S3:E7 Predator and Prey

[Olivia Briggs]

[Cargo Bay - Challenger]

Liv was thankful to Chloe who so expertly and politely began to gather those who had been called to help in the designated spot, so Ensign Meltem could speak to them more directly. Although as Maggie commented about their science officer, she knew that her boss was only being semi serious and it had certainly was warranted, given what they had seen and experienced since getting here.

" I'm sure Ryder, will appreciate having patients" she quipped, before they got to work and soon finished setting up the triage station. When Maggie spoke so highly about Chloe, Liv fully agreed with her and had every intention of keeping her around and encouraging her to do well.

" I completely agree and I'll do everything I can to help her go further, but yes for now lets see what's going to happen with this plan".

Then came the added reminder in the form of the yellow alert, glad that Maggie had thought to mute the klaxon, as that was the last thing they needed, whilst dealing with patients and ensuring the telepaths amongst them, weren't distracted.

" It definitely helps us to have it muted, especially for everyone down here and we certainly don't want to end up being treated, when we can avoid it all together".

As Maggie then spoke to Meltem, Liv stood beside her to see what was going to be said, aware that Evie had left.

[Lek]

[Bridge]

Will nodded in affirmation regarding Ruth's change and suggestion to the away team "Perfectly acceptable ma'am." he said while making note to talk to her about her crew, specially her Away Team recommendations from each Department and subgrouping.

"Hassu, York, Lek, Kyle, and myself for the Away Team. Have no doubt we'll get it done." He said, nodding before slipping away to the Ready Room to grab some beverages. A few moments later he returned "The more the merrier! Plus we could do with some friends covering us." He said, moving towards Ruth and handing over a coffee "Give me the signal Skipper. I'll have us shipshape and rocking the boat posthaste."

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"Aye Ma'am, they will be ready."

Lek replied automatically, but with little animation. The probes were actually a simple task and he was certain they would be ready. The part that concerned him was the first officer's insistence that he had to go to the station. The last thing he wanted was another wound badge, two was too many and he was all to aware of the Hyoomon saying of the third time being the charm.

Regardless of how he felt, he was resigned to going as he knew there was no point in arguing, besides, he would rather fester in the Vault of Eternal Destitution than prove what most people thought about his species, namely, that he was a coward.

[Don Damien Addams]

[Cargo Bay - Challenger]

Liv was thankful to Chloe who so expertly and politely began to gather those who had been called to help in the designated spot, so Ensign Meltem could speak to them more directly. Although as Maggie commented about their science officer, she knew that her boss was only being semi serious and it had certainly was warranted, given what they had seen and experienced since getting here.

" I'm sure Ryder, will appreciate having patients" she quipped, before they got to work and soon finished setting up the triage station. When Maggie spoke so highly about Chloe, Liv fully agreed with her and had every intention of keeping her around and encouraging her to do well.

" I completely agree and I'll do everything I can to help her go further, but yes for now lets see what's going to happen with this plan".

Then came the added reminder in the form of the yellow alert, glad that Maggie had thought to mute the klaxon, as that was the last thing they needed, whilst dealing with patients and ensuring the telepaths amongst them, weren't distracted.

" It definitely helps us to have it muted, especially for everyone down here and we certainly don't want to end up being treated, when we can avoid it all together".

As Maggie then spoke to Meltem, Liv stood beside her to see what was going to be said, aware that Evie had left.

[USS Challenger]

"Carry on Gentlemen, Mr. Meltem I believe you're needed in the Cargo Bay with your genetic make up. And you know better than anyone what's going on with your further research on the brain washing device.  Please convey the message to the CSO that once she's finished assisting setting up the bed rolls, to come back up here for when we storm the asteroid." Ruth said with a smile

Jasper nodded his head. He worked his way over to Dr. Briggs. "What I would like is get us all connected to the machine. We need someone to man the computer to gather numbers to one and direct it to substantial electrode to increase the wavelength of our focus to use our talent to feel for the other Betazoids, Vulcans, Romulans and others. Hopefully we will act like a compass with many focused minds. Which means we need to meditate and focus on the matter. Like Vulcan mind meld," he explained. His dark eyes was looking to one person to the other person. It was like robot machines coming into one to make machine. Rather they are like Cerbero that Xavier used in X-men.

He pulled out suction cups. "We need put these on our temples. To much technology could decrease the power that we are reaching," he explained. He waited to see if there was any one had to add or feel it was a bad idea. He knew he was smart and brilliant. His self esteem was awesome. Which makes him a little antisocial. He was focused so much on his work.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Cargo Bay - Challenger]

Liv was thankful to Chloe who so expertly and politely began to gather those who had been called to help in the designated spot, so Ensign Meltem could speak to them more directly. Although as Maggie commented about their science officer, she knew that her boss was only being semi serious and it had certainly was warranted, given what they had seen and experienced since getting here.

" I'm sure Ryder, will appreciate having patients" she quipped, before they got to work and soon finished setting up the triage station. When Maggie spoke so highly about Chloe, Liv fully agreed with her and had every intention of keeping her around and encouraging her to do well.

" I completely agree and I'll do everything I can to help her go further, but yes for now lets see what's going to happen with this plan".

Then came the added reminder in the form of the yellow alert, glad that Maggie had thought to mute the klaxon, as that was the last thing they needed, whilst dealing with patients and ensuring the telepaths amongst them, weren't distracted.

" It definitely helps us to have it muted, especially for everyone down here and we certainly don't want to end up being treated, when we can avoid it all together".

As Maggie then spoke to Meltem, Liv stood beside her to see what was going to be said, aware that Evie had left.

[USS Challenger]

Jasper nodded his head. He worked his way over to Dr. Briggs. "What I would like is get us all connected to the machine. We need someone to man the computer to gather numbers to one and direct it to substantial electrode to increase the wavelength of our focus to use our talent to feel for the other Betazoids, Vulcans, Romulans and others. Hopefully we will act like a compass with many focused minds. Which means we need to meditate and focus on the matter. Like Vulcan mind meld," he explained. His dark eyes was looking to one person to the other person. It was like robot machines coming into one to make machine. Rather they are like Cerbero that Xavier used in X-men.

He pulled out suction cups. "We need put these on our temples. To much technology could decrease the power that we are reaching," he explained. He waited to see if there was any one had to add or feel it was a bad idea. He knew he was smart and brilliant. His self esteem was awesome. Which makes him a little antisocial. He was focused so much on his work.

[USS Challenger - Sickbay]

[As CMO Dr. Maggie York]

"Why didn't I think of this earlier!" Maggie said hitting her own temple with the heel of her right hand.  "The Tal'Bath is sitting right there... full of Romulans who are telepaths !! Wait Mr. Meltem, would say 20 or so Romulans boost the signal so to speak if we could get some volunteers from Captain Hecate?"

While she didn't want to delay any plans the Captain had it could only help to have so many functioning telepaths around.

"I think I'd have headache relief around just in case!" she said aside to Liv "Not just for those intensively using their minds either, we'll probably need them for stress after this.  That and/or a few Nebula's, of the non-Crimson variety!"

She turned back to the Scientist and said "When we are settled, extra help or not, then since I'm no kind of telepath I'm happy to man the computer for you.  Just a thought, some of our assembled here are touch telepaths only, would it be more sense for our mind telepaths to wear those suction cups and the touch telepaths to kinda gather round behind them touching a mind telepath and a hand on the shoulder of another touch telepath so we create a sort of mind web of power?"

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

[Meanwhile on the Bridge]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"Aye Ma'am, they will be ready."

Lek replied automatically, but with little animation. The probes were actually a simple task and he was certain they would be ready. The part that concerned him was the first officer's insistence that he had to go to the station. The last thing he wanted was another wound badge, two was too many and he was all to aware of the Hyoomon saying of the third time being the charm.

Regardless of how he felt, he was resigned to going as he knew there was no point in arguing, besides, he would rather fester in the Vault of Eternal Destitution than prove what most people thought about his species, namely, that he was a coward.

"Thank you, Mr. Lek." the Captain replied equally automatically.  She thought to put in a call down to Medical.

Captain to Medical.  How is Mr. Meltem's project coming along, are you satisfied with the number of telepaths you have or would more be useful, we have an entire ship full of them alongside! I'm sure Captain Hecate would loan us a few!

Forgetting there was an open channel until she heard a short snort of laughter from Hecate and the words

I'll send a few over right now for you, let your Mr. Meltem know that I'll be sending 10, and if he needs more just to let us know, there's possibly some way to hook us all up but if you need to do this while we're underway I can't guarantee the success of that, whereas I can happily loan you 10 or more before we start moving.  Should I have them sent straight to Sickbay? Hecate said, a cheery note in her voice as she was glad to be of some assistance beyond using the technology of her ship.

That might scare the living daylights out of them and they're in the Cargo Hold.  Just have them ready and we'll beam them into Transporter Room 2 and have someone down there to guide them to the Cargo Bay. Thanks Captain Hecate!

No problem, we're here to help and this is something we are if not uniquely talented to do, certainly we are one of the races best suited to it!  Oh and thank you for the schematics for the magnetised probes.  My Scientists think that's an excellent idea!  Hecate out.   The Romulan Captain signed out and let Ruth go on with her plotting.

Medical be advised 10 Romulans coming to assist you, if you need more Captain Hecate has indicated that they can send more but has to be done before we set off.  Transporter Chief, 10 Romulans incoming, Security please send escort - guiding not secure to Transporter Room 2 in order to take our guests to the Cargo Bay, report to Drs. Briggs and York and Mr. Meltem. Captain out.

[Lek]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Lek moved to the bridge's engineering station and contacted Gianetti.

"Prep a half a dozen probes configured to mimic the Challenger's warp signature and shield harmonics. Make them good, but don't worry about them being flawless. They are decoys while we sneak in the back door. We will launch them in pairs to lure the guard ships protecting the hostages. The idea is to use one to draw off the ships, then when they figure it's a probe, have the second one, activate as if we are sneaking away and draw them further away. The idea is to keep the deception going long enough until, hopefully, they are too far away to realize where Challenger really is.

"On it Chief."

"Hang on, there's more, I've been tasked to be part of the away team, so you will be in charge of engineering while I'm gone. Our actual mission to to dock with the asteroid holding the hostages. As there isn't a proper airlock, we will create a temporary one via forcefields. We will not be extending our shields to encompass the asteroid as it is too large, so, as usual, your priority of work is shields, weapons, and impulse. We will only dock long enough to land the away team and at some point, the Challenger will come back long enough to dock again to evacuate the hostages."

"What idiot came up with that plan?"

Lek sighed as he replied.

"I did."

"Sorry Chief."

"Don't worry about it, you are right, it is an idiot plan. Potentially the last plan of that type I ever come up with, but that's beyond my control. Either the Blessed Exchequer will look over me, or he won't. Just make sure you keep Challenger in one piece long enough to rescue us if the plan actually works."

"You can count on it Chief.

"Thank you Giancarlo. Lek out."

[Zavrol Gohun]

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

NPC's Crewman Helga Tragnar and CPO T'ealc and (Lt jg) Nurse Chloe Davis
[USS Challenger- A - Cargo Bay]
Helga moved off with Crewman Gohun.  The man was a bit of an enigma.  Didn't speak much and pretty much did his own thing despite orders.  Maybe it had something to do with his species.  She's heard he was something other than human, though he looked human.
As she worked alongside him setting up the bedrolls, watching as yet more officers joined ... what did they not have other more important things to do??... she nudged the silent security crewman.  "You don't talk much do you? That a 'thing' with your species or are you just ... I don't know... anti-social?"

Gohun worked alongside Helga and though of his answer before he gave an answer.
"We are a race of listeners. We watch and observe and many times intervene when necessary. Which really doesn't answer your question."
As Gohun puts down another bedroll he continues.
"I suppose we are all different in our own way. Some good some bad, some crazy"
With that Gohun thought of Tolian Soran and the billions of people that he would have killed to get back into the nexus.  Also, the Billions that he killed in his pursuit.
Then Gogun waved back to someone as they left. He really needed to learn people's names on this ship.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

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

USS Challenger - Bridge]

[Earlier]

"Thank you Lahr, I'm sure I'll have no cause for complaint, or if I do, it'll be because you are too efficient!" Ruth joked with a wink and followed 'her' Andorian back onto the Bridge.
.
.
.
Ruth had intended that Lahr could hear, she knew him well enough that she knew he would be alert and take notice anyhow.  To her he was where he worked best and a happy crew worked better.

"Thank you Number One,.." she said gratefully accepting the coffee.  "... you can start prepping your away team,..."  turning to Lahr she said "Mr. ch'Verret could you invite Captain Hecate's team over here to work with our team so they're all on the same page.  Mr. Waring, it's up to you to brief them, they're likely to have their own weapons and I have no problem with that.  Having worked in Security you get used to how your weapons work and prefer only to use unfamiliar ones as you're wrenching them out of the cold dead hands of your enemy while stepping over their carcass!" she said with a look that would give shivers to anyone used to her normally bubbly personality.   It was clear that it was directed towards Leyton however.

"We'll be leaving in 15 mins, whereupon we will deploy our decoy probe.  Mr. Lek I trust you to deal with that. I estimate then, barring any erm... company, that we'll deploy Mr. Meltem's magnetic probes and hopefully in and back out quickly, then full sail back to Innominatum with a full contingent of evacuees!"

The Captain sighed.  She knew it wasn't going to be as easy as that sounded.

"Yes, ma'am, right away." the Andorian Ops petty officer answered briskly as he unmuted the already open comm to the Tal'Bath and informed the Romulan Captain to send over her team to be briefed by the Challenger's First Officer.

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

10 Mins Later

Hecate's part of the away team onboard and preparations underway, the Captain swigged down the last tepid mouthfuls of her coffee and squared her shoulders, handing the mug to a crewman to recycle.

"Take us to Yellow Alert Mr. ch'Verret, then let Medical and Sciences know that they have precisely as long as we can hold off the company we're likely to get.  Mr. Lek, launch that decoy probe.  Mr. Litt take us out.  Mr. Waring have your Away team ready, but I can't say when you'll be able to get over to the asteroid since we have Admiral Leyton's friends out there, and some of you, like you and Mr. Briggs, are better on the Bridge until then especially if we end up having a fight on our hands!"

Another order and another quick reply back.  "Yes ma'am!" This was so much better than Away Team duty.

Lahr activated the yellow alert protocol.  Lights above the doorways changed to yellow; klaxxons sounded throughout the ship.

As part of his standing orders, Lahr kept a close watch on the sensor readings from the nebula and on long range scans.  It wouldn't do to have all their plans be for naught if the were suddenly to be spotted by a random Leytonite patrol.

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

NPC's Crewman Helga Tragnar and CPO T'ealc and (Lt jg) Nurse Chloe Davis
[USS Challenger- A - Cargo Bay]

[Cargo Bay - USS Challenger]

[As NPCs Dr. Maggie York CMO and Lt. Cmdr. Evie Wardropper CSO]

Evie had received the message and smiled at Meltem.  "I think actually we can leave this to Ms. Tragnar and co here.  I'll run up to the Bridge and I believe Dr. Briggs needs you over there!" she said with a kind smile.

Turning to Helga she gave a bright smile.  "I'll leave you to it Crewman, I think you've got this covered and I feel I've 'done my bit' so to speak.  Perhaps we'll work together again sometime! For now, farewell.  Bye Crewman Gohun!" she waved across careful not to leave him out since she'd been working with him.

At the Lt. Commander's farewell, Helga glanced up from her work and nodded to the CSO.  The Klingon hybrid then looked to Gohun before turning back laying out bedrolls.   "After we're done here we should see about setting out food and drink."

Gohun worked alongside Helga and though of his answer before he gave an answer.
"We are a race of listeners. We watch and observe and many times intervene when necessary. Which really doesn't answer your question."
As Gohun puts down another bedroll he continues.
"I suppose we are all different in our own way. Some good some bad, some crazy"
With that Gohun thought of Tolian Soran and the billions of people that he would have killed to get back into the nexus.  Also, the Billions that he killed in his pursuit.
Then Gogun waved back to someone as they left. He really needed to learn people's names on this ship.

"A race of listeners?  Ah, so you're not human, but El-Aurian, right?  I've heard of your species before."  Helga commented as she continued laying out bedrolls.  "Well listeners should be good at following orders so let's get this task finished and get started on the next."
[center[~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/center]

[USS Challenger]

Jasper nodded his head. He worked his way over to Dr. Briggs. "What I would like is get us all connected to the machine. We need someone to man the computer to gather numbers to one and direct it to substantial electrode to increase the wavelength of our focus to use our talent to feel for the other Betazoids, Vulcans, Romulans and others. Hopefully we will act like a compass with many focused minds. Which means we need to meditate and focus on the matter. Like Vulcan mind meld," he explained. His dark eyes was looking to one person to the other person. It was like robot machines coming into one to make machine. Rather they are like Cerbero that Xavier used in X-men.

He pulled out suction cups. "We need put these on our temples. To much technology could decrease the power that we are reaching," he explained. He waited to see if there was any one had to add or feel it was a bad idea. He knew he was smart and brilliant. His self esteem was awesome. Which makes him a little antisocial. He was focused so much on his work.

[center[~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[/center]

A little while later...

"Looks like our cue to get busy people, Computer mute alert in Cargo Bay." The CMO ordered.  Turning to Liv she said "We know it's yellow alert from the lights, but I think our telepaths might work better without that klaxxon going off, and I for one can do without the headache!  How we doing Mr. Meltem?"

Helga glanced up at the klaxxon as she set out bottles of water on a table.   Also on the table were several sealed containers of fruit and bread rolls and other baked goods just waiting to be opened and offered to evacuees once they arrived.

Off in the corner the triage area had been set up by the Dr. York, Dr. Briggs and Nurse Davis.
In another corner sitting clustered around a rather odd ball-shaped apparatus with electrode suction cups attached to them were the ship's many Vulcans and rare Betazoid.

[Richard James Litt]

[USS Challenger • Bridge • Helm]

After gave his idea about the plan, Litt waited until the Captain finally decided what they would do next. As soon as she decided and communicate them, Litt just nodded.

"Mr. Litt lay in a course for that asteroid we'll be hovering as close to it as possible once we can get through between the Leyton posse."

"Aye ma'am..." And then, he started to set the course for the Challenger in the way the Captain ordered.

"Any questions everyone, everyone clear on what we are doing?  To recap - Helm - taking us round between Myzran and the nebula round to due north and come underneath.  At the time of departure Lek will launch a probe of a dummy of us to draw off the Falcon and the Gol.  As soon as we move we will be at Yellow Alert. Whereupon, Sciences - use their modified probes to punch a hole through the nebula dealing with the Ferrous particles in the dust clouds.  We will find the Nebula, and sit as close to them as possible using our shields to encompass us and the asteroid and beam out the hostages.  Medical - will then be operating triage... settling the escapees.  Security will be dealing with any flak.  We then get the hell out of Dodge!  Any Questions?  I hopefully want a green light to give Mr. Litt to move within 45 mins."

"No questions ma'am..." He answered and turned back to his panel, now that she gave him 45 minutes, he could set the best way to they do.

10 Mins Later
Hecate's part of the away team onboard and preparations underway, the Captain swigged down the last tepid mouthfuls of her coffee and squared her shoulders, handing the mug to a crewman to recycle.

"Take us to Yellow Alert Mr. ch'Verret, then let Medical and Sciences know that they have precisely as long as we can hold off the company we're likely to get.  Mr. Lek, launch that decoy probe.  Mr. Litt take us out.  Mr. Waring have your Away team ready, but I can't say when you'll be able to get over to the asteroid since we have Admiral Leyton's friends out there, and some of you, like you and Mr. Briggs, are better on the Bridge until then especially if we end up having a fight on our hands!"

Sometime later, Litt have setted the best way to the ship go through. And, as soon as the Captain gave the order he nodded again.

"Aye ma'am... Leaving in 3, 2, 1..." And he started to move the ship to their destination.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Tal'Bath - Bridge]

Hecate had actually been chuckling because Romulans were not, in fact, technically telepathic.  It was a common misconception.  Remans were to a point and good at it and she had a few Vulcans on board amongst her crew too.  It was those mostly, 4 Vulcans, 1 Romulan, 6 Reman hybrids who had volunteered for the job, given they'd seen what had happened to the Captain's family, who she sent across.

Grumbling one of the Remans spoke up "I suppose this is better than cleaning out the heads!" she remarked with a short smile.  "...it is something that we can do, even if it is more subjugation of our skill."

V'Lalauck, one of the Vulcan males raised the iconic brow into an even more severe slope.  "I understand your feelings, however, if I understand the situation it is for the greater good.  Surely that has some bearing on the situation."

The Reman spoke up.  "I suppose, it's kids mostly that we're rescuing, and I'd hate to think of my 3 back home and safe in the clutches of Leyton and his cohorts so..." she shrugged.  "It is something that we can do, and I will do willingly as you say... for the greater good but doesn't mean I have to like it!"

V'Lalauck nodded slowly and uttered one word "Indeed!" as the transporter beam took them.  Moments later they were, in 2 groups, beamed to Transporter Room 2 on the USS Challenger.

Taking a sort of charge of the group V'Lalauck bowed his head in acknowledgement to the Transporter Chief.  "Thank you Chief, I understand that your Medical and Science Department have need of us?"

[Transporter Room 2 - USS Challenger]

"Aye, the Security personnel there will take you to the Cargo Bay, they're setting up a kind of rescue centre/triage control or something down there.  It's just so you don't get lost.  I've only been here 2 months and if we didn't have the LCARs I'd still get lost!" the Chief answered and gestured them towards the corridor.

"Good Luck!"

Cargo Bay

"Here's the gang from the Tal'Bath, Doc!" the Security Ensign said and nodded to V'Lalauck.  "This is Dr. Briggs and Dr. York they're kinda jointly the Chief Medical Officer and Ensign Meltem, the Science erm... hey Meltem is it ok to call you a Science 'boffin'?? Anyhow he's the officer in charge of this exercise.  Bye for now!  All yours Docs!"

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

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Transporter Room to Bridge - the Tal-Bath personnel are on board, we are able to move now if you need to! Out.

Thank you Chief.  Carry on.  Bridge out. the Captain answered.  She'd been thinking about the Romulans.  It was kind of short hand that 'Romulans were telepaths'.  They could be but they weren't always, and she'd forgotten that when she was talking to the Romulan captain. She wondered what Hecate had sent across and if it was a bit of a joke on her part.  They'd soon see.

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

"Yes, ma'am, right away." the Andorian Ops petty officer answered briskly as he unmuted the already open comm to the Tal'Bath and informed the Romulan Captain to send over her team to be briefed by the Challenger's First Officer.

Another order and another quick reply back.  "Yes ma'am!" This was so much better than Away Team duty.

Lahr activated the yellow alert protocol.  Lights above the doorways changed to yellow; klaxxons sounded throughout the ship.

As part of his standing orders, Lahr kept a close watch on the sensor readings from the nebula and on long range scans.  It wouldn't do to have all their plans be for naught if the were suddenly to be spotted by a random Leytonite patrol.

"Take that klaxxon down to minimal decibels please Ops, we know we are at yellow alert! We will need clear heads.  I'd no objection to some appropriately stirring music if you want to oblige.  Maybe 'Ride of the Valkyries'?!" Ruth joked.

"Passive scans on everything, unless they actually must be active. We want to be as quiet and unobtrusive as we can be to give Mr. Lek's dummy decoys as much of a chance as we can give them.  All stations be ready for action please."

[USS Challenger • Bridge • Helm]

After gave his idea about the plan, Litt waited until the Captain finally decided what they would do next. As soon as she decided and communicate them, Litt just nodded.

"Aye ma'am..." And then, he started to set the course for the Challenger in the way the Captain ordered.

"No questions ma'am..." He answered and turned back to his panel, now that she gave him 45 minutes, he could set the best way to they do.

Sometime later, Litt have setted the best way to the ship go through. And, as soon as the Captain gave the order he nodded again.

"Aye ma'am... Leaving in 3, 2, 1..." And he started to move the ship to their destination.

Glad they were underway, Ruth just nodded, and prayed, that all would go well.  'Loki, if you want to play tricks, play them on Leyton's side please, I'll specify, so that the joke's on him!'

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

[Cargo Bay]

[As NPC Dr. Maggie York]

NPC's Crewman Helga Tragnar and CPO T'ealc and (Lt jg) Nurse Chloe Davis

Helga glanced up at the klaxxon as she set out bottles of water on a table.   Also on the table were several sealed containers of fruit and bread rolls and other baked goods just waiting to be opened and offered to evacuees once they arrived.

Off in the corner the triage area had been set up by the Dr. York, Dr. Briggs and Nurse Davis.
In another corner sitting clustered around a rather odd ball-shaped apparatus with electrode suction cups attached to them were the ship's many Vulcans and rare Betazoid.

Maggie looked around, it looked like they were almost ready.  When the group from the Tal'Bath showed up she gave a short bow of the head to them.  "Mr. Meltem is sort of in charge of this, I'm going to be 'womanning' the computer as I have no mind ability at all.  Now that we're all here, basically we're trying to get a message to the telepaths on the asteroid, see if they can help us by hindering guards and warn them that we are coming to help, NOT part of Leyton's armada!"

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Meanwhile on the USS Poseidon...]

[AS NPC Captain Roger Carstairs and  Lt. Cmdr. Nos Numiv son of Mobh (XO and Ops)]

Nos wasn't happy, he was like a caged tiger waiting to strike.  He had noticed that there was an outgoing communication but as yet he hadn't figured where it had gone, but he had a gut feeling who had sent it and it sure as hell wasn't the Crewman... because said Crewman as off duty resting a newly mended arm having broken it playing Parises Squares.

Sitting alongside him was the subject of his suspicions.  Admiral D'Arth.  He'd not been sure of the man since he had first been taken aboard from the USS 'Redav' he was also not sure of that Romulan Captain... where the hell was she? She'd not reported in for months...and if she was supposed to be their 'friend' why hadn't she given them the technology so they could cloak?

Monitoring the area, he said "Sir... I think we have the Challenger, she's moving off around the south west of Zhargosia, bearing 228.4, avoiding the nebula."

Carstairs smiled, a rather evil smile Alex D'Arth thought.  "Follow, helm, but keep a few clicks between us, I want to see where she's headed, could be going for Deep Space 2, 3 or 4... but that could be a complete misconception.  Once she's underway, engage."

20 mins later....
"Sir, the Challenger has disappeared, oh... I've got her scent again...she seems to be heading for Starbase 301,..." Nos reported.

"Catch up and full phaser volley, come to Red Alert..." the Captain ordered.

[Kyle Briggs]

[USS Falcon - CO Ready Room]

[As NPC Captain Martin Tennant and Commander Debra Marchetti, XO]

Martin spun back to face his First Officer.

"As I said, save your breath." he said. "I don't understand how you can't see the Admiral's point of view. The Federation has gotten soft. Running all around space," He waved his hands in the air for emphasis. "trying to unit everyone. Well not everyone wants to be under one rule. Some enjoy life exactly the way they have it and will do anything, to include fight the Federation, to keep it that way."

He took a deep breath of his own before reaching for his drink.

"We used to have MACOs aboard our vessels. Did you know that?" he asked. "There was a reason. We didn't know what......"

He was interrupted by his comm unit.

"Sir. Message from the Poseidon. The Challenger has been spotted and we're closing in to engage." said Lieutenant Kenzie Saxe, who was currently running the Bridge while the CO and XO were busy.

"On my way." replied Tennant.

They left the Ready Room and made their way back out to the Bridge.

"Mimic the Poseidon and get me the Admiral." he ordered.

Within a few seconds, Leyton's face was on the screen.

"I hear we're chasing down some bothersome do gooders, sir. Orders?" he asked the Admiral.

[William Waring]

USS Challenger - Bridge]
10 Mins Later
Hecate's part of the away team onboard and preparations underway, the Captain swigged down the last tepid mouthfuls of her coffee and squared her shoulders, handing the mug to a crewman to recycle.

"Take us to Yellow Alert Mr. ch'Verret, then let Medical and Sciences know that they have precisely as long as we can hold off the company we're likely to get.  Mr. Lek, launch that decoy probe.  Mr. Litt take us out.  Mr. Waring have your Away team ready, but I can't say when you'll be able to get over to the asteroid since we have Admiral Leyton's friends out there, and some of you, like you and Mr. Briggs, are better on the Bridge until then especially if we end up having a fight on our hands!"

[Bridge]

"We are ready to shake and bake, Skipper. Throw us the sign and be making double time." he said, finding himself settling in which was odd given the current situation. On the subject of said situation, Will found it more preferable to stay on the Bridge until the very last moment for a list of reasons, not least of which was his duty to advise and assist the Captain in the operation of her ship... and also because he wanted to make sure Ruth wasn't going to be directly in harm's way.

He watched as the decoy was deployed. Their timer was running and he didn't exactly want to be hanging around when it ran out. For the moment, the Challenger was running silent however it was also only an order away from full combat capability. The Challenger was no Shran, that much he knew, but that didn't mean that it wasn't a powerful ship in its own right. It was built off the design of the Excelsior-class which had proven its worth for many decades after its initial production and became the backbone of the Fleet for a time.

Nevertheless, they were better off trying to slink around then to charge into full-on combat. All they needed was a periscope and it would be just like the Submarine holoprogram he had on the holodeck. Silent running in enemy waters.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

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

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Transporter Room to Bridge - the Tal-Bath personnel are on board, we are able to move now if you need to! Out.

Thank you Chief.  Carry on.  Bridge out. the Captain answered.  She'd been thinking about the Romulans.  It was kind of short hand that 'Romulans were telepaths'.  They could be but they weren't always, and she'd forgotten that when she was talking to the Romulan captain. She wondered what Hecate had sent across and if it was a bit of a joke on her part.  They'd soon see.

Lahr was also curious as to what and how many the Tal'Bath had sent over, so he discreetly messaged the Transporter Chief and got an more detailed update.  Figuring the Captain would appreciate knowing as well.. he reported out to her. "Transporter Chief says he beamed in one Romulan, four Vulcans and 6 what he figured were Reman or Reman hybrids.  They are being escorted to the Cargo bay right now."

"Take that klaxxon down to minimal decibels please Ops, we know we are at yellow alert! We will need clear heads.  I'd no objection to some appropriately stirring music if you want to oblige.  Maybe 'Ride of the Valkyries'?!" Ruth joked.

"Passive scans on everything, unless they actually must be active. We want to be as quiet and unobtrusive as we can be to give Mr. Lek's dummy decoys as much of a chance as we can give them.  All stations be ready for action please."

Glad they were underway, Ruth just nodded, and prayed, that all would go well.  'Loki, if you want to play tricks, play them on Leyton's side please, I'll specify, so that the joke's on him!'

The klaxxon was loud, therefore he was grateful to the Captain when she ordered him to 'turn down it's decibels'.  With a quick series of taps on his console the klaxxon volume dropped to just a background noise.

When she suggested some stirring music - even going so far as to name a piece... Lahr blinked, uncertain if she we serious or not until she laughed.

The Captain's order for passive scans on everything was acknowledged.  "Yes, ma'am - already being done!"

This was it.  The probes were away and the Challenger was making her way stealthily toward the asteroid where over 500 hostages were believed to be held.  And down below in the Cargo bay... over 2 dozen telepaths were focused on making contact with the telepaths on the asteroid to give them a heads up and be ready for an 'old-fashioned' breakout.

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

NPC's Crewman Helga Tragnar and CPO T'ealc and (Lt jg) Nurse Chloe Davis
[USS Challenger- A - Cargo Bay]

Cargo Bay

"Here's the gang from the Tal'Bath, Doc!" the Security Ensign said and nodded to V'Lalauck.  "This is Dr. Briggs and Dr. York they're kinda jointly the Chief Medical Officer and Ensign Meltem, the Science erm... hey Meltem is it ok to call you a Science 'boffin'?? Anyhow he's the officer in charge of this exercise.  Bye for now!  All yours Docs!"

[Cargo Bay]

[As NPC Dr. Maggie York]

Maggie looked around, it looked like they were almost ready.  When the group from the Tal'Bath showed up she gave a short bow of the head to them.  "Mr. Meltem is sort of in charge of this, I'm going to be 'womanning' the computer as I have no mind ability at all.  Now that we're all here, basically we're trying to get a message to the telepaths on the asteroid, see if they can help us by hindering guards and warn them that we are coming to help, NOT part of Leyton's armada!"

With the arrival of the 'help' from the Tal'Bath (the Romulan, Reman and seemingly traitor Vulcans who would follow the orders of a drug-dealing Romulan)  Helga nodded to Gohun "I'll finish up here.  You keep an eye on our 'guests'.

T'ealc being only a touch telepath moved in behind another who had a stronger mental ability.
To help her focus she recited the Mind Meld mantra.  "My mind to your mind.  My thoughts to your thoughts "

[Don Damien Addams]

Cargo Bay

"Here's the gang from the Tal'Bath, Doc!" the Security Ensign said and nodded to V'Lalauck.  "This is Dr. Briggs and Dr. York they're kinda jointly the Chief Medical Officer and Ensign Meltem, the Science erm... hey Meltem is it ok to call you a Science 'boffin'?? Anyhow he's the officer in charge of this exercise.  Bye for now!  All yours Docs!"

"As long I can repay you back with an odd nick name," he replied. The scientist really did not want him to do so. However, he was to busy to care.

Meltem observed the individuals who are going to help them. "I am very please that you here.

Maggie looked around, it looked like they were almost ready.  When the group from the Tal'Bath showed up she gave a short bow of the head to them.  "Mr. Meltem is sort of in charge of this, I'm going to be 'womanning' the computer as I have no mind ability at all.  Now that we're all here, basically we're trying to get a message to the telepaths on the asteroid, see if they can help us by hindering guards and warn them that we are coming to help, NOT part of Leyton's armada

"Indeed. We are going to pull the rug under Leyton," he turned to everyone. "Best way to beat an enemy is the tool they made."

"We will all be one to make this happen. By doing so, we," he stopped as he notice the sound was quieter. "We will work together. Work with your group as one to sync and then medical will fiddle with the computer to keep us all as solo unit with many minds in one. If we are lucky as I believe we will. We will communicate to the cadets. Possible we might get more info. Any questions? Please keep it short cause we need to act fast."

[William Waring]

NPC Captain T'mivur (CO) and Commander Keranat (XO)]

[USS Gol]

The Gol had received the same message pertaining to the supposed spotting of the Challenger however T'Mivur had requested higher resolution scans of the surrounding area. Give their reason it was best to not chase sensor ghosts, especially on an older Ambassador like the Gol. While the Poseidon evidently moved to follow, the Gol stayed the course. It wasn't long after that, that a perplexed Ops Officer reported

"I am picking up some strange readings here sirs..." Ops reported, causing the stoic CO and jovial XO to have equal levels of intrigue, not that they showed it the same way.

"Operations Management, what are your sensors detecting?" T'Mivur asked, showing no sign of interest outside of a slightly raised eyebrow

"Well... uh... it appears to be the USS Challenger... again. Or at least a ship in the same rough configuration..." Ops reported back

"Oh! They've doubled back then!" Keranat said excitedly, much to the judging stare of T'Mivur

"It is highly unlikely that they lost the Posidon in the time since their departure" She said, her curiosity now being sufficiently piqued "Operations Management, conduct a full resolution scan of the area where the 'strange readings' are. Flight Operations, plot a course and maintain engines at half impulse. Take us to Yellow Alert."

"Oh, splendid! They are crafty devils, aren't they! Just think, evading the Posidon!" Keranat said, moving beside Ops to get his own eye on the situation. He may be more expressive than his CO but that didn't make him any less dedicated or efficient in his task.

~~~~~~

The Gol moved off of its patrol route and began its pinpoint scan of the area. While its sensors were not as accurate as could be found elsewhere in the Fleet, they still gave off enough directed energy to trigger sensors on the target ship. The sensor sweep would bounce around its intended target for a matter of moments before finding its target, allowing the Gol to close that much more distance.