This message includes a Star Trek: A Call To Duty mission transcript.
The transcript is for entertainment purposes only and cannot be redistributed or copied.
TM & Copyright © 2004 by Star Trek: A Call To Duty. All Rights Reserved.

Star Trek: A Call To Duty presents…

USS Andromeda presents
“The Phoenix Incident” – Part XIII

	Starring...
Janne Nikula as Commanding Officer, Captain Sketek Zhnirev,
Jack Farfri as Executive Officer, Commander Ray Durron,
Miika Nikula as Chief Tactical Officer, Commander Senek Zhnirev,
Nuno Cruz as Chief Science Officer, Commander Rie-Mann Z’heta,
James von Hoyweghen as Counsellor, Lieutenant-Commander Tal’el Jordaïn,
Matt Coe as Flight Control Officer, Ensign James Andrews,
Conor Power as Chief Engineer, Ensign Conor Power,
Tom Farr as Medical Officer, Ensign Elren Ji’An
	and...
John Sea McDermott as the beggar and himself
 
John Sea says:
Resume USS Andromeda "The Phoenix Incident" 10405.16
John Sea says:
Scene: The crew is standing over the dead body of Senator Ralock in a rainy alleyway beneath noisy elevated trains.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
::standing in the alley ignoring the rain::
CO Capt. Sketek says:
::looking around, seeing that there are no too-curious bypassers::
John Sea says:
Action: The new MO of the Andromeda introduces herself to the CO and provides a valid password.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
::kneels beside a small holographic projection of the Senator, taken just hours earlier::
CO Capt. Sketek says:
::notices the MO:: MO: Welcome Ms Ji'An.
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
::standing at the beginning of the alleyway to see if trouble is coming or not::
CEO Ens. Power says:
::patrolling the area with rifle in hand::
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
::walks up to the Captain:: CO: I am Elren Ji'An your new medical officer, Blue Flag sir. ::nods::
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
::looks over at the newcomer and returns to his projector, advancing to a much more recent time-index, displaying the officers and a gang of toughs::
CO Capt. Sketek says:
MO: Thanks for the introduction. I must remind you, however, that around here we are undercover and we must not use our real names and titles whenever we are in places others can hear us. I think this location is safe for now but you have to be aware that we might be under surveillance all the time.
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
::colour drains from cheeks:: CO: Aye sir, I will bear that in mind; how can I be of service?
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
::looking around, thinking to himself and wondering about the gang::
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
::looks at his readings and taps the projector, then a light smack:: Self: Must've been too far away to pick anything up..
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
::sees the CEO pass and nods::
CO Capt. Sketek says:
MO: We need to find a way to detect these Excalbians. You could work with others to find methods to detect them.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
::shuts down the projector and stows it in his pocket::
CEO Ens. Power says:
::nods at the CNS::
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
::walks to the CO:: CO: At the moment, everything seems clear, master.
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
CO: Aye sir. ::looks around as if waiting for someone to call her over:: CO: Who should I be working with Sir?
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
CO: I'd like to think temperature readings would be enough, but it looks like we'd have to be up close and personal in order to be sure. The gang may have had an Excalbian in there but I think I was too far away to be positive.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
::glances around again:: CO: We need to be moving, sir.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
MO: The FCO.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
::looks at the new MO and nods:: MO: Until we get off this rock, you can call me S'tev.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
FCO: Well, we have to live with that.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
XO: Where do you think we should be going?
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
CO: I don't know, sir, but we have been stationary far too long.
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
::nods to the CO and moves over to the FCO:: Good day ... S'tev; where have we got to with this?
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
CO: I propose that we disable the refinery and attempt to exit the planet. It doesn't matter who makes the substance; we need to tell...our employer about it.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
MO: Not much of anywhere. The CO and I went to talk to who we thought was the Senator a few hours ago, until we found this five-days-dead corpse. We were both wearing sensors from Intelligence and whoever we were talking to was reading pretty hot; probably an Excalbian imposter trying to further things along.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
XO: Do you suggest that we should not uncover the Excalbians here but rather get out of here quickly?
MO Ens Ji’An says:
FCO: Aye sir. ::takes out her tricorder and unzips the body bag, begins scans:: FCO: This man was definitely not killed by any other known race, have you checked for residual DNA of the Excalbian?
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
CO: The Romulans would not believe that one of their senators was a spy. Also, they would question our sources.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
XO: Yes, this is a very complex situation we are in.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
::gives the MO a quick elbow:: MO: I'd recommend taking the word "sir" out of your vocabulary for the time being… No, I haven't. Want the readings I picked up from the Senator's imposter?
CO Capt. Sketek says:
XO: Do you think that there is a reasonably easy way for us to disable the refinery?
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
CO: I don't know.  I would have to take a look around, or get a set of plans to look at.
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
::goes pale yet again:: FCO: That would be good S'tev... can I have a look? ::continues scanning for residual DNA:: FCO: I have some residual DNA here which is not of any race I recognise, this could indeed be that of an Excalbian, however I have little to compare it with to confirm...
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
CO: Master, may I give you some mercenary psychology? They do not like, or must I say hate, being used or manipulated.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
XO: Perhaps it would be more realistic if we just acquired a sample of this compound instead of trying large-scale industrial sabotage.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
::pulls out his projector/recorder again and hands it to the MO:: MO: Here's everything I have. And don't worry about it; it's your first day here.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
CNS: Are you hinting that we should contact the mercenaries and reveal the situation, or at least part of it?
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
CO: We could look and see if we are able to knock down the building.
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
CO: We could do that but always be very careful not to reveal ourselves and all the information we know. We must find some mercenaries we can.....eeuuuhhh... "trust"!
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
FCO: Thanks... The scans of mine confirm the Senator was indeed killed by an Excalbian, I therefore have some DNA to go on which may help in the detection of them. ::hands tricorder to the FCO and examines the information presented by S'tev::
CO Capt. Sketek says:
CNS: That is not easy.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
CNS: Of course, we could just drop the Senator's head in the middle of the convention and shout, 'You’ve been lied to', then run.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
XO: That would raise way too many suspicions. Let's just sneak in and steal a sample.
CEO Ens. Power says:
::quietly laughs::
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
::looks at the CNS incredulously:: CNS: Good luck. ::takes the tricorder from the MO:: MO: I'll see if I can have the data recorders flag readings along these lines to make it easier to find..
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
CO: Are you willing to let the Romulans continue to create the material?
CO Capt. Sketek says:
XO: We are a very small team. There is not that much we can do about it.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
XO: That's almost what I was starting to think... what if we burst into the facility, claim we're Tal'shiar and that we have reports there's a Federation spy and this place needs to be shut down NOW?
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
CO: I know it is not easy, but always think about the use of that plan. But I must say we need to think of something simpler.
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
MO: By the way, Ensign, I'm the Counsellor but for the moment you may call me Balitek.
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
::looks towards the Counsellor:: CNS: Hi, I look forward to working with you; I have heard a great deal about you...
CO Capt. Sketek says:
CNS: You are with me. We will take the body and go see the man who is now posing as Ralock. XO: You take the others and do whatever you can about the refinery.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
CO: If the opportunity presents itself, we will disable the refinery, sir. However, we will not go out of the way.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
::goes to the body and starts carrying it from one end:: CNS: Take the other end.
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
CO: Yes, master. ::nods::
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
::picks up the other end of the corpse and starts walking::
CO Capt. Sketek says:
XO: Do whatever seems best in the situation. It is an unknown building with unknown features. Just do your best.
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
::smiles at the MO in a very evilish way (but just for fun)::
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
FCO: The data here show that the imposter Senator Ralock is emitting radiation at higher than normal temperatures. ::looks at the data again in search of further clue::
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
CEO/FCO/MO: Okay guys, let’s go.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
All: Oh, one thing. We have two Tal'shiar rifles. We need them.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
::looks at the CEO::
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
MO: That's about all I got out of it too.. Maybe the CEO and I can cook something up to get better bioreadings.
CEO Ens. Power says:
::looks at shoes::
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
::remembers something and pulls the parts of the Tal'shiar rifle out of their hiding points than hands them to the CO:: CO: Shouldn't be hard to put back together.
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
::is intimidated by the Counsellor’s look, gets up and walks to the XO:: FCO: I would suggest working on the residual DNA, we must be able to detect it...
CEO Ens. Power says:
All: Ok, who wants the rifles?
CO Capt. Sketek says:
XO: Thank you. CNS: Now let's go.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
CO: If you're talking to the "Senator", I think we should try to tie a tricorder into your data recorder. The MO and I need bioreadings.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
CEO: Your rifle?
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
CO: Master. ::nods::
John Sea says:
Action: A poor man bumps into the CO and asks for change as the rain pours down.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
FCO: I'll have my tricorder record everything.
CEO Ens. Power says:
::hands rifle to the XO::
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
MO: The only problem is what those data recorders can detect.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
::hands the CEO's rifle to the CO:: CO: Here you go, sir. Good luck.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
CO: Sounds good. Next time we see each other, we'll have to compare notes. Maybe we'll be able to identify these things from 500 paces.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
::looks at his team, nods and silently walks towards the refinery::
CO Capt. Sketek says:
::takes poor man's hand:: Beggar: I am sorry but I can't give what you seek.
CEO Ens. Power says:
::looks at disrupter and frowns::
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
::whispers to the MO:: MO: Pass me that data recorder...
Beggar says:
::pulls away so not to be touched:: CO: Who I am is not important, I-- we do not agree with getting innocents involved in this drama. ::hooded face::
CEO Ens. Power says:
::moves disruptor towards beggar::
CO Capt. Sketek says:
Beggar: If you have something you wish to tell, you may speak.
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
::picks up the data recorder and passes it to the FCO:: Here you go...
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@::stops and turns to see why his team isn't following him::
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
::nods and strolls around, making sure to pass close to the beggar, then discretely removes the data recorder and checks its readings::
Beggar says:
CO: Some of us, shall we say, disagree with the others' experiment here. If you confront "Ralock" he will kill you, of course.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
::sees the XO's look and points to the beggar and mouths "Excalbian"::
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
::makes sure his readings confirm what he just told the XO::
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@::looks at the FCO, nods, then looks at the beggar, then wonders what the FCO mouthed::
CO Capt. Sketek says:
Beggar: What are you suggesting that we should do?
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
@::stands behind the FCO and removes her tricorder, scans the beggar, moves to the XO and whispers in his ear:: XO: The beggar, Excaliban...
Beggar says:
CO: That is up to you, but be aware that there are five actors in this play: you, the Romulans, the mercenaries, Excalbians who love drama and care not for innocents, and we who love drama and do indeed care about innocents.  This is the play and maybe all the actors do or do not agree.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@::nods again at the FCO::
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
@::strolls over to the XO:: XO: I guarantee somebody in the gang was an Excalbian... this one knows that we know.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
Beggar: So is there anything you could do to help us?
Beggar says:
CO: I have shown you the play now, and you must write it.  I will tell you that the murder weapon in this play, the compound, is nothing more than a prop no matter what you think your instruments say.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@::whispers to the FCO:: FCO: He could have been watching, but it is a safe bet.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
Beggar: Are you saying that the compound has no military power?
Beggar says:
CO: I have now revealed the play.  Now act it out.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
@::whispers back:: XO: How deep do you think they're involved? Are you thinking Admiral Perceptus? I am..
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@::whispers quietly:: FCO: Do you know how good their hearing is? I sure don't, so be quiet.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
@::nods::
CO Capt. Sketek says:
Beggar: Very well. We will.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
CNS: This is interesting.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@::whispering quietly:: FCO: They are holding the corpse of the Senator. Kind of obvious that we know.
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
CO: Very interesting even, for I think this play has an end already and if we do not re-write this story it is going to "blow up" in our face… if I can be so frank, master.
John Sea says:
Action: The beggar becomes an Excalbian in molten form with his sharp claws, then turns into a witch that would make Shakespeare proud and vanishes in a dramatic puff of smoke.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
*XO* This is Captain Sketek. Do not destroy the refinery under any circumstances. The most you can do is to acquire a sample. I repeat: The most you can do is to acquire a sample. This is a direct order.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
@Self: Whoa! ::draws his disruptor as the Excalbian disappears::
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@*CO*: Okay.
CEO Ens. Power says:
@XO: Damn, and I thought we were going to have some fun.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@FCO/CEO/MO: Let’s go.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
CNS: I must say that I am rather clueless on what to do now.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
@XO: Mmmm, undercover... again.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@::turns and resumes his walk to the refinery.::
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
@::nods to the XO and proceeds to follow him, clutching the disguised medkit::
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
@::follows the XO and hopes there's enough room in his case for a sample::
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
CO: We could hide the body for now and just pay a visit to the Senator and see from then on, we must try and figure out how this act is evolving.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@FCO/CEO/MO: We don't want or need to be undercover.  We want to remain unseen.
CEO Ens. Power says:
@::sticks to the shadows of the alley::
CO Capt. Sketek says:
CNS: To be honest, the simplest thing to do now would be leaving this planet immediately and informing Federation of the current situation.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
CNS: Another way of action would be to start assassinating the Excalbians one by one as we find out about them.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@CEO: When we stop, transfer all the gear from your case to the FCO's.  You will be responsible for the sample once we have obtained it.
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
@XO: In that case, we're going to need schematics of the refinery. ::looks at the MO:: Self: I hope I have another sensor jammer...
CEO Ens. Power says:
@XO: Right sir.
CO Capt. Sketek says:
CNS: If we could wipe out Ralock and keep the mercenaries informed of this act, it would certainly bring us to next chapter in this play.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@::stops near the refinery, crouches and peeks around the corner of the wall at the refinery::
MO Ens. Ji’An says:
@::moves in behind the FCO trying to keep up the pace:: FCO: I hope you do too...
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
CO: That is indeed the most simple thing to do, but now I speak for myself and I want to get to the bottom of the plot. That is also a way of action but there are many risks to that action. One mistake and we are history and there will be no happy end.
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
::thinks about killing Ralock::
CNS Lt.-Cmdr. Jordaïn says:
CO: Or we can let him "vanish".
FCO Ens. Andrews says:
@::pulls out a PADD and tried to find some refinery schematics floating around in the city's computer systems:: Self: Well, we've broken in once without getting detected.. we should be able to do it again.
XO Cmdr. Durron says:
@::whispering:: CEO: Those schematics from the Tal'shiar agents, are any of them of the refinery?
John Sea says:
Pause USS Andromeda "The Phoenix Incident" 10405.16