=/\= U.S.S. Elara Stardate 10701.25- "Let the games begin, part VI"=/\=

The USS Elara is en route back to the location of the Gambling Star, where the CEO managed to restart life support. They will wait there for another ship to help towing the Ferengi casino to a nearby star.

In the mean time, the crew tries to piece together the events of the past few hours. The Klingons got custody of the group of Cardassians that travelled aboard the "Star" and kidnapped a Vorta and the Elara's own XO. While this was happening, the CEO found an apparently living organic mass similar to a Founder. What is the story here?

=/\= =/\= =/\= Begin Mission =/\= =/\= =/\=

CO Capt Timrok says: 
:: sitting as ever, on the bridge ::

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
::at tactical, tacticilizing::

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@*OPS*: Jo'Brel to Elara, status report: We're standing by for beam out, with our special cargo.

ACTION: The Elara is at high warp, just 1 minute away from the coordinates of the Star

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
::on the bridge, catching up on events since he was kidnapped::

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
XO: Commander, we're one minute from the star, preparing to drop out of warp.

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::drops the Elara out of warp and approaches the "Star" at full impulse::

OPS Lt Tar says: 
::in is quarters, almost back to normal:: *CEO*: Tar here, I'll inform the transporter chief of TR1.

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
XO: The ship appears to be as we left it..

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
FCO: Bring us into transporter range

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@*OPS*: And the CO please ::checks his latest orders:: Standing by.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
CTO: No sign anyone has been or gone from here?  All shuttles and escape pods accounted for?

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
XO: Aye Commander. ::brings the Elara into range::

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
XO: Well, the life support is back online.. and I also have the USS SunnyMountain on the other line saying they are half an hour away from us

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
XO: The ship itself has no shuttles, only pods, and there are 13 life forms onboard

OPS Lt Tar says: 
*CEO*: Acknowledged. ::taps combadge twice:: *TR1*: Tar here, prepare to beam over the CEO and his team once we're in range. ::taps his badge twice again:: *CO*: Tar to Timrok, Ensign Jo’Brel is ready for transport. I've informed TR1 to prepare for transport when we're in range.

OPS Lt Tar says: 
::exits his quarters and heads for the bridge::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
*OPS* Very good, and what of his cargo, it won't cause any problems I hope?

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
CTO: Is that 13 including or excluding the ones we know kidnapped me?

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::makes sure his team is ready::

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::holds the ship in position::

ACTION: The Elara neatly parks parallel to the larger casino ship

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
XO: Wait.. no.. my console loaded the cached data from before.. no.. the ship has 13 life forms LESS..

OPS Lt Tar says: 
*CO*: I'll check that with him and make all the necessary arrangements needed.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
*OPS* OK, Timrok out

OPS Lt Tar says: 
*CEO*: Tar to Jo'Brel, are there any special requirements needed for your cargo?

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@*OPS*: Indeed there is. I need it beamed directly to a Science lab with security waiting and it needs to be placed inside a force field.

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::wonders what the next step will be::

OPS Lt Tar says: 
*CEO*: Acknowledged, I'll take care of it.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
CTO: Well, at least we know where they went. Keep an eye out for anything else that’s suspicious.

OPS Lt Tar says: 
::taps his combadge:: *CTO*: Tar to Starbuck, can you send down a team to Science Lab 2? ::changes his direction to SciLab2::

TR1 says: 
*OPS*: Sir, we're in transporter range.

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
XO: Sir, the USS Sunny Mountain just contacted us, they asked us to catalogue the spots from which to tow the Ferengi ship, they say they will probably use shuttles to keep the stability of the group..

OPS Lt Tar says: 
*TR1*: Please stand by for transport and wait for my command. Set the cargo to be transported directly into the force field in Science Lab 2.

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
OPS: One moment... *Gamma team*: Johanson.. gather a segment of your team and head to Science Lab Two..

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@*OPS*: Have Ensign Lyta meet me there.

TR1 says: 
*OPS*: Acknowledged, standing by.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
::blinks:: CTO: You would think they want us to tow it as well.  Begin scans of the vessel, find all the structural strengths and weaknesses and transmit that data to the Sunny Mountain

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::taps at his console a bit::

OPS Lt Tar says: 
::taps combadge:: *CSO*: Tar to Lyta, please meet me in Science Lab 2. There are things to be transported over there.

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
*OPS*: On my way! ::Leaves her station and enters the nearest TL::

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
FCO: I'm gonna need to take the ship in a better position, to take a deeper scan of the hard points.. Ferengi ships are made quite cheaply and quite .. randomly.. can you make a manoeuvring pass over their starboard?

OPS Lt Tar says: 
*CEO*: Things are almost arranged for. Ensign Lyta is on her way, security is on their way, and I'm on my way. We're en route to Science Lab 2.

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CTO: I'll give you a slow loop round. ::sets the Elara to swing round the star in a circle::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
TL: Science lab 2, stat!

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@*OPS*: Understood and standing by. Requesting direct beam-in the science lab also.

Computer says: 
CSO: Unable to compute order stat, proceeding to sciencelab2

OPS Lt Tar says: 
::enters Science Lab 2:: *CEO*: Noted. Stand by for transport as soon as everything here is in place.

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
Computer: Buy a dictionary. ::mumbles things about useless engineers::

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::patiently waits next to his bucket of goo:: Goo: Come on...Jeffrey...time to go

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
FCO: Keep it a bit more here.. ::scans:: oook, it's pretty messed up on this side, keep a close orbit on it and give the deflector more angle on the ship, maybe we'll have more luck with the aft section

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::nods and continues round to the stern::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
::Enters science lab 2:: OPS: Yeees?

OPS Lt Tar says: 
CSO: Ah, there you are. Jo'Brel will have some cargo beamed over here. It needs to be inside a force field. He requested a Science Lab, so I informed you.

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
XO: I have a full scan, the best approach would be in this spot.. a bit under the belly of the ship, next to the small cargo pods...

OPS Lt Tar says: 
::notices the sec team is outside SciLab2::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
OPS: What sort of cargo?

OPS Lt Tar says: 
CSO: He didn't say that, but he needed a force field.

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
OPS: He better clean it up if it makes a mess.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
CTO: Very good, transmit the information to the Sunny Mountain, let’s see if they agree.

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
XO: Already did.. still waiting on their reply

OPS Lt Tar says: 
::grins:: CSO: He will then. If you take care of the force field then I'll take care for the beam in process.

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::starts tapping his feet::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
::Sets up a standard force field:: Self: What level was it again? 4? ::shrugs:: OPS: Well I'm ready...

@ACTION: The goo patiently waves in the confinement of the bucket

OPS Lt Tar says: 
*TR1*: Beam over the cargo into the force field in Science Lab 2 and after that beam over the CEO directly to Science Lab 2.

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@Goo: Hold on, won't be long now...I hope

ACTION: The Elara circles the Gambling Star while the CTO and FCO look for the best spots to aim a tractor beam at

OPS Lt Tar says: 
*CEO*: Transport will be commenced within moments.

ACTION: The bucket dematerializes from the Star and appears behind the designated force field

ACTION: A few seconds later the CEO joins the CSO and OPS

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
Self: Eww, what is that?!

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
::materialises and looks at the welcoming party:: OPS/CSO: I believe it is alive, so please let’s not prod it too much.

OPS Lt Tar says: 
CEO: There you are.

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CSO: That's definitely not the reaction I expected from a scientist...but...CSO/OPS: I believe we have some kind of changeling. It definitely is sentient

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
CEO: I haven't had breakfast yet...

OPS Lt Tar says: 
*CO*: Sir, the transport is completed. Jo'Brel, Lyta and I are in Science Lab 2. We'll keep you posted or you may come down and have a look yourselves.

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
::walks to the console and starts a non-invasive scan:: CSO: I couldn't get an accurate reading with my tricorder

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CTO: Ok, well what about that point about 150 feet to the right of it?

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
FCO: That was the point I was referring to and pointed it out to the XO as well

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
CEO: Knock yourself out. ::Walks over to the CEO and looks over his shoulder::

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
::checks the scan results::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
*OPS* Actually I think I will, my curiosity is getting the better of me

OPS Lt Tar says: 
*CO*: I knew you would say that. I'll see you down here then.

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CTO: Fair enough... some of the other points can be used by shuttles for stability.

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
::Sniffs the CEO::

ACTION: The gamblers on the Star look in awe through the windows at how close the Elara is sailing around them

CO Capt Timrok says: 
:: stands up and heads for the turbolift :: XO: You have the bridge.... until you get abducted or kidnapped or something

CO Capt Timrok says: 
:: steps into the turbolift and launches it toward science lab 2 ::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
::shakes his head:: Self: Like that’s going to happen twice in one day...

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
CO: I'll keep an eye on him.. ::Watches the XO intently:: XO: Unless you want to be abducted again, Pazoski? You seem to be enjoying it every time.

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CSO: It has the same life signs as another shape shifter but...they're fainter...almost as if its mixed with other life signs...almost as if it's a hybrid. I don’t know where to go from here...that's your department

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
CEO: Interesting! I'll take over from here then...nice cologne by the way.

ACTION: The Galaxy class USS SunnyMountain returns to normal space next to the Star

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
XO: Commander, I'm preparing to scramble four shuttles to take stabilising positions on the Star.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
::waves his hand at the CIV:: CIV: To be honest its getting a bit repetitive.

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CSO: Cologne...im not...ah...thank you ::thinks to take a shower::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
:: strides suddenly into Science Lab 2 - rubbing his hands together enthusiastically :: ALL: So, what have we got?

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
FCO: Make sure they have a decent pilot and an engineer on each one, we don’t want any mishaps

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
::Smiles and takes over the console::

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
XO: The Sunny Mountain is haling us

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
XO: What about that other ship? What’s it doing here?

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
CTO: On screen.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
FCO: They are giving us a hand to tow this ruddy thing.

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
XO: Onscreening

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
::watches the CSO, curious to see the results::

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
XO: Ah good, shuttles ready for launch... got four of my best shuttle pilots.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
::eyes the FCO:: FCO: That’s very... reassuring.

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
::Intensifies her scans to see whether she can distinguish DNA patterns::

OPS Lt Tar says: 
CO: Jo'Brel thinks it's a life form, like a shape shifter.

ACTION: A trill in a Captain's uniform appears on the viewscreen

Captain Jix says: 
COM: USS Elara: This is the USS SunnyMountain. We are ready to start towing if your people have found the most stable spots

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::gives the shuttles the co-ordinates to hook up to and clears them for launch::

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CO: Yes Sir, it showed sentience on the Gambling Star..but it’s not a changeling like the Founders per se

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
COM: USS Sunny Mountain: I believe we are ready here; our Tactical officer has already forwarded the relevant information to you.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
:: peers closer at the bucket :: CEO: Bizarre choice of form...did this fit in with the surroundings aboard the gambling star

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
XO: Moving into towing position.

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CO: No, Sir. It’s not every day you find a bucket.

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CTO: Ready to tractor on my mark.

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
::sighs:: CEO: I get the same results you did...

Captain Jix says: 
COM: USS Elara: Acknowledged. Give us the word and we will point our beams where needed. SunnyMountain out

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
FCO: They’re on standby

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::manoeuvres the Elara into towing position:: CTO: We're in position now.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
ALL: An odd choice of camouflage then

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CSO: Any way we can break the results down to determine what it is a hybrid of exactly?

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
FCO: Tractoring... now.. ::activates tractor beam::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
CSO: I can't make out anything about the other organic matrix sadly...

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CO: I don't know...my guess is it is sick, or young. It doesn’t seem to have the strength or maybe the knowledge of shape shifting.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
::coughs gently:: FCO/CTO: Normally Gentlemen it is advisable to wait for an order before beginning any operation

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CO: It was definitely exploring

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
XO: Commander, tow is attached sir, by the sound of that cough you need to rest your voice a little. ::grins::

ACTION: The Elara's tractor beam and the shuttle's grapple onto the gambling star. The SunnyMountain soon follows

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CEO: Why do you say that?

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
Self: Didn't they find that electricity works well on these things?

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CO: Well it would have shape shifted by now, even if it had been regenerating and when I made contact with it, it just seemed to explore my finger. My initial thoughts are is that it is not hostile

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
FCO: Obviously you have everything in control up here, take us home Mr. Sollo.  Just don't damage the Star, or you will be paying for it, the Ferengi will make sure of that.

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
XO: We can always insist it was like that when we got it. ::grins again:: Setting a course for home. ::sets a course and engages at low warp::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
All: Almost curious case

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CO: If there's nothing else in Engineering, I'd like to hang around here to get the headlines as they happen, Sir

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
::leans back in his seat, takes out a padd and begins catching up on his paperwork, looks up at the FCO for a moment and begins writing "Lack of attention, possible undiagnosed medical condition?"::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CSO: You are the most qualified to figure this out :: pauses and looks at the goo :: anything you need will be at your disposal

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
CO: Well, as the CEO said it might be young, I don't want to do anything invasive that might damage its matrix...

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CEO: On account of you getting intimate with it... OK.

OPS Lt Tar says: 
::just watches while in Science Lab 2::

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CO: Intimate? ::shudders and pauses:: Uh, yes Sir.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CEO/CSO: If you manage to communicate with it - I want to know immediately

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CTO: How's the strain on that tractor beam?

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CO: Aye Sir ::turns back to the goo:: OK Jefferie...

CO Capt Timrok says: 
OPS: I think we are only going to get in the way for now, why don’t you join me back on the bridge

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
FCO: In normal limits

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::nods to the CTO and checks the status of the shuttle teams::

OPS Lt Tar says: 
CO: That's ok to me. I'm of very little help right here at the moment. After you, sir. ::waits for the CO to exit SciLab2::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
CO: Aye sir!

CO Capt Timrok says: 
:: walks out of the science lab - leaving the manage-a-trois to get on with it ::

OPS Lt Tar says: 
::joins the CO::

=/\= =/\= =/\= Pause Mission =/\= =/\= =/\=

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Terry Imrie is Captain Joseph Timrok (CO – Commanding Officer)
Peter Saunders is Lieutenant Commander Peter Pazoski (XO – Executive Officer)
Eldad Ben-Tovim is Commander Maor (CIV – Starfleet Intelligence Specialist)
Cosmo Starbuck is Lieutenant Cosmo Starbuck (CTO – Chief Tactical Officer)
Scott Knight is Lieutenant Iain Sollo (FCO – Flight Control Officer)
Rob van den Dungen is Lieutenant Dalin Tar (OPS – Operations Officer)
Andrew James is Ensign Jo'Brel (CEO – Chief Engineering Officer)
Andreas Habeland is Ensign Ezry Lyta (CSO – Chief Science Officer)

Lilia Perfeito is Captain Ji &, Computer
Rob van den Dungen is TR1

Stardate: 10702.25
Arc Title: “Let the games begin”
Part: Six
Ship Manager: Lilia Perfeito
Arc Creator: Lilia Perfeito

This is a Star Trek A Call To Duty transcript.
It may not be redistributed or copied.
Copyright (c) 2007 by Star Trek: A Call to Duty. All Rights Reserved.