Black Tulip - Mission 2: Swimming in a Slipstream

[Deleted]

<OFF> That was odd since I got it as a new message. I have gone back and changed my posts so we are still in slipstream and following the aliens. Sorry about the confusion.

[bema]

Location: Alien ship
Kate stood by the other officers as she noticed Commodore ONE looking around the room. He seemed as confused by his actions as she did. The screen went blank and the Starfleet personal were gathered together to be marched back to their cells. Kate suddenly stopped and nearly fell over, lickily Admiral Elron and Commodore ONE were there to catch her. "Are you alright Kate?" Elron asked sounding concerned. "It's just a dizzy spell sir. It will pass soon." she replied with a slight smile. "Don't worry Commander. The Tulip personal are working on a rescue plan," ONE said as they helped her steady herself. "How do you know this Commodore?" Kate asked as ONE's words sunm in. "I am able to communicate with the Tulip." he replied with a smile.
OOC: Tag anyone.

[Elron]

"How's the Quantum Reactor holding up?" Gary Burgess asked Doug Branson, their acting CEO.
"Everything seems fully functional and within tolerances. I don't see why we can't engage the slipstream drive again as soon as we like," he replied.
They had dropped out of slipstream to give the reactor a break and to check on the durability of the drive. They had been in slipstream for a long time and didn't want to destabilise the drive. There also seemed very little they could do for now other than assess the situation and attempt to come up with a plan. With the discovery that Disasterman could transmit a short message to the Commodore and interpret the response, they were relieved that the missing officers seemed to be safe for now.

"Lt J'Ka," said Gary, addressing his Senior Marine, "I want a hazard team prepared to board the alien craft at a moment's notice."
"Are we able to use transporters in that slipstream space, Colonel?" asked J'Ka, who seemed always to be at attention.
"I'm not really sure, I don't see why not…" the First Officer replied, looking at Cmdr Hancock.
"It's never been tried before, but data transmission should theoretically be possible across slipstream space. With the cutting-edge transporters of the Black Tulip anyway. I wouldn't advise it though, not with live test subjects, since we don't know what the results would be."
"Well it's my back-up plan if anything goes wrong."

Just then, Cmdr Disasterman reappeared on the bridge. "I've prepared a series of messages for the Commodore. Have you thought of any ways of rescuing them yet?"
"We're not sure yet. There're too many unknowns and we don't want to do anything rash that might end in the hostages being killed. They seem safe for now. If only we could tackle them on our own turf… in real-space," answered Burgess.
"Well, I've prepared a message advising them to keep an eye out for any sign of a slipstream generator. They may not know where they are, but if they could somehow force the vessel out of slipstream we'd stand a much better chance of getting them back."
"Good thinking, Commander."


<On the alien vessel>

"You can communicate with the Tulip? How is that possible?" asked Elron in a surprised but hushed whisper as they were led away.
"I don't know how, but Disasterman is able to send across a message that is picked up by my Borg implants. My internal transporter nodes may be deactivated, but that's all they've deactivated."
That was all they could say though, as they each were herded back into the dark cavities of their cells, with very little in the way of room service.

It wasn't long before they found themselves being led back to the central control room. It may have been about 45 minutes, but it was very hard to tell under the circumstances. Exactly why they were being led out each time was unclear. Perhaps the aliens thought they stood a better chance of negotiating if the prisoners were clearly visible in the background. Still squinting, Elron saw that ONE was already standing in the corner of the room. The Commodore beckoned as he approached.
"I've received another message from the Tulip," whispered ONE inconspicuously.
"What did it say this time?" asked Kate Saberwyn, trying desperately to keep her excitement hidden.
"While you were in your cell?" Elron asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. They want us to keep an eye out for any sign of a slipstream generator. Apparently this ship we're on is in slipstream. They want to knock it into real-space."
Elron smiled slightly. He'd suspected all along that they might have still been in slipstream. It was something about the display screen he'd seen when they were first led in. "And how do they suggest we do that?"
"They didn't say. It was a very short message, straight to the point. Didn't offer much advice though."
"They probably don't know much more than we do now about this ship. They're hoping we can recognise a solution ourselves."

Suddenly the viewscreen flicked on and they could see the familiar bridge of the Tulip. ONE crossed his arms and placed two fingers on the outside, clearly visible.

[Deleted]

(OOC: I apologize for the lack of activity this mission. I'll try to make up for it now by giving you guys a boost)

Jack was busy with a diagnostic of the quantum matrix. An anamoly of the matrix generator had cropped up, and phase discrepancies were appearing. "Doug, come take a look at this."

Doug came over, and looked at the data. "How did that happen? It's like part of the matrix is created an inverse field. In the area its being generated, the two are cancelling each other out."

Jack had an inspiration. "Doug, do you think this would work with the same effect on a larger scale? Against another matrix?"

Doug realized what he was thinking. "You mean like against another ship?" Jack nodded. "Ya know, that might work. In essence, an inverse field would achieve the Slipstream for us just like the regular field would, but would in theory, cancel out another slipstream matrix..."

Jack nodded. "...knocking that ship out of slipstream."

"Jack, you're brilliant! Remind me to put you in for a Commendation when this is over." He tapped his comm-badge. "Engineer to Bridge. Colonel, we think we have a tenative way of knocking the enemy ship out of Slipstream. If we change our quantum matrix to its inverse, activate the matrix, and point ourselves at the enemy ship, in theory that should disrupt their own matrix. We could use the braking engines to keep us in place, so that we don't fly right past them during the attempt."

[bema]

The moment Commander Branson finished explaining his idea a hugs srin spread on Bema's face. Colonel Burgess moved to the Captain's chair. "Make it so Mr. Branson, let us know when you're ready. Bridge out. Commander Saberwyn set a collision course with the alien ship. The moment Branson is ready engage the slipstream. Commander Disasterman in the next transmission to Commodore ONE inform him of the plan. Lieutanant J'ka have the hazard team ready to beam over to extract our people from the alien ship. Move people," Burgess ordered. Within seconds the officers he had addressed were moving to comply.
A few minutes later:
The crew was all assembled on the bridge, the viewscreen showed the interior of the alien ship. Bema wactched with glee when he saw Commodore ONE cross his arms and place two fingers on the outside, clearly visible. Colonel Brugess smiled as Commander Branson walked onto the bridge. "Mr J'Ka kill the transmission," Burgess said. The lieutenant was quick to comply. Gary turned to Branson next. "Report Doug," he requested. "We are good to go Colonel," Branson replied. Colonel Burgess smiled as he turned back to the viewscreen. "Engage Cmdr Saberwyn," Burgess said in a serious voice.
OOC: Tag anyone. Sorry for a lack of posting.

[Deleted]

Salek spent some time in sickbay arranging all the files, and going over the medical records for the crew, and also preparing a list for the upcoming exams for the crew which would take place after this mission was finished. Sometime has passed since he last practiced medicine, those assignments he did for SFI didn't really include his doctor career but were of a more violent nature.

After he was done in sickbay he decided to go to the bridge and see what exactly is going on up there. After he arrived there, commander Disasterman informed him of what they planned for freeing the captured officers, and it all in all sounded like a good plan and a logical one at that. Just at that moment Commander Bema activated the inverse slipstream field.

"Soon we will see if this will work"; Bema informed colonel Burgess

And a few moments later they found out it really did work. Their field when it came in contact with the enemy ships field caused a reaction similar to that that happens inside an atom, when the protons and electrons neutralize each others charge; both ships were thrown out of slipstream back to normal space.

"All right"; Commander Burgess said, "deploy our rescue team", he said to Disasterman who then gave the green light to J’Kas hazard team

[Deleted]

After knocking the alien ship out of slipstream, the Black Tulip exited also. J'ka's rescue team beamed over to the alien ship. After several tense moments, J'Ka relayed that all of the Tulip's crew were safe and ready to begin beaming back on board. Soon everyone was back on board the Tulip, along with what was soon learned to be the alien "Captain".

Lt Colonel Burgess, CMDRfc Disasterman, Admiral Elron, Commodore ONE, and Doctor Salek were in the conference room with the alien when it was learned that the taken crew was not going to be harmed in any way, just studied. All their testing was on a mental level and any medical tests would just be done with scanners. The alien race was a peaceful one and just put on the threatening "face" to scare away a more powerful or aggressive foe. Admiral Elron asked the alien to excuse the command staff for a moment so they could discuss something. The alien agreed and the alien was escorted into an adjoining room while the staff discussed what to do next.....

<TAG ANYONE!!!! (lets wrap this up sometime soon if we can, Thanks)>

[bema]

The moment J'ka had returned to the Tulip, Bema had Lieutenant Commander Goodspeed relieve him. Bema wasted no time heading for sickbay. He arrived just as Holi had finished examining Katherine. "Hello Commander. Kate is just fine, a little tired but fine." Holi said before Bema could open his mouth. He moved to help his wife stand as Holi moved to whisper in Kate's ear. Soon after the EMH turned her attention to the CNO. "She told me she has been queazy for quite a while so, she will need to take a few days off. I have started some blood work," The EMH said before the worried look on Bema's face. "Are you alright Commander? You look worried," Holi said in a concerned voice. "This is the first time I have ever worried about Katherine's well being. I guess I never realized how much she means to me," he replied somberly. "Well she is safe and sound. Doctor Salek will notify you when her blood work is in. Also I have informed our new CMO about how long it has been since your last physical," she commented trying to lighten the mood. "Oh THANKS Holi," Bema replied rather sarcastically as he and Kate left sickbay. After Bema dropped Kate off at their quarters, Bema returned to the bridge. No sooner had Bema sat at his station, when Admiral Elron stepped onto the bridge. "Welcome back Admiral," Bema said as he turned to regard his CO. "Thank you Bema, nice job flying. Bridge to engineering," the admiral said as he sat in the Captain's chair.
OOC: Tag anyone

[Deleted]

Seeing as no one had anything to say at the beginning Salek took the lead and gave out his opinion on what they should do with the aliens.

"Admiral, it is my opinion on the matter that we should not take any action against the aliens as they have not injured anyone and as this is our first contact with them it would be highly illogical to compromise it by taking any action against them. Seeing as they admitted their mistake.", Salek said as he sat back down, waiting to hear the opinions from everybody else in the room

<Tag everybody else in the room>

[Deleted]

CMDRfc Disasterman was surprised when the doctor stood and suggested that no action be taken against the aliens. He sat there and thought about it for a few minutes hoping that someone else would voice their opinion first. Sitting there stroking his chin while glancing at the others around the room, he finally stood and said, "I am going to have to agree with the doctor. But with one condition, they can't just take people to study. They will have to enter normal space and make contact with any ship that may contain a new life form to them. If the Commanding Officer of the ship denies the request, the aliens will let the ship go on their way. Also, if said subjects are allowed to go onto the alien ship, they will be treated a little better than what our crew was. If the subjects decide to end the tests, the aliens will return that person to their ship as soon as possible.

The commander then sat down to see how these stipulations would go over with the rest of the command staff.

<TAG rest of table>

[Elron]

OFF:

*sneaks back onto BT* Hey guys. Sorry I've been a lot more absent than I had intended but things have not been going that well for me lately. With any luck I'll be able to help you wrap up this mission now, but the huge amount of admin work is prob gonna take up most of my limited time online. I hope you understand.

So... 7 posts in one month... it's nice to know the ship can stay active while I'm gone ! How about we get this thing sorted and move on to something else? Let's see what we can do with this then...


ON:

"I say we have to make it clear they their actions were totally unacceptable," suggested the senior marine, 2nd Lt J'Ka. "The Federation cannot tolerate kidnapping."

Admiral Elron listened to all the suggestions. Some of the senior staff didn't seem very eager to voice opinions; perhaps they were still trying to get to grips with the situation.
"You all make very good points. Each culture has its own customs and its own system of morals, and I don't think that they really intended us any harm. My impression from over there was that they felt threatened by us and were trying to find out about us without exposing themselves to harm. However, we must make it clear to them - for their own good as well as ours - that other societies and species do not take kindly to that kind of treatment and it is not acceptable." He paused for a moment, and looked at Disasterman. "You're our Liaison Officer Cmdr," he smiled. "You can help me explain the situation to our new friend in private".
"Aye, sir," replied the LiO obediently.

[Deleted]

CMDRfc Disasterman and Admiral Elron went over the notes while the aliens were brought back to the room. They both stood as the aliens entered. Admiral Elron offered some chairs for the aliens to sit in, which they took hesitantly. Elron took his seat at the table, which left Disasterman the only one standing in the room. He looked at Elron with a quested look on his face and then figured he was going to have to start the briefing.
"We have all agreed to let you go with no repercussions...."
"But with some conditions" , Elron broke in.
"Yes, thank you, with some conditions. Here is a copy of the list that we have come up with for you to look over. You can keep it to pass along to others in your race that may want to follow in your studies. . Disasterman handed a PADD to the alien then proceeded to cover some of the high points. "We dont mind you studying the races of the Alpha Quadrant, but there are several that would blow you out of the sky and then try to find out answers from any survivors. If you do choose to continue studying the many races, we ask that you dont just beam them off their ship. You need to contact their Commanding Officer and ask him if they would agree to being studied. If the CO says no, the you must continue on your way."
"We will be sending out a message to all members of the Federation and even some of the races that arent, that asks for cooperation with your studies. But this still wont guarantee anyone will help."
"We also would prefer the subjects to be free to choose if they want to stay on your ship during the entire study period or their own. From what I have learned, no tests were done while the crew of the Black Tulip were separated and in their cells. We need to work on this aspect. We, the Federation, want to help you in any way we can to improve the rooms where the subjects will stay if they choose to stay aboard your ship. There wont be many changes, just some to make it a little more comfortable. A few things we would like to put in are some beds, that can be changed to whatever race may be in the room. We also would like to install some food replicators so the subject would have some food."
"We did provide food to your crew, they just never ate." the alien said.
"I'm sorry, I forgot to mention the paste in my report. Honestly, I want sure if that was food or not, but I almost got to the point where I ate it."
"Well this may be something to look at. If you dont mind supplying our Science Department with some of the paste, we may let this provision go. We just want to make sure that it is safe for all the known races. There are some foods one race can eat, but will kill another."
"We dont mind supplying the paste, but it is different for each race that we study. One of the first things we test is the nutrition that the subject, as you call them, had last eaten. To you it may not have a taste, but has all the nutrition in it. We dont want to kill anyone. I guess we could have told them that it was food and it was ok to eat."
"Even if you had, since we didnt know anything about you, I still would hesitate. Nothing against you now, but not many would just eat something that was placed in front of them that was said to be food and safe."
"We understand. We have been the same way since being on your ship. We know that you have been so kind, that you wouldnt harm us."
"I have also been in contact with Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards to help with all the modifications and repairs to your ship. We will be glad to tow you there if you dont have regular engines.
"We do have regular engines, just havent used them in so long that they may not work. We also dont know the location of the shipyard, so we will at least need directions or preferably a lead. We thank you for all your kindness and agree to all the conditions. I will make sure that this is sent out to others in my race that are currently looking to begin studies.
"There arent any other ships at the moment that can enter slipstream, we were just a test ship."
"We know, we have been watching for many years."

<TAG>

[Elron]

With all major negotiation points covered, and a standard cultural exchange conducted with the alien ship, Admiral Elron released the slipstream-inhabiting insectoids to go about their own business. Marine J'Ka made sure that weapons remained trained on the ship as it slowly fired up its engines and began repairs on its own slipstream drive. Elron sent an immediate and full report to Starfleet Command so that all Federation members and affiliates were made aware of this alien race. Knowledge of the Black Tulip's own slipstream drive would remain highly classified, however.

"Elron to Branson, what's the status of the slipstream drive?"
=/\= The reactor is working at maximum efficiency, the quantum matrix is still in perfect shape and the emitter is ready to go. We're all set! =/\=
"Excellent. Be prepared for the not-so-long journey home. Continue intensive monitoring of the drive's performance.
"Elron to Sickbay. Dr Salek, could you please continue medical examination of all crewmembers taken to the alien vessel? Just to be on the safe side…"
=/\= That would include you too, wouldn't it sir? =/\= replied their new CMO. Elron sighed. Were all doctors the same? Did they actually enjoy examinations?
"Yes, that would include me too. Elron out."
The bridge crew was fully assembled again, with Disasterman sitting to Elron's left and Burgess to Elron's right. "Cmdr Saberwyn, set course for Starbase Bellicose. Engage slipstream drive on my mark." He paused for a few seconds as he looked around the bridge and Bema plotted their course. Then, with the satisfaction of one who knows they've just made history, Elron gave the order. It was one he hoped to give many more times in the future. "Engage slipstream!"


[OFF]: Well done chaps. Consider this mission complete! ;D