USS Nighthawk, Mission Transcript 10711.17
Mission Number 331
The Journey: Obstacles VII
 
Cast
Sam Hung as Captain Sid Monroe 
Tim Schols as Commander Gary Jackson 
Chris Esterhuyse as Commander Varesh 
Lília Perfeito as Lieutenant Christina van den Tulpen
Patrick Mickle as Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Al’Thor 
Joseph Leonard as Ensign Carter

Ship Manager 
Karriaunna Scotti
Guest SM Mike Jones

Missing in Action
Jim Koeller as Lieutenant Aaron Knight (excused)
Karriaunna Scotti as Lieutenant Brianna Rose (excused)
Scott Knight as Lieutenant Junior Grade Caelan Trigger (excused)

NPC
Kurt Goring as Orion Captain Armour
Sam Hung as Cadet Morrow
Mike Jones as NH TO

Summary:

The crew fire upon the wall where it meet's the force-field blowing out some generators, and making a hole in the field. While they continued to do this the CSO dispatched a probe via transporter beyond the hole in the field. Unfortunately the probe did not make it very far, as a new barrier ... an unexpected transparent window deflected the transport, causing the probe to rematerialize just beyond the force-field, and right before the "glass" window. Once the hole in the force-field was large enough, they tried firing on this "glass" ... but the phaser fire was refracted, causing damage to nearby vessels. 
        Analysis of the glass, showed it had been previously "dormant” but now the molecules of the barrier were shifting in reaction to the presence of any particles trying to force their way through. While the phaser fire was being refracted, it was causing some damage ... but not enough as the barrier was established to be about a mile thick. The crew then tried some new tactics with their phaser fire, narrowing the beam and re-modulating the frequencies. This resulted in some more refraction, but of less force. 
        The refracting phaser bursts constant struck the surrounding vessels starting to cause the dormant crafts to start listing into each other. A chain reaction of collisions began. The aCO, fearful of damaging these vessels in case their crews were still around (or something even worse happening), immediately ordered a halt to fire and for the Nighthawk to come about and attempt to tractor the colliding vessels to some sort of stand still.
       Hopping to stop the collisions, the Nighthawk fired a single torpedo aft at the barrier causing some more damage… a massive explosion as the torpedo was refracted…

Time Lapse:
None

Mission Facts:
CSO Lt Tulpen says:
::nods:: Monroe: It is quite difficult to understand how these aliens think. Their logic doesn't quite match our own.  Never was anything said more accurate about Dave… ::smiles sweetly::

Announcements:
•	Thanks to Mike for covering this week for me as well as to Kurt and Joseph who lent some extra color to this story.
•	This Saturday the USS Claymore crew will be joining us for the finale of Obstacles, a joint mission created by Dave Smith.  
•	Your title during this mission should be NH_(position)_(rank)_(Name)

RE-CAP: The Nighthawk crew are back on their vessel, and have been making some progress ...

While trapped within what appears to be the massive vessel that snatched them up in the first place, amongst a sea of equally captured starships, they are slowly trying to put the pieces together. In the process, they have found other Starfleet personnel trapped here: Captain Monroe and a group of cadets... and the crew of the Nova Class USS Orion…

Now there is a possible avenue of escape ... a great window of the force-field variety ...

Acting Commanding Officer's log, Stardate 10711.10 - We are still inside the alien ship, trying to find a way out. Hopefully we won't spend much more time inside. The crew is enough on edge as it is; my being shot is plenty of proof for that.
USS Nighthawk - Stardate 10711.17

=/\==/\==/\==/\==/\= The Journey: Obstacles VII =/\==/\==/\==/\==/\=

ACTION: The Saber Class Nighthawk is just before the window that seems to go on for infinity.

And now they're firing at it.

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
::scans the "window" for any breaches::

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
::braces for whatever happens after the shots at the window::

CEO LtJG AlThor says:
::watches the viewscreen to see what happens::

 Capt Monroe says:
::Holds the console tightly::
 
ACTION: Red energy lances from the Nighthawk's phaser array emitters toward the nearest edge of the window ... striking the edge where the window and ship meet.

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Sitting in the central chair, watching the phasers doing their job hitting the wall::

aCMO Ens Carter says:
::in Sickbay, checking over the last of the cadets::
 
ACTION: The field that seems to comprise the entirety of the window crackles near the edge, shimmering in reflection of the phaser light and the strikes.

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
All: Its now or never, I can't stop the ship in time if I wanted to.

O-CO Capt Armuor says:
::arrives on the bridge under the escort of one of Nighthawk's men at arms:: All: What's going on?

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: The probe is ready when we are

aCMO Ens Carter says:
Cadet: Everything checks out ok, go get some rest and something to eat.

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
All: The force field intensity dropped by 4% in the area we are firing at...not a lot

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Nods:: CSO: Very good.. As soon as you get a gap, transport it through and start scanning..

 Cadet Morrow says:
::Touches the doc's shoulder:: ACMO: Um excuse me, sir.  But what ship are we on?

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
::smiles sheepishly at the aCO behind him and holds the ship in position.:: All: Just a little pilot humor.

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Turns around for a moment:: O-CO: We are trying to make a hole to the other side, to get the ship out of here... Not much success so far...
 
ACTION: Something explodes in the wall, and a nice sized hole in the field drops ... however, if one were to watch closely, they'll see the explosion reflected oy something beyond the force-field ...

aCMO Ens Carter says:
Cadet Morrow: You are on the USS Nighthawk, safe and sound I hope.

 CSO Lt Tulpen says:
Monroe: You've been to the other side Captain. what is in there?

 Cadet Morrow says:
::Touches the doc's shoulder:: ACMO:  Ah did you know what happened to the Captain?

aCMO Ens Carter says:
Cadet Morrow: Well Captains Armuor and Monroe are on board as well.

 Capt Monroe says:
CSO: Well that was a blur as well.  I am not sure what happened after I got knocked out

O-CO Capt Armuor says:
::blinks at the explosion:: aCO: It appears you spoke a little too soon. ::moves forward a bit so he can get a better view::
 
ACTION: The force-field's matrix tries to maintain itself, but with the apparent loss of a generator in the wall jagged energy edges adorn the edge of the hole.

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
::nods:: Monroe: It is quite difficult to understand how these aliens think. Their logic doesn't quite match our own

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
CSO: Seems there's a hole now.. Transport when ready...

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
::beams the probe to the other side, and awaits telemetry::

ACTION: The probe is transported.

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
::waits for the probe telemetry to come back so they can find out what's on the other side.::

Cadet Morrow says:
::Nods::

ACTION: On the viewscreen, the probe suddenly re-materializes beyond the force-field ... but not too far. It has only made it about 100 meters beyond the field.

CEO LtJG AlThor says:
::checks the ships systems::

 Capt Monroe says:
CSO: Fill me in on what you have so far on these aliens

aCMO Ens Carter says:
Cadet Morrow: At any rate some rest and food you'll feel as good as new.

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
::nods at the captain::

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
O-CO: I have come to the conclusion that it is wise to err on the side of caution.. Nothing has been going as it should on this mission, or at least, so it seems.. ::Looks at the CSO, hoping she is receiving data::

 Cadet Morrow says:
::Smiles:: ACMO: Thank you sir.  ::Walks back to the other cadets and fills them in::

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
CSO: Anything from the probe yet?

aCMO Ens Carter says:
::nods, going to a nearby console and typing in some data from his med-scanner::

O-CO Capt Armuor says:
::merely nods, wondering if they've found his ship but doesn't want to interrupt the operation underway::

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Looks around the bridge for a moment, then turns back to the CSO, awaiting a report::

 Capt Monroe says:
::Notices the new addition to the bridge:: OCO: And you are?

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
All: I am receiving the probe telemetry loud and clear. The force field is protecting a mile-long transparent material. It is not clear why we could not transport the probe through before the firing

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
All: The actual window is not that dense, particle firing should in principle work to destroy it

O-CO Capt Armuor says:
::notices the four pips on the man's neck and offers his hand in the human custom:: Capt Monroe: Captain Armuor, USS Orion. And you are?

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Nods slowly:: CSO: So basically, change aim directly at the field?

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
::nods::

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
All: I'm curious though, why they are letting us fire in their own little zoo ...

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Turns to tactical:: TO: You heard her, redirect fire to hit the forcefields directly! And keep at it!

 Capt Monroe says:
OCO: Captain Sid Monroe.  ::Shakes Armuor's hand::

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: But we will still have to get rid of the force field

O-CO Capt Armuor says:
::retrieves his hand:: Monroe: A pleasure, Captain. ::has a thought and looks to the collar of the man sitting in the chair and notices three instead of four pips:: This is your ship?

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Frowns:: CSO: I thought you just said we should fire at the forcefield? You mean we should fire at where they were after they have been taken down?

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
aCO/CSO: Just fire at the edges of the forcefield since we already have a hole from hitting something at the edges.

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: I didn't explain properly, my apologies. We have to get rid of a large portion of the emitters before we can reach the physical window beyond it

 Capt Monroe says:
OCO: Currently no, but was my ship.

aCMO Ens Carter says:
::arrives on the bridge::

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Nods:: CSO: Got it.... ::Turns to the left again to face tactical:: TO: Adjust your targeting accordingly... CSO: How much surface are we talking about before we can reach the wall beyond the field?

O-CO Capt Armuor says:
Monroe: I see. ::doesn't:: Well my thanks to your ship and crew, Captain. I hope to find my own vessel.

ACTION: The Nighthawk once again starts firing. Phaser bursts start to move down the edge of the wall ... keeping up the hits until the TO has been satisfied that a generator has been destroyed.

aCMO Ens Carter says:
::looks on watching as they seem to be firing at a wall::

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: Not a lot. Since we are firing particles, all we need to start making a dent is to open a breach wide enough for the phaser beam to go through ... or whatever else we want to fire at it

CEO LtJG AlThor says:
::makes a few minor adjustments and turns to watch the viewscreen::

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: With the 4% we got, already we might start reaching the structure already

 Capt Monroe says:
OCO: Oh your ship got stuck here?  ::Spot another new addition and wonders how long he was gone::

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Hears Armuor:: O-CO: We can scan to see whether it is near, if you wish... I'm sure our science officer can help out there... ::Nods at the CSO::

O-CO Capt Armuor says:
aCO: I'd be much obliged, Commander. I'm anxious to get back to my own ship as well you might imagine. And we could be of assistance here.

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
O-CO: Remind me which one is yours Captain

O-CO Capt Armuor says:
::antennae twitch at the question:: CSO: That would be the Orion, Lieutenant.

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
::nods:: O-CO: Which is her class? ::starts brining up the files on the Orion:: O-CO: And was she functioning?

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Looks at the viewscreen, waiting for their target area to increase a little more::

ACTION: More and more of the field starts to come down, revealing the transparent physical window behind it.

O-CO Capt Armuor says:
CSO: She certainly was when we were taken. ::some lines of frustration show in his face:: This... kidnapping, was quite unexpected.

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Turns his chair once more towards the tactical console:: TO: Shift your fire to the window now... Break it down as good as you can...

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
O-CO: A lot of things are unexpected in this place ::starts looking for the Orion, first for her beacon, then for readings of a ship with her specifications::

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
::just hopes that the break in the window is large enough for the ship. Aaron would tease him mercilessly if he got a scrape on the ship.::

ACTION: The Nighthawk shifts it's fire to the transparent physical barrier ...

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
O-CO: Captain, I am afraid I can't read any signs of her identification signals so those are turned off. I have also not found any physical presence of a ship with her specs. But I'll keep looking, its a big bay

ACTION: ... the result is explosive, to say the least. The phaser fire strikes hard ... and then is suddenly refracted backwards in several directions, as if the phaser went through a prism. Slivers of phaser fire hit several of the apparently dormant vessels in the area, but not the Nighthawk.

O-CO Capt Armuor says:
::nods, more than a little disappointed, his antennae drooping a bit in sympathy:: CSO: I appreciate the effort, Lieutenant. She's out there somewhere.

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
All: Fireworks. But I am reading a crack in the window!

 Nighthawk TO says:
 ::Halts phaser fire, noting the refraction:: aCO: Should I continue sir?

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
::winces as the phaser beams refract::

CEO LtJG AlThor says:
::watches the phaser fire and wonders what could be causing the refraction::

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Shakes head:: TO: Negative, hold your fire!

O-CO Capt Armuor says:
::looks over at Monroe:: Monroe: It seems our s' surprises continue.

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
CSO: Scan that window, I want any information that may explain this refracting effect!

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
::mutters softly:: All: Just lob a torpedo at it.

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: Before I get to that I have precise readings on the crack. Its 14 meters deep and has a 75 meter mean radius. Scanning the composition

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Swivels his chair around to face the back of the bridge:: CEO: Any insights into the cause of this effect, and how to reduce or prevent it?

CEO LtJG AlThor says:
aCO: I need to know what material that is before I can begin to work on a solution. CSO: Have you any ideas?

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
CSO: That's not quite enough for us to fit...

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: The reaction to the phaser was due to an emerging property of the window material. Unlike before, now when it is hit by any sort of beam, the molecules in it shift in order to refract the beam. Its like this thing can adapt

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Nods:: CSO: Can we counteract that?

 Capt Monroe says:
OCO: Yes they do, I am confident of this crew getting through this dilemma

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Looks at the tactical station once more:: TO: Lower the beam intensity, and narrow it a bit, then aim straight down the crack we already created to deepen and possibly widen it...

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
CSO: And a photon torpedo would have what effect?

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: we could try and dodge the refractive beams. I believe we can accurately predict where they are going to go. Or maybe we can alter the phaser beam itself to cause the most harm to the window, maybe by having several beams in one, with different directions. But I am not sure it will work

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
CNS: It should make a bigger whole, it will probably be deflected as well but since its more massive than a phaser beam it won't be so quick .. I think

 Nighthawk TO says:
aCO: Aye, sir. ::Starts to lower the intensity of the phaser bursts coming out of the emitters::

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
CSO: I had to ask at least. ::leaves the physics and other science to the ones that know::

CEO LtJG AlThor says:
aCO: Sir, we could try rotating the frequency of the phaser beams to see if that makes a difference also.

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Looks at the CSO:: CSO: Since the torpedo would be an explosion, it would already be an outward motion, from the torpedo towards us that is.. Are you sure this window would increase that effect?

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
::smiles:: CEO: That is essentially what I was referring to

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Nods:: CEO: Do it!

CEO LtJG AlThor says:
::starts rotating the phaser frequency randomly::

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: Yes because the part of the explosion aimed at the window would add to the explosion aimed at us

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: ... in theory

 Nighthawk TO says:
::Waits for the CEO to finish setting the modulations::

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Thinks for a moment:: CSO: That would mean it would basically be useless.. the power is reflected to us... We don't stock many torpedoes, and if we can do this safely, or at least relatively safely, without using them... That would be preferential...

CEO LtJG AlThor says:
TO: The modifications are made please continue firing.

 Nighthawk TO says:
::Fires::

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: all I said is little more than speculation. The truth is its hard to say the end result. We could try just 1 and see what happens

ACTION: The Nighthawk fires with the modulated phaser bursts ...

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Nods slowly, looking at the viewscreen as it colors red again from the phasers::

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
::looks as well, then at her screens::

ACTION: ... which since they are more narrow, and re-modulated, are less refractive as they strike the window. There is some refraction however, a few bursts hit the nearby vessels again.

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
All: We are causing some damage to nearby vessels

ACTION: Vessels slowly begin to bump into each other due to the constant bursts that spin about. The Nighthawk's shields shimmer with the light phaser energy hitting it, but no damage is caused.

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
CSO: Keep a look on those surrounding ships.. ::Points at the ships displayed on the viewscreen:: We shouldn't cause too much damage to them.. For all we know, there's crew for them around...

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
::nods::

ACTION: A chain reaction of vessels colliding with each other is occurring. It is slow, but gradual.

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
CNS: Keep us out of the reflections as much as possible...

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Turns to the TO again:: TO: Cease fire!

 Nighthawk TO says:
::Ceases fire::

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
aCO: Aye, sir.

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO, the crack increased, 193 meters deep with a radius of 88

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: The older vessels are suffering the most, some have hull breaches. More importantly we started a chain reaction of vessels hitting each other in this confined space

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Sighs:: CSO: That's still not even close to what we need...

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
CSO: What?? ::Turns to the helm:: CNS: Come about!

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: What if we make the torpedo explode inside the crack

Nighthawk TO says:
::Speaks up a bit, somewhat tired of being stuck in this place:: CSO / aCO: But those vessels ... some of them have been here for decades ... shouldn't we try to find a way out of here instead of worrying about them.

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: That way the refractory beams will all be directed to the window, a massive chain reaction

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
aCO: Coming about, sir. ::turns the ship around::

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
CSO: We have bigger worries... We have to stop this chain reaction... The Orion could still be here, and who knows which other ships..

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: There is no reason not to do both. I am looking into the breached vessels for life signs

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
CNS: Anticipate which vessel will be about to collide when we arrive at it, and engage a tractor beam to stop it from colliding!

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
aCO: There are no life signs in the breached ships

ACTION: The Nighthawk comes about, moving away from the breach and toward the colliding vessels. It's such a tight space that the nimble vessel itself has a hard time moving through.

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
CSO: Good... ::Turns to tactical:: TO: Prepare a torpedo, aft tube... Shoot it down the crack, as deep as possible...

CNS Cmdr Varesh says:
aCO: Aye sir. ::has the computer track the ships' trajectories:: aCO: maybe someone else can do the tractor beam, sir? I'm kinda hard pressed to get the ship through the tight spots.

CEO LtJG AlThor says:
aCO: I can handle the tractor beam.

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Nods, turning around:: CEO: Good, I was about to tell you to take care of it anyway.. Coordinate with the counselor..

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
::Glances at Monroe and Armuor as he turns back around once more::

 Nighthawk says:
aCO: Aye, sir. ::Prepares torpedo::

CEO LtJG AlThor says:
::takes control of the tractor beam and monitors the vessels for signs of collision::

CSO Lt Tulpen says:
::curious to see what happens::

 aCO Cmdr Jackson says:
TO: Fire when ready... ::Looks at the viewscreen at the ships moving about in the space in front of them::

ACTION: The TO fires the torpedo as the Nighthawk moves to prevent any damage to the vessels.

The torpedo strikes.

And there is a great explosion…

=/\==/\==/\==/\==/\= PAUSE MISSION =/\==/\==/\==/\==/\=