Ensign Spelvan - Something Terrible Happened Here

[Tara Miner]

((Research and Development Wing, Gibaria Outpost))

Spelvan had suggested to his team-mates a possible mind-meld with the red slime mold coating the laboratory doors. 

Spelvan: I understand the risks of such an attempt, of course, but I believe it can be done safely without harm to myself or the slime mold.

Reynolds: ::Mildly,:: I appreciate the noble intentions, but you literally cannot understand the risks. None of us can, not yet. This is a species of unknown intelligence with unknown capabilities and unknown intentions. And I can't ignore the fact that people are dying because of exposure to something that's come through that gateway. For all we know, ::she gestured toward the door:: this is it.

Valek: Ensign, the Admiral’s objections are logically valid. I therefore suggest we maintain our original strategy.

The white-haired Vulcan nodded. This was why he appreciated being on a team. As a Starfleet instructor once told him, there were no bad ideas. (Though of course, some ideas were less ideal than others.) He was much more used to working in sickbay or a science lab, where the variables were that much more predictable and known. In an unpredictable environment like this, it would be better to not take unnecessary risks. 

Reynolds: That, and I'd like to avoid you becoming the enslaved puppet of the Dread Scarlet Goo from Dimension Cymbidium.

Valek: ::With a flat stoic delivery:: I would classify that outcome as... undesirable.

Spelvan's lip quivered slightly as he attempted to hold back a smile at the Admiral's comment and the security officer's oh-so-Vulcan response. 

Spelvan: Thank you. I would prefer to avoid that fate also. 

Reynolds: I like novel ideas; keep coming up with them. But in the meantime, let's exercise that maximum caution and head to the security room.

Valek: ::Turning toward the Admiral:: Admiral, establishing communication with the other teams may prove advantageous.

Reynolds: Response

Spelvan nodded his assent again. He began compiling what information he had been able to obtain about their cheery red slime mold onto his tricorder, preparing to send a mass message to the other teams. 

Valek: I would be interested to know what they may have discovered, anything that might improve our situation with the mold substances.

Spelvan: I agreed. I have just sent the other teams the information about the substance... or creature... on the door in the meantime. 

Reynolds: Response

Valek: Admiral, Ensign, I will remain behind to provide security. You may proceed when ready.

Spelvan was a little surprised at that, though he wasn't security or in command of this mission and therefore did not want to contradict him. There was not any immediate danger behind them unless you counted the red ooze at the door, which had only lashed out when it had interpreted danger.

Still, working in a group meant trusting your teammates, and Spelvan prioritized fostering trust. 

Spelvan: Understood.  

Reynolds: Response

The group followed their PADDs again, easing back into a silence that was only broken by the steps of their shoes and their breathing. The security room was not far from their current location, thankfully. At one point, the doctor thought he heard a scream. Of terror or pain, he was unable to tell - and he was also unable to pinpoint where it was coming from, which was unusual due to his sharp Vulcan hearing. 

He shuddered - this time not from the cold. 

As they came closer to their destination, drops of a red substance began to appear on the floor. Very cautiously, Spelvan scanned it with his tricorder. A small sigh escaped his lips as it showed it was not the ooze they'd seen before.

Spelvan: It does appear to be humanoid blood, sirs. 

Reynolds/Valek: Response

Blood was almost worse, though, because it meant that there was an injured person in need of medical attention wandering about. 

Spelvan's heart dropped to his stomach as he looked up at the entrance to the security room - wide open. His slow steps seemed to echo as they stepped inside. 

A still-glistening pool of blood lay spattered on the ground in one corner of the room, while three long, deep claw marks were dug into the right-side wall. One side of the room was filled with monitors, some of which were damaged, cracks spidering the screens. Several of the monitoring equipment on extended flat panels below the computer displays were sparking intermittently. 

Mercifully, the room otherwise seemed empty, besides some stray leaves littering the floor.

The whole scene implied a story of a haphazard creature out of control. 

Spelvan: ::quietly:: I wonder if Gamoya was here, or if it was someone else. 

Reynolds/Valek: Response

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Ensign Spelvan
Medical Officer
USS-Gorkon
G240208S11