Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
   Prelude: Last time on ACTD Kootenai Station…

It's been a week since the crew of Kootenai station had to deal with the abrupt departure of their Captain, and things are finally starting to get back to normal, but the box that their Doctor had been told was on the way has finally arrived and the crew has been ordered by their new Captain to assemble in the Briefing Room, and the Doctor has been told to bring the cube.

Cast of Characters

Pablo Delsoglio as CO Captain Satok Marek
Steve Seliquini as XO Lieutenant Commander Rick Spicer
Kytra Seliquini as CTO Lieutenant Commander Bao’tzhu Shengming Rr’Vellan
Juanita Wilson as CNS Lieutenant Commander Alana Torez 
Eric VanSickle as CEO Ensign JG. Groth Masters, EO Hanz

Guest Appearance
SM-Darlene Wise as TO Bailey
ASM Gary Cole as Admiral Benjamin Warner and CMO Commander Sovok

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
<<<<<Begin Kootenai Mission "Crossroads">>>>>

CEO_Masters says:
::In the Briefing Room, sitting at the table::

TO_Bailey says:
::In the Briefing Room settling into his seat at the conference table.  Moves his coffee mug slightly::

CMO_Sovok says:
::Walks in, shyly, holding the cube, not know why they want it::

CO_Marek says:
::Relinquishes conn to a relief officer and heads to the Briefing Room::

CNS_Alana says:
::Walks into the Briefing Room and takes her seat, begins reading a PADD she carried and waits for the rest of the crew to arrive::

CMO_Sovok says:
::Takes his seat and sets the cube on the table::

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Sits in the Briefing Room, resting her paws on her belly.::

XO_Spicer says:
::Follows the CO to the Briefing Room:: CO: Captain. ::Nods to the CO::

CO_Marek says:
::Enters the Briefing Room and nods to the assembled officers:: All: Gentlemen, Ladies…

CEO_Masters says:
CO: Captain...

TO_Bailey says:
::Nods to the new command crew and sips his coffee::

CO_Marek says:
All: Well, we are supposed to receive the subspace communication any minute now. ::Takes his seat::

CEO_Masters says:
TO: Bailey, is that regular or unleaded?

ASM_Gary says:
ACTION: A console blinks as it signals a subspace communication.

TO_Bailey says:
::Turns his seat to face the display screen on the far wall::

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Perks her ears and looks up::

XO_Spicer says:
::Walks behind the CTO and whispers:: CTO: Good Morning. ::Takes his 
seat::

TO_Bailey says:
CEO: Leaded....I don't drink unleaded.

CO_Marek says:
::Taps on the wall console::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
::Looks across subspace at the Captain Marek::

CEO_Masters says:
TO: Of course, I drink ractijino.

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Glances at Rick::

CO_Marek says:
::Sees the SF logo on the screen and accepts the incoming COM::
 
Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
CO: Captain, I apologize for not contacting YOU earlier, Captain, but at the time Captain Kerst was in command and the letter informing him of the artifact that I'm going to talk about was given to him and not to you. I hope you won't have problems catching up.

CO_Marek says:
Admiral.: Not problem at all, Admiral. However ::Raises an eyebrow:: I would be convenient if you explain a bit more the reason why you are calling this meeting.

TO_Bailey says:
::Looks at the Admiral on the display screen::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
CO: Certainly, I haven't even gotten to the reasons yet, but rest assured that I will. ::Glances at the cube on the desk::

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Tilts her head to look at the Admiral, winces as she feels a kick::

CEO_Masters says:
::Doesn't like unsurity::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: As you are now aware, an artifact was recovered by a Starfleet team from a black market in Virginia on the North American continent of Earth. This artifact, while belonging to your doctor and his family, has more to it than I explained in my letter to him.

CO_Marek says:
Admiral: I am certain you will, Admiral.

XO_Spicer says:
::Listens intently::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
::Nods:: CO: I've got a short speech I'd like to make and at the end I'll take questions.

TO_Bailey says:
::Turns head slightly, following the Admiral's line of sight.  Sees the cube sitting on the table in front of Doc Sovok::

CEO_Masters says:
::Listens to the admiral:: Self: This has got to be good.

CO_Marek says:
Admiral: ::Glances at the cube:: We are all ears, Admiral ::Glances at the Doctor::

XO_Spicer says:
::Leans back in his chair thinking that all Admirals always want to make speeches. sighs::

CMO_Sovok says:
::Looks back at the Captain and shrugs::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: The artifact was last seen in the hands of Sakkath, a Vulcan male about the age of 150. The man was sent on a simple mission: to extract an undercover agent on a Klingon vessel. The mission was so simple, in fact, that the Vulcan High Command allowed him to bring his family and a small transport ship.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: They had a cover story, but really no failsafe plan in case things went wrong. Unfortunately, things did go wrong, and both Sakkath, his wife T'Vran, and their child Sovok were brought aboard the Klingon ship. Intel from that point on is non-existent.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: The man they sent to extract was a Vulcan working under-cover on board the Klingon ship to gather information on the Captain of the ship, Kolar R'Drah R'Drah is a Klingon war criminal, and until the under-cover operation, no solid evidence was present.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: The Vulcan's hoped that by undertaking this mission, enough evidence could be gathered to hold a tribunal. The under-cover man's alias was Jor'hjh. Sakkath was sent to extract him, but failed in doing so and was murdered by Kolar along with his wife.

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Takes notes on her PADD::

CMO_Sovok says:
::Recognizes the names::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: From what we understand from the events that transpired, Jor'hjh saved Sovok's life and made arrangements for his safe arrival in the Sol system upon the Klingon ships next unauthorized visit. The skirmish, which preceded the arrival of the Klingon ship into Federation space resulted in the near destruction of a Ferengi Marauder.

CO_Marek says:
::Makes A LOT of mental notes::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: We know that the Bird of Prey containing Kolar and his crew was responsible for its damage and we know that Sovok and the cube were safely dropped off before the Bird of Prey's departure from the system. Details on the reason for the exchange between the Bird of Prey and the Ferengi are sketchy, but they are assumed to be unrelated.

CEO_Masters says:
::Shakes his head at all the twists and turns in the story::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: No contact with Jor'hjh has been made since the situation more than 30 years ago. The original accepted theory is that he has remained under-cover for over 30 years.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: Coming out from his cover would inform the Klingons of the Vulcan's espionage in the Klingon Empire and possibly start a war, however, it doesn't look like Jor'hjh has tried very hard to contact the Vulcan High Command and the assumption of his defection is becoming more and more an accepted hypothesis.

TO_Bailey says:
::Chokes on his coffee::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: This is where the importance of the Vulcan cube comes into play. Inside of it, Sakkath noted in his logs that he placed the receiver for a tracking beacon that was surgically implanted into Jor'hjh during his medical transformation for his espionage work.

CO_Marek says:
Admiral: A delicate matter, indeed.

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Taps Bailey on the back::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
::Nods:: CO: Very...

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: With this receiver, the information from the transmitter can be decoded and his location can be found. If Jor'hjh truly has defected, it has been a long time since we have been able to do anything about it.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: 25 years ago, Klingon intelligence reported the disappearance and apparent betrayal of a single Bird of Prey from the Klingon Empire. The crew manifest matches closely to the original crew of the Bird of Prey that Jor'hjh served on.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: This didn't help our investigation back then at all, as any attempts to tell the Klingons to look for Jor'hjh would no longer be useful. Because of the Vulcan High Command's constant stalling, no messages were sent, and as far as the Klingons are concerned, every man on that ship is full blooded Klingon.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: All of the men on board this ship are war criminals, and must be brought to justice. They are theorized for the deaths of over 2,500 people over various occasions, and tales of the ship still survive to this day.

TO_Bailey says:
::Raises a furry eyebrow::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: That tracking beacon is the only way we can possibly track these criminals, and without your Doctor, that box won't be open, and our attempts to finally end this defector's run from his destiny would be useless.

CEO_Masters says:
::Growls:: Admiral: Sir, that does not sound like a very honorable crew.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
CEO: Not at all honorable. They'd rather be rolling in latinum than bathed in honor.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: Your mission is to open the Vulcan cube and translate the data in the receiver. After doing so, your crew will be immediately assembled and you will track the ship. Once you find her, attempt and disable her. If a peaceful solution is not possible, destroy the ship by any means necessary.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: I'd like to warn you, however, Captain. This ship is a Klingon Bird of Prey, and while an aging one at that, still has a working cloaking device, and many upgrades that they have attained over the years. Tales of this ship make it seem impossibly powerful for how small it is.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: And I'd like to open the floor to questions now... I know it's a lot to take in all at once, but the Cube was just found, and this needed to be executed quickly.

CO_Marek says:
Admiral: Legends and tales always tend to exaggerate, Admiral ::Raises an eyebrow::

TO_Bailey says:
::Raises his paw::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
TO: Yes?

CEO_Masters says:
ADM/CO: And let's hope this one is taller than it actually is.

TO_Bailey says:
Admiral: How will we identify the Bird of Prey?

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Gives Sovok a worried look::

CMO_Sovok says:
::Looks over at the CTO, now knowing where his visions came from::

CO_Marek says:
::Stares at the cube, his mind wondering about the complex mechanism that opens it::

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
TO: The tracking device located inside the cube should lead you to Jor'hjh... if he's still aboard the Bird of Prey, which we assume he is, it should lead you there.

XO_Spicer says:
ADM/CO: Why is it that only the Doc can open the box?

CO_Marek says:
XO: I was about to ask the same.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
XO: We believe the cube has a complex DNA sequencing lock.

TO_Bailey says:
::Nods::

XO_Spicer says:
Admiral: If it turns out that Jor'hjh is not aboard the Bird of Prey, do we still apprehend him?

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
XO: Yes, by any means necessary. His knowledge will help us locate them.. but if that is the case, once you have him, bring him back to the station. Alive...

TO_Bailey says:
::Looks at the new XO puzzled and thinks: If Jor'hjh is not aboard the Bird of Prey how can we apprehend him?::

CO_Marek says:
Admiral/XO: The tracking device will lead us to Jor'hjh , whether he is or not aboard the ship, I supposed

XO_Spicer says:
Admiral: And what about the Bird of Prey? Do we go after it as well?

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
XO: If Jor'hjh is still aboard the Bird of Prey, go after the ship, if he is not, just go after him.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
All: Any more questions? We've been after these men for a long time.. you'll be doing the Alpha Quadrant quite a favor.

CO_Marek says:
Admiral: We will do our best to accomplish this mission, Admiral.

TO_Bailey says:
::Shakes his head "no" then glances around the table at the officers::

CEO_Masters says:
Admiral: Sir, one question.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
CEO: Yes?

CO_Marek says:
::Glances at the CEO::

CEO_Masters says:
Admiral: If one of us were to meet our target one-on-one, do we have authorization to try to, ahem, "apprehend" him ourselves?

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
CEO: Well.. I understand what you're saying, but we really would like them all alive... if there are no other options left, you may "apprehend" these criminals. Whatever it takes.

CEO_Masters says:
Admiral: Understood, Sir.

Admiral_Benjamin_Warner says:
CO: I have full confidence in you and your crew, Captain. Warner out.

TO_Bailey says:
::Looks to the CO and raises his paw::

CO_Marek says:
All: Fine. You heard the Admiral. This is a very... huh... Yes, Bailey?

CEO_Masters says:
::Gets whiff of Bailey's underarm odor::

TO_Bailey says:
CO: Suggest we ask Admiral Mitchell if we can borrow the Seahawk, Sir.

CMO_Sovok says:
CO: Well.. first we have to figure out how I open this...

CO_Marek says:
::Raises an eyebrow:: TO: I assume you are asking this because of the fire power...That's not a bad idea, Mister Bailey. I will consider it. ::Taps on his PADD::

TO_Bailey says:
::Nods to the CO then looks to the CMO::

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Watches Sovok::

CMO_Sovok says:
::Is looking down at the box, fiddling with it::

CO_Marek says:
CMO: Yes, this a top priority assignment for everyone. Let's find out how this trick box works.

TO_Bailey says:
::Raises a paw::

CEO_Masters says:
CMO: Maybe you just need to touch it.

CO_Marek says:
CMO: Admiral Warner mentioned something about you DNA code. I suggest we start from there.

XO_Spicer says:
::Watches the Doctor play with the box::

CMO_Sovok says:
::Looks up and sets the box on the table:: CO: Initial findings show that nothing moves, Sir..

CO_Marek says:
TO: Yes, Mr. Bailey? ::Raises an eyebrow... once again::

TO_Bailey says:
::Looks to the CMO:: CMO: Have you scanned that box for explosive devices, Doc?  ::Adds:: Or for biohazards?

CMO_Sovok says:
TO: I sincerely doubt my ancestors would rig this thing to explode...

CEO_Masters says:
::Starts to really feel Bailey's tension::

TO_Bailey says:
CMO: Pardon me, Doc but we don't know for sure what exactly is inside that box.  It could be anything or nothing.  It could be dangerous or not.  ::Stands and grips his phaser::

CO_Marek says:
TO: If this contains an explosive device, I guess that it should have went off when it was being studied in Starfleet Headquarters, Bailey.

TO_Bailey says:
::Looks to the CO:: CO: Sir, yes, but what if the box was tampered with between the time it left SFC and its arrival here?

CO_Marek says:
TO: Calm down Lieutenant!  That's an order!  What is wrong with you?!

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Raises an eyebrow and wonders what's up with Bailey. Hopes he didn't order his coffee double sweet.::

CMO_Sovok says:
::Looks around the table:: All: I know this is going to sound... strange... but recently I've been having visions, about the past, and about everything the Admiral talked about.. this box was in those visions. I know it's safe.

CEO_Masters says:
TO: Bailey!  I think you should go unleaded for a while.  You're much too tense.

CO_Marek says:
TO: I think you are overreacting, Bailey.

TO_Bailey says:
CO: With all due respect, Sir...fine, then take a chance and we might all be blown to bits or worse, infected with some kind of mysterious virus.  ::Holsters his phaser but doesn't sit down::

XO_Spicer says:
::Watches the TO and the CO::

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Pulls out her tricorder and slides it down the table to Bailey:: TO: Why don't you scan it?

CO_Marek says:
TO: You are acting ...strange, Lieutenant. You better calm down or I'll you force to leave this room immediately.

CMO_Sovok says:
::Looks over to Bailey:: TO: You may scan it if you like. I doubt you'll get anything. Starfleet said they couldn't transport the contents out of the box.. that probably means they couldn't scan it either.

CO_Marek says:
::Signals the CTO to handle this situation with the TO::

TO_Bailey says:
::Shakes his head:: CMO: No, go ahead, Doc.  I'm ready to die anyway.

CMO_Sovok says:
::Digs around in his pocket and takes out a laser scalpel:: CO: I suggest I prick my finger and see if my blood activates the cube... I mean, it may be advanced, but it's old, and it can't be too advanced.

CO_Marek says:
All: Any suggestions?

CEO_Masters says:
CO: I think the doctor might have the best idea yet.

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Gets up and stands next to Bailey:: TO: You alrrright? ::Whispered::

TO_Bailey says:
::Nods but doesn't take his eyes off the box::

CMO_Sovok says:
::Shrugs and turns on the scalpel, pricking his pinky and letting drops fall on the smooth center parts of each side of the cube before putting pressure back on his finger to stop the bleeding::

CO_Marek says:
CMO: Why don't you just simply take a sample of your blood, instead of doing that?

CMO_Sovok says:
CO: Well, this was just lying in my pocket, Sir.

CO_Marek says:
CMO: Fine.

CMO_Sovok says:
::Sets the box down on the table::

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Whispers:: TO: As long as it's not because of me, Lt.

TO_Bailey says:
::Whispers:: CTO: If this thing explodes we won't have to worry about it, Commander.

CEO_Masters says:
CO: Sir, if we tried just a sample of his blood, the thing might not open.  Maybe the blood needs to be fresh.

CO_Marek says:
XO/CEO: Making a constant tricorder sweep over the box.

ASM_Gary says:
ACTION: The box sits there, and does nothing, but the crews' ears start to pick up a very, very faint ring, but they don't know if it's them or actually the cube.

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Perks her ears::

CEO_Masters says:
All: I think my ears are starting to ring.

TO_Bailey says:
::Shakes his head to clear the ringing sound::

CMO_Sovok says:
::Looks at the stupid cube:: CO: Maybe I wasn't right... ::Listens to his ears::

CO_Marek says:
::His sensitive ears perceive a faint sound::

XO_Spicer says:
::Notices he isn't the only one experiencing the ringing sensation::

XO_Spicer says:
::Activates a tricorder to record the sound emanating from the cube::

ASM_Gary says:
ACTION: Suddenly the ring goes to an extremely deep rumble, begging to rumble cups and PADDs closer to the edge of the table as the box erupts in a brilliant green light. When the light fades, all that is left of the box is the bottom section, the sides have vanished.

CO_Marek says:
All: Is that sound coming from the box??

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Tilts her head:: All: What on Earrrth?

TO_Bailey says:
::Jumps back and pulls out his phaser, aiming it at the box::

CMO_Sovok says:
::Blinks a few times::

CEO_Masters says:
All: Look!  ::Points at the box::

CO_Marek says:
::Moves next to what left of the box::

XO_Spicer says:
::Covers his eyes momentarily as the bright light bursts::

CMO_Sovok says:
CO: I think we can safely assume it's open, Sir.

CO_Marek says:
CMO: I see...

ASM_Gary says:
ACTION: Sitting on the single surface left of the box is a transmitter, blinking very, very faintly

XO_Spicer says:
::Motions for Bailey to secure his phaser::

CO_Marek says:
All: There is our famous transmitter.

CEO_Masters says:
::Whispers:: TO: Time to switch to decaf, Bailey.

CMO_Sovok says:
CO: Indeed...

TO_Bailey says:
::Shoves the phaser back into his holster::

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Pats Bailey gently on the paw::

XO_Spicer says:
::Waits to see if anyone attempts to pick up the receiver::

CO_Marek says:
All: I suggest to link this transmitter to the computer, to see if it is actually working, and if it can lead us to the Klingon rebel.

CMO_Sovok says:
CO: Agreed. ::Stands, looking at what's left of the ancient cube, knowing that his last link to his parents was gone::

XO_Spicer says:
::Reaches across the table and picks up the receiver and examines it::
CO: I believe that we can configure the systems to link to this, Sir.

CEO_Masters says:
CO/XO: I can assist the doctor on this, Sirs.

CO_Marek says:
XO/CEO: Fine, proceed now.

XO_Spicer says:
::Hands the receiver to the CMO:: CMO: Here you are Doc.

CEO_Masters says:
CO: Aye, Sir.  CMO: Ready, Doc?

CMO_Sovok says:
::Takes it and looks at it:: XO: Thanks Rick.., Sir. CEO: As ready as I'll ever be.

CO_Marek says:
XO: I want that this whole matter remains as secret as possible, Number one.

XO_Spicer says:
::Smiles at the CMO::

CEO_Masters says:
::Goes out to Ops and begins setting up the adapter in engineering console::

XO_Spicer says:
CO: Aye, Sir.

CMO_Sovok says:
::Smiles back, a little wierded out by the new command structure::

TO_Bailey says:
::Watches as the CMO and CEO exit the Briefing Room:: CO: Sir, are we dismissed?

XO_Spicer says:
CTO: I need you to develop a cover story for the record.

CO_Marek says:
XO: Also, we should be reading our Mission Team. I will ask Admiral Mitchell regarding Bailey's suggestion. What do you think?

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Nods:: XO: Alrrright, Rrrick.

CO_Marek says:
TO: Dismissed, Lieutenant and please avoid any metabolic stimulant beverages.

XO_Spicer says:
CO: The Seahawk is a fine ship. I concur with Mister Bailey.

CMO_Sovok says:
CEO: It should be easy to fix, right?

CEO_Masters says:
CMO: All I need is a wrench and a pair of pliers, and I can fix anything.  ::Hooks adapter to the transceiver::

TO_Bailey says:
::Nods then turns and walks out of the Briefing Room, a bit disgusted at the lack of security protocols taken or not taken with the cube and wondering what happened to the old CTO Marek?::

CMO_Sovok says:
::Watches the CEO and sits down:: CEO: If you need any help I took an engineering annex course at the academy. Might have been helpful... although I wasn't a very successful engineer.

CTO_Rr`Vellan says:
::Walks next to Bailey:: TO: How about we head back to the securrrity office, have a doughnut and play "good cop bad cop" with the prrrisonerrrs in the Brrrig?

CO_Marek says:
XO: Fine. Please assemble the mission crew. See that the Special Team join us. I will talk with Admiral Mitchell. Let's see how she takes this request.

TO_Bailey says:
CTO: Sounds good to me, Commander.  ::Motions:: After you...

CEO_Masters says:
CMO: Since you know this doo-hickey better than I, pull up a chair at the aux console.

CMO_Sovok says:
CEO: Will do.

XO_Spicer says:
CO: Yes, Sir. ::Leaves the Briefing Room::

CO_Marek says:
CEO/CMO: Keep me informed on your progress, Gentlemen.

ASM_Gary says:
<<<<<<<<Pause Kootenai Mission>>>>>>>>>

This message includes a Star Trek: A Call To Duty mission transcript. The transcript is for entertainment purposes only and cannot be redistributed or copied. Copyright © 2004 by Star Trek: A Call To Duty. All Rights Reserved.