Host Arlene says:

"Burning Sky" - Part 3

SUMMARY: The Seleya, responding to a distress signal, had been ambushed by a powerful, unknown enemy.  Crippled and nearly adrift, the crew begin to pick up the pieces.  Who is this new enemy, and what exactly do they want?

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CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: On the Bridge, taking a sip of water form his bottle while looking over the systems status report. ::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Exits the TL and heads over to his post. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: How are things coming?

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Checks a few things and turns to the CO. :: CO:  They did a number on us, that’s for sure...

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: The damage reports didn't look promising. How about the prognosis on repairs?

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Looks at the PADD and shakes his head. :: CO:  Well, Engineering says they can get auxiliary power back up in a few hours, but were not going to be in any shape to fight for a while.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: That's what I was afraid of.  I don't want to put pressure on the away team, but it's only a matter of time before they come looking for us.

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
:: Making her way with Atreides to the shuttle bay. ::

Host Arlene says:
ACTION:  The gases of the nebula swirl around the Seleya.  Even the pretty colors cannot disguise the fact that the ship is nearly crippled.  Inside, the crew hurries about their jobs effectively.  Even the cadets are pitching in.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
*EO_Collins* : Muir to shuttle bay 1, how are the modifications to the Lionheart coming?

CO_Capt_Muir says:
(EO Collins): *Muir*:  Modifications are complete sir, we're just adding some extra armor here and there until the team arrives.

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
CO:  Well, we're in no shape to fight, and we cant run without warp.... :: Gives the CO a matter of fact look. ::  ...I didn’t want to say anything in front of the cadets, but were in serious trouble.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: Seldom does the truth evade the young, Commander... if anything, they may be a little more optimistic about this situation than we were.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
:: Exits the TL and heads towards the shuttle bay. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: Remember, they've heard all the legendary stories of starship crews working miracles... from the NX program, to Kirk, the Dominion War and beyond.  With no frame of reference in the real world, they probably fully expect we can get out of this.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: Or maybe that's my youthful optimism talking.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
::Realizes he's going off on a tangent and pulls up the shuttle bay on the systems monitor ::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Looks down at the PADD and shrugs. :: CO:  Oh, we’ll get out of it, I just thought I'd put it into perspective.  :: Looks over the tactical report on the battle. :: I'd just like to know who the hell they are.  Romulan ships armed with Federation and Klingon weaponry?  Who has those kinds of resources and connections?

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
:: Enters the shuttle bay and makes his way to Collins. :: EO: Status report?

Host Arlene says:
<SO Frame> :: At science station one... double checking the sporadic readings she is getting from the sensors.  She knows it’s accurate but she pales anyway. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
*XO, CNS*:  Away Team to shuttle bay one.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
*CO*:  Already here captain, getting a status report now.

Host Arlene says:
:: Taking a deep breath she turns to the Captain. :: CO:  Sir I just updated the sensors readings such as they are...  Cosmic storm will hit in 8 hours.

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Turns and looks at the SO, loosing some of his flippancy. :: SO:  Say again?

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: It could be...  :: Trails off as he hears the SO. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
SO: Of what magnitude?

Host Arlene says:
FCO/CO:  A Cosmic storm.... coming...  magnitude not accurate sir...

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: Plot a course to the other side of the nebula; try to move us away from it... that may buy us more time.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
*Away Team* Muir to Away Team, you need to step it up, we have a cosmic storm coming in approximately 8 hours. We need help and fast.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: How many of the cadets aboard are engineering specialists?

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
*CO*: We’re just about ready to depart Captain. :: Starts to walk up the shuttle's ramp. ::

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
:: Enters the shuttle and sits down nervously. ::

Host Arlene says:
<SO Framre> ::Voice cracking::  CO/FCO:  Well sirs.....  It will cause massive electromagnetic surges within the nebula, destroying everything inside.... that is to say sir... anywhere in the nebula we are dead.  :: The last is a squeak. .::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Nods. :: CO:  Aye sir.  :: Returns to the helm and begins moving the Seleya to the far side of the Nebula. :: CO:  12, sir.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
SO: Keep me apprised of any developments, and start a running countdown, on all LCARS consoles on the ship. Everyone needs to work to this timeframe.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: Follow me.

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Jumps up from his seat and falls in behind the CO. ::

Host Arlene says:
<SO Frame> CO:  Aye Sir...  :: Turns to her console and begins punching in the commands. ::
CO:  Sir, Yellow Alert?

CO_Capt_Muir says:
SO: Ensign.........  :: Realizes this particular SO has never been on bridge duty before. :: Ensign, you have the bridge.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
:: Watches Atreides scuttle by and into a seat near the medical supplies, he then moves towards the front of the shuttle. :: Self: Guess I’m driving then.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
SO: Aye.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Steps into the TL. ::

Host Arlene says:
<SO Frame> :: Faints when told she is in charge. ::

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
:: Sits at CONN and powers up the shuttle. :: *CO*:  Darklighter to Muir, we're ready to depart.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Taps his badge. :: *XO* Lionheart you are clear for launch. Make it a quick once around, First.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
*CO* Quick? So i guess a lap around the seleya is out of the question then? :: Opens the bay doors and flies the shuttle out. ::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Constant danger, little or no hope....this is starting to feel like home. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: We have 8 hours to get this ship operational enough to get away from here, whether or not reinforcements make it. How do you feel about freeing up some cadets for repair and other duty?

CO_Capt_Muir says:
*XO* Indeed. Muir out. :: Does his whole "I was brought up on Vulcan" thing ::

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@:: Sets the shuttle on coarse for the edge of the nebula, not the edge they came in as there were warbirds there last time. ::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Nods. ::  CO:  I say we give every one of them a hydro-spanner and shove them into the nearest Jeffries tube.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@CNS: Can you keep an eye on the sensors for me? :: Slaves OPS and looks over his shoulder at Atreides nearly throwing up. :: CNS: I don't think Atreides is going to help much.

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
@XO: Sir  ::tries not to let a smirk out::

Host Arlene says:
ACTION:  Several Cadets walk by the Capt and FCO and give them a smart salute.

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
@: Watches the sensors. ::

Host Arlene says:
ACTION:  An electromagnetic streak flashes across the bow of the shuttle, nearly hitting it.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: In spite of the situation, almost has to laugh at how uptight the cadets are. ::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Give the Cadets a nod, hoping they're good spirits will hold out in the tense hours ahead. ::

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
@:: Holds on to her chair as the shuttle lurches. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Steps into the cargo bay. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Waits for them to notice. ::

Host Arlene says:
ACTION:  The cargo bay is filled with more cadets.  They snap to attention.

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Stands at rest next to the CO. ::
 
XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@:: Levels the shuttle and hears Atreides grumble something. :: CMO: Sorry, I’ll try to keep her steady. :: Jerks the shuttle a tad. ::

Host Arlene says:
ACTION:  The CMO jerks forward hitting his head knocking him out.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@:: Looks at Atreides and then at Modalis. :: CNS: Is it wrong that I’m not overly concerned about him?

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Looks about at the Cadets milling around. ::  ALL:  Captain on deck!

CO_Capt_Muir says:
Cadets: Thank you. Due to exceptional circumstances I come to you with a request for your assistance in getting the Seleya back up to standard.

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
@:: Glances at Darklighter. ::  XO: I don't believe so, sir.  :: Goes back to the sensors. ::
Host Arlene says:
<Cadets> :: Look at the Capt., their eyes revealing and eager, ready for the challenge. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
Cadets: You will all be needed, in spite of your specialty, and should report to the department head aboard the Seleya for your field area. They won't be able to give you constant guidance, they may not even notice or want you. Just do your best to do the easy jobs that you see around you need to be done. And if any of them take exception to it...

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@:: Looks at Atreides again. :: CNS: Well he's not bleeding maybe you should just take a quick look at him?

CO_Capt_Muir says:
Cadets: We'll deal with that when and I..... when we get out of here. Good luck cadets.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@CNS: Just make sure his breathing and the captain wont mind. :: Smirks. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Looks to the FCO then back to the Cadets. ::

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
@XO: At the expense of the sensors, sir?

CO_Capt_Muir says:
Cadets: Get to your posts, on the double. Dismissed!

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Nods at the CO.::

Host Arlene says:
<Cadets>  ::All nod their agreement.   The quickly without much bumping into each other race out of the cargo bay heading for any department to help.::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: How long do you think it will take the shuttle to complete its mission, given that they are probably at full impulse?

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Begins walking towards engineering. ::

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@CNS: True, I don't want to get caught out here; maybe if we throw a PADD at him it might wake him?

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
@XO: Well, you're the better shot, sir.

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: As the Cadets scurry past, a thought crosses his mind. :: CO:  Well, considering the environment, and what were dealing with, it could be anywhere between 5-7 hours, there and back.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@:: Goes to throw a PADD, then spots the first aid kit beside him, he takes out the medical tricorder and throws the scanner part at Atreides so he can scan him from his seat. :: Self: Now how do I read these things?

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: We're cutting this close... a little too close.  Any ideas, short of installing holo-projectors on every deck and running emergency engineers?

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
CO:  But something has come to me sir.  We know they want something on the Seleya, it might do us some good to determine exactly what it is.  We might be able to use that information to escape.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Blinks at his rather ingenious but impractical proposal. ::

Host Arlene says:
ACTION:  Suddenly an explosion can be heard from the nebula.  The Warbirds got bored and are now looking for the Seleya.

Host Arlene says:
ACTION:  The ship shakes, knocking the CO to the floor.

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Steadies himself against the bulkhead and reaches down to help the CO back to his feet. :: CO:  That didn’t take long.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@:: Folds up the tricorder. :: CNS: He's fine :: Keeps on coarse and checks the ETA to the edge of the nebula. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Gets up, annoyed at the invisible hand shaking the Seleya.  ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Subconsciously checks his hair. ::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
CO:  Guess their getting tired of waiting.  If were in here when the storm hits, they loose they're prize.

Host Arlene says:
ACTION:  The shuttle notices a flash of light of the explosion to their port bow.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: They probably want the Seleya for her technology... stuff they are doing an excellent job of breaking.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@CNS: What was that?

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Steps into the nearest turbo lift. ::

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
@:: Looks up at the flash of light. ::: XO: I don't know, some kind of charge?

Host Arlene says:
ACTION:  The Warbirds begin a steady barrage, but are not really near enough to the ship since the Seleya moved.  Walking is an effort with the shaking ship.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@CNS: Warbirds must be trying to flush the Seleya out. :: Increases the shuttles speed slightly. ::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Shakes his head::  CO:  I don’t think so sir.  I mean, why?  We know those ships are armed with Federation and Klingon technology.  Anyone who can get a hold of that level of technology, not only from the Federation, but Klingons and Romulans as well, is obviously very well connected.

Host Arlene says:
ACTION:  With the increase in speed, an electromagnetic streak hits the shuttle, tossing it 20 meters to starboard.

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
@:: Screams in surprise as the shuttle is hit. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: Unless they destroy the ships then salvage the systems... but that seems a little too much. We’re missing a piece of the puzzle.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Arrives on the bridge. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
ALL: Red Alert, all crew to battle stations. Continue repairs.

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
CO: I thought maybe they wanted one of the Cadets, maybe they had some kind of political ties, but none of them fit the bill. It just doesn’t make sense.  For them to risk these kinds of resources, it has to be something big.

Host Arlene says:
<SO Frame>  :: Having gotten up, hurries over and hands him a PADD. :: CO:  The Bridge is yours.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@:: Tries to steady the shuttle, and lowers the speed. :: Self: Oooook Nathan easy on the throttle, CNS: You ok?

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Blinks at the strange little SO and takes the PADD. :: SO: Battle stations, ensign! Where are those blasts coming from? And how many ships are in here?

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Moves over to the helm and begins altering the inertial dampers to reduce the effects of the detonating charges. :: CO:  That should help some.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: Prepare to move us if necessary. Activate the echo localization subsystems; we may need to track the shuttle.

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
@:: Badly shaken. :: XO: I think so, sir.

Host Arlene says:
<SO Frame>  ::Hurries over to her station::  CO:  Two as far as I can tell.  Maybe 3, sometimes one.  I think.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Turns his head to science to listen, then Blinks. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
SO: Right.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@:: Looks ahead and then turns his chair to Modalis so he can check on her. :: CNS: You sure? Did you take a knock?

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
CO:  Aye sir.  :: Plots a random course, keeping the Seleya in the thickest part of the nebula.  Activates the echo-localization subsystem. ::

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
@XO: I'll be fine, thank you, sir.  :: Goes back to the sensors. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Moves from his chair to the unmanned tactical station, bringing the phasers and torpedoes online. ::

Host Arlene says:
ACTION:  A shadow moves across the Seleya's viewscreen.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@:: Turns his chair back and checks the damage report. ::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Snaps his attention to the viewscreen. :: ALL:  What the hell was that?

CO_Capt_Muir says:
SO: Can you clear up the sensor resolution in here?

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Shakes his head incredulously. :: CO:  They couldn’t be stupid enough to follow us in here?  They'd be sacrificing any advantage they had!

Host Arlene says:
<SO Frame>  CO:  Not really, I'm trying.  I need more power, power we just don't have now.

Host Arlene says:
<SO Frame> FCO:  I think that was our friends.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: That depends on just how much they want the Seleya. Or want the Seleya destroyed.

Host Arlene says:
<SO Frame>  FCO:  Maybe they are desperate Sir... desperate people do stupid things.

Host Arlene says:
<SO Frame>  :: Pales at speaking out of turn. ::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Looks back at the CO and SO. :: ALL:  Let’s hope so.  If they're in here, we might be able to get past them.

Host Arlene says:
<SO Frame> :: Whines. :: FCO:  That is if they are all in here which I doubt very much.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@:: Eases the shuttle through the nebula, keeping an eye out for any hazards. ::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Nods. :: ALL:  If they're fishing, were going to have to keep moving.

Host Arlene says:
ACTION:  Suddenly the shuttle is locked onto... and is being pulled.

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
@XO: Commander....

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: I just hope they don't catch the flounder when they're fishing for the shark...

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@CNS: Yes?

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
@XO: Commander, we're caught in a tractor beam.

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@CNS: We're what?? Where? How? Who? :: Looks out the viewport armed with the tricorder for throwing. ::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Notices the shuttles sudden change in course and speed. :: CO:  I really wish you hadn’t of said that... ::Punches the echo-localization feed up onto the main viewer::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Swears ::

FCO_LtCmdr_Aan says:
:: Looks at the feed, and then surmises. :: CO:  Something’s got them...

XO_Cmdr_Darklighter says:
@:: Looks at the tricorder in his head and shakes his head and gets a phaser. :: CNS: Give Atreides a boot, he's always looking for a fight.

CO_Capt_Muir says:
:: Thinks for a moment, looks down... looks up again a little more determined. ::

CNS_LtJG_Modalis says:
:: Furiously starts pressing buttons randomly. ::

CO_Capt_Muir says:
FCO: Continue evasive holding pattern. Inform all departments to step up repairs. Prepare a burst transmission to Starfleet... and set a course for the edge of the nebula, full impulse

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