Ensign Kelor Zh'taan - These radiation levels are intense!
Kelor Zh'Taan
((Reactor Dome, Moon Sigma, Ross 580 System))
Zh'taan: ::He exits the shuttle first, tricorder in hand:: I’m not detecting any life signs in the immediate vicinity.
He set foot on the moon for the first time after having studied and analyzed it from the lab. He could finally fix what had been disrupting warp travel since the ship’s arrival…
Shortrith: ::explaining:: The radiation can cause interference with our tricorders. Maybe switch them to the highest setting—they should pick up something.
… Provided he calibrated his tricorder properly.
Zh'taan: Indeed… ::Makes the adjustments::
Esot: Configuration updated — while there are still no life signs nearby, I am detecting the landing party further ahead. They appear to be approaching the reactor, as requested.
Zh'taan: I’m picking up Tucker’s team as well. ::Runs additional scans:: But they seem to be getting closer and closer to the radiation source…
Shortrith: Can either of you see the blast?
Esot: It is possible the stream has shifted outside of the normal visual spectrum. I can say, however, that it is still erupting from the building — Cardassian visual acuity extends deeper into the ultraviolet range, and it is quite bright to me.
He lifted his gaze from the tricorder.
Zh'taan: I think I can see it too. We need to hurry and reach them, then return to the Ronin…
Shortrith: =/= Shortrith to Tucker: We’ve been sent to rendezvous with you. What is your position? =/=
A brief silence followed, then the reply came quickly.
Tucker/Evinrude: =/= Response =/=
Shortrith: =/= We will attempt to locate you. =/=
Esot: I suggest we keep the channel open but mute our microphones for now — if they’re already under fire, we must not draw additional attention with our voices.
Zh'taan: ::Activates his comm line:: Understood.
Shortrith: Response
The trio moved out, Ensign Esot leading the way. She guided them toward an opening into the Dome, forcing it wider to make the entrance accessible.
Esot: That should allow us entry.
Kelor ran another scan before stepping inside the Dome. The thought of coming face to face with a Tholian made him deeply uneasy — increasingly so.
Zh'taan: I’m still not detecting any life signs other than Tucker’s team. We can proceed.
He entered the Dome behind Esot, followed by Shortrith. They continued forward, Esot still in the lead as she tracked Tucker’s team.
Esot: They are approximately 500 meters ahead of us.
The comm crackled and part of a conversation came through.
Kessler: =/= Tess, keep going, we need to reach the reactor. ::turning to Tucker:: We need the Tholians to think we’re about to interfere with their work. That should draw them toward us and away from Shortrith’s team. =/=
Tucker/Evinrude: Response
Kelor swallowed hard. They were moving closer and closer to danger — and danger meant combat. He saw Ensign Esot draw her phaser and followed suit, far less confidently. He was far more comfortable with a tricorder than with a phaser.
Shortrith: =/= Response, assuming comms are left open =/=
Kessler: =/= ::rubbing the back of his helmet and scanning the area:: I know it’s not ideal, but I’m guessing Shortrith and team have never dealt with Tholians face to face like you and I have. =/=
Tucker/Evinrude: Response
Esot: =/= I have only seen one up close, when he had been transferred to Division 14 holding. He was… quite large. =/=
Zh'taan: oO And I hope I never have to face one… Oo
Shortrith: =/= Response, assuming comms are left open =/=
Kessler: =/= Shortrith, this is Kessler. Be advised, if you encounter Tholians, they are armed with spears tipped with explosives. Designed to detonate on impact. =/=
Tucker/Evinrude: Response
Esot sighed.
Esot: =/= Let us endeavor not to encounter them. =/=
Zh'taan: =/= Affirmative… I am still not detecting any Tholian life signs in the vicinity. =/=
Shortrith: Response
The communication cut off shortly after, which was not unexpected as they were moving farther apart.
Kelor swallowed again, nearly turning pale, eyes fixed on his tricorder.
Esot: I believe I can now detect Tholian life signs — they are rather intermittent. The radiation is still interfering with my tricorder.
Zh'taan: I… I’m detecting them as well. ::Attempts further adjustments:: They appear to be heading toward Commander Tucker’s team…
Shortrith: Response
Esot: Although it will take us longer to link up with Commander Tucker’s team, this route should provide better cover and reduce our chances of encountering one of the Tholians. ::a beat:: However, there is a much higher concentration of Sencha-wave radiation.
Zh'taan: Understood…
Shortrith: Response
They continued along the path chosen by Ensign Esot. They encountered no visible signs of Tholians, but as they drew closer to the reactor, they began to feel the effects of the Sencha radiation. As an Andorian, Kelor was more sensitive to it and struggled to keep pace with Esot and Shortrith.
Zh'taan: ::studying his tricorder readings:: We are getting closer to the radiation source.
Esot/Shortrith: Response
They pressed on, and the radiation waves grew stronger, distorting Kelor’s senses and making his antennae tremble.
Zh'taan: Still… no Tholian life signs, but we are fully entering the most heavily irradiated zone. An EV suit would not have been unwelcome… ::He lifts his head from the tricorder:: How are you holding up?
Esot/Shortrith: Response
They kept moving forward, steadily closing in on Tucker’s team. Kelor followed mechanically, staring at his tricorder without truly understanding what he was seeing. His eyes registered one set of data, while his antennae perceived something else entirely. Suddenly, he stopped.
Zh'taan: I’m detecting Tholian life signs on all sides — are you picking that up too?!
Esot/Shortrith: Response