"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.
Printable View
"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.
Brownlock hopes De La Paz is right. He's getting more and more nervous with each passing second. He would appreciate an update from Delaney as to what's going on. Nigel hates being left in the dark like this. He wonders why someone -- either on the Yorktown or boarding party hasn't reestablished communications yet. Nigel would feel much better with some direction from the captain right about now.
Collins is snowboarding down Olympus Mons
Dr. Brownlock could use his suit's communicator to query the rest of the boarding party, down the corridor and near the large door, if he wished.
Collins has never felt better powder on Olympus Mons. It really is an amazing, if imaginary, ride.
Dr. Brownlock contacts Ens. Delaney and asks about their current status. He also asks about the vision of both Delaney and Mahmoud. Though Collins seems to be much better, Brownlock hopes to get the security officer back to Sickbay sooner rather than later. He wants Delaney and Mahmoud's eyes checked more completely as well. Nigel is sure that an alien vessel is not the best place for injured Starfleet officers under the circumstances. He sighs and once again monitors Collins and her vital signs.
Delaney's and Mahmoud's vision has not changed markedly in the past few minutes.
Collins's vital signs are stable.
Pourtash will follow Delaney's suggestion and start cutting larger holes through the door.
Collins suddenly finds herself in the command chair on the bridge, not the Yorktown or the Enterprise but a Constitution-class vessel none the less. Romulans are firing and she is taking them out one by one.
Pourtash cuts the larger holes. Within a few minutes, Fujishiro's tricorder scan indicates that the compartment on the far side of the door is now also airless.
Collins has the dream-realization that her ship is the USS Lollypop. It's a good ship. Then she's offered a glass of milk and Swiss cheese, melted on bread, by a little old man with a long beard. She can't quite explain it.
"Pressure is equalized. I recommend cutting through as quickly as possible," says Fujishiro. She also draws her phaser and shifts to a crouching firing stance.
Brownlock's interest in wilderness survival has definitely not prepared him for this! He plans to seriously rethink his career goal of a starship's CMO if and when he ever makes it back to the Yorktown in one piece. He contacts Delaney again, asking for at least one more security officer to keep watch over himself and Collins until they can be returned to the ship. He also requests that Delaney provide him with regular updates (as is possible) about what's going on and the condition of his vision and Mahmoud's. Nigel could use a glass of sherry right about now. Or perhaps something a bit stronger....
"Understood. Ready yourself." Pourtash will begin cutting through the door to open it. He'll stay as low to the side and ready to move as possible, likely being in the most dangerous spot for retaliation.
Delaney replies with all the information available. "Can we spare a security officer to assist Brownlock?" he asks?
The party has seven Security officers, counting Collins. One, De La Paz, is already guarding Dr. Brownlock and the unconscious Collins, and one, Mahmoud, is still partially blind. That leaves up to five available for reassignment if Pourtash sees fit.
Pourtash cannot cut through the heavy door with his phaser-2 with any speed, he soon realizes; the heavy phaser cutter would still be best for that. After less than two minutes, he has cut through the lock mechanism and opened the door. A short corridor leads beyond the threshold, turning to starboard and out of your line of sight about ten meters away.
I hope you all got the Shirley Temple and ST:TNG references in post 858.
Seeing no active opposition, Fujishiro quickly scans for traps and life-signs.
Now, Collins is tumbling down through what seems an endless hole in the ground. She passes odd characters on her way down, some of them muttering about being late for something.
Got the Shirley Temple thing - couldn't place the little beaded man with the cheese sandwich - more clues please.
Fujishiro finds no traps with her scan. The two lifesigns she noted before are now within 30 meters, more distinct than before - one alien such as those you've already seen aboard, and one human.
Collins is pleasantly lost in a surreal dream of rabbits, bottles and tea parties.
The bearded man is the grandfather from Heidi. Riker referred to the USS Lollypop as a ruse in an early ST:TNG episode.
Dr. Brownlock is glad for the report and hopes at least one more security officer can be spared to protect Collins and himself. He really wants to check Delaney and Mahmoud again regarding their eyesight condition. Perhaps with another security officer to guard Collins, he could join the others briefly for a quick bioscan of the injured officers. He awaits word from Delaney about this.
Fujishiro expresses surprise and confusion, "there's one alien and one human ahead." She'll wait for the others and then fall into the previous order to advance.
"Dr. Brownlock, I would welcome your help, but at this point the call is with Pourtash, this mission is too dangerous already for my continued command in an injured state."
Pourtash orders an additional Security guard, Spec/1 Russell, to go aft to assist Dr. Brownlock and De La Paz.
Fujishiro double-checks her tricorder readings and finds them unchanged.
Brownlock is quite relieved to have Spec/1 Russell join them. He requests that Pourtash allow first Delaney and then Mahmoud to come aft for a quick check of their eyesight issues. He will do what he can to speed their recovery, then send them back to the main boarding party ASAP. Brownlock awaits word from Pourtash regarding his request.
Collins is in a field. A few hundred yards ahead of her, sees a blue rectangular shape, partially obscured by the mist. As she walks towards it, she sees it is a very large box, big enough for one, maybe two, people, with a blinking red light on top.
Pourtash agrees with Dr. Brownlock's suggestion, then begins moving the able-bodied forward in their previous configuration.
"How could there be a human here?" he muses, extremely wary now, his phaser at the ready on stun.
Dr. Brownlock quickly checks the vision of Delaney and Mahmoud as best he can through their helmet visors. A medical tricorder scan shows their vision is a little better since the last time he checked. Both can now move without guidance from others, although their ability to distinguish between objects and other people more than a few meters away is still not ideal. A dose of Retinax-3 might help, but that's not among the two dozen or so drugs which Dr. Brownlock has in his hypospray vials.
Collins sees the box in her dream turn into a massive Chinese vase decorated with fierce-looking dragons. She becomes aware of a very unusual smell radiating from it, and watches in wonder as a solar eclipse takes place far overhead. There are two other moons in the sky... now three.
"Shall we advance, sir?" Fujishiro queries.
"Yes." Pourtash continues guiding the able-bodied forward.
Dr. Brownlock advises Ens. Pourtash on the conditions of Collins, Delaney and Mahmoud. He suggests that a way be found to return them to the Yorktown for further medical treatment. He tells Pourtash that all three are a liability to the mission in their current state. He awaits a reply.
Who advances with Pourtash, and in what order? You may remain two abreast in passing through the big hatch, and in the corridor beyond.
Dr. Brownlock's frustration is understandable, especially when he recalls that the boarding party is no longer in contact with the Yorktown, and cannot arrange for a beamout. Can he think of any other means of returning to the heavy cruiser?
The three moons in Collins's dream wheel and turn in the sky, much faster than any moon she has seen in real life. Suddenly she realizes that a man - her father? - is standing beside her, looking uneasy. The giant Chinese vase has disappeared.
Fujishiro will assume we're in the same order as before, with everyone moving up to replace the casualties. She'll have her tricorder out, with her focus divided between watching it and looking about with her eyes. She's expecting to draw her phaser, though.
"We need to keep moving, I fear we are doomed if we do not disable this vessel."
"With communications as they are right now the best thing I can do is try to get all of us off the ship as fast as possible, Dr. Brownlock. I'll continue to do that," Pourtash promises.
While they move forward he has Fujishiro abreast with him, keeping the others behind them in their previous order sans the wounded as mentioned. Pourtash has his phaser still out, letting Fujishiro focus on the scanning.
So your order would be...?
Advancing
Pourtash, Fujishiro
Bartlett, Nivens
Dodson
Mahmoud, Delaney
Remaining behind
De La Paz, Russell
Dr. Brownlock, Collins
Pourtash and Fujishiro carefully step through the door, with the Security guards in proper loose order behind them, all with phasers drawn. A short corridor leads beyond the threshold, turning to starboard and out of your line of sight about 10 meters away. You proceed forward. The energy readings on Fujishiro's tricorder are slightly increasing in strength as you go. The two life signs are unchanged. There is one door to either side of you.
The corridor turns again, to port, and ends in an archway about 20 meters away. There are small control panels to either side. Moments after you round the corner, you come under disruptor fire again. Pourtash is ready, and immediately returns fire.
Fujishiro will draw her phaser, still on a wide-beam stun setting, and fire back. If possible she'll slowly take a step or two backwards to let the security personnel have better aim.
Dr. Brownlock is only slightly less concerned and frustrated by Ens. Pourtash's promise. He will focus on caring for the wounded as best he can for now and hope a return to the Yorktown will be possible sooner rather than later.
The corridor is immediately filled with phaser and disruptor fire between the Starfleet party and what appears to be a single alien. Delaney and Mahmoud's vision is certainly acute enough now to see what's going on, and they both take cover. Within moments, Spec/2 Nivens is hit and falls to the deck.
Collins remains stable and dreaming.
Collins starts to stir.
Delaney drops and ducks.
Collins is still sedated but her vital signs are improving. Dr. Brownlock believes he could safely revive her, although she is not up to any physical challenges at the moment.
Delaney is missed by all the phaser and disruptor bolts flying back and forth.
Dr. Brownlock uses a hypospray with a mild stimulant to revive Ens. Collins. He asks Mr. Russell to give Collins an updated report concerning the status of the boarding party based on his knowledge of the security situation up to this point. If need be, he will contact the boarding party again for a more current report.
Collins listens to the report; her instinct to jump up and join the fray is thwarted by her lack of strength. She mutters a few epithets and lays back down.
Dr. Brownlock and the others have been listening to what's been going on through their helmets' open comm channel. You can all tell that the advance party is under fire.
Collins feels pretty good, under the circumstances, but has to admit she's a lot more comfortable when horizontal.
Dr. Brownlock is deeply disturbed by what he hears over the comm channel. He gives De La Paz and Russell the OK to rejoin the advance party if they are needed. He contacts Pourtash to ask if the two security officers should do so. He awaits a reply while fumbling to ready his own phaser -- just in case. He checks to make sure it's on heavy stun. Nigel hopes that he will not have to use the weapon, but will defend himself and Collins as best he can if worse comes to worse.
Pourtash stays low as he attempts to hit the alien firing at them, or at the very least provide enough cover fire to prevent anyone more in the party from being hit. If it looks like it's safe to move, he'll tell Bartlett to check on Nivens. He's looking for an opening should it be possible for the rest of the party to keep the alien pinned with their phaser fire while someone moves into a more strategic position.
When he can, he'll respond to Dr. Brownlock. "Nivens has been hit. De La Paz will stay with you, but send Russell."
Collins, from her spot on the floor, signals Pourtash "any more data on the human? I can analyze data from here - send whatever you have to my tricorder"
Russell goes forward to join the advance party. De La Paz remains with Dr. Brownlock and the reclining Collins.
Bartlett is able to drag Nivens away from the line of fire and back around the corner to safety. Breathing a little hard, he reports over the open channel, "Nivens's suit is breached on his upper right chest. I'll patch it, but I think he'll need medical attention."
Dr. Brownlock checks his medical tricorder's remote readout of Nivens's life signs and sees that he's unconscious, his heart rate is irregular, and his blood pressure is steadily dropping - all typical of a disruptor injury.
With his phaser-2, Pourtash hits the alien, who immediately drops to the deck and stops shooting.
With the pause in the firefight, Fujishiro quickly uses her tricorder to locate the previously detected human.
"Keep an eye on Collins," Dr. Brownlock tells De La Paz. "I need to check on Nivens." Brownlock moves forward until he reaches Nivens, giving him the best emergency care he can. He contacts Pourtash. "Nivens is in bad shape, Ensign. He requires advanced medical care right now."
Collins sits up against the wall and pays closer attention to the comm chatter. She also tries channel after channel trying to reach the Yorktown, even if only to send an S.O.S.
"Fujishiro, send your data on the human back to Collins. Are there any further life signs beyond the alien and the one human?"
"Understood, Doctor. Getting our injured off the ship is of upmost importance."
"Mahmoud, Delaney, report on your vision?"
If there are no additional life signs, another scan for any traps would be warranted and then they should begin moving forward. Russell, Dr. Brownlock and the injured Nivens to stay behind. Marching orders for those moving:
Pourtash, Fujishiro
Bartlett, Dodson
Mahmoud, Delaney
Collins reviews Fujishiro's data. More than ever, now, Jeremi wants access to the Yorktown's records; she again has that gut feeling that there is a mole in the crew. She does the best she can with the data in her tricorder hoping it will give her an answer.
Ens. Fujishiro detects the human less than 10 meters ahead of your current position. Her tricorder picks up no other life signs other than those of the human, and the now-stunned alien lying on the deck. It is clad in an oddly-shaped spacesuit but is clearly of the same species as the mottled yellow beings seen earlier. Its weapon is of a slightly different design, with what appears to be a long, serrated-edge bayonet attached. Fujishiro finds no traps with her scan.
Dr. Brownlock sees that Bartlett has adequately patched Nivens's spacesuit. Working hurriedly, he administers a stimulant via hypospray to get the wounded Security guard's heart pumping properly, gives another shot to suppress bleeding, clips a small, portable cardiostimulator to the front of his patient's spacesuit, and does the best he can to otherwise stabilize the man's condition. The disruptor wound appears deep enough to require surgery, which of course can't be done in vacuum. The doctor thinks Nivens will probably die if not operated on within 20 minutes.
Collins is still unable to get through to the Yorktown, try as she might. She doesn't learn anything else of significance from Fujishiro's tricorder readings.
Mahmoud's and Delaney's vision has not recently changed, for better or worse.
Pourtash, Fujishiro and the others advance carefully, phasers drawn. The corridor turns again and opens into a large, domed, oblong room. Banks of strange, spiky-looking computers and consoles line every bulkhead. Three viewscreens are grouped ahead of you, a large screen flanked by two smaller ones. The large one displays the corridor from which you just came; you can see Russell, Brownlock and Nivens clearly in the foreground. One of the smaller screens shows the Yorktown and the sunlit curve of the Banij homeworld beyond; the other is filled with alien text which flows and changes constantly. The room's lighting is orange-hued, indirect but harsh.
A single human - Fujishiro now confirms it is a human male - is standing to your right, in an unfamiliar but not alien-looking design of spacesuit; his helmet visor is too dark to see into. The man faces you directly, with his arms up, and shakes them a little.
Dr. Brownlock reports to Pourtash with detailed info about Nivens's dire condition. He then contacts Ens. Collins. "You must find a way to re-establish contact with the Yorktown," he says. "Nivens's life may very well depend on it." Nigel sighs and shakes his head. He is clearly frustrated with the way this away mission has gone. Could it possibly get any worse? he asks himself.
Once it's clear security is successfully detaining the human, Fujishiro will start examining the systems in the room. She's looking for primarily for communications and cloaking control.
Pourtash acknowledges Dr. Brownlock's latest report, then halts the party when they come into sight of the new human. Since the area is decompressed and the other suit is of unfamiliar design and capabilities, is there some sort of Starfleet protocol for establishing communications? Does the new male human have any sort of communication devices they can detect? Or weapons?
Bartlett and Dodson are directed forward to the human. Pourtash keeps his phaser ready on stun in case there are any further surprises, though he does not aim it at anything or hold it in a threatening manner.
Collins opens the back her tricorder and communicator; her hands move very quickly as she wires the two devices together so as to boost the range of the communicator. She then, again, tries every channel to reach the Yorktown.
Delaney asks, "If it is safe guide me to the controls, we need to drop this ships cloaking and jamming."
There is no particular Starfleet protocol for a situation like this, but generally speaking, Pourtash is aware that the spacesuited human should be disarmed and secured, in light of the previous attacks made against the boarding party. Bartlett and Dodson cover him with their phasers, but he doesn't appear hostile; he even shakes his arms at you again. A tricorder scan indicates that he is unarmed. His helmet has a built-in radio, as yours do. Communications should be directly established with him, Pourtash knows. If radio contact proves impossible, you may be able to communicate using sign language, gestures, writing, or simply by placing your helmet against his, for sound to carry through the metal from one small pressurized space to another.
Fujishiro, with Delaney's help, looks over the controls but neither can quite figure them out. There are things which seem slightly familiar, or which look like they might do this or that, but it's hard to be sure. Energy readings confirm that this is a, and even perhaps the, control center of the ship.
Still not quite herself, Collins fumbles a bit with her communicator and tricorder, and is still unable to establish contact with the Yorktown.
Dr. Brownlock continues to care for his patient as best he can, under the circumstances.
"Pourtash", Collins speaks into helmet's mic, "If the human is surrendering, get him to tell you how to work the comm and contact the Yorktown from the main controls. I'm having no freakin' luck here at all.' Jeremi wishes she'd taken more engineering courses while at the Academy.
Fujishiro again regrets the loss of the communications officer. What's the protocol for establishing a radio channel, she wonders?
Speaking to Delaney, "what's the risk of simply shutting systems down, one by one? Life support is already down, so we're not going to space ourselves."
Pourtash will try to make radio contact first, since it's the most obvious. If needed, he'll try to communicate a specific channel through signing. If that fails to work and any sort of signing isn't getting a response, he'll attempt putting their helmets close together. He'll try to establish who the human is and whether or not he has any information to aid in decloaking the ship and reestablishing communications with the Yorktown. Further questions can wait until everyone is safe.
Pourtash points to his helmet and holds up three fingers for Subspace Frequency 3, the usual Federation-standard civilian comm channel, and changes his own helmet transceiver to it. The man nods energetically and adjusts a control pad on his upper arm, then - with what appears to be a wary glance at the two Security guards still holding phasers on him - slowly walks over to a control panel and presses several switches in quick succession. Pourtash hears a squeal of static and then a male voice saying, "Is that it? Yes? Can you hear me?"
"Yes," says Pourtash. "Who are you?"
"I'm George."
"George who?"
A long pause. "I'd rather not say. It's not important. You're from Starfleet, right? I surrender."
Pourtash mentally pushes aside a thousand other questions and asks, "Can you decloak the ship, George, or show us how to? We need to reestablish communications with our own ship."
"Yes, I think I can... decloak it. The others, the aliens, really were the ones to run the ship, but I learned a bit about how it's done since I've been aboard." He walks carefully over to another panel and presses several other switches, then moves two oddly-shaped control rods. You all hear some feedback through your helmet receivers, and the alien text on the second small display screen begins blinking. "I think that did it. I don't know anything about ship-to-ship communications, though. I think they used that console over there for it." He points.
None of the rest of you hear this exchange; you're all still on the regular Starfleet subspace channel.
"Hang in there, Nivens," Brownlock says. He contacts Collins again, asking about communications and also how she's currently feeling. He tells her not to overdo it, but he appreciates her efforts to re-establish communications with the Yorktown.
Delaney calls over to Pourtash, "What's up?"
Pourtash is extremely wary and worried that allowing George to directly touch any controls may have led to sabotage. He switches back over to the Starfleet subspace channel and tells Bartlett and Dodson to keep the prisoner away from anything else for the moment. He'll then give the others an update on what George says he did and what he identified as communications controls.
"Can we determine what it is he actually did?"
Mahmoud says, "Well, he knew enough to make it possible to speak to you over a suit-to-suit channel, after he couldn't or wouldn't before, but maybe he really doesn't know anything more than that."
Fujishiro's scans indicate that the nature of the subspace jamming changed after George touched the controls; she doesn't fully understand how. She is also able to confirm that the ship is no longer cloaked.
With Dodson's guidance, Delaney goes over to the control panel at which George pointed, and begins peering closely at it. It does indeed seem to be communications-related, but is based on a different technology than any he's seen before, including all that which he's seen on this ship so far.
Fujishiro reports her finding about the cloaking and jamming situation. "Ask him to point out, but not touch, the jamming controls."
"Fujishiro" Collins is anxious to get out of here "If your scans indicate a change - try to contact the Yorktown! 'George' may have helped us out."
Collins also tries her modified communicator again, with crossed fingers.
Pourtash switches back to Subspace Frequency 3. "George, can you point to the jamming controls? Don't touch. Just identify them from where you are."
"That panel, that one over there," George says, gesturing, but he's too far away. Pourtash lets him get closer, under the watchful eyes of the Security officers. George then shows you a control panel just over a meter on each side, with several dozen bumpy, oval-shaped keys on it, all of which are the same iridescent-olive color. Just four of them are lit. George is careful not to touch the panel.
Delaney scans the panel and keeps looking at it very closely, but it's too alien, unusual and complicated to figure out immediately. He's never seen anything quite like it. The young engineer thinks he'll need at least half an hour or so, maybe more, to study and even disassemble it before he can fully understand it. Dr. Brownlock knows that Nivens doesn't have that much time.
Collins still has no luck in attempting to reach the ship. Fujishiro's communicator also fails to break through the jamming.
"The jamming simply compensated for the lack of cloaking," says Fujishiro. "The Yorktown will see us and be nearby once we get the jammer down. Is everyone here, so our relief party doesn't have to search the ship for us?"
Speaking to Delaney, "we don't need fine control of the jamming, but merely reduce its effectiveness in one frequency band enough for us to get through. Can we cut the power? Or over-power it so it fails? I suggest you start trying things while I monitor the jamming."
Dr. Brownlock contacts Pourtash with the grim news about Nivens. "If he isn't treated in Sickbay now, he's not going to make it." Brownlock administers another stimulant, one much stronger than would normally be advised. Under the circumstances, though, Nigel feels he has no choice. He hopes it will buy Nivens at least a bit more time.
Pourtash acknowledges Dr. Brownlock's latest update and sighs. It's looking less and less likely that they'll be able to save Nivens, but he doesn't want to give up hope yet.
To Fujishiro and Delaney, he says, "Nivens is rapidly running out of time, so let's try to get this done as quickly as possible." Then he contacts De La Paz, back with Collins. "De La Paz, would it be possible for you to assist Collins in moving up to meet with Dr. Brownlock so our party is less spread out?"
Delaney looks for anything like a circuit breaker, fuse of O N O F F switch.
De La Paz is able to help Collins come forward to the command center or bridge. The entire boarding party is now gathered there.
Nivens's condition is no better, Dr. Brownlock is frustrated to see.
Delaney cannot see any circuit breaker, fuse or On/Off switch for the alien control panel. Although he would love to disassemble and study it at leisure, and believes it might offer very useful and perhaps even invaluable technology to the Federation, he thinks destroying it might be the only way to immediately stop the jamming.
Fujishiro is first to notice the Yorktown growing slowly larger on the viewscreen.
Dr. Brownlock is relieved that the boarding party is all in one place. He checks Collins, Delaney and Mahmoud. He is not willing to give up on Nivens just yet. Where there is life, there is hope, Nigel reminds himself. He continues to monitor Nivens closely.
Collins goes over to the comm and examines the panels for clues as to which holds the controls to stop the jamming. While there, she looks up at the view screen and also sees the Yorktown approaching. She looks back at the comm panel. "If we're still cloaked, there is going to be a nasty collision. One of you, come help me figure out which are the controls for a plasma dump."
Pourtash makes note of Collins' warning, then goes to assist Collins since Fujishiro and Delaney are each already engaged. "If we have to, we may need to disable the ship entirely. As Fujishiro said, we have our suits."
Dr. Brownlock finds that Collins's, Delaney's and Mahmoud's health is unchanged. Only a few minutes have passed since he last checked.
Collins's technical skills aren't nearly as good as Delaney's, even with the young engineer's sight still somewhat impaired, and she can learn nothing from the console that he doesn't already know.
Fujishiro has already confirmed that the ship is no longer cloaked. See post #915. Nevertheless, George says, pointing, "If you want to dump plasma from the warp core, you can do it from this control panel, over here."
Collins turns to Delaney "If we dump the plasma, that will disable this ship. right? What are the risks to the Yorktown if we do?"
Pourtash will ask "George" a few more questions, in the hopes there might be some insight from the answers. "Do you know anything about the species on this ship or what they were doing here? What was the mission of this ship?"
Nigel feels useless under the circumstances. There's nothing more he can do for Nivens at this point -- which is quite frustrating. "My kingdom for a Sickbay," Nigel mutters to no one in particular.
Fujishiro keeps monitoring the jamming. In particular, she looks for any gaps in the jamming. Perhaps a narrowband signal could slip out. "Collins," she asks, "can you set up your communicator to use ship power? With a large power supply and the Yorktown closing we may be able to get through the jamming. Stand by for the frequency."
Delaney replies to Collins, "I'm as likely to eject the bridge as dump the plasma I figure with these odd controls."
Does Delaney turn his attention from the communications controls to the plasma controls? He knows that the Yorktown might be at some slight risk from a plasma dump, especially a large one, if it's too close or doesn't have its shields up. As noted earlier, his least bad option right now might just be blasting the comm system.
George says to Ens. Pourtash, "They call themselves the Eruunlac. And as to their mission... well, it's a long story."
Collins doesn't have the technical expertise to draw power from the alien ship and use it for a comm signal. Fujishiro still sees no gaps in the jamming.
"Okay," Collins abandons the plasma dump idea, "Delaney, I leave the communications problem in your capable hands." She turns to George and Pourtash "Apparently, we have the time to listen."
Delaney asks Dr. Brownlock, "Doctor, how much time do we have? I will try puzzling this out for most of that time and then just destroy the comms equipment to try and clear the jamming."
Brownlock sighs and glances from Nivens to Delaney. "We have no time, Ensign."
Pourtash frowns, weighing their options. Destroying parts of the ship so that they can't be studied isn't at all appealing and may very well cause trouble later. On the other hand, they have no more time. The least he can do is take the responsibility for the decision. "Delaney, I order you to blast the comm system."
"Aye, aye", Delaney with great regret blasts the comm system.
Collins monitors her communicator/tricorder for any changes in frequency availability.
Delaney carefully uses his phaser-2 to destroy the comm panel, which disappears in a shower of sparks. Immediately, everyone's suit headphones are filled with the voice of Lt. Thalen, the ship's Communications Officer: "---you get this message. It is urgent that we speak with you as soon as possible. USS Yorktown to boarding party, come in, please. We've been unable to reach you. Respond as soon as you get this message. It is urgent---"
Pourtash realizes that Thalen has looped a repeating message, and says, "Yorktown, come in, this is Ens. Pourtash of the boarding party."
After a brief pause, the recorded message stops and you hear Capt. Singh's voice, loud and clear. "Mr. Pourtash, it's good to hear from you. Are you all right? Do you require assistance? Status report, please."
Collins smiles for the first time this mission.
Pourtash breathes a bit easier once he hears that.
"We've successfully taken control of the ship. We have also taken custody of a human on board who has so far only identified himself as 'George'. Nivens was seriously injured and requires immediate attention."
Brownlock does what he can to prepare Nivens for what he hopes is a very quick trip to Sickbay. He is concerned that Nivens status is too dire for any transport, but the alternative is much worse. Nigel can feel his heart beating much faster than it should. He takes a few deep breaths and tries to focus on his patient.
"Acknowledged, Mr. Pourtash," Singh says. "Prepare Nivens for immediate beamout. Dr. Brownlock, do you wish to come back with him, or remain there? Does anyone else need to return to the Yorktown now? And can you pilot the ship, Mr. Pourtash, or will we need to take it in tow? Have you been able to identify it, or its crew?"
Brownlock addresses the captain without hesitation. "With your permission, I shall remain here with the boarding party." He thinks a moment. "Collins, Mahmoud and Delaney will need treatment when we return to the ship -- unless Dr. Villa feels they should return now, of course."
"Sir, we'll need to move the crew that we've stunned to the Brig. I'd also suggest a complete scan of this vessel with the Yorktown's sensors. Maybe we can get life support up" says Fujishiro, while starting a more complete scan with her tricorder, now that the jammers are down.
Pourtash is somewhat doubtful about piloting the ship after their troubles with the communications, but he'll begin looking to try to determine whether or not he can pilot it before giving his assessment to the Captain.
"They have been identified as the Eruunlac. The human we detained claims knowledge of their mission, but we hadn't learned what he knows before communications were restored."
"Understood, Dr. Brownlock, Mr. Fujishiro," Singh says. "Just a moment." The channel is muted for thirty seconds or so, then she comes back on the line. "Mr. Collins, Mahmoud and Delaney, please step away from the rest of the boarding party. We'll scan for you and the rest of the alien ship's crew - two are still there, is it? - and beam you over with Mr. Nivens. We'll also beam over additional airtanks for your spacesuits. Stand by. Security and Medical teams to Transporter Room 1. Chief Nguyen, proceed when you're ready."
"And Mr. Pourtash," she continues on a private channel to the helmsman, "why are you reporting to me, and not Mr. Delaney? I left him in command when you last made contact."
Science Officer Roble's voice comes on the general frequency. "Mr. Fujishiro, we're beginning a more intensive scan of the ship now. There are no life signs other than those where you now are. Given the placement of the ship's warp core and drive systems, it appears that you're at the bow."
"Delaney had his vision damaged shortly after we lost communications with the Yorktown, Captain. It doesn't appear to be permanent damage and has improved, but he temporarily gave command to me," Pourtash explains.
"Aye, sir" Collins stands with the others to be transported. She'd love to stay and help, but she knows she needs a full eval in Sickbay.
Delaney moves into position for the beam out.
Nivens, Collins, Mahmoud and Delaney are beamed out at once. Dr. Villa, Nurse Perry and several medtechs are waiting in the Yorktown's transporter room with an antigrav gurney for the gravely injured young Security guard, who is immediately taken to Sickbay for surgery. The other three are each escorted by a nurse or medtech to Sickbay, as well, for full scans and medical evaluations by Dr. Bucci. The plump Italian physician will also do the same for George, the man from the alien ship, before he is taken to the Brig. Ens. Ben Cooper drops by to see how Collins is doing.
The alien is taken to the Brig for scanning and confinement; his two mottled yellow shipmates are already there.
You learn that Hayes has come through surgery with flying colors, and is now in the recovery ward.
As promised, additional airtanks are beamed over for the spacesuits of those who remain aboard the alien ship. After Pourtash has verbally reported at greater length as to what happened after the boarding party fell out of contact, Capt. Singh says, "Well done, Mr. Pourtash. Now proceed with a full survey and analysis of the ship. Watch out for traps. See if you can access the computers for logs, astrometrics and navigation data, information as to its origin and that of its crew, and so on. If you need additional personnel, just ask. I'd like your report as soon as possible."
Jeremi is surprised and happy that Ben has come to see her. She assures him she'll be fine, and tells him a few basics of what happened, without revealing any classified information.
Fujishiro says to Pourtash, "sir, I recommend doing a quick survey sweep of the vessel to map it and find any remaining traps. I can do it, with the help of one of the security team."
"Once we have the layout, we can do a more detailed survey of locations of interest."
In Sickbay, Hayes is feeling much better and very grateful for the medical staff and their excellent care. Still, she's upset at missing all of the action aboard the alien vessel and hopes to learn more from Collins, Delaney and Mahmoud. On the alien ship, Dr. Brownlock is relieved that the injured are now receiving the very best care possible. He will continue to do what he can as a member of the boarding party.
Collins is scanned and treated by Dr. Bucci, and then transferred to the recovery ward. The doctor says, "You're fully healed, Ensign, but I want you to remain in Sickbay overnight for observation. You should be able to resume your duties in the morning." She and Cooper have a very nice visit before a nurse shoos him out for the night. When his watch ends, Lt. Lars Dahlquist looks in on Hayes and is glad to see her feeling better, too.
Mahmoud and Delaney need only an optical scan, a few minutes' treatment with a retinal regenerator, a dose of Retinax-3, and an overnight stay in (darkened) quarters. Dr. Bucci expects that they, too, will be able to resume their duties in the morning.
Nivens remains in surgery with Dr. Villa and Nurse Perry. No word yet on a prognosis.
As ordered by the Captain, Ens. Pourtash and the rest of the boarding party begin their more extensive exploration of the alien ship.
"Thank you Doctor"
Collins playfully gives the nurse a hard time for chasing away her visitor, then asks for a terminal so she can read before going to sleep.
Hayes hates to admit it, but she's thrilled that Lars visited her in Sickbay. Perhaps there's more to life than Starfleet service.
On board the alien vessel, Dr. Brownlock explores the ship with his crewmates, hoping his medical services will not be needed again.
"That seems like a sensible start. Bartlett, assist Ens. Fujishiro."
Pourtash will have Dodson, De La Paz, Russel, and Dr. Brownlock assist in an assessment of the ship to determine what they'll be capable of analyzing with the remaining boarding party. He'll make note of what may require expertise they lack and request further personnel if they're needed. How much has Fujishiro's sweep uncovered as far as places of interest? Is there enough of the communications panel left that having someone beam over to examine it could be at all beneficial at this time?
Pourtash and the others explore the rest of the ship and learn that it's much like what you've already seen. The crew quarters and supply capacity could accommodate a much larger crew than four, Pourtash and Fujishiro realize. You find no other traps. Chief Engineer Cheverez also beams over, in a spacesuit of course, to have a look around. The warp drive is of a different design than any he's seen before but, as with the rest of the ship, is roughly of the same technological level as the Federation, and not especially unusual, all in all. There are nine roughly-equidistant cloaking nodes on the outer hull which are still emitting dangerous levels of Zheng radiation, even with the cloaking device disengaged, so you steer well clear of them. The communications panel in the control room is a total loss, unfortunately.
By now it's early evening, ship's time. Cheverez notices that the original boarding party members are showing signs of fatigue, and orders everyone back to the Yorktown to eat and rest. Another Engineering and Science team beams over to continue studying the ship with him. Back home, you're all glad to take off your spacesuits and scratch in those hard-to-reach places.
Collins, Delaney, Hayes and Mahmoud awake the next morning in good health but very hungry. After checkups, Dr. Bucci approves everyone's discharge from Sickbay. Dahlquist and Cooper are there to escort Hayes and Collins back to their quarters... or anywhere else. Ens. Terezis, Collins's cabinmate, and Ens. Sasok, who is Delaney's, are also there to welcome you back.
Nivens has come through surgery in good shape, you learn, and is now in the recovery ward. Dr. Villa expects him to make a full recovery and be discharged within a few days, if all goes well.
Capt. Singh calls a senior staff meeting for 1000 hours. Would you like to do anything before then?
"Let's all go to the mess hall" Collins suggests to those around her, "I could *really* use some coffee"
Delaney agrees and asks Sasok if he would like to come along. Delaney is eager to discuss the impressions of this very strange mission and probable first contact for the Federation. As Collins gets a coffee, Delaney gets a black coffee but has a shot of anisette added to it. He also orders some scones and biscotti for the table.
Ens. Hayes enjoys a cup of hot chocolate while listening intently to the others and their discussion of this mission so far. She's still upset at having missed most of the action.
Dr. Brownlock returns to his quarters, but can't sleep. He ends up playing a few jazz pieces on bass guitar -- which always helps him relax.
Sasok accepts Delaney's invitation and sits with you. The Vulcan says, "Tell me about the mission, please. I only heard a little bit about it from another friend. I would be interested in hearing each of your perspectives."
The scones and biscotti quickly prove popular. Dahlquist has never had a scone before, and likes them very much.
Collins decides to let Delaney do all the talking. She's too busy dunking biscotti in coffee and playing footsie with Ens. Cooper.
After a good night's rest, Pourtash will look into how Nivens is doing and is pleased to hear he's recovering well. Before the meeting he'll get himself a cup of coffee in the mess and go over the mission and mentally prepare.
Those gathered in the Mess Hall have a fine breakfast together, and talk about the mission at some length before realizing it's almost 1000. Delaney, Fujishiro, Collins, Hayes, Pourtash and Dr. Brownlock go to the Yorktown's Conference Room 1, where you find the Captain, First Officer, Chief Engineer and Ship's Psychiatrist already gathered. Coffee and tea are steaming in pots on a sideboard; juice and water are also available. Ens. Mahmoud comes through the doors right on the hour, just as you're settling in.
Singh says, "Good morning, everyone. I've reviewed your spacesuit comm recordings and tricorder readings. I'd be interested in a brief report from each of you as to your experiences on the boarding party: high points, low points, and lessons learned."
To herself, Collins thinks "I learned never to get hit with a weapon blast like that ever again" but all she says is "Their weapons were comparable to ours, if not more advanced"
Delaney starts slow but speeds up as he goes. "Storming ships requires extra firepower and some sort of shielding.#2 Let security lead the way, they are trained for it. #3: Test for booby traps. I think some sort of hover drone with audio & camera would be a good idea and maybe a floor roller with a phaser and a wall hugger too. Oh, bring extra O2."
"We need to have a clear plan of action when members of the boarding party are injured. We almost lost Nivens because communications were down and we could not contact the ship. I would say communications between the ship and boarding party must be maintained at all times," Dr. Brownlock says. "I agree with Ens. Delaney's suggestions as well." Nigel lets out a loud sigh. "We must be better prepared."
Pourtash frowns slightly as the others speak, then nods to himself. "Agreed. Better preparation would have helped. There was little data we could gather before we reached the ship, but it would be very valuable to be prepared for every eventuality. Especially likely ones such as traps and injuries when communications have been disrupted. Some sort of drone in cases where we can't learn much ahead of time, as Ens. Delaney suggested, could be useful as well."
"It would be interesting to see," Collins opined, "once we get all the data uploaded, if any other races allied with the Federation's enemies have the Zheng ray cloaks or comparable weapons."
She decides to do a little research of her own.
The Captain says, "Thank you for your reports. You raise some good points for us to consider for next time. Despite the problems you had, I'm pleased by how well the boarding party did. Mr. Pourtash and Mr. Delaney, you two in particular deserve credit for your generally effective leadership of the party."
Hayes alone notices that the First Officer rolls his eyes ever so slightly at that comment.
As the others talk, Collins accesses the Library Computer on her datapad and refreshes her memory about Zheng rays. They're named after the Chinese astrophysicist who discovered them 20 years ago, and are rare enough that Starfleet sensors are not typically calibrated to detect them. The rays rarely occur naturally, and are usually a byproduct of particular alien technologies, especially Tiburon, Yottar and Cotopaxi shielding technology, but are rare even among those three races. There is no known connection between them and any cloaking or concealment devices indicated by Starfleet records; they have no known military or defensive applications. The few times that they have been noted as occurring naturally have been in the ionosphere of certain Class R worlds, of which there are none in the Banij system. The rays are not dangerous to humanoid lifeforms in typical dosages.
The Tiburon, Yottar and Cotopaxi are not allied with the Romulans, to the best of Collins's knowledge.
See posts 262, 270.
There is some further discussion but Singh soon says, "Right, then. Mr. Delaney, I'd like you to return to the alien ship and study it further. Find out anything useful you can. If you think it can be safely operated by a prize crew, I'd prefer that, but we can take it under tow ourselves if necessary, or send for a Starfleet tug. Mr. Fujishiro, please assist him. Mr. Pourtash, I'd like you back at the Helm here on the Yorktown. Mr. Hayes, if you're feeling up to it, I'd appreciate your assistance during today's negotiations with the Banij leaders. While you were over there, the Soj military regime fell and a more peaceful provisional government is now in charge, at least for the moment. They want to make peace, and I think the other Banij nation-states do, too. Dr. Brownlock, you may return to your duties in Sickbay; I believe Dr. Villa has some work for you. Mr. Vargas?"
The First Officer says, "Mr. Collins, I want you to begin immediate interrogation of 'George,' if that is in fact his name. Find out all you can about who he is, how he came to be here, what the aliens were up to, and why they remained cloaked for so long. Mr. Hayes, when you're done with the negotiations, you may wish to have a word - or try to - with our three alien prisoners. So far they haven't said a word, or even made a sound. We could use a xenosociologist's perspective."
The Captain nods and looks around the table. "Any questions? If not, thank you, and dismissed."
Dr. Brownlock is very relieved to be back in Sickbay.
Ens. Hayes studies everything available from the Library Computer in preparation for the negotiations. She looks forward to speaking with the alien prisoners and hopes her diplomatic skills will be helpful.
Pourtash has no further questions. Once dismissed, he'll report back to the bridge.
Dr. Brownlock is asked by Dr. Villa, the Chief Medical Officer, to conduct yearly physical exams on five members of the crew. This is part of Sickbay routine, and something he hasn't had much time for up to now. As he makes his rounds, he also notices Crewman Felice Dodson holding hands and speaking with Spec/2 Alex Nivens in the recovery ward. Spec/1 Josiah Russell and Spec/2 Fred Bartlett also briefly drop by to see how their Security colleague is doing. Brownlock reviews his charts and notes that he's making excellent progress since his surgery.
Hayes accompanies the Captain down to the meeting room after doing some quick research. The negotiations get off to a smooth start.
The double doors whisk open, and Pourtash steps onto the Bridge. He stops for just a moment to take a deep breath, enjoying the lights and sounds for what seems like the first time in a very long time. Mr. Roble, the Science Officer, is in the big chair, reviewing a report on a datapad. He nods distractedly as you take your seat at the Helm. The Yorktown is in a standard or synchronous orbit over the Na-Banij capital, trailing the alien ship by 50 kms. Bennett is at the Navigation console to your right. She smiles and says quietly, "Welcome back! I want to hear all about your adventure sometime."
Delaney has extra engineering tools brought to the transporter room and is doing some routine diagnostic before beaming back over. He will begin a slow study of the ship cautious of dangers and traps. Who else will be assisting?
Collins enters the transporter room. "Need a hand, Delaney?"
Pourtash takes his seat and makes note of their orbit. He gives Bennett a wry sidelong look. "I don't think it paints me in the most flattering light, but I'll tell you all about it later."
The Captain ordered Ens. Fujishiro to assist Delaney. He can also assign any Engineering personnel he wishes, subject to the Chief Engineer's approval.
Collins remembers that the First Officer ordered her to interrogate George, who is not in the Transporter Room, but the Brig.
Bennett smiles and nods in response to Pourtash's remark. He sees that she's updating her file of possible transfer orbits and departure courses from Banij space.
oops - guess I didn't retain what I read
"Just kidding. I just wanted to tell you all to be careful" Collins heads to the brig, stopping to get two cups of coffee on the way.
Collins hands one cup of coffee to "George", then pulls a chair up to face his cell entrance and sits. She raises her cup as if in a toast, and waits to see his reaction.
Dr. Brownlock continues with his regular Sickbay routine. He is grateful for the respite after such a stressful time aboard the alien vessel. He strongly considers speaking with Dr. Noel about this. He is a bit upset with the way in which he conducted himself as a member of the boarding party. Nigel sighs. Why is he always second guessing himself and his abilities? Perhaps he should discuss this with Dr. Noel, too?
Ens. Hayes is quite impressed with how the captain has handled the start of negotiations with the Banij leaders. She will pay very close attention and learn all that she can from the captain's experience in such matters.
Fujishiro is pleased to hear the situation on the planet is improving. Besides assisting Delaney on the alien vessel, she is curious about the Zheng radiation. Is there any internal shielding to protect the crew from it? If not, there's a good question for the medical researchers--what about the physiology protects them? Does the human collaborator suffer any effects?
And what she'd really love to do is get an up-close look at the sources of the Zheng radiation. Is it an essential ingredient in the cloaking process, or merely a by-product? There's going to be a lot of novel physics going on, plus the obvious technological advances.
Pourtash notes Bennett's updates, thinking of the Captain's references to the Soj provisional government and other Banij desiring peace. "Things are looking up," he murmurs.
Mahmoud and Bartlett are on duty in the Brig, phaser-2s on their hips. They lower the forcefield to George's cell just long enough so that Collins can hand the cup of coffee to him. George looks surprised, but takes the coffee, blows on it and says, "Thanks."
Dr. Brownlock has found Dr. Noel very approachable in his work with her so far, and knows that any discussions with her would be completely confidential.
The Captain's negotiations with the Banij diplomats are going well. Hayes sees that Singh is not too bad a diplomat, mixing patience with firmness in her dealings with the Yorktown's guests. A planetary accord seems quite possible, although there are still many details to work out, and old suspicions are dying hard between the Na- and Soj-Banij, in particular.
Fujishiro finds some minimal internal shielding from Zheng radiation aboard the alien ship, which is now crawling with some two dozen Starfleet personnel. In checking with Dr. Brownlock, she learns that it appears that the aliens are themselves naturally almost immune to the radiation's effects - far more so than a human would be. The Assistant Chief Medical Officer, upon a closer look at the medical scans of George, finds that there is indeed some tissue damage on the cellular level which might be attributable to prolonged and direct exposure to Zheng rays. Cheverez, Delaney and Fujishiro tentatively conclude that the rays are probably a byproduct and not a key element of the cloaking process, but more study will be necessary. The Chief Engineer asks the two of them to prepare a preliminary report on their findings.
Things remain quiet on the Bridge as Pourtash passes a largely uneventful watch at the Helm.
"So, George" Collins begins "How did you come to be aboard that ship?" She sips her coffee, "the more details, the better."
George takes a sip from his coffee, winces and blows on it again. He shrugs. "I needed a job. They offered me one."
"Okay," Collins' expression went from casual to serious, "I'm going to need more than that. The, what did you say they called themselves? Eruunlac? What were they doing in orbit over Banij Prime? Are they enemies to one of the Banij nations? Are they mercenaries? That 'long story' you mentioned? Now's the time to tell it."
"Why should I talk to you?" George asks. "Am I under arrest? Is there some reward if I tell you what I know?"
Ens. Hayes suggests to the captain that finding a social activity both the Na and Soj enjoy might lessen tensions and help the negotiations continue in a positive way. She also offers to help Ens. Collins with George if needed -- though Hayes has no doubt that Collins is more than capable of handling the situation.
Dr. Brownlock stops by Dr. Noel's office. He hesitates at the door for a moment, then steps inside. "Excuse me, Doctor, but I was wondering if I might make an appointment to speak with you -- at your convenience, of course." Brownlock is disturbed by the dryness in his throat and the tentative tone in his voice.
Happy to be doing science instead of storming a ship, Fujishiro prepares a summary of all her findings about the alien vessel. She'll also update a continuing log on the Zheng rays. In particular, she intends to recommend to Star Fleet an optimized spec for a Zheng ray detector. Delaney should be able to help with that, if he's not too busy doing other things.
She openly wonders to Delaney and the others she's working with about whether some Banij knew about the vessel. And if it's worth consulting with them about it.
Pourtash is relieved that the watch is uneventful, but it unfortunately gives him time to dwell. He can't help but keep thinking over the mission and his own panic early on, leading Delaney to replace him. Everything that went wrong from that point on, he feels falls fully on his shoulders.
The Captain says to Hayes, "That's not a bad idea, Ensign. What would you suggest?" She wants to keep the xenosociologist with her to aid in negotiations for now, and agrees it would be best to let Collins proceed with George's interrogation by herself, at least for the moment.
Dr. Helen Noel looks up from her datapad and smiles at Dr. Brownlock. She says, "There's no time like the present - please, come in!" An impressive array of framed diplomas and certificates on her office bulkhead - from Oberlin College, the University of Alpha Centauri and the Starfleet School of Medicine, among others - reminds him that she's an accomplished psychiatrist as well as a beautiful woman. He remembers a rumor that she and the legendary (or notorious) Capt. Kirk were once... involved.
Fujishiro's work goes very well, and Delaney thinks the data she's gathered might be useful in calibrating the ship's sensors to more easily detect Zheng rays. They are rare enough, though, and the necessary modifications time-consuming enough, that the project will need a lot more work to make it practical.
Pourtash mulls over what happened back on the alien ship and doesn't realize how much he's frowning. Lt. JG Cecilia Bennett leans over a little from the Navigation console and says quietly, "Is anything wrong, Faraz?"
"The Na and particularly the Soj seemed to enjoy the concert given by our crew recently. We could provide them with something similar. Also, they enjoyed trying a variety of foods." Hayes pauses a moment. "Perhaps a dinner party and a concert afterward would be a good choice. Negotiating over a good meal has been a useful diplomatic tool for many centuries." Rachel smiles at the captain. "If it works, don't fix it."
Dr. Brownlock sits down, staring at his hands for a moment. Maybe this wasn't such a bloody good idea, after all. He takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "I have some concerns about my actions as a member of the boarding party. I am experienced as a medical researcher more than anything else. I found myself to be quite overwhelmed by the circumstances aboard the alien vessel." Nigel is surprised at how much he's just shared with Dr. Noel. He is usually very quiet and reserved around most people.
"Well, George" Collins backs off just a little "you surrendered to us." She takes a breath, "Look, we could really use your help here. The Eruunlac never responded to our hails. The Captain determined them to be hostile, if not to us directly, then to the Banij. Please, tell us, tell me, what you know about the Eruunlac."
Capt. Singh nods and says, "Very well. See to it, Mr. Hayes. Work with Mr. Thalen, who heads the Lyceum, to arrange for different performers than the Banij diplomats saw and heard last time. And why not arrange a seating chart that has the Banij delegations broken up, so that they're sitting next to different people and aren't just in their own little ethnic or national groups? I want them to become more comfortable with each other."
In her Sickbay office, Dr. Noel leans forward in her chair. "What concerns do you have, in particular, Nigel? And what made you feel overwhelmed? For what it's worth, none of the boarding party members' reports were critical of you."
George raises and eyebrow and says to Collins, "Well, you and your friends came into the control center pointing phasers at me, having shot the three Eruunlac, and I was unarmed, so of course I surrendered. I'm not crazy about the whole 'dying' concept. But if I'm not under arrest, I'd like to be let out of here, given guest quarters and taken to the nearest Federation or nonaligned world at your captain's earliest convenience. On the other hand, if there's a reward available for whatever I might be able to tell you, and my statement won't be used against me in, you know, a trial or anything, then my memory just might improve." He takes another sip of his coffee, and smiles.