Mission 6.0 - Quoth the Raven

[Deleted]

Once again, with great effort, Alex said, "Get me out of here, Dan." And the transmission was terminated.

Dan turned to Doctor Grey. "Can you determine whether there's a method to somehow extricate Alex Dixon from the Brain?"

Taking a quick look back at her monitor with data scrolling past, Lucy turned back to the command pit saying quietly, "No, sir. If we can somehow slip something between the two of them... like a thin piece of glass, we can interrupt their communication. Once that's done, I can grab Dixon with a tractor beam. But that's the only suggestion I have at this time."

"And still there will be no guarantee," she added.

<TAG>

[Jon Park]

As Park work around Doctor Gray's thinking he spoke up "Excuse me Doctor. i haven an idea if we use a star fighter i think it will work. I suggest we use the old ships with no crew members on board. Then you can use another to tractor him away."

Looking at the doctor seeing her think about it the stereotype was finally wearing away. As they worked on fine tuning the plan he was sure they would find the solution of the problem

[Deleted]

"I don't understand, Lt. Park. Use the fighters to do what?" Lucy was plainly puzzled. But somewhere in the back of her mind an image was forming.

<Park>

Dr. Grey nodded in acknowledge of his idea. "That could work. But I want to stress that there's no guarrantee it will work. Right now, it's our best shot at separating the two."

<Trek/Nack>

Turning back to her console, Lucy glanced at Connor without really seeing him. How did she get so far into this solution? It wasn't her decision. It was her job to save Dixon once he was on board the Nevada. Why hadn't Connor chimed in with an idea? Sighing, Lucy looked around the bridge before returning her gaze to Jon Park.

"Let's do it," she said with much more conviction than she felt.

[Deleted]

Nack could feel the tension on the bridge, and aside from the situation at hand with the Brain, Connor Stephens seemed to emanate it the most. Every time Doctor Grey spoke up, he shrunk back. It was unfortunate, and Captain Nack noticed.

Park and Grey had established a routine for conversing between themselves by now, having bounced ideas off of each other for most of the mission. Grey would suggest something, Park would suggest something completely different, Grey would question him, Park would recant, only to put forth something new again... Eventually they would come to some sort of tentative agreement and look at Captain Nack for approval.

"Aye, I believe it could work. T'Brel, how much time until we exit the asteroid field?" It never seemed like they had enough time.

While he was impressed with the new plan, which was produced rather quickly, he was hesitant to hastily jump into a plan that took only minutes to create. And the way it was conjured up... usually the simple answer was the best answer -- yet, this was almost too simple. That isn't to say it wouldn't work, though, and Nack agreed to give it a go.

"We have a few more thing to think about, and I am a bit ashamed at you, Park, for not taking your time and covering the possibilities." He looked up at the Lieutenant while administering a slight chastisement.

"What do we do once we have Dixon back? And what about Doctor Pote? Are we to abandon him, or save him?"

Nack rubbed his temples. "Commander," he asked Dan Trek, "Sugges.."

The ship violently shook, and sparks flew throughout the bridge.

"Report!" Nack hissed, in pain when his ear lobe had been pinned by a falling operations officer between the console and the officer's elbow.

"The Vulcan ship fired upon us sir! Now they are hailing us!"

"Put it through, and assess damage!"

A noise could be heard, and Dixon's mangled and molested body appeared on the screen once again.

"You are not taking the most direct route out of the Asteroid field!" he boomed in an unnatural voice. "I will send you a route to your fighters. You will take that route or be destroyed." The transmission had ended.

"Peers..." Nack sighed. "Follow the route he.. it.. sends."

"Sir, we have casualties in Engineering." Kast reported. "Should I alert medical teams?"

"Aye," he said, turning to Grey. "It's your call, but you can go and help if you think that we have all we need here. Otherwise, I'd be more than happy to have you on the bridge." Having a female on the bridge did a lot to center the Ferengi. She had a job to do though, and he had confidence that she knew her position well enough that he wouldn't need to make the call.

"Park." Nack barked, causing his lobe to throb again. He immediately brought his fingers to his earlobe and gently massaged the tip as he spoke. "What will we do about Pote? After we rescue Dixon? I want a thought out answer this time."

He looked at Commander Trek, who did not take his gaze off of Park. He was tired of quick fixes. He needed something well thought out, viable, and not needing modification every five minutes. Admittedly, that would be near impossible on a twenty fourth century Starship.. yet, Acting Captain Nack wasn't the most reasonable Captain in Starfleet history either.

The dynamics were interesting on the USS Nevada in a way that they had never been before. It seemed like this mission was culminating to a point of no return, and Nack wanted to make it a success, not a failure.

[T'Brel Peers]

"Correcting course now," T'Brel said as he recieved the information from the Vulcan ship. It was obvious to everyone that the Brain was going to make it almost impossible for them to succeed. The process of removing Captain Dixon was going to be much more difficult if the Brain believed they were going to try.

"Commander, do you think we can get Captain Dixon to help us?" T'Brel said as brought the Nevada to an almost complete stop.

(Dantrek)

"We know that the captain is in there," T'brel said," maybe we can use that to our advantage. We also have to make sure that the Brain won't just destroy all of us if we attempt to remove the captain."

(All)

[Deleted]

"Commander, do you think we can get Captain Dixon to help us?" T'Brel said as brought the Nevada to an almost complete stop.

"Clarify, Commander," Dan said, intrigued by T'Brel's proposal.

"We know that the captain is in there," T'brel said," maybe we can use that to our advantage. We also have to make sure that the Brain won't just destroy all of us if we attempt to remove the captain."

"Indeed. The challenge here being that all communication to Captain Dixon will simultaneously recieved by the Brain. They are essentially a single being, though with two different neural centers."

Dan felt odd refering to Alex so formally, but he also wished the proper respect from the crew for his former Captain.

"Captain, I think I may have a plan," Dan said, recalling his previous experience with the Brain.

"Yes, Commander?" Nack asked, visibly relieved to here a suggestion from his First Officer.

"I've been in a similar situation to this before. The same way that the Brain has Captain Dixon held captive, the Raven, the ship as a whole, was in a similar situation when the Brain was first created. We reached a compromise by offering the Brain a viable substitute, in that case another ship. Perhaps something similar could be employed here. Granted, that would mean offering the Brain another humanoid in Captain Dixon's stead. And I wouldn't exactly order someone to fill that task."

[Jon Park]

"I don't understand, Lt. Park. Use the fighters to do what?" Lucy was plainly puzzled. But somewhere in the back of her mind an image was forming.

"Well Doctor we use a star fighter to move in between them and break the beam then we use a second fighter to tractor him back to us." Park looked at the doctor. "I suggest we use the older fighters we can fly the remotely so we don't have to risk anymore crew."

Dr. Grey nodded in acknowledge of his idea. "That could work. But I want to stress that there's no guarantee it will work. Right now, it's our best shot at separating the two."
Park thought about it "Well i think it will work."

"We have a few more thing to think about, and I am a bit ashamed at you, Park, for not taking your time and covering the possibilities." He looked up at the Lieutenant while administering a slight chastisement.

Park looked in shock at the Capitan "What do you mean sir?" Park saw the look in his eyes and steeped back knowing the Capitan was right. Ha has been a little fast to act and not to think. Moving back to his station. Park looked at his board just as the Vulcan ship fired on them

Park grabbed hold of his console and reported to the Capitan " No Damage sir the phasers were set on a low setting i think they wanted our attain." Park knew it wasn't an attack yet i was annoying him in a way he wanted to fire back.

[Deleted]

"Sir, we have casualties in Engineering." Kast reported. "Should I alert medical teams?"

"Aye," he said, turning to Grey. "It's your call, but you can go and help if you think that we have all we need here. Otherwise, I'd be more than happy to have you on the bridge."

Dr. Grey stood still. Her choice and she had a medical staff that had been doing excellent so far. Reports had been coming in to her on the medical screen of the secondary science console.

"I'll remain here, captain," she said quietly. And not because of Connor, either.

"Park." Nack barked. He brought his fingers to his earlobe and gently massaged the tip as he spoke. "What will we do about Pote? After we rescue Dixon? I want a thought out answer this time."

"Captain, I think I may have a plan," Dan said.

"Yes, Commander?" Nack asked.

"I've been in a similar situation to this before. The same way that the Brain has Captain Dixon held captive, the Raven, the ship as a whole, was in a similar situation when the Brain was first created. We reached a compromise by offering the Brain a viable substitute, in that case another ship. Perhaps something similar could be employed here. Granted, that would mean offering the Brain another humanoid in Captain Dixon's stead. And I wouldn't exactly order someone to fill that task."

"What ship, Commander? And what crewman? I can't sanction such an act, captain." Lucy was standing directly behind Captain Nack's chair now. Her brow was farrowed, her fists clenched. "We can do what Park suggested. Fly a ship between the ship and the beam. We reach in and grab Dixon quickly, before the brain can act. Then we can do the same thing for Pote. Meanwhile, the virus I'm modifying can be sent over to the torpedo while the brain is distracted."

<TAG Nack/anyone>

"The brain takes a nap and if we're lucky, it won't wake up for at least five hours."

<TAG>

[Deleted]

Nack listened to Commander Trek's proposal. He knew where the idea was going, and liked it more and more as it was spoken outwardly. The problem was who could they replace the Captain with... and Nack also wished to rescue Doctor Pote if possible. A plan was formulating when Lucy interrupted.

"We can do what Park suggested. Fly a ship between the ship and the beam. We reach in and grab Dixon quickly, before the brain can act. Then we can do the same thing for Pote. Meanwhile, the virus I'm modifying can be sent over to the torpedo while the brain is distracted."

Nack sighed. When Grey turned to address Commander Trek, Nack rolled his eyes behind her. This is exactly why the Doctor doesn't have a formal bridge position. Every time there is a chance someone could get hurt, they objected. As a counselor, she would just advise against dangerous situations. Now, as the Chief Medical Officer, she had the right to insist against it. She was already devising a new plan, and Nack's level of grief rose.

"The Vulcan ship is faster than ours, especially since we will have forty fighters auto-piloting behind us. I think you should stick to medicine, Doctor." His tone was not pleasant. The Ferengi was growing irritated as each minute passed. His crew was doing fine, for the most part, but his need for orderly execution grew as intensity of the situation grew.

"I think we can come up with a comprise. Hopefully you won't object." the Acting Captain said, knowing full well she probably would.

"How long until we exit the system?" he asked again. Commander Peers was probably tiring of the question by now, but the nervous Captain kept on asking anyway.

Commander Trek knew where Nack was going, and he was in total agreement by the look in his eyes. "For now, let's just focus on getting out of the asteroid field. We will go with the plan of replacing the Captain and Pote. We'll discuss tactics and how afterward.

Before Lucy cold object, he continued. "We will not harm anyone from the crew. I promise." Nack wasn't a barbarian after all.

He motioned for Park. "We should be in broadcast range of the Kaneda fighters. Get them powered up, and transfer all Starfleet-secret data off of them. If we are going to use them as a temporary ruse, I want to make sure there is nothing of importance to us on there.... just in case the Brain thwarts our efforts."

By now, Lucy Grey was left without task on the bridge, forcing Nack to remember her torpedo comment. "It couldn't hurt to add a virus. I do NOT want it to damage Doctor Pote..." he rethought his wording, "hurt him, that is." The whole conglomeration of man and machine was confusing to discuss. Make sure the virus doesn't enact until AFTER he is safely onboard.

[Jon Park]

"Understood Capitan." Park replied " I will start the power up sequence but to do it in the time we have left the master controls on the hanger deck would be faster." Tapping his combadge =/\= Park to Lt.Klino Report to the master controls on the hanger deck. Lt. Commander Thomas will meet you there and help you. Park Out." Turning to Thomas He nodded hand headed to turbolift.

Thomas was surprised that he was going to assist a Junior officer yet he agreed to follow orders and he would do it. Arriving at the master controls he found Lt. Klino waiting "Well sir what do we do first." Thomas looked at her "My understanding is the Lieutenant wants all the Kaneda class fighters ready for something. So lets get started."

After about 30 minutes park's combadge chirped Thomas to Lt. Park. Park tapped his combadge in kind =/\= "Park here. Go ahead Commander ." Sir the fighters are powered up and ready. " Thank you Commander have Lt.Klino head back to the brig and you report back up here." Park Out.

Park turned to his console and started to transfer the files to the fighters, By the time Thomas had returned to the bridge he was finished. "Capitan the files are transfered and the fighters are powered up and ready." Park had a plan of action but as a officer he waited for the Capitan to ask or give his own orders. Just as Park was about to switch with Thomas when he saw the subspace com channel lit up showing a incoming communique. Park scan it to see who it was for and found it was for him. He quickly checked who it was from and was taken aback. It was from him friend Jake Marcus. He sent the letter to his office computer as high priority knowing the computer would remind him if he went to his quarters and not his office.

Park moved and Thomas relived him. Thomas was the better pilot so if the plan was going to work he wanted Thomas on the controls. Park moved to the secondary control station witch was set up to control the weapons giving the larger station to control the fighters. Park turned to the Capitan " Waiting for your orders, Sir."

[Deleted]

Curious as to how Alex's bodily processes were now altered, Dan took the comparatively quiet moment to scan how much of a human was left.

Scanning both the merged life-form, and the ship environment, he found something interesting.

"Doctor, take a look at this," he said, getting Lucy's attention. When she came over, he continued. "Alex is breathing for himself, and yet is receiving nutrients from the Brain. It looks like the Brain is using him as its excretory system as well. It's an intriguing, though personally disturbing, arrangement that's been made."


OOC comment moved to the [OOC thread]. --- Commander Nack

[T'Brel Peers]

T"Brel continued to listen to the conversation between the command team and their chief medical officer. It was obvious to everyone that the Captain was annoyed by Doctor Grey's objections. He understood her reluctance, but he also knew that the Captain wouldn't put any member of his crew in any unnecessary danger.

"Sir, is it possible to mimic a subsitute for the brain?" T'Brel asked offering an idea," we could inform the Brian that someone has offered themselves in exchange for Doctor Pote and Captain Dixon. The Brain will discover our deception quickly, but it would allow us a way to save both men."

(Dan and Nack)

"I also suggest doing this sooner rather than later," T'Brel said," I doubt the brain will follow us out of this system. It is in control here, it will not give that up."

(All)

[Deleted]

"Doctor, take a look at this," Dantrek said, getting Lucy's attention. When she came over, he continued. "Alex is breathing for himself, and yet is receiving nutrients from the Brain. It looks like the Brain is using him as its excretory system as well. It's an intriguing, though personally disturbing, arrangement that's been made."

Dr. Grey peered over at the display and nodded. "It makes sense. I didn't visualize it until just now. Thank you for that image." It wasn't the excretory system that appalled Lucy, it was the idea of grown men merging in such a way. Twins in the womb do it all the time.

Another voice interrupted her train of thought.

"Sir, is it possible to mimic a subsitute for the brain?" T'Brel asked offering an idea," we could inform the Brian that someone has offered themselves in exchange for Doctor Pote and Captain Dixon. The Brain will discover our deception quickly, but it would allow us a way to save both men."

(Dan and Nack)

"I also suggest doing this sooner rather than later," T'Brel said," I doubt the brain will follow us out of this system. It is in control here, it will not give that up."

Turning to Captain Nack, Lucy said with a controlled voice, "If we were to offer two the brain would stop to think of it. But if I were the brain, I wouldn't exchange. And, Captain Nack, the virus I'm sending over will have a delay of 5 seconds before activation. Any more time than that would give the brain too much leeway."

Lucy took a look around the bridge. She knew without being told that the captain was losing patience with her. She was too cautious; too much a doctor.

Back in med school she'd become friends with Morgan Kadar, a half Klingon woman. Morgan wasn't so... so... afraid of... life. Morgan would have charged ahead and if they lost one or two people in order to save 20, it was just one of the hazards of Starfleet life.

But Lucy was always holding back. It was time for that to change. Her career in Starfleet could come to a screeching halt if she didn't become more flexible.

"No more protests, captain. Whatever you decide, I'm up for it."

<Tag Everyone>

[Jon Park]

Park was watching the power levels of the Brain from the secondary tactical station and saw the power levels starting to rise unsure of what that meant he was afraid they would lose there shot if they didn't move fast.

"Capitan I don't mean to rush your decision, But power levels of the brain are starting to rise. What ever we are going to do i suggest we do it soon." Park continued to watch the power levels rise. Thinking to him self he checked a few sensor readings from when the brain destroyed the two fighters and found the power levels weren't a match so something else was happening .

Turning to Thomas Park asked. "How fast can you get two fighters to the brain and retrieve the target?" Thomas looked at his commanding officer. "Fast sir, Ranked 2nd in my academy class. Only person who beat me had a unfair advantage." As Park recalled his service record he knew who that was but he was not going to mention that person.

Turning back to the console Park was alarmed turning to the Capitan "Sir Power levels on the Brain have raised 40% in the last few minutes. I estimate 15 Minutes till we will be unable to get a fighter near them." He saw the doctor look at him in shock. Commander trek was also shocked however he knew something he was not going to tell anyone. ~Must be under orders.~ Park though.

[Deleted]

The USS Nevada made it's final turn to come out of the Asteroid Field. The Brain followed behind them. The Kaneda fighters were still a ways off still, but all powered up according to Lieutenant Park.

He winked at the Doctor, "I told you the Brain would keep its word." Nack was Ferengi, he knew a liar the moment they lied to him. It was as natural for him to pick out a lie as it was for someone to taste food, or smell a foul odor.

"Take us to the fighters, and turn us around into a non-defensive posture. We will do the trade from there."

Now was the time to enact his plan. First he made sure all the pieces were in place.

He turned to Park, "Are you SURE you took out all critical weapons systems in the fighters?" Nack asked. The tactical officer had not reported this fact though, the most crucial of the Ferengi Captain's orders.

He addressed the bridge crew. All of the senior officers were present. "We are about to give the Brain what he wants: More space, in return for our safety. NOBODY" he raised his voice unintentionally, and restated the word while lowering the volume, "nobody... will interfere here."

"Lieutenant Park, I need you to get the warhead with the virus ready. As soon as we get Dixon and Pote, you'll need to administer our surprise."

Before anyone could ask how we would get Pote and Dixon without the Brain knowing, Nack continued, "We will be replacing Dixon and Pote each with someone." Nack said, "It will take awhile before the Brain realizes the switch. Mr. Stephens has been working on a way to get through the Brain's Vulcan shields. We are ready?" Connor nodded.

The question now was, who was going to replace Pote and Dixon.

"Park," Nack addressed the Lieutenant. "Retrieve our pirate prisoners and prepare them in the main transporter room for transport. No questions please."

The sudden realization of what was about to happen fell upon everyone, and Nack put his hand up, silently asking everyone to not speak. "I will take full responsibility of this if it goes wrong... but we should be able to shut down the whole Brain-Vulcan ship and retrieve them." He looked at Commander Trek, who confirmed with a nod. "Commander Trek and Commander McLean will be in charge of that. They understand the nuances of the Brain."

"Doctor Grey, I need you to ready sickbay for Pote and Dixon. They are going to have serious neurological issues."

The plan was now clear to everyone. They would tell the Brain that they were giving it the Kaneda fighters in exchange for safe passage. During the transfer of control to the Vulcan ship, the torpedo would inconspicuously be sent with the viral warhead. Connor would enact his mechanism for getting through the shields, and the two pirates currently in the Nevada brig will replace Pote and Dixon, who will be beamed directly to sickbay. The Brain, in it's weakened state, will hopefully be overpowered. McLean and Trek will beam over if necessary to shut down its systems before it can take control of the fighters.

Everyone knew their part, and it was ready to start rolling. When the posturing of the ship was complete, Nack asked Kast to hail the Brain.

"We are ready to commence." Nack said. He turned to Kast. "Start transmitting autopilot codes to the Brain," he said. He motioned slightly with his finger for Park to fire the torpedo.

There was no turning back now. Either the plan worked, or it didn't. Either way, this was the ultimate stand the Nevada would make against the Vulcan ship.

[Jon Park]

"Are you SURE you took out all critical weapons systems in the fighters?"

"Yes, Sir i have done that." Park reported however he was shocked for he thought he had reported that to him. Lt.Commander Thomas looked back at him "Sir, Are you ok?" Thinking about it for a few monents "Yes Commander i am just confused. I'll Be ok."

After the Nevada was placed into it's non-defensive posture Nack ordered a new torpedo and the pirate's to be brought to the transporter room. Tapping his combadge park knew what his plan was.

=/\= Park to Lt. Klino. Please bring our guests to the Main transporter room and prep them for transport." Klino replied "Aye, Sir. They will be in the Main tramsporter room shortly."

As Park and Thomas worked on getting the torpedo ready. Park was starting to get an idea about what the captian had planed. After sometime he knew the everything was ready. Reporting this to the captian. Park also asked " Sir, Are we going to transport our guests over to the brain in exchange for Dixon and Pote."

<Tag Nack>

[Deleted]

|Bridge

"Doctor Grey, I need you to ready sickbay for Pote and Dixon. They are going to have serious neurological issues."

That's one way to get me off his bridge. Lucy tried not to smile. She reached over and touched Connor's arm fleetingly then made her way to the turbolift. He would never be hers, not really, but she liked him all the same.

|Sickbay

Dr. Grey had thought of a few moments to herself to gather some articles dealing with neuropathy. There was going to be some inflamation around the meninges. Antibotics were indicated even without seeing the problem first hand. But what else could she expect?

Instead, Nurse Devon met her at the door to her office just as Dr. Grey arrived there.

"Rumor has it that we're going to be receiving two men? What can I do?" Elric Devon asked. He was one of the best trauma technicians on the ship. An Haliian of outstanding promise, he labored through becoming an RN but didn't want to be a full medical physician.

Dr. Grey nodded as she sat down and pulled the computer monitor forward so he could see it.

"Yep. Prepare the ICU. Lay out antibotics." Lucy paused, thinking of what she might have to accomplish to bring two men back to life and back into themselves. "Alkysine and cortical analeptic. I think we will need to perform a motor cortex reconstruction. Everything I have here says so."

Devon had picked up a padd and was keying in the instructions as Lucy spoke. Now, he asked, "Surgery bay two? This could be done in the ICU behind a medical force field. That would be my suggestion."

TBC...

[Deleted]

"I will take full responsibility of this if it goes wrong... but we should be able to shut down the whole Brain-Vulcan ship and retrieve them." He looked at Commander Trek, who confirmed with a nod. "Commander Trek and Commander McLean will be in charge of that. They understand the nuances of the Brain."

Dan went over to the engineering console, and he and Scott began to put their heads together, both literally and figuratively, as they worked at their station.

"Sir, Are we going to transport our guests over to the brain in exchange for Dixon and Pote?" Park asked.

Dan looked over at the Captain. What part of "No questions, please" had been unclear. Interpreting the look in Nack's eye, Dan called over, "Mr. Park, you may recall that the Captain said "No questions please' when addressing you. I recommend you follow that, and simply carry out your orders. You will be given further instructions as needed."

That settled, Dan turned back to his own task. "Think we can modify your original idea for disarming the torpedo?" Scott asked in a low voice

"My thoughts exactly, Scott," Dan said, calling up the deflector protocols for the idea. "We'll have to widen the beam to encompass the entire ship, and in this case it doesn't to fully shut down the ship, just incapacitate for a little while. Just a few more tweaks...there."

Dan looked back from the console. "We're ready on our end, Captain."

[Deleted]

Nack nodded. "Red Alert" he said, initiating the loud alarm. Had it been a Ferengi ship, something so intrusively annoying as a loud noise would have never prevailed. Humans must be deaf, he figured. The damned thing was just so loud.

This was not the time to ponder human evolution, though, and the short sidetrack of the Ferengi's thoughts were immediately grounded by the sound of Connor Stephen's photon burst leaving the ship. Instantaneously the shields on the Vulcan ship glimmered.

"Sir, the ship is powering up weapons!" Kast yelled from the operations station.

"Send in our little virus," he said to Park.

"Kast, transport the pirates." The pirates only had another day or two before they would lose human form. It was fortunate that they were still in good enough shape to double as Pote and Dixon.

"Transporter engaged."

A few moments later a large jolt hit the ship. "The Vulcan ship has fired upon us!" It was a shame that the fighters would be of no use to them at this point. The starship they were fighting would obliterate them at first shot.

Commander Trek had already began to coordinate the disabling of the ship.

"Hold your fire, Park. We need to make sure the transporter retrieves Pote and Dixon."

A few moments later another jolt, and a communique from the transporter padd.

=/\= Sir, we have Dixon... but Pote didn't make it. =/\=

Nack intercepted the call from Kast. =/\= Can we try again? =/\= Nack said in tensed tone. This was all culminating to a point so quickly.

=/\= The last damage we received blew the phase compensator. We won't be able to do a transport again until it is fixed. =/\=

=/\= Send Dixon to sickbay, Captain Nack out. =/\=

He pointed to T'Brel. "Maneuver the ship behind the Vulcan's warp core." he said once Dan Trek announced the Vulcan's warp drive was offline. "They can't hit us easily there without causing a breach in their warp core.

It had appeared that the virus had worked, for part of the time. However, they had not retrieved Pote, only Captain Dixon.

This part of the plan was not a contingency that Nack had expected. He assumed that they would either have the two crew members, or not.

"Sir," Kast said.

"Speak." Nack said, frustrated with the decisions he had yet to make.

"We are being hailed by the Vulcan ship."

"Ignore it," He punched the console next to him, shaking the pain from his fist as it traveled up the knuckles to the metacarpals.

"Just focus on disabling that ship at all costs. Even if it means destroying it." Nack didn't care about his mission to retrieve it anymore. He just wanted to roam the galaxy once again without having to worry about sentient masses of goo attacking his ship.

[Jon Park]

"Aye, Sir Sending our surprise" Park responded as he tapped the commands in the console in front oh him. As the torpedo was fired Park studied his console and reported to the Capitan. " torpedo away, Sir. It has reached the target and the virus has been planted."

As they waited for the results the Vulcan Ship fired on them. Park started to fire back just as the Capitan ordered him to hold. Understanding why Park held up. As the transporter reported they had lost the ability to transport park knew they only had one Chance to save Pote. " Sir the fighters can get him. We can use one to retrieve Pote using there emergency transporters." Park shouted over the noise.

As the Capitan thought about his plan the Tactical station exploded from the attack shooting out at Lt.Commander Thomas. Park ducked and was missed by the flying debris. Tapping his combadge he want to check on Thomas. Seeing that it wasn't serious he told him to stay down.=/\= "Park to sickbay. Medical team to the bridge."

Turning to the Capitan he said "Sir i can have Lt. Klino fly a ship over there and get him we can use the transporters on board to beam him to sickbay. I will provide him with some cover fire so the Vulcan ship will be distracted. But we have to do it now Sir."

The Capitan knew Park was correct but with the fighters Shields down it would be subject to the Vulcan's attack. that was why he would fire on the ship but not hitting it unless he need to.

As park move for the medical team to remove Commander Thomas Park was ready for the next step. Moving to the tactical console pressing commands he fired a few shot to try and disable he ship. One ship hit the power center and the ship went dark. " Capitan the ship has been disabled we can now get pote."
Park reported.

[Deleted]

|Sickbay

Devon had picked up a padd and was keying in the instructions as Lucy spoke. Now, he asked, "Surgery bay two? This could be done in the ICU behind a medical force field. That would be my suggestion."

Lucy looked at him first with skepticism then with agreement. Why in the surgery theater when it wasn't needed? And the main idea was that the captain would be wanting to know how it was going. And then she would be able to put the surgery on screen...

Shaking her head, Dr. Grey said firmly, "Surgery two will be fine. Intercranial surgery isn't for the faint of heart."

A blipping sound caught Lucy's attention. She turned to the biobed in time to see Dr. Pote materialize. With the speed she could only utilize during a known crisis and with confident movements, Lucy set the waiting stasis field in place.

Dr. Pote was in a cryogenic stasis until she knew for sure what she needed to do to save his life.

=/\= Grey to Nack. We have Pote. =/\=

<Nack>

[Deleted]

After the report of Captain Dixon's safe rescue came in, and Nack finished dispensing orders, Dan stepped close to him.

"Captain, may I go down to Sickbay? I want to check on Alex," Dan requested, the concern for his old friend showing in his eyes.

Nack looked at his First Officer, then nodded. Dan quickly left.

As Dan arrived in Sickbay, it was clear that Alex arrived just ahead of him. Doctor Grey was very busy. Dan stepped within Grey's field of vision, as close as the containment fields would allow him, and she looked up at him and nodded in acknowledgment. "Commander," she said, then returned to her work.

"Please save him, Doctor. Consider that as much a personal request as anything else" he said to her, a twinge of pain surging through him as he looked at the transmogrified body of his former Captain.

[Deleted]

Sickbay, trauma unit

Pote was still in relatively good shape. He would need surgery to remove the images, thoughts, etc. from his memory and Lucy was certain the the neurologist would be able to perform that feat well enough.

What bothered her was when Captain Dixon was beamed in. His lower body from the lower quadrant was an mix of biological masses.

Dr. Grey was overseeing the reconstruction of Dr. Pote while she tried to reach Chief John Tobias in the transporter room. If her idea worked, they would have the original Dixon back... with a few minor modifications.

=/\= "Tobias here. What do you need, doctor?" =/\=

=/\= "Chief, can you adjust the duotronic transporter to separate molecules and isolate them into different beings?" =/\=

Lucy put her finger tip to her lower lip and tapped. Her eyes envisioned the chief looking at his console as she waited. By now her foot was tapping. They didn't have much time. Commander Dantrek was about to worry himself into a coma and then she'd have another patient. "Hurry up, hurry up," she thought, almost out loud.

<Chief Tobias>

[Jon Park]

"Chief, can you adjust the duotronic transporter to separate molecules and isolate them into different beings?"

As he heard the request Tobias's knew just what to do. " Yes, Doctor. Stand by." As he tapped controls he locked on to the DNA pattern of Captain Dixon that was on starfleet's transporter file. Since he was beamed in from the vulcan's ship. He found the tag in the system and Locked on to the "Body" in sickbay.

=/\= "Transpoter room to sickbay. Energizing" As he tapped the controls he knew down in sickbay the transporter beam was starting the separation process and after a few minutes he heard back.

"It worked Mr. Tobias. Beam the Other mass into Science lab two for analysis. Make sure it's in a level ten force Field. Sickbay out."
Tobias work the controls and beamed the mass into science two in a test container under a level twelve force Field after scanning the mass he felt the more powerful Field was necessary.

Contacting the Bridge he informed Lt.Commander Park of the mass in the lab. "Thank you Chief. Bridge out." Tobias wondered what to do next. He knew he was to stay in the transporter room since they were at red alert as he went and made sure the system was ready in case they needed it again soon.

[Deleted]

Lucky for Park, no fighters were lost in the risky rescue attempt. Nack had not sanctioned it, but since all had gone well, he let it go. He had to keep reminding himself that even though he was in charge, his crew were more than capable of handling their departments' decisions. He was simply the figurehead, the culmination point of all the expertise on the ship. He coordinated, with the help of Commander Trek, the combination of all the different fields of work being done.

The Vulcan ship had been disabled, and the science console showed their warp core was about to breach.

"Get us out of here T'Brel. That last blow we gave them did more damage than I expected." Nack said with almost a curiosity in his voice. The damage shouldn't have caused an overload, but with Commander Grey's virus... well, perhaps it weakened the ship.

With all the fighters collected back into the shuttle bay, Nack commanded the ship back to Starbase Assailant. He had good and bad news to report. Captain Dixon and Doctor Pote were rescued... but the Brain... the Brain would be destroyed.

Feeling safe now that they were a considerable distance from the Vulcan ship, Nack headed to sickbay. He did not wish to watch the Brain explode, and perhaps his chances of becoming a full Captain along with it.

Sickbay was teaming with individuals. Commander Grey was busy reconstructing molecular structures, problems that occurred both from the malfunctioning transporters, and from the Brain's bio-integration.

Nack, being a doctor himself, lent a hand to Doctor Grey, who was busy coordinating between the two men. "I'll take care of Pote" he said to Lucy, who was just about to leave Dixon to come back to help Pote. Dividing her time between the two was difficult, so Nack found no problem in helping.

"How are you feeling, Mr. Pote?" Nack asked to the barely conscious civilian. He was lethargic and his lower extremities contained biomatter that transformed his inner organs into a gelatinous goo.

He reached up toward Commander Nack, but Nack was determined to keep him still.

"Just hold st.."

A firm choke hold held Nack, while Pote sat up. The hold became tighter and tighter, and Nack's body was raised off the floor by the neck as he attempted to scream while kicking wildly. Thrown across the room, all in an instant, Pote turned to a silvery liquid, and escaped into the wall grates.

"Someone.... alert... security...." Nack said before passing out.

---

One Week Later
Starbase Assailant
Office of Strategic Operations

---

"... our special operations team caught up with the shape shifting pirate, you'd be happy to know." There was no relief in the Commodore's voice, though. "You're lack of attention to detail seriously compromises our Fleet. You are lucky nobody was killed. The fighter he stole would have gone for a large amount of latinum on the black market." He didn't have to tell the Ferengi, though, about the black market.

Nack had thought long and hard about that. Grabbing the shape shifting pirate, instead of Pote... what a disaster. It was Commander Park that did it though. Had Park just listened, it would have been OK. It was his ship, and he was responsible for the actions of everyone on it. Park would not be in trouble for this, but the Acting Captain would take it under advisement to perhaps change some of his command styles. For now, it was he who would take the blame.

"There is one more thing, Commander," the high ranking officer poked a finger into Nack's face, showing his disapproval. Nack sat through an hour and a half of being chastised for his inability to secure a simple neural gel-pack that started to think on its own. On top of that, two fighters were lost. Almost three.

"Our recovery team found the Vulcan wreckage. They were able to piece together the ship, in an attempt to better understand how the Brain integrated itself into the ship." He paused, causing the suspense to build. As a Ferengi, Nack's patience wouldn't hold out.

"And?"

"And... There is an escape pod missing."

"Are you sure it wasn't exploded in the blast?" It could have disintegrated.

"No, we would have found trace elements of the booster that projects it out of the pod shaft if that were the case. It seems, Mr. Nack, that a piece of your Brain got away." The lacking usage of his rank was a clear sign of disapproval.

Nack stood still in fear, not wanting to look at the superior officer. If it were true, this mission failed miserably. Not only did they destroy an object of scientific importance, but the hostile object still survived. That's what the evidence suggested, and Nack could not refute it.

"We will talk tomorrow about getting you some new fighters. This better not come back to bite us, Commander." he took a drink of the coffee that was on his desk, sitting back down as he did so. "Dismissed."