Compile#20 July 13-18 (USS Rosenante & USS Boudicca Joint) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mission: Once More into the Breach Day 4 Stardate: 2414.01.18 Compile Summary (USS Rosenante – Bridge – CO Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid – Day 4- 1302) (USS Boudicca - Bridge - CO Captain Durand - 1306) (Dovek II, Rescue Team, CMO, Lt, jg Kimiko Ichijo, Day 4, 1334) (Dovek II, Mine Team - ATAC/SC Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1357) (Dovek II, Mine Team - CTAC/SEC Lt. jg Ben Soma - 1359) (Dovek II, Mine Team - CTAC/SEC Lt. jg Ben Soma - 1400) (Dovek II, Mine Team - CEO, Lt Steven Matrix - 1401) (Dovek II, Rescue Team, ACMO, Dr Basil Candle, Day 4, 1402) (Dovek II, Mine Team - CTAC/SEC Lt. jg Ben Soma - 1403) (Dovek II, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1405) (Dovek II, Rescue Team, ACMO Basil Candle, Day 4, 1409) (Dovek II, Mine Team - ACSO Ensign Isra Caliel - 1423) (Dovek II, Mine Team - ATAC/SC Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1425) (Dovek II, Mine Team, SciO Narvak - Day 4 - 1427) (Dovek II, Mine Team - CTAC/SEC Lt. jg Ben Soma - 1429) (Dovek II, Mine Team - ATAC/SC Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1432) (Dovek II, Mine Team - CEO Lt. Steven Matrix - Day 4 - 1434) (Dovek II, Mine Team - ACSO Ensign Isra Caliel - Day 4 - 1435) (Dovek II - Crash Site - Science Officer - Ensign JG Joseph Willowbrook - Day 4- 1506) (Dovek II, Near the Crash Site, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1510) (Dovek II - ACEO Lt JG Eian O'Neill - Day 4 - 1515) (Dovek II, Rescue Team, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1517) (Borg Pyramid, Command Nexus, Volus- One of Seventeen - Day 4 - 1518.5) (Dovek II, Mine Team, SO, Ensigns Mike Rosenbauer & Eva St-Jean , Day 4 -1530) (Dovek II, Rescue Team, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1531) (Dovek II - Rescue Team - ACEO Lt JG Eian O'Neill - Day 4 - 1535) (Dovek II - Rescue Team - CMO, Lt jg Kimiko Ichijo - Day 4 - 1538) (Dovek II, Rescue Team, ACMO Basil Candle, Day 4, 1541) (Dovek II - Rescue Team - ACEO Lt JG Eian O'Neill - Day 4 - 1543) (Dovek II, Mine Team, SO, Paulo Serrano, Day 4 -1545) (Dovek II, Mine Team - ATAC/SC Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1547) (Dovek II, Mine Team - ATAC/SC Ensign (jg) Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1551) (Dovek II, Mine Team - CTAC/SEC Lt. jg Ben Soma- 1552) (Dovek II, Mine Team - ATAC/SC Ensign (jg) Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1554) (Dovek II, Mine Team - Lieutenant Tom Jackson 2O/COPS - Day 4 - 1555) (Dovek II, Crash Team, SO, Taylor Dolan, Day 4 -1600) (Dovek II - Survivors - Science Officer - Ensign Andrew Maddox - 1602) (Dovek II - Survivors - Science Officer Ensign JG Joseph Willowbrook - Day 4 - 1605) (Dovek II - Crash Team - ATT LCDR Lorimar - 1606) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Rosenante – Bridge – CO Captain Ahmed Ibn Salid – Day 4- 1302) There were dozens of alarms sounding on the bridge, yet despite that Ahmed seemed clam in the face of their near death experience. He glanced up at the ragged hole that had been ripped through his bridge. The deadly serrated edges framed an otherwise serene starscape that belayed the harshness of life just beyond the emergency forcefield. All around him, his bridge crew were frantically working to restore some of the stations that had been damaged but not destroyed by the Borg cutting beams. The doors to the one functional turbolift opened and a medical team burst out like water escaping a damaged damn. They spread out like a wall of water, their blue shirts giving credibility to the illusion for just a few moments. "Captain." Yalix said. It took a moment for the Captain to respond, he was so deep in thought, considering their situation it wasn't an unfounded thought. ~How many more have to die?~ "Captain Salid." Yalix repeated. The Mediterranean man turned and looked at the Efrosian Operations officer. He regarded him for a moment before replying, "Yes mister Yalix?" "I have Captain Durand on the Boudicca. The signal is weak. We've taken damage to our communications array." the Efrosian replied. "Understood, can we put it on screen?" he asked. "Aye sir." The looming image of the Dovek gas giant was replaced by the Bridge of the Boudicca. He could tell that there had been damage, but nothing as great as what Durand was seeing behind him. "Captain." Ahmed said punctuating his words with a brief nod. "What's your ship's status?" (reply Durand) Ahmed gave another nod of acknowledgement, then continued. "We're going to lay low inside the atmosphere and gravity well of the gas giant. My science team tells me that if we immerse ourselves in the atmosphere to a depth of 180 kilometers that the borg won't be able to scan us because of the interruption caused by the atmosphere and the planet's magnetosphere. even in our battered state we can stay there indefinitely. Is the Boudicca capable of following?" (reply Durand) "Good. I suspect that the Cube will bombard our likely location with scattered yield blasts once they can't see us, much like an old navy destroyer hunting submarines." (reply Durand) "We're seeding stealth buoys as we travel to give us a sense of what's going on once we're in the atmosphere. as soon as we detect any sign of the teams, we'll break cover and race to pick them up. If the cube withdraws, we'll use hit and run tactics against it. Hit it and return to the atmosphere." (reply Durand) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (USS Boudicca - Bridge - CO Captain Durand - 1306) Durand was hugely relieved to see the Task Force Commander -- a man he had grown to respect enormously -- still very much alive. He glanced at a still functioning secondary display which was scrolling continually updated damage reports. Alan kept reading as he spoke. “Sir, we are pretty heavily damaged. I don’t have the full assessment as yet, reports are still coming in. I won’t bother with the laundry list... but the high, or low, points are these." He paused a second to glance over Doug Roberts’ shoulder; he was compiling data in real time. “Our hull integrity is under seventy percent, but emergency forcefields are holding for the moment. Primary shields are down on the primary hull, secondary shielding is engaged and holding at thirty percent. Armor protection has been reduced over some critical areas -- overall that’s below sixty percent -- but it certainly did its job. Forward phaser arrays are offline, but repairable. We’ve lost four torpedo tubes forward, one aft. Casualties are serious from that last run. Thirty one dead, twenty four wounded. We are --" he glanced at a tabulation Roberts was just completing -- “about fifty five percent combat effective. We can still fight, Captain." Ahmed gave another nod of acknowledgement, then continued. "We're going to lay low inside the atmosphere and gravity well of the gas giant. My science team tells me that if we immerse ourselves in the atmosphere to a depth of 180 kilometers that the borg won't be able to scan us because of the interruption caused by the atmosphere and the planet's magnetosphere. even in our battered state we can stay there indefinitely. Is the Boudicca capable of following?" Durand nodded. “We can Captain, or we can draw the cube off if you need cover. Given time we can make good on a lot of this without a yard visit. I've got some damned fine engineers here." "Good. I suspect that the Cube will bombard our likely location with scattered yield blasts once they can't see us, much like an old navy destroyer hunting submarines." Durand frowned. He had considered that, but hadn’t yet come up with an effective counter measure. “Gravitic mines, gravimetric charges, something like that. Very likely sir, I agree.” "We're seeding stealth buoys as we travel to give us a sense of what's going on once we're in the atmosphere. as soon as we detect any sign of the teams, we'll break cover and race to pick them up. If the cube withdraws, we'll use hit and run tactics against it. Hit it and return to the atmosphere." “We will back your play Captain, whatever we need to do. Our sensors weren’t very effective during the second attack run. Were you able to get any indication if the teams made their objectives or no? And have you any orders for us Captain?” (Reply Salid, Any) (Posted by Russ) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Rescue Team, CMO, Lt, jg Kimiko Ichijo, Day 4, 1334) As the shuttlecraft rocketed towards the surface at a sharp incline, Kimiko felt her stomach rise towards her throat. The internal gravity should remove any sensation of rapid decent; however, gazing out at cockpit windows she could see how fast the plant was approaching. Kimiko swallowed and looked back down at the mission profile that was loaded on her Padd. The ten or fifteen pages could be narrowed to get them and come back, oh and it is a very hostile environment. She looked up as the shuttle settled without so much as a bump; Kimiko put away her Padd and gathered her medical equipment. The door opened and she trooped out, there was a strong ozone smell in the air and the wind was very strong. ~ Undoubtedly, due to the drilling.~ the doctor thought as she brushed her hair out of her face. She looked down at her tricorder as it rang warning of at least five different health hazards. Her mind swiftly enumerated the different treatments to bolster the systems of the two parties in order to survive the trip back. ~If there is a ship to return back to~ Kimiko thought pessimistically ~ Stop it, focus on the job at hand and let tomorrow take care of itself~ With a few flicks of her fingers, Kimiko programmed the tricorder to warn her at 50% critical exposure and looked up when the Vulcan spoke. "Proceed at the point position," said Sanok. "Mister O'Neill, you will go next and provide security for Ms. Saint-Jean." He turned to the two doctors. "I will go next. I want the two of you a few paces behind me. Mister Rosenbauer, you will provide rear security." Dr Ichijo nodded. "Our people need us, so we must move as quickly as we can. The Borg are surely on their way as well, so be ready for anything to happen at any moment. Move out." She waited until Sanok started forward and followed. Aware of her position, Kimiko hid her roiling thoughts behind a detached expression. ~It is very likely that people that I know and like will die today. But worse than that, is the fear that I will fail. A deck under my feet and a surgical wand in hand, I can handle death as it comes. Phaser burns, blunt trauma, lacerations, these I can control, or at least know, the outcome; but away from the ship, against these beings, there is no ‘rule of thumb’, no mnemonic, no practice or trial that I can use. It is fighting a conflagration, an elemental force. ~ Kimiko felt a wave of dizziness pass over her and a gnawing at the pit of her stomach. ~I don’t want to die or worse, survive while everyone else dies around me.~ The doctor thought half-panicked. The lightning framed the ruined landscape and punctuated her thoughts ~I Can’t Handle This.~ Kimiko thought as a dark shadow passed over her, gorge threatened to rise. Kimiko recognized that she was allowing her fear to overwhelm her, but felt helpless against it. Kimiko stopped walking. Digging her nails into her palms, Kimiko took a deep breath focusing on the smells of ozone, a bitter smell of scorched plants, the oddly sweet smell of melted rock. She took another deep breath and forced her mind to focus on the present, the wind whipping around her, the whistling sound of air blowing through the crevices, the pain of her nails pressing against her palm. Kimiko felt her heart rate slow and her body relax. “Sorry.” Kimiko stated. “Just a little lightheadedness, I guess it’s the altitude” (Reply any) Kimiko gestured that she was fine and started towards the crash site. (Reply any) (Posted by Jack) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - ATAC/SC Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1357) To say the planet was barren was an unholy underestimation, the Borg had done a good job of bringing the planet right to the edge of falling apart. Cracks in the planets crust opened like deep gashes upon an unsuspecting victim. Tremors were still felt, and Jessica waited for one to hit that would send them all to the ground. Lava flows, erupted from the ground, super heating the air, spewed ash into the air, and burned the lungs. They all had taken the proper meds to keep the elements of the planet at bay but those were quickly fading. "Alright Ensign." Ben said after weighting the pros and cons. "Conduct a quick scan to give us an idea of what we're facing. When you have the scan shut it down to conserve power, if we have to run another scan later we can." "Aye, sir." was all she said, has Jessica went about her task, the monocle lens on her tactical circlet turning from clear to dull yellow as she activated the Exographic Targeting System on the TR-116. ~ From the intel the Ensign Caliel the bridge is in that direction.~ She thought has she shouldered the rifle. The targeting system zoomed thought rock, stone, and covered the distance to the bridge. In her lens she could see it clearly. Starting there Jessica worked her way back toward the group. She could see Borg patrols in the area but they were heading toward the area of the crash site. She felt sorry for any survivors. She hoped the rescue team could get there quickly and get them out. Finishing her scan she marked the area's of intrest and enemy movement on her PADD and went to report her findings. "Lieutenant Soma," She called has she came upon the group. "Scan of the area completed. Like, Ensign Caliel suspected there is a bridge on our current heading. There is little Borg activity in the area, they seem to be more occupied with the crash site than our presence. If they still don't know about the mine and our entrance into the atmosphere were not detected, then the crash might just keep them blind to everything else that moves,and give us a chance." She took a breath, the thin atmosphere was playing havoc with everyone's breathing. "The major problem is radiation pockets the targeting system could not penetrate some of the more dense area's of radiation. I've taken the liberty of having those area's marked and have an updated tactical map ready for you. Lastly radiation levels seems to lessen once we hit the chasm, the higher walls seemed to offer some protection from the bombardment" She finished, handing over her PADD to the Lieutenant. (reply Soma, any) (posted by Matthew Locke.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - CTAC/SEC Lt. jg Ben Soma - 1359) "Lieutenant Soma," Signos called out. "Scan of the area completed. Like, Ensign Caliel suspected there is a bridge on our current heading. There is little Borg activity in the area, they seem to be more occupied with the crash site than our presence. If they still don't know about the mine and our entrance into the atmosphere were not detected, then the crash might just keep them blind to everything else that moves,and give us a chance." She took a breath, the thin atmosphere was playing havoc with everyone's breathing. "The major problem is radiation pockets the targeting system could not penetrate some of the more dense area's of radiation. I've taken the liberty of having those area's marked and have an updated tactical map ready for you. Lastly radiation levels seems to lessen once we hit the chasm, the higher walls seemed to offer some protection from the bombardment" She finished, handing over her PADD to the Lieutenant. Finally a little good news. Once they hit the chasm they would get a brief break from the radiation. He took the PADD and quickly scanned it's contents. He noted the so called dead spots, likely places for an ambush. "Those pockets would be good places for an ambush." He said. "We'll avoid those where possible." He also noticed the areas of Borg activity. "The Borg would only send a small party to the crash site, their main objective is the Tkon Sphere. At best I estimate they would send a dozen drones to investigate, which makes out job a little easier but we're still going to need to walk on egg shells. Once they realize what we're up to all bets are off, they aren't going to appreciate us blowing up their prize." He passed the PADD back to Signos. "Good work Ensign. (reply Signos iyw, any) (posted by Milo Young) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - CTAC/SEC Lt. jg Ben Soma - 1400) "Agreed...I'd suggest we augment its power, but all of our systems appear to be suffering the same fate. We need to get this installed and detonated as soon as possible. If the power drain gets below 70% its unlikely that the mine will detonate and if it does it won't have the power output it was designed to yield." replied Matrix. That wasn't good news, they were going to have to move faster. The effects of the radiation were evident, it was affecting the equipment and would soon begin to affect the team. Matrix pulled out an EMS and tore it into strips and packed it around the internals of the mine the best he could. He then closed and locked the case. "I don't know if this will do any good, but it might save some of the power." said Matrix as he stood up. "Hopefully it'll help." Ben replied. "Is there a way to integrate the power cells from some of the phasers to increase the mines power power?" (reply Matrix) "Once the Borg adapt to the frequencies the phasers won't serve much of a purpose, we could set them to overload and use them as make shift grenades but if they would increase the mines power I'm all for that idea." (reply Matrix, any) (posted by Milo Young) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - CEO, Lt Steven Matrix - 1401) "Hopefully it'll help." Ben replied. "Is there a way to integrate the power cells from some of the phasers to increase the mines power power?" Matrix smiled, "That is a great idea...you're right. The phasers won't be of much use as a weapon, but as an energy source they should would perfectly." replied Matrix. "Once the Borg adapt to the frequencies the phasers won't serve much of a purpose, we could set them to overload and use them as make shift grenades but if they would increase the mines power I'm all for that idea." said Ben. "Excellent! I'll start on adapting the phaser...we don't have much time though." said Matrix. (Reply Soma) (Posted by Steve) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Rescue Team, ACMO, Dr Basil Candle, Day 4, 1402) ~I never get to visit boring planets~ thought Basil. After taking position, well Basil just lurked like a boulder near the Lieutenant , the team had moved off with the woman Saint-John leading the way. Basil hadn’t been paying too much attention to where they were going, though Basil had spent time crouched behind a variety of plant life whilst the team waited for the go ahead from Saint-John. During a few of the pauses Basil had managed to grab a few plant samples to analyse later, professional curiosity. The heady mix of irradiated pollen assailed his nose, whilst dark clouds skittered across the sky as if they wanted to get away from the area as much as possible. Basil knew the feeling, he decided to check the tricorder as they stopped again. The radiation saturated the area was playing havok with the tricorder’s sensors. He had compensated as best he could but the signals he was getting was very muted. Looking around he could see Lt Sanok focussing ahead so Basil smacked the tricorder. It didn’t make the readings any better but it helped Basil feel happy with being on a radiation soaked planet filled with Borg hunting a potential planet destruction something or other. Looking at the readings he noticed something extra had entered his readings, the situation had changed. Basil focussed the tricorder to see what else is out there. ~Damn~ The radiation made the readings too fuzzy. “Sir” he tried to get Lt Sanok’s attention but despite the fact Basil was behind him, he wasn’t that close by. Basil snuck closer, “Sir, are don’t think we’re alone” (Reply Sanok, any on rescue team) (Posted by Warren Simkins) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - CTAC/SEC Lt. jg Ben Soma - 1403) "Excellent! I'll start on adapting the phaser...we don't have much time though." said Matrix. "Do what you can." Ben replied. "We need any advantage we can can get." Ben was somewhat surprised that he didn't feel more angry, the Borg had caused him some pain in the past. He had always assumed if he'd ever faced them he would lose control, he assumed it was due to his training and discipline. His martial arts training had given him a great sense on honor, he was a well disciplined person. He wondered who he would react once he actually came face to face with the Borg. Would he lose control? He couldn't afford to lose control, he was leading the away team. (reply any) (posted by Milo Young) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1405) The rescue team was progressing well so far, but Sanok knew that would change by the time they reached the crash site. The weather was much hotter than was normal for the Humans that were with him, but very similar to Sanok's home world of Vulcan. He would be fine as they trekked through the wasteland, but eventually, the others would feel the strain. He would need to count on their training and dedication to their duties to carry them through this difficult time. Sanok was more concerned about the two doctors, than anyone else. Rosenbauer and Saint-Jean were trained to endure hardships, and O'Neill had a Sec/Tac background. The doctors were required to meet certain physical standards to be in Starfleet, but they wouldn't be as well-trained in that regard as the rest of them. He periodically glanced behind him to make sure they were keeping pace. This was when he saw Doctor Candle moving quickly to catch up to him. "Is something wrong, Doctor?" “Sir, I don’t think we’re alone." "No, we are not. On the last rise we passed, a Borg scout spotted us. The Collective knows we are here." He noticed Candle's expression seemed to be questioning how he knew this. Sanok pointed to his ear. "I heard the drone." --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Rescue Team, ACMO Basil Candle, Day 4, 1409) Basil was surprised by the reply Sanok gave "No, we are not. On the last rise we passed, a Borg scout spotted us. The Collective knows we are here." Sanok noticed his surprise and pointed to his ear. "I heard the drone." Impressed Basil just nodded. He half expected the man to send off troops but instead they just carried on with their journey. Basil just hoped the Lieutenant knew what he was doing. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - ACSO Ensign Isra Caliel - 1423) They had finally arrived at the bridge, the going had been tough and despite his physical condition Ben could feel the effects of the thin atmosphere and the extreme temperature. He was breathing heavier then normal, his uniform was sticking to his skin and he was developing a headache. He was no stranger to the effects of dehydration, these were only the early stages. "Ensign Caliel," He said. "tell me that structure will hold the mines weight. That thing weights a tone and I don't know if we could carry it much further." Isra got the tricorder out again, and pointed it in the direction of the bridge. It was thick stone, with a few crumbled sections. Luckily for them, the crumbled parts revealed what looked like steel reinforcements underneath. "Hmm..." she said, finishing the scan. "There's a weak part on the left side, so as long as we stick to the right hand side of the bridge, we'll be fine." She explained, noting the protrusion of the steel reinforcements at a couple of key points. (reply any, ifw) She smiled, happy in the thought that her discovery would save them quite a bit of time, perhaps even long enough to ensure the proper detonation of the mine. "Good." He replied. "Signos you head across first and secure the other side, Serrano will follow you. Lieutenant's Jackson and Matirx will cross with the mine, Narvak will follow them. Jacobs and Caliel will go next and I'll bring up the rear." "Aye, sir." Isra said, keeping her tricorder out, but at low power. It had enough range to reach just in front of Signos, so at least she'd get an early warning. (Reply Any/All) "Once everyone is across we'll continue on, the sooner we reach our objective the better." Ben continued. "When we reach the sphere we're going to have to move quick, it won't take the Borg long to realize what we are up to. Hold your fire as long as possible, go for the close kill. We have limited fire power and the modulations won't last long. If you have to resort to hand to hand combat try to get behind the Borg, don't let them touch you if you can help it." Ben looked all the team members in the eye. "Previous reports have stated that the Borg are slow, that is their biggest disadvantage. Use it against them, keep them guessing. Lieutenant Jackson is going to require cover, he won't have time to fight the Borg off and set the mine. Watch your backs and try to maintain a distance from them on a frontal assault." Ben then smiled a little, time to break the growing tension. "When we get back the first rounds on me." "I'm going to need a drink to be able to sleep tonight..." Isra murmered. (reply any/all) Written by Andy Jones) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - ATAC/SC Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1425) She was given her orders and she knew what had to be done. Secure and hold the other side of the bridge; seemed easy enough except for the bridge itself. A long, narrow open expanse, with no cover; every persons tactical nightmare. She knew that the longer she was on the bridge the more of a target she was. "Serrano, I need you to take these." She told the security officer has Jessica started to remove some of the more cumbersome weapons she was carrying; explosives, a isomagnetic disintegrator, and such. "If needed use the added firepower to cover my back." (reply Serrano) Now that her load was lightened, she looked over everyone "See you all on the other side." (reply any, iyw) She started cautiously, keeping her eyes on the out cropping of rock on the far side of the bridge. She had no fear of the bridge collapsing her weight, even with her full weapons load she did not manage to break a hundred and thirty pounds. She also kept herself low almost creeping along like a cat getting ready to spring on a unsuspecting mouse. Jessica saw the red lights from the drones eye optical assembly only a split second before the ground below her exploded in disruptor fire. It was the split second Jessica needed, she entered a full sprint, crossing to the left and right of the bridge. Two more rounds burst the ground were she just had been, then she was across the bridge, and closing the distance on the two Borg guards. She found her footing on a large rock just outside of the outcropping. It was enough of a foot hold to send Jessica airborne has another disruptor blast passed though the open air under her. She un-slung the TR-116 has her body rotated, flipping over the Borg to the left of bridge. To gain the advantage of attacking from the rear of the collective beast. Jessica was inverted when the muzzle of the 116 was pointed at the back of the Borg's neck and a pull of the trigger removed it's spinal cord, has the titanium round passed though the soft flesh around it's neck. She landed, then rolled to escape the disruptor fire from the other. The monstrous machine lumbered toward her, has Jessica went for her 116 but found it just out of her reach. Jessica coiled her body pulling her knees in close getting ready to spring. The Borg was nearly atop of her swing its massive robotic arm toward her. Jessica leaped, her speed far superior to that of the Borg, graced over the arm. She snapped back with both of her legs findind the creatures face with such force that it's head snapped back with a loud crack has the neck gave and the Borg fell his head in an unnatural angle. She rose and motioned to the others that it was all clear, and collected her weapons, has they crossed the bridge. "I'm sorry, but we would of been foolish to think this way would not be guarded. If they didn't know we were here before they know now. We are lucky there were only two." (reply; Soma, Jackson, any, iyw) (posted by Matthew Locke) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team, SciO Narvak - Day 4 - 1427) Narvak exited the shuttlecraft , grumbling to himself. This was a damnfool mission if he had ever heard of one, but by Hersha’s Glave if anyone would listen to him. With the amount of firepower that both ships threw at the Borg, we could have sanitized the surface and then the Borg could figure out what the hell to do with the disassociated atoms of whatever the fiery depths that they were digging up. Granted, the occupants of the shuttle, if they survived would not survive the blast, but how many crew died on that diversionary tactic. Narvak shook his head and followed the Security officer at Soma’s command. The place didn’t look like much and the tricorder agreed. The tricorder chirped and pixilated; the science officer shook the device. There was no change, Narvak tried the time tested fix for any electronic device and smacked it. “Damned piece of Roika” The Tellarite growled and looked up and noticed that the rest of the party had come to a stop and were conferring. “Well this device is about as useful as an Andorian…” Narvak thought for a second “I guess an Andorian, period” He watched as the female security officer clear the bridge. “Maybe if we make enough noise, we can distract them from the other shuttlecraft” Narvak stated “I think I have my bugle in here somewhere” (Reply Soma) “Just a thought” Narvak stated, sarcastically “I’m all for sacrificing myself” (Reply Soma) “No, I don’t think that was especially helpful” Narvak said with a shrug. “My point was that sneaking and not making any noise kinda goes together.” (Reply Soma) “Fine, I understand.” Narvak replied and added “sir” (Reply Soma) (Posted by Jack) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - CTAC/SEC Lt. jg Ben Soma - 1429) "I'm going to need a drink to be able to sleep tonight..." Isra murmered. Ben moved closer to her and said. "Not what you expected, the Academy doesn't take these kinds of missions into consideration when developing the curriculum. It does get easier over time, I was a little over whelmed on my first mission. Just remember your training and watch your back." Ben hoped his words helped a little. Signos made her way across the bridge as the others awaited their turns. "See you all on the other side." She said. She proceeded carefully across, the bridge was narrow and they had to remain to one side. She remained semi crouched as she went, ready for anything. Then suddenly anything happened. Two Borg drones appeared at the other end, their optical lasers scanning the security officer. Then they fired, hitting the bridge inf ront of Signos sending up a cloud of dust and debris. For a moment he lost sight of her, then he saw her flying through the air. She flipped and rotated as she unslung her TR-116, before she landed she had taken out one of the drones. After she landed the other drone turned on her, she had dropped her TR-116 so she leaped over the drone as he swung at her and both feet in it's face. The drone fell, two less to worry about. She rose and gave the all clear for the others to proceed. "I'm sorry, but we would of been foolish to think this way would not be guarded. If they didn't know we were here before they know now. We are lucky there were only two." "Agreed." Ben replied. "Lets get moving, it won't be long before others arrive." “Maybe if we make enough noise, we can distract them from the other shuttlecraft” Narvak stated “I think I have my bugle in here somewhere” "We'll have enough Borg to deal with soon enough, we need not attract anymore intentionally." Ben replied. “Just a thought” Narvak stated, sarcastically “I’m all for sacrificing myself” "That may be the case Mr. Narvak." Ben said. "But I'd prefer getting through this without losing anyone. We have our mission and the rescue team has theirs, it's going to be hard enough to accomplish what we came here to do as it is. We have to concentrate on that and leave the rescue team to do their job." Turning to face Narvak he said. "We have to move as quietly as we can, especially now that the Borg are aware of our presence. Do you really think making a lot of noise and getting the Borg's attention is in our best interest?" “No, I don’t think that was especially helpful” Narvak said with a shrug. “My point was that sneaking and not making any noise kinda goes together.” "Yes they do Mr. Narvak." Ben replied. "Now, head across the bridge and the next time you have a suggestion be sure it is relevant to the task at hand." “Fine, I understand.” Narvak replied and added “sir” Once everyone had crossed Ben headed over the bridge, he could feel the adrenaline building in his system as grew closer to their objective. When he had joined the others he said. "Alright, check your equipment before we proceed. Anything that doesn't work leave it, no use carrying it if it won't help. The Borg know we are here, they may not know why but they will be waiting for us. We have to move quickly, the radiation is affecting our equipment and the mine. We're losing time and I know everyone is tiring." Ben pulled his phaser and quickly check it out, then he did the same with his backup. "Just remember why we're here, the fate of the Federation may be resting on our shoulders. If the Borg are allowed to take the sphere and assimilate it life as we know it may end, lets make sure that doesn't happen." He allowed enough time for everyone to check their gear and catch their breaths. "Lets move out." He said. "Keep an even spacing and don't offer any easy targets, keep your eyes and ears open for anything. I'll take point, Signos you cover the mine. Serrano will bring up the rear." Ben began walking, keeping his eyes moving. He watched the ledges and the path, the Borg could be anywhere. He recalled the map Signos had showed him, they were getting close to a heavy concentration of Borg activity. The Sphere couldn't be much further ahead. Soon they would be facing the Borg, they had to hold out long enough for Tom to set the mine. Ten minutes would most likely feel like a life time. Relativity was a funny thing, a moment could seem like an hour if you were in pain. An hour could feel like a moment if you were enjoying yourself. Ben wondered how the rescue team was doing, had they recovered the survivors if there were any. Had they encountered Borg resistance, he didn't want to think of the outcome of that encounter. Sanok and the others were in just as much danger as his team, and there was nothing he could do about it. He hoped he lived long enough to see his friend again, even if it was just to say good bye. (reply any/all) (posted by Milo Young) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - ATAC/SC Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1432) It took time for Jessica to catch her breath, she was thankful for the reprieve has the group was restructured and Jessica found herself guarding the mine. She placed herself next to Lt. Jackson and Lt. Matrix who was fussing over the mine. Jessica checked her weapons, stores, and power supplies. "Damn, this radiation..." She looked over to Matrix. "Sir, I have a few spare power cells for the Isomagnetic disintegrator, at this rate the radiation will sap all the spare power and we will not have any juice for the return trip. I think you might get better use out of them to bring the mine's shielding back to par." She continued has she handed over the spare cells. (reply Matrix) Jessica wondered how everyone else was handling that harsh weather. She was upset that it took so long to catch her breath after the Borg guarding the bridge fell. Jessica had the physical training to handle hard physical exertion since the age of five, Shook her head. The party continued, Jessica kept her weapons set on a low power better not to waste any. It seemed everything was working against them. If the Borg didn't kill them the dieing planet would. She closed her eyes and banished those thought deep with in her mind. If they was any dought that they would succeed, that they would fail in this mission. Would surly doom it to that failure. So far though the mission was progressing surprising well. She smiled, Soma had shown excellent leadership in rotating the positions of people though out the group. She was remined at how often people forgot the little things like that. Give someone a new responsibility, you better keep them alert and train them in case you do lose a man. ~ Always better to be prepared for the worse and hope for the better.~ There was however a subtle change in Jessica, a deadly grace that accented her moments that was not there since before the Borg, and to an observant eye one would notice the her eye behind the monocle was no longer the sapphire blue that shown brightly in her other, but the deep color of lavender. One might write these changes off has merely coincidence or an effect of the planet coupled with the meeting with the Borg. Or it could be something far more, something barred, something that should not be awakened. (reply Matrix, and any other in the mine team who wants.) (posted by Matthew Locke) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - CEO Lt. Steven Matrix - Day 4 - 1434) Matrix frowned as he looked at the energy levels of the mine. "Damn it." said Matrix aloud. "At this rate we're just hauling a hunk of useless metal and circuits...the radiation is sapping energy." Jessica summed up what Matrix was thinking. "Damn, this radiation...Sir, I have a few spare power cells for the Isomagnetic disintegrator, at this rate the radiation will sap all the spare power and we will not have any juice for the return trip. I think you might get better use out of them to bring the mine's shielding back to par." "Damn fine idea Ensign...might as well." Matrix took the power cells from Jessica and started the reenergizing process which only took a few moments. Then it was back to moving toward their goal. Matrix secured the mine and headed out with the rest of the team. Everyone was exhausted, but time was an issue. They had to get the mine placed and detonated before the radiation made their efforts useless. Time was something they didn't have. If the survived they could rest later. ~Borg~ thought Matrix. He summed up more energy and resolve. "Not on my watch" he said. It wasn't far now, thought Matrix. ~Goal in sight...~ (Reply Signos, any, none) (Posted by Steve) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - ACSO Ensign Isra Caliel - Day 4 - 1435) It took time for Jessica to catch her breath, she was thankful for the reprieve has the group was restructured and Jessica found herself guarding the mine. She placed herself next to Lt. Jackson and Lt. Matrix who was fussing over the mine. Jessica checked her weapons, stores, and power supplies. "Damn, this radiation..." She looked over to Matrix. "Sir, I have a few spare power cells for the Isomagnetic disintegrator, at this rate the radiation will sap all the spare power and we will not have any juice for the return trip. I think you might get better use out of them to bring the mine's shielding back to par." She continued has she handed over the spare cells. Isra looked around for a moment, and took a deep breath. Then another... She dropped the tricorder, which broke in half as it hit the ground. she gasped as the last of the air from her lungs escaped. The radiation seemed to be getting to her sooner. Unable to speak because of the lack of breath, she struggled with the pouch around her waist, and pulled out a hypospray, firing it into herself as soon as she could. In less than a second, she was panting, but it seemed to be working this time. She reached down and picked up the remains of the tricorder. "Dammit..." she said, kicking the wall nearby. "Well, might as well add this power cell to the collection..." she said, handing it over to the others. "This radiatiion is killing me, and I don't mean that metaphorically.." she said, putting the hypospray away. "We need to get this done fast, or we'll be needing our own rescue party." she said, finally breathing properly. (reply any) Written by Andy Jones --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II - Crash Site - Science Officer - Ensign JG Joseph Willowbrook - Day 4- 1506) Joseph didn't know what to do with himself. Since his ribs were healed, he had taken every opportunity to help others and keep himself busy, but the waiting game and impending threat of the Borg just kept him on edge. What he really wanted was for someone to give him some information he could use to assess their situation, but all he had was 'the Borg are coming'. That was neither descriptive nor helpful in assuaging the science officer's worry. When they finally started moving out, Romanoff carried on a litter and everyone else carrying his load, Maddox said, "Can I get some help dragging these things?" He was taking the energy cells, and although Willowbrook had already strapped a bag on his back full of equipment, he volunteered. "I'll take the back," he said, and picked up the other end. The air was thin and the going would be tough. (reply Maddox) (posted by Morgan G) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Near the Crash Site, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1510) The squad had finally reached the crash site, approaching from behind the cover of a nearby rise. Sanok had climbed the incline, taking O'Neill with him, and leaving the others to keep watch below. The two were lying on their bellies, watching the wrecked ship. Nine tactical Borg drones had arrived and were searching inside, as well as the surrounding area. This left him with two possible conclusions. No one survived the crash, or the survivors had moved out before the Borg had arrived. Sanok leaned close to O'Neill and whispered in his ear. "I believe at least one person survived. The drones seem to be focusing towards the southeast. Our task just became more difficult than it was." (reply Candle, O'Neill, any on team) (posted by Bob) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II - ACEO Lt JG Eian O'Neill - Day 4 - 1515) ~Awwww, crap,~ Eian thought, looking down at the shuttle surrounded by Borg. ~At least there aren't any newly-assimilated Starfleet Officers in view...~ "I believe at least one person survived. The drones seem to be focusing towards the southeast. Our task just became more difficult than it was," Sanok whispered in his ear. Eian nodded. He glanced down, and then whispered back to Sanok, "I agree, Sir. They have a tactical advantage. We'll need to plot a course that will lead us to the southeast without drawing their attention." The survivors' only hope was for their team to get to them before the Borg did. (reply Sanok) (posted by Morgan G) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Rescue Team, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1517) O'Neill said in a whisper, "I agree, sir. They have a tactical advantage. We'll need to plot a course that will lead us to the southeast without, drawing their attention." Sanok agreed. They would need to find some way to lead the Borg away from where the survivors were, though it was logical that a diversion would not work. Once the Borg set their collective minds to something, almost nothing could change that. Formulating various plans in his mind, he and O'Neill lay on the ridge, silently observing the drone below them. --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Borg Pyramid, Command Nexus, Volus- One of Seventeen - Day 4 - 1518.5) One of the greatest advantages of being Borg for Volus was the near omniscience of being aware of so many things at once. It was some aspect of a near god-like power that had drawn him to join the Borg Queen all those decades ago. That and the incredibly heady knowledge that he would know everything that the Borg Collective knew at every waking moment. Near God-like knowledge meant near God-like power. And the ability to see, hear and sense billions of minds at once only amplified his concepts of self-deification. He watched with an almost orgasmic sense of potency as the Borg tactical cube pursued the two Federation Starships. neither of them could jump to warp at the moment which meant that they were defeated. They could not escape their inexorable fates and Volus would listen to their minds as they became assimilated, gathering their experiences and knowledge to himself like an addict to a drug. He smiled, briefly, as he simultaneously monitored the search for the survivors on the planet and the search of the crashed runabout, and the progress of a rescue team that seemed to have managed somehow to land on the planet without his knowledge. It was always an intriguing challenge, theorizing about how a species managed to by pass his ability to see and know all, and then deciphering the true experiences from the minds of the freshly assimilated. As he turned his attentions to a second team of Federation officers on the surface, he was abruptly interrupted, when two of his Borg drones were killed. He quickly reviewed their memories, sliding through them at high-speed, attempting to reconstruct the incident. That's when he saw the device. Some distance behind the Federation party, there was a mechanical device that was oddly familiar even-though Volus knew that he had never seen anything similar to it in the past. He accessed the collective memory of the billions of Borg in the collective and for a few moments he was overwhelmed by massive influx of information as they all tried to identify the device he had seen. {{It's an antimatter mine.}} One of the collective proposed and then proceeded to provide supporting data that seemed irrefutable. {{We must destroy it.}} A thousand voices cried in near unison. Immediately Volus' eyes grew wide, as he realized exactly what was happening. The Federation Captains had determined a course of action that would catch Volus unaware. It was a desperate act, one that confirmed that there were no other federation Starships in the area. A direct military engagement would have been more logical and by far much wiser had there been a large task force available. Without such a force, direct engagement was nothing more than foolhardy. Yet, the federation Captains had managed to turn a foolhardy effort into a tactical advantage. By using their Capital ships as a screen for two smaller shuttlecraft, they had deployed a weapon capable of destroying the Tkon sphere and in so doing gain a temporary tactical advantage. He directed the team of Borg searching the runabout to immediately turn and assault the federation rescue team. He would have them dead or assimilated. His decision had been made and the nine Borg Drones immediately stopped their search, activated their personal shields and raised their phased weapons. Nine tactical drones moved to deal with the small Federation team. In another instant, he turned his attention to the actual survivors on the planet. He had known their whereabouts for some time, and had found it amusing to hound them for a while before assimilating them, but now there was a significant threat on the planet and it was time to deal with them. The time for amusement had passed. {{Assimilate the survivors.}} He commanded. {{We will comply.}} came the response to from the closest dozen Borg Drones. They would reach their target within a half hour or less as they maximized their intercept vector. He then turned his attention back towards the Borg drones closest to the last know location to the mine team. He ordered thirty of them to converge on that area, locate the Federation team and assimilate them. Destruction of the mine was a paramount priority. He then placed a hundred additional Borg drones on tactical alert. The Federation team must not be allowed to reach the sphere. In the back of his mind, however, he knew that he'd been outmaneuvered. He assigned a number of analytical drones to begin the calculations necessary to salvage this mission should the Federation officers be resourceful enough to destroy the sphere. Even with its destruction there remained one option available to him that would allow him to salvage the mission in it's entirety. He smiled at the thought of snatching an otherwise Pyrrhic victory from the clutches of the Federation and enjoying their defeat as he assimilated their home world. He turned his attentions back to the Tactical cube as it trailed the two wounded Federation starships. It was a predator stalking it's wounded prey, waiting for them to die of their wounds. (reply Durand, Mine Team, Survivors, Rescue team) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team, SO, Ensigns Mike Rosenbauer & Eva St-Jean , Day 4 -1530) Mike was watching the Borg Drones as they scoured the wreckage of the Runabout. He somehow found that very reassuring. It was as if he could feel in his heart-of-hearts that there had been survivors. He saw no bodies, nor did he see any recent addition to the Drone ranks that would have indicated assimilation. Sanok and O'Neill were discussing the situation while Mike and Eva played Baby-sitter for the Doctors and overwatch for the team. That was more than enough for him at the moment and for a change he was actually happy to be out of the decision making process. He wiped a sheen of dirt covered sweat from his forehead with the sleeve of his uniform tunic. It was terribly hot and despite his training, he was beginning to find it difficult to remain focused. He cast a quick glance over towards Doctor Ichijo, when he spotted movement beyond her. Without even thinking about it, he raised his Angel Mark II pulse rifle and fired three rapid fire pulses into the Borg Drone. Almost immediately a half dozen more appeared from behind natural terrain. Eva dropped a second one as Mike screamed out his report, "Half a dozen Drones to the rear!" (reply Sanok) "The Borg at the Runabout are attacking too," Eva added. (reply Rescue Team) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Rescue Team, Lieutenant jg Sanok, Day 4, 1531) Sanok and O'Neill were observing the Borg drones at the site of the runabout crash site, when the situation changed. Exiting the runabout, they organized into a formation and began advancing towards his and O'Neill's position. "They know we are here," said Sanok as he readied his phaser rifle. He turned to warn the others at the base of the hill behind him, but as he did, he saw Rosenbauer firing his weapon. Tactical drones had managed to work their way behind his squad. "Half a dozen drones to the rear!" shouted Rosenbauer. "Mister O'Neill, head down the hill and assist the others," said Sanok. "Tell Rosenbauer to do a fighting withdrawl towards the southeast, towards our people. I will hold thie line here. I will follow you as soon as I am able. You are in command until I do. O'Neill seemed about to protest, but Sanok silenced him with a wave of his hand. "We must get to our people as quickly as possible," said Sanok. "It won't do anyone any good if we die here. Now go." Without waiting for a response, Sanok turned his attention back to the nine, advancing tactical drones. (reply O'Neill, any on rescue team) (posted by Bob) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II - Rescue Team - ACEO Lt JG Eian O'Neill - Day 4 - 1535) They were being ambushed. Eian's tactical mind saw the situation almost as if from an aerial view. His position on top of the hill helped his ability to do so, but his sec/tac background and strategically-inclined mind brought an invisible map before his eyes, and he knew what Sanok was going to tell him to do before he even said it. "Mister O'Neill, head down the hill and assist the others," said Sanok. "Tell Rosenbauer to do a fighting withdrawl towards the southeast, towards our people. I will hold thie line here. I will follow you as soon as I am able. You are in command until I do." Even though he knew it was the right thing to do, he didn't want to leave Sanok by himself to face this front. "We must get to our people as quickly as possible," said Sanok. "It won't do anyone any good if we die here. Now go." He didn't hesitate again. He ran down the hill, leaving Sanok to hold the line. He reached Rosenbauer and fired two shots at the nearest Borg, aiming at the drone's head electronics. "We're doing a fighting withdraw toward the southeast--that's where we'll find the survivors!" He ordered, and fired another shot. He dropped behind a volcanic pillar and leaned against it, waiting a moment before ducking out and firing another few shots. "Sanok's got our six as soon as we draw enough of the flank away from his position!" A drone snuck up on him, and he nearly jumped. He didn't waste a phaser shot, he just swung his rifle butt at the Borg's face, breaking his nose and cheekbone. The drone stumbled back slightly, and Eian hooked the phaser stock in one of the drone's neck tubes and ripped as hard as he could. The drone started sparking wildly, and Eian finished him off with a blow to the head, smashing the Borg's skull with a sickening crack. By now his people were engaged in the fighting withdraw, and he caught up and began firing at the oncoming Borg along with them. He knew they might have to stop the withdraw if they didn't kill enough Borg, as they didn't want to lead these drones to the survivors. (reply any) (posted by Morgan G) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II - Rescue Team - CMO, Lt jg Kimiko Ichijo - Day 4 - 1538) Kimiko followed the team with only a fraction of her mind on the continuous plodding to the downed shuttle. Her nerves were still jangling from the rush of adrenaline and her thoughts were focused on the what tasks lay ahead. She noticed Rosenbauer turn to looked at the following members of her party, his eyes widen minutely and he swung his rifle around. For a second, Kimiko thought that he was aiming at her. The phaser blast seared past her and the doctor heard him yell out. "Half a dozen Drones to the rear!" Kimiko spun around and saw a group of Borg headed towards her party. She fumbled for her phaser as she watched the drones approach. A voice in her head that was screaming for her to run, but she held her ground and finally pulled free her phaser. The first Borg dropped after Kimiko shot it in the chest. The second shot dissolved into sparks as the Borg adjusted her phaser. Kimiko scuttled back behind Rosenbauer and crouched behind a large boulder. She noticed how it seemed that the Borg were clumped togather. "Well, short of beating them to death with my tricorder, I'm tapped out, (Reply Rosenbauer) "Mike, do you think that they can adapt to a photon grenade?" (Reply Rosenbauer) "And the more important question, do we have any, short of overloading a phaser?" (Reply Rosenbauer) (Posted by Jack) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Rescue Team, ACMO Basil Candle, Day 4, 1541) It was definitely the standing still that made him notice his surroundings. The unnatural breeze that brushed his skin, tickled it like some maddened beast that wanted attention. It didn’t feel right to Basil, who was more used to the stillness of the air from starships or emptiness of space. Then there was the smell. Travelling down to the downed shuttle he became more aware of it, mixed with the remnants aromas of a damaged shuttle made the situation seem unreal. Metal and nature together just didn’t seem right. He knew he had to take his mind off the planet, its how his mind worked and the answer was work. Now they were by the downed shuttle Basil decided to use his tricorder. He had been tracking how everyone was being affected by the radiation - scanning them briefly with his medi-corder. There was nothing to be overtly concerned about so he decided to see if he could find pockets of radiation. He preferred it if noone would spend a lot of time in extreme concentrations so if he could locate them, mapping them would take too much time. Scanning around he noticed there was a large concentration but in was in a strange place, right below them. ~That’s strange what is ..~ Then there was shouting. Basil was too engrossed in what he was doing to hear the exact words but as soon as he saw the first phaser shot he knew it could only be one thing. The Borg. Rosenbauer, Kimiko and St-Jean were already engaged with Borg drones that had managed to get close to the team. Basil heard a mechanised whirr, he turned to see a Borg directly behind him, hand raised towards his neck. ~Damn I forgot to put the metal collar on~ He knew those would be awful last words Suddenly the drone's head electronics exploded as a beam from a phaser blast ripped into it. Basil saw Lt O’Neil running down the hill he and Sanok left for earlier. ~Where’s Sanok~ Basil thought. Eian started barking orders to beat a retreat and for once Basil didn’t question them. "Sanok's got our six as soon as we draw enough of the flank away from his position!" He heard him shout. Basil ran but something dogged his mind as if he had forgotten something. Either the adrenaline, fear or combination made his mind suddenly click. Lava Tubes! Radiation must have built up in those vast tunnels. The fragment of an idea crept into Basil’s mind. He looked for Eian, saw him making a phaser shots into the oncoming ranks of Borg. Going against his instincts Basil ran back into the firing line. “Eian ……… Sir” he remembered, “there are lava tubes all around here. I can probably locate one and if we can lead the Borg near and weaken the ground ..” he left O’Neil to fill in the rest. (Reply Eian, any) (Posted by Warren Simkins) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II - Rescue Team - ACEO Lt JG Eian O'Neill - Day 4 - 1543) Eian fired two more shots as he tried to keep track of his people. He was about to respond to Kimiko's suggestion of a photon grenade when Basil made his way over to him and said, “Eian ……… Sir...there are lava tubes all around here. I can probably locate one and if we can lead the Borg near and weaken the ground ..." "We'd drop enough of them to get out of here. Good thinking, Basil." (reply Candle iyw) "Pull out your tricorder and find me an exact location," he ordered, and covered the ACMO while he fired. (reply Candle, room for more if the tricorders aren't working and it takes some time) "Rosenbauer!" Eian called immediately upon getting the result, "Direct a photon grenade or some equivalent to 42.3 mark 56.4! Fifty second delayed detonation!" (reply Rosenbauer, assume he's able to accomplish this) As soon as the explosive was down, Eian yelled as loud as he could, "Fall back, fall back!" He knew the Borg were smarter than this--that they would see the lava tube and the delayed detonation device and know not to stand there. But he was about to give them no choice. "Rosenbauer, Candle, move west twenty degrees! Then launch another explosive to 42.3 mark 56.1! Thirty second detonation." After that was done, he took a deep breath. He took a second look at the situation, making absolutely sure he knew what he was doing here. Because if he didn't, he was about to get himself, and possibly the survivors, killed. Then he ran. "Cover me!" He yelled, and he didn't know who took the shots, but he managed to run almost right in front of one of the Borg. He ran right in between the two explosive devices, and he didn't bother looking behind him to see if the Borg were following. He knew they were--it was the only course of action they could take now, with his people reorganized such that their targets were all in almost the same place. And if he could get through the explosive devices, he thought, they would certainly expect to. He ran right between the two devices and then dove just as they went off. The Borg were caught in the explosion, which damaged but did not destroy them. However, the ground caving under them quickly swallowed them up. Eian was thrown to the ground but as soon as he landed, he scrambled back up and yelled, "Fall back, fall back!" He drew his people away from the newly formed lava pool, and toward the survivors. The large group of Borg attacking from the north were incinerated in the lava. Eian began to believe they had a chance. (reply any) (posted by Morgan G) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team, SO, Paulo Serrano, Day 4 -1545) Paulo had managed to keep up, despite the fact that he was beginning to feel as if he was being cooked alive from the inside. He understood on an instinctual level that the radiation was dangerous and he inwardly cringed at the thought of his cells dying by the score as the liquid they contained began to boil. He was not the only one feeling the affects. Signos seemed to be hit even harder than he had been. Her condition seemed to be worsening more rapidly than the rest of the team, although her tenacity was such that it didn't seem to be slowing her down too much. They had managed to cross the bridge and then follow the chasm, which Paulo believed was an ancient irrigation channel towards the urban center that was near the site of the Sphere. Now the chasm turned southward and lost altitude down into a valley. In the distance, the Tkon sphere was visible, surrounded by a few hundred Borg drones mindlessly going about the last of the excavation efforts. The distance was a little less than 1-kilometer. "Sonova" Paulo swore as he regarded the scene that stretched out before him. "How in the name of all that is holy are we going to make it past that many drones?" (Reply any on Team) Suddenly from around a bolder just ahead of them, a group of a dozen or so Borg Drones emerged. They had been detected and now they were going to be intercepted while they were still a kilometer away from their objective. Paulo dropped to a crouched firing stance and immediately blasted the closest borg drone, even as he called out, "We've got company!" he knew that it would be impossible to back track and exit the ditch with the device. They only had once choice and that was to fight their way through the advancing Borg. (reply Mine Team) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - ATAC/SC Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1547) "Sonova" Paulo swore as he regarded the scene that stretched out before him. "How in the name of all that is holy are we going to make it past that many drones?" Jessica looked out following Paulo's outstretched arm. "We keep moving; has they adapt, we adapt," She look Paulo in the eye then gave an disarming smile. "Then we send them to Hell." Jessica shared Paulo's fear, she felt they all did. But they could not let that fear get in the way. To slow them down. They had to keep on moving. I was true Jessica was feeling the planets sting worse than most. She was small, light. So the radiation penetrated deeper, hit harder. She wondered what the radiation was doing the Signos Thread; the protein shield that protected her DNA and preserved her youth. She kept moving though, she pushed herself willed herself not to fall to fail. ~These are the time's that try men souls.~ She thought "We've got company!" Paulo called out to the company, and the sound of phaser fire brought her back to the present situation. Has a group of Borg drones emerged from behind a bolder. "Keep moving." Jessica called, has she took a knee and opened casing to the Isomagnetic disintegrator. The pressurized container opened with a hiss a disruptor bolt nearly hit Jessica in to lower leg. She grabbed the large weapon and took her aim. She was just in time to see the Borg lower his disruptor arm at her and take aim. Again superior agility saved her, has she dove away from the heart of the group, it was apparent what the Borg were after... the mine. Again she took aim, setting her sights into the heart of the attacking group. She fired, the purple bolt flew true and struck one of the drones in the chest, erasing him from existence, and sending several more sprawling across ground some wounded, others dazed from the blast. Again she released hell from her weapon and again it struck home. The drones shield had attempted to adapt but the amount of power behind the blast was to much has it overloaded it's circuits. The shields flashed green then failed as the drone flew back in the opposite direction. Jessica dared to check her power, she had enough for one more shot. However, she now had the Borg's full and undivided attention has they open a salvo of disruptor fire in her direction. Jessica scrabbled behind a outcropping of stone and preceded to make herself has small has possible. She closed her eyes and screamed has a blast from one of the Borg's weapons hit her right arm burning away clothing and tearing though the armor that she wore under her uniform. She was glad she had the forethought to wear the extra protection, it probably was the reason she would escape that blast with a deep gash, instead of a missing limb. She heard the sounds of battle all around her, everyone was fighting for there lives. Then it happened the fire around Jessica lessened and she was able to get her last shot off. She rolled from behind her cover, her right side against the hard stone of the planet. She winced at the pain in her arm has she took aim, and for a third time her body was rock by the Isomagnetic disintegrator has the blast left its muzzle. the shot flew has she planned striking the planet between a group of three Borg drones. The blast exploded in a rain of rock, dirt and Borg flew though the air. The fighting lessened after that the remaining Borg being cleaned up by the rest of the mine team. Jessica ignored her wound and gathered her weapons checking both ammunition and modulation. One thought ran though her mind. ~ This is only the beginning.~ And it was answered by a voice with her. Both of her and not. ~ You did well, Jessica. ~ (reply all and none.) (posted by Matthew Locke) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - ATAC/SC Ensign (jg) Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1551) Has Jessica rose from the battle, her vision blurred and the world began to spin before her. She reached to the side of the roadway that mine team was following to stabilize herself and keep herself from falling. A hand went to the head has the spinning slowed and the dizziness passed. It was becoming apparent exactly how wore out she was and what as worse it was starting to show. Jessica pushed the remains of the dizziness from her mind and forced herself to focus on the task on hand. Even though she felt like she was being cooked alive and blood flowed from the wound on her right arm. Others in the group may have noticed the Jessica condition and came were to come to her aid. But were held back from icy glare of defiance. ~ I can handle this on my own.~ (reply any, iyw) She reached instinctively to the med kit that was strapped to the small of her back and pulled the hypospray. Loaded with another does of the inoculation that would help protect her from the damaging effects of the planets hostile environment. She pressed the hypospray to the side of her neck and pushed the injector button. The medication filled her body, a coolness filled her body, like water being thrown on a burning building. The relief was immediate and she breathed easier and took a deep breath. Jessica knew that the medication would not last has long has the initial dosage, the radiation already working its way into her system would shorten the effective time of medication. She surveyed the scene before her has she pulled the needed bandages from her med-kit and went to dressing her wound, she shook her head another reason the dosage would not last has long as it could. The wound was an opening that the radiation could use to access her body no matter how well she dressed it. Jessica remembered her training pressing the no longer sterile gauze to the wound then wrapping an bandage around it tightly but not tight enough to cut off circulation. Then tied a not directly over the wound to apply pressure, She winced has the knot was tied into placed. Jessica was sure the rest of the group thought her stubborn. She looked the group over, "We don't have the luxury of wasting energy to heal wounds when the mine may need it more. When we get back I'll have it look after proper." (reply any) Has She waited for orders from Soma. This was the beginning it would be fighting from here on in. There was no turning back. It would take to long to back track and find another entry way. The longer the fight with the Borg lasted the more there weapons would be useless and the more of them that would die. She looked over to Matrix and the mine she hoped it made it though the fight unharmed. She next looked for Jackson, if they should waste a medical equipment on anyone it was him, he was the only person that was mission essential. She lifted the Isomagnetic disintegrator only to throw it to the side, with it's power cell drained it was useless and would only slow them down, better the get rid of any unneeded weight. she took her position among the group has they made their way closer to the city center. Periodically checking their six, one did not need to hear the Borg to know they were cut off and being herded like sheep to the slaughter to the city center. She was determined to make it a slaughter of Borg and not of the federation, she knew that determination with ever fiber of her being. So with that in her mind and heart she forced herself forward. (reply any inclined) (posted by Matthew Locke) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - CTAC/SEC Lt. jg Ben Soma- 1552) Serrano announced they had company and fired taking out a drone, Signos leapt into action as well. "Find cover." Ben announced. Drawing a phaser he fired striking a drone center mass and sending it to the ground. He then ran over to cover Matix and Jackson as the Borg continued to advance on them. It appeared they were very interested in the mine, guess the cat was out of the bag now. Ben fired and dropped another drone as it neared. That was probably the last shot he would get with this phaser but he didn't want to deplete his back up yet, they still had a long way to go. Some how a drone had managed to get behind them, it grabbed Ben by the shoulder and tossed him aside, when he hit the ground he drew his Tanto and ran at the drone before it could reach the mine. He drove the blade into the drones back and kicked it'd legs out from under it, once it was on it's back he pressed the blade to the drones neck and slashed through to it'd spine. He stood and looked around, they had survived the skirmish but not without cost. Signos wasn't looking very good, she was bleeding and looked ready to fall. Ben wanted to help her but her glare held him back, she pressed a hypo to her neck and released it's dose. She then dressed her wound and tied it off. "We don't have the luxury of wasting energy to heal wounds when the mine may need it more. When we get back I'll have it look after proper." She said. "See that you do." Ben stated. It looked as if the others had fared much better, at least everyone was still breathing. But something about Signos troubled him. He moved beside her despite the glare he received. "Are you alright Ensign?" (reply Signos) "I wasn't referring to the injury." He said. "Can you continue?" (reply Signos) After receiving assurance that she could go on he turned to the group. "There's no doubt the Borg are on to us, they know what we are going to do and will stop at nothing to prevent it." He said. "We have to get moving, more drones will be sent." He pulled his phaser and removed the power cell and tossed it to Tom. "Here's another cell for the mine." He then checked his back up, it was still good to go. "How are we doing for fire power?" He asked the group. (reply ALL) "Alright," He said. "lets move out." Their fire power was dwindling and they still faced countless drones to accomplish the mission, they would be forced to fight hand to hand very soon. Things were about to get very interesting and very dangerous. "We have to pick up the pace." Ben said. "I know it's asking a lot. We're all tired and it isn't getting any easier, the longer we take the worse it is going to be." He hated saying it, everyone was feeling the effects of the radiation. Everyone was tired. But they had a mission to accomplish, they had orders to follow. In the distance they could see the city, and the Borg. They had to get past them and plant the mine, no matter what happened they had to accomplish their goal. Tom had to set the mine and activate it, then they had to fight their way out. Now that the Borg were aware of their intentions the job just became much harder, a pessimistic person would say it was impossible but Ben always looked forward to a challenge. (reply as above) (posted by Milo Young) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - ATAC/SC Ensign (jg) Jessica Signos - Day 4 - 1554) Soma moved up next to Jessica has she was taking into account what remained in her weapon stores. She had come prepared but when dealing with the Borg where you ever truly ever prepared. "Are you alright Ensign?" Soma asked concerned, he had to be to dare the look she gave. "Sir, It's nothing serious..." She was about to continue when he spoke again. "I wasn't referring to the injury." He said. "Can you continue?" Jessica stopped what she was doing, took a deep breath and looked up at the Lieutenant. "Sir, I'll continue or I'll die there is no other choice I have..." She paused to look over the group. "We all are doing our part, and my part is to kill has many of these damn drones has humanly possible, and maybe just maybe get out of this alive." She smiled, an odd time to do so. "Don't count me out just yet." (reply Soma) Jessica had always been good at reading people and she saw something in his eye that told her that there was more behind his question. "Why, Sir?" She asked. (reply Soma) (reply Soma) She listened has Soma turned and addressed the mine team. She was glad for the slight reprieve. "How are we doing for fire power?" Soma asked the group. "My phasers are still operational, modulations should still check. The TR-116 is less effected by the radiation and I can fire that fixed sight if needed, close to sixty rounds there. I also have five HE photon grenades, don't know how the radiation's effected those. If where lucky three out of the five will work." Jessica replied giving the rundown of her equipment. (reply Soma) Jessica took her place in the group has they made there way closer to their destiny. (reply has above) (posted by Matthew Locke) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Mine Team - Lieutenant Tom Jackson 2O/COPS - Day 4 - 1555) The brush with Borg tactical patrol had been short and vicious. The stress and worry had begun to take their toll on all of them. Jackson shuddered as he remembered his encounter with a Borg drone. Tom was ashamed he had been caught unawares. Tom had no chance to pull phaser and fire. He and the drone grappled in a fight for existence. Several times he had come close to being assimilated. Yet the thought of losing his beloved Dahlia had given him the strength to fight back. He had removed the knife his mirror universe had carried. As the two beings thrashed in mortal combat, Tom stabbed wildly at the drone. The first two attempts inflicted minor wounds which seemed to enrage the drone. Tom's last stab ended up finding the dagger deep in the drone's throat. The drone flailed wildly trying to remove the dagger. This enabled Tom to scramble away and catch his breath. Jackson struck the drone with a large nearby rock effectively killing the drone. Jackson quickly removed the drone's central processor. Tom knew from his readings of Admiral Picard's writings that this could be used against the Borg. NRPG: A shameless steal from First Contact Rpg: Jackson set to work trying to determine what they could learn. (Reply: none) (Posted by: Bill W.) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II, Crash Team, SO, Taylor Dolan, Day 4 -1600) Dolan had grown up on the agrarian world of Solus XIX. It was a slightly arid little ball of dirt inhabited by a predatory animal that loved to ambush colonists. On more than one occasion he'd been on hunting parties to eradicate a particular stalker beast when they had attacked someone. He'd always considered himself a skilled outdoorsman and a tough SOB when it came to surviving in the wild, but this world was so marginal it was almost impossible to will himself to keep going. Between the radiation, thin atmosphere and the Borg, he'd considered just giving up. The fact that he had several other people depending on him, however had stifled any such thoughts a long time ago. He moved as quickly as the team could move and still stay active. The power cells were slowing them down, but they were a necessary burden. They really hadn't seen many Borg since Raschen and Shae had drawn them off which meant that the plan was working surprisingly well. That little nugget of information made Taylor smile despite the situation. As long as he could see some positive potential, the mission wasn't a loss and they'd be able to drive on and maybe they'd be able to get off this radioactive little ball of dirt alive after all. They had entered a region of jagged rock outcroppings and broken terrain. It was an ancient lava field that had long ago cooled and then been shifted by seismic activity. The result was a strange alien landscape filled with jagged knives of stone jutting skyward. He began to ease through them, keeping a quick eye behind him from time to time to make certain that he hadn't lost any of the away team. The terrain lent itself to making their detection more difficult, or at least Taylor thought it had. He stepped around an outcropping of rock and found himself face to face with a Borg tactical Drone. His opponent wasn't alone. He raised his rifle to shoot, but the Drone, just hit him in the center of the chest with his massive cybernetic arm. Taylor found himself suddenly airborne until his slammed into the side of one of the outcroppings of stone. the impact robbed the thin atmosphere from his lungs, yet despite that he managed to struggle out a warning. Fear, when channeled correctly can be very empowering. "Borg!" He turned to look at the team scattered behind him and realized that there were more Borg behind them. He raised his rifle and fired into a Borg that was about to grab Maddox. The phaser beam passed close by the man before slamming into the Borg and dropping him in mid-movement. A quick glance around him revealed Borg everywhere. He'd managed to lead them into an ambush. (reply Survivors) Daniel Greene --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II - Survivors - Science Officer - Ensign Andrew Maddox - 1602) "Borg!" Maddox heard the security officer scream with all his remaining breath. He reflexively turned to the voice of the security man and was caught by surprise as off to one side a drone was reaching for him. Andrew inhaled out alarm and eyes wide instinctively brought both his hands up to push the drone away and a line of energy from a phaser rifle passed underneath his arms singed his tunic just under his sternum and hit the Borg center-mass. The drone promptly dropped like a dead weight. After a long pause Maddox exhaled and grabbed his phaser at his belt. He took aim at the nearest drone and pressed the firing stud. An angry orange beam lanced out and took half the tactical drone's skull with it, rendering the unit inoperable. It was very obvious now even to a novice like Andrew, that this was a planned ambush. Three drones had noticed Maddox in particular and came from two different angles in an attempt to cut him off from the rest. (Reply any) As fear gripped Maddox he yelled, "No, get away from me!" as he ran away from the group. A phaser shot killed one of the drones following him, Maddox rounded a corner sprinting at full speed to get away. (Reply any) His crew mates called to him in warning not to get away from the group, as Maddox rounded the corner of a largish volcanic pillar another drone was cut down by the security officers trying to catch up to Maddox to get him to stop. Maddox looked back to see if the drones were still in pursuit, and while he wasn't looking where he was going he tripped on an uneven piece of volcanic ground. His phaser clattered away as he tumbled to the ground, sprawled out prone. His face was cut on a small sharp piece of volcanic glass, he began to bleed. ~ GET AWAY, gottogetaway!~ The Borg approached and caught up. As Maddox turned around he attempted to scramble away backwards on all-fours, blood still on his face. His purchase gave way in his hands and he landed supine. The Borg knelt down and reached with his mechanical arm. (Reply any witness, if you fire the Borg has adapted.) At this point when flight didn't work, fight took over. Maddox reached up and pulled wires and cables out of the head and chest of the Borg drone. Sparks and pulses issued out of the unit as systems began shutting down, the Borg was unable to fight back. Andrew brought his knees up and pushed the Borg on his own back. The drone was writhing uncontrollably as if in a seizure. Andrew had a sneer of pure rage on his face as he got up. The purchase that had snapped as he tried to get away was a long piece of volcanic glass, Maddox picked it up and turned his damnation into salvation as he attained the mount position from his Starfleet self-defense class and stabbed the Borg repeatedly with his obsidian shard about the face and neck. Blood and other fluids spilled forth almost like a small fountain. After about six or seven jabs he stopped aiming and just continued to stab repeatedly. Fluids now were now on his tunic sleeve and some of the hydraulic and organic fluids from the drone mixed with Maddox's own blood from his forehead wound on his shirt front giving it a slick sheen. (Reply any) As his comrade rushed to intervene the shard snapped in Andrew's hands. He dropped the useless chunks of the rock-weapon and just started raining fists down on the drone's head, rocking it back and forth. Even as he was pulled off the drone he kept swinging uselessly at the air. He even landed a few stomps into the Borg's jaw as he was pulled away. (Reply any) "mmm huh?" Andrew mumbled as an answer as he just collapsed, spent. (Reply any in rescue team, any in survivor team) (Posted by Todd) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II - Survivors - Science Officer Ensign JG Joseph Willowbrook - Day 4 - 1605) When the fighting began, Willowbrook heard the warnings of "Borg!" and felt a flutter of panic. Then all hell broke loose. He was a scientist, not a ground pounder. In a flurry of phaser fire, he shot at everything and anything that looked remotely like a Borg, and maybe even anything that moved, and ran as quickly as he could to get to cover. He had frozen once before, in the runabout when it mattered most. And one of the crew had been assimilated... He didn't think about that now, though. All he thought about was ~SURVIVE!~. He couldn't keep track of the other survivors. He spent most of his time running from one ruin to the next, ducking under cover, firing, and then running to another large object away from the Borg. He saw his phaser fire take out a few drones, which surprised him and made him feel sick. Unlike before, though, he didn't barf. He simply kept firing as long as he could, until his power cell was drained. The weapons fire making his ears ring, the flashes of energy pulses making spots appear before his eyes, he felt his heart threatening to beat out of his chest, and it was all he could do to remember how to aim. Then he caught the sight of Maddox running away from the group. The feeling of panic in his chest intensified, and he saw that his comrade was about to be overrun by Borg. He started to run after him, but was cut off by two drones. He gasped and fired wildly with his last power cell, but the Borg had adapted to his frequency at that point, and he had no other options but to fight hand-to-hand, or run. Only one drone was still in pursuit of him and it was damaged, but Willowbrook knew he couldn't turn back and run away because there was no cover. He wouldn't have even called his next action a 'decision', because there was no thought that went into it. He simply did something. In his opinion, he would later analyze, he could have just as easily sat down and had a sandwich, for all the analysis that was put into his next move. It was pure instinct that drove him to lift the butt of his phaser and bring it crashing down into the drone's eye piece. He didn't so much 'remember' his training as he simply 'used' it. He brought his leg up and kicked hard in the Borg's stomach, dislodging one of his cables. Then he basically tackled the damaged drone, knocking it to the ground and getting far too close to being assimilated. He scrambled up and brought the butt of his phaser down again, and again, and again, until the drone's skull finally cracked. It wasn't the most efficient or even the most skilled kill. But it was his first. And just as he had earlier that afternoon, Willowbrook lost the remaining contents of his stomach. He stumbled away from the dead being and tried to catch his breath. There was no one in his immediate vicinity--they were all in the distance. It seemed like Maddox had been in trouble...he was almost grateful for the distraction. He ran over to his comrade's location. When he arrived, he was just in time to see two security officers pulling Maddox off of a very dead drone. The drone was hacked to bits, and his friend had blood and fluids all over him. Joseph gagged, but there was nothing left to come up. He dropped to his knees and put his phaser down, holding his stomach with one hand as he tried to catch his breath and somehow look at his surroundings without looking at the disgusting remnants of the drone. Maddox seemed to be struggling, and Joseph didn't know what came over him, but he managed to get himself to his feet and approach the other man. The security officers had sat him down on the ground, far enough away from the drone that they could easily keep an eye on both. Joseph took in the sight of the brilliant scientist, the vacant look in his eye as he mumbled something or other in response to a security officer's statement. He wondered if his friend and those around them would find the same look in his own eyes. He collapsed next to Andrew, realizing that they were both emotionally and physically exhausted, and as the corners of his vision started to grey out, he said quietly, staring ahead as if not expecting a response, "What do we do now?" (reply Maddox iyw) (posted by Morgan G) --------------------------------------------------------------------- (Dovek II - Crash Team - ATT LCDR Lorimar - 1606) Bob Lorimar was no stranger to close quarters. His entire career had been in engineering roles, and he spent an inordinate amount of time in cramped, confined, restricted, or otherwise very limited spaces. Claustrophobia was never a problem. Small unit tactics in close quarters... that was yet another thing. He’d learned his lesson long since -- and it had been recently reinforced by Raschen -- about leading and being led... and allowing folks to function as a team, various strengths and weaknesses playing off each other dynamically. With grudging acceptance (truly there had been *no* choice at all) he’d assimilated the fact that Raschen and Shea drawing the Borg away from the rest of the party had been the only available course of action. He didn’t like it, not one bit... and fully realized that their mission might be a one way ticket. The only thing he could ensure was that their noble and heroic sacrifice would not be in vain. The rest of the team had to complete the mission... had to succeed. Then they blundered into the Borg ambush. It could have been worse, he reflected briefly. They could have been herded into a blind cul-de-sac, or a cave with no exit. This jumbled, broken landscape was better. Barely. With the cry from Dolan, any coordination had pretty much gone out the window, at least on Lorimar’s part. It was, for the moment, everyone for themselves. Time to change that... if he could. Remembering all that he had learned and practiced, he wanted desperately to coordinate and confer; plan some type of cooperative move. There wasn’t time. Instead, he thumbed off the safety of his pulse compression rifle that Raschen had given him and rolled to his right, slightly away from the main engagement. Instinctively, he wanted to try and work around the Borg flank, and possibly execute a half, or single pincer movement. The problem was, he had no idea just how many drones they faced. With the desperate, close quarters action in progress, he didn’t have time for fancy tactics. He had to act, and act he did. Going into a half crouch, he crept rapidly around a large outcropping, and continued to move counter-clockwise behind the front line of drones... or so he hoped. He heard the withering whine of weapons fire; several screams and cries, and other sounds which blended into a savage cacophony of noise which assailed his senses. He did his best to focus and tune out the detritus. Miraculously, he had so far remained clear of the drones, but clearly the rest of the team was still heavily engaged. Ahead, just a few meters forward of his position he saw three drones advancing on one of the party from a blind side. He triggered a shot, and shouted a warning of ‘Borg tae yer right!’ at virtually the same instant. The shot was ineffective. Evidently this setting was already countered by the Borg. In a flash of inspiration, he noted a large outcropping of rock just to the left of the enemy trio, and well above them -- several meters, in fact. He thumbed a pre-selected setting on the rifle to a lower em frequency, hoping it would work. He took quick aim and let go another long burst, aimed *above* the Borg drones. It had the desired effect. A large chunk of the outcropping toppled free as its support was suddenly destroyed. The block, likely weighing a couple of hundred kilograms or more hurtled down and crushed two of the drones outright, knocking the third from its feet and flat forward a meter or so. He grinned viciously, his emotions boiling to the surface. (Reply Any) (Posted by Russ) --------------------------------------------------------------------- End Compile ---------------------------------------------------------------------