LtCmdr Connor Dewitt - Filaments

[Tim]

(( Conference Room, Deck 1, USS Khitomer, Ceram Archipelago ))

The situation had shifted quickly. It was less abstract and theoretical now. Matthews had been taken by either good or bad intention and the ship was at the mercy of the Aliens. The only option they currently had was following their invitation.

C. Dewitt: =/\= We’re not sure if they are hostile… My first impression is that they strongly disagree with the male gender, but apart from that… =/\=

Semara: =/\= Cap'n - As someone who comes from an ancestral matriarchy, this goes way beyond that.  Males ain't worth much of anything to them.  Commander Dewitt speakin' up was at best an insult to them.  We only defused the situation by insinuatin' Commander Dewitt belonged to the Lieutenant.  And they weren't shy 'bout recommendin' correction of "her male."  I strongly discourage sendin' male-idenitfyin' officers unless there ain't another option.  If we're seen deferin' to you or Commander Dewitt, there's no tellin' what might happen. =/\=

Connor listened. His expression tightened slightly as Amelia brought her valid arguments. The implications were clear and although Connor did not like it, he needed to trust her judgement. His or Naxell’s presence would probably not just be unwelcome, but could be dangerous. Maybe for everyone.

Naxell: =/\= Let's keep it as simple as we can. Admiral Nicholotti can represent Starfleet Command honestly, while Counselor Dewitt can maintain the fiction of Khitomer’s command. That's two. Recommendations on the other three? =/\=

Connor stayed quiet for now, his eyes fixed on the sensor data. He had given his opinion.

El’Heem / Melville-Kilpatrick / Bridge: =/\= Response =/\=

Semara: =/\= I agree with Commander Stros' assessment.  We're at their mercy both on our ship and their ship.  If they evolved as predators like stories say - like as not, no number a' security officers will keep us safe over there.  :: Beat :: But they seem willin' to talk, for now, so maybe we can get their cooperation or even help. They seemed more interested in us than anythin' else - even more than our knowledge of the Lattice Alliance. :: Beat, eyebrows pinching in recall :: They said they want to learn more about our species, and they want medical exams for cross-contamination. =/\=

Connor folded his arms loosely, hoping she would be right with her impression of the Aliens. Medical exams could be uncomfortable or maybe even dangerous if they did not know what they were doing.

Naxell: =/\= The name of the game will be keeping their interest, without falling prey to whatever that interest truly is. Whoever we send over needs to be… wiley. =/\=

Semara: =/\= Whatever you decide, cap'n, we're down to about ten minutes already. =/\=

Connor gave a small nod. Now it was for Naxell to decide.

El’Heem / Melville-Kilpatrick / Bridge: =/\= Response =/\=

Naxell: ::hurriedly:: =/\= Nicholotti, Mrs. Dewitt, Ohnari, Semara, and… and the marine second-in-command! Torado! That's five women! =/\=

The first officer looked at his wife and an instinct kicked in. If he needed to be honest he did not know if it was tactical thinking or a husband trying to protect his wife.

C. Dewitt: =/\= Captain, I suggest that Lieutenant Dewitt stays onboard. If we want them to believe she is the Captain, we should follow Starfleet protocol. My suggestion is that Lieutenant Semara will go and lead the away team as the Khitomer’s first officer. =/\=

A sharp impact came in over the channel followed by a burst of static. Connor’s head lifted immediately and his eyes narrowed towards the doors to the bridge as the audio spiked and distorted for a second.

C. Dewitt: =/\= Captain? ::pause:: Ras, what’s going on? =/\=

Semara / El’Heem / Melville-Kilpatrick / Bridge: =/\= Response =/\=

For a brief moment, there was nothing but interference again before Naxell’s voice returned, different now.

Naxell: =/\= I need assistance in the airlock on Deck 16. And a dust pan. =/\=

C. Dewitt: =/\= Ras, Ensign Melville-Kilpatrick, that’s you cue. Contact me if you need any assistance. =/\=

Semara / El’Heem / Melville-Kilpatrick / Bridge: =/\= Response =/\=

The channel closed and the first officer looked briefly at Ayemet, then at Amelia.

C. Dewitt: Alright, Amelia, you heard the Captain. Assemble your team. Your objectives are Ensign Matthews and this ship first and foremost. ::taking a deep breath:: If Ayemet stays here, you have an excuse to report back to the ship.

Semara: Response

Connor nodded and turned to Commander Stros and Lieutenant Korras. But before he could say a word, the computer took over.

Computer: =/\= Attention, structural integrity on deck 1 is critical =/\=

Semara/Korras/Stros: Response

Connor let out a sigh before he looked to Amelia in her black uniform. It suited her. A thin smile was on his lips.

C. Dewitt: You better hurry, we’ll try to keep the ship in one piece. ::to Korras and Stros:: Lieutenant, Commander, you’re with me.

As Connor stepped back onto the bridge with the others, his eyes were immediately drawn to the center of the room where a strange mass had appeared. It was an irregular sphere of fine filament-like structure, shimmering faintly under the bridge lighting. It looked almost crystalline in the way it refracted the light. His attention snapped away a moment later as he registered a crewman slumped near one of the consoles, blood visible against the deck plating. The man was still moving, still conscious. As he wanted to move over to him, he immediately noticed that one of the filaments stretched out from the sphere to the wall of the bridge. And it was probably not the only one.

C. Dewitt: =/\= Medical team to the bridge. Be aware of dangerous filaments infiltrating the bridge. =/\=

Semara/Korras/Stros: Response

C. Dewitt: ::to Amelia:: Make them stop this! ::to the bridge crew:: No one touches that until we know what it is. Commander Stros, try to reinforce structural integrity of deck 1 and put up emergency force-fields. Lieutenant Korras, grab a tricorder and tell me what the hell I am looking at and what it is doing to my ship.

His voice remained steady, but Connor felt rage somewhere in the bowels of his stomach. His mind was racing ahead. Whatever this was, they needed to stop it.

Semara/Korras/Stros: Response

TAG/TBC

LtCmdr Connor Dewitt
First Officer
USS Khitomer
A239901CD3