And Treasure, Fathoms Down

 Episode Name:  And Treasure, Fathoms Down

   Written By:  Daedalus

         Cast:  Daedalus, Katoka, Parker, Payne, Reian, Takamura, Tyler and Von Brockdorf.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Daedalus

     Aired On:  Sun Sep 25 22:23:35 2005

     Stardate:  55290.5

Time: Sun Sep 25 13:53:57 2005

Stardate: 55289.7

There are big ships, and there are little ships. For those used to flying aboard little transports and surveyors and escorts, USS Discovery is a very big ship, bigger even than an Akira-class vessel, and with the palpable but false illusion of being even bigger than a small space station, the Nebula-class Exploratory cruiser is big enough to get lost in. It is certainly big enough that against its bulk, the launching of a little shuttlecraft is almost certainly able to be ... overlooked, and certainly so against the backdrop of Nausicaan homeworld, the polluted sickly colorscape of its cloud cover and oceans forming a dark and gritty expanse against which the profile of the little Shuttlecraft Baer might get ... well, lost.

That is, however, the beauty of the plan. And so it is that, amongst the half a dozen or so Federation, Klingon, and Ferengi vessels in orbit around Nausicaa today, each of them disgorging a few shuttles of officers and crewmen, technicians and diplomats, the shuttlecraft Baer is just one more drop in the ocean.

Especially as the eye trails it downward through the cloud cover, just before zooming into the interior cockpit, and one realizes that it's not heading for any landmass as it begins its descent, but down for the polluted seas themselves.

GAME: Tyler is now set IC.

Takamura stands amongst his crew aboard the Baer, looking at each one in turn before speaking. "As some of you already know, Nausicaa Prime has been having an environmental emergency where its shoreline is being eroded away. A previous mission to the planet has determined that the cause of this erosion was the introduction of mutated Bazgan Floaters to the biosphere which have been eating away at the shoreline. Our mission today is to find the source of these floaters, who brought them here, and why. Fortunately for us, several members of that first team are with us today." He gestures to Reian, Katoka, and von Brockdorf. "Lieutenant Reian, please brief us on what you have discovered about the Floaters. Then, Lieutenant Katoka, give us an overview of what you have discovered in your simulations, including possible locations for the source of the problem."

Reian has spent the majority of the last week closeted with Katoka, the two Science Officers pouring over PADDs and computers and models and simulations. Reian has apparently even rather enjoyed the experience, judging from the alacrity with which she zips off to the console she's using each morning. And has grown positively boring on the subject of Bazgan Floaters, her voice often to be heard lecturing poor Katoka about potential nesting sites, and what might tempt them out to mass together. It's a wonder that Katoka hasn't been fleeing from the vicinity of the workaholic Telasa at every opportunity, in fact...

She stands as Tak requests the information from her, and takes a half step forward, "It's fairly straightforward, in essence." she assures people. Regardless of how she seems to be able to wax eloquent on the subject for hours usually... "Bazgan Floaters are a plantform, usually found free floating in atmospheres. They absorb waste, and slough it off in a form that can be cleaned away. Useful. *These* Bazgan Floaters, however, have been genetically modified to tie them to the water. And they have been massing on the coastline in untenably large numbers, drawn, we believe, to the site of a Ferengi factory. The waste they have been sloughing off is too large to be dealt with and as such is having a major negatiev ecological impact. There is most likely a single 'nest' site that the are all coming from, which Lt Katoka has been attempting to locate." She looks to Katoka, stepping back once more.

"..just three." Katoka murmurs softly as she scrubs the palm of her hand against her forehead. "I mean, on the upside - it's only three. I just hoped to have it narrowed down to something a little more concrete." The dark haired Lieutenant looks up from her console, dragging herself out of her thoughts as she hears her name. It's fairly obvious that sleep hasn't been her bosom buddy for the past few days and in the 'free time' she's had on board, she's slept while her simulations run, but she projects her voice now with knowing. "Based on the varying toxicity, the biological components of the floaters and the topography of the Nausicaan homeworld, I've been able to narrow the possible nest sights down to three." She pauses, glancing down for a moment before continuing. "Nausicaa is a very polluted world. There has been substantial degredation to the continental shelf and the soil, air and water are all contaminated. Our best guess on the fate of the outland coastal villages had them existing for another few months at the most, before the shelf collapses beneath them." Light eyes glance around, making eyecontact with those listening, and searching for signs of confusion - that she's 'lost' anyone.

Payne nods, "I believe I understand, Lt." He says looking at Katoka, then the other lt's. He stands still as he is debrief'd, looking at last, to the others in the group.

von Brockdorf looks concerned. "Just how many Nausicans live in those Coastal Villages Lt? I would imagine evacuation would be extremely difficult given their feirce independance."

Tyler, for her part, has kept to the medical facilities on board the Discovery, continuing her ongoing internship toward one day becoming a fully-fledged doctor. She doesn't seem too interested, in fact, she seems rather disgusted by the noxious atmosphere they are flying into, until the oceans are mentioned, whereby she perks up slightly. She tries to peer out of one of the viewports to get a better look at the water below. "Beach party Nausicaa, baby," she says quietly to nobody in particular. She gives her medical report. "We'll need rebreathers if we get near the water. Full EVA if we get into it, sir," Tyler reports to Takamura. "I've got triox for breathing difficulties. And, uh, if anyone has any open wounds - no matter how small - we need to get those tended before you get close to that sludge."

Parker spent the last week mostly playing cards with whatever NCO on USS Discovery wanting to and swapping stories with them. Or, well, he was mostly listening to the stories and grunting encouraging sounds as he played those cards. He, being someone who appreciates a big ship and isn't unfamiliar with them, also spent some time going over information about that class of ship.

Now he's piloting the shuttle, concentrating deeply on it as well, it's not like anyone would call him a master pilot. He turns the chair long enough to hear what's being said though and nods his understanding at it. Sounds simple enough to him. "When we find the nest, what's our mission, Sir?" he asks, his voice a warm rumble in the small area.

Takamura nods to Reian and Katoka, giving them a small smile. "Thank you, Lieutenants." Looking back to the rest of the group, he continues. "We will be following Ensign Tyler's medical recommendations. Before we leave the shuttle, everyone will be wearing the appropriate protective equipment. We won't have anyone trying to play tough in front of the Nausicaans." Glancing towards Parker, he replies, "When we find the nest, we try to find out how it got there and possibly destroy it. If it is a single nest, we want to eliminate it so that the problem does not get worse. We're looking at an entire coastal region that is endangered, not just a single village. So, evacuation is not a realistic option."

. o O Takamura thinks, "I'd hate to have to destroy those plants, but if it comes down to them or the Nausicaans, I'll choose to keep the Nausicaans alive."

Reian leans herself back against the nearest leanable object, a gleam of interest in her eyes as she glances to the viewport, "We'll find them." she smiles to Katoka. "And then.. we'll figure out something to do with them." So she hasn't got that part worked out yet? Excellent start! Nodding towards Tyler, she grins a little, "Fully operational here." she assures the nursing officer, "I assume you've been passed the information about the chemical toxins we're going to be dealing with? If not, I think Lt Katoka has the data stashed here... err.. somewhere?" She glances to Katoka, a slightly enquiring glance, before looking back to Takamura. "If the Floaters were modified once, Sir, it might yet be possible to undo the modifications. Free them from the water. Or.. well.. there could well be alternatives. Until we see the nest itself, we won't be able to appraise all the options."

. o O Reian thinks, "Not going to be destroying anything if I get my say. Not the *plants'* fault that someone decided to take it into their head to mess with them..."

"Yes, yes.. I have it." Katoka acknowledges, retaking her seat as she picks up her PADD. "It's difficult to discern a course of action until we see.." She looks toward von Brockdorf. "Evacuation is something for the future - our first hope is to eliminate the problem. Class M worlds, Nausicaa included, have an inborn ability to heal themselves even through catastrophic damage.. given enough time. With the area being so severe, the entire coastal area.. " She trails off, frowning. "..Ensign Tyler, I'm sending you the chemical data."

Payne watches the others, and attempts to assess the situation. He nods at the words spoken by others. He glances at his padd, and presses it a few times in different places. It bleeps accordingly.

von Brockdorf looks thoughtfull. "The questions that truely bother me is 'Who altered them?', 'Why?' and 'Are they still arounf and monitoring their pets?". I mean who gains by the destruction of the coastline? It seems, well a drastic solution. Assuming of course that it wasnt some form of misguided attempt to clean up their vile airspace." he pauses to stare out of a viewport. "Of course if it IS deliberate then its avery hostile act indeed"

Tyler looks over her PADD as the data is passed toward her. "I think the Nausicaans should just give up and find a new planet. Occa would probably do," she comments as she reads over the list of poisons. "What if it isn't the floaters but rather the factory's? Do our orders cover blowing up Ferengi property?" Yes, the question is facetious.

Parker turns his attention back to the piloting console, looming over it; the chair is almost too small for his large form. He listens to what's being said but he has no comments or questions of his own right now.

Parker turns his attention back to the piloting console, looming over it; the chair is almost too small for his large form. "There are three locations," he rumbles. "I'll need coordinates, Sir," he tells Katoka, glancing her way. "And know which one to go to first."

By this time, the small craft has descended fully through the polluted cloud cover, and atmospheric sensors as well as visual readings go slightly less 'red zone'. The noxious yellow-green waters of the most heavily polluted coastal zone lie straight down and ahead, filling the central vista. Off to the side, the coastal city-states can be seen, large military-industrial tribal complexes which continue to pour out the very pollutions causing the problem.

Takamura gestures to Katoka. "Lieutenant, give the Chief the sets of coordinates, highlighting which set you believe to be the most likely candidate. Lieutenant Reian, check the sensors to see if you can determine a high concentration of the floaters at the three potential sites." He then grins at Tyler. "Not exactly, Ensign. If we determine that the Ferengi are actively causing the problem, then we are to first try to negotiate with them. If negotiations fail, then we are to consult the three nearest Nausicaan warlords to determine what they want us to do about the situation."

"It's my understanding," Reian responds to von Brockdorf, "That the Bazgan Floaters are a tool most frequently found in Ferengi control. So presumably - but not certainly - they brought them. Whether it was them that modified them, though, who knows? It would seem to be very odd, to draw such attention to themselves and the byproducts of their factories. An experiment gone wrong? Were they trying to clear up their own waste, and didn't count on the base level contaminants? Sabotage by someone else?" She shakes her head, "That is one of the more pressing set of questions that we have to answer, Ensign, and right now I don't see any clear suggestions as to the answers." She nods to Takamura, "Sir." she acknowledges befoer turning to a console, apparently already knowing the co-ordinates in question, as she tries to set off some vaguely useful scans...

Payne Is along for the ride at the moment, He pays particular attention to Ensign Brockdorfs' conversation. "Not bad." he murmurs to himself.

Katoka is busily prodding the colorful translucent sensors on her console, only half listening to the conversation around her. "The problem is the factory, sort of in a secondary nature.." She explains to the air. "The floaters are actively feeding on the waste - that's what they do. It's just that their once helpful behavior of solidifying pollution is not so helpful here." She falls silent, nodding at Takamura. "Already in process, Sir.."

von Brockdorf says, "What data do we have on the local War Lords Sir? I can imagine if they live far from the coast they might not consider it a high priority. Especially if the buisness they do with the Ferengi is profitable. To both sides I mean."

Tyler continues to read over the toxin list, remaining otherwise quiet for now.

Parker taptaps on his console to receive the coordinates, remaining quiet as well for now.

A signal blinks on the console, indicating a brief pro-forma inquiry from some Nausicaan traffic control station.

GAME: Katoka contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors vs Challenging and Succeeds.

Takamura responds to von Brockdorf before the signal starts blinking. "The information we have is a little sketchy, but the Ferengi took over a power vacuum on the planet and have consolidated their hold on the Nausicaans. The warlords change constantly, so it is difficult to determine exactly who the Ferengi have paid off." When he notices the signal, he says, "Open a channel, Mr. Payne. Let's see what the Nausicaans want to know."

Reian is quiet, concentrating on her scans, occasionally questioning Katoka in a low voice. Working carefully and methodically, as she tries to locate anything Floater-like on the surface. Not even slightly distracted by the beeping signals, keeping her mind on her own work.

GAME: Reian contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Katoka scans for a long few moments, eyes narrowed at the console. Abruptly she leans back, planting her forefinger on the plexiglass and muttering something low to Reian. "..right there. Look at that - the currents match, the minerals are utterly out of line.. it has to be a ship. It's there. Right. There." She states confidently, punching a few buttons to send the coordinates over to the helm. "That's the place."

Payne nods, "Aye, Sir." as he moves to the console tapping a few buttons, "Channel Open, sir." he comments. He looks to Takamura, and waits further instruction. Seemingly, he is ready for anything.

von Brockdorf looks intrested at the news of anactual ship but holds his peace and lets the senior officers investigate.

Tyler keeps quiet and allows the big boys to work. She lowers the PADD so she can pay attention to the goings-on, however, having fully satisfied her need of reading up on how the Nausicaans are completely destroying their world.

Parker gets the coordinates and adjusts the course of the shuttle, keeping a close check on the sensor readings to know what's happening around the little ship.

The voice comes through clearly, a Nausicaan gravelly tone with the clicking of mandibles between every few UT-translated words: "This is Dau'kir'har Citadel Air Control, Federation shuttlecraft ... we are 22 klicks off your starboard and wanting to make sure your splashdown course isn't some kind of emergency. Give us some sign that we don't have to send out the rescue team, hm?"

"This is Lieutenant Takamura aboard the Federation shuttle Baer." The Japanese man relies. "We are on a scientific mission and are under our own power. Your concern is appreciated though. Baer out." After motioning for Payne to cut the channel. Glancing over his shoulder, he calls to the scientists. "See what information you can get on that ship. Mr. von Brockdorf, try to determine their tactical capabilities."

Reian's eyes open wider as she nods, and then shakes her head to Katoka. "Right there, yes.. but not a ship." she murmurs. "It's a base of some description, stationary." She leans in closer, trying to make sense of the bipping of the scans, "Probably built into the ocean floor itself... a few fathoms down." She seems more than a little shocked at the discovery, "Not exactly what I expected.." she murmurs softly.

Katoka knits her brow. "Me neither. Let's see if we can't narrow our scans down a bit.." Katoka punches a few buttons on the console and leans forward, peering.

. o O Reian is more than a little shocked. "I knew it wasn't natural, what happened to those Floaters... but *so* very deliberate? That's just.. wrong. On so many levels. Unless we have the wrong site? But the data adds up.."

Payne turns to the console, tapping it twice. "Aye, sir. Communications are Terminated." he says professionally. He looks over at Lt. Takamura, awaiting further instructions.

. o O Takamura thinks, "A base facility built into the ocean floor? This is really getting suspicious now."

von Brockdorf moves to the console Reian has just left to look at Katoka's results and initates a scan

GAME: von Brockdorf contests his Shipboard Systems vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Tyler still remains quiet, waiting for someone to break a nail or a step on one or something.

Parker keeps on flying towards the indicated underwater station.

GAME: Parker contests his Vehicle Operations/Shuttlecraft vs Routine and Succeeds.

With the course plotted for the 'finalized' coordinates selected from the three possibilities after Reian and Katoka's follow-up scans, the shuttlecraft speeds just a few dozen meters above the water's surface at a shallow angle. The gene-tweaked floaters can be seen in the water, in light concentrations here, that's how low the shuttle is flying. But soon, the conditions are right, the angle is right, and with some tweakings of the SIF and the environmental systems, the Shuttlecraft Baer adjusts course more steeply and breaks the surface of the murky, toxic water, into another world below.

Takamura raises an arm up to brace himself against the bulkhead as the shuttle descends into the depths. "Take us close enough for an accurate sensor sweep of the floaters and the facility. But keep on the look out for anything that might be hostile, Chief. Lieutenants, what can you tell me about that station?"

Reian catches her breath as the shuttle dives beneath the water, and moves away from the console where she had been peering over Katoka's shoulder for a moment, instead staring out into the murk that surrounds, looking up to catch a glimpse of the Floaters from below, and then trying to catch a look at any other floating plantlife. But duty soon recalls her and she returns to looking over Katoka's shoulder, adding any extra information she can to the scans the other science officer is running.

GAME: Katoka contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors vs Routine and Succeeds.

. o O Takamura thinks, "Good thing we don't have any Andorians with us. They would be cursing me like nobody's business."

GAME: Parker contests his Shipboard Systems/Sensors vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Katoka winces; casting a light gaze out through the port and into the gloom beyond. She sighs to herself, dragging her attention back to the console where she continues to sort out sensor data with Reian. "It looks.." She purses her lips. "It looks like a small ship to me, ovoid, two hundred meters long at the tips and half as wide." Her fingertip traces the edge of the pictoral scan and she glances at Reian. "That looks like a cluster of floaters to me.. and a port?" Her brow lifts. "Let me transfer the scan to the helm - if it is, we can enter there if we need." And so she does, sending the skematics off with a few blips of the console.

Payne braces onto the console in front of him, preparing for a rough landing as he watches the port view. He remains silent, ready to accept orders.

von Brockdorf taps away at the console working on the data delivered from the sensors. "The station, ship or whatever it is has no life signs, no weapons sigs I can trace. Its powered down and apparantly abandonded. I cant match it's type to anything in our records. I will make the data avaible if anyone can tell anything from the structure or configuration. Its like nothing I've ever seen. But no obvious danger to us currently at least." He stares back down at the console obviously puzzled. He taps some reconfigurations into the console before running more scans.

There's one thing flying in space, one thing in atmospheric environment... and another coursing through the depths of water. Murky water, too. Parker isn't saying anything, deeply concentrated on the task of steering the Baer towards its goal, his fingers working flinkly over the console. "Aye, Sir," he responds, steadily bringing the shuttle through the soup that this ocean has become. A close eye is kept on the ship's functions to make sure it's not reacting badly to the environment, and he does his own sensor sweep to check if anything's out there that shouldn't take an interest. "No signs of other vehicles in the area, Sir. ETA very soon," he reports back, voice confident. "And... here we are. Visual range, Sir."

. o O Parker thinks, "There's a first for everything. Is it even flying if it's in water? I seem to be doing a whole lot of things that I'm not really meant to do, lately."

And, in fact, yes, visual range established. The big, squat, ovoid base rests nestled in a cleft in the ocean floor, apparently powered down, or at least in some kind of auxiliary power only mode that passes for dead. And right at one of the long axis ends, just as Katoka seems to have predicted ... a cluster of floaters.

Except, actually, it isn't. Not a cluster. It's one. One floater plant. One *big* floater. A single Bazgan Floater, clearly genetically modified, tethered down to some kind of duranium mesh in a hollowed out cavity in the rocks just near the main access port. A single floater so big it is actually *blocking* the access port. A single, huge genetically modified plant that exists solely to suck in minerals, slough off waste, and produce the spores that are producing the 'waterbags' infesting the Nausicaan shore.

So maybe saying 'just one floater plant' is a little bit of understatement.

. o O Parker is awestruck.

. o O Takamura thinks, "Now, that's a /big/ plant."

GAME: Parker contests his Material Engineering/Metallurgical vs Moderate and Succeeds.

. o O Parker thinks, "Well, I'll be damn. The Ferengi... That's something new. I need to get inside."

Takamura's eyes widen as he looks out at the 'Mama Plant'. "Is there anyway we can get around the plant to dock with the ship? If not, we might have to transport aboard or worst case scenario, go for a swim. Mr. Payne, see if you can determine if the ship has a breathable atmosphere inside. Lieutenant Reian, scan that large plant to get as much information as we can about it."

"I still think it's a fixed station, even if it's as big as a ship." Reian grins to Katoka, cheerful in her slight difference of opinion. "But yes, other than that I have to agree. Our friendly Floaters are certainly managing to make a nice cluster there. Now, whether they're been drawn here, or originated here.." She listens to von Brockdorf's comments, opening her mouth to respond... before she sees the visual display.. and the Mother of All Bazgan Floaters. And a look of absolute peaceful awe dominates her expression for a moment. "Wow." she murmurs. "Isn't it just *amazing*?? Someone's gone to a *lot* of trouble to create that little beauty." Really. Only Reian could see something like that as beautiful.. She turns, needing no further prompting from Takamura, padding back to the console, looking to Katoka and von Brockdorf hopefully, to see if she can get a look in at the console for a minute.

. o O Reian thinks, "Isn't that just *wonderful*?"

. o O Parker is less awed about the plant and much more about the station. But, a Vehicle Maintenance Chief is like that.

GAME: Parker contests his Shipboard Systems vs Routine and Succeeds.

Katoka looks from the console, to the viewscreen, to the console, to the viewscreen.. There's something that hinges on disgust painted in clear strokes across her face. Unspeaking, she backs away from the console and waits, frowning.

GAME: Payne contests his Shipboard Systems vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Reian contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors vs Routine and Succeeds.

Payne nods, and taps on the console appropriately, "Aye, sir." A moments pause before his lips spread, allowing him to speak, "Scanning complete. There is no atmosphere inside it appears that the station's flooded. It's all water in there." he pauses as he looks up to Takamura, "I believe that someone must have left the hatch open, sir."

von Brockdorf says, "I wonder if the crew got out before it grew that big. Getting in will be hard but imagine if you were trapped inside!" he backs away from the console as well not wishing to get in the way."

Parker stares out at the station for a while, then nods slowly to what Reian just said. "Yes, it's quite the construct. Ferengi supplied that hull - same alloys that make up Marauder hulls." So, he mistook Reian's words for impressed feelings about the station, but then... That's just typical of the Vehicle Maintenance Chief Parker. His knowledge about animals stretches about as far as to being able to seperate a dog from a cat. "And yes Sir, it's a station," he rumbles further, his British accent warm and confident. And he's practically wordy, now that his interest is peaked like that. "I could make a pass around it, Sir," he suggests to Takamura, "to see if there's another docking hatch. No way of telling when it's depowered, scans aren't showing if there's another. We can't transport in. The water is too much to be able to displace with our weak emergency beam out transporters. If we boosted the power we could, theoretically, bean in one EVA-suited person, but that's the best I can do. That person could however vent water once inside." He looks almost tired for having to speak so much.

. o O Parker thinks, "What a waste. A totally flooded station. Something went wrong here."

"Chief Parker, takes us around to see if there is another hatch." Takamura instructs as he considers his options. "If we are going to have to go inside via swimming, I'd rather keep us away from that large Floater." He then looks to von Brockdorf, Payne, and Katoka. "Go ahead and suit up for EVA. One way or another, someone will have to go out there."

Reian is clearly fascinated, "You see." she murmurs, "You can't be too careful with this sort of thing." Whether or not anyone's listening, she's keeping up a quiet monologue to herself. "Some plants, you think you've got rid of them, and then you find all you've done is create ten times, a hundred times as many..." She lifts her eyebrows high, not troubling to hide her enthralled expression. "It's over three *tons*.." she breathes out. "Differs from the smaller offspring on a few counts, but DNA match confirms it is the parent-plant. Cilia are more pronounced, and... and.." She frowns, leaning down closer once more, double checking, "It's as though it's actually being stimulated somehow.. a reactive nervous system..." Fingers dance over her console, "Widening my scan to take in immediate environment, Sir."

Katoka shakes her head, her eyes fixed on the viewscreen as she listens to Lt. Takamura's commands. "Lieutenant, this water is going to be extremely toxic. If you look.." She stretches out her finger toward dark splotches surrounding the parent plant, just floating in the water. "You can /see/ the waste. Lt. Reian, can you include the water toxicity in your scan?"

GAME: Reian contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors vs Moderate and Marginally Fails.

Payne nods, "Aye, sir." He pauses to listen to Lt. Katoka, before carrying out his orders. He searches for an EVA suit, and begins to suit up.

von Brockdorf also gets into his eva gear, strapping the Type II phaser to the outside.

"Aye, Sir," Parker rumbles and he turns back to the piloting, steering the shuttle through the murky water and making a rather wide sweep around the mother plant and the station to search for an access hatch other than the one the plant is covering.

GAME: Takamura contests his Search vs Challenging and Succeeds.

GAME: Parker contests his Vehicle Operations/Shuttlecraft vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Parker contests his Search vs Challenging and Fails.

Within a few minutes, one quick pass while Katoka, Payne, and von Brockdorf suit up, a not-quite-hatch, but something similar has been spotted by the Mission Commander, who has taken up Payne's forward cockpit seat. The approach is an easy one to get a better visual. A small opening of as-yet-unknown type, yes, it surely is.

Takamura points in the direction of the opening. "Over there, Chief. There is some sort of opening. Lieutenant Reian, see if it will be large enough for our people to fit through." He then looks back at Katoka. "I know that the water is going to be toxic. However, we need to get people inside to see if we can re-establish an atmosphere in there. Otherwise, we'll have to conduct our investigations in the water. We need to determine who built this facility and what it's purpose is."

Reian shakes her head, "I'm not getting much." she notes regretfully. "There's so much toxicity in the water, that it's interfering. Attempting to compensate.." Again, the console chirrups and bleeps obediently in response to her inputted commands. "Be careful of those restraining cables out there though.. they're not *just* cables... some sort of conduit.." Concentrating, "Just speculating, but whatever is stimulating this thing *could* be being fed by whatever those cables are carrying. Trying to get get more concrete data for you, apologies for the delay, Sir." She looks up, dragged away from her scans of the uber-floater with Tak's request, "Acknowledged." she responds, trying to get the console to investigate the opening quickly instead.

. o O Katoka feels worried.

GAME: Reian contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors vs Routine and Succeeds.

Katoka has finished pulling her EVA suit on as Reian announces her findings. She frowns at this, shaking her head as a breath inflates her lungs. "Ensign Tyler, make preparations to deal with any exposure levels that can be compensated for .. just in case." She notes, readying.

Payne looks down at the suit, and inspects it for a moment, he nods approvingly, mainly to himself, and glances at Ensign Brockdorf. "You ready." he comments in a firm tone. He grabs his Type II Phaser and takes a seat next to von, and waits.

von Brockdorf says, "The normal floaters absorb impurities and excrete them as solids? The Ferengi use them. Profit is all to a Frengei. This 'Floater' is absorbing the planetary crust. It is attached to a vessel of a type simmilar to that used by Ferrengi. Why would they have been here, perhaps the plant is emiting something valuable. To be harvested by this station. Minerals perhaps?"

Parker is carefully moving the shuttle closer to the opening, the panorama outside being that of the hull of the station slowly moving beneath the little ship. "Could scan for minerals in the area, or other valuable natural resources," he suggests distractedly, rather focused on his task.

. o O Parker thinks, "Careful... looks like a rather narrow opening there. We gonna dock or land and go out and enter that way?"

. o O Parker feels a bit excited. Like someone getting to see something new, something which few have seen before.

Takamura glances over his shoulder to the EVA-suited officers. "Make sure that your suits are properly sealed. We'll try to get as close as we can before you get out there." He then turns to Reian. "Once you've finished the scans on hte opening, continue to monitor the mother Floater." He then turns back to his console to scan the local area for minerals.

Reian's brow clears a little and she looks towards Takamura, "It's some kind of probe, or buoy launch tube." she mentions, hurriedly, before people go diving out of any hatches, "In _theory_ we should be able to dock with it, and one suited person at a time might be able to get through slowly and carefully.. But I would recommend we find a way to dock and vent the water. That would make the whole process easier - and safer - for everyone." She glances down to the console once more, clearly eager to get back to her plant-scanning pastime.

Katoka checks the seal on her suit and clamps her helmet down, punching a few buttons on the side panel of her suit as she pressurizes the interior of her EVA suit and waits for docking.

Payne nods in understanding to Takamura, before going silent. He sits on the bench waiting.

GAME: Takamura contests his Shipboard Systems/Sensors vs Routine and Marginally Fails.

von Brockdorf says, "Of course the spores may be deliberate. They home on those costal factories, I wonder what they produce. Perhaps they're harvesting the floaters. Lt Reian, are those spores unusal in their Chemical or mineral content? Valuable in any way perhaps. If so it would be a truely ingenious way of stealing the Norsicans homeworld out from under they're very noses. I'm sure it would make the Grand Negus proud.""

GAME: Parker spends a courage point.

GAME: Parker contests his Vehicle Operations/Shuttlecraft+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

von Brockdorf wields his Type II Phaser.

von Brockdorf checks his Type II Phaser.

Payne wields his Type II Phaser.

Payne checks his Type II Phaser.

So, docking it is. Parker hunches over the console in his usual manner of, by the looks of it, intimidating the thing into doing his bidding. PErhaps he's one of those that personifies ships and items. Deeply concentrated, he brings the shuttle slowly into position and then taps in the commands for the universal hatch docking procedures, holding the vehicle steady against currents at the same time. There's a clonk and a bump, and... "We're docked, Sir."

von Brockdorf makes some adjustments to the settings on his Type II Phaser.

Payne makes some adjustments to the settings on his Type II Phaser.

Payne makes some adjustments to the settings on his Type II Phaser.

Payne makes some adjustments to the settings on his Type II Phaser.

. o O Parker thinks, "Well. Maybe I should sign up for testing of the shuttle simulators after this..."

GAME: Reian contests her Shipboard Systems/Sensors vs Moderate and Succeeds.

There is a slight hiss, but not the normal one of pressure sealing. Oddly.

Takamura frowns as his readings seem to come up fruitless. When the ship docks with the station, he tilts his head slightly at the odd sound. Looking between Reian and Parker, he asks, "How much water will we take on when we open our hatch? And how long will it take to vent it out? Lieutenant Katoka, make sure we have a solid seal before sending Mr. Payne in first. Then, you go down there followed my Mr. von Brockdorf. See if you can find a way to pump out some of the water."

GAME: Reian has the merit of Multitasking at 2.

GAME: Reian contests her Shipboard Systems vs Routine and Marginally Succeeds.

Reian glances in the direction of the port, hearing that ... wrong ... sound. "Not docked?" she wonders. "Or something off on the other side?" The console has already given her a set of information, and she neatly separates out the plant information from the next set that she gathers, apparently at the same time, absolutely concentration on her features. "That mesh isn't holding the plant... it's holding some sort of nutrient gel which is feeling the plant..." she confirms, "The conduits have ODN circuitry. Likely some sort of control conduits." She frowns, looking towards Takamura, "More pressingly, there's about thirty cubic meters of water out there.. if we open the doors, we will take some serious damage."

Katoka knits her brow, the expression obscured beneath the shield of her EVA helmet. "Lt. Reian, can you tell what the conduits are attached to?", she inquires.

Payne nods, "I will bring us back alive, sir." is offered to Takamura before looking towards the hatch. He readys' himself, while he waits paitently for Katoka's 'green light' order. He takes note of Reians' suggestion, and takes a moment to contemplate. He sighs slightly, as he continues to listen. Waiting in silence.

von Brockdorf says, "A security field perhaps, Chief? To keep the water out?"

"We could use the SIF and push the water away enough so that one person can enter and do a manual venting of the entire room," Parker suggests to Takamura, nodding along with what Brockdorf says, checking some readings of the ship's functions to make sure nothing got injured in the docking process. "That way, we won't get any water into the shuttle either. And, that odd sound is because we haven't equalized pressure, because there's water on the other side. So, nothing to worry about," he says reassuringly, the deep British voice having that kind of speech pattern of someone who's confident in his team mates.

Takamura nods once, pointing to Parker. "Make it so, Chief." Looking back to Payne, he says, "Once the Chief has the SIF in place, go inside and clear the way for the rest of the team. While we're waiting, Reian and Katoka, scan to figure out how we might shut down the ODN circuits. Also, let me know if that would cause any negative consequences."

Reian smiles to Katoka, a little nervously, "We need some way to keep the water out." she notes, "While we won't *quite* flood ourselves if we let it in... close enough, I think." Her comments on the water hold concern, her comments on the conduit, by contrast, are almost relaxed, "The mesh at one end. The station on the other. So I would *surmise* that the station was controlling the 'feeding' of the plant. And if we can somehow find a way to turn it off, we _might_ have a simple solution. Err. Simple other than for the difficulty of getting onto the station and finding any controls, of course..." On that subject, she nods in agreement with Takamura, and starts scanning. Again.

GAME: Reian contests her Life Sciences/Botany vs Moderate and Succeeds.

"More then close enough." Katoka replies. "I wouldn't come into contact with that water for all the latinum on Ferenginar." She nods at Parker, then Takamura, and moves to the nearest console to start scanning for ways to shut the ODN circuits down.

Payne nods, "Aye, sir." He thinks for a moment, "Permission to establish a com link connection with this room, so you can monitor the situation from here, as I clear the area." He says, still looking at the hatch, he awaits his orders.

GAME: Parker contests his Shipboard Systems vs Challenging and Fails.

von Brockdorf waits for the force field to do its work

"Aye Sir," Parker nods at Takamura, but he looks a bit hesitant as he turns back to the console and begins the procedures of expansing the SIF field to push the water away from the tube beyond the hatch. After a minute or so, he shakes his head and his jaw tightens. "Sorry Sir, I can't get it to work. Perhaps someone else has more routine with SIFs. Or we power up the transporter and beam one person in."

With the shuttle now canted at an odd angle, what few fish can survive the toxicity outside seem to move weirdly past the cockpit viewscreen. But the 'seal' seems to hold, even though the venting of water has failed. Now it all comes down to minutiae.

"It's alright, Chief. Give it another try and if it doesn't work, we'll go with plan B and use the transporter." Takamura responds encouragingly. "Payne, permission granted. Von Brockdorf, be ready to go in after Payne. Once you've cleared the room and vented the water, Katoka will follow you in." He then looks over to Reian for her report.

GAME: Parker contests his Shipboard Systems vs Challenging and Succeeds.

Reian pauses for a moment, looking towards the scene outside the viewports. "This may be a foolish comment, Sir." she hazards, "But.. well.. if the gel in the mesh is what's feeding the thing.. why can't we simply extract the Floater from the mesh? Isolate it somehow? I appreciate getting information from the station is important.. but our immediate concern is stopping the infestation.. isn't it?" She shakes her head slightly, "Can't shut down the ODN circuits, Sir." she points out, "They have no power.. Without power, we can't do anything one way or another. But as to the absolute effects of stopping feeding it.. I'll need to work out what that nutrient is, and exactly what it's doing." Back to the scanning again, then....

Katoka glances toward Reian, nodding. Beneath the glare of her helmet, her frown remains fixed as she nods toward Payne. "Go ahead, ensign. I'm right behind you."

Payne nods, "Aye, ma'am." He reaches for the hatch, moving it open, stepping through. The phaser is at ready, and he searches his surroundings before moving. He scans the room like a fan, starting from one end, and scoping along to the other end.

von Brockdorf follows him in, phaser ready.

Parker begins muttering to himself as he turns back to the console, after a nod at Takamura; the confidence given shows in the way his shoulders tense and his concentration deepens. His mutterings are to bring back his limited knowledge about SIFs. "... tri-static deflection capacitor... check... matter fluctuation filament... check." His fingers begin to dance more rapidly over the console and he cracks a grin suddenly, as he figures it out. "Got it, Sir!" he says and perks up like a kid at the sight of candy. There's a sound coming from the hatch as the water there is being pressed away and forced slowly to leave the tube beyond. He monitors it closely. "Hatch secure."

Once Payne has crawled through the tube, fanned out through the water on the other side, and secured the room with von Brockdorf, the two men work on a manual venting of the water.

GAME: von Brockdorf contests his Shipboard Systems vs Moderate and Succeeds.

GAME: Payne contests his Shipboard Systems vs Moderate and Succeeds.

von Brockdorf says, "We're clear. Emergency power only."

von Brockdorf resets his com badge.

A shuffling noise comes over Takamura's intercom. "Ensign Payne to Leuitenant Takamura." his heard shortly after.

In the background, over that hail, the sound of pressurizing hissing can be heard.

Takamura taps the com to respond. "Takamura here. What's your situation, Ensign?" He asks while monitoring the away team on his console.

Reian relaxes visibly as the sound of pressurisation can be heard. "Trying to narrow down scans to the gel and nutrient feed, Sir." she notes, just so the lead officer knows what she's doing.

Katoka clamps her helmet back in place, rechecks her seals, then follows through the hatch after Parker and von Brockdorf.

Over the intercom: "I got the power back on. Its only emergency, however. I dont know how long weve got. Ensign Brockdorf vented the area, Its clear for arrival. With you permission I would like to attempt to get main power going. Although I dont know what luck I will have. We may want to consider some ideas' to give us a more permanent Power generator." in Ensign Paynes' voice.

von Brockdorf adds its secure for now, Sir

Parker is closely monitoring the SIF field. "Should I keep the field up, Sir?" he asks, since now that the room beyond is vented, the field has served its purpose.

GAME: Reian contests her Life Sciences vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Takamura rises from his seat, heading towards the rear of the shuttle. "While we can starve the mother plant, if we don't also figure out who's behind this, we won't be able to permanently shut down this operation. They could come back and restart it after we leave." Shaking his head, he answers Parker. "Negative, Chief. Go ahead and shut it down to conserve power. Then put on your suit to join me over there. Lieutenant Reian, you and Ensign Tyler will remain here to monitor our biosigns and continue your scans." Over the com, he says, "We're coming over to join you. If you can get main power up, do so."

GAME: Katoka contests her Personal Equipment/Tricorder vs Routine and Succeeds.

"Acknowledged, Sir." Reian responds to Takamura, settling herself at her console for the duration.

GAME: Payne contests his Search vs Routine and Dramatically Succeeds.

"I've detected the power core..." Katoka notes, frowning. "The bad news is it's some distance off and the corridors between here and there are flooded."

Over the intercom: "Acknowledged, Sir." is heard over the intercom, in Paynes' voice. A few moments, of chiming as computer terminals are accessed. Over the intercom, paynes voice carries again. "Sir, I cant seem to find any power consoles in this room. I think this room is the main Probe launch room. Perhaps its possible to hack into their computer records from here. Shall I proceed?" a moments of silence falls in the room as he waits further instruction.

von Brockdorf stands watching the scene alertly, ready for trouble.

Parker powers down the SIF immediately and stands up to join the others, moving briskly over to put on the EVA suit. He pauses when hearing the news from Katoka, however, cocking his head while thinking even as he suits up. No brilliant ideas forthcoming, he finishes and moves to enter the tube. It'll be a tight fit for his big form. An encouraging smile is given to Reian and Tyler before he leaves.

GAME: Parker contests his Search vs Moderate and Marginally Fails.

GAME: Katoka contests her Search vs Moderate and Succeeds.

GAME: Takamura contests his Search vs Moderate and Fails.

GAME: Payne contests his Search vs Moderate and Succeeds.

GAME: von Brockdorf contests his Search vs Moderate and Succeeds.

In a few moments, with some wriggling through the tube, the majority of the team -- Takamura, Katoka, Payne, von Brockdorf, and Chief Parker -- are reunited in the so-called 'probe launch room'. The emergency power lighting and the lights on the EVA helmets crosshatch the room in low levels of illumination, making it clear that Payne's estimate is correct, that it *is* some kind of master control room for preparing and launching probes, buoys, and other small remote objects, and that there are, in fact, some still very wet consoles that have emergency power fed to them. It might be possible to reroute some of that emergency power around so that *only* the bare bones SIF and one console's computer function is restored, but it might not be easy. There is the occasional low groan, from the shut, sealed main doors out of this room, as the pressures of the water, fathoms down, strains against the SIF and the Ferengi metals.

Once in the room, Takamura takes a look around. "Chief, see if you can shunt power to the Structural Integrity Fields and one of these consoles. Katoka, once we have some juice, see if you can get into the computer systems. Ensigns, let's scrounge around to see if we can find any hard evidence to determine who owns this place."

Katoka nods, her gaze long on the workbench near the door. "Lieutenant, the probe electronics will probably be housed here. Would that help?", she inquires, moving to open the cabinets while the Chief works on the power feed.

GAME: Parker contests his Personal Equipment vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Katoka contests her Search vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Parker contests his Shipboard Systems/Engineering vs Moderate and Marginally Fails.

GAME: von Brockdorf contests his Shipboard Systems/Security vs Routine and Succeeds.

Payne nods, "Yes, sir." he looks around, and glances around the area as he walks around. He ends up around the main door. "Sir, I think I found something." he says, waiting for acknowledgement before continuing.

GAME: von Brockdorf contests his Personal Equipment vs Routine and Succeeds.

Parker takes a curious look around, then nods at Takamura and marches over to the controls, first looking them over and taking out the universal translator to make his job a whole lot easier. Even so, he frowns as he can't figure out the engineering subroutines right away even if he seems to understand /what/ he's doing with this otherwise unknown console. "Gimme a bit here, Sir," he calls over the radio. "This is definitely Ferengi language and work."

von Brockdorf says, "I confim tha language Chief. Working on accessing their security sytems."

Takamura nods his head to Katoka. "That might help indeed." He then walks over towards Payne. "What have you found, Ensign?" Glancing to Parker, he says, "Give it another try, Chief. I know you can get past Ferengi engineering. And everyone, record what we're doing here so we can show the Nausicaans."

Katoka peers at the cabinet's interior. "..this." She narrows her eyes. "It's as if they were using the water probes as a message system. Maybe to communicate with the floaters?" Katoka hmms, flipping out her tricorder and further scanning the interior of the cabinet, since the power isn't up yet either.

GAME: Parker contests his Shipboard Systems/Engineering vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Payne is standing by the main doors. He is looking at an integrated door panel. "Sir, this is a communication or security panel of some kind. These operate on emergency power. In theory, I might be able to use some communication, intercom, even security controls from this panel. I should take a further look."

Payne opens a door that is placed next to the panel on the door. He glances inside, as Takamura approaches. He remains quiet for a moment, as he searches the contents.

GAME: von Brockdorf contests his Shipboard Systems/Security vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Payne contests his Intellect/Perception vs Moderate and Fails.

GAME: Payne contests his Primitive Weaponry vs Moderate and Succeeds.

GAME: Takamura contests his Intellect/Perception & Primitive Weaponry vs Moderate and Succeeds.

von Brockdorf access the security panel. "The core security systems apear active. Around the power and command core. Caution if we aproach these.

"Tronic auxillary interociter..." Parker mumbles. Which, since he's in connection with everyone on radio everyone hears. Remembering that, he shuts up and continues working and there's a faint sound, a sudden faint buzzing of power as it's being redirected by the engineer. "SFI up and console has power, Sir," he reports, then looks up to see what the others are doing.

GAME: Payne contests his Intellect/Perception And Primitve Weaponry vs Moderate and Fails.

. o O Parker thinks, "Well, whew. This is challenging."

And sure enough, on the console over Parker's crouched form, the 'lights come on'. The rest of the room dims a bit, the security console built into the door and the other consoles in the room go even darker. Now there is only the light from the one console, and the EVA suit lights.

Takamura looks inside the compartment Payne has found and reaches inside to pull out a black tube that resembles a handle. "Well, what do we have here? I think we have definitive proof of who's behind this now." He shows the others without activating the item. "This is a Ferengi energy whip. They are only used by the FCA Revenue Cutter Service, the military arm of the FCA." He looks over to Parker when the overall lighting dims. "Good job, Chief. Lieutenant, see if you can crack their computer to download any information about this operation and how these probes are controlling the Floaters."

Katoka grins faintly, silent as she moves her attention to the nearest console and goes to work on the security systems. "Some of the answer sits here - there's bionutrient gel and information canisters, almost like biochemical communication of some kind.." She murmurs as she thumbs through the console, working it patiently.

Payne nods, "Thank you, sir." He continues making his way around the room, scrounging for anything of interest. He glances around, attempting to spot something out of place. Always ready for the unexpected.

von Brockdorf says, "Could we turn off the bionutrient system later when we wanted to?"

GAME: Katoka contests her Computer vs Moderate and Fails.

"Perhaps we could use the stations FSI to push water away from nearby corridors," Parker suggests from where he stands monitoring the console. He's raising his eyebrows at the sign of the whip.

The console does not seem to be responding to Katoka's commands, alas.

GAME: von Brockdorf contests his Security/Security Systems vs Challenging and Succeeds.

GAME: Payne contests his Security/Security Systems vs Challenging and Fails.

GAME: Takamura contests his Security/Security Systems vs Challenging and Fails.

von Brockdorf says, "Lt Katoka, we must beware the secondary backups and failsafes. What you're attempting may cuase the central systems which are still active to take active measures against your console."

Takamura stuffs the whip into one of the pockets of his EVA suit. "We might be able to turn them off and we'll want to do that. If we can starve these floaters, then we can get rid of them that way." He steps over next to Katoka. "Any luck, Lieutenant?"

Katoka grumbles low and continues to try and stroke some information out of the console - damn Ferenghi. "No, the console.. I'm just not tuned to it, give me a few moments." She answers Takamura low, glancing up at von Brockdorf's words. "What else do you suggest? We have the tools and the means, but not the methods. I'll only get that through the logs."

GAME: Parker contests his Systems Engineering vs Routine and Fails.

Payne continues to search, yet to find anything. He listens to the conversation, but keeps to himself for the moment.

GAME: Takamura contests his Systems Engineering vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Payne contests his Systems Engineering vs Routine and Marginally Fails.

GAME: von Brockdorf contests his Systems Engineering vs Routine and Succeeds.

GAME: Katoka contests her Systems Engineering vs Routine and Marginally Fails.

"Do we know the effects of cutting the feeding off?" Parker asks, scanning the console and being a bit tense. "I mean... we still don't know why they did it."

GAME: Takamura contests his Life Sciences/Botany vs Routine and Marginally Fails.

GAME: Katoka spends a courage point.

GAME: Katoka contests her Computer+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

Takamura shakes his head at Parker. "I'm not certain. Normally, the Bazgan floaters feed off the toxins in the water, but since they are mutated we can't be so certain." He glances over to the science officer. "If you can't get into the system here, we can attempt to remove the isolinear chips containing the information for the computer core. If we do that, we'll need to bypass the security systems, Ensigns."

Katoka shakes her head. "Hang...", she murmurs, leaning forward with the intensity of her thoughts. "..there. I'm in." She whips out the PADD at her side and starts to hook it up to the console. "I'm just going to download the latest logs, they'll be most relevant. I'm not sure about the feeding - it depends on what its being fed.."

Takamura grins when he hears Katoka's report. "Excellent work, Lieutenant." He looks to the others then. "See if you can disable the communcations link between the station and the probes. Once we get back to the shuttle, we'll try to determine if we should stop the feeding."

"Thank you, Lieutenant." Katoka answers, smiling as she flips open her tricorder and moves to scan the bionutrient gel inside the cabinet.

GAME: Katoka contests her Life Sciences vs Routine and Marginally Fails.

Payne nods, "Aye, sir. But I dont think that this station is capable of launching any probes anymore. It just doesn't got the power." He notes, but carries out the orders as best he can, making his way over to a console. He begins to tapp on it, searching for something.

von Brockdorf says, "Of course if we disable the feeding . . . well if this was planned we could mount a watch. If someone shows up to repair it. Well what more proff could the Nausicans want."

"I think something went wrong," Parker comments from his place at the other part of the room, his gaze sweeping over it before focusing on the console again. "Seems counterproductive leaving the whole station and flooding it. Perhaps that mother plant ruined something else entirely and was meant to be used for something else..." He doesn't finish, having let his mind wander 'loudly' for awhile.

Takamura considers for a few moments. "They might not be launching any more probes, but I don't think we should continue to let this mother floater keep feeding on this biogel. Let's collect our data and a sample of this gel. We'll also disable the feeding device and head back to the shuttle."

Katoka continues to scan the gel, her expression fixed into a thoughtful frown as she half listens to the conversation behind her. "There are any number of things that could have gone wrong..", she murmurs. "..but we can't disable anything from here. The computer I have access to doesn't have the ability. We'd have to use the shuttles weapons to disable the feeding device and I'm not sure what affect that would have."

Payne nods, "Understood, sir." as he makes his way to the main door, He readys' himself to extract the team back to the shuttle.

von Brockdorf stands ready for the evac. "Use of the main weapons systems will allmost certainly be dedected by the Nausicans that hailed us on the way in Sir,"

GAME: Katoka spends a courage point.

GAME: Katoka contests her Life Sciences+A vs Routine and Marginally Succeeds.

Soon, the downloaded data -- consisting of the most recent logs -- and the gel are back on the shuttle, as is the team. The hatch shuts, and seals.

von Brockdorf lowers his weapons.

Once inside the shuttle, Takamura removes his helmet. "Alright, people, we can get out of these suits. Parker, go ahead and take us over toward the mother plant. Payne, set the phasers for a very low power, modulated burst. We'll target the conduits that are holding the mesh in place. Katoka, begin to look at those logs. Von Brockdorf, stow the EVA suits for us."

Katoka sheds her EVA suit with haste, seeming to truly dislike being encased in its protective embrace. She gives a sharp nod toward Takamura and makes her way toward the console, setting the information canisters and gel down, then bringing up the logs. "The gel is what's allowing it to continue feeding.." She notes as the first of the logs comes up and she begins to scan, breaking to address the shuttle more fully. "It allows it to continue to eat despite its physical limitations. Without its presence, it won't be able to maintain that size." She states, then goes back to the logs.

GAME: Parker contests his Vehicle Operations/Shuttlecraft vs Routine and Succeeds.

Payne nods, "Aye, sir." as he usually does when given an order. He makes his way into the shuttlecraft, sheds his clothes, refitting himself with his uniform, and takes the console to set the phasers for a low density modulted burst. "Ready, Leiutenant." he barks after a moment.

von Brockdorf moves to collect the suits. "Aye, Sir."

Payne lowers his weapons.

Parker is quickly removing the suit and then heading to take the helm again. Powering things up, he undocks from the station and the ship rises slightly, tilting back to an upright course having earlier been leaning slightly. Through the murky water the little shuttle moves towards the mother plant.

GAME: Payne spends a courage point.

GAME: Payne contests his Shipboard Systems/Tactical+A vs Moderate and Succeeds.

And ... that simply, it is soon done. Parker pulls the shuttle away, leaving the complex to fill up again with water soon enough with the emergency power runs out and the SIF fails; the Chief Petty Officer guides the shuttle just close enough that the low-intensity bursts are easy enough to place -- indeed, keeping the on the minimum power necessary to cut through the conduits and the duranium mesh is harder than the targeting itself. Once Payne's work is done, the floater begins to pull away from the gel, some of the stuff forming little globules in the sickly water. And there is the relative silence of a clean success, despite the many questions still hanging in the air.

Takamura stands behind Parker and Payne, bracing himself against the bulkhead as they manuver through the water. "Well done, everyone. We've gotten what we came for and no one is hurt." He turns around to smile at the rest of the crew. "Hopefully, without the gel feeding it, that mother floater will shrink in size."

Katoka nods a few times, a faint grin etching as she continues to read over the logs. "Lots of questions, but we're all fine - the problem is solved and that's what matters. Thanks Lieutenant."

Payne nods, "Thank you, sir." he says proudly. He looks around, and gives everyone a glance. "Thank you, Leiutenant. Good job everyone." Looking at Ensign Brockdorf as he mumbles the last part. He mans his console, gripping it tightly, to keep his balance as the shuttle manuevers through the water.

von Brockdorf nods. "Those logs will make intresting reading. We might be able to use the data to convince the Nausicans that trusting their 'buisness partners' is not such a good idea. I still suspect this was a illcit mining venture gone wrong. Of course we'll soon be able to tell if the 'Mother Floater' is defunct."

Parker looks long after the station as it disappears from view as he's piloting the shuttle back up to surface and towards air. A part of him rebels about leaving such a fine construction still being derelict, but that's the part of him always wanting to 'fix stuff which is broken'. Sometimes, things need to remain broken and he knows it too. And sometimes... you even break stuff to fix something else. Like the mother plant's feeding. "Thanks, Sir," he rumbles, rather content about things on the whole. "Excellent team," he adds and looks at his team mates one at a time, even smiling a little. And then, he goes back to work, his emotional displays usually brief, to the point and not very, well, emotional.

Takamura looks around at his crew one more time as the shuttle rises from the depths. "You're absolutely right, Chief. You are an excellent team." He then pats the large enlistedman on the shoulder. "Take us home, Chief."

And with that, the shuttle breaks the surface of the toxic waters, reaching for the only slightly less poisoned sky, and then the purer vacuum of space beyond. Like the Ferengi who apparently came before, the crew of the Shuttlecraft Baer found their treasure there, fathoms down, and then abandoned the ocean floor. But perhaps *their* treasure, in the form of physical evidence and computer data, will be enough to break the cycle. Perhaps.