Arlene:
SUMMARY: With the crew retrieved, the Seleya crew have been returned to the ship. Why their enemy stopped pursuing them is unknown. Deleah is a shell of herself having gone crazy by the poison. She is wracked with guilt.
 
Arlene:
The Lionets rebels have returned to their village having lost the Deleah, they are no match for a superior federation crew. It's time to go home.
 
Arlene:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<The End>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:; standing, arms folded, on the bridge, feeling a little bit out of place:: Self: Home sweet home?
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::On the bridge, for now, looking around the place::
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: turns her head to the CMO:: CMO: I believe you'll be getting some new crew, Doctor.
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
::riding up in the turbolift to the bridge and sighs:: Self: The science crew needs a lot of work if they expect to meet my standards
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Walks onto the bridge, looks over at Kesh and nods slightly, then takes the center seat. :: CMO: What’s the status on the Captain doctor?
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
:: turns to face her:: CIV: What makes you say that?
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
Self: First day, make an impression. Remember the Rules of acquisition. ::Steps onto the bridge.::
 
CNS LtJG Modalis:
::sat at her station::
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
CMO: New crew always come with a new refit. It's like they overhaul everything. ::smiles a little::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Commander, Ensign Orpax reporting for Duty.
 
Arlene:
ACTION: The Proximity alarms go off..... a black void envelopes the ship. Evil permeates around everyone.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
CIV: I hope they didn't damage my chair.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
CMO: My chair, Lt.
 
CNS LtJG Modalis:
::looks around her in horror::
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: makes her way over to the XO's chair, gives it a good look, thinking, and then stands beside it::
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
CIV: Do you really want to have another argument about that thing? ::shudders::
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Smacks the red alert on the arm of his chair, then toggles the intercom. :: ALL: All hand, battle stations! Man your posts!
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::Holds his large ears:: Self: Ayiii! ::walks over to the Flight Control Panel and sits down.:: XO: Commander, forgoing the usual niceties of reporting for duty, permission to see what we've navigated into?
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
::steps off the turbolift and hears the alarms, heads immediately to science 1 before reporting to duty::
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Barely even glances at the new FCO, then looks over at the CSO. :: CSO: Scans?!
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: braves it and sits in the XO's chair, immediately checking for hull damage::
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
All: Guess it's time for me to make my way down to sickbay again, see you all later... ::Walks into the TL which just arrived with the CSO::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::Runs level 5 diagnostic on engines. Are they operational?::
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
::quickly taps a few button:: XO: Scanning, Sir!
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
TL: Sickbay.
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
FCO: Mr. Orpax, put some distance between us and that thing.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
XO: Seems we're sound for now. :;shivers suddenly::
 
Arlene:
ACTION: A voice comes into everyone's head.
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
::double checks scans:: XO: Sir... I am getting nothing. A void!
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: stops what she's doing halfway through as she hears a voice::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Absolutely, moving us away. ::kicks on he engines, moving the Seleya away at a speed 1.5 times the Darkness.:: XO: We're moving, Sir.
 
Darkness:
All: I've yet to begin. I will find you... ::Sounds weak.:: I know where your home is, it will feed me and I will become strong again. The federation is my salvation.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Leaves the TL and jogs down the corridor towards sickbay::
 
Darkness:
ACTION: there is a line-up coming outside the doors of sickbay.
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
::whispers:: Self: Great, my first day back and I am already hearing things ::whacks head::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::maintains engine controls with his left hand, pulls on his lobe with his right.:: Self: Out of my head!
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Turns to Kesh. :: CIV: Fire all ventral phasers into that thing!
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Comes to a halt before the line of people:: All: What's going on here? ::ignores the voice in his head for now::
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
XO: Aye.. :: slaves tactical to her arm console, targets the void and fires::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::Kicks engines up a notch, full impulse.::
 
Darkness:
ACTION: The CMO sees terror on all their faces.
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::Manoeuvres to accommodate the CIV's tactical actions::
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
::taps a few more buttons in an attempt to trace the transmission::
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
CNS: Are you getting anything from this thing? :: fires again::
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Is getting extremely ticked off with entities trying to get into his head. ::
 
Darkness:
ACTION: The torp is eaten by the Darkness
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Sir, the darkness is matching speed, and we're at full impulse. Orders? ::attempt to manoeuvre away, maintaining full impulse.::
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
All: Just calm down, there's nothing to be afraid off... Just a the blackness of space talking to us from within our heads. ::Moves closer to the various crew::
 
CNS LtJG Modalis:
CIV: Only that it wants to destroy us, sir. That is its only motive.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
CNS: I was afraid of that. Hoped I got it wrong. :: turns:: XO: Torps and phasers are having no effect.
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Shakes his head. :: ALL: Were not leading this thing back to the Federation....Helm, set a course for the outer rim, see if it follows us.
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
::runs an array of scans looking for a whole or weakness in this void::
 
Darkness:
All: I must leave you now. I have to eat and it and I've just found a snack. I will be seeing you. ::Moves off to starboard.::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Aye, aye sir. ::Sets course to outer rim:: XO: Course set, ready for warp on your order... or not...
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::sighs at the totally unresponsive group:: All: We are at battle stations, so those of you that feel up to it, return to your stations, anyone else please come inside and I'll see what I can do for you.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
CSO: Have a probe prepped and ready to go. If we can't scan it from here we might be able to get something from inside it.
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Self. :: ALL: $#!#, follow it, tell me what it heading towards.

FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Matching speed sir, maintaining distance of 250km. I'm trying tog et a bearing on it... ::scans to find out where it's headed::

CSO LtCmdr Harek:
XO: Sir, I am getting something on sensors. Over one billion inhabited systems, the darkness appears to be moving towards it.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Waves at the group of people and walks into sickbay to find the nearest hypo::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::wipes a sweaty palm on a gold-gilded handkerchief from his pocket, and sets the kerchief on his lap.::
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
FCO: If there's any kind of population centres, we need to warn them its coming.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: gasps:: CSO: Can you send them a warning?
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Maintaining distance of 250km... it doesn't look like it's trying to get away, Sir.
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
XO: Sir, most of the systems appear to be in a state of prewarp, we can't violate the Prime Directive

XO LtCmdr Aan:
::Turns and moves back over to the captains chair. :: CIV: Is there anything in the records Deleah gave us on how to fight these things?
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Picks up a hypo puts it in his coat pocket and walks over to the replicator and starts to replicate enough fluctin to treat some of the people in sickbay, then starts to scan the group in front of him while waiting for the replicator to finish::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::chuckles, We Ferengi bought warp drive, Thank god whoever sold it didn’t have a prime directive.::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::checks speed::
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Looks at Kesh and shakes his head. :: CIV: We cant shoot it, cant hit it, what do we do, use harsh language on it?
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: glances at the XO:: XO: Checking... :: searches the files on her console:: I have nothing, Sir. :: thinks:: Is there any way we could attract it back to us. Project more life signs on board than we have?
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
XO: My scans have detected warp technology in two systems, but it appears to be in a very early stage of development.
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Sir, we're currently at warp 2, matched speed with the Darkness... I'd like to see where it keeps it's Nagus-forsaken warp engines... It will reach the system in five hours, according to the bearings I've gathered.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Loads his hypo with what he just replicated and inputs the required dosage::
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
CSO: They're warp capable, that frees them from the prime directive. Inform them, that all we can do for them right now.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
Self: Five hours... This may require caffeine.
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
CSO: The other sentients in the system will have to wait.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
All: Ok, if you'd please line up over there ::points:: Or stay in the line you've already formed, I'm going to inject each of you with something to get you back to duty. It should act pretty quickly, so I expect you all to be gone once it's started to work, understood?
 
Darkness:
ACTION: Heads begin to nod that they understood the good doctor.

CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: frowns:: XO: Perhaps if we annoy it enough it'll follow us? Like a bee.
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
CSO: Can we use the main array to project a false bio-signature? trick it into thinking a better food source is closer?
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Injects the crewman closest to him then makes his way down the line::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
CIV: do we know why it's going to the systems? To feed on them, to sell them something?
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
FCO: Something tells me commerce is not it's main aim in life.
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
XO: Transmitting message ::begins sending a warning message on various frequencies and languages:: It will reach them in one hour.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Finishes injecting the last person:: All: If you see anyone with similar symptoms, please tell them to report to sickbay or the nearest medical station immediately.
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
All: For all we know, it feeds on fear, it doesn’t seem to feed off of our weapons or shields.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: thinks "perhaps we should try laughing at it, then"::
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
Self: Right, now to something I should have done before I left last time. ::Grabs a laser scalpel from a cart and heads towards his office, and his chair::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: If it feeds on fear, why is it going to these planets? Scare them, and then feast, or are these planets in a state of global terror? If we want to find something out about them, we can go ahead of them, the engines can take it.
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
XO: I will attempt to do so, Sir!
 
Darkness:
ACTION: There are many happy people now that the Doctor is finished with them. Laughing and joking they head back to their jobs. Several return to the bridge.
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
CIV: We know the system is in a state of war, maybe it feeds off of aggression?
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Walks into his office, and briefly looks around to see whether they touched anything while he was away::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: We showed it a fair deal of aggression when we shot it... sorry for the snark, I apologize.
 
Darkness:
ACTION: The Darkness takes a left turn. It heads for a nearby planet at the edge of the system.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: leans in:: XO: Well it's certainly aggressive enough itself. But how do we use that?
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Sir, it's changing course, matching speed
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Looks like it's headed to a nearby star system... estimated time of arrival I can have in a second.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Kneels down on the floor and turns the chair behind his desk over, and takes the laser scalpel out of his pocket::
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
::begins transmitting false bio signs:: XO: Sir, I am transmitting false bio signs, but I can't guarantee he will fall for it.
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Sir, it will be at the new star system in three hours. Out deadline just got shortened.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: curses under her breath at the FCO's news::
 
Darkness:
ACTION: The Darkness slows down a bit. Almost hesitating.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Starts to engrave "Paul's" on the underside of the chair, then once he finished, underlines it a few times:: Self: Much better.
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Sir, it's slowed down, marching speed to compensate.
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::Check's the Seleya's speed::
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
Self:: Slowed down! ::begins transferring available power to boost signal strength::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Sir, it's moving slower
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Matching speed, maintaining distance...
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
::Nods. :: CSO: Keep it up, lets see if we can trick it into following us.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: holds her breath::
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Sits down on the chair and pours a cup of coffee:: Self: She may notice this at some point, so it's probably best to securely lock my office from now on, and to mark the rest of this stuff with microdots. ::Leans back in what he considers to be one of the best chairs in the universe::
 
Darkness:
ACTION: An Evil mind reaches out among the ship...it probes each and every mind.
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
Self: Cat and mouse and we're the mouse. Wonderful.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: winces::
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
Self: Damnit....get out of my head!
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::Shudders at the foreign feeling.:: Self: Oh sweet Nagus! ::seizes in his chair, then settles, shivering slightly.::
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Focuses on nothing, the image of a blank wall in his head. ::
 
Darkness:
ACTION: Suddenly the CSO is lifted up and thrown against the bulkhead. Then he is lifted once again and is suspended in air.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
FCO: Keep it together, Ensign.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
Self: This thing's worse than a Ferengi insurance salesman. ::Shifts his thoughts to fluffy things::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
CIV: I've got it under control sir, I've just never... felt that before... I feel raped... ::sits up and mans controls.:: XO: Orders?
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: hears a thud, spins around, seeing the CSO in mid air.:: *CMO*: Doctor to the bridge, we'll be needing you.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Takes a sip of his coffee:: *XO*: Everyone ok up there?
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
::moans out in pain:: All: I think he found out my ploy
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
*CIV*: Nice timing, what's wrong?
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Whirls around and moves over to the CSO. :: *CMO*: NO.. Darkness: Let him go.
 
Darkness:
ACTION: Nothing happens.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Gets his med kit and makes his way to the turbolift::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::Looks back at the CSO, then to the controls. Is the darkness moving again?::
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: tries it telepathically:: ~~~Darkness: Let... him... go~~~
 
Darkness:
ACTION: The CIV flies against a bulkhead.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
TL: Bridge!
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Snarls. :: Darkness: I SAID LET HIM GO! YOU WANT A FIGHT, FIGHT ME YOU COWARD!
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::Straps himself into his chair.:: Darkness: Don't you dare...
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: grunts as she whacks into the wall::
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
FCO: Get us out of here, maximum warp!
 
Darkness:
::Envelopes the XO. He is invisible to the rest of the crew.::
 
CNS LtJG Modalis:
::sees Aan disappear:: XO: Commander!
 
Darkness:
XO: I will be leaving now...do not follow...::Speaks as if he was caressing a lover.:: But I'll be back.
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Absolutely, Maximum warp set ready to engage! Engaging! ::sets course away from Federation, towards outer rim, maximum warp.::
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Steps out onto the bridge:: All: What seems to be the prob...Oh.
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
::tries to struggle against the darkness to reach out to his console::
 
CNS LtJG Modalis:
::tries to sense where he is::
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: pulls herself up, having smacked her shoulder. Moves it and winces:: XO; Seems it doesn’t appreciate return telepathy.
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Seething. :: Darkness: We'll be having this conversation again.....I promise you that.
 
Darkness:
ACTION: The darkness moves again, but this time, he takes the CSO with him. The darkness set's course to the planet once more.
 
CNS LtJG Modalis:
::sees Harek disappear:: CIV: Commander!
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Moves over to Suder and begins scanning her:: CIV: You ok Kesh?
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::thinking fast, puts a stop to the engines, they're far away enough.:: Self: Oh my god, where are they?
 
CNS LtJG Modalis:
::tries to find out where Harek is::
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
CMO: I'm fine. Nothing broken.
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Commander, we're light-years away from that thing, that means we're light-years away from Commander Harek
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Or I can only assume
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Looks at his scans to confirm:: CIV: Looks like it, want anything for the pain? ::expects her to refuse as always::
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::Prods her shoulder to check something::
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
:: Looks around for a second, getting his bearing, then moves over to Atreides and Kesh. :: ALL: It wont kill him, right now there's nothing we can do, we need to follow it, get more intel on it.
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
CMO: Thank you, but I'll be fine ::turns to XO:: XO: Selzah. I tried talking to it telepathically. I'm thinking it's retaliation might be a clue to a weakness. I mean, why else would it bother :: rubs her shoulder::
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Setting course back to follow that thing, I'll take us 250km away then match speed. Max warp is on standby, ready to engage on your order.
 
* Darkness is now known as Arlene
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
@::gasps for air:: Darkness: If you want ::gasps again:: me alive, I need oxygen.

CMO LtJg Atreides:
CIV: Fine, but if you have any problems call me and don't just take what you need from sickbay.
 
Arlene:
@<Darkness> CSO: I have no desire to kill you yet. I have other plans for you. You seem to be the smart one. You will be my voice on this planet, my recruiter....
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
CIV: So we need a way to hurt it telepathically?
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Permission to engage, sir? ::hold his finger over the warp initiation button, it's flashing, just begging to be pressed::
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: gets a very serious look in her eyes:: XO: I may know of a way or two, provided, that is that it doesn't kill me first.
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
::Nods at the FCO. ::
 
XO LtCmdr Aan:
CIV: What if you had help?
 
CNS LtJG Modalis:
::looks at Suder questioningly: CIV: How?
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
@Darkness:: Recruiter for what? ::yells out:: I will never help you.
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
::engages.:: XO: We're moving.. placing us at 250km and matching speed upon arrival, tactical engines at the ready.
 
CMO LtJg Atreides:
::shudders at Suder's last comment::
 
Arlene:
@<Darkness> ::Ignores the CSO and picks up speed.::
 
CIV LtCmdr Suder:
:: takes a deep breath , glances at the CMO momentarily:: XO: The stronger, the better. It can't hurt to try...
 
FCO Ens Orpax:
XO: Sir, it's speeding up... matching. ::matches speed.::
 
CSO LtCmdr Harek:
@ :: angrily:: Answer me!
 
Arlene:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Pause>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>