[sb118-butler] Lieutenant. J.G. Alex Forsyth - Our Phasers combine.

[Robert Forsyth]

((Dyson Sphere, Communications Platform A2))

Forsyth: I think we went straight ahead, then left…. No, right.

Alex pointed her finger one way then another as she tried to remember the way back; however was drawing blanks. Varik had returned to their sleeping drone buddy, walking around it before kicking it with a loud clunk.

She wondered how he did not break his foot doing that, but was more shocked that it actually worked. The Guide woke up, and its screen came on with a question.

// LOCATION? //

Varik: Huh... well, docking bay control room!

The screen flickered as the order was processed, which was too long for someone in certain danger, then finally changed.  

// FOLLOW //

Greaves: Move. We’re not arguing with it.

Varik: If my estimation is correct, we will have approximately one minute upon arriving at the control room to open the exterior docking bay doors.

The automaton rolled along the floor, heading out into the corridor. Alex and the others follow quickly behind it, but were still not sure if it was the same one they travelled through before.

Greaves: Then we don’t hesitate when we get there. Lahl, Varik, I’m gonna need you to get the doors if Stella is busy. Forsyth, I need you to find a way to blow it open if they can’t do it the normal way.

Lahl: Aye sir.

Alex smiled at the thought of blowing something up, then remembered that she did not bring any proton grenades, but she had her rifle.

Forsyth: Yes, sir.

They started moving along more quickly as the drone began to accelerate, as though it knew that things were going south fast.

Varik: Was there anything from Stella's initial interfacing with the sphere that would give us a shortcut to open those doors? Perhaps even get a headstart on the process before we arrive?

Greaves: If Stella still has peripheral access, she may be able to pre-stage the docking sequence, unlock safeties, prime the motors. But with the core removed, we can’t count on centralized response. Assume manual activation.

Lahl: Indeed. Hopefully we can get them open in time.  

Knowing their luck lately, it might go into lockdown as soon as they approach, but Alex hoped she was wrong.

Forsyth: If not, we may need a backup plan of a backup plan.

Greaves: Then we cut them open. Focus fire on the seam. Full output. It won’t be pretty, but if we can breach even a partial aperture, that might be enough for transport lock.

Alex was not sure if their weapons would be effective, even at full power concidering how they did against their guide.

Lahl: Understood sir.

Forsyth: We can try, sir.

Varik: Response

They soon made it back to the first room, where they discovered the ship graveyard, which was still visible through the viewport. Alex tried not to look at it as she entered, instead focusing on finding a way out.

Greaves: Here we go.

Alex watched as Kimmy beelineed towards the console with her tiny legs, which was the one she used before.  

Lahl: Alright. Let’s get this door open.

The Tactical officer moved to help, slinging her rifle over her shoulder.

Forsyth: Need a hand, dear?

Varik: Response

She tapped away furiously at it. Looking out the window towards the doors to outer space.

Lahl started angrily tapping the controls, trying invain to get it to work.

Lahl: Work faster, damnit.

The outer doors slowly began to open, but it was barely moving as the vibration of the door could be felt from the control room. Alex could see that her Girlfriend was getting impatient, which she got when the three amigos were taking too long with a task.  

Forsyth: Calm, shouting isn’t going to help.

She rested her hand on Lahl's arm, as to help her down. Alex did not like see Kim so angry, but could understand if things were not going as expected of them to.

Varik/Greaves: Response

Lahl: Sorry sir, the doors haven’t been activated in a bit…

Forsyth: It's alright, nothing you can control.

Varik/Greaves: Response

Lahl did not seem happy with that answer as she stood in front of the window that overlooked the door, and aimed her phaser then…

Lahl: Firing!

She fired her weapon at the window, which broke through and covered the door in an orange glow. The beam slowly began to cut through, making smoke and dropping bits of molten metal on the floor.

Alex took her rifle back out and also fired at the door. Thier combine beam was helping speed up the process, but it was still taking a while.

Forsyth: Varik, give us a hand.

Varik/Greaves: Response

Forsyth: It's working, look!

They stopped as the beam eventually cut through to the otherside, leaving a large hole in its place. Alex walked up to Lahl, giving her a small nudge with her elbow.

Greaves/Lahl/Varik: Response

Forsyth: Did I mention I think you're amazing, dear…

Greaves/Lahl/Varik: Response

TAG/TBC

_________________________________________________

Lieutenant. J.G. Alex Forsyth

Tactical

USS Octavia E. Butler

D239910AF1