Interception

Posted on Wed May 12th, 2010 @ 7:06am by Captain Alexander Gunning & Commander Dietrich Reinhart & Captain Liarra Von & Lieutenant Commander Nilani Prax & Lieutenant Commander Melissa Daniels M.D. & Lieutenant JG Callaigh Roland
Edited on on Wed May 12th, 2010 @ 6:36pm

Mission: Commissioned
Location: Main Bridge - USS Jackal
Timeline: MD04 2350

[ON]

The reports were in. The Counsellor had managed to pressure information out of Doctor Bord. He had no idea how she'd done it and he didn't really want to know but at least they knew what they were dealing with or at least, they thought they did.

Vissarium was a naturally occurring chemical which, in gaseous form, could cause an altered mental status in humans. Why the Utica had gone into the system remained a mystery but at least they had a lead. His train of thought was interrupted from a voice on his left.

"They appear to be dead in space, Commander." Bones reported as the super-structure of the Akira Class USS Utica filled the centre of the Jackal's viewscreen. "I think their life support is still active but that seems to be about it."

"Well at least we're not going to have to see who has the bigger guns." Gunning said with a smile to his tactical officer who looked a little dejected at not being able to test her mettle against the larger battleship.

"It's not the size of the gun that matters, Captain," Liarra replied, returning the smile.

"So I've heard. Still can't hurt, Lieutenant," Gunning replied as he turned to his science officer. "Lifesigns, Miss Prax?"

"I'm picking up a full crew compliment for the Utica, Captain," Nilani responded as she brought up the appropriate scanning protocols on her console. "Varying species, with standard deviances found on a Starfleet ship. I am however picking up three Klingon life signs aboard."


"Curiouser and curiouser," the Commander said, quoting a book he had once read as a child. "Suppose we had better hail them then."

"Doubt it would do much good, Commander." Bones piped up from the engineering station and feeling a little more at home in his temporary role. "I reckon their communications are down too."

"I can confirm that. I can't tell what caused it exactly from here, but at first guess I'd say it would have to be damage to the communications array from inside the ship," Nilani said, a frown appearing on her features as she interpreted the data on her screen.

"All right then. Dietrich, bring us alongside. We're going to board the Utica." Alex said as he took stock in his head of the best candidates for the away team.

"Yes, sir," he said, maneuvering the Defiant closer. The drift was hard to judge by eye. And if it were not for super-sensitive sensors, someone would be tied to the helm for hours adjusting. The Utica was moving at only a few meters per second. Next to nothing in relation to the speeds attainable in this day and age.

The Commander had made up his mind. "Ensign Connors. Think you can handle the bridge?"

The young man who had been busying himself with the Master Systems Display and trying not to get under anyone's feet looked startled at the Commander even speaking to him, let alone offering him command of a starship. "Uhh, yes sir."

"Good. Don't break her. Senior staff, you're with me." He said as he tapped his comm badge. "Lieutenants Daniels and Roland, report to the transporter room on the double."

It had been a long time since Melissa had seen an away mission, she had promised herself not to kill, and she would have to stun them. She then left sickbay.

Callaigh pushed herself upward and away from her desk, still rubbing her temples with her fingertips. A nagging headache wasn't showing any signs of leaving and as she headed for the transporter room she made a mental note to see if the CMO could help her out with that.

Man, I've been here before, Reinhart said to himself as he got on his way. This bullshit is going to be the end of me. I might want to think about moving home after this tour. Of course, that would kill his ego and self esteem. Never attaining the rank that Mark did. Or even a command. Sure a squadron here and there, and an XO spot. But fracking Markie commands a carrier. It wasn't the right mindset for an away team mission, but knowing what he knew about how away team missions usually went, Dietrich was never excited. He made sure to grab a phaser from the armor on the way.

"You and Reinhart certainly have interesting ideas on where to take a girl, Alex," Prax said, as she walked alongside the Commander. "First a derelict Klingon Bird of Prey, and now a rogue Starfleet ghost ship. I can't wait to see where you take me next," she said, smiling as she took a phaser for herself.
- Hide quoted text -


Liarra nods to her relief as she steps away from the tactical station. "Captain, until we have established the situation on the Utica, I suggest we bring an armed security team. I know those are Starfleet officers, but if they have gone rogue, we should be prepared. I suggest we bring two security officers along with us, just in case."

"Agreed. Let's not go insane with armament though. As you've said, we still have Starfleet officers over there. Phasers on heavy stun, okay?" He said to the officers who were following them.

Liarra taps her combadge. "Von to Jennings and Katarn. Report to the transporter room, Tactical Situation 3." The two security officers acknowledged their orders, and gathered their gear without further instruction.

But in between it all, there was a brief second where Dietrich cleared his head and thought about the situation. As of now, the entire senior staff of a Federation Ship would be transporting away on a mission leaving the Jackal in the hands of Ensign Power-Hungry. He knew he was XO, and he knew it was his responsibility. And he knew that Alex knew. The taller man tapped the Commander on the shoulder, bringing him away for a second only to say: "You really shouldn't go, Gunning."

"Why not?" Alex said without hesitation. Hiding, of course, that his first officer was right.

"Every reason in the book."

"It's a Federation Vessel, and therefore not necessarily an away mission." He looked at him intensely. "We're just popping over for a quick tour."

Dietrich looked around at the other officers. "That ship has only operational life support. And everything going on aboard is frightening, for all I care. Sit on the bridge where you can give us support. We will be fine, Alex."

"No. I'm going. Final say, Dietrich. These people need our help, I need to speak to the captain. Either that or arrest him."

"You are the boss, Kapitan," Reinhart said, grabbing a tricorder and flashlight. He gave his objection, and it was duly noted. Now it was time to do their jobs and get back safely.

They filed into the transporter room. It was too small to beam them all at once so they would need to go in two groups. He would send Dietrich and the security team over first before he beamed over with Prax, Daniels, Roland and Bones.

"I've locked co-ordinates in for the cargo bay, sir. Sensors indicate that you won't run into any resistance there." The transporter chief reported. "Good luck."

[OFF]

Commander Alex Gunning
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Commander Dietrich Reinhart
Executive Officer / Chief Flight Control Officer

Lieutenant Liarra Von
Chief Tactical & Security Officer

Lieutenant (JG) Nilani Prax
Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant (JG) Callaigh Roland
Chief Counselor

Lieutenant (JG) Melissa Daniels M.D.
Chief Medical Officer

Staff Warrant Officer Gilbert Bones
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
[NPC - Played by Cmdr Gunning]