51 replies to this topic

[GM-01]

==For posting in Corridors, Jeffries Tubes, and other places not given its own thread on the site!==

[LCdr Nira Said]

>>>> USS Vanguard, Cargo Bay >>>>

 

Stepping out from the cargo bay, Nira was further uneasy, and that was the mildest, most watered-down way of putting it. She was virtually feeling the ship, or perhaps it was the emotions of the Vanguard crew merged into one. Nira wasn't sure.

 

This overall bothered her; telling herself it could be detached emotions was better than thinking the ship was emotional, because, otherwise, saying the Vanguard had emotions could mean the ship was alive somehow. If that was the case, then it made Nira figure she had just stepped out of, and the bulk of the Geronimo crew was in, maybe the brain. Best organ of storage in the body she could think of, she wasn't too attentive in her physical studies, and one had to thoroughly study the anatomy only for being a science or a medical officer.

 

Still, she was glad to be with Slad and Arwen. Especially Arwen. Still, as acting First Officer, and as an officer on duty, it was the only think keeping her from grabbing his arm to feel secure.

 

"Right, to the cargo transporters. Mister Slad, watch our backs."

 

==Tag==

Edited by LCdr Nira Said, Star Date 22304.29 @ 18:11 (06:11 PM).

[Lt (JG) Kalli Thorn]

Thorn's program began combining the tricorder readings from her left hand and the visual input from the glasses and targeting reticles rapidly blinked on and off as it quickly spotted things out of place and determined the extent of damage. It would color code any active energy readings, much like a thermal scan, but with a range that included indications of power flow and active systems, if any.

 

Thorn had only taken two steps before she reached to that spot at the small of her back and once more drew out her karambit. She kept it low and to her right side, practically concealed along her wrist and forearm. Carefully moving around the relatively trashed appearance of the ship, she was looking and listening for anything and everything. The state of the ship outside the cargo bay was too familiar to her. She had seen things like this in her past. These people had been in a near panic stage of survival mode. The smell of those uniforms was familiar too. Memories came back to her of the fall of her colony after it had been attacked and destroyed. People had survived for months before rescue, but they had been horrific months and not everyone survived. She was all too aware of what some people became in such dire circumstances.

 

The Captain that stole their ship would have likely taken as many remaining crew with her, if she could. The thing was, she hadn't sounded like she had done that. She had spoken of her crew, but only in the past. She had said, "...I have greater need..." not using the word we. That brief message had sounded as if she were going off alone to perform her task of seeking revenge. That either meant that the rest of the crew was either dead or still on this ship. From the state of those uniforms, at least some were dead. For the smell to still be that strong, that meant that whatever had happened to them was NOT from 10 years ago either. If that Captain left someone behind, it was because she no longer could trust them or feel safe with them.

 

Kalli really hoped she was not going to need to kill someone in front of her crew, but she was prepared to do so. If it came to that, she would be as quick and efficient as she could. Her only hope remained in the thought that their systems might still be salvaged and that their best engineers had not been alive or capable of doing what she might be able to do. There was also the possibility of this ship carrying shuttles, but if they were functional, then almost certainly someone would have gotten them working and used them to leave before now.

 

== GM Input: Does she make it to the deck 3 engineering location to see the lowest level of the warp core? If so, the state of the core and antimatter? She would then move to see if they could use the turboshafts to climb up to deck 2 (2 locations near each other) to get to the control level of Main Engineering. ==

[GM-01]

The Warp Core seemed intact, though long inactive. The antimatter injectors were obviously fused, preventing the reactants from entering the chamber; they would need to be repaired or replaced if the Vanguard were to operate under its own power ever again.

 

One of the turboshafts was blocked by the wreckage of a turbolift car, while the other was filled with smaller pieces of minor debris; it would be a treacherous climb, but possible.

[Lt Arwen Qi]

<<<< USS Vangard: Cargo Bay <<<<

 

Arwen and Said turned down the dark corridor, accompanied by Crewman Slad from Security and one of Finch’s medics, who had introduced himself as Red.

 

"Right, to the cargo transporters. Mister Slad, watch our backs.” Said ordered. Even without an empathic sense, Arwen could tell that she was radiating nerves. Still, she did an admirable job of steadying her voice. He squeezed her shoulder gently, briefly forgetting Star Fleet decorum. For a moment, they were just friends who had survived more than one crisis together. He cleared his throat and clasped both hands around his tricorder awkwardly, remembering Said’s recent promotion.

 

“Stay a little bit behind me,” Arwen said, tuning the scanner on his device. “There might be a psionic energy buildup somewhere on this ship. It could damage your empathic senses.”

 

== Tag Said. Added a medic to our party as Sothrick ordered in the other thread.

GM Input: What does Arwen’s tricorder show when he scans for psionic energy? Any telepathic energy? ==

Edited by Lt Arwen Qi, Star Date 22305.04 @ 01:58 (01:58 AM).

[GM-01]

Psionic readings were off the scale, but there was no distinct source or cause. It seemed to be permeating every surface of the ship.

 

It was not going to be a good time to be a telepath.

[Cdr Sothrick]

>>>> USS Vanguard, Cargo Bay >>>>

 

=== First Officer's Nira's Team ==

 

== NPC Security   Crewman Slad ==

 

The First Officer looked at the young Vulcan 

"Right, to the cargo transporters. Mister Slad, watch our backs." 

"Of Course sir." He said pulling out his phaser as  Member of Security on the ship Chief of Security Sothrick had impressed on them that they should always carry a phaser while on shift. As it were it was something that Slad followed still. He knew there ship was not the typical Federation exploration ship. The Geronimo was meant to answer any calls and issues and they would have to be ready for 'action' as some of the other security said it.

 

"Lieutenant, I understand you scanning ahead but perhaps I should physically go before you or the First Officer?" He suggested.

 

== Sothricks Team == 

==NPC Petty Officer  Matthew Davis ==

 

Matt nodded as Xardeen gave him a silent instruction and slipped out his phaser.

 

As the two were shoulder to shoulder Matt watched thrrough his step and instinctively watched for hers as well. He didn't want to be insulting but he did want to be ready if she needed a hand over any issues. As the pair moved ahead he silently pointed to a couple of missing deck plates as they walked.

 

"What the heck is wrong with the big guy?" He whispered to Xenara.

 

== SOTHRICK==

 

As the Vulcan made his way out he called back into the Cargo room to Support Crewman.

 

"Crewman Yizzah, you and your team help Doctor Finch with keeping this area secure and continue looking through the containers and about for anything useful. He is in charge " Sothrick gave

 

He waited a moment and gave the other two teams a nod as they made their way past.

 

"Please keep Commander Kiers suggestion in mind use your tricorder but do not use anything that requires power. Any doors you come across, use manual mechanisms. Once we reach locations let me know." He added then moved to follow Xenara and Davis.

 

He could hear Davis voice his concern but did not address it.

 

== Tag All == 

[Lt (JG) Kalli Thorn]

== Moving from Deck 3 to Deck 2 (near Main Engineering) ==

 

After a scan and a close enough inspection of the lower part of the warp core assembly, Thorn was able to tell that the residual buildup on the injectors had accumulated to dangerous levels. They were not beyond repair, but it would take time and effort to render them serviceable again. They would never be in top form again, but functional could be managed. By Star Fleet standards, they were replaced long before they ever got to a state where it could be physically seen with the naked eye, but in a civilian ship, you rarely saw someone with the time or energy willing to do it unless it started impacting the bottom line. Most crews of freighters and such were too under staffed and under paid to make it worth it.

 

Thorn had grown up salvaging old ships or restoring some of them. She really loved it when she got to help her dad with some custom build, putting something special together that was never quite intended to be. Those times taught her the kinds of tolerances you could get away with and just how over powered you could make some ships. She had always thought her dad just liked building fast rides for crazy rich guys, but one day he had finally told her that sometimes those crazy rich guys were using those ships to smuggle and run blockades. They needed to be able to outrun the people who wanted to catch them. That was when he taught her about navigational computers and counter measures that could distort a warp signature and so on. She never corrected her Academy instructors on such matters, but had been proud of knowing that her dad had taught her a few things that weren't in the text books.

 

Discovering the wreckage of the lift car in the one shaft was disappointing. The other shaft was a it of a mess, but she could deal with it. She cautioned Kitkat to keep an eye on the head count of those following them to Engineering. Leading the way, Kalli tested the stability of the brief route up to the next deck. Once she found her way up, she did her best to find the safest and easiest path to send the others up.

 

The damage and the uniforms that were found were dwelling on her mind. Thoughts of salvaging ships made her think of her family, but the fact that she also knew what it looked like when everything fell apart and people struggled to survive, that also was weighing heavily on her. Death and carnage were bad enough, but when good people turned bad because they felt it was the only way to survive, that was something you never forgot. Kalli fought against those thoughts and did her best to remain focused on the tasks at hand. It was one thing to miss wearing her cargo pants and favorite shirts, but when the mind wandered too far away during a mission, people could get hurt. Kalli wasn't going to let her version of daydreaming endanger the crew or the mission.

 

As she waited for the others to begin the short climb, She placed her hand to the deck and once again tried to get a feel of the ship. The warp core had not been sending the life signs of the subtle vibrations through these deck plates for a long time, but she wondered what else she could feel. Though she never really talked about it with anyone since her parents had died, she had always felt like ships were alive in their own kind of way. They could be around for generations and became part of families. She had known people to think as a ship of almost a kind of motherly figure to those that spent their entire life inside it. When the ship was the only thing keeping you alive in the blackness of space, it was hard not to let that into your way of thinking sometimes.

 

Thorn wasn't a telepath, but if her father were here, he would ask her what the ship was telling her. She had felt a cold and lifeless hunk of metal before, but most of the time she could tell what kind of ship she was working with (or against). Most just needed the right amount of tender loving care, but there had been a few times she was convinced the ship was angry and she had not wasted any time getting off of it as soon as she could. She knew how it would sound if she told anyone, but she knew what she knew. Right now, she was still wondering about this ship.

 

== GM Input: How safely does she get to the next deck and so on? Please inform if there are any injuries, as well as I'm not entirely sure how many are suppose to be moving to this location besides Kitkat and Thorn. Once at least the other Engineer is up, a scan and inspection of the place would be in order. Please let me know whatever I might know to be able to put into my next post. ==

Edited by Lt (JG) Kalli Thorn, Star Date 22305.05 @ 04:50 (04:50 AM).

[Lt Xenara Xardeen]

==Moving from Deck 2 to Deck 1 Bridge==

 

Xenara wondered briefly about telling Davis what had happened to their Acting Captain. But most people knew Vulcans were telepathic, however almost nobody outside of Starfleet and family knew Sothrick was secretly part Betazoid. Xenara had become Sothrick's stalwart with a near unbreakable sense of loyalty to him, not only as her Commanding Officer, but as her family. 

 

While she didn't want to reveal his secret, she didn't think it would hurt to tell him just enough to satiate his curiosity and concern.

 

"Telepathic overload I think," she said to Davis softly. "Whatever happened here was enough to cause even a Vulcan like the big guy problems."

 

She turned to Keti after she heard his...joke. "You have an odd definition of fun, Ensign. Can you lead us to the bridge? I used to run battle simulations on the bridge of Defiant class ships, but I never got the chance to tour one. And I'll keep your advice in mind." 

 

One of Xenara's goals in life was to actually fight on and pilot a Defiant class ship. It seemed as if the universe had finally granted her wish as she made her way slowly to the bridge, taking Keti's advice as she went and occasionally looking back at Commander Sothrick to make sure he was alright. Normally it was the commanding officer who took point, but if he had another one of those episodes, it would be easier to defend him should they run into anything. Once she got to the bridge and was able to actually DO something, she'd feel a whole lot better about their situation.

 

Also, she didn't know if Commander Sothrick's Betazoid abilities allowed him to actually read others' minds, or if it was more empathic. She knew she couldn't receive telepathic messages, but she could probably send them. 

 

~Brother, are you alright?~

 

==Tag boss and Keti==

Edited by Lt Xenara Xardeen, Star Date 22305.05 @ 11:25 (11:25 AM).

[Lt Xenara Xardeen]

==Forgot to add GM input please, any issues or points of interest on the way to the Bridge?==

[Ens Jukish Keti]

While going to the Bridge Keti was looking at every surface that came close, and if something looked odd it wouldn't go un noticed. This was a little on the creepy side, just like those Fun Houses he went to on Earth. Those places were just strange, and he didn't know why he went to them.

" One of the things I found out while on Earth is I am afraid of Clowns, and if it wasn't for some friends around I would have punched one." It would have went a lot further than that, but it was stopped before it even got started. He would have lost his place in the Academy, and sent home in disgrace.

After they gotten to the Bridge, Keti knew that this was one of the two most important places to be. This would also be one place that they would run into resistance, unless they would take a different approach. One where they would hit in places where their guard was down, and that was going to take time. Just like getting power to any one of these stations, the big question for him was, what made this ship so special.

==GM input on what the Science Staton looks like, and if there was any difference from any other stations. Also does the Tricorder pick up psionic readings==

[GM-01]

==Thorn: I'll be making a post for you in Engineering soon.

 

Keti, hold your horses, you've got climbing to do before you get to the Bridge!==

 

Xardeen's team would need to find an open Jeffries Tubr or turbolift shaft to climb the two decks up to the Bridge. Unfortunately the going would not be easy, as the decking got more buckled and bent the further aft they went. In several places there were dried stains on the walls and floor, indicating a serious and perhaps fatal injury. and in one place next to a ruptured and long-emptied EPS conduit, a scorch mark on the wall outlining where the unfortunate passer-by had been immediately vaporised.

 

Having navigated the damaged decks, they would finally come across a Jeffries Tube that didn't have visibly broken doors. It was, however, shut and in need of forcing open.

[Lt Xenara Xardeen]

It was a chore getting to the only Jeffries Tubes hatch that wasn't completely inaccessible. The Elaysian wasn't worried too much about Commander Sothrick being able to navigate the ship, even as big as he was, but she was more concerned with his mental state. It wasn't the time or place to bring it up, but it didn't stop her from thinking about it. She was no counselor by any stretch of the imagination, but she was glad he could at least confide in her, no matter when he decided to talk about the episode.

 

She lagged behind a few times, needing Davis to help her navigate some of the debris, which he was more than willing to do. She kept reminding herself he was still a Starfleet officer and duty bound to assist. 

 

Does he have to act like a smitten puppy every time?

 

Xenara wasn't disturbed by the blood stains or how much damage there was, what did disturb her was the fact she knew something bad had happened but they didn't have many clues and she wondered if they would discover the details a bit too late to actually do anything.

 

At least we know where that ***** is going with my ship.

 

And then there was the convoy. Would they have to complete their mission or would capturing that rouge captain take priority? 

 

"Why does it always feel like we're put in a puzzle whenever we get kidnapped," she said as more of a statement than an actual question. "Always a rock and a hard place with Starfleet."

 

==Tag boys==

[Ens Jukish Keti]

There was a reason that Keti always kept Thermite close by, and a few other goodies. While going to a party, there was no need for it. The party itself was a little awkward for him, and now they were in a situation that was worse. This was normally the point when he would be a little distant, but not this time. If something was going to happen it's best it happens now, he is still a junior officer and doesn't have as much responsibilities. If the beast were to come out and play, this would be the best place for it.

"Why can't we do missions like normal Crews,and I can stop hiding so many knives." There were a few other goodies that he had hidden in the lab, but he didn't have time to grab. Now they were at a door and it was stuck, and now they needed to get it open and judging from what he seen it will be difficult.

"Commander." He said while removing his tunic. "Between the two of us we might be able to open this door." If they couldn't open the door, they might have to use the thermite or come up with another way.

==Tag an GM would they have success in opening the door?==

[Cdr Sothrick]

==NPC Petty Officer  Matthew Davis ==

 

Davis walked carefully and at first quietly, as he considered Xardeens words. A telepathic assault or she was talking about a telepathic stain. What that meant was that something absolutely terrible had to have happened.  No accident, something worse.

 

It took a moment for him to process and as they moved seeing more old blood stains here and there on the walls.

 

He helped Xardeen as she needed it but tried to wait for her to need him. He really was trying to not hover over her.

She was very capable and he admired her for her strength. The last thing he wanted to do was take that from her in any way.

 

After the three moved quietly, Keti was chatting the whole way, Matt decided to try and lighten the mood a little. "If you punched the clown in the nose it would have just made a weird squeak noise. That would have taken the creepiness out of it. And the fight out of you." He said with a chuckle."I would think, anyways" He said with a shrug

 

"You know I never understood why people hate clowns so much." He added

 

== Commander Sothrick ==

 

Sothrick moved quietly behind the others.

He was pleased with the information Thorn had managed to provide all three teams. Even though the ship was completely in disrepair, it gave the teams a pretty good direction.

 

He was visually scanning behind them as Davis was his lead. He had created walls to block out any further psionic impressions. As they came across blood stains and one that looked as if a person was vaporized Sothrick was careful not to touch any of these areas as they moved.

He knew if he touched another spot like those he may not be able to keep out the, stain, from his own minds eye,

 

His mind was interested in what could have done such. Another strange occurrence happened too a little to his surprise he could hear an echo. A familiar voice calling to him as it were.

 

He looked ahead and realized Xardeen, his new family, glanced back at him. And then he could, 'hear' her again.

 

~Brother, are you alright?~  He heard now. He was impressed or now realized how emotionally close he was with Xardeen.

Despite her not being telepathic and his mental barriers up he could still hear her voice. She was concerned.  Perhaps rightfully so.

 

~Dear, Sister, Very impressive. I, ... I can hear you. This is a sign of how close we have become. I am fine but we need to move carefully. I could not see the full story but obviously something terrible, dangerous, powerful, happened here. I am not sure what would have happened or how to defend from it but ...~

 

There was a twang of pain passed through him to her but he realized it instantly and shut it out.

 

~Until I can purge the...visions I think it best that we keep our conversation verbal.~ He gave Xardeen, then focused to quiet his mind more as they moved. He stayed silent until they came to the Jefferies tube door.

 

"Commander." Keti said while removing his tunic. "Between the two of us we might be able to open this door."  Sothrick nodded but put up a hand..

 

"Work the manual release then we will try to pry it open." He gave a look at the young scientist. "Lets hold off using any stronger means Mr. Keti." Sothrick gave

Edited by Cdr Sothrick, Star Date 22305.09 @ 03:14 (03:14 AM).

[Lt Xenara Xardeen]

Xenara's eyes widened in surprise as she heard Commander Sothrick's private message, but then just as quickly went back to normal. She had been pretty sure she could send a telepathic message so to speak, as Vulcans were a telepathic species, but to receive one was never something she would have thought possible. Granted the Elaysian and Vulcan made an unlikely pair, but to be able to communicate that way had to have meant that they had truly grown on each other. She never understood telepathy, and was always skeptical about it though she had friends who were able to use it, yet now she was part of that group. 

 

Sort of. It actually gave her a bit of a headache. But she didn't mention it.

 

It actually was comforting in an odd way, but she wondered how Mrs. Sothrick would react to this new development. Xenara never knew non-telepaths could ever share such a bond with someone, though she had heard stories. But then, she and the Commander had been through a lot over the past few years. He had always given her the benefit of the doubt when it came to her physical disability, and always treated her with the same respect he treated everyone else. And she supposed the times they saved each other also had something to do with it.

 

Ensign Keti and Davis' conversation brought her back to the task at hand. And she had to smile at Davis' comment. "I never really understood clowns," she said as she waited for the Jeffries Tube hatch to be breached. "Never had any experiences with them." 

 

==Tag boys==

Edited by Lt Xenara Xardeen, Star Date 22305.09 @ 12:26 (12:26 PM).

[GM-01]

The manual release activated, and the doors slid open.

 

Out of the hatch tumbled a body; or rather what was left of a body.

 

Still clad in a uniform that was a decade out of date, the body was no longer distinguishable as male or female. Or as anything other than one of the myriad humanoid species in the Federation. Skeletonization had long-since set in, held together by the one-piece uniform jumpsuit. The feet were missing, as were the boots, and the impact had disconnected the unfortunate soul's right hand and skull; the latter rolling lazily down the buckled deck plate.

 

The Jeffries Tube was dark, but the ambient light from the emergency lighting revealed a boot (likely with foot still inside), and an inactive Tricorder just inside the hatch.

[Cdr Sothrick]

Matt Jumped back instinctively jumping infront of Xenara and drew his phaser. He felt a little sheepish when he focused on what had fallen out. Not made to feel any better as the large hand of the Vulcan reached over placed his hand over Matt phaser and pushed it down with. "I think they are not dangerous." Sothrick said.

 

"Carefully bring the body to the floor. Lets remember these were, Are, Starfleet officers. When we get back we will give them proper burials. We will worry with identifying our officers after we gain control of our situation." He said then looked up the tube.

 

"Crewman Davis please collect the shoe, carefully and place with the rest of the remains." He ordered.   Matt sighed but went first to grab the boot and bring it back.

 

"Should we be concerned what  sheared off the ...officers feet?" Matt asked.

 

"Sothrick nodded. "Of course but there are many possibilities, Watch your steps." Sothrick retorted.

 

"Ensign Keti, can you scan ahead through the tube?" Sothrick asked

[LCdr Nira Said]

"You're probably right, Mister Slad," said Nira. "Take point with me." All the same, she kept glancing uneasily around as she proceeded. Voices seemed to come from everywhere. In fact, they seemed to be coming from the walls of the ship. Arwen Qi's words brought attention to him, but what really brought comfort to her was his little squeeze on the shoulder; she gave an appreciative gesture in reply.

 

"Yeah...Actually, Mister Slad can take point and we can stay behind him." Arwen's words especially brought some concern to Nira. The psiconic buildup could damage her abilities? Good Allah, she did not want to be as critically injured as when she lost her arm.

 

"Onward, then," said Nira.

 

==Tag==

 

==GM Input - would Nira be likely to hear voices or feelings, or would telepathic voices come to her? And are there anything her team might run into before they get to the cargo transporters?==

[Lt Xenara Xardeen]

When the hatch opened, Xenara didn't have time to react as Davis jumped in front of her when the obvious dead body just crumpled down to the floor. It wasn't like she hadn't seen a dead person before, but the way it had just apparently been shoved into the Jeffries Tube, missing its feet no less to say nothing about the state of what was left of it's head...or rather, skull. But somehow she still managed to find Davis' reaction funny.

 

"I don't know," she said. "Could be all manner of things contaminating that body. I wouldn't be so brazen about moving it. Any of it."

 

She couldn't exactly jump back as there was very little room to do so safely, so her body just tensed up for a minute at the gruesome site. But what really made her tense was the smell of decaying flesh. No one ever talked about the smell...

 

"Looks like the poor soul was just dumped in there," she said as she moved around Davis and crouched to reach in and grab the Tricorder. It probably wasn't even still able to function, but it was worth trying as she stood back up. "Let's see if this tells us anything."

 

 

==Tag boys, and GM input please, does the Tricorder still function and does it reveal anything interesting?==

[Ens Jukish Keti]

When the body fell out onto the floor, Keti didn't do much of an reaction. Instead he simply put the remains aside and covered it with his tunic, he also said a few words silently almost to himself. "May you find peace in your afterlife that you couldn't find here." It was at that second he realized that he handled a dead body better than he would a clown, and it's something that he had to think about.

The next order that he got was to scan the tube ahead, and he went in just a little. His back was against the wall, and his right hand was scanning the area ahead. He was looking for any traces of psionic activity, and anything else that his tricorder could find. With his eyes he was looking for a weapon, if this was defensive stand this person took one would be close by. This was an odd set of circumstances, and it looked like something hit one giant fan.

"I am looking for traces of Thoron particles, it's an old trick to hide life signs." There were a few things left over from the distant past, but they were still good. There were other tactics that were used, but he wasn't going to look into it after confirmation.

==Tags and GM input about what he finds==

[GM-01]

==Team Sothrick==

 

Keti's scan revealed no traces of Thoron particles, or indeed any other methods used to mask life signs. The Jeffries Tube was empty.

 

The Tricorder was in rough shape, as though the user had abused it before expiring. It flickered to life on minimal charge, and would require hooking up to another power source to keep it functioning. Though there were no interesting readings displayed, the recent memory showed there was a voice recording. There was insufficient battery power to play it, however.

 

==Said==

 

The entire ship had an aura of death about it. Death and rage.

[Lt Xenara Xardeen]

Xenara made a knowing frowny face as she discovered what she already knew; the tricorder was useless in its current state. She hoped she'd find at least something they could use, but all that was on it was a recording that she couldn't access without a power source. And given Commander Kier's adamancy about disturbing the delicate power issue on the ship, she wasn't about to test that theory. 

 

Or the Hermat's patience. 

 

She nodded at Keti's announcement. It was a good idea, and one she would have probably never have come up with. "I doubt they're playing hide and seek if there is anyone hiding that way. Although that would be an interesting way to play."

 

She fiddled with the tricorder a bit more to no avail.

 

"There's a recording on here," she said. "But without an external power source, pretty useless. I don't want to suffer Commander Kier's wrath by plugging it into the ship just to hear it."

 

==Tag boys==

[Ens Jukish Keti]

Hearing the Lieutenants concerns Keti had a pretty simple solution, and it always comes in handy to have one. Especially when it has the potential to explain what happened, and in a pinch they could use what they have. “Let’s use what we have to make up for what we don’t, it always comes in handy in a pinch”. This was something Keti heard about at the academy, but really lived with his whole life.

After grabbing his combadge he opened it up and removed his ear ring, the metal in the ear ring was conductive and would complete a circuit. While attaching the chain to the power source of the badge, he made the connection to the tricorder so there would be power transfer to the device. With hope it would be enough for the message to play. “Hopefully the Prophets will help us out here.” The process should take a few seconds, and it would either work or it wouldn’t.

==GM input on if this power transfer works ==

[GM-01]

With a crackle, the tricorder's recording began to play automatically when the commbadge's power was applied. It would seem that this had been programmed into the recording, should it be found and the tricorder activated.

 

[This may well be the final log of the Vanguard. We've been in interphase for weeks now; interphase psychosis has gripped the entire crew.. Captain Jennings is trying to ration what's left of our supply of theragen, but the crew are already starting to rip each other apart. I'm hiding in a Jeffries Tube to protect myself.

 

I...I hate them. Every one of them. Bastards all!

 

Air is getting pretty thin in here. I tried the hatch, it won't open.

 

--Unintelligible screaming--]

[Lt Arwen Qi]

Arwen bit his tongue as the security crewman offered to move to the front of the group. He knew that there was no point in getting into this argument with Nira, especially while she was in the midst of a telepathic attack.

 

“If you insist, go right ahead, Crewman,” he replied, though Nira had already given the order. “Though I doubt that the crew of the Vanguard means to do more than hold us here while they carry out their mission. It would have been easy for them to kill us if that were their intent.”

 

Continuing toward the transporters, Arwen squinted at the glowing readout of his tricorder. He kept one eye closed so that it would be ready to see in the dark at a moment’s notice. It was an old pirate trick that also came in handy aboard a starship. There was little to be gleaned from the psionic readings, so he switched his scans to general survival settings — focusing on life signs and dangerous phenomena.

 

“For lack of a better word, this ship is haunted,” Arwen said, interpreting the psionic energy emanating from every surface. “I’ve never seen anything like it… I can’t localize a source. Is it telling you anything? Maybe we can communicate with it somehow.”

 

== Tag Said

 

GM Input: Anything that we discover on our way to the transporters? ==

Edited by Lt Arwen Qi, Star Date 22305.13 @ 23:12 (11:12 PM).

[Ens Jukish Keti]

While listening to the recording Keti wanted to get out of there real fast, almost to the point he would just enter an escape pod and leave. This place should have remained in theory, and not a real place. In the theories that they were able to come up with, this technology was more trouble than its worth.

"Sir it looks like we have a bigger problem than we thought, and we really shouldn't be here." He really didn't want to be there, but this was a golden opportunity to study something that he never thought possible. There were also a few people who would love to be there to study this, and if they lived through this he wouldn't be able to talk about this.

"With this technology I wouldn't be surprised to see some sections of the ship that are encased in stone. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the crew is also there, and it would be difficult to get them out." Looking around the area Keti wished that there was a way to look for Chroniton particles, as some of the crew might be still around. They just couldn't be seen, and this too was something Keti hoped he was wrong about.

"I also recommend that we go through this tube one at a time, just to be on the safe side." There were a lot of dangers around and Keti wanted to minimize the danger exposure. There were too many dangers on the ship, and he was ready if the Phrophets did take him

==Tag you two==

[GM-01]

The short journey to the main cargo bay was mostly uneventful for Qi's team, though they did come across several blood stains on the walls, and a discarded hyperspanner on the floor outside of the bay doors. It was covered in blood, as if it had been used as a weapon.

 

The cargo bay doors were closed; they could use the door controls to open them, risking precious power; or they could use the manual release as before.

[Cdr Sothrick]

Davis fell silent as Keti managed to bring the Tricorder to life. Sothrick listened but his head seemed to be more on a swivel as he looked up the tube judging it and looked backed down the corridor.

 

As the team listened to the warning Sothrick took a deep breath. It gave a snap shot of what they were dealing with and what had happened here giving more detail to the crazy picture they were trying to sort through.

 

While it gave him a little bit of piece it seemed to amp Keti up. Sothrick was careful not to touch the past crewman. Slightly worried that he would not be able to hold off the psychic aura coming from the body.

 

"I do not think that we will have the issue of running into that but I will head your warning. I will take point and go up first." He said as he looked up the shaft.

 

"Davis, you bring up the rear, Slav follow me, Xardeen, Keti and as I said Davis Bring up the rear. Do not shut this door until I can get the other open." He gave straight forward and sternly.

 

Davis started to argue with the Acting Captain but he knew the man well enough as he looked into the Large Vulcans eyes he was not in the mood to be questioned.

 

Infact his line up made sense and it proved that though he wore crimson the Vulcan bleed Security Gold.  

 

"I agree we shouldn't be here but no one asked our opinion so lets work on getting out of here." He added

 

"Let move. Keti, Slav, start scanning ahead." With that Sothrick started moving up the tube.

 

== Tag All == 

[Lt Xenara Xardeen]

While Xenara preferred to take point, she didn't want to argue. Commander Sothrick would be able to better handle any threat or obstacle in their path should it come to it. Besides, in her condition, she wouldn't be anything other than an inconvenient annoyance if they did happen to run into anything, or anyone. At least with her bringing up the rear - Davis gave her a reluctant look when she silently waved him in, but complied with her...request - she wouldn't be holding up the group. Besides, she'd need help climbing out of the tube.

 

And she actually had to wonder if Davis bringing up the rear was an attempt at a joke from Commander Sothrick...

 

Nice try, boss. But I'm going to be the caboose on this train.

 

She didn't send her thought to Commander Sothrick, as she didn't want to distract her newly adopted brother, but she did send the emotion that went with it to try and at least get him to not dwell on what he experienced earlier. 

 

"Are we there yet," she asked as they made their way to no one in particular through slightly labored breathing and sweating. While it was still difficult to breathe properly, she couldn't hide it anymore. "Someone needs to turn the air on."

 

 ==Tag boys==

[Cdr Sothrick]

== NPC Security Petty Officer Matthew Davis==

As Davis took his place in the back of the line a slight thought came to his mind that if he was in the back at least his view, that of the Chief Tactical Officer, was not that bad.

Just as a bit of a grin began to creep into his features a bit of shame smirked them back off. Suddenly as if she heard his debauchery of thoughts she waved him ahead.

"No ma'am, Captain said to bring up the rear..." He said as he raised his phaser

"I intend to protect our rear" He added with a slight smile

Besides he felt he could better help her if she needed it.


As they moved into the tube Matt waited to hear if the Captain had gotten to the other hatch.

He also understood his orders were to basically make sure THEY didn't get locked in as the other poor officer had.

As they made their way up he heard Xardeen comment about the air.

"Ya except if it came on now I think I would start sweating more" He said as he stole a glimpse of the team moving up.

[Ens Jukish Keti]

The statement that they shouldn't be there wasn't an option, but it was the summary of a series of facts. None of them mattered at this point, and it was less useful to argue about anything. Instead Keti just nodded and started move forward, he said too much already. There was however one mo4e thing that crossed his mind, and that was how this was going to be a much different time. The only thing that he would change about the order, was anyone else take point in the shaft. The big reason was the fact that if there was another telepathic traps, people would be on either side of him.

Instead he just put the ear ring back in and looked for something to wedge the door open, and it didn't have to be that big. The small piece of debris was good enough to put there, and with luck it would work. Now all Keti would do was follow and keep a very sharp eye.

== GM input would Keti spot anything dangerous or useful like tools or a weapon? ==

[LCdr Nira Said]

The aura of death Nira was feeling was making her more and more uneasy...if it weren't for Arwen and Slad, she would've gotten lost, and Nira had a feeling that it was a bad idea to go alone anywhere on the ship.

 

The blood on the walls and the bloodied hypospanner certainly didn't help Nira's anxiety. By the time they arrived at the main cargo bay doors, she was already shivering with fear.

 

"Good Allah, whatever happened here, I don't want to meet it," Nira said nervously. "And whatever I'm feeling...this is bad...yeah, virtual understatement..." She kept looking nervously around, as if to expect to see, at any moment, some non-coporeal apparitions (it didn't feel right for her to think "ghost.")

 

==Tag==

 

==GM Input - Any potential "ghosts" Nira can talk with? Feeling useless right now.==

[LCdr Nira Said]

Shaking aside the thoughts, Nira looked around at her team and then at the door. She shrugged; manual release seemed to be the best option to get the door open.

 

"Let's get the door open with the manual release," said Nira. "With the power this ship has currently, it'd be a bad idea to use the controls."

 

==GM Input - Nira chooses manual release; will that work?==

[GM-01]

==Keti: No.==

 

==Said==

 

There were no physical ghosts. Ghosts were, as far as modern science was concerned, a fantastical fabrication.

 

Using the manual release seemed to do the trick; the pistons disengaged with an audible "CLUNK". Now they would need to haul the doors open themselves.

[Cdr Sothrick]

==NPC Petty Officer  Matthew Davis ==

 

Sothrick looked back at Matt and gave him a slight look then turned to forge on to find the way out of the tube.

 

Matt had worked along side the First Officer now acting Captain for long enough that he learned the subtle signs he would give. The large Vulcan Security Officer trained the team that slight signs and non-verbal cues a team could use while others would miss.

 

Matt smiled and offered his hand when Xardeen looked as though she could use it but tried to wait until she did. "So anyone know any of those old human climbing songs?" Matt joked trying to lighten the heavy mood of the room.

 

== Nira's Team ==

== NPC Security   Crewman Slad ==

 

Slad moved ahead of the small group and as they neared the door he turned to check on his team.

He quickly noted that the Commander seemed a bit... agitated.

 

"Good Allah, whatever happened here, I don't want to meet it," Nira said nervously. "And whatever I'm feeling...this is bad...yeah, virtual understatement..."

 

"Commander?" He said plainly. "I do not understand your query? Whom are you wishing to meet?" Said the Vulcan crewman

 

"Allah, is that not a Human, deity?" He asked.

 

She continued in her mindset and looked at the door.

 

"Let's get the door open with the manual release," said Nira. "With the power this ship has currently, it'd be a bad idea to use the controls."

 

Slad nodded "Of course sir. let me try I as a Vulcan poses a higher strength." He offered.

 

==GM Input: Does Sothrick's team reach the other end of the tube? Is it locked? Is Sothrick Able to open the door with manual release as well?==

[Lt Xenara Xardeen]

Xenara sighed at Davis' defiance. Well, it wasn't really defiance, just orders. 

 

"As long as protecting is the only thing you're doing with my rear," she said with a wry grin. 

 

As she made her way through the tube, it seemed to take a lot longer than she expected. She wasn't used to climbing through something so confining, but as long as she didn't get stuck - she knew she had a way out after all - she could check her claustrophobia. 

 

When Keti asked about climbing songs, Xenara shook her head. "None come to mind," she said. "But then I've never had a singing voice. Babies and animals tend to cry when I attempt it."

 

==Tag boys==

[Ens Jukish Keti]

The confusion that Keti had right about now was a reoccurring theme, but it was alright. Even if he didn't know any climbing songs, he was aware of why they had them. The hard part for him to imagine was the fact that they were not climbing, and for some odd reason he felt right at home. It was just the ship that was getting on his nerves, who built it and why?

The next part was abbot the statement about the rear, a possible double entendra something he would clear up later. Or he wouldn't, depending on the circumstances. It was now the time to wait and see, hopefully they could get on the Bridge and he could start to work.

[GM-01]

==Sothrick==

 

The next hatch was easily opened, and revealed a small junction room. They could exit the Jeffries Tube onto Deck 2, or continue up the ladder to Deck 1 and the Bridge. The hatch at the upper end of the tube seemed to be jammed open by something.

 

==Slad==

 

The Vulcan was easily able to brute force one of the two large doors open, revealing the main Cargo Bay inside.

 

==Team Said, I'll meet you back in the Cargo Bays==

[Cdr Sothrick]

== Umm it was Davis that asked about climbing songs == 

 

==NPC Petty Officer  Matthew Davis ==

 

"As long as protecting is the only thing you're doing with my rear," she said with a wry grin. Matt answered with a slight grin and slight playful shrug back faining his innocence.

 

"Oh I bet not Lieutenant. I bet you have a beautiful voice." He added "But I don't think climbing songs necessarily need to have a great talent to sing them." He added.

 

== Sothrick == 

 

As he reached past the door and into the small area he checked the area for any more surprises glancing down each hall.

 

"Lets pause here. Keti can you give me a scan in the next part of the jefferies tube. We will push to the bridge." He said then tapped his badge.

 

"Commander Kier can you report in? I need a Sit Rep." He asked

 

== GM Input: Does Sothrick's communication go through?==

Edited by Cdr Sothrick, Star Date 22305.27 @ 03:13 (03:13 AM).

[Lt Arwen Qi]

Arwen raised his arms instinctively, half expecting Nira to collapse as she opened her mind to the energy that was permeating the ship. After a tense moment, it became clear that she hadn’t made contact with anything in particular. He glued his arms back to his side, half embarrassed that he had expected something to happen.

 

They could have used a clue about what had transpired on the ship, but it wasn’t worth risking the safety of their First Officer. He was far from an expert on psionic energy or the physiology of empathic species, but he knew enough to be nervous about opening one’s mind to outside forces.

 

At the end of their journey, they reached the sealed door of the main Cargo Bay.

 

"Let's get the door open with the manual release," said Nira. "With the power this ship has currently, it'd be a bad idea to use the controls.”

 

Arwen nodded, studying the door. If this was where Captain Jennings had transported from, there may be some evidence of the state that she had been in when she left, or how many of her crew had been with her at the time.

 

"Let's get the door open with the manual release," said Nira. "With the power this ship has currently, it'd be a bad idea to use the controls."

 

Crewman Slad nodded "Of course sir. let me try I as a Vulcan poses a higher strength." He offered.

 

Arwen stepped back as Slad approached the heavy door and, with some effort, pried it open.

 

>>>> Cargo Bay >>>>

 

== Will consolidate any needed GM Input with post in next thread ==

Edited by Lt Arwen Qi, Star Date 22305.27 @ 04:48 (04:48 AM).

[Lt (JG) Kalli Thorn]

== NPC PO2 Kimberly "Kitkat" Kitmat ==

 

As the team that was heading to the Bridge continued to slowly make their way up toward their destination, a faint sound could be heard from somewhere in the confines of the Jeffries Tube. In the tight confines, it was hard to determine the exact direction. Fortunately, they had reached the junction for Deck 2 and it gave them some room. They had barely had the chance to shine a hand torch down the way they had come when the Caitian head of Kitmat popped up. Having the light shine right in her eyes, she gave a tiny hiss and tried to block her eyes, "Well, there goes my ability to see anything clearly for the next few minutes. Everything is spots. Why are you guys so jumpy?"

 

She braced herself in the tube, not bothering to try and climb out further and make them even more cramped. Instead, she rubbed at her eyes with the furry backside of one paw as she tried to speak, "Okay, I think I saw Commander Sothrick for a second, so..." Her voice was rather distinct, always rolling her Rs and having a soft purring quality to it most of the time. "The short version is that there is too much interference right now for comms to be of use into or out  of Engineering right now. We think we're going to be able to get power back up, but it's a gamble."

 

Removing her paw from her eyes, she tried looking around once more, her eyes comically wide and struggling to see through the spots. When she did finally manage to make out what looked like Sothrick, she continued, "So...Keir is about to try the death defying cold start of the warp core. The estimated time started out at about 15 minutes...hmmm...I'm going to guess we have about five more minutes before they press the proverbial big red button. You might want to be on the Bridge when that happens...you know...just in case it works." She shrugged, "The good news is that if it doesn't work, we'll never know it. The speed of the detonation will render us all into subatomic particles and begin mingling us with local star dust faster that any one neuron will get to interact with another in our brains. If you have fingers, you might want to cross them, or engage in whatever other primitive superstition you favor. I tend to hold onto my tail at such moments."

 

Seeming happy with having delivered her message, she smiled her toothy grin and looked around at them, "So...I'm not going to have time to get all the way back there before this happens, but I think I will head back that way anyway, just to be optimistic. You guys going to hold a little vigil here, or climb like our lives depend on it...I'm just curious."

 

== Sorry, I just couldn't help myself... ===

 

== Okay...not really sorry... ==

[LCdr Nira Said]

Nira nodded in appreciation, and she looked at Arwen with relief. So far, so good.

 

"Let's do this, everybody," she said, and stepped into the Main Cargo Bay.

 

>>>> Cargo Bay >>>>

[Ens Jukish Keti]

Getting into the new area that was pretty small, Keti looked up at the door and it appeared to be jammed open. It was just another part of this creepy fun house, and nothing appeared to work properly. Everything here seemed to be a relic of the past, and not properly taken care of. There was limited power, and none was in the Tricorder. Now they found themselves in a situation where they had no real options, and the only sensors they could rely on were natural.

"Right now there is only one thing that has a shot at success." Climbing up the ladder a little, Keti stopped just short of the opening. It was that sweet spot that will tell him everything that he needed to know, and his factory senses were going to tell him. All of the time that they spent there, the crew wouldn't have the ability for too much personal hygiene. The smell would give away anyone's posisitions, and so would any sounds they would make. All he needed was a little time and quiet, it would also tell him how to proceed.

== GM input does Keti smell or hear anyone on the deck above?==

[Cdr Sothrick]

Keti immediately began what looked like, smelling the air. Sothrick's eyebrow raised with a questioning look as the Science Officer  began sniffing the next shaft like a canine.

 

Oddly he was about to address when his own sense caught something moving fast up the tube behind them Sothrick gave a look to Davis who quickly moved with phaser in hand only to find the Engineer moving up his light temporarily blinding the young engineer.

 

"KitKat." Davis Called out.

 

Sothrick offered a hand to help her through to the level they were in as he listened to the Chiefs plan.

 

"Interesting. Ok lets move to the bridge we need to double time it. Crewman Kitmat you are with us then. I will need your expertise on the bridge if Kier is doing a restart I will need a good engineer on bridge to coordinate." Sothrick said then slapped his combadge.

 

"Sothrick to Commander Nira please give me a sit rep." He said with an idea of his own.

 

"Davis, get them to the bridge I will be right behind you." He added.

 

 

== GM Input: I know coms were not working into the Engineering section. Can Nira receive communication from Sothrick?==

[Lt Xenara Xardeen]

As exhausted as Xenara had been, the short trek through the Jeffries Tube had made her even more so. But there was really no place to sit, let alone stand in the junction they found. Besides, Xenara was too driven to get to the Bridge and take control of the Vanguard. 

 

Once I get to the Bridge I can sit. It's not that far.

 

For a normal person, had she said that out loud, she probably would have gotten a look or two, but the crew knew what she was and that she had limitations, though she tried to not show them as long as she was able to compensate for them herself. 

 

But the lack of air wasn't helping. 

 

She blinked as Ensign Keti began to sniff the air. She didn't realize Bajorans had such good olfactory systems, and Sothrick looked like he was going to say something when he seemed to sense something, or rather, someone crawling the same tube their group had just exited. She let Davis do his thing, but their worries were quickly extinguished when a young woman revealed herself.

 

It was an engineer she hadn't met yet. But apparently Davis knew her. 

 

"If you wanted to come with us, you could have simply asked," Xenara said to KitKat in a playful tone.  As tired as she was, she still found time to make jokes.

 

Sothrick gave his ordered and Xenara nodded. 

 

==Tag all==

[GM-01]

==Keti==

 

As far as he could tell from sniff and sound, there was nobody on the Bridge; Bajoran noses weren't much more sensitive than Human noses, but the effort was laudable. It was interesting to note that the air wafting down smelled fresher than the air elsewhere, though.

 

==Sothrick==

 

As far as he could tell, the communication had gone through, but no reply came from the other end.

[Ens Jukish Keti]

Going back in Earth's history in the Navy the worst job possible was the person who opened the hatch of a submarine, the combination of lack of hygiene and lack of ventilation makes it like a can of soda. The difference is when you open the soda, the smell doesn't make you want to lose your lunch the same way it went in. When it came to the Bridge was Keti was looking for how bad it smelled and how strong it was, the stronger the smell the closer the people were. The lack of oder told him there hasn't been anyone there for a while, and knowing this was a pretty big deal.

"It appears like the coast has been clear for a while, the fresher air tells me that much." The fact he wasn't always a Scientist helps, simple hunting tricks go a long way. The difference was this time it was to make sure they were not walking into a trap, much like a hatch that is wedged open. It was good ventilation to prevent a build up of carbon dioxide, something that everyone breaths out naturally.

"Meet you at the top." Climbing up to the next floor, Keti took a look around. The presence and lack of dust goes a long way, it is made out of a lot of skin cells that get shed every second of the day. The other part was if it was too good to be true, and Keti was at high risk of tripping something and alerting the others.

==Tag all and GM what does he see and did he step on the unwelcome mat and trip a surprise?==

[Lt Xenara Xardeen]

Ladders weren't exactly Xenara's bane, but living on Earth helped her to acclimate to them. She had actually thought about getting her nano-exoskeleton augmented to help in those situations, but she didn't think Starfleet would approve. Besides, with Commander Sothrick - and Davis - to help her, she didn't really need it. 

 

She looked up at her adopted brother as Keti made his way up. "Climb this, crawl through that. Makes one appreciate engineers more." 

 

She wasn't about to let her commanding officer go up before her, even though Sothrick would easily be able to deal with any threats, but it was her job and duty to protect him, even though it was his job and duty to protect the crew.

 

She started to make her way up after Keti.

 

==Tag boys==

 

==GM input please, any trouble getting up and over?==

[Cdr Sothrick]

"Damn it!" Sothrick uncharacteristically let out.

 

He took a deep breath, a breath of frustration. As no answer came he began moving up the ladder as the science officer gave his olfactory report of all clear. 

 

"Davis, open the hatch. Once we reach the bridge I have something for you to do." He called ahead.

 

As he spoke, he, in an almost absent mindedly state, scooped up the tactical officer.in one arm and carried her up to the next landing. Once they got to a level spot he realized what he did and gave a small apologizing look to his new sister. He hoped he did not insult her.

 

Once at the hatch Davis did as he was ordered and with phaser in hand pushed up the last hatch carefully and quickly scanned all directions. He was ready, or at least he thought he was ready, for anything, he hoped.

 

== GM input: Does Matt see anything?==

[Lt (JG) Kalli Thorn]

== NPC PO2 Kimberly "Kitkat" Kitmat ==

 

At Sothrick's command that she was now to stay with them, she responded calmly, "Of courrrse, sirrr."

 

They then began climbing up to the Bridge, but it felt painfully slow to her. She tried hard to not get frustrated, but silently rolled her eyes and Leaned against a wall while she waited for them. At the rate they were going, the Engineer suspected that none of them would be on the Bridge when the core hopefully ignited successfully. She gave a tiny huff to herself as the thought privately that the way things were going, she was going to die in this crawlspace and the last thing she was going to see when it all went boom was the backside of a crewmember. She knew that she should not get so frustrated with the others, but to her they all climbed like newborns.

 

== The fuse has been lit...a while ago...we're really going to creepy crawl and carefully peek into every corner still? I thought we were trying to stop the Geronimo from getting away? Do I have that part wrong? ==

[GM-01]

==SoI'm only going to answer Keti right now as the Davis post confuses me: Davis has Xardeen in one hand, and is somehow climbing past Keti to be the first through the hatch? Which is open? ==

 

The Bridge was, surprisingly, in a much better state than the rest of the ship. The consoles were dark save for the two consoles that bracketed the Captain's chair, and the door to the Deck 1 corridor was open. The air in the room was fresher and cleaner than elsewhere on the ship, indicating that more than minimal life support had been routed to this area.

 

There was, however, nobody around.

 

==Posting for this team should continue on the Bridge==

Edited by GM-01, Star Date 22306.07 @ 22:52 (10:52 PM).