[End Act 1] Lt. Cmdr Stros - The Unwelcome Return
Nathan Richards
((Secondary Research Site, “Wandering Stone”, Sixth Moon))
Finally, his vision began to clear from the bright light from the transporter. He got his first real look at the bridge of the Independence and the crew that manned it. The coordinates had been slightly off, it seemed. That or the ship had moved roughly eight or nine feet from where they had been. He stood at the rear of the bridge, out of line of sight of the bridge crew. As expected, the Independence’s security console alerted them of the unauthorized transport. But Stros wasn’t too concerned with that at the moment.
Stros: You and your crew seem to have a penchant for the unnecessary, Commander.
The security officer was quick on the draw, his phaser up and pointed towards Stros.
Moore: Computer, Intruder alert!
As head turned to look at the sudden Vulcan Inquisition, Stros offered a smile to the faces even as the intruder alarm blared.
Ukinix: Yellow Alert, and what the bloody hell, Commander Stros.
Putting his arms out, his palms up in a form of apology, Stros shrugged. He had done what he needed to do in order to get his team to safety.
Miller: We have multiple unauthorized beams all over the ship.
Stros: Hello there.
There was a slight eye roll from Commander Ukinix, which made Stros’ smile grow slightly.
Aitas: That answers my question about Interlink.
Commander Ukinix nodded, putting his hands on his hips. Stros responded in kind by putting his hands behind his back.
Moore: Sir, I am reading six other beam-ins. Security is moving to secure them.
Good. His team was making it over.
Ukinix: ::Still looking at Stros:: Understood.
Miller: Security teams are converging. Confirmed unauthorized access on Decks five and seven.
oO Perhaps Interlink is causing a malfunction in their readings…that or I just spaced some of my team. Oo But Stros had confidence in his understanding of the Defiant Class deck layout. It must have been a malfunction.
Stros: ::His smile fading to a more “Vulcan” posture:: I hope you do not mind a few stow-aways, Commander.
Moore: Four more beam-ins, Sir.
And that should have been the last of them. Stros allowed himself to relax slightly. The safety of his team was the main priority in his incursion.
Ukinix: Like I have a choice. Mind telling me what’s going on?
Miller: ::looking at Stros:: I would love to know what is happening here, Commander.
The not-so-Vulcan moved towards Ukinix and spoke quietly to him. Stros raised an eyebrow but kept his position.
Aitas: ::quietly, politely, to Wil:: Might I make a small suggestion?
The Commander nodded and furrowed his brow as the Second Secretary held out her palm. Stros tilted his head slightly, his eyebrow still raised.
Miller: ::nodding faintly:: Understood, Aitas, I can get that going.
Stros: One would say, an involuntary evacuation. Involuntary on the rescuer’s part, though it seems.
Stros watched carefully as the Second secretary held both the helm officer’s hand as well as Commander’s.
Miller: Understood, Aitas, i can make that work. I will reroute the sensor feed to create a dummy loop. ::hands darting across console::
Creating a sensor loop? For what purpose?
Moore: ::Still watching Stros:: Commander, unauthorized beam-ins are detained, and medical is responding to treat wounded.
Stros offered the security officer, who still had his phaser trained on him, a nod in appreciation.
Ukinix: Thanks Lieutenant. ::To Stros:: Mind telling me how you did that?
Stros: ::Slight smirk:: A magician never reveals his secrets, Commander.
Aitas: Is there anything else I can assist with?
Looking towards the Second Secretary, Stros shook his head ever so slightly. oO Not unless you have some tea lying around. Oo
Miller: Incoming transmission, Commander. Shall I patch it through?
Ukinix: ::To Stros:: You know anything about this? Should I be wary? More fake cave signals, or a fake message?
Stros held up his hands, palms out.
Stros: This is not my doing, Commander.
Ukinix: ::To Miller:: Righto, patch it through.
Richards: =/\= Richards to Independence. =/\=
One of the away team from Imza calling in with an update no doubt. Stros held his position, his arms firmly behind his back once again.
Ukinix: =/\= Ukinix here Nathan, go ahead mate. =/\=
Richards: =/\= We’ve found a landing pad down here with some Talon Scouts. Looks like a couple might be missing. Might explain what happened to the colonists. =/\=
Ukinix: =/\= I can probably explain one of them. The head of research I think headed here in one of them with half of the colonists, who have just now beamed themselves on board the ship somehow. We have some of the colonists here. =/\=
Richards: =/\= Wait, you what? =/\=
Ukinix: =/\= I’m getting more information now about the rest of the colonists. See what you can find out about the second scout. Chat soon, let Hops know if you get a chance. Ukinix out. =/\=
The comms ended, and the Commander crossed his arms.
Ukinix: You need to explain to us what that cave system is.
Stros: Project “Wandering Stone”, Commander. A prototype defense measure some of our scientists have been working on. Fascinating stuff, really.
Ukinix: Right. And now we have the rest of the colony to find. ::To Eliana:: Lieutenant Miller, hail the away–
Every console around the bridge seemed to let out a chirp. Stros’ brow furrowed. oO This is how it starts. Oo
Ukinix: Report.
Aitas: I’m seeing increased lag throughout the communication systems.
Moore: Response
Miller: Urgently checking her console:: I am detecting multiple sensor anomalies and an energy spike consistent with a cloaked vessel.
Stros now raised his eyebrow. A cloaked vessel. That’s how they went undetected when they attacked the colony. But an energy spike wouldn’t be indicative of a cloaked ship. But the activation of Interlink…
Stros: Certainly there were other signs. Spatial or energy distortions?
Ukinix: That would be consistent with a cloak–
The ship suddenly shook as they took phaser fire, warning sounds filled the bridge as damage was registered.
Moore: Response
Ukinix: Red Alert! On screen!
As the Commander took to the center chair again, the viewscreen switched to show a Klingon Bird of Prey in the process of decloaking. oO What are Klingons doing all the way out here? Oo Stros was perplexed. Their Delta Quadrant settlement was lightyears away from their research base.
The ship shook once again from phaser fire. Sparks flew from the ceiling as EPS conduits overloaded.
Ukinix: Evasive manoeuvres!
Miller: Engaging in pattern Gamma-2-4-Beta. Be prepared for swift and sudden moves!
Stros remained unconcerned as the inertial dampeners would mitigate most, if not all, of the stress of the Lieutenant’s maneuvers.
Ukinix: ::Turning to Stros:: Bloody take the engineering console! And status!
With a nod, Stros moved to the Engineering console and sat down. Readouts began to scroll across the screen.
Stros: Systems online. Diverting auxiliary power to shields.
Moore: Response
Ukinix: ::To Kaito:: Hold fire. ::To Aitas:: Remind them of the Khitomer Accords, Second Secretary?
Somehow Stros wasn’t convinced that the Khitomer Accords would do much good with this group of Klingons.
Aitas: Sending; they’re already shutting down our communications. Even odds that it went through.
Ukinix: Shields?
Stros: Holding at–
Computer: Warning. Shield systems, deactivated. Warning. Weapons systems, deactivated. Warning. Communications systems, deactivated. Warning. Warp core shutdown procedure, commenced.
It was them. That Klingon Bird of Prey had been the one that somehow managed to get ahold of their technology.
Stros: Sir, It’s Interlink.
Ukinix: Interlink?
Stros: Somehow they managed to get a hold of our technology. They are using it against us the same way they used it against the colony. ::Tapping at console:: Attempting to circumvent.
Stros knew the system like the back of his hand. With exception to the new scar he had from the evacuation. His hand flew across the console, inputting codes and accessing different subsystems of Interlink. There had to be something he could do.
Moore: Response
Ukinix: ::To Moore:: Return fire! ::To Miller:: Get us out of here! Now!
Miller: On it, Commander! Engine controls are sluggish. Trying to get a big impulse burst to get us out of here. I suggest redirecting any remaining power to engines to get us the fastest way out of here.
Stros continued tapping at his console, doing his best to fight the intrusion by Interlink. Perhaps they had been too diligent in creating the system.
Stros: I’ll do what I can, Lieutenant.
Moore: Response
END ACT 1 FOR STROS
Lieutenant Commander Stros
Head of Technological Research and Development
Whispering Wall/ Wandering Stone
A239905NR1