S3:E6 Eliminating Shadows, Part II

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Bridge - Challenger]

The emergency beam out materialized the away team directly on the Bridge.

"Captain. We gotta go. Now." Kyle said. He had no command authority on the Challenger but Ruth knew him and trusted him to the point she didn't questions his statement.

Kyle felt the ship surge forward as Flight punched it and hauled their asses to safety. At the site of the Captain's eyes widening, he offered up the helmet.

"We found this little trinket in some sort of safe. Unfortunately, as soon as I removed it, it triggered a self destruct sequence." he said as he nodded toward the doctor and Lahr. "I'm just glad they were able to get the info we needed."

"In coming shock wave." someone announced.

Everyone braced themselves for the impact however, Helm had gotten them far enough away that it was merely a bump in the road.

"What's next, Captain?" he asked as he turned his attention back to the CO.

[USS Challenger]

Jasper allowed the Captain to take the feline and cuddle it. It was funny. He smiled. Hiding it a smile would consider an insult to the Captain. By Zaldan culture.

"Captain, there is this piece of paper," he had looked down at it. Then he was observing it.

Then a bump. Then Jasper turned to look at the view screen. That could had been them. Blown up in small molecules.

"Here Captain, no poison on it. I think it safe for you to handle it," he handed the paper to her.

Weirdest thing an Ensign ever imagine walking to the Commander's chair scooping up a cat from command chair. "I'll see what we can find in the scans," he was checking the collar and there was a tag. "Oh. What's this?" He asked.

[Station --> Bridge - USS Challenger]

Lek's brain was still trying to process the door opening, the implications of the devices in the room, the cat, then the sudden beam out. Once on the bridge, all he could do was emit a strangled chuckle of pent up nerves and mumble.

"Told you there would be trap in that room."

PO ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger-A - Deck One - Bridge]

Lahr glanced about the Bridge in confusion.  His query having been lost in the bustle of the Captain and the Lieutenant speeding them away from the station.  He acknowledged her words of praise for finding the files with a nod, then looked on in confusion not knowing what to make of the Captain's fussing over the cat.  He just hoped she wouldn't trip over it should it somehow get loose from her cradling arms.

The cat seemed to absorb her attention for several minutes, during which time Lahr resumed his spot at Ops - taking over for Grelek after the Vulcan contacted Hecate on the Tal'Bath and informed her of the situation instructing the Romulan ship to keep pace with Challenger at Warp 6 as they headed their way to Deep Space 4.  The Vulcan had already contacted the Enterprise-E and informed them of the rendezvous at the start of the Mab-bu/Setisar corridor.

Eventually, after the cat left her arms, the Captain seemed to take note of the object Lt Briggs held.    It was at this point that the Lieutenant gave his report.  It seemed perfect timing for no sooner have he mentioned the self-destruct than the sensor chirped in alert on Lahr's console.

"Incoming shockwave" Lahr called out and braced himself... but they had enough lead time that it barely nudged the ship.

Lek's comment earned a glance back towards the Ferengi.  Go figure that the engineer would have called it.

Lahr turned back to his console, wondering what the business with meeting up with the Enterprise was all about.  He was surprised to see Sukal not on the Bridge and wondered if it was related.

[USS Challenger - Bridge]

Ruth chuckled at Lek's comment giving him a broad grin. "You been talking to my gut, Chief?  I checked with PO Grelek about 30 seconds before Mr. Briggs called for us to yoik you out... my gut was telling me something was gonna go down!"

The Captain looked around the Bridge between the members of the Away team as was.

"To answer you Lieutenant, what's next is first Mr. Meltem and CPO T'ealc taking our wannabe XO there down to Sickbay to check him over, Mr. Lek taking....that..."  she gestured at the device still horrified that such a thing had been used on humans.

"...Chief if you'd check it over see that it's not going to blow us out of the sky, and then when Mr. Meltem has finished you and he can take it apart, see how it actually works.  If we can reverse engineer we could perhaps use it to reverse effects or at least devise something that will."

She took the piece of paper gingerly from Jasper raising a mocking eyebrow.  "You sure?! I'm not sure of anything at the moment.  It's ok I'm joking.  Let's see if we can work this out.  That's job number 2.  Then number 3 find out where these cadets actually are, en route to 4 Rendezvous with the Enterprise-E and then on to DS4."

"Evermore, you have found Cadet Nirvana 5. BURN thi.., probably actually 'this', it's torn... notice....hmmm.  Those files you sent up.  Computer scan files for Cadet Nirvana...extrapolate for subsequent promotions."

The computer beeped 'No record of Cadet Nirvana or other ranks'.

"Hmm anyone got any ideas on Nirvana? and it's torn, that might not be 'evermore' but ... anyone got any clues??  Take a note of it, because the clue might be to actually burn it... it has that in capital letters."

[As T'ealc]

"When you're ready Mr. Meltem.  I think Commodore Pussycat likes you, shall we get him down to Sickbay then you can work on the the 'Trinket of Terror' with Lt. Lek!  See you later Mr. ch'Verret, it was a pleasure working with you, please pop down for a chat anytime you like or hit me up in the mess if you want someone else to talk to!" T'ealc said with a smile.  She reckoned she could drop the stoic Vulcan given that the Captain had just literally picked up a potentially flea and disease ridden cat, fussed it's ears and crooned over it.  Well this place just got better and better.

"Captain, can we keep him? As a ship's pet?" she asked reaching over to fuss him in Jasper's arms.  She picked up the tag.  "Seems he belongs to Cadet Rossario...no name though just 'if found please take to the quarters of Cadet Rossario...', don't we have a Cadet Rossario, but then how..."

"Long story Doc, I'm sure Drs. Briggs and York will fill you in. As for can we keep him, see how he checks out down there but I don't have a problem with it." Ruth answered with a sad smile.

"But if it belongs to Cadet Rossario..." T'ealc interjected.

"Cadet Rossario will not be claiming the cat.  That is all Chief Petty Officer, it will become clearer when you get the brief from the others down in Sickbay.  Mr. Briggs, take the First Officer's chair for the moment, the rest of you... you have your briefs.  Mr. ch'Verret you've been working very hard, take an hours down time then I'd like you to start analysing those files for any patterns you can find."

Ruth sat and waited for Kyle to sit down so she could impart the news about Sukal.

[Lek]

[USS Challenger - Bridge]

Ruth chuckled at Lek's comment giving him a broad grin. "You been talking to my gut, Chief?  I checked with PO Grelek about 30 seconds before Mr. Briggs called for us to yoik you out... my gut was telling me something was gonna go down!"

The Captain looked around the Bridge between the members of the Away team as was.

"To answer you Lieutenant, what's next is first Mr. Meltem and CPO T'ealc taking our wannabe XO there down to Sickbay to check him over, Mr. Lek taking....that..."  she gestured at the device still horrified that such a thing had been used on humans.

"...Chief if you'd check it over see that it's not going to blow us out of the sky, and then when Mr. Meltem has finished you and he can take it apart, see how it actually works.  If we can reverse engineer we could perhaps use it to reverse effects or at least devise something that will."

She took the piece of paper gingerly from Jasper raising a mocking eyebrow.  "You sure?! I'm not sure of anything at the moment.  It's ok I'm joking.  Let's see if we can work this out.  That's job number 2.  Then number 3 find out where these cadets actually are, en route to 4 Rendezvous with the Enterprise-E and then on to DS4."

"Evermore, you have found Cadet Nirvana 5. BURN thi.., probably actually 'this', it's torn... notice....hmmm.  Those files you sent up.  Computer scan files for Cadet Nirvana...extrapolate for subsequent promotions."

The computer beeped 'No record of Cadet Nirvana or other ranks'.

"Hmm anyone got any ideas on Nirvana? and it's torn, that might not be 'evermore' but ... anyone got any clues??  Take a note of it, because the clue might be to actually burn it... it has that in capital letters."

[As T'ealc]

"When you're ready Mr. Meltem.  I think Commodore Pussycat likes you, shall we get him down to Sickbay then you can work on the the 'Trinket of Terror' with Lt. Lek!  See you later Mr. ch'Verret, it was a pleasure working with you, please pop down for a chat anytime you like or hit me up in the mess if you want someone else to talk to!" T'ealc said with a smile.  She reckoned she could drop the stoic Vulcan given that the Captain had just literally picked up a potentially flea and disease ridden cat, fussed it's ears and crooned over it.  Well this place just got better and better.

"Captain, can we keep him? As a ship's pet?" she asked reaching over to fuss him in Jasper's arms.  She picked up the tag.  "Seems he belongs to Cadet Rossario...no name though just 'if found please take to the quarters of Cadet Rossario...', don't we have a Cadet Rossario, but then how..."

"Long story Doc, I'm sure Drs. Briggs and York will fill you in. As for can we keep him, see how he checks out down there but I don't have a problem with it." Ruth answered with a sad smile.

"But if it belongs to Cadet Rossario..." T'ealc interjected.

"Cadet Rossario will not be claiming the cat.  That is all Chief Petty Officer, it will become clearer when you get the brief from the others down in Sickbay.  Mr. Briggs, take the First Officer's chair for the moment, the rest of you... you have your briefs.  Mr. ch'Verret you've been working very hard, take an hours down time then I'd like you to start analysing those files for any patterns you can find."

Ruth sat and waited for Kyle to sit down so she could impart the news about Sukal.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Lek looked at the device as if it was a mugato for all he wanted it near him, but had to admit to some curiosity. It clearly wasn't of Ferengi design. He'd seen images of Thought Makers, no one had seen one in person in decades they were so rare, so who made it had him wanting to see if he could figure it out. Mind control was an essential part of Leyton's strategy and being able to develop a countermeasure would severely damage whatever it was he had planned.

"I'll get right on this Ma'am. I'll be on Deck Five in the High Energy Biophysics Lab."

Lek gingerly picked up the device and exited the bridge.

[Kyle Briggs]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"Told you there would be trap in that room."

Kyle grinned as he shrugged toward the Chief Engineer. "But we beat it?" he said before the Captain spoke up again.

Ruth chuckled at Lek's comment giving him a broad grin. "You been talking to my gut, Chief?  I checked with PO Grelek about 30 seconds before Mr. Briggs called for us to yoik you out... my gut was telling me something was gonna go down!"

The Captain looked around the Bridge between the members of the Away team as was.

"To answer you Lieutenant, what's next is first Mr. Meltem and CPO T'ealc taking our wannabe XO there down to Sickbay to check him over, Mr. Lek taking....that..."  she gestured at the device still horrified that such a thing had been used on humans.

"...Chief if you'd check it over see that it's not going to blow us out of the sky, and then when Mr. Meltem has finished you and he can take it apart, see how it actually works.  If we can reverse engineer we could perhaps use it to reverse effects or at least devise something that will."

She took the piece of paper gingerly from Jasper raising a mocking eyebrow.  "You sure?! I'm not sure of anything at the moment.  It's ok I'm joking.  Let's see if we can work this out.  That's job number 2.  Then number 3 find out where these cadets actually are, en route to 4 Rendezvous with the Enterprise-E and then on to DS4."

"Evermore, you have found Cadet Nirvana 5. BURN thi.., probably actually 'this', it's torn... notice....hmmm.  Those files you sent up.  Computer scan files for Cadet Nirvana...extrapolate for subsequent promotions."

The computer beeped 'No record of Cadet Nirvana or other ranks'.

"Hmm anyone got any ideas on Nirvana? and it's torn, that might not be 'evermore' but ... anyone got any clues??  Take a note of it, because the clue might be to actually burn it... it has that in capital letters."

[As T'ealc]

"When you're ready Mr. Meltem.  I think Commodore Pussycat likes you, shall we get him down to Sickbay then you can work on the the 'Trinket of Terror' with Lt. Lek!  See you later Mr. ch'Verret, it was a pleasure working with you, please pop down for a chat anytime you like or hit me up in the mess if you want someone else to talk to!" T'ealc said with a smile.  She reckoned she could drop the stoic Vulcan given that the Captain had just literally picked up a potentially flea and disease ridden cat, fussed it's ears and crooned over it.  Well this place just got better and better.

"Captain, can we keep him? As a ship's pet?" she asked reaching over to fuss him in Jasper's arms.  She picked up the tag.  "Seems he belongs to Cadet Rossario...no name though just 'if found please take to the quarters of Cadet Rossario...', don't we have a Cadet Rossario, but then how..."

"Long story Doc, I'm sure Drs. Briggs and York will fill you in. As for can we keep him, see how he checks out down there but I don't have a problem with it." Ruth answered with a sad smile.

"But if it belongs to Cadet Rossario..." T'ealc interjected.

"Cadet Rossario will not be claiming the cat.  That is all Chief Petty Officer, it will become clearer when you get the brief from the others down in Sickbay.  Mr. Briggs, take the First Officer's chair for the moment, the rest of you... you have your briefs.  Mr. ch'Verret you've been working very hard, take an hours down time then I'd like you to start analysing those files for any patterns you can find."

Ruth sat and waited for Kyle to sit down so she could impart the news about Sukal.

"Aye, Ma'am." Kyle replied as he made his way to her side. "So what if we do it?" he said suddenly before sitting down. "What if we burn it? We have a copy of it in the computer files for us to reference later if need be."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Kyle grinned as he shrugged toward the Chief Engineer. "But we beat it?" he said before the Captain spoke up again.

"Aye, Ma'am." Kyle replied as he made his way to her side. "So what if we do it?" he said suddenly before sitting down. "What if we burn it? We have a copy of it in the computer files for us to reference later if need be."

[Bridge - Challenger]

"Loan me that tricorder - I want to make sure it's not going to blow us up.  Ensign Meltem scanned it for poison.  We could burn it, it says to burn it..." Ruth shrugged.  "Deal with that in a moment.  I need to bring you up to speed.  Leyton attacked and injured Sukal's wife and kids, that's the major reason we're heading for the Mab-bu/Seitsam corridor entrance to RV with the Enterprise-E which is conveniently going to take Amoreen and our 4 cadets.  The cadet story is one I'd prefer to tell you somewhere much more private or, I'll let your wife fill you in with my permission."

She paused and took a deep breath.  "I don't know when I'll get a new XO just that one is being sent out, that's why we're going to DS4 to pick up him or her, I don't know who either.  I'm assured that they're sending out someone 'experienced' to fill the vacancy rather than the normal method of me choosing someone since we are in the middle of a mission to find Leyton... and also our new Chief Scientist a..." she punched a few buttons on her Arm PADD.

"...Lt. Cmdr Evelyn Wardropper.  A more mature Bajoran lady.  But in the meantime, and I've been meaning to do this for a while but I wish it could be more official not just 'Help I'm left without an XO!' I'd like you to be my Second Officer and Acting Chief of Security.  This is a role that will continue once we pick up our new First Officer...but for now you're sort of standing in for Sukal until we're at DS4 so ... you can keep that seat warm for now or go up to the Tactical station or go burn that bit of paper whatever you prefer!  Once we have the shift change I'd like 5 mins chat with you about the cadets in my Ready Room before you go grab something to eat and kip."

[Don Damien Addams]

[USS Challenger - Bridge]

Ruth chuckled at Lek's comment giving him a broad grin. "You been talking to my gut, Chief?  I checked with PO Grelek about 30 seconds before Mr. Briggs called for us to yoik you out... my gut was telling me something was gonna go down!"

The Captain looked around the Bridge between the members of the Away team as was.

"To answer you Lieutenant, what's next is first Mr. Meltem and CPO T'ealc taking our wannabe XO there down to Sickbay to check him over, Mr. Lek taking....that..."  she gestured at the device still horrified that such a thing had been used on humans.

"...Chief if you'd check it over see that it's not going to blow us out of the sky, and then when Mr. Meltem has finished you and he can take it apart, see how it actually works.  If we can reverse engineer we could perhaps use it to reverse effects or at least devise something that will."

She took the piece of paper gingerly from Jasper raising a mocking eyebrow.  "You sure?! I'm not sure of anything at the moment.  It's ok I'm joking.  Let's see if we can work this out.  That's job number 2.  Then number 3 find out where these cadets actually are, en route to 4 Rendezvous with the Enterprise-E and then on to DS4."

"Evermore, you have found Cadet Nirvana 5. BURN thi.., probably actually 'this', it's torn... notice....hmmm.  Those files you sent up.  Computer scan files for Cadet Nirvana...extrapolate for subsequent promotions."

The computer beeped 'No record of Cadet Nirvana or other ranks'.

"Hmm anyone got any ideas on Nirvana? and it's torn, that might not be 'evermore' but ... anyone got any clues??  Take a note of it, because the clue might be to actually burn it... it has that in capital letters."

[As T'ealc]

"When you're ready Mr. Meltem.  I think Commodore Pussycat likes you, shall we get him down to Sickbay then you can work on the the 'Trinket of Terror' with Lt. Lek!  See you later Mr. ch'Verret, it was a pleasure working with you, please pop down for a chat anytime you like or hit me up in the mess if you want someone else to talk to!" T'ealc said with a smile.  She reckoned she could drop the stoic Vulcan given that the Captain had just literally picked up a potentially flea and disease ridden cat, fussed it's ears and crooned over it.  Well this place just got better and better.

"Captain, can we keep him? As a ship's pet?" she asked reaching over to fuss him in Jasper's arms.  She picked up the tag.  "Seems he belongs to Cadet Rossario...no name though just 'if found please take to the quarters of Cadet Rossario...', don't we have a Cadet Rossario, but then how..."

"Long story Doc, I'm sure Drs. Briggs and York will fill you in. As for can we keep him, see how he checks out down there but I don't have a problem with it." Ruth answered with a sad smile.

"But if it belongs to Cadet Rossario..." T'ealc interjected.

"Cadet Rossario will not be claiming the cat.  That is all Chief Petty Officer, it will become clearer when you get the brief from the others down in Sickbay.  Mr. Briggs, take the First Officer's chair for the moment, the rest of you... you have your briefs.  Mr. ch'Verret you've been working very hard, take an hours down time then I'd like you to start analysing those files for any patterns you can find."

Ruth sat and waited for Kyle to sit down so she could impart the news about Sukal.

[USS Challenger - Brisge]

"Of course Captain we will take the Felis and see what we can do," he reported to the Captain. The little cat seemed to like feel of chest. It liked to rub it head against where his white light box for an heart.

"Can we take the letter too? I would like investigate it with a team," he asked.

Then he marched to the turbo lift with T'ealc.

[turbolift]

"I recommend we check the subject's blood for possible disease and a Changeling," he offered to the Chief of Medical.

[Sickbay]

Jasper had placed the feline on a sick bed. The little fellow had decided it wanted to explore. The scientist had scooped the cat up. "Do you have a way to keep the feline moving to much?" He held the cat.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger-A - Deck One - Bridge - Ops station]

Lahr listened in to what was being said behind him as he scanned ahead along their route.  So far all seemed clear.  Next, he called up the datalist that he'd found on station, grateful that T'ealc had sent it immediately... if they'd waited until he was done checking it through as he'd intended it would have been lost at the beam out.  He'd have to thank her for that later.

The Captain as usual was all over the place with her rambling orders.  Lahr smiled fondly to himself.  She certain had a different leadership style than Admiral Torngate.  It had taken some time but Lahr found that he was getting used to it.

[USS Challenger - Bridge]

Ruth chuckled at Lek's comment giving him a broad grin. "You been talking to my gut, Chief?  I checked with PO Grelek about 30 seconds before Mr. Briggs called for us to yoik you out... my gut was telling me something was gonna go down!"

The Captain looked around the Bridge between the members of the Away team as was.

"To answer you Lieutenant, what's next is first Mr. Meltem and CPO T'ealc taking our wannabe XO there down to Sickbay to check him over, Mr. Lek taking....that..."  she gestured at the device still horrified that such a thing had been used on humans.

"...Chief if you'd check it over see that it's not going to blow us out of the sky, and then when Mr. Meltem has finished you and he can take it apart, see how it actually works.  If we can reverse engineer we could perhaps use it to reverse effects or at least devise something that will."

She took the piece of paper gingerly from Jasper raising a mocking eyebrow.  "You sure?! I'm not sure of anything at the moment.  It's ok I'm joking.  Let's see if we can work this out.  That's job number 2.  Then number 3 find out where these cadets actually are, en route to 4 Rendezvous with the Enterprise-E and then on to DS4."

"Evermore, you have found Cadet Nirvana 5. BURN thi.., probably actually 'this', it's torn... notice....hmmm.  Those files you sent up.  Computer scan files for Cadet Nirvana...extrapolate for subsequent promotions."

The computer beeped 'No record of Cadet Nirvana or other ranks'.

"Hmm anyone got any ideas on Nirvana? and it's torn, that might not be 'evermore' but ... anyone got any clues??  Take a note of it, because the clue might be to actually burn it... it has that in capital letters."

[As T'ealc]

"When you're ready Mr. Meltem.  I think Commodore Pussycat likes you, shall we get him down to Sickbay then you can work on the the 'Trinket of Terror' with Lt. Lek!  See you later Mr. ch'Verret, it was a pleasure working with you, please pop down for a chat anytime you like or hit me up in the mess if you want someone else to talk to!" T'ealc said with a smile.  She reckoned she could drop the stoic Vulcan given that the Captain had just literally picked up a potentially flea and disease ridden cat, fussed it's ears and crooned over it.  Well this place just got better and better.

"Captain, can we keep him? As a ship's pet?" she asked reaching over to fuss him in Jasper's arms.  She picked up the tag.  "Seems he belongs to Cadet Rossario...no name though just 'if found please take to the quarters of Cadet Rossario...', don't we have a Cadet Rossario, but then how..."

"Long story Doc, I'm sure Drs. Briggs and York will fill you in. As for can we keep him, see how he checks out down there but I don't have a problem with it." Ruth answered with a sad smile.

"But if it belongs to Cadet Rossario..." T'ealc interjected.

"Cadet Rossario will not be claiming the cat.  That is all Chief Petty Officer, it will become clearer when you get the brief from the others down in Sickbay.  Mr. Briggs, take the First Officer's chair for the moment, the rest of you... you have your briefs.  Mr. ch'Verret you've been working very hard, take an hours down time then I'd like you to start analysing those files for any patterns you can find."

Ruth sat and waited for Kyle to sit down so she could impart the news about Sukal.

The message found on the cats collar was a bit of a puzzle, especially since the ships computer confirmed that there was no Cadet Nirvana 5.  Lahr opened a window on his Ops console to attempt to decipher message.

A search of the term Nirvana produced the following:

nir·va·na
/nərˈvänə,nirˈvänə/
noun: nirvana

(in Buddhism) a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism.

That didn't seem to help much. He was about to continue searching when he heard the Captain say his name. He turned towards the Captain only to be told to take a break.  Lahr's antenna which had long since returned to their upright stature at being back on the ship, dipped at the Captain's order.   He wanted to say he was fine to keep working but knew that wasn't appropriate to gainsay the Captain.

"Yes, ma'am" Lahr called Grelek back to take over for him once more on Ops and then left the Bridge as the Captain was explaining to Lieutenant Briggs that the man was to be her Second officer and Acting Chief of Security.  Lahr overheard this while passing by.

The Andorian gave the man a slight nod of congratulations and continued on his way to the turbolift and made his way down to the Mess Hall to grab a bite to eat before his hour break was over.  He ordered a dozen gristhera - just a light snack since he wasn't really hungry.

With nothing else to occupy his time, Lahr took his plate to a table with a console and continued his attempt at deciphering the message.  He expanded on his search of the term Nirvana and the number 5.

He discovered that in the 20th century there had been an alternative rock band of that name.  Lahr grinned and distracted by an interest of his... he looked up their music and videos.. playing them on low volume at his table while he ate. The first song was one he was actually familiar with:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg

[Don Damien Addams]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger-A - Deck One - Bridge - Ops station]

Lahr listened in to what was being said behind him as he scanned ahead along their route.  So far all seemed clear.  Next, he called up the datalist that he'd found on station, grateful that T'ealc had sent it immediately... if they'd waited until he was done checking it through as he'd intended it would have been lost at the beam out.  He'd have to thank her for that later.

The Captain as usual was all over the place with her rambling orders.  Lahr smiled fondly to himself.  She certain had a different leadership style than Admiral Torngate.  It had taken some time but Lahr found that he was getting used to it.

The message found on the cats collar was a bit of a puzzle, especially since the ships computer confirmed that there was no Cadet Nirvana 5.  Lahr opened a window on his Ops console to attempt to decipher message.

A search of the term Nirvana produced the following:

nir·va·na
/nərˈvänə,nirˈvänə/
noun: nirvana

(in Buddhism) a transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism.

That didn't seem to help much. He was about to continue searching when he heard the Captain say his name. He turned towards the Captain only to be told to take a break.  Lahr's antenna which had long since returned to their upright stature at being back on the ship, dipped at the Captain's order.   He wanted to say he was fine to keep working but knew that wasn't appropriate to gainsay the Captain.

"Yes, ma'am" Lahr called Grelek back to take over for him once more on Ops and then left the Bridge as the Captain was explaining to Lieutenant Briggs that the man was to be her Second officer and Acting Chief of Security.  Lahr overheard this while passing by.

The Andorian gave the man a slight nod of congratulations and continued on his way to the turbolift and made his way down to the Mess Hall to grab a bite to eat before his hour break was over.  He ordered a dozen gristhera - just a light snack since he wasn't really hungry.

With nothing else to occupy his time, Lahr took his plate to a table with a console and continued his attempt at deciphering the message.  He expanded on his search of the term Nirvana and the number 5.

He discovered that in the 20th century there had been an alternative rock band of that name.  Lahr grinned and distracted by an interest of his... he looked up their music and videos.. playing them on low volume at his table while he ate. The first song was one he was actually familiar with:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg

[USS Challenger - Science labs ]

As the Chief of Medical was checking over the kitty cat. The Scientist was taking readings of the note. He was capable to get finger prints and ran them through the Starfleet Federation computer banks. The name was John Smith. A very normal, over used name on Earth. He had placed the note in a containment to protect it for possible more investigation or possible burn it. He would ask the Captain about that later.

He had realized he was famished and thirsty. He was due for a break. Fact he was capable to continue and skip nourishment but his body would make a fuss about it.

[Mess hall]

Before the mess hall, the Scientist had got his lunch from Hydroponic garden. Some greens, reds, purple and orange veggies. The Scientists had a blender to mix the veggies in juice. Home made juice. The best. Best nutrients too. It was a little secret they kept quiet for themselves. They shared the knowledge to Jasper.  He hated replicators cause it was not natural. Knowledge of a scientist was not the best thing.

Now the over confident and arrogant Ensign walked in with a small bowl and cup in his webbed hands. Jasper could not help over heard Lahr music as he sat down a empty table with four chairs around it.

"Stupid lyrics, how many times he is going to sing hello, hello, hello," he turn to ch'Verret. "Guitar and beat is least good at least."

Until the end of the song.

"Glad he was in denial. I would be denial saying hello over a million times myself," he added. He had not touched his salad yet. "Why is an Andorian listening to that music? Who and what is that?" He sounded disgusted, but that what he was feeling.

[Kyle Briggs]

[Bridge - Challenger]

"Loan me that tricorder - I want to make sure it's not going to blow us up.  Ensign Meltem scanned it for poison.  We could burn it, it says to burn it..." Ruth shrugged.  "Deal with that in a moment.  I need to bring you up to speed.  Leyton attacked and injured Sukal's wife and kids, that's the major reason we're heading for the Mab-bu/Seitsam corridor entrance to RV with the Enterprise-E which is conveniently going to take Amoreen and our 4 cadets.  The cadet story is one I'd prefer to tell you somewhere much more private or, I'll let your wife fill you in with my permission."

She paused and took a deep breath.  "I don't know when I'll get a new XO just that one is being sent out, that's why we're going to DS4 to pick up him or her, I don't know who either.  I'm assured that they're sending out someone 'experienced' to fill the vacancy rather than the normal method of me choosing someone since we are in the middle of a mission to find Leyton... and also our new Chief Scientist a..." she punched a few buttons on her Arm PADD.

"...Lt. Cmdr Evelyn Wardropper.  A more mature Bajoran lady.  But in the meantime, and I've been meaning to do this for a while but I wish it could be more official not just 'Help I'm left without an XO!' I'd like you to be my Second Officer and Acting Chief of Security.  This is a role that will continue once we pick up our new First Officer...but for now you're sort of standing in for Sukal until we're at DS4 so ... you can keep that seat warm for now or go up to the Tactical station or go burn that bit of paper whatever you prefer!  Once we have the shift change I'd like 5 mins chat with you about the cadets in my Ready Room before you go grab something to eat and kip."

Kyle was shocked to hear about the XO's family. That explained his absence from the Bridge at the moment. He had a million questions running through his head. "Are they okay?" he asked. "Do we have any information?" He listened as Ruth explained about Sukal leaving. Kyle hated to see the man go. They had worked well in the past and Kyle had looked forward to continuing that trend. The Captain then explained that he would be the new Second Officer and Acting Chief of Security during Taray's absence.

"I'll do my best not let you down, Ma'am." he replied. "If you'll just give me a couple of minutes to file my report, I'll be done and we can have that meeting when you're ready." he added.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger-A  - Mess Hall]

[Mess hall]

Before the mess hall, the Scientist had got his lunch from Hydroponic garden. Some greens, reds, purple and orange veggies. The Scientists had a blender to mix the veggies in juice. Home made juice. The best. Best nutrients too. It was a little secret they kept quiet for themselves. They shared the knowledge to Jasper.  He hated replicators cause it was not natural. Knowledge of a scientist was not the best thing.

Now the over confident and arrogant Ensign walked in with a small bowl and cup in his webbed hands. Jasper could not help over heard Lahr music as he sat down a empty table with four chairs around it.

"Stupid lyrics, how many times he is going to sing hello, hello, hello," he turn to ch'Verret. "Guitar and beat is least good at least."

Until the end of the song.

"Glad he was in denial. I would be denial saying hello over a million times myself," he added. He had not touched his salad yet. "Why is an Andorian listening to that music? Who and what is that?" He sounded disgusted, but that what he was feeling.

Lahr glanced over towards the science officer at his unsolicited musical critique.  The undisguised disgust evident in the man's tone... had Lahr wondering if the man was part Tellerite.   He considered just ignoring the man but he was an officer and that could reflect bad - an with Hecate working as an ally now Lahr was pretty certain his drug-dealing persona days were over.

"It's music from Earth - late 20th century.  An alternative rock group called Nirvana.  I was doing a bit of search on the term and came across it.  And since I'm a big fan of Human music I thought I'd take listen."

He glanced over the discography information available.  "The song is called Smells like Teen Spirit from their second album entitled 'Nevermind'" the Andorian read out.  Following a long shot, Lahr read through the rest of the discography hoping that there might be 5 albums.. or album entitle Nirvana 5, but no such luck  One of the members had died and the band only produced 3 albums.  'Smells like Teen Spirit' had been their biggest hit.

As he read over the album title again... something twigged in his memory.

"What was the first word of the message you found on the cat? Evermind?  What if the cats owner meant 'Nevermind' as in the Nirvana's 2nd album?" Lahr chased down the lead outloud.  "So what would the five mean?  Track number maybe?"

Lahr called up track five of 'Nevermind' which was titled "Lithium."
He put on the music video on his tables console.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BryH2aVuzrA

"Well that doesn't help... what was the last part of the message?  Burn this? How do you burn music?" It didn't even clue in to the Andorian that the message might be directing them to burn the substance that the song named for.

[Don Damien Addams]

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger-A  - Mess Hall]

Lahr glanced over towards the science officer at his unsolicited musical critique.  The undisguised disgust evident in the man's tone... had Lahr wondering if the man was part Tellerite.   He considered just ignoring the man but he was an officer and that could reflect bad - an with Hecate working as an ally now Lahr was pretty certain his drug-dealing persona days were over.

"It's music from Earth - late 20th century.  An alternative rock group called Nirvana.  I was doing a bit of search on the term and came across it.  And since I'm a big fan of Human music I thought I'd take listen."

He glanced over the discography information available.  "The song is called Smells like Teen Spirit from their second album entitled 'Nevermind'" the Andorian read out.

"Smells like Teen Spirit...troubled minded singing about smell," he rolled his eyes.

"What? Never mind...what are you telling me!" He sounded deeply insulted. "Oh, just be typical rude and ignore me blue man." He growled to the Andorian who was reading the stuff front of him.

Following a long shot, Lahr read through the rest of the discography hoping that there might be 5 albums.. or album entitle Nirvana 5, but no such luck  One of the members had died and the band only produced 3 albums.  'Smells like Teen Spirit' had been their biggest hit.

As he read over the album title again... something twigged in his memory.

"What was the first word of the message you found on the cat? Evermind?  What if the cats owner meant 'Nevermind' as in the Nirvana's 2nd album?" Lahr chased down the lead outloud.  "So what would the five mean?  Track number maybe?"

"It was never mind," he told the fellow. Then he had decided to listen to the Andorian talk. It made no sense.

Lahr called up track five of 'Nevermind' which was titled "Lithium."
He put on the music video on his tables console.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BryH2aVuzrA

"Well that doesn't help... what was the last part of the message?  Burn this? How do you burn music?" It didn't even clue in to the Andorian that the message might be directing them to burn the substance that the song named for.

[USS Challenge]

"Lithium....lithium..." he was working the word with his lips and visualizing the note by memory in his mind.

The scientist stood up tall and snapped his webbed fingers. Which sounded little weird to a human snap. "Lithium burns color crimson. Never mind Cadet Nivarina  5 burn this... burns red. Fire. Crimsons. Answer with more questions. We need to tell the Captain this."

Ensign to Captain, The note does not mean burn the note itself. The riddle is Burn Lithium which is crimson. Mr. ch'Verret here was listening to the music of the group.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Bridge - Challenger]

Kyle was shocked to hear about the XO's family. That explained his absence from the Bridge at the moment. He had a million questions running through his head. "Are they okay?" he asked. "Do we have any information?" He listened as Ruth explained about Sukal leaving. Kyle hated to see the man go. They had worked well in the past and Kyle had looked forward to continuing that trend. The Captain then explained that he would be the new Second Officer and Acting Chief of Security during Taray's absence.

"I'll do my best not let you down, Ma'am." he replied. "If you'll just give me a couple of minutes to file my report, I'll be done and we can have that meeting when you're ready." he added.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"As long as you need Mr. Briggs, and I know you won't let me down.  As for Mr. Sukal's family I believe the eldest is or was in hospital but nothing that can't be fixed so far as I'm aware, but he feels that he needs to be with them understandably." The Captain said with a small smile.

"Smells like Teen Spirit...troubled minded singing about smell," he rolled his eyes.

"What? Never mind...what are you telling me!" He sounded deeply insulted. "Oh, just be typical rude and ignore me blue man." He growled to the Andorian who was reading the stuff front of him.

"It was never mind," he told the fellow. Then he had decided to listen to the Andorian talk. It made no sense.

[USS Challenge]

"Lithium....lithium..." he was working the word with his lips and visualizing the note by memory in his mind.

The scientist stood up tall and snapped his webbed fingers. Which sounded little weird to a human snap. "Lithium burns color crimson. Never mind Cadet Nivarina  5 burn this... burns red. Fire. Crimsons. Answer with more questions. We need to tell the Captain this."

Ensign to Captain, The note does not mean burn the note itself. The riddle is Burn Lithium which is crimson. Mr. ch'Verret here was listening to the music of the group.

Ruth slapped a hand to her forehead.  "NIRVANA!!  It wasn't some kind of idyll or a cadet's name but the 90s Earth rock band.  Well whomever sent that message had a fair music taste.  And Crimson.  The Crimson Nebula was another area that the Think Tank identified as a potential hide out for Leyton.  For now we stay on course to rendezvous with the Enterprise-E and thence on to DS4 to pick up our new crew members.... then to the Crimson Nebula.  Our break for dropping Sukal and on DS4 will serve to throw Leyton off our tracks because if he set or had it set that booby trap he'll know that the Federation were there, and wouldn't take that much thinking to think that the Challenger which has been the thorn in his side for almost 2 years or more would be the ones responsible so he'll send his wolves after us."

Captain to Meltem and ch'Verret.  Good work gentlemen, I've got the rest of it and we know where we're headed after DS4.  Thank you.  Get some rest and I'll have you back on duty just as soon as we're at DS4.  Sigurdsdottir out. 

"Belay that order for a chat in my ready room Kyle, we're gonna need a senior officers meeting just as soon as we get to DS4, but I want as short a turn around there as possible.  Mr. Grelek, inform the Tal'Bath of our intentions and ask Captain Hecate to follow."

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

[/color]

About an hour later Ruth found herself in the Transporter Room and bid farewell to Sukal after both Amoreen and all 4 cadets (with security escorts from the Enterprise who had beamed across specially) had been taken across, now it was just she and her friend, and the transport chief who was doing his best impersonation of a door stanchion... if the Captain wanted him to have heard something, he'd heard and seen, if not he was like a deaf post...a mute one at that.

Giving her former XO a massive hug and a kiss on the cheek for good measure she stood with tears in her eyes.  The normally stoic Vulcan was not unemotional either.

"Live long and prosper, dear brother.  Give my love to Emery and the girls, and may the four winds be kind to you and I and blow you back into my path again.  If you have half a chance then please, try to get for the wedding."

She watched sadly as the blue transporter light took her friend and the transporter chief gave her a nod to acknowledge that he'd arrived safely at the other side.  He didn't say more as he knew if he spoke the Captain was likely to start bawling.

Ruth found her way back to her Ready Room speaking to no-one, for all she still had friends on the Challenger she now felt quite alone.  She allowed herself a 5 minute crying session, then replicated some ice put it in a handkerchief and laid it over her eyes  for a few moments to reduce any puffiness or redness then strode out onto the Bridge.

"Helm, lay in course for Deep Space 4, Warp 6.  Mr. Grelek call a meeting of all senior staff and Think Tank staff for 2 hours after we dock. "

END MISSION