S3:E7 Predator and Prey

[Lek]

[Conference Room]

Ruth looked around the room.  "Once I dismiss everyone I'd like Mr. Litt to lay in a course for the Crimson Nebula, Mr. Briggs and Mr. Lek I have a feeling we might get company, put your heads together to prepare as much as we can, I will forward a list of ships that I know that Leyton has commandeered, so we know what we may be up against.  Sciences - I need to know as much information as I possibly can about first the brainwashing device, what you've found so far and how we might be able to reverse the effects, and also whatever you can find in advance of us arriving there about the Crimson Nebula, what we might need to know and so on.  I would like to see both of you in my office with as much of a report as you can give 30 mins after this meeting."  The CO wasn't giving them much time but they didn't have much time, they could be at the Nebula inside 2 days.

[Conference Room - USS Challenger]

Lek frowned at the task of recovering 500 hostages while under fire. He went over the facts regarding the Challenger's systems that would matter in his head.

"Four transporter rooms with six pads each and four emergency transporters with 22 pads each for a total of... 112 pads. Ten seconds per cycle, would take five cycles to transport 500 personnel, so call it one full minute with the shields down to transport everyone.

"Total personnel that the shuttles can carry in single lift with everyone of them in use is... 114. We'd still need five lifts and that a lot of people in very fragile targets all stacked up at the shuttle bay at once. We could keep our shields up to protect them once they got close, but the turn around time would take three to five minutes, so that would be fifteen to twenty-five minutes.

"Even if we combine usage, that 226, even if we exceeded maximum lift to 250, we'd still need two lifts to make that all happen. Two transporter cycles means shields would only be down for twenty seconds and the shuttles exposed no longer than ten minutes, but all of that doesn't take into account anything going wrong or the actions of the opposition.

"Even counting the point of impact shields and our ablative armor, I don't see how we avoid potentially crippling damage which would keep us from escaping that would not only doom the hostages, but the entire crew of the Challenger. If this is going to work, we are going to have to get creative."

Lek's frown deepened as he began to game out options that would allow them to succeed while avoiding destruction.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[USS Challenger - Ready room]

When the Captain mentioned two hours. The thought in his mind was two hours of research gone. Time can't be earned back. His left eye brow had gone up on that with a smirk.

His face soften when she was saying two hours to Crimson Nebula. Thank by the atoms in space.

Thirty minutes. Was she crazy? He slowly raised his right hand up. "Can we have additional fifteen minutes? It takes that about to get to and from the Science lab. Unless we can transport  there....which I rather not."

[Conference Room]

Ruth chuckled then smiled at Jasper.  "Actually, make it an hour, there's a few subspace communications I need to make and I need to change so you get an extra thirty minutes, but don't always rely on me to be that generous!  Commander Wardropper, delegate someone to Bridge duty to start the scans once we're underway."

"Yes, Captain.  I had a feeling you'd want as few people as possible working on the brain washing device since it's highly sensitive, I would have known about it anyhow given my position but I happened to walk into the labs looking for someone." Evie said with a shrug.

"Well that's fine, but I'd like you both on the Bridge when we are approaching the Nebula, I don't want any surprises. Dismissed... go get your research done, we disembark as soon as Mr. Litt and Mr. Dradis can get us cleared and we have all personnel on board."

[Conference Room - Challenger]

It wasn't long before Ruth commanded their attention and began to go through the reasons why they had been called. Acknowledging the introductions that were made, horrified by what she was hearing in regards to what had happened to Hecate's family and now understood why she was here and it seemed that they were now united in wanting to bring Leyton down once and for all. Although their was some happiness to the comments made, as Ruth revealed that her and Will would be getting married in December.

This made Liv smile and also gave her some ideas, to ensure that Ruth received a fitting send off to single life. However that could wait until they were out of this and before she could say anything her friend and CO had quickly moved on. Again offering a polite acknowledgement to those who were new to the ship, as Ruth then began to give out promotions.

Feeling a sense of pride as her husband received a promotion to Second Officer and Acting Chief of Sec/Tac due to Taray's pregnancy and knew he would do well in his new role. At the mention of a baby shower for Kixxa, Liv thought it was a great idea.

" I'm sure we can do that and congratulations, Mr Briggs" she said happily, using a name, they often teased each other with. However was then left momentarily stunned as Ruth's attention moved to her, trying to comprehend what she was saying, until it finally registered as she was handed the box. When she had graduated, Liv hadn't expected to move up the ranks so quickly, so this was definitely a pleasant shock, that took her a few moments to acknowledge.

" Thank you, you actually left me speechless for a moment there" she stated, still in slight shock with it all. Then she beamed at Kyle as further promotions were made and she offered her congratulations to Litt, Lahr and of course not forgetting Maggie with her own wedding news.

Thinking that a celebration would be needed for her and Kyle, as Ruth then became more serious about their next steps, in the hunt for Leyton. Listening once more as she explained what she wanted them to do, issued orders and the time frames that some of them would have to get certain tasks done. When it came to Medical, Liv understood what would be needed of them and knew that the team would be ready.

" We'll be prepared".

Liv looked at Maggie and Ryder as she said this, whilst also thinking that she would have time to change, check on Elijah with Kyle, then head straight to Sickbay to begin preparations. However as for thoughts or questions, there wasn't any for her for the moment and knew that they would more than likely be dismissed soon.

"Thank you Doctor, put your head together with Dr. York and Mr. Ryder for any and all problems that you might encounter, and we'll need somewhere to house all these people, I'm suggesting the cargo hold as a sort of evacuee centre.  You'll probably need blankets and bed rolls, I suggest getting your junior staff on the replicators straight away for this.  It won't be luxury but we can keep them safe and we're going straight back to Innominatum so it shouldn't be that bad for a few days roughing it.  We'll have the best food and drink the replicators and Mess Hall can provide for them at least!  You're dismissed, give you as long as possible to prepare for this, if you need extra personnel, liaise with other department heads to see who can spare people.  Perhaps the Flight department before we get to the nebula, Security? Either way, good luck, keep me posted on progress and we'll evaluate once we're there what needs doing more."  The Captain said with a nod to her Medical team.

"Mr Lek, Mr Briggs, Mr. Waring.  I imagine you'll want to put your heads together along with Mr. ch'Verret potentially once I've had a word with him, to sort out defences against whatever we will be up against and the best methods, and contingency plans for the evacuation.  You could perhaps use the Chief of Operations office for that?  You may all go now with the exception of Mr. ch'Verret.  Mr. Litt, Mr. Dradis... start preparations for departure.  I'll be on the Bridge in about 15 mins. Dismiss."

[A little later - after the meeting was dismissed]

Lahr had remained behind after the room was dismissed.  He'd taken a moment to put on his newest chevron and then went to the replicator to get himself a glass of ice-water to rehydrate himself.  After the last person left, other than the Captain, he approached.

"You wished to see me about a special assignment, Captain?"

Ruth waited until people departed and then smiled as Lahr approached her.

"Lahr, I had faith in you. Even back when you wanted to quit, I saw..." she gave a shrug.  "Something... I'm not sure what but something made me want to keep you on the crew... my crew now, and I'm glad I did.  I be much more poorly equipped in crew terms if I didn't have you.  I hope I didn't embarrass you too much.  I saw your antennae swivelling like crazy!  I swear they have a life of their own some days!" The Captain grinned.

"Anyhow, this 'Special Assignment', one I really can't trust to anyone else.  If I left it to Will, we'd probably end up with 'Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep' and 'Agadoo' as our First Dance as a couple!  Basically DJ Lahr.. would you do the music for our wedding please?!  I want a kick-ass party, and something nice to have a dance to for the first dance.  You think you're up for that? Obviously you're invited to the wedding, and not to embarass you too much hopefully but - top table.  Because you were supportive of me right from I arrived on Innominatum. And for that, thank you.  I'm honoured to call you my friend. "

She waited for Lahr to make comment while going and getting herself a Ratkajino.

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

[Sciences]

[As NPC Lt. Cmdr. Evie Wardropper, CSO]

Evie had gone down to the Main Science Labs, when Meltem arrived she smiled.  "OK which way do you want to do this?  Do we both work on the report for the device, or do the Nebula first, or one of us work on one, and one the other?  I'm voting on giving the Captain whatever we have so far on the brain washing device with a hypothesis, but then after our meeting with her, work on that more.  We need the information on the Nebula sooner rather than later, but before we send out a probe or scans we should be able to pull up information about that enough to give us a start.  It's a known place not the wild frontier so to speak.  Your thoughts?"

For all she was the CSO she preferred to work with her junior staff rather than 'lord it' over them, she fully expected and encouraged them to be able to take her position if she retired or was sick, in order to do that they needed to be able to voice opinions and spread their wings a little.

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

[Sickbay]

[AS NPC Dr. Maggie York CMO]

Maggie waited for Liv and Ryder to get to the Sickbay and then smiled.  "We have a lot to do, but Liv I'm giving lead on this to you.  Not because I want to get out of it but you've rather been thrust into a senior position, I'm not leaving yet.  I won't until we've dealt with Leyton once and for all.  Not that I doubt you but I don't want to drop you in the middle of it when potentially there may be battles and a lot of casualties."

She pulled a 'wry smile' and said "Sure, we call it boring when we're twiddling our thumbs and doing medicals and regular check ups on say Kixxa's pregnancy and stuff but it's a lot easier to handle and we don't wish anyone killed or seriously injured obviously.  But like I say - you will be lead on this, the more 'tricky situations' that you handle successfully, the more you'll be prepared when I eventually stay on Innominatum."

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

[Bridge - Tal'Bath]

[As NPC Hecate]

Hecate returned to her own ship and was sure that most of the Challenger senior staff mistrusted her, with good cause.  She wasn't proud of what she'd done in the past but that was how it was.

"Make ready for disembarkation.  We move on Challenger's signal.  Liaise with their helm, a Lt. Litt I believe he's called, and I suspect it will be Petty Officer ch'Verret on Operations and Communications.  Keep an open channel.  They'll let you know when as they'll be liaising with base operations for departure.  We will be travelling at a distance of around 4000km aft and to port of them, cloaked.  They are aware of the cloaking, we don't want to be inconvenienced by the enemy and until we have to show our hand, we don't want them knowing we're there."

[Kyle Briggs]

[Conference Room]

"Lt. Kyle Briggs is hereby promoted to the position of Second Officer and Acting Chief of Security and Tactical since Lt. Taray has to take Medical Leave for a wonderful reason - she is expecting a baby.  I'm sure we all wish her well.  Dr. Briggs, I think we might have to organise a baby shower!, Mr. Briggs has at present no elevation in rank, but I don't doubt that will come shortly!"

Kyle offered a small nod and smile to Ruth. "Thank you, Ma'am. I'll do my best." He than listened on as the Captain continued with her announcements. When she got to the Ops Officer, Kyle looked his way and noticed that Lahr appeared to keep watching Hecate. Was he still nervous about the brain washing issue or was it something else? Kyle made a mental note to have a chat with the newly promoted man. He was brought back to the here and now when he noticed Lahr speak in his direction.

PO2 ShranLahr ch'Verret

Lahr's antenna lashed back and forth wildly at a complete loss as to what to say to the Captain's words.  That his promotion was her favorite meant more to him than the actual promotion itself.   He blinked back the moisture from his eyes.  "Thank you, ma'am.   For everything... you could have easily just accepted my resignation months back.  I'm grateful you convinced me that there were other ways I could be a part of the ship's crew other than sec/tac..."  He glanced to Kyle.  "No offense, sir."

"None taken, Petty Officer." Kyle replied with a smile.

" I'm sure we can do that and congratulations, Mr Briggs" she said happily, using a name, they often teased each other with. However was then left momentarily stunned as Ruth's attention moved to her, trying to comprehend what she was saying, until it finally registered as she was handed the box. When she had graduated, Liv hadn't expected to move up the ranks so quickly, so this was definitely a pleasant shock, that took her a few moments to acknowledge.

"And to you, Lieutenant Briggs." he answered back with a smile. He was very proud of Liv. She always worked very hard and deserved this very much.

The meeting continued and they began bouncing around some ideas aloud. Kyle listened as Lek started saying his calculations so that everyone could hear them. Kyle had to admit that he was very impressed with the Ferengi. And he was also in agreement with the Engineers assessment of using the shuttles and so he mentioned it.

"I have to agree with the Chief, Captain." he began. "If we send the shuttles, they're gonna be easy targets. I'm sure it's something we can further discuss once you're done with Mister Lahr."

[Don Damien Addams]

[Conference Room]

Ruth chuckled then smiled at Jasper.  "Actually, make it an hour, there's a few subspace communications I need to make and I need to change so you get an extra thirty minutes, but don't always rely on me to be that generous!  Commander Wardropper, delegate someone to Bridge duty to start the scans once we're underway."

"Yes, Captain.  I had a feeling you'd want as few people as possible working on the brain washing device since it's highly sensitive, I would have known about it anyhow given my position but I happened to walk into the labs looking for someone." Evie said with a shrug.

"Well that's fine, but I'd like you both on the Bridge when we are approaching the Nebula, I don't want any surprises. Dismissed... go get your research done, we disembark as soon as Mr. Litt and Mr. Dradis can get us cleared and we have all personnel on board."

"Thank you Doctor, put your head together with Dr. York and Mr. Ryder for any and all problems that you might encounter, and we'll need somewhere to house all these people, I'm suggesting the cargo hold as a sort of evacuee centre.  You'll probably need blankets and bed rolls, I suggest getting your junior staff on the replicators straight away for this.  It won't be luxury but we can keep them safe and we're going straight back to Innominatum so it shouldn't be that bad for a few days roughing it.  We'll have the best food and drink the replicators and Mess Hall can provide for them at least!  You're dismissed, give you as long as possible to prepare for this, if you need extra personnel, liaise with other department heads to see who can spare people.  Perhaps the Flight department before we get to the nebula, Security? Either way, good luck, keep me posted on progress and we'll evaluate once we're there what needs doing more."  The Captain said with a nod to her Medical team.

"Mr Lek, Mr Briggs, Mr. Waring.  I imagine you'll want to put your heads together along with Mr. ch'Verret potentially once I've had a word with him, to sort out defences against whatever we will be up against and the best methods, and contingency plans for the evacuation.  You could perhaps use the Chief of Operations office for that?  You may all go now with the exception of Mr. ch'Verret.  Mr. Litt, Mr. Dradis... start preparations for departure.  I'll be on the Bridge in about 15 mins. Dismiss."

Ruth waited until people departed and then smiled as Lahr approached her.

"Lahr, I had faith in you. Even back when you wanted to quit, I saw..." she gave a shrug.  "Something... I'm not sure what but something made me want to keep you on the crew... my crew now, and I'm glad I did.  I be much more poorly equipped in crew terms if I didn't have you.  I hope I didn't embarrass you too much.  I saw your antennae swivelling like crazy!  I swear they have a life of their own some days!" The Captain grinned.

"Anyhow, this 'Special Assignment', one I really can't trust to anyone else.  If I left it to Will, we'd probably end up with 'Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep' and 'Agadoo' as our First Dance as a couple!  Basically DJ Lahr.. would you do the music for our wedding please?!  I want a kick-ass party, and something nice to have a dance to for the first dance.  You think you're up for that? Obviously you're invited to the wedding, and not to embarass you too much hopefully but - top table.  Because you were supportive of me right from I arrived on Innominatum. And for that, thank you.  I'm honoured to call you my friend. "

She waited for Lahr to make comment while going and getting herself a Ratkajino.

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

[Sciences]

[As NPC Lt. Cmdr. Evie Wardropper, CSO]

Evie had gone down to the Main Science Labs, when Meltem arrived she smiled.  "OK which way do you want to do this?  Do we both work on the report for the device, or do the Nebula first, or one of us work on one, and one the other?  I'm voting on giving the Captain whatever we have so far on the brain washing device with a hypothesis, but then after our meeting with her, work on that more.  We need the information on the Nebula sooner rather than later, but before we send out a probe or scans we should be able to pull up information about that enough to give us a start.  It's a known place not the wild frontier so to speak.  Your thoughts?"

For all she was the CSO she preferred to work with her junior staff rather than 'lord it' over them, she fully expected and encouraged them to be able to take her position if she retired or was sick, in order to do that they needed to be able to voice opinions and spread their wings a little.

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

[Sickbay]

[AS NPC Dr. Maggie York CMO]

Maggie waited for Liv and Ryder to get to the Sickbay and then smiled.  "We have a lot to do, but Liv I'm giving lead on this to you.  Not because I want to get out of it but you've rather been thrust into a senior position, I'm not leaving yet.  I won't until we've dealt with Leyton once and for all.  Not that I doubt you but I don't want to drop you in the middle of it when potentially there may be battles and a lot of casualties."

She pulled a 'wry smile' and said "Sure, we call it boring when we're twiddling our thumbs and doing medicals and regular check ups on say Kixxa's pregnancy and stuff but it's a lot easier to handle and we don't wish anyone killed or seriously injured obviously.  But like I say - you will be lead on this, the more 'tricky situations' that you handle successfully, the more you'll be prepared when I eventually stay on Innominatum."

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

[Bridge - Tal'Bath]

[As NPC Hecate]

Hecate returned to her own ship and was sure that most of the Challenger senior staff mistrusted her, with good cause.  She wasn't proud of what she'd done in the past but that was how it was.

"Make ready for disembarkation.  We move on Challenger's signal.  Liaise with their helm, a Lt. Litt I believe he's called, and I suspect it will be Petty Officer ch'Verret on Operations and Communications.  Keep an open channel.  They'll let you know when as they'll be liaising with base operations for departure.  We will be travelling at a distance of around 4000km aft and to port of them, cloaked.  They are aware of the cloaking, we don't want to be inconvenienced by the enemy and until we have to show our hand, we don't want them knowing we're there."

[USS Challenger - Science lab]

Jasper walked in behind Wardropper. "The Captain first order was the Brainwash machine under thirty minutes. We can possible do forty five minutes and then do Crimson Nebula," he walked over to the locker where the machine was. He used the security to unlock it and carefully moved it to the working station.

Computer set alarm for forty five minutes he told the computer.

Right. Time to think fast. They need to figure a reverse system on this. He pressed buttons on the console to bring up the hologram layers.

Then he snagged a science tool. He scan some areas of the machine. "Seems this technology has a way to send vibration which puts the brain relax mode. Like a dream when guard is down. For sending suggestions over and over to the brain stem and which sends a high wave of new electroencephalogram which stimulates the process of that brainwashing," he reported looking up at the head department of Science.

[William Waring]

[Conference Room]
"Mr Lek, Mr Briggs, Mr. Waring.  I imagine you'll want to put your heads together along with Mr. ch'Verret potentially once I've had a word with him, to sort out defences against whatever we will be up against and the best methods, and contingency plans for the evacuation.  You could perhaps use the Chief of Operations office for that?  You may all go now with the exception of Mr. ch'Verret.  Mr. Litt, Mr. Dradis... start preparations for departure.  I'll be on the Bridge in about 15 mins. Dismiss."

[Conference Room]

"Yes ma'am. While I doubt Kyle will be of much help, I would be glad to show him how a proper job is done." he joked, taking a playful jab at Kyle, a name he hadn't gotten to on the roster during his transfer. He had silently listened the entire time Ruth spoke and had made some mental notes regarding the goings-on. It seems he was definitely being thrown in the deep end with this situation. It wasn't all holo-zombies and economic summits on the Challenger it seemed. Nevertheless, he had a job to do and now wasn't the time to worry about how much work he had ahead of him.

"We could use the Cargo Transporters for retrieval. They normally aren't operated on the Quantum Resolution because, well, cargo doesn't need the same level of resolution as a person but that shouldn't be too much trouble to correct. I did a few times during my training on Mars. My Transporter Operations Certification required that I could reconfigure a Cargo Transporter for Quantum Resolution. That should get us an extra... three transporters? That is assuming my memory is serving me right." he said as he moved to exit the Conference Room "The problem of shields persists, however. I don't suppose anyone has any way of beaming through shields?" he asked, continuing his movement from the Conference Room.

[Olivia Briggs]

[Conference Room - Challenger]

When Kyle returned her congratulations and called her by her new rank, Liv smiled, knowing how proud he was of her, without having to say anything. They were always so supportive of one another, that she honestly felt as though she could achieve anything and everything, safe in the knowledge, that he was with her every step of the way and vice versa.

Although thoughts of her promotion were then put to one side as others in the room gave their input, answered the Captain and generally began to prepare for what was to come. That included what the Captain requested of her and Medical in terms of what they needed to do, when the rescued those in Leyton's clutches, agreeing with being as ready as possible, before they were then dismissed.

[Sickbay - Challenger]

Arriving in Sickbay, after a quick change and an equally brief chat with Tish about Elijah, Liv then caught up with Maggie. Listening as the CMO told her, that she wanted Liv to take a lead on this, the reasons why and Liv appreciated all of that and the faith, she had in her, to be successful. Besides she was right, the more experience of different situations would go a long way in helping her, for when the time came for Maggie to stay behind on the outpost.

" I understand completely, Maggie and I appreciate you giving me the lead on this" she replied, as ideas and the meeting played on her mind. " We don't have a lot of time and I know the Captain wants us to prep the cargo hold, so lets get things going, so its all set up and ready to go, perhaps we can include a triage station, for those who need medical attention, so we can assess and delegate, so Sickbay isn't too overwhelmed".

[Lek]

[Conference Room]

"Yes ma'am. While I doubt Kyle will be of much help, I would be glad to show him how a proper job is done." he joked, taking a playful jab at Kyle, a name he hadn't gotten to on the roster during his transfer. He had silently listened the entire time Ruth spoke and had made some mental notes regarding the goings-on. It seems he was definitely being thrown in the deep end with this situation. It wasn't all holo-zombies and economic summits on the Challenger it seemed. Nevertheless, he had a job to do and now wasn't the time to worry about how much work he had ahead of him.

"We could use the Cargo Transporters for retrieval. They normally aren't operated on the Quantum Resolution because, well, cargo doesn't need the same level of resolution as a person but that shouldn't be too much trouble to correct. I did a few times during my training on Mars. My Transporter Operations Certification required that I could reconfigure a Cargo Transporter for Quantum Resolution. That should get us an extra... three transporters? That is assuming my memory is serving me right." he said as he moved to exit the Conference Room "The problem of shields persists, however. I don't suppose anyone has any way of beaming through shields?" he asked, continuing his movement from the Conference Room.

[Conference Room -USS Challenger]

Lek listened to the new first officer and did like his suggestion to use the cargo transporters, but some quick math told him even they wouldn't be enough.

"Sir, the cargo transporters are large with 96 pads each and as you said, we have three of them, but even adding them into the package, that will still only give us the ability to transport 400 at a time, which will take two cycles. That does reduce the time our shields will be down to just twenty seconds, which is much better than a minute, but even twenty seconds with shields down in combat is an eternity.

"However, your statement about beaming through the shields does have precedent. As with all Starfleet ships, the Challenger uses a high-energy sensor system, which cycles every 5.5 minutes, with a window of a fiftieth of a second, getting someone through that window is possible, but typically you are talking about an individual, not four hundred. In addition, having to wait for the shields to cycle means we'd have to stand by for another five point five minutes before we could rescue the remaining one hundred and you can be certain Leyton's forces just wouldn't sit around during that time.

"Our best bet would be to warp in suicidally close to our objective and drop our shields just before they cycle. Beam out the first four hundred, raise our shields, then when they cycle, beam out the remaining hundred.

"The timing on this plan would be astronomically tight and I'm not certain of its success, but it does answer the question of how to rescue five hundred people with shields down less than ten seconds with one ship."

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger-A - Conference Room]

[Conference Room - USS Challenger]

Lek frowned at the task of recovering 500 hostages while under fire. He went over the facts regarding the Challenger's systems that would matter in his head.

"Four transporter rooms with six pads each and four emergency transporters with 22 pads each for a total of... 112 pads. Ten seconds per cycle, would take five cycles to transport 500 personnel, so call it one full minute with the shields down to transport everyone.

"Total personnel that the shuttles can carry in single lift with everyone of them in use is... 114. We'd still need five lifts and that a lot of people in very fragile targets all stacked up at the shuttle bay at once. We could keep our shields up to protect them once they got close, but the turn around time would take three to five minutes, so that would be fifteen to twenty-five minutes.

"Even if we combine usage, that 226, even if we exceeded maximum lift to 250, we'd still need two lifts to make that all happen. Two transporter cycles means shields would only be down for twenty seconds and the shuttles exposed no longer than ten minutes, but all of that doesn't take into account anything going wrong or the actions of the opposition.

"Even counting the point of impact shields and our ablative armor, I don't see how we avoid potentially crippling damage which would keep us from escaping that would not only doom the hostages, but the entire crew of the Challenger. If this is going to work, we are going to have to get creative."

Lek's frown deepened as he began to game out options that would allow them to succeed while avoiding destruction.

[Conference Room]

Kyle offered a small nod and smile to Ruth. "Thank you, Ma'am. I'll do my best." He than listened on as the Captain continued with her announcements. When she got to the Ops Officer, Kyle looked his way and noticed that Lahr appeared to keep watching Hecate. Was he still nervous about the brain washing issue or was it something else? Kyle made a mental note to have a chat with the newly promoted man. He was brought back to the here and now when he noticed Lahr speak in his direction.

"None taken, Petty Officer." Kyle replied with a smile.

"And to you, Lieutenant Briggs." he answered back with a smile. He was very proud of Liv. She always worked very hard and deserved this very much.

The meeting continued and they began bouncing around some ideas aloud. Kyle listened as Lek started saying his calculations so that everyone could hear them. Kyle had to admit that he was very impressed with the Ferengi. And he was also in agreement with the Engineers assessment of using the shuttles and so he mentioned it.

"I have to agree with the Chief, Captain." he began. "If we send the shuttles, they're gonna be easy targets. I'm sure it's something we can further discuss once you're done with Mister Lahr."

Lahr listened to Lek's detailed calculations... and the Ferengi's calc's were correct.  What they needed was some way to beam through their own shields, timing the transporter beam frequency with their own shield modulations.  It really shouldn't be that difficult.. theoretically.  Lahr just hoped he wasn't going to be the one asked to do it.  If they were off by even a fraction...

Lahr winced at the thought of the number of lives that could be lost in that single beam up.

Eh, maybe it was best to let Lek, Briggs and the XO figure out the plan.

[Conference Room]

Ruth chuckled then smiled at Jasper.  "Actually, make it an hour, there's a few subspace communications I need to make and I need to change so you get an extra thirty minutes, but don't always rely on me to be that generous!  Commander Wardropper, delegate someone to Bridge duty to start the scans once we're underway."

"Yes, Captain.  I had a feeling you'd want as few people as possible working on the brain washing device since it's highly sensitive, I would have known about it anyhow given my position but I happened to walk into the labs looking for someone." Evie said with a shrug.

"Well that's fine, but I'd like you both on the Bridge when we are approaching the Nebula, I don't want any surprises. Dismissed... go get your research done, we disembark as soon as Mr. Litt and Mr. Dradis can get us cleared and we have all personnel on board."

"Thank you Doctor, put your head together with Dr. York and Mr. Ryder for any and all problems that you might encounter, and we'll need somewhere to house all these people, I'm suggesting the cargo hold as a sort of evacuee centre.  You'll probably need blankets and bed rolls, I suggest getting your junior staff on the replicators straight away for this.  It won't be luxury but we can keep them safe and we're going straight back to Innominatum so it shouldn't be that bad for a few days roughing it.  We'll have the best food and drink the replicators and Mess Hall can provide for them at least!  You're dismissed, give you as long as possible to prepare for this, if you need extra personnel, liaise with other department heads to see who can spare people.  Perhaps the Flight department before we get to the nebula, Security? Either way, good luck, keep me posted on progress and we'll evaluate once we're there what needs doing more."  The Captain said with a nod to her Medical team.

"Mr Lek, Mr Briggs, Mr. Waring.  I imagine you'll want to put your heads together along with Mr. ch'Verret potentially once I've had a word with him, to sort out defences against whatever we will be up against and the best methods, and contingency plans for the evacuation.  You could perhaps use the Chief of Operations office for that?  You may all go now with the exception of Mr. ch'Verret.  Mr. Litt, Mr. Dradis... start preparations for departure.  I'll be on the Bridge in about 15 mins. Dismiss."

Ruth waited until people departed and then smiled as Lahr approached her.

"Lahr, I had faith in you. Even back when you wanted to quit, I saw..." she gave a shrug.  "Something... I'm not sure what but something made me want to keep you on the crew... my crew now, and I'm glad I did.  I be much more poorly equipped in crew terms if I didn't have you.  I hope I didn't embarrass you too much.  I saw your antennae swivelling like crazy!  I swear they have a life of their own some days!" The Captain grinned.

"Anyhow, this 'Special Assignment', one I really can't trust to anyone else.  If I left it to Will, we'd probably end up with 'Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep' and 'Agadoo' as our First Dance as a couple!  Basically DJ Lahr.. would you do the music for our wedding please?!  I want a kick-ass party, and something nice to have a dance to for the first dance.  You think you're up for that? Obviously you're invited to the wedding, and not to embarrass you too much hopefully but - top table.  Because you were supportive of me right from I arrived on Innominatum. And for that, thank you.  I'm honoured to call you my friend. "

She waited for Lahr to make comment while going and getting herself a Ratkajino.

The Andorian stood in front of the Captain, his antenna alertly pointed forward in anticipation, weaving slightly in uncertainty as Lahr waited for the Captain to speak.  When she did, first praising him and his skills, he straightened a bit.  It felt good to be recognized.  Her noting of his antenna twisting earlier made him a bit self-conscious now and he tried to stop its current waving though with limited success.  "It wasn't embarrassment, ma'am.  I just... I know it's not my place to comment on your decisions... but I don't trust Hecate and it shows.  I'll try to not show it so much next time, but yeah they aren't easy to control... it's like asking a Vulcan not to calculate to the nth decimal, or telling a human not to flush in embarrassment when their baby photo is passed around."

When the Captain got around to mentioning his special assignment, Lahr who had been anticipating something along the lines of the undercover work he'd done to learn about Hecate's drug ring, was a bit surprised and momentarily disappointed - his antenna drooping slightly - at the request to DJ a wedding, until he heard Ruth say that she considered him a friend.  Well, at that, his answer was a given.  His antenna perked and he gave a classic Lahr-wink as he nodded.

"You got it, Captain! Your wedding and reception will be the best damn party in the quadrant!"

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Conference Room]

"Yes ma'am. While I doubt Kyle will be of much help, I would be glad to show him how a proper job is done." he joked, taking a playful jab at Kyle, a name he hadn't gotten to on the roster during his transfer. He had silently listened the entire time Ruth spoke and had made some mental notes regarding the goings-on. It seems he was definitely being thrown in the deep end with this situation. It wasn't all holo-zombies and economic summits on the Challenger it seemed. Nevertheless, he had a job to do and now wasn't the time to worry about how much work he had ahead of him.

"We could use the Cargo Transporters for retrieval. They normally aren't operated on the Quantum Resolution because, well, cargo doesn't need the same level of resolution as a person but that shouldn't be too much trouble to correct. I did a few times during my training on Mars. My Transporter Operations Certification required that I could reconfigure a Cargo Transporter for Quantum Resolution. That should get us an extra... three transporters? That is assuming my memory is serving me right." he said as he moved to exit the Conference Room "The problem of shields persists, however. I don't suppose anyone has any way of beaming through shields?" he asked, continuing his movement from the Conference Room.

[Conference Room -USS Challenger]

Lek listened to the new first officer and did like his suggestion to use the cargo transporters, but some quick math told him even they wouldn't be enough.

"Sir, the cargo transporters are large with 96 pads each and as you said, we have three of them, but even adding them into the package, that will still only give us the ability to transport 400 at a time, which will take two cycles. That does reduce the time our shields will be down to just twenty seconds, which is much better than a minute, but even twenty seconds with shields down in combat is an eternity.

"However, your statement about beaming through the shields does have precedent. As with all Starfleet ships, the Challenger uses a high-energy sensor system, which cycles every 5.5 minutes, with a window of a fiftieth of a second, getting someone through that window is possible, but typically you are talking about an individual, not four hundred. In addition, having to wait for the shields to cycle means we'd have to stand by for another five point five minutes before we could rescue the remaining one hundred and you can be certain Leyton's forces just wouldn't sit around during that time.

"Our best bet would be to warp in suicidally close to our objective and drop our shields just before they cycle. Beam out the first four hundred, raise our shields, then when they cycle, beam out the remaining hundred.

"The timing on this plan would be astronomically tight and I'm not certain of its success, but it does answer the question of how to rescue five hundred people with shields down less than ten seconds with one ship."

[Conference Room - Earlier]

"I'll trust you to work it out gentlemen, just run any ploys by me first!  I'll leave you to plot ... elsewhere.  One word of warning, I don't know much about this Nebula yet, but once we get the Scientific scans we may not be able to use the transporters at all - interference, or there may be bad weather which would prevent our use of shuttles too.  A lot to think about.  I'd work with the Flight Department too to see if they can come up with anything that might make the shuttles more... battleworthy.  I have past experience of your wacky but brilliant schemes Mr. Lek!" the Captain said with a grin.

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger-A - Conference Room]

Lahr listened to Lek's detailed calculations... and the Ferengi's calc's were correct.  What they needed was some way to beam through their own shields, timing the transporter beam frequency with their own shield modulations.  It really shouldn't be that difficult.. theoretically.  Lahr just hoped he wasn't going to be the one asked to do it.  If they were off by even a fraction...

Lahr winced at the thought of the number of lives that could be lost in that single beam up.

Eh, maybe it was best to let Lek, Briggs and the XO figure out the plan.

The Andorian stood in front of the Captain, his antenna alertly pointed forward in anticipation, weaving slightly in uncertainty as Lahr waited for the Captain to speak.  When she did, first praising him and his skills, he straightened a bit.  It felt good to be recognized.  Her noting of his antenna twisting earlier made him a bit self-conscious now and he tried to stop its current waving though with limited success.  "It wasn't embarrassment, ma'am.  I just... I know it's not my place to comment on your decisions... but I don't trust Hecate and it shows.  I'll try to not show it so much next time, but yeah they aren't easy to control... it's like asking a Vulcan not to calculate to the nth decimal, or telling a human not to flush in embarrassment when their baby photo is passed around."

When the Captain got around to mentioning his special assignment, Lahr who had been anticipating something along the lines of the undercover work he'd done to learn about Hecate's drug ring, was a bit surprised and momentarily disappointed - his antenna drooping slightly - at the request to DJ a wedding, until he heard Ruth say that she considered him a friend.  Well, at that, his answer was a given.  His antenna perked and he gave a classic Lahr-wink as he nodded.

"You got it, Captain! Your wedding and reception will be the best damn party in the quadrant!"

[Conference Room - Present]

"I can understand your confusion and suspicion Lahr, but Hecate is a friend.  Hecate isn't even her real name, but that's not my story to tell.  I know she was a drug dealer, but that was a cover, and she had to make it look good, look as evil as Leyton in order to get close to him, get him to trust her.  I speak in the utmost confidence about this next bit.  They violated her daughters in front of her, then slit their throats, and her 2 sons, the family dog.  Her husband they hung... they at least gave the children a somewhat quicker death.  Hecate is out to destroy Leyton, and the reason she was round the wormhole when we blew up the USS Redav is that she was there for a couple of reasons.  First to see if Leyton had picked up the money from the drugs while he was Innominatum, and then to try some way of doing away with him. As she told Sukal and myself, she wasn't sure how she was going to do it, maybe poison his wine."

Ruth paused and shrugged.  "When she realised that we had a common cause and we didn't necessarily want to kill anyone and had orders to capture Leyton, she was a little disappointed that we couldn't kill him, but so long as there is justice for her family, she's not particularly bothered...and having a cloaked vessel on our side might just be the extra 'something' to turn the tide of any battle."

Turning her attention to pleasanter things she grinned when Lahr said he was happy to DJ for the party.  "Knew I could rely on you, there'll be a few songs that are non-negotiable and we'll sort out a first dance song between us... other than that so long as there is a lot of classic rock music in there I'll be happy!"

Still smiling the Captain stood. "Sorry but we've got a ship to take out!  No rest for the wicked and as my fiance will tell you I can be very wicked!"

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"Ops confirm that all personnel are on board and request permission to undock.  Relay our intentions to the Tal'Bath."

She made her way to the centre chair and removed the cat... again.

"And someone get rid of this damn cat!  Out of the Bridge area I mean, not permanently!" Ruth amended quickly when she got looked at by a couple of junior officers.

Captain to Crewman Gohun, Ensign T'Kel, Petty Officer Blackfeather, Crewman Thompson and Crewman Tragnar.  Report to Sickbay.  You are detailed to help the Medical Department prepare for the evacuation.  Dr. Briggs will direct you from there. Sigurdsdottir out.  Ruth called in some reinforcements from the Security Department to help out Medical.  She knew Kyle would be more occupied in helping sort out potential battle tactics and evacuation procedures.

That said she sent the list of names in a message to both the Briggs.

TO: Dr. O. Briggs, A-CMO; Lt. K. Briggs A-COS/T
FROM: Capt. R. Sigurdsdottir, CO
RE: Security assistance for Medical

I have assigned the following staff to Medical for the duration of this trip to the Crimson Nebula.  Mr. Briggs if you need them elsewhere you still have jurisdiction to place them wherever needed.  I just think prepping the cargo hold for 500+ evacuees is going to be rather a tall order even for our brilliant Medical staff inside a few hours.

Staff are Ensign T'Kel, Petty Officer Blackfeather, Crewman Thompson, Crewman Gohun and Crewman Tragnar

~ END MESSAGE~

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

[USS Challenger - Science lab]

Jasper walked in behind Wardropper. "The Captain first order was the Brainwash machine under thirty minutes. We can possible do forty five minutes and then do Crimson Nebula," he walked over to the locker where the machine was. He used the security to unlock it and carefully moved it to the working station.

Computer set alarm for forty five minutes he told the computer.

Right. Time to think fast. They need to figure a reverse system on this. He pressed buttons on the console to bring up the hologram layers.

Then he snagged a science tool. He scan some areas of the machine. "Seems this technology has a way to send vibration which puts the brain relax mode. Like a dream when guard is down. For sending suggestions over and over to the brain stem and which sends a high wave of new electroencephalogram which stimulates the process of that brainwashing," he reported looking up at the head department of Science.

[Sciences]

[AS NPC Lt. Cmdr. Wardropper CSO]

"Good plan on the alarm! Regarding the brainwasher...interesting.  Sooo, potentially if they could replicate the frequency of vibrations that were used, but have it down in Sickbay, we could then remove the auto-suggested data if we could isolate it?" Evie hypothesised.  "I'm not sure, we might have to check with the Medical Department on that, but it's enough to go on for the Captain.  I think from what she was saying she's not so much interested in the device as managing to be able to 'release' those that are affected by it."

The CSO paused and said.  "Something is bothering me though.  This Crimson Nebula, why is it crimson?? Could there be something there that is going to require EV suits... I'm thinking not, because if he has the cadets there... providing EV suits for that many people... the logistics of that are not really appealing.  But there was talk of beaming the cadets out, is there anything that is going to prevent us using the transporters, anything that's going to be hazardous to the shuttlecraft if those are used."

She paused, sighed and looked at Jasper.  "I'm sorry, I'm a grandmother.  I want to get those kids out of there alive and save and back home to their families.  But first let's see what else we can get on that shiny helm of ours!"

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

[Sickbay - Challenger]

Arriving in Sickbay, after a quick change and an equally brief chat with Tish about Elijah, Liv then caught up with Maggie. Listening as the CMO told her, that she wanted Liv to take a lead on this, the reasons why and Liv appreciated all of that and the faith, she had in her, to be successful. Besides she was right, the more experience of different situations would go a long way in helping her, for when the time came for Maggie to stay behind on the outpost.

" I understand completely, Maggie and I appreciate you giving me the lead on this" she replied, as ideas and the meeting played on her mind. " We don't have a lot of time and I know the Captain wants us to prep the cargo hold, so lets get things going, so its all set up and ready to go, perhaps we can include a triage station, for those who need medical attention, so we can assess and delegate, so Sickbay isn't too overwhelmed".

[Sickbay]

[AS NPC Dr. Maggie York, CSO]

Maggie smiled, she was pretty sure that Liv was going to do brilliantly as CMO, judging by her automatic response to her 'landing her in it'.

"You got it boss!" She teased.  "Right, where do you want me, and triage station is a damn good idea.  I think also using that delegation to replicate commonly required medicines, ration packs, blankets.  I wonder if it's a good idea to ask Mr. Lek if we can use the industrial replicators.  Might be quicker to replicate larger quantities of the larger items."

[Richard James Litt]

[USS Challenger · Conference Room]

Litt and Dradis took their places at the meeting and prepared to take notes about what the Captain was about to say.

"Right, quieten down.  For those not used to my meetings, my normal modus operandi is that if you require a drink then please, help yourself so long as you do it quietly and don't inconvenience anyone else by doing so.  I'll get straight down to business."

"First... There are some introductions to be done.  You will have noticed that Commander Sukal is no longer with us.  I have his permission to let you know his reasons for departure.  His family were attacked by Leyton putting both his wife and eldest daughter in hospital.  He felt, quite rightly that his place was with them.  He extends his thanks, best wishes and good luck to all of you for your Starfleet careers and our campaign with Leyton and extends an invitation to those who served with him to contact him on the subspace network and keep in touch."  the Captain paused and swallowed.  For all she had some good news to come, she still missed Sukal deeply.

"He did however, recommend his replacement, one Commander William Q. Waring, who shall also serve as my Chief of Operations... and my husband to be.  I'm delighted to announce that we will be getting married on Innominatum in December."  Ruth paused slightly anticipating the murmurs of congratulations.

So... That explains a lot. Litt thought and then joined the other with Chief Dradis in the congratulations for the Captain.

"However, this brings me onto other new faces from last time we met.  We also have here Captain Hecate, some of you don't know the reason that she is here.  Suffice to say that she gave us information and will be helping us to get Leyton.  The noose around his neck is tightening, and the whole drug operation was a cover for her own operation to get back at Leyton.  I hope that you will find it in your hearts to embrace her into our united forces especially when I tell you that they murdered her family, right down to the dog, in front of her...sorry my dear.  They needed to know." Ruth reflected that the poor woman might not want the story engraved any further on her soul but the Challenger senior staff had a right to know.

"Moving swiftly on.  We also have Ensign Jasper Meltem and Lt. Commander Evelyn Wardropper in our Science Department.  Welcome one and all.  Now, someone mentioned people 'out of uniform' and indeed some people are."

"Litt... Maybe you can try work with Wardropper, about that science thing you wanted..." Dradis whispered to Litt and the boy simply nodded his head.

Reaching to a side bench behind her she grinned and picked up several boxes.

"Lt. Kyle Briggs is hereby promoted to the position of Second Officer and Acting Chief of Security and Tactical since Lt. Taray has to take Medical Leave for a wonderful reason - she is expecting a baby.  I'm sure we all wish her well.  Dr. Briggs, I think we might have to organise a baby shower!, Mr. Briggs has at present no elevation in rank, but I don't doubt that will come shortly!"

"Moving onto the other half of the dynamic duo, Liv, congratulations, you are now a full Lieutenant, the double promotion reflecting your many years service prior to taking up a commission, your work since you've been on the Challenger and the fact that you are now Assistant Chief of Medical.  Dr. York will also be leaving us once we capture Leyton as she and Dr. Al-Hambra will be marrying.  Congratulations both to Liv and Maggie."

When the captain began handing over the promotions, Litt was delighted to see her colleagues being promoted...

"Mr. Litt, I'm afraid you're out of uniform... but this might help!"  The Captain slid over a box.  "Congratulations, Lieutenant I have it on the say so of Mr. Dradis that you've earned that through hard work.  Well done."

When she called his name, he was very surprised and, once she told about Mr. Dradis, Litt looked at the Chief thanking him in silence.

"You deserved..." He said just moving his mouth with no sound.

Ruth turned on a stellar megawatt smile towards the Andorian in the room. "This, might actually be my favourite promotion today, and long overdue!" she said, tears of pride starting to prick her eyes.

"Not pips exactly since Mr ch'Verret is enlisted, but a new chevron.  Congratulations Petty Officer First Class.  Lahr it gives me the greatest pleasure to give you this box, you've earned it many many times over.  Also I'll be chasing up Mr. Waring to formalise that Assistant Chief job, Mr. Sukal said you were more than capable."

And the last one to received the promotion was Mr. Lahr... Litt was extremely happy for him since he did deserve that.

"Maybe we have to celebrate later with Mr. Lahr, don't you think?" Litt whispered to Mr. Dradis and the man just nodded.

"Now... I'll be around to chat to individually but I rather want to get underway within the next 2 hours so I'm going to make this brief." The Captain turned straight to business.  "We are heading to the Crimson Nebula, thanks to a joint effort of the Cadet who left the note, and Messrs Meltem and ch'Verret working out the clues, plus analysis from the Think Team while we were on Innominatum, which in turn matches information given to us by Captain Hecate... we believe that either the cadets are held in some facility there and/or it's Leyton's Headquarters.  If it's not his HQ then we have one further lead, which we will follow up after our Festive break on Innominatum."

Ruth looked around the room.  "Once I dismiss everyone I'd like Mr. Litt to lay in a course for the Crimson Nebula, Mr. Briggs and Mr. Lek I have a feeling we might get company, put your heads together to prepare as much as we can, I will forward a list of ships that I know that Leyton has commandeered, so we know what we may be up against.  Sciences - I need to know as much information as I possibly can about first the brainwashing device, what you've found so far and how we might be able to reverse the effects, and also whatever you can find in advance of us arriving there about the Crimson Nebula, what we might need to know and so on.  I would like to see both of you in my office with as much of a report as you can give 30 mins after this meeting."  The CO wasn't giving them much time but they didn't have much time, they could be at the Nebula inside 2 days.

"Medical, this is going to be a major evacuation, we don't know what state these cadets, and possibly some senior officers are going to be in.  I'd appreciate if you prepared yourself for this, we're looking potentially at 500 people.  Lek, Briggs, and Ops I'll leave you to work out the best way to get people out.  I'd normally say transporters but if we get company I don't want our shields down and us vulnerable.  It might require going down by shuttle... liaise with Mr. Litt and Mr. Dradis on that one. "

"Mr ch'Verret once you're done here with me and we're en route I'd like you to start long range scans, both for any ships in the area, Captain Hecate will be following us to offer firepower, but will be tailing us at a distance of 4000km and cloaked. Sciences scans on the Nebula once we're closer will be required.  Any thoughts or questions?  I'm sorry to rush everyone but I don't want to give Leyton the opportunity to wriggle out of this again."

Litt and Dradis paid attention at their next tasks and then shook their heads when the captain asked if there was any doubt.

Right after the Captain dismiss the meeting Litt stood up and one more time he congratulated every one that had promoted and left the conference room.

[USS Challenger · Bridge · Helm]

15 minutes passed from the end of the meeting and that moment, Litt was at the Helm, setting the course to the Nebula. It didn't take long and when he finished that he looked to the Captain.

"Ma'am... The course is setted... We are good to go as soon as you need."

[Olivia Briggs]

[Conference Room - Present]

That said she sent the list of names in a message to both the Briggs.

TO: Dr. O. Briggs, A-CMO; Lt. K. Briggs A-COS/T
FROM: Capt. R. Sigurdsdottir, CO
RE: Security assistance for Medical

I have assigned the following staff to Medical for the duration of this trip to the Crimson Nebula.  Mr. Briggs if you need them elsewhere you still have jurisdiction to place them wherever needed.  I just think prepping the cargo hold for 500+ evacuees is going to be rather a tall order even for our brilliant Medical staff inside a few hours.

Staff are Ensign T'Kel, Petty Officer Blackfeather, Crewman Thompson, Crewman Gohun and Crewman Tragnar

~ END MESSAGE~

[Sickbay]

[AS NPC Dr. Maggie York, CSO]

Maggie smiled, she was pretty sure that Liv was going to do brilliantly as CMO, judging by her automatic response to her 'landing her in it'.

"You got it boss!" She teased.  "Right, where do you want me, and triage station is a damn good idea.  I think also using that delegation to replicate commonly required medicines, ration packs, blankets.  I wonder if it's a good idea to ask Mr. Lek if we can use the industrial replicators.  Might be quicker to replicate larger quantities of the larger items."

[Sickbay - Challenger]

Despite the situation they were about to face, Liv grinned as Maggie teased her, before the CMO asked, where Liv wanted her, as well as agreeing with what had been said. Liv appreciated the support, especially given the uncertainty of it all, when it came to ensuring that everything was ready and also listened as Maggie added some suggestions to the plan.

" I think one of us, should remain here, whilst the other oversees the triage station, so we're covered for any emergencies and the more serious cases, as for replicating blankets, common medicines and other things we might need, that's a good idea too and I'm happy if you want to contact Lek, so we can use the bigger replicators" she replied, as her PADD then beeped with a message from Ruth.

" The Captain is sending us some help, in the form of four Security Officer's, so once they get here, we can start".

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[45 mins Later]

Having had it confirmed that all the crew was on board, and they had clearance from DS4 to depart, Ruth was glad to be underway.

[USS Challenger · Bridge · Helm]

15 minutes passed from the end of the meeting and that moment, Litt was at the Helm, setting the course to the Nebula. It didn't take long and when he finished that he looked to the Captain.

"Ma'am... The course is setted... We are good to go as soon as you need."

"Take her out Mr. Litt, Warp 4 once we're clear of the station, I think that will give us time enough to get things in place." the Captain said.

She waited for either Kyle or Will to show up on the bridge so that she could have the meeting with Sciences as soon as they were ready.

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

[Sickbay - Challenger]

Despite the situation they were about to face, Liv grinned as Maggie teased her, before the CMO asked, where Liv wanted her, as well as agreeing with what had been said. Liv appreciated the support, especially given the uncertainty of it all, when it came to ensuring that everything was ready and also listened as Maggie added some suggestions to the plan.

" I think one of us, should remain here, whilst the other oversees the triage station, so we're covered for any emergencies and the more serious cases, as for replicating blankets, common medicines and other things we might need, that's a good idea too and I'm happy if you want to contact Lek, so we can use the bigger replicators" she replied, as her PADD then beeped with a message from Ruth.

" The Captain is sending us some help, in the form of four Security Officer's, so once they get here, we can start".

[Sickbay]

[AS NPC Maggie York]

"Right I'll head down to Engineering and then the Cargo Bay and take 3 of the Security Crew with me once they show up.  I'll get set to replicating the blankets, bed rolls whatever.  I'll wait till they're here though or they will be gadding about all over the ship to find me!" Maggie chuckled. "Unless you prefer the Cargo Bay.  I think personally we're both going to be down there once we reach the Nebula, and possibly leave Chloe here to handle the Sickbay, we will have to see, I don't know what this might throw at us.  I don't want to pre-empt or panic just yet but at some point we might have to call in all the medical staff and rearrange the rota to accommodate that."

The CMO sighed.  "This is not a situation anyone can prepare totally for, we just have to prepare the best we can."

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger-A - Conference Room]

[Conference Room - Present]

"I can understand your confusion and suspicion Lahr, but Hecate is a friend.  Hecate isn't even her real name, but that's not my story to tell.  I know she was a drug dealer, but that was a cover, and she had to make it look good, look as evil as Leyton in order to get close to him, get him to trust her.  I speak in the utmost confidence about this next bit.  They violated her daughters in front of her, then slit their throats, and her 2 sons, the family dog.  Her husband they hung... they at least gave the children a somewhat quicker death.  Hecate is out to destroy Leyton, and the reason she was round the wormhole when we blew up the USS Redav is that she was there for a couple of reasons.  First to see if Leyton had picked up the money from the drugs while he was Innominatum, and then to try some way of doing away with him. As she told Sukal and myself, she wasn't sure how she was going to do it, maybe poison his wine."

Ruth paused and shrugged.  "When she realised that we had a common cause and we didn't necessarily want to kill anyone and had orders to capture Leyton, she was a little disappointed that we couldn't kill him, but so long as there is justice for her family, she's not particularly bothered...and having a cloaked vessel on our side might just be the extra 'something' to turn the tide of any battle."

Turning her attention to pleasanter things she grinned when Lahr said he was happy to DJ for the party.  "Knew I could rely on you, there'll be a few songs that are non-negotiable and we'll sort out a first dance song between us... other than that so long as there is a lot of classic rock music in there I'll be happy!"

Still smiling the Captain stood. "Sorry but we've got a ship to take out!  No rest for the wicked and as my fiance will tell you I can be very wicked!"

Lahr's antenna were weaving about almost tying themselves into knots as the Captain spoke, calling the Romulan drugdealer a 'friend', repeating again all the horrendous things that were done to her at the hands of Leyton supposedly.  Lahr had a hard time swallowing any of it.

Leyton was a traitor to the Federation, yes, but his reasons for doing so were not deviously evil.  It was not that the man promoted anarchy and raiders.  Quite the opposite, Leyton's whole manifesto. was that the civilian Federation government wasn't doing enough to protect its citizens.  How that translated into rape and murder, Lahr had no clue.  Yes, it could be argued that Hecate and her people were not Federation members and thus not under any umbrella of protection but Lahr still couldn't see a decorated Admiral condoning much less ordering such atrocities.   It went against everything the man had once stood for.  It was easier for Lahr to believe that the Romulan had made up the story to gain sympathy.  Something the Captain had in spades.

Lahr could see his words weren't going to change the Captain's mind, so with his antenna still writhing unhappily he nodded.  "Yes, ma'am - if you say so."

The topic of her preferred music style for the wedding reception perked him and he nodded again this time meaning it.  He couldn't wait to see what music she preferred.  At her dismissal, Lahr went to find Lek and the others to discuss ideas on how to move 500 people in under 20 seconds.  That was the best plan so far.

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

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"Ops confirm that all personnel are on board and request permission to undock.  Relay our intentions to the Tal'Bath."

She made her way to the centre chair and removed the cat... again.

"And someone get rid of this damn cat!  Out of the Bridge area I mean, not permanently!" Ruth amended quickly when she got looked at by a couple of junior officers.

Lahr who was back on the Bridge after the brainstorming with Lek and the others, nodded.  "Aye, sir."  Lahr had the computer scan through the transporter and airlock logs looking for any discrepancies - any who might of left the ship and not returned but the computer logs confirmed all were aboard.  He double checked with a search of all comm badges.  All accounted for and showing enabled on the comm system.  Lastly he ran a check to see if any hadn't reported in to their shift but everyone meant to be on shift were.

"All are aboard, Captain." he announced then opened the comms to the station to begin the request for undocking.

A minute later, after running through the checks with the Ops personnel on the station, Lahr called out to the Captain.  "We have permission to disembark.  Docking clamps are being released in ... three .. two.. one...  We are released."

In the meanwhile Crewman Tim, who was standing guard just to the side of the turbolift attentively, fetched the cat from the Captain.  He looked embarrassed that it had somehow snuck on the bridge without his noticing.

Tim disappeared into the turbolift with the cat, while Lahr continued with his task.  Next he had to relayed to the Tal'Bath Challenger's route out of the system and destination - the Crimson Nebula.

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

NPC Crewman Helga Tragnar
[USS Challenger-A - Deck 10 - corridor >> Sickbay]

Captain to Crewman Gohun, Ensign T'Kel, Petty Officer Blackfeather, Crewman Thompson and Crewman Tragnar.  Report to Sickbay.  You are detailed to help the Medical Department prepare for the evacuation.  Dr. Briggs will direct you from there. Sigurdsdottir out.  Ruth called in some reinforcements from the Security Department to help out Medical.  She knew Kyle would be more occupied in helping sort out potential battle tactics and evacuation procedures.

Helga and her partner Thompson acknowledged the order with a double tag of their comm badge before booking off their current assignment - someone else would be assigned to roving - then headed to Sickbay.

Arriving they sought someone in charge. "The Captain ordered us to assist.  What do you need us to do?"

[Kyle Briggs]

[Conference Room -USS Challenger]

Lek listened to the new first officer and did like his suggestion to use the cargo transporters, but some quick math told him even they wouldn't be enough.

"Sir, the cargo transporters are large with 96 pads each and as you said, we have three of them, but even adding them into the package, that will still only give us the ability to transport 400 at a time, which will take two cycles. That does reduce the time our shields will be down to just twenty seconds, which is much better than a minute, but even twenty seconds with shields down in combat is an eternity.

"However, your statement about beaming through the shields does have precedent. As with all Starfleet ships, the Challenger uses a high-energy sensor system, which cycles every 5.5 minutes, with a window of a fiftieth of a second, getting someone through that window is possible, but typically you are talking about an individual, not four hundred. In addition, having to wait for the shields to cycle means we'd have to stand by for another five point five minutes before we could rescue the remaining one hundred and you can be certain Leyton's forces just wouldn't sit around during that time.

"Our best bet would be to warp in suicidally close to our objective and drop our shields just before they cycle. Beam out the first four hundred, raise our shields, then when they cycle, beam out the remaining hundred.

"The timing on this plan would be astronomically tight and I'm not certain of its success, but it does answer the question of how to rescue five hundred people with shields down less than ten seconds with one ship."

Kyle listened intently as Lek laid out his thoughts about the cargo transporters. He really missed being in Engineering. He too in every word. Lek's idea sounded solid but, as he said, they would also be doing  this while under attack. With so much on the line, Kyle was now all business.

"Mister Lek and I could run a few simulations in the holodeck, Commander." he said to Will. "Maybe something will come to us with the shields while we're at it."

If Will agreed, Kyle and Lek would retread to the holo and this would free up Will to head to the Bridge so the Captain could have her meeting with the Science department.

[Don Damien Addams]

[Sciences]

[AS NPC Lt. Cmdr. Wardropper CSO]

"Good plan on the alarm! Regarding the brainwasher...interesting.  Sooo, potentially if they could replicate the frequency of vibrations that were used, but have it down in Sickbay, we could then remove the auto-suggested data if we could isolate it?" Evie hypothesised.  "I'm not sure, we might have to check with the Medical Department on that, but it's enough to go on for the Captain.  I think from what she was saying she's not so much interested in the device as managing to be able to 'release' those that are affected by it."

"This seems a task for medical and engineering and us as one team," he shared.  Computer can give us a hologram play on this machine being used on a hologram character. And allow us see inside the machine and hologram character's brain,  he ordered the computer.

The CSO paused and said.  "Something is bothering me though.  This Crimson Nebula, why is it crimson?? Could there be something there that is going to require EV suits... I'm thinking not, because if he has the cadets there... providing EV suits for that many people... the logistics of that are not really appealing.  But there was talk of beaming the cadets out, is there anything that is going to prevent us using the transporters, anything that's going to be hazardous to the shuttlecraft if those are used."

She paused, sighed and looked at Jasper.  "I'm sorry, I'm a grandmother.  I want to get those kids out of there alive and save and back home to their families.  But first let's see what else we can get on that shiny helm of ours!"

"I did not know your a grandmother. But I see the nebula like medicine see blood. When blood pumps through it is blue and when it reaches the air turns red. You have a good question but your question makes me wonder this mad man chose the Crimson Nebula. Not a great place to hide. Damn. I wish we have more time, but we need to work fast."