Author Topic: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity  (Read 22558 times)

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Offline Vasilisa Belmont

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #180 on: November 20, 2020, 08:49:11 pm »
[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding when Ruth confirmed his epiphany. "Turns out I learned summat in Commander Loskara's physics class after all." He thought before he replied to Ruth.

"Thank you for that confirmation Commander. Overseer. I believe we have the basis of a deal here. You may continue to detain Commanders Sigurdsdottir and Briggs to ensure we keep our word of assistance, but I implore you to allow the other four members of my crew to return to our ship. I give you my absolute word that, now that I have the means to do so, I will assist your people against the Combine forces armed with weapons they should not have."

Ian could only hope the Morani Overseer would see reason and agree.

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

[Garshdepuk Industries Building - Conference Room - Syrtis Major - Zindi Moran]

As the away team were unfamiliar with Morani expressions and body language, it was impossible to read Garshdepuk other than he was obviously huffing even more than before. His gaze swept across the away team and halted on Ghemor Havsoltek.

"Your thoughts Zha Havsoltek?"

The Morani woman eyes met Garshdepuk's with unwavering calm as though she was used to her superior's moods and were not afraid of them.

"Zhe Garshdepuk. We have long believed in the Preservers and that life existed outside our solar system. Now with proof before us, I do not believe we have the right to question assistance when that's what we asked for. True, they propose a completely different means of assistance than we thought, but are we to depend on huskar pods before they've split? They have agreed to leave two of their number as... guests until they prove their words. I think this speaks well of their intentions."

Garshdepuk huffed a couple more times before replying.

"I agree to your terms. You may have your four crew members back. However, do not take my acquiescing to your terms as weakness on my or that of the Panunionist nation part. Your two remaining crew will face the consequences if you fail to do as you have promised to do. And trust me, those consequences will be most unpleasant if you fail."

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

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian sighed in relief when Garshdepuk agreed to free at least part of the away team. He hated that his First Officer and Chief Science Officer were still hostages, but it was an acceptable risk now that he knew the tetryon tactic would work.

"Thank you Overseer. If you would just escort the four crewmen to the stairwell, where you found them, they will be able to return to the Challenger unassisted."

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

[Garshdepuk Industries Building - Conference Room - Syrtis Major - Zindi Moran]

If Garshdepuk was surprised by Ian's request to do no more than escort the freed crewmen to the stairwell, he did not reveal that in any way those in the conference in the room could tell. He simply inclined his head in the direction of the stairwell and the guards led T'eala Ren, Jemason Seo, Ryan Blackfeather, and Crewman Sheila Walker out of the conference room. Once they were in the stairwell, the guards left and the door closed with a resounding clang.


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

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

As soon as sensors showed the freed members of the away team were alone. Ian spoke to the duty science officer.

"Use the deflector dish ta focus a tight beam of tetryons into that stairwell."

Turning to face Lahr, Ian added.

"Once you read the tetryons have scrambled their security system, beam the four directly ta sickbay Mister ch'Verret."

[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

More updates were making their way down to Sickbay, from who she wasn't entirely sure but she was grateful for them. Maybe Kyle had given the task to some auxiliary station on the Bridge and whoever had that post on their shift had to do it. She chuckled at the idea of somebody having the job of being messenger to the concerned chief medic, and smiled as she remembered how flustered she'd been when she'd sent that first request while red and yellow alerts were going all over the place.

At this latest message, she was about as worked up as Galloway. She was happy most of the away team had been let go of course, but she had to admit that in her heart she cared a little more for Kyle and Ruth, simply because she'd known them longer. She didn't know much of anything about the people they were being detained by either, and that didn't sit right with her. Hostage situations could go badly very quickly, no matter what everyone's original intentions were. Fear and the need for power over the situation were powerful motivators. Ruth and the Bridge crew seemed to have a plan so all Lisa could do was sit and wait, hoping it would go in their favour.

Offline ShranLahr ch'Verret

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #181 on: November 21, 2020, 03:00:38 am »
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Orbit around Zindi Moran - USS Challenger - Bridge]

[Garshdepuk Industries Building - Conference Room - Syrtis Major - Zindi Moran]

 =/\= Sigurdsdottir here Captain, far as I know from here...simple answer - yes, directed energy weapons 'die' like a transistor radio without batteries if you fight them with tetyrons, but you could get the ship's computers to confirm the numbers and intensity of the tetyron flood you'd need. And containing it might be difficult.  However it's possible, since you can do it remotely from the Challenger, we wouldn't need more people here than we already have here.  If we could be permitted to return to the ship, I could do it. =/\= Ruth answered glad to see that Ian had confidence in not just her but the 'Science boffins' after all.  She wasn't sure that the Overseer would let them return, and she didn't want to leave Kyle and the others here as hostages just so that she could go back.

 =/\= Obviously, you might need a scientist here, so I'm happy to stay if the others go back to the ship, perhaps just myself and Commander Briggs to stay... =/\=

Ruth's confirmation of the Captain's idea was encouraging.  They now had a way to 'assist';  yet that didn't help Ruth any - especially when she offered herself up like sacrificial lamb.  Roohz! What the hell was she doing?!  His antenna telegraphed his agitation with the situation.  It was no wonder he wasn't any good at poker.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding when Ruth confirmed his epiphany. "Turns out I learned summat in Commander Loskara's physics class after all." He thought before he replied to Ruth.

"Thank you for that confirmation Commander. Overseer. I believe we have the basis of a deal here. You may continue to detain Commanders Sigurdsdottir and Briggs to ensure we keep our word of assistance, but I implore you to allow the other four members of my crew to return to our ship. I give you my absolute word that, now that I have the means to do so, I will assist your people against the Combine forces armed with weapons they should not have."

Ian could only hope the Morani Overseer would see reason and agree.

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

[Garshdepuk Industries Building - Conference Room - Syrtis Major - Zindi Moran]

As the away team were unfamiliar with Morani expressions and body language, it was impossible to read Garshdepuk other than he was obviously huffing even more than before. His gaze swept across the away team and halted on Ghemor Havsoltek.

"Your thoughts Zha Havsoltek?"

The Morani woman eyes met Garshdepuk's with unwavering calm as though she was used to her superior's moods and were not afraid of them.

"Zhe Garshdepuk. We have long believed in the Preservers and that life existed outside our solar system. Now with proof before us, I do not believe we have the right to question assistance when that's what we asked for. True, they propose a completely different means of assistance than we thought, but are we to depend on huskar pods before they've split? They have agreed to leave two of their number as... guests until they prove their words. I think this speaks well of their intentions."

Garshdepuk huffed a couple more times before replying.

"I agree to your terms. You may have your four crew members back. However, do not take my acquiescing to your terms as weakness on my or that of the Panunionist nation part. Your two remaining crew will face the consequences if you fail to do as you have promised to do. And trust me, those consequences will be most unpleasant if you fail."

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

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian sighed in relief when Garshdepuk agreed to free at least part of the away team. He hated that his First Officer and Chief Science Officer were still hostages, but it was an acceptable risk now that he knew the tetryon tactic would work.

"Thank you Overseer. If you would just escort the four crewmen to the stairwell, where you found them, they will be able to return to the Challenger unassisted."

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

[Garshdepuk Industries Building - Conference Room - Syrtis Major - Zindi Moran]

If Garshdepuk was surprised by Ian's request to do no more than escort the freed crewmen to the stairwell, he did not reveal that in any way those in the conference in the room could tell. He simply inclined his head in the direction of the stairwell and the guards led T'eala Ren, Jemason Seo, Ryan Blackfeather, and Crewman Sheila Walker out of the conference room. Once they were in the stairwell, the guards left and the door closed with a resounding clang.


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

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

As soon as sensors showed the freed members of the away team were alone. Ian spoke to the duty science officer.

"Use the deflector dish ta focus a tight beam of tetryons into that stairwell."

Turning to face Lahr, Ian added.

"Once you read the tetryons have scrambled their security system, beam the four directly ta sickbay Mister ch'Verret."


"Aye sir!"

Lahr, who had been hoping Ruth would be among the ones that would be coming back, brought the transporter controls to the forefront of his console and selected the individuals, by commbadge and bio-sign lock, which would be transported  to Sickbay... while he waited on science to lay out the tetryon interference with the security cameras, called contact Sickbay.

=/\= "Incoming transporter beam with 4 of the away team members from the planet. Two are still on planet. " =/\= he updated the doctor on call, not realizing that the Lieutenant was already being fed the information from the bridge.

Once he saw from his sensor readings that tetryon levels had increased sufficiently, he contacted Ensign Ren

=/\= "Stand ready for beam out...   Energizing!" =/\=


[Garshdepuk Industries Building - Conference Room - Syrtis Major - Zindi Moran]

Ruth's heart sank just a little when she heard that the Overseer would actually agree to the deal, but only if both she and Kyle stayed there, she'd hoped that they'd let Kyle return too.  She gave him an apologetic 'I tried' look, granted she'd said that they potentially needed her and Kyle but ...

"Technically, you don't need Commander Briggs either.  While he's the leader of the away party, he is equal in rank to myself, and it's a scientist you will need.  Obviously one doesn't get to be a Commander without knowing some things about science but I'm sure he'd agree that he'd prefer not to mess with stuff he knows not so much about.  Could he go back to the ship too?"

She realised she was sacrificing herself, but it was a risk she was willing to take.

 =/\= You're very welcome Captain, please confirm you've got the rest of the away team home safely, I'm afraid I metaphorically have my 'mother hen' hat on at the moment for all Commander Briggs is leading this away team, it's a woman thing!  =/\=

[USS Challenger - Sickbay]

 =/\= McNeil to Bridge, Since the tachyons are not harmful to anyone human or those living there, if we need an extraction of the Commanders and away team, could just flood entire area with a concentration centred on the weapons in question, this would scramble their systems from tracing us too and we could yank them out.  Also, the Commander might want to be careful that the people they are going to help don't insist on us building some kind of tachyon 'generator' on the grounds that their enemies might build new ones... we don't want to have them exposed to more tech than necessary. I saw that the calculations were being made, I've sent up my own calculations... if these are useful =/\=

Lahr couldn't help but cut in the conversation.

=/\= "All are safely aboard, Commander." =/\= he wanted so badly tell her she and Kyle were next but knew even this interruption would like get him a stern glare and reprimand from the Captain later. 

McNeil's call up to the bridge brought an interesting possibility to light.  But that would have to be dealt with later, Lahr supposed. 

He waited on the Science personnel to confirm Ruth's numbers. 
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Offline Ian Galloway

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #182 on: November 21, 2020, 11:59:09 am »
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Orbit around Zindi Moran - USS Challenger - Bridge]

Ruth's confirmation of the Captain's idea was encouraging.  They now had a way to 'assist';  yet that didn't help Ruth any - especially when she offered herself up like sacrificial lamb.  Roohz! What the hell was she doing?!  His antenna telegraphed his agitation with the situation.  It was no wonder he wasn't any good at poker.

"Aye sir!"

Lahr, who had been hoping Ruth would be among the ones that would be coming back, brought the transporter controls to the forefront of his console and selected the individuals, by commbadge and bio-sign lock, which would be transported  to Sickbay... while he waited on science to lay out the tetryon interference with the security cameras, called contact Sickbay.

=/\= "Incoming transporter beam with 4 of the away team members from the planet. Two are still on planet. " =/\= he updated the doctor on call, not realizing that the Lieutenant was already being fed the information from the bridge.

Once he saw from his sensor readings that tetryon levels had increased sufficiently, he contacted Ensign Ren

=/\= "Stand ready for beam out...   Energizing!" =/\=


Lahr couldn't help but cut in the conversation.

=/\= "All are safely aboard, Commander." =/\= he wanted so badly tell her she and Kyle were next but knew even this interruption would like get him a stern glare and reprimand from the Captain later. 

McNeil's call up to the bridge brought an interesting possibility to light.  But that would have to be dealt with later, Lahr supposed. 

He waited on the Science personnel to confirm Ruth's numbers.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian nodded as Lahr reported the freed members of the away team were now safe. He then spoke to Ruth and Kyle.

"Standby Commanders, I'm going to be moving the ship over the current battlefield to work our magic. Overseer, it would be a good idea to notify your field commanders that the situation for the Combine forces is about to change dramatically and they need to be prepared to exploit the opportunity. Galloway out."

Ian then began to issues orders to the helm and science stations to get the ship ready to flood the current battlefield with tetryons. Once informed the Challenger was in place and ready he gave the order to proceed. The deflector dish began to emit a steady stream of tetryons in a very wide dispersal pattern.

On the ground, the effect took only a few minutes to change the situation on the ground. First, the Combine's disruptors began to misfire, then as the saturation of tetryons reached the desired level, their advanced weapons failed completely. At that point, the Panunionist forces, armed with simple projectile arms counterattacked with a vengeance. Finally, after two months of constant retreats and defeats, the Panunionists could strike back. The Combine forces, to their credit, managed to hold together longer than one would have expected, but shorn of their advanced weapons, their lines began to waver and then shattered into a complete rout.

Ian watched the tide of battle change from the bridge of the Challenger and hated that he had a hand in what was happening below him. However, despite the guilt, he forced himself to look at the larger picture that he was just restoring a balance that should never have be allowed to be altered in the first place. When it was clear the Combine was in full retreat, Ian had the Challenger return to its position above Syrtis Major and had Lahr reopen the channel to Ruth and Kyle.

"Galloway to Overseer Garshdepuk. I believe you no longer have a reason to detain my officers. I'd appreciate you letting them go now."

Offline Ruth Sigurdsdottir

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #183 on: November 21, 2020, 01:38:05 pm »
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Orbit around Zindi Moran - USS Challenger - Bridge]

Ruth's confirmation of the Captain's idea was encouraging.  They now had a way to 'assist';  yet that didn't help Ruth any - especially when she offered herself up like sacrificial lamb.  Roohz! What the hell was she doing?!  His antenna telegraphed his agitation with the situation.  It was no wonder he wasn't any good at poker.

"Aye sir!"

Lahr, who had been hoping Ruth would be among the ones that would be coming back, brought the transporter controls to the forefront of his console and selected the individuals, by commbadge and bio-sign lock, which would be transported  to Sickbay... while he waited on science to lay out the tetryon interference with the security cameras, called contact Sickbay.

=/\= "Incoming transporter beam with 4 of the away team members from the planet. Two are still on planet. " =/\= he updated the doctor on call, not realizing that the Lieutenant was already being fed the information from the bridge.

Once he saw from his sensor readings that tetryon levels had increased sufficiently, he contacted Ensign Ren

=/\= "Stand ready for beam out...   Energizing!" =/\=


Lahr couldn't help but cut in the conversation.

=/\= "All are safely aboard, Commander." =/\= he wanted so badly tell her she and Kyle were next but knew even this interruption would like get him a stern glare and reprimand from the Captain later. 

McNeil's call up to the bridge brought an interesting possibility to light.  But that would have to be dealt with later, Lahr supposed. 

He waited on the Science personnel to confirm Ruth's numbers.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian nodded as Lahr reported the freed members of the away team were now safe. He then spoke to Ruth and Kyle.

"Standby Commanders, I'm going to be moving the ship over the current battlefield to work our magic. Overseer, it would be a good idea to notify your field commanders that the situation for the Combine forces is about to change dramatically and they need to be prepared to exploit the opportunity. Galloway out."

Ian then began to issues orders to the helm and science stations to get the ship ready to flood the current battlefield with tetryons. Once informed the Challenger was in place and ready he gave the order to proceed. The deflector dish began to emit a steady stream of tetryons in a very wide dispersal pattern.

On the ground, the effect took only a few minutes to change the situation on the ground. First, the Combine's disruptors began to misfire, then as the saturation of tetryons reached the desired level, their advanced weapons failed completely. At that point, the Panunionist forces, armed with simple projectile arms counterattacked with a vengeance. Finally, after two months of constant retreats and defeats, the Panunionists could strike back. The Combine forces, to their credit, managed to hold together longer than one would have expected, but shorn of their advanced weapons, their lines began to waver and then shattered into a complete rout.

Ian watched the tide of battle change from the bridge of the Challenger and hated that he had a hand in what was happening below him. However, despite the guilt, he forced himself to look at the larger picture that he was just restoring a balance that should never have be allowed to be altered in the first place. When it was clear the Combine was in full retreat, Ian had the Challenger return to its position above Syrtis Major and had Lahr reopen the channel to Ruth and Kyle.

"Galloway to Overseer Garshdepuk. I believe you no longer have a reason to detain my officers. I'd appreciate you letting them go now."

[Garshdepuk Industries Building - Conference Room - Syrtis Major - Zindi Moran]

 =/\=Bok, Bok! =/\= Ruth said hoping it would make Lahr chuckle... it was her imitation of a chicken.   =/\='Mother Hen' tendencies appeased a little! Waiting for you to execute Science boffin magic, Captain!=/\= she added in case either the Captain or the Overseer thought she'd gone completely crackers.

She waited expectantly after the Captain announced that the Overseer should let them go. Her gut was telling her it wasn't going to be that easy unfortunately...

...and her gut was rarely wrong.


"If I were human I believe my response would be "go to hell." If I were human."


Offline Mondo'li Nari

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #184 on: November 21, 2020, 09:36:04 pm »

USS Challenger - Bridge

As Mondo worked, a plan unfolded.  A way to disable the technologically advanced weapons which were contaminating this world, without having to provide weapons to the other side.  It was the perfect solution, at least for the time being.  He felt his shoulders relax as a wave of relief washed over him.  Hopefully, their people would be free, soon.

However, he had a lingering filament of doubt in his heart. 

Anyone could bring more weapons here at any time.  Those new weapons would not be similarly disabled.  Even leaving tachyon satellites in orbit to auto-deactivate such weapons might not work.  Anyone could come by to deactivate those satellites.  Or they could supply regenerative weapons.  Or non-directed energy weapons which were still potent, like photon grenades.

If the aliens holding their people hostage realized that additional assistance might be needed in the future, they might decide to hold on to their prisoners for a while longer.

Mondo hoped that would not be the case.  He hoped they could convince these people that they would find the source of the interference and put a stop to it.  That way, there would be no need for hostages or even future aid.



Offline ShranLahr ch'Verret

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #185 on: November 22, 2020, 01:54:56 am »
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Orbit around Zindi Moran - USS Challenger - Bridge]

[Garshdepuk Industries Building - Conference Room - Syrtis Major - Zindi Moran]

=/\=Bok, Bok! =/\= Ruth said hoping it would make Lahr chuckle... it was her imitation of a chicken.   =/\='Mother Hen' tendencies appeased a little! Waiting for you to execute Science boffin magic, Captain! =/\= she added in case either the Captain or the Overseer thought she'd gone completely crackers.

The Andorian's antenna which had continued to writhe in clear indication of his inner concern, suddenly swiveled forward in perplexity at the odd word that Ruth repeated.  Bok?  It was only when she commented and stressed the 'Mother Hen' remark that Lahr got the joke.  There was a long pause before his antenna suddenly wriggled. 

That Ruth was cracking jokes at a time like this was unbelievable. He shook his head, bemused, yet smiled in appreciation of her unique sense of humor. 

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian nodded as Lahr reported the freed members of the away team were now safe. He then spoke to Ruth and Kyle.

"Standby Commanders, I'm going to be moving the ship over the current battlefield to work our magic. Overseer, it would be a good idea to notify your field commanders that the situation for the Combine forces is about to change dramatically and they need to be prepared to exploit the opportunity. Galloway out."

Ian then began to issues orders to the helm and science stations to get the ship ready to flood the current battlefield with tetryons. Once informed the Challenger was in place and ready he gave the order to proceed. The deflector dish began to emit a steady stream of tetryons in a very wide dispersal pattern.

On the ground, the effect took only a few minutes to change the situation on the ground. First, the Combine's disruptors began to misfire, then as the saturation of tetryons reached the desired level, their advanced weapons failed completely. At that point, the Panunionist forces, armed with simple projectile arms counterattacked with a vengeance. Finally, after two months of constant retreats and defeats, the Panunionists could strike back. The Combine forces, to their credit, managed to hold together longer than one would have expected, but shorn of their advanced weapons, their lines began to waver and then shattered into a complete rout.

Ian watched the tide of battle change from the bridge of the Challenger and hated that he had a hand in what was happening below him. However, despite the guilt, he forced himself to look at the larger picture that he was just restoring a balance that should never have be allowed to be altered in the first place. When it was clear the Combine was in full retreat, Ian had the Challenger return to its position above Syrtis Major and had Lahr reopen the channel to Ruth and Kyle.

"Galloway to Overseer Garshdepuk. I believe you no longer have a reason to detain my officers. I'd appreciate you letting them go now."

She waited expectantly after the Captain announced that the Overseer should let them go. Her gut was telling her it wasn't going to be that easy unfortunately...

...and her gut was rarely wrong.


Dealing with the Combine advanced weaponry didn't take long and once it was done, Lahr was glad that the first thing that Ian demanded was the return of the away team officers - Ruth and Kyle. 

But even as Lahr was appreciating that Ruth would be safe soon, he realized that the problem with the contamination was hardly over.   The weapons for that one battle were just temporarily out of commission, they would need to be collected, and the source of the weapons found still.

Lahr turned towards the Captain.  "Sir, the illegal weaponry - it needs to be collected, documented and either destroyed or stored as evidence against whoever did this, doesn't it?"
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Offline Vasilisa Belmont

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #186 on: November 22, 2020, 05:23:26 pm »
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Orbit around Zindi Moran - USS Challenger - Bridge]

Ruth's confirmation of the Captain's idea was encouraging.  They now had a way to 'assist';  yet that didn't help Ruth any - especially when she offered herself up like sacrificial lamb.  Roohz! What the hell was she doing?!  His antenna telegraphed his agitation with the situation.  It was no wonder he wasn't any good at poker.

"Aye sir!"

Lahr, who had been hoping Ruth would be among the ones that would be coming back, brought the transporter controls to the forefront of his console and selected the individuals, by commbadge and bio-sign lock, which would be transported  to Sickbay... while he waited on science to lay out the tetryon interference with the security cameras, called contact Sickbay.

=/\= "Incoming transporter beam with 4 of the away team members from the planet. Two are still on planet. " =/\= he updated the doctor on call, not realizing that the Lieutenant was already being fed the information from the bridge.

Once he saw from his sensor readings that tetryon levels had increased sufficiently, he contacted Ensign Ren

=/\= "Stand ready for beam out...   Energizing!" =/\=


Lahr couldn't help but cut in the conversation.

=/\= "All are safely aboard, Commander." =/\= he wanted so badly tell her she and Kyle were next but knew even this interruption would like get him a stern glare and reprimand from the Captain later. 

McNeil's call up to the bridge brought an interesting possibility to light.  But that would have to be dealt with later, Lahr supposed. 

He waited on the Science personnel to confirm Ruth's numbers.

[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Lisa stood up from her chair as she received the message from Lahr, face forming a slight frown as he indirectly mentioned that Ruth and Kyle were left behind. They'd get them in time, she knew. But it didn't set right with her to not have everyone here and accounted for.  =/\= Acknowledged. Standing by.  =/\= She walked over to the emergency entrance since the message hadn't contained where in Sickbay they would be beamed to. She assumed the four released members of the away team weren't in bad shape, but she hadn't really been updated in that regard so she'd just have to wait and see...

"Welcome back!" she greeted Seo, Ren, Blackfeather, and Walker when they appeared. "Let me know how I can help. Cuts, bruises, parched throats, or even if you just want a hug. What you went through certainly wasn't a walk in the park. I know Commander Sigurdsdottir said something about treats for running up all those stairs; that can also be arranged," she said with a sympathetic smile.

Offline Ian Galloway

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #187 on: November 22, 2020, 05:48:11 pm »
[Garshdepuk Industries Building - Conference Room - Syrtis Major - Zindi Moran]

 =/\=Bok, Bok! =/\= Ruth said hoping it would make Lahr chuckle... it was her imitation of a chicken.   =/\='Mother Hen' tendencies appeased a little! Waiting for you to execute Science boffin magic, Captain!=/\= she added in case either the Captain or the Overseer thought she'd gone completely crackers.

She waited expectantly after the Captain announced that the Overseer should let them go. Her gut was telling her it wasn't going to be that easy unfortunately...

...and her gut was rarely wrong.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian waited with trepidation for Garshdepuk's response as there was no telling if the Morani had the same values as the Federation. When Ruth opened a channel, it was possible to hear the Overseer huffing as he thought through his options before speaking.

"Captain. I have just heard from the senior Panunionist field commander and he reports you have succeeded in deactivating the Combine's off-world weapons. You have managed to help without actually providing help. I suppose that we were unclear in our original request for assistance, thus I must accept that you have stopped the enemy as we needed. Your crew is therefore free to go.

"However, I must ask, how are we to be certain these Kressari will not return with some other weapons technology in the future once you have gone."


"Thank you Overseer, if you escort Commanders Sigurdsdottir and Briggs to the stairwell, we will return them to the Challenger right away. As to your question regarding further interference from others, now that we are aware of their actions, it is now my primary responsibility to figure the source of these weapons and stop their importation in their entirety."

"Very well Captain, we will monitor our interspatial communication device for your report."

"Very good Overseer, I will contact you once I have answers for you. Galloway out."

Just as with the rest of the away team, they reached the tetryon flooded stairwell and were beamed directly to sickbay.

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Orbit around Zindi Moran - USS Challenger - Bridge]

The Andorian's antenna which had continued to writhe in clear indication of his inner concern, suddenly swiveled forward in perplexity at the odd word that Ruth repeated.  Bok?  It was only when she commented and stressed the 'Mother Hen' remark that Lahr got the joke.  There was a long pause before his antenna suddenly wriggled. 

That Ruth was cracking jokes at a time like this was unbelievable. He shook his head, bemused, yet smiled in appreciation of her unique sense of humor. 

Dealing with the Combine advanced weaponry didn't take long and once it was done, Lahr was glad that the first thing that Ian demanded was the return of the away team officers - Ruth and Kyle. 

But even as Lahr was appreciating that Ruth would be safe soon, he realized that the problem with the contamination was hardly over.   The weapons for that one battle were just temporarily out of commission, they would need to be collected, and the source of the weapons found still.

Lahr turned towards the Captain.  "Sir, the illegal weaponry - it needs to be collected, documented and either destroyed or stored as evidence against whoever did this, doesn't it?"

Ian rubbed his face with both hands as Lahr asked his reasonable question and sighed at the answer he had to give.

"A reasonable supposition Mister ch'Verret, but our job here is ta limit the already existin' contamination as much as possible. In a more perfect universe than the one we live in, you'd be completely correct. However, exactly how are we ta 'collected, documented and either destroyed or stored as evidence' without grossly revealin' our existence and capabilities ta the locals?

"No, our primary task is ta track down these Kressari smugglers and shut them down. Now only if'n we had a lead on them, that would be useful."

Kyle Briggs

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #188 on: November 22, 2020, 06:48:16 pm »
Sickbay - USS Challenger

Kyle materialized directly into Sickbay with Ruth and was relieved to see the the rest of the away team had indeed been returned as well.

"How's everyone, Doc?" he immediately asked Lisa, whom he realized that he was also glad to see again.

Once he got a reply from Lisa, he headed for the door while calling over his shoulder.

"I know you want to do a check up but I really need to get to the Bridge. I promise to come back as soon as possible." he called to Lisa.

He made his way to the lift and rode it upward. Once the doors parted, he exited onto the Bridge.

Bridge

He spoke as he made his way to his seat next to the Captain. "Thank you for getting us out of there. I can't put a finger on it, but something about them was giving me a headache." he began. Finally sitting, he turned his attention to Ian.

"Good job with getting those weapons enabled, Sir. Now I think we need to find those smugglers that brought them in. While we were down there, one of them mentioned that the Kressari had approached them first. We need to discover who that contact was by either speaking with Garshdepuk or one of the Combine that did strike a deal with them."

Offline Vasilisa Belmont

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #189 on: November 22, 2020, 07:46:07 pm »
Sickbay - USS Challenger

Kyle materialized directly into Sickbay with Ruth and was relieved to see the the rest of the away team had indeed been returned as well.

"How's everyone, Doc?" he immediately asked Lisa, whom he realized that he was also glad to see again.

Once he got a reply from Lisa, he headed for the door while calling over his shoulder.

"I know you want to do a check up but I really need to get to the Bridge. I promise to come back as soon as possible." he called to Lisa.

He made his way to the lift and rode it upward. Once the doors parted, he exited onto the Bridge.

Bridge

He spoke as he made his way to his seat next to the Captain. "Thank you for getting us out of there. I can't put a finger on it, but something about them was giving me a headache." he began. Finally sitting, he turned his attention to Ian.

"Good job with getting those weapons enabled, Sir. Now I think we need to find those smugglers that brought them in. While we were down there, one of them mentioned that the Kressari had approached them first. We need to discover who that contact was by either speaking with Garshdepuk or one of the Combine that did strike a deal with them."

[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Lisa was just helping one of her patients into a seat when Ruth and Kyle appeared. She had indeed replicated a plate of cookies for the others since she could tell Blackfeather wanted to take her up on the treat offer but was too polite to say so. She wished she could've baked them herself but, well, you couldn't have everything. Seeing the two officers, she did a double-take as she remembered what they looked like with the Morani makeup. Once the split second of confusion ended her eyes lit up with relief. Before she could say anything, Kyle was inquiring her about the rest of the away team.

"Everyone's fine, Commander. It's good to have you all back." Before she could say anything else the XO was already on his way out, saying something about going to the Bridge.

I mean, you look fine. Thankfully. But yeah, I wouldn't have opposed a check up," she thought to herself. And she was going to hold him to that promise. At any rate, he’d have to come back eventually unless he wanted to continue on looking like a Morani. Turning her attention back to everyone else, her smile returned as she addressed Ruth.

"How are you doing, Commander? Just by looking at you, you don't appear to be hurt. Let me know if you need anything of course, but I've gathered that you and the away team got out of there mostly unscathed so I'm forgoing any in-depth check-ups. Take a cookie or two if you would like, I thought they would cheer you all up and I heard that a certain someone promised treats for climbing all those stairs," she winked, figuring Ruth probably hadn't known she'd been on the Bridge.

Turning to address everyone, she absently felt the medical scanner at her hip as she talked. "Alright all, I'm going to go around to each of you to do a general medical scan. No need to get up, just relax. We'll also be taking each of you back to get all that cosmetic makeup off. Then you'll be dismissed unless you want to stick around. We could play cards!" she chuckled. Not expecting anyone to respond to that, she took out her medical tricorder and began the rounds, motioning for Chloe and Nathaniel to follow suit. 
« Last Edit: November 23, 2020, 12:35:12 am by T'Lara »

Offline T'eala

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #190 on: November 22, 2020, 09:47:01 pm »
Quote
[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Lisa stood up from her chair as she received the message from Lahr, face forming a slight frown as he indirectly mentioned that Ruth and Kyle were left behind. They'd get them in time, she knew. But it didn't set right with her to not have everyone here and accounted for.  =/\= Acknowledged. Standing by.  =/\= She walked over to the emergency entrance since the message hadn't contained where in Sickbay they would be beamed to. She assumed the four released members of the away team weren't in bad shape, but she hadn't really been updated in that regard so she'd just have to wait and see...

"Welcome back!" she greeted Seo, Ren, Blackfeather, and Walker when they appeared. "Let me know how I can help. Cuts, bruises, parched throats, or even if you just want a hug. What you went through certainly wasn't a walk in the park. I know Commander Sigurdsdottir said something about treats for running up all those stairs; that can also be arranged," she said with a sympathetic smile.

[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

"I think everything's working right." She gave the doctor a polite smile as the medical examination was soon to begin. As thrilling as an away mission proved to be, she was far to riled to bear a probing and scanning. Still, every corner needed to be covered.

Quote
[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Lisa was just helping one of her patients into a seat when Ruth and Kyle appeared. She had indeed replicated a plate of cookies for the others since she could tell Blackfeather wanted to take her up on the treat offer but was too polite to say so. She wished she could've baked them herself but, well, you couldn't have everything. Seeing the two officers, she did a double-take as she remembered what they looked like with the Morani makeup. Once the split second of confusion ended her eyes lit up with relief. Before she could say anything, Kyle was inquiring her about the rest of the away team.

"Everyone's fine, Commander. It's good to have you all back." Before she could say anything else the XO was already on his way out, saying something about going to the Bridge.

I mean, you look fine. Thankfully. But yeah, I wouldn't have opposed a check up," she thought to herself. Turning her attention back to everyone else, her smile returned as she addressed Ruth.

"How are you doing, Commander? Just by looking at you, you don't appear to be hurt. Let me know if you need anything of course, but I've gathered that you and the away team got out of there mostly unscathed so I'm forgoing any in-depth check-ups. Take a cookie or two if you would like, I thought they would cheer you all up and I heard that a certain someone promised treats for climbing all those stairs," she winked, figuring Ruth probably hadn't known she'd been on the Bridge.

Turning to address everyone, she absently felt the medical scanner at her hip as she talked. "Alright all, I'm going to go around to each of you to do a general medical scan. No need to get up, just relax. We'll also be taking each of you back to get all that cosmetic makeup off. Then you'll be dismissed unless you want to stick around. We could play cards!" she chuckled. Not expecting anyone to respond to that, she took out her medical tricorder and began the rounds, motioning for Chloe and Nathaniel to follow suit.

Her instinct told her that the proposition of games was done merely in jest, however T'eala would make the motions of musing over it deeply before speaking. "I'm keen to learn, what is it?" There was a gamble in particular that her fellow cadets participated in during her time at the academy. "Ah. Texas Holding Them?" She felt unsure in her deception of the game.

- She wasn't sure of her next step. Though dismissed, she knew that she needed to be on hand. The removal of the illicit weaponry was just one step in mitigating the crucial situation of Challenger and the Morani, but the gun runners could easily restock their beneficiaries. "In the right time of course doctor." She nodded patiently, awaiting her turn for a scan.



Offline Vasilisa Belmont

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #191 on: November 22, 2020, 10:18:32 pm »
[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

"I think everything's working right." She gave the doctor a polite smile as the medical examination was soon to begin. As thrilling as an away mission proved to be, she was far to riled to bear a probing and scanning. Still, every corner needed to be covered.

Her instinct told her that the proposition of games was done merely in jest, however T'eala would make the motions of musing over it deeply before speaking. "I'm keen to learn, what is it?" There was a gamble in particular that her fellow cadets participated in during her time at the academy. "Ah. Texas Holding Them?" She felt unsure in her deception of the game.

- She wasn't sure of her next step. Though dismissed, she knew that she needed to be on hand. The removal of the illicit weaponry was just one step in mitigating the crucial situation of Challenger and the Morani, but the gun runners could easily restock their beneficiaries. "In the right time of course doctor." She nodded patiently, awaiting her turn for a scan.

[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Lisa could see the apprehension on Ren's face when it was her turn to be scanned. She was about to reassure her, but she was surprised to hear the young woman actually accepting her offer with a suggestion for poker, something she didn't actually normally play. She was going to suggest Rummy, or Go Fish.

"Oh! Um..." she stalled for just a few seconds, honestly caught off guard. She took out her medical scanner slowly, turning it on. "I've not really gambled much and was thinking of just playing for fun, but if you would like..." she trailed off as she held up the scanner. "This check will take just two seconds, no need to worry. Also, not to rush you out but if your duty shift is still in effect you can return to your station but if you don't feel up to it I will make arrangements for your shift to be covered." She flashed a smile and conducted the scan, looked it over, then looked at T'eala once more. "All done! When you're ready, head on over to Surgical Suite one where you had your cosmetics done before. Time to get all that makeup off!"

Offline T'eala

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #192 on: November 22, 2020, 10:26:44 pm »
Quote
[Sickbay - USS Challenger]

Lisa could see the apprehension on Ren's face when it was her turn to be scanned. She was about to reassure her, but she was surprised to hear the young woman actually accepting her offer with a suggestion for poker, something she didn't actually normally play. She was going to suggest Rummy, or Go Fish.

"Oh! Um..." she stalled for just a few seconds, honestly caught off guard. She took out her medical scanner slowly, turning it on. "I've not really gambled much and was thinking of just playing for fun, but if you would like..." she trailed off as she held up the scanner. "This check will take just two seconds, no need to worry. Also, not to rush you out but if your duty shift is still in effect you can return to your station but if you don't feel up to it I will make arrangements for your shift to be covered." She flashed a smile and conducted the scan, looked it over, then looked at T'eala once more. "All done! When you're ready, head on over to Surgical Suite one where you had your cosmetics done before. Time to get all that makeup off!"

The scan didn't take as long as T'eala anticipated. The quick handiwork of the doctor would make the entire process much more expedient. "Aren't all card games fun Doctor?" She spoke as she positioned herself close to the Surgical Suite. It was an interesting time posing as a Morani, but she was indeed ready for the extra to be removed from her. "Time to be me again." She gave a resigned smile.


Offline ShranLahr ch'Verret

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #193 on: November 23, 2020, 12:02:52 am »
PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[Orbit around Zindi Moran - USS Challenger - Bridge]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian waited with trepidation for Garshdepuk's response as there was no telling if the Morani had the same values as the Federation. When Ruth opened a channel, it was possible to hear the Overseer huffing as he thought through his options before speaking.

"Captain. I have just heard from the senior Panunionist field commander and he reports you have succeeded in deactivating the Combine's off-world weapons. You have managed to help without actually providing help. I suppose that we were unclear in our original request for assistance, thus I must accept that you have stopped the enemy as we needed. Your crew is therefore free to go.

"However, I must ask, how are we to be certain these Kressari will not return with some other weapons technology in the future once you have gone."


"Thank you Overseer, if you escort Commanders Sigurdsdottir and Briggs to the stairwell, we will return them to the Challenger right away. As to your question regarding further interference from others, now that we are aware of their actions, it is now my primary responsibility to figure the source of these weapons and stop their importation in their entirety."

"Very well Captain, we will monitor our interspatial communication device for your report."

"Very good Overseer, I will contact you once I have answers for you. Galloway out."

Just as with the rest of the away team, they reached the tetryon flooded stairwell and were beamed directly to sickbay.

Ian rubbed his face with both hands as Lahr asked his reasonable question and sighed at the answer he had to give.

"A reasonable supposition Mister ch'Verret, but our job here is ta limit the already existin' contamination as much as possible. In a more perfect universe than the one we live in, you'd be completely correct. However, exactly how are we ta 'collected, documented and either destroyed or stored as evidence' without grossly revealin' our existence and capabilities ta the locals?

"No, our primary task is ta track down these Kressari smugglers and shut them down. Now only if'n we had a lead on them, that would be useful."


Sickbay - USS Challenger
Bridge

He spoke as he made his way to his seat next to the Captain. "Thank you for getting us out of there. I can't put a finger on it, but something about them was giving me a headache." he began. Finally sitting, he turned his attention to Ian.

"Good job with getting those weapons enabled, Sir. Now I think we need to find those smugglers that brought them in. While we were down there, one of them mentioned that the Kressari had approached them first. We need to discover who that contact was by either speaking with Garshdepuk or one of the Combine that did strike a deal with them."

Lahr in his joy at hearing that Ruth was going to be released had missed the Overseers reference to the Kressari.   The man was talking to the Captain not him afterall.  Lahr's attention was on eagerly getting the go ahead to beam up the last to members of the Away Team.   Of course he had to wait until, they were in the staircase with the tetryon particles used to knock out the security cameras once.

It was only later when the Captain answered his comment about the weapons with mentioning the Kressari, and the Commanders arrival also pointing out the Kressari, that Lahr put two and two together.  Lahr's antenna perked. 

"Kressari?  Oh!  Long range scans noted a Kressari freighter that seemed to change trajectory a while back.  The ship might have been heading here and saw us on their long range sensors so turned back."   Roohz! Why hadn't he realized that before!   

Lahr scrolled back through the sensor images until he found the timestamp that showed the Kressari at the edge his sensor range.   "There sir! That's the ship that turned about.  With our long range scans, it identifies as a Kressari freighter - the Kaldrel, sir. "
« Last Edit: November 23, 2020, 12:06:43 am by ShranLahr ch'Verret »
Authorization: Bravo Alpha Delta Alpha Sigma Sigma Six Niner
Lahr's Biography: Andorian chan (male). 5'7" (1.75m)  : Main character
NPC's Lt JG Chloe Davies (Human Female) / Crewman T'Varn (Vulcan transgender)

Offline Mondo'li Nari

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Re: S4:E6 - A Question of Integrity
« Reply #194 on: November 23, 2020, 12:23:21 am »

USS Challenger - Bridge

Mondo was greatly relieved when the plan with the tachyons managed to de-escalate the situation by successfully disabling the many weapons on the surface.  His fears proved to be unfounded when those who held their personnel were willing to release them.  Nothing could have made him happier.  There were few things worse than being right about a worst-case scenario.

However, the Captain understood what they all knew- that they had to stop the influx of weapons or this situation would merely resume in the future.

Fortunately, Lahr had a lead.

"I'll re-task the team from extraction to boarding, Sir, if that's all right with you?"



 

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