S4: E11 - Fracture Lines

[Jettis Jyur]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian heard his console ping and looked down to see he had a message from Lieutenant Randall in cargo bay one. It was the data from the Dawnspring's market buoy with attached analysis from Randall.

"Sir, Dawnspring was clearly over norther hemisphere when lost. She was struck by a subspace pulse that originated in the eastern half of the continent. Sensors cannot obtain full resolution from our current location, suggest we move to a northern elliptical orbit to scan that area more precisely."

Ian didn't hesitate despite knowing that moving would upset Conacian.

"Helm. Bring us to a northern elliptical orbit."

At this point Randall exited the turbolift and moved to the science station. Ian nodded his direction as he told Morgan at Ops.

"On screen."

The image resolved to Conacian at it was clear he was agitated.

"Captain, I must protest-"

"I'm certain you're about ta have a lot more ta protest minister. We have recovered critical information from the Dawnspring's marker buoy that tells us she was not in a standard orbit as you have insisted. As you have not told the truth about this, we no have reason to question your findings that the Dawnspring was lost ta an internal failure. We are movin' ta investigate this information on our own."

"Captain, you must maintain standard orbit we-"

"That's nice what you think we must do, but we're nae ta be doin' that. You are welcome ta lodge a formal complaint with Starfleet Command."

"Captain, this is an outrage. I-"

"End transmission Lieutenant Morgan."

Ian then spoke to Randall.

"Lieutenant, you have priority ta all sensors ta find the location of that pulse. It is my understandin' that Lieutenant Jyur has asked ta be looped in from sickbay. Make sure ta coordinate with him and keep him updated."

Ian then shifted his gaze to Ops.

"Lieutenant, I'm afraid we have experienced difficulties with our communications and we are workin' feverishly ta resolve that matter, until then, anyone contactin' the ship from the planet will have ta wait."

"Understood Captain."

As the Challenger reached her new orbit, what happened next was now in Randall's hands, which once again left Ian with nothing to do.

"The bloody joys of command."

He muttered to no one in particular.

"

[USS Challenger - CMO's Office - some time later...]

As Jettis mulled over the information, coordinating with Commander Sigurdsdottir and Lt Randall for hours until they finally located some useful information. Heaving a sigh of relief, he laid back and blew out a quick breath. Typing a quick message, he sent it along to the two officers-

There's a lot of unusual readings from the North Continent, and based on the trajectory it looks like that's where the Dawnspring was orbiting. I recommend we take a closer look at that, and do a more in depth scan of the buoy. I've outlined my recommendations in the attached file and will check in after the scan is done, in a few hours.

Sitting back in his bed, Jettis felt his pounding headache echoing through his ears. The pain meds had drastically improved his chest pain, and the ice attached to his face helped with the swelling. But hours of staring at a screen had done him no good, and he was shocked nobody had barged in and ordered him to stop yet. Perhaps they just assumed whatever he was doing was important enough.

Nevertheless, his headache persisted. Leaning back, he decided to rest for awhile, and hopefully replenish his energy. Maybe if he was extra perky, he could get temporarily cleared from Sickbay. An unlikely outcome, but he could dream.

And dream he did, literally. Thankfully, his sleep was restful, and not plagued by nightmares as they usually were. He could likely attribute that to the sedative nature of his painkillers. A few hours passed in silence, as Jettis dreamed of home, and his family.
The first thing to rouse him, was the soft beep of an incoming message. Suppressing a yawn, Jettis cracked one eye open to glance at the sender. Lt Randal.

Forcing both eyes open, he gave a slow stretch, trying not to disturb his ribs. Sitting up, he opened the message to read the results of the scan, and the conclusion he and Ruth had come to. They were shifting orbit soon. Good, hopefully the Minister wouldn't be too much of a hinderance to that.
It would take some time to secure permission, and actually move the ship. So, slowly swinging his legs out of bed, Jettis tried to get up from the cot. Standing still for a moment, he assessed his level of pain, before realizing it wasn't as breathtakingly painful as before. Striding up to the replicator, he barked "water and a BLT sandwich, sub, six inches."

Taking his meal, he strode back to bed, awaiting for more information.

[Meanwhile in Cargo Bay One...]

As Lieutenent Randall sent off the final report of their findings to the Bridge, he turned back to Ruth with an impish smile. "Now that that's completed, shall we head back to the Bridge?"
He waited for her response, before offering his arm playfully. Should she accept, he would link arms and strut towards the turbolift. Should she decline, he'd fake a sad look, before skulking off on his own. Either way, he would quickly make his way back up to the Bridge to further analyse the readings coming in.

[USS Challenger - Bridge - Lt JG Randall]

Stepping onto the Bridge, with or without Ruth, he would step into "on duty" mode, and head over towards the console to relieve the officer there. The scan was already going, so Randall relieved himself to grab a snack from the replicators.

The scans took a noteably shorter time than it did to get a full analysis of the buoy itself. Squinting at the data, he shipped it down to Jettis as well to take a look at, and after an hour or so of back and forth communicating, Evan turned toward the front of the Bridge.

"Captain, we've found the exact location of the subspace pulse that hit the Dawnspring. Sending the co-ordinates over to the helm."

[Hanir Seph]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret

[USS Challenger - Deck 7 - Sickbay]
Hanir's offer to help too gained a chuckle from Chloe.   Those able to sense emotions would suddenly note a spike of dread and annoyance coming from the Andorian, 'Roohz!' Chloe was enjoying this way too much!   She knew Lahr's past and his avoidance of counsellors.

A sense of satisfaction could be felt coming from Chloe.  She couldn't have planned any better if she'd tried.

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 7 - Sickbay]

The nurse's pleased expression "" like the cat that had just successfully killed the bird in its cage "" turned towards Lahr.   "Do behave for the counselors, Lahr.  They are new to Challenger and are deserving of our best."

Hanir's offer to help too gained a chuckle from Chloe.  "Of course! I will leave Petty Officer ch'Verrets treatment and subsequent care up to you three.  Just call if you need a private space to talk to him maybe in a group session."

Those able to sense emotions would suddenly note a spike of dread and annoyance coming from the Andorian, 'Roohz! Chloe was enjoying this way too much!   She knew Lahr's past and his avoidance of counselors.'  And a sense of satisfaction could be felt coming from Chloe.  She couldn't have planned any better if she'd tried.

Lahr tried to deflect. "Actually, it was just minor strain.  It's feeling better already..."  That was an outright lie - sitting had aggravated it and it hurt worse than ever.. but they couldn't know that right?   'Oh wait..'  Lahr panicked a bit and glanced between Shazham and then to Hanir... both shared the dark eyes... where they both Betazoid?   He swallowed nervously.  This was not good.

"I can come back another time when the place isn't so busy."  He started to turn away but had to stop due to a twinge from his back.  Crud!  Leaving now would be stupid... and he figured Ruth would give him an earful if she heard he crawled out of Sickbay to avoid a trio of counselors.

Hoping that the Phylosian wasn't empathic like the Betazoids were, Lahr turned towards the plant.   "Or maybe it's first come, first served.  I'll put myself into your good... tendrils?"

Shazham turned to look at Hanir Seph she was correct. "May I speak about you when you pass out?" he had asked her. That was the matter he wanted to look into. He wanted to be sure that he passing out was related to Ocras incident.

[USS Challenger-A | Sickbay]

Hanir kept her face neutral, but looked between Chloe and Lahr with the detachment of a spectator at a tennis match. Even without her empathic senses, she guessed that there was an undercurrent to their body language and words. She made a mental note to extend invitations to the two of them (separately). But first...

"It was just a headache and earache." Hanir nodded at Shazam, preferring to use her voice. It was still a little weak, but improving. "I don't know quite what's going on. If your question is, is it related to something psionic, I would have to say no, I don't think so. I'm not in top condition, which is why I'm keeping my mental defences at full. I can tell you my own signs... I can sense you reaching out a little. My description for it is raindrops falling on a window. Did I sense anything beforehand? No, or at least I don't think so..."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Meanwhile On the Bridge"¦]

The moment the ship began to move out of their current orbit a call was received from the planet.

"Sirs, we're receiving another call from the Edorian government.   Shall I put it up on screen?"  Greenway asked"¦ hoping Lt Morgan would return from her office soon.  She'd called him to relieve her a short while back.  Greenway preferred the simplicity of the ships stores.  He wanted to be Quartermaster one day.   The ensign couldn't understand how Petty officer ch'Verret, or others, thrived on the action that was present on the bridge.  Its' intensity and stress would give him ulcers if he had to deal with this day in and day out.

Greenway waited for a response anticipating an affirmative but didn't proceed until he got the go ahead.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian heard his console ping and looked down to see he had a message from Lieutenant Randall in cargo bay one. It was the data from the Dawnspring's market buoy with attached analysis from Randall.

"Sir, Dawnspring was clearly over norther hemisphere when lost. She was struck by a subspace pulse that originated in the eastern half of the continent. Sensors cannot obtain full resolution from our current location, suggest we move to a northern elliptical orbit to scan that area more precisely."

Ian didn't hesitate despite knowing that moving would upset Conacian.

"Helm. Bring us to a northern elliptical orbit."

At this point Randall exited the turbolift and moved to the science station. Ian nodded his direction as he told Morgan at Ops.

"On screen."

The image resolved to Conacian at it was clear he was agitated.

"Captain, I must protest-"

"I'm certain you're about ta have a lot more ta protest minister. We have recovered critical information from the Dawnspring's marker buoy that tells us she was not in a standard orbit as you have insisted. As you have not told the truth about this, we no have reason to question your findings that the Dawnspring was lost ta an internal failure. We are movin' ta investigate this information on our own."

"Captain, you must maintain standard orbit we-"

"That's nice what you think we must do, but we're nae ta be doin' that. You are welcome ta lodge a formal complaint with Starfleet Command."

"Captain, this is an outrage. I-"

"End transmission Lieutenant Morgan."

Ian then spoke to Randall.

"Lieutenant, you have priority ta all sensors ta find the location of that pulse. It is my understandin' that Lieutenant Jyur has asked ta be looped in from sickbay. Make sure ta coordinate with him and keep him updated."

Ian then shifted his gaze to Ops.

"Lieutenant, I'm afraid we have experienced difficulties with our communications and we are workin' feverishly ta resolve that matter, until then, anyone contactin' the ship from the planet will have ta wait."

"Understood Captain."

As the Challenger reached her new orbit, what happened next was now in Randall's hands, which once again left Ian with nothing to do.

"The bloody joys of command."

He muttered to no one in particular.

[USS Challenger - CMO's Office - some time later...]

As Jettis mulled over the information, coordinating with Commander Sigurdsdottir and Lt Randall for hours until they finally located some useful information. Heaving a sigh of relief, he laid back and blew out a quick breath. Typing a quick message, he sent it along to the two officers-

There's a lot of unusual readings from the North Continent, and based on the trajectory it looks like that's where the Dawnspring was orbiting. I recommend we take a closer look at that, and do a more in depth scan of the buoy. I've outlined my recommendations in the attached file and will check in after the scan is done, in a few hours.

Sitting back in his bed, Jettis felt his pounding headache echoing through his ears. The pain meds had drastically improved his chest pain, and the ice attached to his face helped with the swelling. But hours of staring at a screen had done him no good, and he was shocked nobody had barged in and ordered him to stop yet. Perhaps they just assumed whatever he was doing was important enough.

Nevertheless, his headache persisted. Leaning back, he decided to rest for awhile, and hopefully replenish his energy. Maybe if he was extra perky, he could get temporarily cleared from Sickbay. An unlikely outcome, but he could dream.

And dream he did, literally. Thankfully, his sleep was restful, and not plagued by nightmares as they usually were. He could likely attribute that to the sedative nature of his painkillers. A few hours passed in silence, as Jettis dreamed of home, and his family.
The first thing to rouse him, was the soft beep of an incoming message. Suppressing a yawn, Jettis cracked one eye open to glance at the sender. Lt Randal.

Forcing both eyes open, he gave a slow stretch, trying not to disturb his ribs. Sitting up, he opened the message to read the results of the scan, and the conclusion he and Ruth had come to. They were shifting orbit soon. Good, hopefully the Minister wouldn't be too much of a hinderance to that.
It would take some time to secure permission, and actually move the ship. So, slowly swinging his legs out of bed, Jettis tried to get up from the cot. Standing still for a moment, he assessed his level of pain, before realizing it wasn't as breathtakingly painful as before. Striding up to the replicator, he barked "water and a BLT sandwich, sub, six inches."

Taking his meal, he strode back to bed, awaiting for more information.

[Meanwhile in Cargo Bay One...]

As Lieutenent Randall sent off the final report of their findings to the Bridge, he turned back to Ruth with an impish smile. "Now that that's completed, shall we head back to the Bridge?"
He waited for her response, before offering his arm playfully. Should she accept, he would link arms and strut towards the turbolift. Should she decline, he'd fake a sad look, before skulking off on his own. Either way, he would quickly make his way back up to the Bridge to further analyse the readings coming in.

[USS Challenger - Bridge - Lt JG Randall]

Stepping onto the Bridge, with or without Ruth, he would step into "on duty" mode, and head over towards the console to relieve the officer there. The scan was already going, so Randall relieved himself to grab a snack from the replicators.

The scans took a noteably shorter time than it did to get a full analysis of the buoy itself. Squinting at the data, he shipped it down to Jettis as well to take a look at, and after an hour or so of back and forth communicating, Evan turned toward the front of the Bridge.

"Captain, we've found the exact location of the subspace pulse that hit the Dawnspring. Sending the co-ordinates over to the helm."

[Cargo Bay - Bridge]

Having discovered that the buoy was already in the cargo bay, Ruth had gone down there to take charge of the investigations herself, knowing that would be a priority.

When Randall spoke, and then offered his arm she chuckled and linked her arm through his, muttering "Why thank you kind sir!" like some Victorian debutante and grinned at him.

"I think this might put Captain Galloway in.. well I was going to say in a good mood but given the nature of the data, I'll reserve that.  He will be happy for the information, but it rather depends how much hassle he's been getting from Conacain and Thelal."

She stepped onto the Bridge with Randall and smiled at Ian.  "Like he said... we have locations, I don't think some people are going to be too happy about it but, hey ho..."

The XO just hoped that Thelal didn't decide to join the party since the darkness in Ian's looks told her that he'd already had the minister on the line and wasn't happy with whatever had been said.

"Trouble with the minister?  I'm guessing you told him to take a long walk out of the nearest airlock? So... investigating the pulses?"

[Don Damien Addams]

[USS Challenger-A | Sickbay]

Hanir kept her face neutral, but looked between Chloe and Lahr with the detachment of a spectator at a tennis match. Even without her empathic senses, she guessed that there was an undercurrent to their body language and words. She made a mental note to extend invitations to the two of them (separately). But first...

"It was just a headache and earache." Hanir nodded at Shazam, preferring to use her voice. It was still a little weak, but improving. "I don't know quite what's going on. If your question is, is it related to something psionic, I would have to say no, I don't think so. I'm not in top condition, which is why I'm keeping my mental defences at full. I can tell you my own signs... I can sense you reaching out a little. My description for it is raindrops falling on a window. Did I sense anything beforehand? No, or at least I don't think so..."

[USS Discovery - Sickbay]

"œYou passed out and Orcas had to be a concurrent event," he shared. "œWell. That would be good. Please rest and do what you have to do to protect yourself, Crewman," he bowed his head. "œIs there anything I can do for you?" he asked her.

It was a shame she had passed out. That had made him wonder what meditation techniques she used. Who had tested her for preparation of dealing with strong emotions. He might ask her in the future or she might share that to him or he might not look into it. Unless it had cause some health issues to herself or others around you.

[Ian Galloway]

[USS Challenger - CMO's Office - some time later...]

As Jettis mulled over the information, coordinating with Commander Sigurdsdottir and Lt Randall for hours until they finally located some useful information. Heaving a sigh of relief, he laid back and blew out a quick breath. Typing a quick message, he sent it along to the two officers-

There's a lot of unusual readings from the North Continent, and based on the trajectory it looks like that's where the Dawnspring was orbiting. I recommend we take a closer look at that, and do a more in depth scan of the buoy. I've outlined my recommendations in the attached file and will check in after the scan is done, in a few hours.

Sitting back in his bed, Jettis felt his pounding headache echoing through his ears. The pain meds had drastically improved his chest pain, and the ice attached to his face helped with the swelling. But hours of staring at a screen had done him no good, and he was shocked nobody had barged in and ordered him to stop yet. Perhaps they just assumed whatever he was doing was important enough.

Nevertheless, his headache persisted. Leaning back, he decided to rest for awhile, and hopefully replenish his energy. Maybe if he was extra perky, he could get temporarily cleared from Sickbay. An unlikely outcome, but he could dream.

And dream he did, literally. Thankfully, his sleep was restful, and not plagued by nightmares as they usually were. He could likely attribute that to the sedative nature of his painkillers. A few hours passed in silence, as Jettis dreamed of home, and his family.
The first thing to rouse him, was the soft beep of an incoming message. Suppressing a yawn, Jettis cracked one eye open to glance at the sender. Lt Randal.

Forcing both eyes open, he gave a slow stretch, trying not to disturb his ribs. Sitting up, he opened the message to read the results of the scan, and the conclusion he and Ruth had come to. They were shifting orbit soon. Good, hopefully the Minister wouldn't be too much of a hinderance to that.
It would take some time to secure permission, and actually move the ship. So, slowly swinging his legs out of bed, Jettis tried to get up from the cot. Standing still for a moment, he assessed his level of pain, before realizing it wasn't as breathtakingly painful as before. Striding up to the replicator, he barked "water and a BLT sandwich, sub, six inches."

Taking his meal, he strode back to bed, awaiting for more information.

[Meanwhile in Cargo Bay One...]

As Lieutenent Randall sent off the final report of their findings to the Bridge, he turned back to Ruth with an impish smile. "Now that that's completed, shall we head back to the Bridge?"
He waited for her response, before offering his arm playfully. Should she accept, he would link arms and strut towards the turbolift. Should she decline, he'd fake a sad look, before skulking off on his own. Either way, he would quickly make his way back up to the Bridge to further analyse the readings coming in.

[USS Challenger - Bridge - Lt JG Randall]

Stepping onto the Bridge, with or without Ruth, he would step into "on duty" mode, and head over towards the console to relieve the officer there. The scan was already going, so Randall relieved himself to grab a snack from the replicators.

The scans took a noteably shorter time than it did to get a full analysis of the buoy itself. Squinting at the data, he shipped it down to Jettis as well to take a look at, and after an hour or so of back and forth communicating, Evan turned toward the front of the Bridge.

"Captain, we've found the exact location of the subspace pulse that hit the Dawnspring. Sending the co-ordinates over to the helm."

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian perked up at the report that the source of the subspace pulse.

"Finally we can get ta the bottom of this little conundrum. Helm park us over that spot and let's get an away team down there. Commander, you will lead and take five security with you. I'll not have another away team have ta beam directly ta sickbay. Stay on your toes, no tellin' what you will find down there Ruth. We'll maintain a transporter lock on you should things get too bloody hot. Good huntin' Commander."

[Derek Rodwell]

[Sickbay - PCU - USS Challenger]

Scanning around, her gaze fell on Derek and she walked over. Her mind was in a million places at once with each patients' status on her radar, Jettis in her office, Lahr with Lagar, and Ocras and several others of the away team with others on her team. But she didn't let any of this show as she gave a comforting smile and began her initial scans.

"I'd like to get you out of here as soon as possible, Derek. Anything you can tell me about what happened out there?" In the midst of the chaos the CMO had managed to read up on the mission reports. She was still confused, but at least she knew who did what. Hopefully the Bridge crew would have the why soon, because she certainly had no idea.

Derek went over the away mission. From the locals sending them to the other town to the mob that greeted and jumped them. "They were brutal, Doc." he said. "We tried to fight back but there were too many of them." He paused to take a deep breathe that hurt like hell. It was a feeling he knew all too well. Fractured ribs. "So how's it looking? Can I go back to work?" he asked.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 7 - Sickbay]

Shazham tilted his head a little. "I am sorry you misunderstood me. I was asking you. Please make an appointment with one of the counselors in the future," he paused. "If you forget. I will ask Doctor Belmont to spare you. You can make the choice," he said.

Lahr's antenna twitched.  Make an appointment?  Yeah right.. as if!  "Sure thing, doc. That's probably the best thing.  I'll do that later today... maybe tomorrow since I may be a feeling a bit out of it.  Y'know meds and all... But not to worry, it'll get done... maybe next week will be better though.. we'll see."

[PCU - Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Lagar observed his patient begin to turn away, then immediately halt. The plant-thing certainly wasn't empathic, but it was able to interpret signs of pain and what could be social discomfort. With Shazham redirecting his attention to Hanir, Chloe became the last humanoid thorn to figuratively remove from this patient.

The space between Chloe and Lahr became filled with a quadrad of waving tendrils as Lagar stepped just slightly between her and the Andorian. Lahar's remaining limbs, holding a tricorder, cylindrical scanner and hypospray respectively, were brought to bear on the man, scanning and delivering the pain-suppressing payload simultaneously. The infusion of chemicals would, briefly, reduce the pain Lahr was obviously enduring long enough for him to be moved, and the activity might help block further unwanted comments by Chloe in her inexplicable and oddly acerbic interest in the man.

"Tendrils, indeed, Petty Officer." the Phylosian agreed, tendrils available, but not forced upon Lahr, to guide him to the a free biobed in the far corner of the PCU. There were plenty of other patients, so the selection of the corner should not be too unusual. As the Phylosian studied the man with his scans, he began with a typical Doctor's question, privately hoping that by moving Lahr and beginning his investigations, Chloe would be satisfied and go inflict her presence on someone else for a time.

"Tell me what you know about the origins of the pain you're experiencing." was his first question, spoken as always through the digital device on his chest.

When the Phylosian doctor seemed to be offering a hypospray of painkillers - Lahr was all for that! The relief was almost instantaneous.

Afterwards, the Andorian happily followed the walking, talking plant to a biobed at the far end of the Primary Care Unit, while Chloe went to do some other task.

Accepting assistance up, Lahr laid out on the biobed, his head turned towards the doctor as he tried to answer as best he could.  "Well I was doing inventory down in the Cargo bay and rather than use the hover sled to move a rather large crate, I was kinda in a rush wanting to get the task done before my coffee break so that I could maybe get done early and maybe convince Lt Morgan that I'd earned time on the Bridge.. but instead I think I pulled a muscle.  As I slid the crate into position, I felt a sharp momentary pain right here..."

Lahr laid a hand on a spot to the left of his spine where the hip and back met.  "and since then I've felt an aching pain in my lower back." he summed up.  "I reported my injury right away to my supervisor and came to Sickbay directly for treatment."

[Hanir Seph]

[USS Discovery - Sickbay]

"œYou passed out and Orcas had to be a concurrent event," he shared. "œWell. That would be good. Please rest and do what you have to do to protect yourself, Crewman," he bowed his head. "œIs there anything I can do for you?" he asked her.

It was a shame she had passed out. That had made him wonder what meditation techniques she used. Who had tested her for preparation of dealing with strong emotions. He might ask her in the future or she might share that to him or he might not look into it. Unless it had cause some health issues to herself or others around you.

[USS Challenger-A | Sickbay]

Hanir narrowed her eyes slightly, but only for a second while her nostrils flared ever so slightly. Although both were Betazoid, they were effectively playing with shielded poker hands. Maybe it was the fact that he sounded the same condescending superiority that everyone had towards her. Yes, she was short, slim and fragile looking, but that didn't make her a weakling. Reminding herself he was her superior in both time in service and rank, she forced her features into a smile. "Thank you, Counsellor. However, the flaw in your plan is that this 'event' would have the ability to reach a starship in orbit without being detected and being strong enough to knock someone unconscious. I hope for all our sakes that you don't find a link between what happened on the planet and just a simple headache and earache."

She eased herself back onto the biobed and closed her eyes. Although she felt much better, she wanted an excuse to get out of the spotlight, half willing any of the medical staff to make a distraction and get her off the hook.

[Lagar]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 7 - Sickbay]

Lahr's antenna twitched.  Make an appointment?  Yeah right.. as if!  "Sure thing, doc. That's probably the best thing.  I'll do that later today... maybe tomorrow since I may be a feeling a bit out of it.  Y'know meds and all... But not to worry, it'll get done... maybe next week will be better though.. we'll see."

When the Phylosian doctor seemed to be offering a hypospray of painkillers - Lahr was all for that! The relief was almost instantaneous.

Afterwards, the Andorian happily followed the walking, talking plant to a biobed at the far end of the Primary Care Unit, while Chloe went to do some other task.

Accepting assistance up, Lahr laid out on the biobed, his head turned towards the doctor as he tried to answer as best he could.  "Well I was doing inventory down in the Cargo bay and rather than use the hover sled to move a rather large crate, I was kinda in a rush wanting to get the task done before my coffee break so that I could maybe get done early and maybe convince Lt Morgan that I'd earned time on the Bridge.. but instead I think I pulled a muscle.  As I slid the crate into position, I felt a sharp momentary pain right here..."

Lahr laid a hand on a spot to the left of his spine where the hip and back met.  "and since then I've felt an aching pain in my lower back." he summed up.  "I reported my injury right away to my supervisor and came to Sickbay directly for treatment."

[PCU - Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Lagar listened intently, yellow eyespots tracking the Andorian, shifting only briefly to the results shown on the medical tricorder. He paid particular attention to the man's motivation for attempting haste in completing his work in the Cargo Bay; the Andorian desired time on the bridge. Lagar, himself, shared an interest in getting Bridge time on the Challenger, when appropriate. Medical Officers manned science stations from time to time, conducting scans, interpreting life signs or performing research on the habitability of stellar objects. Lagar had no interest in the reasons behind the Petty Officer's motivation; its existence alone was useful information.

"I'm detecting no signs of a herniated disk in your spine; each piece seems to be in its proper place, and you've complained of no pain tingling in your legs or rear end."

Without seeking permission, a tendril reached out and gave the toes on Lahr's left foot a squeeze, seeking and seeing a reaction.

"No numbness, either." his digitized voice comments. "Petty Officer, I believe we are seeing the results of strain to the soft tissues around your spine. I'll need to perform some subdermal work to heal the worst of the damage; I'll arrange a schedule where we can meet each other for brief, 5-minute treatment sessions."

He continued. "While you are recovering from your injury, the only duties I will allow you to perform are those you can perform while laying down, or while sitting." Lagar allowed a pause, wanting that to sink in. "Bridge duty would be most appropriate."
A tendril suddenly whips up, one of the two tips pointing upward in mimicry of a finger pointing in warning. "But your supervisor could assign any number of duties in your department that involve sitting. Logistics paperwork, for instance, or computerized diagnostics, or the completion of unfinished logs."

Lagar looked up at the ceiling for no apparent reason, then back down to his patient. "Are the chairs on the Bridge particularly comfortable for you, Petty Officer? Good lumbar support? Do you find them... relaxing?"

[Don Damien Addams]

[USS Challenger-A | Sickbay]

Hanir narrowed her eyes slightly, but only for a second while her nostrils flared ever so slightly. Although both were Betazoid, they were effectively playing with shielded poker hands. Maybe it was the fact that he sounded the same condescending superiority that everyone had towards her. Yes, she was short, slim and fragile looking, but that didn't make her a weakling. Reminding herself he was her superior in both time in service and rank, she forced her features into a smile. "Thank you, Counsellor. However, the flaw in your plan is that this 'event' would have the ability to reach a starship in orbit without being detected and being strong enough to knock someone unconscious. I hope for all our sakes that you don't find a link between what happened on the planet and just a simple headache and earache."

She eased herself back onto the biobed and closed her eyes. Although she felt much better, she wanted an excuse to get out of the spotlight, half willing any of the medical staff to make a distraction and get her off the hook.

[USS Challenger - Sickbay]

"œWell rest Crewman," he said. "œI am going to see if they need me still here in sickbay." He turned to the medical staff.

"œExcuse me do you still need my presence here? Or what can I do to help?" He asked as he held his hands behind his back.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 7 - Sickbay - rear of the PCU]

[PCU - Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Lagar listened intently, yellow eyespots tracking the Andorian, shifting only briefly to the results shown on the medical tricorder. He paid particular attention to the man's motivation for attempting haste in completing his work in the Cargo Bay; the Andorian desired time on the bridge. Lagar, himself, shared an interest in getting Bridge time on the Challenger, when appropriate. Medical Officers manned science stations from time to time, conducting scans, interpreting life signs or performing research on the habitability of stellar objects. Lagar had no interest in the reasons behind the Petty Officer's motivation; its existence alone was useful information.

"I'm detecting no signs of a herniated disk in your spine; each piece seems to be in its proper place, and you've complained of no pain tingling in your legs or rear end."

Without seeking permission, a tendril reached out and gave the toes on Lahr's left foot a squeeze, seeking and seeing a reaction.

"No numbness, either." his digitized voice comments. "Petty Officer, I believe we are seeing the results of strain to the soft tissues around your spine. I'll need to perform some subdermal work to heal the worst of the damage; I'll arrange a schedule where we can meet each other for brief, 5-minute treatment sessions."

He continued. "While you are recovering from your injury, the only duties I will allow you to perform are those you can perform while laying down, or while sitting." Lagar allowed a pause, wanting that to sink in. "Bridge duty would be most appropriate."
A tendril suddenly whips up, one of the two tips pointing upward in mimicry of a finger pointing in warning. "But your supervisor could assign any number of duties in your department that involve sitting. Logistics paperwork, for instance, or computerized diagnostics, or the completion of unfinished logs."

Lagar looked up at the ceiling for no apparent reason, then back down to his patient. "Are the chairs on the Bridge particularly comfortable for you, Petty Officer? Good lumbar support? Do you find them... relaxing?"

Lahr confirmed the doctor's assessment with nods or shakes of his head as appropriate to each question asked or statement given. "Yeah that's right..  No pain....  Wait what?  Treatment?  How long is this treatment going to take?" Lahr queried.

Though to him, the idea of not being assigned to continuing the cargo bay inventory sounded wonderful.  That was until the doctor remarked that he could end up on paperwork duty.  Bah... Ruth wouldn't do that to him.  Right?

His antenna swayed with uncertainty.

The Phylosian's questions about the Bridge chairs caught Lahr by surprise... but after a moment they kinda made sense.  Lahr wondered if he complained whether he could get a more ergonomically-designed Ops chair installed.  For a moment, silently argued the notion to himself that there was no way Lek would install such without a ton of complaint... but then recalled that Lek was no longer on the ship.  The duty would likely fall then to one of the junior engineering staff.  Bah.. he didn't need a new chair.

The Andorian nodded as he answered. "The Bridge chairs are fine."

But then tried to prank the Phylosian doctor a bit.  "What's a lumbar and how is it supported?" he asked deadpan for a moment before breaking into a grin.    "Just kiddin', Doc.  Yeah, the chairs on the bridge are fine - at least ever since they fixed the automated seatbelt system.. the upgrade feels fine and I don't get tossed around out of my seat half as often anymore.".

This time he wasn't joking.

[Lagar]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 7 - Sickbay - rear of the PCU]

Lahr confirmed the doctor's assessment with nods or shakes of his head as appropriate to each question asked or statement given. "Yeah that's right..  No pain....  Wait what?  Treatment?  How long is this treatment going to take?" Lahr queried.

Though to him, the idea of not being assigned to continuing the cargo bay inventory sounded wonderful.  That was until the doctor remarked that he could end up on paperwork duty.  Bah... Ruth wouldn't do that to him.  Right?

His antenna swayed with uncertainty.

The Phylosian's questions about the Bridge chairs caught Lahr by surprise... but after a moment they kinda made sense.  Lahr wondered if he complained whether he could get a more ergonomically-designed Ops chair installed.  For a moment, silently argued the notion to himself that there was no way Lek would install such without a ton of complaint... but then recalled that Lek was no longer on the ship.  The duty would likely fall then to one of the junior engineering staff.  Bah.. he didn't need a new chair.

The Andorian nodded as he answered. "The Bridge chairs are fine."

But then tried to prank the Phylosian doctor a bit.  "What's a lumbar and how is it supported?" he asked deadpan for a moment before breaking into a grin.    "Just kiddin', Doc.  Yeah, the chairs on the bridge are fine - at least ever since they fixed the automated seatbelt system.. the upgrade feels fine and I don't get tossed around out of my seat half as often anymore.".

This time he wasn't joking.

[USS Challenger - Deck 7 - Sickbay - rear of the PCU]

"Duration of treatment is dependent on your attentiveness to my instructions, and to a stretching regimen." he replied, the voice cool and calm. He heard his patient's question about the duration of treatment, and planned to circle back to it shortly.

He listened to Lahr's statement about the chairs, and then the Lumbar joke. Phylosian natives were unfamiliar with humor; the closest their culture had to the concept was involved a form of very tame verbal deceptions, where a Phylosian would create some utterly and obviously false story, and then let others attempt to peel that story apart to find the truth. Lagar had enjoyed employing this brand of humor among humanoids, particularly when his false story had to do with his own physiology.

Outwardly, Lagar has no way to show laughter or joy, and he learned early on that mimicking humanoid laughs with his voder device tended to horrify, rather than amuse. Instead, he had to state his appreciation of the prank in as genuine a voice as his device could manage. "A fine joke, Petty Officer. Regarding the chairs, if you found them particularly comfortable, then I could note that fact in my treatment recommendations." A PADD is drawn from the table, a single split-end tendril of Lagar's slithering over it to activate it and begin typing. "Your supervisor may be further inclined to agree to Bridge duty if those chairs are particularly supportive. But if they are merely fine, I can leave that out of my recommendations."

Separately, he returned to the Petty Officer's query about treatment duration. "In your diet for the next few weeks, I want you to include a little extra citrus. Look for pineapple, or an equatorial khiizh, anything of that nature." Lagar's voder device pronounced the word khiizh, the Andorian word for 'orange'. He was referring to a kind of Mandarin that grew in the equatorial range on Andor; the frigid moon's equator being the only place warm enough to begin to grow anything citrus-like. "It will be a minor benefit, but the vitamins in citrus, and particularly some of the nutrients in pineapple, will speed your recovery.

"I am also prescribing a regimen of stretches that I expect you to perform in the mornings and in the evenings. These stretches are best done assisted, and if completed with a partner will significantly reduce your recovery time. The partner does not require any special training, just a willingness to be in close physical contact with you. Any of us in Sickbay can assist you with the stretches, or I can block out 5 minute slots in the holodecks so that you can have a holographic partner." The plant-thing looked down to the PADD in its tendrils for a moment, ready to hear Lahr's preferences.

[Ian Galloway]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Shortly after the Challenger began to move, Lieutenant Morgan at Ops got Ian's attention and said.

"Sir, it is Minister Conacian. He is being most insistent that he talk to you."

"On screen. I supposed I've left him ta stew in his own fat long enough."

"Captain Galloway, this is an outrage." Conacian thundered as soon as his image was on the screen. "Your lieutenant has relayed your findings to us and we utterly reject them. The Dawnspring was lost due to some internal malfunction and that is all there is to it. This insistence on further investigation is pointless as well as it is disrupting critical shipping traffic patterns. I must protest and demand that you return to a standard orbit, recover the debris and depart from our system!"

To Ian, it was obvious that Conacian only stopped shouting at this point because he needed to take a breath and that short pause was enough for Ian to get in a response.

"I believe I understand your frustration Minister, but we have located the source of the subspace pulse we know to be responsible for the loss of the Dawnspring. As I mentioned earlier, you are free to lodge a protest with Starfleet Command, but I will not leave this system without answers. I accept full responsibility for my actions and you may say so in your complaint."

"That's it Captain, I am ordering you to leave orbit immediately."

"Thank you for your input Minister, I will take it under advisement."

Ian then signaled Morgan to close the channel.

"Okay, that will nae buy us much time. We'll have ta get ta the surface quickly, locate the source of those pulses, and take action based on what we find. Maximum effort everyone, I have the feelin' things are about ta get real interestin' real fast."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian perked up at the report that the source of the subspace pulse.

"Finally we can get ta the bottom of this little conundrum. Helm park us over that spot and let's get an away team down there. Commander, you will lead and take five security with you. I'll not have another away team have ta beam directly ta sickbay. Stay on your toes, no tellin' what you will find down there Ruth. We'll maintain a transporter lock on you should things get too bloody hot. Good huntin' Commander."

[Bridge > Transporter Room 1 - USS Challenger]

"No worries, I trust people to yank us out if needed.  Let me know if Mr. Thelal and his cronies show up, last thing I need is Romulans down there too!" Ruth said chuckling.  "See ya later!" she said and turned smartly on her heel headed for the Transporter Room via the armoury.

Sigurdsdottir to Lt. T'Kel, Lt. jg. Lowe, Petty Officer Koroz and Crewman Masters, also Petty Officer T'roth. Load up with phaser rifles and meet me in Transporter Room 1 for away team deployment in 10 mins.  Lt. T'Kel, members of Security detail at your recommendation, the names given are just my selection, let me know when I get there, I trust you.  XO out. 

She took a minute to send a quick message to Lahr too.

Sigurdsdottir to ch'Verret... heading down to planet to investigate pulse, will be leaving in 10 mins from Transporter Room 1.  Hope you're out of Sickbay soon. Siggy out.

Walking into the Transporter room she checked she had everything she needed and nodded to the Transporter Chief.

"Well, we'll be going down soon as I've got the team down here, Chief... I said ten minutes, I expect them here by then or we go without them."

Thinking to herself she wished that Lahr could be with her, an Ops genius might be useful on the away team, she'd figure it out with the team she had though.

[Lagar]

[Bridge > Transporter Room 1 - USS Challenger]

"No worries, I trust people to yank us out if needed.  Let me know if Mr. Thelal and his cronies show up, last thing I need is Romulans down there too!" Ruth said chuckling.  "See ya later!" she said and turned smartly on her heel headed for the Transporter Room via the armoury.

Sigurdsdottir to Lt. T'Kel, Lt. jg. Lowe, Petty Officer Koroz and Crewman Masters, also Crewman Wynters. Load up with phaser rifles and meet me in Transporter Room 1 for away team deployment in 10 mins.  Lt. T'Kel, members of Security detail at your recommendation, the names given are just my selection, let me know when I get there, I trust you.  XO out. 

She took a minute to send a quick message to Lahr too.

Sigurdsdottir to ch'Verret... heading down to planet to investigate pulse, will be leaving in 10 mins from Transporter Room 1.  Hope you're out of Sickbay soon. Siggy out.

Walking into the Transporter room she checked she had everything she needed and nodded to the Transporter Chief.

"Well, we'll be going down soon as I've got the team down here, Chief... I said ten minutes, I expect them here by then or we go without them."

Thinking to herself she wished that Lahr could be with her, an Ops genius might be useful on the away team, she'd figure it out with the team she had though.

[NCO's Quarter's of Koroz and Blackfeather "" Deck 4 - USS Challenger]

Petty Officer Koroz, formerly of House Druge, lay sleeping noisily on the featureless, bare plate that was his bed, stripped of any blankets or pillows or even a protective covering. The Klingon had cleared his NCO's quarters of much of the furniture and all of the default decorative pieces that came with such accommodations. Many Klingons warriors were often frugal to a fault, and held little but disdain for items which held no function in their critical eyes. Rather than trouble the cargo bays with the unwanted stuff, Koroz had been stored it in a corner of the multipurpose living space he shared with Ryan Blackfeather. The fellow Petty Officer, a human, lived in the second of the two quarters spaces on the other side of the multipurpose area which acted as a bridge between the two rooms. His colleague had begun his shift some time ago as Koroz had ended his own, and the Klingon was unaware of the events that had unfolded on the planet's surface, or the harm that had come to his fellow security officers.

It was then that the Klingon's combadge, resting on a nearby table, chirped, and he was called to duty by the Executive Officer of the USS Challenger. He rose, retrieving his laid-out uniform and dressing swiftly. Koroz was a little short for a Klingon; merely five feet and ten inches, and he did not need to stoop when moving through the typical Challenger doorway. As he often did, he nearly reached for his daqtagh, the Klingon blade that was meant to be worn at all times by any Klingon member of a family, only to remember yet again that he had no daqtagh... No family whose sigil he may wear.

He stomped, loudly of course, out of his room and into the Deck 4 hallway; no doubt his cacaphonous egrees was once again audible to the off-shift Science Petty Officer across the hallway, some Vulcan who never complained about Koroz' noise, but who was surely disturbed by it. Koroz knew the Petty Officer's name, but deliberately neglected to remember it from time to time. The Klingon growled and shook his head, having no desire for further distracting thoughts about that Vulcan while duty was calling to him. He growled at the turbolift as he invaded it, despite knowing full well that the computer could not recognize Klingon growls as interpretable commands.

"Deck Nine." he instructed, and the turbolift began its smooth, sliding movement. Absent were the lurches and hard jerks of a Klingon vessel turbolift. He would never admit that his stomach preferred the easy movements of Federation turbolifts...

With a phaser rifle and other standard away-team equipment signed out for at the Deck 9 Armory, Koroz then took the same turbolift to Deck 10, stomping along to Transporter Room 1 and entering the room as if he were the most important person in it, shoulders pushed back, chest out, head high. He saw the Executive Officer there, and addressed her respectfully. "Ma'am." he said in greeting, having long ago made his choice between 'Ruth' or 'Ma'am' with no difficulty; Koroz could not bear to refer to any of superior rank in an informal way.