QIb QonoS

The QIb Chronicles
Episode 256

Skull and Crosstails: Part 2

The Story So Far:

The crew of the QIb recently crashed their ship into Gamma Pyrox II during a Starfleet plan to publicly implicate them in an attack by an unknown alien force on a Federation star base and the fleet sent to defend it.  It has since been revealed that Starfleet wishes to use them as undercover operatives, operating out of a base owned by Jacob Chalmers, a former associate of XO Stelakh, to investigate leads on the unknown aliens and their contacts. The first such lead is Jelifer Viama, an apparent romantic attachment of Alnar Varis, the man who blew up Star base 487, and a lady who most certainly isn't who she first appears to be, and who may have been responsible.  Upon leaving Chalmers' base, an alien with a personal cloaking field sabotaged a bridge console, nearly causing the death of the CEO. The alien has been pursued down to Engineering, and is now within a containment field...

<<<<<<<<RESUME MISSION>>>>>>>>>>>

CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: exits the TL just in time to hear the intruder alert, she pulls her DaqtaH and heads for engineering ::
CO_Q`tor says:
::reaches the XO’s position and checks his vitals::
XO_Stelakh says:
::Remains unconscious, slumped against the wall.::
Admiral_G`val says:
::steps onto the bridge as gruffly as a pig can, looking around out of his good eye:: All: Report!

ACTION: A large Nausicaan turns to the Admiral and nods without speaking

CO_Q`tor says:
::  remembers reading something about Vulcans recovering from injuries and such and begins slapping the XO ::
Ensign_Wallis says:
::in a very Scottish accent:: Admiral: Everyone is down in main engineering, Admiral; something about an intruder...
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: enters engineering looking around ::

ACTION: The containment field in engineering continues to contain the flickering image of... something within it

XO_Stelakh says:
::Is hit repeatedly by his commanding officer, but is still too unconscious to report this activity.::
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: glances at the CO moving to the XO's side, she pulls out a hypo spray and a med tricorder ::

ACTION: Small green welts begin to appear on the XO's face

CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: scans the XO ::
CO_Q`tor says:
:: Seeing that slapping his Vulcan XO is having no affect, grabs him by the collar and begins dragging him towards sickbay::

ACTION: The containment field begins to glow slightly red, which is unusual for this particular generator

CO_Q`tor says:
CTO: I'll get him to sickbay. ::indicates the alien:: You figure out what to do with that thing.
Admiral_G`val says:
::sighs and walks down to the command circle, sitting in the third chair and tapping the comm panel:: *CO*: Captain, what is going on around here?

ACTION: A slow whine begins to emit from the containment field generators

CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
:;making adjustments to containment field generators, to eliminate the whine::
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
CEO: Your best estimate on how long you can contain this thing?
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::and return them to a normal state::

ACTION: The field generator readout indicates something attempting to overload the system from within

ACTION: The overload grows in strength and the whine returns

CO_Q`tor says:
*G'val*: We have an intruder in main engineering Admiral. We're trying to deal with it.
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
CTO: Even at a Level 10, it'll hold but 6 hours at best
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: moves to a console and attempts to beam the thing to the brig ::
XO_Stelakh says:
::The glowing red of the overloading field mixes on his face, and with the greenish bruises brought about by the CO, making him look rather Christmassy.::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::making adjustments::

ACTION: The transport operation fails while the field is preventing beam-out

CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
XO: Don't hover.

ACTION: The whine increases in pitch, and the field glows a stronger red

CO_Q`tor says:
:;finally gets the XO to sickbay and deposits him on a bio bed::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::adjusting in time with the pitch and glow::
Admiral_G`val says:
::checks the readings for main engineering:: *CO*: You don’t seem to be doing very well, there is a large power surge coming through one the sensors.
CO_Q`tor says:
:: turns and leaves sickbay heading back for engineering::
CO_Q`tor says:
*G'val*: No Admiral it doesn't seem as if we are.

ACTION: The adjustments work, but indicate the overload growing, with no more than 2 minutes left before the field system is unable to compensate

CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
CTO: It's not gonna last.
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
ALL: evacuate engineering, let's seal it off
CO_Q`tor says:
::Arrives in Main Engineering:: CTO: Anything yet?
Admiral_G`val says:
::does the Vulcan eye-brow raising thing, but not very well:: *CO*: Evacuate engineering and flush it of oxygen, Captain. Simple solution.
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
CO: Containment is failing, I suggest we evacuate engineering
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
CO: Then seal off the area.
CO_Q`tor says:
CTO: Agreed
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::making adjustments, moving at speeds that make his hands almost "blur-like"::
XO_Stelakh says:
::Lies on the bio-bed, unconscious - Perhaps the only way to shut a Vulcan up.::
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: heads out the door and directly to the wall panel ::
CO_Q`tor says:
:: leaves engineering to just outside the main hatch waiting for everyone to get out::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
CTO: I can't adjust this fast enough. I have to shut it down now.
CO_Q`tor says:
CEO:  Now Mister.... um.... Mushi... something

ACTION: The whine and glow increase

CO_Q`tor says:
CEO: Get out NOW!
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: folds her arms across her chest waiting ::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
CO: ::annoyed:: T'pucnamushi. My name is T'pucnamushi. Say it with me.....T'...puc...na....mu....shi
CO_Q`tor says:
CEO: GET OUT!

ACTION: The console sparks and shuts down

CO_Q`tor says:
CEO: I'm closing the hatch!

ACTION: The field begins to pulse menacingly

CO_Q`tor says:
CTO: Prepare to vent the entire Main Engineering
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::leaves Main Engineering::  COM: Computer seal off Main Engineering. Level 15. Authorization T'puc 7 Gamma 3
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: prepares to vent as ordered ::
CO_Q`tor says:
:: the moment the doors close:: CTO: Now!
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: seals engineering and vents ::

ACTION: The doors to engineering slam down

ACTION: The sound of nothingness continues for an uncomfortable few moments

ACTION: The sound of nothingness continues longer than expected...
CO_Q`tor says:
CEO: I will deal with you when this is all over.

CO_Q`tor says:
CTO: Any signs of the alien?
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: uses internal sensors to scan ME's interior ::
XO_Stelakh says:
::Lies in Sickbay, generating a sound of nothingness.::

ACTION: Internal sensors find no signs of life within ME

CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::waves the CO off, like yea...yea...yea::
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
CO: NO life signs registered sir, although we didn't register them before we contained it either
CO_Q`tor says:
:: draws his disruptor ready for whatever ::
CO_Q`tor says:
CTO:  Make it breathable again, and lets open it up.
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
COM: Status of Main Engineering
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
CO: I don't think that is a good idea just yet.
CO_Q`tor says:
CEO: I want that thing off my ship now!
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: accesses environmental controls and re-establishes breathable atmosphere, pulling her disruptor, nodding to the CO ::
CO_Q`tor says:
:: nods to the CTO:: CTO: It is a good day to die
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
CO: Yea, but you don't go around shooting everything to do it.
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
CO: I thought we were out here to explore new life...not take it away.
CO_Q`tor says:
CEO: Do I look like a Starfleet Officer?
CO_Q`tor says:
CEO: I am not here to argue philosophy
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: takes a fighting stance squarely in front of the Captain facing the door and opens it ::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
CO: How you gonna learn about new life forms, if you shoot first then ask questions.
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: dives in rolling to her feet aiming her disruptor at anything that moves ::
CO_Q`tor says:
CEO: ::very angry:: I'll learn about it from it's carcass!
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
CO: Look like a Starfleet Officer.. yea. Acting like a Starfleet Officer....right now, I'm not so sure
XO_Stelakh says:
::His eyelids slam open suddenly, and he looks up at the ceiling.::
CO_Q`tor says:
::enters Main Engineering warily looking around for the alien::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
CO: ::harshly:: Unacceptable!
XO_Stelakh says:
::Listens quietly.::

ACTION: The CO notices a maintenance vent panel loose near the top of one wall

CO_Q`tor says:
CEO: You can shut up and do your duty, or you can report to the brig. Your choice. Make it now!
XO_Stelakh says:
::Sits up, somewhat stiffly, and takes in his surroundings.::
CO_Q`tor says:
:: motions to the CTO towards the loose vent panel::
XO_Stelakh says:
::After a moment, he slides off the bio-bed, and steps to the one next to him.::
CO_Q`tor says:
::stands flat against the wall just under and beside the vent panel::
XO_Stelakh says:
::Picks up something large and bulky off the bio-bed, and carries it to a stasis chamber.::
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: Aims her disruptor to the panel ::
CO_Q`tor says:
::looks at the CTO to make sure she's ready::
XO_Stelakh says:
::After sealing the chamber, the Vulcan picks up the nearest object he can find, and begins to beat himself about the head and body with it.::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::running a tricorder over area::
XO_Stelakh says:
::Himself bloodied, and his uniform torn, he begins knocking things all over sickbay, pushing them onto the floor.::
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: shakes her head at the Captain, pointing to herself and then pointing up ::

ACTION: T'puc's tricorder registers a number of strange traces of organic residue leading down the vent shaft behind the open grate

XO_Stelakh says:
::Reviews the area, then reopens the stasis chamber and does some damage to whatever it was he put inside it.  Satisfied, he reseals the chamber and initializes the stasis field.::
CO_Q`tor says:
::reaches up slowly, and grabs the edge of the vent panel::
CO_Q`tor says:
:: quickly pulls the panel off::
XO_Stelakh says:
::Reaches up calmly and taps his comm-badge.::
Admiral_G`val says:
::hums as he monitors the actions in ME from the bridge::
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: growls and jumps up into the vents shaft pulling herself in ::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
CO: I am small enough to follow this life form through the vent shaft.
XO_Stelakh says:
*CTO*:  Stelakh to Ravenprowler.  Intruder alert in Sickbay.  ::Continues pushing things over, and making lots of noise.::
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: holds herself steady while pointing her disruptor ahead of her ::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::slips under Ravenprowler and up into the shaft past her::
XO_Stelakh says:
::Wipes some of his blood on a few items, the bio-bed, and the stasis chamber.::
CO_Q`tor says:
:: yelling up to make sure the CTO hears him::  CTO: Continue on your course Commander, I'll meet you in sickbay.
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::scanning with tricorder as I go::
XO_Stelakh says:
::Picks up a hypo, and secrets it about his person.::
XO_Stelakh says:
::Then, calmly, leans back against the wall and lets himself slide down it.::
CO_Q`tor says:
:: runs back to sickbay ::

ACTION: The CEO soon follows the trail out of another open panel, in sickbay

CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: pushes her way up the shaft wishing to kill something very badly ::

ACTION: The CEO notices the XO, and a dead alien insectoid-like creature dressed in black armor lying inside the stasis chamber next to the bio-bed

CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::drops out the pane and into sickbay::
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: follows T'puc out of the vent dropping lightly to her feet she grabs the Vulcan and drags him down to the deck out of harms way ::
CO_Q`tor says:
::Enters sickbay to see the XO and a thing next to the bio-bed::
XO_Stelakh says:
::Looks up at the CEO and CO.::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::runs tricorder over alien::
CO_Q`tor says:
CTO: Make sure that thing is dead, and then see to Mister Stelakh.
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
Self: Damn. CTO: It's dead.
CO_Q`tor says:
CEO: You get back to engineering repair whatever damage that thing has caused and then you will report to me on the bridge.

ACTION: The alien within the stasis chamber appears to be smoking...

CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: glances at the CO thinking something unmentionable :: CO : Aye. :: lifts the Vulcan on to a bio-bed and scans him. ::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::leaps into the air, and back up the vent shaft, scanning for anymore of these creatures::
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: hits the analysis button on the stasis chamber ::
XO_Stelakh says:
CTO:  ::Waves the scans away and sits up.::  I will recover, thank you, Commander.
CO_Q`tor says:
:: Turns and heads off, angrily back towards the bridge::

ACTION: The stasis chamber registers a biological substance rapidly dissipating

CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
Self: The CO..what's he know...the Takmarium Slug worm.

ACTION: The steam clears, to reveal nothing left but the black suit of armor

CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: runs a full spectral analysis, and cellular scan ::

ACTION: The armor appears to be made of a variant of Bimantium alloys, used by the Cardassians for specialist combat armor. This however appears to have twice the strength. Unfortunately, nothing remains of what was within...

CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: turns on the bio-bed and begins scans of the Vulcan ::
XO_Stelakh says:
CTO:  I assure you, Commander, my injuries will heal.  We have more pressing concerns.
CO_Q`tor says:
::Enters the bridge still mad:: FCO: Plot a course for the Agujero Sucio Nebula. As soon as repairs are complete, engage at warp 4.
XO_Stelakh says:
CTO:  ::Reaches up, a bit slowly.::  If you will assist me, Commander, I wish to examine the contents of the stasis chamber.
CO_Q`tor says:
G'val: Admiral the situation in Main Engineering has been resolved and repairs are under way.  At least they better be.
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
:;opens a side panel in the tricorder, and scrapes up a bit of residue for further testing::
Admiral_G`val says:
::looks over to the Captain and smiles:: CO: I have been monitoring you all, the repairs in ME are beginning and you seem to be rather angry...
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
::continues and drops back into Main Engineering::

ACTION: The residue appears to have suffered severe cellular deterioration. The tricorder is unable to analyze further.

XO_Stelakh says:
::Figures that since she remains silent, he will get no assistance from the CTO, and sits up, shakily.::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
Self: I'm gonna give the CO an earful for this.
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: sedates the XO for his own good ::
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: lays the XO back down and finishes her scans, beginning the slow work of fixing the Vulcan ::
XO_Stelakh says:
::Breathing slows to a more normal, deep, and rhythmic pattern.::
CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: starts with repairing neural damage from the lightening strike ::
CEO_T`pucnamushi says:
:;looking around Engineering, looking for any damage::

ACTION: The CTO notices some bleeding still on the other side of the Vulcan's face

CTO_Ravenprowler says:
:: thinks great green blood turning the Vulcan's head to visualize the lac before pulling out the dermal regenerator to fix it ::

ACTION: Other than a slight burn around the floor where the containment field was, and the charred console, Engineering checks out