USS Rosenante Compile
Through the Looking Glass 5

====================

Through the Looking Glass
Day 1
Stardate: 2414.06.11

====================

(Rosenante, Bridge, CO, Captain Ben Soma, Day 1, 1650)

Sanok announced activity from the station, Ben glanced at the forward view screen along with the rest of the bridge crew. What he saw was unexpected, a beam emanated from the alien station and stretched out towards the probe. Upon contact the probe was obliterated, why had they destroyed the probe? It wasn't a direct threat, it was a mobile sensor platform and wasn't armed with any kind of weaponry. Sanok announced the destruction they just witnessed.

Ben was about to voice a comment about not being able to scan them but they were still scanning the Rose when the ship started shaking. 

"Captain, there is a wave of energy coming from the..." Sanok never finished the sentence, in a blinding flash of light he disappeared from the bridge. Ben had just turned towards his friend as he vanished. Tom yelled that Sanok had disappeared and Ben saw Maddox moving to scan the area where Sanok had been standing.

"Mr. Maddox," Ben said rising from his seat and doing his beat to remain composed in front of his crew. "what have you found?"

“Well, sir, I’m getting a lot of subspace
activity.  A small spike in tachyons, but subspace readings are through
the roof.” Andrew reported.

"Any explanation for what we just witnessed?" Ben inquired as he stared at the station threw the wormhole.

“Best guess? Other than the obvious, he was
transported somewhere at great speed, near instantaneously, and a great
magnitude faster than the speed of light.  Closest thing like it,
transwarp, subspace beaming.  Like whoever did this opened a one by two
meter subspace corridor and transported Commander Sanok through it.”

Transwarp, the only species capable of that method of travel were the Borg. It's what made them such a great threat, they could literally pop into a transwarp conduit in one region of space and pop out minutes later a quadrant away. So far Starfleet hadn't been able to safely break through into transwarp, most attempts failed and few resulted in the loss of the vessel and it's crew.

"Can we trace the source?" Ben asked still looking towards the station. 

“Well I would have to figure out how to track it before
I could give you a bearing.  The light flash is no help on bearing, it’s
how I knew he was traveling faster than light, it’s Cherenkov radiation,
a photonic reaction to breaking the light barrier. We do the same thing when we
begin a warp jump. Here I believe logic will outweigh empirical evidence, we
can assume he went to the station or near it.  It’s the only
structure including us with enough power to do it.  I would be easier to
tell you where he came out and start tracking him by his combadge, assuming
they haven’t removed it.” Andrew said.

Ben had turned to Maddox as he explained and agreed that the station was the logical place for Sanok to be. They could confirm that by scanning for Sanok's combadge, if it was present on the station than Sanok was likely not far from it.

"Scan for Sanok's combadge." Ben instructed. "At least that will confirm his location. For the moment we'll assume his captors have removed it and won't be able to beam him back. Try and boost the sensors to scan the station, I don't like being scanned and not being able to return the favor."

(reply Maddox)

Ben then turned to Tom.

"Mr. Jackson," He said. "try and open a channel to the station."

(reply Jackson)

Ben turned back to look at the viewscreen and the station.

"I want to know who took Sanok and why." Ben was becoming frustrated but he couldn't show it, he wanted answers and he wanted them now. "Doctor can you tell if Sanok's cortical monitor is still transmitting, it may give us an indication of what he is experiencing."

(reply Anderson)

Ben didn't like the situation, the Tesla's crew had disappeared without a trace and now Sanok had been taken right off the bridge without warning. He went back to the center seat and sat down, as the others went about their tasks he opened a channel to engineering.

"Bridge to engineering." He said. "Any luck with the logs from the Tesla?"

(reply any in engineering)
(posted by Milo Young)

-----

(USS Rosenante - Bridge - Ensign (jg) Ailyn Andersen ACMO - Day 1 - 1651)

The bridge looked haywire and although no one wanted to admit it, Ailyn could tell everyone felt strongly about what just happened. Some were in shock, and some, like the Captain, were furious. Despite his best try at keeping composure, he couldn't fool Ailyn.

Instead of thinking how she felt, she wondered for a second about Sanok. Was he in pain? She was sure he was alive, killing only a single member of the crew made no sense. What did made sense is capturing someone for an interrogation.

Thinking back about Tesla and Torell, perhaps the two situations were connected. Torell mind spiking Sanok, then Tho'var finding traces of telepathy-enhancing drug inside the reactor and then disappearance of a Vulcan. Perhaps whoever kidnapped Sanok could somehow breach all his mental defenses and could get all the vital informations an first officer would know. This idea didn't sound so appealing.

The positive side of Ailyn thought a bit differently. Perhaps this is all just an missunderstanding and they took Sanok to be their own representative in peace talks. ~Yeah right.~ thought Ailyn. Being positive made no sense in this particular moment. But she hoped Sanok wasn't in pain.

"I want to know who took Sanok and why." said Captain Soma. Ailyn wanted to know the answer to that question as well. It was his first officer, and a friend, who were just kidnapped. He demanded answers, answers the crew, seemingly, didn't have.

"Doctor can you tell if Sanok's cortical monitor is still transmitting, it may give us an indication of what he is experiencing."

Acknowledging the command, Andersen checked the console. She took several seconds, and upon reading the answer raised her head looking back at the Captain.

"Sorry sir. I'm getting no signal..." explained Ailyn with a grim look on her face. She could see Captain wasn't pleased with what he heard.
There simply was no signal from the unit. 

But in reality, this didn't necessarily have to mean that anything bad happened to Sanok. Only that cortical monitor was taken and disassembled for studying or destroyed by whoever, or whatever, captured Sanok.

It was obvious Captain didn't like the situation. Coming back to the captain's chair and sitting down, he opened the channel to engineering.

It seemed other went to do their tasks as well.
The situation really seemed grim.

(Reply: None)
(Posted by: Lani)

-----

(USS Rosenante Bridge 2O/COPS LT Tom Jackson Day 1 1656)

Acting on instinct, Tom raised force fields around the critical areas of
the Rose - Bridge,Tactical, Engineering and Sick Bay.

"Skipper - I have taken the liberty to raise force fields around our key
areas in an effort to avoid losing more personnel. Ops is running thru our
crew manifest to see if we're missing anyone else" Tom said.

(Reply: Captain)

As the other areas if the ship reported in it seemed Tho'var was the only
missing person.

Tom went on reporting " it seems Mr. Kervas is MIA Captain".

(Reply: Captain)

Tom had another suggestion but wanted to see what the others had learned.

(Reply: None)
(Posted by: Bill W.)

-----

(USS Rosenante - Bridge - Science Officer - Ensign (JG) Andrew Maddox - 1701)

 "Scan for Sanok's combadge." The Captain instructed. "At least that will
confirm his location. For the moment we'll assume his captors have removed
it and won't be able to beam him back. Try and boost the sensors to scan the
station, I don't like being scanned and not being able to return the favor."

 "Aye, sir." Andrew responded and took his tricorder back to the aft science
station to run and analyze the reading he just obtained.

 While he worked the Captain was conferring with the rest of the crew to find
out what happened just now and what happened to the other crew.  Andrew
began a scan and searched for the First Officer's combadge and the medical
instrument's signal.  

 ~Nothing, boosting the power to sensors. No interference, no nothing. More
power won't work. Wait! Whatever they used to transport him used subspace,
may be the hole it punched through to grab Sanok is still there and hasn't
collapsed yet.~

 "Sir, we can't get any readings from the far side of the Einstein-Rosenberg
bridge but, I have an idea!" He said to the Captain.

 (Reply Capt. Soma)

 "The readings I got from Commander Sanok's last known location indicated
heavy subspace use, so much so it resembled a miniature transwarp or similar
conduit.  What if that conduit is still open in subspace? Obviously the real
space entrance and exits are closed,   I need use of the main deflector, or
someone to configure it to my specifications.   Obviously poking a hole at
the same point that Commander Sanok left would not be ideal, a hole opening
directly to subspace on to the bridge would be in conducive to life.  I
propose punching our own hole through to the conduit at a different point,
using a verteron pulse from the main deflector. The near side of the conduit
should be harder to punch through than the far side as this side was the
first to close.  As long as we maintain the beam for 17 or 18 seconds we
should be able to punch through to the other side."

 (Reply engineering or ops)

 "Correct, sir. That is a substantial power load, we should be able to
maintain it if we keep a steady pull of 80% on impulse engines, 90% pull on
emergency power until it runs out at approximately 15 seconds. A draw of 10%
from the warp drive until the emergency power runs out then punch it up to
83% to make up the difference for the remaining 2 -3 seconds. That should be
able to maintain the beam at the intensity and time we need. "

 (Reply Capt. Soma, any)
(Posted by Todd)

-----

(USS Rosenante - Bridge - LT Tom Jackson 2O/COPS - Day 1 - 1703)

Tom gad made up his mind on their next step. With Sanok missing he was
acting FO. This was not what Tom wanted.

Turning to the CO Tom asked "Sir, I have a suggestion".

(Reply: Captain)

Tom explained his idea.

"We have to go after Sanok and Kervas. This is a given. I recommend we use
two shuttles with volunteer crews. This way potential loses are minimal"
Tom added.

(Reply: Any present )

Tom added to his idea. "If we need help, the Rose can always enter the
spacial distortion. Captain, I recommend that as Senior Officer present,
you remain on the Rose ".

(Reply: Captain)
(Posted by: Bill W.)

-----

(USS Rosenante - Bridge - Ensign (jg) Ailyn Andersen ACMO - Day 1 - 1705)

Ailyn was listening to other officers, and it seemed going after Sanok and Tho'var was a possibility, however did not seem to be an easy task.

With Sanok gone, Tom Jacksoon took the FO position. The man did not seem happy for it, but instead seemed as he was thinking.

"We have to go after Sanok and Kervas. This is a given. I recommend we use two shuttles with volunteer crews. This way potential loses are minimal." said Jackson

Ailyn agreed with Jackson there, although she said nothing. Instead thinking about the situation. The idea was dangerous, leading to unpredictable possibilities and may, in a worst case scenario, cost some of the away crew their lives. There were no indications Sanok or Tho'var were alive. The crew haven't been contacted, nor any demands have been said. The opposition was clearly in a better tactical situation, and it made no sense to Ailyn why would they take two people and leave the rest.

Lost in her thoughts, she stood up, saying "I volunteer, sirs" while looking at Jackson and Soma, and then actually understanding what she just said. For a second it seemed others were all looking at her, possibly because she said it quite loud, or for the fact she interrupted Jackson the moment he was trying to continue speaking. Feeling a bit embarrased, she sat down on the chair.

She didn't quite understood why did she said it, and she surprised herself. Trying to explain her own reasons to herself better, she told herself that the away team would definitely need a doctor or two.

(Reply: None needed, Any iyw)
(Posted by: Lani)

-----

(USS Rosenante, Bridge, CO, Captain Ben Soma, Day 1, 1707)

After he had issues assignments the bridge crew wasted no time getting to them, despite the situation Ben couldn't help but feel pride for his crew. There was no questioning, no hesitation, they had a problem to solve and they wanted it solved asap. Anderson was the first to announce her findings.

"Sorry sir. I'm getting no signal..." explained Ailyn with a grim look on 
her face.

Ben didn't like it but he suspected as much, without the probe it was a long shot at best. He hoped Maddox would have better luck boosting the sensors but mere moments later those hopes were also dashed.

“Sir, we can’t get any readings from the far side of
the Einstein-Rosenberg bridge but, I have an idea!” He said.

"I'm open to suggestions Ensign." He replied.

“The readings I got from Commander Sanok’s last known
location indicated heavy subspace use, so much so it resembled a miniature
transwarp or similar conduit.  What if that conduit is still open in
subspace? Obviously the real space entrance and exits are closed,   I
need use of the main deflector, or someone to configure it to my specifications. 
 Obviously poking a hole at the same point that Commander Sanok left would
not be ideal, a hole opening directly to subspace on to the bridge would be in
conducive to life.  I propose punching our own hole through to the conduit
at a different point, using a verteron pulse from the main deflector. The near
side of the conduit should be harder to punch through than the far side as this
side was the first to close.  As long as we maintain the beam for 17 or 18
seconds we should be able to punch through to the other side.”

Ben considered the idea, the power requirements would be great. If it worked they would at least get some idea of where Sanok may be. Engineering would have a better idea of exactly what power requirements were needed.

"Your looking at a lot of power to do that." Ben said opening a channel to engineering and explaining what Maddox was proposing.

(reply Engineering)

“Correct, sir. That is a substantial power load, we should
be able to maintain it if we keep a steady pull of 80% on impulse engines, 90%
pull on emergency power until it runs out at approximately 15 seconds. A draw
of 10% from the warp drive until the emergency power runs out then punch it up
to 83% to make up the difference for the remaining 2 -3 seconds. That should be
able to maintain the beam at the intensity and time we need. “

Ben decided it was worth it, they needed information and this may be the only way they could get it.

"Get on it." He said. "Bring the spiral drive online if you require the extra power."

(reply Maddox, Engineering)

Tom then chose to speak up.

"Sir, I have a suggestion".

"I'm all ears." Ben said willing to entertain any idea at this point.

"We have to go after Sanok and Kervas. This is a given. I recommend we 
use two shuttles with volunteer crews. This way potential loses are 
minimal" Tom added.

Before he could respond Anderson said loudly.

"I volunteer, sirs" 

Ben looked at her as she seemed to catch herself, she flushed slightly and then sat down as she realized most of the eyes on the bridge were looking at her. He then turned back to Tom.

"If we need help, the Rose can always enter the spacial distortion. 
Captain, I recommend that as Senior Officer present, you remain on the 
Rose."

Ben knew Tom was right, in Sanok's absence he was acting FO and it was against regulations for Ben to put himself into an unknown and potentially dangerous situation.

"Assemble the crew at 1730 hours." Ben said. "We'll tell them what we now to date and propose we enter the wormhole and ask for volunteers then."  

It was risky but if they couldn't get Sanok and Kevras back another way he didn't have any choice but to proceed as Tom recommended.

(reply any)
(posted by Milo Young)

-----

(USS Rosenante - Bridge - Science Officer - Ensign (JG) Andrew Maddox -
1713)

"Get on it." The Captain said. "Bring the spiral drive online if you require
the extra power."

Andrew got to work making the slight changes to the main deflector for the
verteron pulse.  Some quick arrangements through OPS and engineering and all
the arrangements for power were made.  Andrew then aligned the dish to aim
the beam along the desired path.  Finally he set up the systems to
automatically draw power from the desired sources when he wanted them to.
All that was left was to push the button.

"Sir, the verteron beam is ready to fire."

(Reply Captain Soma)

"Computer begin fire of verteron beam along indicated trajectory,
accompanied by audible countdown starting at 18 seconds." Andrew instructed.

[Acknowledged.]

"Fire beam."

The view-screen filters engaged as the beam lit up the main viewer.  The
searing white-hot beam cut a swath through real space and focused on a
single spot.

[Eighteen.] Announced the computer.

Impact point grew brighter and brighter.

[Seventeen, sixteen, fifteen, fourteen, thirteen, twelve, eleven, ten]

There was a bright flash after the buildup of energy.

"We've broken through to sub-space." Andrew announced.

[Nine, eight, seven,]

"Striking the far side of the conduit, on target." Andrew announced.  The
lights on the bridge dimmed then shut off completely. The red glow of the
emergency lights and the consoles themselves were the only lights available
on the bridge.

[Six, five, four, three, two, one, zero."

"Sensors show we are through the far side. Computer shut down the beam."

[Acknowledged, shutting down beam.] The computer chirped. Once the command
was executed the bridge returned to normal lighting.  Information began
pouring through the new subspace opening that Maddox made. A 

(Reply Captain Soma)

"I obtained a large jumble of information, sir.  It will take me some time
to analyze and go through it." Andrew admitted.

(Reply Captain Soma)

"I'll have it ready for the meeting in a few minutes. At least enough to
tell you if I'm getting a signal from the Commander's combadge." Andrew
reported.

(Reply CO, Any)
(posted by Todd)

-----

(USS Rosenante, 2O/Cops Lieutenant Tom Jackson , Day 1, 1715)

Tom checked the bridge chronometer. He opened a ship wide channel and made
the announcement Ben had ordered.

"Attention all hands. This is LT. Jackson. All off duty personnel will meet
in Cargo Bay 1 at 1730. Those on duty will attend via video link. We have a
major issue to discuss and a decision  to make. Jackson out" Tom said
closing the link.

Tom exhaled deeply and loudly. He had the decision of whom to pick for the
shuttles. This moment reminded him of a time he remembered in an academy
Command track class.

(Reply: None)
(Posed by: Bill W.)

-----

(USS Rosenante - Cargo Bay 1 - Science Officer - Ensign (JG) Andrew Maddox - 1721)

Andrew entered the Cargo Bay as he was reading the PADD he had downloaded
what little findings he had in the little bit of time he had.   He had
decided to come down so he didn't show late as he often did when he got lost
in his work, which was often.  He had already filtered out the background
noise and got down to the root of the issue. He had fished three Star Fleet
signals from the cacophony of sensor noise he had received, or at least Star
Fleet frequency transmissions emanating from the station. Unfortunately not
one of the three was actually a hail from the Commander's combadge. Or the
lieutenant's combadge. One was the positioning transmission that was sent
from what Andrew had positively identified as the Commander's combadge.
Another was positively identified as the Lieutenant's.   At this point,
however he could not tell if it was separated from him or not.  The second
signal was vexing him though.  He had sent the news to the CO and acting FO,
he knew command types didn't like surprises. 

Crew began trickling in and filling seats, so Andrew found a spot to sit
down, and read while he was waiting on the remainder of the crew to arrive.

(Reply any)
(Posted by Todd)

-----

(USS Rosenante – Sickbay – Ensign (jg) Ailyn Andersen ACMO – Day 1 – 1723)

Ailyn remembered feeling this impatiently when she was young, back then when she had to climb on a box to spook on her father and his drawings. He would make such lovely drawings she would often want to be in the world she was seeing. Bloomed with warm colors, the worlds he was creating felt like magic. 

Then one night, while the rain was falling, she sneaked into her father’s work room and took one of the paintings, putting it down to the floor, so she can look at it better. What the little ms. Andersen didn’t figure out was the window was opened and the floor was soaking wet and soon the painting was as well. As it was still fresh, the paint soon started smudging.

Standing on the wet floor, she started crying. She could not understand if and how much these paintings meant to her father, but she knew she did something bad.

She was waiting so impatiently for someone to show up.

The whisper of the rain completely muted the sounds of a stranger coming, she could only feel a pair of warm hands reaching down and pulling her gently up, then quietly putting her back down on the wooden table. Confused, Ailyn’s wide big opened eyes moved up to catch a smile coming from the figure above. Her father touched her on the nose and gently wrapped her in his own jacket, which was so big that Ailyn felt like under the blanket. Seemingly not caring for the painting, he would redraw it several days afterwards. It would take years for Ailyn to find the painting and figuring out that her father’s greatest treasure was on that painting. 

Thinking about it, she couldn’t believe how funny she looked when she was so small.

But this time, the feeling she was having wasn’t of the same sort.
She was under a lot of stress, the situation on the ship wasn’t exactly great and... she needed a little bit something to help her up.

Pulling her right hand up and reaching for her forehead, she thought ~No, I won’t need it...~, but even while thinking this, her headache was growing stronger and stronger. Then like the candlelight, her eyes fired up looking at the stim at her left side.

~I don’t think I really needed. I have it in myself. I can do this without.~ Ailyn reassured herself. After all, the last away mission went so right and she wasn’t powerless or helpless. She definitely could do it without. Or not. 

Putting her right hand on the forehead again, she had a fever. Her headache was razing her mind.
With Chief Medical Officer gone, she could take one. After all she really needed it now.

She caught a glimpse of the nurse looking at the Ailyn. Understanding she really looked like she was stricken with some disease, she quickly changed her posture, smiling back reassuringly to the Petty Officer, then continuing to watch exactly to her eyes until she went on to do something else. Those Petty Officers, they should really look about their own business more.

~It’s really a tough situation. Who knows, I might not get out of this one alive. It is just for this time~ she reassured herself again. Gulping, she continued looking at the stim, focusing on the fine smooth lines of the silvery hypospray injector. She never realized how fine these instruments are made.

~Besides, I can stop anytime I want. The crew really wants me at full. Just this time.~ she said to herself, smirking and breathing deeply.

Slowly putting her right hand towards the hypospray, she took the stim, putting it inside, then moving it up to her neck. In just the half of the second, she could feel her heart pumping faster, the warmth of the faster blood circulation, and her mind finaly at ease.

She put down the hypospray where she found it.

(posted by Lani)

-----

(USS Rosenante – Cargo Bay 1 – 2O/COPS - LT. Tom Jackson 1725)

Tom and Lani chatted as the bay filled with their crewmates. Jackson smiled
as the doctor again volunteered.

"Dr. Anderson if you hadn't volunteered I would have drafted you Tom"
chuckled.

(Reply: Anderson)

Tom thought about his past for a fleeting moment. He thought of a time at
the academy. It was in his junior year during his summer tour on the
Grissom.
He was part of a group of Cadets assigned to perform jr officer duties. Tom
had drawn the allnight duty as OPS.

Tom had the conn as they were in orbit around Gamma Hydra IV. The Grissom
had been ordered to explore a spacial anomaly.

The captain had ordered Jackson to pick a team to use a shuttle to obtain
readings. Tom submitted his list to the XO and CO. It had been accepted.

Tom watched as the team departed and entered the anomaly. The shuttle
exploded in a dazzling display of light and metal. Jackson turned pale and
shook.

The realitization he had just ordered people to their deaths. It had taken
counseling and a lot of thought to survive that.

Now ten years later he was facing the exact same scenario. Tom's confidence
wavered momentarily. Could he make that difficult decision again? Time
would tell.

(Reply: None)
(Posted by: Bill W.)

-----

(USS Rosenante – Cargo Bay 1 - Ensign (jg) Ailyn Andersen ACMO - Day 1 – 1727)

Coming ahead of most people, she caught Jackson coming in early as well.
Smiling at the Jackson’s gentleman gesture to allow her to pass first into the Cargo Bay, she slowly walked in.

(Reply: Jackson)

“Ready, and able sir.” said Ailyn with a msysteriously esteeming smile.

(Reply: Jackson)
(Posted by: Lani)

-----

(USS Rosenante - Cargo Bay 1 - Ensign (jg) Ailyn Andersen ACMO - Day 1 - 1728)

Eyeing the people that were coming, Jackson and Andersen had a chat.

"Dr. Anderson if you hadn't volunteered I would have drafted you", Jackson chuckled.

Ailyn giggled slightly.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." she explained. She felt good Jackson would select her for the team. Someone had confidence in her, even if she didn't.

And for a few moments, Jackson seemed to have drifted into his own thoughts.
Puzzled look on the face soon followed with a dread one, as if he remembered a bad dream or something similar. Ailyn couldn't tell what he was thinking about, but she came to conclusion he is most likely fine-tuning the extraction plan for the two officers trapped on the other side of the wormhole. As an acting FO, Jackson didn't have it easy, most of the crew rested on his capabilities and planning. And while Ailyn would never doubt his capabilities and tactical knowledge, she was affraid things won't go as smooth as planned. 

For a second, words ~They could know exactly what we're planning to do.~ cried like river through her mind. It could well be a very elaborate trap, or perhaps a part of something bigger. Her sixth sense was telling her that whoever was on the other side, somehow knew what they would do. But this was just a feeling, nothing solid. Ailyn would often have feelings like these, something her mother had as well, although in family, it was often reffered as women's intuition. 

In a sense, it felt as if they were fighting themselves. But this again didn't make much sense. Perhaps she really needed to focus more on the present.

As the cargo bay was getting filled with more people, Ailyn thought about her near future. One aspect of the situation was that they were going into the unknown, with no guarantees what they would find - and if they would even arrive safely to the other side. But the other aspect of this was that, if they would succeed, they could learn so much more about whoever or whatever was at the other side.

Bringing her PADD closer so she can read, she checked the time. 
~This is what you've come to, Ailyn~ she thought to herself. Waiting for the briefing to begin.

Still, she had kept her composure in spite of the pressure she was feeling and the painful memories situations like these would brought back. She kept her hair in ponytail too, and she got herself some black leathery looking gloves from the replicator. She was sure they were made of synthetic materials. She did not really like the standard Federation design of these, however, and thought about making an inquiry if she would be allowed to design her own custom ones. 

Details. It would all fall down to thinking about details in situations like these for Andersen. 

Then the last batch of the people came in, half listening, Ailyn caught they were talking about some rumours, but not the exact details. It would seem everyone was interested in what would happen.

Moving her hand down on the hand phaser she was issued with, feeling the cold material it was made from she twisted her mouth in distaste in case she would ever have to use it. 

Folding her arms, she noticed a man coming through and going in front of all.

And as the first light of dawn, the briefing started.

(Reply: None)
(Posted by: Lani)

-----

(USS Rosenante – Cargo Bay 1 – CO- Captain Ben Soma - Day 1- 1730)

Ben entered the Cargo bay at precisely 1730, he wasn't surprised to see all the senior officers present and most of the remaining crew that were off duty. There were several screens set up around the bay for those who could not attend but would still be able to share through video links. He nodded to Tom who was speaking with Doctor Anderson and proceeded to the front of the crowd. 

"I want to thank you all for showing up on short notice." He began. "We've had a rather disturbing turn of events, two crew members have been abducted from the Rosenante. Commander Sanok was taken directly from the bridge and shortly after Lieutenant Kevras was declared missing. The only commonality between the two was their telepathic abilities."

Ben paused for a moment before continuing, glancing around at the crews reactions to learning they had lost two of their own. He saw astonishment, surprise, confusion, and an array of other emotions.

"Lieutenant Torell was the only telepath on the Tesla, the entity or entities responsible for the disappearances saw fit to take control of Torell to sabotage the Tesla. For what purpose, we don't yet know. We've had no contact  with whomever is on the station on the other end of the wormhole, we sent a probe which was destroyed soon after we began scanning the station. They chose that time to abduct two of our people."

Ben looked over the crew who seemed to be hanging on his every word.

"Ensign Maddox and Commander Matrix were able to download and study the logs from the Tesla." Ben said. "I'll turn the floor over to them now so they can fill us in on their findings."

Ben stepped aside as both officers came to the front.

(reply Maddox, Matrix)

Ben listened with the rest of the crew as both Maddox and Matrix gave their reports, despite the little time they had both gave a detailed report on the information they had. When both had finished and had taken their seats again Ben moved back to the front of the bay.

"Lieutenant Jackson has developed a plan that may enable us to gather more information on the Tesla's crew, the station and our own people. Mr. Jackson if you would." Ben said indicating that Tom should take the floor and explain his plan.

(reply Jackson)

Ben stood to the side again as Tom spoke, telling the crew what he had in mind. When he had finished Ben again moved to the head of the bay.

"Given the degree of danger involved in this I'm reluctant to order any of you on this mission." Ben said. "Given what we've seen it's quite likely both shuttles would be attacked as soon as they came in range of the station. So I'm asking for volunteers." He said. "You all know the risks involved so it's your decision to go or stay."

Ben had hardly finished speaking when several security officers stepped forward, he recognized them all. They were all seasoned officers who had been through a few tough scrapes, he had fought by their sides on numerous occasions.  The senior most Ensign spoke for the group.

"Beta squad volunteers for the mission Captain." Ensign Gomez said. "We're not going to leave anyone behind sir, we'll get the Commander and the Lieutenant back."

"Then your seats are reserved." Ben replied. "Good hunting gentlemen."

He then turned to Anderson.

"Doctor do you still wish to go along?" He asked.

(reply Anderson)

Ben nodded.

"Who knows who may be in need of medical attention over there." He said. "The shuttles are fully stocked but it there's anything else we may require see that it's added to the inventories."

Ben then turned back to Tom.

"The floor is yours Mr. Jackson." He stated. "Take the names of those who are willing to go and put together two teams, I'll expect your recommendations and flight plan on my desk by 1800 hours." 

(reply ALL)
(posted by Milo Young)

-----

(USS Rosenante Cargo Bay 1 2O/COPS Lt Tom Jackson Day 1 1734)

The meeting began on time and the skipper lead off.

"I want to thank you all for showing up on short notice." He began. "We've
had a rather disturbing turn of events, two crew members have been abducted
from the Rosenante. Commander Sanok was taken directly from the bridge and
shortly after Lieutenant Kevras was declared missing. The only commonality
between the two was their telepathic abilities."

Ben paused for a moment before continuing, glancing around at the crews
reactions to learning they had lost two of their own. He saw astonishment,
surprise, confusion, and an array of other emotions.

"Lieutenant Torell was the only telepath on the Tesla, the entity or
entities responsible for the disappearances saw fit to take control of
Torell to sabotage the Tesla. For what purpose, we don't yet know. We've
had no contact with whomever is on the station on the other end of the
wormhole, we sent a probe which was destroyed soon after we began scanning
the station. They chose that time to abduct two of our people."

Steve Matrix and Andrew Maddox were next and explained their efforts.

Ben Soma then indicated it was Tom’s turn to explain his idea. "Lieutenant
Jackson has developed a plan that may enable us to gather more information
on the Tesla's crew, the station and our own people. Mr. Jackson if you
would." Ben said indicating that Tom should take the floor and explain his
plan.

“Thank you Sir. With the efforts of Commander Matrix and Ensign Maddox, we
can enter the area of space the alien facility resides in. I propose we use
two (2) shuttles manned by volunteer crews. Honestly, there is a fair
chance the shuttle occupants might not come back” Tom paused to let the
seriousness of what he had said to sink in

Jackson continued.

“This is why I am accepting only volunteers..

Ben stood center stage and re-iterated the danger.

"Given the degree of danger involved in this I'm reluctant to order any of
you on this mission." Ben said. "Given what we've seen it's quite likely
both shuttles would be attacked as soon as they came in range of the
station. So I'm asking for volunteers." He said. "You all know the risks
involved so it's your decision to go or stay."

"Beta squad volunteers for the mission Captain." Ensign Gomez said. "We're
not going to leave anyone behind sir, we'll get the Commander and the
Lieutenant back."

Ben approved the request of the squad.

Then your seats are reserved." Ben replied. "Good hunting gentlemen."

He then turned to Anderson. "Doctor do you still wish to go along?" He
asked.

Tom smiled as the Doctor agreed to go. Tom liked her and thought she was a
good choice.

The captain turned once more to Tom and said

"The floor is yours Mr. Jackson." He stated. "Take the names of those who
are willing to go and put together two teams, I'll expect your
recommendations and flight plan on my desk by 1800 hours."

Jackson replied simply :Aye Aye Sir”.

(Reply: Any Present)
(Posted by: Bill W. )

-----

(USS Rosenante - Cargo Bay 1 - Ensign (jg) Ailyn Andersen ACMO - Day 1 - 1736)

Half the crew were in awe and were following every word Captain Soma would say. After the initial information the Captain relayed to the crew on what exactly happened and when the two of the crew were abducted, he let Matrix and Maddox take the head on to put their findings and oppinions over the matter.

After the duo was done, it was Tom who then next stood infront of the crew, with Soma at his side.

"Thank you Sir. With the efforts of Commander Matrix and Ensign Maddox, we can enter the area of space the alien facility resides in. I propose we use two (2) shuttles manned by volunteer crews. Honestly, there is a fair chance the shuttle occupants might not come back." Tom paused, and Ailyn bit her lip. Tom confirmed the seriousness of the situation.

Tom Jackson continued.

"This is why I am accepting only volunteers..."

Then the Captain stood in front, explaining the situation further.

"Given the degree of danger involved in this I'm reluctant to order any of you on this mission." he explained. "Given what we've seen it's quite likely both shuttles would be attacked as soon as they came in range of the station. So I'm asking for volunteers."

But Ailyn was skeptical on the part they might be attacked. It felt like they were lured there for other purposes then just being destroyed.

"You all know the risks involved so it's your decision to go or stay." said Ben.

Ensign Gomez vigoriously stood up "Beta squad volunteers for the mission Captain. We're not going to leave anyone behind sir, we'll get Commander and the Lieutenant back." explained the Ensign.

Captain accepted the request of the beta squad, adding "Good hunting gentlemen."

Captain then turned to Ailyn.

"Doctor do you still wish to go along?" he asked.

Ailyn smiled and without hesitation just simply added "Definitely, Sir." 
She caught a glimpse of the smile on Tom's face, which made her feel even better with her choice.

"Who knows who may be in need of medical attention over there." Captain agreed.

She looked down on one of the bags she had with herself, an additional medical equipment she would like to carry with her. Captain seemed to have caught that.

"The shuttles are fully stocked but if there's anything else we may require see that it's added to the inventories." he explained to the crew.

Then the Captain turned to the acting FO.

"The floor is yours Mr. Jackson"

"Take the names of those who are willing to go and put together two teams, I'll expect your recommendations and flight plan on my desk by 1800 hours." stated the Captain.

Jackson answered simply "Aye Aye Sir."

It seemed to Andersen that Captain was leaving, or he was simply walking to the back of the bay. Ailyn came to one of the flight petty officers and put her bag gently on the man's hands. "Please add this to the additional equipment, I'll see to pick it up once I'm assigned to one of the shuttles." the man nodded and Ailyn turned away just to turn back and add "And please, be careful with it."

In the same time Jackson was making a list of the people that would be volunteering for the mission. Ailyn sat down on one of the crates on the further side of the bay entrance, so she can have a better view. It was a nice view seeing this many crewmen in one place. Looking inspired by the Captain's speech, or perhaps by the brilliant technical knowledge of Matrix and Maddox - or warmed up by the enigmatic and capable Jackson, the crew seemed moved, eager to help and well motivated. It was a situation worth capturing. Indeed, Captain Soma had a great crew.

(Reply: None)
(Posted by: Lani)

-----

(USS Rosenante - Cargo Bay 1 - Science Officer - Ensign (JG) Andrew Maddox - 1740)

"Ensign Maddox and Commander Matrix were able to download and study the logs
from the Tesla." Ben said. "I'll turn the floor over to them now so they can
fill us in on their findings." The Captain said and surrendered the floor.

"Good evening. I'm Ensign Maddox, Sciences.  It took some time to break the
encryption that these logs were under and that was with both Commander
Matrix and myself both working on it. " Andrew paused. "Right the Tesla!
Originally the Tesla was on orders to investigate the unusual class VII
plasma storms here in this sector.  Immediately upon arrival to lateral
sensor range of the anomalous section, in-depth sensor scans began.  Two
hours later without any possibility of provocation from the Tesla, an
Einstein-Rosenberg bridge or worm hole opened directly in front of them.  An
unfamiliar configuration of scanning beam issued from the other side of the
worm hole five minutes after it's opening. That had confirmed to the Captain
of the Tesla the presence of intelligent life on the other side of the worm
hole. At that time Captain Wesson made the choice not to raise shields,
thinking that action could be misinterpreted as hostile.  Another series of
transmissions followed, these were misinterpreted as further and subsequent
scans.  Review of the sensor logs indicate that they weren't sensor scans,
but coded transmissions.  Further review and analysis of the transmissions
showed a similarity to an illegal Ferengi mind control device." Andrew
punched some keys and brought up a side by side comparison on the viewer and
transmitted to all the people remote viewing at their workstations.  

"You will see the Ferengi wave pattern in red and the one from the worm hole
in green, the third white pattern is Torell's brain wave pattern from his
last physical. The first two wave patterns are similar, but the one from the
worm hole is more refined, basically has less noise."  Andrew introduced a
fourth blue wave. "The fourth wave is a reading that was taken by our own
medical staff, as you can see it is identical to the pattern that came from
the other side of the E-R bridge. This leads me and lead the command team of
the Tesla to believe that it was a mind control device of near precise
manufacture." He reported. "I reviewed his personnel file and currently it
is believed that only individuals with psionic potential can be effected by
this device.  If not, why just the Lieutenant? Obviously he has impressive
engineering capabilities, but others would have been able to do the same
damage he did, but a great deal more subtle or inconspicuously."

"Soon after the transmissions began there was a marked difference in Lt.
Torell's behavior.  This was mostly obtained and verified in retrospect and
from supplemental logs.  Two days after initial contact with the worm hole
Lt Torrel sabotaged the Tesla's shields to such an extent to discourage
timely repair.  Estimates from our own repair teams indicate that to repair
the shields would take replacement several key pieces and almost a week of
man hours outside of dry dock or star base facilities.  The sabotage was
verified by several engineering personnel and was reported to the First
Officer and the Captain. Lt. Torell was placed in the brig.  Through his
engineering acumen and apathy of the security staff was able to escape. Lt
Torell then tampered with the warp nacelles making warp travel by the Tesla
impossible without extensive repairs.  Security staff detained Lt Torell a
second time, now the Captain ordered Lt. Torell placed into medical stasis
to preclude the possibility of the engineer being controlled again.  That
action provoked the beings on the other side of the worm hole to forcibly
establish a link with the main computer.  Which tripped the computer's
intrusion alarms. A pre-arranged computer lock out was initiated.  After
that the crew was transported in the same manner as our own Commander Sanok
and Lt Krevas.  Effectively neutralized Lt Torell was the only crew member
of the Tesla left behind. Probably so any crew coming to their aid had the
possibility to be sabotaged like the Tesla, or to be attacked like we were.

After Commander Sanok was taken I was able to get close up readings of the
near-side of the aperture.  An analysis was made of those readings enabled
me to use the subspace tunnel that was used to abduct the Commander by
punching a hole with a verteron beam and get a sensor glimpse of the other
side.  I can confirm that Commander Sanok's and Lieutenant Krevas'
communicators are on that station and still functioning. They are however no
longer in physical contact with said communicators.  I was also able to
retrieve another transmission and clean up background noise and radiation, I
believe it to be the First Officer's neural transmitter attempting to
contact the Rosenante and the sick bay computer interface." Andrew said.
"Doctor, I apologize, I would have consulted you, however the extreme volume
of data I had to search through precluded me from obtaining that bit of data
until I was already here in the cargo bay. That's all the data I have."
Andrew finished.

 (Reply Dr. Andersen, CO, aFO, any)
(Posted by Todd)

-----

(Rosenante, Cargo Bay 1, PO1 Tesha, Day 1, 1741)

Tesha had found a place near the back of the bay for the meeting called by the captain.  She had been on the Tesla and had an idea of what was going on, but once the wormhole had appeared, rumors were spreading throughout the ship like a wildfire that was out of control.

An image of a wildfire popped into her mind.  Being from an ice world, she had never seen one until watching a vid from an academy history class.  Under the right circumstances, a wildfire could spread very quickly.  Tesha had come to appreciate the Human ability to use creative metaphors to describe a situation.

Focusing on the meeting, Tesha wondered if she should volunteer to be part of the rescue team.  From what she could see, there were already at least a dozen officers that had already said they would go, and who knew how many others would as well.  Why would a lowly, petty officer, med tech be chosen over an officer, or an extra Sec/Tac guy?  There was almost no point in volunteering.

Still, saying you'd go on a dangerous rescue mission couldn't be a bad thing for your service record.  Even if the aFO didn't choose you, at least they would know you volunteered.

Would they also know you'd know they knew, so they'd know you were only pretending to want to go, knowing they'd never choose you?

Ack!  She was over-analyzing this.  Tesha had to take a deep breath to force her antennae to stop bobbing all over the place.

Tesha had to make a decision, and she had to make it soon. The meeting was almost over, and Jackson would be going over his rescue plan.

She would stay.  Yes, that was the right thing to do. Others more qualified were needed.  Though she knew it really was the right decision, Tesha still felt guilty.

Her antennae drooped.

(reply any)
(posted by Bob B.)

-----

(USS Rosenante Cargo Bay 1 LT Tom Jackson 2O/COPS 1743)

Tom stood back a bit and let Maddox and Matrix begin there part of the
briefing.

As expected,  the pair had prepared an excellent briefing. The detail
Andrew provided was amazing!

Tom made some notes. This wasn't going to be easy anyway you looked at the
problem.

Andrew finished his briefing. Tom wanted to know a couple of items.

"Ensign Maddox well done.  I was wondering if you had gotten any data
concetning the station layout?" Jackson asked.

(Reply: Maddox )

"And lastly does anyone one have any questions? " Tom asked.

(Reply: Any )
(Posted by: Bill W.)

-----

(USS Rosenante - Cargo Bay 1 - Ensign (jg) Ailyn Andersen ACMO - Day 1 - 1744)

Ailyn listened patiently to Maddox, he would be the person to explain how would they be able to travel to the other side of the wormhole. 

"After Commander Sanok was taken I was able to get close up reading on the near-side of the aperture. An analysis was made of those readings enabled me to use the subspace tunnel that was used to abduct the Commander by punching a hole with a verteron beam and get a sensor glimpse of the other side. I can confirm that Command Sanok's and Lieutenant Krevas' communicators are on that station and still functioning. They are however no longer in physical contact with said communicators. I was also able to retrieve another transmission and clean up background noise and radiation, I believe it to be the First Officer's neural transmitter attempting to contact the Rosenante and the sick bay computer interface." explained Maddox.

Ailyn raised her eyebrow. When she checked for the transmitter signal, there weren't any. Of course, that was before the Maddox backdoored the subspace tunnel to get additional sensor data.

"Doctor, I apologize, I would have consulted you, however the extreme volume of data I had to search through precluded me from obtaining that bit of data until I was already here in the cargo bay."

Doc Andersen shook her head "These are good news. Good job, Mr Maddox. We can use the signal to track the location once we get to the other side and onto the station." Ailyn said happily. ~Provided the transmitter wasn't removed and they aren't using the signal to lure us to a trap, that is.~

(Reply: None)
(Posted by: Lani)

-----

(USS Rosenante - Cargo Bay 1 - Science Officer - Ensign(JG) Andrew Maddox - 1747)

"Ensign Maddox well done.  I was wondering if you had gotten any data
concetning the station layout?" Jackson asked.

~ Why didn't you think of getting a tiny peak at the station? That would
have been a logical step. ~ Andrew froze for an instant.

"That is an excellent question, let me check the readings, and my figures."
He did so and quickly came up with not only an answer to the Lieutenant's
question but also why it was the way it was.

"No sir, I did not. The aperture was only open for 0.5473 seconds.  I was
able to obtain from our brief sensor sweep precise outer dimentions for the
station, and the locations of other key elements based on energy output.
Including where the two communicators are, and the Commander's medical
device.  Unfortunately I can't give you a precise layout, or even a
metallurgy composition."  Andrew regretted.

 (Reply Jackson, any)
(Posted by Todd)

-----

(Rosenante, Cargo Bay 1, LCDR Steven Matrix, Day 1, 1748)

   Jackson's question was an obvious one. Matrix hadn't thought about
   getting any telemetry readings from the station either. However he
   was wondering if they could tap into any existing data...an open
   tricorder or even a PADD that might have been auto-scanning or even
   a remote link up? The communications links were said to be active so
   Matrix had an idea.

   "I wonder if we can scan the station and tap into anything remotely?
   Specifically any internal sensors or augment the communications
   systems and create or own pour-man's sonar? We may be able to obtain
   enough data to create a layout." asked Matrix.

   (Reply Jackson, Maddox)

   "A long shot yes, but might be worth a try. I've heard this
   technique done in similar situations. I think we could coordinate
   efforts between engineering and operations. We'll need some time to
   set up a few programs and test the results. I'm pretty confident we
   could get some useful information." continued Matrix.

(Reply Jackson, Maddox)
(Posted by Steve)

-----

(USS Rosenante - COPS Office Suite - LT Tom Jackson 2O/COPS Day 1. 1750)

Tom sat in his office as he revised the list of things he had to do before
his meeting at 1800 with Capt. Soma.

He had made one decision and that was the type of shuttle he'd recommend
for the rescue attempt.

He liked the Anaconda shuttle and it seemed fitted to this scenario.

Who to take was not so easy. He was going - it was his duty as a/FO to lead
AWAY missions. The Security was covered thanks to Ensign Gomez and Beta
squad. Doc Anderson was the medical support.

Tom thought it wise to take Maddox and Matrix -placing one on each shuttle.
That pretty well filled out the teams.

Tom had to figure the flight path to the station. They had tried
broadcasting in all known languages on all frequencies. But the station had
not responded.

They'd try that again waiting before proceeding. If, after waiting ten
minutes while broadcasting universal greetings, nothing had happened his
shuttle would move forward.

There were really no protocol for this situation. Jackson had to make a
decision and quickly. The past was haunting him.

~I guess a straight in approach is all that's left. His things and went to
his quartets fir a brief visit~ Tom groused.

Tom wanted his shuttle to be the first to approach the portal opening. The
second shuttle should be above and behind his - a safe distance from his in
case fired he was fired on.

Tom tapped the commands unto his pad as well as sending a copy to the CO.

He turned next to his briefing notes. As he started to draft his notes, the
Grissom experience began to re- appear before his eyes. Those deaths still
caused him troubled sleep.

Jackson was a pretty confident man most times but thus mission was almost a
dead ringer for the Grissom one. His hands shook slightly and he was
sweating.

His thoughts changed to Dahlia and the twins. He gathered his things and
headed to quartters to see his family.

(USS Rosenante - 2O/Cops Quarters LT. Tom Jackson - Day 1 - 1753)

Tom Entered and placed things on a nearby table.

Dahlia entered as Tom sat down. She knew her man well as most wives do. The
Concern on Tom"s face was evident.

She gently took his hand in hers and asked "Thomas what's the matter dear?".

Tom outlined the mission and the potentialities. He suspected this
situation might have come one day just not so soon.

Dahlia replied " Didn't I tell you that SF brought us together?"

Tom nodded slowly and was about to reply when she out het finger tips on
his lips to shut Tom up.

She added" if one day you don't return, I have the kids and a part of you
will always be with me" she then kissed her husband.

Tom smiled rose and went to look at their children. They were sleeping
peacefully. He tucked each in snugly and kissed them lightly.

He went back out kissed Dahlia and headed to his meeting with the CO.

(USS Rosenante -CO's Ready Room - 1759)

Tom activated the entry chime and waited for permission to enter.)

(Reply: CO)
(Posted by: Bill W.)

-----

(Rosenante, Outside Cargo Bay 1, PO1 Tesha, Day 1, 1751)

For the meeting in the cargo bay, Tesha had found a place in the back, so once it had ended and everyone was dismissed, she was one of the first to leave.  Lingering in the corridor while her crew mates went back to their duties, she began to feel guilty for not volunteering to go on the rescue mission.  It was unlike her as a person and as an Andorian.  Her people were impulsive by nature, so why had she decided to remain on the Rosenante?

Tesha knew she wouldn't have been chosen to go anyway, as the team was going to be small and so many others had volunteered.  She had reasoned this out during the meeting, but she still felt as though she was letting down her mates.

As more crew passed by, some talking about the mission, while most others were quiet, Tesha tried to push her guilt out of her mind, her antennae jittering nervously.

~They wouldn't have chosen a PO.  They already have someone from medical.  You didn't do anything wrong.~

Maybe it was because she had been on the Tesla.  She  had seen the deserted ship.  She had witnessed the attack by Torell.  She had experienced the strange sensation of being watched.  Maybe she wanted to see to the end, what she had begun by going on the initial team.

Sensing someone standing near her, Tesha cleared her head of her reverie and looked to see who it was.

"Hey, Doc."

(reply Andersen)
(posted by Bob B.)

-----

(USS Rosenante - Outside Cargo Bay 1 - Ensign (jg) Ailyn Andersen ACMO - Day 1 - 1753)

Andersen figured she did the right thing by volunteering. She should know by now that center of the action isn't going to be on the Rose.

Not that she prefers being in the action. It's a part of her personality she can't even understand. But the temptation of this mission was overwhelming her fears of the unknown and need to feel comfortably safe.

She was overthinking it - blowing it out of the proportions. It is just a routine saving mission. Yeah, right. Everything routine about it. Well, except she wasn't even sure they would safely arrive at the other side at all. No, such thoughts had no place in her mind.

She felt just like that psychology student she knew when he decided to try out surfboarding. He said, it's been done for centuries, how hard can it be? And then ended up with twelve broken bones.

"Hey, Doc." a mysterious figure said that was standing not far away from Ailyn.

Leaning over to the left to better see the face, she saw the young petty officer standing there.

"Hey Tesha." said Ailyn casually as she looked back at the rest of the cargo bay.

(Reply: Tesha)

"It's definitely a fine place to come and think, yeah?" asked Ailyn.

(Reply: Tesha)

"I don't know about that..." Ailyn said. She would disagree with the asessment. 

Ailyn reached back to her PADD, and started typing some stuff back in, but was still paying attention to Tesha.

(Reply: Tesha)

Ailyn shook her head, pressing her hand on her mouths.
"It's not like that." she explained coldly.

The Cargo Bay was bristling with people but at the place where Tesha and Ailyn were, it felt like a different world altogether. Ailyn was sure it didn't take Tesha long to figure out it's not Ailyn's first time hanging around here.

Then, out of the blue, Ailyn moved herself closer to Tesha and brought her PADD in front so they could both see it.

A young couple appeared on the picture. Ailyn's father, well-built blonde haired man perfectly shaved and her mother, with a slightly weather look, and her long black hair she had in a pony tail. The man had glasses, even though his eyesight have been corrected surgically - much like to Ailyn. She could remember he got those glasses from his father, and did wear them until...

Ailyn sniffed, understanding that's not what she wanted to show to Tesha, then moving her slim fingers frantically on the PADD's surface, changing the picture.

"Sorry about that..." she added in the dissapointing tone.

Then another picture dominated the little PADD's screen. 

Ailyn sat cross-legged on the cargo crate right next to Tesha.
She could see Tesha did understand what she was seeing, but she could not tell between Andorian amazed and disguisted emotions. Perhaps she was both, or neither.

(Reply: Tesha)

"Oh, it's nothing like that. Just a hobby I like doing. It's not like I would ever develop something like that." said Ailyn with a smile, shooking her head.

"It's in pretty raw format at the moment. One of many things I've been developing over the... my free times." Ailyn frowned.

(Reply: Tesha)

"Ha! I bet that's not the least what they do there, they might not have anything better to do!" she said to slightly move the subject away.

Noticing Tesha's mood went down hill pretty fast, she patted Tesha's shoulder playfully. "Oh, it was just a joke, of course." Ailyn quickly explained.

Doc found herself staring at her own PADD again as it mischeviously switched pictures again. Quickly moving her fingers over it in a quick motion to switch it back like she was a madman, as if she was hiding a corpse or something. A look of guilt washed across her face.

(Reply: Tesha)

Ailyn winked at her. "Oh, I think you'd make a fine senior officer."

After a brief silence, Ailyn let out an uncomfortable memory "As my mother used to tell me, we are worth only as much as our dreams."

Her stomach twisted at the thought of her own dreams. At her own nightmares.

She looked on her PADD once again. She desperately wanted to say how she felt all the years to Tesha, how much she thought about doing anything that could prevent it from ever happening again. But Tesha was not a counselor, and even for the fact she was also an medic, Ailyn doubted she would understand her enthusiasm. 

But she couldn't even open her mouths about it, amusingly, to anyone. She wasn't looking for sympathy, nor she was trying for a bizare false sense of understanding, but it was clear Tesha was troubled by something on the greater scale of things as well, and perhaps it would be her to open up to Ailyn.

Perhaps she would part with one of her own secrets now too.

Of course she was troubled, otherwise they wouldn't share this fine place.

(Reply: Tesha)

Ailyn put an ambivalent look on her face. "You know, I often felt the same.." she added.

Then she put up a smirk on her face. "I wouldn't worry about it much though, at the end, usually things fall down to their place on themselves." Ailyn again mischeviously smiled back at Tesha, and she was sure the Petty Officer understood what she was trying to say. Pulling her shirt a bit, as if there was nothing wrong with her demeanor.

(Reply: Tesha)

Ailyn nodded with a grim look on her face. But she would agree nontheless.

(Reply: Tesha)
(Posted by: Lani)

-----

(Uss Rosenante, Cargo Bay 1, Lt. Tom Jackson, 2O/COPS, Day 1, 1755)

Jackson had absorbed a lot of data and his head throbbed.

Tom voiced a question that had been tugging in the back of his mind.

He had found no data on the station's lay out.

Steve Matrix suggested a possible plan "I wonder if we can scan the station
and tap into anything remotely? Specifically any internal sensors or
augment the communications systems and create or own poor-man's sonar? We
may be able to obtain enough data to create a layout."

"I don't see why we can't try" Tom replied.

After thinking a bit longer, Jackson added "We might want to back sway a
bit to allow for unexpected reactions".

(Reply: Any present )
(Posted by: Bill W)

-----

(Alien Station, FO/CSec Lieutenant Commander Sanok, Day 1, 1800)

When Sanok regained consciousness, he knew he had been taken from the Rosenante.  Logically, the only place he could be, was the alien station on the other side of the wormhole.

Sanok kept his eyes closed and remained unmoving.  He wanted to know if anyone else was with him, wherever he was.  He listened.

Sanok could hear the ambient sounds made by a ship or a base.  To his right, he could hear someone breathing.  It was steady and rhythmic, like someone was asleep.  Was another member of the Rosenante crew taken?

Sanok opened his eyes and sat up, swinging his legs around to his left.  He had been lying on a cot in the middle of a small room.  It was about ten meters by ten meters.  The floor was gray and made of metal.  The walls were metal, but a lighter shade of gray.  In the ceiling were two rows of lights set at a soft level.  There were no windows and no sign of a door.  In one corner, near the ceiling, was an air vent.

Sanok reached for his comm badge, but it was gone.  The cortical monitor was gone as well.  Looking behind him, he saw Lt. Kevras lying on another cot.  He appeared to be undamaged.  He was wearing a new uniform, but he did not have shoes.  Sanok raised an eyebrow.

Sanok looked around the room again, his gaze stopping on the air vent.  He stood up, grabbed his cot, moved to the corner of the room, and set his cot back on the floor.  Climbing on it, he looked through the vent, cool air blowing on his face.  It was too dark to see anything, so he pressed an ear against it and listened.  He could hear the flow of air, and the humming of the system, but nothing else.  Climbing back down, he eyed Kevras.  After a few moments, he began moving around the walls, tapping and looking closely, trying to find a way out.

(reply Kevras)
(posted by Bob B.)

-----

(Alien Station, ACEO Lieutenant Tho'var Kevras - 1807)

For a time now, Tho'var felt a presence moving around him while partly asleep. He could felt he was a Vulcan just by sensing him....probably Sanok. What he couldn't figure out was where he was and what was he doing in a place with Sanok. 

The memories were coming back. He remembered taking a shower and being beamed off the Rosenante. What he did know was how many of them had been abducted. 

Opening the eyes, he saw Sanok trying to find a way to escape. There was no one else in the room. Examining the area, he couldn't identify the place. Tho'var closed his eyes once more and tried to sense if there were people around. He could indeed feel they were not far, but they were not immediately close. They were probably waiting outside. 

Concentrating even more, he tried to sense the presence of the Rosenante. He was searching around, trying to find a consciousness that he knew, but all the mental presence he could felt were rather strange. 

Being in a cell again brought him bad memories. He still remembered the faces of the security officers who brought him to a cell. They were sorry to actually be collaborators to a genocide. The situation was completely different, but somehow, he couldn't stop thinking about it....about the tragedy that followed. He wondered if the Rosenante and them would not face a similar treatment. If they would not be all killed. 

Tho'var moved his upper body in order to sit on the floor, his back pressing on the wall. Without moving much, he was calmly looking around, examining what Sanok was doing. Then, he started to look around, trying to find any potential ways to escape. 

The best chance he would get was to actually understood how the room was built. If there were light and air conditioning, there were actually eps circuits and air conduits located on top of the cell. Still looking around, he tried to identify the location of every computers, switch and anything electronics in the room. 

"You found anything?" started to ask Tho'var. 

(Reply Sanok)

He realized he did not mentioned 'sir'...but it was perhaps better this way. Not knowing the ranks could be easier. Thinking about that, Tho'var also realized he didn't had the time to install the pins on his uniforms. So there was no way for them to know his rank....if they knew what it means anyway. 

(Reply Sanok, iyw)
(Posted by Nick)

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(Alien Station, FO/CSec Lieutenant Commander Sanok, Day 1, 1809)

While Sanok was searching for a way out of the room, he heard a noise behind him.  Looking back over his shoulder, he saw Kevras waken, move off his cot, and sit on the floor, his back against a wall.  It seemed to take a few moments for him to orient himself to where they were.

"You found anything?" said Kevras.

"There is no sign of a door or window, but this wall sounds different when I tap it," said Sanok.  "I believe there is a corridor here."  Sanok paused and gestured towards the ventilation duct.  "There is an air shaft here.  I do not know yet its size.  You are of smaller stature than I.  When you feel better, I propose that you see if you can escape through it."

Realizing he was in rigid, Vulcan mode, Sanok stopped for several seconds.  He and Kevras were in a potentially life-threatening situation.  As FO, it was not only his responsibility to find a way out, it was also his responsibility to care for the people under his command.

"Are you injured, Lieutenant Kevras?  Is there any assistance I can render?"

(reply Kevras)
(posted by Bob B.)

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(Alien Station, ACEO Lieutenant Tho'var Kevras - 1813)

"There is no sign of a door or window, but this wall sounds different when I tap it," said Sanok.  "I believe there is a corridor here."  Sanok paused and gestured towards the ventilation duct.  "There is an air shaft here.  I do not know yet its size.  You are of smaller stature than I.  When you feel better, I propose that you see if you can escape through it." Sanok replied to Tho'var's question. 

"Are you injured, Lieutenant Kevras?  Is there any assistance I can render?" Sanok addedé

Tho'var walked towards him, examining the air shaft in question.

"If I may, I would recommend not using our rank here." first said Tho'var.. He didn't wanted Commander Sanok to be considered as a valuable prisoner. It normally translated into more torture as he could be believed to possess more vital information. 

Tho'var examined closely the air shaft and the ventilation duct. No one was fool enouigh to give such an easy way to escape. 

"I am skeptic......but let's try.".

Helped by Sanok, Tho'var succeeded in getting inside the air shaft. The ventilation duct was very narrow but was big enough for Tho'var to move inside. He couldn't see behind him....and he wasn't seeing very far ahead as the duct was curving with a 45 degree angle.  The air circulating through the ventilation duct seemed to be real air.. From the feeling of it, the air was too clean to be a closed ventilation duct used to lure the prisoners. It seemed to go somewhere. Now, what he needed to find is a place to escape. Before moving further, Tho'var wanted to make sure it was fine. 

"The duct seems quite long. It could take time before reaching another exit. If you can come and I let you here and they find out I have disappeared, I can't imagine what they are going to do to you. So what is our plan exactly?"

(Reply Sanok)
(Posted by Nick)

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(Alien Station, FO/CSec Lieutenant Commander Sanok, Day 1, 1815)

"The duct seems quite long," said Kevras.  "It could take time before reaching another exit.  If you can come and I let you here and they find out I have disappeared, I can't imagine what they are going to do to you.  So what is our plan exactly?"

Kevras had made a valid point.  If he were able to find a means of escape, and whoever had brought them here came to the room, finding only Sanok, how would they react?  What would they do to him?  For that matter, where could Kevras actually go anyway?  Ben would certainly send a rescue team, but how long would it take for them to arrive, find a way onto the station, find him and Kevras, and finally rescue them?

Since he and Kevras had been taken and brought here, and since the Tesla crew was missing, they were certainly here somewhere.  If Kevras could find them, he might be able to learn more about what was happening and why.

The odds were against them, but it was better to try to escape, than to sit and do nothing while waiting for their captors to do whatever they had planned.  They were clearly a threat.  Learning as much as possible, even if it meant torture or death, was part of their duty as Starfleet officers.

Sanok stood on his cot and looked inside the duct at Kevras, speaking in a hushed tone.

"It is our duty to try to discover what is happening here. If the duct is big enough, you should try to escape, learn if the Tesla crew is here, or anything else of value.  As an engineer, you may be able to discern your way through the ventilation system.  I will deal with anything that happens here."

(reply Kevras)
(posted by Bob B.)

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(Alien Station, ACEO Lieutenant Tho'var Kevras - 1817)

"It is our duty to try to discover what is happening here. If the duct is big enough, you should try to escape, learn if the Tesla crew is here, or anything else of value.  As an engineer, you may be able to discern your way through the ventilation system.  I will deal with anything that happens here." said Sanok.

Tho'var took a second to think.

"If they are here, I think I can know it. The Aenars have the ability to project themselves into others' mind. I'm only 5/8 Aenar, but i know I have that power. As Vulcan are touch telepath, I even believe you could actually enhance my telepathic ability. I know however they are not here now. I also don't know how much I need you to succeed. This is why I am uncomfortable leaving you down here. You are maybe my only chance to contact them and tell them what we have discovered here."  Tho'var paused. There were a lot of things to put into consideration. "But the portal we went through might be closed by now, and it is possible the USS Rosenante has no way to get us out of here. If that was the case, then we would have to escape by ourselves." Tho'var paused again. "I'm not sure yet I want to abandon you, but I assume there are lower risk for now to just look around and come back here."

(Reply Sanok)

"I'll go, but I'll be back."  Tho'var ended. 

He slowly crawled into the duct. It wasn't an easy decision, but for now, he had to leave Sanok behind for a little reconnaissance.

After searching for a while, Tho'var finally found another exit big enough for him. However, he couldn't see where it was leading to. He wasn't sure what to do. The little andorian voice was telling him 'there was only one way to find out'. But, his Aenar voice was rather telling him to be cautious. From what he knew, this could be leading to his death, or to a room where he would have no way to return back. But could he really go back? Taking the Andorian by its antennae, he slipped down the conduit. [...]

(Reply no one)
(Posted by Nick)