Part II.
All Quiet on the Talarian Front

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

There was a faint shimmer on the bridge of the Uhria, as Sergeants Tan & Zimmerman and Corporals Cair & Watts materialized. The cargoship had been on red alert, and what little light still functioned consisted of flickering red panels.

Everyone on the team but Dr. Zimmerman had donned oxygen apparati to breathe in the thinned atmosphere. Watts and Cair were startled when he stepped up on the transporter platform without a mask; he only smiled.

Wrist torches and tricorders disrupted the dimness, the beeping and chirping of diagnostic equipment breaking the dead silence. Arquin Tan tried to get the console by the CO's chair running in an attempt to extract log entries. Mark caught Corp. Julie Watts staring at him. He was about to explain his true nature, when his tricorder changed pitch. Zimmerman knelt down at the navigation station. He moved the tricorder from the floor up to the console's interface panel. "Sergeant," he paused for Tan to turn in his direction, "I'm reading organic residue and evidence of phaser fire. Someone had been vaporized right here on the spot."

Dr. Mark Zimmerman
Sgt. Arquin Tan

Arquin turned to the Doctor.

"Phaser fire? Not disruptor? Rules our Romulans, I think. Check out all the stations. We need to know who else was here."

"Definitely phaser fire. Starfleet issue rifle," said the doctor. "I recognize this signature." He looked up. "Either Federation renegades are to blame, or someone is covering their tracks."

Tan turned to the rest of the team scouring the bridge.

"Let's see if we can't get this tub moving back towards the nearest starbase. I'll work on extracting the ship's log."

He tapped his comm-badge, signalling the Black Star.

"Tan to Black Star. The Doctor has found evidence of phaser fire here on the bridge. Something tells me that the crew didn't abandon ship. We'll keep you posted as we progress. You might want to take ths Uhris into tow, just in case we can't get their engines going."

Tan scanned the bridge. Something just didn't feel right. Something went off in the back of his mind and he wasn't one to ignore his instincts.

Slowly, he sat down in the command chair as he began to open his mind and close his eyes.

For a moment, all was black and the only thing he heard was the movements of his team as they searched the bridge, but then the images began, flashes of things past.

Screams.

The sound of phaser fire.

More weapons fire, higher in pitch this time.

Disruptors.

His eyes snapped open. His previous assessment was wrong.

"Romulans."

He slapped his commbadge again, his voice urgent.

"Tan to Black Star, scan for a cloaked ship. I have a strong feeling there are Romulans about, and I'm not just talking about a hunch."

Lance Corp. Marishka Cair

*~Cair thinking the Doctor is lucky not to have to wear these silly masks.~

<< Cargo Ship >>

*After scanning the bridge Cair is ordered to go and check the other sections of the ship..*

Cair: *softly mutters to herself* " I wish I were going to engineering to reastablish life support I hate these masks so constraining.. Well at least it well be fun to go down the jeffries tubes.."

* Opening the access panel she crawls inside, beginning the decent to the next deck.. ~ I forgot how much I hate these things so dark no light. ~ Her heart rate increases as she begins to fear the suroundings.. She begins to breath harder.. finally reaching the exit she opens it and breathing a sigh of relief climbs out onto the next deck..*

Cair: *smiles, softly to her self* " Well that was stimulating at least.."

*Taking her tri corder she begins scanning the area.. finding yet more traces of phaser fire.. sighs.. ~ to late for the dance~
tapping her comm badge*

Cair: " Gunnery Sergeant Tan, sir, I've found more residual readings of the same type as on the bridge.. bio matter and phaser signatures.. Continuing on now sir..

Sgt. Arquin Tan

Tan looked at the Doctor's findings himself.

"I'm betting on covering their tracks. My... intuition is very strong."

He stepped over to the Engineering station and was checking the status of Life Support when he got the response from the Black Star.

"Damn." he clenched his fists. "Maybe they're gone already."

Not two seconds later, he received a status report from Lieutenant Cair.

"Acknowledged, Lieutenant. Be careful down there, we're here on fact-finding, not to shoot the place up, so no unneccessary heroics. Keep me apprised and we'll try to make it down to Main Engineering. Tan out."

He turned his attention back to the Engineering console and went back to work on Life Support with a knotted stomach. There was something funnier than appearances seemed to suggest going on here, or he was a Denebian Slime Devil.

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Mark decided to check the lower decks for more evidence. He entered the turbolift - which appeared to be functioning (or its doors did, anyway) - and immediately called out "Computer freeze turbolift!" Obviously some sort of backup power supply was working the lift, because it complied immediately. Well, he wasn't an engineer...

"Sergeant, I believe we've found our culprit."

Arquin Tan joined Zimmerman at the turbolift entrance. There, before them, was a smear of greenish blood on the wall, smearing a path to a very dead Romulan. The victim's right arm was missing, but not from dismemberment. It simply disappeared as though it entered a border which either sent it to another dimension or rendered it out of phase.

The doctor turned to Tan, who didn't need to read the hologram's mind to gauge his expression and train HIS tricorder on the oddity. It was Mark's guess that Chronoton radiation would be apparent. "I think we should take the Jeffries tube to our left to investigate the other decks. Just a hunch," Dr. Zimmerman smirked.

Sgt. Arquin Tan

Tan regarded the dead Romulan aghast.

"Good Lord. What happened here?" he tapped his commbadge, signalling the Black Star. "Away Team to Black Star, it seems the Doctor and I had similar 'hunches'. Only he has a dead Romulan to support his theories. Recommend we go to Yellow Alert if we're not already and keep an active scan for our friends. Tan out."

He tapped his badge again, switching to the Away Team frequency. "Away Team, keep alert. The Doctor has discovered a dead Romulan in a turbolift, so stay sharp. There may be more on the ship. I want reports every five minutes."

He studied his tricorder intently. "Chronoton radiation? Do you have a hypothesis yet, Doctor?"

Corporal Gaz

[Bridge] Corpal Gaz stood aside of Corpal Caair looking at the tactial screen and noticing that there was somone moving in the engineering section of the other ship.

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Dr. Zimmerman was about to head for the Jeffreys tube unaffected by temporal interference, when Corporal Gaz contacted them:

=/\= Gaz to Away team: send a team to Main engineering ! Sensors detecting a lifesign in main Engineering ! =/\=

Sgt Tan, Corporal Watts (who joined Tan at the entrance of the turbolift to investigate the area's anomalous condition), and the others on the away team stared at eachother.

The doctor tapped his combadge: "Zimmerman to Corporal Gaz: Why weren't lifesigns detected previously?" He stood, waiting to see whether Tan had any change of procedure in light of their now being on an occupied vessel.

Lance Corp. Marishka Cair

*Cair having heard that their was a lifesign other than their own aboard the cargo ship.. Became excited as she headed for engineering..

~ Finally some action, I hope I didn't lose my touch.. *smiles* I know I didn't.. I do wonder if it's Romulan or one of the crew some how showing up?~

*Arriving near engineering she sees that the rest of the away team have arrived there ahead of her..

Her phaser drawn, she smiles as she joins them, Waiting for their signal to enter engineering and see what and who they find..*

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Tan barked his orders and before Dr. Zimmerman could enlist her, Private Cair jumped into the Jeffries Tube. He looked at the rest of the crew incredulously. "Well, so much for a bodyguard." He asked Corporal Watts to join him while the rest of the team searched other areas of the vessel. Before he embarked on his trip down the ladder, he tapped his combadge: "Private Cair: hold your position. That's an order!"

Dr. Zimmerman and Corporal Watts made it down to Uriah's engineering deck. It was dim, and some areas were venting coolant and plasma. An occasional dark spot was apparent where someone once stood, and there were a couple of Talarian bodies lying by their stations. Watts tried to make out readings, which fluctuated unreliably.

Corp Cair stood waiting, her phaser drawn. Zimmerman approached her. "Corporal," he said, "Next time, wait for orders. Now, there are patches of Chronoton radiation, and an alleged lifesign which we are unable to confirm. We must find out what is the cause of the Chronoton particles, where can we walk on this ship without passing through some sort of timewarp, and if there is indeed a survivor." Cair nodded, although her body language betrayed great restlessness.

"I'll go ahead, since I'm least likely to be hurt by any attack. Don't shoot until I say so. Remember: our objective is to get information. If someone is here, we'll either have to rescue or apprehend them - either scenario with the least mess..."

"Doctor," Julie interrupted, "I recalibrated my tricorder to filter out tachyon emissions, and I do detect a lifesign seven metres ahead and slightly to our right. It's weak."

Zimmerman nodded and instructed her to notify Tan's group of the Tachyons. He then gestured for Cair follow him. They slowly advanced...

Lance Corp. Marishka Cair

Following Dr. Zimmermans orders Cair sets her phaser to stun..
She sighs.. Follows behind him ready for what may be..
~ Not as exciting as I had hoped.~
Keeping her eyes open for what ever being they may find and hoping it's a Romulan..
She looks with respect at the Doctor..
~he has good leadership qualities~

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Zimmerman pulled his own phaser, just in case. If anything, it would give a wounded opponent pause before trying anything. He and Corporal Cair reached the end of the consoles. He turned around briefly with a glance to her; she was ready.

Zimmerman glided past the corner, and with lightning efficiency stood in position, phaser trained. After a few seconds, he withdrew the phaser and stood straight. He holstered the phaser and produced his medical tricorder while informing Cair and Watts: "It's a Talarian. He's wounded."

Mark approached the victim, who - had he been even the slightest bit less dazed - could have put up an impressive fight.

As he scanned the crewman, he asked Corp. Watts: "Are there any other lifesigns you're reading with that recalibrated tricorder?" He frowned at the readings he was getting.

"No, sir," responded the science officer. "only those of the away team. I couldn't even pick up them before."

"How about the patches of Chronoton radiation?" he asked. "Do you think you're able to map out a safe path to continue checking the ship with Corporal Cair?"

Julie nodded, "I've been mapping them out. There are a few spots on this deck we must avoid, and I know exactly where they are."

"Good," he said. "And maybe in the process, you'll be able to find out just *when* they're supposed to be as well." He smiled while taking more readings.

"I intend to, sir."

"Excellent! Keep on it until I return - and I *do* plan to return." Dr. Zimmerman tapped his combadge. "Dr. Zimmerman to Black Star: two to beam directly to the Medical Bay." He smiled at Cair before he and the Talarian dematerialized. "Thanks for watching my back - in all respects."

1st Lieutenant Devec Avakar

"The Doctor has beamed aboard sir" reported Casey at Ops, still sifting through the sensor readouts.

"Aye Mr.Winter. Continue with your analysis" Devec said, slumped over the arm of his chair. It was getting boring, but then, that was what command was for...

"Tachyon Surge" said Corporal Winter "I've found a Tachyon Surge, but only for a brief moment. Infact, i see two"

"Where?" asked Devec

"I was filtering through the Talarian Computer Banks, and they're Sensor readouts prove alot... infact, it is most interesting" he reported, moving over to the science console.

"But two brief surges can mean anything... Unless!"

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

"Computer, erect a level three forcefield around the surgical bay."

=/\= Acknowledged. =/\=

Zimmerman left the dazed Talarian on the biobed for the moment. First things first. He tapped his combadge: "Dr. Zimmerman to First Lt. Avakar: Please report to the medical bay."

He looked over at his sedated patient. Hardly a threat at the moment. But Mark needed more versatile access, so that he could treat his subject and still keep up the forcefield...

"Computer: Does this room have an EMH projection system?"

=/\= Affirmative. =/\=

"How much data storage is in reserve?"

=/\= Over sixty million gigaquads. =/\=

Zimmerman went over to the console and created a labeled partition. "Computer, transfer my program from the mobile emitter to data section alpha."

=/\= Transfer complete. =/\=

Zimmerman hesitated. He had not been dependent upon a resident holoprojection system in months. He unzipped his uniform jacket and reached into his sleeve to disengage the emitter's protective forcefield, then removed the device from his arm. He set it carefully on a tray. The doctor took a deep breath, turned to face the surgical bay, and walked through the forcefield. He then set about treating his patient's wounds.

In short order, First Lt. Avakar entered the room. His eyes momentarily grew wide with fascination as Dr. Zimmerman walked toward him through the forcefield barrier. Zimmerman smiled at his commanding officer's look of astonishment. "I've interfaced with the medical bay's systems," he explained. "It helps me get around easier under those circumstances when security is an issue. Like now."

Dr. Mark Zimmerman
1st Lieutenant Devec Avakar

"I'll see what i can do about the Security Issue Doctor" began Devec, rolling his eyes around the small room. "But how is the patient? Can he talk?"

"I've sedated him," said Dr. Zimmerman, looking back at the groggy Talarian. "There's something you should know about him first."

Devec frowned slightly, looking at the Doctor and then the Patient on the biobed "What would that be?"

"He's not a Talarian. I checked his DNA and bloodwork on the Uriah. He's a Romulan."

"A Romulan?" pondered Devec, this was a revelation in the situation that would ahve to be exlpored further.

"It's anyone's guess what he was doing there. Permission to return to the Uriah and run scans on the other victims?"

Devec looked at the Patient again, and then looked back to the Doctor "Granted - you will take Privates Jeremy and Smith with you as escorts"

"Aye, Sir. Would you want me to maintain the forcefield or put him in restraints?"

"Both, and i will have a Security Detail down here immediately"

"If you want me to revive him for interrogation, I can do that before I leave," the doctor offered.

"no" started Devec "His interrogation will begin later. We have afew other things to deal with first..."

"Very well, Sir." The forcefield's barrier shimmered as the doctor walked through it to apply restraints. Then, once back beyond its boundaries, he fetched his mobile emitter and slipped it back under his jacket. "Computer, transfer my program to the mobile emitter."

=/\= Transfer complete =/\=

He made adjustments to activate the device's custom protective forcefield, then straightened out his jacket and closed it with a grin. "I'm on my way." He fetched his medkit and left for the transporter room.

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Dr. Zimmerman materialized in Uriah's engineering section with Privates Jeremy and Smith. "Mister Smith: Scan the area for chronoton radiation. We want to keep clear of them."

"Aye Sir," the private acknowledged.

Private Jeremy was one of the Black Star's medics. Zimmerman turned to him: "We'll be conducting DNA analyses on the spot, so I'll need you to take blood samples from all these victims."

"Aye, Sir!"

Zimmerman tapped his combadge. "Dr. Zimmerman to Away Team: Just to let you know I'm back in engineering with crewmen Smith and Jeremy assisting me with tests."

=/\= Acknowledged, Doctor, =/\= Tan responded, =/\= We've noticed that some patches of chronoton emissions have been moving about the ship. Proceed with utmost caution.=/\=

"Will do," Mark replied. "You should be informed that our sole survivor was not a true Talarian. I'm afraid your suspicions were correct."

There was a pause. =/\= Understood. =/\=

Suddenly, there was a scream of pain, which ended as abruptly as it began. Mark turned in that direction, just as Corporal Cair ran up.

=/\= What was that? =/\=

"Doctor!" It was Private Jeremy. Cair and Zimmerman ran in that direction, to find the young crewman kneeling over Smith's body; there was a charred hole where Smith's heart had been. "He's dead, Sir."

"Sergeant: it's Private Smith. He's dead." Zimmerman joined Jeremy and took out his tricorder.

=/\= From what? =/\=

Mark straightened up. He turned to Private Jeremy, then looked up at Cair. "A disruptor - point blank."

Dr. Mark Zimmerman
Lance Corp. Marishka Cair

Private Jeremy had Smith transported back to the Black Star.

Dr. Zimmerman stood and looked around the room, squinting keenly. He had a theory. "Corporal Watts: Where is the closest pocket of chronoton radiation?"

The science officer checked her tricorder. "Not far. About 8 metres to our left."

The doctor looked in that direction. "About how large is the chronoton field? What are its dimensions?"

Watts looked again at the tricorder, and hit a few sensor pads. "180 centimetres high, approximately 62 centimetres wide."

Zimmerman nodded.

*Cair raises her brows, looking around* Cair:*softly* "Sir I think it may be wise to have reinforcments sent over."

"Not just yet, Corporal," he said, still looking in the direction of the chronoton patch. "If we have any more join us, there's a greater chance that they could end up like Private Smith." He remembered he had his comlink open to Tan's frequency. "Sergeant: please stand by. I think we're onto something here."

There came a sigh =/\= Aknowledged. =/\=

He leaned in to whisper in Cair's ear. "Corporal Cair: I have special instructions for you..."

Cair:*glancing at him whispered* " What are they sir?"

Corporal Watts glanced up from her readings. "Sir, another chronoton field just appeared on this deck."

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

"Sir, another chronoton field just appeared on this deck."

"How many does that make?" inquired Dr. Zimmerman.

Julie Watts checked her tricorder again. "Eight in engineering, Sir. Its dimensions are similar..."

"All right. Now listen up: I want everybody to avoid these chronoton fields at all costs. Private Jeremy and Corporal Watts: Continue to take tissue and blood samples from those victims way over there." Zimmerman pointed to a trio of dead Talarians located seemingly out of range of those drifting emissions. "Corporal Cair, please stay here and take readings of the warp core. See if the chronoton fields change in any way with their proximity to it." Marishka Cair nodded enthusiastically.
She did her part well.

Zimmerman took some samples and his own medkit. "I'll be over there, running tests with what we've collected thus far." He pointed deliberately to the spot where the new mass of chronotons were located.

Watts and Jeremy were momentarily bewildered. Then, they both seemed to recall that the doctor had no need of a breathing apparatus in this thinned air, and went about their duties. Corporal Cair held a phaser in her right hand, and - with convincing interest - examined the readout of a tricorder held in her left. To the left a ways was Zimmerman, opening up his kit.

Mark quietly examined the DNA from a tissue sample, when suddenly a beam passed through his chest.

"NOW!" He yelled.

Lance Corp. Marishka Cair

Cair looking at the doctor , felt unsure of his orders..~ Afraid of what may happen.. If she were to stun him..~

Following her orders as she was trained to, her phaser set on stun she quickly fired the beam passing through him..

Suddenly a Romulan collasped to the floor behind the doctor..
Her eyes widen in amazment that the doctor was still standing..
Instantianally more Romulans appear on the far side of the engine room near control panels..

Cair moves forward her phaser firing at them, Zimmerman taking aim and hitting his mark with skill.

A disruptor blast going through him hitting a panel behind him. Sparks fly and a fire starts..

Cair firing hits another Romulan his shot going up, hitting a beam in the ceiling the beam crashing down, hitting another Romulan pinning him under it's wieght..

Jeremy(NPC) firing into the fray taking out another..

Watts (NPC): yells out. " Sir more incoming Romulans on this deck."

1st Lieutenant Devec Avakar

"SIR! I'M DETECTING DISRUPTOR FIRE IN THE ENGINEERING SECTION!" yelled Casey at the top of his voice. Devec looked stunned at Corporal Gaz, and immediately decided to take his recommendation to the heart.

"Agreed Corporal, take a three infantry squads with you" he ordered. Devec saluted, and Gaz replied the Salute, turning directly around and heading off the bridge to the tra sporter room.

"Casey" said Devec, removing himself from the Command chair and pulling up a seat next to the Ops/Science consoles. Now was the time for Devec and Casey to work like mongrels to find whatever was out there... and When there was Romulans involved, so was cloaked ships...

Sgt. Arquin Tan

Tan had been poring over a library archive console when something 'pinged' in the back of his head, a familiar old feeling that warned of imminent danger.

He hadn't survived in Starfleet Intel by ignoring that sense, but he also was cagey enough to not react before he knew what the problem was. With as little movement as possible, he opened the tricorder on the desk beside him and surreptitiously pushed a button.

The chronoton radiation level in the room had spiked by quite a bit. Altering the readout to show the levels in the room, he realized that the two areas where the levels were highest were in front of the desk he was at and to the right, and a field directly behind him.

...Behind him...

On impulse he shoved his chair back, hard, and rolled over the desk towards the second field, launching a hard kick towards it.

For an microsecond, he didn't connect, and he had begun to feel very foolish, but as his foot connected with where he had estimated the second chronoton field to be, he heard a very distinct "oof" and the sound of something heavy hitting the floor.

Rolling to his feet, his mind began screaming at him to duck and he threw himself backwards, almost too late as a wave of energy passed over his chest as he began to lean backwards. There was a snap and a pop and his comm badge flew off his chest, carbon scored and smoking. Had he moved a microsecond too late, that beam would have burned a hole in his chest.

Desperately, Tan picked up another chair and heaved it at where he guessed the being was. His aim, though poor, paid off with some results and he saw the chair bounce off something that he could not see, as well as see a pistol of some type suddenly appear in midair and clatter to the ground.

Wasting no time, he charged, leaping over the desk headfirst, arms stretched out as wide as possible, trusting that something other than the far wall would stop him.

His left arm snagged something and he dragged it closer to his body as he fell to the ground. He clutched it desperately, knowing that if he lost whatever it was he was holding, he might be dead before he could think of something else.

Blows rained invisibly down on him and something kneed him in the crotch as he struggled to find the main body of whatever he had snared, but just as he reached up, something closed his jaw violently and he reeled back, stunned, his grip lost.

As his vision cleared, his eyes fell upon his phaser, knocked loose and lying under the desk, just within arm's reach.

His arm shot out with the speed of a cobra and snared the phaser. In one more smooth movement, he rose and backed himself into a corner of the room, brandishing the phaser.

Time to even the odds, he thought, quickly altering the settings on the phaser with his thumb.

"I'll bet you're wondering if I can see you." he called to his invisible opponent. "Well, the answer is no. No, I can't, and I'll bet you think that gives you a tactical advantage. It does, but not for long."

He scanned the room quickly, committing every detail of it to his photographic memory. His gambit counted on his memory and the hope that his cloaked opponent wasn't wearing any eye protection.

"Computer, lights off."

The room was plunged into blackness and all was quiet for a moment as Tan waited a crucial three seconds, and then spoke again, covering his eyes with his free hand.

"Smile for the camera..." he said and brought his thumb down on the phaser activation switch.

The phaser released all of it's energy in a bright, harmless flash of orange light.

Harmless, of course, unless your eyes had just adjusted to the dark.

In the absolute blackness that followed, Tan easily located the source of the pained grunting, stepped over to his opponent, avoiding all the furniture he had memorized, and with one well placed punch, rendered the man unconscious.

"Computer, lights up." Tan said and studied the room. His unconscious opponent had not yet materialized, although he could feel the unconscious man's uniform in his hand.

He stepped out of the room, memorizing which one it was. "Computer, secure this room, authorization Tan Alpha Zeta Zeta. Notify me if it is breached." He looked up as Ensign Wiersbowski (NPC) came running up to him.

"What happened to you, sir?" the ensign asked, aghast.

"Oh," Tan smirked as they headed for Engineering, "I ran into someone I hadn't seen in a while."

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

"Sergeant! The Chronoton fields: They're cloaked Romulans!" Mark Zimmerman dropped to one knee and stunned an intruder just materializing. "There appear to be several more converging on our position!"

Another Romulan attempted to shoot a disruptor beam at Mark, and was momentarily bewildered as it too passed through him without effect. Mark took him out quickly.

A loud crash as a support beam Cair aimed for fell on two more. The doctor then turned in Watts' & Jeremy's direction. They were holding their own. Wait: another was materializing behind them. Zimmerman lifted his phaser and took flawless aim between their heads...

Picking up Private Smith's fallen tricorder, Mark rushed back to where the samples were and quickly took a reading of his immediate area, then reached for a switch on his testing apparatus. Then, with tricorder open by his side, he took another sample. The tricorder whined an alarm; Zimmerman eyed its readout carefully, and at the right moment kicked back into a Romulan gut, knocking the wind out of his would-be assailant. He tapped his combadge: "Dr. Zimmerman to First Lieutenant Avakar. Confirmed the remaining victims of the Uriah are NOT Romulans. They're definitely Talarian." He turned to a sound coming from a nearby Jeffries tube. The hatch opened. "Sgt. Tan and his party have just arrived down here, but I don't think it will be enough. I detect an increased number of chronoton fields on sensors..."

Corporal Gaz

Devec looked stunned at Corporal Gaz, and immediately decided to take his recommendation to the heart.

"Agreed Corporal, take a three infantry squads with you" he ordered. Devec saluted, and Gaz replied the Salute, turning directly around and heading off the bridge to the transporter room.

On arriving in the transporter Room Gaz took out his Pharser and set it on maxium stun setting and ordered the Infantry's Squads to do the same.

Gaz turned to the Transporter Chief and ordered him to proceed. The Infantry's teams and Corpal Gaz disappeared in a blue misty light.

1st Lieutenant Devec Avakar

"Talarian?" came the words to his mouth, stalling his thought "We've got 3 squads on their way down to your position immediately, they should be there by now"

Before a voice could even be muttered over the Comm-line, the Tactical console bleeped. "Sir, incoming vessel!" screamed the Temporary Tactical officer, rather confused.

"what origin?" asked Devec, eager to know whether or not to raise shields.

"It's... It's... It's Unidentified!"

"red alert"

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

As corporal Gaz crossed over towards the deck to where Sgt Tan stood, a streak of phaser fire buzzed close to his head. He stopped suddenly, startled.

"Sorry," came the uncharacteristically timid tone of Dr. Zimmerman's voice, "he was going to kill you." The doctor gestured.

Gaz turned around to see a fallen Romulan between himself and two crewmen. The assailant had decloaked in the midst of them to attack. Gaz nodded gratitude - somewhat off-guard - and continued towards Sgt. Tan.

Satisfied with himself, Mark - with tricorder in one hand and a phaser in the other - cautiously rejoined Marishka Cair, who was working out equations at a console.

"On to something?" he whispered discretely.

Lance Corp. Marishka Cair

Cair:*glancing at him nods* "I've found away to get the lights back on, sir.*

*She pulls out a pnel on the console and removes three damaged isolinear chips pulling three from the replicator console she uses them to replace the damaged ones.

Just as she was about to replace the panel a phaser shot went past her shooulder, turning she saw Dr. Zimmerman with his phaser drawn she then sees the Romulan laying not four feet away from her.

Shrugging her shoulders she finishes replacing the panel.. Pressing a few keys, theres a low hum the lights come on..*

Cair:*looking at Zimmerman* " Will at least now we can see where we are, if not who we're fighting, sir."

Sgt. Arquin Tan

Tan looked around as the lights came up.

"Good work, Cair." he nodded to the Corporal.

"These damnable cloaking fields. I don't know how they're doing it, but we're dead unless we take a more proactive approach. I need to get back to the Black Star. Their sensors may be able to detect the Romulans on a wider scale. We're sitting ducks, unless we can beat this.

"Take up point positions and cover the entry points. They still have to come in the doors, so as long as we're sure we're alone, we can hold them off. Be careful."

He grabbed a commbadge off of one of the security team ensigns and slapped it.

"Tan to Black Star. One to beam directly to the bridge."

In a shimmer of blue light, he was back on the Black Star, where he immediately vaulted over to the science station, punching buttons furiously.

"There HAS to be something that can detect these Romulans, or even better, break down their cloaking fields."

"Vetrion Particles."

Tan looked up at what Avakar had said. "What was that?"

"Vetrion particles." the First Lieutenant stepped over to a library computer and began punching buttons on the console frantically. "It was part of my research list when we were given this assignment."

Tan looked on as Avakar continued his exposition.

"On Stardate 45092.4, the crew of the Enterprise-D encountered a Romulan vessel which they discovered later was experimenting with a new type of cloaking device that not only rendered the ship invisible, but also intangible. An accident rendered two of the Enterprise crew phased, but with a dose of vetrion particles, they were returned to normal."

"But sir," Tan countered, "I fought two of them in a stateroom. They felt solid to me."

"Perhaps these cloaks are not quite as effective. In any case, I think we should try the same solution. It would be a start."

"Very good, sir." Tan hailed Cair again. "Corporal, initiate a vetrion particle burst shipwide on the Uriah. It should disable their cloaking devices."

Tan turned back to the lieutenant. "Perhaps the Romulan ship is also cloaked the same way?"

Avakar nodded. "Just what I was thinking. Begin buildup to a multi-directional vetrion burst from the deflector dish. If they're out there, we'll find them."

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Dr. Zimmerman watched as Marishka Cair's hands were a blur on the LCARS display. "I see you have some expertise in operations and engineering protocols."

Cair continued her calculations in an effort to fully restore ship's sensors. "Engineering and tactical are a combined field; I've spent time there doing repair to weapons systems."

"I see," said the Doctor and smiled as he watched her handiwork.

=/\= Sgt. Arquin Tan to Dr. Zimmerman. =/\=

Mark straightened and tapped his combadge. "Aye, Sergeant?"

=/\= We're standing by over here. You'll need your team to prepare for a quick beamout as soon as we've done our maneuver. =/\=

Zimmerman commanded the combadge volume lowered. "Maneuver, Tan?"

=/\= A blast of Vetrion particles should disperse the cloaking field.=/\=

"Ah."

=/\=As soon as we catch the Romulan lifesigns, we'll beam them off. Then, we'll get you all back on the Black Star and tractor the Uriah. Ready for your team to do the honors, Doctor. =/\=

"I understand." He turned to Corporal Cair. "We need to create a Vetrion pulse: strong, but not enough to harm us. Can you do it?"

Dr. Mark Zimmerman
Lance Corp. Marishka Cair

Cair looks at Zimmerman. She walks over to a computer terminal and begins to run a few calculations..

"Sir, yes I can do so. You want a Vetrion pulse, I've configured the calculations. I can send it though the enviromental controls, the particles well be despersed in a pulse , only lasting 25 seconds. Sir a question."

"Yes, Corporal?"

"Sir, the phaser blast going through you, you are a hologram. Well the pulse effect you in any way?"

"You're right: I am a hologram. Vetrion radiation has not been known to affect photonic energy. I should be fine." Mark smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Corporal."

They waited for the word from command.

Sgt. Arquin Tan

Tan and Avakar listened to the Away Team's progress with urgent interest.

"Away Team," Tan said, at a nod from Avakar, "Ready vetrion pulse. Transporter crews lock in with targeting sensors and beam all Romulan signatures directly to the brig. Security Teams, stand by to receive prisoners."

He looked at Avakar and the commanding officer gave the order.

"Initiate vetrion pulse."

Lance Corp. Marishka Cair

*Cair with a nod from Zimmerman, keyed in the sequince to initiate the Vetrion pulse.
This done within moments the Romulans started to take form.*

Cair: "Now for the rest to follow through."

*She takes her phaser and stands ready, should they be attacked before they are beamed off.*

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

It all happened in a matter of moments: The pulse activated, Romulans appearing all over the deck, and their having been transported off. The away team had barely a moment to look around at Uriah's Engineering section one last time before the shimmer of a transporter beam caught them all.

Mark stepped off the Blackstar's transporter platform. "Everyone to their stations!" he ordered, and a round of "Aye" echoed throughout the group as they all entered the corridor towards their assorted designations.

He stopped Marishka Cair. "Corporal? Your performance was exemplary. Good luck." She smiled glowingly as she entered the turbolift.

Zimmerman smiled back before the turbolift's doors closed between them. Then, he turned towards the Medical Bay.

Lance Corp. Marishka Cair

Cair approached the tactical station, she checked the armmament all was ready she only needed the signal to fire.
She stood ready, nodding at the co and xo to let them know.. ~Smiling as she thinks, soon I shall get to shoot something.~

Corporal Gaz

Corpal Gaz looked at the lance Corpal..she was egarely waiting for permisson to destory the BOP. Gaz chuckled as he waited for the order to be given.

looking at the screen and Bop on it...

Gaz: sir ! why destory the bop ? when we can take it to HQ and study there technology ?

Lance Corp. Marishka Cair

Avakar:"We have no choice in the matter." *turns to Gunny Tan nodding*

Tan: "Corporal Kavola, activate the wide sweep Vetrion pulse."

*Kovala in engineering* "aye sir" activates sweep* "Sweep activated sir."

*The sweep goes out from the Black Star causing at first a shimmer, then the Bird of Prey is uncloaked. Corporal Gaz tries hailng them*

Gaz: "Surrender yourselves."

*The BOP activates weapons, firing on the Black Star, she ship shakes.*

Cair: "Shields holding at 93%"

Avakar: "Lock phaser pulse cannons on BOP engines."

Cair: "Targeted and locked sir."

Avakar: " Fire"

*Cair fires the phasers, damage is minimal.*

Tan: " I suggest trying the Micro-Quantum Torpedo ."

Avakar: "Cair do it."

Cair: "yes sir."*

*She locks the Micro-Quantum Torpedos, using the pulse fires multiple time. Hitting the BOP, at first a few sparks and fire show, then the full distruction takes place, in an explossion of light, a flash, of fire it is gone. The Black Star rocks from the blast. Now a shimmering of space dust in the BOP's place.*

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

Dr. Zimmerman eyed his lone patient. The Romulan spy - altered to look Talarian - sneered at him from the confines of Biobed #1. Mark folded his arms; he was perfectly happy to stare him down indefinitely.

Suddenly, the room lurched. He grabbed the display at the foot of another biobed and tapped his combadge. "Sickbay to Bridge! What just happened?"

It was Corporal Cair. =/\= Shock wave from destroying the Bird of Prey Nothing to worry about. =/\= Then, there was a pause. =/\= It was spectacular. =/\=

The spy stared at Zimmerman, the blood drained from his face. Mark smiled in his usual smug manner. "Next stop for you: Starfleet Headquarters."

Sgt. Arquin Tan

The bridge crew surveyed the wreckage of the Bird of Prey.

"Damage report!" Tan called out.

"All sections report minor damage, but no further casualties, sir."

"Excellent." Avakar nodded as the crew took their stations.

"Orders, sir?" Tan turned to Avakar.

"Helm, set course for..." he was interrupted as the Communications panel beeped for him, showing a priority message from Starfleet Command.

Glancing over at Tan, he tapped his console as the message came over the bridge audio.

"Admiral Redneck to Black Star." the message was peppered with static, chirps and squawks, and Tan waved a hand at the Comm to clear it up.

"We're barely reading you, Admiral, can you boost your power?" Avakar half-shouted.

"We're ordering Black Star back to spacedock for extensive refit. We've had some advances that it's perfect for, but what that means is that you're all going to be reassigned until a later date."

Tan looked around the bridge as he regarded the emotions floating through the bridge crew. They had only completed one mission, their first at that.

Emotions were mixed, he could tell but for this ship, it was time to go home.

He looked at Avakar, who had already seemingly come to agreement with this in his own mind. Avakar nodded impassively and Tan turned to Helm.

"Helm, set course for Earth, sector 001." he spoke as the proper coordinates were entered.

"Take us home."

Dr. Mark Zimmerman

The ship stood down from Red Alert. Once security arrived to relocate their captive to the brig, Dr. Zimmerman checked his console for messages. With news of their returning to Starfleet Headquarters, he sighed with relief. The mission had been long but intense.

Leaving his office and wandering around the main area of the medical bay, Mark wondered where he'd be assigned next. He wasn't sure whether he'd pursue another squad assignment; it hadn't lent him any more distraction than a standard starship position. He wondered how long this restlessness in him would continue...