Quirinus Mission 10902.02

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 is docked at the derelict space station Quest, a seemingly routine mission  --  only one that has become deadly, as one of their own has now disappeared, but to where?

=/\==/\=  BEGIN Quirinus Mission 10902.02: Through the Past, Darkly =/\==/\=
=/\==/\=  Episode 4  =/\==/\=

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: As the transporter beam releases them, her eyes move instantly to where Bill had last stood before vanishing. ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: moving to Kraight ::   Kraight:  Put this on the suit as well. :: hands him the personal field generator ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO, CNS: Welcome back. I have narrowed down the possible subspace domains in which Commander Powers may be, but I do not have a firm lock on him yet. However, I have formulated a plan. Counselor, what say you and I go and retrieve your husband?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
XO: We were given little information to help beyond the fact they were testing dark matter here.  I have sent out a call to the last captain, but have yet to hear back.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Here eyes narrow slightly ::  XO: How?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: The 80 crew were reported as dead in the explosion caused by the explosion here on deck 5.  No bodies though were recovered.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Looks around himself as the lights seem to get brighter, then his eyes resolve to see people staring at him quietly ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@<SEC_Trop> CTO: You there!  Who are you?  Where did you come from?
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: Are you okay? :: leaning over him ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: holds out his hand ::  CNS: I had the ship beam over these emergency transporter armbands. I have modified them to create a subspace bubble. You and I will wear them, and by adjusting the subspace differential, we can move through the subspace domains until we find Commander Powers.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: As she listens, she looks toward were Bill is standing, conscious now.  Some of the tension eased a bit to know he was awake. ::
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: Calm down, you're okay.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: I believe that I will be better able to narrow his location once I am able to take readings from within subspace.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: she turned to look at him. ::  XO:  First, you need to change your suit.  Do you know why Bill shifted and not us?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Blinks ::  Marina: Thank you... :: looks at their uniforms - all red, where's the rank insignia? ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: shakes head :: CNS: Not yet.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: According to records, dark matter may be illuminated by metreon particles.  Perhaps, if we know where the energy is, your search subspace search may be more specific.
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: Welcome to the abyss. I only hope your crew figures out that they too, will become ensnared in this trap....they must not stay here for long
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Do you believe that there is dark matter within the station? It will be exceptionally dangerous to release metreon gas within the confines of the station.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: accepts a fresh suit from Azhure ::    CNS, CO: Give me a moment to change.   :: retreats to a nearby airlock ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@Marina: Wait, I'm stuck here?  Unacceptable...
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: sighs as she turns toward the captain ::  CO:  Like most, I know the basics of what basics are known of dark matter.
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: Tell me about it. I've been here...well, since the accident
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@Marina: I'd imagine your story is much more interesting than mine... why don't you tell me what happened?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  And no pun intended, I feel very much in the dark at the moment of this whole situation.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: returns, wearing the new EVA suit ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: For that, I have no answer.  If, however, the bringing of dark matter caused a tear in subspace, we might be able to determine the depth or number of tears in subspace.
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: I'm not entirely sure what happened. They were working with Dark Matter. I'm not sure what the experiment was about, but after the explosion, we all started to...well, we just kind of drifted here. And here...well I'm not sure where we are. Just that we're not dead, but we're not really alive either.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Perhaps. I would recommend we leave metreon as an extreme last resort. Captain, I suggested that the Counselor accompany me into subspace because her empathic connection to Commander Powers may assist us in locating him. May I suggest that your time could be best employed in decrypting the records of the dark matter experiment?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Frowns and raises two fingers to his neck to feel for a pulse ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: If the tears were not linear, then despite the frequent shifts could lead to an area that is only microns from our own time frame, which would explain their awareness of us and their ability to briefly communicate.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@Marina: I'm no doctor, but I still seem to be alive.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: I concur. I believe that we will be able to navigate the local subspace topology, nevertheless.
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: Then why can't we seem to use any of the formidable equipment we have at our disposal. It took three of us to send you two words of text in Morse code. And that took... I don't know how long.
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: Time is not the same here. None of us have aged. We don't eat anything. Yet we remain.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Agreed.  To do that, however, I will need to directly access the computer core to download the specific files.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Likely you will be able to do that from computer control, on Deck Three.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Keeping back a sigh of impatience, knowing it is unwarranted, she waits for the two to finish their discussion. ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: hands a transporter armband to Azhure ::  CNS: Shall we, Counselor?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Furrows his brow ::  Marina: Very odd.  Even so... we must try.  If you know how to send Morse transmissions now, it should be simple to repeat the process.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: puts on his armband ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Then we should make a start.  And XO, as the Earth saying goes, be sure you know where we parked our transit vehicle so you can find your way back.
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: Give it your best shot. Wait...how long ago did you get our message?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: grins ::  CO: Yes, sir.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@Marina: I.. :: opens his mouth, then stop ::  Well, it was only a few minutes before I... left my reality.  But I don't know how long it's been since then.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: turns and goes down the hall to TL :: Kraight/Azhure: Good fortune, Commanders.
Host SM_Keith says:
@ :: empty stare :: <Ens Marina> CTO: I'm not certain how long ago that was here... it seems like ages.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Nods to the captain and turns to Kraight with a lifted brow ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: Counselor... you have some ability to communicate with Commander Powers telepathically, I think. Do you think you could convey to him that he should stay where he is?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: enter TL :: Deck three. *Quirinus* Beam a power generator to computer mainframe console on deck 3 of the station.

ACTION: The Quirinus complies.

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Crosses his arms ::  Marina: We still have to try.  There has to be some way to modulate a message through time... it's been done before.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: slowly she shakes her head ::  XO:  Bill cannot hear me.  He can sense me, but not hear me.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS:  All right.   :: places a hand on Azhure's shoulder ::    We _will_ get him back, Counselor. This I swear to you.
Host SM_Keith says:
@ :: takes a seat :: <Ens Marina> CTO: Did you know you're the first people who have dared come back here after the accident?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Simply nods and returns her eyes toward where her husband is standing, unseen by those in her place and time. ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@Marina: I know.  Starfleet seemed... more than willing to forget about this place.  Must have been some explosion.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: arrives deck and moves down the hall to the computer console.  He pulls the junction panel at the side of the console and begins hooking in the generator. ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: taps a control on his tricorder -- and a faint shimmering pops into existence around himself and Azhure ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: Subspace bubbles activated. Adjusting subspace differential...
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: It was probably the captain, he was a good administrator, but was hampered by his emotions. Though I'm sure it was quite a tale to tell
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: the station begins to fade as the two Starfleet officers are pulled into subspace ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Her eyes seeing more then what others would ::  XO:  What will be your increments?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he powers up the generator and then slowly powers up the console ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: Point oh four millicochranes to start. I'll adjust that as conditions warrant.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@Marina: Still.  We have to try to get a message through again.

ACTION: Kraight and Azhure remain where they are on the station, but in a different subspace phase. There is no one present.

Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: Got any ideas how?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: Don't be alarmed by anything you may see. We'll be in flux, and we can't be harmed by anything in subspace until we stabilize.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Notes the quiet ::  XO:  I shall not.  :: smiles lightly :: I had forgotten how eerie this can be.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Frowns ::  Marina: I'm a security officer.  Too bad I'm not a scientist..
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: slowly lights begin to flash on the console ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: glances at Azhure ::   CNS: I was not aware you had been in subspace prior to today, Counselor.

ACTION: It is unnaturally quiet where Kraight and Azhure stand.

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Slowly blinks her eyes ::  XO:  Life holds many unexpected, especially should one live long enough.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he brings the computer core on line to the console ::
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: I worked in hydroponics. I'm afraid I won't be much help. Unless you're trying to grow carrots

ACTION: The two officers see only mist around them. Indistinct shapes can occasionally be glimpsed moving nearby.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: My time aboard the Quirinus has convinced me of the truth of that.

ACTION: The computer core leaps to life, and automatically begins rebooting it's main processor.

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Lightly chuckles as she reaches out with her senses for her husbands presence. ::

ACTION: Suddenly a shape materializes out of the mist. It looks very much like a bright blue Tyrannosaurus Rex, holding a glowing sphere in one claw. It vanishes as quickly as it came.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he begins by calling up data from the science stations on deck 5 and then begins eliminating all labs not working on energy experiments ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@Marina: I'll keep that in mind.  How many of you are there?  Any stellar scientists amongst you?
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: Most us us were support staff. We have some computer guys....some security.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: scans ::   CNS: Field differential now at 6.4 millicochranes. Commander Powers' signal is much stronger now.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
XO: Interesting.  There is a world where dinosaurs evolved into a higher life form... they do not think much of humans.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: next he sets in a time frame of two weeks before the station's abandonment ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Taps his fingers against his other bicep ::  Marina: None of the scientists or engineers who were actually leading the experiment were caught in the blast?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: It would be fascinating to converse with such a creature... but we have no time for that, I fear.

ACTION: The mists thicken. Darkness begins to encroach.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he brings up all experimental logs ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
XO: They live in our own dimension, however, I believe there is 'treaty', that humans are never to enter their space.  Has to do with religious beliefs... kind of like the time of Earth's early scientists, such as Galileo.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: nods ::  CNS: I'll try to avoid their domain on our way out. Field differential now at 8.8 millicochranes.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: next he calls up video records putting them on auto-play, looking for specific actions by the experimenters and lastly the video log of the explosion ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: continues scanning, and adjusting their subspace bubbles ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Quietly watches as each phase changes perspectives. ::
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> CTO: The scientists were all caught in the blast. Those of us here were in adjacent sections.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he transfer the explosion video to his tricorder and then to the ship :: *Quirinus* Have the computer analyze all events in the attached video for shifts in the surrounding areas and all adjacent rooms.

ACTION: The mists around them begin to glow. Multiple point sources of light can be seen moving within the mists, some slowly, some quite rapidly.

Host SM_Keith says:
<OPS Wearst>  *CO*: Acknowledged
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: next he takes the medical logs and downloads them to the console :: Computer: Compare all logs from deck 5 to medical entries.  Extrapolate repeated words and possible lettering.  Using a standard alpha log, develop possible sentence and word structure.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CNS: The commander's subspace signal is very strong now. I think we are very near. I am going to slow the adjustments, to be certain we do not overshoot his domain.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: nods, her eyes sweeping the area. ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: peers intently at the tricorder :: CNS: Subspace differential at 10.4... 10.5... 10.6...
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Looks around for a computer terminal and starts poking around ::  Marina: Gotta be something in here.  Maybe what the experiment was doing, any notes we can try to read and understand...

ACTION: A loud 'pop' is heard as Azure and Kraight appear in  the same phase as Powers. There is an even louder 'pop' as the armband transporters they are wearing implode, making them useless.

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
@ :: Feeling a slight sting she looks down at her arm and frowns. ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Computer: show possible variants on screen.  :: as the list begins to scroll, he begins looking for key phrases that would most likely be used in a dark matter experiment ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
@ XO: Somehow, I do not think that was meant to happen.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: examines the armband ::  Self:  Well, this can't be good...
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ CNS: No...
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Rubs his ears and looks around ::  XO/CNS: Well, hello.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
@ CTO:  About time you made an appearance.  I thought you hated leaving your own time and place...  :: goes to him and wraps her arms around his waist. ::
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> All: Oh this is just freaking great. Plan on bringing even more over to "the dark side"? :: walks away, disgusted ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ CTO: Greetings, Commander. Good to see you are well and unhurt.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Returns the hug quickly, then turns to Kraight ::  XO: Good feelings all around.  Now we've got some science brains to find out how to get home.  :: thumb over the shoulder ::  They were telling me time moves differently here, though.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Self: No, not lamb, not little, not mingle, and then.... Computer: Fold...time...space..stop on that sequence.  Bring up the strings where those words appear on deck 5 logs.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
@ CTO:  How much time are you consciously aware has passed since you left us?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: checks tricorder :: CTO: That, I can believe. Readings indicate that this is a subspace pocket, isolated almost completely from the surrounding domains. 
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Shrugs ::  CNS: I didn't even realize when I was gone.. I briefly saw a bright light, and heard noises, and then I was here.  I think I've been here for... ten, maybe fifteen minutes.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
@ XO:  What is the extent... distance covered?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
@ CTO: You left us over an hour ago.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ CNS: We materialized here when the subspace differential reached 10.95.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
@ XO:  And within the bubble?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: the single series of words appear in 4 logs specific to a science lab on deck five :: Computer: Using those words in these logs develop decryption include the words subspace, dark matter, and binary numbers in the decryption alpha.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ CNS: The bubbles have collapsed. Our armbands have ceased to function, I'm afraid.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: scans ::  Counselor, you may remove your helmet. There is atmosphere here.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: removes his own helmet ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
@ XO: Do you think you can figure out why they ceased?  Can you rebuild them for a reverse effort?  :: frowns unsure she can explain her question ::  So that they are in tune with this place and can be used in reverse.
Host SM_Keith says:
@ :: slowly walks back over :: <Ens Marina> XO: *Please* tell us some good news.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ CNS: Possibly. I'll need more time to examine them.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: waits as the computer begins using his attempt at creating his own metaphorical Rosetta Stone ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
@ :: Takes hers off and hands it to him ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ Marina: I can tell you that the USS Quirinus is docked with Station Quest, and we have no intention of leaving until all of you have been returned to normal space.
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Ens Marina> All: Bless you.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: slowly the logs begin to scroll out.  he makes adjustments to the decryption to eliminate nonsensical words, looking specifically for more common word and verb usage ::

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