"Watch out for more traps!" warns Fujishiro as she relays the data about the device to Delaney's tricorder. She then sets her own tricorder to scan for high concentrations of electrical charge.
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"Watch out for more traps!" warns Fujishiro as she relays the data about the device to Delaney's tricorder. She then sets her own tricorder to scan for high concentrations of electrical charge.
Delaney, Mahmoud and Pourtash are feeling better with each passing moment, although the first two are still blinded. Dr. Brownlock detects no permanent eye damage, and believes that each should fully recover. Collins remains unconscious but is now in stable condition.
There are at least three other such boobytraps farther down the corridor at irregular intervals, Fujishiro learns from her tricorder, now that she knows what to look for. None is close enough to hurt anyone in the Yorktown boarding party in your present location.
Pourtash hisses a bit over the pain in his head, but he's grateful he can see and seems to be feeling better by the moment. "I have to agree with Dr. Brownlock. We need to contact the ship. If nothing else, for Collins' sake."
The pastel clouds have transformed into shuttlecrafts; Collins was now enjoying racing around the galaxy with the other crafts.
Even though Ens. Delaney is in command of the boarding party, Dr. Brownlock is aware of the fact that he is in charge regarding medical matters. Without hesitation, Brownlock contacts the ship, requesting immediate evac of all the injured.
Is there a path to the avoiding the booby traps?
The shuttlecraft race over, Collins is now relaxing in a field surrounded by purring kittens and nuzzling bunnies.
If the boarding party keeps moving down the corridor in which you now are, you'll pass the three traps. Fujishiro describes her tricorder readings to Delaney, and believes that they can be pinpointed and destroyed by phaser fire at no risk to you all, or even triggered remotely, with time. Delaney's and Mahmoud's vision is slowly improving; each can move forward if guided by another member of the party.
You remain out of contact with the Yorktown. See post 777.
Dr. Brownlock is relieved that Delaney and Mahmoud are regaining their vision. He doesn't feel that moving forward under these conditions is a good idea and advises Delaney to focus on establishing communications with the ship. Even though Collins is stable, he is quite concerned about the young security officer.
Delaney orders, "Disarm those traps, we need to move, our lives are now at serious risk."
Fujishiro helps point out the traps to a member of the security team who is undoubtedly a better shot.
Pourtash carefully moves forward with Fujishiro at his side to point out the traps using her tricorder. The helmsman takes out each of the traps with a single, well-aimed phaser shot. Two of them are disabled without being triggered. One releases another very powerful electrical charge, but the two Starfleet officers are several meters out of range and, having dimmed the visors of their helmets, their vision is unaffected. They return to tell the rest of the party what they've done.
Collins's condition remains stable but she slips deeper into unconsciousness. Her brainwaves show Dr. Brownlock that she is no longer dreaming.
Delaney's and Mahmoud's vision is now even better; about half normal.
Who is the next senior officer present Delaney thinks to himself? They should take charge while I am partial disabled.
"Let's get through the next hatch and scan for more booby traps. We still need to disable this vessel and get Collins back to the Yorktown."
"Not much choice, then," Pourtash agrees grimly. He'll continue moving ahead cautiously with Fujishiro to help disable traps.
Dr. Brownlock stays with Collins, monitoring her condition and getting more concerned by the minute.
Delaney isn't quite sure who would be next in the chain of command. Collins is the ranking Security officer, but is unconscious. Dr. Brownlock holds lieutenant's rank, but is a staff officer and not a line officer. Mahmoud would be the next-seniormost Security officer, but is also partially blinded. Delaney knows from Starfleet regs that he has the authority to name a temporary commanding officer until he is able to resume command himself.
For the moment, does he wish anyone else to move forward with Pourtash and Fujishiro?
"Pourtash, take command for now while I am incapacitated. Though I advise we try to keep moving forward."
"Very well. Fujishiro, we'll continue through the next hatch and continue scanning for traps. Carefully. Delaney and Mahmoud, stay behind us and we'll guide you forward until your vision improves."
Cautious, but fast-paced, Fujishiro walks forward focusing on the tricorder, so not to miss any subtle changes that may indicate danger. She'll depend on Pourtash to watch for less hidden threats.
Dr. Brownlock remains behind, tending to Collins; both are guarded by de la Paz. The rest of the party moves forward, with two Security officers guiding Delaney and Mahmoud, whose vision seems a little better with each passing minute. Fujishiro detects two more electrical-plasma traps farther along the corridor which Pourtash is able to hit and disable with his phaser, harming no one.
The corridor turns twice, once to port, once to starboard, before running straight again. You pass six doors on each side, staggered in their intervals from each other, as you go. Now, ten meters ahead and blocking further progress, is another door, stronger and more substantial than any you've seen since coming aboard this ship. Fujishiro's tricorder detects a strong energy signature beyond the door. She describes her readings to Delaney, who agrees with her that it may indicate a command center. Pourtash realizes that you have now walked almost to one end - either the bow or the stern - of the alien vessel.
duplicate post
Brownlock does what he can for Collins, but he'd trade this bloody spacesuit for Sickbay any day of the week. He's clearly flustered -- not usual for him. If necessary, Nigel will defend his patient with deadly force. I could certainly use a spot of tea right now, he thinks to himself. A very strong spot of tea.
De la Paz has his phaser drawn and is keeping an eye out; Dr. Brownlock can give his full attention to his patient, whose vital signs are now improving. Her brainwaves are changing and it appears Collins will shortly be regaining consciousness.
Collins slowly becomes aware of something happening around her. She panics briefly but immediately realizes the confined space is just her protective suit. She blinks her eyes a few times to try to focus. Ah yes. The alien ship. What in the name Holy Asimov hit me? She turns her head towards the doctor shaped suit near her. She tries to speak but can only manage a squeak. She manages to choke out "How bad?"
Pourtash breathes a sigh of relief at finding what may be a command center. "Can you get readings on anything more beyond the door?" he asks Fujishiro, hesitant to run into any further nasty surprises.
Collins is too weak to move and can speak only in a whisper. Dr. Brownlock can just barely hear her over his helmet's comm system.
Fujishiro detects no traps, and no particular readings other than the earlier-mentioned energy signature, which is more complex than any she's scanned since coming aboard, and will take time to fully figure out. She also can tell that just past the heavy door is a short corridor, with a somewhat large compartment beyond it. Both are fully pressurized.
"Looks like we have the opposite pressurization problem now. And I don't think we'll have the element of surprise," notes Fujishiro. "Is it possible to cut through this door?"
Dr. Brownlock gives Collins his best "everything is going to be fine" smile. "Just rest easy, Ensign. We'll have you ship shape in no time." If we ever get off this bloody alien vessel, he thinks to himself.
"No, I'd imagine the element of surprise is out." Pourtash frowns, concerned that they may not be up for the next push. "Delaney, Mahmoud, how are your eyes doing?"
Delaney and Mahmoud can see better now, more than just light and dark, but are still not 100%. They would obviously not be at full effectiveness in a combat situation.
You could cut through the door with the heavy phaser cutter you have, but again would be on the wrong end of explosive decompression.
Can we bring pressure back up in this area?
As Collins' strength slowly returns, she listens to her body for the pain of broken bones and/or torn ligaments. She knows the doctor is putting on a brave face for her, "because if we weren't still cut off from the Yorktown, we'd be in Sickbay" she reasons to herself.
Mahmoud asks Delaney, "What would you suggest, sir, to restore pressure to this corridor? It's the longest one of any we've been in since coming aboard, I think."
Collins feels a little better but is still not up to moving.
Dr. Brownlock continues to monitor Ens. Collins, giving her his full attention. Briefly, he thinks of Mahmoud and Delaney, a bit concerned that they're moving ahead while still not at one hundred percent. He's more concerned with Collins, however. From what Brownlock has observed, she won't want to "rest easy" for very long -- even if she's unable to do much else.
"I suggest we start cutting bleeder holes again." To himself Delaney thinks, 'must add explosives to my engineering kit.'
"I wish I could speak in full sentences" Collins thinks "I'd love to get a tactical update. I may not be able to move very much - but I can strategize" She summons enough strength to loudly whisper "Delaney. Update?"
Pourtash hesitates, then nods. "All right. I'll cut the holes. Any suggestions on reducing the danger?"
Dr. Brownlock can barely hear Collins. He smiles again, hoping to reassure her. "Everyone is doing what they were trained to do, Ensign. Not to worry."
Pourtash starts to cut the holes. It's slow work, given the thickness of the door. Air begins silently whooshing out.
Collins finds a little of her strength returning and can speak a few more words at a time.
Delaney's and Mahmoud's vision is also a little better.
Fujishiro will scan beyond the door, looking for energy concentrations and lifesigns.
By refining her tricorder scan and compensating for the tricky interference of the hull alloy, Fujishiro notes the presence of two lifesigns and several varied energy concentrations.
"This is going to be tricky," warns Fujishiro. "Be prepared to defend ourselves."
Collins manages enough strength to speak audibly "Pourtash! Delaney! Mahmoud! Someone! Please give me a tactical update!"
"Understood, Fujishiro. Delaney, Mahmoud, stay back and keep yourselves safe while we get this door open. If you can see well enough to defend yourselves and it becomes necessary, do so, but don't move forward."
Delaney has his phaser ready on stun. How good is his vision?
Delaney would be able to pick out targets and fire if none of his shipmates were in front of him. He might have difficulty distinguishing between a shipmate and an alien, though. Mahmoud is about the same.
Atmosphere continues to leak through the holes cut in the door.
Dr. Brownlock gives Collins a mild sedative to keep her calm and under control. He says to the security officer with them, "Keep alert, Mr. De la Paz. I don't want any surprises sneaking up on us." He'd love the chance to check on Delaney and Mahmoud. They should not be running around this hostile environment in their current condition, Nigel thinks to himself. He sighs in frustration.
"What the hell was that for?" Collins asks the doctor as she drifts off to sleep.
"Start punching larger holes. We need to get through before we run out of air."
Pourtash is still in command; does he take Delaney's advice?
De La Paz assures Dr. Brownlock that he's keeping on his toes. Collins, sedated, drifts back into unconsciousness.