USS Hayden – NCC 73898
Stardate 10210.09
Episode 200 "A Stitch in Time"

Cast:
CO Cutter					Paul
XO Skye					Karen
CEO Michaels	Bryan
CSO Lys	Brian
CTO Kostandinos	Erin
CNS Cutter	D
CMO Bishop	Heather
EO Davidson	Jay
OPS Coreena	Karri
SO La'tan	Kyle

and featuring

FM John as Klord

Klord
 Prologue: The Hayden is in search of the distress call while the Shuttle is in route to Epsilon IV with the diplomatic pouch.
    
Klord
 <<<Resume Mission>>>

CTO Kostandinos
 ::on the bridge - very strangely, all of the sudden, she begins to miss Brynn::

OPS Coreena
 ::Back at her station, the computer still working on the message.::
 
CO Cutter
 ::on the bridge::

CSO Lys
 ::on the bridge at SCI 1::
 
SO La’tan
 CO: I've been thinking.  That distress call might come from a ship in the past or the future.

CNS Cutter
 ::going over her reports, still kinda twitchy though::
 
SO La’tan
 ::navigating the ship::
 
CO Cutter
 ::glances at the CSO::  SO: What makes you think that?

CSO Lys
 ::scans for the continued presence of chronotons::

CO Cutter
 CSO:  Do you still have the shuttle on sensors?
 
SO La’tan
 ::turns to face the CO:: CO: There have been some instances in temporal disturbances when that has happened, sir.

OPS Coreena
 ::Scanning for any communications, searching for the distress call.::

CO Cutter
 OPS:  How we doing on tracking the distress signal?

SO La’tan
 ::looks at the flight console::
 
CO Cutter
 SO:  Yes, but what evidence do you have that they're happening here?

SO La’tan
 CO: It’s just a bad feeling, that’s all, sir.

OPS Coreena
 CO:  We are still going in the general direction.  I have not yet pin pointed its exact origin however.
 
CO Cutter
 SO:  Noted.

CNS Cutter
 ::rubs her forehead, deep in thought:: Self: ...might help his Robin Hood complex he has going on.
 
CO Cutter
 OPS:  Very well.
 
SO La’tan
 ::pushes the big red button::
 
CO Cutter
 CTO:  Any ships in the area?

CTO Kostandinos
 ::snaps out of her thoughts, which are troubling her to no end:: CO: Scanning, sir.

CTO Kostandinos
 CO: None, sir ::a bit embarrassed at having been caught off guard like that::
 
SO La’tan
 ::maintaining velocity::

CSO Lys
 CO: The shuttle is out of sensor range.  Also, I think you should see this.  ::punches up something from the library computer::
 
CO Cutter
 CTO:  Stay sharp, Ash. We have an unknown distress signal.  We have no idea what we're headed towards.
   
CSO Lys
 CO: We are coming upon an area of space that is off limits.
 
CO Cutter
 CSO:  Off limits?  Why?

CTO Kostandinos
 ::is mad at herself for earning a reprimand:: CO: Aye, sir.
   
CSO Lys
 CO: It seems there were temporal disturbances in the area quite some time ago.  After that the area was cordoned off.
 
SO La’tan
 OPS: this is going to be fun.
 
OPS Coreena
 SO:  It is?

CO Cutter
 SO:  All stop.

SO La’tan
 ::stopping the ship:: CO: Aye, sir.
 
CO Cutter
 OPS:  Coreena, are you sure the signal comes from there?

OPS Coreena
 CO:  Yes, sir.
   
CSO Lys
 ::checks the results of the chronoton scans::

CO Cutter
 CSO/OPS/CTO: Full long range scan, all sensors.  What's out there in that restricted space?

CO Cutter
 OPS:  How long to get a message to Starfleet Command and get an answer back from them?

CTO Kostandinos
 ::stretches out tactical sensors::

EO Davidson
 ::walks into engineering hoping he wont be noticed coming in late::
   
CSO Lys
 CO: I'm am reading slight elevations in regional chronoton levels, but nothing alarming from here.

OPS Coreena
 CO:  Communications are currently at their limits.  I am picking up nothing.

SO La’tan
 CO: I think we should launch a probe, sir.
 
CO Cutter
 OPS:  How long would it take to get a message to Starfleet Command?
   
CSO Lys
 ::begins a detailed scan of the area::
 
CO Cutter
 SO:  Stand by.

OPS Coreena
 CO:  Checking.

CNS Cutter
 ::mutters under her breath:: Self: ...no, how does that make YOU feel.

EO Davidson
 ::forgot he is on his own today::
 
CO Cutter
 CSO:  Any more info on why this area is restricted?

OPS Coreena
 CO:  Approximately 5 hours.
 
CO Cutter
 OPS:  Thank you.
 
SO La’tan
 ::pushes a button::

CTO Kostandinos
 CO: Nothing of note on tactical sensors, no ships, weapons, minefields, nothing fun at all. ::wry smile::

CSO Lys
 CO: Still searching the library computer, but I haven't found anything more.
 
CO Cutter
 ::grins at the CTO::  CTO: The day is young.
 
CO Cutter
 CSO:  Launch a class one probe into the restricted space.
 
SO La’tan
 ::adjusts the phasic distributors::

OPS Coreena
 ::Listens to the silence of space.  Usually there was something.::

CSO Lys
 ::taps a few buttons:: CO: Probe away.

EO Davidson
 *CO*: Captain, the chronotons aren't having any effect on ship systems so far, but I will keep an eye out.
 
CO Cutter
 CSO:  Very well, report any readings.
 
CO Cutter
 *EO*:  Very well, keep me informed.

SO La’tan
 CO: Maybe we should launch a shuttle after the probe, sir.

EO Davidson
 *CO*: Aye, Captain.
 
CO Cutter
 SO:  Relax Ensign.  Let's just sit back and see what the probe tells us.

SO La’tan
 CO: Yes, sir.

OPS Coreena
 ::Alters the sensor pallets nominally to increase forward readings.::

CSO Lys
 ::hrmph:: CO: I'm reading various planetary systems within the area, various types.  Some are even Class M.   The scans though, they are, well, the best way to describe it is that they are fuzzy.
 
CO Cutter
 ::turns to Keely::  CNS:  Well Counselor, if you were in command, what would you do?

CNS Cutter
 ::sits up suddenly, the last conversation with her mother running in her head:: Outloud: I am NOT having a baby!

CO Cutter
 CSO:  Interference?

CO Cutter
 ::looks at Keely like she's lost her mind::

EO Davidson
 ::transfers engineering control to the bridge and heads for the bridge::
 
SO La’tan
 ::wondering what that’s about::

CTO Kostandinos
 ::looks at her curiously::
 
SO La’tan
 ::looking at Keely::
   
CSO Lys
 CO: Of some sort, I'm having a hard time tuning it out.

CNS Cutter
 ::suddenly blushes and looks around to make sure no one heard her.::

OPS Coreena
 ::Increases power to sensors::

CNS Cutter
 ::too late::

CTO Kostandinos
 CNS: I know the feeling, but I don't usually share it while on duty.
 
CO Cutter
 CSO:  Do you read any ships in the area or any life signs?
   
CSO Lys
 CO: It isn't like anything I've seen before.
 
SO La’tan
 ::looks back at the panel::

CNS Cutter
 ::slides down into her chair, bright red::
 
Meanwhile, on the Shuttle…

CMO Bishop
 @::on the shuttle, doing stuff::

XO Skye
 @::Finally stirs and her eyes open.  Standing and stretching.:: CMO: What's out ETA?

XO Skye
 @::Stifles a yawn::

CMO Bishop
 @ ::starts at the suddenness of the XO's voice:: XO: Huh? Oh uhhh… err.  Hang on. ::quickly checks sensors::

XO Skye
 @::Wonders how long she was asleep.::

CMO Bishop
 @::Quickly checks the sensors again:: XO: About another 24 hours, sir. Would you like me to speed up a bit?

XO Skye
 @CMO: Take us to our maximum sustainable warp.  We should also inform Epsilon IV that we're going to be late.

CMO Bishop
 @::blinks:: XO: Better make that 15 hours, sir.
   
XO Skye
 @::Nods:: CMO: Still, we should inform the planet.

CMO Bishop
 @::nods and turns back to the sensors:: XO: Aye, Sir. ::looks back at her awkwardly::  Would you like me to send the message?

XO Skye
 @CMO: No.  ::Walks up to the flight control station.:: CMO: Do you know why we're not going this way/  ::Plots a course on the map.  Then notices the message buoys.::

XO Skye
 @CMO: We'll be on time if we cut across.

CMO Bishop
 @::shakes her head:: XO: I'm afraid not.

XO Skye
 @CMO: We won't be on time if we cut across the area?

XO Skye
 @CEO: Go ahead and take us through the area.  If the packet is that important, we need to get it there on time.

CMO Bishop
 @::blushes:: XO: Sorry, Sir, I'm not much of a pilot.

CEO Michaels
 @XO: Aye aye, Commander.  ::pilots the shuttle towards the region supposedly off limits::

XO Skye
 @CMO: It's okay.   I'm not much of a doctor.

CMO Bishop
 @::smirks at the XO::

CMO Bishop
 @::keeps to her science station as she knows a little more about that, since she used to be an SO::

XO Skye
 @::Stretches again and seats herself again.:: CMO/CEO: Next time we take a trip like this, we're using the Captain's yacht.  Once we petition Starfleet to get him one.

CEO Michaels
 @XO: Do we get to custom paint it too?  ::grins::

XO Skye
 @CEO: Only if we get to do it up colorfully.

CMO Bishop
 @::takes note of some unusual readings on her console while overhearing the XO:: XO: I'll second that, Sir.

XO Skye
 @CMO/CEO: At least we'd be able to take a decent nap or a shower to freshen up.

CMO Bishop
 @::furrows her brow:: XO: Sir, I'm reading an increase chronoton particles.

XO Skye
 @CMO: Feed the coordinates to the CEO.  CEO: Pilot us around that area.

CMO Bishop
 @XO: They seem to be surrounding the ship.

CEO Michaels
 @XO: Well, at least we can keep ourselves entertained.  I found some old music tracks in the database the other day.  ::begins blasting "Highway to Hell" as he makes the course corrections::

CMO Bishop
 @::nods and transmits her findings to the CEO's console::

Klord
 Action: The chronoton levels suddenly jump off the scale near the shuttle.

CMO Bishop
 @::winces at the music and yells above the noise:: CEO: Umm, can you turn that down?

XO Skye
 @CEO: Interesting choice of…  Would you call that music?

CMO Bishop
 @CEO/XO: What the? Good Lord, they're off the bloody scale.

XO Skye
 @CMO: What are?

CEO Michaels
 @::frowns and turns it down::  XO/CMO: Obviously you two aren't connoisseurs.

CMO Bishop
 @XO: These chronoton levels. ::mutters:: They must be following me or something.

XO Skye
 @CEO: Connoisseurs of music, yes.  I wouldn't consider that music, more like deafening noise.

XO Skye
 @CMO: How far are we from them?  CEO: Take us around the area as quickly as possible.

Back to the Hayden, still recovering from the Counselor’s announcement.

CO Cutter
 CNS:  Now that we have the whole baby thing under control, care to answer my question?

CNS Cutter
 CO: You had a question? ::weakly::

EO Davidson
 ::arrives on the bridge and takes the engineering station::
 
CO Cutter
 ::sighs::  CNS:  If you were in command, what would you do now?

CNS Cutter
 CO: Scream until I woke up.
   
CSO Lys
 ::wonders what the Counselor's outburst was all about::

CO Cutter
 ::shoots Keely a look that says "I'm not impressed"::

SO La’tan
 OPS: What is going on?
 
CO Cutter
 CSO:  Opinion?

CSO Lys
 CO: Short answer, I'm not sure.  There is just too much interference.  I see some masses that could be ships, but they could be asteroids also.  There is definitely life on some of the planets, but I can't tell you if it is sentient or algae.

OPS Coreena
 SO:  I do not know.  I do not have enough data to make an inference.

CNS Cutter
 ::looks at Jason oddly:: CO: What?  I'm serious.  Why the heck would I be in command?  No one is foolish enough to let it happen.
 
SO La’tan
 OPS: I'm talking about the Counselor.

EO Davidson
 CO: Captain, I have put a level 10 force field up around the core.  Not that it would help any, but you never know.

SO La’tan
 CO: I think we should launch shuttles to protect the ship.

OPS Coreena
 SO:  I do not know.  The counselor is... unique.  She became more so when she married the captain.
 
CO Cutter
 ::turns and whispers to Keely::  CNS:  I was looking for an opinion from a senior bridge officer.

CO Cutter
 CTO:  Your opinion, go or stay?

CNS Cutter
 ::nods and lets out a deep breath:: CO: Fine.  Understood.  Honestly though, I haven't been following.  What’s the problem?

OPS Coreena
 ::Looks behind her at the Captain::
   
CSO Lys
 CO: If I may?  If the distress call is coming from in there, we have no choice but to go in.

CTO Kostandinos
 CO: The area is marked "restricted" for a reason, sir.
 
CO Cutter
 CNS:  We are at the edge of restricted space.  The distress signal comes from within.  Go or stay.
 
SO La’tan
 ::looks at the captain::
 
CO Cutter
 CSO:  You may, that's why I asked.

CO Cutter
 CTO:  So you feel we should stay out?

CNS Cutter
 CO: Whose is it?  Do we have any scans of the area?  Any clue who is in there or what we're dealing with?
 
CO Cutter
 CNS:  We have no idea.  Scans are fuzzy but show class M planets.

CTO Kostandinos
 CO: The fact that the area is off limits due to temporal disturbances makes the choice for us.  We can't risk going in there, messing up the space-time continuum and causing more harm than good.  The Temporal Prime Directive is clear on that.
 
CO Cutter
 ::nods at the CTO::
 
CO Cutter
 OPS:  What do you think Coreena?

OPS Coreena
 CO:  I do not know why, but something tells me that we should go in.  And yet, I am also... afraid to go in.
   
CSO Lys
 ::his console beeps loudly::  CO: I'm reading a large chronometric reading in the direction  ::pauses:: the direction of Epsilon IV sir.
 
CO Cutter
 ::spins toward the CSO::  CSO:  The shuttle?

CSO Lys
 CO: Could be, I'm trying to pinpoint now.

Back on the shuttle.

Klord
 Action: In a burst of light a temporal ribbon appears 2 light years away from the shuttle.

CMO Bishop
 @::shakes her head:: XO: They're everywhere.

CEO Michaels
 @XO: Aye ma'am, making adjustments to course.

XO Skye
 @CMO: That would be a bad thing.  CEO: I heard you used to be a fancy flier.  Well do some of that fancy flying.  What in the world is that thing?  ::Blinks from the brightness of the ribbon::

CMO Bishop
 @XO: Bloody Heck!!  ::watches the ribbon jump out at her on sensors then looks up at the viewscreen::
   
XO Skye
 @CMO: Send a mayday.  Let the Hayden know what's going on, even if I do lose my rank over this one.

CMO Bishop
 @::punches at the console:: XO Aye, Sir.
   
XO Skye
 @::Mumbles:: Even if I just got it.

CEO Michaels
 @::encounters a wall of chronotons wherever he turns::  XO/CMO: This may get bumpy folks.

XO Skye
 @CEO: You mean you aren't a miracle worker?

CEO Michaels
 @::Finds a gap to starboard and heads for it::

CMO Bishop
 @::transmits a distress call to the USS Hayden::

CMO Bishop
 @::watches her sensors like a hawk:: XO/CEO: That's one heck of a temporal ribbon.
   
XO Skye
 @CMO: Yea, I gathered that.

CEO Michaels
 @CMO: Something tells me we don't want to get caught in it either.  ::alters course again, sharp to port::

CMO Bishop
 @CEO/XO: Well it would be a quick death.

CEO Michaels
 @::jumps back from the panel as his console flares up::  CMO: Thanks for the bright news.

CMO Bishop
 @::her console flickers as she tries to keep it working, cringes as a few sparks fly::

CEO Michaels
 @XO: You know, next time we may want to pay attention to restricted zones.  I'm losing flight control.  Communications are down.

XO Skye
 @::Falls out of her seat and into a sparking panel.  Pounds out the sparks that fell on the arm of her uniform tunic and grabs a fire extinguisher.::
   
XO Skye
 @::Begins putting out fires as they spring up.::

CMO Bishop
 @CEO: Well Commander, speaking from a medical point of view, there are worse ways to die. ::grins at him as she is showered by sparks::

CEO Michaels
 @CMO: Electrocution being one of them.  ::Struggles with the controls::

Returning to the Hayden

CO Cutter
 OPS:  Hail the shuttle, priority 1.

CNS Cutter
 ::rubs her forehead, eyes narrowed:: CO: Ah, you don't ask the easy questions do you?  I dunno, Jase.  I'd want to respond to the call.  I'd be tempted to say heck with it and go for it.

OPS Coreena
 ::nods::

CTO Kostandinos
 ::looks over, panicked, at the CSO:: CSO: Did they go in the restricted area?  How could there be temporal rifts in that direction?

CNS Cutter
 CO: Um, but there might be a reason for the restriction.

OPS Coreena
 COMM:  Shuttle: This is the Hayden, please respond.

CSO Lys
 CTO: I don't know.  Could have something to do with the readings we saw earlier.
 
CO Cutter
 ::grins at Keely::  So, oh decisive one?

OPS Coreena
 ::Repeats the message::

CTO Kostandinos
 ::knows now why she had that gnawing feeling in her stomach::

CSO Lys
 CO: The disturbance seems to be growing in magnitude.

OPS Coreena
 ::Glances over her shoulder::  CO:  Shuttle is not responding to hail.
 
CO Cutter
 CSO:  Can you tell if the shuttle was clear of the area?

CNS Cutter
 CO: I don't know! ::exasperated:: Help I guess.

CSO Lys
 CO: It's too far away, I can't get that kind of detail.
 
CO Cutter
 CNS:  <w>  Easy girl, I was actually looking for opinions, including yours.  This wasn't a test.

SO La’tan
 CO: I am curious if one of the planets is responsible for the disturbances.

CNS Cutter
 CO: But then, if there is danger,being responsible for everyone else on the ship.. ::still muttering::

CO Cutter
 SO:  Curious is a good word.
   
CSO Lys
 CO: We either turn around ::thinks for a moment:: or send a class 9 probe.  It can travel at warp 9, should get us information quickly.

CNS Cutter
 ::sighs:: CO: I know.  But honey?  Is it wrong that I'm so freaking glad it’s your job to make the decisions and I'm just comic relief girl?

SO La’tan
 CO: I would like to take a shuttle to look at some of those fussy readings, sir.

CO Cutter
 ::smiles briefly at Keely then stares off in the distance, thinking::

CTO Kostandinos
 CO: There are two ships on sensors just inside the restricted area.  They just appeared. ::distracted, thinking about the shuttle and the fiancee that is on it::

CO Cutter
 OPS:  Still no answer?

OPS Coreena
 ::Puts the hail on automatic, wondering if they are just too far away::

OPS Coreena
 CO:  No sir.

CTO Kostandinos
 CO: Are we going after them?
 
Back on the Shuttle.

Klord
 Action: The shuttle escapes from the ribbon but is flung many light-years off course.  All systems are failing.

XO Skye
 @CEO: Do what you can.

CEO Michaels
 @XO: Right now it's not much, we're caught in a dead spin, I can't regain controls without repairs.

CMO Bishop
 @CEO/XO: Blast this console. I can't make any sense of it.

XO Skye
 @::Her breathing is labored as much of the shuttles O2 is strewn with smoke.  Coughs as she tries to clear her lungs.::
   
XO Skye
 @CMO: What is it saying?
   
CEO Michaels
 @XO: From what I can gather from the navigational computer, or what's left of it, we're 35 light-years from our previous position.  The ribbon's shockwave propelled us a bit further than we would have liked.

XO Skye
 @CEO: Can you make rudimentary repairs?

CEO Michaels
 @XO: I believe so.  There's a system nearby.  We might be able to manage a landing there.

CMO Bishop
 @::looks to her console:: XO: Well considering it's flickering on and off, my guess is it's trying to tell us we're in trouble.  ::punches in a few things she learned while on the USS Triton to make more sense of the console if only for a moment::
   
XO Skye
 @CEO: Well, if we are dead the package can't be delivered.  Let's get us down safely.  Then we can affect repairs.

CEO Michaels
 @::shoves his chair back and climbs underneath the console, swearing as it sparks at him::

CMO Bishop
 @CEO/XO: I'm managing to hang on to emergency power.  It's about all we have right now.

XO Skye
 @CEO: I'm no engineer, but I'm a pair of hands.  What can I do to help?

CEO Michaels
 @::holds out a hand from beneath the console::  XO: Give me that tricorder, and the power cell from one of the replicators.

CEO Michaels
 @::mutters, bangs and clangs are heard from under the console::  Aloud: Blasted things, all these years and they still don't expect them to break down now and again.
   
XO Skye
 @::Hands him a tricorder and then goes to the replicator and wonders where the power cell would be.  Looks for a panel and pounds on it until it opens.::

CMO Bishop
 @::looks back at the XO:: XO: It's under the main tray, Sir.  ::points::  Just there.

XO Skye
 @CMO: Thanks, so I suck as an engineer too.  ::Pulls the power cell out and hands it to the CEO::

CEO Michaels
 @::peeks out from under the console::  XO: You'd make a good Engineer, you learn fast how to deal with machinery.

CEO Michaels
 @::takes apart the tricorder and splices two circuits from the impulse manifold using its data transfer unit::

CMO Bishop
 @::reaches under her console and flips a switch that maintains minimum power to her console.  Grins:: Self: ‘Atta girl.

CMO Bishop
 @::holds her finger down maintaining the connection so she can get some clearer readings::

CEO Michaels
 @::attaches the power cell to the flight control board and curses as he gets shocked, though the console does flicker and light::

XO Skye
 @CEO: Lights are good things.  Can we maneuver to the planet?

CEO Michaels
 @XO: Good to go, at least for now.  ::climbs out from under the console and sets course for the planet, the impulse engines sputtering, before igniting properly::

CMO Bishop
 @::tries to pinpoint where they are::

CEO Michaels
 @XO: Maneuver to it, yes.  Land, well that could be a little trickier.  It'll be rough to say the least.

XO Skye
 @CEO: As long as the seat restraints still work, hopefully we'll be okay.

CEO Michaels
 @CMO: You know, I'm beginning to notice a trend.  Everytime I pilot a ship, they send along a doctor.

CMO Bishop
 @::sighs as the readings aren't clear::

XO Skye
 @CMO: Jerlia?

CMO Bishop
 @CEO: Well someone has to keep an eye on your butt, Commander

CEO Michaels
 @CMO: Careful, Ashlynn'll get jealous that it's not her.
   
XO Skye
 @CMO: That's the CTO's job, I believe.

CMO Bishop
 @::smirks:: CMO: I'm the doctor, it's my job too.  ::blushes fiercely::  Just umm, not in that fashion or way, I mean.

CEO Michaels
 @::grins::

CMO Bishop
 @::feels her face burn as she quickly turns her concentration back to the failing sensors::

XO Skye
 @CEO: ETA to the planet's atmosphere?

CMO Bishop
 @::wonders why she makes comments like that as she tries to maintain SRS::

CEO Michaels
 @XO: 8 minutes ma'am.  I'm having trouble with long-range sensors.  It's habitable, but that's about all I can tell.

Back to the Hayden, awaiting the Captain’s decision.

CO Cutter
 OPS:   Secure your hail.
 
SO La’tan
 ::wondering why they are not responding::
 
CO Cutter
 ::thinks about the friends in the shuttle versus the job they've been hired to do::

OPS Coreena
 CO:  I am getting distress calls from two ships.
 
CO Cutter
 OPS:  Send a message to command.  Based on the distress call, Hayden intends to enter this region of space on my responsibility.

CO Cutter
 CSO:  Launch the probe after the shuttle.

OPS Coreena
 CO: Yes sir.
 
CO Cutter
 OPS:  Feed the coordinates of the distress calls to the helm.
   
CSO Lys
 CO: Done sir.  ::sends a class IX probe along the course of the shuttle::

CTO Kostandinos
 ::anger and frustration threaten to get the better of her, and it's all she can do not to scream at him to screw the distress call, and follow the Hayden’s shuttle::

OPS Coreena
 ::Taps out a message to SFC and sends them the current data and general coordinates.::

OPS Coreena
 ::Sends the coordinates to helm::
 
CO Cutter
 SO:  Lay in a course for the ships in distress, Warp 8.

SO La’tan
 CO: Do you want me to enter now sir.

OPS Coreena
 CO:  Completed.
 
CO Cutter
 OPS:  Very well.

CO Cutter
 SO:  Engage.
 
SO La’tan
 ::laying in a course warp 8 engages::

CNS Cutter
 ::concerned::

CO Cutter
 ::sits in his chair and looks straight ahead::

OPS Coreena
 ::Glances at the SO then looks forward at the screen, wondering what awaited them.::

CTO Kostandinos
 ::breathes in and out slowly, biting her lower lip::

CO Cutter
 SO:  ETA to the ships?
 
SO La’tan
 OPS: Don’t you love a good mystery?
 
SO La’tan
 ::checking the ETA gets the information: CO: 3 minutes sir.

CSO Lys
 CO: Details coming in on the ships.  I'm not sure, perhaps the CTO will know better, but they look to be old Starfleet vessels.

OPS Coreena
 SO:  I do not know.  I have never had a mystery before.
 
CO Cutter
 CTO:  Full scan.

CO Cutter
 SO:  Move us to within transporter range and come to all stop.

CO Cutter
 OPS:  Hail the ships.

CTO Kostandinos
 ::scans:: CO: No life aboard the ships, sir.
 
SO La’tan
 ::moving within transporter range::
 
CO Cutter
 CTO:  Any other ships in the area?

CTO Kostandinos
 CO: You'd be hailing dead air.

OPS Coreena
 ::Opens hailing frequency::  COMM:  Starfleet vessel.   This is the USS Hayden, please respond.

CTO Kostandinos
 CO: No, just the two. ::thinks "and the shuttle with my fiancee on it that you think a probe is going to help::

CO Cutter
 CTO:  Humor me.
   
CSO Lys
 ::begins scanning the vessels for damage::
 
CO Cutter
 CSO:  Is life support still functioning on both ships?

CNS Cutter
 ::stands up and walks over towards Ash::
   
CSO Lys
 CO: Checking sir.

OPS Coreena
 CO:  The distress call is automated.
 
CO Cutter
 OPS:  Very well.

CSO Lys
 CO: It seems to be active, but minimal.  The air may be stale.

CO Cutter
 CSO:  Very well.  Can you tap into their computers and get to the logs?

CTO Kostandinos
 ::is alert on the outside, but deep down is completely lost in her own thoughts, most of which are not good::

CNS Cutter
 ::stands next to Ashlynn:: CTO: You okay?  You know he'll be fine, right?
   
CSO Lys
 ::considers:: CO: I should be able to, let me try something.  ::gets in and smiles::  Downloading now.

CO Cutter
 ::notes Keely moving over to the CTO and gives her a mental "way to go"::

CTO Kostandinos
 ::almost opens her mouth but thinks better of it.  He's her husband, how can she voice her disagreement with him, to her?:: CNS: I don't know that, none of us do.  All we can do is hope.

CO Cutter
 CSO:  Report as soon as you can.  What happened here?

CO Cutter
 OPS:  Is the distress signal from these ships what you were getting earlier?

CSO Lys
 CO: The ships each had a small crew, all dead.  I'm trying to find the cause.

OPS Coreena
 CO:  I have been checking, but for some unknown reason, I am unable to tell.
 
SO La’tan
 CSO: What’s the date of the logs, sir.

CO Cutter
 OPS:  You can't tell??  ::incredulous look::

CNS Cutter
 ::gives her 'the look':: CTO: Don't you start holding back on me, missy.  We know each other far better than that.  And you're right.  We don't "know" anything.  We don't "know" that we'll wake up tomorrow, but we trust we will.  Same way I trust Brynn to fly them out of anything bad or fix anything that’s broken.
   
CSO Lys
 ::stunned:: CO: They were trapped, stuck drifting.  They simple died of old age.

OPS Coreena
 ::Her hands move along the console in no particular pattern::  CO:  No, sir, I can't.  It could be, but then again, it might not be.
 
CO Cutter
 ::mutters::  Died of old age?   CSO:  What trapped them?

CNS Cutter
 CTO: And the same way I trust Sam to get them back here safe and the way I trust Jerlia to keep them all in on piece while they other two do their thing.

CO Cutter
 OPS:  Very well.  Keep trying Coreena.  I need to know.

SO La’tan
 OPS: Well I don’t have to worry about old age.
   
CSO Lys
 CO: I'm not sure yet.  However, there were more crewmembers.  They left them on one of the planets in the area while the ships went in search of a way home.

CTO Kostandinos
 ::lowers her voice so that the CNS is the only one that can hear her:: CNS: This feels different. I don't know how.  We're chasing after an automated distress call from a bunch of already dead people, when we should be going after ones that we know are in trouble, but can still be helped.
 
CO Cutter
 SO:  How far to the nearest planet?

OPS Coreena
 CO:  Yes sir, running it through the computer again.  Voice comparison.

CSO Lys
 CO/SO: These logs seem to date around 4309.14, about sixty years ago.

OPS Coreena
 SO:  My understanding is that all your life forms eventually die.
 
CO Cutter
 CSO:  Did they give any coordinates of these planets?

CNS Cutter
 ::nods:: <w> CTO: I understand.  I kind of felt the same.  Damn everyone else and get our friends back.  But who knew that the call came from a bunch of dead folks until we were already here?
 
SO La’tan
 CO: Three light-years sir.
   
CSO Lys
 CO: I think so. ::checks for the coordinates::

CNS Cutter
 CTO: What if they'd all been alive and we could have helped them?  Our guys would have made the same choice.
 
CO Cutter
 CTO:  Can you scan the nearest planet for life signs?

CTO Kostandinos
 CNS: Well we know now, so why are we still here?  We knew five minutes ago, because it was picked up on my sensor array.

CTO Kostandinos
 ::snaps out of her conversation:: CO: Aye. ::tightly::

CTO Kostandinos
 ::scans for life signs::

OPS Coreena
 ::Restless::
   
CSO Lys
 ::startled:: CO: The ships, they became separated from this time continuum.  ::looks to the CO::  They basically were out of phase with this time, couldn't interact, couldn't do anything.  They were stuck here, helpless.
   
CSO Lys
 ::finds the coordinates and sends them to the SO::

CNS Cutter
 <w> CTO: Because we never know what we'll find.. ::steps back and lets her do her job::
 
CO Cutter
 ::quietly::  CSO:  What a way to go.
 
SO La’tan
 ::looks at the coordinates;: CO: About 8 light-years and the other, 12.

CO Cutter
 SO:  What do you show at those locations?

CNS Cutter
 ::wanders back to her chair and takes a seat::

SO La’tan
 CO: There are no planets at the coordinates sir.

CSO Lys
 CO: I guess, over the years, the eventually came back into phase with our time.
 
CO Cutter
 SO:  Nothing?  You're sure?

CTO Kostandinos
 CO: Roughly 600,000 humanoids at the nearest planet, sir.

OPS Coreena
 ::Looks back at Talan, her eyes showing her uncertainty and being upset.::

CO Cutter
 CSO:  Could the planets they talk about be out of phase with this time?
 
SO La’tan
 CO: Yes, I can tell if there are planet, sir.  I’ve piloted my parents’ freighter before.

CO Cutter
 CTO:  Very well, most likely not our survivors then.  Just to confirm, any human life signs?

OPS Coreena
 ::Stands up from her station and goes to the empty science station.::
 
CO Cutter
 SO:  Just a response of confirmed will do nicely, ensign.

CSO Lys
 CO: That's possible.  Or it could be that the time continuum is so messed up around here that stellar drift is accelerated.  I'll see what I can come up with.

CNS Cutter
 ::winces at Jason's statement and tone::

CTO Kostandinos
 CO: The chronometric interference is making scans too difficult.  All I know is they're humanoid
 
CO Cutter
 CSO:  Any report from our probe?
 
CO Cutter
 CTO:  Very well.

OPS Coreena
 ::Redirects the distress call, placing it through the computer to get a visual comparison of the two signals.::
 
SO La’tan
 CO: I can set a course to the supposedly planets if you want to, sir.

CO Cutter
 SO:  Set a course for the coordinates of the first planet mentioned in the ships’ log.  Ahead warp one.

SO La’tan
 ::sets course warp one::
   
CSO Lys
 CO: The interference in here is prohibiting us from getting the data.
 
SO La’tan
 CO: Ready to engage, sir.

CO Cutter
 CTO/OPS/CSO:  Full active scan you three, I want to know if we're heading into some kind of temporal displacement.

CO Cutter
 CSO:  Very well.
 
CO Cutter
 SO:  Engage.
   
CSO Lys
 CO: Aye.

CTO Kostandinos
 ::runs her scans::
 
SO La’tan
 ::engages::

CSO Lys
 ::recording as much data as he can as SFC might find it useful::
 
CO Cutter
 SO:  ETA?

CNS Cutter
 ::Keeps an eye on Ash.  Upset girl with the guns is a bad thing::

OPS Coreena
 CO:  The original signal was too broken up for the computer to work through a comparison.  There are waves that are the same, but not enough to be absolutely sure.
 
SO La’tan
 CO: At warp one it would be 8 years.
 
CO Cutter
 ::shakes his head at his own stupidity::  SO:  Ensign, increase to warp 4.

SO La’tan
 ::increases to warp four, chuckles silently::

CNS Cutter
 ::raises an eyebrow and looks at Jason having missed something::

CO Cutter
 OPS:  Could the difference be cause by time displacement?
 
CO Cutter
 CNS: <w>  Don't worry, just had a flash of stupid.

CO Cutter
 SO:  ETA now?
 
SO La’tan
 CO: 3 light years sir.

OPS Coreena
 CO:  The message being broken up as it was, the time displacement could have been the cause.
 
CO Cutter
 OPS:  Very well.
 
SO La’tan
 CO: ETA is 26 hours.

CNS Cutter
 CO: <w> Doubt it, hon. ::winks and smiles::

OPS Coreena
 ::Returns to her seat::
 
CO Cutter
 SO:  Very well, I don't want to go much faster and blunder into a displacement ourselves.
 
SO La’tan
 CO: Yes, sir.

CTO Kostandinos
 ::bites her lower lip and keeps a close eye on her sensors::

OPS Coreena
 ::Her fingers begin to tap lightly on the console::

CO Cutter
 ::not doing well on the patience thing::  CSO:  How fast could we be going and you'd be comfortable that we would detect an anomaly in time to back off?
   
CSO Lys
 CO: Warp 4 is pushing it sir, but I think we can manage.
 
CO Cutter
 ::glares at Lys::  CSO: Would you believe that's NOT the answer I wanted?

CNS Cutter
 ::mutters:: CO: Nope.  No one would believe it.
 
Cut to the Shuttle.

XO Skye
 @CEO: Understood. ::Rummages around looking for the phasers that should have been stowed in the shuttle.::

CMO Bishop
 @CEO: So, umm, can we land?

CEO Michaels
 @CMO: That depends on your definition of a landing.

CEO Michaels
 @CMO: We'll survive, the shuttle won't though.

XO Skye
 @::Straightens up holding four phasers.  Hands one to the CMO, one to the CEO and takes one other for herself, hiding the last one just in case they need it later.::

CMO Bishop
 @CEO: Okay. ::wonders how that's possible::

XO Skye
 @CEO/CMO: Hopefully we won't need 'em, but you never know.

CEO Michaels
 @XO: Coming into orbit now.  CMO: See if you can find us some place soft and deserted.

CMO Bishop
 @CEO/XO: From what I can make of this half-mutilated sensor reading, I think it's safe to say this planet is inhabited.

CMO Bishop
 @XO: Thanks.  ::holsters her phaser::
   
XO Skye
 @CMO: What type of life forms?

CEO Michaels
 @CMO: On the one hand, it means there's food to be had.  On the other, we might end up the food.
   
XO Skye
 @CEO: Be gentle with the shuttle Brynn.  We might need it sooner than we'd like.

CMO Bishop
 @::shoots the CEO a grin:: CEO: I would have preferred the ribbon, Commander.

CEO Michaels
 @CMO: Can't be picky when it comes to survival.

CMO Bishop
 @XO/CEO: From what I can tell, they're humanoid.

XO Skye
 @CMO: Hopefully friendly humanoids.

CMO Bishop
 @XO: I'm sure you'd be able to tell us that, Commander.  I hope.

CMO Bishop
 @::readies her medkit and tricorder, makes sure her phaser is holstered::

CEO Michaels
 @XO/CMO: I think I've got a place to land, it's not ideal, but it'll have to do.

XO Skye
 @CMO/CEO: Well, they don't seem to be barbaric but not overly friendly either.  Let's hope we find the nicest of the bunch.

CMO Bishop
 @::nods:: CEO/XO: This is a good thing.
   
XO Skye
 @CMO: Hopefully.
   
XO Skye
 @CEO: Set us down, Brynn.

CEO Michaels
 @XO/CMO: Buckle up, put your seat backs and tray tables in their upright positions.  Thank you for flying Psycho Airlines, we hope you survive the landing.  ::takes them into the atmosphere::

CMO Bishop
 @::braces herself for a rough ride::
   
XO Skye
 @::Slides into the least mutilated seat and since the fastener is broken, she ties it around her midsection.::

CEO Michaels
 @::pilots the shuttle for a small clearing in the middle of the woods, realizing a bit late, that the clearing really is small::

Klord
 Action: The shuttle bucks and burns in the atmosphere and finally lands in a wooded area, tumbling to a stop.

CMO Bishop
 @::doesn't hold on very well and goes flying, hitting her head on her console and going unconscious::

XO Skye
 @::Her knot didn't hold and she goes flying into the replicator she hit earlier.::

XO Skye
 @::Her eyes flutter open and she reaches her hand around her ribs. It hurts to breathe.:: CMO/CEO: Jerlia, Brynn?

CEO Michaels
 @::Groans, mutters something unrepeatable, and sits up...which he realizes is actually down::

CMO Bishop
 @::becomes somewhat conscious and lets out a scream as a excruciating pain shoots up her entire leg::

Klord
 <<<Pause mission>>>