Mission 03: Unearthing a Frenzy

[Crystal Rose]

The marines, the security personnel, Crystal and Tonja had surrounded the area where the Romulans had based themselves. Apparently the Romulans had felt secure there as there was only minimal security surrounding the ruin. What little security there was very quickly felt to Tonja's computer wizardry and a couple of well placed phaser shots. The Olympia personnel surrounded the gully with the ruin at the bottom, the Romulan were out numbered and caught in the convergence of multiple phaser shots. The initial confrontation did not last long. Crystal was more angry than scared as she watched the synchronising timer count down the last few seconds. She was sure the fear would come later, she was an investigator not a fighter by inclination but when pushed she'd fight and the last several hours had pushed her a very long way.

She sighted on one of the Romulans and when the timer reached zero she and the others opened fire. When the last of the enemy outside the ruin was down the team swept down the slope leaving several well positioned guards behind. The security personnel and the marrines swarmed into the ruin doing an efficient room-by-room clearance. Crystal found herself swept along in the midst of this, the over-protective attitude would normally rackle but so much had happened all ready today and Crystal wasn't going to argue.

It seemed that the building had been pretty much cleared. Two marines kicked open the last door. Doctor Crane was inside, he was tied to a chair and had fairly obviously been beaten. One of the marines, a medic called Hassan (if Crystal's memory was still working) cut the doctor free and checked him over. Aside from being pretty much all black and blue the doctor was fine.

“I have never been so happy to see you Commander what took you so long”

Crystal knew that there was no way Doctor Crane could be as calm as he sounded, still if he was trying to make light of this she would do the same. "We ran into a bit of trouble on the way here," She said with a smile. No amount of improvised levity could fully cover her relief.

“We should keep going we have them on the run whatever is down here we can’t let them activate it Ma’am”

Crystal nodded slowly. "We don't know exactly what they have down here so we should be prepared for anything. I'll fill the ship in on what's happened so far." Peter Garrett had been rescued and transported straight to sickbay. That left three of the archaeology team unaccounted for. Crystal suspected that at least one was on the first Romulan ship, the others were probably on the surface but had been moved when some of the Romulans left this place.

Crystal contacted the ship and then Tonja burst into the room, speaking at high speed. "Slow down," Crystal said knowing that this must be both important and scientifically interesting to have got the half-bajoran so worked up.

Tonja visibly swallowed and started again. "I've just measured the beginning of a gradual energy build up. It seems centred about two kilometers from here and" here she paused and her face lit up "It seems to be emitting in the Tauri band."

That explained everything to Crystal but judging from the blank looks everyone else was giving her no one else understood the importance of this announcement, hardly a surprise. High-energy stellar physics wasn't exactly common knowledge.

"The tauri band is a very uncommon form of radiation emitted, so far, only from T-Tauri-type stars that have a very high content of heavy metals and trans-elemental materials. It's never been seen on a planet or been controlled in any meaningful way." She broke into a broad smile. "I think we know where we are going next." She looked around, the room had now filled up with most of the strike team. They headed off.

[David Tan]

"Captain the range to the Erkana is now 35,000 km and closing. The other Romulan vessel is holding position, both vessels still have shields raised and weapons charged."

The Captain remained silent, making brief eye contact with his Second Officer. David knew from Steven's expression that he wasn't going to move the Olympia. Playing 'chicken' wasn't a pass-time of the Captains, but then again, neither was running !

Tan double-checked the readiness of their defensive systems, ready to react if the need arose ..

Suddenly another alarm chirped ... Huebner glanced down at it.

"Captain the Erkana has a phaser lock on us !" he said, alarmed, but the warning ceased as quickly as it had appeared. Rechecking his console Huebner realized what was happening, "The Erkana has targeted the other Romulan vessel .. She has placed us right in their field of fire !"

"Helm .... Back us off .... Two hundred thousand meters." Tan said, and watched the view screen as the Olympia moved away from the Erkana, "If they're going to shoot it out I'd much prefer not to be an obstacle."

"Agreed." the Captain said, also watching the two Romulan vessels closely.

"If those two ......" David said, motioning toward the Romulan ships, "...... are going to be occupied. What are our chances of returning to orbit and picking up our people !"

"Bring us about Helm." the Captain said, "Take us back and let's retrieve our Officers."

"Aye Sir." said the duty Navigation Officer, and seconds later, the Olympia rotated on her axis and began moving back to the planet at full impulse ...

"Reverse angle on view screen. Any signs that our leaving the scene has been noticed ?" Tan said, watching the two ship's.

"Not yet." Huebner said, then frowned, "Wait ...... The Erkana has just scanned us and has begun to move in our direction .. She's being fired on .. Direct hit .. Their shields have suffered."

"Forget them for now." Smith said, leaning forward in his seat, "Get us back into orbit !" ..........

[Deleted]

SICKBAY- USS Olympia

Dr. Mike Hall had spent the last two hours watching the only patient in sickbay Danar sala. But his mind was not on her he was worrying about Dr. Crane. Mike could see firsthand in front of him the treatment the prisoners of these Romulans should expect to be given. Mike had noticed that Dr. Karen Reilly couldn’t be happier about Jacks abduction; she was basically writing his death certificate and moving into his office, she had been walking around as if she were heir apparent to the Chief Medical Officers job. Mike was beginning to get sleepy when a call came in about Peter Garret being transported to sickbay, Mike jumped up fully awake from the rush of adrenaline, if they found Peter Jack wouldn’t be far behind him.

Peter Garret shimmered into view on the bio-bed and Mike quickly checked his bio signs, Mike was immediately disheartened by the readout Peter Garret was in very bad shape. He had serious internal injuries most of his major organs had sustained damage, There was nothing Mike could do it was only a matter of time before Peter died, The most Mike could do was make him comfortable. Four minutes later the bio monitor let out a long beep and Peter Garret was gone, Mike pulled the sheet all the way up over his head and let out a deep breath, Mike hadn’t had much experience with losing people and this had already been a emotionally stressful day. Mike had heard the news that Jack Crane had been rescued by the away team on the planet but that was of small comfort now he tapped his comm. Badge and said.

=/\= Mike to Dr Crane. I regret to inform you that Peter Garret died from his injuries, there was nothing I could do =/\=

Mike Hall’s voice couldn’t hide the fact he was moments away from bursting into to tears.

Ganash 3

Dr. Jack Crane had been freed from the chair and was feeling better now that the marine medic had checked him over, no lasting damage that a dermal regenerator could not fix. Jack had listened to Commander Rose try to explain what Tonja had told her but to Jacks ears all he heard was scientific mumbo jumbo, all Jack knew was that they were on there way to stop the Romulans at whatever they were doing. Jack had walked about two hundred meters when a marine from the back of the pack tapped his shoulder and said.

“Dr Hall for you sir.”

He passed Jack the comm. Badge and Jack heard mikes voice say.

=/\= Mike to Dr Crane. I regret to inform you that Peter Garret died from his injuries, there was nothing I could do =/\=

Jack stopped in his tracks and had to take several deep breaths to regain his composure before answering.

=/\= I am sorry to hear that Mike, take the rest of the day off it sounds like you could use some rest, tell Janet to take over in fact make it an order from me, I will speak to you when I get back to the ship. Crane out. =/\=

Jack could hear Jack was in pain and made a mental note to make an appointment with the ships counsellor for him. Jack quickly caught up to Commander Rose and said.

=/\= Mr Garret just passed away Commander, I should have done more for him when I had the chance, Mike did the best he could it’s my fault I had the chance to save him but the Romulan had other ideas =/\=

<Tag Rose>

Jack was now more eager than ever to catch up with the Romulan who had tortured him and was responsible for Peter Garrets death, Jack may be ethically bound to not kill him but that oath didn’t stop the marines from shooting the self indulgent Romulan, and Jack wouldn’t lift a finger to stop them from taking out there anger at their dead comrade on the Romulan. The group continued towards the source of power in the ruins....

[Crystal Rose]

Aboard the IRW Erkana

Centurion Tanara was pretty much as scared as she had ever been. Commander Danath had arrived back on the bridge in a foul mood, his uniform was specked with flecks of red and green so he had been down with the prisoners again. Beyond that he hadn't said anything and Tarana valued her life too much to ask. She had a way out of here now and she didn't want to lose that.

Commander Danath ordered weapons charged and shields raised. The Erkana slowly approached the Federation ship. He hadn't told his crew what his plan was but Tarana was fairly sure that it did not bode well for his crew or for the Federation crew. She knew that the T'Vana was out there watching them and did not doubt that Commander Voreth had his own plans.

******************************************************

Aboard the IRW T'Vana

Commander Voreth had matched the Erkana's powering up, now though the other ship was moving to threaten the Olympia. If Danath started firing on the Federation ship then he would have all the evidence he needed to have him stripped of his command on the grounds of incompetence. Still it wouldn't do to have his ship damaged and he would regret it if Captain Smith's ship were destroyed. Conversely that would provide a very convincing argument in his favour... Also it would allow him adequate time to find what ever it was on the planet that had got Danath so worked up in the first place. he would wait to see what happened.

[David Tan]

"Not yet." Huebner said, then frowned, "Wait ...... The Erkana has just scanned us and has begun to move in our direction .. She's being fired on .. Direct hit .. Their shields have suffered."

"Forget them for now." Smith said, leaning forward in his seat, "Get us back into orbit !"

"They've ceased firing Captain. The Erkana has altered course. She's heading for us." Tan said.

"Sir ... Heubner said, a puzzled look forming, "You are needed in Main Engineering."

"Now ?" Smith said, "Ask them what the problem is."

"I can't Sir. We have a Comm problem." Joel said apologetically.

"David ... You have the Con. Get us into orbit and start getting our people back on board." Steven said entering the turbo-lift.

Stepping out on deck three, he walked straight into a crewman entering the lift ..

"Sorry Sir." the man said.

"No problem Crewman." Steven replied, then frowned, unable to remember the mans face, so began to turn back, "Excuse me crewm ......" was as far as he got with his inquiry, as the blade entered his side.

It passed easily through the abdominal oblique muscle just under his arm pit, traveling horizontally, it entered Smiths' right lung .. The attacker was skilled and strong. He held the Captain in a standing position while pushing the blade to the hilt .. The tip eased through the right atrium of Steven's heart, but only just, otherwise he would have bled to death there and then ...

Laying the Captain down on the deck, the man calmly wiped the blood from his blade and re-sheathed it. Stepping away a meter, he tapped his Comms badge ..

"Hteij !" ..........

[joelhuebner]

"No problem Crewman." Steven replied, then frowned, unable to remember the mans face, so began to turn back, "Excuse me crewm ......" was as far as he got with his inquiry, as the blade entered his side.

It passed easily through the abdominal oblique muscle just under his arm pit, traveling horizontally, it entered Smiths' right lung .. The attacker was skilled and strong. He held the Captain in a standing position while pushing the blade to the hilt .. The tip eased through the right atrium of Steven's heart, but only just, otherwise he would have bled to death there and then ...

Laying the Captain down on the deck, the man calmly wiped the blood from his blade and re-sheathed it. Stepping away a meter, he tapped his Comms badge ..

"Hteij !" ..........

The man finished his transmission and quickly grabbed the Captain's' Combadge, pining his own to the Captain's chest. The man suddenly changed shape, now looking exactly like the Captain he proceeded toward Engineering. As he turned to walk away, the Captain shimmered away in the glow of a transporter beam.

Now that the Captain had been removed he could proceed with his mission to protect the artifact and possibly end the Romulan interference as well. As for these outsiders, he didn't quite know what to do with them, but they did have the same technology as the other four invaders, so he suspected they would have to be dealt with as well. For now he was content to have his hostages, perhaps they would provide the leverage he needed to end the constant meddling of outsiders on his planet. Needing to act out his bluff, lest the crew notice he quickly proceeded toward engineering, found a hiding place and waited for about ten minutes...

After a short wait he checked his chronometer, it was the designated time. His plans had to be executed on a precise timetable now that he didn't have a way to communicate directly with the others. He quickly returned to the bridge of this outsider vessel.

Striding confidently he tried to make sense of the strange configuration of this ship. Not knowing exactly where to look he turned to Lt. Marcus at the helm and said, "lock all weapons on the enemy vessels and fire."

Huebner looked at Tan, and Tan nodded discreetly. Suddenly both Huebner and Tan reached under their consoles and drew hand phasers, both hit the "Captain" in the chest and he went down, morphing into a grotesque humanoid shape, with red splotchy skin and large canine teeth protruding from his lower jaw. Two small almost devil-like horns protruded from under green hair.

Huebner continued to cover the impostor and called for a security detachment to proceed to the bridge at once to secure the prisoner. After the team arrived Huebner turned to Tan and said, "Sir, Request permission to proceed to the Brig to interview the prisoner."

Tan nodded grimly to Huebner. Huebner had his third in command, the Vulcan Ensign Ravik take his place at Tactical and proceeded to the Brig with the Security team. After placing the prisoner into one of the cells he activated the Forcefield with it's highest setting, moved to his console and contacted sickbay.

"Huebner to Sickbay, I have an intruder locked in the brig and I need some assistance in reviving it from multiple stun blasts."

"Janet here Lieutenant, I will send one of my nurses to you straightaway!"

Huebner looked back to his console and prepped a dose of anestazine, just in case things went South, at least he would be able to subdue the prisoner again.

Now waiting on Medical, Huebner proceeded to follow up with locating the Captain. He tried to contact him on his combadge and quickly found out that whomever this intruder was he had claimed the Captain's badge for his own. The Computer was unable to locate the Captain's biosignature anywhere on board, which meant that this impostor had either killed or abducted the Captain. Huebner meant to find out, and his anger was growing by the second. Perhaps when medical arrived they might have some ideas about this strange creature's physiology, which would allow Huebner to "ensure" that the information he intended to acquire was in fact truthful.

While he had no true intentions of hurting this being he would use every resource available within Starfleet protocol to gain the information he desired.

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse...Huebner thought.

<Tag Anyone>

[David Tan]

OOC:

Joel, for reference, 'hteij' is Romulan for Transport. Thus the attacker beamed off the ship ...

Please note, as my idea involved no-one knowing 'who' stabbed the Captain, please check beforehand if you need clarification on any aspect of a post.

David.[/color]

IC:

Sat in the Command seat, David watched the Erkana begin to gain on them. He looked above the view screen ... 'Where the hell was the Captain' he thought, then casually tapped his Comm badge.

=^= Bridge to Captain =^= David said, but getting no reply, repeated the hail ..

=^= Bridge to Captain Smith =^=

Again no reply, so he contacted Engineering.

=^= Bridge to Engineering =^=

=^= Engineering =^=

=^= Has the Captain arrived to sort out the problem down there ? =^=

=^= We don't have a problem Bridge .. And no .. The Captain isn't here =^=

David was now worried ...

"Computer .. Current location of Captain Smith."

"Captain Smith is on deck three. Adjacent to Bridge turbo-lift. CAUTION Critical life-sign warning .. Captain Smith .. Initiating emergency transport to sick-bay."

"WHAT !" Tan shouted, leaping out of his seat, but realizing he was needed on the Bridge ... He contacted Sick-bay, but they literally had their hands full and told Tan so in no uncertain terms. He ordered them to update him as soon as they had any information.

That information took thirty five minutes to arrive, but it was good news ...

=^= Sick-bay to Bridge =^=

=^= Tan ! =^=

=^= The Captain had a punctured lung. The blade almost pierced his heart but he was lucky. We've patched him up but he's going to be weak for the next forty eight hours minimum =^=

=^= Keep me informed .. Tan out =^=

"Where the HELL is the attacker !" David said, frustrated, "I want him found ... NOW !!!" ..........

[joelhuebner]

"WHAT !" Tan shouted, leaping out of his seat, but realizing he was needed on the Bridge ... He contacted Sick-bay, but they literally had their hands full and told Tan so in no uncertain terms. He ordered them to update him as soon as they had any information.

Huebner wondered what all the yelling was about, when he suddenly realized with a start that he had fallen asleep. What a strange dream he had as well. Intruder abducting the Captain, red skin, green hair, horns... Where in the... Quickly shaking the spiders out of his head (not literally) he returned to some semblance of normalcy.

Not knowing exactly what was going on, but not wanting to look like an idiot in front of Tan, Huebner scrambled a Security team as he checked the records of the comm traffic. Realizing that the Captain was injured, like in his dream, Huebner Had his third in command, a Vulcan, Ensign Ravik, lead a party with a couple of young Science Officers to try and locate the intruder and/or how he gained access to the ship without tripping an intruder alert.

That information took thirty five minutes to arrive, but it was good news ...

=^= Sick-bay to Bridge =^=

=^= Tan ! =^=

=^= The Captain had a punctured lung. The blade almost pierced his heart but he was lucky. We've patched him up but he's going to be weak for the next forty eight hours minimum =^=

=^= Keep me informed .. Tan out =^=


"Where the HELL is the attacker !" David said, frustrated, "I want him found ... NOW !!!" ..........

Huebner replied, "I have already been working on that sir. At this point I am still unaware of how the intruder got aboard without setting off an intruder alert, but I am certain that the intruder is no longer on board. Transporter residue and the sensor logs indicate that the intruder beamed in from the Erkana and returned there. At this point I'm not entirely sure if this is some kind of rogue action or if this is something that was planned. I will continue to work establishing what happened..."

Huebner was suddenly interrupted by Chief Kelley, "Sir, I have located a residual trace of the remote invasion of the Olympia's computer system. Before I was able to expel them from the system, they had planted a bug in the sensor system to prevent an intruder alert from going off."

Huebner looked at Tan, "Well Sir, I guess that answers my question as to whether this was planned."

<Tag Tan>

[Deleted]

The fighting through the ancient structure was fierce the Romulans didn’t give an inch of ground without a hard fight, but the marines were performing amazingly not one of them had yet to be caught by Romulan fire. Commander Rose was right there with them ducking behind fallen pillars and firing when she got the chance. No matter how many Romulans fell from their fire they seemed to keep coming. Jack had been given a phaser rifle that he fired into the Romulans Jack was deeply saddened by the loss of life but they needed to get to the source of radiation. Jack was running to the next point of cover when he saw him, the Romulan who had interrogated him earlier he was carrying a case and ran into a corridor on the left of the wide corridor they were in, Jack pointed at a group of marines and yelled.

“Cover Me”

Jack ran as fast as he could firing towards the Romulans as he did a marine 2cnd lieutenant followed him as he ran into the corridor following the Romulan. Jacks heart was pounding as he ran as fast as he could. Jack did not have a plan and he was not sure if he was going to catch the smug Romulan but he was sure going to try. Jack pulled out his tricorder and scanned for life signs up ahead as he ran he detected a romulan life sign fifty metres ahead in a small room on the left Jack ran for another thirty five metres before slowing to a fast paced walk. The marine caught up to him Jack recognised him as Matthew Haines Jack stopped walking and looked the marine in the eyes as he said.

“I want him alive set your phaser to stun.”

Matthew adjusted his phaser as did jack and they started walking slowly and quietly towards the room. As Jack peered around the corner Jack saw the Romulan on a computer console tapping away as quickly as he could, Jack stepped around the corner with his phaser rifle pointed at the Romulan. Jack’s face broke out in a smirk as he said loudly.

“Surprise”

The Romulan whipped around with a look of shock on his face, but before he could do anything Jack fired his phaser square in the chest he fell back on the console hard and lay out cold on the ground. Jack pointed at the Romulan as he said to the Marine.

“Restrain him”

Jack tapped his Comm badge and said.

=/\= Crane to Commander Rose I have captured the Romulan in charge down here please asvise. =/\=

<Tag Rose>

[Deleted]

Steve opened his eyes and blinked a few times. He was staring at a ceiling. He tried to sit up, but that movement was met with extreme pain in his chest. Instead, he rolled to the side and just by looking to his right, he realised he was in Sickbay. This movement also brought about pain, but on a lesser scale. On the table next to the biobed he was laying on, there was a padd. Steve picked it up and accessed it to find out why he was here and in such pain.

Apparently he had been stabbed and had a punctured lung. The instrument that was used to stab him had very nearly pierced his heart, so by all counts, Steve was very lucky to be alive. He once again tried to sit up, but much more slowly this time. As he got to a sitting position, we saw that his jacket had been removed and he had a bandage going right round his chest.

Steve sat still for a few moments, trying to gather his thoughts. He could not remember anything from within the last couple of hours. Being the officer that he is, Steve did not just want to sit in Sickbay while his ship needed him. He slowly shifted to the edge of the biobed and slid off. He picked up his jacket, which was covered in blood, and hung it over his shoulders and made his way towards the exit....that plan didn't get very far as a nurse that he recognised as Nurse Ami Williams saw him.

'Busted' He thought. 'Well at least I wasn't trying to sneak out of here, like last time.' That thought brought a smile to his face.

"Captain, what are you doing up? You should be resting." He nurse said as she hurried over to him.

"I can't just stay here, I need to get to the Bridge."

"Sir, I cannot allow that. You had a very nasty injury and you need to stay here." Williams countered.

"I do not have to stay here, nurse. Only the CMO can over-rule me and force me to stay here, ans you are not him, I am going." He added. At that last reply, Ami looked crestfallen and upset. Steve immediately regretted sounding so forceful.

"Look, I'm sorry." He said to her, genuinely. "I didn't mean to sound harsh, but I really do need to get back there. If it makes you feel better, I promise I will stay sat in my chair at all times, how does that sound?" He added with a grin.

"I would rather you not go at all sir, but like you say, I cannot stop you. Just make sure you don't do anything too strenuous. I want you back here at the first sign that you are in some pain."

"Got it." Steve replied, and then left. He waited for the Sickbay doors to close and started to walk fast up the corridor to the turbolift. This plan didn't go too well as he immediately had a sharp pain in his chest where he was trying to move too fast. He let out a VERY loud roar from the pain and then carried on moving....much slower this time, eventually getting into the lift. He stated 'Bridge' as hid destination and fell back against the wall.

As the doors to the Bridge opened, the entire bridge crew looked to him. "Reports or my demise has been greatly exaggerated." He simply said and moved towards the command area and over to David. "Whats been going on Commander?" He asked. "Oh, and care to tell me why I seem to have been stabbed and am now wearing a bloody jacket?.

[Crystal Rose]

/\= Mr Garret just passed away Commander, I should have done more for him when I had the chance, Mike did the best he could it’s my fault I had the chance to save him but the Romulan had other ideas =/\=

They away team was approaching the area of the ruin with the Tauri band radiation was soming from. When the Doctor's message came through. Crystal sighed deeply before responding. At the end of this mission she was going to suggest that Dr Crane seek counselling she tapped her comm badge. =/\=I am sorry to hear that Doctor, don't blame yourself you did what you could under very difficult circumstances=/\=

Crystal knew that this was good advise now if she could convince herself to take it. The Doctor probably wouldn't be the only one getting counselling when this mission was over.

The reached the new section of ruins and a fire-fight promptly began. Crystal felt oddly detached as she dodged behind rubble, sighted and fired shot after shot from the phaser rifle. She wasn't a brilliant shot but with care she was making sure she hit her targets. Maybe she should spend some more time on the phaser range, possibly after those counselling sessions... Crystal sighed silently and pressed the trigger again, another Romulan dropped. She and the rest of the away team slowly pressed forward. It had been bad day and this was as good a chance as any to vent.

=/\= Crane to Commander Rose I have captured the Romulan in charge down here please advise. =/\=

=/\=Good=/\= Crystal could think to say, She was going to suggest that he transport the Romulan up to the Olympia but she had all ready tried that and the ship had her shields up so that was out. Crystal pinched the bridge of her nose. =/\=Just tie him up and keep him unconscious for now. We need to have a word with him. I'll be over shortly.=/\=

"Tonja, you and Corporal Harris's group go investigate the energy signature" Both Tonja and the marine nodded in response to this order and headed off. Crystal plus a couple of security personnel headed towards the Doctor while the rest of the away team controlled the area with orders to report if anything happened. Crystal wondered what was going on on the Olympia it would have to be serious but she didn't want to interrupt right now.

[David Tan]

While Tan waited for news, he heard one of Heubners staff contact him.

"Sir, I have located a residual trace of the remote invasion of the Olympia's computer system. Before I was able to expel them from the system, they had planted a bug in the sensor system to prevent an intruder alert from going off."

Huebner looked at Tan, "Well Sir, I guess that answers my question as to whether this was planned."

"Damn !" Tan said, frustrated, "What about the attacker ?"

"There's signs of a beam-out from the location where the Captain was found ..... We've lost him Sir."

"Get us into orbit as quickly as possible Helm. Don't worry about making it pretty, I just want our people off that planet ASAP !" Tan said, hearing the turbo-lift doors open.

"Reports of my demise has been greatly exaggerated." the Captain said, moving tentatively toward the Second Officer, "Whats been going on Commander, and care to tell me why I seem to have been stabbed and am now wearing a bloody jacket ?"

David waited for Steven to take his seat, watching a slight grimace form on the Captains' face as he tried to minimize his discomfort, then brought him up to speed ...

"OK .. Well done Commander. Time to orbit ?"

"Four minutes Captain." the duty Navigation Officer said.

"Right .. Contact the Exec' and let her know we're almost there." Smith said pulling his hand away from his side and looking down at the blood that was again seeping through his bandaged side .. Tan saw it too and tapped his Comms badge.

=^= Bridge to Sic ...... =^=

"There's no need for the Doctor David." Smith interrupted, "I'll be fine for the moment. There will be plenty of time to patch me up once we've got the away-team and we're heading away from here."

Reluctantly, Tan closed the Comm, but watched the Captain for 'any' signs of stress ..........

[Deleted]

=/\=Just tie him up and keep him unconscious for now. We need to have a word with him. I'll be over shortly.=/\=
Jack Crane smiled as he heard the reply from Commander Rose he would enjoy being on the other side of an interrogation with this Romulan. The marine who had accompanied Jack had already tied up the Romulan in question and Jack was taking the liberty of going through his belongings, Jack had removed the personal transportor device from the Romulans arm just in case he awoke and figured out a way to escape.

Jack was sat talking to the Matthew Haines about his experience as a marine when the Romulan woke up and said.

“Release me or I will make you pay”

Matthew Haines raised his phaser rifle to stun the Romulan again when Jack said.

“No not yet I have some questions for him”

Haines lowered his phaser and jack Crane moved closer to the Romulan and said.

“You have two choices talk to me or talk to my Commanding officer and she will make your interrogation tactics look tame your Choice.”

The Romulan sneered and said.

“Ask your questions but they will do you no good.”

Jack smiled and stood up looking down at the Romulan and asked.

“First what is your name?”

“Sub-Commander Tomork.”

The Romulan replied with distaste. Jack was about to ask another question when Commander Rose and her security detachment entered the room, Jack walked up to her and said quietly so Tomork could not hear.

“His name is Sub-Commander Tomork, I gave him the impression you are ruthless, It may work to our advantage if we play good cop bad cop we may get more out of him but it is up to you.”

<Tag Rose>

[Crystal Rose]

Crystal arrived in the area of the ruins where the doctor and his captive were waiting. Dr Crane approached her. He spoke quietly,
“His name is Sub-Commander Tomork, I gave him the impression you are ruthless, It may work to our advantage if we play good cop bad cop we may get more out of him but it is up to you.”

Crystal raised one eyebrow in a distinctly Vulcan-like manner. Playing bad cop could be fun: bloodied and torn uniform, check (admittedly the blood was hers but it would add to the effect); large gun slung over her shoulder, check; angry look, most definitely check. She gave the Doctor a wink that the prisoner couldn't see and then spoke.

"I thought I gave orders for the prisoner to be kept unconscious," Her voice was harsh it was more of a bark than a command. It was very unlike Crystal's normal speaking voice. Doctor Crane swallowed and looked away, Crystal hoped he wasn't laughing at her. She made a brisk hand gesture and stepped forwards. "Never mind that now. I wanted to speak to him anyway." She looked at the bound Romulan a dark and feral smile twisting her lips.

"I can't say I'm happy about what's happened to my people and if you give me the slightest excuse I will take that out on you." She stared unblinkingly at the Romulan until he looked away. Crystal's not quite smile grew a little broader "And if I go a little too far I have a Doctor on hand ready to put you back together again so we can continue talking."

She stood staring down at the prisoner (only possible because he was sitting on the floor and she was standing). Crystal put her hands behind her back, aware that she still had a phaser rifle over her shoulder she stayed out of any possible reach even if he did manage to get free.

"Now, Tomork, tell me exactly what you are doing on Ganash III,"

Tag: Dr Crane, I'll leave you to play Tomork

[Deleted]

Watching Commander Rose intimidate Tomork Jack had to try his hardest not to laugh or smile.

"I can't say I'm happy about what's happened to my people and if you give me the slightest excuse I will take that out on you."

Jack looked away in mock horror as Tomork looked to him.

"And if I go a little too far I have a Doctor on hand ready to put you back together again so we can continue talking."

Jack looked to Commander Rose doing his best to look pleading at her.

“No please Commander it took me four hours to reconstruct that Bolians nose after you had finished with him you nearly killed him please not again.”

Commander Rose did a great job looking like she was just waiting for Tomork to say something stupid so she could hit him.

"Now, Tomork, tell me exactly what you are doing on Ganash III,"

Jack stepped in front of Commander Rose and looked down at Tomork and said.

“Please answer the question Tomork.” Bending down to appear he wanted only Tomork to hear the question Jack added quietly. “I can only stop her from attacking you if you give her what she wants she isn’t going to wait long.”

Jack stood up looking from Commander Rose to Tomork as Tomork let out a sigh and said.

“We are here to get the artefact before the Tal’shiar does with it we will take control of the Romulan senate and restore the Empire to it’s true glory.”

Jack looked at Commander Rose who was still staring with her best angry face and feral smile, Jack looked back down to Tomork and asked.

“Where are the other archaeologists? Are they alive?”

Commander Rose stepped forward as if to hit him and Jack put his arm in front of her and said.

“Commander he is answering our questions please restrain yourself.”

“Answer the question Tomork she won’t wait much longer.” Jack said with a sense of urgency he hoped didn’t sound fake.

Tomork looked at Commander rose with fear in his eyes and back to Jack who was now basically physically restraining Commander Rose who had caught on and doing her best acting of trying to get to someone she wanted to hurt badly.

“They are on our ship in the holding cells, they are alive for now if the caotain still feels they are useful they will stay that way, I won’t answer any more questions hit or kill me if you want I don’t care.”

Jack pulled out his small phaser set to heavy stun and fired square in Tomorks chest knocking him out for the next hour Jack turned to Commander Rose and said.

“Well done Commander you even had me scared, What should we do now Ma’am?”

<Tag Rose>

[joelhuebner]

Huebner was deep in thought pondering the attack on the Captain and wondering again how he could have let that happen. With little evidence to go on he really had no leads other than the attacker had transported to the Erkana.

=/\= Ravik to Huebner=/\=

=/\= Report, Ensign!=/\=

=/\= Sir, We have found no trace of the intruder or any other unauthorized presence on board=/\=

=/\= Great work Ensign, Thank you. I want you to take the remaining Security staff and break them into pairs or trios and have them patrol the entire ship. That includes all storage areas, Jeffries tubes and the like. I also want a team of four on the bridge on the double! Huebner out=/\=

Suddenly an incoming transmission from the surface came through.

=/\= Crane to Captain Smith=/\=

Captain Smith sat up as much as he could and replied, "Go ahead Doctor."

"Sir, we have discovered that the remaining scientists are alive and on board the Erkana. The crew of the Erkana were searching for some kind of artifact that would change the Romulan Political Structure. Apparently the T'Vana is a Tal'Shiar ship sent to investigate the disappearance of the Erkana as their mission is not sanctioned by the Romulan Senate. We haven't been able to discover exactly what this artifact does or how it works or even it's location."

"Thank you Doctor that is good news regarding the scientists. Continue to investigate this artifact and keep me apprised, Smith out."

Smith turned to the helm just as Jake Marcus said, "Sir, we have achieved orbit."

Suddenly alarms went off on Huebner's panel. "Captain, the T'Vana has inflicted serious damage to the Erkana. I'm not sure of the exact specs, but I'd say another hit or two and the Erkana will be just another piece of space dust! The Erkana's shields are down and estimates of hull integrity are about 25% of normal. Sir, I suggest that we beam a recovery team of Security personnel to the Erkana in an attempt to rescue the scientists and if the opportunity presents itself, the Romulans of the Erkana. Perhaps they would even aid us in this recovery, I mean they have played their hand and lost, not even an arrogant Romulan would die if the possibility of surviving arose."

"I could also fire a spread of torpedoes across the bow of the T'Vana to get their attention and possibly draw fire away from the Erkana, but I think we would want to transport the rescue team first so that I can raise shields before drawing fire from the T'Vana. If need presses we could try to position ourselves between the Erkana and the T'Vana so that I could drop shields on the side facing the Erkana to transport the rescue team out."
<Tag Smith>

[Crystal Rose]

“We are here to get the artefact before the Tal’shiar does with it we will take control of the Romulan senate and restore the Empire to it’s true glory.”
Crystal was impressed, the Doctor had good instincts, she would have to remember that for future use. However, this further complicated the situation. Part of her wanted to asked the Doctor how he had come up with that Bolian story of course since she was supposed to be a slightly psychotic and very ruthless hardcase she could ask.

“They are on our ship in the holding cells, they are alive for now if the captain still feels they are useful they will stay that way, I won’t answer any more questions hit or kill me if you want I don’t care.” That was good news, Crystal was careful not to let that dark smile flicker, she was supposed to be th sort of person who enjoyed doing this after all.
Jack pulled out his small phaser set to heavy stun and fired square in Tomorks chest knocking him out for the next hour Jack turned to Commander Rose and said.

“Well done Commander you even had me scared, What should we do now Ma’am?”


Crystal broke into a genuine smile and sighed letting all her tension drain away. "I wasn't sure I was going to be able to pull that off, but lets just say I've known some very scary people." Crystal looked back at the Romulan. "We can't send him back to the Olympia at the moment so we'll have to hang on to him"

=/\=Lieutenant Erikson to Commander Rose, We've reached the area where the energy signal is coming from however we can't pinpoint it's source=/\=

Crystal sighed as Tonja's voice came over the comm link. Seh had to make a decision, now.

"Okay then. Slap a transporter tag on Tomork there and see that he stays unconcious. We'll collect him later." The security officer Crystal had directed her words at did as instructed. The ke

=/\=Commander Rose to Olympia, we have confirmation that the rest of the arceology team are on the Romulan ship. Unfortunately I can't tell you which one.=/\=

Tag: someone on the ship

Crystal, Dr Crane and most of the rest of the away team made their way to where Tonja and her guard stood near some seemingly unremarkable rockformations.

[Deleted]

"Okay then. Slap a transporter tag on Tomork there and see that he stays unconcious. We'll collect him later."

The security officer did as he was instructed and placed the transporter tag on Tomork, Jack looked at Tomork with a mixture of anger and pity lokking at the security officer who had been assigned to make sure Tomork stayed incapacitated Jack said.

“Keep two eyes on him at all times.”

After he and Commander Rose conversed with the Olympia they had their orders to investigate the artefact, the group walking towards the source of the energy Jack turned to Commander Rose and asked.

“So Commander what made you want to join Starfleet?”

<Tag Rose>

Jack just wanted to talk about something other than Romulans and artefacts for a short while, his shoulder was killing him and he was fairly sure he had a broken rib where Tomork had hit him. Jack wasn’t happy about how his first mission was turning out he had lost two people, had been interrogated, and hit in the shoulder with a piece of shrapnel even worse was the fact that the shoulder was not healed properly and he still needed micro-surgery on it. Jack thought of Lieutenant Jg, Janet Reilly back on the ship writing up all of Jack’s mistakes laughing as she thought of taking his job. Jack started laughing harder than he had in a long time; He garnered strange looks from the team as he began to cry with laughter. A marine walking next to Jack asked

“What is so funny Doctor?”Jack looked at the marine and said through his laughing.

“I was thinking about Dr. Reilly back on the Olympia she is so mad that I got this position over her, she wants it so badly look at me I have dried blood all over my face questions will come from Starfleet about the deaths of two people damn it all she can have it.”
Jack stopped laughing as he thought about giving up CMO position for just another doctor right now the thought sounded great to him, He thought of the two dead people he still needed to do autopsies on and fill out their death certificates, and all happiness he felt moments ago drained away to be replaced with sadness and frustration.

[David Tan]

Reluctantly, Tan closed the Comm, but watched the Captain for 'any' signs of stress ...

The first signs didn't take long in manifesting themselves. As the Olympia approached the planet, the enemy vessels began to close the distance between them.

"Open a channel to Commander Rose." Smith ordered.

"Channel open Captain."

=^= Olympia to Away team =^=

=^= .......... =^=

=^= Olympia to Commander Rose =^= Steven said whan there was no reply.

"Are they receiving us ?" Tan queried.

"Yes Sir ... It's possible there is something preventing them replying." the Duty Comm Officer said.

"I want to spe ...... Speak to the awa ......" Steven began to falter, and David looked at his Captains' side ..

It was covered in blood. MUCH more blood than there should be !

" ...... Get hold of Commander Ro ......" was as far as Steven got, before falling forward and slumping to the floor unconscious.

David pounded his Comms badge instantly ..

=^= Sick-bay .. Medical emergency .. I'm beaming the Captain direct to you .. He's bleeding profusely from the wound in his side =^=

=^= We're ready .. But I think it wou ...... =^=

=^= DON'T THINK .. Just be ready to treat him .. OUT ! =^=

"Computer. Emergency site to site transport. Beam the Captain to Sick-bay." Tan shouted, and stood back as his friend and Commanding Officer vanished from the Bridge ..........

[Deleted]

USS-OLYMPIA SICKBAY

Captain Smith shimmered onto the main bio-bed Dr. Mike Hall had already contacted Dr. Reilly who was on her way, he had tried to tell the bridge that best course of action was to get Jack Crane back on board as he had the more surgical experience and training but the bridge had not let him finished his sentence and he and Dr. Reilly were on their own.

Dr. Hall ran to the captains side the captain had blood al down his side, more than there should have been, Mike scanned the wound with his tricorder and discovered that the dagger used to stab the captain was covered in an anti-coagulant, it was used to stop the blood clotting causing extreme bleeding. Mike was surprised that the captain had stayed awake and alert as long as he did.

Dr. Janet Reilly ran into sickbay out of breath, she approached the captain who was already being treated by Mike, he was covering the small wound with a compound that would simulate the platlets in the blood that would close the wound. Looking from Mike to the captain Janet asked.

“What’s his condition?”

Mike looked down at the captain the bleeding had been stopped and the wound closed but he suffered a loss of a large amount of blood replacing it would be easy but recovering from the shock to the system would require some time.

“He is going to have to remain sedated until he wakes up on his own I don’t want him pushing himself to hard and causing more damage.”

Mike knew that getting a captain to take it easy was near impossible, he knew the captain would no doubt be more than a little annoyed when he woke up captains like being sedated less than they liked taking it easy but he hoped Jack would be back by then and he would deal with the captains bad mood.

Janet Reilly tapped her comm.. badge.

“Dr Reilly to the bridge Captain Smith has been stabilised but he will stay sedated until further notice, he will wake up in his own time and before you try the only people who can override those orders are the Captain and Dr. Crane Sickbay out.”

[Crystal Rose]

So Commander what made you want to join Starfleet?”

Crystal grinned at that one, "I know it sounds cliché, but I joined Starfleet to see what's out here. I'm a scientist at heart, I want to see new things."

Crystal knew she looked a bit worse for wear but the Doctor looked worse, she didn't know how badly he had been hurt. She had thought about ordering him back to the ship but he seemed determined to see this through. She was very surprised when he suddenly burst into laughter.

“What is so funny Doctor?”Jack looked at the marine and said through his laughing.

“I was thinking about Dr. Reilly back on the Olympia she is so mad that I got this position over her, she wants it so badly look at me I have dried blood all over my face questions will come from Starfleet about the deaths of two people damn it all she can have it.”

Crystal raised an eyebrow in a vulcan-like manner, she clasped the doctors arm and looked squarely at him. "It wasn't your fault those people died. Try not to blame yourself." She wasn't going to tell him NOT to blame himself because she was doing exactly that herself. Crystal shrugged "Dr Reilly wouldn't be a good CMO." Crystal had seen the woman's record, while she was a good doctor, technically better that Jack she was not a leader she tended to plot instead.

Tag: Doctor Crane (if you want to say anything more

Crystal and Jack, and the marines and the security contingent closed in on the area where Tonja was waiting for them. The area was fairly empty, especially when compared with other areas in the ruins the floor and what was left of the walls was made of some yellowish stone. The centre of the room had sunk by nearly two meters.

Tonja looked up from her tricorder as they entered. "I still can't localise it," she sighed.

Crystal looked around and though "It seems as if the radiation is bouncing of the rocks making it hard to find the souce." Tonja agreed with this assessment.

Crystal knew she was tired and at the moment that was showing itself in an inability to think. That had to be some way to screen out or absorb the radiation long enough that they could locate the object. There had to be.....

[David Tan]

David watched the Captain disappear from the Bridge. He kept his eye's on the spot where Steven lay for less than a second. There was no need to have the Bridge crew worried, or more worried, he corrected himself ..

"Status !" he said, sitting in Crystal's seat, but knowing full well that he had just made the most basic of errors .. His Captain was incapable of Command at present, and he 'chose' not to take the center seat.

On the pretext of double-checking Helm, he stood up and glanced over the duty Navigation Officers' shoulder while she replied to his question.

"Entering orbit now Commander."

"Do we have a positive location for the away-team ?"

"A large percentage yes." the duty Tactical Officer replied, making Tan change his strategy ..

"Put us in a Geo-stationary orbit above their co-ordinates .." Tan said, sitting in the Command seat, and trying to look comfortable, " .. As soon as possible, I want Commander Rose and the away-team members with her, back on the Olympia. I'm getting a little sick of the runaround we're getting."

"Aye Sir ....." Ensign K'Len said from Helm, "Geo-Stationary orbit established."

"OK .. David said, scrutinizing the image on-screen, "Try to contact Commander Rose. If you get no reply, beam her, and everyone in a fifteen meter radius of her, onto the Olympia. We'll clean up the mess once the Exec' is back aboard."

Forty, long seconds later, the Tactical Officer spoke ..

"We have a positive lock on Commander Rose Sir. But there are six people within the confines of the fifteen meter radius."

David had to make a judgment call ...... His Commanding Officer could possibly be bleeding to death from a stab wound, his Executive Officer was away from the ship, and as Second Officer, David found himself in Command of the ship, with all the responsibilities and repercussions of that role .. He took a long moment to make his decision ...



"Energize !" ..........



< tag: Crystal / anyone >

[Deleted]

Crystal raised an eyebrow in a vulcan-like manner, she clasped the doctors arm and looked squarely at him. "It wasn't your fault those people died. Try not to blame yourself." She wasn't going to tell him NOT to blame himself because she was doing exactly that herself. Crystal shrugged "Dr Reilly wouldn't be a good CMO." Crystal had seen the woman's record, while she was a good doctor, technically better that Jack she was not a leader she tended to plot instead.

Jack Crane looked at Commander Rose for a moment before an eerie calm washed over his face; he straightened his shirt before saying.

“I apologise Commander, this is not the time or place for soul searching.” Jack said it with such emotional restraint it would have made a Vulcan look emotional by comparison.

Jack looked away from Commander Rose and in the direction of the path they were taking silently letting her know he didn’t want to talk about it anymore, they moved forward towards the source of the radiation. Entering the room Jack listned as Commander Rose and Tonja conversed about the radiation the converstion went over his head and he couldn’t keep up he stood there for about five minutes before a familiar blue shine engulfed him and he was standing in the transporter room of the USS Olympia.

Shocked Doctor Jack Crane looked around towards Commander Rose and said just as camly and restrained as before.

“You had better get to the bridge commander there must be trouble.”

Crystal Rose left and Jack looked back to the marines who were still stood on the transporter padd Jack saw Tomork passed out behind them pointing to him he said.

“Take him to the brig.”

Leaving the transporter room Jack made his way to sickbay he was in desperate need of treatment he didn’t say to Commander Rose but Jack could no longer lift his left arm more than a few centimetres without extreme pain. Entering sickbay Jack was greeted by Doctor Mike Hall who ran up to him and said in shock.

“Jack you look awful.”

Looking down at Mike Jack scowled before saying.

“It’s Dr. Or sir to you Mike, who is that on the main bio bed?”

Mike looked down hurt by Jacks verbal assault a twinge of guilt washed over Jack, Mike had already had dealt with a death today he did not need a grumpy superior dogging him.

“It is Captain Smith sir, he was stabbed and refused to stay in sickbay he returned to the bridge and suffered blood loss.”

Jack moved over to Smith’s side looking down at the medical readouts shaking his head in anger as he yelled.

“Who the hell let him leave?”

Mike jumped back as Jack began to lose the plot all sense of reason left jack as he struggled with the pain of his arm and internal injuries he looked down at Mike with absolute rage in his eyes.

“Nurse Williams could not stop him he just left and returned to the bridge he said the only person who could order him to stay was you.”

Jack stormed out of sickbay in search of the second officer who in Jack’s opinion should have sent the Captain back to sickbay earlier. Storming onto the bridge Jack spotted Commander Tan talking with Commander Rose walking up to him he said with a raised and angry voice.

“Why the hell did you let the Captain stay up here as long as you did he should have been taken to sickbay well before he was.”

Jack didn’t let Commander Tan get a word in before he continued his tirade
Although unnoticed by jack himself his breathing had become strained but he continued anyway.

“When the captain is injured and the Chief medical officer and Executive officer are not on ship it is your responsibility that he is safe you failed and now you expect me and my staff to clean up your mess.”

With that Jack began to feel lightheaded and he turned to Commander Rose and said in a slower more strained voice.

“And... You ...Should get yourself to sick...”

With that Jack reached out to her before collapsing on the deck with a thud his heart racing and his breathing irregular Jack looked up at the ceiling of the bridge he saw someone’s face come into view bent over checking his breathing and in that brief moment of delusion he could of swore it was his deceased wife Stacey. Jack eyes slowly rolled back and he passed out feeling the pain of his arm reaching new heights.

<Tag Bridge Officers>

[Crystal Rose]

Crystal thought she heard someone start to make a suggestion but before half the first word was out Ganash III has disappeared in a transporter haze. When the haze cleared Crystal was relieved to find herself back on the Olympia. Her first though was to ask someone exactly why she had been beamed up in when she was in the middle of something. She realised however that if someone had felt her presence was needed this much things must be pretty bad.


“You had better get to the bridge commander there must be trouble.” Doctor Crane said. Crystal nodded once and then headed for the bridge with all possible speed. When she go to the bridge she was surprised to see Commander Tan and not the Captain.

The look on David's face said it all. This was serious. "What's been happening".

He filled her in on the actions of the two Romulan ships and the attack on the Captain. Crystal's heart plummeted but she forgot that she was tired.

Doctor Crane charged back on to the bridge. He seemed angry

“Why the hell did you let the Captain stay up here as long as you did he should have been taken to sickbay well before he was.” He started, directing his words without pause at the SO.


“When the captain is injured and the Chief medical officer and Executive officer are not on ship it is your responsibility that he is safe you failed and now you expect me and my staff to clean up your mess.”

The Doctor turned to face her at that point, Crystal noted that his skin was very pale
“And... You ...Should get yourself to sick...”

With that Jack reached out to her before collapsing on the deck
Crystal knelt next to him, tapping her comm badge she did not know exactly what was wrong but to say he had had a bad day was an understatement =/\= Medical assistance needed on the bridge. Doctor Crane has collapsed.=/\=

The medical team arrived very quickly and swarmed around the fallen CMO. Crystal looked at David with a sense of helplessness forming in her heart. She was in charge of this ship, it was time she acted like it. Crystal squared her shoulders.

"I don't know about you, Commander, but I'm sick of being three steps behind. I say we take the initiative"

[Deleted]

OOC: posted in the view of NPCs
As the crewman rushed Doctor Jack Crane into sickbay Dr. Janet Reilly scrubbed up for surgery. She had seen the scans of Jack and was surprised he hadn’t collapsed earlier he had internal bleeding from the beating he had received care of Tomork.

“Laser scalpel.” Janet said seconds later Mike slapped in her hand the laser scalpel.

Cutting into Jack’s shoulder she saw the true extent of the damage the metal fragment had done, some of the nerves had been severed and other damaged badly. Janet turned to Mike and said.

“I can’t fix this I have never performed surgery this complex Crane is the expert surgeon on board.” Mike looked distraught as he racked his brain thinking of what they could do. Moments later he looked up in hope and said. “Computer activate emergency medical hologram.”

The EMH shimmered into existence standing still he said. “Please state the nature of the medical emergency.” Turning to look at the holographic doctor Mike Hall said. “This patient is in need of complex micro surgery and we are not trained to perform it.”

The holographic doctor looked impatient as he walked over and looked at Cranes arm and said. “This ship should have a doctor capable of this surgery where is he.” Mike looked angry and impatient as he retorted. “That is him just perform the surgery doctor we need Crane on his feet.”

Half an hour later the holographic doctor closed the incision in Jacks shoulder and held a hypospray to Jacks neck.