=/\= U.S.S. Elara Stardate 10702.11- "Let the games begin, part IV"=/\=

The USS Elara rests silently between the Gambling Star and the Latinum. The to-be rescue mission has turned into a kidnapping. The target: once again Commander Pazoski.

While the CEO tries to keep the Star's occupants breathing and picking up evidences about what happened to the XO, the Captain and the FCO try to negotiate with the Ferengi for information.

At the same time an undercover team, led by the CIV with the CSO and OPS arrives unannounced at the Latinum. Will they find the XO and the hidden Vorta? Will OPS survive his first away team?

=/\= =/\= =/\= Resume Mission =/\= =/\= =/\=

#ACTION: Maor's team materializes in an empty corridor on the Latinum. Alarms immediately go off

CO Capt Timrok says: 
:: Sitting on the Captains chair... which is fine since he's the Captain ::

#ACTION: Pazoski is left alone with some of the Cardassians gambling, and the Vorta next to him, still dozing but getting back to his senses slowly

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#::watches the Cardassians for a moment and turns to the Vorta:: Vorta: Pssst, are you awake?

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Looks around to familiarise herself with the new environment::

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
::observes the Gambling stars systems from the engineering console on the bridge::

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#::Glances around him, trying to make sense of where they are:: OPS, CSO: Take point. ::Turns to face one of the security officers:: Security: Take the rear. ::Turns to face one of the empty corridors:: All: Let's go. ::Makes his way:: Stay alert.

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::sat at the flight console minding his own business::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: Aye sir! ::Tries to remember which end of the phaser the beam comes out of again::

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
::enters the bridge, getting a few awkward looks from the bridge-crew.. he nods to the ensign sitting at tactical to free his chair and then sit down, feeling like home... he begins tacticilizing as usual::

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CO: Sir, I estimate the Gambling Star has 15 more hours of life support.

Vorta says: 
#::looks to the XO's direction vaguely but doesn't seem to see him::

Dr Greene says: 
::Sitting behind his desk in sickbay, their alert status cancelled for the time being, no immediate expectation of casualties to receive::

Lt. Yellow says: 
*CEO*: The Latinum sent us the spare parts. What do we do with them?

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CEO: OK, with things going the way they are we may be struggling to get the spare parts you need

#ACTION: In the distance the team hear steps getting closer

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
*Yellow*: Spare parts are here? So that's what the CO had in mind...CO: Sir, sounds like we just got them. I'd like to get back over there.

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Does as ordered but makes sure she finds cover behind the nice CIV man if there's a fire fight::

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: I've got an incoming message from the star Cap'n.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CEO: Excellent, go for it

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#Vorta: Can you understand me?  Did you send the distress beacon?

CO Capt Timrok says: 
FCO: On screen

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
CO: Security will accompany me this time?

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#::Motions with his hand, signalling the team to pause. Glancing around he notices an handy bend around the corner, he motions to team to hide::

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::bungs the message on the main screen::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CEO: Absolutely

ACTION: The Ferengi fills the screen again

Ferengi says: 
COM: USS Elara: You sent spies to our ship, and were not very careful about it either

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CTO: Organise a security escort for our engineers

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
::nods to the CO and moves to the CTO:: CTO: Have them meet me in TR2. Thank you.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
:: turns back to the viewscreen ::

#ACTION: Two Ferengi officers with tricorders and weapons enter the corridor where the Elara team is and go in their direction

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Hides behind the CIV!::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
COM: Latinum: If they were spies - you wouldn't know about it

Dr Greene says: 
::Looks up as a med tech steps into the office, informing him the medical crew is still staying close to sickbay, some staying in a waiting room just down the corridor::

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
*Gamma Team*: Gamma team, this is Lieutenant Starbuck, rendezvous with an engineering complement in Transporter Room 2 in 5 minutes, Starbuck out.

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#::Lowers his voice:: CSO: The second they come here grab one of them, I'll grab the other. ::Motions to security to give them backup::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::jokingly:: CIV: And slit their throat?

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::frowns at the screen::

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
*Yellow*: Meet me in TR2 with Irulan. ::walks into the TL and orders it to the appropriate deck::

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: Let's just disable them for now, Ensign. Plenty of time to have fun later.

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Nods::

Ferengi says: 
::smirks::COM: USS Elara: Well they are a violation of your law and we will arrest them if you don't return them to your ship

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
::gets to TR2 and prepares for the beam-out with a Haz-Chem suit::

#ACTION: The two Ferengi confidently approach the away team's site

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#::jingles his chains a little bit:: Vorta: Who are you?

Lt. Yellow says: 
::enters TR2 with Irulan and the spare parts in a box, places the box on a pad::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Notices her phaser is set to vaporise and sets it to stun instead:: Self: Always wanted to know what stun to the head does.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
COM: Latinum: Actually I think you will find that it is you who are in violation by interfering with our investigation and abducting my first officer. You would be wise not to interfere any more

Vorta says: 
#::finally wakes up and looks towards the XO:: XO: I am Wey... Where are we?

ACTION: The transmission is cut and the Latinum goes to warp

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
::stands on the pad and orders the beam-out::

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#::Softly:: CSO, Security: Get ready. ::Watches the approaching officers, he gets an idea and quickly removes his PADD:: CSO: I'll try to give them a fake life sign signal across the hall, might give us a distraction ::Works quickly::

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: let me guess...

CO Capt Timrok says: 
::groans audibly::

@ACTION: The CEO's team materializes on the Gambling Star and soon the spare parts follow

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::gets ready to follow the Latinum::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Gets ready to grab the nearest Ferengi::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#Wey: Onboard what I assume is a Ferengi vessel.  I am Lt Pazoski of the USS Elara, how long have you been a "guest" of these Cardassians?

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::looks to his engineers and the security team:: Team: Let's get this done. ::moves to the engineering section::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
FCO: Not so fast Mr Sollo

Vorta says: 
#XO: My name is ac...never mind. I was kidnapped. USS...Federation? Let me go home

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: But we have crew over there.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
*CEO* How long do you need?

#ACTION: The two Ferengi stop, confused looking at the readings in their tricorders. Still they follow in the direction where they last saw the life signs

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@*CO*: 5 hours, estimating. It's not going to be easy to work out this Ferengi technology

CO Capt Timrok says: 
FCO: We have crew over there too :: points to the Gambling Star :: and a whole load of Civilians who are going to die if we don't help them

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: Guess that didn't work. Charge! ::Jumps from his hiding place, rolling on the floor and shooting at the direction of one of the Ferengis::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#Vorta: You can go wherever you want, once we both get off this ship.  I don't suppose you have any tricks to get out of these chains?

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Follows the CIV shooting, while making sure she lands behind him::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
*CEO* You OK if we leave you here for a while? The Latinum just made a break for it

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: Cap'n the Ferengi are half an hour from the Klingon border.

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@*CO*: I'll see you later, Sir. Go break a leg...or two

#ACTTION: The two Ferengi are surprised and shoot the CSO on the shoulder before they are stunned and fall to the floor

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#All: Arrrrrgh! I'm hit! ::thump::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
FCO: Ok. Go get them

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: And we're off! ::jumps to warp::

Vorta says: 
#XO: I do. But how do we past them ::motions towards the Cardassians::

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#::Crouches down beside the CSO, signalling the security officers to hide the two ferengis:: CSO: Are you okay, Ensign? ::Watches her for visible damage::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CTO: Disable the Latinum's engines when we catch them up

ACTION: The Elara warps away in the direction of the Ferengi ship. They are faster so they will intercept in 10 minutes

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Feels her shoulder:: CIV: I think so... feels a bit burned though!

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::gets to the engineering section and opens the box with the parts:: Self: Ferengis...

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#Self: Except for the obvious pain.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#Vorta: There are only 3 of them and they are distracted, if you can take one I think I can handle the other two...

@ACTION: The curious gamblers start going to the engine room. By now they realized they are alone again with both the Elara and the Latinum gone. They are scared and look at the CEO's team as safety

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::starts noticing the build-up:: Self: Great, Ferengi technology and an audience...

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: We're catching up, we'll be in range in 8 minutes.

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
CO: ::in a serious voice, lacking emancipation, quite unusual for him:: Aye..

Vorta says: 
#::voice very low::XO: I have a device to open the chains but we can only use it once. my muscles are sluggish. I cannot take one Tribble, let alone a Cardassian

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: Tough it up, Ensign. We got an officer to rescue. ::Rips open his medkit, pulling out a medical wrapper. Grinning, he removes an hypo and injects it against the CSO's neck, satisfied he raps the area tightly:: Better?

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: A painkiller and a bandage was all I wanted anyway!

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: Good, let's go. ::Helps her up, he motions for the rest of the team to keep moving:: CSO: How far are we from the XO?

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#::thinks for a moment:: Vorta: Then we wait until the opportune moment, we need a distraction.

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::works on removing the old damaged piece to the life support system::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Gets her tricorder out with her other hand:: Self: Wait a second!

@ACTION: The CEO's team sees essentially a mess, with the explosion having destroyed much of the matter-anti-matter reactors. However, the fuel containers themselves were not affected

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: Remember the shielded cargo area I detected on the Elara? It's right at the end of this corridor. As for the XO, who knows?

CO Capt Timrok says: 
:: drums his fingers on the arm rest impatiently ::

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::hears a drumming sound behind him:: CO: Almost there Cap'n.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
:: nods to the FCO ::

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: Chances are he's there, you can't detect anything there?

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Shakes her head::

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::sees the damage again and sighs but sees ways he can fix it and sends his other engineers to fix other pieces::

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: Let's go. ::Makes his way towards the end of the corridor:: Any ideas how we can bypass the shield? Or is it just a sensor shield?

Vorta says: 
#XO: Like what?

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@ENG_Team: Don't touch the engines. I can get life support fixed in no time, the systems to power it is another story. Get started on that.

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: Coming into range now Cap'n.

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#Vorta: We will know that when it happens! ::studies the Cardassians::

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
CO: Arming phasers and locking in... ::in the same uncharacteristically indifferent voice::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: Absolutely no idea sadly Sir! However a phaser blast to its power source should do it, hopefully. Assuming they're not clever and haven't shielded it. And we're talking about Ferengis here so they're neither clever nor do they want to spend extra cash on it... You get the idea.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CTO: careful what you hit, we have people over there

#ACTION: The cardies happily play some sort of card game, looking sat the prisoners from time to time

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
::pushes a few buttons and fires the phasers as the Latinum's engines::

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#::Nods:: All: Grab your gas masks. We'll need a distraction. ::Pats his utility belt, holding a few smoke grenades::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: Teargas? ::grins happily::

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: Feel like letting the XO suffer a bit?

#ACTION: The Latinum rocks and the CSO falls on the CIV. The Cardassians get up and look around. The ship drops from warp

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
CO: Engines disabled... sir.

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: Alw...whoops!

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::drops from warp just behind the ship::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#Cardassians: Now I'm no expert but I think that was a direct hit with a phaser.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CTO: Nice shooting

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#::Grunts, he slowly moves the CSO away from him:: CSO: There goes the plan. ::Fires at the direction of the power source, hoping to disable the shield::

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: As expected Cap'n we're being hailed.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
FCO: OK hail them again - maybe now they will listen

#ACTION: The Cardassians grumble at the XO and all three stay closer to the prisoners

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Frowns:: Self: But it would have been fun.

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: I'll just... put it on screen shall I?

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::snaps out a piece and sees the crowd too close, stands up:: Crowd: Don't you see my suit? It's protecting me from the leftover gas. If you want to spend any of your earnings, I suggest you back up a bit, let us do our jobs.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
FCO: Please do

Ferengi says: 
COM: USS Elara: This is an act of war on the Ferengi Alliance!

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
::wanted to say something... but quickly rejected that thought and continued with his job::

@ACTION: Some of the gamblers shudder and go back to the main lounge

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#::watches the Cardassians, calculating his odds:: Cardassians: You do know the Ferengi will give you up to save their own skins don't you.

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@Self: Better than nothing I suppose. ::starts locating the first problem with the power transfer::

#ACTION: Once the fuss from the shooting is gone, the CIV manages to open a door that leads to a long stair down. The team hear footsteps all around nearing on their position

CO Capt Timrok says: 
COM: Latinum: Assuming I let you survive, you can file a complaint. Now are you ready to stop messing me around or do you want this mission to become very expensive for you?

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: Got some flashbangs? If we're going to go in shooting we might as well catch them off guard.

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: A few. ::Motions for the team to follow him:: All: Let's go. ::Removes a flash grenade from his belt, he holds it steady as he goes down the stairs..:: Get ready.

Cardassian #1 says: 
#XO: This Vorta means Latinum to them, and there is nothing they value more

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Follows him down the stairs phaser ready::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#Cardassian: They value their lives more.  You can't spend Latinum when you are dead.

Ferengi says: 
COM: USS Elara: I do not know what you are talking about. We gave you the parts to fix our ship and we expect it returned to us. Now we must fulfil the Star's original objective which is to take precious Latinum to the Klingon Empire

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::unhooks a panel and clambers through the opening so only his legs show from outside and starts making some new connections for another new piece::

#ACTION: The CIV and CSO hear voices way down

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: Hear that?

CO Capt Timrok says: 
COM: Latinum: You aren't going anywhere

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#::Nods:: CSO, All: Get ready.

Ferengi says: 
COM: USS Elara: Not without our engines ::grumbles::

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::glares menacingly at the screen::

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#::Continues on his way, watching one of the security officers take point::

#ACTION: The rest of the Cardassians and the Andorians return and start getting the Vorta and the XO, taking them to a side door

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::bangs a finger on something and curses before continuing::

#ACTION: The rumble below gets louder with the CSO and CIV being only 10 stairs before the end

#ACTION: The Vorta and the XO are taken without a word through a series of corridors. The CSO and CIV no longer hear them as they gain distance

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO, All: Something is going on, let's move it. ::Starting picking up speed, rushing down the last few steps::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#::is bundled off my a gruff looking Cardassian:: All: So what now?  Do you have another ship nearby?  Or are we going to make ourselves invisible?

#ACTION: The Vorta and the XO are rushed into a shuttle with 3 Cardassians, two Andorians, including Gharly. The doors are shut

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Nods and speeds up::

#ACTION: In the distance the CSO and CIV can see a door being closed with 7 Cardassians left to guard it

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#Gharly: You are going to try and outrun the Elara in a shuttle?  You are way dumber than you look.

ACTION: On the Elara viewscreen a small Ferengi shuttle is seen exiting and gaining distance from the mother ship

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: Remind me do we stun them or do we shoot to kill?

Gharly says: 
#::looks concerned at Peter::

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: Cap'n, they're launching a shuttle!

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#::Runs now, holding his phaser rifle at standby. Cursing, he notices the seven guards in front of him:: All: Cover your eyes! ::Pauses, he throws a flash grenade and quickly turns around::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
All: Will they never give up?!

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
CO: Should I tractor it?

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: Probably not.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CTO: yep

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
CO: ... and.. tractor beam engaged

ACTION: The Cardassians obviously didn't see a grenade stunned and fall to the floor

#ACTION: The shuttle goes to warp, resuming the Latinum's original course

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
Self: Here we go again.

ACTION: the Elara's beam misses the shuttle by just an inch of a light year

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#Security: Get something to tie them up, two of you are with me and the CSO. ::Continues running past the door::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
COM: Latinum: Don't go anywhere - we'll be right back

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Follows CIV, kicking one of the Cardies on the way while they're down::

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: Let me guess...

ACTION: The Ferengi cut the transmission with a shrug

CO Capt Timrok says: 
FCO: Set in a pursuit course

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
::jumps to warp after the shuttle:: CO: Off we go again.

#ACTION: The CIV and CSO come about a hangar bay, one Ferengi shuttle left

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
CO: They already had formed a semi-warp bubble diverting the beam.. it was unsuccessful.

ACTION: The Elara warps after the shuttle, which is faster than the Latinum. Five minutes to intercept, at which point they will be right at the edge of Federation space

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: Can you still detect the XO?

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CTO: never mind, well get them

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: What's the armament on one of these? ::Scans for the XO:: Nope! However I do detect a recent takeoff.

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: Try contacting the Elara, inform them of our situation.

@ACTION: The CEO's team with some effort have life support back working

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::gets up quickly and hits his head:: Self: Crap! Ah, now life support is back, we just have to keep it on.

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Tries to establish a connection with the Elara on her tricorder to see whether they're in comm range:: 

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#::Gives the Vorta an "it's going to be okay" smile:: Vorta: You have to give them points for persistence.

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Tries to SSH into her terminal in her quarters to synchronise with her appointment book:: Self: Ah, OpenSSH 308737.5a.

Vorta says: 
#::looks worried::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: I'm getting a very weak connection, but I am connected. Not sure for how long though, signal strength seems to indicate she's on the move.

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: 2 minutes to intercept.

CO Capt Timrok says: 
:: nods ::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
CTO: You know what to do

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: Can you hail them?

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CO: This is going to be very close, they're almost to Ferengi space.

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: I could give it a try!

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: You know what, you do that. I'll go scout around the shuttle. ::Moves towards the remaining shuttle::

CO Capt Timrok says: 
FCO: Like that's going to stop me

CEO Ens JoBrel says: 
@::gets up and moves over to another console trying to ignore the audience::

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: Yeah, they're out of combadge range. Looks like I'll need to use the Latinum's comm system, could try interfacing with the shuttle...might blow us to bits though! I'm no engineer.

FCO Lt Sollo says: 
CTO: Now Cosmo!

CTO Lt Starbuck says: 
::activates::

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: At least we'll go trying. ::Pokes his head from inside the shuttle:: Come on. ::Moves back inside the shuttle::

ACTION: The Tractor beam catches the Ferengi shuttle but only barely since they are at warp and the other vessel is shielded. The small shuttle starts modulating the shields to make the beam even weaker

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#::Steps into the shuttle and begins to scan the various consoles and panels to find the com system::

SM Lilia says: 
#ACTION: Inside the shuttle, the occupant's rock and Pazoski finds himself on the floor next to the Vorta. The Vorta somehow disengages the XO's chains

CIV Cmdr Maor says: 
#CSO: Remind me to assign you to the CEO for some classes. ::Studies the shuttle controls alertly::

XO LtCmdr Pazoski says: 
#::smiles to the Vorta and whispers:: Vorta: Good timing...

CSO Ens Lyta says: 
#CIV: But he smel...Yes sir.

SM Lilia says: 
=/\= =/\= =/\= Pause Mission =/\= =/\= =/\= 

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Terry Imrie is Captain Joseph Timrok (CO – Commanding Officer)
Peter Saunders is Lieutenant Commander Peter Pazoski (XO – Executive Officer)
Eldad Ben-Tovim is Commander Maor (CIV – Starfleet Intelligence Specialist)
Cosmo Starbuck is Lieutenant Cosmo Starbuck (CTO – Chief Tactical Officer)
Scott Knight is Lieutenant Iain Sollo (FCO – Flight Control Officer)
Andrew James is Ensign Jo'Brel (CEO – Chief Engineering Officer)
Andreas Habeland is Ensign Ezry Lyta (CSO – Chief Science Officer)

Lilia Perfeito is Vorta, Lt. Yellow, Ferengi, Cardassian #1 & Gharly
Tim Schols is Dr. Greene
Andrew James is Lt. Yellow too.

Stardate: 10702.11
Arc Title: “Let the games begin”
Part: Four
Ship Manager: Lilia Perfeito
Arc Creator: Lilia Perfeito

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