Lt. Cmdr Stros - Dug Deep

[tas9303]

((Bridge, USS Khitomer))

Stros: Mr. Korras. ::Looking towards the Klingon:: You confirmed we were holding 20,000 kilometers from the cloud before we continued moving again, correct?

Naxell: Confirm current distance?

Korras: We are currently at 2.000 distance to the front, but it is also behind us now, at 9.000 kilometers.

Stros looked back down at the data briefly before looking back up.

Stros: And the distance we have travelled since we continued motion?

Korras: We had to take a circuitous course, we traveled 85.000 kilometers.

Something was wrong. Based on the calculations and sensor readings, something was very wrong.

Naxell: That’s about seventy-thousand kilometers too many.

Stros: ::Sending the data to the viewscreen:: The cloud appears to be changing its relative position. ::Two points appeared on the screen on a rough overlaid map of the cloud:: We have been focusing on the drifting vessel, and the cloud… ::The right-most point shifted roughly 500 kilometers along their starboard side:: …appears to be attempting to flank us, Captain. Albeit slowly.

The fact that the cloud seemed to be moving under its own power was incredible enough. But that it seemed to be reacting to the Khitomer made it fascinating. 

Korras: We can still move out of here, I have a course plotted and ready.

C. Dewitt: ::noding:: It’s not a drift. It’s a reacting. ::towards Naxell:: Sir, I suggest we get to a safe distance..

Naxell: We’ll have our backs to Lattice space, but I agree. Lieutenant, maneuver us to keep the derelict between us and that cloud.

The ship moved, and klaxons began to sound throughout the ship. Stros returned to the sensor sweeps and noticed the cloud continuing to move around them.

Stros: The cloud is reacting.

C. Dewitt: It’s trying to surround us, Sir.

What had the ability to manipulate a cloud of gas to surround a starship? While Stros was curious of the answer, he certainly did not want to hang around and find out.

Naxell: That’s our cue. Get us out of here.

Korras: I suggest we go to warp, sir. We will not make it out in time on impulse speed. The nebula is… changing too much.

With a nod in agreement, Stros looked towards the Captain.

Stros: It almost seems to be anticipating our actions, sir. I concur with Lieutenant Korras. A quicker escape might be recommended.

Naxell: Any direction but in, Mr. Korras, warp one!

The ship shuddered slightly as the warp core ramped up and sent the ship to warp. Only…

C. Dewitt: Power levels are fluctuating. 

They weren’t going anywhere. Lights flickered and dimmed as whatever force was moving the cloud seemed to wrap its hand around them to hold them back.

Naxell: All stop. We’re in the mud. There’s no use wearing ourselves out over it.

Korras: Full stop, yes sir.

The faint hum of the warp core died down as the engines powered down.

Stros: Weapons are on standby. 

Tactically, there wasn’t going to be much they would do in their position. But perhaps it would make them feel better to have weapons ready.

C. Dewitt/A. Dewitt: Response

Naxell: I don’t suppose sensors are any more useful from inside the cloud?

Korras: Navigational sensors are barely registering anything.

Stros sighed as he looked down at the readings he already knew were going to be on the display.

Stros: Unfortunately, we appear to be blind Captain. 

C. Dewitt/A. Dewitt: Response

Naxell: =/\= Attention all hands, this is the captain. We are, currently, trapped by some unknown force. But we won’t stay that way. Keep your heads, keep working, and we’ll get out of this together. =/\=

((Brief Timeskip, Bridge))

Everyone worked, dug into figuring out exactly what was going on and how to get out of it. Lieutenant Korras had his console somewhat disassembled while Stros went over every inch of sensor data and cross-referenced it with what they were – or weren’t – seeing in that moment.

Semara: I suggest comms.

Stros looked up from his screen to see Lieutenant Semara had joined them on the bridge. 

Korras: Comms?

Stros: Communication may be difficult given our current predicament. ::Glancing at the view screen:: Given that there is anyone to talk to.

C. Dewitt/A. Dewitt: Response

But it appeared the Lieutenant had an idea.

Semara: We’ve only got a power drain from the nebula so far, right? Those ships out there ain’t got hull breaches from a power drain. ::Beat:: Tryin’ comms, worst case we talk to a cloud. But if there’s a ship hidden out there, we gotta convince her we ain’t prey and we ain’t rivals and quickly. If we open comms, we might make her wonder who we are and if we see her. Or she’ll talk, if we’re lucky. If she’s there, she won’t spend long puzzlin’ us out.

Stros’ head tilted slightly. Depending on who – or what – was out there possibly controlling the cloud, he was sure the Lattice forces hadn’t taken the time to introduce themselves.

Korras: It will not hurt to try, I agree.

Stros: It is worth a shot, as they say.

C. Dewitt/A. Dewitt: Response

The Klingon HCO got to work at his console. With the power fluctuations, it would not be an easy task.

Korras: It will take a moment, I need to reroute power manually to the communication array.

Stros: I may be able to direct some power away from the tactical systems. ::Shrugging:: They aren’t much use if we do not have a target.

C. Dewitt/A. Dewitt/Semara: Response

After a moment, there was a trill from the helm as Lieutenant Korras succeeded in opening a channel.

Korras: Channel is open, sir. We are broadcasting on as many frequencies as we can at the moment.

Stros: Now to see if there is anyone out there to listen.

C. Dewitt/A. Dewitt/Semara: Response

TAGS/TBC…

Lieutenant Commander Stros

Tactical Officer

USS Khitomer

A239905NR1