anything important. As he passes Hot Lips, he doesn't spare her a glance except to make sure she doesn't take action. He looks over to Harris, with a smile, "Welcome back, Sir."

. o O King thinks, "The guys a Doc and he just told a hologram to hail him? And they say I ain't sane??"

As promised, Guard Girl buzzed them right on through to the main test chamber -- and there is 'Vulcan'.

It's a large construct, shaped like a drill, and with a virulent green glow to boot. All around are feeder pipes, tubes, and other various arcane instruments and things.

Harris furrows his brows. "Well, that's it. Let's take it out. Krylow -- explosives. Nabrun, Lopez, let's make sure that green crap isn't toxic. Everyone else, secure the perimeter."

Shamash nods to Harris as he is back to take the position as squad leader and he steps back with a nod. and being one of "everyone else", moves to the perimeter.

<CONTEST> Krylow contests Demolitions/military explosives vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Pierce goes home.

Pierce has left.

<CONTEST> and .

Krylow nods to Harris and moves to the 'Vulcan' and begins to set charges around it. "Unlike the doors, this will be a big explosion. We'll need to give it space," he says as he begins to add detonators.

Green glances toward Harris, even as she moves on the securing orders. "Aye, sir. I take it, then, that we've retrieved the data disks pertaining to this weapon's construction?" Which was, if she recalls correctly, the primary objective of this mission.

<CONTEST> Lopez contests Personal Equipment/tricorder vs Moderate and Marginally Fails.

Nabrun heads over to her "assignment" and considers it for a moment. Out comes her PADD. "Viral agent," she says quietly. "Resembles...the Phyrox plague, oddly."

. o O Krylow thinks, "Green crap. If only all technical terms were so simple I wouldn't have had to learn a whole new language."

Lopez flips out her own tricorder and begins scanning, but she is clearly puzzled and has no immediate information to render up to the group.

King nods, "Aye, Sir." and since he is last in the door, he takes a position at there, crouching low. He uses the jam as cover, and levels his weapon out the opening.

Eidolon shakes his head. "Not yet. We'll find it on the way out." He glances to Krylow. "Are we all set, then?"

Harris shakes his head. "Not yet. We'll find it on the way out." He glances to Krylow. "Are we all set, then?"

<CONTEST> King contests Search vs Challenging and Succeeds.

Krylow sets the last charges and nods to Harris. "I'm set, sir," he says simply.

Green nods one, and slips outside the door, to crouch behind it in hopefully safe shelter from what she is sure will be an imminent explosion.

Nabrun backs away and gets out of dodge, as it were, clearly not happy with what she found.

Lopez says, "If there's a virulent agent in that, won't blowing it up just... distribute it far and wide, and do that thing's work for it?"

King looks over and around and spots something on a desk. He moves from his position, and looks at the desk. "Uhm, Harris?" he picks the disks up, and grins. "These what we're looking for?"

And with that, the computer chimes. "Victory conditions met. Simulation ending." And with that, the normal grid appears.

Harris quirks a grin. "I guess so."

Shamash laughs as the scene clears. "A, sorry Lieutenant" - that is to Green, "But you do not get to shoot Mr. Pierce after all."

Green blinks a little, looking upwards as the simulation ends. It takes her more than a moment to pull herself out of the mock-situation, straightening. Her gaze goes to Shamash. "No need for apology. I would not wish to harm a fellow team member, Lieuteannt."

Nabrun starts to say something, then blinks as well. "My," she replies. "That...went well. Anyone injured?"

Lopez says, "I think I may have put an elbow into someone's ribs during the drop... otherwise..."

King grins at Harris, "I'm not useless after all, I guess." Its said in a teasing way, "And I'm not Counselor."

And so it is that the team is victorious... until next time, at least.