Quirinus Mission 10901.19

starring

Mitch Travis as CO Captain Sulek 
Jeffrey G. Brown as XO Commander Kraight
Christopher Dickinson as CTO Commander Billy Bob Powers, Jr. 
Karriaunna Scotti as CNS Commander Azhure Powers 

with

Keith LaHue, Ship Manager

MISSION PROLOGUE: The USS Quirinus has been dispatched to Station Quest, a station abandoned by the Federation under somewhat mysterious circumstances after the war. The crew works to restore power to the station, but at what cost?

=/\==/\=  BEGIN Quirinus Mission 10901.19: Through the Past, Darkly =/\==/\=
=/\==/\=  Episode 2  =/\==/\=

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: trying to bring the engineering console online ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Basically inside the life support console working on putting it in order for when power is restored ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: on Quest bridge :: Azhure: portable generator should be on line shortly for power up of your control.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Sniffs inside his suit as he monitors the situation in the engineering room ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO: I am almost set... we are lucky it does not need to be replaced.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: I am surprised that operational parts have not been salvaged from the station.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Pokes her head out :: CO:  Which lends its own question.  Why not?

ACTION: All around them, there are little things that indicate the station was abandoned quickly. A half cup of coffee sits by the Captain's seat.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: I need to repolarize an EPS junction. Wait here.  :: opens a hatch and crawls into a Jeffries tube ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Frowns ::  XO: I think the engineers could do that, sir.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Indeed.  It is not like the Ferengi to ignore such a prize
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: from inside the tube :: CTO: Almost got it...   :: a fat 'ZZZZZZZZT-POP' is heard, and a flash of light can be seen inside the tube ::  CTO: Yow! Not as dead as I thought it was...
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Reaches up to grab the console to help drag herself out ::  CO:  OK... I think we are set.  It was basically simple issues that come with long term disuse.

ACTION: As Azhure powers up the unit, it quickly dies in a flash of sparks.

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: To no one ::  OK... that is not good.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: kneels back down and looks inside ::  MO:  Julie, shine your light all around.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: moves to the console and stands next to Azhure ::   Azhure: It could be the cold damage to the secondary relay... What was that?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: Everything okay there, Commander?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: emerges from the tube :: CTO: Okay... let's see what we've accomplished here...   :: powers up a nearby console ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Looking within as Julie adds extra light ::  CO:  What was what?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: In my peripheral vision just now there was...something.. :: he turns toward the empty space ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: The EPS system will need a thorough overhaul; there has been considerable degradation over the years. But I think we can get something...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he runs a scan of the area ::

ACTION: The engineering console sputters to life, many of its displays flickering unsteadily.

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Stands up and looks around.  After a moment, she closes her eyes to better focus other senses ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: Ah... this looks promising...
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Takes a breath in and out ::  XO: Sorry I'm not any help.  Let me at the weapon systems, maybe.  But power grids?  Not my thing...
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Without opening her eyes ::  CO:  It would appear we have visitors... or hosts, depending on your point of view.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Turns his head sharply to the right, but sees nothing there... well, mostly the edge of his faceplate ::  Self: Stupid suit....
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Sentient?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: After a moment, she opens her eyes and kneels back down to the console ::  CO:  Aye... though at what level, I am not yet certain.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: after a few moments studying the readouts ::  CTO: Not a problem, Commander. But this might be...   *CO*: Captain, I have partial access to the engineering systems. I read three sizable hull breaches on Deck Five. Internal forcefields are entirely offline. We won't be able to pressurize that deck until repairs are made.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Looks up ::  CO:  I do not sense any evil intent... almost a gentle nature.  :: Goes back to working on the console ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Unscannable and invisible to our line of vision, then?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Smiles as she begins to make a few alterations ::  CO:  You are the one with the tricorder.  You might try the universal translator and try talking to... the being.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Kraight*: Understood.  You should know Azhure tells me that we are not alone here.  I believed I saw something peripherally.  She senses no evil intent.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
MO: Julie, point the light there...  :: as she does so, she reaches in to reconnect the circuitry ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
*CO*: Interesting. We'll keep working on the engineering systems. Kraight out.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: I shall endeavor to speak to it then.  :: he moves to the empty space ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: Be alert for the entity that the Captain mentioned. Do not fire upon it except as a last resort.

ACTION: As Azhure reconnects the wires, the console leaps to life; running on the power units provided

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Lifts a brow as she looks at Julie ::  MO:  We did not miss that earlier, did we.  So... old machinery or someone does not want it on.  :: Stands and smiles as the unit comes on ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: speaking to the empty space :: I am Sulek, Captain of the Federation starship Quirinus.  I caught but a brief glimpse of you.  We have come to restore the station if possible.  Do you understand?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
MO: Test for quality.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Shifts his gaze suddenly to the left ::  XO: He say what it looks like?  I keep seeing things.  Or maybe it's stale air.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: No, we have no description at this point. Given the conditions aboard this station, if it has been here for any period of time, I would suspect it may be noncorporeal in nature.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he crosses back to Azhure :: Azhure: Either it does not understand or chooses not to respond.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he moves to the ops control board and pops open the hatch, all appears to be connected and in working order ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: I'm going to check on the engineers. I'll be right back.  :: walks to the far end of the engineering bay, where the engineering team is working ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Attempts to cross his arms to tap his fingers on his other forearm, then thinks better and checks his wrist bound tricorder ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  Maybe they are shy?  After all, we are strangers walking into what they might perceive as their home. :: Looks over the readings as she waits for Julie's data ::  CO: Captain, on current power cells, I would give us about 6 hours max and would suggest we not stretch it that long.  Once it is hooked to the stations power it should be fine.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Thanks Julie as she informs them the air is breathable ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Then we will continue with our task and let them get used to us.  We should try to regenerate the cells then in 4 hours.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Starts a scan for exotic energy readings or sources ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Slowly looking about the area ::  CO:  Is it me, or does this place look like it was just... abandoned on a moments notice?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he presses in the start up sequence on the ops board ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Given the lack of information we have on its abandonment, I am not surprised.  I was in hopes of bringing the computer core on line so we might learn more from log entry.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO: You want me to play with that or do some scouting in general... mainly medical and science?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Looks up from his readings to see if the XO has returned yet ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: walks back to Powers ::  CTO: Things are looking up.  :: taps commbadge ::  *CO*: Captain, the engineers tell me we should have the fusion reactors back online shortly.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO: I vote for scouting.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: as the ops panel begins to warm :: Azhure: We will need to check the core manually to bring it up from station consoles.  I believe Medical and science are on the way.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Kraight*: Good news.  Remind the engineers that the wiring of this place has been in deep frozen stasis for some time.  Slow warming might be advisable.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
*CO*: They are taking that into account, sir. Request permission to inspect the damage on Deck Five.

ACTION: Power springs to life all about the station. Just as the main fusion generator comes online, an energy arc leaps out of one of the generators, severely burning one of the engineers.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight:  Granted.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: smiles ::  Lights are nice...  :: turns to walk with Julie over to the lift ::  MO:  Also means we do not have to go through crawl spaces.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Be careful in your exploration.  Take an engineer and security person with you.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: runs over to the injured engineer, catches him as he falls ::  EO: Easy, Lewis, easy.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Nods and points to two officers to join the pair of them ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
*Quirinus*: Kraight to Quirinus. Medical emergency. Beam Lieutenant Lewis directly to Sickbay at once!
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: As they step into the lift, she turns toward the area we she barely caught sight of the being ::  Entity:  You are welcome to join us.

ACTION: Lewis is beamed back to the sickbay of the Quirinus

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Points to another engineer ::  EO: Get that checked out.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
*CO*: Captain, Lewis has been injured. I've had him beamed to Sickbay.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he crosses to an engineer :: EO Langdon: We will need to bring up tactical for shielding control if we wish to stabilize the difference between internal and external dynamics.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: For a moment it is with them, and then it leaves, moving very fast ::  Entity: ... or not.  But you are still welcome.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Kraight*: Understood.  *Quirinus*: Keep me informed of Lewis' status. Sulek out.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: checks over the power readings :: CTO: I don't like this at all.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Orders the lift to the science deck ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: You don't believe it to be accidental?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: I'm not sure what to believe... *CO*: Sir, the fusion reactors are shutting down. We are showing an emergency override from Ops. Did you order this?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: As the lift stops, her small team steps off.  She looks down both ends of the hall ::  EO Bridges:  All right.  Which direction do we go for the main medical bay?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he moves to the operations panel :: *Kraight*: I am showing a stability fluctuation in the third fusion reactor.  It looks like... no, but I clearly see the override command as entered.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
<EO Bridges> :: points toward the right ::  CNS:  Right is the main medical bay, left to the primary science labs.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Motions with her head to the right ::  All:  There might be a story to tell there while the captain works on pulling up records.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Kraight*: Perhaps our guests don't want the station to be powered up. Or as Azhure put it, our hosts.  The lock out is quite complete.  I don't even believe the captain of record for the station could undo the command override, here.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
*CO*: Whatever the cause, the power systems aren't stable. I recommend we allow the fusion reactors to shut down, and set up a power relay from the ship.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: A few doors down, they come to two glass doors that are hard to see through due to the distortion of age of the glass ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Kraight*: If we wish to bypass, then we will have to bypass the operations console.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
*CO*: That shouldn't pose a problem.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: As the doors do not open immediately, she waits for Bridges to do his thing ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Kraight*: Still we do not know the intent of our hosts.  By salvage rights, the station is technically theirs.  I think  shunting power from the Quirinus to the areas we need is a more diplomatic course of action.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
*CO*: I'll contact the ship and set it up.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: contacts the ship and discusses the new plan ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: As the doors slide open, she takes a moment to look inside before the TO steps in before her, scanning.  At his nod, the rest of them follow him inside ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: speaking again to the air around him :: Entity: I am hopeful that this is sufficient for the time being.  Our corporeal type have a few requirements.  I do not know if you understand, but we are trying to check the status of the station.  If the Federation desires, they will discuss terms with you over its return.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
*CO*:  Maybe your friend up there is a guardian of some sort.  Everything in medical is intact.  Technically, there is a fortune here in technology, even if it is outdated by our current standards.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Walks around the room in general, picking up various objects before putting them back down ::  *CO*:  Same thing here as on the bridge.  All signs of people leaving in a hurry.  :: Moves to the medical supply cabinet ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Azhure* Our friend does not seem to want the station brought to full power.  It has completely overridden the fusion generator start up. Since there is no record of life loss or of attack, it almost seems as if a deal were struck, one that involved immediate evacuation.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
*CO*:  So... territorial or possible danger?  Perhaps we should wait until we get our hands on the records before doing anything much further.  :: Opening up she looks inside ::  A lot of the meds are outdated, but other then that, we are equipped as needed.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
*CO*: Captain, I've made the arrangements with the Quirinus. We will use the station's main deflector array as he receiver, and shunt the power to life support, Ops, and the computer core. It will take about half an hour to set up.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Closes the door and moves toward the CMO's office ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
<EO Bridges> CNS: All the basics are here and ready to be powered up when ready.  I do not see anything that is damaged or to prevent it.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Kraight*: Understood.  We for the time being will take no other actions than to check the records.  We need to know what went on here before we proceed.  Life-support only in areas where we are working.  As soon as the computer core is on line we transfer logs and station data then shut it down.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Nods as she enters the CMO's office ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
*CO*: Acknowledged.    CTO: Let's give Lieutenant Chang a hand with configuring the deflector array.  :: moves to join the remaining engineer ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Azhure*: Do not disturb anything.  If a deal was struck, then we should find out first.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Nods and follows the XO ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Walking to the desk, she picks up a cup of what might once have been coffee.  She takes a sniff before putting it back down and picking up a picture frame of a man and his family ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Quirinus*: Send priority one to Starfleet.  We need open records as to why Quest was abandoned so quickly.  Let them know that I suspect whatever it was still lives here on the station.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Shaking her head, she moves to search the desk for any padds.  Finding a few she picks up the top one and thumbs it on.  It appears to be one for personal use.  Sitting down at the desk, she begins to access it ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he moves to the command deck and looks at the captain's station.  He stares at it for a moment and then inputs the power up sequence and authorization code ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
*CO*:  A deal... :: frowns ::  I have found a padd with what I thought was the CMO's logs.  But it is encrypted.  I am no expert, but it does not look like anything I am familiar with in Starfleet... at least in the past.  Bill might be able to better tell.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Stops walking, and tries to put a hand to his head ::  XO: Commander?  I don't feel well.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Picks up one of the other padds to see if they are also encrypted ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he calls up the captain's logs :: *Azhure*: The same is true at the captain's console.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: turns :: CTO: What is it, Mr. Powers?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Feels lightheaded, and wants to sit down, but can't quite make himself bend properly ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: Lightheaded...
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: stares, quickly scans Powers ::  CTO: You're... fading. As though you were dematerializing...
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
*CO*:  Hmmm... odd.  All the padds on the desk are encrypted.  I wonder how they managed to do that... unless the crew themselves were trying to hide something.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: reaches out to touch Powers ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Azhure* Beam one back to the ship and let the computer's algorithms work on it.  Until the core is on line, I cannot transfer much data here.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
*CO*: Will do.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: You're solid again. This can't be good.  *CO*: Captain, we need to evacuate this station, now. Mr. Powers just... phased out for a moment. He dematerialized, then returned.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Makes a stack of the padds ::  *OPS*:  I need you to beam some padds aboard and run them through encryption to see if you can find out both the cypher, where it came from and it would be nice to know what they might say, especially the one that is a duty log.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he scans what he can from the basic console logs and sends them to the ship, musing to himself that it is a most unusual encryption ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: I ... what?!?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: As the padds are beamed off, she exits the CMO's office ::  All:  Next stop, the computer core.  Not that it will do us much good if it is like the rest.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: As they regroup, they head out the door and turn left ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*All hands* Emergency beam out now.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Quirinus* Beam us out, now....
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Lifts her hand to bring her team to a stop ::

ACTION: The Quirinus beams the crew away

=/\==/\= END Mission =/\==/\=