Quirinus Mission 10904.06

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: The counselor learned nothing, and the bridge crew learned a lesson in death...

=/\==/\=  BEGIN Quirinus Mission 10904.06: and Back Again? =/\==/\=
=/\==/\=  Episode 4  =/\==/\=

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: on bridge ::
Host XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: in the main Subspace Mechanics Lab aboard Station Quest, checking the EPS conduits with an engineer ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Keeping an active monitoring on the local space ::

ACTION: Quest has become somewhat of a tourist attraction, and a variety of small craft have become attracted to it.

Host XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ EO Zucco: All right... lock off that junction, and we'll try bringing the reactor to 20% power as our first test.
Host XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ <EO_Zucco> XO: Aye, sir. Should have the power network ready in just a couple minutes.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: From a security standpoint, what warning should we give that will keep vessels from wishing to come into the area.  If we should gain some insight into reversing this experiment, they are at some risk.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Well, balance the fact that any general announcement will cause an interest for some ships who might not notice... We should consider a tight beam transmission to local vessels, or ask that our escort perform the task.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: We need to get information from the Lyra about the best way for them to contact one of their own to come and pick them up as soon as possible.

ACTION: A large Quent warship has appeared on long range sensors.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Quest: You may wish to send tight beam transmissions to any ships that seem to be interested in us that you are not open for business.  My CTO, and I concur, believes a general broadcast may attract even more attention.  Sulek out.
Host XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: climbs up into the control room, and opens the intercom ::  All: Ladies and gentlemen, please assume your stations. We are about to initiate the first test. All personnel, clear the hazard zone, please.
Host XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM Quirinus: Kraight to Quirinus.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Kraight: Go ahead
Host XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM CO: We will be initiating the first test of the fold generator in a minute or so, Captain, at 20% capacity. Expect some rather odd spacetime distortion readings from this area of the station.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Kraight: Understood.  Perhaps a power surge will make us look more like a problem than an attraction.  Initiate when ready.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
SO: Scan and record the test then transfer your readings to the XO.
Host XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM CO: Kraight out.  :: cuts comm ::   All: Initiating prefire sequence.  :: taps several controls on his console ::

ACTION: The Quent vessels draws nearer.

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: We've got a Quent vessel incoming.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: sees the vessel :: OPS: Hail the Quent.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I just saw it come up on my screen.
SM_Keith says:
<OPS Garn> CO: No response, sir.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Diplomacy and perhaps... a bluff is now in order.

@ ACTION: The fold generator, a two-meter dodecahedron spinning lazily in an antigrav field, begins to spin more rapidly. The eerie blue glow of Čerenkov radiation builds around the generator.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: Open channel so I can talk even if they won't respond.
SM_Keith says:
<OPS Garn> CO: I can't sir, they're jamming me.  :: frustrated ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Furrows his brow ::  OPS: Jamming?  :: Checks the frequencies ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: Then keep broadcasting the following... Quent vessel, pleased be advised that we are new and neutral in this space.  We a suffering from power surges and you may be at risk. Stand to.

ACTION: The Quent ship is almost upon the Quirinus, guns blazing.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Red alert.  Take out their armament.  Full evasives.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Aye.  :: Takes the ship to red alert, and signals the station as well while arming their weapons ::

ACTION: The Quent ship fires, grazing the aft section of the hull.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Kraight: Stand by... we are under attack.

@ ACTION: The fold generator becomes a glowing blur immersed in a sea of blue. In a way that no one present can put into words, the volume occupied by the generator inverts. It seems for a moment that the generator is both within the lab, and the lab within the generator. Everyone present has the unnerving feeling that they, too, have been turned inside out  --  yet they remain whole and unharmed.

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
FCO: Helm!  Evasives, pattern beta-six.  :: Targets their phaser array with pinpoint shots ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Hard about... explode a torpedo in front of their bow... maybe if they know what we are capable of, they may become more cooperative.  OPS: Continue to broadcast the warning.

@ ACTION: The preprogrammed sequence ends, and power to the generator is cut. The blue glow fades, and the generator is once again a simple dodecahedron. The perception of spatial wrongness vanishes.

ACTION: The Quent ship finally responds to the hail: "You have two of the enemy on board your ship! Release them to space and let us watch them die, and we will spare you!"

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Refrains from countermanding his Captain during battle and does as told, firing a torpedo into their path ::
Host XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ All: All stations, confirm shutdown. Well done, everyone.

ACTION: The torpedo blows up just short of the mark, and the Quent ship is buffeted.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Quent: I will not kill for your amusement.  We are neutral and offered aid only following battle.  Your attack on us is unprovoked and unnecessary.  As you can see we are quite capable of defending ourselves.  Perhaps you wish to try a different tack.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Maintains defensive point-phaser fire ::

ACTION: The Quent ship takes a parting shot, damaging the ventral sensor array before going to high warp.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: looks down as damage reports come in and knows that engineering is already on repairs ::
Host XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM Quirinus: Kraight to Quirinus.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I don't think they expected more than phasers.  They will return with help.  Given this attack, we have possibly three days at most.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Shakes his head ::  CO: Hit and run techniques?  How droll.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Kraight: Sulek here.
Host XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM CO: The test is complete, Captain, and it appears that the fold generator is functional. Is everything all right over there?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Kraight: Science should be transferring readings from our stand point.  We have minor damage.  You now have at most three days to complete the task.  Perhaps sooner.
Host XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM CO: Understood. We need a few hours to analyze these first results. I expect we should be ready for a fifty percent test in under six hours. I'll do what I can to accelerate that schedule.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: We need as much tactical information as you can get from the Lyra.  OPS: We need to get that message to the Lyran ships. Keep broadcasting.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Kraight: We have little choice.  Sulek out.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Isn't that taking sides, Captain?
SM_Keith says:
<OPS Garn> CO: Understood.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Sending them to their own is not taking sides... it is a part of what we committed to when we rescued them.  As to the tactical, we must be able to defend the ship and station... it is only being careful.
Host XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ Intercom: Analysis section, I need a preliminary analysis within the hour. 
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: In the meantime, we may wish to send out a few probes and extend our sensors a bit.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Does his best impression of an eyebrow raise ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: You have a recommendation to a secondary course of action, Commander?  We do have the fire them into space options still.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: We are one ship and one station, unable to withstand a considerable fleet.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I am aware of this.  Are you suggesting we take sides?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: There are certain logical aspects to that thought.  Consider who has attacked us, and how likely we are to ever suffer the consequences of taking sides.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I have considered the possibility.  I do not wish to use logic in this fashion, but there is, given the nature of quantum mechanics, nothing to say that this is not exactly how this timeline was to play out.  Talk to the Lyra about tactics and perhaps, with the understanding we may not be here for more than a short while, we will offer them a base.  Perhaps that will give them the motivation to get a few ships here to help defend.  They must understand that for us this is not a permanent solution.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: contacts the recently rescued Lyra in guest quarters, and relays the Captain's thoughts as best as possible, negotiating on behalf of the Quirinus ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: after a few minutes of discussion ::  CO: Captain, the Lyra are willing to cooperate.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Then they need to transfer what they know tactically of the Quent and get some ships here.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: Inform the Quest that we expect guests, and that the station may become a temporary base.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Goes back to speaking with the Lyra, requesting tactical intelligence and any possible available warship to pick up their guests ::
SM_Keith says:
<OPS Garn> CO: Aye Captain.
=/\==/\= END Mission =/\==/\=