Quirinus Mission 10905.11

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: They crew are about to go face to face with the Lyrans. To hammer out a deal?

=/\==/\=  BEGIN Quirinus Mission 10905.11: and Back Again? =/\==/\=
=/\==/\=  Episode 7  =/\==/\=

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: Leads the way to the observation deck ::
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> :: standing on the observation deck ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: aboard Quest, double-checking the fold generator and the fold equations ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: approaches Drach Sert :: Sert:  I am Captain Sulek. Welcome aboard the Quirinus.  :: bows slightly ::
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> Sulek: The pleasure is mine, Captain.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he introduces the command staff ::
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> :: nods in turn at them ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Sert: Your fellow Lyrans should be joining us here soon.  In the meantime, are there any questions you have of me?
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> :: oozes a little mucus onto the deck :: Sulek: The Quent already have planned an attack. Your station and ship will come under attack, and soon. You're now in this as much as we are.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Has not forgotten his phaser rifle, slung behind his back.  He silently eyes the slime trailing the Drach ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Sert: We shall endeavor to protect your ships and the station.  :: looks at Powers ::  You said there were others.  Have you thought of offering an alliance with them against the Quent?
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> :: tentacles waving :: Sulek: Of course we've thought of that. But we are still weak. Most of the other races here are not as technologically advanced as we are, or you are.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Sert: Perhaps if they knew that you have a base to temporarily work from, they would be more willing.
Host SM_Keith says:
Sulek: Does that mean you will outfit us with superior weapons?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: one moment please :: Com Kraight: Drach Sert informs me that attack is imminent.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Silently widens his eyes ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Sert: Alas, our own protocols prevent us from doing so.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> Sulek: Then we are doomed. Unless you help us, we will die as a race.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
COM CO: Understood, Captain. The fold generator is ready, and we have tied in to the Quirinus' tactical systems. You have only to specify a target ship, and we'll do the rest.

ACTION: Tactical informs Commander Powers of 27 Quent ships on long range scanners

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Sert: That is not a logical assumption.  Many smaller forces have overcome greater ones.  You must use yourselves to tactical advantage.  With that, we can give you tactical advice.  Commander Powers is one of the best tacticians I've known.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
<TAC_Lt_Nishi> :: Opens a channel to the chief ::  *CTO*: Commander?  :: Relays their sensor reports.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> CTO: You're prepared to train us as best you can given the limitations?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Nods silently and has Nishi begin working up threat analyses ::  CO/Sert: Sirs, there are at least twenty seven vessels on long range scanners.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> :: nods rapidly :: Sulek/Powers: They have returned in greater numbers.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Then time is short.  Set up an attack strategy.  You will no doubt need one that divides the Quent fleet into several fronts of smaller number.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Sert: I suggest you send out an all call to any ships in the area that may fight with us.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> Sulek: I will see to it that it is done. But I'm not certain how effective they'll be.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: They outnumbers us at least two to one, Captain.  Even with my superior skills...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Sert: Effectiveness may be in annoyance, much like an insect that is much smaller but still can cause distraction.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I have every confidence in you.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Fixes the Captain with a silent stare ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: turns :: Powers: I leave it to you.  I have learned to rely on your skill even if you do not.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> :: comes close to touching Powers with two of his tentacles :: CTO: Some of our plasma weapons are in need of repair. Can you help us?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: stares at an equation on his monitor... runs a quick simulation, then another... and the light of an idea enters his eyes ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM CO: Kraight to Sulek!
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: moving towards TL :: COM Kraight: Sulek here.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Silently puts "kill the Captain" on his to-do list for later ::  Sert: We are short on engineers, but we may be able to effect repairs in a short period.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM CO: Captain, we can use the fold generator *without* risking cultural contamination to other subspace domains! I don't know why I didn't see this before...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Kraight: I am listening.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> :: shakes his head in a 'thank you' but spews mucus onto the commander ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Adds "kill Sert" to his to-do list and musters a weak smile ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM CO: If we introduce a small randomizing factor  --  call it a 'jitter'  --  into the fold stabilization sequence, we can use the unstable subspace fold thus generated to disable or destroy any attacking vessel! We don't have to send them anywhere; what's left of them stays right here in this domain.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
Sert: There is no time to waste.  Explain your problem, or put me in touch with someone who can.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Kraight: You can aim it that accurately?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: enters TL :: Bridge.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> CTO: We have numerous plasma conduits in need of replacement or repair.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM CO: The smaller we make the fold, the more accurately we can aim it. It's the big folds   --  like the one we're trying to generate to take the ship and the station back home  --  that are difficult to aim.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Tries to keep his voice level ::  Sert: "Numerous" is a bad word, sir.  Creating replacement parts will also be considerably difficult...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Kraight: Relay this to Commander Powers.  He will need it in his strategy.  Set it up.  Sulek out.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM CO: Aye, sir.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> CTO: You did ask commander.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM CTO: Kraight to Powers.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: arrives deck and moves to the command chair :: Nishi: Relay threat assessment and take us battle ready.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
Sert: So I did.  Let's get a move on.  :: Taps his commbadge ::  *XO*: Commander?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ COM CO: Commander, you're going to enjoy this. I have a new weapon for you to play with  --  and there's no known defense against it.
Host SM_Keith says:
:: awaits commander Powers move ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: explains the use of the fold generator as a weapon ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
*XO*: We have twenty seven potential hostiles incoming.  And the Lyrans are having weapons problems.  How many ships could we target at once?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ *CTO*: Well, that's an issue. One fold generator, one fold. You may want to consider applying it in such a way as to cause maximum demoralization among the enemy  --  perhaps striking a ship at the very rear of their formation, before conventional weapons could possibly have targeted it.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
*XO*: Or the lead ship.  If we have time, we'll analyze communications patterns to detect the command vessel.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Quest: We have incoming hostiles.  Go to battle ready.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ *CTO*: The fold generator is already tied into your tactical net. Point to a target, and we'll do the rest.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Jatris> COM Sulek: Captain, we've got additional friendlies on board now, and we're going to full alert.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Quest: Have friendlies move to their ships and undock.  They will be needed.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
*XO*: Excellent.  I need to make a quick examination of the Lyran vessels.  If there's nothing else, sir?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ *CTO*: Nothing here, Commander. Good luck to us all. Kraight out.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
*OPS*: Transport two to the Lyran vessel.

ACTION: The Commander and Sert are beamed to the Lyran vessel.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Nishi: Have the two Lyran survivors beamed back to Sert's ship, immediately.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
<TAC_Lt_Nishi> :: Recalls Commander Powers telling her that the Captain likes to issue odd orders to the tactical department and instead fixes a gaze on the operations console ::  OPS: Do it.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
#Sert: Let's get to work.  I'll make an initial survey and transmit parts specifications to our station.

ACTION: The oozing aliens are beamed back to their ship

Host SM_Keith says:
#<Drach Sert> CTO: Very well. This way :: Leaves a trail of slime.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
# :: Pulls a tricorder from his belt and sets it to passive scanning, gathering details about their vessels as they walk ::
Host SM_Keith says:
#<Drach Sert> :: moves to one of the affected areas, opening up into an engineering section :: CTO: We've lost some of the mains here.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
# :: Walks to where Sert is showing him and switches to active scans, getting detailed readings of the necessary conduits ::  Sert: Is the damage similar on all vessels?
Host SM_Keith says:
#<Drach Sert> :: nods again, sending a small shower :: CTO: Yes, it is. :: has the Lyran version of a grin ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
#Sert: Different diameters?  If we were able to create great lengths of conduit, would it be sufficiently suited to all repairs?
Host SM_Keith says:
#<Drach Sert> CTO: I believe that would suffice.
Host SM_Keith says:
#<Drach Sert>CTO: The same size for all.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
# :: Taps his commbadge and fiddles with the tricorder ::  *XO*: Commander Kraight.  The Lyran vessels have damage to their power conduits for their weapon systems.  I am transmitting technical specifications.  Can we replicate replacements for them in a reasonable time?  :: Sets his tricorder to transmit ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: examines the specs ::  *CTO*: Will ten-meter lengths suffice? I can route the replicator controls to a cargo transporter aboard the station. We could replicate and transport... oh, thirty units per hour.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
# :: Wonders how extensive the damage is ::  *XO*: It's a start.  I'll mobilize other tactical and engineering assets to get to work.

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