Lieutenant Jack Kessler - Giving Back is Always Nice
Joel Cannistraro
Tucker: Slap these on. This should help them lock us in if interference is going to be a major problem. =/\= Esot, Shortrith, we have personal pattern enhancers on, so if you want to beam us out, go right ahead, because we’re about to engage a group of what we think are Tholians. I think if we get closer to the topside, I can have the Sojourn beam us back.=/\=
Jack took the enhancer and slapped it onto the center of his chest as he kept moving. Anything at this point that could give them a slight chance they needed was worth its weight in gold pressed latinum. Fortunately these things were very light weight but extremely effective.
Evinrude: It's worth it, but be aware...these pattern enhancers are going to make us stick out like a sore antenna.
Kessler: ::almost in a full sprint:: No time to worry about hide-n-seek strategy now Tess. Keep moving!
Esot: =/\= Understood. I am working to add the pattern enhancers to the transporter chain. If all goes well, we will all arrive on the Anna Pavlova. It might be a little tight for a moment, but then you can reach the Sojourn. =/\=
The team's tricorders began to chime out an alarm: Tholians incoming.
Tucker: According to my tricorder, we have a group 900 meters to our right, and the ones coming up from the rear are about 600 meters out. I say we keep moving that way ::pointing forward:: and try to put some distance between us. The closer to the surface, the more we should be able to beam to the Sojourn.
Jack looked at his own wrist Tricorder and grimaced at the signals closing in on the team.
Kessler: Keep moving Commander. Keep as much distance between us and them, just in case I have to toss this little toy of theirs.
Jack really, really did not want to set off the explosive while the team was still in the tunnel. The shockwave alone from the explosive would have devastating consequences on the team as we all as the Tholians. As the team moved ever closer towards the surface, some new readings appeared.
Evinrude: =/\= New contacts...friendlies! I'm picking up the other away team! Not far ahead now. =/\=
Esot: =/\= Confirmed, we can see your team approaching now. =/\=
Shortrith: ::to themself:: Come on…
Zh'taan: ::typing on the console:: =/= I am making sure the transporter’s timestamp is consistent, that should help us avoid errors related to chronitons. ::glances at his tricorder:: I also notice that the radiation has weakened. =/=
Tucker: Love me some good news…I need off this rock.
Kessler: I'll second that!
SHHHHH-WHAMAAMMMMMM!
To Jack, the sound was unmistakable, and the effects that followed almost instantly solidified his thought. The orbital weapons fire shook everything to its core, including the away team. The question that leapt into Jack's mind and most likely Tuckers and Evinrude was, were they getting fired on from orbit deliberately? If that was the case, were the Tholians firing on the away teams knowing they were targeting their own people or was the Ronin firing on their position in hopes of driving the Tholians back?
Evinrude: Weapons fire! From above! ::His eyes widened.:: The Ronin...
As they took cover Evinrude hit is commbadge.
Evinrude: =/\= Evinrude to Captain Kel...to anyone on the bridge! Orbital weapons fire is impacting near the facility. Teams on the surface are preparing for evac, is it safe to lift off? =/\=
Kel =/\= Lieutenant Evinrude, stay calm. It's residual energy in the reactor system breaking loose. The power levels are going down, well done. Tell Commander Tucker to link up with Dr. Shortrith's team and get back to the Ronin ASAP. =/\=
Tucker: =/\= Don’t worry skipper, we’re on our way.. =/\=
Esot: =/\= I have transporter lock. I'll beam your team out first, Commander, then our team will follow shortly. =/\=
Kessler: ::smiling as he turns to the Tholians further down the tunnel:: You guys want this back?
Esot: =/\= Energizing. =/\=
Jack heaved the explosive as hard as he could towards the Tholians just as he felt the transporter take hold, he turned quickly back to Tucker and Evinrude just as they also began to dematerialize into a shimmering blue light.
Shortrith: ::Exhaling:: Let's go.
Jack leaned back against the bulkhead. They were aboard the Anna Pavlova. Not as roomy as some of the other Ronin's shuttles but right now, trying to catch his breath and grinning, Jack was more than happy to have traded one cramped space to another, minus the Tholians.
Tucker: Looking around, yup going to be a tight squeeze.
Kessler: At least we're being chased anymore.
Evinrude: Response
Esot: =/\= Energizing for the second team. =/\=
Tucker: Step back, more people incoming.
Kessler: Anyone need a medkit?
Evinrude: Response
Esot: Let's get out of here. I'll send you over to the Sojourn.
The Acting CMO, nodded to the three of them.
Shortrith: It's good to have you with us.
Jack remained silent as Tucker gave her a short salute as they dematerialized.
((Runabout Sojourn, Moon Sigma, Ross-580))
A split second later and they were in the somewhat larger confines of the Danube Class Runabout Sojourn, behind a force field. This was done intentionally, as their suites were irradiated and needed to be contained to prevent radiation from filling the whole ship. Jack was happy to be back aboard the Sojourn but really wanted to know what kind of impact the explosive he had thrown to the Tholians had on them inside that cramped tunnel. It was a question he might never really have the answer to but knew that once they were back on the Ronin, he would be inacting new Tholian away team protocols.
Tucker: Take off your suits and put them in the containment bin, that way we don’t fill the compartment with radiation. Once that’s done, we’ll get underway.
Kessler: ::starting to remove his suit helmet:: I'll gladly get out of this thing.
Evinrude: Response
Tucker sat down in the pilot's chair and quickly went through preflight as Jack climbed out of his suit and stowed it in the containment locker. A few moments later he slid into the co-pilots seat next to Tucker and and pulled up the sensors and flight path Tucker was keying in.
Tucker: Hang on, I’m getting us back pronto!
Kessler: Scans look clear from here. Betting the Alliance has their hands full down there right now to worry about chasing us.
Jack threw a glance back to Evinrude and nodded to the junior officer, 'a job well done' nod, as Tucker moved the Sojourn off and towards the Ronin and back home. Jack leaned back and wondered what had taken place on the Ronin while they were dealing with the Tholians. He looked forward to the after-action reports from his Security and Tactical teams and hoped that he had not lost any of them during this mission.