Orphans
Chapter Four
USS Quirinus Stardate 10506.13
starring 

Mitch Travis as Captain Sulek 
Keith LaHue as XO Ben Pangborn 
Jeffrey G. Brown as CSO Kraight 
Christopher Dickinson as CTO Billy Bob Powers 
Karriaunna Scotti as Counselor Azhure 

featuring
Lynda Anderson is EO Running Horse
Kurt Goring as Serena
Christopher Gibson as aCMO T’Vol
Keith LaHue as Computer

and
Kurt Goring as guest Ship Manager   

 
The crew of the Quirinus are faced with a dilemma. How can they help stop the destruction of the galaxy with a machine beyond their understanding. We'll find out on this week's episode of 0:45:00
 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< BEGIN >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

CO Capt Sulek says:
::on the bridge looking at the data returning from the AT and comparing it to the Serena's data.
CO Capt Sulek says:
::
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
::Lt. Commander T'Vol and Commander Azhure sit in their chairs looking over the databanks of the object known as Serena. T'Vol pauses in thought:: Serena: Serena...if you engaged your engines, how long would you be able to sustain faster then light travel before your systems failed?
Serena says:
::hovers unsubstantial before the Vulcan:: ACMO: I cannot engage my engines with the unstable field.
 
ACTION: The Quirinus' shuttle returns, depositing the ersatz repair crew back on the ship.

ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
ACMO: Alright. ::He pauses and stands in thought:: Serena: Do you have something comparable to our Navigational Deflector aboard?
Serena says:
::brings up a schematic:: ACMO: I do not, nothing that fits the description I got from Quirinus. The need for that was eliminated when my drive system was invented in... oh, sorry.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
::now brings up the power grid board and scrutinizes it carefully::
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
::He nods once::
CTO LtCmdr Powers says:
::Sighs::
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
CNS: If we can't correct the problem, perhaps we can divert the energy flow, to at least grant us additional time to work on the problem.
 
ACTION: the lights inside Serena dim and an earsplitting wail of twisting metal echoes through all hundred kilometers of her.

CNS Cmd Azhure says:
:: Sits back quietly contemplating.::  Serene:  You cannot simply tell us the information, but could we find out indirectly... from your data storage system?
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Serena: Serena, I am CSO Kraight. I was not among those who visited you. Am I correct in understanding that you need to either dump excess energy from your core, or return your core shields to complete balance to prevent the core implosion?
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
::He does his best not to cringe at the terrible sound echoing in his Vulcan ears::
 Serena says:
CNS: Data acquisition is provided through my holo interface. You have to ask me.
 Serena says:
CSO: You are correct, CSO Kraight.
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
Serene:  What was that noise?
CO Capt Sulek says:
::turning to Kraight:: Kraight: According to the data given to us by Serena and comparison of the core shield data collected by the AT, the core shield is out of balance.  We need to re-harmonize the shield with our space.  The shielding has been reset by Serena's subspace travel.
 Serena says:
CNS/Quirinus: Bulkheads surrounding my engine core are beginning to collapse under the gravitational stresses.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
:: Smiles :: Serena: Just 'Kraight' will do. The preferable, and permanent, solution will be to retune the shields, I assume.
 Serena says:
CSO: It would be, but I believe you lack the technology for that at this point in time.
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
CNS: Time, apparently, is of the essence. Serena: Serena, is there a way that we can manually access your data records?
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
:: brow furrowed ::  CO: Our own shields are optimized for our space.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Serena: Not necessarily. Do your control interfaces employ heuristic algorithms -- that is, subroutines that are capable of learning?
 Serena says:
CSO: Of course! ::a smile can almost be heard through the speaker::
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Serena: Then interfacing your shield controls to ours would enable them to "learn" -- or perhaps relearn -- the optimum configuration for the space we exist in.
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
ACMO:  I have not possible solution.  She is to big for me to... ::Shakes head::  never mind.  Whether there are answers within her or not, our Prime directive, meant to keep safe species who have not reached warp capability, will be our downfall in this.
 
ACTION: 0:25:00...

ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
CNS: ...but those answers could help us stop a disaster from occuring.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Serena: Do you concur, Serena?
 Serena says:
CSO: Yes, Kraight. And I concur. Shall I tell Quirinus?
EO Lt Running Horse says:
::working on keeping the Q in one piece::
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Serena: You mean our ship's computer. Unlike you, Serena, it is not truly sentient. We've had... bad experiences with sentient shipboard computers.
 Serena says:
CSO: Oh... shall I do it then?
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Serena: One moment.
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
Serena:  What is it about the prime directive that you are reading from our data bank, stand in your way of giving us potential information that could help?
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Serena: You may need realtime access to a more.... intuitive understanding of our systems. Are you yourself capable of telepathic access to a humanoid mind?
 Serena says:
CNS: I am reading from your temporal prime directive. I am not allowed to discuss your future nor provide technology from my own timeline.
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
::He stops pacing for a moment and does his best to review the situation:: CNS: It may be best if we report to Captain Sulek on our...lack, of progress.
 
ACTION: Serena's voice and projections start to waver as the containment grid on her core starts to glow bright blue from stress. Alien-sounding alarms begin to wail. 0:20:00...
 
Serena says:
CSO: I am afraid I lack that ability.
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
ACMO: You are correct...
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Self: Frell.
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
*CO*:  Captain, Azhure here.  I am afraid the doctor and I are not succeeding on our end.  We have run into the temporal prime directive, which apparently is buried within our data base.
 
ACTION: Azhure collapses, violently sick as Serena's core begins to collapse.

CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
CO: Captain, we are running out of time. I believe our best chance to save Serena and our galaxy is to link our shield control system to hers. Permission to proceed?
CO Capt Sulek says:
*Azhure* Understood.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*: Sir we need to do something and fast.
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
:: Her mind closes down around the pain that goes through her and she curls up.::
CO Capt Sulek says:
Kraight: Granted.  We will still need an operational leverage.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
CO; Thank you. I am also going to try something I'd hoped to spend more time testing...
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
::As Azhure reports to Sulek, the Vulcan Doctor watches as she collapses. He moves in quickly to catch her head before it hits the ground and he lays her down, pulling out a tricorder:: *CO*: Captain, Commander Azhure has collapsed. Status unknown.
CO Capt Sulek says:
*Running Horse* Retune our shields to match the field surrounding Serena's core and then extend our shields into hers.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Serena: Serena... link to our shield controls now. Learn as much from their optimization subroutines as you can, as quickly as you can.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*: Already on it sir. ::hands flying across the control boards::
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Computer: Computer... report free holodecks.
 
ACTION: As Serena links with the Quirinus again, every display lights up as she accesses the ship's controls, killing the ship's drive engines and redesigning its field to match hers.

EO Lt Running Horse says:
::retuning the shields to match the surrounding field of Serena's core::
CO Capt Sulek says:
Kraight: Link to her controls and ours.  Realign our shields and hopefully as our shields modify, so will hers through the control links.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
CO: She is doing that on her own.
 
SCENE: Outside the Quirinus, the field surrounding Serena's core dims to a pale blue as the field stabilizes...

EO Lt Running Horse says:
::now accomplishes the right calibrations to extend the Q's shields around Serena::
 
ACTION: 0:15:00..

EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*: Ready here just give the word.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Serena: Serena, have you been able to stabilize your core shields?
 Serena says:
CSO: Yes, Kraight. Field stability is at 97% and falling.
Computer says:
CSO: Holodeck Three is empty at this time.
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
::T'Vol pulls out a field kit and injects Azhure with a stimulant to help bring her around::
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Serena: Falling? Why? Are you having problems maintaining the shield controls?
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
:: Lays still, slowly bringing her breathing back under control, tears damp on her cheeks.::
CO Capt Sulek says:
Serena: As your shields lower to normal, we recommend that you try to move to a neutral subspace field.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*: Our shields are tuned to hers and holding.
 
ACTION: In Engineering, the Quirinus' engines start to redline.

CNS Cmd Azhure says:
:: Slowly returns to the realization of where she is.::
CO Capt Sulek says:
*Running Horse* Alternate power all decks except life support to the shields.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
Self:  Damn it.  EO Remeez: Get your team to the fusion reactors we are going to go into the red zones on this one.  Keep them working.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*: Already reallocating power for shields except for lifesupport and essential power.
 
ACTION: 0:10:00...

CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
CO: Captain, Serena's routines are not able to learn everything they need to know about our shields and other systems. They need an intuitive understanding. I *must* have power to Holodeck Three!
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
CNS: Welcome back, Commander. ::He looks down at her, scanning the El Aurian woman:: I can't explain it, but it seems your physiological system is in tune with Serena's...
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
:: dashes into the Turbolift ::  TL: Holodeck Three!    :: the door closes ::
 
ACTION: Parts of the Quirinus starts to go black as more and more power is fed in to the shield generators to keep Serena's engines stable.

CO Capt Sulek says:
Kraight: Take it.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
Self: Come on.  Come on Hurry up there.  ::watching the engines and the power boards as systems are now beginning to shut down::
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
:: arrives outside the Holodeck moments later ::
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*: Sir I am loosing power to some of the systems and I think it be best to take the ship to grey mode.
CO Capt Sulek says:
*Running Horse* Power to Holodeck three.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
Holodeck controls: Computer... run stored program Barclay Neural Interface version 0.45.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*:Understood sir but it is not going to hold long.
Computer says:
 CSO: Program complete. Enter when ready.
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
:: Tries to sit up.::  ACMO: It is probably due to our... ::Sighs:: It does not matter.  Thank you.  :: Looks up.::  I take it something has happened?  Has the ship solved the puzzle?
EO Lt Running Horse says:
::reroutes power to holodeck 3::
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
:: holodeck doors whoosh open ::
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*: Holodeck 3 online and waiting.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
:: sits in the chair :: Holodeck: Activate direct neural interface.
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
CNS: Not quite...it seems the drive system has stabilized. I do not know why or how...
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
:: bright beams of light stab out from the ceiling and envelope the CSO's blue-green scalp ::
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
CMO:  What did the captain say?
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
~~~ Serena: Serena... can you hear me. It's Kraight. I am part of our computer system now. ~~~
Serena says:
~~~CSO: Yes, I can hear you, Kraight. This is a much better form of communication. May I download your files as well?~~~~
EO Lt Running Horse says:
::keeps her eyes on the power grids as more parts go out around the ship::
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
CNS: Nothing...*Quirinus*: Commander T'Vol to bridge.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
~~~ Serena: Ah... well, humanoids have certain memories they prefer to keep private. Please feel free to access any of my technical knowledge, as well as what we humanoids refer to as 'intuition'. ~~~
CO Capt Sulek says:
*T'Vol* Sulek here
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*: Sir more parts are going black on the ship here.
 Serena says:
~~~~CSO: Intuition... yes...~~~~
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
:: Slowly stands, getting her balance.::
 
ACTION: Kraight feels lightheaded as Serena quickly accesses his mind before abruptly pulling out.

ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
*CO*: Captain, Commander Azhure has regained consciousness...what is your status?
CO Capt Sulek says:
*Running Horse* Hold her steady.  Shut down decks if you must.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
~~~ Serena: What's wrong? ~~~
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*: Understood Permission to take ship to grey mode?
CO Capt Sulek says:
*T'Vol* Kraight is trying to teach Serena the controls she needs.
 Serena says:
*All*: This is all my fault... I should have stayed with the Coward. I should have accepted my fate.
CO Capt Sulek says:
*Running Horse* What ever it takes.  If we fail, there will be little to worry about a few blown couplings.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
:: thru the ship's comms :: *CO*: Captain? May I requests that power to the Holodeck and the computer core be maintained? I'd rather like to have my whole mind back in my head when this is over...
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO* Understood sir going to grey.
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
*CO*: Understood...standing by. ::He gives Azhure something similar to a look of concern::
CO Capt Sulek says:
*Kraight* It is on priority.
 
ACTION: Power on the Quirinus goes black as Serena draws from them. The pulsing neutron stars in her core spinning wildly as her engines ignite.

CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
~~~ Serena: Serena, please respond. ~~~
CTO LtCmdr Powers says:
::Holds on for this.. it's going to be big one way or the other.  He can feel the ships straining::
 
SCENE: After mere moments of translating space, Serena opens her cargo bay and releases the Quirinus which falls lifeless out of her.

EO Lt Running Horse says:
::begins to shut down all areas of the ship that are not needed as more parts go black::
CO Capt Sulek says:
*Running Horse* Power to shields, holodeck and computer...all other systems secondary.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
~~~ Serena: Serena, what are you doing? ~~~
 Serena says:
~~~CSO: What I have to. ~~~
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*: Understood but sir we are being bled dry of power.
CO Capt Sulek says:
*Running Horse* Irrelevant.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
~~~ Serena: Serena... no. You are much too valuable to self-terminate. ~~~
 
ACTION: Two massive lifter robots eject from Serena's core as well, latching on to the Quirinus and igniting their conventional engines to push it away.

EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO: I am having difficulties keeping main power to life support on many decks.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
::feeds more into the shields and the holodeck::
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
~~~ Serena: Serena, if you feel you must do this, re-establish the link with my mind and dump as many of your memories into me as you can. Don't worry about hurting me... the ship's computer will buffer the data transfer. ~~
 
ACTION: With the bay open, Quirnus locks on to Commander Azhure and ACMO T'Vol's commbadges, transporting them back before her bay closes.

CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
~~~ Serena: Serena, please answer me! ~~~
CO Capt Sulek says:
::notes the ejection::*Running Horse* Take shields to normal.
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
::As Serena begins to shut down around him he notices the lights dimming. The realization that they may have failed in their mission, and that they might perish here...and then the transporter locks onto him, and he begins to hope for a brief second::
EO Lt Running Horse says:
Self: It is going to take me more than two weeks to get the fusion reactors back up and running not to mention all the ODN power relays as well.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*: Taking shields to normal now.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
::brings the shields down to normal::
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
:: Finding herself in the transporter room, looks at the doctor.::  ACMO:  Ya know... I really hate not knowing what is going on.  ::Steps down and heads for the bridge.::
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO* Shields are at normal sir.
 
SCENE: Like an enormous maw of black space and torn stars, the super black hole at the center of the galaxy locks hungrily on to Serena, tearing her apart piece by piece as her engines resist the pull.

CO Capt Sulek says:
*Running Horse* Bring all power into normal operational standards...and...
 Serena says:
*All*: I'm going home... thank you for helping me. Maybe I will meet your descendants... I hope...
EO Remeeerz says:
 *EO*: Sir fusion reactor 5 has SCRAM'd::
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
:: Arrives at the turbolift and steps in, waiting for the doctor.::
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
CNS: It is quite an inconvenience when attempting to assist in our tasks. ::He walks out of the transporter room along-side Azhure::
CO Capt Sulek says:
*Serena* We wish you well.  Ops: Cut the link with Serena.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
Self: Not good at all.
 
ACTION: Serena's engines finally collapse, exploding in a brilliant yellow sphere that sends the Quirnus careening through space at warp velocities before being sucked away without a sound by the black hole.

CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
:: looks out through the ship's sensors... mentally shakes his head in sorrow ::
EO Lt Running Horse says:
*CO*: Understood sir doing so now.  But sir one of our fusion reactors has just SCRAM'd.
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
:: thinks a command into the interface :: Computer: Computer... run program Barclay Reintegration Test version 0.12...
ACMO LtCmdr T`Vol says:
::As the ship rocks, he finds himself thrown to the back of the turbolift. The Vulcan man almost curses and does his best to keep himself stable with Azhure::
CO Capt Sulek says:
::grabs on to his chair:: Helm: Inertial dampeners on line.
EO Lt Running Horse says:
::can feel the ship through her feet and immediately pushes what ever power she can into the IDF fields::
CSO Cmdr Kraight says:
:: the beams of light flicker for a few seconds... then the Holodeck program ends, leaving an unconscious Benzite on the deck... ::
CNS Cmd Azhure says:
:: Sighs:: ACMO:  Maybe I should have just stayed in bed today... I keep finding myself down anyways.  ::Smiles wryly.::
 
ACTION: Thrown thousands of light-years away, the Quirinus drifts slowly to a stop, her engines in tatters and power systems blown all over the ship. As the crew pick themselves up again and begin to make repairs, the distant light of the maw and their memories of the ship Serena are all that remain.
 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<END MISSION / ARC >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>