S5: E: 8 Echos of a Tattered Past.

[Ian Galloway]

NPC Lieutenant JG Chloe Davies, Head Nurse and
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Surface of Kaimo VI - Crater Lake]

The waiting up on the surface, trying to peer down into the waters through the sunlight glare from its surface was terrible.  Then suddenly there was splash of an emergence - Blackfeather supporting an unmoving Vulcan. Chloe immediately doggie paddled over towards the pair to do what she could to assess Savar's condition.

Another 30 seconds dragged by before Nira was thrown clear out of the water ten to 15 feet easily to drop back to it's surface landing face up with a SPLAT.   Lahr's eyes were wide with surprise and he wondered worriedly if the creature was going to continue its attack on them.  Despite everything the Commander seemed to try and crack a joke - declining a non-existent offer for CPR.  Lahr breathed a sigh of relief.  If she was cracking jokes - the Commander was fine.   Lahr could see Chloe directing Blackfeather on how to tow Savar face up until the paralytic would wear off.   All seemed fine.

But wait.  Where was Zhukdra'shar?  Lahr did a quick count of those around.  Roohz!

"I'm going down to look Zhuk!" he shouted to the Commander, before inhaling deeply to fill his lungs to capacity, then fought his was down towards where the flashes of weapons fire had seemed to come from minutes ago.  He fought against his body's tendency to float as he swam down with long arm strokes and fast kicks of his legs

The sunlight which had prevented him from seeing much from on the surface, lit the underwater nicely, and Lahr was able to pick out the drifting form of the Caitian still holding loosely onto the modified phaser rifle.   Lahr swam to him, grabbed onto the Caitian's unform collar and then began to kick up towards the surface with all the strength his legs had.

By the time Lahr made it back to the surface, his lungs felt like they were on fire with need of oxygen.  He took a quick gulp and then made sure Zhuk's body was face up with nose and mouth out of the water with his help.

"Chloe! I don't think he's breathing!" he shouted towards the nurse who was struggling to keep afloat while she seemed to be trying to run a scan of Savar.

To which the harried nurse, who was trying to determine the exact nature of the paralytic so that she could counter it, shouted back, "Then start resuscitation! Breath for him. Hold his mouth firmly shut with one hand, cover his nose with your mouth and breath into it!  I won't be able to do much more than that until after we reach shore!"

The Andorian followed Chloe's instructions, moving his position relative the Zhuk's so that the Caitian floated in front of him with its legs to Lahr's right side. Lahr then slid his left arm underneath the Caitian's head to have his hand come up from the opposite side and tried to grab hold of the Zhuk's jaw to keep the big cat's mouth closed while he attempted to do mouth to snout resuscitation.

It was awkward to do while floating, and there seemed to be no way to pulse the heart to encourage proper movement of blood to the brain.. but Lahr held hope that though Zhuk may not be breathing that may he still had a pulse...and that given enough air he would start breathing on his own...  That was Lahr's hope; but the longer he had to administer resuscitation, the smaller that hope became.

[Ensign Zhukdra'shar Mrekrerhas | Sandbar to Island - Kaimo VI]

After he fired the weapon, Zhuk attempted to return to the surface, but his air had all but expended as he paddled up. Soon, he began to take in water, and he panicked. While still tightly gripping the modified weapon, he attempted to reach the surface to the best of his abilities. However, he struggled to do so due to the lack of coordination between his arms and legs and his heightened emotional state. Soon, he felt his consciousness fading as everything shut down, and his vision went black. He could still lightly feel himself floating in the water, though anything else was beyond his comprehension.

Suddenly, he felt something dragging him. In his state, however, he couldn't react, so Lahr had little trouble pulling up to the surface. By sheer luck, he managed to keep his grip on the phaser rifle as he righted up by Lahr on the water. He laid still, not reacting to the outer stimuli that the rest of the away team provided. He was not breathing either, but a faint pulse of his heart still remained.

Thus, Lahr's resuscitation attempts proved to me more than effective. As air entered his lungs again, Zhuk's eyes opened suddenly, and in a panic, attempted to pull Lahr's head off him, so that he could cough up the excess water. Once that was done, however, he remained tightly gripping the Andorian, as he recovered from the exhausting ordeal he had just gone through.

"T-T-Thank y-ou... ack... ack..." He repeated a couple of times in between coughs and pants, claws digging tightly into Lahr's uniform as he trembled slightly. Well, that had been a really bad experience. At least, he was alive.

NPC Lieutenant JG Chloe Davies, Head Nurse and
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Surface of Kaimo VI - submerged land bridge]

Lahr had barely given the Caitian one good breath before the felinoid's eyes suddenly opened wide and Zhuk pulled Lahr's face away.   Lahr was happy to comply - giving the Caitian space to cough up what seemed like half the lake (maybe a slight exaggeration), but he couldn't go far because the Caitian's grip had moved from Lahr's head - thankfully leaving no claw rakes to his handsome face - and held tightly to his uniform.  The clothing however now sported a few new claw punctures.  Lahr was just grateful that seemed to be the worst of it.

"It's all good.  You're breathing.  That's the important part." he commented to the Caitian's repeated thank-you's.

Chloe meanwhile had narrowed down type of paralytic used by the creature and had a treatment in mind.  She searched her medkit, which thankfully was designed to float even when open.  There in the midst of the rarely used medications were the reversal agents.  Chloe grabbed a vial of the blocker and placed it into the hypo spray.  Since there was no way to get an answer to a question about consent, much like Lahr's resuscitation, consent to keep a patient alive was assumed.   The paralytic if left unchecked would shut down all of Savar's autonomic functions.

With a hiss of the hypospray that fate was prevented.  "Keep an eye on him while I check the Commander and Ensign Mrekrerhas," she advised Blackfeather.  Chloe then dog paddled her way to the Commander, seeing Zhuk conscious and clinging onto Lahr.  She towed the opened medkit behind her.

The fact that the Commander suggested continuing on and 'taking five' only after they got to the island, gave Chloe the misconception that Commander Said was fine, maybe just a little sore, and didn't need medical attention.   Boy was she wrong.

It was only after the group made it to the island and the Commander inquired about the number of broken ribs did Chloe realize her mistake.  She hadn't confirmed the Commander's medical condition after the Kraken attack!  Retrieving her tricorder, she scanned the Commander and her face blanched.

"Four - ribs 7 through 10" she answered as she quickly grabbed for the bone mender that hadn't done much for Akuuta, but should work well on the Betazoid-Human physiology.   If the power source didn't run out first.

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake | Kaimo IV]

Nira grimaced at hearing Nurse Davies' news of what ribs she broke apparently the four lower ribs. "Good Allah," she said. "That cephelopod was quite a piece of work...then again, friends of mine from the IKS TajHu - when I did an Officer Exchange Program - they'd find it a worthy story to put down into song," she said with a smile. "Now, if I can guess from anatomy, depending on which side the broken ribs are, they could potentially hurt my liver or my spleen...I asked about anatomy at one point, determine causes of death and whatnot, wanted to be an investigator at one point..."

Savar then shut her up with a kiss and then said, "Hush, Imzadi. Let the nurse do her work."

Nira smiled all the wider, feeling better by Savar's kiss. "Aye, sir," she said humorously.

"And thank you for saving me," Savar added.

"Well, I wasn't the only one who strove to fight that thing," Nira added, looking over at Zhuk and Lahr. "We got a good team. And I suppose that beam frying that cephelopod was your doing, Lahr. I'm definitely going to recommend you for Chief Petty Officer when we get back to the ship...the ship..."

Nira blinked and remembered. Once Nurse Davies finished treating her ribs, Nira tapped her comm badge.

"Said to Challenger," she called. "Sorry for not reporting in for a while...Challenger, are you there...?"

[Island - Crater Lake - Kaimo IV]

Once everyone was on the island and in a position of relative safety, Chloe began treating the away team's various injuries. As she worked, the pain in Nira's side abated, but it was quickly replaced by a dread in her chest as there was no response from Challenger. Just as Nira was coming to the conclusion that something was very wrong in orbit, Blackfeather called out.

"Commander, I've found a series of cave entrances that lead into the mountainside. I'm still picking up that subspace signal-source and it appears to originate roughly two kilometers beneath the mountain."

Despite the concern with what could be happening with the Challenger, Nira was keenly aware that she could do nothing to influence that situation. Her mission was to investigate the unknown signal. The question before her was what did she do now?

[Nira Said]

[Island - Crater Lake - Kaimo IV]

Once everyone was on the island and in a position of relative safety, Chloe began treating the away team's various injuries. As she worked, the pain in Nira's side abated, but it was quickly replaced by a dread in her chest as there was no response from Challenger. Just as Nira was coming to the conclusion that something was very wrong in orbit, Blackfeather called out.

"Commander, I've found a series of cave entrances that lead into the mountainside. I'm still picking up that subspace signal-source and it appears to originate roughly two kilometers beneath the mountain."

Despite the concern with what could be happening with the Challenger, Nira was keenly aware that she could do nothing to influence that situation. Her mission was to investigate the unknown signal. The question before her was what did she do now?

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake | Kaimo IV]

Nira was feeling better from Nurse Davies' treatment, and as the nurse checked up on the rest of the team, Nira was growing concerned. She tried to contact the ship, but there was no response. She had just wondered if something was wrong in orbit when Blackfeather returned and gave his report. The mention of the signal certainly gave Nira some pause.

No response from the ship. We're close to the subspace signal...if there are Romulans, could they have disabled Challenger somehow?

"Well, then, Mister Blackfeather, we'd best follow to the source," said Nira, recognizing that there's nothing that can be done for Challenger up in orbit...they were looking for the source of the signal, after all. They had reached the mountain island, now they had to investigate.

Nira managed to get her pants on but kept her outer uniform tied to her waist, moist and humid as this planet was. She looked over at Savar and said, "Savar, can you get the signal?"

"I've got it," he said. "I'm ready to move when you are."

"Okay, people," said Nira, "let's take stock of our things. We move in five minutes. Zhuk, you're with me, we'll follow alongside Savar and keep him covered, but we'll make sure he'll be behind us if we run into any more...surprises. Lahr, Blackfeather, you have the rear. Davies, you'll be behind me and Zhuk."

Two kilometers beneath the mountain...they were close. They just need to follow the signal and find what the hell is making it. She wondered also about Akuuta's warning about the mountain: Nobody who comes in ever comes out. Was it possible, if there were Romulans or some hostile force playing god, that they could potentially be keeping slaves? Either way, they had to see what it was. Once the team was ready to move, then Nira said to Savar, "Lead on."

[Buck McNair]

[Engineering - USS Challenger]

"He wants power does he? Does he think we're performing oral sex on goldfish down here? He'll get power when there's power to give!"

Dashlish roared before she could stop herself. She was a Tellerite. She was an engineer. If anyone in the universe was crankier by nature, it wasn't known to Federation science. However, after a second to reflect, it wasn't this ensign's fault the captain had asked for an update and the lack of power was a problem.

"Sorry Ensign, you didn't deserve that. Let the captain know it's bad. Every power coupling on the ship either blew or popped and have to be replaced or manually reset. I'll have the fusion generators in 30 minutes. Impulse will take at least 12 hours. Warp? Ha! Forty-Eight hours if we are lucky. Now I've got too much work to do. Carry on."

[USS Challenger - Engineering > Bridge]

Buck couldn't help but raise a brow at the manner in which the Commander spoke, slightly taken aback and slightly enjoying how free the speech seemed in the engineering department. Though certainly he supposed that if he were running the department, it would turn out where they would have speech like Commander Dashlish. Cranky natures were of note with the Tellerite species, so he'd take it on the chin. Even if it meant his back foot shifted back a little when she had roared.

"Power coupling blown or popped, 30 mins for fusion generators, impulse at 12 hours and warp at 48 hours. Gotcha. I'll let the captain know. Thank you, ma'am." Buck nodded, relaying the information so that he could repeat it with much accuracy to the captain before being dismissed by the commander as he began out of the engineering department and into the tube which he hoped would take him back to the bridge and not to the garbage disposal - this time. Maybe he would finally end up learning the layout of the ship this way; and be able to walk it with his eyes shut. Considering that it would be a practical skill to have up his sleeve.

Worth consideration as Buck maneuvered himself through the tubes, pushing and sliding himself through at times to make it through narrow gaps in the tube where more cables ran in tandem with one another. Eventually, taking a breath, it seemed that he had made it back to the bridge by some utter miracle. Buck planted his hands and pushed himself the last stretch of the way out of the Jefferies Tube and found his way on to the bridge. "Cap'n, there's been an update from engineering," Buck took another breath to compose himself. "Commander Dashlish said that the power couplings are either popped or fused, those need to be manually replaced. The generators are going to take 30 minutes, we might get impulse at the 12 hour mark and then warp at 48. It's not the best news but is there anything I can do in the mean time?"

[Ian Galloway]

[USS Challenger - Engineering > Bridge]

Buck couldn't help but raise a brow at the manner in which the Commander spoke, slightly taken aback and slightly enjoying how free the speech seemed in the engineering department. Though certainly he supposed that if he were running the department, it would turn out where they would have speech like Commander Dashlish. Cranky natures were of note with the Tellerite species, so he'd take it on the chin. Even if it meant his back foot shifted back a little when she had roared.

"Power coupling blown or popped, 30 mins for fusion generators, impulse at 12 hours and warp at 48 hours. Gotcha. I'll let the captain know. Thank you, ma'am." Buck nodded, relaying the information so that he could repeat it with much accuracy to the captain before being dismissed by the commander as he began out of the engineering department and into the tube which he hoped would take him back to the bridge and not to the garbage disposal - this time. Maybe he would finally end up learning the layout of the ship this way; and be able to walk it with his eyes shut. Considering that it would be a practical skill to have up his sleeve.

Worth consideration as Buck maneuvered himself through the tubes, pushing and sliding himself through at times to make it through narrow gaps in the tube where more cables ran in tandem with one another. Eventually, taking a breath, it seemed that he had made it back to the bridge by some utter miracle. Buck planted his hands and pushed himself the last stretch of the way out of the Jefferies Tube and found his way on to the bridge. "Cap'n, there's been an update from engineering," Buck took another breath to compose himself. "Commander Dashlish said that the power couplings are either popped or fused, those need to be manually replaced. The generators are going to take 30 minutes, we might get impulse at the 12 hour mark and then warp at 48. It's not the best news but is there anything I can do in the mean time?"

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Although she had no way of knowing this, it was a matter of timing that kept Nira from receiving a response when she tried to report in. At the time she called, the power was still offline and there as no way for the Challenger to reply even if they had heard her call.

Minutes later, Buck had only just completed his report, when the lighting on the bridge flickered and the ship came back to life. Dashlish had been right on the money when it came to the fusion generators and they could provide all the power the Challenger needed for years, with the exception of propulsion. However, now that the control systems worked again, the thrusters were available and they could generate enough motive power to allow the ship to maneuver. Able to see and move, Ian had one immediate imperative.

"T'Kel, find that bloody probe!"

"Aye Sir." She replied with her usual Vulcan aplomb. "I have it Sir. It is 500,000 kilometers from our position, in orbit of Kaimo IV. I am detecting a power surge of unknown type building inside the probe."

"Whatever that's about won't be good. Helm, best speed toward that probe. I need options people. You've got until we reach 300,000 kilometers ta think of summat that can defeat this thing or a least stop it from doin' whatever it is it's tryin' ta do."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake | Kaimo IV]

Nira was feeling better from Nurse Davies' treatment, and as the nurse checked up on the rest of the team, Nira was growing concerned. She tried to contact the ship, but there was no response. She had just wondered if something was wrong in orbit when Blackfeather returned and gave his report. The mention of the signal certainly gave Nira some pause.

No response from the ship. We're close to the subspace signal...if there are Romulans, could they have disabled Challenger somehow?

"Well, then, Mister Blackfeather, we'd best follow to the source," said Nira, recognizing that there's nothing that can be done for Challenger up in orbit...they were looking for the source of the signal, after all. They had reached the mountain island, now they had to investigate.

Nira managed to get her pants on but kept her outer uniform tied to her waist, moist and humid as this planet was. She looked over at Savar and said, "Savar, can you get the signal?"

"I've got it," he said. "I'm ready to move when you are."

"Okay, people," said Nira, "let's take stock of our things. We move in five minutes. Zhuk, you're with me, we'll follow alongside Savar and keep him covered, but we'll make sure he'll be behind us if we run into any more...surprises. Lahr, Blackfeather, you have the rear. Davies, you'll be behind me and Zhuk."

Two kilometers beneath the mountain...they were close. They just need to follow the signal and find what the hell is making it. She wondered also about Akuuta's warning about the mountain: Nobody who comes in ever comes out. Was it possible, if there were Romulans or some hostile force playing god, that they could potentially be keeping slaves? Either way, they had to see what it was. Once the team was ready to move, then Nira said to Savar, "Lead on."

[Island - Crater Lake - Kaimo IV]

Once in motion again, it was a short trip to the caves, but once inside, it was clear these caves were not natural. The stone was too regular and although they had once been smooth and polished, they were now dull and weathered with the passage of time. Nira's tricorder indicated several active power sources within the chamber - two located on either side of the tunnel and one in the ceiling. Just as she came to this conclusion, a series of seven tones rang out and a pinpoint force-field snapped on and slammed Savar backward to the floor, leaving him stunned for a moment. The seven tones sounded again, clearly some sort of challenge that needed an, as yet unknown, answer.

[Nira Said]

[Island - Crater Lake - Kaimo IV]

Once in motion again, it was a short trip to the caves, but once inside, it was clear these caves were not natural. The stone was too regular and although they had once been smooth and polished, they were now dull and weathered with the passage of time. Nira's tricorder indicated several active power sources within the chamber - two located on either side of the tunnel and one in the ceiling. Just as she came to this conclusion, a series of seven tones rang out and a pinpoint force-field snapped on and slammed Savar backward to the floor, leaving him stunned for a moment. The seven tones sounded again, clearly some sort of challenge that needed an, as yet unknown, answer.

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake Island | Kaimo IV]

The moment they got into the caves, Nira could see it was no natural cave. Despite the dull weathered look, the cave walls looked more like walls, or they looked cut and straight.

"The forces of nature sure didn't make this," said Nira aloud, taking it in. "Question is, if there are Romulans, how long have they been here with all this, maybe even playing god?"

Her tricorder was picking up so many sources, Nira had to turn around plenty of times. "How many the hell...?" she asked. "Well, at least two on the wall and one on the ceiling. Old as it is, it certainly looks active...how old would you think, Savar?"

"I'd estimate..." Savar was just looking down at his tricorder to check when there sounded a series of seven tones and Savar hit a force field that left him stunned a moment.

"Ow," he said after he got over his stunning. "Certainly not my morning, is it, Imzadi?"

"No indeed," said Nira, taking in the force fields and the seven tones that chimed again. What was this, some kind of challenge for admission of passage?

"Seven chiming tones," she said, taking in the sounds. "Lahr, can you analyze it, see what you can make of it?"

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

NPC Lieutenant JG Chloe Davies, Head Nurse and
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Surface of Kaimo VI - Crater Lake]

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake | Kaimo IV]

Nira grimaced at hearing Nurse Davies' news of what ribs she broke apparently the four lower ribs. "Good Allah," she said. "That cephelopod was quite a piece of work...then again, friends of mine from the IKS TajHu - when I did an Officer Exchange Program - they'd find it a worthy story to put down into song," she said with a smile. "Now, if I can guess from anatomy, depending on which side the broken ribs are, they could potentially hurt my liver or my spleen...I asked about anatomy at one point, determine causes of death and whatnot, wanted to be an investigator at one point..."

Savar then shut her up with a kiss and then said, "Hush, Imzadi. Let the nurse do her work."

Nira smiled all the wider, feeling better by Savar's kiss. "Aye, sir," she said humorously.

"And thank you for saving me," Savar added.

"Well, I wasn't the only one who strove to fight that thing," Nira added, looking over at Zhuk and Lahr. "We got a good team. And I suppose that beam frying that cephelopod was your doing, Lahr. I'm definitely going to recommend you for Chief Petty Officer when we get back to the ship...the ship..."

Nira blinked and remembered. Once Nurse Davies finished treating her ribs, Nira tapped her comm badge.

"Said to Challenger," she called. "Sorry for not reporting in for a while...Challenger, are you there...?"

Chloe had just finished prepping her bonemender to start work when she had to look away to give the Commander and Lieutenant Savar a bit of privacy.  Their display of affection reminded Chloe all too much of how Lahr and Commander Siggurdsdottir had started out.  So unprofessional.  She cleared her throat and ousted Savar so that she could get to work on her patient.

While Chloe did her medical thing - mending bones, closing scrapes and regenerating bruises on not just the Commander but Savar as well, Lahr took back the overpowered phaser rifle from Zhuk and did his best to undo the work he'd done earlier hoping to salvage something. A check over weapon showed that it had overheated - the barrel interior having melted slightly during the overpowered discharge.  As a firearm, it was useless but Lahr kept it as club.  He checked the powercells next, both were completely drained but with luck they might still be rechargeable.

The Andorian handed to Chloe his undamaged but unpowered phaser rifle then looked to Zhuk expectantly.  Lahr knew it had been standard protocol during his time in Sec/Tac to always carry a spare power unit on you for exactly this type of scenario.   "Your spare powercell... Nurse Davies needs it more than you." he pointed out.

Lahr knew he couldn't order the Ensign to hand it over but then he shouldn't have to.

[Island - Crater Lake - Kaimo IV]

Once everyone was on the island and in a position of relative safety, Chloe began treating the away team's various injuries. As she worked, the pain in Nira's side abated, but it was quickly replaced by a dread in her chest as there was no response from Challenger. Just as Nira was coming to the conclusion that something was very wrong in orbit, Blackfeather called out.

"Commander, I've found a series of cave entrances that lead into the mountainside. I'm still picking up that subspace signal-source and it appears to originate roughly two kilometers beneath the mountain."

Despite the concern with what could be happening with the Challenger, Nira was keenly aware that she could do nothing to influence that situation. Her mission was to investigate the unknown signal. The question before her was what did she do now?

Lahr had thought it odd that the Commander hadn't contacted the ship earlier that morning or even the night before.   He'd just assumed that the Commander had been making her reports when he wasn't paying close enough attention.   Apparently not.

When her repeated calls for the ship weren't answered, Lahr did a discreet check of her comm badge - just to be sure it was just a fault in the comm unit.  But no such luck.

The range on his tricorder was limited so it wasn't like he could check on the ship... or could he?
His thoughts on this were interrupted by news from Blackfeather, who'd been sent to scout ahead, returned and announced he'd found cave entrances.   Lahr could foresee where they were headed next.

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake | Kaimo IV]

Nira was feeling better from Nurse Davies' treatment, and as the nurse checked up on the rest of the team, Nira was growing concerned. She tried to contact the ship, but there was no response. She had just wondered if something was wrong in orbit when Blackfeather returned and gave his report. The mention of the signal certainly gave Nira some pause.

No response from the ship. We're close to the subspace signal...if there are Romulans, could they have disabled Challenger somehow?

"Well, then, Mister Blackfeather, we'd best follow to the source," said Nira, recognizing that there's nothing that can be done for Challenger up in orbit...they were looking for the source of the signal, after all. They had reached the mountain island, now they had to investigate.

Nira managed to get her pants on but kept her outer uniform tied to her waist, moist and humid as this planet was. She looked over at Savar and said, "Savar, can you get the signal?"

"I've got it," he said. "I'm ready to move when you are."

"Okay, people," said Nira, "let's take stock of our things. We move in five minutes. Zhuk, you're with me, we'll follow alongside Savar and keep him covered, but we'll make sure he'll be behind us if we run into any more...surprises. Lahr, Blackfeather, you have the rear. Davies, you'll be behind me and Zhuk."

Two kilometers beneath the mountain...they were close. They just need to follow the signal and find what the hell is making it. She wondered also about Akuuta's warning about the mountain: Nobody who comes in ever comes out. Was it possible, if there were Romulans or some hostile force playing god, that they could potentially be keeping slaves? Either way, they had to see what it was. Once the team was ready to move, then Nira said to Savar, "Lead on."

Lahr fell into position with his phaser rifle club and followed after Chloe with Blackfeather at his side, keeping alert.   He suspected that with the daily landbridge, that there were just as many dangers on this island as there had been in the jungle they'd been walking before... only this time there didn't seem to be the nice tree pathways since the locals avoided this area.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Although she had no way of knowing this, it was a matter of timing that kept Nira from receiving a response when she tried to report in. At the time she called, the power was still offline and there was no way for the Challenger to reply even if they had heard her call.

[Island - Crater Lake - Kaimo IV]

Once in motion again, it was a short trip to the caves, but once inside, it was clear these caves were not natural. The stone was too regular and although they had once been smooth and polished, they were now dull and weathered with the passage of time. Nira's tricorder indicated several active power sources within the chamber - two located on either side of the tunnel and one in the ceiling. Just as she came to this conclusion, a series of seven tones rang out and a pinpoint force-field snapped on and slammed Savar backward to the floor, leaving him stunned for a moment. The seven tones sounded again, clearly some sort of challenge that needed an, as yet unknown, answer.

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake Island | Kaimo IV]

The moment they got into the caves, Nira could see it was no natural cave. Despite the dull weathered look, the cave walls looked more like walls, or they looked cut and straight.

"The forces of nature sure didn't make this," said Nira aloud, taking it in. "Question is, if there are Romulans, how long have they been here with all this, maybe even playing god?"

Her tricorder was picking up so many sources, Nira had to turn around plenty of times. "How many the hell...?" she asked. "Well, at least two on the wall and one on the ceiling. Old as it is, it certainly looks active...how old would you think, Savar?"

"I'd estimate..." Savar was just looking down at his tricorder to check when there sounded a series of seven tones and Savar hit a force field that left him stunned a moment.

"Ow," he said after he got over his stunning. "Certainly not my morning, is it, Imzadi?"

"No indeed," said Nira, taking in the force fields and the seven tones that chimed again. What was this, some kind of challenge for admission of passage?

"Seven chiming tones," she said, taking in the sounds. "Lahr, can you analyze it, see what you can make of it?"

Surprisingly the trip to the cave was uneventful. Even more surprising was that the caves were not natural but obviously intentionally created.  Lahr wondered, why the Commander always seemed to assume the culprit was Romulan?  Everything they'd come across so far had seemed far older than the Romulan culture.  The numbering glyph system included.  He'd seen both Vulcan and Romulan written language... neither were anything like those glyphs.   Whatever this was it wasn't Romulan.

Lahr who was acting as security in the rear with Blackfeather, didn't have his tricorder out so had no forewarning of the forcefield before it activated other than the 7 tones.  When they sounded he stopped and looked about for the source.  His antennae waving about.  He winced a moment later at seeing the Vulcan slammed back by an obvious shimmering forcefield.  Lahr gripped the barrel of his 'club' in anticipation of other threats.

At the Commander's question to him, Lahr acknowledged the implied order with a nod.  "Yes, ma'am."  He shouldered his weapon and took out his tricorder, immediately noting the three power sources embedded in the walls and ceiling - obviously powering the sensors and quite possibly the forcefield as well.

Lahr moved in closer, in an attempt to trigger the chime a third time so that he could record it and study it more closely.  The moment the first tone sounded Lahr quickly backed off hoping to avoid the same pinpoint forcefield activation that had stunned Savar. 

[Ian Galloway]

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake Island | Kaimo IV]

The moment they got into the caves, Nira could see it was no natural cave. Despite the dull weathered look, the cave walls looked more like walls, or they looked cut and straight.

"The forces of nature sure didn't make this," said Nira aloud, taking it in. "Question is, if there are Romulans, how long have they been here with all this, maybe even playing god?"

Her tricorder was picking up so many sources, Nira had to turn around plenty of times. "How many the hell...?" she asked. "Well, at least two on the wall and one on the ceiling. Old as it is, it certainly looks active...how old would you think, Savar?"

"I'd estimate..." Savar was just looking down at his tricorder to check when there sounded a series of seven tones and Savar hit a force field that left him stunned a moment.

"Ow," he said after he got over his stunning. "Certainly not my morning, is it, Imzadi?"

"No indeed," said Nira, taking in the force fields and the seven tones that chimed again. What was this, some kind of challenge for admission of passage?

"Seven chiming tones," she said, taking in the sounds. "Lahr, can you analyze it, see what you can make of it?"

NPC Lieutenant JG Chloe Davies, Head Nurse and
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Surface of Kaimo VI - Crater Lake]

Chloe had just finished prepping her bonemender to start work when she had to look away to give the Commander and Lieutenant Savar a bit of privacy.  Their display of affection reminded Chloe all too much of how Lahr and Commander Siggurdsdottir had started out.  So unprofessional.  She cleared her throat and ousted Savar so that she could get to work on her patient.

While Chloe did her medical thing - mending bones, closing scrapes and regenerating bruises on not just the Commander but Savar as well, Lahr took back the overpowered phaser rifle from Zhuk and did his best to undo the work he'd done earlier hoping to salvage something. A check over weapon showed that it had overheated - the barrel interior having melted slightly during the overpowered discharge.  As a firearm, it was useless but Lahr kept it as club.  He checked the powercells next, both were completely drained but with luck they might still be rechargeable.

The Andorian handed to Chloe his undamaged but unpowered phaser rifle then looked to Zhuk expectantly.  Lahr knew it had been standard protocol during his time in Sec/Tac to always carry a spare power unit on you for exactly this type of scenario.   "Your spare powercell... Nurse Davies needs it more than you." he pointed out.

Lahr knew he couldn't order the Ensign to hand it over but then he shouldn't have to.

Lahr had thought it odd that the Commander hadn't contacted the ship earlier that morning or even the night before.   He'd just assumed that the Commander had been making her reports when he wasn't paying close enough attention.   Apparently not.

When her repeated calls for the ship weren't answered, Lahr did a discreet check of her comm badge - just to be sure it was just a fault in the comm unit.  But no such luck.

The range on his tricorder was limited so it wasn't like he could check on the ship... or could he?
His thoughts on this were interrupted by news from Blackfeather, who'd been sent to scout ahead, returned and announced he'd found cave entrances.   Lahr could foresee where they were headed next.

Lahr fell into position with his phaser rifle club and followed after Chloe with Blackfeather at his side, keeping alert.   He suspected that with the daily landbridge, that there were just as many dangers on this island as there had been in the jungle they'd been walking before... only this time there didn't seem to be the nice tree pathways since the locals avoided this area.

Surprisingly the trip to the cave was uneventful. Even more surprising was that the caves were not natural but obviously intentionally created.  Lahr wondered, why the Commander always seemed to assume the culprit was Romulan?  Everything they'd come across so far had seemed far older than the Romulan culture.  The numbering glyph system included.  He'd seen both Vulcan and Romulan written language... neither were anything like those glyphs.   Whatever this was it wasn't Romulan.

Lahr who was acting as security in the rear with Blackfeather, didn't have his tricorder out so had no forewarning of the forcefield before it activated other than the 7 tones.  When they sounded he stopped and looked about for the source.  His antennae waving about.  He winced a moment later at seeing the Vulcan slammed back by an obvious shimmering forcefield.  Lahr gripped the barrel of his 'club' in anticipation of other threats.

At the Commander's question to him, Lahr acknowledged the implied order with a nod.  "Yes, ma'am."  He shouldered his weapon and took out his tricorder, immediately noting the three power sources embedded in the walls and ceiling - obviously powering the sensors and quite possibly the forcefield as well.

Lahr moved in closer, in an attempt to trigger the chime a third time so that he could record it and study it more closely.  The moment the first tone sounded Lahr quickly backed off hoping to avoid the same pinpoint forcefield activation that had stunned Savar.

[Cave - Crater Lake - Kaimo IV]

Lahr approached with some trepidation after seeing what had happened to Savar, he was careful to stay outside the range of the alien force field. Just outside that range, the seven tones sounded again and this time, the two power sources on either side of the tunnel revealed themselves to be some sort of energy weapon turrets that extended from the walls. It was clear that a failed response to the challenge would be met with far more than a force field this time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

When the power came back on, Ian was both relieved and not. He was grateful to have some sort of control of the ship, but he desperately needed more information and the thing that concerned him the most was how long it had been since he'd heard from the away team.

"T'Kel, see if you can raise Commander Said."

"Aye Sir. Challenger to Commander Said, please report."

[Nira Said]

NPC Lieutenant JG Chloe Davies, Head Nurse and
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Surface of Kaimo VI - Crater Lake]

Chloe had just finished prepping her bonemender to start work when she had to look away to give the Commander and Lieutenant Savar a bit of privacy.  Their display of affection reminded Chloe all too much of how Lahr and Commander Siggurdsdottir had started out.  So unprofessional.  She cleared her throat and ousted Savar so that she could get to work on her patient.

While Chloe did her medical thing - mending bones, closing scrapes and regenerating bruises on not just the Commander but Savar as well, Lahr took back the overpowered phaser rifle from Zhuk and did his best to undo the work he'd done earlier hoping to salvage something. A check over weapon showed that it had overheated - the barrel interior having melted slightly during the overpowered discharge.  As a firearm, it was useless but Lahr kept it as club.  He checked the powercells next, both were completely drained but with luck they might still be rechargeable.

The Andorian handed to Chloe his undamaged but unpowered phaser rifle then looked to Zhuk expectantly.  Lahr knew it had been standard protocol during his time in Sec/Tac to always carry a spare power unit on you for exactly this type of scenario.   "Your spare powercell... Nurse Davies needs it more than you." he pointed out.

Lahr knew he couldn't order the Ensign to hand it over but then he shouldn't have to.

Lahr had thought it odd that the Commander hadn't contacted the ship earlier that morning or even the night before.   He'd just assumed that the Commander had been making her reports when he wasn't paying close enough attention.   Apparently not.

When her repeated calls for the ship weren't answered, Lahr did a discreet check of her comm badge - just to be sure it was just a fault in the comm unit.  But no such luck.

The range on his tricorder was limited so it wasn't like he could check on the ship... or could he?
His thoughts on this were interrupted by news from Blackfeather, who'd been sent to scout ahead, returned and announced he'd found cave entrances.   Lahr could foresee where they were headed next.

Lahr fell into position with his phaser rifle club and followed after Chloe with Blackfeather at his side, keeping alert.   He suspected that with the daily landbridge, that there were just as many dangers on this island as there had been in the jungle they'd been walking before... only this time there didn't seem to be the nice tree pathways since the locals avoided this area.

Surprisingly the trip to the cave was uneventful. Even more surprising was that the caves were not natural but obviously intentionally created.  Lahr wondered, why the Commander always seemed to assume the culprit was Romulan?  Everything they'd come across so far had seemed far older than the Romulan culture.  The numbering glyph system included.  He'd seen both Vulcan and Romulan written language... neither were anything like those glyphs.   Whatever this was it wasn't Romulan.

Lahr who was acting as security in the rear with Blackfeather, didn't have his tricorder out so had no forewarning of the forcefield before it activated other than the 7 tones.  When they sounded he stopped and looked about for the source.  His antennae waving about.  He winced a moment later at seeing the Vulcan slammed back by an obvious shimmering forcefield.  Lahr gripped the barrel of his 'club' in anticipation of other threats.

At the Commander's question to him, Lahr acknowledged the implied order with a nod.  "Yes, ma'am."  He shouldered his weapon and took out his tricorder, immediately noting the three power sources embedded in the walls and ceiling - obviously powering the sensors and quite possibly the forcefield as well.

Lahr moved in closer, in an attempt to trigger the chime a third time so that he could record it and study it more closely.  The moment the first tone sounded Lahr quickly backed off hoping to avoid the same pinpoint forcefield activation that had stunned Savar.

[Cave - Crater Lake - Kaimo IV]

Lahr approached with some trepidation after seeing what had happened to Savar, he was careful to stay outside the range of the alien force field. Just outside that range, the seven tones sounded again and this time, the two power sources on either side of the tunnel revealed themselves to be some sort of energy weapon turrets that extended from the walls. It was clear that a failed response to the challenge would be met with far more than a force field this time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

When the power came back on, Ian was both relieved and not. He was grateful to have some sort of control of the ship, but he desperately needed more information and the thing that concerned him the most was how long it had been since he'd heard from the away team.

"T'Kel, see if you can raise Commander Said."

"Aye Sir. Challenger to Commander Said, please report."

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake Island | Kaimo IV]

Nira could see that Lahr was recording the seven tones, and she could hear them, too, and her memory allowed her to remember them more...she had just smiled at Lahr when suddenly, two turrets appeared on either side of the wall.

"Good Allah," she said in surprise. "Where did they come from?"

"There's a big indication that they're powered by the two power sources on either side of the wall," said Savar. "Tricorder readings state so."

"I'm guessing that if we don't answer their challenge, they'll fire on us," said Nira. "Three strikes and you're out, as they call it on Earth."

Nira perked at the reply from Lieutenant T'Kel. She was relieved to hear from them.

"Said to Challenger," she said. "Glad to hear from you. Sorry to not report last night, but we had to stop a time for the night; don't want to go anywhere in the jungle. Suffice to say, we reached the island, but there seems to be some kind of defensive system, though it seems that it requires us to pass some kind of challenge in order to pass. We're going to transmit these following tones to you for Mister Hyperion to analyze, see what to make of them, if they could potentially even have something to do with those symbols we sent," she added, remembering the symbols they discovered in the hidden cliff chamber. "We'll wait and see, and we'll see if they'll make it before their defenses decide to get more aggressive."

She looked to Lahr and said, "Lahr, transmit what you recorded to Challenger. The rest of you, stay alert, and be prepared to move fast in case the turrets open fire."

She then continued her comm: "Captain Galloway, may I inquire as to what happened to Challenger? I tried to reach the ship earlier, but we didn't hear a thing."

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

NPC Lieutenant JG Chloe Davies, Head Nurse and
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Surface of Kaimo VI - Mountain Cave]

[Cave - Crater Lake - Kaimo IV]

Lahr approached with some trepidation after seeing what had happened to Savar, he was careful to stay outside the range of the alien force field. Just outside that range, the seven tones sounded again and this time, the two power sources on either side of the tunnel revealed themselves to be some sort of energy weapon turrets that extended from the walls. It was clear that a failed response to the challenge would be met with far more than a force field this time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

When the power came back on, Ian was both relieved and not. He was grateful to have some sort of control of the ship, but he desperately needed more information and the thing that concerned him the most was how long it had been since he'd heard from the away team.

"T'Kel, see if you can raise Commander Said."

"Aye Sir. Challenger to Commander Said, please report."

The third time the tones sounded Lahr was able to get a recording of it.  Having worked Ops - which doubled for Communications - for the past year or so Lahr recognized the gap in the tones.  Those were the expected responses.  He was sure of that... But what was the pattern?

The away team hadn't been able to collect much information on this 'base-8' technology.  But if he were to hazard a guess, civilizations generally communicated through their math first. Could the tones represent numbers?  Hmm.

While he pondered this, the turrets opened up and targeted him, even as T'Kel's voice sounded from the Commander's comm badge.

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake Island | Kaimo IV]

Nira could see that Lahr was recording the seven tones, and she could hear them, too, and her memory allowed her to remember them more...she had just smiled at Lahr when suddenly, two turrets appeared on either side of the wall.

"Good Allah," she said in surprise. "Where did they come from?"

"There's a big indication that they're powered by the two power sources on either side of the wall," said Savar. "Tricorder readings state so."

"I'm guessing that if we don't answer their challenge, they'll fire on us," said Nira. "Three strikes and you're out, as they call it on Earth."

Nira perked at the reply from Lieutenant T'Kel. She was relieved to hear from them.

"Said to Challenger," she said. "Glad to hear from you. Sorry to not report last night, but we had to stop a time for the night; don't want to go anywhere in the jungle. Suffice to say, we reached the island, but there seems to be some kind of defensive system, though it seems that it requires us to pass some kind of challenge in order to pass. We're going to transmit these following tones to you for Mister Hyperion to analyze, see what to make of them, if they could potentially even have something to do with those symbols we sent," she added, remembering the symbols they discovered in the hidden cliff chamber. "We'll wait and see, and we'll see if they'll make it before their defenses decide to get more aggressive."

She looked to Lahr and said, "Lahr, transmit what you recorded to Challenger. The rest of you, stay alert, and be prepared to move fast in case the turrets open fire."

She then continued her comm: "Captain Galloway, may I inquire as to what happened to Challenger? I tried to reach the ship earlier, but we didn't hear a thing."

Commander Said's assessment of the result for failing to answer seemed apt.  They would only have one attempt before the turrets fired.

"You all might wanna take cover then." he Lahr suggested implying that he was gonna make an attempt, but the Commander must not have heard him because she went on to reply to T'Kel on the ship, and by extension the Captain and the rest of the Bridge.  She stated that they were gonna send Hyperion the tones and let him figure out the proper response.   Lahr's antennae flicked in annoyance at the Commander's order to send the recording.

Though Lahr could admit that Hyperion was far smarter than he - it was a bit belittling that the Commander didn't give him opportunity to offer a recommended response before calling on the AI to decide on what to answer.  The Commander obviously had no trust in his skill to decipher the tones.   The 'engineer' did as he was told.

After sending the tones up to the ship, Lahr fell back to keeping watch.  At least that was something he could do.

[Ian Galloway]

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake Island | Kaimo IV]

Nira could see that Lahr was recording the seven tones, and she could hear them, too, and her memory allowed her to remember them more...she had just smiled at Lahr when suddenly, two turrets appeared on either side of the wall.

"Good Allah," she said in surprise. "Where did they come from?"

"There's a big indication that they're powered by the two power sources on either side of the wall," said Savar. "Tricorder readings state so."

"I'm guessing that if we don't answer their challenge, they'll fire on us," said Nira. "Three strikes and you're out, as they call it on Earth."

Nira perked at the reply from Lieutenant T'Kel. She was relieved to hear from them.

"Said to Challenger," she said. "Glad to hear from you. Sorry to not report last night, but we had to stop a time for the night; don't want to go anywhere in the jungle. Suffice to say, we reached the island, but there seems to be some kind of defensive system, though it seems that it requires us to pass some kind of challenge in order to pass. We're going to transmit these following tones to you for Mister Hyperion to analyze, see what to make of them, if they could potentially even have something to do with those symbols we sent," she added, remembering the symbols they discovered in the hidden cliff chamber. "We'll wait and see, and we'll see if they'll make it before their defenses decide to get more aggressive."

She looked to Lahr and said, "Lahr, transmit what you recorded to Challenger. The rest of you, stay alert, and be prepared to move fast in case the turrets open fire."

She then continued her comm: "Captain Galloway, may I inquire as to what happened to Challenger? I tried to reach the ship earlier, but we didn't hear a thing."

NPC Lieutenant JG Chloe Davies, Head Nurse and
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Surface of Kaimo VI - Mountain Cave]

The third time the tones sounded Lahr was able to get a recording of it.  Having worked Ops - which doubled for Communications - for the past year or so Lahr recognized the gap in the tones.  Those were the expected responses.  He was sure of that... But what was the pattern?

The away team hadn't been able to collect much information on this 'base-8' technology.  But if he were to hazard a guess, civilizations generally communicated through their math first. Could the tones represent numbers?  Hmm.

While he pondered this, the turrets opened up and targeted him, even as T'Kel's voice sounded from the Commander's comm badge.

Commander Said's assessment of the result for failing to answer seemed apt.  They would only have one attempt before the turrets fired.

"You all might wanna take cover then." he Lahr suggested implying that he was gonna make an attempt, but the Commander must not have heard him because she went on to reply to T'Kel on the ship, and by extension the Captain and the rest of the Bridge.  She stated that they were gonna send Hyperion the tones and let him figure out the proper response.   Lahr's antennae flicked in annoyance at the Commander's order to send the recording.

Though Lahr could admit that Hyperion was far smarter than he - it was a bit belittling that the Commander didn't give him opportunity to offer a recommended response before calling on the AI to decide on what to answer.  The Commander obviously had no trust in his skill to decipher the tones.   The 'engineer' did as he was told.

After sending the tones up to the ship, Lahr fell back to keeping watch.  At least that was something he could do.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian was pleased to hear the away team was making progress on their mission, especially given the situation on the ship at the moment. He looked over to Randall who shook his head silently.

"Commander, we've encountered a very large probe that hit us with a subspace pulse that took out every power relay on the ship. We're currently limited ta fusion reactors and thrusters, which leaves us with limited computin' power. In addition, that probe has parked itself in high orbit of the and is bombardin' the planet with a focused chroniton beam. We've had ta dedicate all our resources into tryin' ta stop that. I hate ta do this ta you, but you're goin' ta have ta solve your puzzle on your own."

"If'n you need extraction, we can get a shuttle ta you, but I'd suggest plannin' ahead because we won't be able ta beam you out until we have impulse back online, which will take at least 24 hours."

[Nira Said]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian was pleased to hear the away team was making progress on their mission, especially given the situation on the ship at the moment. He looked over to Randall who shook his head silently.

"Commander, we've encountered a very large probe that hit us with a subspace pulse that took out every power relay on the ship. We're currently limited ta fusion reactors and thrusters, which leaves us with limited computin' power. In addition, that probe has parked itself in high orbit of the and is bombardin' the planet with a focused chroniton beam. We've had ta dedicate all our resources into tryin' ta stop that. I hate ta do this ta you, but you're goin' ta have ta solve your puzzle on your own."

"If'n you need extraction, we can get a shuttle ta you, but I'd suggest plannin' ahead because we won't be able ta beam you out until we have impulse back online, which will take at least 24 hours."

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake Island | Kaimo IV]

Nira blinked in surprise. A subspace pulse and a chroniton beam? What the hell kind of probe was that? And if there are Romulans, was this some kind of site to develop something chroniton-based?

"I understand, Captain," she replied. "And it could be a good idea to have a shuttle standing by, just in case."

Saying that made her think of Don and she felt to herself, First Officer or no, he could always be there to get his friends and family out. She realized she wished she had Don or even Alex Graham to get them out...but they did have a mission.

"Well, we'll see what we can do down here, Captain," said Nira. "Let us know when Hyperion gets back to us. Said out."

Turning back to the power sources, force field, turrets and all, Nira wondered what to do. If they failed to answer the challenge, the turrets would likely open fire.

"Okay, what will are options be, people?" she asked. "I'm sure there's something to do with those symbols back in that cliff room. Lahr, pull it up and see what you can make of them. However, I would also like to hear any additional options; I don't want to have to shoot my way through unless I have no other choice. Zhuk, Blackfeather, keep on keeping an eye on those turrets, be ready in case they open fire."

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

NPC Lieutenant JG Chloe Davies, Head Nurse and
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Surface of Kaimo VI - Mountain Cave]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian was pleased to hear the away team was making progress on their mission, especially given the situation on the ship at the moment. He looked over to Randall who shook his head silently.

"Commander, we've encountered a very large probe that hit us with a subspace pulse that took out every power relay on the ship. We're currently limited ta fusion reactors and thrusters, which leaves us with limited computin' power. In addition, that probe has parked itself in high orbit of the and is bombardin' the planet with a focused chroniton beam. We've had ta dedicate all our resources into tryin' ta stop that. I hate ta do this ta you, but you're goin' ta have ta solve your puzzle on your own."

"If'n you need extraction, we can get a shuttle ta you, but I'd suggest plannin' ahead because we won't be able ta beam you out until we have impulse back online, which will take at least 24 hours."

Even from the back of the away team, Lahr could hear the Captain's response.  News of the subspace pulse having taken out all the power relays on the ship... wasn't good news - for the ship at least.  But it did kinda give Lahr the opportunity to show the Commander that he had a valid solution to the 7-tone puzzle.

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake Island | Kaimo IV]

Nira blinked in surprise. A subspace pulse and a chroniton beam? What the hell kind of probe was that? And if there are Romulans, was this some kind of site to develop something chroniton-based?

"I understand, Captain," she replied. "And it could be a good idea to have a shuttle standing by, just in case."

Saying that made her think of Don and she felt to herself, First Officer or no, he could always be there to get his friends and family out. She realized she wished she had Don or even Alex Graham to get them out...but they did have a mission.

"Well, we'll see what we can do down here, Captain," said Nira. "Let us know when Hyperion gets back to us. Said out."

Turning back to the power sources, force field, turrets and all, Nira wondered what to do. If they failed to answer the challenge, the turrets would likely open fire.

"Okay, what will are options be, people?" she asked. "I'm sure there's something to do with those symbols back in that cliff room. Lahr, pull it up and see what you can make of them. However, I would also like to hear any additional options; I don't want to have to shoot my way through unless I have no other choice. Zhuk, Blackfeather, keep on keeping an eye on those turrets, be ready in case they open fire."

Lahr grinned and stepped forward from his self-imposed watch duty and called up on his padd the original triangular symbols they'd seen in the cave.  "I think you're right when you say it's connected to the symbols.  The symbols are the building blocks of the alien numeracy - 1 through 8.   These tones,  I think are audio representation of those numbers."

Lahr called up the tones and then applied a scale numeracy to the sounds and then overlaid the alien numeracy symbols.

He showed the result to the Commander.

"It's a math sequence.  1... 3... 5, see that?  But there's also an equation. Here." Lahr pointed to the left side of the PADD display.  "I think we need to play back the missing two tones that complete the equation.  Which in this case are the 5 and 1...  6 minus 5 = 2 minus 1 = 1"

Chloe who had been listening, spoke up then...

"Are you sure?  Couldn't it be two equations.. 6 minus 4 = 2.. and then 2 minus 1 = 1"

Lahr's antennae flicked at her interruption.  "Your solution isn't balanced though... the tone for 2 isn't played twice... and the tone for 4 we don't know yet... we do however have the 1, 3 and 5."

Lahr looked to the Commander.  "The solution is 5 and 1.  I stake my life on that." he asserted.

[Zhukdrashar Mrekrerhas]

[Ensign Zhukdra'shar Mrekrerhas | Island on the Middle of the Lake - Kaimo VI]

NPC Lieutenant JG Chloe Davies, Head Nurse and
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Surface of Kaimo VI - submerged land bridge]

Lahr had barely given the Caitian one good breath before the felinoid's eyes suddenly opened wide and Zhuk pulled Lahr's face away.   Lahr was happy to comply - giving the Caitian space to cough up what seemed like half the lake (maybe a slight exaggeration), but he couldn't go far because the Caitian's grip had moved from Lahr's head - thankfully leaving no claw rakes to his handsome face - and held tightly to his uniform.  The clothing however now sported a few new claw punctures.  Lahr was just grateful that seemed to be the worst of it.

"It's all good.  You're breathing.  That's the important part." he commented to the Caitian's repeated thank-you's.

Chloe meanwhile had narrowed down type of paralytic used by the creature and had a treatment in mind.  She searched her medkit, which thankfully was designed to float even when open.  There in the midst of the rarely used medications were the reversal agents.  Chloe grabbed a vial of the blocker and placed it into the hypo spray.  Since there was no way to get an answer to a question about consent, much like Lahr's resuscitation, consent to keep a patient alive was assumed.   The paralytic if left unchecked would shut down all of Savar's autonomic functions.

With a hiss of the hypospray that fate was prevented.  "Keep an eye on him while I check the Commander and Ensign Mrekrerhas," she advised Blackfeather.  Chloe then dog paddled her way to the Commander, seeing Zhuk conscious and clinging onto Lahr.  She towed the opened medkit behind her.

The fact that the Commander suggested continuing on and 'taking five' only after they got to the island, gave Chloe the misconception that Commander Said was fine, maybe just a little sore, and didn't need medical attention.   Boy was she wrong.

It was only after the group made it to the island and the Commander inquired about the number of broken ribs did Chloe realize her mistake.  She hadn't confirmed the Commander's medical condition after the Kraken attack!  Retrieving her tricorder, she scanned the Commander and her face blanched.

"Four - ribs 7 through 10" she answered as she quickly grabbed for the bone mender that hadn't done much for Akuuta, but should work well on the Betazoid-Human physiology.   If the power source didn't run out first.

[Island - Crater Lake - Kaimo IV]

Once everyone was on the island and in a position of relative safety, Chloe began treating the away team's various injuries. As she worked, the pain in Nira's side abated, but it was quickly replaced by a dread in her chest as there was no response from Challenger. Just as Nira was coming to the conclusion that something was very wrong in orbit, Blackfeather called out.

"Commander, I've found a series of cave entrances that lead into the mountainside. I'm still picking up that subspace signal-source and it appears to originate roughly two kilometers beneath the mountain."

Despite the concern with what could be happening with the Challenger, Nira was keenly aware that she could do nothing to influence that situation. Her mission was to investigate the unknown signal. The question before her was what did she do now?

Once freed from a watery grave, and after calming himself down, Zhuk made his way back to the island, where he laid in the soft, warm sand for a moment, taking deep breaths to recover. He felt both relieved and embarrassed from latching in such a way towards Lahr, though he was glad he was there to retrieve him. Maybe something he didn't need to take that much to heart, considering that the situation had been dire. Still, he wondered if Lahr saw him a little poorly after that outburst.

Why did he care so much about it now?

In any case, he turned on his back as Nira, Chloe and the rest of the team began to tend to their injuries. He watched, curious as Head Nurse Davies worked to mend Nira's broken ribs. Eventually, the Lieutenant was up on her feet, and ready to continue their mission. It was impressive how the technology and the knowledge of medicine joined together to achieve such feats, as he was quite certain that Nira wouldn't be able to continue with her command. Of course, he was happy to be mistaken.

As soon as he heard Petty Officer Lahr instructing him to provide an extra power cell to Nurse Davies once she finished with her duties, he glanced up at him and meekly, nodded. Reaching for his pack, he obtained the requested power and offered it to Chloe.

"I believe that is a fair request. Please make good use of it, Head Nurse."

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake Island | Kaimo IV]

The moment they got into the caves, Nira could see it was no natural cave. Despite the dull weathered look, the cave walls looked more like walls, or they looked cut and straight.

"The forces of nature sure didn't make this," said Nira aloud, taking it in. "Question is, if there are Romulans, how long have they been here with all this, maybe even playing god?"

Her tricorder was picking up so many sources, Nira had to turn around plenty of times. "How many the hell...?" she asked. "Well, at least two on the wall and one on the ceiling. Old as it is, it certainly looks active...how old would you think, Savar?"

"I'd estimate..." Savar was just looking down at his tricorder to check when there sounded a series of seven tones and Savar hit a force field that left him stunned a moment.

"Ow," he said after he got over his stunning. "Certainly not my morning, is it, Imzadi?"

"No indeed," said Nira, taking in the force fields and the seven tones that chimed again. What was this, some kind of challenge for admission of passage?

"Seven chiming tones," she said, taking in the sounds. "Lahr, can you analyze it, see what you can make of it?"

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake Island | Kaimo IV]

Nira could see that Lahr was recording the seven tones, and she could hear them, too, and her memory allowed her to remember them more...she had just smiled at Lahr when suddenly, two turrets appeared on either side of the wall.

"Good Allah," she said in surprise. "Where did they come from?"

"There's a big indication that they're powered by the two power sources on either side of the wall," said Savar. "Tricorder readings state so."

"I'm guessing that if we don't answer their challenge, they'll fire on us," said Nira. "Three strikes and you're out, as they call it on Earth."

Nira perked at the reply from Lieutenant T'Kel. She was relieved to hear from them.

"Said to Challenger," she said. "Glad to hear from you. Sorry to not report last night, but we had to stop a time for the night; don't want to go anywhere in the jungle. Suffice to say, we reached the island, but there seems to be some kind of defensive system, though it seems that it requires us to pass some kind of challenge in order to pass. We're going to transmit these following tones to you for Mister Hyperion to analyze, see what to make of them, if they could potentially even have something to do with those symbols we sent," she added, remembering the symbols they discovered in the hidden cliff chamber. "We'll wait and see, and we'll see if they'll make it before their defenses decide to get more aggressive."

She looked to Lahr and said, "Lahr, transmit what you recorded to Challenger. The rest of you, stay alert, and be prepared to move fast in case the turrets open fire."

She then continued her comm: "Captain Galloway, may I inquire as to what happened to Challenger? I tried to reach the ship earlier, but we didn't hear a thing."

NPC Lieutenant JG Chloe Davies, Head Nurse and
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Surface of Kaimo VI - Mountain Cave]

Even from the back of the away team, Lahr could hear the Captain's response.  News of the subspace pulse having taken out all the power relays on the ship... wasn't good news - for the ship at least.  But it did kinda give Lahr the opportunity to show the Commander that he had a valid solution to the 7-tone puzzle.

Lahr grinned and stepped forward from his self-imposed watch duty and called up on his padd the original triangular symbols they'd seen in the cave.  "I think you're right when you say it's connected to the symbols.  The symbols are the building blocks of the alien numeracy - 1 through 8.   These tones,  I think are audio representation of those numbers."

Lahr called up the tones and then applied a scale numeracy to the sounds and then overlaid the alien numeracy symbols.

He showed the result to the Commander.

"It's a math sequence.  1... 3... 5, see that?  But there's also an equation. Here." Lahr pointed to the left side of the PADD display.  "I think we need to play back the missing two tones that complete the equation.  Which in this case are the 5 and 1...  6 minus 5 = 2 minus 1 = 1"

Chloe who had been listening, spoke up then...

"Are you sure?  Couldn't it be two equations.. 6 minus 4 = 2.. and then 2 minus 1 = 1"

Lahr's antennae flicked at her interruption.  "Your solution isn't balanced though... the tone for 2 isn't played twice... and the tone for 4 we don't know yet... we do however have the 1, 3 and 5."

Lahr looked to the Commander.  "The solution is 5 and 1.  I stake my life on that." he asserted.

Standing up, once she had accepted or rejected it, he made sure to reach for his own rifle and keep it close to him. After all, the small break they had was all both over, as Lieutenant Nira ordered him to follow after Savar and her, which he did without question. The troupe made their way to the unnatural cave, and Zhuk couldn't help but note the comment on it being artificial, his hand lightly touching the outside of the cave. Peculiar.

His ears twitched as he heard the tones, raising an eyebrow as they caught his attention. That was before Savar was sent back a few meters from a force field. His eyes soon identified the power sources that seemingly had been built inside of the cavern, and took aim towards the one on the ceiling, wondering for a moment if he should fire against them to disable them.

He waited, though, not wanting to actually mess something up in this situation that would complicate things further, while also checking that Savar was recovering. He was pleasantly surprised when he did, and his ear managed to catch wind of Lieutenant Nira managing to make contact with the Challenger. Still, it seemed that things were becoming tenser as two turrets appeared from within. Those certainly complicated things.

His attention turned to the turrets, finger on the trigger in case the team failed to complete whatever challenge it seemed to be attempting to provide with the tones it made. He just wondered if his phaser and Blackfeather's would be enough to destroy or deactivate the turrets before they could do any real damage to them. He had faith in Lahr and his capability to solve this, though the bickering between him and Davies certainly made him uneasy. He would have chimed in to offer his input, but equations and math had never been his strong suit. He preferred tactics.

"Please, reach a consensus. I would really prefer not having to deal with the turrets pointing at us..."

[Nira Said]

NPC Lieutenant JG Chloe Davies, Head Nurse and
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Surface of Kaimo VI - Mountain Cave]

Even from the back of the away team, Lahr could hear the Captain's response.  News of the subspace pulse having taken out all the power relays on the ship... wasn't good news - for the ship at least.  But it did kinda give Lahr the opportunity to show the Commander that he had a valid solution to the 7-tone puzzle.

Lahr grinned and stepped forward from his self-imposed watch duty and called up on his padd the original triangular symbols they'd seen in the cave.  "I think you're right when you say it's connected to the symbols.  The symbols are the building blocks of the alien numeracy - 1 through 8.   These tones,  I think are audio representation of those numbers."

Lahr called up the tones and then applied a scale numeracy to the sounds and then overlaid the alien numeracy symbols.

He showed the result to the Commander.

"It's a math sequence.  1... 3... 5, see that?  But there's also an equation. Here." Lahr pointed to the left side of the PADD display.  "I think we need to play back the missing two tones that complete the equation.  Which in this case are the 5 and 1...  6 minus 5 = 2 minus 1 = 1"

Chloe who had been listening, spoke up then...

"Are you sure?  Couldn't it be two equations.. 6 minus 4 = 2.. and then 2 minus 1 = 1"

Lahr's antennae flicked at her interruption.  "Your solution isn't balanced though... the tone for 2 isn't played twice... and the tone for 4 we don't know yet... we do however have the 1, 3 and 5."

Lahr looked to the Commander.  "The solution is 5 and 1.  I stake my life on that." he asserted.

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake Island | Kaimo IV]

Nira listened to Lahr with intrigue. She admired how Lahr had an ear for these sort of things. For Nira, mathematics were necessary to determine probability, but she never delved deep enough like any typical science and ops officer and engineer. But on a technological level, she definitely needed and engineer, and she admired Lahr all the more for his skill.

Hearing Nurse Davies' reply, Nira looked over and raised an eyebrow so much like a Vulcan, the only thing missing were the pointed ears.

"Lahr does raise a valid point, Nurse," said Nira. "There are times where typical mathematics and physics don't apply. Sometimes two and two can be taken together to make seven. Of course, Lahr has pointed out that there are some blanks and it's possible he's found some. He's got an ear my last ship's Chief Engineer would give a mountain of latinum for," she finished, thinking of Lek.

"Let's do it your way," Nira said to Lahr. "Work your miracle. Zhuk, Blackfeather," she said to the security officers, "stand by. If it doesn't work and the turrets open fire, lay down fire back at them."

She braced herself and waited. She got her own phaser ready and to shoot fast in the event of having to fire on the turrets with the security officers.

[Ian Galloway]

[Lieutenant Commander Nira Said | Crater Lake Island | Kaimo IV]

Nira listened to Lahr with intrigue. She admired how Lahr had an ear for these sort of things. For Nira, mathematics were necessary to determine probability, but she never delved deep enough like any typical science and ops officer and engineer. But on a technological level, she definitely needed and engineer, and she admired Lahr all the more for his skill.

Hearing Nurse Davies' reply, Nira looked over and raised an eyebrow so much like a Vulcan, the only thing missing were the pointed ears.

"Lahr does raise a valid point, Nurse," said Nira. "There are times where typical mathematics and physics don't apply. Sometimes two and two can be taken together to make seven. Of course, Lahr has pointed out that there are some blanks and it's possible he's found some. He's got an ear my last ship's Chief Engineer would give a mountain of latinum for," she finished, thinking of Lek.

"Let's do it your way," Nira said to Lahr. "Work your miracle. Zhuk, Blackfeather," she said to the security officers, "stand by. If it doesn't work and the turrets open fire, lay down fire back at them."

She braced herself and waited. She got her own phaser ready and to shoot fast in the event of having to fire on the turrets with the security officers.

[Cave - Crater Lake - Kaimo IV]

Lahr sent the response and without warning, the turrets opened fire! Fortunately, the system was very old and the tracking was slower than it should have been. It was this, as well as the feline reflexes of the Caitian species that allowed Zhuk to leap out of the way in time. Blackfeather, despite his many years of experience didn't have those reflexes and went down hard as he failed to clear the turret's plasma pulses. Despite being wounded, he did manage to damage one of the turrets, but as the shot was rushed, it did not disable the weapon mount.

Unfortunately for the away team the confined space of the tunnel left precious little room to dodge as the turrets swept the corridor. Lahr felt searing heat lance across his right side as he was kissed by one plasma pulses. It wasn't a debilitating wound, but that didn't make it hurt less. The rest of the away team managed to avoid being hit during the initial volley, but one thing was immediately clear, unless the away team did something very quickly, the tracking system would recover from its slumber of millennia and would begin pick them all off without mercy.