Ensign Talon Morda: Turbotube to the bridge

[Eston Melton]

((En route to and on the bridge, Deck 1, USS Khitomer))

Morda: Bridge

The doors turbo-closed and the capsule turbo-hummed as it carried the quartet laterally and vertically through the saucer to the bridge. Morda spoke over his shoulder:

Morda: Tiny cuts. Painless, though, so use your eyes on yourselves, too. We didn’t notice anything at first, but something’s happened to make things noticeable up top.

That was as far as he got before the turbolift halted -- on deck 2.

Computer: Emergency forcefields in place. Bridge access is unavailable.

Morda: Security override, on my authorization

He belted this out at the same time one of the medics likewise shouted “Medical override!” and rattled off an authorization number. The computer sputtered for a moment, then relented and the lift continued on its way. After a few more seconds, the hatch opened and Morda took in the bridge. The first thing he noticed was the array of amber and red annunciator icons indicating dire structural integrity. oO Hence the force fields. Oo The bridge’s ambient light glinted off several metal cables running from the bulkheads to a shimmering, crystalline structure at the center of the bridge. Not far, a slumped over crewman. The helmsman, Lieutenant Korras, had found a tricorder and was scanning the intruder. Commander Dewitt, his back to Morda and the medicos, was clearly tense.

Morda stepped aside and waved the medics forward.

Morda: Remember: tread carefully. Monitor yourself as you get closer. The filaments you see aren’t what sliced us up in the Jefferies tube -- if they’re here, you won’t see them.

One of the medics began to sidle up to the slumped crewman, the other two backstopping him with their tricorders out and field gear ready.

On the other side of the bridge, other officers were tending to the intruder.

Valeris: So, uh…::gesturing towards the ball:: What’s that?

Stros: A question we are currently attempting to answer.

Morda wondered whether Stros’s console or Korras’s tricorder were yielding any useful insights.

C. Dewitt/Korras: Response

Valeris: ::Shrugging:: Alright. Where do you need me? 

Stros: We need to make sure that this…anomaly isn’t attempting to cause further damage to the vessel or our systems.

C. Dewitt/Korras: Response

With a half shrug/half nod, Thelan moved towards one of the filaments that had attached itself to the wall and examined it. 

Valeris: Almost looks Lattice to me. ::Ducking under it to the other side:: What does it do when you touch it?

C. Dewitt/Korras: Response

Reaching up, Thelan swiped one finger across the filament, plucking it like a guitar string. A low tone resinated throughout the bridge from the tension between the single filament and the larger ball at the center.

Morda was too dumbstruck to shout a warning. Even though the tendrils that had sliced up the Jefferies tube crew were much thinner, it seemed foolhardy to pluck at the damn thing. oO Kriffing careless. Oo

Valeris: If anything, we might be able to use it to make some music.

Morda: Commander -- that thick one has some awfully thinner cousins that’ll slice right through the atomic bonds of your person. I advice caution the closer you are to that thing.l

C. Dewitt/Korras: Response

Tags/TBC