Lt JG Tess Evinrude - Can Opener

[Tess Evinrude]

((Maintenance Tunnel, Outside Reactor Coolant Pump Room - Reactor Dome, Moon Sigma, Ross 580 System))

Before anyone could discover a way around the deathtrap blocking the way to the coolant pump room, a group of Tholians had burst in. Fortunately for the away team, they were worker class. For now, the group was safe but pinned down behind cover, with Marty hiding behind an old equipment crate of some sort and Evinrude pressed as flat as he could make himself into an alcove in the corridor. Behind him, only two dozen meters away, was certain death in the form of that "Targ's Foot" radioactive slag.

From how seriously their chief of security was treating the threat, Tess was starting to realize that it was extremely fortunate the attacking party wasn't warrior class. He had pulled his hand phaser, ready to pop out from around the corner if Kessler indicated he needed to rotate out.

Tucker: Call me crazy, but they're chucking spears at us?

Evinrude: Thrown projectiles, yes. No explosions yet, but it would seem that they have attached detonators to the ends. ::He said, eyeing one of the weapons as it clattered to the ground near him.::

oO Maybe their explosives are on a timer? Maybe the fuses are malfunctioning? Oo

Whatever the reason, he was grateful that they were throwing duds. He reached down quickly and picked up one of the "spears", ducking back into his alcove to examine the makeshift weapon. Whether or not it was going to explode, he needed to get it away from him.

Kessler: Response

Their security chief was hard at work returning fire, and the ferocity of his counterattack caused the Tholians to seek cover themselves. Evinrude had made a discovery about their explosive spears, watching out of his peripheral vision as Tucker rolled to his stomach and landed a hit on one of the Tholians. The crystalline worker pitched forward and hit the ground with what sound liked something like breaking glass, only heavier.

A split second later, BOOM! An explosion went off exactly where the Tholian had landed when it fell off the ledge.

Tucker: Well ::beat:: that’s new.

Evinrude: ::Shouting, excited.:: Impact fuses! The explosive tips of their spears are using impact fuses, but the simple act of throwing them isn't enough to trigger the detonator.

The Tholian's death knell explosion had been magnified by the exploding spear charge, set off by the initial blast.

Kessler: Response

Tucker: Yes, the exploding part. I knew the warrior caste did, but we weren't sure about the others, and now we do, so someone might want to jot that down…::he shot a crooked smile at Jack::

Evinrude: Looks like they've been taking notes from their warrior comrades, then. ::Readying his weapon.:: I need to find better cover!

If he was going to be effective in this fight, Tess needed to find cover that gave a better vantage point. He gently leaned the explosive spear down against the alcove wall, and prepared to move on Kessler's signal and covering fire.

Kessler: Response

Dashing ahead, he slid into position beside Tucker and swept a sustained beam from his hand phaser up the ladder and into the hatch where the Tholians had appeared. Between the three Starfleet officers, they convinced the Tholians to retreat...though there were a few more explosions, from either spear-tip detonators or exploding crystal. One of the blasts, blew the ceiling hatch clean off its hinges.

The tunnels fell eerily quiet, save for the now-audible droning thrum of the reactor.

Tucker: Okay, give it a couple minutes to see if any more are coming to the party. The sooner we get this reactor to play nice, the quicker we can call it good and be back in our racks in no time.

Kessler: Response

Evinrude: I don't want to risk puncturing our suits. Let me take a crack at it. ::He reached over his shoulder to the suit hardpoint on his back, and removed the portable pneumatic pry bar. The tool resembled a lobster claw the size of a human leg.::

Tucker/Kessler: Response

Evinrude: On it. Cover me...in case they come back.

Tess walked up to the ladder and, taking the tool in one hand, climbed awkwardly with just three usable limbs. When he reached the top, he wrapped his free arm through one of the ladder rungs to secure himself. After a brief peek upwards, into the jagged opening left behind by the explosion, he got to work bending back the sharp edges and widening the hole so it would be large enough for their bulky suits.

Tucker/Kessler: Response

The prybar hissed quietly as its jaws opened and closed, the faint sounds belying the torque that the compact tool brought to bear against the metal bulkhead as each motion peeled back another later.

Evinrude: ::Calling quietly down from above.:: Okay, I can get my head through...let me take a look.

The ops officer reattached the pry tool to his suit's hardpoint and drew his phaser. Quickly and quietly, he popped up through the opening and looked left, then right. Just as quickly, he ducked back down into cover.

Evinrude: ::Quietly.:: It's clear. The hallway to the left curves back around towards the coolant pump room... ::He said, jerking his head in the direction of the Targ's Foot.:: We should be able to cut through the floor and drop down, bypassing the worst of the radiation.

Tucker/Kessler: Response

[Tags/TBC]

--

Lieutenant J.G. Tess Evinrude

[he/him]

Operations Officer

USS Ronin

R240111TE1