Quirinus Mission 10903.16

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... As Executive Officer Kraight tried furiously to reach commander K'tal, he was met with only frustration... then, in the blink of an eye the crew found themselves... where?

=/\==/\=  BEGIN Quirinus Mission 10903.16: and Back Again? =/\==/\=
=/\==/\=  Episode 1  =/\==/\=

ACTION: The crew fell into an abyss... nothing surrounded them. Then the nothing attenuated, and something began to break through. They find themselves in exactly the same position as they were...

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: sitting in the command chair :: Helm: Location...
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: looks around... slightly dazed ::
Host SM_Keith says:
<FCO_Warg> Sulek: Captain, I'm not sure how to tell you this... we're not in the same galaxy anymore. We're in... Galaxy M51. The Whirlpool Galaxy.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: composes himself and checks the short and long range sensors ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Confirmed. We are roughly 23 million light years from the Milky Way, Captain.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Scans  --  did anyone travel with us?
Host CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: rubs his nose, wondering why it's all stuffy ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Station Quest is situated 400 kilometers off our port bow, sir.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: And the Asbury?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: No sign of the Asbury.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: continues to run comprehensive scans ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Then they were either pulled into another subspace frame or escaped.  The question is which M51 galaxy are we in?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Runs some background tactical scans, looking for anything useful that science might overlook ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: I am comparing our quantum signature to that of a nearby asteroid now, Captain.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: Open a channel to the station.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO/XO: Sirs?  Reading dozens of vessels within our long-range scan radius.  Some of the closer ones are on an intercept course.
Host SM_Keith says:
<OPS> Sulek: Channel open.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Can you identify?  Friendlies?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: stands, crosses to Sulek's chair ::  CO: Captain, we've been translated into the same subspace domain in which we originally found the station's crew, back in the Milky Way. The obvious conclusion is that Commander K'tal's experiment has again failed, in exactly the same way as before.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Undetermined.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Station: This is Sulek.  Put Commander K'tal on.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Yellow alert.  Shields up.
Host SM_Keith says:
<K'tal> COM Sulek: Captain. This is K'tal. I take it you are calling to congratulate me on the success of the experiment? 
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Then we must find our way back from here... hopefully without the same transition as the one we witnessed.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: We must have full details on the experiment, sir. Only with all the data will we have any chance of returning to our own spacetime.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: returns to his station ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM K'tal: You should take a closer reading of your quantum signature.  You've just repeated the last failure and we now have incoming company.
Host SM_Keith says:
<K'tal> COM Sulek: A minor problem. I'm sure we'll be able to correct that. With time.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM K'Tal: As ranking officer in the area, I do not at this point believe your orders from Starfleet apply. You will transfer all data to my XO for review.  Is that understood, Commander?
Host SM_Keith says:
<K'tal> COM Sulek: Why of course. All science should be shared.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Hack their system if need be, but verify you have it all.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Aye, sir.
Host SM_Keith says:
<K'tal> :: transfers a copy of all his work to the Quirinus ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: monitors data transfer from the station ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM K'tal: You may not recall what we witnessed a few weeks ago, but the last time the Quirinus tried to transfer back to normal space, it did not end well.
Host SM_Keith says:
<K'tal> COM Sulek:  Then we'd best be careful. I have every confidence in my staff.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Jatris: Are you there as well?
Host SM_Keith says:
<Jatris>  :: Comes into view ::  COM Sulek: Captain, I'll need to speak with you privately  :: looks at K'tal ::  As soon as possible.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
<COM> K'tal: The same staff has now done this twice.  I am not re-assured.   :: it would be sarcasm from anyone else ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Jatris: Secure channels in ready room.  We have approaching ships and shields are up.  Recommend you do the same.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: Transfer to secure channel to my ready room.  Kraight: You have the conn.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Jatris> COM Sulek: I'll be right there.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Be quick, Captain.  The nearest ship will approach within the hour.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Acknowledged.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Put us in a defensive position alongside the station.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: rises and crosses to ready room and exits ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he pushes the small screen on his desk :: COM Jatris: Speak.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Refrains from pacing ::  XO: Your thoughts, Commander?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: I think that the sooner we return to our own spacetime, the happier we will all be. And the more likely to live long, productive lives.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Jatris> COM Sulek: Captain, my people here are freaked. It didn't take us long to figure out that K'tal is insane. We're not even in the same galaxy anymore. And all we have to depend on to get us back is the same damn thing that got us here. :: worried ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: Most likely.  The incoming ship is... huge.  Almost as massive as the station itself.  I'm reading plasma weaponry.  Wish these sensors could be more specific.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: Are their weapons powered up?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Jatris: Understood.  Did he kill anyone this time?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: Not yet.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Jatris> :: trembling :: COM Sulek: Not this time. There was no explosion.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: Let us hope that their weapons remain offline. Continue scans.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Jatris: I am putting my XO in direct charge of the return.  There is no finer science officer in the fleet.  If need be, lock K'tal up or keep him sedated, but he issues no orders to restart without Kraight's clearance first.  His team is now our team.  Understood?  I realize that your position on the station was suppose to be to serve him, but now you must take full charge.  It is what you were trained to do and why you have those pips on your collar.  Now I must check on the status of the incoming ships.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Jatris> COM Sulek: He won't take that well. And for all we know, we may need him to get back. I'll do my best.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Jatris: Captain, we shall get through this.  Sulek out.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: leaves the ready room and moves to the bridge :: Powers: Report.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: You have control of the return trip experiment.  Captain Jatris believes K'tal to be mad and I am inclined to agree.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Nothing new to report, Captain.  :: Has a tactical map overlaid onto the main viewscreen with their incoming vessels' positions ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: Hail the lead vessel.  Let's see what they want.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: raises a non-existent eyebrow ::

ACTION: No response to hails.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Suggestions how we handle a vessel that size if the need arises.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: I'd recommend diplomacy as a first option.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: Give them a friendly greeting and tell them we will be out of here as soon as we can.  We are in this space courtesy of an accident and intend no harm.  Repeat on all channels with the translator at full capacity.
Host SM_Keith says:
<OPS Karn> Sulek: Aye, Captain.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO/OPS: We may have to find a way to transmit in a language they understand.  I don't think anyone speaks Federation Standard in this area.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: And failing diplomatic options?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Perhaps something mathematical that they can understand.  Without giving away too much in the way of the experiment, something that communicates that this is not our normal space. We may also want to make sure they know exactly where our normal space is.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: I'll check the historical databanks. Earth sent a number of space probes out in the late 20th and early 21st centuries with information packages designed to be understood by extraterrestrials.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Jatris: Have K'tal's team start the equations and set up for reverse transition.  They are not to power up until everything is cleared by my XO.  Understood?
Host SM_Keith says:
<Jatris> COM Sulek: I'll do my best. Most of them are quite loyal to K'tal, and think that nothing is wrong.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Jatris: If need be let K'tal believe he is in control of the teams, but he is only to supervise and in no case attempt to power up.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
COM Jatris: Show them our current location, Captain. That should go a long way toward convincing them that something is very wrong.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Jatris> COM Sulek: Oh, they know where we are. They think it's 'part of the plan'.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Have a science officer work on the communication.  I want you on those equations.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Aye, sir.  :: assigns a lieutenant, then turns his attention to the data transferred earlier by K'tal ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Jatris: Then we must feed K'tal's megalomania.  I would suggest that you limit the amount of power he can get to his labs from lower decks.  As long as he believes he has control, he may go ahead with the experiment's reversal.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Status of the lead ship?
Host SM_Keith says:
<Jatris> COM Sulek: He's in seclusion right now. Said he needed to meditate. Shouldn't be too hard.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: looks at the overlay and sees that the ship is now less than twenty minutes out ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Still fifteen minutes away, no change in posture.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: You know, Captain... if you want K'tal "out of the way", I can make it look like an accident.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Jatris: Then have his teams begin the initiation of the reversal.  Let them believe that it was K'tal's desire, if need be.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Captain?  Message coming in, response from the signals.  Looks like... a set of prime numbers.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Jatris> COM Sulek: I'll try. This is assuming they know how to reverse it.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: We may need him.  He may have transferred all data, but not all that he knows.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Send to Science for possible translation.  OPS: Repeat the numbers back in the same order but add the last number in the sequence they sent.  They may just wish to know if we have the same mathematical understanding.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Jatris: With the incoming ships, time may be short.
Host SM_Keith says:
<OPS Karn> Sulek: I'm on it.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Report.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Has the lead ship armed their weapons?

ACTION: The Dreadnought approaches, and comes to a standstill 200 kilometers to the port side of the Quirinus. They begin scanning both the ship and the station.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Still working out the subspace transition matrix, Captain. It looks to me as though Commander K'tal has created an entirely new mathematics for these calculations. It's going to be a while before I can say definitively that we have the right parameters.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Negative, captain.

ACTION: The Dreadnought hails the Quirinus  --  in Federation standard.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: the ship is dwarfed by the newcomer :: COM Jatris: Take no provocative action.  Let them scan.  :: looks over at Powers ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: On screen.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: looks up from his console ::

ACTION: An orange skinned humanoid, with a mass of tendrils coming off of its head appears on screen.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: rising :: Dreadnought: I am Sulek.  As you have no doubt gathered our quantum signature  does not belong here.  We are trying to return to our space as quickly as possible.  We have no hostile intent.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Hangs his head, wishing the Captain hadn't let out that much information ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: notes Powers reaction :: Powers: In diplomacy, never play the opposition for fools.  If they thought we were misleading them we would already be dust judging from the plasma weaponry on that thing.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Dwarn> COM Sulek: My my. Looks who's here. Why you shouldn't be here for say... another few thousand years... By the way... your Federation Standard is a rather clumsy language. So simple really. It only took a few moments for us to learn it. Now... why are you here?

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