Quirinus Mission 10912.14

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 native Klingons are on the offensive – meanwhile, the Counselor and a security guard discover something they don't understand.

=/\==/\=  BEGIN Quirinus Mission 10912.07 The Blasted Lands =/\==/\=
=/\==/\=  Episode 3  =/\==/\=

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
<SEC_Ens_Gren> :: Glances at Powers ::  CTO: Are we sure there isn't anything else we can do?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: hurries to keep up with the longer-legged humans ::

ACTION: The Klingons, coming up the hill, are about to bear down on the crew.

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Looks over to her husband, her hand stretched out towards him ::
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: Reaches into the shimmering portal, grabbing onto Azhure's wrist :: Azhure: Form a chain.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Shrugs and takes Azhure's hand ::  CNS: We sure about this?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: stops, surprised at the existence of the portal ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: smiles :: CTO:  Yes.  Just don't ask the rest of the question.
CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he steps into the shimmering portal ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: looks back... can hear the approaching Klingons... and steps through the portal ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Slips through the shimmering field behind the captain who has her wrist and she was not about to let go of Bill as he followed. ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
<TAC_CWO_Saka> :: Struggling to keep hold of Doctor Raythan ::

ACTION: There is a swirling of the colors of the portal, the sky moves sideways and the crew finds themselves back in the cell on the Krios Prime government center. There is a dead rodent with a slit in its belly here.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: looks at the rodent, and leans down to see if the key is still there. ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Glances around, not letting go of anyone yet ::  All: What the....
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: looks around ::  CTO: What the, indeed...

ACTION: Ka'Kua is out side the hall door, the crew can hear him ordering security away from the cells

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Her hand released by the captain, she looks around with more then her eyes. ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
All: We seem to have... slipped... back to a few minutes before our final attack on the Keepers' stronghold.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he takes the key :: Kraight: So it would seem.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  Everything is as it was before.  We are repeating... experiencing, reliving... :: shrugs :: what had happened before.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he moves quickly to the door :: All: As with all temporal anomalies, we could be literally behind ourselves.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: ponders ::  Aloud: Hm, two Azhures... wait!  Two Bills!
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Frowns :: Aloud: Two Suleks.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he inserts the key and pushes the door open :: All: Time is short. We cannot pause this time.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CTO:  Husband mine, one Bill is enough.  :: smiles ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  Captain, we are not following ourselves.  We have moved back into time, not a parallel universe.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: moves quickly down the hall and knocks :: Ka'Kua: Time is short.

ACTION: Ka'Kua opens the door and looks at the crew. "Fly" he shouts at them as the crew hurries by.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: follows Sulek :: CO: We have been given a second chance, it seems. We need a better plan of attack than before.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: I believe that I would sense myself as well.  I concur.  :: he moves into the passage stopping to get the weapons and phasers and then running in the direction of the stairs ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: following along, considering Kraight's suggestion and what could be done differently ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
All: If the other us's are out there right now.. if we took a different route, they would essentially be creating a diversion for us?
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he runs down the stairs with the rest of the crew behind him :: Kraight: Time is short.  Set a phaser to overload.  If I recall, we didn't make it to the second attack. The rest of you set phasers to first setting.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I do not sense the presence of my other self.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CTO: There are no other us... we are it.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: pulls out his phaser, begins making the adjustment ::  CO: Are you certain, Captain? I have to wonder if the phaser overload played a part in the temporal rift that sent us into the past.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Throw it away from the guards.  It's explosion should cause them to move up the hall where we can then shoot them.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: nods, positions himself by the door to the containment room ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: Ready.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers:  Place as the guards rush by, you and your team take out the ones that pass.  Kraight and I will cover the stragglers.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: nods to Kraight :: Kraight: Throw when ready.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: triggers the overload, counts off a few seconds silently to himself, and throws the phaser down the corridor ::

ACTION: There is a deafening noise - much more than the simple diversion would create, followed be a pervasive blackness, a total absence of light

CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
All: Now what?

ACTION: A slow light reveals itself, and the crew is back where they started on Krios Prime

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: Looks around :: All: We know that didn't work so... we return to the caves.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: If it is a true temporal shift, we should conceivably be able to do this until we get it right.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: If the portal still exists.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
CO:  I would prefer it if we get it right the next time.  What exactly are we missing?
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: starts up the ridge towards the cave ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: Agreed.  :: he sets off towards the caves ::   Kraight: If the portal exists, is it possible that the earlier we enter it the earlier we might arrive?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
XO:  Unfortunately, I have no sense of it.  We will have to go look.  It may not even be in the same place.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CO: With temporal rifts, almost anything is possible.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Begins to jog after the rest of the crew ::  Saka: I'm hoping we get this right soon, I'm tired of this running around.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
<TAC_CPO_Saka> :: Tries not to snort in amusement ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he moves up the slope, following the river to the caves ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: as they move, he is careful to be sure that Klingons are not waiting for them ::

ACTION: A few minutes a later, the crew is at the portal in the cave again, ready to step through.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
ALL:  Overload is something that we should not try again.  Suggestions?
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: What if you walked out, drew their attention?  The rest of us could take them down.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: I am willing to try that option.  If I die, you must succeed in retrieving the particle, if that is what it is.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
CTO: With respect, Commander... the Captain is not the logical choice for a decoy. As XO, I am duty bound to protect him. I would gladly serve as decoy.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Looks at the captain, but says nothing ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: with raised eyebrow ::  Kraight: I believe it was levity, but your unique ability to climb walls give us an advantage.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: His negotiation skills may be better than ours.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Kraight: A distraction from above, would offer the rest of us the opportunity to strike before the guards could assemble a counter strike against your attack.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: nods ::  CO: Could be worth a try.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Powers: Agreed.   I can always die in another attempt.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: That's actually kind of morbid for you, sir.  Congratulations.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he grabs onto Azhure's hand and steps into the portal ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: follows ::

ACTION: There is a swirling of the colors of the portal, the sky moves sideways and the crew finds themselves back in the cell on the Krios Prime government center. There is a dead rodent with a slit in its belly here.

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
All: How... depressingly familiar.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: again he reaches down and grabs the key ::

 ACTION: Ka' Kua is outside the hall door, the crew can here him ordering security away from the cells

CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: simply shakes her head and speaking to no one in particular ::  I wonder... if I just stayed here, if things would continue to repeat themselves.   :: wryly :: I could be like the dead rat.

ACTION: A few minutes later, the crew is at the apparent apex of the temporal loop, the phaser explosion.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: looks at Kraight, carefully opens the door and nods for him to start his ascent ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: scrambles up the wall ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: looks at Powers and the security team :: Powers: As soon as he opens fire, we shoot the Klingons.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
CO: Good plan.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Nods to Gren and Saka ::

ACTION: One can sense the activity, and it becomes obvious to the counselor that something big is about to happen in the central basement room

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he kneels just inside the door ready to spring out and cover the XO as soon as he fires ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: reaches the ceiling and crawls along a beam toward the center of the room ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Patiently waits ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: takes out his phaser, adjusts for maximum stun, and fires at the guard directly below him ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Hears the phaser whine and readies his stance ::

ACTION: The guard groans, and collapses under his own weight. A clean hit.

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: as the phaser arcs across from above, Sulek nods to Powers and rolls out to the opposite side wall, aiming at any guard in the open and standing ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: leaps to a nearby beam... lands, and fires at another guard ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Saka and Gren jump out, and lay on the floor, providing a blanket of fire, Bill peppering his shots better aimed, but slower ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: targets a third guard and fires moving to the next in his line of vision ::

ACTION: The well trained crew hits most of their targets. They can tell it is reaching outwards, but right now they have a clean shot at a door to the inner room

XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: leaps again, and fires ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he moves to the doors, checking the stunned Klingons :: All: Well done.  Kraight: You may join us at ground level.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
Saka/Gren: Up!  Forward!
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: crawls down the wall and joins his comrades ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: moving cautiously with the group so as not to be a distraction or liability ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
Azhure: Counselor, what do you sense?  Kraight: Can you get a reading of the numbers on the other side?
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: moves around Sulek towards the door. ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Steps back.  Quietly ::  CO:  Something has changed.  I... do not know what or what it means over all.
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: checks tricorder :: CO: I read forty-two Klingon life signs.
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
XO: Scientists, though. :: Eyes Kraight ::  No offense.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he pushes against the door ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: He again nods for Kraight to go up ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: crawls back up the wall ::

ACTION: The door gives way to reveal Sarite and his followers. There is a tesseract where they have tried -- and now succeeded -- in creating an Omega Particle

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: as the door opens he quietly looks into the interior room, noting the guards and points them out to Powers :: Powers: Take them.  I will get the particle.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he touches his commbadge ::  *Kraight*: Now!
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: identifies a guard, aims, and fires ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: stays back and out of the way ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he moves into the room quickly and stealthily ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Was beginning to creep around, until Kraight ruined it.  Instead, the security forces quit the stealth approach and open fire ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: climbs across several beams, finds another guard, and fires ::

ACTION: A maelstrom ensues

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Quirinus*: If you can read me, I need that security field down now. Use phasers to dig through the outside of the building to reach the generator, but do not hit the building.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Looks for Sarite ::

ACTION: The Quirinus responds and begins phasering the building

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he crosses the room and faces Sarite :: Sarite: This must stop.
Host SM_Keith says:
<Sarite> Sulek: NO! You FOOL!
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: He stuns the Klingon at point blank range ::

ACTION: Sarite appears quite mad... then he is down

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: he moves to the containment unit and begins setting down its protocols ::
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: drops to the floor, firing on another guard as he does so ::
CTO_Cmdr_Powers says:
:: Shakes his head - smooth diplomat he is ::
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Joins Sulek ::
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
ALL: We are getting out of here.
Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
*Quirinus*: Beam us out with containment unit now!
XO_Cmdr_Kraight says:
:: backs up towards the Captain, keeping his phaser trained on the Klingon scientists as he does ::

ACTION: The Quirinus successfully beams out the crew and the tesseract

Host CO_Capt_Sulek says:
:: as they materialize :: **Bridge*: To Federation space.  Maximum warp.  Now.
CNS_Cmd_Azhure says:
:: Lets out her breath, not realizing she had been holding it. ::

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

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