Lieutenant Jack Kessler - Just pull the Pin and Toss

[Joel Cannistraro]

((Outbuilding, Near the Reactor Dome - Moon Sigma, Ross 580 System))

Jack looked at the drop and the ladder styled steps. oO Sitting ducks is what we will be. Oo

Kessler: Sir, we start that climb and we are all sitting ducks on that ladder with no cover. We'll need to space ourselves out, make sure the coast is clear. I'd like to go first in case there are any of our friends around down there.

Tucker: I ::slight bow:: defer to your expertise in these matters. I’m just the grease monkey. oO You’re the acting XO schmuck, act like it.,. Oo

As the conversation continued and a device was pointed out that looked like something that could be used to lower heavy equipment. It could potentially provide a slight bit of cover and for that Jack was happy.

Evinrude: Oh, good find! I'd wager that thing can hold two of us at a time.

A shrill pierced the darkness behind them. Jack spun on his heels, they had company, returning down the central corridor. oO Of course the five dwarfs would be returning wouldn't they? Probably signing a Tholians version of 'off to work we go'. Oo

Kessler: Down appears to be our only option now Commander. Unless we are going to fight our way out.

Tucker: Oh, hell no, we don’t need a firefight, especially with all the radiation and whatnot. Who knows what could happen if we start exchanging phaser fire? Our best bet is to get down those ladders and as freaking possible, let's go.

Evinrude: Your call, sir. If we take this path down, I can stay to operate the controls, then set them to auto for the second group's descent...just be sure to catch us. ::He added with a quick flash of a smile.::

Jack glanced at Evinrude and then back to Tucker. He would give Evinrude credit for being gutsy in wanting to stay to operate the controls but he imagined the Lieutenant JG had never faced Tholians before. Jack knew Tucker had and Jack had faced them in a fierce firefight once before. Now was not the time to be betting anyone's lives on inexperience. It was not that Jack did not trust Evinrude to be able to handle himself in a fight. He had read the officer's service jacket and knew Evinrude was well trained. But only two of them had direct firefight experience with Tholians from what Jack knew. That meant only two of them were likely candidates to remain behind and operate the controls.

Kessler: Sorry but I do not agree with that suggestion. Given the mission parameters and the need for success, and first hand experience with Tholians. I am the logical choice to stay behind and defend the lift while the three of you descend.  

Jack was sounding like one of his Vulcan instructors back in Advanced Tactical. 

Tucker: I think it’s time to go back to the drawing board and quickly, because we can’t seem to come to an agreement. I’d volunteer, ::he held up a hand to stop Jack:: But our security chief will remind me of some regulations about our particular predicament…and I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.

Evinrude: Response

Jack respected the Operations officers desire to ensure the team got to safety but there was no time for debate. 

Kessler: ::turning to Tucker:: If we are cornered in here, we have no chance against five Tholians. I recommend the three of you get on the lift, it will be extremely tight but I don't see any other way.

Evinrude: Response

Jack looked around as the sounds of the approaching Tholians grew louder. There were not many options. They could try and stay ahead of the Tholians or they could alert them to there presence with a distraction. 

Kessler: Can we seal the service tunnel to buy us more time?

Jack looked back to the tunnel and then to Evinrude and Nemes?

Tucker: ::smiling:: Funny you mention that.

He tossed Jack one of the oblong, grenade-like instruments. Marty regarded his own for a second; he knew Jack was going to have questions, and Tuck had the answers. These were going to work out just right for the job.

Tucker: ::putting a hand up:: I know you have questions, Mister Kessler and we can discuss them at a later date, but what you hold in your hand is a thermo-pastic grenade. You can either set a timer or just pull the pin and yeet it. It will explode into liquid plastic that immediately hardens. You get your opponent caught up in it, know they ain’t getting out without the right chemical solvent. And I’ve got two more left in my bag, and I brought my last EMP grenade. We used both items in the retaking of Deep Space 33.

Jack glanced at the device, then back to Tucker and Evinrude and then back to the device. 

Kessler: ::grinning:: OK, that's officially cool.

Evinrude: Response

Tucker began looking around as if he was surveying the tunnel and Jack knew exactly what he was doing. Tactics meant finding the right placement for the best containment.

Tucker: If we set up three of them in a triangle pattern we should be able to cover the entire area and seal off the tunnel, and they won't be able to phaser their way out because of the EMP.

Kessler: Agreed.

Jack stepped towards the attachment point closest to him and began to affix the device. He really wanted to just pull the pin and toss it at one of the Tholians just to see what it did. No wait, that would be mean and unprofessional of him. Diplomatically they should try talking to the Tholians first....oO Nah, pull the pin and toss it. That would be more fun. Oo 

Evinrude: Response

Tucker: ::whispering:: One to beam directly to decon, now.  

The ever familiar hum of a transporter beam grabbed Jack's attention from the wall face. He turned to see Nemes shimmered in blue and then was gone. Jack had heard Tucker say something to Nemes but he had not fully understood what was said. Tucker turned to the group and Jack realized that they were now down one body. It should make the trip a little easier with just three of them. The question as to why Nemes had to beam out would come later. Right now they needed to get out of there themselves.

Tucker: I’m open to options. It’s three of us now. Should we just ride this thing down and hope we don’t come to a sudden and complete halt? That would be bad. But first, they needed to take care of the Tholians, so they didn’t have to run everywhere just to avoid them.

Tucker: So, where do you think we set these charges to get a full spread? Each pumps out enough thermoplastic to cover about 40 meters. 

Kessler: The contact points you indicated ::looking at his wrist tricorder:: do appear to provide maximum coverage for the devices.

Evinrude: Response

Tucker: Well, whatever we’re going to do, we need to do it now; they’re getting closer.

Jack nodded and finished placing his charge. Then he stepped back to the controls that operated the lift while Tucker and Evinrude readied themselves for the ride.

Kessler: I think we can release the overrides so that this thing will continue down on it's own, Evinrude, can you bypass the lockout for the speed descent control so it moves a little faster than a snail?

Tucker/Evinrude: Response

Jack stepped over to the edge of the ladder and looked down. The Tholians would be on them in mere moments and the bottom of this ladder just disappeared into the darkness. Hopefully there were automated lights down there. If not, Jack hoped that Tucker's wrist tricorder came with hidden built-in torches.

Kessler: Time to go gents. All aboard the express elevator to...::beat:: Wherever it is we are going.

Jack drew his phaser as Tucker and Evinrude stepped on the lift. Just as it began to descend, Jack caught sight of the Tholians and they appeared to catch sight of the team. oO Shi.... Oo The thought was cut off as the devices Tucker had provided detonated. The lift continued its way down and Jack stood on his tiptoes wanting to see the exploding plastic material and what it was doing to the Tholians. The Lift apparently did not share Jack's appreciation for the tactical divergence the devices had hopefully given the team.

Tucker/Evinrude: Response

Kessler: ::looking down below and then back up overhead:: Commander, how long do you think that stuff will slow down the Tholians?

Tucker/Evinrude: Response

[Tags/TBC]

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Lieutenant Jack Kessler

Chief Tactical/Security Officer

USS Ronin

T239901JK1