Mission 2 : Lost in the Novae

[Deleted]

Savin stood motionless as Kavrin held on to his arm. He could've yanked himself free at any given moment, but resisted the desire to do so. At the moment, he also had to strongly resist the urge to hurt the security chief, though he couldn't fathom why. Like most Vulcans, Savin was a pascifist, preferring to solve situations without letting them escalate into argument, or even an armed conflict.

He listened patiently to the exchange between Ryat, Thalin and someone over the intercom, nodding on occasion as he understood what the person over the comm was referring to. He too, wasn't looking forward to the repercussions of the 'cure', but he was looking even less forward to Romulans boarding the Excalibur. He felt a strong sense of guilt, as he was keenly aware of the fact that he was to blame for guiding the Romulans to them, beyond what their strange weapon was already capable of.

"Captain, I suggest spacesuits for those that are still conscious," he remarked, not sure whether they were supposed to get rendered unconscious, to cure them of the effects. He wasn't looking forward to that either, but as he was clearly affected, I realised that he would not need a spacesuit. "I mean, those conscious that appear unaffected by whatever attacked us. Romulan though that weapon might be. Also, as I clearly am affected, I request to be left here, to be rendered unconscious as the gas is filtered through the ship's ventilation system."

The Vulcan met the captain's eyes squarely, guilt visible in his own eyes. "As for warding off the Romulans, I suggest setting traps to the access points of the ship as well as an automatic reroute to the transporters. I believe I may be able to set that up, so that everyone beaming aboard without prior authorisation, anywhere on this vessel, will be automatically picked up on sensors, and transported to the brig. I realise intraship transporting is dangerous, but it cannot be remedied. We must look after the health of this crew first, before we look to others."

He paused, looking away. "As for myself, I make a vow not to leave engineering, on the order of getting shot if I do try, until you change those orders yourself." Thelev seemed to be about to protest, but Savin silenced him. "Thelev, you remain here as well and double check anything I enter. I do not wish to make an error, because a Romulan may possess me somehow. While they clearly are very interesting, and I enjoy making a study of them, it is also, so that I may better assist protecting my fellow crewmembers against them. I do not appreciate being affected by any sort of device, and being used to their advantage."

Again he met the captain's eyes. "Contrary to what may have appeared so, I am Vulcan captain, genetically and psychologically. I am not a Romulan posing as Vulcan. If my claim is doubted, I am willing to undergo a full genetic scan and medical testing to prove that I am who I claim I am."

[Alyana Ryat]

"As for warding off the Romulans, I suggest setting traps to the access points of the ship as well as an automatic reroute to the transporters. I believe I may be able to set that up, so that everyone beaming aboard without prior authorisation, anywhere on this vessel, will be automatically picked up on sensors, and transported to the brig. I realise intraship transporting is dangerous, but it cannot be remedied. We must look after the health of this crew first, before we look to others."

"Agreed Mr Savin. You and Mr Thelev attend to the transporters." She allowed him the dignity of arranging things. Aly raised her voice somewhat to get through to the somewhat irate CSO who was pacing furiously and muttering to himself "COMMANDER LOS, Can you organise trapping all the access points to the ship. I'll send more crew members to you as they come around."

"Contrary to what may have appeared so, I am Vulcan captain, genetically and psychologically. I am not a Romulan posing as Vulcan. If my claim is doubted, I am willing to undergo a full genetic scan and medical testing to prove that I am who I claim I am."

Aly sighed inwardly but forced herself to remain calm. As far as she was aware (although she made a mental note to get a medical professional to confirm it) there were genetic differences between Vulcans and Romulans despite their shared heritage. "I believe sorting that out once and for all may well be to your advantage, Mr Savin."

A wave of nausea washed over her then and she found herself grateful that she hadn't gotten around to eating a meal recently. As suddenly as the wave had hit it passed. Aly looked around, quickly checking on everyone.

[Deleted]

Ignoring any guard that might be following him, Savin grabbed his toolbox, beckoned Thelev and ran out of engineering without looking back. There was no time to waste. If Los deemed it necessary to send guards after him, then by the time they would reach the transporter, and he needed assistance, he was going to press them into engineering service. If they were there, they might as well lend a hand and make themselves useful.

Savin snorted to himself, which made Thelev look up in surprise. "Sir?" he asked, antennae swaying.

The Vulcan halted, turning to stare at the Andorian. "What is it?" he asked, arching an eyebrow. "We are in a hurry Thelev, now is not the time to dawdle."

"You were snorting. Why? I've not seen or heard you do that before." Suspicion was in the eyes of the assistant chief engineer, and he was starting to keep a little distance.

"Understood," the Vulcan replied icily, noticing the Andorian's movements. "I do not bite Thelev, please. I may be a little...off, but I am not an impostor. I have already consented to full medical testing and other necessary evaluations. Romulans are just a...what was the Human term again?"

"Hobby?" Thelev supplied helpfully, relaxing a little.

"Yes that, a hobby. A fascination. Nothing more. This is the first time it has gotten me into trouble though. Now...transporters?"

"Ah yes." The two engineers entered the transporter room and knelt down. The guards who had indeed followed were put to work immediately. Both Savin and Thelev snapped of strings of language that neither guard understood, but knew it must be engineering talk. In under a minute, the transporter was taken apart.

Ten minutes later, it was reassembled. Savin flipped open his communicator. "Ryat, transporters are calibrated and ready. I will meet you on the bridge."

Thelev straightened, holding his phaser out. "No you don't. You misaligned one of the conduits, I fixed it just in time. Captain, the transporter will now redirect everyone to the brig, from wherever someone beams aboard. I have the chief engineer here, I'm keeping close guard on him. He miscalbrated ma'am."

Savin sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "We are on a deadline Thelev, mistakes do happen when rushed. Even to me. However, as you seem to be holding the weapon...brig, I take it, rather than bridge?"

Thelev smiled. "We're going to test the system. Step on to the pad." He beckoned a guard. "You, work the controls once he's on there. We'll know soon enough if it works. Captain prepare for a report."

The guard activated the controls and the Vulcan shimmered out of view. A report sounded from the brig that a slightly dissheveled Vulcan had arrived and had collapsed upon arrival. "He'll be fine," the guard reported, "just severely disoriented by the intraship transport."

Thelev lowered his weapon. "Too bad I had to do that to him, he'd never have tested it voluntarily. I'll apologise later, when all this is over. Captain, transport success!" He smiled ruefully. "Oh and captain, there was no major miscalibration. He did miscalibrate, but without my fix it would've worked anyway. It was just a matter of...coercing him to step on that pad to test his own handiwork."

[thalin]

The Andorian hunched over his control panel, lost in deep thought. This was a difficult circumstance for him, to say the very least. The results that he had been given were grim. There was what appeared to be a serious security breach of the ship’s computer. To make matters worse, it was not shown as a security breach. Instead, it would have seemed as though Romulan programming in the system was being accepted as though it were a portion of the normal command structure.

The dangers of a foreign program in the system were quite obvious. However, to have the computer actually being taken over by an enemy force was nearly unthinkable. Therefore, he knew not how to react. There was not the appropriate amount of time to notify the Commanding Officer of these alarming changes.

If one viewed the information system as a fluidic organism, one could see how quickly a pollutant dropped into that preverbal river could flow. However, it would seem that the pervasive ghost in the machine was only within this terminal for the moment. However, once it grew tentacles and starts to spread it would have been a far more dangerous organism in its own right.

Therefore, the Andorian reached over his head and clasped his two hands together in what would become a double axe-handle smash onto the console itself. There was hardly a more effective way to deal with such a problem, he thought quietly to himself.

And indeed, in a magnificent shower of sparks that lit up the room for a split second, that problem was duly corrected.

[Alyana Ryat]

Lieutenant James Henderson (Helm Officer)

James woke and stared at the ceiling, to his surprise he seemed to be in a cargo bay. The last thing he remembered he had been on the bridge. He got slowly to his feet, he felt nauseaous and his head span briefly. To his surprise his saw that the cargo bay was full of other members of the Excalibur crew, all of whom seemed to be barely concious. Glancing round, the nausea had passed, he saw a vulcan security officer watching proceeding. "What happened?" James asked.

Ensign T'Sen raised one eyebrow. "The Excalibur was attacked." Which with typical vulcan efficiency managed to say everything and nothing at the same time. James went to help Sira Hirake to her feet. Then the comm came to life.

"This is Captain Ryat speaking, I know that many of you probably do not feel too good at the moment but I need you all on alert. The Excalibur has been attacke by Romulans, we are at the moment preparing to repel boarders. Please report to your duty stations for further information."

That was a little more help, James and Sira had been on bridge duty when the attack had occurred and as a result that was where they were now heading. It made sense, at least as far as they were concerned; probably enough time had passed that neither of them were on shift anymore, but that didn't matter.

[Alyana Ryat]

Captain Alyana Ryat

"Ryat, transporters are calibrated and ready. I will meet you on the bridge." Aly was grateful to hear those words, the voice of the ex?-CEO sounded a little strained which was usual for a Vulcan but understandable given the circumstances.

"No you don't. You misaligned one of the conduits, I fixed it just in time. Captain, the transporter will now redirect everyone to the brig, from wherever someone beams aboard. I have the chief engineer here, I'm keeping close guard on him. He miscalbrated ma'am."

"We are on a deadline Thelev, mistakes do happen when rushed. Even to me. However, as you seem to be holding the weapon...brig, I take it, rather than bridge?"

Thelev smiled. "We're going to test the system. Step on to the pad." He beckoned a guard. "You, work the controls once he's on there. We'll know soon enough if it works. Captain prepare for a report."

The guard activated the controls and the Vulcan shimmered out of view. A report sounded from the brig that a slightly dissheveled Vulcan had arrived and had collapsed upon arrival. "He'll be fine," the guard reported, "just severely disoriented by the intraship transport."

"Too bad I had to do that to him, he'd never have tested it voluntarily. I'll apologise later, when all this is over. Captain, transport success!" He smiled ruefully. "Oh and captain, there was no major miscalibration. He did miscalibrate, but without my fix it would've worked anyway. It was just a matter of...coercing him to step on that pad to test his own handiwork."

Aly's eyebrows raised at that, she hadn't thought of the andorian as the deceptive type, but then again she did not know her crew as well as she wanted to."I'm just glad that the transporters are working as intended. Make sure that Mr Savin gets medically checked out. I don't need any more of this crew collapsing." She had heard to sickbay that the unconscious crew members they had there were recovering.

Tag:Thelev

"Let me know as soon as there's any change with the engines. We need to get out of here as possible."

Tag:

She flipped open a comm channel and made an announcement to her crew. "This is Captain Ryat speaking, I know that many of you probably do not feel too good at the moment but I need you all on alert. The Excalibur has been attacked by Romulans, we are at the moment preparing to repel boarders. Please report to your duty stations for further information."

Aly was intending to head back to the bridge she looked around for her second in command wanting him with her on the bridge. She turned just in time to see him smash his hands into the side of a console. A shower of sparks went up in response. The science officer dealt with the sparks in a manner that suggested that he had been expecting them. Aly didn't have a reflective surface handy but guessed that if her eyebrows went any higher her spots would disappear into her hairline. Then again when the universe ceased to surprise her, it would be the day that she resigned from starfleet.

"Did the percussive maintenance help?" Aly asked with a small wry smile, it was a wonder she could smile at the moment. "I want your help on the bridge."

Tag: Thalin

[Deleted]

Saryn reeled as he found himself suddenly in the brig, blinking against the bright light inside his cell. His sharp hearing picked up something about a dissheveled Vulcan, and realised the guard was referring to him. It was too bad he couldn't catch his reflection anywhere, though he had no doubt that he did look somewhat bedraggled. After all, he had just spent a while tinkering with the transporter systems; no doubt his uniform was stained and wrinkled.

Reaching up, he moved to flatten his hair again, then pulled out his communicator. "Thank you Thelev," he commented dryly, "I do believe that our project is indeed a success." The Vulcan paused. "Captain, am I cleared to return to my duties, or am I held indefinitely until my trial? I can still be of assistance, and you have my word that I will not step away from assigned security guards. You can order them to shoot me, if necessary."

So far, he believed, he had kept true to his already given word. He had not been a flight risk, and had worked diligently to avert further danger. "Or are you fearing that I may confront the Romulans, or that they might try to get at me instead?" He had no such fear, as it was illogical to do so. What he feared most, was never seeing his wife and son again. And he would do anything, and at any cost, to make sure he would see them again.

[Alyana Ryat]

"Captain, am I cleared to return to my duties, or am I held indefinitely until my trial? I can still be of assistance, and you have my word that I will not step away from assigned security guards. You can order them to shoot me, if necessary." That gave Aly pause for thought. When she next spoke through the three-way comm link her words were directed as the assistant chief.

"Mr Thelev, if you still want Mr Savin's help then I will authorise his temport release. Mr Los will arrange a security escort."

Tag:

When she reached the bridge Aly looked around, she through she remebered various stations sparking when the first energy wave came through but there didn't seem to be any lingering damage. Aly entered the necessary access codes and all around the bridge came to life again. A small not of tension let itself out of her spine.

It was now a matter of hoping that they could hold out long enough for the engines to be made functional again. If they could get out of the sensor scambling effect of the nebula she doubted the Romulans would follow. This was supposed to be neutral terriotory after all.

"Mr Jensen most direct course out of the nebula please. Mr Henderson engage with whatever the best speed she can manage is. I don't care if it's only thrusters."

The navigation and helm officers followed her orders. Aly watched the dust swirls start moving around them wondering if and when the attack would occur.

[thalin]

"Did the percussive maintenance help?" Aly asked with a small wry smile, it was a wonder she could smile at the moment. "I want your help on the bridge."

Thalin Zarath smirked a bit, joining into her wry smile, “Ah, so you caught me at it, eh? Are the credits for this machine coming out of my paycheck as well? He started to walk along side of her as he wished to follow her orders and thus accompany her on the bridge. Sighing once more to himself, he looked back and seemed to be quite drained from the experience.

“Fast thinking saved me there. I trust it is best to explain to you what happened, considering I did damage a portion of the ship to accomplished what I did.” He continued to walk along side of her as they approached the turbolift, “Are you sure this is a fairly decent method of transit? I trust the Jefferies Tubes would be safer, considering the…eh, right. It would just take too long.”

He paused for a moment before continuing with his previous conversation, “Well, you understand of course the method with which the computer uses to send data. This computer terminal was set to expand a viral artificial intelligence via direct processor interrupts throughout the entire system. I could not format the terminal in time, nor could I unravel the program’s opcode so that it wouldn’t…well, the term used in computer science is explode usually. Therefore, I had to wreck the terminal.”

Reaching forwards, he started to set the turbolift car’s panel for manual operation. As she might clearly understand, the reason for this was with the ship’s information technology core under such a security breach as it had been, it would be best to avoid anything that was under any degree of automation at all. Or at least that would be the thought process of a security minded Andorian.

[Deleted]

"He is the expert," the Andorian engineer replied, "and all this Romulan equipment was his, rather, is his. I've studied some of it but I can't make much of the designs. Though in all fairness, he did repair sensors with it, even if it caused the Romulans to find us."

Thelev's antennae swayed in anxiety as he studied the bits and pieces before him. "Sadly, he did also sabotage them again. But again, he..." He paused. "I apologise ma'am. Yes I need his assistance please. Have security escort him here when they're able to do so. Short range sensors show multiple readings, possibly if not likely hostile. We'll see in a minute if our handiwork indeed works. Our test-subject arrived just fine, if not slightly dizzy."

From his cell, and the still open comlink, Savin could hear every word. "I have already admitted to sabotage ensign," the Vulcan replied calmly, "even to threatening the chief of security and assaulting him. However I remind you that I too am affected by this weapon that attacked us. I have already acknowledged that a court martial will be held, to hold me responsible for what I have done. Regardless, I do not appreciate being used."

He paused as suddenly a very dissheveled Romulan appeared in the cell across from him. "A Romulan was just transported in," he reported calmly, "medical attention may be required."

As he was talking an entire group was transported in, all collapsing into a third cell. Then, suddenly two armed Romulans appeared alongside him in his own cell. "Captain, we have a situation," he finally reported, his eyes locking on the guard, who looked too stunned to respond. "I am in danger."

Sub-commander Lhaes tr'Lweiir had been fully prepared to beam over to the Federation starship, to seize her bridge and take her home as a prize of war. Disruptor raised, helmet jammed onto his head, he'd stepped up to the transporter pad, fully expecting to materialise on the starship bridge. Instead, he and his sub-lieutenant found themselves in a small cell, which was already occupied. Strangely enough, the man had a similar appearance to his own, albeit that he was dressed in a Starfleet uniform.

"Brother," tr'Lweiir started, clearly surprised, "how can you stand being among Humans." He presumed the man had been an infiltration specialist.

Deciding that playing along was possibly the safest option for now, Savin nodded. "It is rapture," he replied solemnly, "especially impersonating a Vulcan."

The Romulan nodded in agreement. "Report." he ordered.

Savin explained in detail (though leaving some key details out) what had happened, and how he was caught out. "I am relieved my modification allowed you to find me," he finished, deciding to use his own sabotage as a ruse. He knew the captain was still listening in, and prayed none would be used against him in his court martial. He was trying to save lives, not terminate them.

Apparently though, he had responded too calmly, remembering belatedly that a sub-commander was to be feared. He lowered his eyes, showing submission.

tr'Lweiir eyed the other prisoner, motioning to his lieutenant. "Seize him. He's our leverage."

Savin felt himself being seized by his arms. "Lieutenant!" he called to the guard outside, as he was pinned. It was no use to struggle, for he hadn't the strength. It had been hours since he had eaten, and to show he needed medication was to give them extra leverage. He tugged at the sub-lieutenant's hold, managing to have fury touch his eyes. "What is this, threatening one of your own? I have to keep up an appearance, that is not an easy feature."

The lieutenant suddenly sprang into motion. "Captain, we've a hostage situation. They've got the chief."

The Romulan seized Savin's communicator, while keeping his disruptor trained on the trapped Vulcan. "I have your spy captain. Release us and we'll return him to you, so that you can kill him. Keep us here, and you'll lose all your intelligence when we kill him. You have one hour to consider."

At that moment, Savin disappeared from the lieutenant's hold, and re-appeared just outside the cell. He tried to say something, then collapsed. "Captain, the chief has lost consciousness. I think all that beaming was too much for him."

(ryat)

[Deleted]

What had already been a long shift had been made even longer when every Human on board the Excalibur had collapsed. Due to be relieved from the Internal Security Room by Crewman Morris it soon became clear to him that that was never going to happen. Even now after several hours it seemed unlikely that he would get a break. True the gas had seemed to revive the human crew and it had eased the nausea that he had begun to feel but most of the crew complement was still not ready for duty.

He sat pensively trying to maintain a keen eye on the Internal Security monitors aware that should the Romulans choose to board as Captain Ryat had alerted them that he would be one of the first lines of defence, closing off bulkheads and rerouting turbolifts. He hoped they didn't.. security was stretched pretty thin. They were lucky that the Excalibur was a multi racical ship. Most starships in Starfleet were nearly all crewed by humans and those that weren't tended to be single species like the Vulcan only USS Intrepid. Upon leaving the Academy Gaev had been offered a junior posting on the Tellarite species ship the USS Urgok but he had opted to see more of the universe, that was after all why he had joined Starfleet.

Whilst he monitored internal security his direct superior Lieutenant Los was direct attempts to guard the Chief Engineer and repel boarders. He was beginning to wonder if he ought to contact the Security Chief and find out the latest status one of his boards lit up like a christmas tree. Multiple transports on to the ship. He hoped that Zaraths transporter plan and quickly employed internal sensors to check that there were no Romulans outside of the brig. It took only a few seconds to complete and confirmed that all but one party had been rerouted directly into the brig. He quickly tapped the console.

"Security to the bridge. We have intruders in the starboard Nacelle tube. Bussard Control. 3 romulans identified all other boarders are confirmed in the brig. Requesting orders"

TAG Captain Ryat

[Alyana Ryat]

Captain Alyana Ryat (Bridge)

"A Romulan was just transported in," Savin reported calmly, "medical attention may be required."
Aly signalled to Ensign Hirake who sent the necessary message down to sickbay. Nobody was quite sure how stable the internal comm network was so it was as well to have every message of importantance relayed through a central hub aned Sira Hirake was serving as that hub.

"Captain, we have a situation," he finally reported, his eyes locking on the guard, who looked too stunned to respond. "I am in danger." Aly looked across at the comms officer. Sira's eybrows shot up but she did not miss a beat.

Aly couldn't remember the name of the young crewman at the security station (not that he was young relative to Alyana but Ryat's perspective tended to make everyone look young) but he seemed quick enough on the internal scanners

"Two Romulan's were transported into Lietenant Savin's cell ma'am" Aly watched idly. It seemed like the transporter traps were working. "Transporting him out now."

"Medical and Security are on their way." Sira added. Aly nodded briskly then turned her attention back to the viewscreen and the drifting clouds of dust and gas.

"Captain, the chief has lost consciousness. I think all that beaming was too much for him." That was the voice of Lieutenant Carey one of the Tac Officers if Aly's memory was functional. "Medical are on their way Lieutenant. Have him escorted to sickbay." Aly pinched the bridge of her nose, "Given our current Brig occupancy it might be as well if he was confined to his quarters after sickbay releases him.

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

Petty Officer Second Class Laura Fernandez

Most of the rest of the medical staff were back on their feet now and mostly none the worse for their unconciousness, save the odd minor spell of dizziness. Laura was still working, there were a couple of people who'd had a bad reaction to the revive gas and as the ship was under attack they were expecting casulties to start coming in anytime soon.

Then the call came that medical were needed in the brig, Laura snatched up a medkit; she, Doctor Harris and Andreas Galakov were out of the doors in near record time. Of course, given the fact that the turbolifts weren't working properly yet, it did not speed their arrival at the Brig.

When they arrived the first thing Laura observed was that Lieutenant Savin was again unconcious on the floor. Flipping open her tricorder she went to tend to him while Alicia and Andreas were checking over their 'visitors'. The CEO's blood sugar was again too low. She dialled up a glucose injection and pressed the hypospray to this throat.

Tag: Savin

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

Captain Alyana Ryat (Bridge)

Although the Excalibur was moving very slowly she was moving, a fact Aly properly registered when they reached a slightly less dense patch of gas and Ensign Hirake was able to pick up their first message from Starfleet. She relayed it to Aly, apparently Commander Los was being recalled home. Aly didn't say anything but she recognised the name attached to the comm as one of the directors of the Symbiosis Commission. She hoped desperately that he wasn't in trouble although she didn't think it was likely. Of course, the message would be relayed as soon as possible.

Of course that meant she'd need a new CSO and the case against Mr Savin had become vastly more complicated. In the first instance Mr Mobren the aCSO was a very likely candidate although Aly didn't know him that well.

Just as she was pondering that the tellerite she was thinking of came on the comm. "Security to the bridge. We have intruders in the starboard Nacelle tube. Bussard Control. 3 romulans identified all other boarders are confirmed in the brig. Requesting orders"
"The remaining Romulans will be transported to the Brig directly." The security crewman gave her a nod indicating that that had been done. Could you and Commander Los report to the bridge. I have no doubt that the Romulans will be contacting us again shortly when they realise that things are not going the way they wanted."

Tag: Gaev Mobren

[Deleted]

"The remaining Romulans will be transported to the Brig directly." The security crewman gave her a nod indicating that that had been done. Could you and Commander Los report to the bridge. I have no doubt that the Romulans will be contacting us again shortly when they realise that things are not going the way they wanted."

"Understood" Gaev replied.

He keyed out his access and summoned a replacement to take his place at the internal security monitor T'sor, demur Vulcan quickly arrived and quietly took her station. Gaev had had little interaction with the crewman. He had been on board for over a year now serving under Captain Santos before Ryat. He had been promoted to Deputy Chief 6 months ago and that shift from one of the team to management had altered some of the relationships he had had with the crew. Those who once he had laughed and joked with, now fell silent on his approach and he could tell that suddenly they were watching their words. It wasnt that Gaev didnt understand he had done the same when Lieutenant Los was around it was just disappointing. He surmised that he should be trying with the senior staff trying to get to know them better. He expected half of them didnt know him better than...that Tellarite.

Smoothing his red shirt he decided he ought to make a certain amount of haste to the bridge. He joined Los at the turbolift. The two discussed the current situation during their brief journey upwards with Los highlighting the unusual actions of their engineer Savin who seemed to be a Romulan spy. Gaev couldn't quite believe that, he barely knew the Vulcan but found it odd, nevertheless he respected Kavins opinion and if the Lieutenant believed there was enough evidence then that was good enough for him.

The turbolift doors slid open and the pair of security officers entered the nerve centre of the ship. Kavrin went directly over to the other Trill, Captain Ryat and made a brief report that all Romulan boarding parties had been subdued and incarcerated. Gaev waited at alert at the rear of the bridge, watching as the rest of the staff went about their duties.

[Alyana Ryat]

Petty Officer Second Class Laura Fernandez

Laura watched as her patient came around. "how are you feeling?" she asked knowing full well that if he was well she was likely to get a raised eyebrow and an unemotional reply if not... well, then she got worried.

Tag: Savin

"If you feel up to it. The Security detail," she gestured over her shoulder and I will escort you back to engineering. You assistance is still needed. If you don't feel up to it then we are to escort you to your quarters until we get back to starbase."

Tag:

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

Captain Alyana Ryat

Aly had managed to get Commander Los on his own and explain the situation. He had sighed and fretted but there was nothing else that could be done. He had recommended his second in command for the position and had then left the bridge leaving Aly to break the new to Ensign Mobren.

Glancing at the view screen she was sure that the gas surrounding them was getting thinner. "Mr Mobren," Aly said, taking the Tellerite to one side. "Mr Los has been forced to return home therefore effective immediately, and I know it's not a good time for this to occur, You are the Excalibur's Chief of Security. Mr Los will be around only as long as it takes us to get back to Starbase.

Tag: Gaev Mobren

"Sir," Sira said from the comms station. Aly whirled round. "We're being hailed. It's the Romulans. Aly squared her shoulders and turned to face the view screen.

The face of the Romulan Commander appeared "Excalibur. Cease this game. Surrender now and I will spare your crew."

Aly smiled. "No. My crew are fine. We're heading back to base. I am sure both our superiors will be interested to hear that you fired on a Federation ship in neutral territory." Aly gestured behind he back and Sira cut the transmission.

"Any thoughts," Aly asked her new CSO as she finally settled into her chair.

Tag:

[Deleted]

"how are you feeling?" she asked knowing full well that if he was well she was likely to get a raised eyebrow and an unemotional reply if not... well, then she got worried.

Savin glanced up, wondering why he was lying on the floor. He sat up, feeling a little dizzy. Bracing himself against falling back, he took a minute to get his bearings, before answering the security officer's question. "Well enough," he answered slowly, "I am not too keen on transporters, for obvious reasons." He eyed the Romulans behind the forcefields, briefly wondering which act he was going to follow. Hopefully, he had the Romulans convinced he was an undercover spy - in order to save his own life and that of his crewmates - but still had Starfleet's faith, to some extend.

"If you feel up to it. The Security detail," she gestured over her shoulder, "and I will escort you back to engineering. You assistance is still needed. If you don't feel up to it then we are to escort you to your quarters until we get back to starbase."

Eyes still on the Romulans, Savin unsteadily rose to his feet, supported by one of the detail's officers. "If I am needed, then I have no time to return to my quarters," he answered calmly, "please escort me back to engineering. I already gave you my word I would not run. Provided my word still means something, in current situation."

The Romulan who had been transported into Savin's cell laughed bitterly. "He's a spy, can't you tell?" he sneered, "he'll do anything to keep himself on the right side of the forcefield, so that he can do our work." He spat on the floor in disgust. "His word means very little, and when we take him back to Romulus, we'll execute him, after lengthy interrogation."

(security)

"You trust him then?" the Romulan asked, clearly surprised, but discontempt still on his face. "Who's to say he won't sabotage your systems again? It was his handiwork that led us to you. Surely you know that."

(security)

"They know," Savin answered bleakly, "and I am already judged. A court martial awaits me when we return. I am only allowed on duty because I know this vessel. Notice their drawn phasers? One wrong move and they will shoot me. Since I have no desire to be shot as I have a family to be concerned about, I will do as they order me to do." He flipped open the communicator he had just taken from his guard. "Captain, I will return to engineering," he informed her, "I ... feel ... well enough to return to duty. I just need to find something to eat prior to doing so, and I need medication. Permission to go past sickbay first?"

(ally)

"Do you trust him captain?" the Romulan called, loud enough to be heard. "He'll just slip away. Medication he wants, drugs he needs to pass as a Vulcan." He was intent on condemning him further, knowing full well he was no Romulan at all. The lack of emotions in his responses could be practiced, but his drive could not. Yet...payback was owed, and payback would be given. This man caused his downfall, so he would pay. Dearly.

(ally)

However when the small group was halfway to sickbay, something suddenly dawned on the detained Vulcan. Without realisation of his guards, or even thinking to inform them of where he was going, he suddenly charged off, heading straight for sensor control. Except, instead of heading for the deflector controls, he ducked under the nearest console and started yanking out all the wiring. A puzzled look on his face, he then resorted to examining each and every wire in turn with a tricorder he found nearby.

Each wire that was examined, he carefully folded away, or re-attached it to where he knew it belonged. He never noticed security coming after him.

[Alyana Ryat]

Alyana Ryat
"Captain, I will return to engineering," he informed her, "I ... feel ... well enough to return to duty. I just need to find something to eat prior to doing so, and I need medication. Permission to go past sickbay first?" "Permission granted." Aly said formally, knowing that the security and medical escort would keep an eye on him.


"Do you trust him captain?" the Romulan called, loud enough to be heard. "He'll just slip away. Medication he wants, drugs he needs to pass as a Vulcan." Aly heard the prisoner's words and it took her a moment to realise who must be speaking over the open comm link.

She smiled. "It's not about trust at the moment. My ship needs his skills and I believe he will help us." Aly didn't believe that Savin had been acting from an unclouded mind during his earlier rampage, but they would need more information about the Romulan weapon to prove it. Maybe she was mad but she did trust her chief engineer prisoner though he currently was but that was certainly not an admission to make over an open comm.

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

Laura Fernandez
They were on their way to sickbay when suddenly her patient took off along the corridor. Laura and the security team followed quickly behind him and fortunately he hadn't run that far when they caught up with him. Of course non of them had the engineering know-how to know what he was doing but he had not done anything violent this time and Laura knew she had one chance to save her patient from another trip into unconsciousness.

"Lieutenant Savin" Laura called, her voice uncomfortably loud in her own ears, what had she done to deserve this shift... "I thought we were going to sickbay. Explain yourself."

Tag: Savin

[Deleted]

Lying on his back under the controls, Savin peered past the wiring. "Yes we are," he replied calmly, "but I have to finish this first." He held out his hand, asking for a certain tool, describing it when he noticed her puzzled look.

"I am not running nurse," he informed her, "I have nowhere to go. I will go to sickbay with you when I finish here. Now please, stand back, this is dangerous." He fixed his eyes on his work again, carefully continuing his rewiring of the controls. "I do not wish for you to get hurt."

The Vulcan hissed as he burned his fingers when one circuit shorted out, but quickly by-passed it and functions were restored. Swaying on his feet, he leaned on the console, swiftly tapping in a string of commands. All over the ship, the lights dimmed briefly before coming back on full. "I have reset the sensors, the Romulans should be visible now," he informed the nurse, "and phasers should be available, though regrettably not at full power. The deflector can be used now with limited ability, but at least it is functional."

He stood free of the console, allowing security to take him to sickbay. Once there, he lay down on a bed and watched in fascination as they fastened the restraints. He did not argue, nor comment on it. "Nurse, please inform the captain and the security chief of my adjustments. They should help repel more boarders."

[Alyana Ryat]

Laura Fernandez

Yes we are," he replied calmly, "but I have to finish this first." He held out his hand, asking for a certain tool, describing it when he noticed her puzzled look. "I'm supposed to be taking you to sickbay," Laura repeated, although she handed him the requested tool. "You're sick, you shouldn't be running around like this." Laura wasn't sure why she was arguing with a vulcan, it was as if she was going to win.

"I am not running nurse," he informed her, "I have nowhere to go. I will go to sickbay with you when I finish here. Now please, stand back, this is dangerous." He fixed his eyes on his work again, carefully continuing his rewiring of the controls. "I do not wish for you to get hurt." Laura's eyebrows went up at that comment and she stepped back,
"Please be careful", she added, not entirely sure that he was paying any attention to her at all.

The Vulcan hissed as he burned his fingers when one circuit shorted out, but quickly by-passed it and functions were restored. Swaying on his feet, he leaned on the console, swiftly tapping in a string of commands. All over the ship, the lights dimmed briefly before coming back on full. "I have reset the sensors, the Romulans should be visible now," he informed the nurse, "and phasers should be available, though regrettably not at full power. The deflector can be used now with limited ability, but at least it is functional."He stood free of the console, allowing security to take him to sickbay. Once there, he lay down on a bed and watched in fascination as they fastened the restraints. He did not argue, nor comment on it. "Nurse, please inform the captain and the security chief of my adjustments. They should help repel more boarders."

Laura did as he asked, once she had set the preliminary scan going.

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

Alyana Ryat

Aly received word that the phasers and sensors were back on line. She looked across at her new security chief and to Mr Jensen at tactical. "I'm sick of being stalked through this nebula. Get a lock on that Romulan ship gentlemen and disable her if at all possible."

Tag: Gaev Mobren

Aly wanted to get back to starbase 7 but then again she knew there would be a lot of difficult questions to answer and everything she had done on this mission would be examined with a fine toothed comb to borrow a human expression. Not to mention the courtmartial.... Despite everything that getting back would mean for her, more than anything at that moment, Aly simply wanted to get back with her ship and crew intact. She opened a comm down to engineering. "Mr Thelev. I could use some good news on our engines. How are things going down there?"

Tag: Thelev (Savin)

OOC: Nearly the end people...

[thalin]

“All of a sudden I can’t trust anyone to do this sort of work themselves!” thought Thalin, though it would seem he always had this sort of opinion when the rubber met the road. Shaking his head, he hunched himself over the panel. Of course, Thelev was going to work on the engines and he really did not need to work as to that respect. However, they were intended to be working together after all. He was, therefore, confused as to why communication had broken up.

Not to say he was truly angry, of course. However, Andorians certainly had a peculiar way of dealing with their emotions. They always seemed to be a bit manic as opposed to humans. Perhaps, therefore, it was ironic that this entire operation had come down to an event that surrounded a Vulcan; after all, Vulcans were renowned for their stoic nature.

Reaching down once more to the console, he started to flip several switches and examine the results. This had the effect of reminding him of the way in which he was once rendered wholly color blind by the breaking of his antenna and had to have a special display made for him. He was glad that those days were long in the past.

Regardless of whatever thoughts were scurrying about in his head, he focused back on his work and opened a communications channel in hope it would work out.

“Commander, I have a go. The warp drive plasma matrix seems to be working well, from my point of vantage up at the science console.”

[Alyana Ryat]

“Commander, I have a go. The warp drive plasma matrix seems to be working well, from my point of vantage up at the science console.”

That brought a proper smile to Aly's face for the first time since the Excalibur had been attack.

"Helm, notify engineering and then engage warp 1."

"Aye, Sir." The gas swirls on the view screen stretched out to star lines. "Sir, engineering reports we can got to warp 6."

"Increase speed to Warp 6 then Mr Henderson. Let's get home." Aly leaned back in her chair. The Excalibur was free, her ship and crew had survived and were on their way home.

OOC: by all means add another post here, new mission to start early next week. Please report in on mission briefing thread.

[Deleted]

Savin had returned to his quarters without further argument and was nearly bowled over by his cat. The black feline prowled around his legs, one second digging his claws in while the next he went to rub his head against his legs. Smiling slightly, Savin leaned over and scooped his pet up into his arms, holding the squirming cat to him.

He looked back over his shoulder at the guards, while patiently suffering the feline's claws on his hands and arms, shredding the sleeves of his uniform. "You may come in if you wish, there is no logic in remaining outside while you can get comfortable inside."

When neither guard responded, he shrugged and stepped inside, the door sliding shut behind him. Caelir still struggled wildly in his arms, so he released the feline, who agilely jumped back to the floor. Examining the clawmarks on his arms, the Vulcan pulled his shirt off and walked into his small bathroom. His own expression startled him a little, for it was a pale and drawn face that was staring back at him from the mirror. The eyes were dark and haunted; he didn't recognise himself at all.

After a brief shower and a change of dress, he lay down on his bed and closed his eyes. He felt a weight on his chest and a wet nose against his cheek, nudging him. "Not now," the Vulcan murmured sleepily, rubbing the cat's back softly. "Let me sleep."

He applied slight pressure to the feline's back, indicating for him to curl up. A shift in weight informed him that he did and he continued to stroke the cat's back until he drifted off into a deep sleep. He never felt the ship jump to warp.

[Deleted]

Location: Romulan Bird of Prey Geronex: Colonel's Quarters


Colonel Torel said "Enter", but didn't look up from the log entry he was reading on his display terminal. He barely heard the lieutenant take two steps into his quarters and come to attention. "Another one?" he asked.

"Yes sir" the lieutenant replied. "Communique from Romulan High Command."

Torel still didn't look up as he held out his hand. The lieutenant placed the small data chip into it and left the room. Only after the door had closed did the commander stop reading, instead glaring at the inoffensive looking piece of plastic.

With a bitter smile, Torel grasped the data chip in between his finger and thumb, aimed carefully, and lofted the chip across the room towards a metal can that rested on the deck about 5 feet away. The chip arched gracefully and disappeared into the can with a satisfying rattle that quickly died away. Torel nodded to himself. Eight chips in the bucket out of the thirteen that he had received. Not bad. Practice does make perfect. He had missed the first three throws, but only two of the last twelve.

He had stopped reading the chips after the first three. All thirteen messages were variations of the same theme. Find out why the commander of the Romulan ship Stanos had attacked a number of transports, attempted to board a Federation vessel and retrieve the Romulan prisoners that had been captured during the boarding attempt. There was particular emphasis on rescuing a Sub-Commander Lhaes tr Lweiir from the Federation. The Sub-Commander was the grandson of a Romulan Senator, and the Senator was quite anxious to have him back.

Torel sighed and returned to his monitor. He had ordered the Stanos to remain where it was in the nebula where it had encountered the Federation Starship. He wanted to personally speak with the ships commander, and if he decided to disobey a direct order and leave the nebula, he would be court martialed and executed without a second thought. It would be much easier to blame the commander if he were dead. Hard to defend yourself that way.

It was more important the he intercept the Federation vessel with the Romulan prisoners aboard. He had been reviewing the logs of the Stanos, which had been transmitted to Romulan High Command, and then transmitted to him. They had obviously been edited, either in the name of secrecy or to hide the involvement of some. Assuming the battle information was accurate, the Federation ship had been lucky to survive. However, of particular interest was the lack of direct information as to where the Stanos had received its' orders from, or if the ship had received orders at all. It seemed that the edits had been designed in order to be able to place blame on whatever scapegoat was available, and Torel was worried it was him. He was in charge of this section of space, had over a dozen ships under his command and the Stanos was one of them. If circumstances were right, he could be blamed for the actions of the Stanos. Torel had no doubt what his fate would be if that happened.

The colonel turned off his monitor and activated the comm. "Torel to bridge. What is ship status?"

His first officer, Major Cenvil replied "Sir, all systems are nominal. We have finally repaired that problem with our impulse engines and the experimental upgrades to our warp engines and cloaking device have been completed. Fuel tender has just finished topping up our fuel cells and the two squads of Romulan Marines and their equipment you requested have been transferred aboard."

"Excellent" said Torel. "Do we have any additional information on our target?"

The major paused for a moment, and Torel assumed that he was checking the latest updates from the cloaked probe that was presently in proximity to the Federation vessel. "Yes sir. The Constitution class ship is still showing as heavily damaged. It was barely making way on impulse, but it has just accelerated to warp 1. The probe is not warp capable and will not be able to scan the ship much longer. It has set course for the Federation Starbase in grid cube 18364."

Torel frowned. If the...he checked his notes...Excalibur... had remained at impulse, there had been an excellent chance that the Geronex could have caught up before the Federation vessel had reached Starbase and perhaps gotten the prisoners back. Now that was less likely, however the attempt was going to have to be made, and it was time to see of the Romulan Science Academy was as good as they claimed. "Activate the cloaking device and set intercept course. Engage warp engines. Tell the fuel tender to activate their scan and make sure the upgrades are working."

"Yes sir" Cenvil replied. "Our top speed with the cloak up is only warp 2 and it uses fuel very quickly. If they maintain their present speed, we can intercept before they reach their base. If they go much faster, we'll never catch them."

Torel rubbed his face with his hand. "I know Major, but we have to try. Those are our orders. Torel out."

The colonel glanced over at the metal bucket, then stood, walked over and picked up the five message chips that hadn't gone in. He unceremoniously dumped them in with a loud clatter. If things didn't go right, these chips would be the only thing left of the Geronex.