Compiled by Calvin Capps ======================================================================================================================== Mission: The Enigma Factor Day: 1 Stardate: 2407.01.27 ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Bridge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 1826) (USS Paladin, Bridge, ATAC Ensign K'ran, 18:28) (USS Paladin, Bridge, ATT Lt. Commander Sarouk, 1829) (USS Paladin - Bridge - Ensign Elizabeth Knightley - 1830) (QHL Aiglos, Main Shuttle Bay, CO Captain Eva Straton, 1855) (QHL Aiglos, Main Shuttle Bay, Gunnery Sergeant Rellam Tam, 1855) (QHL Aiglos - Main Shuttle Bay - Ensign Zack Tristen - 1857) (QHL Aiglos, Main Shuttle Bay, CO\Crown Prince Commander Galdor Orodrethion Amend, 1857) (QHL Aiglos, Main Shuttle Bay, XO/TAC Eol, 1858) (QHL Aiglos, Main Shuttlebay, CO Captain Eva Straton, 1858) (QHL Sunda - Engineering – Ensign SG CMO Nissa Whetari - 1859) (QHL Aiglos, Conference Room, CO Captain Eva Straton, 1902) (QHL Sunda - Bridge - FO Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 1911) (QHL Sunda – Engineering – Ensign SG CMO Nissa Whetari – 1912) (QHL Sunda, Engineering - COPS/3O Ensign (sg) Michael Ian O'Connor - 1914) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 1915) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 1916) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign SG CMO Nissa Whetari - 1917) (USS Paladin - Bridge - Ensign Elizabeth Knightley - 1925) (USS Paladin, Bridge, ATT Lt. Commander Sarouk, 1928) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - FO Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 1930) (QHL Aiglos, Conference Room, CO Captain Eva Straton & SPC: CO\Crown Prince Commander Galdor Orodrethion Amend, 1930) (QHL Aiglos, Conference Room, XO Eol, 1930) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 1931) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - COPS/3O Ensign (sg) Michael Ian O'Connor - 1934) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - ACTO Ensign(jg) Detron Trei - 19.35) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - FO Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 1935) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 1936) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Subspace Specialist Huor Mahtanion Inglorion - 1937) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 1938) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - ACTO Ensign(jg) Detron Trei - 19.38) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - FO Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 1939) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 1940) (USS Paladin, Bridge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 1950) (USS Paladin, Bridge, CEO LT Steven Matrix, 1950) (USS Paladin, Bridge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 2010) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 2010) (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 2011) (The Sundra - Engineering - ACTO Ensign(jg) Detron Trei - 20.12) (USS Paladin - Deck 4, Transporter Room 1 - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 2021) (USS Paladin, Conference Room, COUNS Lt(jg) Ayesha Kotal, 2024) (USS Paladin, Conference Room - COPS/3O Ensign (sg) Michael Ian O'Connor - 2026) (USS Paladin, Conference Room - CEO LT Matrix - 2026 (USS Paladin - Deck 4, General Conference Room - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 2027) (USS Paladin, Conference Room - ATAC Ensign K'ran 2027) (USS Paladin, Conference Room - COUNS Lt(jg) Ayesha Kotal - 2027) (USS Paladin, Conference Room - COPS/3O Ensign (sg) Michael Ian O'Connor - 2028) (USS Paladin, Conference Room, ATT Lt. Commander Sarouk, 2028) (USS Paladin - Conference Room - Ensign SG CMO Nissa Whetari - 2028) (USS Paladin - Conference Room - ACTO Ensign(jg) Detron Trei - 20.28) (USS Paladin, Conference Room, Pilot Officer Smith, 2029) (USS Paladin, Conference Room, FSXO 1st Lieutenant Stephiea Rath, 2029) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Bridge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 1826) =/\=Very well, Straton,=/\=The alien commander said, woefully mispronouncing her name, =/\=you win. Am I right to assume that your transporters are being interrupted?=/\= With her empathic senses, Eva could tell that the alien commander had resigned himself to trying to work together. He now understood the situation a little better and who was holding the better hand. "It would seem so," Eva replied, an edge still in her voice. =/\=As are ours. We will send over a shuttle to fetch you to our ships so we can negotiate a resolution to this situation.=/\= ~What kind of fool does he think I am!?~ Eva thought with a raised brow as she stared at the alien commander. ~He just threatened to blow up the Paladin and raze the Federation, and he expects me to just hand myself over to him!?~ She stopped herself and took a deep breath calming her own temper. ~If we are going to get anywhere, we are going to have to learn to trust each other. He knows his ship is no match for the Paladin. Taking me hostage won't change that. It's a risk but one worth taking if we're ever going to archive normal relations with these people, whoever they are. It may also be the only way to recover the away team and seal the rift.~ "I and my *escort* will be waiting," She said, stressing that she would *not* be coming alone. The signal closed and the main view screen went back to a view of the subspace rift and the alien vessels. "Ensign K'ran," Eva said, as she turned from the view screen. "Assemble a small security team and meet me in Shuttlebay 1 in 10 minuets." (Reply K'ran) "See that their shuttle is directed there," She continued, looking down at Ensign Knightley at the Operations console. She then tapped her comm-badge. "Straton to Commander Sarouk. Report to the Bridge immediately." (Reply Knightley) =/\=Acknowledged,=/\= Sarouk replied quickly. "Lt. Brownlee, normally I would leave you here in command, but as my Chief Science Officer I'm going to need you with me," Eva said, as she started toward the turbolift. (Reply Brownlee) "Lt. Matrix, I want you to work on getting transporters back on line and reestablishing contact with the Away Team," She continued without breaking stride. "This has top priority and please have Ensign Tristen met us in Shuttlebay 1, I'm going to need an engineers input on this matter as well." (Reply Matrix, Tristen) The lift doors opened as she approached and Lt. Commander Sarouk stepped out onto the Bridge. Straton looked up at the tall heavily built Vulcan. "Commander Sarouk, I'm leaving you in command while I go over to try and negotiate with the alien commander. In the event that he should try taking myself and my party hostage and use us as leverage, you will take whatever action is in the best interest to the safety of this ship, her crew and the Federation. Is that clear?" ~And if that means writing us off as lost, then so be it. Let the alien commander try to intimidate a Vulcan.~ She thought as she moved past the Vulcan. "Yes Captain," Sarouk replied calmly, his brow raising slightly at the Captains orders. watching her as she moved into the turbolift. He had not expected to be left in command of the ship as he was not a member of the command staff, though he was command trained. Eva nodded as she entered the turbolift with Brownlee and K'ran right behind her. (posted by Wes) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Bridge, ATAC Ensign K'ran, 18:28) =/\=Very well, Straton,=/\=The alien commander said, woefully mispronouncing her name, =/\=you win. Am I right to assume that your transporters are being interrupted?=/\= "It would seem so," Eva replied, an edge still in her voice =/\=As are ours. We will send over a shuttle to fetch you to our ships so we can negotiate a resolution to this situation.=/\= "I and my *escort* will be waiting," She said, stressing that she would *not* be coming alone. K'ran was paying close attention to the conversation between the hostile alien commander and the Paladin's Captain. The Klingon hybrid couldn't quite believe Captain Straton was going to risk going to the alien ship. She was either very brave or really stupid. After what K'ran had seen, she was beginning to see the Betazed woman in a different light. The signal closed and the main view screen went back to the view of the subspace rift and the alien vessel. "Ensign K'ran," Eva said, as she turned from the view screen. "Assemble a small security team and meet me in Shuttlebay 1 in 10 minutes." "Yes, Captain," K'ran said, thinking it was something of an honor to be asked to assemble the team as she was new on the ship. Going over the situation, she wanted an optimal team of security personel. She was quick to relay her need to main security while following the Captain. "See that their shuttle is directed there," She continued, looking down at Ensign Knightley at the Operations console. She then tapped her comm-badge. "Straton to Commander Sarouk. Report to the Bridge immediately." (Reply Knightley) =/\= Acknowledged, =/\= Sarouk repiled quickly. "Lt. Brownlee, normally I would leave you here in command, but as my Chief Science Officer I'm going to need you with me," Eva said, as she started toward the turbolift. (Reply Brownlee) "Lt. Matrix, I want you to work on getting transporters back on line and reestablishing contact with the Away Team," She continued without breaking stride. "This has top priority and please have Ensign Tristen met us in Shuttlebay 1, I'm going to need an engineers input on this matter as well." (Reply Matrix, Tristen) "Yes Captain," Sarouk replied calmly, his brow raising slightly at the Captains orders. watching her as she moved into the turbolift. He had not expected to be left in command of the ship as he was not a member of the command staff, though he was command trained. Eva nodded as she entered the turbolift with Brownlee and K'ran right behind her. (posted by Carol) (USS Paladin, Bridge, ATT Lt. Commander Sarouk, 1829) Sarouk watched the Captain leave impassively, he turned and stepped down to the command deck and sat down in the captain chair. "Status report," He ordered, as he activated the chairs arm rest terminal to bring up a read out of the ships systems and the current tactical status of the ship. (posted by Wes) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin - Bridge - Ensign Elizabeth Knightley - 1830) "See that their shuttle is directed there," She continued, looking down at Ensign Knightley at the Operations console. The ops officer fully aware of the situation did exactly as the Captain ordered. She tapped her fingers across the ops board. Opening and closing certain panels to pull up the coordinates exactly and then sending those coordinates to the alien ship. Ensign Knightley didn't like the situation just as much as she thought the Captain or security didn't. Never the less Captain Straton decided to trust Commander Galdor. As this could be considered another away mission Ensign Knightley now had two away missions to over see. "Status report," a males voice sounded through out the bridge. Ensign Knightley looked behind her and saw Commander Sarouk. She didn't even notice the Commander step on the bridge. She positioned herself back to her regular posture looking at the view screen which still showed the alien ship. "Operations is with in normal parameters sir. No contact with away mission alpha, and I have designated Captain Stratons away mission as beta sir. Away mission beta is a much more riskier sir. The shields are still up on the alien ship, and our sensors are having a hard time penetrating." (posted by Calvin) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Aiglos, Main Shuttle Bay, CO Captain Eva Straton, 1855) Eva stepped off the alien shuttle surrounded by K'ran and her security team. Her eyes briefly went to the lone marine in full BDU armor standing exactly one step behind her on her right side. She'd remembered in the turbolift that there was a marine on board who'd served with the Ambassadorial guard. She'd contacted Major Tirrel and had him send the marine to the shuttle bay. His presence was a silent reminder to the Aiglos commander that they were more than able to defend themselves and to mind his manners. A marine in full BDU armor was an intermediating site. ~ A little intimidation now and then can help maintain the peace.~ Eva thought as she turned her attention back to the alien commander. ~At least till we can actually develop a dialogue with them.~ She watched Commander Galdor as she walked across the alien shuttle bay, keenly aware of how it resembled Romulan design. The resemblance only served to put her more on her guard. Romulans were a notoriously manipulative race that often used guile and subversive methods to advance their own agenda. ~If this is some Romulan plot to grab the Paladin I'll be most upset.~ She thought grimly, though she kept her face carefully neutral. "Commander," She said to Galdor inclining her head slightly as she stopped in front of him. "My Chief Science Officer Lt. Brownlee," She continued, motioning toward Brownlee. (Reply Brownlee, Galdor IYW) "My Assistant Chief Engineer, Ensign Tristen," She continued introducing her officers. "And my Assistant Tactical Officer Ensign K'ran." She intentionally refrained from introducing Sergeant Tam or any of the other security team members. (posted by Wes) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Aiglos, Main Shuttle Bay, Gunnery Sergeant Rellam Tam, 1855) Rellam stood just behind the Captain, his mirrored visor giving no one sight of his face. With his armor he was easily the tallest person in the large room, which gave him a very significant advantage in his particular mission. He knew exactly why he was included on the mission, he was there to intimidate the other side of the table, while making sure if they tried anything funny they would regret it. The captain introduced the team, intentionally leaving him out of the line up. Rellam smiled slightly behind the visor, the Captain did know what she was doing. She was going to either make the Aliens uncomfortable by making sure they noticed him, or force them to ask about him, a question he was sure they would regret asking once the Captain answered. Quietly he chinned the mic on his helmet cutting off the external speakers so no one could hear him give his AI orders. "Arc, set system to situation black, then turn IFF tag back on and encrypt using highest setting." [Sensors limited to passive observation] [Thermal balancing activated] [Signal encryption activated] [Firewall security set to level 4] The Computer ran through a couple more settings before it was done, but as far as the Alien's were concerned, their sensors were going to have a much harder time picking him up, not that he had any doubt that they would manage to find him, but the point was made. And so Rellam stood there at attention while the Captain did he thing, wondering just how long it would be until someone put him to the test, and if they were really that stupid. (posted by Patrick) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Aiglos - Main Shuttle Bay - Ensign Zack Tristen - 1857) It was nearly unbelievable that Zack was standing in the middle of a shuttle bay on a ship from a species he has never heard from and not long ago threatened to blast the Paladin into millions of pieces. He stood behind one of the security personnel with his tricorder pulled. He let it scan as he checked it every few seconds. When he wasn't looking at the scan he looked up at the Commander of the Aiglos. Minutes later Zack heard his name and quickly stoled away his tricorder and hoped that no one had noticed he had it out. "My Assistant Chief Engineer, Ensign Tristen," Eva introduced. Zack came out from behind the security officer so that he could be seen. He looked at Commander Galdor. (posted by Calvin) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Aiglos, Main Shuttle Bay, CO\Crown Prince Commander Galdor Orodrethion Amend, 1857) Galdor frowned as he watched the alien captain and her entourage exit the shuttle. ~There is a group of ARMED aliens on my ship!~ He thought angrily his eyes noting the obvious weapons on each member of the alien group. Then his eyes went to the tall armored individual and they widened suddenly. He opened his mouth to object when the alien captain started speaking, introducing her officers. Galdor noted how she didn't even mention the armored being standing behind her, his scowl deepening. There was an uneasy silence as Galdor stared at the armed alien captain and her officers. His eyes went to the armored figure again and Galdor swallowed his anger as he remembered the image of the alien ship with her weapons locked on the Aiglos. He tried to smile but it came out looking more like a snarl. "My First and Tactical Officer Eol," Galdor said, motioning to Eol at his side. "If you will follow me Captain, I'll show you to the conference room. I want to recover the Sunda as quickly as possible." ~And be rid of you all.~ He finished quietly to himself. (posted by Wes) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Aiglos, Main Shuttle Bay, XO/TAC Eol, 1858) Since it aided him a great deal in his duties as First officer and in his position as Defense and Tactical officer, Eol made it his business to know what Galdor was thinking. He could feel his leader seething beside him as the aliens arrived. They had brought an armed escort, something that Galdor no doubt thought was an outrageous breech of…well, something. ~Granted, they are outsiders and not to be trusted, but considering the tense and hostile nature of the situation that brought about this meeting, it is understandable that they would bring an escort.~ He thought, evaluating the armed alien from his position next to Galdor. Not being able to determine a gender or features under the suit, Eol wondered how many officers he would require to defeat the alien if a conflict were to occur. Galdor introduced him and Eol gave a slight bow, waiting to hear what these aliens had to say. (posted by Sarah) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Aiglos, Main Shuttlebay, CO Captain Eva Straton, 1858) "Straton to the Paladin," Eva said tapping her comm-badge as she turned to follow Galdor and Eol out of the shuttlebay. =/\=Sarouk here Captain. Go ahead,=/\= Came Sarouk's quick reply. Eva nodded at their communications with the Paladin not being disrupted. ~That's a step in the right direction.~ She thought before replying. "We have arrived safely aboard the Aiglos," She said, as they all entered the corridor. "We are on our way to their conference room to discuss the situation with Commander Galdor and his First Eol. If there is any word from Commander Capps or the first Away Team inform me immediately. I'll be in touch, Straton out." She closed the connection and paid attention to where they were going in case things went bad and they had to fight their way back to the shuttlebay. (posted by Wes) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering – Ensign SG CMO Nissa Whetari - 1859) Once he was done with Adams, Michael walked over to where Doctor Whetari was working. "How bad are they, Doc?" Michael asked. "If we can't find a way out ourselves we might need their help., but if it would be kinder to let them sleep, then we'll let them sleep for now." “Unfortunately,” Nissa huffed as she stood up from her crouch above one of the bodies, “all but two are dead, Ensign.” She motioned to an older female and younger male across the room from them. “They are the only survivors and they have both sustained rather serious injuries. It is not advisable to wake either unless we have to, though I think that we could revive the younger of the two with less pain, as his injuries are slightly less.” She explained with a frown and a slight nod, acknowledging that they may have to wake the aliens even if it would cause them pain. (posted by Sarah) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Aiglos, Conference Room, CO Captain Eva Straton, 1902) Eva had followed the alien captain and his first officer as they lead them through the alien ship. They passed several other members of the Aiglos crew, who all stopped to stare at the strange aliens being lead through the corridors. Soon they came to a door and Galdor lead the way in followed by Eol. There were a pair of aliens outside the door with sidearm, obvious guards. Eva turned toward K'ran and lifted one hand holding up two fingers. She then pointed to the other side of the corridor where she wanted K'ran to position the two Paladin security personnel. (Reply K'ran) Eva then turned and followed Galdor and Eol into the Conference Room followed by Tam, K'ran, Brownlee, and Tristen. She watched as Galdor and Eol took seats at one end of the table. She then moved to the other end of the table and took a seat, Brownlee and Tristen taking seats on either side of her while K'ran and Tam remained standing directly behind her. "We should try to determine what caused the subspace rupture," Eva said, placing bother her hands on the table in front of her. "Is there any reason you can think of that might have resulted in this happening?" She asked watching Galdor and Eol's response to her question. (posted by Wes) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Bridge - FO Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 1911) Calvin was sitting in a loose chair that he had found lying on its side. He sat across from the unknown alien. In the past 30 minutes the First Officer and the alien attempted to talk to each other. Back and forth the two talked. Not knowing what the other was saying but to Calvin it seemed that the alien knew why they continued to communicate any ways. Calvin believed that the alien he was talking to knew that they were trying to get enough dialog between the two for the translator. So far it seemed that the aliens name was Huor. The translator was no where near perfect but Huor had said 'name', 'my', and 'Huor' enough times that the translator was able to pronounce those words back in English so Calvin could understand what Huor was saying. Lt Cmdr Capps assumed that the translator was also able to speak back to Huor what his name was. Huor was no longer a dangerious threat. Trei went back to working on the sensors and Belden continued to work the translator and hitting commands here and there. "Huor, we need your help. Can you understand me?" Calvin asked the same question about 10 times now. (reply Huor) It sounded like Huor responded with the same response as he did the last 9 times. Except this last time more words were translated to English. A small dictionary was being assembled in the translator, but at the current rate of translation it would take longer than the away team had. Calvin was then interrupted by a communicator. "Belden, continue talking with Huor." =/\=Ensign O'Connor to Commander Capps, Ensign Adams might have a way to transmit information to the Paladin. If you have anything you want to send, let me know and I'll make sure it's in the burst transmission. Be aware we are going to rig the sensor to emit a coded positron burst aimed at Paladin.=/\= "Ensign O'Conner I will assume that you will not be doing anything that may get us into more danger than we already are. Having said that. Send to the Paladin our status in general. Tell them that we are unable to get out of the rift using our own engines. Also tell them that we have one awaken alien that we have limited communication with using a even more limited translator." (reply O'Conner) "And to give you an update about our situation up here Ensign. Our translator is beginning to work. I believe this alien known to me as Huor may help us use the systems on the ship." (reply O'Conner) "We are getting no where up here, and we only have one Huor. We will be moving to your location. If this ship is anything like ours we will have the same systems in engineering." (reply O'Conner) "We will take that chance. Send that burst out as soon as possible. See you soon Ensign." (posted by Calvin) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda – Engineering – Ensign SG CMO Nissa Whetari – 1912) Nissa had spent her time doing what she could for the two surviving crewpersons and occasionally checking the sensor readings, watching for anything unusual. She could hear bits of a conversation between O’Connor and Adams regarding sending message to the Paladin, but Nissa mostly kept her mind focused on emergency medicine for the two survivors. A few moments into her setting the female’s leg, Ensign O’Connor addressed her. "Doctor, if you have any information you want passed onto the Paladin, or any questions, let Ensign Adams know, he might have a way to pass and receive information." “Thank you for informing me about this development, Ensign. I may send over a more detailed causality report, if that is possible.” Nissa responded as worked on the leg, making a mental note to speak to Ensign Adams as soon as she was finished. ~There,~ she thought as she finished working, giving the patient a hypospray that contained anti-inflammatory medication and anti-coagulants. "Doctor?" Nissa turned as she heard Ensign Adams call. "Is there anything you can give me to help me catch my breath? I'm having trouble in this increased gravity." “I have something that I think should help.” She said as she grabbed her kit and slowly made her way over to the young man. It was only as her steps heavier that Nissa realized that she too was fatigued from the gravity. The standing and crouching had taken its toll. ~Ensign O’Connor may be having problems, as well.~ “Just sit and rest for a moment.” As the hypo hissed against Adams’s neck, Nissa adjusted the dose to suit her and dosed herself as well. “You should start to breathe easier in a moment and any feeling of fatigue or heaviness should subside in the next few minutes.” (posted by Sarah) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda, Engineering - COPS/3O Ensign (sg) Michael Ian O'Connor - 1914) =/\=Ensign O'Connor I will assume that you will not be doing anything that may get us into more danger than we already are. Having said that. Send to the Paladin our status in general. Tell them that we are unable to get out of the rift using our own engines. Also tell them that we have one awaken alien that we have limited communication with using a even more limited translator.=/\= "No sir, nothing that will endanger the ship, the Paladin, or us." Michael said. "I'll add that to the message, Adams is constructing." =/\=And to give you an update about our situation up here Ensign. Our translator is beginning to work. I believe this alien known to me as Huor may help us use the systems on the ship.=/\= "Sounds good, sir, are you making any further progress on your end?" Michael asked. =/\=We are getting no where up here, and we only have one Huor. We will be moving to your location. If this ship is anything like ours we will have the same systems in engineering.=/\= "We do seem to have access to most systems down here that I saw up on the bridge. But be aware sir, the core is still partially active and there are more subspace tears occurring near it down here, it could be very dangerous." =/\=We will take that chance. Send that burst out as soon as possible. See you soon Ensign.=/\= "Aye Sir, O'Connor out," Michael said and then moved back to Adams. "We have a report from the bridge to add to the message before you send it out," Michael said, tossing the tricorder to the Ensign with the finished subroutine. "Send it out as soon as you can, and be prepared for a response, the Captain and the rest of engineering will make sure we know they heard us." Michael said. (posted by Patrick) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 1915) Ensign Christopher Adams looked over in the direction of Doctor Nissa Whetari. "Doctor? Is there anything you can give me to help me catch my breath? I'm having trouble in this increased gravity." "I have something that I think should help," said the doctor making her way over to Adams. "Just sit and rest of a moment," the doctor warned pressing the hypospray against Adam's neck. Making a few adjustments, she injected herself as well. "You should start to breathe easier in a moment and any feeling of fatigue or heaviness should subside in the next few minutes." "Thanks, doctor," responded Adams. "But, I have to get this message ready to send. Each moment that we sit here with another alien vessel outside, we are in that much more danger. "I heard you tell Ensign O'Connor that you wanted to put a casualty report into the message," continued Adams. "What did you want me to put into the message?" (reply Whetari) Not wanting to waste any time, Adams lumbered over to the External Sensors console and started looking over the display with the alien pictographs. ~Damn,~ thought Adams. ~Completely unreadable. Can't we all just use the same language?~ Adams opened up his engineering case and pulled out another tricorder and started analyzing the different control schemes. After a couple of minutes he was able to figure out how to use the ship's particle emitters and started authoring the message he was going to send to the Paladin. (posted by Jason) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 1916) Ensign Christopher Adams bent over the External Sensors station working on getting the ship to emit a positron burst encoded with a message, when Ensign Michael O'Connor approached him tossing Adam's tricorder back at him. "We have a report from the bridge to add to the message before you send it out. Send it out as soon as you can, and be prepared for a response, the Captain and the rest of engineering will make sure we know they heard us." "Understood," Adams replied looking down at the tricorder that O'Connor had tossed to him. He started up a standard Away Team Report and filled in all the information known. ------------------------- == Away Team Report == === Situational === * Stuck in rift and cannot engage engines * One awake alien with limited communication === Medical === * Discovered 5 wounded * Discovered 15 dead * Total compliment unknown === Engineering === * Engine similar in Romulan design: artificial quantum singularity ** Seems to be related to rift ** Engaging the engine caused rift to expand ** Smaller versions of subspace tear emanating from engine core * Have discovered possible way out of rift ** A system which would send message to the other alien vessel ** Other alien vessel pull this ship ** Doesn't engage engines on this ship ** Details of what this would do: unknown ------------------------- After the message was done, Ensign Adams compressed it using a Starfleet standard encryption protocol and fed it to the alien's External Sensor console. "Alright. Here goes nothing," Adams said looking over at O'Connor. He pressed a button on the console and looked down at his tricorder. (posted by Jason) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign SG CMO Nissa Whetari - 1917) "I heard you tell Ensign O'Connor that you wanted to put a casualty report into the message," Adams replied as he began to breathe easier. "What did you want me to put into the message?" “Please let the Paladin know that we have at least five wounded here and have found at least 15 dead.” Nissa said, reloading the Hypospray and looking around for Ensign O’Connor. She noticed that Ensign Adams seemed mildly frustrated. ~He must be having trouble with the systems, since we’ve lost contact with the Universal Translator.~ “Its too bad you this ship doesn’t have a Universal Translator that we can access, but you are doing a great job.” After giving her words of encouragement, Nissa moved towards O’Connor, leaving Adams to work in peace. (posted by Sarah) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin - Bridge - Ensign Elizabeth Knightley - 1925) Elizabeth was as comfortable as she could be in her chair. She continuously kept her wits about her while waiting for anything coming from away teams alpha or beta. So far the only thing interesting that came in was when away team beta reported in. Other than that it was a waiting drill. As much as the Paladin's crew could be proactive in the away missions Elizabeth had set up the sensors to monitor the two alien vessels. They were set up to alert her if anything changed in any way. There were a few false alarms already and the former Chief of Ops was getting really annoyed by it. As she was about to put a more stringent sensor setting on the the monitoring another red dot began to blink in the middle of the screen. She expected another false alarm, but as she investigated it more it turned out to be something more. With out taking her head off of her panel she spoke to Commander Sarouk. "Commander I am sending you a sensor reading from away team alphas vessels." (reply Sarouk) "The vessel hasn't produced anything like it since we arrived and began running sensors on it. It must be from the away team." (reply Sarouk) "To me sir it is a communication burst using the sensor network. I may be able to translate it through the computer to see if it finds a common links. (reply Sarouk) "Aye sir." Elizabeth expecting the go ahead so she had already placed the sensor reading on a separate track on her panel. She then cut out unnecessary parts of the sensor reading that was background noise. She placed the reading into a program that was similar to a communication translator. "Sir there is no doubt that this unusual sensor reading was from away team alpha. The computer has already found a common link between the sensor reading and our codes. It is decoding the message now. I am sending it to your panel." (reply Sarouk) After Elizabeth finished reading the full report she turned to Sarouk when he began talking to her. (reply Sarouk) "I believe I can sir. I could send it back to them the same way they sent it to us. I would hope that they would think we would attempt to send a signal back to them the same way they did us. What would you like for me to report sir?" (posted by Calvin) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Bridge, ATT Lt. Commander Sarouk, 1928) Sarouk looked over the report they had just received from Away Team Alpha in a position burst, one brow rising only slightly. ~Ingenious.~ "Prepare a return position burst acknowledging that we received their report include a brief report on our current situation and that we will forward their report to Captain Straton on board the Aiglos. Then hail Captain Straton," Sarouk ordered Ensign Knightly, his eyes still looking over the report from the Away Team. (Reply Knightly) Sarouk waited while his orders where carried out and for Knightly to hail Captain Straton. A few seconds later, Straton's voice sounded over the Bridge speakers. =/\=Straton here. Report.=/\= "Captain," Sarouk said, "We have received a report from Away Team Alpha. They sent it via a positron burst through the alien ships sensor network. I am having it forwarded to your PADD now." He looked and nodded at Ensign Knightly. "We have replied in kind informing them of our current situation. Awaiting your orders Captain." =/\=Standby,=/\= Straton replied, then closed the connection. Sarouk leaned back in his chair his face a mask. ~Now we wait.~ (posted by Wes) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - FO Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 1930) Ensign Trei and his team stepped off the turbo lift first and then Calvin followed. Ensign Belden and Huor walked out after the First Officer. Ensign Belden continued to talk to Huor with the translator which it continued to listen to each language, and it is formulating a database and structure so they could understand each other. Down the way they all met up with Ensign O'Conner, Ensign Adams, and Ensign Whetari. "Were we able to send the transmission?" (reply O'Conner or Adams, leaving room here for more) "Ensign Trei." Calvin motioned the man over. "Huor so far is cooperating but he still seems to be cautious. Don't jump to any conclusion, but I just want you to watch him closely. Engineering is a big department and I don't want him attempting to do anything we don't want him to do," Calvin said in a whisper. (reply Trei) "Position one of your men at the entrance, and have the other one running his tricorder around here. We don't want to get caught in a subspace rip." (Posted by Calvin) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Aiglos, Conference Room, CO Captain Eva Straton & SPC: CO\Crown Prince Commander Galdor Orodrethion Amend, 1930) "Standby," Eva replied to Sarouk's report as she lifted her PADD waiting for the report to appear and closing the connection. She didn't have to wait long for the report to appear on the PADD. She frowned as she read it, then showed it to both Brownlee and Tristen. (Reply Tristen, Brownlee IYW) Eva then tapped in a few commands having the computer translate the Federation standard text into the alien language. She waited till the computer finished the translation then placed the PADD on the table top and slid it across toward Galdor, who stopped it with one hand. Galdor lifted the strange alien device and looked it over with half closed eyes. ~What did she change or omit before allowing me to see the report?~ Galdor thought suspiciously as he considered the data on the device. He shook his head at the loss of life of loyal subjects wondering how many had been killed by the aliens sitting across the table from him. He handed the device to Eol as he looked at the alien captain. "The system mentioned by your-" Galdor stopped himself from calling them invaders. "Team is not usually employed to pull ships from subspace rifts. We have little actual experience with subspace rifts in general. The strain on the ships structural integrity will be considerable." Galdor looked over at Eol for confirmation of what he'd just said. (Reply Eol) "Perhaps we can help stabilize the ships structural integrity in someway as she exits the rift," Eva offered looking from Tristen and Brownlee for their input as they would know more about it than she. "Perhaps our tractor beam could be used to reinforce the ships structural integrity?" (Reply Brownlee, Tristen) "How long until you'd be ready to make the attempt?" Eva asked looking toward Galdor again. "I'll need to review the data with my engineering and science officers,"Galdor said, "20 to 30 minutes at most." "Once the Sunda is out of the rift, we will need to determine the cause of the rift as that will give us an idea of how to go about closing it," Eva said, "I recommend our crews work together on this. We have more experience with subspace rifts, while your crew will, of course, be more familiar with the equipment and ship." "And what payment do you expect for your services?" Galdor spat, expecting some high exorbitant price. ~I will share no technology with you alien!~ Galdor thought angrily. "None,"Eva replied without hesitation. "We would of course welcome more open relations with you and your people, but we will not pressure you for that. We offer our assistance freely and without expectation of any payment." Galdor snorted, obviously not believing the other captains words. "We shall see about that," He replied, "Very well, but your people will not have free run of the Sunda. They will work directly with my people or not at all." "Agreed," Eva replied with a nod. ~Paranoid aren't we?~ She thought clearly able to feel Galdor's anger and suspicions. "I'll instruct my people to work directly with your people. I have full faith in their abilities and their loyalty. They will prove to you that we can be trusted." Eva rose as she finished speaking, nodding to her officers. "I will return to the Paladin and see that we are ready on our end when you are," She said, nodding toward Galdor. Galdor waved one hand dismissively as Straton and her officers were lead out of the room and back toward the shuttlebay to be returned to their ship. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his face with one hand. "Why do I feel like I am making a terrible mistake trusting these aliens Eol?" He asked looking over at his First. "Do you really think we can trust them" (posted by Wes) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Aiglos, Conference Room, XO Eol, 1930) Watching as the alien passed Galdor what appeared to be an information-carrying device, Eol wondered what she had punched in. It could be as innocuous as some sort of code that allowed others to read the information, or she could have altered the information, Eol was unsure. After Galdor looked over the device and read the report, he handed it to Eol, who was saddened by the loss of life and the destruction. "The system mentioned by your - team is not usually employed to pull ships from subspace rifts. We have little actual experience with subspace rifts in general. The strain on the ships structural integrity will be considerable." Galdor said, seemingly restraining himself from accusing the aliens of causing the problem directly while turning to Eol for confirmation. “Our scientists have only studied a few examples of these phenomena and always after the fact. We lost one ship in what was believed to be a subspace rift approximately ten years ago. Structural integrity failed and all hands were lost. Our ship in question on this day has only slightly more structural integrity than what was available ten years ago.” Eol explained. Eol felt a tinge of shame when Galdor was forced to admit that it would take some time before they were ready to attempt to assist the aliens. He was not accustomed to encountering aliens whom he considered superior in any way and it gave him a strange feeling. "Once the Sunda is out of the rift, we will need to determine the cause of the rift as that will give us an idea of how to go about closing it," the female alien said, "I recommend our crews work together on this. We have more experience with subspace rifts, while your crew will, of course, be more familiar with the equipment and ship." "And what payment do you expect for your services?" Galdor spat derisively at the alien captain. Eol was annoyed, though not shocked, at his leader’s lack of tact. It became more difficult to negotiate a price as the injured party when one’s leader broached the subject in the first place. ~Better that we seem innocent and surprised when they demand payment.~ Eol was impressed with the alien captain’s calm response in the face of Galdor’s accusation. As she and Galdor discussed the subspace rift, Eol studied all of the aliens that had come along, also taking notes regarding this new deficiency in science and made a note to send a report of this incident to the science ministry, along with all sensor logs. ~Perhaps, if Galdor doesn’t antagonize them further, we can request that they share some of their scientific knowledge, or, at the very least, sensor logs. The aliens did seem anxious to begin diplomatic relations.~ After the visitors were escorted out, Galdor turned in frustration to Eol. "Why do I feel like I am making a terrible mistake trusting these aliens Eol? Do you really think we can trust them" Eol maintained his composure in the face of Galdor’s paranoia. While he shared the natural distrust of outsiders that drove Galdor to act in this manner, he could also see that the aliens had proved somewhat trustworthy and levelheaded – thus far. “I believe so, Crown Prince. They could have easily blown us out of the sky and killed all those on board the ship. I cannot see the profit from toying with us now, as they are capable of forcing from us any technology that they could want. For aliens, they seem genuine, though…” Eol said as he took up the report that the alien captain had handed Galdor, “I think that transferring at least one of our wounded comrades into our care would be a welcome show of good faith. We can gain valuable intelligence about these aliens from the wounded, especially if we can learn if the aliens provoked this attack.” (posted by Sarah) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 1931) Ensign Christopher Adams heard hollow footsteps coming down the hall and his hand reached down to his phase. Commander Capps and the rest of the away team appeared out of the shadows. Adams couldn't believe his eyes when he saw Ensign Belden guiding one of the aliens with them. Commander Capps turned towards O'Connor and Adams, "Were we able to send the transmission?" "Aye, sir," replied Adams. "Sent about fifteen minutes ago and no reply as of yet. It may take some time for them to discover that it's actually a message from us. Then again, they might not discover it at all, but it's better than nothing." Adams handed the commander the tricorder containing the message he had sent. (reply Capps) "The subspace tears emanating from the warp core are troubling. The engine isn't completely shutdown and it's the only thing feeding power to key systems like life support. But, I suggest shutting it down completely before a rescue attempt is made or we may end up just ripping the subspace tear across the sector." Ensign Adams pointed at the alien. "We could really use his help. Everything we do down here is just little shots in the dark. We are being as cautious as we can, but it would really help if someone could translate some of the systems down here." (posted by Jason) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - COPS/3O Ensign (sg) Michael Ian O'Connor - 1934) Michael looked over his shoulder at the Doctor, and Adams and the Commander all huddled around the one conscious alien, looking back he watched the sensors. He had managed to get the sensor display to show the current position of ships in the area. He could see the Alien ship on one side of the rift, and the Paladin dwarfing her on the other, her fighters arrayed around her. Michael devoutly hoped that these aliens had never come up with the concept of 'if I can't have it, neither can you'. Not that they had any plans to take the ship, but he wasn't sure the aliens saw it that way. He wondered whether the only members of the away team, realized that with the Fighters deployed, that this wasn't a simple rescue mission, something had definitely gone wrong. He turned when he head foot falls approaching him from behind. Turning he looked at the Commander. "Any progress Sir?" Michael asked, unsure of what else to really say. (posted by Patrick) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - ACTO Ensign(jg) Detron Trei - 19.35) "Aye Sir. Ames guard the door. Brei sweep the deck for subspace rips with your Tricorder and keep constant update to where they are." Ames and Brei acknowledged the order and took their positions. Detron waited for Brei to start scanning to turn his attention on Huor. Detron resumed talking to Huor just to compile more for the translator. He waved at Ames to signal carry on with the order and nodded to CMDR Capps to acknowledge his orders. (posted by Edwards) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - FO Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 1935) "Aye, sir," replied Adams. "Sent about fifteen minutes ago and no reply as of yet. It may take some time for them to discover that it's actually a message from us. Then again, they might not discover it at all, but it's better than nothing." Adams handed the commander the tricorder containing the message he had sent. Calvin took the tricorder from the Ensign. He raised it up so he would be able to see the screen. After touching it and it lit up he quickly read the material. "Lets hope they find a way to contact us soon. What else do you have?" "The subspace tears emanating from the warp core are troubling. The engine isn't completely shutdown and it's the only thing feeding power to key systems like life support. But, I suggest shutting it down completely before a rescue attempt is made or we may end up just ripping the subspace tear across the sector." Ensign Adams pointed at the alien. "We could really use his help. Everything we do down here is just little shots in the dark. We are being as cautious as we can, but it would really help if someone could translate some of the systems down here." "I would agree with you, however the translator we have isn't giving us a lot of options right now. You are free to attempt to talk with him." Calvin watched as Ensign Adams walked over to the Huor. "What…does…'Indaere…Khaelfa…Mnakhao'…do?" Calvin walked away from the two to talk with Ensign O'Conner. (posted by Calvin) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 1936) The away team huddled around the open area of the alien vessel's engineering deck. Above them a sphere glowed from the open warp core hatch, dimly illuminating the room. The hissing of air could be heard from the subspace threads which radiated outward from the warp core. Ensign Christopher Adams looked directly at the alien and pointed at the warp core as he talked slowly hoping the Universal Translator was making sense of what he was saying, "Can…you…help…us…shut…this…down?" He looked down at his tricorder and walked over to the Propulsion station. ~Maybe he can tell us about this unknown system I found in my scans,~ thought Chris. Looking down at the panel he read off the system he was interested in, "What…does…'Indaere…Khaelfa…Mnakhao'…do?" (posted by Jason) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Subspace Specialist Huor Mahtanion Inglorion - 1937) Huor was confused as to what was going on. He had no idea who the people were on his ship, but he believed that they were trying to help. So far the aliens on his ship hadn't tried to hurt him. It seemed they were even trying to get his help. Huor was getting tired of listening to the aliens. It seemed like he had been talking for hours. As he was in mid sentence with the alien another one approached him. Ensign Christopher Adams looked directly at the alien and pointed at the warp core as he talked slowly hoping the Universal Translator was making sense of what he was saying, "Can…you…help…us…shut…this…down?" He looked down at his tricorder and walked over to the Propulsion station. ~Maybe he can tell us about this unknown system I found in my scans,~ thought Chris. Looking down at the panel he read off the system he was interested in, "What…does…' Indaere…Khaelfa…Mnakhao'…do?" Huor was really annoyed now. He had no idea what the alien was trying to say. He stepped away from the one alien which he believed her name was Nissa, and walked to the other one which attempted to speak his language. Huor walked slowly over. He noticed the security men with what could only be interpreted at weapons. He carefully walked over to the panel. "Mei, Mei," Huor said while shaking his head. He pointed over the aliens shoulder to another panel. (reply Adams) It seemed the alien was going to let him pass so he crossed to the other panel. He now felt the eyes of everyone in the room on him. Once he reached the panel he bent down and took the access door off. He nearly laid down, and then he pointed to a small clear box inside of the panel. It didn't seem the alien knew what he was trying to do so he pointed harder at the box until the alien would look. (reply Adams) "Tegalm." He pointed at it again. "Tegalm." He looked at the alien to see if he understood what he was trying to say. (reply Adams) Huor looked around and saw something in the aliens hand. He assumed it was some type of tool he was using. He pointed at the item in the alien's hand and then pointed at the box inside of the panel. "Tegalm." (posted by Calvin) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 1938) Ensign Christopher Adams looked into the eyes of the alien trying to get a hint of understanding between them. There were visible signs of frustration on the alien's brow as he approached Adams. "Mei, Mei," the alien said shaking his head. Adams backed away a couple of steps, a little scared even though the alien was half his size. ~What does he mean?~ thought Adams. ~A head shake could mean 'yes' in his culture.~ Adams held up his hands and gave a sideways glance in Lieutenant Commander Capps's direction as he spoke to the alien, "I don't know what you mean." The alien then pointed over towards the Communication station and all eyes followed his finger. Adams took a few steps back and opened his arms allowing the alien walk over to the engineering station. The alien bent down and removed one of the access doors below the station and pointed at a small clear box. "Communications," said Adams slowly to the alien shaking his head. "No. We aren't going to allow you to talk to your friends in the other ship." "Tegalm," responded the alien. "Tegalm." Adams approached the open access door with tricorder scanning the small clear box. The box was a complex device made up of various circuits that Adams didn't recognize. There was no way he was going to be able to figure out what it was without a circuit comparison analysis and the only thing powerful enough to do that type of research would be the computers back on the Paladin. Ensign Adams shook his head and looked up at Lieutenant Commander Capps. "Commander. That's the Communication station, but I have no idea what the clear box he's pointing to. The only thing I can think of is that it controls ship to ship communication. Maybe he wants to contact the other alien ship?" (reply Capps) Adam's attention was diverted once he noticed the alien was pointing at the hyperspanner in his other hand. "Tegalm," reiterated the alien. "Fix?" asked Adams. "You want me to fix the small box?" Adams looked back at Capps. "He wants me to fix what ever it is. What do you think? From my scan, I see where the power circuits are fried. It shouldn't be too hard to fix." (posted by Jason) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - ACTO Ensign(jg) Detron Trei - 19.38) Detron saw Huor point to a clear box and say "Mei Mei" He could see that the sight of weapons made him nervous. Detron tried to assure Huor that nothing will happen to him, but Huor remained frustrated with the language barrier. Detron tried a hand motion like to fix something. Huor responded with a word and a gesture that told Detron he was on the right track. Detron continued to talk with Huor to get more words tranlated. Detron would be patient as long as it took to establish a firm connection. ~ I feel your frustration, but I can't understand you. Please help us understand each other~ (posted by Edward) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - FO Lt Cmdr Calvin Capps - 1939) "Any progress Sir?" Michael asked. "Not really. Ensign Adams is working with Huor. What are you working on?" (reply O'Conner) "What?" Calvin was shocked to hear what the Chief of Ops just informed him. "It looks like it is getting worse out there." "Commander. That's the Communication station, but I have no idea what the clear box he's pointing to. The only thing I can think of is that it controls ship to ship communication. Maybe he wants to contact the other alien ship?" Calvin turned back to Michael. "If things are getting worse out there, I think it is important for Huor to contact his ship to let them know we are no the bad guys?" (reply O'Conner) Before Calvin could talk to Christopher, the engineer spoke. "He wants me to fix what ever it is. What do you think? From my scan, I see where the power circuits are fried. It shouldn't be too hard to fix." (posted by Calvin) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 1940) All eyes were on Lieutenant Commander Capps while the alien was pointing at an unknown component to one of the engineering stations and kept repeating a word foreign to the away team. Also looking across the room was Assistant Chief Engineer Ensign Christopher Adams, on his first away mission. He had scanned the device and knew he could fix it, but wanted to get confirmation from his CO before proceeding. "Do it," commanded Capps, his voice echoing in the cavernous engineering room. "Aye, sir," responded Adams, bending down and sticking his head into the open compartment below the communication station. (posted by Jason) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Bridge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 1950) Eva stepped back onto the Bridge of the Paladin and immediately looked over at Lt. Matrix sitting the primary Engineering console. "Any progress with the transporters Lieutenant?" She asked, as she stepped down to the command deck and took her seat that Commander Sarouk had just vacated. "Any indication that the Away Team received your reply Commander Sarouk?" She asked as she brought up a system status report. "None yet Captain,"Sarouk replied. "In about 10 to 15 minutes the Aiglos will be using a towing system of theirs to pull the other alien ship out of the rift," Eva explained to everyone on the Bridge while looking over the status report. "We will be using our tractor beam to strengthen the ships structural integrity as it leave the rift. Lt. Matrix, I want you to monitor the tractor beam personally and make sure it is configured properly and that we don't damage the other ship in any way." (Reply Matrix) "Ensign Knightly prepare another positron burst and inform the Away Team of our plan to get them out of the rift and have them standby," Eva continued, looking up at the Operations officer. (Reply Knightly) Once the message had been sent, Eva looked around at her Bridge crew. "All right people, lets get ready to bring our people home," She said, leaning back in her chair and wondering how long they'd have to wait for the Aiglos to signal that they were ready. (posted by Wes) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Bridge, CEO LT Steven Matrix, 1950) Matrix punched up a few sub-routines in his programming arsenal and verified readiness. ~That looks good.~ said Matrix to himself. The Captain looked over to Matrix... "Any progress with the transporters Lieutenant?" She asked, as she stepped down to the command deck and took her seat that Commander Sarouk had just vacated. "Yes Captain, transporter coils and energy matrix will be ready in approximately three minutes. We should have full transporter function shortly." replied Matrix. "Any indication that the Away Team received your reply Commander Sarouk?" She asked as she brought up a system status report. "None yet Captain,"Sarouk replied. "In about 10 to 15 minutes the Aiglos will be using a towing system of theirs to pull the other alien ship out of the rift," Eva explained to everyone on the Bridge while looking over the status report. "We will be using our tractor beam to strengthen the ships structural integrity as it leave the rift. Lt. Matrix, I want you to monitor the tractor beam personally and make sure it is configured properly and that we don't damage the other ship in any way." "Aye, Captain. I've shored up energy reserves to compensate for any foreseen urgencies. Ready!" replied the CEO. "Ensign Knightly prepare another positron burst and inform the Away Team of our plan to get them out of the rift and have them standby," Eva continued, looking up at the Operations officer. (Reply Knightly) Once the message had been sent, Eva looked around at her Bridge crew. "All right people, lets get ready to bring our people home," She said, leaning back in her chair and wondering how long they'd have to wait for the Aiglos to signal that they were ready. Matrix smiled, "Ready Captain." (posted by Steve) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Bridge, CO Captain Eva Straton, 2010) =/\=We are ready to begin Captain,=/\= Commander Galdor said, his image filling the main view screen. =/\=We will tow the Sunda to the following coordinates. It will be far enough from the rift to permit communication and use of our teleportation system.=/\= Eva looked down at the coordinates being sent on another channel and nodded, forwarding them to the CONN and OPS stations. "Understood," She said, looking back up at Galdor's image. "We will maintain our tractor beam on the Sunda until she is in position." Galdor nodded and closed the channel. The view screen quickly switched back to the view of the Aiglos, the rift and the trapped Sunda. Eva leaned back in her chair and looked around the Bridge. "Everyone ready?" She asked, making sure that all stations were ready to do their part. (Reply Engineering, Science, Tactical, Operations, and CONN whatever characters are manning those stations) Within seconds a beam of energy shot out from the Aiglos toward the Sunda. Slowly the Sunda started to move out of the rift. Eva leaned forward watching the progress of the Sunda on the view screen. "Report," She said, not taking her eyes from the view screen. "Hull stress on the Sunda is growing," Lt. Brownlee reported from the Science station. "It is increasing the closer to the edge it gets. Not sure how much more it can take." "Standby on the tractor beam," Eva said. The Sunda was approaching the edge of the rift. "Now!" She said sharply as the Sunda exited the rift. The Paladin's tractor beam enveloped the Sunda a second later. Eva leaned back in her chair and looked up at Lt. Brownlee. "Hull stress is diminishing," Brownlee reported. "There may be some damage to the ships space frame, might want to have someone from engineering take a good look at her space worthiness before moving her too much further." "I'll keep that in mind," Eva replied turning her attention back to the view screen. "Keep us in position as we move to the new coordinates." (Reply CONN, Any) Several minuets later the Sunda was in position at the new coordinates, well away from the subspace rift. "Hail Commander Capps," Eva ordered standing. (Reply OPS) Seconds later Commander Capps image appeared on the view screen. "Commander," Eva said, getting right to the point. "I expect you and your team, as well as all senior officers, in the Conference Room in 15 minuets for a Senior Officer's briefing. I'll also expect your full report then. Standby for transport." (posted by Wes) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 2010) Sweat poured off of Ensign Adams forehead and ran down into hear beard as the heat poured off the electrical system inside the communication station. It had taken him some time, but all the of blown power circuits in the tiny clear box had been repaired or bypassed. He scanned it one last time to make sure all of them were done and then rose back up to his feet with a grunt. Ensign Adams looked around the room and found Commander Capps and walked over to his position. "Repairs complete." (reply Capps) Turning to look at the alien, Adams pointed back at the communication station, "Tegalm." (reply Capps, Huor, any) (posted by Jason) ======================================================================================================================== (QHL Sunda - Engineering - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 2011) Out of the corner of his eye Ensign Christopher Adams saw a light flashing on the external sensors board. Turning, he walked over to the station. After sending the message to the Paladin he had set it up so that the station would notify him if the Paladin attempted to send a message back using the same method. It turns out they had. The external sensors had picked up a positron burst from the Paladin. ~The message, I've been waiting for,~ thought Adams. He read the message and then looked at the time code on the message and the current time on his tricorder. "Oh no," said Adams under his breath. "Sir," Adams said aloud to the whole room. "We have a problem. We received a message from the Paladin twenty minutes ago, but I was too busy fixing the communication systems to notice. Apparently the Paladin and the other alien ship are going to pull us out of the rift any second. The problem is the warp core. If the warp core is on in any way while we are being pulled, it's just going to drag the rift along with it. We need to get the warp core shut down immediately." (reply Capps, any) Adams grabbed his engineering kit and ran over to the center console sitting in the middle of the room. ~Shouldn't be too hard to completely shut down an engine, right?~ thought Adams to himself. He pulled the access panel from the bottom of the console and looked around inside and scanned it with his tricorder. He pulled out a sonic driver from his tool kit and proceeded to cut into one of the main leads. Sparks flew from the top of the station accompanied by a cacophony of popping sounds. The entire ship was plunged into darkness. (reply any) The whole ship then started to shake. The sounds of crumpling metal could be heard from all directions. Adams grabbed the palm beacon from his case and turned it on so that there was some light. The tiny rift fragments that were emanating from the warp core started to slowly move across the room and then passed through the hull of the ship. Suddenly, a jolt hit the ship and the sound of twisting metal stopped. After a couple of minutes all sounds stopped once again complete silence fell on the away team. The silence was broken by the double beep of Commander Capps's comm badge. (reply Capps) =^=Commander,=^= came the voice of Captain Straton. =^=I expect you and your team, as well as all senior officers, in the Conference Room in 15 minuets for a Senior Officer's briefing. I'll also expect your full report then. Standby for transport.=^= (reply Capps) Ensign Adams sat on the engineering floor and breathed a sigh of relief. ~We're safe,~ he thought. He stood up and walked over to join the rest of the crew and got ready to transport back to the ship. (posted by Jason) ======================================================================================================================== (The Sundra - Engineering - ACTO Ensign(jg) Detron Trei - 20.12) Detron braced himself for the tractor beam. When it was applied, the impact shook him on the floor. He checked his team and found all accounted for anchored on something. After a moment of rocking and shaking, the ship leveled out to a calm position in space. Detron never experienced rough space before so it was something he rather not experience again. He did not bring up his lunch, but Ames did. He motioned over to Ames saying "Take it easy until we beam back to the Paladin." Detron saw the subspace tears play havoc with the hull. The hull stabilized a moment later. He welcomed another assignment as with the Klingon warrior spirit of challenge. ~This was great. I feel good at my performance. I have honored myself and the Paladin today~ (posted by Edward) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin - Deck 4, Transporter Room 1 - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 2021) Adams squinted as the lights from the Paladin's transporter room came into focus. Looking around Adams was relieved to be back on board his ship. He walked down the hall to the conference room and took a seat at one of the chairs waiting for the captain to arrive. (posted by Jason) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Conference Room, COUNS Lt(jg) Ayesha Kotal, 2024) Although Ayesha arrived slightly early, there were already a few people in the Conference Room. There was a feeling of tension in the air that Aya suspected you didn't need to be empathic to sense, and she took her seat quietly, PADD in front of her, waiting for the meeting to begin. Whilst she did so, she observed the others present and further arrivals. Aya had been busy in her own department recently and hadn't had the chance to interact much with the other officers, so she was taking the opportunity to gauge their mood and to wonder what the meeting was about. Something to do with the strange ship they had encountered in the rift and the other alien vessel that had turned up, she guessed. Ship's gossip being what it was, she had heard about it in varying amounts of detail and (she suspected) varying amounts of accuracy from several sources during the past couple of hours. (posted by Liz) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Conference Room - COPS/3O Ensign (sg) Michael Ian O'Connor - 2026) Michael stalked down the corridor towards the Conference room. They had managed, through no amount of miraculous acts, mostly performed by Ensign Adams, and Doctor Whetari, to get the ship out of the rift, and save as many of the crew as they could. Michael had no pretense that his actions had been anything but minor in comparison to either the engineer or the Doctor, and he fully planned to have them both fast thinking and performing their duties to the peak of expectations. And while these actions on any other day would have put him in a supremely good mood, today it seemed to add to what was rapidly developing into a raging black thunderstorm of an attitude, directed solely towards the aliens sitting on the opposite side of the rift. Immediately upon his arrival back to the ship, he managed to get bridge logs of what exactly transpired during the Away teams unplanned stranding on the derelict ship. To say he was slightly upset was somewhat of an understatement. Now, as a good Irish boy, he had been taught the Golden Rule, and while 99% of the time, it meant that he did his best to be nice to everyone he met and simply avoid those who didn't deserve people being nice to them, however this situation fell into that 1% where upon, Michael had the supreme desire to reap swift retribution on the people who had transgressed upon his friends and family, he knew he wouldn't act on that desire, but it still didn't make him very happy. They had offered help, and assistance to a crew who sent out a distress call, saved countless lives, and helped avert a disaster in the making, and all the Aliens felt the need to threaten the ship, the Federation and their families. This is what put Michael into a bad mood. The Irish were known for their tempers as much as their merry making, and whether it was a reputation well earned or a nasty rumor started by the British or some other group who had managed to get on the Irish's bad side, Michael certainly fit the stereotype. His temper rarely showed it's face, especially since he stopped drinking many years ago, however it still managed to come to the surface from time to time, when friends and family were threatened. And so, his temper simmered, rather cold as he thought about the ways the Aliens would try and pull one over on them in the end, and how he would be ready in case they we stupid enough to try any form of violence. He walked into the Conference room only a minute or so before the meeting was supposed to start. His uniform was ripped slightly in a couple of places and streaks of soot from burned out electrical equipment stained both the yellow of his uniform and spots on his face and neck. Seeing an open chair next to Aya he sat down, and tried to smile at her. "Evening Aya, I hope your day is going well thus far." Michael said as he pulled a PADD out of his pocket and pulled up the ships sensor records of the alien ship, hoping to find weak points or anything they might need if things came to blows. He was also already pondering just how a Singularity driven engine like the aliens and the Romulans could have caused the rupture. It was theoretically possible for them to have ripped through a weak spot, but the chances that they would just happen to intersect one were astronomical, and Michael preferred to believe that something had actually gone wrong. (posted by Patrick) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Conference Room - CEO LT Matrix - 2026) Matrix entered the conference room with PADD in hand as usual. There were few already there, little or no one talking. All seemed to be reviewing their notes, schedules or department status. Matrix noticed Aya and O'Connor chatting at the table. Matrix took a seat near the two and continued to review his notes. Matrix tapped in a message to Cohen while he waited. Cohen must have been preoccupied with other tasks as no response noted. Matrix tapped in his command code and reviewed ships status while others entered the room. It was strangely quiet. He wondered what the others were thinking. (posted by Steve) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin - Deck 4, General Conference Room - Ensign JG Christopher Adams - 2027) Ensign Christopher Adams sat at the conference room table tapping his report of what happened on the alien ship into a PADD as other crew members entered and took their seats. Eventually his commanding officer, Lieutenant Steven Matrix, entered the room and sat down at the table. Putting the final touches into his report, Chris got up and approached his CO. "Here's my report on what happened on the alien vessel," Adams said offering the PADD to Matrix. (reply Matrix) Adams nodded and sat down next to the chief engineer. (posted by Jason) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Conference Room - ATAC Ensign K'ran 2027) Excited by the trip to the alien vessel, K'ran hurried tothe conference room. Walking into the room, the ensign tooka seat at the table sparing a glance to the others in the room. The Klingon hybrid was curious as to to how the subrift had been formed. While she was a tactical officer,the ensign did have some interest in engineeringand the distress signal that had brought the Paladin to this subrift had left a wiggle of curiosity in her mind.Waiting for the conference to begin, K'ran went over herchanging views of her Captain. Straton was turning out to be nothing like the Klingon hybrid had been raised to considerBetazoids. It was really quite strange to the Klingon hybrid.Perhaps K'ran's uncle and grandfather had been mistaken to think that all Betazoids were weak and couldn't be true warriors.It was a little confusing to the ensign but she put the thoughtsout of her mind to concentrate on the reason she'd been calledto this meeting. She would concentrate on one puzzle at a time. (posted by Carol) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Conference Room - COUNS Lt(jg) Ayesha Kotal - 2027) Just in time, before the meeting started, Michael came in, looking rather the worse for wear, his uniform torn slightly here and there, and streaks of black soot on the yellow of his top and also on his face and neck. He sat down in an empty chair next to Aya and gave her an attempt at a smile. "Evening Aya, I hope your day is going well thus far," Michael said, pulling a PADD out of his pocket and looking at the schematics he pulled up. "Better than yours, by looks of it," she replied, giving him a gentle smile back, though she felt his emotions clearly. He was angry, very angry about something, but keeping it damped down. "I have a clean hankie, if you want to wipe your face a bit before the Captain gets here," she added in a whisper. (reply Michael) A very pretty woman, who Aya guessed was the newly-promoted CMO, sat down opposite them and gave Aya a smile then shuffled the PADDs in front of her nervously. Aya smiled back as Lt Matrix entered and sat near them, burying himself in his own PADD, figuratively speaking. The counsellor made a resolution to get out of her department more and get to know her fellow-officers better; she felt she had been remiss. After the meeting if she got the chance she'd introduce herself to the CMO at least, and preferably everyone else she didn't know as well. ~I just hope they won't mistake me being friendly for me taking a professional interest!~ she thought. The room was filling up now. A tall man with red hair and Klingon features but softened somehow entered, and sat down, looking at Michael. Aya felt the tension in the room building as more people entered, and wondered what they had found on the alien vessels to cause it. (posted by Liz) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Conference Room - COPS/3O Ensign (sg) Michael Ian O'Connor - 2028) "Evening Aya, I hope your day is going well thus far," Michael said, pulling a PADD out of his pocket and looking at the schematics he pulled up. "Better than yours, by looks of it," she replied, giving him a gentle smile back. "I have a clean hankie, if you want to wipe your face a bit before the Captain gets here," she added in a whisper. Michael shrugged, "I doubt the captain will mind, I'll wash up after the meeting. Thanks anyway," he said, honestly. He looked at his PADD for another minute or so before he noticed the chair across from him next to the Doctor move and a blond sit down in it, giving Michael a wink. "Looks like you've been busy," Rath said, noting the dirt on his face and uniform. "Nothing too dangerous I hope." "Eh...climbing around the engine room of an alien ship adrift in the middle of the subspace rift. Nothing too out of the ordinary, just helping out. Not that the people on the other side of the line in the sand seem to agree with us," Michael said, his accent thicker than usual due to his stress. (posted by Patrick) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Conference Room, ATT Lt. Commander Sarouk, 2028) Sarouk walked into the Conference Room and immediately found a chair and sat down to wait for the briefing to begin. (posted by Wes) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin - Conference Room - Ensign SG CMO Nissa Whetari - 2028) After spending a few minutes checking up on her patients and speaking with her nurses, Nissa headed into the conference room for the meeting. Most of the senior staff had alrady arrived and she noticed Ensign O'Connor speaking with a human woman whom Nissa had yet to meet. Sitting down across from the two of them, Nissa smiled at the two of them and then nervously shuffled her two PADDS and smoothed her mussed hair, not wanting to intrude on the conversation and assuming that the meeting would start soon. (Posted by Sarah) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin - Conference Room - ACTO Ensign(jg) Detron Trei - 20.28) Detron was glad to be back on the Paladin. He waited a moment after transporting to regain footing. He would go on another mission tomorrow but will be thankful for a break. He walked to the Conference Room and took an open seat. He picked up the PADD in front of him and scanned the room. He sensed a moderate level of tension coming from O'Connor. He would wait for the answer to surface. He waited for the away team to all enter and the debriefing to begin. ~I feel your anger O'Connor. There will be a time to rock and roll. I will enjoy that when it comes~ (posted by Edward) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Conference Room, Pilot Officer Smith, 2029) Jennifer been recalled along with her and another squadron. One squadron had been left out. Her fighter he was on a quick turn around and she had come strait from the hanger deck. Which was why she was till in her flight suit. She saw Rath up a head and hurried in. She quickly found and seat near Rath. ~No point sitting at the other end of the room~ She then waited for the briefing to start. (posted by Robbie) ======================================================================================================================== (USS Paladin, Conference Room, FSXO 1st Lieutenant Stephiea Rath, 2029) Steph walked in, PADD in hand. She really didn't know what the hell was going on, but she knew something was up. She smiled at O'Connor as she sat down across the table from him. She winked at his as she placed her PADD on the table. "Looks like you've been busy," She said, noting the dirt on his face and uniform. "Nothing too dangerous I hope." (posted by Wes) ======================================================================================================================== Hope you enjoyed!