NRPG: My mistake, the last post time is set at 0725. The timeline is now straightened out, please adhere closely to it. Compile summary Your adoring CO ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique - Life Sciences Labs - ACSO Ensign SG Taya - 0714) (USS Mystique- Transporter Room 2 - ASEC- Ensign Baylon Tinin - 0715) (USS Mystique - Primary Science Labs - Asst CSO Ensign Naraht - 0716) (USS Mystique - Primary Science Labs - CSO, Lt. Cmdr. Holis Gralen- 0717) (USS Mystique - Holodeck 1 - Senior Counselor, Dr. Riven Mias - 0718) (USS Mystique - Transporter Room Two - ASEC- Ensign Baylon Tinin - 0719) (USS Mystique - Mindscape- Senior Counselor, Dr. Riven Mias - 0720) (USS Mystique - Mindscape - CMO Lt (jg) Vren Marto - 0721) (USS Mystique - Mindscape - Senior Counselor, Dr. Riven Mias- 0722) (USS Mystique - Mindscape - CMO Lt (jg) Vren Marto - 0723) (USS Mystique - Deck 4 - Hallway outside Sickbay - COPS/3rd Officer, Lt. Travis Keswick - 0724) (USS Mystique - Shuttle bay one - ASEC- Ensign Baylon Trinin - 0725) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- begin compile Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique - Life Sciences Labs - ACSO Ensign SG Taya - 0714) Taya nodded and walked out the door making sure that Uko and Tenabe were following. She was focusing so much on the task at hand and just wandering down the corridor that it shocked her slightly when she heard a voice. "You don't need to cut your hair," Cindy Darson said. "I heard you were thinking about it. It's lovely as it is and most men seem to like longer hair. That's why I had cosmetology grow it back out. I tried the short look. It was comfortable, I guess...but..." Taya nodded, "yeah i guess it just annoys me slightly as there isn't much i can do with it and it does get in the way sometimes. I guess i could get it cut to about a medium length as then it is sorta long but at the same time..." "Maybe we can get together in Ten-Forward later...or something," Cindy said filling in the silence that ensued. Taya looked at the other woman and just nodded her head hoping it didn't look too rude as she walked off in the other direction to get to the labs on deck five. Taya walked along with the two other officers following behind. She sighed and started to get her mind thinking, ~if a bomb was placed in any of these labs where would it be and why would it be there?~ Taya stopped outside the door that would take them to the four labs on deck five and turned to face her two 'charges'. "We know the situation here even if we don't know exactly what we are looking for. Uko you take the small lab on the left and Tenabe you take the small lab on the right. I'll take the shared lab and then after that we reconverge and take the large lab together. Is that alright?" At two answering nods she nodded her own head and sighed again. So many advances had been made in the past couple of centuries and yet when it came down to it had the human race actually advanced that far? Terrorism still existed as demonstrated aboard and racism was still there judging by what was happening on Geneva. Taya pulled herself out of her thoughts, "if you find anything stay clear of it, inform me and quickly check the rest of the room before coming out - i do not want anybody to get hurt alright? Page me when you have checked your designated room and lets hope there aren't any here." Taya watched the two go on their separate ways and she sighed again. She walked over to the shared lab and started to take a circuitous route round it checking cupboards and storage trays. She reached the main console in the middle of the room and crawled underneath it and found nothing. She was beginning to breathe slightly better as it didn't look like there were any in here but she knew she could not become complacent. ~Come Taya get your head together and keep looking~ The adrenaline coursing through her veins keeping her check made sure she looked in every nook and cranny before moving on to the next part of the room. She reached the final desk and looked at it with disgust. The surface was unrecognizable with PADDs strewn over it and empty coffee mugs. Taya picked the mugs up and laced them in the recycler watching as they demolecurized. She turned back and tidied the PADDs into a pile noticing that several were overdue reports for both her and the CSO - some dating to a few months ago. Taya shook her head and mentally made a note to talk to Crewman Pollard at the first chance available. Taya took a last look round the room confident in the knowledge that there was nothing untoward was in the room. She made her way back outside. "Taya to Uko and Tenabe, report" =^= Laboratory Two is clear heading back now Ma'am =^= Uko said. Taya nodded at Uko as he walked her way and waited for Tenabe to either report in or appear. After about 30 seconds the man in question appeared stating that laboratory three was clear as well. "Okay then just this last one to go then. Uko you take all cupboard and storage trays, Tenabe you take desks and i'l take any where else." Taya walked into the room and headed straight for the gap between the bulkhead and the desk that she knew people always used to hide things. She smiled when there was no bomb there and stifled a laugh at what was there. ~well well well, ~ she thought smiling ~i wonder who is the owner of this~ Taya grabbed the bottle in there and uncorked it. She sniffed it and put the cork back. "Do any of you two know whose Romulan Ale this is? It's not synthehol, it's the real thing." At two heads shaking she smiled slightly and headed back to the task in hand with the romulan ale in one hand. "Nothing here," Uko reported. Taya nodded and decided there was no bombs that she could find. She was just about to ask Tenabe if he had found anything when she heard an intake of breath. "What is it?" she asked quickly jogging to Tenabe. "It...It's gone!" Taya looked at him confused before looking at the desk in front of him. Her eyes widened and she couldn't help the small intake of breath. She was just about to tap her comm badge when hers chirped. =^= Taya, Ms. Darson report, have you found anything? =^= "Well that's a matter of what you were looking for sir. There are no bombs present however i have found some romulan ale, not synthehol, and it appears that some things have been taken" (Reply Gralen) "It's the work on Nano-Technology we were doing. Everything has vanished all the equipment, specimens, prototypes. This is including all the data saved on PADDs. I cannot access the computer here yet so i am unsure as to whether that has disappeared as well. I might have a couple of PADDs in my quarters or my office but i would need to check and even if i do have some that will be nothing. We have spent weeks and months on this work sir and it's all just.....gone." Taya sighed and sat down in a chair trying not to let the tears fall that were pooling in her eyes. She indicated that the two men should sit down themselves while she waited for the CSO's reaction. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique- Transporter Room 2 - ASEC- Ensign Baylon Tinin - 0715) Trinin was pleased to see the small security team already assembled and waiting for him. He took a pro-offered phaser rifle from Ronar and checked the settings. He nodded at the transporter chief and waited for transport to commence. A few moments later he felt the familiar tingle as his atoms were disassembled in transporter room 20 and reassembled in one of the transporter rooms on the Mystique. He turned to his squad. "Gentlemen," he said, " Please wait in the corridor." then pointed towards the doorway. He tapped his commbadge, " Ensign Trinin with Geneva Security Team Beta to Lieutenant Fredericks, requesting permission to come aboard." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2407.02.19.0558 (USS Mystique - Primary Science Labs - Asst CSO Ensign Naraht - 0716) "Now Naraht,” Holis said as he signed off. "Let's finish our rounds before we have a formal interview with the Captain. I agree with you on all your points, the bombs could easily have been set to destroy the ship but were not. Right now though we need to make sure we have all of them accounted for." He paused. "As soon as security picks up Mr. Rooker, I think we might find out where they all are rather quickly." “Yes sir. He did have that display sir. I would think that would tell us where any more of the rest might be hidden if he is indeed the culprit.” Naraht paused, angry and confused. “Why would he want to kill me sir? That was his intention in setting the bomb at my science station in the lab, wasn’t it? Why do these people wish to deny others the right to merely exist?” (Reply Holis Gralen) Unhappily, Naraht shifted, rumbling angrily. “I could help them get to Cynthia Darson on Deck 6 quickly sir, if you want me to. I can be quiet when need be. I can eat through a bulkhead or door faster than any of security with a phaser.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique - Primary Science Labs - CSO, Lt. Cmdr. Holis Gralen- 0717) “Yes sir. He did have that display sir. I would think that would tell us where any more of the rest might be hidden if he is indeed the culprit.” The Horta paused for an instand, continuing to radiate anger. “Why would he want to kill me sir? That was his intention in setting the bomb at my science station in the lab, wasn’t it? Why do these people wish to deny others the right to merely exist?” Holis turned toward the door but paused at the question, pursing his lips he thought a moment before replying. "Hate and prejudice is something to which I don't have a lot of insight Naraht." He tailed off as he turned back to look at the gentle being that had been aroused to outrage by the focus of that type of unmitigated cruelty. "All I can say is some people have no room in their lives for more than their own petty preconceptions and hate and wish to destroy that which does not fit into their cosmological view. This type of criminal is the most dangerous and vindictive and has seen to the mutilation and wanton destruction of countless beings throughout time and space, wars and genocide are their calling cards and death their delight." He crossed his arms as he considered something which he had once read. "There is a book that is hallowed by those of Earth and contains some insights on the nature of such beasts, I remember a quote from it. "The light of the body is the eye, if therefore your eye is good then your whole body shall be full of light but if your eye is evil then your body shall be full of darkness. If that light therefore in you is darkness how great is that darkness." He smiled down at the Horta. "You can see the light Naraht, those that can not are blinded by their own hatred." The Horat shifted while rumbling. “I could help them get to Cynthia Darson on Deck 6 quickly sir, if you want me to. I can be quiet when need be. I can eat through a bulkhead or door faster than any of security with a phaser.” Holis shook his head, considering their options. "We don't know for sure that he did take a hostage Naraht, I only mentioned the possibility to alert the Security Chief to the danger, also until told differently we need to continue our hunt for more bombs." (Reply: Naraht) "Well..." Holis stroked his chin with the forefinger of his right hand. "Since we're through on this deck we could certainly pitch in and help either Ms. Darson or Taya look for bombs..." He grinned. "And Ms. Darson is at least going to be short one helper... perhaps we should go see if she needs us." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique – Passageway outside armory-Ensigns Conners and Rysic – 0718) "Conners to LT Commander Garrett. Chief Fredericks asked me to inform you we found a bomb on the Orion. He has just beamed to the Orion via a second shuttle from the main bay and is piloting it out of the Geneva bay now." (Reply Mason) "Aye sir, I’ll let him know your on your way" "Conners to Fredericks, The FO should be joining you shortly." Conners turned and looked at his partner, “you know, for a ship without transporters we sure have a lot of people beaming all over the place”. Rysic laughed a second and the two returned to Guard duties. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique - Transporter Room Two - ASEC- Ensign Baylon Tinin - 0719) =^=Fredericks here=^= "Ensign Trinin with Geneva Security Team Beta. We are requesting permission to come aboard." =^=Permission granted, report to the security office and draw a weapon from the locker, then report to the shuttle bay and give ensign Shaveret a hand. After this is over you will need to report to the FO. Fredericks out.=^= Before Baylon could respond and advise the security chief that they were already armed, he cut the channel. Having a security officer without a phaser was like asking a carpenter to do a job without his hammer. Still the lieutenant had ordered him to report to the security office and draw a weapon from the locker. That meant that they were going to be very well armed. They were already carrying Type three phasers and phaser rifles, and some like Baylon were carrying bladed weapons as well. Baylon didn't bother to acknowledge the order, the channel was already cut. instead he looked at the transporter operator and smiled. The Bolian simply smiled back. Baylon turned and left the transporter room and rejoined his squad immediately. "So what's the word Baylon?" Rovar asked him. "Our orders are to head to the security office and draw a weapon from the lockers, then immediately go and assist Ensign Shaveret." Carter spoke next, " Don't get me wrong I like firepower as much as the next guy, but isn't that a bit of over kill?" "A bit" Baylon admitted, "But since we don't know the situation here, we will follow orders. It may be necessary for us to actually have that firepower." "Computer what is the location of the Security Office on this ship?" [The Security Office is located on Deck 7] "Computer path to the Security Office please" [Follow the red floor lighting] "Okay men, lets move out double time!" With that Beta team began moving through the corridor in quick order. The made the turbo lift and deck seven quickly, before long they were standing outside the Security office. Trinin stopped."Okay men, single file, we don't want to crowd the personnel inside." Baylon and his squad entered the room in single file order, Baylon leading the head of the column. An ensign and a pair of marines were inside. The marines were apparently deployed for security reasons, the ensign was the acting duty officer for the post. The ensign looked up at the already heavily armed squad. he seemed a bit nervous. "Can I help you?" he said. "Yes ensign" Baylon replied. "I am Ensign Baylon Trinin from Starbase Geneva and this Tactical Response Team Beta. We have been ordered by Lieutenant Fredericks to drawn a phaser each from the ship's stores and then proceed on our mission to assist with the incidents that have taken place. As we are already carrying Phaser rifles, I request that you issue a type three phaser to each of my personnel, instead of a rifle." "But they already have type III phasers," the ensign balked. "Yes they do, but unless you are senior to Lieutenant Federicks and have a complete understanding of the entire situation I suggest that you comply with his order. I'd have to have to report that you caused my part of the operation to fail because you didn't think it prudent to follow the orders of a senior officer." One of the men in the squad whistled, and Baylon glanced back at them silencing any further outbreaks before they began.. "If it will make things easier, ensign. You may issue the phasers under protest and I will accept all responsibility. But please just hurry, every second we waste here could cost someone their life." "Okay," he said, "Under protest and on your authority." The Ensign handed him a PADD and he authorized the exchange. It was too easy. He'd have to mention proper procedures to the ensign later. The ensign rose from his desk and returned a few moments later with the 6 phasers. Trinin took them, signing for each one, then distributed them to his squad. "Thank you ensign," he said," your cooperation has been appreciated. I'll mention it personally to Lieutenant Fredericks." Baylon led his squad out the door and forward towards the turbolift. On the way, he tapped his commbadge. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique - Holodeck 1 - Senior Counselor, Dr. Riven Mias - 0718) Riven both saw and 'felt' the nurse relax as she framed her reply, it might be a good idea to speak with her later and make sure she had drained off all of the tension from today's horrific happenings. "Doctor I'm glad you're here since I need your help. We badly need a doctor to co-ordinate our efforts here and the only one we have available at present is Dr Vren. She was caught in the explosion that took out Sickbay, but isn't seriously injured as such. She had a large bump on her head and the last time she woke up, well, to be honest.........." Riven walked with her to the bed where Dr. Vren was, her hand on his elbow. "The last time she was awake she kept asking me where her ex husband was. But as far as I could tell she didn't seem to think that he was her ex husband. It seemed to me that as far as Marto was aware she was back in the Resistance and still fighting against the Cardassians." ~Nasty temporary confusion brought about by a bump on the noggin.~ Holis thought. ~ Normally temporary though the time frame can vary.~ "I am hoping that she has a temporary memory loss and I am hoping that you can somehow fix it. I am sorry to do this to you Doctor, but we need Marto back. Can you do anything?" Riven caught her pleading look as she turned toward him. "How is she? Any better?" Riven turned his head to see Ensign Physioc had moved in behind them and he was radiating concern. "That remains to be seen Ash, Kitty was just told me what has happened so I can make a diagnosis and attempt treatment. Her condition is normally temporary and short lived." Riven said. " Though I won't know for certain until I actually contact her mind what I'm up against. The chances of a long-term case like this though is unusual." He began letting down his telepathic barriers as he moved to the Bajoran womans bedside near her head and concentrated on locking out the rest of the minds that were nearby, their shock, confusion and anger could be a distraction if not held at arms length. Unlike a Vulcan he didn't need physical contact to reach her mind but he took her right hand in his anyway to add to the soothing tone he would be projecting as his conciousness neared hers. Closing his eyes he saw: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique - Mindscape- Senior Counselor, Dr. Riven Mias - 0720) The ravine ahead promised salvation and concealment if he could make it and he crawled painfully forward it, his right thigh, leg and foot numb. Riven felt more than heard the next explosion as it shook the ground nearby. He reached the edge with his fingers and pulled himself with his arms, the muscles tightening. Looking over the edge he almost cried out in glee at the earthy slope beyond that was free of rocks, twisting his body he rolled to the edge and over, the landscape careening by as he built up speed, his body rolling downhill. The bottom of the ravine came all too quickly and something hard slammed into his side as he came to an abrupt halt causing him to gasp in pain. As he rested there for an instant the recognition came to him that the scene was wrong, he had never been here before! ~What? Where am I? What was I doing before I came here?~ He dimly remembered a nurse and a woman on a bed. ~That's it! What's it? Who were those women and how did I come to be here? I'm Riven aren't I? No I'm Marto.No....~ All of a sudden it came to him in a blinding flash, he wasn't here to run from a Cardassian mortar barrage, he was here to help Marto! "I'm Riven." He said as another mortar round crashed upslope, throwing dirt through the air which landed on him. He stood to his feet and took two steps away, looking back at where he had been he saw a woman lying on the ground and breathing painfully, she was Bajoran, she was a younger Vren Marto as a matter of fact. "Marto." he said and crouched down near her. "Dr. Vren Marto can you hear me? It's Riven." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique - Mindscape - CMO Lt (jg) Vren Marto - 0721) Colliding with the rock at the bottom of the slope had knocked all the wind out of Marto and she lay there half stunned for a moment or two until she heard a voice. "Marto. "Dr. Vren Marto can you hear me? It's Riven." Painfully she spun around and lifting the phaser rifle she was holding, trained it on him. About to squeeze the trigger, one thing stopped her. He wasn't Cardassian. She gazed at him for several seconds wondering who he was and then started wondering if she was dead. ~No~ she thought. ~I hurt too much to be dead.~ "I don't know you. You are not a member of our cell. Who are you? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique - Mindscape - Senior Counselor, Dr. Riven Mias- 0722) "I don't know you. You are not a member of our cell. Who are you? Riven allowed a smile as he lifted his hands palm outward toward her so that she could see that he was not armed. He wasn't afraid of the phaser rifle she was sighting in on him with since he had learned long ago in his healings the old Spock axiom of 'phantasms and spectres of the mind' applied when in someone else's psyche. The phaser rifle was immaterial and couldn't hurt him BUT it was much better to deal with her in a way she both expected and was comfortable with. "You're quite correct Marto, I'm not a member of your cell but neither am I an enemy of yours, quite the contrary I am a friend." As he spoke he eased himself down to the ground and crossed his legs as he sat facing her. She was quite obviously hurting and confused but the rifle's sights remained steadily fixed on him. (Reply: Marto) He only shook his head at her threat with the rifle. " You have had a nasty shock..." he gestured around as the thud and krumph of another mortar round landed somewhere beyond the ravine. "And I don't mean this, this..." He waved his hand expressively. "... is only a memory of yours of your time in the Bajoran resistance." (Reply: Marto) "Yes." He crossed his arms on his chest. "You now serve in StarFleet aboard the Mystique and soon to be transferred to the Hades... and you're about to be married." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique - Mindscape - CMO Lt (jg) Vren Marto - 0723) "You're quite correct Marto, I'm not a member of your cell but neither am I an enemy of yours, quite the contrary I am a friend." Marto snorted, not quite a laugh and not quite a sarcastic sound. "I don't know you. How could you be a friend of mine?" You have had a nasty shock..." he gestured around as the thud and krumph of another mortar round landed somewhere beyond the ravine. "And I don't mean this, this..." He waved his hand expressively. "... is only a memory of yours of your time in the Bajoran resistance." Marto eyes him up and down. Coughed slightly keeping here eyes on him all the time and smiled, listening to the shells falling all around her. "Believe me if we don't start moving very shortly the Cardassians will have targeted our position and then indeed all we will be is a memory. Are you willing to be blown up to prove you're right?" "Yes." He crossed his arms on his chest. "You now serve in StarFleet aboard the Mystique and soon to be transferred to the Hades... and you're about to be married." That comment made Marto hoot with laughter and convinced her, more than anything that she was simply delusional because of her injuries.. "Oh well, Riva, whoever you are. It's been fun talking to you but now I really know that you are a figment of my imagination, you see I am already married. But hey, it has been fun talking to you. Why don't you pop back when I'm less busy and we can talk again. Right now I have to go rescue some folk stuck on the other side of this ravine. So if you don't mind, I'm going to be kind of busy for the next half our or so." Marto had been husbanding her strength all the way through the conversation and was convinced now that she had enough to continue. Rolling over she started crawling across the floor of the ravine. Suddenly she turned back and looked at him. "To be honest, If I was you, I wouldn't head straight back up. The Cardassians will be at the top of the ravine by now. Head back down for two miles and take a sharp right. One mile after that take a sharp left into Kenda Valley and again take a sharp left. After that start whistling. You do know how to whistle don't you. Someone will come and make sure you are safe. Good luck." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique - Deck 4 - Hallway outside Sickbay - COPS/3rd Officer, Lt. Travis Keswick - 0724) Travis understood that he still had duties to perform by it was hard for him to stay focused when all he wonted to do was find the bomber and snap his/her neck as he tensed up. Feeling Travis' musculature, now grown taut, beneath his hand, Mason didn't envy the guilty parties ifTravis got to them first. "Remember you're a Starfleet officer. Don't do anything you'll regret." Mason sead as he taped his combadge. "Trust me if I find whoever did this I wont regret a thing." Travis sead quietly to himself. Travis looked down at his hand at the bomb detonator. Then he looked yo at Ensign Simpson who stepped out of the turbo lift. "Sir The marines have secured the bomb you disarmed and I was told to find and back you up. The young woman sead "Ok then you are with me we need to go down to the main since lab and give this detonator to Lt. Cmdr. Holis Gralen and see what he can make out of it." Travis sead as he Nodded to Mason and headed to the turbo lift with Simpson right behind him. The anger and frustration was increasing up inside of him as he squeezed the detonator in his hand. Once he realized what he was doing he opined his hand and and to his relief the detonator was not damaged it just left an imprint in his hand. The turbolift doors opined and Ensign Simpson stepped out followed by Travis has they headed down the corridor heading to the Primary Science Labs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stardate: 2407.02.19 (USS Mystique - Shuttle bay one - ASEC- Ensign Baylon Trinin - 0725) "Ensign Trinin to Ensign Shaveret" he said as he pressed his commbadge a second time. It was probable that some of the communications relays could be out on the ship, so Shaveret may not be receiving his communication. Still something didn't set right with Baylon. He had the distinct feeling that he was walking into an ambush. The same type of feelings that he had experienced so many times on Andoria. The computer had been very unhelpful in locating the commbadge signal of Ensign Shaveret, and defining for Baylon, exactly which of the three shuttle bays the ensign was in. So Baylon had decided to start at the top and work his way down. He'd search the bays in numerical sequence. The team made poor time to Shuttlebay one. The turbo lift to the needed deck was inoperative, and the team had to climb through the access tunnels to get to their destination. When the access hatch opened, Baylon divided his team into two columns, each hugging the opposite sides of the corridor as they made their way to shuttle bay one. There was a pair of Marines standing to either side of the door, they were well armed and Trinin allowed some of his earlier worries to melt away. He ordered his team to stop and wait as he approached the Marines. "I'm sorry, sir" one of them said. "the shuttlebay is off limits to unauthorized personnel." "I understand that marine," Baylon replied. "I'm Ensign Trinin from Starbase Geneva, I'm under orders from Lieutenant Fredericks to assist Ensign Shaveret. Is the ensign here?" The two marines looked at each other for a moment, then looked past Trinin at his security team, split in two groups huddled against both walls of the corridor. "I don't know, sir. we just arrived a short while ago. No one has entered or left since we've been here. I'll have to contact Lieutenant Fredericks for your authorization." The guard touched his commbadge, which did not give the familiar chirp. It obviously wasn't working. The second Marine tapped his commbadge also with the same result. When Trinin tried his, he was not surprised to notice that it also didn't work. "Relays must be down," he said to the marines. "That means we have a problem here." The two marines looked at him as if sizing him up. He absently wondered if they were thinking about starting a fight of some sort. The first marine nodded. "Yes, sir we do." he agreed. "Look marine," Baylon added, " I have orders and so do you. Do you really think that if me or my people are saboteurs, we'd stop and chat nicely about the situation with you? I think that highly unlikely. Your orders are not to let anyone unauthorized past you right?" he asked. The first marine nodded. "I'm advising you that I am authorized by Lieutenant Fredericks. Which means according to your orders I and my team can pass. The problem is that you have no way to confirm my authorization, and you can't leave your post, so we are at an impasse. The fact that there may be a powerful explosive device behind that door, and the men you need to disarm it are on this side of the door, shouldn't sway your decision making process at all. You've done a wonderful job, men. You should be commended for putting yourself so readily in harms way. I'll just take my team to shuttlebay two to inspect for further devices." Trinin turned and started walking towards his team. He could tell that the two marines were very uncomfortable with the thought that there might be a bomb in the shuttle bay that they were guarding. "Ensign?" one of the marines said. "Is there really a bomb in the shuttle bay?" he asked concern in his voice. Trinin stopped and turned around to face them. "Honestly I don't know." he said, "I'd say there's a fair chance of one. I guess we won't know unless one detonates, since we can't go in and look." He started to turn back towards his team. Rovar smiled at him. "Ensign Trinin, my partner and I are willing to assume your authorization on your authority sir." the marine said. "Why don't you go and see if there's a bomb inside, sir?" his partner added. "You sure about this?" Trinin asked them. Both men nodded. "Okay stand away from the doors." The two marines moved aside. ~Fredericks is gonna have their asses in a sling!~ Baylon thought to himself. He motioned for his team to take up positions on either side of the door. While Trinin had no direct reason to suspect that there was any trouble in the shuttle bay, he had understood that there could still be explosives remaining undiscovered on the ship. In his mind, if no one else's, he would have chosen the shuttle bay as a potential strike point. Once they were in position, he tried to cycle the doors. The locks refused to disengage. He looked at one of the marines, who shrugged. "Carter!" he ordered. The security man moved forward and removed the access panel quickly, professionally. He would have the door ready in a matter of seconds. He waited patiently as Carter bypassed the door locks. The atmospheric readings on the other side of the door read normal, and it should therefore be relatively safe to open the doors. Still something nagged deep in his subconscious. A sort of tingling sensation that imminent danger was nearby. The primitive side of the brain howled for attention, but Baylon knew better than to listen to the incessant howling too closely. "Ready" Carter reported. "Okay guys," Baylon spoke to his team. "Three man groups. Mutual cover positions. We may have an ensign around here someplace, so watch your targets. He's not answering his commbadge, which could be a result of the damage, or he could be injured or dead." ~or maybe not even here at all.~ Baylon thought. "I've got a bad feeling about this, so everyone stay frosty. Identify your targets before you shoot. Remember that we might have a potential crewman somewhere on this ship sabotaging her, so everyone on your toes. No one goes maverick." he finished. The individual members of the team nodded. "Everyone good to go?" he asked. Each of the members in turn gave him a thumbs up. They were ready. He turned back to the marines, "Stay on task gentlemen" he said. Readying himself, he tapped Carter on the shoulder. The doors slid apart, revealing the bay beyond. The room was spacious and in good order. Several containers and components, that were normally stored on the periphery of the bay had been slightly unsettled in the explosions on other decks, but most remained on their racks. One of the shuttlecraft was missing. The other two were sitting in their assigned spots. Half of his team entered the bay and moved along the left wall. They would continue moving along the wall until they reached the far side of the bay. Then they would move back towards the center of the bay, checking each container with low-level scans for explosives. While half of the team was busy sweeping their half of the bay, Trinin's team would mirror them on the right side of the bay. Any hostile contact would result in both teams converging on the hot spot as the situation allowed. Two teams allowed a quick decisive flanking maneuver to any isolated resistance by either team as the situation dictated. As a further test, Trinin tapped his commbadge "Bravo team Two, do you copy?" he asked. He was not surprised that he did not get a response. Something here was either jamming their commbadges, or the relays were completely nonfunctional. Either could be the case, and both meant trouble. He continued moving along the wall until he reached the corner then stopped. If he were alone, Baylon would use his telepathy to search the bay- but he wasn't. The very presence of the team made that method difficult at best. "Start you scans here" he said. motioning to Rovar Beta team one spread out and began their low-level scanning. Trinin sincerely hoped that he had not just led his people into a trap.. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end compile "I am attempting to construct a mnemonic memory circuit... using stone knives and bear skins." Spock to Edith Keeler. (City on the Edge of Forever) Charles Gatling aka Captain Saleke: CO, USS Hades Lt. Commander Holis Gralen: CSO, USS Hades Lt.(jg) Dr. Jared Keller: CMO, USS Paladin Lt.(jg) James Nedril: Security officer, USS Nimitz Lt.(jg) Jermaine K'Hok: Instructor, StarFleet Academy vulcan1@startrekfreedom.com salekefo@prodigy.net ICQ# 347268405