Vice Admiral Quinn Reynolds - The Ellusive Dr Gamoya
Quinn Reynolds
((Research and Development Wing, Gibaria Outpost))
Quinn exhaled a breath, stepping back to look at the situation again. Slime mould pooling on the threshold of the door, clinging to the edges of the door frame, intentionally — if one could assume an intention on the part of red goo — blocking their way forward. Odd, that it had simply let them into this room, only to stop them going further. A figure slumped against an inert processing cabinet.
Her gut was telling her that something was wrong; that things were too similar to the situation involving the other scientist. Someone alive, but unable to respond properly. Resting against equipment in a dark room. Circumstances preventing the team from using their tricorders successfully.
Reynolds: Does anyone else feel like this is the same situation in different clothing? It feels like someone trying to iterate a more successful trap.
Spelvan: Agreed. I have determined that medically, the patient will survive without further evaluation. We should investigate the rest of this room in the meantime.
Valek: That would be a logical course of action.
Quinn hesitated a moment and then nodded. Spelvan had proven himself capable, and if he said the person would be all right, she had no reason to doubt him. No, the moment of uncertainty was entirely her own; that moment where one had to decide if a theory was solid, or founded in paranoia or fear.
She took a breath and stepped away. A small frown settled on her face as they continued their survey of the room, checking the spaces made blind by the tall cabinets.
And there she was. Sat in front of a console, with all the contained energy of a supernova erupting in frantic movements. A Kobliad woman in a lab coat, and by the looks of it, entirely disinterested in their arrival. Spelvan reached out, and thin air hummed and rippled when his fingers brushed against a forcefield.
Spelvan: ::He cleared his throat,:: Greetings, I am Ensign Spelvan, and these are my colleagues Admiral Reynolds and Ensign Valek. We are Starfleet officers, here to assist.
Valek: I am Valek of Starfleet Security. You are advised that a complete power shutdown is imminent. This action will disrupt your systems and energy shield.
Quinn wasn't sure if the woman had acknowledged them or was simply talking to herself. Either way, her actions didn't change. She continued at the same frantic pace, fingers flying over the console console controls while she muttered.
Unknown Figure: Almost there, almost... just need to get this... ugh... come on!
She moved, shifting more clearly toward them, and pinned to her coat was a similar ID badge to the one they'd seen on Throka. "Dr. Var Gamoya, Head Scientist." Something unknotted itself, and Quinn exhaled a slow breath with a nod.
Spelvan: We have much to discuss, but first we must inform you that some of our associates are attempting to restart the power source for the facility. You should cease using the console immediately.
Valek: The Ensign is correct. As previously indicated, an imminent shutdown will result in the loss of all power and energy shielding. Shutdown of your systems is recommended to mitigate potential hazards.
Gamoya: ::Frustrated etched itself onto her face.:: I am almost done, how much time do I have? The flora vegetation, or as we call it, 'Flora Vermilionis' is increasing its presence and preparing for something. I am trying to isolate as much data as possible.
Valek: Doctor, time constraints do not permit delay. The system should be operational again shortly.
Reynolds: It's better to save what you have now than lose it all in a power surge.
Spelvan: Response
Not the answer Gamoya wanted, clearly. But it was the one she had, and there was no arguing with reality. Even if she were inclined to risk herself, she was not as willing to risk her data. She entered a few more commands, and then a final one to drop the force field. Now they had her full attention, and the scientists stood there, arms crossed, as if bracing herself.
Gamoya: My people didn’t cause this mess, it’s like the Gateway was… hijacked. It’ll have to be shut down from the other side. I hope you’ve been figuring out how to get there safely.
Reynolds: We have, yes.
Spelvan/Valek: Response
Gamoya: I’ve been compiling data on the flora coming through the gateway, and on the gateway itself. I can send you everything we have.
The scientist looked back toward her console, making little effort to hide her annoyance. Whether that was the doctor's default mood, or something triggered by the current situation, Quinn didn't know. For now, she let it pass. Escalating by letting her own irritation seep through the cracks wouldn't solve anything.
Reynolds: That would be helpful. We have teams working on countermeasures, and that could help them refine their solutions.
Spelvan/Valek: Response
Gamoya: So what do you know so far? No sense in repeating what you’ve already figured out.
She was right, but standing among the slime mould and without full reports from each away team? It didn't seem the right circumstance, and likely to incur the exact repetition the doctor was wary of. There were, however, some outstanding questions on their immediate situation.
Reynolds: We can share all the information we have once we've got you back to the Gorkon and debriefed all our teams. But right now, perhaps you can help understand something. We've encountered people who've been mutated, for want of a better word. One we thought dead, but when we came back that way, he was gone. Do you have any idea what might have happened to him?
Spelvan / Valek / Gamoya: Response
Reynolds: There's also someone back there, ::she gestured in the direction they'd approached from,:: protected by the slime mould. Do you know anything about it?
Spelvan / Valek / Gamoya: Response
Commanding Officer
USS Gorkon
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