Ensign Spelvan - ... A Tunnel Opens

[Tara Miner]

(( Backroom - Inside the Warehouse - Lower vIq'mItlh City ))

Spelvan, Neathler and Tahna now found themselves trapped in what was undoubtedly a lab. Neathler had attempted to get out before the door closed but injured her knee. She had traced the strange device that Spelvan had found on the floor to a slot in the wall, where it had been ripped out. The officers were now all discussing how they might get out of the room. 

Spelvan: As far as the exit, there could be a tunnel or entryway under our feet. There is likely a switch or button to open a trapdoor somewhere in this room. 

Tahna: There has to be a way out. We need to find that first, we can go through the evidence later. 

The commander was right, of course. Spelvan watched as Tahna tried to go through some of the cabinets and cupboards, while the security officer was taking a different approach. Neathler carefully placed the device Spelvan had found back into the slot where it had been torn out of. 

Spelvan: Of course. It is only logical there is another exit of some sort. 

Though they all needed to find that exit first, of course, and quickly. 

Tahna: I wonder if the other Klingons you saw on scans earlier were sensor ghosts? We didn’t see them when we came in, then they showed up, and now they’re gone but we don’t know how. 

Neathler: Maybe we’ll know soon enough.

Spelvan: It is a possibility. 

Spelvan did not care to think about the probability or percentages of such an occurrence right now. Currently, the only thing that mattered was getting out, as their commander had said. The Vulcan watched as the security officer began a serious attempt at restoring the device to its spot in the wall.

Neathler: I’m about to reconnect the device, maybe you ought to seek some shelter.

Tahna: Response 

Spelvan: ::he moved to the other corner of the room.:: Your recommendation has been noted. 

The Vulcan had been injured enough on this mission - he was going to take all possible precautions to make sure he did not suffer further injury. 

He felt a bit useless simply observing at this point, but Spelvan was beginning to think that this device was the answer to their "trapped in the lab" problem. After all, if it did unlock a secret tunnel, the Klingons would surely want to make sure that area was not accessible. 

Meanwhile, Neathler was making quick (but careful) progress.

Neathler: Last wire!

Spelvan: Be careful!

Tahna: Response

The security officer connected the last wire and electricity sizzled audibly from the device, surely giving her a bit of a shock. Something shifted in the wall - not unlike a bookshelf revealing a hidden passage in an old detective holonovel. In this case, however, the panel on the floor of the cabinet slid open, revealing a set of stairs. The device that exposed the hidden exit caught fire. 

Spelvan ran from his spot at the other end of the room to the entryway. 

Neathler: This might not be open for a long time.

Spelvan: I agree. We should make this quick. 

Tahna: Response

He looked down into the passageway as cool, fresh air came out. They would not need their masks here. 

Spelvan: ::he grabbed the PADDs from earlier and removed his mask:: We will not need the respirators in the tunnel.

Tahna/Neathler: Response

The Starfleet officers made their way single-file down the stairs to the tunnel below. They had not gone more than a few steps when Spelvan heard the opening close above them. It was just as well.

The doctor thought the tunnel might be dark and narrow, but it was actually rather roomy and well-lit, with electric sconces along both sides of the wall. He turned to the team's security officer.

Spelvan: Thank you for your work on the device. How are you? Do you require medical assistance?

Neathler: Response

Spelvan did not want to push her too hard, but a hypo for the soreness would certainly not go amiss. He was not concerned about the shock - voltage from such a device would likely not be high enough to cause serious issues, and he knew what to look for if she was truly injured by the jolt.

They continued for several minutes along the passage before it opened to another set of stairs. Spelvan walked up the stairs and gave the door a tentative push. Thankfully, it appeared there were no panels or secret switches involved with this one. 

The Vulcan climbed out and assisted his fellow officers into what seemed to be a small tool shed. He opened the door to the shed just a few inches to see where it led. 

They were in a greenhouse - and Spelvan could see, among other produce, rows and rows of the fruit that had been used to make the drug. The Vulcan stepped back so his fellow officers could see what he saw. The air smelled like earth, and it was very bright inside - with rows of lights hooked to a rather low ceiling to ensure the plants would grow. 

Splevan: Fascinating. 

Tahna/Neathler: Response

Spelvan could not see any Klingons about, but he had not opened the door wide enough to get a clear view of the entire greenhouse. 

Spelvan: We should exercise caution. If there were Klingons that used the tunnel to get here, they may still be in the area. 

Tahna/Neathler: Response

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Ensign Spelvan
Medical Officer
USS-Gorkon
G240208S11