Lt. Cmdr Stros - Even in the Future, Electronics Will Fail You
tas9303
((Alpha Trionus II Prison, Corridor Between Junctions))
Stros: I have the location marked for future investigation. I believe we have two more nodes to–
The Vulcan was interrupted by a loud thud, followed by a series of what sounded like tapping against metal that seemed to be coming from the waste management hallway. He hadn’t even realized it, but his hand had quickly latched onto the phaser in his holster.
C. Dewitt: Running a scan now… let’s see if that system’s paying off yet.
Perhaps simply marking the location for future investigation had been a bit of a premature decision.
Stros: Perhaps temperature regulation causing the metal to expand and contract as the environment stabilizes?
They could hope that was all it was.
C. Dewitt: ::grimly:: There’s something… heat signature, faint. Not environmental. Could be biological. ::pause:: What is the body temperature of Tholians and Sheliak?
Zerva: Given Tholians love higher heat temperatures, I’d say if it was either of the two, my monies on a Tholian.
That could be a possible explanation for the prison’s location. Higher temperatures. Maybe this prison was like a tropical resort to a Tholian.
C. Dewitt: See that? Could be someone hiding. Or something left behind. Either way, we’re checking it out. Phasers on stun. Eyes sharp.
Zerva: ::whispering:: Aye sir.
Stros simply nodded to the Commander. If there was something waiting for them, he didn’t need to add noise to the ambiance. Commander Dewitt shut his tricorder and nodded toward the sealed hatch, indicating their next objective.
C. Dewitt: Lieutenant, you take point. Commander Stros, report our findings and bring up the rear.
Zerva: ::nodding as he whispered:: On it.
Carefully removing his hand from his phaser, Stros grabbed his tricorder once again and scanned down the hallway.
Stros: I’m still not receiving any life signs.
Perhaps Stros’ tricorder was malfunctioning. He looked down at the readings and couldn’t see what Commander Dewitt had shown them on his own tricorder. With a *clack*, Stros closed his tricorder and slipped it back into his holder. As the other two advanced towards the door, Stros held back for a moment, tapping at his combadge.
Stros: =/\= Lieutenant Commander Stros to Captain Shayne. We have made progress in our repairs to the security nodes, but may have found someone…or something hiding within the waste management facility. =/\=
Shayne: =/\= Response =/\=
Stros: =/\= We shall update you as we investigate, sir. =/\=
Shayne: =/\= Response =/\=
With the com line now closed, Stros turned his attention back to the advancement on the waste management door.
C. Dewitt: ::low voice:: Be ready.
Stros pulled his phaser from his holster and held it ready. There was no telling what they would find on the other side of that door.
Zerva: ::nodding, whispering:: Ready sir.
Stros: On your lead.
The door opened, and Stros could almost see the wave of stench as it exited the enclosed space. He quickly put his arm up to cover his nose, but it was too late. The wretched sent hit him like a hammer. It took everything in him not to vomit. He really wished he hadn’t forgotten his nasal numbing agent.
Zerva: ::making the worst funny face upon catching the scent of waste:: Ugh.
There was a moment of hesitation as the trio attempted to gather themselves within the cloud of putridness before Lieutenant Zerva finally took a step inside.
Stros: If that is Tholian and Sheliak waste, I do believe this could be counted as a war crime.
C. Dewitt: Response
Zerva: No worries sirs. I got this.
Stros was glad someone did. His head swam as he moved into the room, trying to hold his flashlight steady.
Zerva: ::whispering:: There’s something here. I can feel it…
At least the Lieutenant could feel something. Smelling something was absolutely out of the question.
Stros: There are lots of things here…I can ::slight gag:: smell it.
C. Dewitt: Response
Sweeping his flashlight back and forth, Stros followed deeper into the room. The dizziness seemed to be fading, but the nausea was holding on.
Zerva: ::beat:: I got movement! One signal! Over here!
Almost as soon as the words left the Lieutenant’s mouth, his phaser discharged. The lance of energy struck the wall, briefly lighting the room and adding a new much less enjoyable scent to the cocktail they currently found themselves in.
Zerva: ::fires frantically missing:: Frack!
Stros: What do you see Lieutenant?
C. Dewitt: Response
Stros aimed his light towards where Lieutenant Zerva had fired, still not seeing anything.
Zerva: How the hell should I know?! It moved before I could get a clean lock on it.
Firing without a clear target? What kind of tactical training did this crew have? Stros could only hope that this was an isolated incident.
Stros: Hopefully that weapon is on stun, Lieutenant. We do not want anything unfortunate to happen. It may be best for you to take a breath and calm down.
Perhaps telling the Lieutenant to breathe in their current situation wasn’t the most advisable.
C. Dewitt: Response
Zerva: ::beat:: Of course it’s on stun sir! ::taking a quick stale breath as he heart continued to race:: I think it went over that way. ::pointing:: Whatever it was, it’s big. Like big dog size big. Maybe it’s a ROUS?
Looking between the Commander and Lieutenant, Stros raised an eyebrow.
Stros: ROUS?
C. Dewitt: Response
Zerva: Rodents of Unusual Size. ::shrugs:: I mean, it is a prison.
An unusually sized rodent did make sense in a remote detention facility. In some ways. But the size of a large canine? Did the Lieutenant happen to see a Targ?
Stros: I do not know which one is more concerning. An escaped prisoner, or an extremely large rodent.
C. Dewitt: Response
Stepping carefully over whatever was on the floor – only taking quick glances to make sure it wasn’t something waiting to attack them – Stros made his way towards where the Lieutenant had been firing. He held his tricorder out and scanned along the wall that had been struck with phaser fire. Readings of several different kinds of waste, as well as the residue from the phaser blast were the first things to show up.
Stros: Whatever it was, I think you might have scared it away.
C. Dewitt/Zerva: Response
Stros: I am still not reading any sort of life signs. ::Looking towards Commander Dewitt:: I do believe my tricorder may be faulty, Commander.
C. Dewitt/Zerva: Response
TAGS/TBC…
Lieutenant Commander Stros
Tactical Officer
USS Khitomer
A239905NR1