USS Spectre Compile - December 1st-31st 2016 by Alan Reading ================================================================= Mission: Stone Skipping Day: 12 Stardate: 2414.11.12 (USS Spectre – Engineering – Marine, Cprl Lewis O'Hara - 17:30) (USS Spectre – Engineering – Marine, Cprl Houseman - 17:37) (USS Rome - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 17:46) (USS Rome - Bridge -Tactical – Security Officer, Lieutenant (J.G.) Jo Smith - 17:48) (USS Spectre- Bridge - OPS – OPS Officer, Ensign Robert Smith – 17:51) (USS Rome - Science Lab - CSO LT.jg Kurt Palmer – 18:27) (USS Rome - Science Lab - CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams – 18:29) (USS Rome - Science Lab - CSO LT.jg Kurt Palmer – 18:32) (USS Rome - Bridge - Ensign Michael Sorenson - 18:34) (USS Rome -Turbolift - CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams – 18:35) (USS Rome - Turbolift - CSO, LT.jg Kurt Palmer – 18:37) (USS Rome - Bridge – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams – 18:38) (USS Rome - Bridge - CSO, LT.jg Kurt Palmer – 18:42) (USS Rome - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 18:43) (USS Rome - Bridge – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 18:44) (USS Rome - Bridge - CSO, LT.jg Kurt Palmer – 18:46) ================================================================= Mission: Stone Skipping Day: 12 Stardate: 2414.11.12 (USS Spectre – Engineering – Marine, Cprl Lewis O'Hara - 17:30) Lewis leant against the engineering console with both hands as he watched the various readouts falling and rising as the matter/antimatter containment vessel levels fluctuated in regards the Spectre sudden slowing to impulse. None of it made much sense to him of course, his expertise was blowing things up and stopping them from working. The engineers however? Now they were a different kettle of fish entirely... On the floor, two Ferengi lay unconscious, the concussion charge Lewis had planted earlier disorientating them until Houseman finally took them 'offline' with his usual well executed finesse before promptly joining his companion down below. The two had joked about it all afterwards, the comical expressions upon the Ferengi's faces as they sparks flew, and whilst the new Engineering officer, Brannigan arrived with Markell to set about bypassing the main feeds to the battle bridge, thus cutting off their insurgents advantage and allowing the bridge itself control of the ship again, Houseman kept a close eye on the door, his finger still on the trigger of his III-C assault rifle. It was unlikely now that anyone that shouldn't be coming through would come through it of course, but, there were so many flies in the ointment of late that it seemed better to be safe than sorry. And it just wouldn't do for them to be losing the Captain's ship again! It was then though that a call came down from the bridge from the First Officer that sensors had detected an incoming vessel transmitting a Federation ID, but due to the Ferengi meddling earlier from the battle bridge, their own transponders had been nullified to prevent them from displaying their own ID codes, leaving them possibly open to being attacked from something that might well consider them hostile if they failed to identify themselves. In light of that fact, the FO had steered the ship towards a nearby asteroid field after sending a security team to attempt to take the still combative Ferengi into custody before they could do any more damage. Now though, his most pressing need was to rectify the transponder situation... =/\=Are Brannigan and Markell still securing our power systems?=/\= he asked. O'Hara glanced towards Markell, who was busy entering data onto a sub console within an opened aperture. The engineer turned, hearing the FO's query and responded accordingly. (Reply Markell) =/\=Understood=/\= said the FO. =/\=I need main power back onto the sensor network and our transponders online as a matter of urgency. It's going to mean a trip into the tubes=/\=, said Ktell, referring of course to the Jefferies Tube network leading to the external hull plating. (Reply Markell) =/\=Take Ensign Brannigan with you. The two of you will get the job done quicker than if only one of you went=/\= said the FO, before promptly signing off... (Reply Markell, Brannigan, Any) O'Hara looked at the engineers and nodded his head as the two gathered their equipment and then headed out again. "Hey, don't worry guys", said Lewis. "We'll make sure nobody messes with the good work you've done here" (Reply Markell, Brannigan, IYW) Houseman, ever the joker, just chuckled to himself, raised his rifle into the air and gave a comical salute, much to Lewis's consternation. "Dork", he said, and then returned his attention back to the fluctuating levels of the matter/antimatter readouts... (Reply Houseman, IYW) (Reply Markell, Brannigan, Houseman IYW) (Posted by Alan) (USS Spectre – Engineering – Marine, Cprl Houseman - 17:37) Houseman scanned engineering as Markell, Brannigan, O’Hara and the others were getting things sorted out. He was happy that he had taken down all the Farengi’s in Engineering but it was knockout rounds and he was not taking any chances. He walked over to O’Hara who was giving out orders like an officer and grinned to himself as the others began to move away. He caught O’Hara’s eye as he raised his rifle into the air and gave a comical salute. "Dork" Was O’Hara’s repliy which only made his grin wider. He stepped closer to O’Hara who had turned back to the console showing the matter/antimatter readouts. “Normally Lewis, blowing things up is your strong suit. Are you shore you should be near the warp core?” (Reply O’Hara) (Reply O’Hara, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Rome - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 17:46) "Sir, we have an unknown vessel bearing 190, mark 240. Range 100,000km", said the Tactical officer. Immediately, the Captain was on the ball and accessing his armrest console. Could this possibly be their ship? The TAC officer had not specified a positive identification, and yet his gut told him that it might just be. "Is it Federation?", he asked. "It's impossible to tell sir. If it's one of ours it's not transmitting any identification", came the reply. The captain pondered this for a moment or two. There were two other Federation vessels in the vicinity of course, and both were to be considered hostile right now due to their orders to intercept and nullify the Spectre itself. Those orders had come right from the top, but the top, as T'Vhor was already aware, had already likely been compromised by forces loyal to Madon. What to do then? "Could it be the Spectre?", said the Captain, wondering now if sensors could identify anything at all about this unknown, although again the Tactical officer was uncertain, remarking that it was possible, but unlikely given the fact that the ship was transmitting no identification and that it had recently transited into a nearby asteroid field, thus indicating that it too had seen the Roses approach. It was a long shot of course, but what else was there to do... "Take us to yellow alert and set a course to the last known coordinates of the target. Maintain maximum available warp", ordered the Captain, and almost immediately the ships annunciators began to glow their familiar yellow hue, indicating that the ship was now on standby for a possible hostile encounter. "Aye sir", said the helmsman. "Target is locked, coming to course heading 190, Mark 240" The ship then continued onwards towards the asteroid field. And whatever it was that had just gone into hiding... (Reply Any, IYW) (Posted by Alan) (USS Rome - Bridge -Tactical – Security Officer, Lieutenant (J.G.) Jo Smith - 17:48) Jo looked down at her as she stabbed the yellow alert button. The light flickered yellow and the klaxon hooted to indicate the change of alert status. "Aye sir" Came the voice of the helmsman. "Target is locked, coming to course heading 190, Mark 240" Jo looked back at her console. As her sensors scoured the asteroid field and retreating Spectre. She also glanced pulled back the focus to give her a wider tactical image of the surroundings area. There were other starships in the area and not all of them were friendly. It would not be good for one of them to sneak up on them as she was concentrating on the Spectre. There was a flicker on the sensor image it was there for a split second before vanishing. A ghost of something that seemed to be following them. It could have been a sensor glitch or it could be a powered down starship costing behind them. “Sir. There seems to be an unknown contact following us. It was there for a split second but now it’s gone.” (Reply T’Vhor) ~So we have the Spectre in front and something sneaking up behind with us stuck in the middle~ “And I am starting to louse the Spectre in the back-ground clutter of the asteroid field.” (Reply T’Vhor) (Reply T’Vhor, Any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Spectre- Bridge - OPS – OPS Officer, Ensign Robert Smith – 17:51) His console beeped and he looked down. The Farengi had overridden everything he had but he was able to connect to make a hard wire connection to the sensors with some ingenious use of tricorders and a shuttle but the connection was erratic and she steered intensely at what the screen was telling him. ~It would have been better if I had taken a shuttle craft out side. At least I would have some idea~ “Sir I have a ship approaching.” (reply bridge) “The asteroid field and this jury-rigged set is playing hell with the sensors but from what I can tell it’s a small starship. A saber or Defiant class but that’s a guess.” The console beeped again and he cursed under her breath. “They have targeted us Sir and I still don’t have access to any weapons.” As he passed the information to the tactical console. (Reply Bridge) (Reply Bridge, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Rome - Science Lab - CSO LT.jg Kurt Palmer – 18:27) “That’s it.” The doctor said looking over to Kurt. “How much did we get?” The science chief looked down at the pilfered PADD. "It seems about eighty five percent." This was not ideal, but at least they managed to save most of it. Andrew nodded. “Where did you get the PADD from?” Kurt's eyebrows raised. "A very startled looking ops officer." (Reply, Williams) "How long have we been at yellow alert?" Kurt looked up suddenly, completely missing what the doctor had just said. (Reply, Williams, any) ((Post by Cody)) (USS Rome - Science Lab - CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams – 18:29) "A very startled looking ops officer." Andrew smiled and was glad that Palmer had found one as 85% was better than lousing everything. “I am sure he was.” "How long have we been at yellow alert?" Andrew glanced up to notice it at well. He had been so concentrated in what he had been doing that he had not noticed it. “I don’t know.” He picked up and PADD, stood up from the console and turned towards the door. “Whatever it is, it’s not good. We better get to the bridge and find out what’s going on.” (Reply Palmer) (Reply Palmer, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Rome - Science Lab - CSO LT.jg Kurt Palmer – 18:32) After realizing the Rome was under yellow alert the doctor turned towards the door carrying the PADD “Whatever it is, it’s not good. We better get to the bridge and find out what’s going on.” He replied as Kurt turned to follow. The two officers exited the lab towards the turbolift. "Well, at least we'll get to break the news to the captain together." Kurt smirked as the reached the doors to the lift. (Reply, Williams, any) ((Post by Cody)) (USS Rome - Bridge - Ensign Michael Sorenson - 18:34) Michael watched as the Rome moved through the asteroid field. With the sensors being distorted this was a tactical nightmare. The probe might not be as effective as he was hoping. Michael brought up the calibration screen for the probe. The sensors needed increasing in order to pinpoint the Spectre. ~Hopefully we don't find the Spectre before this probe calibrates.~ (Reply none) (Posted by Brandon) (USS Rome -Turbolift - CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams – 18:35) "Well, at least we'll get to break the news to the captain together." Andrew stepped inside, looked at Palmer as the doors shut and the tubolift began to move. “Me tell him. Are you nuts he going to go crazy…..” He paused and gave Palmer a smile. “Anyway, Kurt you are part of the senior command team and I am just a humble doctor.” (Reply Palmer) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Rome - Turbolift - CSO, LT.jg Kurt Palmer – 18:37) “Me tell him. Are you nuts he going to go crazy…..” the doctor said with a smile as the lift doors closed. “Anyway, Kurt you are part of the senior command team and I am just a humble doctor.” "You out rank me, can I pull that card?" Kurt said returning a grin. (Reply, Williams IYW) The lift ascended the two decks from the science lab to the bridge, and the doors slid open, revealing a frenzy of activity. (Reply Williams) (Posted by Cody) (USS Rome - Bridge – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams – 18:38) Andrew stepped out of the turbolift into the small bridge. After living on the spectre and getting use to its larger bridge the bridge of the Rome felt almost claustrophobic. He paused for a moment as the noise of orders and acknowledgements moved across the bridge. ~Let’s get one with it~ He glanced over at Palmer and nodded as he stepped over to the command chair. “Captain?” (Reply T’Vhor) (Reply, Palmer, T’Vhor, any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Rome - Bridge - CSO, LT.jg Kurt Palmer – 18:42) Kurt followed the doctor onto the compact bridge. ~maybe I can make a break for the science station before he notices.~ But as Kurt had that thought to doctor turned back to him with a nod, before addressing T'Vhor. “Captain?” Dr. Williams said as they approached. Kurt swallowed and glanced nervously at the occupied science console. Breaking bad news was never great, especially when there were multiple crises at hand. (Reply T’Vhor) (Posted by Cody) (USS Rome - Bridge - CO, Captain T'Vhor - 18:43) The Rome had been tracking an intermittent contact in the nearby asteroid field for some time now, and whilst there were still no transponder signals associated with that contact, the Captain had to remain positive that the object they were trying to find was indeed, their ship. The sound of the turbolift doors opening beyond however, broke him from his thoughts prompting him to turn his attention to the two arriving officers. Both looked pensive, Palmer giving a cursory nod and then heading over to the Science console whilst the Doctor paused, and then made his way towards the command chair. "Captain?", he said, as though he had something to say. "Doctor Williams?", answered T'Vhor, to the accompaniment of a quizzical raise of an eyebrow. (Reply Williams) (Reply Williams, Any) (Posted by Alan) (USS Rome - Bridge – CMO, Cmdr Andrew Williams - 18:44) "Captain?", he said, as though he had something to say. "Doctor Williams?" Andrew glanced over at Palmer who had retreated to the science console and gave a mental smile. ~Whimp~ He looked back at T’Vhor. “There has been a set back with our research. Unbeknown to me there was a virus implanted in the Rome’s computer system that would irreparably damage any information on the parasites. Even though we checked the systems for problems this one must have been specifically programed to activate when I uploaded the data for us to analyse.” He paused for a moment. “We managed to save eighty five percent of the original data but I don’t risk using any of the computer on the ship. There may be a chance to access it on the Spectre with Palmer’s help but for the moment there is nothing I can do. Sorry Sir.” (Reply T’Vhor) (Reply T,Vhor, Palmer any) (Posted by Robbie) (USS Rome - Bridge - CSO, LT.jg Kurt Palmer – 18:46) Kurt took the science station, as the doctor began explaining the situation to the captain. On the Spectre, the bridge was big enough to have a quiet conversation with someone. This wasn't the case on the small bridge of the Rome. As Williams and T'Vhor spoke everyone heard everything. “We managed to save eighty five percent of the original data but I don’t risk using any of the computer on the ship. There may be a chance to access it on the Spectre with Palmer’s help but for the moment there is nothing I can do. Sorry Sir.” Came the Doctor's voice. Kurt brought up the auxiliary targeting systems on his console for one last check.The probe was just about ready for launch. He leaning over to the tactical station next to him. "Mr. Sorenson, how are the preparations." (Reply, Sorenson, any) (Post by Cody) =================================================================