[[BACKSIM]] MSNPC Joakim Aduko - Wait, how many to beam up?!

[Tess Evinrude]

((Habitat Dome “The Hab”, Moon Sigma, Ross 580 System))

((OOC: Just wrapping up some open tags from Act II.))

Aduko: It would all be...for nothing! The lives lost, the time spent here working under their crystalline thumbs... ::He practically snarled, at that, and took a moment to cool down.:: Of course we knew...they would weaponize it. But what choice did we have, hm? Sound the alarm, tell the galactic community that they need to step in? If the Federation, the Klingons, ANYONE came here to save the day...they would just take the research for themselves!

Neither of the Starfleet officers approved of his reaction to shutting down the most - the ONLY - monumental achievement of his career.

Kel: Believe me when I say we have no interesting in taking this research.  My only interest is to stop it, permanently.  

Esot: While I can appreciate the potentially endless possibilities this kind of technology offers, Captain Kel is correct - in its current state, it is far too dangerous and needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

Captain Kel's communicator chirped and he stepped back slightly.

Morgan: =/\= Morgan to Kel, we’ve encountered more than one problem. I’m shutting down the power transfer now; otherwise, the feedback will overload several Ronin systems. =/\=

The Cardassian frowned, and Aduko followed suit. If they lost their rescue vessel, they'd have no ride out of here even if containment was re-established.

Kel: =/\= Lieutenant, that could cause us to lose containment down here.  =/\=

Morgan: =/\= I know, sir. I don’t have any other choice. If I had other options, I would have brought those up first. =/\=

Kel: =/\= Do what you have to do to keep the ship intact.  We'll see what we can do down here. =/\= ::turning to Akudo and Esot::  They can't maintain the power transfer.  

Morgan: =/\= Aye, sir. Shutting it down.=/\=

The ops officer made a few final adjustments before beginning the arduous process of isolating the dome's systems so the power transfer could be fully released.

Esot: Assuming we can get the auxiliary cooling systems up and running, we shouldn't need the power transfer anymore, anyway. It's going to cut down on exactly how long we have to complete the job, but we won't be in any immediate danger for the time being.

Aduko: That all hinges on us resetting the reactor's cooling sys--

Odd sounds from the Ronin's side of the conversation; on the Cardassian's monitor, an energy spike flared.

Kel: ::worried::  =/\= Lt. Morgan?  Report. =/\=

Morgan: =/\= I didn’t get it shut down in time. We didn’t take the full brunt of that, but we still got knocked around a bit. I’ll have to get back to you, Skipper. Several systems are cooked; I’ll know more in a few minutes. Morgan out… =/\=

Kel: ::relieved:: =/\= Keep me apprised.  =/\=

Dohna: =/\= Captain, there's another problem.  One of our probes is detecting…  =/\=

Their captain restated what Aduko was trying to get at before the power spike.

Kel: What now?  Without containment, the power will surge again.  We need that coolant or we need an off switch.

Esot: Our best solution remains getting the cooling systems back up and running ourselves - even if that means sending our Engineers into the 'pit', as Aduko called it. I am… fairly confident there is no 'off' switch, not with the power fluctuating the way it is.

Aduko: Your officers should be able to manually reset--

A clearly frustrated Captain Kel responded to his combadge chirping by tapping the device and uttering a single word.

Kel: =/\= Go. =/\=

Vomek: =/\= Sir, Major Singh is ::beat::  upset. She wants you and Commander Tucker back on the ship or she'll come bring you back herself.   =/\=

After a beat, the real news came through.

Vomek: =/\= Oh, and sir, there's also an unknown vessel entering the system.  =/\=

Kel looked stunned.

Kel:  =/\= I think you buried the lead lieutenant.  Stand by I'll be back shortly. =/\=

The ops officer mirrored Aduko's thoughts as their Captain finished the comms call.

Esot: There isn't much else I can do from here that I can't do elsewhere. But we really need someone to reset that cooling system - I would suggest we do it ourselves, but I am not confident there would be enough time for us to travel there while still having enough time to perform the actual reset.

Kel:  I'll get a hold of Tucker's team.  =/\= Kel to Tucker, Evinrude and Kessler. I need you to move deeper into the complex to the cooling system.  =/\=

Evinrude: =/\= We can find it, sir. If the cooling system is near the reactor pit, that area is... =/\=

There was a pause, and Aduko felt the uncertainty in the unknown officer's voice.

Evinrude: =/\=Well, there may be radiation interference. We'll try to signal when we've finished the reset, but a call may not go through. =/\=

Kel: =/\= I'll send a rescue party to assist you and get you back to the ship. ::pause:: Kel out. =/\=

Kel turned back to the others, and the Cardassian started again.

Esot: The cooling system is the last step, apart from disconnecting the old version so the reactor doesn't keep dumping in waste. Assuming they can perform the fix up close, I believe I can handle everything else via remote, probably from a shuttle.

Aduko: I can give access approval for that remote connection.

The Captain nodded and motioned for them to join him by the pattern enhancers.  

Kel:  Ensign when we get back to the ship I want you to find Dr. Shortrith and Ensign Zh'taan.  Take a shuttle down to link up with Commander Tucker.  Anything you can do along the way will be appreciated.  

Joakim had to again admire the Cardassian Ensign's fervor. To his remembrance, it was a fairly low rank in Starfleet.

Aduko: Ensign...if I'm going to give you remote access, I'll need a name.

She looked at the Orion for a moment before smiling wanly.

Esot: Ensign Jino Esot. Conjure by it at your own risk.

Aduko: Jino Esot. ::He nodded and smiled, and leaned over a console to begin adding the information and approvals.::

Kel: =/\= Kel to Solana, it's time to go Chief.  Fall back and beam to the Ronin, bring Mr. tr'Kharis with you. =/\=

Solana: =/\= Understood, sir. The Tholians had a sencha prototype with them, we’re making sure it’s not going to activate. Then we’ll join you. Solana out. =/\=

oO They brought out which prototype? Oo

Aduko: Captain, if the Administrator and I stay behind...we might be able to provide support down here that you otherwise couldn't. ::He took a breath.:: Frankly, I don't feel comfortable leaving the station.

Kel:  Not to worry Mr. Aduko, we'll roll out the red carpet for you.  =/\= Kel to Ronin, three to beam up. =/\=

Aduko: Wait--

Before Joakim could protest further, their transporter beam swept him up and away.

((Deck 9, Transporter Room 3, USS Ronin))

The Captain was already moving before Joakim had overcome the mild disorientation from transport. He was, however, able to stop himself from finishing his now pointless statement. He was aboard a Starfleet ship, and tr'Kharis was down below...fighting for his life.

oO This is not acceptable. Do they intend to keep me here, prisoner?! Oo

Kel:  =/\= Kel to O'Connor, Wren and T'Fearne.  I need you on the bridge ASAP.  =/\=

Esot stepped off the pad and steadied herself against the a console. A crewman looked on her with concern for a moment before glancing up at the Captain.

Kel:  Mr. Aduko I suggest you visit our sickbay.  ::nodding to a crewman::  this man will escort you.  Ensign Esot, you have your orders.

Joakim began to step towards Esot to offer her an arm, since her own captain seemed not to notice - or care. But the Cardsassian gathered herself, nodded, and began to twist off her helmet. Joakim still had his, tucked under an arm, and he glanced down at it to see his own face reflected back in its green visor.

Esot: Aye, sir.

Then Cardassian started to undress from the hazard suit. His eyes were drawn to the movement but, after the briefest lingering stares, Aduko respectfully turned towards the transporter officer. He was annoyed that he was here. He was annoyed that some unknown crewman - and not the competent Cardassian - would be escorting him to a sickbay he had no interest in visiting.

And he was worried for his friend.

Aduko: ::To the transporter crewman, dryly.:: Can we stop for something to drink on our way to your medical facility?

[End Scene for Aduko]
--
Joakim Aduko
2IC & Research Lead
The Lid
--as simmed by--

Lieutenant J.G. Tess Evinrude

[he/him]

Operations Officer

USS Ronin

R240111TE1