Mission 06: The Simple Things

[Deleted]

The USS Olympia had been undergoing a massive repair project since it had arrived back at the starbase. Every major system had been refitted and/or repaired, and the Olympia was finally back in a stable working condition....AND back in one piece.

Steve was walking around the hallways of the ship, informally keeping an eye on things. Due to the length of the repair work that was being undertaken, several of the crew had gotten restless and transferred off the ship, so things may take a little while to get the wheels back in motion again.

On his way back to his Ready Room, there was a call over the comm

=/\= Admiral Smith, you are receiving a recorded video message from Command, Priority One. =/\=

Tapping his commbadge to reply: =/\= Patch it through to my Ready Room, Smith out. =/\=

Upon entering his Ready Room, Steve approached his desk and activated the console to read the incoming message. The message was relatively short, and he had to read it a few times to make sure he wasn't missing anything.

'Ok', he thought. 'So why was that sent as a Priority One message?'

Shrugging to himself , he stood up and tapped his commbadge, opening a shipwide channel.

=/\= Rear Admiral Smith to all Senior Staff. Please meet me in the conference lounge in 30 minutes. Smith out. =/\=

"Finally....something to do." He said to himself.

[allistar]

A young Ensign bolted from one end of the science labs to the other. His golden blonde hair flowing as he moved along, and one of the Petty Officer's looked up from his project watching as their new Department Head went flying across the space. Papers flying from the tops of the tables as he headed for the door his hand over top his commbadge, "Petty Officer Gomez what do you mean there was a malfunction in Stellar Cartography?" He called out angerily. The door closed behind him as the Petty Officer watched and shrugged looking back down to the documents.

Seconds later Brandon was standing inside the turbolift, "Stellar Cartography!" He snapped angerily. Still holding his hand over the commbadge, "Petty Officer Gomez I am on my way..."

"Yes sir.."

Ensign Allistar heard the reply and contorted his face as the turbolift came to a halt. The man in the blue uniform peeled down the passageway nearly knocking several officers over in the process. Instantly he was inside the Stellar Cartography space. "Explain...!" Brandon ordered, he had recently recieved word that he was no longer just an officer on board the Olympia he was now the Science Chief Officer.

Gomez looked at the officer with his jaw agape and backed away from the system's console. The console was completely locked out. "It's locked out..."

Brandon smiled a little though it was crooked, "Computer lock out code Allistar Theta Two Two Bravo. Disable lock!" He said hearing the beep telling him that the computer had complied. "What happened PO3?" He asked.

"I was uploading some data from the previous mission when the system failed. I tried to recover it and it locked out on me."

"Please don't -"

=/\= Rear Admiral Smith to all Senior Staff. Please meet me in the conference lounge in 30 minutes. Smith out. =/\=

He heard the order and was cut off, "Let it happen again Mister Gomez."

"Understood sir."

Brandon relaxed as he left the Cartography room. He reentered the turbolift, "Conference Lounge." He felt the lift take off within moments he came to a halt and made his way to the lounge. He had never been inside there before so it was somewhat new to him. In fact he remained mainly in the labs rarely even entering the bridge. He was also the first officer to enter after the Rear Admiral.

He took this moment to take the PADD out of his uniform, "Here are my orders sir to take over as the Chief Science Officer, I'm not new to the ship just new to the position sir." He said and awaited further orders.

<Tag Smith/All>

[David Tan]

David made his way back to the Olympia.

It had been good seeing his old friend again. He and Carl rarely managed to be at the same base at the same time these days. He was pleased for Carl's promotion to Commodore too. 'If anyone deserved it it was him' he thought with a satisfied grin.

As he neared the Sergeant at Arms he glanced a young woman approaching the walkway.

"Is the Captain aboard Terry ?"

"Yes Sir ... But the Exec' is still on the base."

"OK." Tan said entering the ship.

He watched the young woman as she confidently handed over her papers. Terry was an old school 'grunt' who took his job seriously. David couldn't help smiling at times when the big man frightened the hell out of Crew and Officers alike during training exercises. He was about to speak to the woman when the Comm sprang to life ..

=^= Rear Admiral Smith to all Senior Staff .. Please meet me in the conference lounge in thirty minutes .. Smith out =^=

"Commander David Tan. Second Officer. Can I help you Ensign ?" he asked.

"No, thank you Commander." the woman said snapping to attention, "Ensign Malloy, The Sergeant told me where to go. I don't actually report for several hours, but I wanted to get aboard early."

"OK ...." Tan said grinning, "Just so you know, we don't come to attention round here unless ordered. I'll leave you to it, and welcome aboard Ensign."

Tan turned, leaving the woman to check her directions to the nearest turbo-lift. He needed to get into uniform before the meeting so headed for his quarters ..........

[Deleted]

Lorette smiled to herself as she walked towards her quarters. She was about to get her first taste of her new home. She too had heard the comm and her position made her one of the senior staff (off: I assume anyway). She moved quickly through the corridors and entered her quarters a short time later.

After setting the voice recognition for her quarters and changing into her duty uniform she grabbed the PADDs containing what information she had about the ship and crew and tucked them into her tunic before stepping from her quarters and heading for the meeting in the conference lounge.

(off: I assume she's part of the senior staff since she's CTSO)

[David Tan]

After taking a few moments to grab a shower, David put on a fresh uniform and headed out of his quarters.

Reaching the Observation Lounge he entered. He was a little surprised that he was apparently one of the first to arrive.

"Captain." he said, moving to the replicator.

"David, How was the shore leave ?"

"Quiet." he said, deciding not to mention the job offer, "Can I get you anything Sir ?"

Steven held up a half full cup to show he already had a beverage, then motioned toward the woman seated. David recognized her as the Officer boarding the ship when he was coming in.

"Ensign ....." he said.

"Milloy Commander. Lorette Milloy. I'd like a coffee, black please." David did the honors then took his seat.

"So ... We are finally getting out of here." he said, almost to himself as he sipped the hot coffee while sliding several PADD's toward Admiral Smith, "They are the final reports. All departments report ready to depart ... There was some concern about re-calibration being needed on the Secondary Sections' phaser array, but I think it can be done while we're en-route to erm, wherever." he said, grinning at Milloy, intentionally putting her on the spot early so she could settle in to addressing the Captain ..........



< tag : Smith / Milloy >

[Deleted]

Steve stood behind his chair in the Conference Lounge. There was no need to sit because it really didn't feel like a meeting to him. Part of him wondered what the point of the mission was, and was sure the rest of the crew would feel the same.

"Ensigns Milloy and Allistar, welcome to your first mission briefing as part of the senior staff. Give it a short while, and I am sure you get to know your way around here in no time at all!" Steve said, mainly to Lorette, who was new to the ship.

He glanced to the empty chair next to him that is usually reserved for the XO. "Commander Rose is still recovering from her ordeal of the last mission, so she will be returning to us as and when she is fit to do so."

Steve looked each of his officers in the eye, sensing they were wondering what was going to happen now.

"Right, down to business." He said, sighing...not too overly happy with their mission at hand. "Command have sent us our new orders, and it isn't anything too strenuous apparently. They want us to deliver some cargo to Poliant IV as soon as we are ready to leave. They feel that due to the extensive damage the Olympia recieved in its last mission and the amount of time it has been out of action, they cannot and will not risk sending us right back into the more 'exciting' missions just yet."

Steve had never been more embarrassed in his life. This is not the way he was hoping things would be.

"Any questions?"

[allistar]

"Ensigns Milloy and Allistar, welcome to your first mission briefing as part of the senior staff. Give it a short while, and I am sure you get to know your way around here in no time at all!"

Brandon smiled nodding, "Thank you sir." He replied and then shortly thereafter the mission briefing began. He was on board when they had all their difficulties with a part of the ship being hijacked. A cargo delivery was very simple.

"Questions?"

Brandon would speak first, "Sir, I am curious as to why they are using a warship to deliver some cargo...Couldn't a freighter do that?" He asked sitting back in his seat.

[Deleted]

Lorette nodded to Commander Tan as he entered but remained silent as the senior officers spoke. She took the Padd with her orders on it and placed it on the top of the pile before her.

Only after the Admiral spoke did she.

"Thank you Sir." as she spoke she passed him the PADD with her assignment on it. "Forgive me sir for not officially reporting in, the meeting was announced as I came on board."

She grew silent as she thought about the mission, if you can call a cargo run a mission. Growing silent as Ensign Allistar spoke her own thoughts as a question to the CO.

[David Tan]

"...... They feel that due to the extensive damage the Olympia received in its last mission, and the amount of time it has been out of action, they cannot and will not risk sending us right back into the more 'exciting' missions just yet." David could see that his friend was embarrassed at the role they had been assigned, but he was keeping his emotions in check with a wry smile, "Any questions ?"

The room was silent for a moment when the newly appointed Science Officer spoke.

"Sir ... I am curious as to why they are using a warship to deliver minor cargo ... Couldn't a freighter do that ?"

"Fair question." Steven replied, but Tan could see the Admiral didn't want to answer.

"Let's look at this as a 'shake-down' outing for the Olympia." David said, "We have several people injured and unfit to return to duty. The Olympia herself has undergone major refit time on all three sections. It will ensure that we are ready for a more involved outing once the ship receives an operational status rating. Not to mention it will give you newcomers time to better acquaint yourselves with this vessel."

"Thank you Sir." Ensign Allistar said, seemingly satisfied with the reply.

"OK, well if there are no more questions .... Duty stations in fifteen minutes .... Departure in twenty." the Admiral said. Everyone rose and began filing out but Steven held a hand up to Tan, who re-took his seat.

"You are aware Crystal is still recovering." he said and Tan nodded, "I'll need you to take on some of her duties until she can return to duty."

"No problem Sir." David said, "If there's nothing else I'll prep' for departure."

"Thanks David."

~~~~~~~~~~

Sitting on the Bridge, Tan checked each station was manned and ready. He had placed one of his staff at Ops as he was currently sat in the Command area with the Captain.

"Sir ... Dock master reports we are clear to depart Space dock. All umbilical's have been retracted. Engineering reports we are on internal power and the core is at optimum status." the Helm Officer reported.

"Port maneuvering thrusters ... Three second burst. Move us away from the dock." Tan ordered. Then watched closely as the massive ship slipped sideways, "Station-keeping."

The Helm Officer repeated every command as she executed it and the ship came to a halt.

"Rotate through one eighty degrees." Tan said. He never liked backing out of a dock, it just didn't seem right in his opinion, but also knew that rotation maneuvers while inside the dock were seriously frowned upon. With a cheeky grin, it didn't surprise David that the Admiral remained silent as he observed.

"Sir, the Dockma ......"

"Tell him 'Sorry' ..." Tan said, glancing at Smith, who seemed to have found something interesting to stare at on the far bulkhead, "Forward thrusters ... Take us out." he said sitting back for the first time.

The Prometheus Class Star ship passed through the enormous doors and out into open space. He allowed them to gain the appropriate distance before ordering Station-keeping once again.

"Departure complete Admiral." Tan said.

"Thank you Commander." Smith said, reaching for the ship-wide Comm ..........



< tag : Admiral / All >

[Crystal Rose]

Crystal had found that the rest of her 'shoreleave' had flown by things were changing fast on the Olympia but she felt she should be used to that now. V'Sel had accepted a promotion and new posting to the USS Feynman a pure research vessel. Crystal would be sorry to see her go but knew posting would be good for her Captain Sarah Holsen was very respected in her field and the Feynman had been a the forefront of several important discoveries in the last decade.

Jedda had finally left for the Academy, her time on the Olympia having accelerated her through. It wouldn't be long before Jedda was back out with the fleet.

Crystal was checking over the new transferees and swore to herself that she would leave Ensign Allistar to get on with the CScO job, the last thing a new section chief needed was a former chief leaning over their shoulder....

The Oly also had a new CSTO which boded well for whatever they were assigned to do next.

=/\= Rear Admiral Smith to all Senior Staff. Please meet me in the conference lounge in 30 minutes. Smith out. =/\=

Crystal bit her lip she hadn't been cleared for duty yet, it seemed the counselling services felt that the combined trauma of her last few missions was weighing heavily on her. Remembering a few weeks before when she had uncharacteristically snapped at Ensign Slater in the transporter room Crystal thought they might have a point. She had hoped to get cleared for duty before the Oly shipped out. Now though... If there was a staff meeting there was obviously a mission.

Crystal looked at herself in the mirror her skin was a touch paler than usual but she had put on a bit of muscle. It didn't seem right to be in civilian attire, she thought back to how odd she had thought the red uniform looked it seemed slightly strange that she wanted it back so badly.

Time ticked by to her appointment. She hoped that this would be her chance to get back to duty. She left her quarters with the spring slowly returning to her step.

[Deleted]

Lorette was settled aboard the Olympia and becoming accustomed to her new position. As Chief of her department she was afforded a spot on the bridge and this was where she found herself as the Olympia prepared for departure.

She stood at her station, her hands resting lightly on the console before her. her heart beat hard in her chest as the Commander order them to move away from the station.

Lorette couldn't help but smile at his orders to rotate the ship while still in space-dock. That was almost something she'd try.

As the CO reached for the comm she let out an inaudible sigh. They were finally underway.

[Deleted]

Steve opened up the shipwide comms

=/\= All hands, this is the Captain. We are now clear of the Starbase and will momentarily be jumping to warp to Poliant IV. The journey should take approximately 36 hours, which should give you enough time to iron out the kinks and make sure the Starbase engineers did a good job with the repair and refit. Smith out. =/\=

Steve then closed the comms off and sat back in his chair.

"Helm, lay in a course and engage at warp 8."

"Aye, sir."

Turning to David, he whispered in a voice inaudible to the rest of the Bridge: "So far, so good. Lets hope it stays that way."

[David Tan]

"Helm, lay in a course and engage at warp eight."

"Aye Sir."

Steven turned to David and whispered, "So far, so good. Lets hope it stays that way."

Tan nodded but he couldn't help wondering about Ensign Allistar's question ... He knew that ships, even the likes of the Olympia were sometimes given 'postal' runs as part of their shakedown after major re-fit. But this seemed different in some way ... Fair enough he couldn't put his finger on it, but that didn't mean there wasn't an 'it' to put his finger on he decided.

"I'm going to check up on the cargo Captain." he said, getting out of his seat.

"Anything wrong ?" the Admiral asked, a puzzled look forming.

"No, it's just that several of the crates were marked up as containing medical supplies. I just thought I'd make sure their integrity was intact. You know how the dock crew can be at times."

"OK." Smith said.

~~~~~~~~~~

Entering Cargo Bay Two, he took a PADD from it's holder next to the door and entered. The crates, all approximately two meter square containers were stacked neatly against the far bulk-head. Scanning the identification tag on each crate, the PADD gave him a manifest of contents. He found the three crates containing medical supplies, these were secured by official 'Federation Medical' seals, and were to remain untouched for the duration of the trip.

David placed his hand against the titanium outer casing. It felt cold to the touch. 'chilled ?' he thought. He turned to the Cargo Chief.

"Chief, has anyone touched these crate's since they came aboard ?"

"No Commander ... They were brought on by a private shipping company and placed where you see them. Is there a problem Sir ?"

"No ... No ..." David said, almost grinning at his constantly suspicious mind, "As long as everything is OK then no problems. We'll arrive at Polliant IV in less than two days so they will be out of our hair and we can get on with something a little more testing."

"Indeedy." the Irish Master Chief said with a shrug, taking the offered PADD from Tan.

~~~~~~~~~~

As he took his, well, the Exec's seat on the Bridge, Smith spoke.

"Everything good ?"

"Yes, you know me, I can find a problem in an empty room." Tan replied shrugging, "Any word come up on Commander Rose's status ?"

"She has had another meeting with the Councilor, I've spoken to T'fen and she seems confident Crystal will be able to return to duty soon. There's one or two things she would like to clear up, but ... We'll wait and see, why, are you itching to get out of that seat ?" Steven asked grinning.

David held up half a dozen PADD's ...

"Departmental reports." he said, waving them in front of his friend, "You never mentioned departmental reports."

Steven got up laughing, then turned as he headed for his ready room.

"I'll need those in an hour Commander." he said, a wry grin forming, "Oh, and you have the Bridge."

"Aye ..... Sir." David said, looking at the PADD's. He placed all but one on the Captains' seat then started to read the first ..........



< tag : All >

[David Tan]

Glancing at the Admiral as he entered his ready room, David sighed. 'Who would be Exec ?' he thought, glancing at the pile of PADD's.

Reading the first one, a report from tactical asking for time to re-align the targeting sensors .. Not a massive job, granted, but one that was going to take time and precision. 'OK first things first' he thought. Getting up he walked over to Lorette.

"Just read your report Ensign." he said, glancing at the tactical stations' readouts, "How long do you need for the targeting re-alignment ?"

< tag : Milloy >

"Good, well I will want to see a report in the next four hours. We should have had the alignment sorted before departure, but given you only reported aboard practically minutes before we left, the delay is in this case excusable. So let me have progress reports hourly OK."

"Yes Sir." Lorette said, turning to her console.

"Relax Ensign." David said with a grin, "Hardly a 'Courts Martial' offense."

Sitting back down he picked up the next PADD ... This one, thankfully, was reporting their status as 'Ready' ... Hoping the rest said the same, but hardly expecting it to be so, he picked up the next PADD and began to read ..........

[allistar]

=/\= All hands, this is the Captain. We are now clear of the Starbase and will momentarily be jumping to warp to Poliant IV. The journey should take approximately 36 hours, which should give you enough time to iron out the kinks and make sure the Starbase engineers did a good job with the repair and refit. Smith out. =/\=

Brandon acknowledged the comm call while standing inside his office. He walked outside into the passageway making his way to Science Lab Three where he halted once inside. "Ensign MacAllister, please proceed with a level three diagnostic of all science systems and the Stellar Cartography please consult with Mister Gomez."

"Yes sir."

With that happening he approached one of the lab stations where his previous project lay he had been surveying some minerals that had been found by a fellow scientist on board the U.S.S. Pasteur. The mineral samples had been transferred to the Olympia by request of Brandon who wanted to do further study upon them.

They were from a class L planet in the Sierra Sector, and they had a similar chemical makeup if someone were to combine sulfur, silicon, and mercury. They were a dark gray color with thin wispy appearing series of blue lines. The mineral of course still didn't have a name to it, but Brandon was given the task of doing further research then submitting his findings to Starfleet Science Headquarters. The samples were discovered by Lieutenant Commander Marko Hannolee. And, Brandon would quite possibly name the mineral after it's discoverer. The mineral itself was located within a double shielded box, and had a set of gloves for the Ensign to lift them. He was uncertain if they were toxic or not and desired to not take the chance.

Carefully he placed the magnifier over the sample and lifted it up, noticing quickly that there seemed to be a faint glow that motioned through the sample itself running along the wispy blue lines. Brandon sat back in his seat for a moment, "Computer scan objects in container seven two six alpha zeta omega." He heard a light beep telling him that the computer was running the scans. With that the young science officer leaned forward continuing to watch as the blue lights seemed to stream throughout the rock specimen. He continued with his examination until the computer began to speak...

The contents are made primarily of silicon and mercury with trace amounts of sulfur. The small blue lines are one hundred percent silicon while the remainder of the sample is ninety two percent mercury and eight percent sulfur. The blue portions contain organic material's of a silicon based lifeform. The silicon portions are slowly consuming the mercury leaving the sulfur behind.

Brandon was taken aback he sat back in his seat, "Computer deactivate oxygen flow to the containment chamber. Computer how long does this process take?"

The process takes approximately two hundred seventeen years and six months before the mercury is eaten away and the organic lifeform die off.

Brandon just couldn't believe what he was hearing, the specimen he was reviewing wasn't a rock sample it was a lifeform. He felt his hands trembling as he gently laid the sample down. "Computer how does the species...Mate?"

Inconclusive!

Oh lovely. Brandon thought before gently reaching up and touching his commbadge, "Ensign Brandon Allistar to Commander Tan, I have..." He cleared his throat, and paused. "I think I have discovered new -" His commbadge beeped loudly at him. The lights overhead flickered for a second. Then the alarm in science lab three sounded three short blasts. There was a containment leak, but where was it coming from. That was when he noticed the small tear in the gloves he was using. "Evacuate science lab three NOW!" He shouted, and watched as many personnel that were working ran out. He watched as the last of the crewman left. He looked at his hand there was a small line of blue along his left index finger. "Computer lock down science lab three authorization code allistar seven seven three!"

His commbadge was dead, but how. Then he remembered he pressed it with his left hand. This time he pulled it off noticing blue lines beginning to develop. Now there was nothing he could do, but cross his fingers.

Science Lab three containment complete Ensign.

Terrific as if my day couldn't get any better now I am stuck in a sealed room, hoping that I survive to see another day. He thought to himself cursing loudly as he sat in the center of the science lab...

.:.Bridge.:.

The science officer noticed the blinking lights at his console then seen that a containment leak had occured in one of the science labs. Before he could contact the lab the authorization code for a complete lockdown had been completed with Allistar's name on it. The young Ensign looked around horror struck. "Um, sir we have a containment leak and complete system lockdown in science lab three. Internal sensors in that room indicate trace amounts of silicon, mercury, and sulfur. And, the chief science officer is inside still I am detecting his biosigns inside the space."

(Tag Tan/Bridge/All)

[Deleted]

Lorette was busy working on re-aligning the targeting sensors, just as her report had said. It wasn't her fault they hadn't been finished at the time of departure. She looked up as Commander Tan approached and spoke to her.

"How long do you need for the targeting re-alignment ?"

She frowned and fidgeted a little. "Sir ... um ... it's going to take several hours Sir." She hated being under the gun. Lorette took a deep breath before continuing. "Yes Sir. I'm sorry for the delay Sir. It won't happen again." And it wouldn't now that she was on board. She would remain on top of her department and make sure things were ready for anything, at a moments notice.

"Good, well I will want to see a report in the next four hours. We should have had the alignment sorted before departure, but given you only reported aboard practically minutes before we left, the delay is in this case excusable. So let me have progress reports hourly OK."

She was practically falling over her words and fought panic. This was not how she envisioned her first assignment.

"Relax Ensign. Hardly a 'Courts Martial' offense." The Commander spoke once more before returning to the center seat and the PADDS.

Lorette swallowed and kicked herself mentally for having acted the way she had. Although she was angry at the department and those idiots who were supposed to have had everything prepared by departure.

She glanced at the Commander before turning back to her console and continuing with the realignment. Dummy, dummy, dummy you should have gotten on board sooner. She chided herself as she worked. She would not be caught with her pants down again. If it meant she spent double shifts making sure her department was ready, she'd do just that. It's not like she had friends to hang out with.

[David Tan]

"Relax Ensign. Hardly a 'Courts Martial' offense."

He watched her nervously turn back to her console then smiled. He knew she would settle into her new role.

He had just begun reading the next report when the Science Officer spun round.

"Um ... Sir ... We have a containment leak and complete system lock-down in science lab three. Internal sensors in that room indicate trace amounts of silicon, mercury, and sulfur. And, the chief science officer is inside, I'm detecting his bio-signs inside the space." Allstar said.

Tan jumped out of his seat.

"I'm going down there." he said, almost running to the turbo-lift, "Ensign you have the Bridge."

~~~~~~~~~~

Almost jumping from the lift David ran the length of the curved corridor until he reached the science labs, where he was unceremoniously halted be a Security Officer.

"Sorry Sir, we can't allow you access to the lab, it's on lock-down."

"Where are the Bio team ?" Tan said, looking over the man's shoulder.

"On their way Commander."

David tapped his Comm badge.

=^= Ensign Allstar .. Commander Tan .. Whats happening in there ? =^=

=^= Containment leak Commander =^=

=^= Any chance it could get into the ship ? =^=

=^= To be honest Commander .. I can't answer that at this point in time =^=

Tan double-tapped the Comm badge.

=^= Tan to Admiral Smith .. You are needed at science lab three immediately =^=

David waited for a reply ..........

[allistar]

Brandon was kicking himself at this point why had he not checked the gloves prior to accessing them. That was standard procedure, but somehow the officer seemed to have neglected that, and now these things that by this point had nearly covered his skin with thin navy blue lines. Suddenly his commbadge came to life it was Commander Tan. After a brief communication with him he felt a little better. Allistar was trying hard to not panic any worse because if he wasn't mistaken, but he was hearing voices.

He heard them arguing amongst themselves as to what to do, and Brandon was trying to get control over himself because now he was hungry for some mercury. He walked over to the edge of the replicator. "Computer replicate me...Thirty grams of mercury!" He ordered and watched the substance appear inside the replicator. Quickly he reached in this was a deadly substance and could very well kill him.

Drink it Brandon!

The strongest voice told him, and it was not him it was as if these creatures were speaking to him. He shrugged and leaned back, If this kills me... He thought to himself, "Bottom's up!" He said to himself and drank it all until it was gone feeling a strong pain in his stomach. But, before he could succumb to the pain it vanished as if the creatures had began to feed on it. His fingers felt a tingling sensation, and he felt satisfied. But, he refused to back down from the containment. They could affect the other crewmembers and he wouldn't and couldn't allow that. He blinked a few times something was in his eyes. He walked over to the panel seeing his reflection sure enough they had gotten into his eyes. Then he reached up and tapped his commbadge.

Commander David Tan Operations Officer on board...USS Olympia we know you can hear us. LET US OUT! The voice had a strange echo to it, and it clearly was not Brandon's but his own voice could be faintly heard. Brandon shook his head trying to focus through it. The creatures had began to leave his body and cover the floor they were reproducing at an alarming rate.

.:.Passageway outside Lab Three.:.

Lieutenant Commander Harlos led his biological hazard team straight to Commander Tan they were a group of three people counting the Commander himself. They looked at him, "Sir we are going to complete a location to location transport we cannot risk opening these doors."

<Tag David>

[Crystal Rose]

Crystal was getting seriously frustrated. As far as she was concerned her appointment had gone well. However, the counsellor had decided that he needed more time to make the decision on whether to return Crystal to duty. As he had left her aboard ship Crystal was hopeful that things would get sorted out soon. In the meantime she was on the holodeck getting her behind handed to her by a holographic version of her predecessor. Then again she had been in here an hour now and he didn't get tired and she had put the difficulty settings up a bit.

=/\= Commander Rose, this is Senior Counsellor H'zaz=/\=

Crystal was surprised when her comm badge bleeped but maintained enough composure to duck a strike to her head and then leg sweep her holographic opponent. He hit the mats rolling and came to his feet quickly.

"Computer pause programme" The computer complied and Crystal tapped the badge on the front of her work out clothes, she had been waiting for the call after all.

=/\= Commander Rose here, go ahead Counsellor =/\=

=/\= Commander, I have finished your assessment and you are hereby returned to full duty effective immediately. Details are being transmitted to you and your CO. Don't leave it so long between assessments in future=/\=

=/\=I won't Counsellor, Thank-you =/\= The relief was evident in Crystal's voice. She tapped her badge again ended the communication.

"Computer, save and end programme" A beep followed and Crystal found herself back in the gridded holodeck room. She picked up her towel from where it had fallen when the bench it was on had disappeared and then headed back to quarters.

Immediately was actually quite a kind time frame, her duty shift was due to start in 45 mins which was plenty of time to grab a shower and a snack and change into uniform to report to the captain.


44 minutes later Crystal was on the bridge pressing the doorchime for the ready room.
"Enter"

Crystal walked in and stood facing Admiral Smith. The new rank looked good on him she had to admit that.

"Commander First Class Crystal Rose reporting in as psychologically fit and cleared for duty" she said formally.

Tag: Smith

Crystal was about to add more, it was good to be back when the Admiral's comm badge chirped.


=^= Tan to Admiral Smith .. You are needed at science lab three immediately =^=

Crystal's eyebrows went up. Science lab 3 was biological, this sounded interesting. "Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked

Tag:

[Deleted]

Lorette stuttered as the Commander left the bridge, had she heard him right? Yeah right she thought. What was she supposed to do. She simply watched him leave the bridge and straightened up.

The information she'd been asked to acquire was busy being worked on by the computer and she really had nothing to do but sit there and hope that things continue to run like they were supposed to.

[Crystal Rose]

Crystal and Admiral Smith arrived at science lab 3 very promptly. Commander Tan and a trio of people in biohazard kit were waiting outside. Talking about a containment breach and having to site-to-site in. Crystal's ears perked up. This sounded interesting.

She addressed the party at large. "Do we know what has breached? Are all members of the staff accounted for?"

Tag: Tan / Harlos (Allistar) / Smith

[David Tan]

"Do we know what has breached ... Are all members of the staff accounted for ?" Commander Rose asked, arriving with the Admiral.

"We're not sure exactly what has got out." David said, looking at Allistar through the plexi-glass window, "Commander Harlos wants to move him from the lab, I'm not too sure ....."

"Why ?" Smith asked.

"Well he spoke to me ... Not Allistar, whatever has escaped that substance. It's somehow taken control of the Ensign, and has 'demanded' release !"

Both Crystal and Steven could now see that the Ensign had a far-away look in his eye's. Not quite watching them through the glass, more observing the room itself. Brandon was slowly turning through three hundred and sixty degrees.

"Have you tri ......" Smith began.

"Rear Admiral ... Steven Smith ... Commanding Officer Olympia ... LET US OUT !"

"Who are you ?" Smith said.

"Irrelevant ... We are ... Confined ... You must free us from ... This ... Vessel."

"Chatty bunch arn't they ..... Computer. Erect a level six force field around the lab." Tan ordered, raising his hand to Harlos, who seemed about to disagree, "If whatever got into Allistar can jump from person to person, it could have control of the ship in no time ..... What did it mean by 'vessel' could that be the body they have taken control of, or the ship herself ?" he asked Crystal.

"Either .... Both. We will need more information." she replied as she watched Brandon move toward the door, "Looks like they are fed-up with waiting."

Everyone turned to see 'Brandon' begin tapping random numbers into the door access panel.

"Well that should keep them occupied for the foreseeable future." Tan said almost shrugging, "Why not flood the lab with Anesthizine, secure the Ensign."

"We couldn't be certain the gas would incapacitate the organisms, they may simply wait for a conscious body to approach then jump to that one." Harlos said.

Everyone watched as the body of Brandon Allistar tapped number string after number string into the panel, obviously still unaware that even chancing across the correct sequence would not release the door while under bio-hazard protocols. Tan wondered if the entity would gleem that information from Brandon in due course, and when it did, what exactly would it's next move be ! ..........



< tag : All >

[allistar]

Brandon's conscience mind kept going in and out as he continued a struggled fight against whatever these creatures were. At this point they were trying to pick his mind a part and locate the code that he had put into place in order to prevent further contamination. The Ensign knew his body was standing before a console typing out different sequences trying to lower the forcefield. At least they had been unsuccessful so far, and the growth rate on his skin had ended the area was cold to the touch. It was as if they had permanantly clung to his skin, Brandon closed his eyes for a moment trying to fight them off...

"You must allow us the chance to escape, give us the code!" The large blue dots that surrounded his subconscience and clung to him demaded.

Brandon struggled, "No I will not let you in any further!"

"We already have taken over you entirely you will have to give up eventually."

Brandon fell to his knees continuing to struggle against the tide of effects that he was feeling. "ALLISTAR SEVEN SEVEN THREE!" His voice echoed loudly. "No..." He muttered as the contamination was disengaged. Brandon felt himself stand up and approach the now open door, however when they walked into the threshold the feeling of a forcefield stopped him.

David Tan let us out! The voice remarked inside David's head...

===========

Harlos watched as the door fell open luckily the forcefield stopped it from going any further. "Commander's that isn't good..." He said looking between them then back at the Admiral before turning to Allistar once more. "I will need to get in there we need to find some way to speak with them..."

[Crystal Rose]

The voice that was coming from the new science chief was disturbing. Crystal had never met him in person but this clearly wasn't right. "Commander's that isn't good..." Harlos said looking between them then back at the Admiral before turning to Allistar once more. "I will need to get in there we need to find some way to speak with them..."

Crystal paused thinking. There should be a method for letting them see what what was going on inside the biolab with breaching the containment. There should also be ways of communicating with whatever that was...

Crystal move over to a wall panel and started tapping buttons. "If the monitors haven't been removed I should be able to..." Crystal's words trailed off as a flickery image of the inside of the lab appeared on the display.

"Shall we see if we can clean this up a bit. There should be sound as well."

Tag: Allistar (what do we see?) / Harlos (Allistar)

Crystal enjoyed problem solving but not for these stakes, it was obvious that one or more of Ensign Allistar's mind, sanity and life were at stake. Still this situation was what currently had to be dealt with and the only way to move on was to deal with it.

Tag: All

[David Tan]

"If the monitors haven't been removed I should be able to ... OK ... Shall we see if we can clean this up a bit. There should be sound as well." Crystal said.

"He's not getting past the force field erected so once he calms down we'll discuss options." the Admiral said watching Rose work.

=^= Bridge to Commander Tan =^=

=^= Tan =^= David replied after tapping his Comm badge.

=^= Sir .. There are two ships approaching .. They say we are entering their region of space and are subject to search =^=

David looked at the Admiral.

"Go see who they are and what they want ... Get me up there if there's any problems." Smith said, and nodding David headed for the Bridge, with the distinct feeling that his Boss was hoping there would be problems.

~~~~~~~~~~

Entering the Bridge David took the Command seat.

"What's happening ?" he asked the Duty Bridge Officer.

"We have two ships on approach. They say we need to come to a stop and await their arrival pending search."

"On screen." David said ...

The ships didn't look like much, given the newness of the Olympia. but he'd learned long ago that looks can be deceiving. These things looked as if they could fall apart on the first evasive maneuver, but again looks belayed truth ..... The Olympia crossing a region of space Gopoi System en-route to Poliant Four .... The Gopoi were know for their jealous protection of their system and tended to be suspicious of anyone and everyone. Truth be known, the Federation had been traversing the system for years and were considered trusted. It didn't stop them from boarding a ship at random. 'Their way of keeping the upper hand' Tan thought.

"OK ... Drop from warp. Bring us to a full stop. Let's be ready to welcome our guests."

"Ship is at full stop Commander ... ETA of the Gopoi vessels, fifteen minutes. They're hardly rushing apparently." the Helm Officer said. He tapped his Comm badge and gave the Captain an update.

=^= You're sure you don't need me up there ? =^=

=^= Not at the moment Sir .. Sorry .. But the Gopoi will expect the Commanding Officer to escort them during the search =^=

=^= Keep me informed =^=

~~~~~~~~~~

As the Gopoi vessels closed, one came to a stop a thousand kilometers distant on the Olympia's port side. The other one passed the ship and came about. Slowing it finally came to a stop less than a thousand meters from Olympia's starboard side.

Tan knew better than to contact them directly, and sat waiting patiently for them to make the initial contact. He didn't have long to wait ...

=^= USS Olympia .. Registration NCC 750057 .. State destination and purpose of traverse =^=

=^= Destination Poliant Four .. Cargo of required supplies =^=

There was a long pause ..... Too long in Tan's mind. He didn't like it when people had to think about what to do next. It usually meant trouble in his experience. He looked at the Helm Officer.

"Contact the Admiral, get him up here."

"Aye Sir." the woman said tapping her Comm link.

=^= USS Olympia .. You are subject to search .. Drop shields and await arrival =^=

=^= We will send co-ordinates for transporter room one =^= Tan said nodding to the Officer at Operations.

=^= Received .. Transport will commence in ten minutes =^=

The Comm went dead. David sat back and waited for the Admiral to arrive, then thought better. Standing he headed for the turbo-lift.

"I'm going to the transporter room. Contact the Admiral and have him meet me there. Mitchell you have the Con." he finished as he stepped into the waiting 'lift ..........



< tag : Admiral / All >