Lt. Cmdr. O'Connor- Timely Rescue
rob mahardy
((Shuttlecraft Kepler, Shuttlebay, Deck 9, USS Ronin))
More alerts went off. And Ian “slammed the breaks”. Inertial dampeners compensated instantly.
O’Connor: Whoah. Where did that come from?
The massive object appeared out of nowhere almost directly in front of them bathing the area with chronitons. Ian worked the console and dropped their new temporal anchor. The probes deployed and the gravity well formed, holding the Kepler in place and time…for now.
Kessler: Scanning. ::beat:: The hull is composed of a number of different known materials and a handful I cannot identify. ::double beat:: Life signs Commander but they are not stable. Sensors cannot get a definitive lock.
Shortrith: My sensors can't get anything either.
Wren: It must have come out of the eddy, like the Kurosawa. ::reaching her arm into the hatch as far as it will go:: Poagie, I would love it if you could come here a second and hold this open.
Kel: I'm not so sure ensign. I think it may have come from deeper in the system.
De La Croix: I believe you're right...there's a great deal of chronometric particle shear permeating the...that...::Thess gestured::...whatever it is. It's rare but typically it is seen in cases where there is a great deal of exposure to unstable temporal anomalies. Division 14 deals with a few of these a year...if organic matter is involved, usually with sponges and mops.
O’Connor: Ok then I guess, “When” did that come from?
Wren: ::pulling her head back out:: The engine on this side has had its connection to its main power coil severed. It’s corroded completely. ::dropping back into her chair, leaving Poagie standing where she left him:: I can lower the emission of the working engine to stop us from going in a circle at least. We should be evening out now.
The new surgeon offered the Ensign the smallest affirmative hrm. It was a start.
Kessler: ::turning to Kel:: Sir, we're moving. Sensors show we are closing on the object at 50 KPH. Shields are still draining, slowly but draining. Down to 68 percent now and phaser power has reduced 9 percent.
Ian looked down. They shouldn’t be moving. He tried to adjust the anchors. It wasn’t them something else was going on.
Shortrith: How's everyone faring?
Kel: Good here. Can we get a better read on the life forms in ::pause, nodding toward the wreckage:: that?
De La Croix: Not with this equipment. I'm half surprised these sensors see it at all. Considering the level of particle decay we can detect I cannot imagine a vessel remaining intact very long, to say nothing of a living being aboard one.
Kessler: Shields down another 11 percent Commander.
Ian saw that as well. They weren’t going to be able to stay here long.
Wren: I’m not picking up any specific emitter, I’m sending out a hail with a universal greeting on all frequencies on the off-chance it’s a ship. oO I don’t even know if they can hear me. Oo ::suddenly remembering:: Poagie.
Ian turned to see the Ferengie standing at the edge of the floor hatch. He was covering his ears as if in pain.
Wren: Forgive me, Poagie ::pushing him into the hatch, before yelling:: Stay down there until it stops!!
Ian’s eyes widened as Wren shoved the tiny Ferengi under the floor and locked the hatch above his head.
oO Huh, wish I’d though of that hours ago. Oo
Kel: Jack, can we rotate shield harmonics. Could that help protect us from the radiation?
The arrogant surgeon spoke very slowly with the absolute tone of condescension.
De La Croix: I hate to repeat myself but perhaps we could simply...back away now that Ensign Wrench here has repaired the sails or whatever it is they've done. Even if there is someone still alive aboard that craft we're in no position to render meaningful aid.
O'Connor: If only, dear doctor. Readings show we are stopped but like Jack said before we’re still slowly headed toward it. If I try reversing I’ll have to release the anchors first and well, scientifically speaking…who knows.
Kessler: ::fingers jumping across the console:: Rotating shield harmonics but it does not seem to be helping Commander.
Kel: Keep trying. Maybe increase the deflector output?
Cabin environmental alarms began chiming as radiation levels spiked, passed through the shielding like they didn't even exist.
De La Croix: I must insist we depart with all due speed, conditions are becoming quite hazardous...
O'Connor: Give me a second. Got an idea but…
Suddenly there was a loud smack on the deck behind him. Ian whipped his head to see Jack sprawled out on the floor of the shuttle. Shortrith was already on it before Ian could react. He returned his focus to the helm.
Shortrith: It doesn't look like he's bleeding, thankfully. However, the area is most likely going to bruise at least.
Kel: Dr. La Croix, Hyronalyn all around if you please
De La Croix: Of course, Captain, of course, perhaps after I'm done you'd like me to serve a round of gimlets as well?
She seemed to grumble but still began to administer the hypos to the crew.
O'Connor: The hypo will do for now, but when we’re back safe. I may take you up on one or two of those gimlets, your grace.
Shortrith: Can someone pass me my tricorder? I just want to scan him to ensure everything inside is okay.
Wren: Here ::holding it out to them:: Sir, our shield is down to six percent, but the noise and lightshow seems to have stopped. No answer to the hail, though…
Kel: Thank goodness for small blessings. Ian route power to the transporters.
oO What? Oo
Thess looked up and directly at Kel, nearly hypoing Ian right in the ear.
De La Croix: Transporters? Through that maelstrom of particle instability? If you're trying to kill whatever is aboard that ship I'm sure there's an easier way.
O'Connor: Hey watch what…
When the hypo sprayed, Ian flinched. It wasn’t supposed to hurt but he felt something akin to a sharp jab. His hand went up to rub his neck as the doctor moved on to her next patient.
O’Connor: Maybe 3 gimlets. :: turns to Kel:: I can reroute but we’re gonna slide closer faster. I’ll need to take from the probe feed. That may mess with anchoring us in time as well.
Shortrith: ::accepting the tricorder:: Cheers.
Thess walked aft to their commanding officer and pressed the hypo against his neck, silently glad she'd gotten a few practice jabs in on the rest of the crew first.
Kel: ::happily:: Thank you Dr. La Croix. Ensign Wren can we get a lock on those life forms.
De La Croix: Of course Captain...now if you'd like one of those gimlets you'd just have to show me where the gin is kept aboard this little vessel. Or I suppose vodka would suffice...we are roughing it, after all. Perhaps that little Ferengi could dig it out for us...if someone bothers to let him out of the floor that is.
Ian had forgotten about Poagie.
O'Connor: It’s probably better if he stays there for a while… Well, better for us anyway. So cocktails must wait for now Duchess.
He smiled at her once again trying to chip another little crack in the wall of superiority she seemed to be surrounding herself with.
Wren: I'm doing preliminary scans on the object. As far as the computer can tell, it is a ship, but like everything else, the information is jumbled up.
Thess sighed theatrically at the lack of a refreshing beverage and returned to her little terminal for all the good it would do.
De La Croix: I'm no engineer...thankfully...but I have plenty of experience with experiments that have had...less than ideal outcomes. In my opinion we're looking at some sort of test...and I'm guessing it was a failure. Unless someone around here is trying to invent a new and, admittedly, creative way to die of radiation poisoning.
Shortrith: I'd rather that not be the case, honestly
O’Connor: Same. Shields would help but…still striking out.
He continued to try different options.
Wren: Flight controls have been locked to autopilot, but we're not going anywhere yet. Dr. De La Croix, is Poagie okay?
The Ferengi had managed to unlock himself from the maintenance hatch but was currently slumped on the deck half climbed out.Thess nudged the insensate ferengi on the floor with the toe of her riding boot as one might poke a stick at roadkill. She received a small whimper in reply.
De La Croix: Seems fine to me dear. Aural overload...quite debilitating for those with overdeveloped lobes. I suspect they'll be up and around...with a sizable headache...in a few minutes.
Kel: Come on. Come on.
The surgeon moved herself to the back of the cabin near the transporter controls.
De La Croix: Perhaps we should put up some sort of containment field...you know, for...the safety of the crew.
oO Sound idea. Minimal snark. Wow. Oo
Ian turned.
O'Connor: Bio filters are working fine but as much as I might hate to agree with the Queen of Condescension...she’s right. I’ll put up a minimal field that we can drop easily. Honestly, we don’t have the power to hold it long anyway.
Ian nodded and a small force field appeared around the transport area. Two aliens appeared shortly afterward.
Kzinti: We did not need help. ::coughing eratically::
Wren: well then why are you here??
Kel: Indeed what are you doing in this system.
To the doctor’s credit she went right to work on scanning the two new arrivals.
Suliban: There was ::panting:: an accident.
Ian rolled his eyes.
oO Go figure. Oo
De La Croix: A failed experiment...who could've possibly suspected such a thing....
Shortrith: There have been lots of failed experiments in these reaches, if memory serves.
O'Connor: Yeah, not exactly a newsflash
Kel: What kind of vessel is this?
De La Croix: And what sort of accident? Our ability to treat you may depend entirely on your answers.
Shortrith: We're here to help.
Ian dropped the containment field as the doctors were scanning closer.
Suliban: ::panting:: Not a vessel. ::throwing up:: It's the lid.
oO The what? Oo
Ian watched as the doctor glanced down at the mess now splattered across her formerly pristine boots and sighed in annoyance. He gestured at Poagie onthe floor and mouthed to her that Poagie would be happy to clean them later.
Kel: Dr. Shortirth, see what you can do for him. O'Connor get us back to the Ronin.
Ian looked down at their trajectory and they’d stopped closing on …”the lid.” Right now it seemed that if he disengaged the anchor they’d be able to retreat normally If…they could stabilize the engines.
O’Connor: Ensign Wren, can you adjust the power flow to our damaged engine a bit more.
De La Croix: I suppose I'll check on our...other patients. Hopefully the tricorder will be a bit less disagreeable with those two.
Wren: Both engines are receiving now, we should be good to go as long as we don’t push them too hard.
O’Connor: Ok, on it. Thanks.
Ian focused back on his controls. He discarded the probes that formed their stability anchor and the Kepler smoothly turned and began to angle away back in the direction of the Ronin.
Shortrith: ::To De La Croix, genuinely:: Good luck.
Kel: Well? How are Kessler and Poagie?
Wren: Holding steady. oO I hope there isn’t lasting damage…. Poagie looks like he’s coming around again, but Kessler’s been out for a while. Oo ::looking at the Suliban:: oO Hopefully our guests will know a little more about what’s happening. Oo We’re approaching the Ronin now, sir. I’ve sent them an update on our situation, do we need to warp them directly to sickbay?
De La Croix: Mr. Kessler seems to be particularly sensitive to radiation exposure...I'd like to run some followup scans once we're back aboard the ship just to be certain there's no long term mitochondrial damage. It is the warp core of the cell, of course.
Thess gestured towards the Ferengi.
De La Croix: This one shouldn't suffer any permanent hearing damage...in no small part due to the Ensign's quick thinking. ::She nodded magnanimously towards Wren:: You should shove people into things more often Ensign, it's clearly working for you. Regardless...they'll be up and around before we get back to the Ronin. They'll just be a bit sensitive to noise for the next few days.
Shortrith: I'll be sure to keep an eye on them while they recover.
For the first time in quite a while Ian heard Jack’s voice behind him. It was a relief.
Kessler: ::slowly opening his eyes and lifting his head:: I will be fine Doc as soon as we put the lid back on De La Croix.
O'Connor: Out for the count but as soon as he’s conscious he’s immediately got a handle on the tactical situation.:: smiles at Jack:: Welcome back.
Kel: Response
Wren: I’ll let them know…. That’s strange… It’s still a little fuzzy, and I can’t glean any details, but the mood on the ship seems to have changed. It feels lighter than before.
Ian turned giving her a quizzical look.
Shortrith: … Lighter?
Their counselor said it before Ian could.
Jack tried sitting up and pushed himself, with the help of someone to a sitting position.
Kessler: ::holding his head:: Commander, the light, the sound. That was not natural. I felt others. Other people. Did someone get a full resolution scan of the event? Have them compile it right away.
Jack continued to hold his throbbing head
O’Connor: It’s all recorded. We can sort the data back on Ronin.
Kel: Response
The doctor retook her seat
De La Croix: As you wish. I'll make sure all the data I've gathered is properly sorted and organized before sending it along. It's a dreadful jumble right now. I assume those gimlets are still out of the question? Pity.
She clapped her hands and sighed before she began tapping away.
De La Croix: Well, wasn't that just bracing! I must admit to finding this all quite invigorating. ::She glanced down at her boots:: Well, mostly invigorating. Does anyone happen to know a good cobbler in this sector? I find myself in need of one.
Ian let it go, despite the several sarcastic retorts rolling throughhis head.
Wren: =/\= Kepler to Ronin, we’re docking now. We need an emergency medical transport for three to sickbay, expect a new guest. =/\=
Shortrith: ::to themself:: Let's do this.
Kessler: ::leaning back on the deck:: Hey Shortrith. I don't think I am completely over that Tarellian Modified treatment.
Ian turned back to the helm and accelerated away from the contact vessel… correction- lid…and directed the Kepler toward the Ronin. As he did, he noticed that the feel of some of the materials seemed off. Plastics seemed dryer, possibly more brittle, and in the corner…was that a spot of rust?
Kel: Response
End Act 1 for O’Connor/Tags
--------------------------------
Lieutenant Commander Ian O’Connor
HCO
USS Ronin NCC-34523
R240009IO4