Star Trek: A Call To Duty
U.S.S. Elara

Pandora’s Box
TWO

Arc Title: Pandora’s Box
Episode: Two
Mission Number: 171
Creator: Chris Tucker
Ship Manager: Chris Tucker
Stardate: 10207.28
Note: The following fonts are needed for portions of this transcript – “Slider”, “Astron Boy Video”, and “Unsteady Oversteer.”

Previously …

With a refit ship, new crew, and a new mission, the Elara departed from Nesrun Fleet Yards with an era of change before them. However, failures and uncertainty from the past continued to haunt them. Their new Admiral, Chi Yon, and Starfleet Command were concerned about the crew’s ability to perform, and have as such provided them with a “cautious, easy” mission. 

Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding the shadowed being, he who seemingly resurrected certain members of the Elara crew, deepens. Starfleet Intelligence agents Zachary Marshall and Maor continue to chase clues as to the intentions of this powerful entity and his subordinates. And out there, the shadowed being, Morosea Da and Shinar continue to hunt down the Aegis ...

   Dramatis Personae 

Chris Tucker is Captain David Harison - Commanding Officer of the Elara, David Harison is the human leader of this batch of Starfleet officers. Headstrong and sometimes over confident, he has hardly ever failed any of the missions he has led his crew into. Having recently suffered a bout of suicidal tendencies as a result of his death and resurrection, Harison has been helped “back” to his normal life by those who he considers family … his crew.

Lilia Perfeito is Commander Alexandra Gomes – Called the “soul of the crew” by entities within the Nexus, the Elara’s Chief Science Officer could hardly be told otherwise. With the heart of an explorer, she is always one to drive the crew to consider every possibility, no matter how improbable [or impossible] with each mission. 

Karen Barkas is Lieutenant Kezia Pazoski – Where CSO Gomes is the soul of the Elara, Counselor Kezia Pazoski could easily be called its “heart.” Soft-spoken yet filled with strength, Kezia has gone through enough angst in her life, and has recently returned to her home away from home with the promise of enjoying life as best she can.

Michael Hiles is Ensign Maximus Heller – One of the newest additions to the Elara crew, Ensign Max Heller follows the tradition of a charismatic Chief Engineering Officer on the ship. Always one to look on the bright side of things, Heller tries to enjoy the finer things of life … while not carving his name into the warp core like his predecessor.

Zachary Lassiter is Ensign Ruvick – Also a newcomer to the Elara, Operations Officer Ruvick is a logic-based Vulcan who has come to realize that out of the ordinary happenings on the Elara are common. 

Shinar – Shinar was once known as Shelar, a member of the omnipotent explorers known as the Travelers. However, crimes he committed in the past resulted in him being trapped in the “replicated” form of another man. Calling himself Shinar now, he has set out to reclaim the power that was once his. Previously, he had been an “annoying” addition to the civilian populace of the U.S.S. Paula Greene, but since then has joined the ranks of the shadowed being’s minions.

Morosea Da – The Gamleasian Terrorist was once the Queen of her people until a failed operation against the U.S.S. Seleya resulted in her having to go on the run. Now one of the most hunted criminals by the Federation, Da has found her place with the shadowed being’s minions. 

The Shadowed Being – No one knows who it is. What it is. Or what it wants. It single-handedly brought the Elara crew back from the dead … but for what purpose? It has invaded Starfleet Intelligence and ancient Nicodemian facilities looking for information on the Aegis … but why? Is it an enemy of the Federation or an ally? Is it someone Starfleet has previously faced … or someone new to the “playing table”? The truth may very well change everything.

<CO_Capt_Harison> Many Millenia Ago:
<CO_Capt_Harison> An assembled group of military officials sit silently at a large table.  Cluttered on the top are fleet movement and troop reports for the star system they reside in.  The officials begin to shout at one another, voices trying to raise one another.
<CO_Capt_Harison> The leader of them all, dressed in the uniform of a supreme commander, raises his hands for silence. 
<CO_Capt_Harison> “We simply have no other choice.”  He stands and begins to walk around the table.  “We all knew it might come down to this, and it has.”  He places his hand on the shoulder of one of his subordinates.  “I know the risk that this entails, but…. we are all out of options.”  He looks down to the floor and then raises his head.
<CO_Capt_Harison> “Use the weapon.”
<CO_Capt_Harison> =/\= =/\= =/\= =/\= =/\= Begin Mission =/\= =/\= =/\= =/\= =/\=
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> ::taps a button on the console:: CO: Sir Approaching meridia
<CEO_Ens_Heller> ::down in engineering keeping an eye on things::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::arrives at the bridge holding a PADD. In it are the names of officers and equipment to be taken to the planet::
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION: The beautifuly re-equipped Elara cruises through space, on her way to the Unicyne system.
<CO_Capt_Harison> OPS: Very good Ensign.  Slow to full impulse and begin sensor scans of the system.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::nods to Ensign K'eth as she reaches science one. The Klingon SO merely steps asside allowing Alexandra to take her station::
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> CO_Capt_Harison: Aye Sir
<CO_Capt_Harison> CSO: We're approaching Merida.  Do you have all the personel and equipment you need?
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::finishes sorting out her office and  leaves it::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> CO: Yes sir, Equipment is ready and I have almost everyone ...
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> ::taps a button and slows the ship to 1/2 impulse:: CO: 1/2 Impulse, commencing full sensor sweep
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> ::runs a sensor sweep::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::makes her way to the bridge::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::monitors OPS' results::
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION: The Elara decelerates as it enters the Unicyne starsystem.  The system has six planets orbiting a yellow star, similar to Sol.
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> CO: Sir, im showing six planets and a yellow star
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::looks up as the counselor enters:: CNS: Just the Officer I wanted to talk to. I have an open space on the away team. Care to join on a little acrchareological expedition?
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::enters the bridge and glances around, then heads towards the CSO::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> <Ensign K'eth>::runs consecuitve sweeps of all planets and stores the data for future reference::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> CSO: Certainly, it is likely to be entertaining.
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> CO_Capt_Harison: Sir, im picking up unusual ammounts of gravimetric distortions, between the fifth planet, merdia, and the sixth
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::nods:: CNS: Since I know nothing of the people who lived there I'm hoping you could shed some light into their social organization
<CO_Capt_Harison> OPS:  Explanation?
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> CO_Capt_Harison: Unknown at this time, recomed we go to yellow alert and raise shields
<CEO_Ens_Heller> ::moves to the nearest console and checks on the sensors to ensure there are no problems::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::frowns hearing OPS::
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> ::hopes he isnt on the away team::
<CO_Capt_Harison> OPS: Do the distortions pose any threat to the ship?
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> OPS: That is highly unusual for a planet this size ... ::looks at the viewscreen_:
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::nods:: CSO: erm inhabitants?  
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::still looks slightly tired::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> CNS: None for the past several centuries
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> CO_Capt_Harison: There strong enough to cause disruption to ships systems
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::smiles:: CSO: Ah I see, you made me think I missed something there.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> CO/CNS/OPS: Maybe there is some sort of device there still active that is causing the distortions...but its a long shot
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::nods:: CSO: Could be. 
<CO_Capt_Harison> ::nods to OPS:: OPS: Very well, raise shields.  Run some sensor scans to see if you can determine the source.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::taps her badge:: *CEO* Gomes to Heller
<CO_Capt_Harison> CSO:  Commander, scan the surface.  See what you can find.
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> ::raises Shields:: CO: Sir, shields at full ::Continues sensor sweeps::
<CO_Capt_Harison> OPS: Standard orbit Mr. Ruvick.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::nods to the CO and taps a few buttons, using short range sensors to do a bread band scan of the polanet surface::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> <broad>
<CEO_Ens_Heller> *CSO*:  Heller here.  What do you need Commander?
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::while monitoring results:: *CEO*I know you are busy down there but if you don't mind I'd like you to monitor the data we get on the away team. There maybe soime unknown devices down there
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> CO: There is no interference with scan results, which is always a good thing
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski>  ::looks slightly puzzled::
<CO_Capt_Harison> <edit CSO, distortions are still there>
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> All:I detect the ruins of the lost civilization and twenty towers that reach oalmost the planet's lower orbit
<CEO_Ens_Heller> *CSO*:  Will do.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> All: they are evenly spread on the planet ... quite an engineering feat
<CO_Capt_Harison> CSO: Impressive.....and to think they built all of this while humanity was still toying with fire....
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::nods, with a small grin::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> CSO: Still no evidence as to what is causing the distortions?
<CO_Capt_Harison> CSO: Do you detect any signs of weapon systems or defensive arrays?
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> CO: For better or worse many civilizations flourished and died while we were still stuck on Earth. And after we are gone many others will grow as well
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::changes the pattern of scans to look for weapons signatures::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::shakes her head:: CO: Nothing suggesting a trap. If there are weapons they are not activated
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> CO: ... or we can't detect them
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> CO_Capt_Harison: Rerouting additional power to sensors ::reroutes additional power::
<CO_Capt_Harison> CSO: Very good.  Let's get to the fun part.  Get your team set and head down.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::nods to the CO and calls the away team to meet her in transporter room 1::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> CNS: Lets go ... ::heads for the TL::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::follows the CSO::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> *CEO*On second thought, better than monitoring things from up here, would you care to see things first hand?
<CEO_Ens_Heller> *CSO*:  Would be my pleasure commander.
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::checks her tricorder and her phaser once in the TL::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> *CEO*Meet us in transporter room 1
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> Computer: Transporter room 1
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> CNS: Hopefully there will be no need for that ::points to the phaser::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> CNS: Everyone is carrying one ... but only because it is standard procedure
<CO_Capt_Harison> Self: Well, now that thats done.  ::turns to tactical::  Tactical: All set for our drills?
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::smiles:: CSO: I always hope but have forgotten it one to many times.
<CEO_Ens_Heller> ::turns toward an EO nearby::  EO:  If anything goes wrong contact me and I'll get back up here.  ::enters the TL::  TL: Transporter room 1
<CO_Capt_Harison> <Tac1>Harison: Yes sir.  We have a whole range of targeting drones ready for use.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> CNS: I'm affraid that is quite true
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::The TL reaches the TR and she exits::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::an officer in a yellow uniform is there waiting and hands her her tricorder and a phaser::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::straightens her uniform and leaves the TL after the CSO::
<CEO_Ens_Heller> ::the lift stop and he exits and enters the transporter room
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> ::looks around:: CEO: Glad you could join us.
<CO_Capt_Harison> Tac1: Very good.  Ready one, set it to random evasive manuvers.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::walks to the transporter pad where three equiped science officers are waiting::
<CEO_Ens_Heller> CNS:  Good to be here.  ::grabs a tricorder and a phaser::
<CEO_Ens_Heller> ::steps up onto the pad::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> AT: everyone ready?
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> CSO: ready here.
<CEO_Ens_Heller> CSO:  Ready
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::nods as everyone reposts ready::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> *bridge* The away team is ready for beam out
<CO_Capt_Harison> *CSO* Understood away team.  Good luck.  ::nods to OPS to energize::
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION:  The away team dissapears from the transporter pad, put together as a data stream.  They rematerialize seconds later, complete, whole, and on the surface or Merida.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @ ::blinks::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @ ::looks around::
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @ ::pulls out his tricorder and begins scanning::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @::gets her tricorder:: All: scatter arround but don't loose sight of each other for now. 
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @ CEO: Look for any signs of working machinery
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski>@  ::concentrating more on her surroundings, she eventually reaches for her tricorder::
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @::adjusts his scans and begins a wide sweep of the area::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CNS: If you detect any signs of sentient thought don't hesitate to say so
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @CSO: Of course.
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION: The surface of Merida bears striking resemblances to Earth.  It is lush and filled with plant life where the away team beamed down.  Evidence of roads and buildings still remain on the surface.  Before the away team, rises one of the towers, as if reaching for the Elara in orbit.
<CO_Capt_Harison> COM: CSO: Status Commander?
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @ ::looks up at the seamingly unimportant building in fron of her. Her mouth opens in awe as she can't see the top of it::
<CEO_Ens_Heller>@  ::walks closer to the large tower to get a better scan of it::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @CSO: Well we may as well start there if you want. ::motions towards the tower::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski>@ CSO: OPS seems to like it too. 
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes>@ ::comes down to her senses::COM: CO: So far, readings are normal, same thing we got ffrom the ship. But seeing this is quite diffrent. It is almost as if these towers could reach the Elara
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @ ::moves closer to the tower after OPS & CEO::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CNS: I think it is a good idea too. the other officers are scanning the suroundings anyway
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION: The tower seems to be constructed of some sort of stone.  Its surface is smooth and bears no markings whatsoever, and cool to the touch.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @COM: CO: We will begin by investigating one of the towers, seams like the most promising place
<CO_Capt_Harison> COM: CSO: I wish I could be down there with you Commander.  Keep me informed.  Elara out.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @::tries to scan the inside of the tower::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CEO: Did you find any entrances?
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski>@ ::starts to walk around the tower::
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @::reaches the tower and touches it it feels cool to the touch::  CSO:  not as of yet.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CNS/CEO: The readings from the inside are not clear. It is definately hollow but I can't find little else
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CNS/CEO: We could try and beam inside but I would definately prefer an old fashion entrance
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski>@ ::raises her voice continuing around the tower:: CSO: Interesting.
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski>@ ::runs her hand along the surface as she walks around::
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION: There appear to be no entrances to the tower.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes>@ ::touches the surface as the others did. She took many readings from thgis surface but there is nothing like touching it::
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION:  Well, until the CEO steps on some loose plant life next to the tower, and falls through, landing with an undignified "THUD"
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @::arrives back at the CSO and CEO:: CSO: Any evidence of tunnels underground structures of any kind?
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes>@ ::rushes as she hears the thud::
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @::groans as he hits::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski>@ ::blinks and heads towards the CEO::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @CEO: Are you alright? ::offers a hand up::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CNS:Looks like the Ensign Heller just found the tunnels
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @ ::smiles:: CSO: interesting.
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION: The CEO has landed in a dark room, the only light coming through is that from the plant life.  He has landed on what appear to be....stairs.
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @::looks around him::  CNS:  I'm ok.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CEO: Anything worth exploring down there?
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski>@ :::gives up and squats down looking at CEO:: CEO: What do you see down there?
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @CSO:  It appears I have landed on a set of stairs.
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> CO_Capt_Harison: Sir, i lost the CEO's combadge appears to be in a large cavern, scanning for depth ::scans furiosly::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CEO: That sure is worth checking
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CNS:Shall we?
<CO_Capt_Harison> OPS:  See if you can lock on.
<CO_Capt_Harison> COM: CSO: Elara to away team.  We lost Ensign Heller's signal.  Please respond.
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> ::attempts to lock transporters on the CEO and sets the Destination for sickbay::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @CSO: Perhaps we choudl let the ship know.
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> CO_Capt_Harison: The Away team is hailing
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @ ::attempts to scan the surrounding ground to find a destinatiton for this stairwell and more tunnels::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @ COM CO: He fell in a room under the soil but he is alright. We didn't know it was blocked from transporters but he found stairs inside and we would like to explore them
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @::Begins to head carefully down the stairs::
<CO_Capt_Harison> ::nods::  COM: CSO:  Very well.  We'll transport down some pattern enhancers and communications equipment.  It should help you communicate through the rock.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @::nods:: COM: CO: Aknowledged Captain. I'll have some SOs set them up
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION: As the crew scans, they can see that the stairs end just a few feet from them.  They appear to head almost straight down.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @ ::orders SO Ensign Ix to take care of the enhancers and install them once they arrive::
<CO_Capt_Harison> OPS: Beam down some pattern enhancers and comm. equipment to the Commander's location.
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> ::nods to the captain:: and establishes transporter lock
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @ ::enters the room after the CNS and CEO, carefully goes down::
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> CO_Capt_Harison: Energizing ::energizes::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> <Ensign Ix>::receives the enhancers and follows the other officers to the room. Gives the enhancers to each of the  officers on the away team::
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION: The carvern is made of the same material as the towers, bearing the same properties.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @All: Well, at least it looks like we are going the right way
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @ ::follows the CEO turns with a smile to the CSO still figuring out where the right way really is:: 
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @COM: CO: The enhancers are operating, can you detect us now?
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> ::scans overhearing the comm::
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @::uses his tricorder to see what ahead of them::
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION: The stairs finally end, coming to a large room.  Around them lay decaying carcasses of animals and plants.  It appears local wildlife has made it a home.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::frowns as she gets no reply from the ship::
<CO_Capt_Harison> @COM: CSO: Understood.  We have you on transporters.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @::sighs in relief listening to OPS:: COM: USS Elara: Aknowledged. We will continue exploring and keeping you posted. Away Team out
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @ All: The ship has us on transporters .. which is always good to know.
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @::looks around him at the decaying carcasses::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @ CSO: what do you suppose stayed here? 
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION:  The CNS nearly trips over something extremely large.  It is dead, but its golden armor and bones remain, as it slowly rots away.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes>@ ::picks up her tricorder and begins collecting data on the wild life scatered around::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski>@ ::shreaks::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski>@ ::getting her balance::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes>@  ::turns to the CNS and inspects what is under her feet::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CNS: Looks like you almost fell over a ... warrior of some kind::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @ ::Looks down:: CSO: I do not think I want to meet the owner of this place.
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @CSO: What killed these and how? Can you find that out?
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CNS: Me either, especially because that armour can't be scaned by our tricorders. 
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes>  @All: It is as if it can withstand anything ... then why did its own die here?
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @::wonders around to the room looking at the different carcasses::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @::gulps:: All: I remember these readings .... it was a being like this that attacked the Elara not long ago.
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski>@ ::looks worried tries to remember::
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION:  As the CSO scans, she can detect a separation plane on a far wall, possibly a door.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @ ::files the data and sends to the ship:: All: I believe we should continue. 
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @CSO:  Agreed
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> ::points:: All:I think thats a door
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @::moves to separation in the wall and tries to open it::
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION:  The door appears sealed with a simple lock, much like a vault.
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @ CSO: Are you sure this is a wise move, perhaps we should make sure this creature is no longer here first?
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @::approaches the door and get a closer look at it::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CNS: That thing is long dead. I am not worried about it, I am only worried about what killed it
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @All: The door is locked but we can probably phaser out the lock
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @ CSO: either prospect is not good to run into without warning. 
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CNS: Everything still seams quite enough. I won't force anyone to stay but I personaly would like to continue this investigation
<OPS_ENS_Ruvick> CO_Capt_Harison: The away team is locked in a cavern.
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes>@ ::sets her phaser to maximum and tries to open the lock on the door::
<CO_Capt_Harison> OPS: Do you still have a transporter lock?
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION:  The door sizzles as the phaser cuts into it, and finally swings open.  Ahead of the crew lays a pristine metal corridor, with computer interfaces lining the wall.  Curiously, even after many millenia, the cavern is still powered.
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @::enters the open doorway and begins scanning the corridor::
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> CEO: Well, here you have your working machinery
<CSO_Cmdr_Gomes> @CNS: Still want to go back?
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @ ::blinks:: Self: Okay thats not a monster. ::sighs with some relief::
<CNS_Lt_Pazoski> @ ::Smiles:: CSO: Totaly but not as much as I want to stay.
<CEO_Ens_Heller> @CSO:  It's amasing that there is still power here after so many years
<CO_Capt_Harison> ACTION:  As the crew enters, they can see that the corridor has not been used in many years.  The overhead lights still shine down, and the computer displays appear to still function.  The ruin is still functioning.
<CO_Capt_Harison> =/\= =/\= =/\= =/\= =/\= Pause Mission =/\= =/\= =/\= =/\= =/\=

INTERLUDE TWO

“Is this the fastest we can go?!” calls out Shinar as he looks over the shoulder of the Gamleasian at the science console. They could all hear the engines on the verge of ripping apart. Gamleasian warp technology had never been the best out on the spacelanes ... and with a Steamrunner Class starship in pursuit, it has increasingly become more obvious. “We’re going as fast as we can!” replies the man at the conn., and Shinar refrains from saying not fast enough.

Morosea Da looks quite apprehensive seated in the “command throne” [as Shinar has come to refer to it], not at all thrilled about how events have turned out. Their “leader’s” quest to find the Aegis has now put them in danger of being apprehended by Starfleet. Consoles beep and whine as the Gamleasian crew struggles to throw more power to keeping the warp core stable ... it is their best chance of escaping. “Shouldn’t there be some bleedin’ alarms going off?” Shinar inquires, his accent quickly changing to something peculiar and decidedly non-Vulcan. For a time, Morosea theorized that Shinar was schizophrenic ... of a divided mind, but he has denied such claims. 

The shadowed being has only commented that it appears to be an after-effect of his earlier possessions ... that, of course, has no meaning to her. “This is not a Starfleet vessel, pointy,” she retorts, using a racial “slur” that Shinar takes offense to ... but not for the usual reasons. “I’d rather concentrate on getting out of this in one piece rather than having to deal with damned, blaring, klaxons!” Shinar rolls his eyes, and turns back to look at their sensor screen. His eyes widen as the console starts ringing wildly, indicating an inbound projectile. They are all aware of this five seconds later, when the deck practically comes unhinged under them.

Lights flicker and consoles evaporate in fire. Shinar cries out as he tumbles to the deckplates, his pouch of jum-jah sticks flying from his coat. Due to his breath being knocked out, the “Vulcan” barely notices. “REPORT!” screams Morosea Da, more concerned about the possibility of her escaping via a shuttle if the ship explodes [thus providing sensor cover]. As opposed to the well trained and ordered responses one usually receives from a Starfleet crew [or even a Klingon one], Morosea only hears chaos and confusion. The shields are down ... their weapons are gone ... the warp core is only minutes from detonation. She has no time to determine what is fact or fiction ... truth or fear-induced lies. Thankfully, something cuts through it all. Then again, her gratitude fades upon seeing what it is.

“Gamleasian vessel, stand down and prepare to be boarded. Morosea Da, you have been identified as a criminal and terrorist by the United Federation of Planets. Prepare to surrender—“

Morosea is admiring how Starfleet can sound so ... cruel, sometimes when suddenly the female Bolian on the screen before her freezes, almost as if someone somewhere pressed “pause.” The same surprised yet frozen images befall the rest of the Starfleet crew in the background, Enough, a voice decrees. Rubbing his head, Shinar rises in the background, “Don’t tell me you waited that long to jump in because of a test ...” 

I had other things to attend to ... the voice speaks to all their minds, illiciting a common response of wincing. “What are you going to do about them?” Morosea asks, keeping her eyes trained on the somewhat cracked viewscreen ... just waiting for the moment the Starfleet personnel will awake from their catatonia and open fire again. You have nothing to fear from them. They will soon remember nothing and return to their patrol. There will be no documentation of their encounter with you. Morosea looks around her shattered bridge, “I think there’s enough documentation here.” I shall leave your repairs to you. “Right ... of course.” A moment later, the viewscreen flashes from the image of the Steamrunner’s bridge to an exterior view. Slowly, the ship comes about, as if gently being guided by some invisible hands which are fearful of breaking so fragile a craft, and then it leaps off into warp for where it came from.

“Sheesh,” Shinar mumbles in the background. You should have been more careful. “We aren’t exactly equipped with cloaking devices,” Morosea protests “it’s kind of hard to hide from them. Especially if we’re crossing borders that we shouldn’t need to.” Almost as if ignoring her previous statement, the being asks next, Did you find what I was looking for? “Yes, there was a signature indicating the Aegis opened some sort of vortex in the region. Although it degraded a lot, it looked to be about four to five months old,” Morosea responds. That sounds about right. “Right for what?” Shinar speaks up, but the being [as usual] does not respond. 

Begin your repairs while you regroup and retreat. I will contact you when I am in need of your services next.

There is an ominous silence ... which is soon replaced by a bout of cursing on Morosea’s part, “We’re being used. I don’t think he or she or whatever the hell it is, is going to give us what we want.” Shinar kneels down and finds his pouch, pulling out a jum-jah stick and sticking one in his mouth, “Now, now, little bit, don’t get your panties up in a bunch. He might hear you.” He is about to light the stick when the Gamleasian at science grabs it from his mouth and drops it to the floor, promptly stepping on it with its leather booted foot. “Hey!” protests Shinar, preparing to hit the bulkier opponent ... until he is promptly shoved away by the Gamleasian’s massive arm. “New rule, no smoking on the bridge,” Morosea smugly points out. She then looks around with a sigh, “I suppose we might as well start picking things up.”

***

“This is ridiculous.”

Zachary Marshall smirks at Maor’s comment from the other side of the table of the conference room. Jakob, the silent Ullian, stands behind his superior with his hands clasped behind his back. Maor, on the other side of the table, is standing, hands flat on the table as he looks down upon the mess of PADDs and data-chips which hold information on the Starfleet Intelligence break ins, that which is known of the Aegis, profiles on Shinar, the “death and resurrection” of the crew of the U.S.S. Elara, and now ...

“Morosea Da and Shinar?” 

“They were both seen together at Luna Negra, Maor,” Marshall points out. “Talking, conversing ... they were last seen leaving together. Personally they might even be more than ‘bar-buddies’ ...” Maor stares at him for a moment, “You think they’re in league with the person responsible for the break ins?” Marshall picks up a PADD and stands up, Jakob standing aside so he can walk by. He begins to make his way around the table, gesturing at the air with the PADD for effect. 

“Look at it from this way, Maor. This ‘being,’ whoever he, she, or it may be ... hell, it could be more than one person, supposedly ‘resurrects’ you and your friends. No, wait, let’s just say that it saved you from the Bellicose ...” Maor gives him an incredulous look, obviously believing otherwise “... and months after that you encounter both these people, who were later then seen conversing at a bar on a hunk of rock known for its illegal activities. One of them is supposedly connected to the same being because he is looking for information on the Aegis.” 

“The question is ...” Jakob speaks up from the side “... why are they looking for the Aegis?” “Revenge maybe ...” Maor suggests. Marshall nods, “You’re living proof that these guys aren’t to be trusted, right?” Maor glances at him, “They kidnapping me, for all I know experimented on me, and took genetic material from me to create my son.” Almost as if to mock Zachary, he uses one of his phrases, “Personally I think we should let them find the Aegis, and do as they wish.” 

“Ah, but Maor, don’t you just wonder? Wonder about why it bothered to save your life? Your ‘friends’ lives? The only way we’ll ever understand what exactly happened, or why it happened, or why this thing is doing what it is, is to find it and ask it ...”

“...and subjugate it?” Maor throws in. Jakob’s mouth quirks, almost as if he is trying to form a smile in agreement. Marshall seems to sense this, and grows even more annoyed, “Now, now, Mr. Maor, we’re all on the same team.” He says this while walking behind the Klingon / Bajoran, resting a hand on his chair briefly. “Our mysterious being will given all the due rights he/she/it are to get for committing a crime in the Federation.” 

Maor somewhat doubts that, and doesn’t really care if Jakob senses it, “What about Merida? Have dispatched anyone there to investigate?” Marshall smiles and comes around to his chair, looking down at his pile of PADDs, “Ironically, that has already been solved. Command had already dispatched a ship there on an expedition. Of course, they are unaware of our interest ... and most likely won’t be expecting any presence there. If they encounter any ... difficulty, we’ll hear of it. Now, moving on ...”

“No moving on for a moment ... which ship?” Maor inquires, leaning forward.

“No need to dwindle on old topics, Mr. Maor, let’s please mov –”

Maor slams his fist down on the table, “Which ... ship?” 

“The Elara.”

Jakob grimaces at the thoughts of rage coming from Maor for the moment, and then returns to his usual stance as Maor’s emotions change from rage to fear.

Fear for his friends lives.

To be continued …