Star Trek: A Call To Duty – USS Huron
Season Eight, Episode Thirty-Nine (Mission #349)
“Mechanical Things That Go Bump In The Night – Part Seven”
Stardate 10712.08

Cast of Characters:
Commanding Officer    	 Captain Q’tor, House of Quveq 	played by     	Topper Loghry
Chief Tactical Officer 	 Commander Ec’Thel’lon		played by   	Steve Weller 
Chief Engineering Officer Commander Holly Sparks 	played by   	Pam Bruyere 
Flight Control Officer	 Lieutenant T’Lar Bishara		played by     	Lynda Anderson 
Chief Medical Officer	 Ensign William Grenth Stradiot	played by     	Andrew Cotterly

Absent:
Executive Officer		 Commander Naug 			played by	Jon Benson 

NPC’s:
BOT									played by   	Linda Baus
Q-Kringle								played by   	Linda Baus
Q-less 								played by   	Linda Baus
CMO [2]								played by   	Andrew Cotterly

Mission Prologue:  

Last time on the USS Huron …

The Captain [2] infected with Borg nanites attacked the Away Team members; and the Chief Medical Officer [2] was injected with nanites.  The Bots seemed to have the technology to destroy the Borg, but would they be able to help rid the nanites from the doctor without killing him?

While they wait for answers, the Away Team seems to have a few more issues that have surfaced.  Not only do they have to find the gateway home, but in order to pass through the gateway, they need their doubles.  This could pose a problem since some of the crew is missing, and others have been assimilated.

And if that wasn't enough to deal with, Q-Kringle is back, and there's only one little thing he wants in exchange for helping the crew.  But the Chief Engineering Officer wants no part of it.

Star Trek, A Call To Duty, is proud to present the USS Huron in “Mechanical Things That Go Bump In The Night”, Chapter Seven “Seventy-two hours,” Stardate 10712.08

<<<<<<<<<<<< Resume Mission >>>>>>>>>>>>>

BOT says:
CTO:  N-tem say your friend is unusual.  He is mixed breed.  N-tem say mixed breed hard to fix.

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
::Slowly wakes up and looks around.::  All: Ugh, my head...What did I miss?

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
::Standing with the BOT in front of N-tem, wondering how the creators fell if they had such capacity for defense.:: BOT: Sorry, nothing we can do about it though.  He is what he is, and he is a sentient being.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
CO:  I have to find my other half.

ACTION:  The Executive Officer [1] and Executive Officer [2] have gone off in search of the missing doubles.

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
CMO:  Nothing important.  Are you my Doctor, or the copy?

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
::Stands up quickly and is rewarded with his head spinning.:: CO: Yours, Sir.

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
::Begins to wander around looking for the other her.::  Self:  How do we get ourselves into these messes?

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT: The defense you have against the Borg...the bad machines, is impressive.  It makes me wonder, though.  How did the Borg beat your creators, if they had you to defend them?

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
FCO:  Calm down, Lieutenant. We all have that same problem, but the last thing we need is to split up.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
CO: I am calm, Sir.  I just don't like what is happening here, and with Q Kringle around either.

BOT says:
CTO:  They assimilated them.  The Borg are our creators.  We tried to save them, but we failed.

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
CEO:  Don't wander too far Commander.

ACTION:  The temperature on the planet has dropped 5 degrees F.  Day time will be over in about 4 hours.

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
::Turns quickly.::  CO: Aye, Sir.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
CO: Temperature is dropping, Sir.

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
FCO: He is a pain, but for now we'll just have to proceed as if he were not here.

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT: The Borg are your creators?  Do you mean your creators are now Borg, or that when you were created, the creators were Borg?

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
CO:  I'd go with the Flight Control Officer to find her double.  ::Shakes head.::  I've got nothing really to do here, Sir.  We really need to find everyone to get the heck out of here.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
CO:  Captain, Sir, I am sensing our doubles.  They are nearby but I can't pinpoint exactly where they are.

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
CMO:  Sit tight until Commander Ec'Thel'Ion returns.  He may be able to get some much needed answers for us.

BOT says:
CTO:  Creators made us.  We lived here and served them, until the machines came and made the Creators bad.

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
::Walks a few steps looking for the other selves but keeping the away team in view.::

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
FCO:  Keep trying to locate them.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
CO:  Aye, Sir.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
::Closes eyes and clears her mind and seeks out each of the doubles one by one in an effort to pinpoint their location.::

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
::Looks around for any signs of the doubles.::

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
::Looking at the tricorder like its gone off the charts.::  CO:  Umm...Captain?  We are all younger than when we arrived here.  All of us seem to be 6 months...and you, Sir, 9 months.

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT:  So they got passed you, I take it.  You said you could show me what the creators looked like.  Is that image close?

Q-Kringle says:
::Suddenly appears next to the Flight Control Officer.  Sees her eyes closed and yells in her ear.::  FCO:  Boo!

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
::Jumps six feet into the air.::

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
CMO: Younger?

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
::Spins to Q-Kringle.::  Q-Kringle:  Who the heck are you?

BOT says:
CTO:  Creators .. looked like you, but not your color.  You are different.  ::Tilts his head as if trying to read him.::

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
Q-Kringle: Sheesh man you scared the daylights out of me.  Where are our doubles?

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
CO: Yes, Sir...almost like the longer we're here, the younger we get?

Q-Kringle says:
CMO:  Q-Kringle .. at your service, doctor.
FCO:  I dunno, where would you like them to be?

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
Q-Kringle:  What do you want now?

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT: Same build but different color?  Same color as my hair, or something totally different?

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
Q Kringle: I would like to find our doubles if it is alright with you?  ::Smiling.::

Q-Kringle says:
CO:  Nothing really.  Just wondering how the great Legendary Captain Q'tor is going to get himself out of this mess.  I can help you know.  For a price.  ::Grins at him.::

BOT says:
CTO:  The same as you are .. but different.  You are not leader then?  You did not come back for us?

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
CO:  Ask him what is the price?

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
::Glances around at Icky as she continues her search.::

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
::Whispers to the Flight Control Officer.:: FCO: I've got a bad feeling about this...

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
Q-Kringle:  I know your price and Commander Sparks is not available for you.

Q-Kringle says:
CO:  But there's 2 of her.  Surely one would be interested in amusing me for the night.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
::Whispers to the Chief Medical Officer.::  CMO: You air't whistling Dixie on that one.  It is all bad.

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT:  No, I came here as an explorer.  We had no idea what was on the other side.

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
Q-Kringle:  I would not presume to speak for her double, but I would think she finds you just as repugnant as the original.

ACTION:  The chest of the BOT opens up to display an image of a Creator that looks the same as an Andorian, but with white skin.

BOT says:
CTO:  This is our Creator.  Are you not him?

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
CO:  If I might interject here...I've noticed a pattern between the other Doctor and myself.  My copy seemed to embody the more Vulcan side of me, and I seem... ::takes a deep breath:: to be dealing with more emotions than usual...perhaps the copy is just another side of us?

Q-Kringle says:
CO:  Oh come now, Captain.  Surely you can order this.  Just give me one week with Holly, and I'll make all of this go away.  I'll even save her first.  What do you say?  ::Pauses as if distracted.::  Time to go.  Trouble is coming.  ::Snaps his fingers and disappears.::

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT:  No, that's not me.  It looks kind of like a close species from my world, but not exactly either.

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
::Moves back towards the rest of the team.::

BOT says:
CTO:  Then we are still alone.  ::Looks sad.::

ACTION:  A female Q suddenly appears in front of the Captain.  She appears to be about 9 months pregnant.

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
CMO: Interesting theory Doctor, but it would seem to be a mute point at the moment.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
::Jaw drops.::

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
PregQ:  And who are you?

Q-less says: 
Out loud:  Kringle!  I know you're here!  Come back you little creep.  ::Looks at the CO.::  
CO:  Where is he?!  ::Holds her back.::  Little creep thinks he can sneak out on his responsibilities, he's got another thing coming!  
Out loud:  Kringle?!  ::Disappears.::

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
ALL:  That was... interesting.

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
::Chuckles.::

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT: You don't have to be.  If we can find a way to keep the gateway open, you could join the rest of the galaxy, or at least the part we live in.

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
::Walks up beside the Captain.:: CO: Sir, you attract the strangest people. ::Smiles.::

BOT says:
CTO:  We can not leave this world.  N-tem keeps us alive.  N-tem is part of us.  If we leave, we will cease to exist.

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT: You wouldn't have to leave.  Our people could come here, trade of visitors doesn't need to be two way.  You could have contact with others, if you don't wish to be alone.

ACTION:  A very pale Chief Medical Officer suddenly appears in front of the Chief Tactical Officer and BOT.  He is alive .. but very weak.

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
CEO:  You're one to talk.  Q-Kringle has an unhealthy interest in you.

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
::Moves to help the Chief Medical Officer [2].::  CMO [2]: Gotcha Doc, you all right?

Q-Kringles says:
::Suddenly pops up behind the Chief Engineering Officer.::  CEO:  Quick, hide me.  She thinks I made her .. Oh she found me.  ::Disappears again.::

CMO [2] says: 
::Gasps for air.::  CTO: I shall live.

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
CO:  It wasn't intentional on my part, Captain.  He's just nuts and it seems he does have someone else to answer to.

BOT says:
CTO:  N-tem says he will be fine, but he may have ::thinks for a moment::  .. I believe you call them side effects.

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
::Turns quickly as Q appears then disappears.::

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
CEO:  Am I beginning to sense a bit of leverage here?

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
CMO [2]: That's good to hear.  Take it easy for a bit.  When you're ready, I can help you back to the others.

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
CO:  I was thinking the same thing, Sir.  ::Smiles evilly.:: Do you have a plan?

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT/ N-tem: Thank you, side effects of the treatment will pass, the problem wouldn't have.

CMO [2] says:
::Stands up straight, wavering slightly.::  CTO:  I'm ready...Let’s go.

Q-Kringles says:
::Pops up next to the Flight Control Officer.::  FCO:  Protect me.  She is trying to hurt me.

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
CEO:  More of a seed than an actual plan.  But there's got to be a way to use this to our advantage.

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
CMO [2]: Okay, if you have anything I can help you with, let me know.

CMO [2] says:
CTO: Yes, Sir.

BOT says:
CTO:  We must find doubles, and get you to the gateway.

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
CO:  A visit from the green-eyed monster might be the ticket, Sir.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
Q-Kringle:  Who is trying to hurt you?

BOT says:
CMO/CTO:  You do not belong here.

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
::Starts walking back to the others.::  BOT: Yes, we do.  But I also meant what I said; we could keep the gates open so you could have people visit you.  You don't have to be alone.

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
Q-Kringle:  How would you propose that us mere mortals protect you from another Q?

Q-Kringle says:
FCO:  Q-less.  She thinks I .. I .. I didn't do it. It's not mine.  She's trying to trick me!
CO:  I request asylum, Captain.  I need your protection.

CMO [2] says:
BOT: Indeed, however, there are issues which must be addressed; such as the location of said doubles.

BOT says:
CMO2:  I will help you locate them.  But you must convince them they need to leave.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
Q-Kringle: What are you babbling about not being yours?

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
::Chuckles.::  Q-Kringle:  Claiming sanctuary?

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
::Then it dawns on her.::

Q-Kringle says:
Out loud:  Oh for Q's sake!  Have you not seen the woman's pregnant?  
CMO:  Yes, I demand protection.
::Walks up to the Chief Engineering Officer.::  CEO:  Just tell her I'm with you, doll.  Maybe she'll go away.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
Q-Kringle: OH Your Q-Less is pregnant?  ::Tries to stifle a small laugh.::

CMO [2] says:
::Nods.:: BOT: I shall do my best. I know not about my fellow crewmates, however. ::Looks over at the Chief Tactical Officer.::

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
Q-Kringle:  Maybe we can help.  What is it the Humans say?  "You scratch our back and we'll scratch yours?"

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT:  We'll convince them.  We're explorers, but we have a duty to return and report what we learned.

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
::Sidles up to Q-Kringle.::  Q-Kringle:  But I thought you wanted to be with me?  ::Pouts.::  Now I find there's someone else?  You wound me, Q.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
Q-Kringle:  If it is not yours?  Then whose is it?

Q-Kringle says:
Out loud:  She's found me again!  
CO:  Captain, do something!  ::Snaps his fingers and disappears.::

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
::Thinks so much for that approach.::

BOT says:
CTO:  There can be no visitors, my ex-leader.  Only Creators are allowed to stay here.  Sadly, you must go.  You must all go.

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
::Looks over at the Chief Engineering Officer clearly enjoying this new turn of events.::

Q-less says:
::Only with a voice that the others can hear.::  Q-Kringle:  Q-Kringle!  Stop running away!  I'll find you, and when I do ....  ::sentence fades off leaving all to wonder.::

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT:  If that is the way it must be, I can at least do this.  I promise, I'll search the Federation Database, see if there's any report of other of your creator's being spotted.

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
::Looks around in bewilderment.::  All:  I must be going crazy...I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE!

BOT says:
CTO/CMO:  We leave now, find the others.  
CTO:  I thank you for offering to help us.  No one has done that in more than two hundred years.  ::Heads to the door to leave the building they are in.::

CMO [2] says:
CTO:  Let us hurry...::Follows the BOT.::

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT: Any information you have on them would help.  It's a big universe, but a small chance is better than none.  ::Follows the BOT.::

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
::Continues to walk in circles.::

BOT says:
CTO:  We .. fear that others will come if we tell you ..  We do not wish to be a ::thinks:: tourist attraction?

Host CO_CAPT_Q`tor says:
FCO: Have you come up with the locations of any of the missing doubles?

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
CO:  As a matter of fact, I have, Sir.  They are right outside the city.

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
FCO: All of them? Together?

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
::Stands there confused and wondering if everyone has gone completely off their rockers too.::

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
BOT: But if we don't open the gateway...well, I guess you're right.  Do you have a name for them at least?  What they called themselves?  Like I'm an Andorian, and the Doctor is part Vulcan, part human.

FCO_Lt_Bishara says:
CMO: Yep, all of them.

BOT says:
CTO:  They are Creators.  They are N-tem.

CMO [2] says:
CTO: Not to get irritating, but where is the rest of the crew?  Are we far?

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
CMO: Not too far.  
BOT: That's what you call them.  But I suppose you may not have heard their name for themselves.  No need to introduce themselves to beings they brought into being.

ACTION:  The Chief Tactical Officer and Chief Medical Officer [2] can see the rest of the away team members.

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
::Looks over at the Flight Control Officer and starts thinking to himself, before slapping his face to stop the thoughts.:: Self: I'm loosing it...I can't deal with this...

CMO [2] says:
CTO: There they are...something doesn't look right.

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
CMO [2]: Some of them are missing.  That's next on our list, but stopping your assimilation was priority.

CMO [2] says:
::Shakes head.:: CTO: I meant in appearance...everyone looks...younger.

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
CMO [2]: Oh, sorry, from this distance I didn't notice.  Sharp eyes over distance are useless on a world covered in blizzards most of the year, even harmful with glare.

BOT says:
OTHER BOTS:  Machines are at the gateway.  We must protect gateway.  ::Moves off in the direction of outside the city.::

ACTION:  All the BOTS in the city appear to be moving outside the city, following the head-BOT.

CMO [2] says:
CTO: You get the rest of the crew. I shall follow the BOTS.  ::Follows the BOT.::

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
::Nods and rushes to the others.::  All: BOTS just said the Borg are gathering at the gateway.  Might be a good chance to recover the Captain, or his double, or however it is.

ACTION:  A chanting can be heard in the distance .. Your distinctiveness will be added to our own.  Resistance is futile...

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
::Holding head.::  CTO:  Yeah?  And we're standing around...why?

ACTION:  As the BOTS move toward the gateway, the doubles are seen running away from the Borg.

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
CMO:  Had to get the rest of you.  Splitting up now didn't seem like a good move, considering how we lost so many doubles.

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
::Walks over to Icky.::  CTO:  Are you alright?

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
CEO:  I'm fine, although it seems I've been downgraded to "former leader".  ::Grins.::

CMO [2] says:
Head-BOT:  Do you have a weapon of some sort I could use?  My fists aren't exactly the best.

ACTION:  One of the Borg has attacked the Flight Control Officer [2] and she is down for the count, injected with Nanites.

CEO_Cmdr_Sparks says:
CTO: You're a leader in my eyes Icky.  ::Smiles and gives his arm a pinch.::

CMO_Ensign_Stradiot says:
::Starts panicking.::  All: If we don't hurry, we're never gonna get outta here!

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
All: Staying close to the BOTS; seems to be our best protection.  Let's go to 'em, not that we can help much.

BOT says:
CMO[2]:  Weapons are not allowed.  We will protect you.

ACTION:  A drone approaches the Chief Medical Officer [2], and grabs him, but instead of trying to inject him with nanites, the drone throws him on the ground and walks away.

BOT says:
CMO [2]:  You are immune to them for now.  But that immunity will not last long.  You must save your strength.  ::Helps him up.::

CTO_Cmdr_Ec`Thel`Ion says:
::Starts moving the crew towards the protection of the bots.::

CMO [2] says:
::Stands up and nods to the BOT.::  BOT: Thank you.

<<<<<<<<<<<< Pause Mission >>>>>>>>>>>>>

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