Levels 3: Orange pt1

Posted on 14 Jan 2013 @ 11:00am by Captain Jonathan Holliday & Lieutenant Theron Rhodes & Command Master Chief Markum Quinn & Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cyrus Kiwosk & Crewman Indri Chara & Senior Chief Petty Officer Anthony Davis & Petty Officer 3rd Class Justin Smoak (KIA)

3,928 words; about a 20 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo - Various Locations
Timeline: MD16, 0247 hours

[ON]

Bridge - Security/Tactical Station
[0244]

Senior Petty Officer Davis was manning 'the big chair'. Well, as far as Sec/Tac was concerned. Maybe it didn't mean much, but he was happy to be getting some bridge time, even if it was on Gamma shift, during a time when the ship was in - for all intents and purposes - drydock. It still gave him experience learning the systems. This was generally a job for the seniormost officer on shift, and being on Beta, he wasn't given a lot of time in 'the big chair'. Which is why he got a little more excited then maybe he should have when an alert indicator lit up.

He checked the transponder signals to locate his crew. Both Smoak and Chara were near the area of the alert. For whatever reason, the new boss had a hardon for keeping the science labs under extra patrol since he came aboard. Davis sighed. It was like this with all new bosses - they came in storming - huffing and puffing to blow their authority everywhere they could and then, somewhere around the middle of some planetary survey they tended to settle down and stop wanting to throw around their authority so much. Which gave him two officers to send to check on the alert, which seemed a little irregular but it was an alert nonetheless.

Opening a comm channel to Smoak - chosing the kid over the new officer. At least Smoak had some experience where Chara was frest from training and still hadn't completed her field training. Something he was worried he'd get saddled with. =^=Smoak. I've got a strange alert in Computer Lab 2, Deck 4. Check it out would you? I'm showing Lt. Cho in the area.=^=

=^=Roger. I saw her just a few ago. Probably just tripped some breaker or something. I'll go check it out so you can reset.=^=


Deck 4, Computer Lab 2

Justin turned around, ignoring the turbo lift he had just called. He considered calling Chara over to include her on this. He remembered his own eagerness when he was fresh from training but in the end, it was just Lieutenant Cho tripping some sort of monitor or alarm or something. It was almost three in the morning before liftoff, why Cho was working was beyond him but...shrugging...he just went to the lab to check on her and let Davis know he could clear the alert.

The door failed to open at his approach, which seemed odd. "Lieutenant Cho?" he called out as he inputted a security override to open the door. He looked up, as soon as it opened, expecting to find Cho working on something. He'd apologize for disturbing her work and quickly determine what she had tripped in order to set off the alert then maybe go to the mess to grab a quick bite of tapas and maybe coffee before doing another patrol of the ship.

What he wasn't expecting was to see two men in gold, one holding Cho and threatening her with a hypospray. He had the presence of mind to tap his commbadge before fumbling to draw his phaser. =^=Davis! We've got intruders! They've got Cho!=^=

He brought up his phaser, undecided on what to do. He couldn't go after the dark haired man because Cho blocked his shot, but if he attacked the blonde man, the dark haired man might harm Cho.

Bridge

Tony sat up straighter as the board lit up, the alert clear.

Now he was getting an alert and not just an irregular alarm either. The panic in the kid's voice was unmistakable. He almost jumped out of his chair to head down there himself, but realized he was the sec/tac on the bridge and that had responsibilities. Intruders! A security breach! His fingers danced across the board, automatically activating alerts. Hold on, kid, I've got the calvary running.

==^==SECURITY ALERT! INTRUDERS ON DECK 4! COMPUTER LAB 2! SECURITY ALERT!==^==

Davis spoke quickly to the bridge officer. "Sir, we've an activated intruder alert on Deck 4, outside of computer lab 2. I don't have full details yet." While he informed the officer on duty, he began pulling up schematics, showing the location of the various security personnel on duty. His screens showed Lt. Rhodes, himself, PO Smoak (on Deck 4) and Crewman Chara as the active duty personnel for Gamma shift. However it was a department wide alert and he expected more of a response to be coming in.

Deck 2, Stone's Quarters

Jeremy had already been awake for several hours, trying to recall why his hands appeared bloodied and raw - again - and his quarters were a mess. Shoes strewn haphazardly in the living quarters and on the way to the bedroom, the heavy bag covered in blood, as were his sheets and blankets. He slept in his workout gear and his memory of most of yesterday completely fuzzy.

He'd set the quarters to rights, sent off the requested reports to Commander Holliday and was still going over his PADD notes trying to figure out what happened yesterday when the alert sounded.

"This is Stone," he said after tapping his commbadge, heading for the door and slipping away his PADD into its customary pocket. He holstered a phaser pistol and made sure his personal phaser was still in its pocket. "Report."

Bridge

Davis automatically tapped the comm switch, answering the incoming call from the boss. "Still looking for details, Lieutenant, but Smoak sounded an intruder alert in the computer lab on Deck 4. Not a lot of details, but he's reporting two intruders on the Galileo. I'm trying to track them now."

He switched channels. "Security to Commander Holliday, activated intruder alert, deck four, computer labs."

Deck 2
[0250]

"Confirm that the shuttle bays and loading ramp are still closed and sealed. Also, shut down transporters. Make sure we don't give the intruders a way off the ship." Jeremy's mind raced. Computer Lab? Deck 4? That struck a chord. There was the activity between Lt. Maennad, Cho and the Captain regarding an unauthorized entry into the science labs from several days ago. He wasn't sure exactly what was going on, though, because they still failed to file a security report on the incident despite his complaint on that failure to Holliday.

Of course, though, Holliday probably disregarded his complaint as he did all the other times Jeremy tried to do his job effectively. He tamped down the fires of anger toward Holliday regarding the Commander's treatment of him. The time for personal issues would be later. Now it was time to do his job. The first real crisis - not of his making - since he'd become the Chief of Security.

He stopped just short of the turbo lift and opened the hatch leading to the access passages. "I'm on my way to Deck 4, keep me updated," he told Davis on the Bridge.

From the confines of his own quarters, Holliday awoke with startled as the intruder alert filtered through to his combadge. Leaping from his bed, the XO threw himself into his uniform, grabbing his combadge from the bedside table as he headed for the turbolift, listening in on the conversation between Stone and his security teams.

=^=All security teams this is Holliday - Intruder Alert acknowledged - seal off Deck 4 and post guards at every access point - Mr Stone I'll co-ordinate with you from the Bridge. =^=

Deck 4

Chara looked up from her phaser, standing on Deck 4 right near the juncture that Stone popped his head out of. She had been on duty patrolling, and was heading up to the breached area. She clasped the phaser at her side and folded her hands behind her back, giving her superior a brief nod, stepping briskly into sync beside him. "Lieutenant."

"Crewman," he merely said as he replaced the hatch, making his way to the computer labs. "Keep your phaser rifle ready, set on max stun. I want these intruders taken into custody, not killed. Unless there is no other option. Understood?"

Shifting her rifle to the primary low-ready position, Chara said, "Understood, sir."

Rhodes Quarters

. . . there she stood, silhouetted with the moon behind her, as before. Theron still could not recognize her. He approached slowly, quietly. She turned gracefully to face him, but she disappeared from in front of him, as everything went black with a booming sound all about him . . .

Lt. Rhodes was awakened suddenly by the klaxon. "Why can I never get to the end of that dream?" Theron said frustratedly. He jumped into a uniform and shoes the best he could. With comm and phaser in hand, he headed from his quarters within seconds.

Deck 5

Cyrus jolted awake, his old combat knife in hand, the one he kept underneath his pillow while he slept, when he slept. Getting his bearings and surroundings, it took less than 5 minutes to be properly armed and ready out the door. He told Watt to stay put in case anything happened. and opened the door. He tucked his kinfe into his right boot and drew his phaser with practiced ease, before making his way down the hall in a fast jog. Well, it was bound to happen at some point. he thought to himself.

He tapped his badge, trying to think who had relieved him. =^= This is Kiwosk, Davis, Smoak, What the hell is going on?! =^=

=^=Report of intruders on Deck Four, they've got Lieutenant Cho. I'm attempting to track her now but sensors are being difficult due to a thoron field set up around decks two through six. Stone and Rhodes are enroute.=^=

"Smoak go get a type 3 from the armory and get your ass to Deck 4 ASAP."

=^=Smoak is not responding to comms.=^= Davis announced over the open comm lines and to the bridge personnel in general. He'd been trying since that first outburst. Now he was really worried about the kid. He was a good officer, even if he were young and needed some more guidance. =^=I've alerted medical to be on standby.=^=

=^= Shit, Davis, good job on the Medical warning. Keep the comms clear of chatter and make sure you don't lose sight of them. I don't care if we need to borrow energy, keep those sensors online. =^=
Davis rolled his eyes at the idea of being told to keep the comm lines free of chatter, by someone chattering all over the comms.
Cyrus hesitated. Would it be worth risking the entire crew? "Davis, I'm going to make my way to Deck 4 by the turbolift, let all available Security that haven't been ordered by Stone or Rhodes to group on Decks 3 and 5. If we're lucky we might be able to catch them trying to run.

=^=Will do.=^=

Bridge

As the turbolift doors parted in front of him, John leapt onto the Bridge without batting an eyelid and made his way to the centre chair, pulling up a schematic of deck 4 as well as security feeds from every possible system that might have eyes or ears on that section.

"What have we got people? Someone fill me in!"

"What we know so far, Commander," Davis said, turning from the tactical station. He liked this new set up, it made addressing the bridge crew so much easier. "We've had a break in of Computer Lab 2. One personnel was in there and security reports she was taken by the intruders. That was Lt. Cho. I've lost contact with Petty Officer Smoak who went to check on the initial alarm. He's failed to respond to attempts at contact. Security teams are on site and I'll update as we obtain more information. So far we suspect two intruders. I'm unable to lock down anybody aboard the Galileo who shouldn't be here. Either they're using sensor jamming tech or they're sending out false personal transponder signals."

"Very well - set up a scattering field in that section - if they've come aboard for what I think they have, they'll be sure to try and make their own way off the Galileo. Flood the section with thoron particles - that should inhibit anyone else trying to get a transporter lock."

"Done," Davis said from his station as he inputted the orders.

John switched the screen in front of him to get an idea of what exactly was going on. The transponder codes from Stone and his team appeared in front of him as they slowly closed down on the objective.

=^=Bridge to Stone - status report. We've established a localised thoron field around the science labs - they've got no way out other than the doors. =^=

Deck 4 Computer Lab 2

Jeremy squatted over Smoak, confident that he was breathing, but still unconscious. Anger over one of his men hurt flooded through him. Thoron field he thought. Transporter inhibition. He should have thought of that. He should have realized that! Here was his chance to make Holliday eat crow and he was screwing it up! He shoved the thought away as he stood. His anger rose as he considered his officer on the deck, harmed by intruders coming after something that the command staff knew about. They knew and failed to update security on the risks to themand the crew! Now Smoak was paying the price for that conceit.

=^=So far nothing seems out of place other than an attack on Petty Officer Smoak. He's unconscious and needs medical attention. But the intruders are gone. I suggest widening the field to encompass surrounding decks, if not the entire ship. The intruders escaped through the Jeffries tubes. We'll be searching after them. In the meantime, lock down the ship and activate security fields on each deck level and at every other junction. Set them for voice command bypass only.=^=

That should minimize who can get pass the fields - limited to four people aboard the ship - Stone and Rhodes, along with the XO and CO. Really, those two shouldn't be on the list but Stone didn't make regulations, only followed and enforced them.

Bridge

=^=Confirmed Mr Stone - I'll have the field widened to encompass decks 2 through 6 - that should give us a little bit of room to move. =^=

Closing the channel, the Commander turned back to the security station and waved his hand, as if silently giving the order to do exactly what the Security Chief had just outlined over the conn.

Davis's fingers flew over the panel, initiating security fields on a mass scale. He opened another screen and widened the transponder signals to see how this was affecting those of the crew. Taking the initiative, he made sure to seal crew quarters and any other non-essential room to keep the potential areas for infiltration smaller.

If they were going to catch the party or parties responsible for illegally boarding the Galileo, then the XO was going to have to increase his response teams to compensate for the inability to track their intruders on the ship's sensors.

=^=Bridge to Quinn - we have unidentified intruders on board - begin coordinating the sealing off of decks alongside our security teams - make sure any of our staff in those sections are evacuated with due haste then I'll be needing you up here to assist me. =^=

=^=Acknowledged, sir. I'm on it. I'd suggest raising shields so these bastards can't beam off, and I'd put the shields on a auto modulation rotation in case they know our shield freq.=^= answered Quinn as he was stepping of the turbolift onto Deck-4.

=^=Mr Stone - I've asked Mr Quinn to lend you a hand getting all non-security personnel off the surrounding decks - your team can worry about the intruders and less about someone getting caught in the crossfire . =^=

=^=Acknowledged, Commander=^= Stone said then tapped the commbadge again. ==^==Stone to response teams, set phasers to maximum stun. I want the intruders in custody, to face charges and prison time for their attack on one of my officers - not in the morgue. All safety considerations should be taken into account however. Be advised they are to be considered dangerous.=^=

Tapping his comm and speaking softly =^= Rhodes to Stone.=^= as he glanced over his shoulder at his security team.

=^=Go ahead, Lieutenant=^= Jeremy responded as he sent Chara forward, to guard the tube and see if she can determine any evidence, but also cautioning her to keep from destroying any evidence they may have at the moment. As soon as they have Smoak into Medical care, he'll seal the room as a crime scene.

=^=I and my team are at the far side of the passageway from you. Awaiting instructions.=^= Out of the corner of his eye, Theron caught the movement of one of his team move up for a better position.

Deck 4 Turbolift

The doors opened and Cyrus leveled his hand phaser, using his right arm as a brace to steady his weapon. He tapped his badge once he noted the way was clear. =^= Stone and Rhodes, this is Kiwosk, I'm on Deck 4 by the 'lift. It seems clear enough, who or what are we dealing with? =^=

Jeremy had to stop and think. What were they doing in this room? The cannabilized computer seemed to be the only thing of focus in the room. What were they doing in here? If he knew the answer to that question, he might be able to come up with some idea of what they might be doing or where they might be going. He knelt to check on Smoak again.

"Where's that medical team?" he asked, punching his commbadge. "Kiwoski, Rhodes. We operate under the, 'shudder', assumption they left this room in the Jeffries tubes. We should have them blocked on the ship, hopefully we arrived to keep them trapped on this deck. They're dragging a hostage with them, which should slow them down and give us an advantage. Davis...get that medical team to Smoak now!" He stepped back for a moment. "Chara and I are going into the Jeffries tubes after them."

Chara only looked up once from the sights of her rifle in acknowledgment.

Cyrus kept walking down the hall pacing himself as he finally linked up with the Jefferies tubes. "Sir, I'm by a set of Jefferies now. I'm going in." He had gone to the armory earlier long enough to grab a bracer computer. Tapping on the bracer tricorder he brought up a map of the Tubes. "I'm heading into the Tubes sir, it would be a good idea to have someone stay with Smoak until the Medical Team arrives." He opened the Jefferies, shining his phaser in the hole.

"Rhodes," Jeremy growled, "Send one of your team to stay with Smoak until Medical arrives. Prepare to move out to cover exits. Kiwoski, remain in position until I meet up with you." and wring your overly steroidal neck. "Chara," he said, still growling. "See if you can get any readings through the thoron field. Concentrate on..." he frowned for a moment...Cho was..."Look for Trill life signs. And remind me later to compliment the engineer on her department's cleaning standards."

"Understood," Chara replied, pulling out her tricorder from the secondary side pocket at her hip and flipping it open. She calibrated it quickly and set it to continuous scan, focusing on sending a thin line of awareness through the field and compensating for the distortion. She frowned and shook her head. Damn, she said to herself, I am not a scientist! She tried again, switching a cartridge in the back as they moved into the beginning positions. "Okay," she glanced over at Stone when it finally got a lock. Thorons were difficult. Rn 220 was radioactive and extremely dense, clinging to every part of the corridor, and highly toxic to breathe in. "Recommend rebreathers, sir. This field isn't a vacation spot. Here." She finally managed to send out a small pulse to make an opening in the field just small enough to get a tricorder signal through, but not wide enough to allow for transport.

By the time they got here, I might lose my chance and keeping up with them... Cyrus screamed inside his head, but he held fast. "Understood, I'm sending you a copy of the Jefferies map." He informed the Lieutenant. "Chara, how are you holding up, Girl?" He asked through the comm.

"Good to go. Standing by, Chief," Chara answered in her usual professional tones.

"This isn't a frat party, Chief," Stone said coming around the corner with Chandra. Fortunate the direction they were heading in line where Kiwoski was located. "These people have wounded one of my men and are holding a shipmate hostage. Maybe you could concentrate less on trying to pick up a date and more on doing your damned job, Chief?" Stone asked. He realized he didn't like this man, but even he was becoming surprised by the depths of how far it went.

Chandra could almost be excused. Her inexperience was monumental.

Cyrus snorted. He should have continued on his own. "She's still getting used to her duty roster sir. Excuse me for having feelings for my fellow crew." He retorted sardonically. "Besides, it's not my fault that doing my 'damned job' entailed that I had to wait for you to show up."

"Your damned job can also entail standing guard outside the hydroponics lab for the rest of the night as well, Chief," Jeremy said as he moved forward, trying to keep his senses alert for signs of passage or that they were catching up to the intruders. It was a huge deck, however, and they could be anywhere. And getting further away the more Kiwoski treated this like a day at the beach.

There was a steady beeping noise emitting from the tri-corder. "Looks like it's about ten meters down that way," Chara interrupted them both.

Cyrus looked over at her and grinned. "Good job, Chara." Clapping one massive hand on her shoulder before looking over to Stone. "Can we save the chastising until after we put these two in the brig?" He braced his phaser again and sighed. "What's the plan, boss?"

The Tellarite tensed under the contact, but due to her own sense of professionalism and duty, didn't make any moves out of the way until he removed his hand. Then, she sidled away subtly toward the edge of the corner. "Orders?" she asked, blinking back at them both with too-large black eyes. She turned to her rifle and ensured it was set on maximum stun rather than kill.

Jeremy checked the charge on his phaser pistol, also making sure that he had it on stun. "We find them, we stun them into next century, make an airtight case that even some asshat bleeding heart Commander couldn't fail to understand and make sure they get sent to whatever harshest penal colony there is. Above all, we do it professionally and quietly!" he hissed.

[TBC]

Cmdr Jonathan Holliday
Executive Officer
USS Galileo

Ltjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

LTjg Theron Rhodes
Asst. Chief of Security
USS Galileo

Master Chief Petty Officer Markum Quinn
Chief of the Boat
USS Galileo

CWO Cyrus Kiwosk
Security/ Tactical
USS Galileo

SPO Anthony Davis
Security/Tactical officer
USS Galileo

PO3 Justin Smoak
Security/Tactical officer
USS Galileo

Crewman Indri Chara
Security/Tactical Officer, SFS
USS Galileo

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