U.S.S. Quirinus Stardate 10502.21

SEASONS OF SHADOW

CHAPTER SIX

"The Embers of Nightfall"

Host SM_Selan says:
=/\==/\==/\==/\==/\= RESUME =/\==/\==/\==/\==/\=

Host SM_Selan says:
# ACTION: The Tal Shiar agents have Jade sitting down. They've been pretty much silent since their arrival except for murmuring Romulan to each other ... as if waiting for something.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::nears the safehouse::

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The trio who were hit by the horrible sickness by the mysterious Figure begin to feel a lot better now after three hours of pain and throwing up. The Spider bots have vanished, leaving a pretty much empty cavern with the giant columns.

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Mr. Troll & Mr. Brute blink as the two attack.

Kraight says:
:: Feels the nausea subside somewhat :: Sulek: Sir... are you feeling better?

Cherry says:
@::runs screaming brandishing the knife::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::swings his Axe at Mr. Brute::

Sulek says:
::moving slowly through the cavern, he considerably weakened:: Kraight: I seem to have recovered some.

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Mr. Brute's head is cracked open as the axe connects. Gray matter and pale liquid fly through the air, some splashing onto Pangborn. Brute collapses. Mr. Troll cries out as Cherry assaults.

Cherry says:
@::drives the knife deep into his chest and pulls it back out::

David_Telarus says:
Sulek: Sir you okay?

Sulek says:
All: As much as I would like to stop and replenish ourselves with some food, I think perhaps we should get through the cavern as quickly as our health permits.

Jade says:
#::wonders where Lance is::

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Mr. Troll goes down all squishy like.

Sulek says:
Telarus: Better.  Are you better?  You were the first struck.

Kraight says:
Sulek: I agree, sir.  :: stands, unsteadily ::

Cherry says:
@::keeps stabbing furiously as he goes down::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: Well. That is that. ::loosens his grip on the axe::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::notices the hair on the back of his neck standing at attention as he approaches::

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: There is squishy sucking noises that fill the area as Cherry lets loose all her fury into Mr. Troll.

Cherry says:
@::is in a blind rage::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: Calm yourself

David_Telarus says:
Sulek: Yes sir, thank you for asking.

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: The entrails of Mr. Troll splish and splash onto Cherry as she continues her horrific and emotional assault. It's just been too much for her.

Cherry says:
@::stands and turns on Pangborn, brandishing the knife::

Kraight says:
:: opens his tricorder and scans for an exit ::

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: A hum begins to fill the cavern.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::raises hands defensively:: Cherry: Hey!

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::ponders the remaining equipment he has left by now, and doesn't like the list much::

Sulek says:
Kraight: I am a little unknowledgeable about the health of your species.  I trust that the effects are no more adverse than they are with humans or Vulcans?

Cherry says:
@::slowly comes back to her senses::

Kraight says:
:: blinks once or twice :: Sulek: I'll... live. But I don't think I'll be able to look at a plate of Swedish meatballs for a month.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Jade: Well, Ms. Morgan. It seems we shall be leaving soon. You will be coming with us. For your own safety, of course.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: They're dead. It's okay now :doubts that::

Cherry says:
@::vision clears::  Pangborn:  Where's Vee?  We have to find Vee!

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Mr. Troll & Mr. Brute lay there. Dead for the moment.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::sneaks up to listen carefully underneath a window and see if he hears anything::

Sulek says:
Kraight: Ahh, so that's what that was.

Jade says:
#::raises a skeptical eyebrow:: Y'eagai: My safety...or yours?

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::picks up the blue disk:: Cherry: I wonder how this thing works. Yes, we must find Vee

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # ::Nods:: Jade: Both, actually. For some reason Starfleet seems to be under the impression that your friend Wolverton is responsible for the assault on that Earth security center where you were held, instead of us. That works for us, but I'm sure they'll track you here soon. We should leave.

Cherry says:
@::turns and begins searching the area where Vee fell back::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::looks through the trees for Vee::

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: There is an area of foliage where it's obvious Vee landed. Some blood is on the ground, but she is not there.

Kraight says:
Sulek: I wish. I'll be eating nothing but crackers and water for a while, I think.

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  Here.  She fell here.

Kraight says:
:: tries to scan for the source of the hum ::

Cherry says:
@::looks around for any sign that Vee crawled off::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::listens, deducing that there are at least two people in there::

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: A voice calls out from behind them - "And that is where she was picked up as well."

Cherry says:
@::startled, whirls around::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::moves to her and looks at the area:: Cherry: Blood....but no body. She must have survived

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The hum is coming from the giant columns. The runes and humanoid carvings being to glow gold.

Kraight says:
:: points :: All: Look at the columns!

Jade says:
#Y'eagai: And what then?

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: A figure whose visage seems to be obscured, almost as if he were covered in shadows, stands before them. He holds the injured, but alive, Vee in his arms.

Sulek says:
::doesn't like the new sound::Kraight: I would say that in this place, a new sound has not been fortuitous.  ::turns::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::notes that Jade is alive and conscious, so far::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Jade: You will return with us to Romulus until we can deal with our common foe.

Kraight says:
:: scans for any energy signatures from the columns ::

Cherry says:
@::looks at the figure curiously::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: I have the disc, but I'm not entirely sure how to use it....

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::frowns::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Mr. Shadow> @ Pangborn / Cherry: You certainly made short work of Mr. Troll & Mr. Brute. Oh, yes you did.

Kraight says:
Sulek: I am forced to agree.

Cherry says:
@::grip tightens on her knife::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Shadow: Reveal yourself. ::makes a threat with the disk::

Sulek says:
Telarus/Kraight:  I think perhaps I would prefer to observe this from a safer distance.

David_Telarus says:
::starts to run scans of the area::

Jade says:
#Y'eagai: And which foe would that be? ::looks bored::

David_Telarus says:
Sulek: Yes sir I think that would be advisable.

Kraight says:
Sulek: Sir, I've located an exit. Bearing 273, 500 meters.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Mr. Shadow> @ ::Through the shadow his brilliantly white teeth are revealed:: Pangborn: I really doubt you can work that thing, Sentinel.

Sulek says:
All: Let's get a move on.

Kraight says:
:: begins moving to their left, in the direction indicated ::

Kraight says:
:: continues to scan the columns ::

Cherry says:
@Self:  Sentinel?  ::looks at Ben::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Jade: The same one who set you up for the murder of your former psychologist.

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The hum begins to build throughout the cavern.

Jade says:
#Y'eagai: Interesting...I assumed that was you.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::wonders why the "bad guys" can never seem to get to the point quickly::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: Yes. The aforementioned thugs made reference to this also. Shadow: Explain yourself.::gets a grip on the axe::

Kraight says:
Sulek: The columns still scan as only partly in this universe, sir.

Cherry says:
@::tries to determine how badly Vee is injured::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Mr. Shadow> @ Cherry / Pangborn: Nonetheless, I would like to thank you for taking such care of the dear girl. She means so very much to me. And if she had been harmed or perished ... well I do not know what I would have done with myself.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # ::Blinks:: Jade: Who said it was?

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::walks up to the shadow:: Shadow: I’ll take her::motions to Vee, menacing:: She is not of your world anymore::suspect::

Cherry says:
@Shadow:  Who are you and what do you know about Vee?

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: A faint whisp of smoke continues to rise from Vee's chest indicating where she was struck by the disc.

Jade says:
#Y'eagai: Last time I checked, the Federation and the Star empire weren't exactly buddy buddy.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Shadow: Let go for her. She's injured

Kraight says:
:: moving slowly backwards, still scanning ::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Mr. Shadow> @ ::Grins at Pangborn, his visage still hidden even this close:: Pangborn: She isn't of yours either anymore, dear boy.

Sulek says:
Kraight: There is possibly a connection to the columns and the missing civilization.  But it is as you pointed out very likely a one way trip.

Cherry says:
@::looks at the whisp of smoke with alarm::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::inches up to the corner of the window, to quickly roll an eye to an inside view then back down, to get a quick body count::

Cherry says:
@Shadow:  Please.  She's hurt.  ::takes a step forward::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@:raises Axe:: Shadow: Should we see? Somehow I doubt this will work on you. State your real reason for being here. It cant' be just to recover her. And what do you mean by "sentinel"

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Jade: After the reformation of the Senate, we've been steadily improving relations. There are forces within your Federation, however, working to prevent this. Important agents within the Tal Shiar have been killed. They were onto something big and they died for it. We've been sent to find out why. Somehow, this all ties into you.

Kraight says:
Sulek: They could be a means of escaping through time, as the inhabitants of Sarpeidon did a century ago.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Mr. Shadow> @ Pangborn: She is the only reason we're here. What ... did you really think all of this was about you?

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The hum continues to build. They can feel it in their very bones ... their very souls.

Cherry says:
@Vee:  Honey... wake up.

Sulek says:
Kraight: I also seem to recall a rumor that those who seeded the galaxy may have traveled in a similar manner.

David_Telarus says:
Sulek/Kraight: I don't know about you all, sirs, but I have a feeling if we step through and disappear again I don't think Starfleet would be happy.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Shadow: Call me self indulgent. I still want her back. She has a life here of her own. What do you want with her anyways?

Jade says:
#::looks at him consideringly:: Y'eagai: Seems like you are grasping at straws.

Sulek says:
Telarus: I would quite agree.  Although personally I would not now trade the experience, I regret that so many of my crew have paid the price of my curiosity.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::mentally pictures where the two Romulans are standing as he sets his strangely modified phaser on heavy stun::

Kraight says:
Telarus: I sincerely hope we can avoid that fate, Mr. Telarus.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Jade: We haven't suffered a loss like this since the incident with the Dominion some years back.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Mr. Shadow> @ ::Continues grinning:: Pangborn: You'll find out soon enough. TTFN.

Jade says:
#Y'eagai: You have my sympathy. ::closes her eyes:: But I doubt your logic.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::takes a deep, but quiet, breath, then hops up to shoot both Romulans through the window in quick succession::

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Pangborn is suddenly hurled away by an invisible force ... and Mr. Shadow & Vee simply vanish.

Cherry says:
@::stands there for a moment completely stunned::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Jade: We're not Vulcans. Logic does not need to be present here.

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The hum begins to cause the cavern to shake.

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: There is a grunt off to the side.

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  Ben?  Where are you?

Kraight says:
All: This is not good. I suggest we make our exit with alacrity.

Kraight says:
:: closes his tricorder, turns, and runs for the exit ::

Sulek says:
::sees the exit and points:: All: There

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::waking:: Cherry: Over here

Sulek says:
::follows Kraight::

Host SM_Selan says:
# ACTION: One of the Romulans is stunned. Y'eagai dives and rolls, hiding.

Cherry says:
@::makes her way towards the sound of Pangborn's voice::  Pangborn:  Are you hurt?

Jade says:
#::would duck if she could::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # ::Calls out:: Lance Wolverton I presume!

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::mentally curses himself and fires again from the cover of the window::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # ::Remains at his safe position:: CEASE FIRING! I MEAN YOU NO HARM!

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The cavern is starting to shake, rattle, and roll.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::modifies the phaser to fire on the widest beam setting and fires at him again::

David_Telarus says:
::follows the Captain::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@:gets up and see's Cherry: Cherry: No. my ego is bruised. They’re gone.

Cherry says:
@::tears fill her eyes::  Pangborn:  He took her.

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Another grunt is heard from nearby ... from where Troll & Brute were killed.

Sulek says:
::moving more easily::

Cherry says:
@::hears the noise and freezes::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::rubs his head:: Cherry: I know....what that was ::turns toward the sound::|

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Wolverton: MR. WOLVERTON, CEASE FIRING BEFORE YOU DRAW THE ATTENTION OF THOSE YOU DO NOT WISH TO!

Cherry says:
@::looks at Pangborn::

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The tunnel the trio have found leads upward.

Kraight says:
:: runs up the tunnel, glancing back to be certain that Sulek and Telarus are just behind him ::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::holsters the phaser and slinks away from the window...obviously the devious Romulan spy has found an incredibly defensible location inside the very spartan, boxlike room where he is utterly safe from wide beam phaser fire::

Sulek says:
All: Perhaps a way out.

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: Meanwhile, the golden glow begins to envelop the giant columns as giant boulders and pieces of an apparent ceiling suddenly appear from the mist above and crash onto the ground where the crew had been previously standing.

Kraight says:
Sulek: It's certainly better than remaining in the cavern.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # ::Quite certain he's going to be killed soon:: Jade: Ms. Morgan, if you could encourage your crewmate to halt his assault ...

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::grabs the axe and head back in the direction of the sound::

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Mr. Troll lies there, holding his chest. The sucking wounds have stopped and seem to be slowly healing. He's slowly taking in air.

David_Telarus says:
Sulek: I wonder where we will end up.

Cherry says:
@::follows Pangborn and can't believe her eyes::  Pangborn:  Great.  Just great.  The undead.

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The pathway that the trio run up seems similar to the one they came down. The tunnel shakes all around them. It will only be a matter of time before it collapses.

Jade says:
#Lance: Lance, hear him out...he seems to be sincere......

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Mr. Troll sees them approaching and has a look of terror on his face. He tries to crawl backwards.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@:see's the troll and contemplates killing him again:: Troll: Make any sudden moves and die. Again::realizes the emptiness of this threat::

Kraight says:
All: This tunnel is not stable. We must increase our pace.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Wolverton: WE ARE NOT ENEMIES, MR. WOLVERTON!

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  Cut his head off.  let's see him regenerate that.  ::eyes the Troll dangerously::

Sulek says:
::keeps moving:: Telarus: This place seems to wish to kill any visitors.  All: Faster if possible.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::remains utterly silent as he works his way closer to the door, musing that for somebody that supposedly doesn't want to attract attention, he certainly is shouting loudly::

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Mr. Brute's brain seems to be regenerating in his open cranium. But it will obviously take days for him to full reform.

Sulek says:
::picks up the pace::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Jade: What is your friend's problem, Ms. Morgan?! Does he not know that weapons fire will draw Starfleet attention to this location?

Jade says:
#::sits back to watch the show::

Kraight says:
:: scans ahead ::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: Give me a second with him...::see's Brute also regenerate:: Or them...........

Jade says:
#::grins at the irritated Romulan:: Y'eagai: Lance is a little...um...stubborn.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # ::Readies his disruptor::

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  Maybe if we could lure them down to the beach the salt water would kill them.  Works on slugs and leeches.  ::shrugs::

Sulek says:
Kraight: Anything, I believe the tunnel is becoming more unstable.

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: There seems to be an ending to the tunnel ahead.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: Do we have any lime back at the house? We could disintegrate them

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  Ummm... not that much, no.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Troll: Stop

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Mr. Troll stops moving and stares at Pangborn.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::is still listening as Jade asked, but isn't hearing anything convincing::

Kraight says:
Sulek: There's an exit ahead. Two hundred meters.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Troll: State your purpose here

Ben_Pangborn says:
@:brandishes the axe::

Jade says:
#::notices the silence:: Y'eagai: Start talking...he's listening.

Cherry says:
@::makes a stabbing motion towards the Troll, trying to be all menacing-like::

David_Telarus says:
Sulek: We need to get out of here ASAP sir. My geological scans indicate we may have a few minutes at best.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Wolverton: Mr. Wolverton, my name is Y'eagai. I am an agent of the Tal Shiar. You have been seemingly manipulated it seems, judging by what Ms. Morgan has stated. No doubt by the same forces that we are battling as well.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Mr. Troll> @ ::Hoarsely:: Pangborn: The ... Girl.

Sulek says:
All: Keep moving.  Telarus: Yes...

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::frowns, knowing he doesn't have much more safe time in the area, then speaks as loudly as he dares:: Y'eagai: Throw your weapon out the window, and we'll talk. ::immediately and silently moves to a slightly different location::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Wolverton: If you shoot me, Mr. Wolverton, we will get no where. And you will be doomed. ::Tosses his weapon as requested::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Troll. So you’ve been keeping us busy. Hmm. It might not last, but I bet dying hurts. You don't want to hurt now do you? Where did the shadow take her::stands over him with the axe::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Mr. Troll> @ Pangborn: ... ::Says nothing::

Sulek says:
::time ticks by.  sees the tunnel exit, less than a hundred meters::

Cherry says:
@::steps up beside Pangborn::  Troll:  Where is she?

David_Telarus says:
::picks up the pace::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::slinks over and gets the weapon, tucking it in his belt:: #Y'eagai: Exit the building and go 12 meters north, then east. I'll join you both there...and I'll be watching.

Kraight says:
:: sprints for the opening ahead ::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: Let’s cut the head off and bring it back to the house. It’ll probably still talk and I'm getting hungry

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::moves to a hiding location and waits to see if he does as instructed::

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  Sure.  Want me to hold him down?

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Wolverton: My comrade is unconscious. I'm to drag him?

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Troll: Are you going to cooperate?

Host SM_Selan says:
<Mr. Troll> @ ::Gulps:: ... Shadowlands ...

Sulek says:
::following close behind Kraight as they exit the tunnel::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::speaks as he moves:: Y'eagai: You said yourself that security will be here soon. You'll have to leave him...or vaporize him.

Cherry says:
@::frowns::  Troll:  Shadowland?  Where the heck is that?

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Troll: How do we get to these shadow lands?

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: As they exit the tunnel they find themselves facing down the flashlights of several standard issue Starfleet phaser rifles. Several Starfleet officers are around them.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Mr. Troll> @ Pangborn: ... doesn't exist ... on our plane ... must look ... for soft spots ...

Kraight says:
:: skids to a halt ::

Cherry says:
@Troll:  Soft spots in what?

Host SM_Selan says:
<Starfleet Officer #1> ALL: HALT AND IDENTIFY YOURSELVES!

Host SM_Selan says:
<Mr. Troll> @ Cherry: ... reality ...

Cherry says:
@Self:  Soft spots in reality?

Cherry says:
@::looks around suspiciously::

David_Telarus says:
::thinks to self what now::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Mr. Troll> @ Both: ... portals ... Luna Negra ...

Kraight says:
SF1: Um... hello. Lt. Cmdr Kraight, late of the USS Quirinus.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Troll: Get up. You’re going to take us to one of these "soft spots". Cherry: I DO know we have some molecular acid back at the house. It will completely destroy Brute, and we might have enough for the Troll if he doesn’t cooperate

Sulek says:
::he stops::Officers: Put your weapons down.  I am Captain Sulek of the ::no longer sure he has a ship:: on leave to explore the caves below.

David_Telarus says:
SF1: Lt. David Telarus, CEO USS Quirinus.

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Suddenly both Mr. Troll & Mr. Brute erupt in flames.

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: A hoarse scream is heard from Troll as he is burned to ash.

Cherry says:
@::steps back in shock::

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The officers look at each other in surprise and lower their weapons.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: Luna Negra

Host SM_Selan says:
<Lt. Jameson> Sulek: Captain Sulek, I'm Lieutenant Robere Jameson ... U.S.S. Quirinus.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::waits::

Cherry says:
@::looks confused::  Pangborn:  The black moon?

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: He said that’s where the portals were

Sulek says:
Jameson: How is my old ship.  It has been quite some time since I've seen her.  Jameson, what is your purpose here?

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Wolverton: I do not have a weapon now. You vaporize him. ::Walks::

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  We need to hook up with a database.  Maybe we should go back to the house and see if the comm. unit is back up.

David_Telarus says:
::stands in shock to here the name of the ship::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Lt. Jameson> Sulek: We'll explain back on the ship. This place is not geologically sound. Something big is about to happen. We have transport enhancers nearby. Come one!

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The place begins to shake all around them.

David_Telarus says:
::runs::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::is relieved to get that exact answer, and waits...and watches::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: First thing is to get off this rock. Lets head back to the house and check communications. We can get to Luna Negra with a ...a....."chartered" ship.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # ::Walks to exactly where Wolverton told him to::

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  Agreed. :: begins jogging back to the house::

Sulek says:
Jameson: You arrival is fortuitous.  The entire structure was collapsing around us.  I would also suggest that we be isolated on return.  A being made us quite ill in one of the caverns.  He said something about pestilence.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::takes a quick moment once Y'eagai is gone to drag the other Romulan out of the building and hide him in the adjacent alley before joining them cautiously::

Kraight says:
:: follows Jameson and the other officers ::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@:runs back to the house:

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::checks Y'eagai's disguise to make sure it will fool most people, then speaks:: Y'eagai: Over there, that cafe. Should be reasonably safe to talk there.

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The group arrives in an area similar to one of the chambers the trio entered before, a series of pattern enhancers are set up with a few officers standing there. They all run in as Jameson hits his comm. badge - "This is Jameson. Emergency beam out of all life signs detected in the enhancer area!"

Cherry says:
@::arrives back at the house panting::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # Wolverton: All right.

Jade says:
#::follows the men cautiously::

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The group is beamed up to a familiar transporter room on the Quirinus.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::deftly conceals his weapon as he follows Y'eagai to the indicated cafe::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::arrives at the house and checks the comm. unit:

Cherry says:
@::follows Ben into the bedroom where the comm. unit is kept.  Surveys the damage along the way::

Sulek says:
::feels the transporter effect and then is looking at the walls of the Q:: Transporter Officer: Check for contaminate.

Kraight says:
Sulek: Well, sir, this certainly qualifies as the oddest homecoming I have ever experienced...

Host SM_Selan says:
<Medical Officer> ::Already up and scanning the trio:: Sulek / Telarus / Kraight: You've all been sick recently ... what happened?

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: Red alert suddenly sounds throughout the Quirinus.

Sulek says:
Kraight: It is indeed unique.

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: A comm. chimes - "Lt. Jameson, to the bridge immediately."

David_Telarus says:
::happy to see a familiar face:: MO: Some old coot got us sick down there.

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  Well?  Is it working?

Sulek says:
MO: We were attacked...

Host SM_Selan says:
<Lt. Jameson> Medical Officer: Get them checked out in sickbay. ::Nods to security to stay with them::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Lt. Jameson> ::Exits the transporter room::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: Give me a sec. I'm checking the auto log now

Kraight says:
MO: We were attacked by a being of some sort on the planet.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: It's working1

Ben_Pangborn says:
!

Cherry says:
@::is impatient for the hunt to begin::

Sulek says:
::notes the nod and knows that Jameson is the kind of officer he would expect on the Q::

David_Telarus says:
MO: Are we a contagious risk?

David_Telarus says:
Sulek: We should check the bio filters to see if whatever we got hit with was removed.

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: Meanwhile, the world that the Quirinus orbits (that is suspiciously absent of the vessel that brought Sulek and the others here) begins to come apart piece by piece. Lava and fire erupt all around as suddenly dozens of the columns begin to exit from the planet as escape velocity.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::makes the arraignments to get off the island::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Medical Officer> ::Continues scanning the trio:: ALL: Well you're weak, but not infected with anything. But to be safe let's get you down to -- ::Cries out::

Cherry says:
@::starts packing their stuff::

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The Quirinus suddenly veers hard to the left, the inertial dampeners cannot compensate as one of the columns flies past the ship. All are thrown.

Jade says:
#::wonder if they are ever going to find a table::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: Lets go to the transporter padd. It will activate as soon as the processing is done. We're going to my place in San Francisco for supplies. I don't want to be caught off guard

David_Telarus says:
Sulek: Sir we should contribute in any way we can to the efforts to stay alive on our ship, or old ship.

Kraight says:
:: lands hard against the bulkhead :: Self: Ooof... not again...

Cherry says:
@::nods grimly and hoists her pack on her back.::  Pangborn:  Let's go.  ::heads out::

Sulek says:
::hits the wall of the corridor and is then abruptly on the floor::

David_Telarus says:
::is tossed around::

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The Quirinus desperately attempts to maneuver around the gigantic columns which look like massive, dark, bowling pins. They begin to spread out in every direction ... reaching escape velocity and increasing speed every moment.

Sulek says:
Telarus: Agreed, but not until we are sure that we will do no harm.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Y'eagai> # ::Finally finds a table for them to discuss things::

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: As the Quirinus re-gains it's standing, and begins to go to warp to escape the destruction of the world ... we fade in on Mr. Shadow arriving in a dark, horrid place with Vee. "Well, my sweet, let's show the world the real you."

Host SM_Selan says:
=/\==/\==/\==/\==/\= END =/\==/\==/\==/\==/\=