USS Spectre Compile: July 1st - 31st 2019. By Alan Reading ======================================================================== Mission: Lifelines Day: 2 Stardate: 2418.04.06 (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Away Team Staging Area – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams – 23:02) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Away Team Staging Area – FO, Cmdr. Jackson – 23:03) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Away Team Staging Area – CO, Captain T'Vhor and MCO, MJR Bruce Kowalski – 23:05) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Away Team Staging Area – FO, Cmdr Tom Jackson – 23:15) (USS Spectre – Transporter Room 1 – MCO, Mjr Bruce Kowalski and Cprl Lewis O'Hara – 23:29) (USS Spectre – Transporter Room 1 – FO, Commander Tom Jackson – 23:31) (Galina IV - Mining Colony Perimeter - FO, Cmdr Tom Jackson - 23:32) (Galina IV - Mining Colony Perimeter - MCO, Mjr Bruce Kowalski - 23:33) (USS Spectre – Mission Briefing & Debriefing – Marine, Corporal Houseman – 23:34) (Gallina IV - Mining Colony Perimeter - FO, Cmdr Tom Jackson - 23:36) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams and Nurse, CPO Douwsy – 23:36) (Galina IV - Mining Colony Perimeter - MCO, Mjr Bruce Kowalski - 23:37) ======================================================================== Mission: Lifelines Day: 3 Stardate: 2418.04.07 (Feighter – Cargo Deck – TAC/ASC, Ensign Garak Darpeg – 02:35) (Freighter - Bridge - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG, R'uann - 02:51) (Freighter - Bridge - Engineer, Ensign LaBrea - 02:53) (Freighter - Corridor - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 02:55) (Freighter - Storage Bay - ACEO, Ensign LaBrea - 02:59) (Freighter - Storage Bay - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 03:00) (Freighter - Storage Bay - ACEO, Ensign LaBrea - 03:01) (Freighter - Storage Bay - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 03:02) (Freighter - Corridor - TAC/ASC, Ensign Garek Darpeg - 03:04) ======================================================================== (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Away Team Staging Area – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams – 23:02) "Are we prepared for an evacuation and quarantine if the need arises, Doctor?" asked the Captain. Andrew nodded. “Yes Captain we are prepared for both although we are set up for a mass evacuation if we need to change to quarantine we will need to re-orientate people and supplies so the more time we have the better.” He glanced down at his PADD as he scanned the data. ~We have the normal sickbay areas on standby. Also, cargo bay 1 and 2 as well as shuttle bay 1. They would use shuttle bay 2 in case they needed to use the shuttle craft as it was bigger~ (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Away Team Staging Area – FO, Cmdr. Jackson – 23:03) The captain began his briefing. "Our primary goal will be to reach the control centre to the North of the mine itself. There appears to be sporadic weapons fire taking place in that area, so we will beam in at a safe distance to the east of the complex and make our way in from there. It will be the safest course I believe" said the Captain, thenceforth turning to his First Officer beside him. Tom thought for a moment before responding. "Agreed Captain. I would also suggest maintaining a good transporter lock on the team as an as an insurance policy" Tom added. (Reply T'Vhor, others) Tom continued" We will attempt to determine what, if any, ourside interference maybe concurring as well". (Reply T'Vhor, others) Jackson's 'sixth sense" was really active. This worries him. Tom finished up his comments with "we will also determine if any medically assistance is needed. Comments anyone?". (Reply T'Vhor, others) (Posted by Bill West) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Away Team Staging Area – CO, Captain T'Vhor and MCO, MJR Bruce Kowalski – 23:05) The captain had listened to his FO's input on things, generally concurring on all of the points made, most notably the transporter lock option, and listening to the corresponding input from the others. Quall appeared to be taking notes on the FO's mention of medical assistance during the mission, which she would no doubt liaise with Williams on. The arrival of the MCO prompted a courteous nod from the CO as he arrived in the room a little late, and then took his seat at the table. To be honest, the Captain was quietly relieved of the Marine presence on this one, for already there were signs of growing hostility occurring in the mines, and you could never be too careful with the type of material they were mining down there. "Are your men fully briefed on the Bilitrium issue, Major?" asked T'Vhor, referring back now to the material they were extracting on this moon. The MCO nodded. "I've put O'Hara on that" he answered. "If anyone is an expert on things exploding, or not, as the case may be. It's him" The Captain raised an eyebrow at MCO's answer, the somewhat flippant use of his explanation doing little to put his mind at rest... "Let us hope that it doesn't come to the former" he said, turning then to the rest of the faces in the room for any remaining input. (Reply Any, IYW) "If there is nothing else then, I will bring the briefing to a close. Beam out is scheduled for 23:30..." (Reply Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Deck 3, Away Team Staging Area – FO, Cmdr Tom Jackson – 23:15) The skipper brought the meeting to a close by ordering a beam out to occur it 2330. Jackson took a moment to to some concern to consider once again the Staffing on the away team. He normally we go with one medical person on a typical away mission. This was anything but typical. Tom decided to add to add an additional medical person to the teams compliment. He spoke to Ensign TJ River's. "Mr Rivers, I would like to have you join us on this mission, Are you interested,". (Reply Rivers) "Excellent! You and Ensign Quall hopefully will not be kept too busy" Tom replied. (Reply Rivers, Quall) "Each of you can assist in gathering data in addition" Tom added. (Reply Rivers, Quall) " Be at the transporter room 10nminutes before breakout. Any questions?" Tim said. (Reply Rivers, Quall) (Posted by Bill) (USS Spectre – Transporter Room 1 – MCO, Mjr Bruce Kowalski and Cprl Lewis O'Hara – 23:29) "So anyway, I had the ten, the nine, the eight and seven of diamonds, and I'm waiting for the next card and looking for a straight flush, and the guy throws me a royal flush" said O'Hara, "and I'm like, no way! Can you believe that?" Kowalski shook his head and shrugged, the weight of his BDU feeling good over his shoulders again as he rounded the corner and then stepped into transporter room 1. "Just bad luck, that's all" he said, Lewis flexing a tight spot from his neck as he checked his side arm and then followed his superior into the room to meet up with the rest of the away team. The plan was in motion now. Kowalski and O'Hara were to beam in as an advanced guard and secure the area, as it was now considered too uncertain from the scans as to just what they were going to beam into. The transporter chief had scouted out a clearing that appeared to be empty, but then the scan went odd again leading the chief to wonder if there were some sort of interfering signal messing with their coordinate allocations. It was the best he could do though under the circumstances being 96% certain that he could get them down in one piece. Once there though, they'd deploy pattern enhancers to move that figure to 100%, secure the area, and then await the FO and the rest of the team. (Replay Away Team Members, IYW) Kowalski stepped up onto the pad, followed closely by the demolitions expert. The transporter chief gave one last check of his targeting scanner, and then gave them both the thumbs up. "Let's do this", said Kowalski as he reached up to lower the visor of his Pallas helmet, and then he watched as the scene changed from the familiar transporter room and the away team, to a forested area bathed in the orange glow of a nearby fire, with O'Hara standing right at his side and already running scans on their immediate surroundings. Clearly, the chief had done better than OK with that 96% and put them down in almost the exact spot that their terrain recon had recommended. Immediately their weapons were raised, the thermal imaging and targeting systems of their Pallas helmets highlighting two small animals nearby, duly designated as non-hostile. Kowalski then ordered Lewis to break out and set up the pattern enhancers. "Kowalski to Spectre" said Bruce, his eyes still scanning the immediate area for anything that might be suddenly, and unexpectedly approaching. (Reply Jackson) "We've secured the area, Commander. You're safe to beam your team down" (Reply Away Team Members IYW, Jackson) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Transporter Room 1 – FO, Commander Tom Jackson – 23:31) "^"Kowalski to Spectre"^" the Marine CO radioed to the Spectre after arriving at the designated landing area. "Go ahead Major Kowalski" Tom responded. Tom was eager to hear Kowalski's report. Jackson listened as the Marine made his report. Tom and the remainder of the Away team took their places on the transporter padds as Kowalski related he considered the landing site safe to beam down. "Acknowledged Major- Jackson out" Tom looked at the team and asked Everyone ready?". NRPG: This is everyone not on the freighter minus the skipper and CMO. The CEO is welcome to join in. RPG: Tom looked at the transporter operator and ordered "Enetgize". (Reply Any) (Posted by Bill) (Galina IV - Mining Colony Perimeter - FO, Cmdr Tom Jackson - 23:32) The shimmering aura of transporting engulfed the team. The process was quick. Tom's vision cleared as he took in his surroundings. He turned to Kowalski and asked the Marine to report. (Reply Kowalski) Tom listened closely. "Ok team keep alert and scan and we move it" Tom ordered. (Rep5ky any present ) (Posted by Bill) (Galina IV - Mining Colony Perimeter - MCO, Mjr Bruce Kowalski - 23:33) "The immediate area is secure" said Kowalski when quizzed by the Spectre First Officer, "there are signs of disruption to the west of our current location, but there are no surface contacts within One Click topside... Oh, and there are a few animals nearby. Non hostile. Probably canines running loose" added the MCO. (Reply Jackson) Kowalski looked about at those gathered, then he pointed up a seemingly pre-planned, though rough hewn track that led to a main enclave approximately 500 Metres or so from them. "I suggest I take point from here. O'Hara can take our Six with the rest of you between us" offered Kowalski, "That's the safest option" (Reply Jackson, Any) O'Hara made himself busy packing up the pattern enhancers and stowing them in a nearby bush so as to hide them, and so as not to be encumbered by having to carry them. It made sense after all. Their beam-in had gone without any problems, but there was still the issue of the unknown interference from something nearby, which O'Hara had concluded, may, or may not have been someone's attempt to stop others from actually coming down to the surface. Why they might be wanting to do that, he had no idea, but it was best to assume that they had the means to safely extract themselves if need be. Kowalski gave a nod to the Marine as he concluded the task. Then he turned to Jackson, the designated lead on this away mission. "What are your orders, Commander?" (Reply Jackson) (Reply Jackson, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Mission Briefing & Debriefing – Marine, Corporal Houseman – 23:34) Houseman sat on one of the many chairs fully armed and ready to go along with the rest of the Spectre’s Marine contingent. They were on standby in case something went wrong. He glanced up as the speakers came to life. =^=Kowalski to Spectre=^= =^=Go ahead Major Kowalski=^= =^=We've secured the area, Commander. You're safe to beam your team down=^= =^=Acknowledged Major- Jackson out=^= ~Don’t much it up~ He leaned back in his chair and tried to relax a bit. ~Don’t get yourself blown up now Lewis~ (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (Gallina IV - Mining Colony Perimeter - FO, Cmdr Tom Jackson - 23:36) Tom listened as the Marine CO ratings up. As Jowalski spoke Jackson looked at each of the team members -They are so young, so very young- Tom thought. He remembered his 1st mission on the old Ninutz so long ago. Captain Devan Sash taught him an awful lot. A favorite quote by Captain Spock popped up in his mind - "There is 1st time for all things". Tom sighed and prepared his thoughts. He looked specifically at TJ Rivers and Ensign Quall. "Misters Quall and Rivers as this is your first mission I want to point out a couple of things. Be alert, constantly scan your surroundings. Next, don't bunch up as we move out and lastly set your phasers on stun. Don't fire unless your life or the lives of others are in danger. Questions?" Tom asked. (Reply Rivers and Quall) "Anything else Major?" Tom asked the Marine. (Reply Kowalski) (Posted by Bill West) (USS Spectre – Sickbay – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams and Nurse, CPO Douwsy – 23:36) “Andrew stop.” “What!” “Andrew just stop.” Andrew gave a sigh as Douwsy stepped in front of him. “I know its hard letting others go on away mission but it’s not the first time. You had to do this when you were the First Officer?” Andrew sighed again. “I know that Douwsy but its still not easy. I have R'uann on the freighter and now River and Quall are down on the planet.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “We well you have Hithame and all of us to boss around?” He gave her a smile and rolled his eyes. “Thanks, Douwsy. Maybe I should pop to the bridge to see what is going on?” She shook her head. “The Captain is probably very busy right now.” She paused. “Look I have a couple of queries with a patient I need you to look at.” He looked at her. “Trying to keep me occupied?” She shrugged. “Yes but I do need your input.” He nodded. “Okay lead on.” (Reply any) (Posted by Robbie) (Galina IV - Mining Colony Perimeter - MCO, Mjr Bruce Kowalski - 23:37) Jackson appeared to have everything covered, his eye clearly on the newer members of his team if his warnings were anything to go by. It made sense of course, for rookie officers were often unsure of themselves on away missions, even though their Starfleet training attempted to provide them with the means and the wherewithal to deal with that. There was nothing like raw experience though to test a persons abilities to cope, and no amount of knuckling down to a academy guide or a holo-simulation would ever match it. Houseman had given a cursory nod to his CO upon arriving, and then he moved over to O'Hara as he walked back into the clearing after hiding the pattern enhancers, a blunt 'Yo' to acknowledge his comrade in arms. Kowalski held his IIIC assault rifle across his abdomen, his finger on the trigger in readiness, his eyes scanning the area for anything untoward. "Anything else Major?", said Jackson. Kowalski glanced briefly to his TACOM and then shook his head. "Nope. The field is yours Commander. "Let's go see if we can find us some miners" (Reply Jackson IYW, Any) (Reply Jackson IYW, Any) (Posted by Alan) ======================================================================= Mission: Lifelines Day: 3 Stardate: 2418.04.07 (Feighter – Cargo Deck – TAC/ASC, Ensign Garak Darpeg – 02:35) Darpeg took out his tricorder and went over to the freezing chamber that held the Borg Queen. After a quick scan, he tapped his commbadge and said, "The Queen is forzen solid and is dormant." (Reply anyone) "The freezing unit is currently stable, but it will run out of power in seventeen hours. The power grid is incompatible with the freighter." (Reply anyone) Posted by Gary (Freighter - Bridge - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG, R'uann - 02:51) R'uann sidled up to LaBrae as she worked at the engineering console, concerned not only at the sudden news of the Borg Queen, but also for LaBrae herself. "Hey. Are you OK?" she asked, obviously referring now to the phasor event and the death of the Pirate beforehand. (Reply LaBrae) R'uann nodded. LaBrae seemed to be holding up just fine, and her reply was predictable, but still the Bajoran wasn't quite buying it. This was very probably LaBrae's first kill, and whilst R'uann herself was no virgin to the harsh reality and the death toll of war, some of it at her own hand, she knew that this 'First' would likely haunt the Engineer for years to come. R'uann changed tact... "And the, you know... Borg?" she asked. "Do you think that we can keep the damned thing on ice?" (Reply LaBrae) R'uann exhaled sharply, a combination of adrenaline running through her system, and sheer apprehension. "...and, if we can't?" she asked. (Reply LaBrae) The Bajoran nodded, and then mentally fixed on the better of the outcomes, rather than the least desirable one... (Reply LaBrae, Any) (Posted by Alan) (Freighter - Bridge - Engineer, Ensign LaBrea - 02:53) "Hey. Are you OK?" "Yeah," LaBrea responded, preparing to exit the bridge, checking her tricorder settings and adjusting her holster. "Line of duty and all that." "And the, you know... Borg?" she asked. "Do you think that we can keep the damned thing on ice?" LaBrea nodded her understanding. "All I need to do is reset the regulator," she said eerily calmly. "Six buttons and the thing stays frozen. We -can- keep it on ice, as long as nothing else is damaged." "...and, if we can't?" she asked. "I don't even want to consider that," LaBrea said. She turned to Jake for confirmation that the bridge was secure, then stepped out to make her way to the secured storage bay. (Reply Jake, R'uann, Any) (Posted by Tony) (Freighter - Corridor - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 02:55) R'uann ran the Engineers words through her head in silence. 'Six buttons and the thing stays frozen... as long as nothing else is damaged' ~Oh lordy~ Who would have ever thought they'd be dealing with a Borg right now. It didn't seem right at all and the whole thing had R'uann spooked more than she had been in a very long time. Did the Pirates know what they had? Was the Borg Queen their target perhaps? And if so, what the hell did they want it for? LaBrae had already headed out into the corridor, her destination now clearly the storage bay and the sleeping Borg Queen. R'uann made to follow but turned briefly to Thibodeaux, who was still conversing with the hostages and rubbing at his throat and neck. Maybe she'd have to take a closer look at that later. "Are we bringing them with us?" she asked, "or leaving them on the bridge?" (Reply Thibodeaux) R'uann nodded, and then spun about to head after LaBrae, who was still stood waiting in the corridor, her phasor drawn and ready, and seemingly unperturbed by the events beforehand. "So, let's go see sleeping beauty" she said, "No kisses and NO Apples, though" (Reply LaBrae, IYW) (Reply Thibodeaux, LaBrae IYW, Any) (Posted by Alan) (Freighter - Storage Bay - ACEO, Ensign LaBrea - 02:59) LaBrea led R'uann through the empty corridors to the warehouse bays where she tapped in the door access codes. A 'denied' chirp sounded. She glanced at R'uann with a scowl of concern on her face, and tried again. A second 'denied' chirp sounded. ~sonofaQ~ she cursed silently, shaking her head. "Someone really doesn't want us in there," she muttered under her breath. "Take off that access cover and pull the proximity chip," she said to R'uann, pointing to a panel behind the medic while she started entering in various override commands to the command padd. (Reply R'uann IYW) "It's the orange one with the row of blue indicator lights," she explained. (Reply R'uann IYW) Finally, the 'approved' chirp sounded and the bay door swooshed open. The storage bay was cold- much colder than expected, and though that may have seemed like a good thing, LaBrea knew it meant the pod was leaking aprotic cryosulfides- a concern that was confirmed when she could taste garlic on her lips. She raised an eyebrow at R'uann, assuming that the doctor recognized it as well. (Reply R'uann IYW) The bay was dark, lit only by the emergency lines on the floor and various circuit panels on secured cargo containers. She pulled up her tricorder and slowly swept the room. "There," she whispered, focusing on an area to the left. The bay was devoid of any other life signs, so LaBrea holstered her weapon, but slowly and cautiously crept toward the cryopod. She scanned the pod with her tricorder, but struggled to interpret the readings. "The seal failed. That's an easy fix. But what do you make of these vitals? I've never seen anything like them. What race do you think she was?" (Reply R'uann) "I need to open the pod, and reset the seal," she explained, laying both hands on the cover and looking up at R'uann. The lights of the unit illuminated her face with a harsh green glow. "Ready?" (Reply R'uann IYW) (Reply any) (Posted by Tony) (Freighter - Storage Bay - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 03:00) Walking through the dark corridors of the freighter was not the most pleasant of experiences, evidenced as it was by the 'tramp Steamer' feel of functionality without grace. Most of the lighting strips did not work, and fluid leaking from conduit joints that really should have been replaced long ago, spoke of hazards all around. R'uann kept her distance, not wanting to come into contact with any of it through fear of what it might be. Rounding the corner though, LaBrae had come to a stop at the door to the storage vaults and quickly tried to gain access. Without much success it would seem... "Someone really doesn't want us in there," she said, half to herself and half to R'uann, who had by now moved to stand next to her, her own phaser held in readiness for anything untoward. The Bajoran medic nodded, and then offered a glib alternative. "Or something to get out" LaBrae continued to try and gain access through the panel, again without much success. "Take off that access cover and pull the proximity chip," she said, pointing to a panel on the wall. R'uann looked to where the engineer had indicated, noting another leak of a luminous green fluid nearby as she did so. Duty was duty though so with a cranking tug, she removed the aforementioned panel from its housing and placed it aside. "Which one is the proximity chip?", she asked. "It's the orange one with the row of blue indicator lights," answered LaBrae. R'uann located and gripped the chip between her fingers. For a moment though she hesitated, wondering just what might short circuit or explode when she pulled it out. Perhaps LaBrae was wondering the very same thing, but truth be told, R'uann trusted her and pulled the chip deftly from its holder to the accompaniment of the door suddenly opening with a pneumatic hiss. "Hey, good work" said R'uann, peering ominously into the darkened interior of a room that appeared to be filled with a mist of some sort which smelt decidedly odd. What exactly was that smell, onions? Clearly the engineer had smelt it too, her expression one of quiet distaste as she raised an eyebrow in her direction. "Damn, what's that smell?" asked R'uann. "It smells kinda like, onion or... maybe ... garlic?" (Reply LaBrae, IYW) LaBrae slowly made her way into the room, her tricorder at the ready and pinging away actively at something that it was detecting. "There", said the engineer in a hushed voice. R'uann looked to where she was pointing, a large cryo-unit set all by itself in the middle of the room which LaBrae was moving cautiously towards, her tricorder still scanning as she did so. "The seal failed. That's an easy fix. But what do you make of these vitals? I've never seen anything like them. What race do you think she was?" asked LaBrae. R'uann moved closer, wondering then if the lid would suddenly spring open like some bizarre fairground 'Jack in the Box', its contents assimilating them all in an instance as she scrutinised the readings. "Well, she looks Humanoid from the readings anyway. But... everything is too slowed down to make a judgement for certain" said R'uann. LaBrae nodded, clearly deep in her own thoughts. "I need to open the pod, and reset the seal," she explained, laying both hands on the cover and looking up at R'uann. The lights of the unit illuminated her face with a harsh green glow. ~Oh great. Just what we needed~ thought R'uann. "Ready?" said LaBrae. R'uann shrugged and then shook her head no. "Umm, if I said no, you'd still open the damned thing" she said, knowing that she was right. "But... I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be" The Bajoran then held her breath as the engineer released the latches that would expose the cold and calculating heart of the Borg Queen, and whatever that might bring... (Reply LaBrae, Any) (Posted by Alan) (Freighter - Storage Bay - ACEO, Ensign LaBrea - 03:01) "Damn, what's that smell?" asked R'uann. "It smells kinda like, onion or... maybe ... garlic?" "Allicin," LaBrea replied. Keeping her eyes on the tricorder, she explained, "Dimethyl-sulfoxide is a secondary agent in the vitrification tanks. It's leaking so we're absorbing some through our skin. It breaks down into DMS and gets exhaled. That's why we can taste it too." LaBrea slowly made her way into the room, her tricorder at the ready and pinging away actively at something that it was detecting. "There", said the engineer in a hushed voice. R'uann looked to where she was pointing, a large cryo-unit set all by itself in the middle of the room toward which LaBrea was moving cautiously, her tricorder still scanning as she did so. "The seal failed. That's an easy fix. But what do you make of these vitals? I've never seen anything like them. What race do you think she was?" asked LaBrea. R'uann moved closer, and scrutinised the readings. "Well, she looks Humanoid from the readings anyway. But... everything is too slowed down to make a judgement for certain" said R'uann. LaBrea nodded, clearly deep in her own thoughts. "I need to open the pod, and reset the seal," LaBrea explained, laying both hands on the cover and looking up at R'uann. The lights of the unit illuminated her face with a harsh green glow. "Ready?" said LaBrae. R'uann shrugged and then shook her head no. "Umm, if I said no, you'd still open the damned thing" she said. "But... I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be" The Bajoran then held her breath as the engineer released the latches that would expose the cold and calculating heart of the Borg Queen, and whatever that might bring... There was a soft hiss as the chamber vacuum was broken and air rushed into the pod. LaBrea felt her heart beat in her ears as she lifted the lid. Inside the pod, pale orange access lights blinked active and the Engineer was staring at a pseudoliving Borg queen, something very few had ever done and continued their normal life. The queen was only minimally visible through the polyaluminum oxynitride sleeve encasing her, but pressed against the semitranslucent material, the face... the face was terrifying. Eyes open, unblinking. Mouth slightly ajar, lips hanging parted... "If she moves," LaBrea whispers, but leaves the sentence unfinished... All internal capsule sensors registered an intact casing with complete cessation of vital signs. By any measures of physiology, she was dead. Frozen. Core temperature remained constant at 76.51 Kelvin. Neuro-Synaptic activity registered nil. Nevertheless- even a dead Borg Queen is intimidating. The failed seal was in the ECMO flow regulator. Fortunately, there was a cocurrent gas exchange module maintaining passive diffusion, but it wouldn't keep up indefinitely. The seal wasn't damaged, just knocked off kilter due to the pirates' attack. A soft reset should correct the positioning. LaBrea inhaled deeply and let it out softly through pursed lips. She leaned in gently, over the 'frozen' queen, and ever so slowly and carefully reached down under to feel for the offline settings. Her imagination was running wild. She could almost feel the queen's breath on her cheek- hear it whispering in her ear- LaBrea had never had any actual contact with The Borg before. They tended to ignore places like Turkana IV. Her only experience had been the combat simulations in the holodecks at Academy. Her overly logical mind knew those weren't real Borg and therefore they weren't very scary at the time. This is. Her fingers found the inputs and she entered the reset command. She relaxed when she heard the gentle buzz of microservos opening and closing, resealing the valves. She backed out quickly but cautiously, and took one last look at the sleeping queen, then closed the hatch and latched it. She used her own security code to override the access controls, smiled and nodded to R'uann, then finally breathed again. "Whew. That went better than expected," she said, then tapped her comm badge. "LaBrea to Thibodeaux. Mission complete. Cryochamber and pod bay secured. Her Majesty is unwoken." (Reply Thibodeaux, Any) (Posted by Tony) (Freighter - Storage Bay - Medical Trauma Technician, Ensign JG R'uann - 03:02) Few had ever looked upon the face of a Borg Queen and lived to tell the tale. The sentiment though was lost in the moment as the two Starfleet officers looked into the stark, opened eyes of the body laying within the cavity of the cryo-unit. R'uann's blood felt as chilled as whatever it currently was running through the veins of the Queen as she lay there, unmoving and as vacant as a body devoid of life. LaBrae's voice broke the Bajoran's thoughts, bringing her back to the here and now. "If she moves...." R'uann needed no further encouragement for her phaser was still drawn and ready. She merely nodded that she understood full well what her next words would be. Cautiously, R'uann glanced to the opened door of the storage bay, her phaser hand following her track. Was that someone coming? Her ears pricked up, her senses heightened now by the tension in the room as the engineer worked within the opened casing as though fearful of touching the wrong thing and bringing life back into the essentially dead body of the Queen. She reached down, her head leaning to the side as she sought out whatever it was she was searching for. R'uann continued to listen intently. The earlier sound was probably nothing, and considering the state of this vessel, it was probably Rats. Suddenly though R'uann could hear servos switching, micro-motors engaging, and immediately thought the worst. "Shit" Had she just said that out loud? Her sudden exclamation though was quickly followed up by a step backwards, her phaser aimed into the cryo-unit in expectation of LaBrae inexplicably flying across the room propelled by a flesh/mechanical arm or something. But it didn't happen... "Whew. That went better than expected," said LaBrae before tapping at her comm badge. "LaBrea to Thibodeaux. Mission complete. Cryochamber and pod bay secured. Her Majesty is unwoken" R'uann exhaled heavily at the words, her phaser lowering to her side. "Damn, girl" she exclaimed, her heart still in her mouth and beating like a jackhammer. "Those noises. I thought the thing had actually woken up. I thought we were.... well... ya know" (Reply LaBrae's IYW) R'uann smiled. "So,what do we do with her majesty now? We need to let Starfleet Command know that she's here for sure..." (Reply LaBrae IYW, Thibodeaux) (Posted by Alan) (Freighter - Corridor - TAC/ASC, Ensign Garek Darpeg - 03:04) There was a voice from behind the Marine, and he quickly swiveled his rifle around. "Please don't shoot, I surrender." Darpeg raised an eyebrow at the strange turn of events. “Stop walking and raise your hands.” Darpeg pulled out his phaser pistol and pointed it at the man. He gave a Klingon warning growl. (reply, Khindell) "Please, I surrender, take me away from this stupid ship." “What’s wrong with the ship?” "What is it that has you frightened like a surrounded targ?" (reply Khindell) "We really need to go, it is not safe here." He glanced at Darpeg and Khindell. "Explain yourself." Barked Darpeg. (reply Khindell) "Maybe you might think being here is a good idea, but the last place I want to be is on a ship that thinks it is a good idea to have a Borg Queen in the cargo bay, even if she is frozen." ~Ow you got to be kidding me~ He spun around and scanned the rest of the cargo bay with his light. It came to rest on a large human sized capsule with a frosted glass front. He could see that there was a humanoid figure inside it. ~Come on~ “We have a frozen popsicle in here and if its what he says we are so in the shit its unbelievable.” "Knowing the Borg, that Queen is laying a trap for rescuers and or us. I recommend that we notify the ship and got to red alert." (reply, Khindell, Rycore, Smith any) (Posted by Gary) ========================================================================