((Maintenance Tunnel, Outside Reactor Coolant Pump Room - Reactor Dome, Moon Sigma, Ross 580 System))
Jack's heart rate began to elevate at the sight of the Tholians spider hopping down the ladder while one or two stood laptop the ledge far above. They carried something long and slender but in the dim light between the away team and the Tholians, Jack had to squint to make the odd looking item. Tucker darted into cover and Jack followed as Evinrude filed in behind Tucker. A moment later, one of those long, slender items the two Tholians at the top level had, smashed into the ground a few meters from where the team was taking refuge. Jack eyed the item for a brief moment before Tucker's voice cut through the air.
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.::
Explosive tipped spears, Jack smirked as he thought about the device's destructive power inside the tunnels. The concussive shock waves would have only two directions to go. Towards the team and in the opposite direction to the Tholians. Jack pulled his phaser to an upright stance and positioned himself to take a few dedicated, well placed shots. Then he would unload a barrage and then a few more well placed shots. The tactic was to pin the Tholians and then try to take a well enough placed shot to cause some real damage.
Kessler: ::firing phaser:: If those go off in here, keep your mouth's open and still low. There's not much surface area to take that concussion when they go off.
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 sounded like something like breaking glass, only heavier. Jack refocused his efforts and wished he had brought a phaser rifle with him for more precise control.
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.
Kessler: ::Feeling a bit confused:: Fortunate for us and unfortunate for them. ::looking at Tucker:: Did you know they carried those?
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!
Kessler: ::Grinning at Tucker:: Noted for future contact reference. ::Looking around for an escape:: We need to........
The tunnels fell eerily quiet, save for the now-audible droning thrum of the reactor. Jack turned back to the direction the Tholians had been advancing from. oO Where did the little buggers go? Oo One moment they were there, the next, Jack was not sure if they had found deep cover from the away team or if they had retreated back up to the upper level. The things could move with a speed unbelievable for something built like they were.
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: ::pointing:: Can we squeeze through that opening back there?
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: Response
Kessler: Agreed.
Evinrude: On it. Cover me...in case they come back.
Evinrude 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.
Kessler: ::eyeing the lift and the ladder leading back to the upper level:: Where did those guys go?
Tucker: Response
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.
Jack looked from Evinrude to Tucker and gave a nod to the commander indicating he had his back.
Kessler: ::aiming at the upper level:: Go, I'll be right behind you.
Tucker: Response
Shortrith: =/\= Shortrith to Tucker: We've been sent down to rejoin you guys, where are you?
The communication could not have come in a better time but Jack paused and looked back up to the upper level. Could it have come at a worse time? Tucker's team had no idea where the Tholians had just moved off to and now Shortrith and team were coming but from where?
Kessler: ::turning to Tucker:: They could be walking right into the remaining three Tholians.
Tucker/Zh'taan/Esot/Evinrude: =/\= Response =/\=
Shortrith: =/\= We'll try to find you. =/\=
Jack pointed to Evinrude and motioned for him to get through the hatchway. Their best hope at getting the Tholians' attention back on them was to start messing with whatever it was they had been doing. If Tucker's team could get the reactor to play nice as the Commander put it, then maybe the Tholians would focus on them and not Shortrith's team.
Kessler: Tess, keep going, we need to get to the reactor. ::turning to Tucker:: We need the Tholians to think we are going to affect their work. That should draw them to us and not to Shortrith's team.
Tucker/Evinrude: reponse
Shortrith/Zh'taan/Esot/: =/\= Response, assuming comms are left open =/\=
Kessler: ::rubbing his head through the back of his helmet and looking around:: I know it's not ideal, but I am guessing Shortrith and team have never dealt with Tholians face to face like you and I have.
Tucker/Evinrude: reponse
Shortrith/Zh'taan/Esot/: =/\= Response, assuming comms are left open =/\=
Kessler: After you sir, I'll bring up the rear. ::looking up at the upper level:: =/\= Shortrith, this is Kessler. Be warned, if you encounter Tholians, they are carring spears with explosive tips. Designed to go off on impact. =/\=
Tucker/Evinrude: reponse
Shortrith/Zh'taan/Esot/: =/\= Response =/\=
Jack turned after giving Tucker enough time to get up the ladder and into the hatchway Evinrude had opened for them. Jack picked up the spear Evinrude had laid so carefully next to the wall and then went up the ladder as fast as he could be. In those few brief moments he laughed at the thought that his backside was entirely exposed and open to attack. Jack got to his feet, drew his phaser and dropped low as he panned the area ensuring they did not have company.
Kessler: ::holding up the spear:: Just in case we need a little diplomatic push back.
Jack smiled ear to ear and the team began to push their way to the reactor. Hopefully there were not too many more surprises down here for them but Jack suspected there was one or two more, as it always seemed to be.
Tucker/Evinrude: reponse
Shortrith/Zh'taan/Esot/: =/\= Response, assuming comms are left open =/\=
[Tags/TBC]
-- Lieutenant Jack Kessler
Chief Tactical/Security Officer
USS Ronin
T239901JK1
