Quirinus Mission 10906.08

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 is set to meet with the Lyrans, while Commander Powers has a different sort of task at hand  --  finding the murderer of K'tal...

=/\==/\=  BEGIN Quirinus Mission 10906.08: and Back Again? =/\==/\=
=/\==/\=  Episode 10  =/\==/\=

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: on the bridge ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ Jatris: See to locking down the station.  And see if there are any records from adjoining sectors that might shed light on this.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@<TAC_PO_Min> :: Snorts at the station commander ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: working with the station staff on the tetryon inversion matrix calculations ::
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Jatris> CTO: We should be clear of all aliens from this sector, except for the Lyrans, within the hour.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@Min: Send what we've got so far to the ship.  Alert the Captain or whoever he got to fill in as his replacement.
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Jatris> CTO: Whoever did this was a pro. They'd have to know Federation technology in order to erase the sensor readings.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@<TAC_PO_Min> CTO: Like he ever takes a break.  Yes, sir.  :: Steps off to the side ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
<OPS> Sulek: We are receiving the preliminary information from the investigation.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
OPS: Send it to my console. :: receives the information obtained and pictures of the scene from CTO's team ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@Jatris: Starfleet equipment isn't that complex, Captain.  When it's designed to be accessed by hundreds of species, there's not a lot of specificity to it.
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Jatris> CTO: This area is manned around the clock. Yet no one saw anything? Kind of strange.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he looks over the information and the pictures, his attention coming to rest on the murder weapon's detailed pictures ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Computer: Analysis of this knife.  Anything in the database indication its type, use or origin?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@Jatris: But was it actually?
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Jatris> CTO: According to our records, yes.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
<Computer> Sulek:  Weapon design indicates ceremonial use.  Metallurgical analysis indicates the weapon was constructed within the last week.  There is no place of origin indicated in database.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@Jatris: Wait, I'm confused.  Your records say this area wasn't deserted... but you also said the records were erased?
Host SM_Keith says:
@<Jatris> CTO: Only the records within a ten meter range of his biobed. Visuals show the rest of sickbay, but the sensors from his bed were altered. So there's no way of telling who was near there at the time.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Computer: Nature of the construction... by hand, machine or replicated?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Starts to scan the area looking for traces of anything ::  Jatris: Was there a moving blackout?  Did our suspect transport in, or did he walk in?  They would have had to enter or exit the sensor hole...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
<Computer> Sulek: Molecular analysis indicates that it is hand made in construction.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: a moment's thought :: OPS: Hail the Lyran.

ACTION: The Lyrans respond

Host SM_Keith says:
@<Jatris> CTO: Unless the sensor modifications were made afterwards. That way they could cover their tracks, so to speak.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Drach Sert: Please forgive me for interrupting this time of mourning for you, but there has been an incident on the station and I was wondering if you could help us identify an artifact involved?
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> :: Looks directly at Sulek :: COM Sulek: We would be more than happy to help. What is it?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Sert: I am sending you a picture now.  Do you recognize it?  :: taps a PADD control, transmits a picture of the knife ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@Jatris: Thanks.  I will continue to inspect the area.  Perhaps you should check in with Commander Kraight.

@ ACTION: Commander Kraight detects a sudden flurry of activity around the area of the space folding equipment.

Host SM_Keith says:
@<Jatris> CTO: We are here to help you anyway we can.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> COM Sulek: It's nothing I've seen before... :: looks at the engravings on it :: Let me run it through our database - we have many species on record.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Sert: Thank you.

ACTION: The spacefold equipment is starting up...

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Computer: Run decryption algorithms on the symbols on the knife.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: enters the fold generator control room and checks instruments ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@<SEC_Ens_Rast> :: Concerned look ::  XO: Everything okay, Commander?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: on lab-wide intercom ::  All hands, this appears to be an unscheduled power-up. Initiate emergency shutdown procedures immediately.

ACTION: The crew works feverishly to shut the power off to the spacefold

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ Rast: Negative. This isn't a scheduled test. Evacuate all nonessential personnel immediately.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: goes to the power console and activates the preprogrammed emergency shutdown subroutine ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@<SEC_Ens_Rast> XO: Aye, sir.  :: Starts moving with a purpose, pushing people towards the exit ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Sighs as he finishes his second scan of the area, again coming up with absolutely nothing.  It's as if no one actually was here... perhaps the weapon was beamed in at the proper angle and just fell into the chest cavity ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
<Computer> Sulek: No similar symbols found.  Not enough data for decryption.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Sert: Anything?  Our database has nothing on origin or the symbols on the knife.

@ACTION: A small explosion at one of the secondary terminals goes off, injuring crewman Hall, who was working on it.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ Self: This isn't working...
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> COM Sulek:  Curious... we found a match. It is a Quent weapon, but of a kind not used for millennia.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@ :: Seems to finally notice an odd alarm and checks the computer ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: sprints down the stairs from the control balcony to the main lab floor and rushes to the main power junction ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Sert: What do the symbols mean?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: grabs a nonconductive tool, throws open the access panel, and threads the tool behind a large EPS conduit ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: grabs both ends of the tool and yanks hard ::
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> COM Sulek: That will take a bit longer. They predate our first encounter with the Quent...

@ACTION: The power levels are dropping, then fall off completely.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Sert: Any information you have will be most useful...the symbol meaning and its ceremonial use.  Our analysis indicate that it was hand constructed within the last week.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: looks up and sees the generator slowing to a stop ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ *CO*: Kraight to Sulek.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
SO: Run a scan of the areas of medical and the fold generator for Quent life-sign.  Expand to entire station from there.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Kraight*: Sulek here.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ *CO*: Captain, the fold generator just powered up unexpectedly. We've had to pull the main EPS tap to stop it.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> COM Sulek: Odd... this weapon look handcrafted. It is made from an natural metal found throughout the galaxy.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ *CO*: I suspect a computer malfunction... but to be frank, sir, I don't think we can discount the possibility of sabotage.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Kraight*: Run a full DNA analysis of the areas Affected.  In the meantime, cut power to the generator.  The Quent may be trying to eliminate our most effective weapon.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Kraight* One more thing...if it is discovered that the assassin was in error, then your life is in some danger.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Sert: Then it is a common element made in the form of something that would be difficult for any to identify.  Keep at it.  We are thankful for the help.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> COM Sulek: We'll keep you informed.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Kraight* : With K'tal's death, I want nothing discounted.  If you wished to stop something, then killing who you perceived as the one man who could repair it, would be a logical step.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ *CO*: Aye, Captain. Kraight out.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
@ :: turns and gives instructions to his team ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Powers* The Lyran tell me that the knife is Quent in origin but not used for over a millennia.  There has also been tampering with the fold generator.  We may have a Quent saboteur on the station.  We are scanning now.  Commander Kraight is not to be left alone.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
@*CO*: Rast should be with him, sir.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Sert: You may wish to check your ship and the others in your area.  There is a possibility that the Quent have infiltrated.  Surgical alteration may be a possibility to accomplish this task.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Sci: Scan report.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> COM Sulek: We'll take a look into it. :: bemused ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
COM Sert: I realize that this is a long shot.  It is a technique that has been used in our own... sector by species.  I do not know if the Quent have the ability, but an ally of theirs may.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Drach Sert> COM Sulek: It's not impossible here, just unlikely.

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