Quirinus Mission 10902.23

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: Last time on the USS Quirinus... Commander Kraight has come up with a way to move the station out of harm's way, or has he? Meanwhile the USS Asbury has arrived, bringing the first of what is expected to be many station crew.

=/\==/\=  BEGIN Quirinus Mission 10902.23: Hagean Project =/\==/\=
=/\==/\=  Episode 2  =/\==/\=

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: enters final commands into the console at Science One ::  CO: The Asbury reports they are in position, Captain.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: Stands near Science One as Kraight takes over ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: nods :: Kraight: The conn is yours.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Stands behind the tactical console, the tactical sensors on standby, watching for any more surprises like the Cardassians showing up again ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Thank you, sir.   :: turns to Engineering station ::   EO: Extend the subspace bubble.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
<EO Winters> XO: Aye, sir.  :: complies ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Turns to look at the Captain ::  CO: Have we considered what will happen to the vortex area once we move the station, Captain?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Indeed.  Commander Kraight has marked all known rifts and has run simulations.  We have placed warning buoys until we are able to figure out how to reverse the effects of the dark matter experiment.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Permanent quarantine area.  Those are always fun.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
EO: Engage tractor beam.    OPS: Advise the Asbury to do the same.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: We do what we can.  If we can find out the exact parameters of the experiment, then perhaps we can reverse the damage.

ACTION: The Asbury responds, and engages it's tractor beam as well.

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Maybe it's nothing more than a couple zero-point quantum torpedoes can't take care of.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: back at Science One ::  CO: Checking the station's structural stability... stress is within acceptable limits.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Those could also widen the rifts.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
FCO: Engage one-tenth impulse. Bearing one-one-seven mark four-three.

ACTION: The Asbury deftly reacts along with the Quirinus, acting in tandem.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: still monitoring ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: watches as the tractor beams of the two ships attach to their predetermined points. He feels the ship shudder slightly as it begins to gently tug on the station ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: tries to remember the last time he fired the quantum torpedoes ::

ACTION: Station Quest slowly moves out of it's current position.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: We are underway, Captain. ETA to new position is twenty-two minutes.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: moving down to the captain's chair :: Kraight: Then we wait.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: continues to monitor the condition of the station ::

ACTION: Kraight's console begins blinking; on screen, the station appears to phase in and out as parts of it move over the area of the rift.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: checks several sensor panels ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: one of his junior officers approaches and whispers in his ear; he ponders a moment, and then nods and makes eye contact before the officer moves off ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
<FCO> Kraight: Phase variance, making appropriate course correction, sir.

ACTION: The station is clearing the known area of the rift, and appears solid.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: We are encountering some small pockets of interphase, Captain. Recommend we continue... I do not expect that we will encounter anything more significant that what we've seen so far.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Continue.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Clearing the interphase region now. ETA seventeen minutes.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: blinks a couple times, wondering why it is that senior officers have to be at primary duty stations during a heightened alert level even when their presence is not required ::

ACTION: The tactical console comes alive, with reading of enemies, known and unknown. However, the viewscreen remains the same.

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Looks up at the console, but finds nothing amiss.  Curious, he checks the sensor logs ::  CO/XO: Captain, Commander - we briefly picked up fourteen separate vessels.  However, there is no indications of their presence.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: checks his own console ::  CTO: Possibly phantom readings from nearby parallel universes, leaking through the interphase space.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: It may be a through reading from the rift.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Possibly.  Those were solid pings for a moment, though.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: We can expect a few more of those before we are finished. ETA twelve minutes.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Mark specific reading course.  If some part of the attempted fold actually succeeded, we may have a new problem to deal with.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Aye.  :: Begins plotting the locations, noting overlaps with previously noted rift points ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: We may need to discover exactly what coordinates the original experiment was trying to fold to and determine if they may have created an actual, for lack of a better term, stable worm hole.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: busy at his station, answers without looking up :: CO: I would expect those details to be in the logs of Commander K'tal's experiments. I will take it up with him. ETA six minutes.   FCO: Commence braking maneuvers.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
<FCO> Kraight: Aye.

ACTION: The two FCOs coordinate the braking process.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Three minutes to final position. Stress readings nominal.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
FCO: Cut impulse engines. Final positioning on maneuvering thrusters only.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
<FCO> Kraight: Complete stop to designated coordinates in 60 seconds on my mark.   Mark... cutting to thrusters.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: monitors the final moments of the maneuvers ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
<FCO> Full stop in 10, 9, 8... all stop.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: His panel beeps again ::  CO/XO: Sirs, it's back.  Not just vessels... but weapons signatures.  Appears to be a massive interstellar battle.

ACTION: The station is moved to it's new, rift-free position.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: checks positioning against navigation database ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: The station is in position, Captain. The nearest known rift is fifty thousand kilometers away.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
<SO> Kraight: Positioning within 1/1000 variant of marked location.  If it were a dime it'd be under the tires.  :: grins ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
FCO: Well done.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: silently wonders if anyone heard him and considers repeating his statement ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Location of the ping.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
<FCO> Kraight: I had a good map, sir.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Other side of the rift, best I can lock down.  The readings are overpowering to resolve into individual vessels.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: focuses sensors on the rift ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: rising :: Kraight: Well done.  We need to locate the CTO's rift readings and make sure that nothing is about to come through.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Attempting to pin down the exact location now...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COMM Asbury: Thank you for your assistance.  Commander K'tal may now join us on the Quirinus.  We are picking up an anomaly and may need his data.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: with the increased sensor coverage, he's able to pick one transponder from the mess ::  CO: Captain, sensors are detecting a USS Quirinus transponder signal.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Asbury> COM: Sulek: We'll beam him over in a few minutes. Congratulations on moving Quest.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: looks up at Powers, then to Sulek ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers/Kraight: Then we have a parallel rift.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO, CTO: Without a doubt.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: Fantastic.  :: thumbs towards Sulek ::  Imagine two of him together...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: raised eyebrow ::  Powers: There is no logical reason to believe that my other or for that matter any of our other selves are on that ship.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Keep monitoring but no active signal.  Let's try to make sure they do not decide the rift is an escape route.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Captain, any high-energy discharges in this region  --  in either universe  --  may destabilize the rift and cause it to expand. We should try to seal it from our side.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
All: You know, it could be a time vortex, not a dimensional rift...
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: All the more reason to seal it, in order to prevent a paradox.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: True.  If that is the case then the temporal prime directive is in effect.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Recommendations?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: A high-density anti-polaron beam might just do it.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Maybe.  XO: Remember the time distortion effects on the other side of the rift... time had passed much more slowly for them.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Run a quick simulation and adjust the deflector dish for the discharge.  Advise Asbury to do the same as a secondary back up.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Aye, sir.   :: complies ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Transmit the adjusted course to the FCO so we can get a direct shot at the rift.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Simulations indicate a seventy percent probability of sealing the rift. Deflector modifications are complete. The Asbury is standing by.

ACTION: The Asbury moves into position.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: And if it fails, reaction by the rift?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Thinks this is going to be good ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: A four percent chance that it will expand, drastically. Otherwise, no change.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Prepare to build up an anti-polaron burst from main deflector.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: If it does fail, we may be letting them know that we're here.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: There is that possibility.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Programs the burst as specified - thankfully, the computer helps out ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: We may also need to discourage any one from coming through if this doesn't work until the Asbury can send another dose.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Blinks ::  CO: Beg pardon, sir?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Level and duration of burst to tactical.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: I wonder, Captain... would you really want to fire on another Quirinus if it were trying to escape a battle?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: If it doesn't seal and there's a battle on the other side, we may become target.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Not sure we'll have much effect.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: taps controls ::  CO: Program ready.  :: nods to Powers ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Locked on.  Firing.  :: Presses the necessary button ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Another Quirinus is the least of my worries, but there are records of less nice dimensions of the Federation.

ACTION: As the two ships fire, a giant flash of white light engulfs the two ships. A piece of debris appears, and there can be no doubt at to what it is. The remains of a Steamrunner class Starship bears a moniker: USS Quirinus.

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