S4: E10 - Backwater

[Ian Galloway]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Now that the field was dispersed and the Grifter was obviously in rough shape, Ocras went in for the hamstring. Rapid phaser patterns at their sensors and weapons arrays, and a quick burst of torpedoes aimed at the deck where their engine should sit. If he'd done his math correctly, this would leave the Grifter dead in the water, blind, and unable to mount much of a defense, all without destroying the vessel and hopefully not killing anyone.

After the latest round of fire, he paused to run tactical scans, checking for further aggression or other ships that might continue the fight.

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 1 - Bridge]

Lahr, having gone through a few of the Captain's Flying Tiger holodeck program, appreciated the skill with which the Flight Officer executed the maneuver called for.  The Andorian knew there was much more involved than simply steering the ship.   The excitable cheer that Ensign Cupid gave out had Lahr smiling.  This one deserved to be treated to a night out at Luigi's after this.

Likewise Abisa with those aft shots.  The Orion's were reeling.  Though the network from the shuttles Lahr reported out in detail the results of the weapons engagement, then summed it up in one phrase.

"Ha!  They'll be feelin' that for a while."  Then a more sobering  sensor reading scrolled across his screen prompting comment "She's lost 50 hands.  Another volley like that and she'll be scrap metal with all lives lost."

While he waited for the Captain's next order, Lahr called up Challenger's own damage reports and made sure they were front and center on the Captain's display.  While damage to the ablative shields was extensive, so far Challenger had no fatalities.  Would that knowledge be enough to temper the man's next order?

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian watched the Grifter limp away and while he took no pleasure in their casualties, he couldn't find it him to feel sorry for them.

"If'n not for the ablative armor, they'd have crippled us in the first volley and I nae think they'd have allowed us ta limp away. Tactical, cease fire, but keep the shields up and keep the shuttles on station in case they decide they're in a vindictive mood."

He then tapped his combadge.

"Department heads, report damage and casualties when you know them. Secure from red alert."

"Mister ch'Verret, contact the Onizuka and get an update on the away team."

Ian leaned back in the command chair and stretched to release the tension in his body, adding.

"Good flyin' Ensign. Most new helmsmen are nae used ta the sort of maneuvers I tend ta use. You did well with the Old Girl even if'n she doesn't like bein' put through her paces at times.

"Well done Mister Abisa, solid marksmanship in a difficult situation. You too handled the roll and dive maneuver as well."

[Ocras Abisa]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian watched the Grifter limp away and while he took no pleasure in their casualties, he couldn't find it him to feel sorry for them.

"If'n not for the ablative armor, they'd have crippled us in the first volley and I nae think they'd have allowed us ta limp away. Tactical, cease fire, but keep the shields up and keep the shuttles on station in case they decide they're in a vindictive mood."

He then tapped his combadge.

"Department heads, report damage and casualties when you know them. Secure from red alert."

"Mister ch'Verret, contact the Onizuka and get an update on the away team."

Ian leaned back in the command chair and stretched to release the tension in his body, adding.

"Good flyin' Ensign. Most new helmsmen are nae used ta the sort of maneuvers I tend ta use. You did well with the Old Girl even if'n she doesn't like bein' put through her paces at times.

"Well done Mister Abisa, solid marksmanship in a difficult situation. You too handled the roll and dive maneuver as well."

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ocras nodded to acknowledge the Captain's praise and order. He shifted some of the power away from the weapons, re-directing it to the damaged shields, fortifying them in case something else tried to blindside them. He kept an ear out, waiting for reports from the rest of the ship, but allowed himself to relax just a bit. With a deliberate effort, he released the tension in his jaw, shoulders, and back.

He briefly relaxed his empathic walls, hoping to get an impression for how the rest of the bridge crew felt after the encounter. He did not reach out or try to bridge the gap to touch their minds, only a passive receptiveness.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 1 - Bridge]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian watched the Grifter limp away and while he took no pleasure in their casualties, he couldn't find it him to feel sorry for them.

"If'n not for the ablative armor, they'd have crippled us in the first volley and I nae think they'd have allowed us ta limp away. Tactical, cease fire, but keep the shields up and keep the shuttles on station in case they decide they're in a vindictive mood."

He then tapped his combadge.

"Department heads, report damage and casualties when you know them. Secure from red alert."

"Mister ch'Verret, contact the Onizuka and get an update on the away team."

Ian leaned back in the command chair and stretched to release the tension in his body, adding.

"Good flyin' Ensign. Most new helmsmen are nae used ta the sort of maneuvers I tend ta use. You did well with the Old Girl even if'n she doesn't like bein' put through her paces at times.

"Well done Mister Abisa, solid marksmanship in a difficult situation. You too handled the roll and dive maneuver as well."

Lahr hadn't been seeking justification.  The Andorian was fully aware that Orions had instigated this battle and all lives lost were on them.  But he was grateful that the Captain's aggressive mood from earlier hadn't translated into further action on the Orions.

The order to have the Onizuka check on the Away Team, stirred a sudden worry.   It could have been a coordinated attack with those on the surface.   "Aye sir!"

The petty officer quickly contacted the Onizuka to relay the Captain's orders.  Within moment a new set of sensor readings were sent to his console.  The Andorian paled.

"Captain, I think the away team is in trouble. They've moved from the compound to the forest itself.   Something is interferring with the sensor signals... but from what I can make out the away team are completely surrounded by Streegar lifesigns... and worst of all - their biosigns seem to be coming from a different location than their commbadge signals.   While it could be the interference making it seem like the badges are all in one pile, I think they're being held captive."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Outside Scar Temple - Arak]

The conscious members of the away team found themselves roughly manhandled into a kneeling position before the worn statue of the snake goddess G'laar and surrounded by hundreds of very angry Scar. Absently between the throbbing in his head from multiple solid hits, Kyle figured that the only reason any of them survived the attack was that the Scar had wanted them alive, had they been out for their heads, that's what would be laying in the sand before the statue.

Petty Officer Franks was bleeding freely from a deep cut on his forehead and he seemed to have taken the worst of the beating delivered by the warriors. Valkra and K'Teng were both seething with rage at being captured, more concerned about their honor than their apparent imminent death.

Up close, Ruth could see that, even as worn as it was, the statue of G'laar was far more advanced that what the Scar were capable of producing. The same was obvious about the ruins of the temple which was made of a black rock, likely basalt, and clearly very old. Perhaps remnants of a time when the Steegar were more advanced, or maybe from another species that once inhabited Arak.

Both Kyle's and Ruth's musing were interrupted by the Scar High Priest who spoke in a rumbling and hissing sort of voice.

"Ghost Demons have joined forces with the Dark Demons as told in the oldest sagas. Our enemies gather and as our Goddess has commanded, it is time for us to strike before the demonic hosts can gather against us! We are the Kraagnar and we serve G'laar!!"

It didn't seem possible for the gathered Steegar to get any more frenzied than they already were, but somehow, the priest's words managed to do so.

"Bind these demons and we will carry them aloft as we march on the Dark Demon's lair! And once we join battle, let none of the Nether Realm survive!"

At this point, several Scar moved almost in concert to grab the still groggy members of the away team and began binding them with leather cords.

[Scar Temple - Arak]

Ruth was looking around taking in as much as she could while being dragged off.  It had taken a few attempts by the Steegar to subdue her, and probably Kyle although she was too busy looking out for herself, the junior crew members and trying to look out for Valkra.  She figured K'Teng was burly enough of a Klingon to look out for himself.

She had managed to sink the axe into at least a couple of limbs of their assailants so that might slow one or two of them down at least.  Her tricorder had been knocked flying in the fray but she'd managed to get some readings and with some forethought clicked 'transmit'... hoping it would get back to Jyur to analyse realising that things were going a bit sideways here.  To her the stones looked like Jet, Onyx or maybe some kind of obsidian, but without getting samples she wasn't entirely sure and hadn't had time to read the findings on the tricorder before it was knocked out of her hands.  She could see it and as yet no one had picked it up.

"Loki, you pick your moments but please let this be one of the times you're on my side and get that info through." she muttered.  Slightly louder to Kyle she said "Hopefully that will give them a location for us if nothing else!"

Looking to Petty Officer Franks she was unhappy that he was bleeding from the head, but knowing what she did of such matters, mostly from the scoldings from various medical officers over time on her own mishaps from misadventure, she knew that head injuries often looked worse than they actually were.  She hoped this was the case for Franks as she couldn't, despite struggling all she could, get to him to fix it, appealing to the Steegar was likely to do little.  She had one idea though.

"We Ghost Demons are powerful, our God will not be happy and will punish you if you let the wounded go untreated..." Ruth began.  She shot a look to Kyle... he had worked with her often enough to know her hare-brained schemes often came off and they had nothing to lose at that point, and if necessary to go along with it.

"Tend to his wounds and even your Goddess will see you are merciful and bless you, she won't want a flawed sacrifice."

Hoping against hope that she'd be allowed to tend him, she tried to focus and stay awake.  Several blows to the side of the head hadn't helped but she couldn't help but have a bit of an inward grin that K'Teng had got a small airing of 'Ruth the Viking' and could probably gauge what she could do given rein with a bat'leth!

She tried to keep her wrists a little bit apart while her captives, several of whom might be feeling her presence mostly her knee to their groins or broken bones in their feet, and several bloodied noses for a few weeks yet, tried to bind her with the leather strapping.  She was a Viking, she knew leather binding, while she couldn't snap it, she knew how to distress it so that it could snap.

Waiting for the leaders decision on where she was to sit, stand or otherwise before she made any move she tried to look defiant and angry... which shouldn't be hard as that was exactly how she felt.

[Ian Galloway]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 1 - Bridge]

Lahr hadn't been seeking justification.  The Andorian was fully aware that Orions had instigated this battle and all lives lost were on them.  But he was grateful that the Captain's aggressive mood from earlier hadn't translated into further action on the Orions.

The order to have the Onizuka check on the Away Team, stirred a sudden worry.   It could have been a coordinated attack with those on the surface.   "Aye sir!"

The petty officer quickly contacted the Onizuka to relay the Captain's orders.  Within moment a new set of sensor readings were sent to his console.  The Andorian paled.

"Captain, I think the away team is in trouble. They've moved from the compound to the forest itself.   Something is interferring with the sensor signals... but from what I can make out the away team are completely surrounded by Streegar lifesigns... and worst of all - their biosigns seem to be coming from a different location than their commbadge signals.   While it could be the interference making it seem like the badges are all in one pile, I think they're being held captive."

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"Bollicks!"

Ian stood and paced as he worked through what to do next.

"Since we can track their life signs, we might have a way ta get them out, but without a firm comm lock, we won't be able ta be precise and some of those Steegar boogits will end up along for the ride."

His face scrunched up in thought, Ian added.

"Have the Onizuka drop ta low altitude, 500 meters and follow them. They'll be able ta get visuals and based on what they report, we'll beam the lot of them up if'n it looks like they get into even more trouble than they're already in.

"Have a security team report ta the transporter room with phasers set on wide angle stun. As soon as they appear, stun everyone on the platform. We'll beam the Steegar back ta the planet and apologize ta the away team."

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

[Jungle Trail - Arak]

The Scar ignored Ruth's meepings as with their combadges gone, they no longer had universal translators and neither the away team or the Scar could understand each other any more. All Ruth earned for her trouble was a cuff to the side of the head and a menacing grunt/hiss from one of the Scar.

The Steeger proved to be quite strong with two of them able to carry even K'Teng at a punishing pace along the trail. It was clear that they would reach the Kruze compound in less than half an hour at this speed. If the away team was going to make an escape, it would have to be soon.

As the large party moved, it seemed that the Scar were so contemptuous of the away team members, that they did not consider the security of their own weapons something to be concerned about. And given the strength of their captors, breaking free of the iron grasp of the Scar would be the more difficult part of the escape than anything else.

[Ocras Abisa]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"Bollicks!"

Ian stood and paced as he worked through what to do next.

"Since we can track their life signs, we might have a way ta get them out, but without a firm comm lock, we won't be able ta be precise and some of those Steegar boogits will end up along for the ride."

His face scrunched up in thought, Ian added.

"Have the Onizuka drop ta low altitude, 500 meters and follow them. They'll be able ta get visuals and based on what they report, we'll beam the lot of them up if'n it looks like they get into even more trouble than they're already in.

"Have a security team report ta the transporter room with phasers set on wide angle stun. As soon as they appear, stun everyone on the platform. We'll beam the Steegar back ta the planet and apologize ta the away team."

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Not sure if this was an order for him to go gather a security team or if he should simply relay the order, Ocras decided to stay on the Bridge. The potential need for a Tac Officer on the bridge outweighed his own presence in the transporter room stunning everyone who came aboard. Unless he was told otherwise.

He relayed the command to the armory, and send four security personnel to the transporter room with the captain's orders to prepare to stun everyone that was beamed aboard. After they confirmed their understanding of the orders, Ocras reported.

"Security team is on their way, Captain."

[Ian Galloway]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Not sure if this was an order for him to go gather a security team or if he should simply relay the order, Ocras decided to stay on the Bridge. The potential need for a Tac Officer on the bridge outweighed his own presence in the transporter room stunning everyone who came aboard. Unless he was told otherwise.

He relayed the command to the armory, and send four security personnel to the transporter room with the captain's orders to prepare to stun everyone that was beamed aboard. After they confirmed their understanding of the orders, Ocras reported.

"Security team is on their way, Captain."

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian acknowledged Ocras with a simple.

"Very good Lieutenant. Let's hope we don't need ta use them, but given both Commander Briggs' and Commander Sigurdsdottir's ability to find trouble, we'll keep them at the ready."

Ian then shifted his attention back to the Grifter, which was still slowly limping away on a heading that would take them out of the system.

[Don Damien Addams]

[USS Challenger - Bridge]

As Captain Galloway complimented him on pushing the Challenger to a do a tight earth aerial maneuver. Casey's ego swelled with pride. "It was them or us. So we showed them!" He gave a good chuckle. "Tactical you were awesome. Heck everyone was great!"

The shuttles all done their brilliant maneuvers cause they too had that training in the holodeck Tigers in the air program. Most of them came back to the shuttle bay. Casey was impress with their abilities too. He really had to meet those pilots.

Lahr had reported disturbing news on the away team. As Galloway called Bollicks out. Casey rolled his eyes in a boyish look of his.

Glad Ian had ordered Omizuka to head toward the away team. He was about to make the suggestion, but of course Galloway was a Captain for a reason.

[Kyle Briggs]

[Jungle Trail - Arak]

Kyle was trapped between several of their adversaries with his hands bound in front of him. If he had kept his bearings right, they were currently headed back toward the Klingon compound. His team members had consistently been trying to escape to no avail and it only earned them a few punches to the head.

"LEAVE THEM ALONE!!" he yelled to the Steegar. The one on his left reached over and slammed a fist into his gut causing him to double over and fall to his knees. The one on his right bent down to retrieve him from the ground. As he did, Kyle was able to lift a small dagger from his belt. As they continued walking, he slowly began slicing at his bindings. He wasn't sure what he was going to accomplish by himself after he freed his hands but he'd cross that bridge when he got to it.

[Ocras Abisa]

[USS Challenger - Bridge]

As Captain Galloway complimented him on pushing the Challenger to a do a tight earth aerial maneuver. Casey's ego swelled with pride. "It was them or us. So we showed them!" He gave a good chuckle. "Tactical you were awesome. Heck everyone was great!"

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ocras had to smile at the enthusiasm. He wasn't sure where the Ensign was from, but he wore his emotions on his sleeve. An officer who lavished praise on others could make the difference between working a job or being part of a crew. Setting aside his complicated emotions about the short battle, he let himself enjoy the positive emotions instead.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"Bollicks!"

Ian stood and paced as he worked through what to do next.

"Since we can track their life signs, we might have a way ta get them out, but without a firm comm lock, we won't be able ta be precise and some of those Steegar boogits will end up along for the ride."

His face scrunched up in thought, Ian added.

"Have the Onizuka drop ta low altitude, 500 meters and follow them. They'll be able ta get visuals and based on what they report, we'll beam the lot of them up if'n it looks like they get into even more trouble than they're already in.

"Have a security team report ta the transporter room with phasers set on wide angle stun. As soon as they appear, stun everyone on the platform. We'll beam the Steegar back ta the planet and apologize ta the away team."

The orders given were relayed to the Onizuka promptly.  Within a minute to two the shuttle was reporting back on what they discovered.

"Captain, the shuttle reports that the away team has been captured by the local inhabitants, and are on the move back towards the compound.  Attempts by our crew to escape are being met with violence."

Lahr said this last with more than a tinge of anger.  He could well envision Ruth attempting to escape.  The fact that someone would dare hurt her made him almost as pissed as the Captain had been earlier.

"Transporter room reports they are ready at your order."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Jungle Trail - Arak]

The Scar ignored Ruth's meepings as with their combadges gone, they no longer had universal translators and neither the away team or the Scar could understand each other any more. All Ruth earned for her trouble was a cuff to the side of the head and a menacing grunt/hiss from one of the Scar.

The Steeger proved to be quite strong with two of them able to carry even K'Teng at a punishing pace along the trail. It was clear that they would reach the Kruze compound in less than half an hour at this speed. If the away team was going to make an escape, it would have to be soon.

As the large party moved, it seemed that the Scar were so contemptuous of the away team members, that they did not consider the security of their own weapons something to be concerned about. And given the strength of their captors, breaking free of the iron grasp of the Scar would be the more difficult part of the escape than anything else.

[Jungle Trail - Arak]

When cuffed upside the head, Ruth glared at the Scar responsible and muttered "Yeah, love you too..." but kicked him for good measure.  She wasn't intending making this easy for them. Not doing much other than inconvenience them marginally and annoy them but least the annoyance would be directed at her and not other members of the away team.

[Jungle Trail - Arak]

Kyle was trapped between several of their adversaries with his hands bound in front of him. If he had kept his bearings right, they were currently headed back toward the Klingon compound. His team members had consistently been trying to escape to no avail and it only earned them a few punches to the head.

"LEAVE THEM ALONE!!" he yelled to the Steegar. The one on his left reached over and slammed a fist into his gut causing him to double over and fall to his knees. The one on his right bent down to retrieve him from the ground. As he did, Kyle was able to lift a small dagger from his belt. As they continued walking, he slowly began slicing at his bindings. He wasn't sure what he was going to accomplish by himself after he freed his hands but he'd cross that bridge when he got to it.

"KYLE!" she cried out seeing him go down.  Out of the corner of her eye she saw the flash of metal and she smiled inwardly.  Realising the Scar couldn't understand her without commbadges,... their loss... she said "Good that someone has sharp wits about them.  Will save me making any cutting remarks!" to let Kyle know she'd seen.  She wouldn't have risked using the axe she'd had on her own bindings with the paralysing agent on the blade.

Ruth wished she was telepathic in some way, but she and Lahr weren't, for all they were close enough to be able to know what each other thought instinctively.  But in her mind she was thinking of him and wishing he could hear her thoughts 'Bluey... get us out of here, I just want to come home now, if anyone can, you can.  Filter for Human and Klingon, or beam everyone into a cargo bay full of Security ready to stun everyone on sight... can sort out wheat from chaff after that!'

[Ian Galloway]

[Jungle Trail - Arak]

Kyle was trapped between several of their adversaries with his hands bound in front of him. If he had kept his bearings right, they were currently headed back toward the Klingon compound. His team members had consistently been trying to escape to no avail and it only earned them a few punches to the head.

"LEAVE THEM ALONE!!" he yelled to the Steegar. The one on his left reached over and slammed a fist into his gut causing him to double over and fall to his knees. The one on his right bent down to retrieve him from the ground. As he did, Kyle was able to lift a small dagger from his belt. As they continued walking, he slowly began slicing at his bindings. He wasn't sure what he was going to accomplish by himself after he freed his hands but he'd cross that bridge when he got to it.

[Jungle Trail - Arak]

When cuffed upside the head, Ruth glared at the Scar responsible and muttered "Yeah, love you too..." but kicked him for good measure.  She wasn't intending making this easy for them. Not doing much other than inconvenience them marginally and annoy them but least the annoyance would be directed at her and not other members of the away team.

"KYLE!" she cried out seeing him go down.  Out of the corner of her eye she saw the flash of metal and she smiled inwardly.  Realising the Scar couldn't understand her without commbadges,... their loss... she said "Good that someone has sharp wits about them.  Will save me making any cutting remarks!" to let Kyle know she'd seen.  She wouldn't have risked using the axe she'd had on her own bindings with the paralysing agent on the blade.

Ruth wished she was telepathic in some way, but she and Lahr weren't, for all they were close enough to be able to know what each other thought instinctively.  But in her mind she was thinking of him and wishing he could hear her thoughts 'Bluey... get us out of here, I just want to come home now, if anyone can, you can.  Filter for Human and Klingon, or beam everyone into a cargo bay full of Security ready to stun everyone on sight... can sort out wheat from chaff after that!'

[Jungle Trail --> Outside Kruze Compound - Arak]

The Scar kept up their punishing pace and came to an abrupt halt after what felt like hours, but was probably no more than 40 minutes. The Scar began talking in a low tone, with the High Priest making grand gestures that included pointing at the members of the away team. It was difficult to see, but the heavy vegetation had thinned somewhat, and it was just possible to see the rooftops of the Kruze Compound in the distance, no more than two kilometers away. The Scar began what could best be called a sort of droning hum and it was clear that they meant to storm the compound, if the away team was going to do anything, the time to do it was rapidly approaching.

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

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

The reports of damage and casualties came into the bridge as each department completed their assessments. Damage was light considering the surprise from the opening volley, especially in light of its violence. The point of impact shields were back in operation and the sensors were as well, which allowed for the shuttles, except for the Onizuka to return to the hangers. It would require a trip to a starbase to replace the ablative armor, but that was a small thing based on the armor having done its job in saving the ship.

On the planet, it was clear that some 300 Scar were massed on the eastern edge of the Kruze Compound and the away team was still in the middle of the huge cluster of Steegar. The Onizuka could not report on what was about to happen, but they reported that it looked like what ever it was going to be, it would be soon.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 1 - Bridge]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

The reports of damage and casualties came into the bridge as each department completed their assessments. Damage was light considering the surprise from the opening volley, especially in light of its violence. The point of impact shields were back in operation and the sensors were as well, which allowed for the shuttles, except for the Onizuka to return to the hangers. It would require a trip to a starbase to replace the ablative armor, but that was a small thing based on the armor having done its job in saving the ship.

On the planet, it was clear that some 300 Scar were massed on the eastern edge of the Kruze Compound and the away team was still in the middle of the huge cluster of Steegar. The Onizuka could not report on what was about to happen, but they reported that it looked like what ever it was going to be, it would be soon.

Time ticked by excruciatingly slow as the Captain withheld his order to beam up the Away Team, waiting on some undetermined cue that 'things were getting worse'.   The Andorian felt that the Steegar had become physical with the captives was cue enough - but apparently not.  To the others it must seem like Lahr was just being protective of Ruth , but he felt certain he would be equally upset if any ground team were being physically assaulted.

He kept passing on to the Bridge the details that the Onizuka provided.

Finally, as the latest report came in, Lahr had enough.  "What are we waiting for Captain?   If the locals are about to storm the compound, the Klingons are sure to respond in kind.  Our people could get caught in the crossfire.  We need to pull them out!"  he stated emphatically.   His antenna leaned forward almost accusingly towards the Captain, when Lahr turned in his chair to address the man.

[Jettis Jyur]

She had managed to sink the axe into at least a couple of limbs of their assailants so that might slow one or two of them down at least.  Her tricorder had been knocked flying in the fray but she'd managed to get some readings and with some forethought clicked 'transmit'... hoping it would get back to Jyur to analyse realising that things were going a bit sideways here.  To her the stones looked like Jet, Onyx or maybe some kind of obsidian, but without getting samples she wasn't entirely sure and hadn't had time to read the findings on the tricorder before it was knocked out of her hands.  She could see it and as yet no one had picked it up.

[USS Challenger - Bridge]

Jettis quirked his head, confused as he received a transmission from the planet. Eyes scanning the readings, he seemed puzzled before calling out to the Captain. "I've received a reading from Commander Sigurdsdottir, of the rocks in their area. It seems to be a collection of dark colored stones - Onyx, Jet..." He trailed off as the lifesign readings came in, eyes shooting to Lahr. Hopefully the readings he received meant that  Ruth, and the rest of the away team were safe.

"These readings will help us pinpoint their location, if needed."