Ensign Kelor Zh'taan - When will I see you?
Kelor Zh'Taan
((Reactor Dome, Moon Sigma, Ross 580 System))
The three officers were getting closer and closer to Commander Tucker’s team. But they were also drawing nearer to the source of the radiation surrounding them, which was, as a result, becoming more and more powerful.
Kelor managed to keep moving forward somehow, but he could no longer properly distinguish the different readings on his tricorder.
Zh'taan: I’m detecting Tholian life signs on all sides — are you picking that up too?!
Esot: The closer we get to the radiation source, the more difficult it is for our tricorders to correctly identify any lifesigns. ::thoughtful:: Not to mention the temporal effect caused by the radiation. I believe we are seeing the ghosts of past, present, and future Tholians - but the same small group. Our tricorders may no longer be entirely reliable.
Shortrith: Ensign Esot said that she had seen the Tholians on the scans… I'm confused. Did they disappear from the tricorder even though we didn't move?
Kelor lightly tapped his tricorder with his right hand, as if it might somehow recalibrate itself.
Zh'taan: We are getting closer and closer to the reactor emitting the radiation. It must be disrupting our tricorders… But if they were truly that close, I think I would have heard them already. oO At least I hope so...Oo
Shortrith: Okay, now that we're on the same page - let's be cautious and meet up with the others.
Esot: Our senses should still be trustworthy, at least for the time being. The both of you should adjust your tricorder reading to focus on Commander Tucker's combadge and filter out any lifesigns. That should limit our confusion.
Zh'taan: Yes, good idea. :: adjusts his tricorder to track Tucker’s team’s vital signs::
Kelor followed the two other officers. After this brief pause, he felt slightly less disoriented. Truth be told, he was following 100% what his tricorder was showing him, even though it was itself thoroughly disoriented.
It was Renaie’s turn to suddenly stop.
Shortrith: What's this - are you guys picking this up?
Kelor glanced down at his tricorder.
Shortrith: What's this - are you guys picking this up?
Zh'taan: I am detecting atmospheric ionization in that direction. :: He points toward a corridor that appears empty::
Esot: I believe you may have discovered a transporter room, Lieutenant. Which would be quite the boon, as we will soon require a quick exit.
Kelor nodded and sighed. Finally, some good news!
Shortrith: Sounds like we will indeed.
Ensign Esot discreetly moved toward the door in an attempt to unlock it.
Esot: This room is either locked or the radiation levels are having an adverse effect on the controls. I may be able to 'hack' through it, given enough time.
Shortrith: I'll assist where I can.
He began to panic slightly.
Zh'taan: Uh... I’ll stand guard then... oO Let’s hope no one shows up...Oo
When Esot connected her tricorder to the terminal, Renaie did the same, in an attempt to boost the signal.
Esot: Commander Tucker's team is much closer now - it looks like they've gone down a level as well. I would suggest–
A crimson beam sliced through the air, missing their group entirely but gouging a small line into the wall behind them. Kelor barely had time to see it coming or to determine which direction it came from.
Esot: We're not alone. I need cover to get this door open.
Shortrith: ::to Zh'taan:: Could you do it, please? I can't, it would go against my Oath to do so.
He exhaled sharply.
Zh'taan: Understood. oO Great..Oo
He turned and attempted several blind phaser shots in the direction that seemed most logical, in order to cover his team and prevent another attack.
Shortrith: It looks like we're almost there…
Esot: Response
Further ahead, Kelor caught sight of the silhouettes of the Tholians beginning to emerge. He continued firing in their direction to force them into cover. Although his shots were not very precise, there was only one final Tholian blast that struck just beside him.
Zh'taan: I hope so… :: continues firing and narrowly dodges the shot::
A few seconds later, the control panel emitted a soft sound and the door opened.
Shortrith: We've got it! Get in!
Esot: Response
The three officers quickly entered the room and closed the door behind them.
Shortrith: We should be safe here. =/= Shortrith to Tucker. We're in a transporter room about one level above you. Any way you can get up here? =/=
Esot: Resonse
Kelor entered the room, nearly exhausted. He tried to catch his breath while holstering his phaser and taking his tricorder back in hand.
Zh'taan: :: Runs a scan of the room:: I am detecting the life signs of Commander Tucker and Lieutenants Kessler and Evinrude. oO We are almost there Oo.
Shortrith/Esot/Tucker: Response
He walked around the room, analyzing it with his tricorder, searching for the slightest element that might move the situation forward.
Zh'taan: According to the readings, this is indeed a transporter room, but the presence of ionic particles is rather low, there has not been any transport activity for some time… ::Pause:: I wonder… We should perhaps go down as well. If Commander Tucker and his team are in the reactor chamber, we should head there too in order to stop the Sencha radiation emission. What do you think?
Shortrith/Esot/Tucker: Response
As he continued circling the room, he stopped abruptly.
oO What is that?Oo
Zh'taan: Look, there is some sort of hatch in the floor.
He knelt in front of a hatch set into the floor, on the opposite side of the entrance door.
Shortrith/Esot/Tucker: Response
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