Quirinus Mission 10911.23

starring

Mitch Travis as CO Captain Sulek 
Jeffrey G. Brown as XO Commander Kraight
Christopher Dickinson as CTO Commander Billy Bob Powers, Jr. 
Mike Jones as CMO Lt. Mathar Raythan 
Karriaunna Scotti as CNS Commander Azhure Powers 
John Scimone as CEO Ensign Brian Rotan 

with

Keith LaHue, Ship Manager

MISSION PROLOGUE: Last time on the USS Quirinus... The crew made good headway into the inner sanctum of the Keepers... until they got thrown in jail.

=/\==/\=  BEGIN Quirinus Mission 10911.23 A Few Notes on the Purity of Light =/\==/\=
=/\==/\=  Episode 10  =/\==/\=

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Sitting in a corner, her eyes closed as she simply listens ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: sits quietly in the cell, meditating and wondering if that this time, they might not make it ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: takes off his boots ::  All: I'm going to check the ceiling.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Looks upwards and then back at Kraight with a lifted brow. ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: shakes his hands and feet, opening up the pads on his fingers and toes... then steps back and leaps, sticking to the wall about two meters up ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he looks down at the dead rodent on the floor and then pushes it to one wall with his foot ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Scratches, knowing the security personnel have been over the cell a dozen times ::

ACTION: Change of the guard can be heard coming from the adjacent corridor. Sounds like Ka'Kua is working the day shift. His loud, abrasive voice cuts through the din of Klingons.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: starts climbing ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: whispers ::  XO:  Kraight... guests.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: looks down, then drops, landing lightly next to Sulek ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he moves to the door and calls out :: Ka'Kua: Ka'Kua... did you check the scans?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: scrambles to get his boots back on ::

ACTION: A shadow can be seen crossing the small window in the door - could be someone looking in. Nevertheless, Sulek is ignored.

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Remains quietly where she is, with a glance at her husband. ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: The ceiling is solid. I didn't expect to find anything, but I had to try.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Ka'Kua: You did... didn't you... it will get worse and in the end all will be destroyed... Empire and Federation and Romulan... it will not matter.  :: he moves away from the door ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Perhaps we will have better luck with the magistrate.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: It would be illogical not to take a look...  :: he looks up :: ...since we have the ability to do so.

ACTION: The door opens and Ka'Kua steps through, bearing 'breakfast', consisting of more dead rodents. "I'd suggest you eat before you see the judge, you're due in court in 15 minutes." He stomps off.

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CNS: Perhaps you could sweet talk your way out of this.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Giving her husband an odd look, she moves to stand. ::  Guard:  Ka'Kua... please...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Ka'Kua:  Unless we stop them, the judge's sentence will not matter...

ACTION: The pleas fall on deaf ears, as Ka'Kua leaves the room.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he kneels beside the rodents and lifts one ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Says nothing as she moves to stand beside Sulek ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: A shudder slips down her spine.  Not that she had any fear of rodents, but just the look of the 'meal' presented. ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he examines the rodent :: Azhure: He seems quite intent on our eating one of these rodents.

ACTION: The noise at the door has abated.

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: They can claim they didn't kill us after we die eating those varmints.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  I would say go ahead, but... :: reaches down for one of the rats. ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Such an excuse would be dishonorable.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Lightly she runs her fingers along its body, not bothering to hide the shudder of distaste. ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he moves to the door, rodent in hand, and pushes against it. :: Powers: Perhaps he failed to lock it.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he looks down at the rodent and notices that its not quite what it should be...there is a small cut in it belly ::

ACTION: Powers notices the green lights on the security cameras are off, and they are no longer under surveillance.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he pushes his finger into the cut... and feels something more... he pulls the opening wider... inside there is a slightly slimy key ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: notices what the Captain is doing ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Finding nothing, she puts the dead thing down. ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight:  He checked the scans.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: eyes widening ::  CO: It would seem so.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Instinctively she rubs her hands against the sides of her dress. ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Points up with his chin ::  CO: Captain.  The electronics.

ACTION: Outside the door, Ka'Kua coughs.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: sees what Powers is talking about ::  CO: We appear to have an ally.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: noting the cameras :: Powers: Understood.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Standing she looks at the door and turns with a glance toward Bill. ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
All: We're leaving.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he puts the key into the lock turns and opens the door ::

ACTION: Sulek manages to unlock all of the cells, and the crew is free... but what about the one door out of here?

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says: 
:: he moves to the entrance to the jail and tries the key in its lock ::

ACTION: Ka'Kua opens the door and motions to the crew to hurry.

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Shakes his head, wondering what the entire effort was for as he scrambles to his feet ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: gestures to those behind for quiet, and motions them out ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: moving through the door, he follows the Klingon's indicated direction. ::
Host SM_Keith says:
<Ka'Kua> Sulek: Tourist like hell. You're Starfleet. Now get out of here, and stop the Keepers of the Light. Sorry for the charade, but I had to be sure who you were. You've got an hour before I report you.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Ka'Kua: We need to get to the lowest level... can you get the guards out of position?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
Ka'Kua: Our weapons and equipment?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Quietly follows, feeling as if she was missing something here. ::
Host SM_Keith says:
<Ka'Kua> Sulek: I can, but it will take some doing. Now get out of here!
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Ka'Kua:  Weapons? Communicators?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: As she listened, she stood quietly, slightly behind Bill. ::
Host SM_Keith says:
<Ka'Kua> CO/XO: They're all right here. :: points out the weapons, etc ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: grabs a phaser and his tricorder, and helps distribute the rest of the equipment ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: grabbing his phaser :: Ka'Kua: Today you may have saved the empire. It is an honor that none will ever know... but we will remember.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Get a fix on the Keepers and let's get a move on.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Taking her items from Bill, she slips them back into concealment. ::
Host SM_Keith says:
<Ka'Kua> Sulek: Trust me, the higher ups have no idea what they are dealing with.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: does a quick scan :: CO: Six levels down, fifty meters on bearing one one five. Incredible... power levels are completely off the scale!
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Ka'Kua: I think you are more than a simple guard... I believe we met two of your brethren on another planet.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Lead on.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Ka'Kua> :: nods and gives the Klingon version of a smile ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: swivels, points :: ALL: Stairs, this way...
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Remaining near Bill, she continues the climb down. ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: they move hurriedly into the stairs :: Ka'Kua:  At least if we fail you have tourists to blame it on.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: scans the staircase below as they descend, looking for stray guards ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: disappears down the stairs :: All: Time is short.  We stop for no one. :: he turns and melts the lock on the stair well door ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: continues his scans :: CO: Power levels still increasing...
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: moving quickly down the stairs descending level after level :: Kraight: Life signs?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Same as before; nearly two dozen in the immediate vicinity of the power signature.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: For some reason, has a leery feeling about the entire situation - it's become far too easy all of a sudden, without the crew having to do anything ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: When we reach the bottom level, check the outer area for guards.  Kraight: See if you can locate the beaming shield and get it shut down.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: nods ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: they reach the door to the lower level and he opens the door enough to peer out ::

ACTION: Sulek sees the same complement of guards as the first time he was here.

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Unable to peer around the larger men around her, she simply listens... it seems what she is destined to do this trip. ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: scans :: CO: The shield generator appears to be buried beneath the building; I can find no way to access it directly. However, the controls are just down the corridor here. Let me see what I can do...  :: moves off down the corridor, and vanishes into a side room ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Same as before.  Suggestions... My last plan did not work out very well as I recall.  We could always overload a phaser and lob it down the hall.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Crude, but effective.  They could hear it and kick it back.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: We need a quick and quiet way to either eliminate them or a means to get them to charge off in another direction.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: returns :: CO: No luck. The controls for the dispersal field are protected by a truly devilish nine-layer Sierpiński encryption algorithm. I might crack it in six months using the mainframe at Starfleet Headquarters.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he again peers out at the dozen guards stationed around the doors ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Did you try shooting it?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Yes. The system was ray-shielded as well.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: Did I hear someone suggest overloading a phaser? That idea has merit, if only as a diversionary tactic.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Quietly ::  CO:  A decoy would work, but only briefly.  According to Kraight, you would need more time.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he looks at Azhure ::   Azhure: Misdirection... Kraight: A phaser on overload will make noise as it builds and there is a timing issue. For it to work, we need them focused elsewhere.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Agreed -- which means we'd want to throw the phaser at the last possible second.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Can you work it out? We can cover most of noise by standing in here with the door closed.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: No time like the present.  :: takes out his phaser, turns it over, and initiates the overload ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Starts to give another suggestion and stops as Kraight begins. ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
All: I suggest you all retreat to safety... or at least around the corner.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: A few seconds before the explosion... I will need something to get their attention drawn away from the person tossing the phaser through the door. I hate to ask, but a woman screaming down the hall opposite might do the trick.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: No offense, but when the overload comes, I think I would prefer having Commander Powers lobbing our make-shift grenade.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: pauses, then nods... hands the phaser to Powers :: CTO: Twenty-two seconds to detonation.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Eyes the Captain with a murderous look and takes the dangerous weapon, counts eight more seconds to cut down the possibility that the Klingons discover and return it, then chucks it with all his might ::

ACTION: There is a deafening noise - much more than the simple diversion would create, followed be a pervasive blackness, a total absence of light... the crew is dazed, as layers of space and subspace are created and destroyed over and over again. The crew slowly comes around, and they realize that things have changed for good...

ACTION: The landscape is grey, and the crew is standing in the bottom of what used to be a building. This is what happens when an Omega particle is released... or is it? There are few 'survivors' and one gets the sense that only those that are supposed to be hear are. In the distance, a man - a human man, can be seen pulling a cart...

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

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