Arcadia Station SB-101 / USS Quirinus NCC-83942
SD 11108.15

Starring:
Christina Doane as Station Commander Captain Paige Harker
Mitch Travis as Commanding Officer Captain Sulek
Christopher Dickinson as Chief of Security Commander Bill Powers
Bruce Oriani as Chief Science Officer Lt. Commander Trikk Starr
Karriaunna Scotti as Counselor Commander Azhure Powers

Ship Manager Keith LaHue

Also Starring:
Christopher Dickinson as Security Officer Chief Warrant Officer Saka
Christopher Dickinson as Tactical Officer Lieutenant Loran
Keith LaHue as Drach Sert
Bruce Oriani as Science Crewman Scannmee
Karriaunna Scotti as Medical Emergency Technician Jhadar

Absent:
None

TIME LAPSE SINCE LAST MISSION: Twenty Minutes

"Business As Usual, Part 4": Last time on Arcadia... With little to no alternatives, the commander of Arcadia has chosen to send an away team to one of the Lyran ships.  Outgunned and cut off from Starfleet, questions are raised - with no apparent answers.

=/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  Begin Mission  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=

CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@ as the shuttle hatch opens on Drach Sert's ship, he prepares for what must be his escort::

@ACTION: Drach Sert, and only him, is there to greet the away team.

Sec_CWO3_Saka says:
@:: Eyes the hatch of the shuttle suspiciously ::
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@ :: Stays relatively close to the captain; a half a step behind::
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::As others make preparations, listens to routine reports and the away team as she stands near OPS.::
CSec_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: In transporter room two, he instructs the transporter chief to leave pads 1 through 4 available for the away team as he lays the payload on pads five and six - two devices barely eight inches in diameter ::
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@:: Looks at Sulek questioningly::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: Again we meet, but somehow there is something of a difference, Drach.
TO_Lt_Loran says:
:: Tries not to sweat as the Lyran ships continue to maintain their weapons lock - they haven't been able to stand down from alert status in a while, and it's starting to get tense ::
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek: And what might that be?
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek: Come with me if you will, I have a room prepared
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@:: Steps back into the shuttle:: CO: Just a moment...
SC_Capt_Harker says:
OPS Griska: We've been here awhile have new personnel come on to spell out current personnel at battle stations.
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@ *SC*: Captain... I need you to find a full telepath. Have them... check the area.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: For one, there are more of you that there should be.
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::Ops nods and begins to have relief personnel transferred into positions.::
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek: Yes.... we have...enhanced our position in this galaxy.
SC_Capt_Harker says:
COM: Azhure: I see can you be anymore specific?
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::Motions to her yeoman who nods, going off to see via records a full telepath on staff.::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: Taking on a war-like attitude does not enhance.
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@ :: her voice quiet.:: *SC*: There is a very strong telepath in the area... strong enough to be picked up, but as it is not directed toward me, I am unable to ascertain what is being said. I can tell you, it is not coming from this vessel.
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek: What did you expect? You brought us here, and now you are refusing ot send us back, when it is obviously within your power.
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::equally quiet::COM: Azhure: Understood. Harker out.
CSO_LtCmdr_Starr says:
Science Team: I want you to scan every nook and cranny of that ship, plus everything and everyone on it.
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@ :: Heads back off the shuttle and back to Sulek's side.::
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::Yeoman sits at a station running through personnel records quickly as ops deals with the relief personnel.::
CSec_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Back in the Armory, Bill oversees the construction of another half dozen of the explosive devices... with over forty ships, and needing two devices per, Bill has requisitioned every transporter of the shuttles, runabouts, and docked ships that are willing to carry the explosives ::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: You seem to be under the assumption that in some way I was behind the science that brought you here and failed in some manner to make sure that you stayed clear of my ship and the station when we opened the portal. I did not decide not to send you back either. That was a decision of Starfleet and the Federation Counsel.
Sec_CWO3_Saka says:
@:: Standing quite still, wondering who's watching them right now - she had tried to passively scan the ship up close from inside the shuttle, but the readings were inconclusive for listening devices. It read clear of explosives, at least ::
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek:I strongly suggest you 'undecide' that for them. You should know that we possess capabilities that are far beyond your own. But this ability to jump into other galaxies eludes us.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: I would also point out that you now have technology that far outweighs what you were once capable of. I can give you the theory which was used and no doubt those who have supplied you the new technology can supply the power, but it is doubtful that they will obtain a stable dark matter fold.
CSO_LtCmdr_Starr says:
Science Team: I don't want so much as a microbe not scanned, and I want the results as soon as possible. Ya'll do excellent work,
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@:: Quietly she watches and listens. She can feel a frown forming before she pauses and wipes her face clean to one of politeness. Again she looks at Sulek, wondering if he can pick up what she is.::
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek: Where is the blue one? He possessed the power.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: Commander Kraight is for lack of better term dead, at least in his current corporeal form.
TO_Lt_Loran says:
:: A melody comes unwelcome into his mind... something about a land down under... he tries to shoo it away ::
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@ :: At the reminder of Kraight, she feels a brief moment of sadness::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@~~~Azhure~~~You understand what he has done?
Med_Jhadar says:
:: Working in the arboretum where it is quiet.::
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek: Most disturbing. And bad for you. Why has your 'Federation' decided against sending us back?
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::Yeoman finds EMT Jhadar is full Betazoid and orders him to OPS.::
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@~~~~CO: Not what he has done so much as what someone is helping him to do. But they are not on this ship.~~~~
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@~~~Azhure: Agreed. We need to meet this other.~~~
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@ ~~~~ CO: I have Captain Harkins looking for a strong tele to see what they can come up with.~~~~
CSO_LtCmdr_Starr says:
Science Team: Let's do what we do best, and then we can get to go home. Dismissed.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: Still we can talk. Perhaps, we can help you.
CSO_LtCmdr_Starr says:
::Science Team starts to go to work::
Med_Jhadar says:
::Receiving the unexpected order, puts his items aside and makes his way to the bridge.::
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek: Are you going to help us or not? ::growing impatient::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@~~~Azhure: A telepath this strong can most likely pick up on our conversation here. We shall need to be more guarded.~~~
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@~~~~ CO: We are using a special path way that is ours alone... but I agree.~~~~
Med_Jhadar says:
:: Steps onto the command level:: OPS: Reporting as requested.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: I can only contact Starfleet and the Federation, but then you have blocked that avenue. I can give you the dark matter journals, but we have no dark matter here. What might you have us do? We cannot communicate with those who can make this information available and we cannot give you what we do not have.
SC_Capt_Harker says:
Jhadar: Excellent, we have something we'd like you to try if you would. ::Explains what he needs to know from what she was told::
Med_Jhadar says:
:: looks a bit surprised, but simply nods his head:: OPS: I would like someplace quiet.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: While formidable, your ships with their new technology would honestly not pose much threat to the Federation and its allies. You have played your gambit, but if you destroy us, you make yourself an enemy of the Federation and destroy all hopes of getting what you need. While cornering us, you have done much the same thing to yourself
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek: As token of good faith, we would like the journals. Perhaps we will be able to find this 'dark matter'.
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::Ops glances at SC:: OPS Griska: Have medical meet us in my office.
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::Motions for Jhadar to go to her office.::
Med_Jhadar says:
:: Once he is left alone, he sits in the quiet room, he opens himself, searching for the unknown telepath::
Med_Jhadar says:
:: It takes him a moment to realize what it is he is picking up. With surprise, he looks out of the small window at the stars.::
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::MO Selara reports and is directed to the SC's office to maintain a constant scan on the Petty Officer.::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: Then I must obtain permission to unlock them. I do not have the clearance personally. Again, we are blocked without access to the Federation. I am the senior most officer on the station and I can assure that if I do not have the clearance, then no one else does either.
Med_Jhadar says:
:: Closing his eyes, ignoring the arrival of the medical officer, he scans again, reaching further and further outward.::
Med_Jhadar says:
:: careful not to go too far, not to mention not wanting to be detected, he pulls back, fairly confident of what he has learned.::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: You do understand that I am willing to try to give you what you ask as an article of good faith, but I do not have the clearance and any attempt to bypass would cause them to be destroyed from the record. The dark matter experiments were deemed that dangerous for all people.
Drach_Sert says:
@::visably angry:: Sulek: If I allow you to contact your federation while monitored, will you give us the journals? If you tell them anything else, you will ALL die!
Sec_CWO3_Saka says:
@:: Wonders if Sulek realizes the depths of Sert's rage, and single-mindedness ::
Med_Jhadar says:
:: Stands and passing the doctor, nods politely before entering back onto operations.:: SC: I have an answer to your request.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: I can give you the public material. Will that suffice to start? There will be some delay in response from the Federation as Earth is quite some distance away.
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::MO Selara nods back, follows the Petty Officer out and nods to SC before leaving ops.::Jhadar: Excellent what have you learned?
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::Walks over to the EMT::
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek; No. We must have full access.
Med_Jhadar says:
SC: First, we are not talking about one, but we are looking at many. How many, I am not certain without giving myself away. Second, whoever they are, they are a long distance from us. I would never have picked them up except for their strength and numbers.
SC_Capt_Harker says:
Jhadar: Any clues about who they are? what they may want?
SO_Scannmee says:
CSO: Commander, all we're getting is some intra-communications, but we haven't been able to hack in yet.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: Then that will take time. We can construct a message for you to approve which the station can then relay to Federation headquarters.
Med_Jhadar says:
SC: This last part, I do not understand. Again, I was trying to remain hidden. The message is very fragmented... but I kept picking up reference to "The Children", and "Waiting". :: frowns:: The waiting seems more directed towards us... as if to see, what we are going to do.
CSO_LtCmdr_Starr says:
SO_Scannmee: It's a start. Keep at it. Let me know if you get anywhere.
Drach_Sert says:
@::disgusted:: Sulek: I will give you time. You may leave. Now. ::rubs his head::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: It will take a couple of days to reach them via subspace relay, then, being politicians, they will have to spend some time discussing it, and then a few days back with the response.
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::Blinks:: Jhadar: Anything else?
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::Thinks to self, "I get the oddest feeling we're being tested..."::
Med_Jhadar says:
:: Shakes his head:: SC: No... not unless you want me to give away that we know of them.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: Will you wait, or perhaps withdraw.
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@ :: Lightly touches Sulek's hand. A slight nod of her head toward Drach Sert and the strain of his body language.::
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek: We will wait. For now. But you must not try my resolve. There are others to consider as well. :;evasive::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: We will wait for you decide on that. I will send you the message we wish to send soon. I only wish that our first encounter might have been different.
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@~~~~ CO: Push a bit more...Do not let him rest.~~~~
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek: We will monitor you. If you send *anything else* the consequences will be great
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: You do remember that time? What you were to become? Have you given this up for others?
SC_Capt_Harker says:
Jhadar: Not just yet I think. Thank You Petty Officer. Dismissed.
Drach_Sert says:
@::looks like he is suffering from great pain:: Sulek: You must leave me...I need to speak with others of my kind
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: Others who have offered you technology? What price hath a man's soul, Drach Sert? What price was yours?
Med_Jhadar says:
:: Nods and heads back to the arboretum::
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::Goes to the ops station, reviewing the conversation between away team and Sert.::
CSO_LtCmdr_Starr says:
::continues working::
SC_Capt_Harker says:
*Powers*: Harker to Powers looks like the away team is coming back.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Drach Sert: The others they have enhanced your position with...they are not of you are they. They are golems, soulless and they take from you even now.
SC_Capt_Harker says:
*Starr*:Harker to Starr, anything to report?
Drach_Sert says:
@Sulek: I must take my leave of you. ::leaves the away team alone in the shuttle bay, without answering::
CSec_Cmdr_Powers says:
#:: Aboard one of the docked ships, Bill stands and taps his combadge :: *SC*: Understood, I'm on my way...
SC_Capt_Harker says:
*Powers*: Understood. Harker out.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@~~~Azhure: We have perhaps 6 perhaps even 10 days. ~~~
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@::closes the shuttle doors and requests permission to return to the station from Sert's bridge. ::
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@~~~~ CO: I think I understand the strain. Whatever alteration was or is being done, it is not completely compatible. With any of them.~~~~
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@Azhure: I do not know if Sert can continue to survive the pressure that is being brought to bear on his mental state. The Lyrans are not inherently telepathic.
CSec_Cmdr_Powers says:
#:: Thanks the escorting officer again - the ship's executive, he recalls - and exits quickly through the hard port and back to station ::
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@ :: Takes a seat::
CSO_LtCmdr_Starr says:
*SC*: Starr to Harker.
SC_Capt_Harker says:
*CSO*: Anything to report?
SC_Capt_Harker says:
::Continues to watch the AT's progress.::
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@ CO: Whoever we are looking at, they are a different species.
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@ CO: But I am thinking the difference need not have be a different species as in different family roots, but different as in time and distance.
CNS_Cmdr_Azhure says:
@ CO: I need to do some research when we get back.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
@::as the get clearance to return he brings the shuttle around for launch:: Azhure: And seems to lack an understanding of what they have done to the Lyrans. I should also point out that Sert's mind is open to influence there was time when I could sense his thoughts. He can get dark matter, but I do not think it is whoever is in control intention to use it to send Sert home. The equipment is from Borg but early technology.
CSO_LtCmdr_Starr says:
*SC*: Scans aren't coming up with much except for some intra-communications. Trying to hack in now, but no success yet.
SC_Capt_Harker says:
*CSO*: I understand, keep trying. We're sending information down that may help. ::OPS sends what they have on the possible alien telepathic contact, see if they can find anything in that area of space etc. As well as summary of what's been happening.::

=/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  Pause Mission  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=  =/\=

TIME LAPSE TO NEXT MISSION: Ten Days