Cdr Miranda Hawthorne

SD 0121.2018 Commander Arden Cormoran has delivered news that Captain Swain is missing. He and Commander Hawthorne have decided to quietly begin searching for him, opting against telling Command for fears that he will be listed AWOL and the search be taken out of Excalibur's hands. We pick up with the search beginning.

MISSION BRIEF: Captain Swain is missing, but we seem to have uncovered a few clues. We continue our preliminary search for evidence this week on EXCALIBUR. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Hakran K'hal: :: in stellar cartography, piecing together what Swain had been working on down here prior to his disappearance - has just pulled a fragment of a file on the USS Pei Xiu :: Rhan K'hal: :: on the bridge, looking over Starfleet's files on the systems Avenar, Selliak and Tellas :: Tandaris Admiran: ::on the bridge at the engineering station, interfacing with the starbase computer to use its resources:: William Chocox: ::is back in Engineering:: Hunter Matheson: ::bridge, sitting at helm, thinking for once::: Tandaris Admiran: I've established a link with the station computer to borrow some of its processing power. It will still be a little slow, but it will be faster than we've been used to lately. Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Getting a cup of tea on the bridge:: Hakran K'hal: :: notes that there are a more than a few file fragments, figures these must've been deleted by the Captain as well as everything else he's been working on - however the database upgrades he had his brother perform after officially taking over as chief science officer seems to have foiled the attempts at complete wipes :: Hunter Matheson: ::turns:: Has anyone checked his quarters? Rhan K'hal: Anything will help, a random mouse could probably out-process us at the moment. Rhan K'hal: I'm sure Commander Arden had that part under control, Gunny. Hunter Matheson: ::nods:: Yes, sir. Hakran K'hal: :: frowns, unable to do much more than look at the small fragments he's seeing :: William Chocox: +Admiran+ Commander, what do you want me to do now? Hunter Matheson: Where else, or how else would he leave things behind in case they carted him off? Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ I want you to begin packing. Hakran K'hal: +Bridge+ K'hal to bridge, I may have found something down here, but it's very fragmentary. I'm going to need some file reconstruction at the very least. William Chocox: +Admiran+ Engineering stuff or personal affects? Cptn Swain: Arden> ::lifts a brow at the comm, over his tea:: Rhan K'hal: +Hakran+ What's up, bro? Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ Engineering stuff. The good stuff, if you can fit it into reasonable-sized boxes. I'm not sure how much room we'll have. Hakran K'hal: +Bridge+ I have a fragment of a file Swain had accessed during his time down here. Something about an archaeological excavation on Tellas Minor. There are a number of other fragments. He definitely tried deleting this stuff but your upgrades helped to save some of it, Rhan. Indaura Ryssan: :: on the bridge :: William Chocox: +Admiran+ On it sir. ::starts packing whatever he can:: Rhan K'hal: :: rubs chin thoughtfully :: +Hakran+ I'll talk with Commander Admiran, see what we can come up with considering our hardware limitations at the moment. Rhan K'hal: :: looks over to the spotted one, waiting for him to finish what he's doing :: Tandaris Admiran: ::K'hal:: Does Other K'hal have something? Rhan K'hal: :: gives him the cliff notes version, then adds :: That narrows down where your beacon was pointing to. Looks like we need to go to Tellas. Assuming we could go anywhere. Rhan K'hal: But it would be nice to have the same info the Captain apparently had. Not sure how much more we can get out of it here. And there's nothing to say that this information is easily available through normal channels. Tandaris Admiran: ::nods:: One problem at a time. Let's see if we can figure out why he shied off to Tellas... or was taken there against his will. Cptn Swain: Arden> Tellas Minor? Rhan K'hal: Yes, sir, that's what Hakran said was in the log fragment. Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Frowns over his tea:: Rhan K'hal: :: looks at what Hakran sent up :: From the Chief Science Officer of a USS Pei Xiu, Stardate 42445.72. Tandaris Admiran: Now that we know what we're looking for, I can refine the file recovery program to prioritize related data. Maryse Dubois: ::Enters the bridge, walking over to Rhan.:: Tandaris Admiran: ::begins tweaking the heuristics:: Hakran K'hal: :: slowly working on the next fragment - and hating every moment of it; is a physicist, not an IT tech :: Rhan K'hal: :: nods to Maryse :: Making progress... slowly. Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Smirks:: Asher was looking at his own logs? Rhan K'hal: :: blinks :: If he was the C-Sci of the Pei Xiu on that stardate, apparently yes. Tandaris Admiran: +Hakran+ Admiran to Science K'hal. It looks like you're trying to reconstruct deleted files. Would you like some help with that? Hunter Matheson: ::listening in on the bridge chat:: Cptn Swain: Arden> He was Chief Science officer on the Pei Xiu for about four years. Hakran K'hal: +Tandaris+ By all the quantum fields in the universe, yes. Maryse Dubois: Good. Did we have any luck getting station bio scans? William Chocox: What am I going to need? Tandaris Admiran: +Hakran+ Sending you a tailored file recovery program that should latch on to any data related to the Pei Xiu or Tellas Minor. As it recovers more and more data, it should get faster and faster at finding related files. It won't get you everything, but you should be able to restore more of the deleted logs. Rhan K'hal: We did, and he didn't go on the station from the looks of it. Took the Llamrei right out of its berth and snuck off. Whether on his own or under persuasion we don't know yet. William Chocox: ::starts trying to make decisions based on what can fit while being useful, maybe for more than one use as well:: Hakran K'hal: +Tandaris+ Thank you, Commander, I'll see what we can see. Try to figure out what's so interesting about this excavation. Rhan K'hal: +Hakran+ :: chimes in:: FYI, bro. Those are Swain's own logs apparently, according to Commander Arden. Tandaris Admiran: +Hakran+ An excavation? As in some kind of archaeological dig? Cptn Swain: Arden> ::to NOIP:: Now why he'd be looking at files from Tellas Minor is a good question. Hakran K'hal: +Tandaris+ :: frowns at this tidbit from Rhan, then answers Tandy :: First log entry starts out, and I quote: "We have arrived in orbit of Tellas Minor where we will be assisting both local authorities and the Federation Archaeology Council in the excavation of some unusual ruins on the planet’s western continent." Tandaris Admiran: Hmm. Rhan K'hal: :: Arden :: Nothing spectacular about it sir, or is it an off-limits type of thing? Tandaris Admiran: ::Maryse, Indaura:: Doctors, are you busy at the moment? Indaura Ryssan: I am not Admiran. Hakran K'hal: :: takes the Admiran File Restorer v0.1 and starts to apply it to the fragments as he finds them :: Tandaris Admiran: It might help if someone checks the Federation News Service for anything related to Tellas Minor. Cptn Swain: Arden> Nothing that I know of, to be honest. He's never even mentioned that mission as far as I remember. We were on a bit of a... a bit of break. Tandaris Admiran: If the captain has returned there now, connected to an archaeological mission years ago, maybe there has been a development that made the news. Rhan K'hal: :: compassionate kitty face :: Understood, sir. Tandaris Admiran: ::Maryse, Indaura:: Maybe the two of you could look for anything interesting in that area. Hunter Matheson: ::puzzled expression, super skeptical::: Maryse Dubois: It would be too easy if we could just track the Llamrei. ::Look to Tandy, nods.:: Rhan K'hal: :: looks at the doctors :: Now that *I* have a program for. I'll set you up on the port auxiliaries. :: tappity tap tap :: Tandaris Admiran: ::everyone:: I think there's one other possibility we have to consider. Cptn Swain: Arden> ::over his tea:: Yes? Maryse Dubois: ::Takes a seat by Rhan and starts searching.:: Tandaris Admiran: This data on Tellas Minor could be a red herring, planted either by Swain or by kidnappers. Rhan K'hal: Purple cod? Or was that red herring... I always get the fish sayings confused because my stomach chimes in. Hunter Matheson: ::Arden:: Sir, there are too many things that are not adding up here. Maryse Dubois: ::Smirks.:: William Chocox: Hey! I need that tool, You can use this one. William Chocox: ::takes a tool from a random enlisted man:: Maryse Dubois: ::Begins a search on news files that involve Tellas Minor.:: Hakran K'hal: :: manages to finesse some of the next file fragment :: Indaura Ryssan: :: Helps Dubois :: Cptn Swain: Arden> That's possible, Commander. ::Looks to Hunter:: Hmm? Hunter Matheson: Well, sir... Hunter Matheson: One, why would the captain sneak off to an archaeological dig without telling someone where he was going? Hunter Matheson: Two, if it was super secret, why did he tell someone he was leaving and would be back, then not show or send a message? Hunter Matheson: Three, I doubt there would be anything in any news string if it’s something he wants to keep secret. Tandaris Admiran: Maybe he's a brainwashed sleeper agent and he received an activation code that put him into a trance-like state. Tandaris Admiran: ::has been reading too many murder romance technical manuals lately:: Hunter Matheson: ::blank stare at Admiran::: Hakran K'hal: +Bridge+ Okay, got a bit more. Seems there was some tension between the Fed Archaeology council led by a Dr. Ornn, and the local association. Apparently the Pei Xiu was there to mediate as much to help digging. Hunter Matheson: Just doesn't add up, sir. Hunter Matheson: Too many variables. Rhan K'hal: :: glad for the break in the conversation, latches on to what Hakran said :: Cptn Swain: Arden> ::dryly:: If it did add up, do you think I would have involved all of you in it? William Chocox: ((And miles to go before I sleep.)) Hunter Matheson: No, sir. And that's another point. Rhan K'hal: +Hakran+ Good digging bro, I'll add Dr. Ornn to our variable mix and see what we can coax out on him, he could be involved for all we know. Hunter Matheson: Why are we looking for him? Hunter Matheson: We have a whole lot of suspicions, but nothing to base them on except that he didn't show or call home. Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Blinks:: Cptn Swain: Arden> I mean, if you'd rather go back to whatever it was you were doing, feel free. I am not your commanding officer. Hunter Matheson: What if it's a distraction? What if we're being made to focus on one thing and not see something else? Tandaris Admiran: I, for one, was incredibly bored before you brought this problem to us. I was about to contemplate building a new secret project. Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Blinks again:: A distraction from what, exactly? Hunter Matheson: No, sir. Not suggesting that, sir. I mean, we're all concerned about the captain. A distraction from something we're not seeing? Kind of like the forest for the trees? Hunter Matheson: Not sure, sir. It's nagging at my gut, sir. Maryse Dubois: ::Quietly, but Rhan can hear her.:: I'm not finding anything yet... Tandaris Admiran: If we find the captain, maybe he can tell us what he is a distraction from. Rhan K'hal: Ahem. :: loudly :: Do I need to be the stuffed-shirt in the room to start quoting regulations about command level personnel and how they're not supposed to just disappear without logging in because of the knowledge inside their head? Not to mention regulations on taking yachts out? Rhan K'hal: :: nods at Maryse :: Hunter Matheson: Hell, it could be something as simple as his yacht, and not him. William Chocox: ::keeps putting more boxes together.:: Maryse Dubois: How far away is Tellas Minor from here? Hunter Matheson: ::decides to shut up and mind his own business, but it's still in his gut::: Rhan K'hal: In our ship's condition, a long damn way away. A pleasant jaunt for a yacht or a runabout though. Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Nods to Rhan:: I assumed that was at least partially Commander Hawthorne's reason for looking into this. Obviously, mine is personal. Rhan K'hal: It's personal for us too, Commander. Maryse Dubois: Then why not take a runabout to check it out? Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Smiles:: I appreciate that as well, Rhan. Hunter Matheson: ::leaning his elbows on the helm console, his head in his hands, frustrated::: Rhan K'hal: I think the station might notice if most of the pips on this ship were suddenly unavailable for comment, Doc. As of now, I'm not sure how Commander Hawthorne wants to handle that part of it. Maryse Dubois: Seriously. We aren't having much luck with our search here. We can send a couple people to the planet, while others remain on board to search other leads. Hakran K'hal: :: as frustrated as he is with his current progress, would be even happier to know he's missing the tensions on the bridge :: Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Bites his lip:: I didn't want to involve station brass, but this is the best evidence we have so far about where he may have gone. Indaura Ryssan: Would increase our odds. Cptn Swain: Arden> Have Commander Hawthorne meet me on the station in half an hour. Rhan K'hal: :: nods :: Will do, Commander. Rhan K'hal: :: sends off a message to Miranda to that effect :: Cptn Swain: Arden> ::dumps his tea in the fresher and heads off to the TL:: Hunter Matheson: ::corrupt files... excavating Tellas Minor... yacht... Excal... things under repair... missing captain:::: Rhan K'hal: I do agree with you, Doc, but we'll have to think about that carefully, and it does potentially put one or both of the Commander's sensitive parts in the wringer. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::enters the bridge:: Rhan K'hal: :: nods to Augustin :: Cptn Swain: Augustin> Did I miss Commander Cormoran? Hunter Matheson: ::unusual ruins::: Hakran K'hal: :: gets something on the third fragment :: +Bridge+ Third fragment expands more on the turf war between the Feds and the locals on the artifacts. New data point, a then Commander Seclair, assuming her to be the XO of the P-X. Rhan K'hal: Just, sir. Hakran K'hal: +Bridge+ No data to confirm other than the familiarity with which she is mentioned. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Nods:: Rhan K'hal: +Hakran+ Nice work. How's the Commander's recovery program working? I may have to steal it if it's any good. Hunter Matheson: ::Tellas Minor... Tellas...he leans back, shaking his head while he thinks:: Hakran K'hal: +Rhan+ For the love of... K'hal OUT. Rhan K'hal: :: Maryse :: He gets grumpy doing computer work. If we didn't look almost like clones I'd wonder if we were really related. Rhan K'hal: :: adds Seclair to the search parameters, but even borrowing station processing power the going is slow :: Hunter Matheson: ::shakes his head, chuckling::: Hunter Matheson: ::mutters:: No.. no way. ::smirks, going back to work on the console::: Maryse Dubois: ::Giggles as she continues trying to search.:: Rhan K'hal: :: hops up, goes over to quietly fill in Augustin about the developments :: Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::nods as Khal catches him upto date:: We did a more formal sweep of the Captain's quarters. Nothing out of the ordinary, as far as criminal activity goes and no anomalous entries in the door logs. Hunter Matheson: :::grabs a stylus and begins flipping, then swivels to Rahn and waits:: Rhan K'hal: That doesn't surprise me. Seems like the only snippets of info he left behind were in stellar cartography, and that's because he wasn't aware of the improvements I made to science's databases. Cptn Swain: Augustin> One of my people did find this though... ::produces PADD with some notes on it, including some star charts and data:: I can't make heads or tails of it. Rhan K'hal: :: looks over the PADD, vacuuming in the knowledge in his head :: Computer, bring up sector star chart, centered on Tellas :: Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

MISSION BRIEF: Asher Swain is missing. The Crew of the Excalibur and his husband, Commander Arden Cormoran are quietly beginning a search for him while docked at Starbase 39 Tango. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::On the bridge between helm and the Brother's K'Hal:: Hunter Matheson: :::paging through piles of data::: William Chocox: (M) How can he just vanish? Rhan K'hal: :: doing something useful with his brother still, presumably :: Hunter Matheson: :::blinks, looks up, then remembers what CDR Augustin said::: Hunter Matheson: ::pages back to the flight deck, then looks at his console::: Hunter Matheson: Sir? ::Augustin::: William Chocox: +Admiran+ Chocox for Commander Admiran. Indaura Ryssan: :: In sickbay :: Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ Yessss? William Chocox: +Admiran+ I can’t find any trace of the captain’s biometrics on the station. Like, at all. Tandaris Admiran: ::stops what he was doing:: +Chocox+ At all? Cptn Swain: Augustin> Hmm? Hunter Matheson: I'm remembering two things you said... Hunter Matheson: One was about the techs bouncing in and out for repairs... Hunter Matheson: The other...about the captain's yacht? The database says it's docked, but exterior visual says it's gone. Not exactly regular, sir, unless it was taken out for repairs? William Chocox: +Admiran+ At. All. Neither hide nor hair. Hunter Matheson: But then it would show as not docked, right, sir? Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Lifts brow:: I didn't think any of the shuttles were docked right now? Hunter Matheson: ::mutters, on second thought:: Unless they're working on it and there's a glitch. Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ That should be suspicious. Is that suspicious? Cptn Swain: Augustin> I thought they'd moved everything over to the station while redoing the hanger deck. BUt it should show that on the record. Hunter Matheson: Well, sir. There's no record of the yacht leaving. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Glances to Rhan:: Can you check station side for us. Hunter, why don't you head down and check it out for sure. Rhan K'hal: That's not necessarily surprising. Engineers aren't always picky about their paperwork. Hunter Matheson: And... :::taps rapidly on his console, then swivels back:: Aye, sir. Rhan K'hal: But the computer should still know. Let me look at the actual records. William Chocox: +Admiran+ I certainly find it suspicious. Hunter Matheson: ::resets the console, then bolts for the lift:: Shuttle bay. Rhan K'hal: :: pulls up the data for the yacht, goes through it in fast forward :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Exiting the Captain's Ready Room where Arden was still sifting through the Swain's personal logs, Miranda walked into the bridge to take the center seat. Blinks as Hunter darts off.:: What's that about? ::to the bridge crew.:: Cptn Swain: Augustin> Might have a lead ma'am. Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ I've tried to track the captain's last readings on the ship, but the overhaul of our computer systems has affected the sensor logs. Hakran K'hal: I suppose the Captain would be one of the few people to actively thing about using the yacht. I forget it's down there most of the time. Rhan K'hal: :: mutters progressively louder :: Hunter Matheson: :::deep breaths on the way down, slow the heart rate, look cool as the lift door opens::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: What sort of lead? William Chocox: +Admiran+ That would explain a lack of our records, but not the station. Rhan K'hal: :: starts flipping between memory sectors through a certain time frame :: Cptn Swain: Augustin> The Captain Yacht appears to be missing, though it's registered as being on the ship. Rhan K'hal: :: bumps his brother out of the way without ceremony and starts another analysis on the next console :: Hunter Matheson: ::checks the area for techs doing their thing, grins, then stages a convo saying he needs a break and thought he'd take a look at the shuttles, just to keep up to speed::: Hakran K'hal: Oof. :: rubs his ribs, grouses :: You still have damn pointy elbows. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Well, that would explain how he left, but not why he left. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::K'hal:: I mean with a name like Llamrei, can you blame anyone for not wanting to use it. Hakran K'hal: :: looks back to Augustin and nods :: Tell me about it, I swear whoever comes up with these names is mental. Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ Unless he never went to the station, which means he left from the ship. Rhan K'hal: :: going back and forth between the two consoles, and now bringing his padd to bear :: Hunter Matheson: ::and they shrug, go about their business, except the shuttles aren't there, and guess what... no captain's yacht either.. but he wanders a bit, poking here and there::: Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ I'm going to the bridge to update Commander Hawthorne. Return to engineering. Indaura Ryssan: :: Hears about someone missing while she cleaned sickbay :: Hunter Matheson: :::goes to a mostly empty area and calls super secret squirrel quiet into his com:: +COM+ Yacht is gone. William Chocox: +Admiran+ Aye sir. ::heads that way:: Rhan K'hal: There are definitely corrupted memory sectors on our computers that's covering the yacht, and they correspond to when our external sensors were down for maintenance. Clever son of a phaser. Hunter Matheson: ::then he wanders toward the techs to ask if any of the shuttles will be back soon, and they don't seem to know, they're more absorbed in getting their work done so they can get a cold one on the station::: Tandaris Admiran: ::makes his way to the bridge:: Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Lifts a brow:: Hunter Matheson: ::he asks about the yacht and they shrug:: Hunter Matheson: ::gives them a thanks, then hops into the lift:: Bridge. Rhan K'hal: With your permission Commander, I'm going fishing a little bit deeper into 39 Tango's system than even Commander El Tahir has given me free reign with. Rhan K'hal: Well, I'd probably still do it without your permission but I thought I'd ask for a change. Hunter Matheson: ::in the lift, his expression changes and he steps out, not happy::: Tandaris Admiran: ::enters the bridge:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She frowned.:: Contact Medical and send them down to where the yacht was parked and have them sweep the consoles there for Swain's DNA. I want to know if he corrupted the files or if someone did it to cover up an abduction. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Smiles thinly at K'hal.:: Thanks, that saves me the trouble of your court martial. Hunter Matheson: ::and catches the convo on the bridge::: Rhan K'hal: :: smiles, gets to work, nudges his brother :: Hunter Matheson: ::rounds those talking and flops into his helm chair::: Hakran K'hal: Oh fine. Don't expect me to explain it to mother. Hakran K'hal: +Medical+ Lt K'hal to Sickbay. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: That was fast. ::Noting Hunter's return. She glanced at Tandaris as he arrived.:: News? Rhan K'hal: :: starts going through the station's sensor records that would cover a yacht exit from the Excalibur :: Tandaris Admiran: ::Hawthorne:: There is zero sign of Swain on the station. Indaura Ryssan: +K'hal+ Sickbay here Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She nodded.:: Then he left from the ship. His yacht is missing and the files have been corrupted. Perhaps you and your team can rectify that? Hunter Matheson: ::wants to pound some techie heads together, but figures they out rank him and it doesn't look good on the resume::: Hakran K'hal: +Indaura+ Doctor, we need a DNA scan of the consoles around the Captain's Yacht dock. Bring the results straight up to the bridge, please. Hunter Matheson: ::corrupted::: Hunter Matheson: ::begins to check the helm console, inside out::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: I also want to know if we can remotely activate the homing beacon on the Captain's yacht. Indaura Ryssan: +K'hal+ I'll bring my kit. Make sure no one touches anything. Tandaris Admiran: We can try, but Excalibur's computer facilities are ... lacking. I'll try to borrow compute cycles from the starbase. Hakran K'hal: +Indaura+ Thank you, Doctor. Indaura Ryssan: :: gets her kit and heads towards the CY dock :: Tandaris Admiran: Again, we can try, although it would be trivial for Swain to disable it. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Miranda:: Any luck in his personal files? Hakran K'hal: :: heads off to oversee that himself, as he's about as useful as a porcupine in a bouncy castle at the moment :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Not as of yet. Commander Cormoran is still sifting, though. He's working his way backward. Indaura Ryssan: :: Arrives at the Captain's Yacht dock and sets up a scanner :: Hunter Matheson: ::slips under the console again, pulling all the plugs and checking the chips::: Hakran K'hal: :: takes the lift down and arrives shortly after Indaura :: Hello, Doctor. I'll stand here and look stern while you're working. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: I refuse to believe that the Captain is smarter than my engineering staff when it comes to matters of engineering. ::She eyed Tandy.:: You'll think of something. Cptn Swain: Augustin> I'd like permission to look through his quarters as well. I understand Commander Cormoran's concerns, but with due respect to the Commander, he's not a security officer. Tandaris Admiran: ::Miranda:: Well, I’m guessing he wouldn’t know to disable the secret backup device. Rhan K'hal: :: working flat-eared and still in muttering mode as he filters through record after record of the the station's data while trying to keep the red flag waving to a minimum :: Hunter Matheson: ::blinks, looks up at the "secret backup drive"::: Hunter Matheson: ::blows out a breath then continues his work::: Tandaris Admiran: But it's designed to go undetected, so its signal will be very diffuse. It'll only give us a general region. ::accessing the subspace transceiver:: Rhan K'hal: :: that earned Tandy an ear-redirect, proving again that he can multitask in a lot of ways :: Cptn Swain: << I think we get to roll the dice on this one. Tandy give me a number 1-100 >> Rhan K'hal: :: bemusedly :: When I go off-duty, I'm scanning my quarters. Hakran K'hal: :: gets to say "move along" with a stern look and crossed arms a few times as a few station service personnel walk by :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: You'll never find it. ::She told Rhan absently.:: Tandaris Admiran: ((23)) Tandaris Admiran: ::K'hal:: Why would I put a homing beacon in your quarters? I haven't finished designing the cabin ejection system, so they don't yet separate from the ship. Indaura Ryssan: :: Scans are done :: Indaura Ryssan: :: Takes down her equipment and heads to the bridge :: Hakran K'hal: :: comes along with Indaura :: Get much? Rhan K'hal: There. I'll be damned if he didn't time that well, I only got a couple of frames as it emerges from behind one of the large resupply vessels, but there's the Llamrei poofing out of the picture. :: puts them on up on the main :: Cptn Swain: ACTION> Down in the cargo bay, there are faint traces of Swain's DNA near the primary console and where it was parked. They are fragmented however, as it appears someone has been using a fairly strong cleaner on the floor. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Plot some possible headings from that. He could have changed directions, of course, but it would give us a place to start looking. Tandaris Admiran: Ah-hah, I'm getting a pingback from the beacon. Like I said, the signal is diffuse. ::puts the results up on the main screen:: It puts the Llamrei in the vicinity of three star systems: Avenar, Selliak, and Tellas. Rhan K'hal: :: sends along the highest definition data along to Hunter for that :: Indaura Ryssan: :: Nods :: Well, DNA can stay around for some time, so the computer had to separate and date them Hunter Matheson: ::hears "plot" and decides he'd better get his act together so he slips the chips back in and comes out from under the helm console::: Indaura Ryssan: I have a local copy as well as one the computer is hammering. Hakran K'hal: :: nods, exits the bridge :: Feel free to use my console, Doctor. We're looking for Captain Swain's DNA, but if there's anything fresh of someone else's we'll need that too. Hunter Matheson: ::glad he didn't touch anything::: Indaura Ryssan: :: Checks the progress of the findings :: Rhan K'hal: :: puts those systems into the computer to see what significance they might have :: Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Exits the Ready Room:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She moved to rise as the ready room doors opened and then caught herself with a sigh. Force of habit.:: Commander, find anything? Tandaris Admiran: ::has sent instructions to Chocox to try piecing together the corrupted files, but is worried the slow computer performance will make that a thankless task:: Hunter Matheson: :: thinking back on the techs in the bay, but they were fairly laid back, didn't look suspicious::: Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Frowns:: Nothing usable yet. William Chocox: ::receives the message with a sigh and gets to work:: Hunter Matheson: :::power::: Hakran K'hal: Would he have any reason, beyond professional interest, of spending a lot of time in stellar cartography? He was spending a lot of time there during our last mission. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Well, we've discovered that his yacht is missing and have a general location of where it might be. But that's a lot of space to cover. Hunter Matheson: ::vessels need power, so...:::: Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Nods:: That's more than we had a few hours ago. Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Khal:: Not that I know of, he didn't mention any thing in his logs either. Which is unusual, if he was working on something. Cptn Swain: Arden> He tends to usually talk to himself about whatever he's working on. Hunter Matheson: ::decides to listen to the convo instead::: Hakran K'hal: I generally kept everyone out of his way while he was down there, but I'll ask some of the astros if they overheard anything. I'll also see if I can piece together what he was working on to see if it's relevant. Indaura Ryssan: To whom am I to report my DNA scan findings? :: to anyone on the bridge :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Notes Indaura's arrival with the other K'hal.:: Doctor. ::Gestures her over.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: What did you find? Hakran K'hal: :: takes a step, but stops to hear what Indaura has to report :: Indaura Ryssan: Commander... :: Hands her a PADD :: There were traces of his DNA on the console. Hunter Matheson: ::swivels toward Arden:: Sir, if he went anywhere different... I mean out of the ordinary... he might have to take a different set of clothes, or different supplies. Any way to find out if he did? Tandaris Admiran: ::making a note to himself regarding "cabin ejection systems" while he waits for a search tree to compile:: Cptn Swain: Arden> I'll look in his quarters... he didn't take anything from mine. Hakran K'hal: :: nods, points to Rhan :: I'm heading down to stelcart - keep me apprised. Rhan K'hal: :: waves in acknowledgement while he continues to try to find out anything of interest about the systems the signal may have come from :: Indaura Ryssan: There are also sizable amounts of a sodium hypochlorite mixture Rhan K'hal: :: actually stops, lifts his head :: That's pretty strong stuff to use for cleaning consoles. Indaura Ryssan: I would no inhale it, no. Tandaris Admiran: Is it just me, or does it seem like Captain Swain didn’t want to be found? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Takes the padd to look over and frowns again.:: So it seems. So it seems. Hunter Matheson: ::turns:: Or someone didn't want him to be found, sir. ::Tandaris:: Rhan K'hal: We control access to that, I can check the logs. Something's bound to be uncovered somewhere along this chain. Tandaris Admiran: Possibly, but this seems too clean to be an abduction. There are no signs of struggle. No sloppy clues left behind in the escape. This was surgical. Deliberate. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: It proves that he was the one that corrupted the data files to keep his absence from being noticed and cleaned up after himself. Though, it does not prove whether he did those things of his own volition or while he was under duress. Rhan K'hal: :: lets the computer continue the system data search, then calls down to have someone in quartermasters check the logs as well as visually inventory the stock :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She looked to Indaura.:: Any other signs of DNA or biometrics present in the yacht bay that cannot be explained? All others were of crew or station members? Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Frowning:: Hunter Matheson: ::skeptical smirk:: Sir... due respect... there are a lot of ways to quietly abduct anyone of any rank. Hunter Matheson: You kind of learn those things in SPECOPS. Indaura Ryssan: :: nods :: Seven others, mostly engineers. One we can't identify or date yet. Hunter Matheson: So, it doesn't have to be sloppy. Surgical, yes. Pretty damn easy. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: If someone abducted him, forcing him to wipe the files, he could have easily left us a hidden message somewhere. Hunter Matheson: Yes, ma'am. Hakran K'hal: :: enters stellar cartography and dives into the console to try to find what Swain had been doing down here under his very snout :: Tandaris Admiran: I'm just asking ... does the captain even want to be found? Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Glances over:: I don't care if he doesn't. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: As we've yet to find such a clue, I'd have to agree with Admiran. ::She looked at Arden.:: Nor do I. Like it or not, he *will* be found. Hunter Matheson: ::swivels again:: Does he have an emergency trigger code? A series of words? Anything security would have been given in case this happened? Tandaris Admiran: What might he be up to that means he doesn't want to be found? Indaura Ryssan: There are better ways to cover your DNA tracks, medically speaking Tandaris Admiran: ::rubs his hands together:: I bet it's illegal. ::frowns, a little offended he wasn't invited:: Rhan K'hal: :: continues working instead of speculating :: Cptn Swain: ...and... Hunter Matheson: ::figures the best way he can help now is to think::: Hakran K'hal: Hmm... USS Pei Xiu. :: scratches chin :: Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

MISSION BRIEF: Commander Arden Cormoran has delivered news that Captain Swain is missing. He and Commander Hawthorne have decided to quietly begin searching for him, opting against telling Command for fears that he will be listed AWOL and the search be taken out of Excalibur's hands. We pick up with the search beginning. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Indaura Ryssan: :: In medical :: William Chocox: ::gets to work figuring out how to get access to station biometrics:: Hunter Matheson: ::at aux helm, searching for flight plans, and about to hack into the station system to snag those:: Hunter Matheson: (Joined at the brain, Cho) Cptn Swain: Arden> ::with Miranda in the briefing room, going through logs:: William Chocox: I might have to go on board. ::sees if he can even access them remotely:: Hunter Matheson: ::searching their files, doesn't find much except who went where during leave, which makes him smirk:: Rhan K'hal: :: at Mission Ops, freely looking through the station's files, specifically looking over passenger manifests - it helps to be drinking buddies with the Operations Manager :: Hunter Matheson: ::looks around, then leans over the console for his black magic:: Hunter Matheson: ::and if he knew that he'd be really pissed::: Rhan K'hal: Hakran> :: sitting next to his brother, taking his share of the files :: William Chocox: Ah ha! ::gets into the system and starts looking, trying to be discreet about it:: Hunter Matheson: ::and... he's in::: William Chocox: ((Get out of my mind. )) Hunter Matheson: ::time frame...2 weeks::: Hunter Matheson: (Hard to, man. There's too much really cool stuff you keep in there. ) Rhan K'hal: :: NIP :: I hope Ahmed is taking the afternoon off. We probably have every department poking through 39 Tango's data storage today. Rhan K'hal: Hakran> What'll he do if he does notice? William Chocox: ::is limiting his search to the past few days:: Hunter Matheson: :::page.. page... page... page:::: Rhan K'hal: Contact me, probably. He'd know I wouldn't be hampawed about it, and try to pick my brain. Hunter Matheson: ::sets more parameters:: Hunter Matheson: ::stops, pages back::: Hunter Matheson: ::makes note... was present on station 6 days ago::: Hunter Matheson: ::make that 7... just to be safe:: Rhan K'hal: :: harrumphs : : This is getting us nowhere. :: stands, starts his usual high-speed pace around the bridge :: William Chocox: Hold on, is that him? ::checks:: Damnit, no. Hunter Matheson: ::looks up as fur passes by::: Hunter Matheson: ::then... system stops::: Rhan K'hal: Hakran> :: patiently continues his work, taking no notice of his brother's antics :: William Chocox: How can a human just disappear? That makes no sense. Hunter Matheson: Hm... ::makes note... unknown left station at 0328 six days ago::: Hunter Matheson: ::checks for other unknowns::: Hunter Matheson: ::stop.. reverse...::: Hunter Matheson: ::forward..... stop:: William Chocox: ::keeps looking, getting more and more frustrated:: Hunter Matheson: ::leans back in his chair, crack the back::: Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Enters the bridge, looking through a PADD, glances to the pacing feline then to the seated one:: So, how are we doing? Hunter Matheson: ::turns at the entry::: Sir? Cptn Swain: Augustin> I am going through the airlock and transporter records. ::Grimaces:: Hunter Matheson: ::swivels to his direction:: What are the ways someone could leave the station as an "unknown"? Cptn Swain: Augustin> Do you have any idea how people have passed through this ship over the last few days? Hunter Matheson: Yes, sir. I do. Hunter Matheson: A lot. Cptn Swain: ((I wish chat would tell you when someone left the room )) Hunter Matheson: (Got an AWOL) Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Smirks:: That's understatement, especially with all these tech people bouncing around for the repairs. Cptn Swain: Augustin> Anyway, what did you find? Hunter Matheson: Well, sir. ::pulls up the info on a screen:: Hunter Matheson: Strange thing... at 0328 6 days ago, someone left the station incognito. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Puts the PADD down on the railing and walks down to the helm console to take a look:: Hunter Matheson: Just.. doesn't compute. Hunter Matheson: And there's no indication of the captain after that. And... it's hard to find him before that. Hunter Matheson: But... I'm helm, so it might just be me. Hunter Matheson: ::shrug;: William Chocox: ::searches outside his initial range:: Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Nods:: There are a few reasons why someone's identity might be kept off station logs, though I would assume Commander Cormoran would likely be aware of them as the circumstances that those reasons exist tend towards the rather important. Cptn Swain: Augustin> So, this is our first bit of evidence then that the Captain did leave the station. Hunter Matheson: Maybe so, sir. Maybe not. Hunter Matheson: But I've only found one. Cptn Swain: Augustin> But the log just indicates the person is no longer aboard. It doesn't have anything substantial. But it's a start. Hunter Matheson: Aye, sir. I'll continue looking. Hunter Matheson: Sir...? Hunter Matheson: That person had to leave on something. Maybe set parameters for that time frame for ship logs? Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Glances back to the felines:: How about you two? Hunter Matheson: ::turns back, muttering:: Unless he's floating outside the station... but that doesn't make any sense...::: Hunter Matheson: ::checks that, just in case::: Indaura Ryssan: :: Doing some paperwork, though there is really no paper involved :: Hunter Matheson: ::leaning on his console, watching data scroll by::: Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::glances back over to Hunter and starts to say something, but that was possibility they'd need to consider.:: Hunter Matheson: ::looking for other unknowns, and finding none, changes the parameters to all leaving the station in that 2 hr time frame::: Hunter Matheson: ::changes it to a 1 hour time frame::: Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Glances over to Hunter:: Has anyone checked the flight deck yet? I know Commander d'Aubugine and most of the flight crew are still out on their training exercises. Hunter Matheson: ::on second thought.. or third thought... makes it 30 minutes, and swivels:: No idea, sir. I haven't started there. Hunter Matheson: Has anyone contacted them, sir? Hunter Matheson: ::his mind begins to spin with possibilities::: Cptn Swain: Augustin> Well, then. Sounds like a good idea. Hunter Matheson: On it, sir. Hunter Matheson: :::hunts through flight plans::: Hunter Matheson: ::giving it a.... 2 hour time frame::: Hunter Matheson: ::stops it, then changes parameters to 5 hours... he has a hunch:: Hunter Matheson: :::and throws that out to begin from, well, the beginning::: Cptn Swain: ACTION> Sadly, there are no anomalous flight plans. Hunter Matheson: ::sad... very, very sad::: Hunter Matheson: ::but that narrows the scope::: Hunter Matheson: ::Leans back toward Augustin:: No strange flight plans, sir. Cptn Swain: Augustin> Well that doesn't mean anything. Can you run a search on the status of all of our shuttle craft, including the Captain's Yacht. Hunter Matheson: On it, sir. Cptn Swain: ...and... Hunter Matheson: ::flip, tap::: Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

MISSION BRIEF: The crew is preparing for a mission to El-Qua'Chiva Prime to assist with solid waste and sewage system upgrades and repairs; they are also hanging tight at SB 39 Tango while the Excalibur continues to undergo repairs and refits to numerous systems following the mission to Alpha Veras II. However, and unusual development seems to be coming about in the Ready Room. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: Arden> ::in the Ready Room, glancing towards Miranda:: William Chocox: ::is in Engineering reading up on the biosuit protocols:: (m) Are we sure we can't just use explosions? Hunter Matheson: ::::sitting at helm, paging through the latest Mack's Bayou catalog, ordering hip boots:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Miranda stared at the man.:: At this point, who knows that Swain is missing? Tandaris Admiran: :: back on the station, obediently heeding standing orders not to oversee the Starbase engineers working on the refit:: Hunter Matheson: ::figures he's going to need the highest level, like at least to the waist::: Hunter Matheson: ::and heavy - real heavy - so nothing seeps in::: Hunter Matheson: ::and camo is always cool::: Cptn Swain: Arden> Missing seems to be a strong word. ::He frowned:: Cptn Swain: Arden> He left me a note a few mornings ago -- he left during the night while I was sleeping. Cptn Swain: Arden> He said he had a few things to take care of and would be back soon. Maryse Dubois: ::In the sickbay storeroom, taking inventory on numbing agents.:: Cptn Swain: Arden>::Pausing:: That was 6 days ago. Hunter Matheson: ::click, wink, muttering:: Yeah, they're cool. Camo, waist height, tight, heaviest boots on the market::: Hunter Matheson: ::orders, to arrive yesterday:: William Chocox: ::ponders how the best way to clear all this up would be, decides it'll have to wait until he can see the blockage or whatever it was they were fixing:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Yea, well, he didn't tell me crap. And I *know* he didn't file a formal request for a leave of absence with Starfleet. Though, as we're technically on Shoreleave while we're under repair, I suppose he wouldn't have to. But he *would* have had to file a flight plan. Tandaris Admiran: :: reading about new advances in warp navigation:: Hunter Matheson: ::satisfied, he goes back to continue checking what they did to his sweet helm girl and mutters something about him taking care of her, so not to worry::: Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Nods, pensively:: He didn't file a flight plan as near as I can tell. Cptn Swain: Arden> I've checked most of the outbound transport registries, but I didn't want to raise too many flags... for obvious reasons. Hunter Matheson: ::slips beneath the console, flicks open the access panel and checks everything out::: Maryse Dubois: ((Worried they might put foam padding on the console again, Kal?)) Hunter Matheson: (Hell, yeah. Never can trust those guys who never fly the thing and think nothing of what caliber equipment they're using.) Hunter Matheson: (Only the best for the best.) Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Glances away:: It's possible he didn't leave the station on his own. Though it's perhaps a bit early for that sort of thinking as well. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: So... you're saying that he isn't *technically* missing and so there isn't *technically* an investigating ongoing? Cptn Swain: Arden> ::nods:: Technically. Maryse Dubois: ::Satisfied that she has enough nasal numbing agents on hand, she leaves the storeroom. Grabbing a tea, she heads out of sickbay and wanders the halls for a moment.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: And just how long are you planning on waiting before reporting this? Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Sighs, leans back in the chair:: I don't know. I was hoping I'd find something in his logs. Indaura Ryssan: :: Working in medical :: Hunter Matheson: ::and for once he's actually satisfied, figuring they exchanged tech crews for better ones::: Hunter Matheson: ::slips out from under, spins the helm chair, and catches it on the rebound, then sits, pats the console and whispers sweet nothings to his girl::: Tandaris Admiran: :: starts ruminating on some upgrades to the Excalibur warp drive:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: I have access to his Captain's logs, but his personal logs are private and encrypted. ::She rose from her seat.:: I can't just let you fumble around hoping to find a clue, however. If this is a serious matter, and you believe something has happened to him, then I have to get my crew involved. Cptn Swain: ::He nodded:: I looked through his last few personal logs already. Nothing out of the ordinary. Hunter Matheson: ::running diagnostics on all the systems::: Cptn Swain: Arden> Asher can be... ::He looked away:: He's not the type to just completely up and vanish without telling someone. Hide away in a lab for a few days, sure. But this? Hunter Matheson: ::while he bounces in his chair, humming a song to go along with his air drum::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She nodded in agreement.:: He would at least tell *you* if no one else. I'll want you in this meeting, as well. William Chocox: ::spins in his chair as he keeps reading:: Tandaris Admiran: Chocox might like this bit :: saves it for later:: Hunter Matheson: (It's contagious, Cho) Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Nods:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Shipwide+ All senior staff report to the observation lounge for an emergency briefing. (That's all of you.) Indaura Ryssan: :: Gets up and goes :: Maryse Dubois: ::Sipping her tea as she walked. Hears the comm.:: Hmm? ::Swings around and grabs the closest TL.:: Hunter Matheson: ::looks up, then glances around::: William Chocox: ::lets his head fall back at the announcement before traipsing back up to the observation lounge:: Hunter Matheson: ::leaves helm diagnosing its diagnostics, set to power down when finished, and heads to the OL::: Maryse Dubois: ::Enters the lounge, taking a seat.:: Tandaris Admiran: :: puts his romance mystery away for now:: This better be important. :: heads for the ship:: Hunter Matheson: ::enters the lounge and takes a seat:: William Chocox: ::sits down in a chair shortly after Maryse walks in:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Sits :: Maryse Dubois: ::Wonders if they failed to cover something with their upcoming mission.:: Hunter Matheson: ::wonders if there is anything more of an emergency than a degenerating cesspool::: Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Glances at a picture of them on skiing trip on Earth that sat on the desk before following Miranda out of the room:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She gestured for Arden to follow her across the bridge to the obs lounge, looking rather dour when she entered.:: William Chocox: ::quietly swears under his breath as he looks at Miranda's countenance:: Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Enters, doing his best to remain calm:: Tandaris Admiran: :: in the lounge:: Hunter Matheson: ::stands when the cdr enters, then sits when she does - cause he's Corps, yeah::: Maryse Dubois: ::Sees her look, and Arden following in after. Piecing some things together.:: This isn't about El-Qua'Chiva, is it? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Pauses in front of the table, but doesn't sit down.:: I know that we were just all here, but something has cropped up that needs your immediate attention. No one outside of this room is privy to this information, and you're going to keep it that way. William Chocox: Aye sir. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: And no, it has nothing to do with our upcoming mission. ::She gestured to Arden.:: Most of you know or have seen Commander Cormoran on the ship, or in the company of Captain Swain. He's brought disturbing news... Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Our Captain seems to be missing. Hunter Matheson: ::blink:: William Chocox: ::swears out loud:: Maryse Dubois: ::Sits back in her seat.:: Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Takes a deep breath:; Maryse Dubois: How long? Cptn Swain: Arden> It's possible that there's nothing wrong and that he's just enjoying the sights and sounds of, say Risa, but... ::glances over:: almost a week. He left a few days ago during the night and left me a note saying he'd be back in a day or so. Cptn Swain: Arden> That was almost a week ago. Maryse Dubois: ::Facepalms and sighs.:: If he's left the sector, he could be halfway across the quadrant by now. Hunter Matheson: ::face falls... aw sh...::: Tandaris Admiran: Any ideas what he's up to? Other than Risa? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: That's why I called all of you in here. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: We are keeping this quiet for as long as possible, but that doesn't mean we can't do our own investigating while we're waiting for repairs. Maryse Dubois: If this is potentially a bad situation, it won't help us at all to keep quiet. Especially if this is time sensitive. Cptn Swain: Arden> I understand that, but for now I'd like to keep this... low key. Tandaris Admiran: What do you propose? We don't exactly gave a ship right now Maryse Dubois: A captain of a Starfleet ship has been missing for a week. ::Sighs and quiets down, since she probably won't win this argument.:: William Chocox: For the record, I concur with Doctor Dubois. Hunter Matheson: We have long range shuttles. Cptn Swain: Arden> Well we need to establish first that he is missing, and then see if we can find out where he went and how. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::To Maryse and William.:: And your reservations are noted, but Starfleet won't take it well if they think Swain has gone AWOL. And we certainly won't be allowed to investigate. Tandaris Admiran: We should start by reading his personal logs! Cptn Swain: Arden> I am working on that. Tandaris Admiran: Total violation of privacy, but can't be helped :: rubs hands together:: Cptn Swain: Arden> As his husband, I have legal access to them. UNlike the rest of you. Maryse Dubois: Check the ships internal sensor logs. It wouldn't hurt to get station logs too, but that might take some work to hide. Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Nods;; That's a good idea for engineering and yourself. Cptn Swain: Arden> ::tips his head:: You could say you're looking to check to make sure there isn't any biopathogen from the infected gel packs you people brought back. Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Hunter:: Perhaps you could do a check on flight records from both the ship and the station? Hunter Matheson: ::nods:: Aye, sir. William Chocox: I can work on the station logs. Cptn Swain: Arden> Commander Hawthorne and I can start going through his logs and see if we can find anything out of the ordinary. ::glances over to her:: Maryse Dubois: ::Takes a PADD, using her codes to bring up medical files. She then isolates a couple notes.:: If you work on the sensors logs, use these key search sequences. They are the Captain's bio signatures. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She nodded.:: We also need to retract his steps on the ship the last time he was on board. ::She pointed at Dubois.:: That's a job for Medical. I want you to chart his biosigns. ::Glad they were on the same page.:: Maryse Dubois: :;Smirks.:: Cptn Swain: Arden> Alright sounds like we have a good start. Thank you all for your... help. Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 0114.2018 The crew is preparing for a mission to El-Qua'Chiva Prime to assist with solid waste and sewage system upgrades and repairs; they are also hanging tight at SB 39 Tango while the Excalibur continues to undergo repairs and refits to numerous systems following the mission to Alpha Veras II. However, and unusual development seems to be coming about in the Ready Room.

MISSION BRIEF: Following their mission to Alpha Veras II, Excalibur has been docked at Starbase 39 Tango undergoing repairs to numerous systems while the crew gets a much needed rest. Refitting of the ships bioneural systems has been slow as the Federation Council has required all gel packs to be tested to prevent further issues occurring and to assure that they are not "sentient." Senior staff has gathered to discuss their upcoming mission to El-Qua'Chiva Prime to assist the locals with repairs of their solid waste and sewage systems, however Captain Swain is conspicuously missing as the brief winds down. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM William Chocox: ::looks around and starts taking a mental headcount:: Rhan K'hal: :: listening in about the literally crappy mission :: Tandaris Admiran: ::has not been listening, assuming Chocox is taking the notes:: Maryse Dubois: ::Doesn't seem too amused about the mission.:: Hakran K'hal: :: also listening, and wondering why the Excalibur even needs a science department if they're now the new handyman in this section of the quadrant - trying to figure out ways to keep parts of his staff from going stir-crazy :: Hunter Matheson: ::feels a disturbance - someone prodding his brain, but since there's not much to prod atm...:: Hunter Matheson: ::except maybe visions of flying full sewage disposal units to another corner of the galaxy for disposal:: William Chocox: So we're intragalactic plumbers now? Hunter Matheson: Looks like. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Taking notes in the corner, noting that there could be a few security risks.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: So, in conclusion, the general repairs should be fairly easy. This mission is more about showing how efficiently we can handle the shi... ah... less desirable tasks laid out before us. ::Notes that Swain is conspicuously missing and rather ticked she got left to handle this crap.:: Hunter Matheson: (::snort:::) Rhan K'hal: (( Okay, now I do have a question: Is El-Qua'Chiva a Fed world or are we spreading the joy of indoor plumbing to an independent world? )) Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Such a fake, pleasant smile.:: Do any of you have questions or concerns that you'd like to have on record? Cptn Swain: (( *rolls dice* Federation Protectorate )) Hunter Matheson: Yes, ma'am. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Quirks a brow.:: Maryse Dubois: On record? No... Hunter Matheson: ::shuts up::: Rhan K'hal: :: crinkles a smile at Maryse :: Tandaris Admiran: ::not really paying attention, but that's par for the course:: William Chocox: I've got nothing right now. Rhan K'hal: :: already tapping away at his oversize PADD, checking to see just how many "wetwork" suits they're being sent :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: No? Alright. Computer, close record. ::She leveled a gaze at them all.:: Hunter Matheson: ::Then decides he'd better say it and get it over with:: Have they determined... William Chocox: ::raises a hand:: Hakran K'hal: :: quirks an ear at the Cdr's level gaze :: Hunter Matheson: ::figures if he lived through those nutso insect things, he'll live through this:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: The root cause? Yes, mechanical issues. Ordinary wear and tear. ::She looked from Hunter to Chocox.:: Yes? William Chocox: Are we intragalactic plumbers? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Among other things, yes. I suggest you brush up on your biosuit protocols for this one. Smallest guy gets lowered into the pit to fix the internal workings. Rhan K'hal: :: sing-song, quietly in reaction to Will's question :: If your poo won't be a pal, call 555-XCAL. Cptn Swain: Augustin> Have you checked the species profile for El-Qua'Chiva? Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Frowns:: Let's just say they're big plant eaters. Rhan K'hal: Good, they won't be tempted to eat us. Well, maybe Ensign Shijoguin's hair. Should probably keep hir in the shuttle. William Chocox: ::leans back in his chair:: On another note, did the Captain take leave again? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Deep sigh.:: The Captain is busy with more pressing matters. We are more than capable of preparing for this mission without his direction. William Chocox: Alright. Rhan K'hal: Do we get to go help build a colony after this? You know, adding construction to power restoration and plumbing would look good on our resumes later on. Tandaris Admiran: On the bright side, Excalibur won't be ready for a while yet. We'll have plenty of time to run drills. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Unless there's anything else, you're all dismissed to review the prelim reports and make your preparations. Except for you, Admiran. I'd like a word. You as well, Augustin. Maryse Dubois: Yes, I'm sure we could set the holodeck to simulate it... Just make sure I'm nowhere nearby when it happens. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Nods:: Of course Commander. Rhan K'hal: I'm off to order air-fresheners. :: rises, heads toward the doors :: The little hanging pine scented ones or should I get drums of "fresh linen?" :: exits :: Hakran K'hal: :: shakes head at his brother's antics as he follows him out :: Maryse Dubois: ::Gets up, walking out with Rhan.:: Moments like these are why I love working in a sterile environment. Tandaris Admiran: ::sticks around, intrigued:: Rhan K'hal: Yeah, I don't blame you. I'm going to make sure I'm damn busy coordinating. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Straightens his uniform:: William Chocox: ::walks out and heads towards Engineering:: Hunter Matheson: ::in step with Cho:: Sir? Rhan K'hal: You'd think they'd send another Engineering Corps ship for something like this. Especially as crazy as our engineers are. :: looks back :: No offense. William Chocox: Yes Mr. Matheson? William Chocox: And don't think explosions haven't come to mind Rhan. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Once everyone had exited, she squinted at Admiran.:: Listen to me carefully. I don't want any hiccups like we had in the last mission -- primarily, your complete disregard of our security protocols. Hunter Matheson: I'm just wondering.... ::as they walk:: this is an Akira class ship, sir. It just doesn't compute that we'd be plumbers. There has to be another reason. Hakran K'hal: :: heads to the bridge to take the duty shift, such as it is under the circumstances :: Hunter Matheson: I mean... Tandaris Admiran: Wait, are you saying that this problem is caused by another disgruntled Khal? Tandaris Admiran: Because I don't want to know what unethical experiments led to this malfunction. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Glances over, coolly:: William Chocox: ((lol)) Hunter Matheson: ... why would they spend that kind of money on an Akira? William Chocox: What money? It's a post scarcity economy. William Chocox: And who knows what's in the mind of a bureaucrat. Hunter Matheson: ::he sighs:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Heavens help us, I hope not. If there's another trouble-making black-cat of that family, I'm going to have a word with the reproductive units of that family to give them a piece of my mind. Rhan K'hal: We are a "multi-mission profile vehicle," Gunny. Because after some of the crazy sh*t we've done, apparently we've earned some ordinary sh*t. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Snorts despite himself:: Agreed. Hunter Matheson: ::looks to K'hal:: Still doesn't compute, sir. There has to be something else going on here, even if it's in the head shed. Rhan K'hal: :: shrugs :: If there is, we'll find out. The hard way. It's how we do. Tandaris Admiran: ::nods:: And I take your earlier point, Commander. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Good, because you're going to be completing a series of refresher courses with our Chief of Security. As Chief of Engineering, you're supposed to lead by example. That example isn't supposed to include letting total strangers wander about the ship. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Trying to hide his enjoyment of this particular moment, and pleased his reports on the subject didn't fall on deaf ears.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: That said, this mission should be relatively straightforward and lacking in espionage -- I hope. Rhan K'hal: :: Maryse :: If there's anything special you need to have on hand for this that isn't already being provided, lemme know and I'll see what Ahmed can do. Er.. Commander El Tahir, that is. :: sigh :: Hunter Matheson: ::stops to call the lift for the bridge, pretty much disgusted at the situation... again::: Maryse Dubois: Lots and lots of sanitizer...and maybe some alcohol. The drinking kind of course. Rhan K'hal: :: snorts :: Oh yeah, there's going to be a major run on that. If I was unethical and we operated in a capitalist society, I could make a killing. :: rubs his ears :: Nope, still not Ferengi though. Tandaris Admiran: I don't mind the prospect of a quieter mission. Hunter Matheson: ::steps out to stride toward helm as he mutters his favorite things about head shed poker::: Rhan K'hal: Okay, I'm off to the station. William Chocox: ::heads down to Engineering:: Hakran K'hal: That's an interesting combination of language, Master Gunnery Sergeant. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Don't we all. ::She waved a hand at the door.:: You're both dismissed. I'll send updates when I have them. Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Nods:: Yes ma'am. Hunter Matheson: ::looks up, not having noticed the other K'hal:: Sorry, sir. Hakran K'hal: :: smiles, waves a paw dismissively :: It was a compliment, not a reprimand. Hunter Matheson: ::but he really isn't sorry, he's totally pissed:: Hunter Matheson: ::settling down, he nods::: Aye, sir. Tandaris Admiran: ::stands up:: Cptn Swain: Augustin> ::Stands and heads out:: Hunter Matheson: It's.. uh... stuff you pick up when you're caught between two bucks playing tiddly winks with a crew. Hunter Matheson: ::snorts:: Sometimes they lock horns and it gets really dicey. Tandaris Admiran: ::leaves the room, pondering, but not at all curious about where Swain might be:: Hunter Matheson: That's when the team leader calls the shots and backs out of the mission. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Moving out onto the bridge, she headed for Swain's ready room with the reports she'd promised him. Knowing he was still on the station, she entered without ringing the chimes.:: Hunter Matheson: ::as he inputs info to helm:: Except you can't do that here. Hakran K'hal: You Marines are strange creatures. At least compared to scientists. Cptn Swain: Arden> ::looks up as the doors open, a bit startled:: Hunter Matheson: ::he stops to look up:: Aye, sir. We are different. We're Corps. Hakran K'hal: :: paces the bridge, but not in the caged cat way Rhan does, but slowly and methodically :: Hunter Matheson: ::continues to check his specs with whatever they input from the station during repairs::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Stops as the door close behind her, blinking, a bit startled.:: Ah... sorry. I was bringing in reports for Captain Swain. Were you... meeting him here? Rhan K'hal: @ :: arrives at Operations on the station, makes his way to Cdr El Tahir's office and chimes - enters a moment later after getting the invite :: Cptn Swain: Arden> ::Relaxes:: Not exactly, no. Rhan K'hal: @ So that was a load of crap. Cptn Swain: Arden> I was hoping I might find something of him, though. Rhan K'hal: @El Tahir> :: laughs :: Not as big a load as you're going to get. You should've signed up for a station assignment, Rhan. Rhan K'hal: @ I like the variety. :: beat :: Up to a point. Anyway... how much booze can we rustle up before we're scheduled to head out? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She put down her data padds.:: Sorry, I'm not quite understanding. Personal effects? Hakran K'hal: :: on his fifth circuit so far :: Cptn Swain: Arden> More like a clue. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She sat down, head tilted.:: Maybe you'd better tell me exactly what's going on. Are you saying that our Captain is missing? Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

**No sims on 12/24 & 12/31** SD 0107.2018 Following their mission to Alpha Veras II, Excalibur has been docked at Starbase 39 Tango undergoing repairs to numerous systems while the crew gets a much needed rest. Refitting of the ships bioneural systems has been slow as the Federation Council has required all gel packs to be tested to prevent further issues occurring and to assure that they are not "sentient." Senior staff has gathered to discuss their upcoming mission to El-Qua'Chiva Prime to assist the locals with repairs of their solid waste and sewage systems, however Captain Swain is conspicuously missing as the brief winds down.

SD 1217.2017 Tandaris has returned to Excalibur with a “cured” gel-pack that we should be able to use to inoculate our own gel packs. The Tennessee Valley and Mary Seacole are still without power, but sending “cured” gel-packs to them should aid them to quickly reestablish their power grid.

MISSION BRIEF: Tandaris has returned to Excalibur with a “cured” gel-pack that we should be able to use to inoculate our own gel packs. The Tennessee Valley and Mary Seacole are still without power, but sending “cured” gel-packs to them should aid them to quickly reestablish their power grid. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: BEGIN SIM Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: BEGIN SIM Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: BEGIN SIM Hunter Matheson: ::blink:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: having filled a few more crates full of the anti-smart gel, is sitting back and watching his monitor as if he's expecting company :: Tandaris Admiran: :: just arrived back, bringing the gel pack to engineering:: Cptn Swain: ::On the bridge, having ducked out to take a priority message:: Cptn Swain: Report? Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: harrumphs as four military shuttles finally appear, swooping down to land outside of the bunker :: Hunter Matheson: ::he checked his weapons with the Master at Arms and is headed to the bridge::: Rhan K'hal: Commander Admiran has beamed back up, sir. The security team is still on planet. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Still with Maryse.:: Doctor, bring the infected gel-packs and come with me. Maryse Dubois: ::Grabs a couple of the packs.:: You have a plan? Tandaris Admiran: :: enters engineering:: +Bridge+ Admiran to bridge. I have a prototype cured gel pack to test. Cptn Swain: ::Nods:: Part of me thinks we should haul K'hal in for endangering Starfleet vessels. Hakran K'hal: @Tamarn Captain> :: disembarks from the personnel shuttle along with five other soldiers, heads toward the bunker entrance :: Cptn Swain: ::Making himself a cup of tea at the replicator:: I wonder how much trouble I'd get in for that. Hunter Matheson: :::not security, beamed up if just to get away from the 'Fleeter:: Rhan K'hal: I dunno, Captain. As protective as they were of him when I was trying to get them to just look for him, they'd probably throw a fit if you arrested him. We're a little out of our jurisdiction. Hunter Matheson: ::checks his hair before exiting onto the bridge:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: opens the door for the team :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Yes, I do. ::She left medical and started for the lift, sending it down to engineering once Maryse had joined her.:: Hunter Matheson: ::the door opens and out he steps:: Hunter Matheson: ::stops to recognize the captain:: Hunter Matheson: ::pretty much forgetting where he is::: Permission to come aboard, sir? Cptn Swain: ::Twirls a spoon in his tea:: Cptn Swain: ::Looks over:: ...Sure Hunter Matheson: Thank you, sir. ::steps to helm and relieves Tork:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: grumbles :: It's about time. Crates are over there. :: notes the tension between the Tamarn soldiers and the few security personnel :: It's probably best if you disinvite our guests. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Enters engineering a few moments later.:: Admiran! Hunter Matheson: ::Tork gives him the sitrep, plus a few things he noticed about helm, then takes a break:: Hakran K'hal: @Tamarn Captain> :: doesn't look any happier about being told what to do by the cat than he is by the presence of the armed foreigners, but has his orders :: Tandaris Admiran: Hello, Commander. Hakran K'hal: @Tamarn Captain> :: looks to the security :: Your presence is no longer desired. You may leave. Cptn Swain: I doubt the Tamarn care enough for him to honk off Starfleet, but I am also not up for the paper work required for overstepping my charge. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: I hear that you have the cure. ::Striding up to where the Chief Engineer was working.:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: swivels back to his screen, makes another call :: Tandaris Admiran: I have a stopgap measure, at least Maryse Dubois: ::Follows into engineering.:: Cptn Swain: I do have good news from command. Cptn Swain: ::Takes his seat:: Rhan K'hal: I'm afraid I'm not familiar with those words being in such close contact with each other, sir. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Well, we have some gaps that need stopped. ::She gestured to Maryse.:: I pulled these packs from medical where they'd already started failing. I need you to replicate the cure so we can send aid to the Tennessee Valley and Mary Seacole. Maryse Dubois: ::Sets the packs down on the table.:: Cptn Swain: They've dispatched another medical ship, as well as two additional engineering vessels to take over the situation. Once we're sure the TV and Seacole are clear, we've been relieved and can head back to Starbase 39 Tango to make repairs. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: As this is also a biological matter, the Doctor will assist you. Tandaris Admiran: First :: plugs in some equipment, slots the gel pack into place:: we need to test of this will work Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: becomes a little less disgruntled when a well-dressed Tamarn pops on screen :: Good afternoon, Minister. I've put together a working cure. I did give some to the Starfleet engineer. I'm afraid they were able to suss out my involvement as I warned, but I do not believe they have any reason to suspect any government involvement. Rhan K'hal: I'll put together yet another shopping list, Captain. Hakran K'hal: @Dazim :: listens, nods a few times :: Yes, once repairs are complete at the factory, we'll be able to resume the project. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Well, test quickly. We've got two ships out there that are dead in the water. I'll leave you to it. Send a message when you have replacement packs ready to beam over. Indaura Ryssan: :: Helping in sickbay :: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: smirks :: If the Federation has any qualms about purchasing the enhanced gel from us, there is always the Romulans, Minister. :: acknowledges a nod from the Tamarn captain :: Yes, we're ready to head out now. Tandaris Admiran: ::Maryse:: We should monitor how this new gel pack interfaces:: Rhan K'hal: Captain, the security team has returned from the planet. All our people are aboard now. All that's still down there are the stranded TeeVee and Mary S. personnel. Maryse Dubois: ::Nods, and she looks at the pack.:: Do you think that he really sent a cure, or was he just trying to get rid of you? Cptn Swain: Have our people help bring the TeeVee and Seacole personnel back up. Rhan K'hal: Aye sir. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She took the lift back to medical and entered sickbay a few moments later.:: Doctor Ryssan... Rhan K'hal: :: checks to make sure the transporter systems are fully isolated from the gel now before they get such a major workout :: Rhan K'hal: :: gets the all-clear from the transporter chiefs, has them begin the beamout :: Hunter Matheson: ::fiddling with helm settings:: Rhan K'hal: Transports are in progress, Captain. Tandaris Admiran: I think he's smart enough to know that of this weren't genuine we'd just find him again Cptn Swain: The Edith Clarke will take over as the lead ship. She should be arriving in a few hours. Have everything ready for them. Hakran K'hal: :: with the typical K'hal uncanny sense of when something interesting is happening, enters engineering and joins the others :: Maryse Dubois: That's true. He definitely doesn't like being bothered. Tandaris Admiran: He might not feel remorse for his role in this, but he hates being inconvenienced Rhan K'hal: :: nods :: Aye, sir. :: mumbles something unflattering about multi-named vessels being a pain to work with :: Tandaris Admiran: :: monitoring the gel pack as he integrates it into a test subsystem:: Maryse Dubois: ::Watches as the test commences.:: I'm still curious what the motivation behind everything was. Maryse Dubois: ::Notices Hakran.:: We were just discussing your cousin. Hakran K'hal: Progress, glory, personal accolades. The usual for most scientists. We just dealt with one a little while ago, remember? Tandaris Admiran: Tests look good. The response time is not nominal, but the synaptic degradation is within tolerances Indaura Ryssan: Oh sorry Commander, Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Doctor Ryssan, we need to move the sick and injured back to the planet. Indaura Ryssan: How may I help you? Indaura Ryssan: Back? Alright. The strongest ones will go back first. William Chocox: #::Transports back to the Excalibur with Harker and heads to Engineering:: I think the lifts are working back on this ship Ensign. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Nods.:: Good. Start sending them to transport. Doctor Dubois is assisting Engineering with the replication of cured gel packs. You're in charge of this operation. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: # Ens. Harker> Thank goodness. I don't like long climbs in the dark. Cptn Swain: ::Glances out the view screen:: It's kind of a shame we didn't get to spend more time planetside. Cptn Swain: I hear they have lovely skiing on the southern continent. Indaura Ryssan: :: Nods :: Understood. :: Waves some of her staff over :: William Chocox: Oh come on, where’s your sense of adventure? Maryse Dubois: True. ::Looks at the pack, then to Tandy.:: As long as it works for now right? I imagine we'll be sent to a starbase for extended repairs anyways. Tandaris Admiran: :: claps his hands:: Right, this appears to be working. Let's mass produce these kitties Tandaris Admiran: No doubt. Rhan K'hal: Assuming we avoid any diplomatic incident out of this, maybe we can come back some day. So long as all the department heads avoid Dazim, we should be able to avoid a diplomatic incident then too. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She left medical at a brisk walk and headed back to the bridge.:: Hakran K'hal: :: swivels an ear at Tandaris' wording :: Indaura Ryssan: :: Categorizes the patients by colors denoting status: Green, Yellow, Red. Cptn Swain: Have medical begin prepping to transfer patients to the planet. I'd like an orderly exit from the system. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: I've already got them started on that. ::To Swain as she strode onto the bridge.:: Rhan K'hal: Aaaaaooook. :: goes on about his business :: Cptn Swain: ::Nods:: Excellent. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Doctor Ryssan is working on it as we speak. Admiran is working with Doctor Dubois to replicate the cured gel-packs so we can send some to the other Federation ships before we leave. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: # Ens. Harker> I like adventure... in the confines of the Holodeck, where it belongs. Hakran K'hal: I know my biologists are eager to look into all this gel. I've emphatically told them no. I think I'd rather a lab very far away from this ship play with it. Maryse Dubois: I don't blame you. Hakran K'hal: They'll pout, but time at Starbase should level them out. Tandaris Admiran: :: assigning engineers to work the replicator process:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She took her seat and pulled up the latest reports.:: Rhan K'hal: Captain, message coming in from the AyVee Two government. Looks like a rather standard thank you note written in bureaucrat. Hunter Matheson: :::finally satisfied with helm, he sits back to relax a while:: Rhan K'hal: :: forwards it to Swain :: Cptn Swain: ::Nods, will read it later:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Nurses move this first patients to the transporter room :: Rhan K'hal: :: to no one in particular :: Now hopefully this is the last time we'll hear from any of my extended family. I hate spoiling our good image. Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

MISSION BRIEF: Down on the planet, Tandaris and his team bug Dazim for more answers. Though the Tennessee Valley and Mary Seacole are without power, efforts are underway to bypass their neural gelpacks. Taking precautions to avoid power outages caused by the gelpacks, the Excalibur has already begun bypassing all systems that use them. However, some systems in medical have already begun to fluctuate. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: BEGIN SIM Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: BEGIN SIM Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: BEGIN SIM Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: rolls his chair over to another piece of equipment, fiddles with it :: Hey Barty, remind me I want a fish sandwich for dinner. :: the computer AI responds with a ding :: Hunter Matheson: @ ::well armed, he takes up a position outside the lab to stand watch::: Tandaris Admiran: @::Dazim:: So are you going to help us, or do we have to strong-arm you some more? Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> Hmm, kablooey wasn't quite the result I was looking for. At least not again. :: looks over to Tandaris, rolls his eyes and his ears :: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> Again, I'm not fixing lunch here. I just need to get the protein sequence right. Maryse Dubois: ::In sickbay, watching some of her equipment flicker in and out.:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> And if you don't remember, I work better without annoying yammering in the background. If I wanted that, I'd turn it on the Federation News Network. Indaura Ryssan: What's going on doctor? Maryse Dubois: Our systems are being infected with what was causing the gelpacks to go bad. Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> You'd be good on FNN, though you might want to consider lasering off the spots first. :: swivels back over to the original machine, starts making adjustments :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Miranda opened the control panel for one of the impacted systems to have a look.:: I don't have my kit with me. Anything in here that I could use as a spanner? Indaura Ryssan: Infected? A virus or rogue computer program? William Chocox: #::On the MS trying not to destroy another EPS system:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: pulls out a test pack, shoves it into another machine and a swivel back to the test control :: Maryse Dubois: ::Goes to the storage room, coming back with a small kit, setting it by Miranda.:: This should work. ::Looking to Indaura.:: We don't know how it's being transmitted, but it's not a virus. Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: glances over at Tandaris as the test starts :: The lights still all on up there? Tandaris Admiran: @::Dazim:: Hmm? Oh, I'm just trying to be quiet. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Pulls out something she think might work and disconnected the primary power source to remove the gelpack. The terminal went down completely.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Doctor, didn't you say it was some sort of syndrome? Indaura Ryssan: Great. Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> It can learn. No wonder it has three pips. :: looks back to the screen :: Hmm. Hand me that hydrolyzer over there. It's even conveniently labeled. Maryse Dubois: ::Nods.:: Yes, Irumodic Syndrome, but we don't know how it's spreading. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Maybe some type of stimulus triggered it. ::She hefted the pack in her hand, but it looked fine to her. Still, she tossed it above her to the table so it could be tested and then disappeared under the console again to rewire the power.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Muffle:: A power surge or something that traveled through the system in a chain reaction... Tandaris Admiran: @::hands Dazim the hydrolyzer:: Maryse Dubois: Possibly. Engineering thinks the packs may have communicated with each other in some fashion. Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: takes it, rotates the top knob a few half turns, and zaps the gelpack with it :: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: watches with amusement as the abnormally yellowed gel begins to slowly turn its more usual aqua :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She slid out from under the console and waved a hand at Indaura.:: Do the honors and power it up. ::Rising, she reached for the gel pack she'd pulled from the console and tossed it to Maryse.:: Test that, will you? See if it is starting to show symptoms. Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: grabs a hypo, extracts a bit of the gel from that pack, injects it into another 'infected' pack :: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> Your lab facilities are quite first rate, btw. :: off-hand as he waits for the process to finish :: But you really do need more minions. Maryse Dubois: ::Takes the pack, setting it on a table scanner.:: This should take only a moment. Tandaris Admiran: @ They don't like giving me too many minions. Tandaris Admiran: @ So are you really not going to take any responsibility for ::gestures:: this? Indaura Ryssan: I've never heard of the packs communicating with each other. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She leaned on the next console, waiting for Indaura to start up the one she'd fixed.:: Yea, but there's a first time for everything. Hunter Matheson: @ ::meanwhile, the minion stands outside, watching, staying away from the grunts and ignoring their comments::: Maryse Dubois: ::Getting the results.:: Definitely showing degradation. Early signs of Irumodic. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She grunted.:: Just great. +Tandaris+ Hawthorne to Admiran. Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: flicks Tandaris an annoyed look :: Since you've managed to stick your nose too far in and discover my role in this, which I will totally say "I told you so" to Minister Gagaris when it was his bright idea to have me work with you, I will say I'm taking as much responsibility as is mine. Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: grabs the 2nd pack, tosses it to Tandaris :: Since you're the one with the transporter, you might want to find somewhere to test plugging that into a compromised system. As this is my personal private lab, I don't have room for a full test system. Tandaris Admiran: @+Hawthorne+ Admiran here. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Admiran+ Our gel packs are starting to show signs of the same syndrome. Is the rogue K'hal close to creating a cure? We're taking our systems offline to bypass, but they're degrading faster than we can bypass them. Tandaris Admiran: @+Hawthorne+ I actually have a prototype we could test. Indaura Ryssan: Irumodic. Hunter Matheson: Tork> ::working on helm::: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Admiran+ Good. Both the Tennessee Valley and Mary Seacole are completely without power now. Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> It's not a perfect solution, mind. It will dumb down the gel to what it's supposed to be so it stops waking up other gel, and it will stop the further degradation of the neural connections, but it won't fix existing damage. You'll still need to replace all your gel eventually, but this "seeder" gelpack should spread through an entire system. Theoretically. Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> As you can understand with all your armed goons lurking around, I'm under the gun more literally than I'd prefer for my working practices. Hunter Matheson: Tork> ::pretty darned glad they were at station keeping, but wondering how long they'll stay that way if systems shut down::: Hunter Matheson: Tork> ::But TV and MC aren't pulled into the gravitational field, so he's not going to worry. Yet.::: Tandaris Admiran: @::Dazim:: And it'll remain that way for now. Mr. Matheson! Hunter Matheson: @ ::hears his name and pokes his head in::: Sir? Indaura Ryssan: We need to cut their connection. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Well, at least there's help on the way. ::She looked around medical.:: Any other systems that need to be bypassed immediately? Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: runs a paw through his scraggly mane while muttering various imprecations on the military state :: Hunter Matheson: @ ::steps in, his hand dangling close to his sidearm:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: also taps a button on one of his panels :: Tandaris Admiran: @::Matheson:: I'm returning to Excalibur. Stay here and keep an eye on him. Hunter Matheson: @ Yes, sir. ::takes position close by, but not close enough to interfere with his work:: Maryse Dubois: ::Looking around.:: Nothing essential anyways. Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> Oh, joy. :: starts making more seeder packs :: Indaura Ryssan: :: Looks at Hawthorne :: Tandaris Admiran: @+Excalibur+ One to beam up. Rhan K'hal: +Tandy+ Acknowledged, Commander. :: pushes the beamy button :: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: Hunter :: Where are my manners. While you're, rather illegally mind you, holding me hostage in my own lab, on a planet of the Tamarn Empire, of whom I am an employee, you are more than welcome to help yourself to the air in the room. And if necessary a bottle of fresh spring water from the cooler in the wall. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Puts the medical tools back into the kit and hands them off to Maryse.:: Well, hopefully engineering will have bypassed all of the gel systems before there are any other issues. If not, let me know. I don't mind getting my hands dirty now and then. Feels like old times. William Chocox: # I think I’m almost done here with the conduits. Tandaris Admiran: ::materializes on Excalibur:: Maryse Dubois: ::Takes the kit.:: Thank you, Commander. Rhan K'hal: +Miranda+ Bridge to Commander Hawthorne, ChEng back aboard. The rest of the team is still on planet. Maryse Dubois: Maybe Tandaris has that fix they were talking about. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: # Engineer> ::Looks at Will:: If you're done there, then you can help reboot the power systems for decks three through seven. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: (( Two minute warning. )) William Chocox: # On it. ::heads that way to work on it:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: begins packing the seeder packs into containers, mutters to self :: After we fix this planet I'm demanding a raise. Talk about non-union working conditions. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Rhan+ Acknowledged. Rhan K'hal: :: eyes the MSD on the aft wall, watching various systems go down here and there, thankfully on purpose as the systems are shifted to non-gel :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: END SIM Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: END SIM Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: END SIM

SD 1210.2017 Down on the planet, Tandaris and his team bug Dazim for more answers. Though the Tennessee Valley and Mary Seacole are without power, efforts are underway to bypass their neural gelpacks. Taking precautions to avoid power outages caused by the gelpacks, the Excalibur has already begun bypassing all systems that use them. However, some systems in medical have already begun to fluctuate.

MISSION BRIEF: A search has been launched for Dazim who Tandaris believes has more to tell us. Aboard the Tennessee Valley and Mary Seacole, efforts are underway to by-pass their neural gelpacks. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Tandaris Admiran: @:: has just beamed down with his team:: Tandaris Admiran: ((y'all can decide if you're on my team)) Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: in his hidden lab location, oblivious to the fact that he's a wanted man - at least by the Starfleet types :: Hunter Matheson: @ ::since there wasn't much to do at helm, he's with the CDR on planet:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::searching for the perp::: Rhan K'hal: :: hangs up from his comm with the planet, lets out a big sigh :: Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::On the planet with Tandaris:: Cptn Swain: ::Glances over:: Rhan K'hal: :: swivels back to look at Swain :: Hunter Matheson: Tork> ::monitoring helm, as usual:: Maryse Dubois: ::On the bridge, thinking.:: How long would it take to take our gel offline as say a preventative measure? Rhan K'hal: Captain, they're definitely not happy about this, they really like Dazim for some reason. I did manage to convince them that at the very least to put out whatever their equivalent of a BOLO is, but we're pretty much on our own looking for him. They say they don't have the resources to spare to look for him without having some evidence of wrongdoing. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Also on the bridge, she threw a glance at Maryse.:: All systems? We'd have to take each power grid offline step by step to minimize downtime. It'd take several hours to get everything. Tandaris Admiran: @:: scanning, scanning:: He was around here earlier Hakran K'hal: @ :: with the search team :: Where is "here" exactly? Maryse Dubois: ::Looking at Miranda.:: Better to do it now, instead of going completely dark like the other two ships though, right? Cptn Swain: @Augstine> ::Has his security grunts fan out:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::checking the area as they plod along:: He's a scientist, right? Or something like a scientist? Hunter Matheson: Tork> ::listening to the convo:: Hakran K'hal: @ Mad scientist maybe, but still a scientist. Hunter Matheson: @ ::HK:: So, he probably has a lab around here somewhere. You know, like most geeks do? Indaura Ryssan: :: Working in sickbay :: Tandaris Admiran: @::Hakran:: If you were slightly madder, where would you make your lab? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Thinking.:: We aren't certain that their system outages are related to the gel packs. We still haven't heard from the Away Team that went to help assess the situation. Did our recent guest have any guesses how this happened? Was it sabotage? Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::glances over to Tandaris with a smirk:: Hakran K'hal: @ Only slightly? :: smiles :: Somewhere that doesn't scream "evil scientist lair," but close enough to his supply source and somewhere the kind of cargo traffic wouldn't be noticed. Maryse Dubois: He didn't seem bothered by the ships going down actually. He was quick to find a cause for the main issue from the manufacturer and then quickly leave. Rhan K'hal: :: runs a paw through his mane and heads to the replicator for a bucket of coffee :: Cptn Swain: ::Frowns:: I do hope our own mad engineer's intuition is on target. Hunter Matheson: @ So... we gotta find the supply source? Cptn Swain: @Augustine> It's possible he's using force-fields to shield himself from our scans. Tandaris Admiran: @:: Hunter:: You helped shuttle supplies. Did you hear anyone talk about shady parts of town? Hakran K'hal: @ That's almost certain, though I doubt he built it that way to hide from us specifically. Just everyone and everything in general. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Our gel systems are limited. We tend not to rely on technology that we don't control ourselves. I think they can be bypassed without any problems. ::She sends the order down to engineering to start taking gel-pack systems offline, routing the power through conventional sources.:: Cptn Swain: @Augustine> We might be able to scan for the force-fields themselves. Hunter Matheson: @ Hm... well, didn't hear them talk about it, but they were taking supplies somewhere else than the designated position. I figured it was there business and the supply master didn't object. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> Indaura notes that several of the medical systems are experiencing power surges before going offline. Hunter Matheson: @ There was a small hill not far from the landing pad. Kind of like a bunker hill now that I think of it. Tandaris Admiran: @ Ok, let's head there. Stay sharp. Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::Begins looking around the room a little closer. Thankfully this isn't a crime procedural, so he doesn't worry about a warrant and instructs his security team to begin collecting evidence;; Hunter Matheson: @ Yes, sir. ::takes point toward the landing pad:: Rhan K'hal: :: returns with his sizable coffee, stands by for anything :: Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::Follows along as the muscle:: Maryse Dubois: ::Sees Rhan's bucket of coffee, giving him a sizable eyebrow.:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Looks around :: Umm. William Chocox: #::is on the MS:: Tandaris Admiran: @::spots the bunker:: Let's see if anyone's home Cptn Swain: ACTION> Teams from the TV and Seacole radio in to confirm that there is similar decay of the neural gel packs for both systems to the ones we recovered on the planet. The TV, being a ship full of highly qualified engineers is making progress on switching over to alternate systems of control and should be ready in the next hour. Seacole is going slower. Indaura Ryssan: +bridge+ We have various dead systems here in the sickbay. Hunter Matheson: Tork> ::listens up::: Rhan K'hal: :: gulps coffee as the reports come in :: Indaura Ryssan: :: Goes to try to reactivate several panels with no life :: Hunter Matheson: @ :::moves toward the bunker, checking the area for traps or whatever:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: working away, as grumpy or no, has quite the work ethic :: Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::Glances to Tandaris:: Rhan K'hal: +Indaura+ Acknowledged, Doctor. Back to you in a mo'. Hunter Matheson: @ Entrance looks clear, Commander, but you might want to give it a scan for sure. Or maybe let the ::almost says grunts:: security detail check it out. Indaura Ryssan: Backups people! Rhan K'hal: :: swivels to look at Miranda :: Commander, you might want the engineers to work faster. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Quirks a brow at Rhan.:: What's going on? Tandaris Admiran: @:: scans:: William Chocox: #::to whoever was telling him where to work:: What next? Hunter Matheson: Tork> ::keeping a close watch on helm knowing he'll have hell to pay if anything happens on his watch:: Rhan K'hal: Report from Dr. Ryssan, systems going down in medical. Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::Considers making a remark about the helmsman telling the security chief these things, but decides better of it.:: Hunter Matheson: @ ::steps away, getting the drift from the Sec Geek::: Cptn Swain: #Tealn> ::to Will:: We could use some help with the primary EPS routing. That’s where the bulk of the gel packs are. Hunter Matheson: @ ::wasn't talking to him anyway::: Hakran K'hal: @ Not detecting any life signs, and only low-level signatures indicative of backup power. Tandaris Admiran: @:: Augustine:: Take us inside Maryse Dubois: ::Walks over to Rhan's station.:: Did she say which ones? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Swears under her breath.:: Inform engineering and have them focus on medical first. Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::Nods, raises his phaser and heads to towards the entrance to the bunker complex:: Rhan K'hal: Aye, Commander. :: makes the call :: Maryse Dubois: ::Heading for the TL.:: William Chocox: # Perfect, I’ve got a lot of experience with EPS systems. ::heads over to work on them:: Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::Spots a panel that looks like it's likely the door locks:: Cptn Swain: ::Tapping his fingers:: K'hal go ahead and launch the buoy. I'd rather be safe than sorry. Rhan K'hal: :: sigh :: Aye, sir. Rhan K'hal: :: sends the order down to launch the buoy :: Rhan K'hal: :: gulps more coffee :: Maryse Dubois: ::Looking between Mirand and Rhan before getting in the TL, holding the door.:: Those packs were mistakenly sent to sickbay from the hangar bay, before making their way to the labs. Maryse Dubois: *Miranda Cptn Swain: @Augustine> :Flips open the panel with a frown:: K'hal come have a look. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Captain, I'm going to pay sick bay a visit. ::Rises and joins Maryse at the lift.:: Were they installed anywhere? Hakran K'hal: @ :: pads up next to Augustine, looks it over :: Maryse Dubois: God I hope not. Cptn Swain: ::Nods:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Moves :: Get to the self-contained units Maryse Dubois: ::Lets the door close once Miranda gets in.:: Sickbay. William Chocox: #::working on the conduits, talking to whoever’s there:: This seems like a nice ship when we’re all not elbows deep in the inner workings. Hakran K'hal: @ Wouldn't expect a Ferengi lock. Either Dazim shops around or we're about to break into a Ferengi warehouse. Hunter Matheson: Tork> ::taking precautions so helm isn't compromised::: Tandaris Admiran: @ Any way we can discern? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Steps out as the lift opens onto the medical deck and heads into sickbay.:: Someone report! Cptn Swain: @Augustine>They're common enough on the blackmarket. Cptn Swain: @Augustine> We could just, knock, of course. Indaura Ryssan: :: The staff is using the backup self-powered units. Several displays are without power :: Maryse Dubois: ::Walking into sickbay with Miranda, noting some of the bio beds and other systems flickering.:: Hakran K'hal: @ That would be one way, certainly. Tandaris Admiran: @:: Augustine:: And warn whoever is inside? Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::shrugs:: Maryse Dubois: ::Softly to Miranda.:: Fortunately there was no one in need of life support, though I would hop backups would kick in. Maryse Dubois: *hope Tandaris Admiran: @:: rolls eyes:: Fine. We'll try being respectful for once. William Chocox: ((I could always fly down to blow it up.)) Hakran K'hal: @ Let me get out the holorecorder, Rhan would kill me if I didn't capture this for posterity. :: dryly :: Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::Glances over to Hunter:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: voice comes blaring out of the panel :: Oh for the love o'... :: click :: Just come in already, you're giving me a headache. Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::As if to say 'and we're the grunts':: Hunter Matheson: @ ::staying well out of the way:: Indaura Ryssan: Power is not stable in the least here. We are running backup units. Hakran K'hal: @ :: cocks an ear :: The Ferengi lock must have automatic voice pickup. Hunter Matheson: @ ::chalks it up to 'Fleet vs Corps, so he mentally shrugs it off, having no idea what his problem isl:: Tandaris Admiran: @:: smiles:: My plan all along ::enters:: Hakran K'hal: @ :: follows :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::Joins Indaura.:: Which systems are the worst? I'll have a look at them myself. Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::Holsters his phaser... for the moment:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: sitting in front of a rather posh lab setup - not as shiny as Excalibur's, but pretty good for a private individual :: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> Wasn't expecting to hear from you people so quickly. Figured you'd enjoy my absence for a while as much as I was enjoying being absent. Hunter Matheson: @ ::follows them in, giving 'Fleet a wide berth:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: rolls his chair over to a crate of gelpacks, injects something into one and then installs it into an isolated test power setup :: Tandaris Admiran: @ We figured it out. Hakran K'hal: @ :: glances over at Tandaris, figuring this is his show :: Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::Lets Tandaris do the talking, he was just there to be the heavy if needed:: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> Oh, and what exactly did you figure? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Were any of the bad gel packs installed in here? ::Again, talking to Indaura.:: Tandaris Admiran: @ You have been a bad cat. Cptn Swain: ACTION> The music from CSI Miami hits for no real reason. Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: scowls :: No need to be racist, Spotty. Maryse Dubois: ((::Feels a bad pun coming, followed by Tandy putting on his shades.::)) Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> :: unconcernedly watches over the info coming from the test :: Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> Come, come. I'm sure you have a nice self-righteous spiel. Let's get it over with. Cptn Swain: (( Couple Minute Warning )) Tandaris Admiran: @ No, I think we'll take that as read. Are you going to help us fix this? Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> What do you think I'm doing, making a fish sandwich? Hakran K'hal: @Dazim> Though that sounds good now that I think of it. Cptn Swain: ...and... Cptn Swain: @Augustine> ::wonders if he can get an assignment around non crazy people:: Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 1203.2017 A search has been launched for Dazim who Tandaris believes has more to tell us. Aboard the Tennessee Valley and Mary Seacole, efforts are underway to by-pass their neural gelpacks.

SD 1126.2017 Having located the source of the defective gel packs, Dazim has left. On the Tennessee Valley and Mary Seacole, they are working to restore power as well locate the source of their own problems. Our engineering teams continue to dig into the gel packs as well to determine how it spread.

MISSION BRIEF: Having located the source of the defective gel packs, Dazim has left. On the Tennessee Valley and Mary Seacole, they are working to restore power as well locate the source of their own problems. Our engineering teams continue to dig into the gel packs as well to determine how it spread. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Maryse Dubois: ::In the hangar bay, hanging back a moment as her teams leave with their new patients.:: +Tandy+ There was an accident in the hangar bay. I know I may be paranoid, but do you think you can have someone inspect the equipment used? I just want to make sure this accident is unrelated to anything else. Hunter Matheson: ::under the helm console checking things out:: Rhan K'hal: Captain, there's a lot of comm traffic from the surface trying to reach the other ships. Should I put out a general call to let them all know down there? Then if there's something more urgent I can see what use we are to them. Tandaris Admiran: +Maryse+ What kind of accident? Cptn Swain: ::Nods:: Indaura Ryssan: (Me in the hangar bay as well?) Maryse Dubois: +Tandy+ One of the new loaders malfunctioned. Maryse Dubois: ((If you want, or you can go with the med team and patients.)) Rhan K'hal: +Alpha Veras II+ Attention all Starfleet personnel on Alpha Veras II, this is the USS Excalibur. Both the Tenn. Valley and Mary Seacole are experiencing power issues and are unable to respond to your communications. We are attempting to assist them, but in the interim both ships are unavailable. Please direct urgent inquiries to the Excalibur, otherwise if you can please stay patient and continue your mission please do. Excalibur out. Indaura Ryssan: :: With the medical team :: Tandaris Admiran: +Maryse+ That's ... interesting. Those don't use bioneural circu... oh. Rhan K'hal: There, that probably won't reassure them much, but hopefully it'll keep them from panicking. I'm going to put some people on comm duty in the TIC, try to keep the mundane stuff out of our follicles. Cptn Swain: Send an update to Command as well. I want them to know what’s going on. They may need to dispatch another vessel to assist. Hakran K'hal: #Dazim> :: in the secret part of his lab, because of course he has one, he is scanning his own supplies of gel :: Maryse Dubois: +Tandy+ Oh? Rhan K'hal: Aye, Captain. :: gets on that :: Hakran K'hal: :: enters the bridge :: Cptn Swain: We can handle the gap, but we're not equipped to be a medical center for an entire planet AND rebuild their power systems. Tandaris Admiran: +Maryse+ The loader is linked to the computer systems. Indaura Ryssan: :: Checking with the patients :: Hakran K'hal: Ah, Captain. I come bearing recommendations. Cptn Swain: Hunter, modified our orbit to put us a little closer to the TV and Seacole. It should help with the shuttle communication line. Maryse Dubois: +Tandy+ Oh sounds bad then... Cptn Swain: ::Glances over:: Oh? Hakran K'hal: :: nods :: Commander Admiran, Doctor Dubois and myself believe it would be wise to have a comm buoy prepared for automatic or manual launch containing at least the basics of what's been going on. Just in case this gel problem hits our systems as well. Hunter Matheson: ::mutters something about 3rd string helm personnel:: Tandaris Admiran: +Maryse+ It means whatever was affecting the Mary Seacole and the Tennessee Valley could be affecting our computers. Cptn Swain: I agree. Rhan K'hal: Isn't that a cheery thought. I'll get on it right away. Hakran K'hal: In the meanwhile, we've had an incident in the shuttlebay. I don't have the specifics, but Dr. Dubois is checking it out. Hunter Matheson: ::flips out from the helm work:: Aye sir. Moving in. Cptn Swain: ::Frowns:: Hunter Matheson: ::settling in:: How close, sir? Cptn Swain: Keep me updated. I assume Tandaris is working on a plan to isolate the bioneural systems? Cptn Swain: As close as you feel comfortable with. Hakran K'hal: #Dazim> :: big-eyed, ear-perked surprise as he looks over his scan results :: Interesting... Oh blast it, the Starfleeters are going to discover this. :: rubs chin thoughtfully :: Hakran K'hal: He is, and aye sir. Hunter Matheson: ::tapping in a few calcs:: Engaging thrusters. Moving to within... emergency umbilical range. Rhan K'hal: Okay, I've jammed the Cliff Notes version into a comm buoy... or at least I jammed the notes into memory and someone in the torpedo room is jamming it into the buoy. It'll be on hot standby for release. Maryse Dubois: :;Sighs:: +Tandy+ Sounds like we need to work on a fix, fast. Tandaris Admiran: +Maryse+ Agreed. Tandaris Admiran: ::heads for the bridge:: Maryse Dubois: ::Heading back to the labs.:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Treating them at the hangar :: Using the dermal regen on an ankle :: Hunter Matheson: Station keeping within standard emergency range between TV and MC. Indaura Ryssan: +Dubois+ None of the injuries are life threatening. Hakran K'hal: :: hops into the science console chair, pulls up the data himself - frowns over it for a few moments :: All this bio-tech is way over my head. I still can't quite wrap my head around how this could happen in the first place, let alone be "contagious" even into a closed system. Cptn Swain: ::Glances over:: Its possible its self-propagating, but not viral. Tandaris Admiran: ::arrives at the bridge:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Working on the injured without moving them to sickbay :: Maryse Dubois: +Indaura+ That's good. Have them go to sickbay for a full exam when they are able to move. Rhan K'hal: :: pops up and pads over to look over his brother's shoulder :: It's a neural system, it's generating electromagnetic radiation. It's possible that it's generating it in a more focused manner, enough to stimulate the neural pathways in other gel. Have you guys tried running a test to see just how much this stuff can hum? Hunter Matheson: :;makes a few position adjustments:: Hakran K'hal: :: blinks :: I don't believe so, not yet anyway. I didn't think you took any biotech courses, Rhan. Indaura Ryssan: +Dubois+ Understood. :: signals to her patients that they will be moved :: Cptn Swain: ::Considers:: That's possible. Though it would be pretty surprising for that to happen naturally. Hunter Matheson: ::eyes the business end of the console and rethinks getting under there when they're so close to the TV and MC:: Rhan K'hal: Oh, I just happened to not have anything remotely related to biotech happen during some very routine missions that are completely aboveboard and not gaping holes in my short but distinguished service record. Rhan K'hal: :: grin :: Hakran K'hal: :: twists an ear at Rhan, then looks over to Tandaris :: What news, Commander? Indaura Ryssan: :: Helps someone up and motions them to the hangar exit :: Tandaris Admiran: We have a problem. Rhan K'hal: :: grin vanishes :: Uh-oh. Cptn Swain: I don't like problems. Tandaris Admiran: Well, I have part of a solution. ::comes up alongside ops:: Cptn Swain: Solutions are good. Tandaris Admiran: Mr. K'hal, can you locate your ... cousin on the surface, please? ::Swain:: I believe Mr. ... K'hal can offer us some answers. With your permission, I’d like to take him aboard right now. Rhan K'hal: :: heads back over to his console since he's apparently going to need it :: Rhan K'hal: Shouldn't be hard to find one Cait. :: tappity tap tap :: Indaura Ryssan: :: Enters the lift with her patients :: Cptn Swain: ::Smirks despite himself:: Hakran K'hal: Ah, not to rain on your parade, Commander, but we're bound to be running into some legal problems just abducting someone off a non-Federation planet. Cptn Swain: He is a Federation citizen, but give him a moment’s notice before you do. Rhan K'hal: Uh, consider the parade rained on anyway... I can't find him. Maryse Dubois: ::Steps out onto the bridge.:: Rhan K'hal: :: taps some more :: Cptn Swain: ::Lifts a brow:: Rhan K'hal: He's not responding to the a-Veran comm unit frequency we have for him either. Not even getting a voicemail. Maryse Dubois: I can't believe you actually want him back... Do we have a location of his lab? Maybe he has some sort of shielding preventing anyone from locating him. He did seem to like privacy a little too much. Cptn Swain: Have the Alpha Vera authorities pay him a visit. Rhan K'hal: I'll send a politely worded urgent request to that effect, Captain. :: starts making the contact :: Hakran K'hal: :: has a hunch of his own, checks the computer :: Indaura Ryssan: :: Enters sickbay, directs each of them to the bio beds :: Hakran K'hal: He may have shielding, Doctor, and he may have that at more than one location. Where he beamed down to isn't where you picked him up, Commander. Rhan K'hal: They've agreed to go knock on his door, Captain. We should hear something soon, one way or the other. Maryse Dubois: ::Nods.:: Sounds like he had a safehouse. Cptn Swain: What would he need a safe house for. Tandaris Admiran: While we're waiting ... Cptn Swain: ::Frowns:: I'd prefer not to start an intergalactic incident. Tandaris Admiran: I think we've been looking at this from the wrong angle. Hunter Matheson: ::mutters:: cause he's responsible for the problem and doesn't want to admit it:: Hakran K'hal: Without some serious work from the Doctor, my neck can only tilt so far, Commander. Tandaris Admiran: ::Rhan:: Are you just going to let him take over the title of "the funny one"? Hunter Matheson: ::keeping a close watch on position, more worried about the ships than a cat:: Maryse Dubois: ::Smirks.:: Tandaris Admiran: I think Dazim has answers for us because I think, whether he was aware of it or not, Dazim is the one who caused the initial ... infection ... of intelligence. Rhan K'hal: It was bound to happen, he's been on board long enough. Hunter Matheson: ::stops to listen but doesn't turn:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Starts a more extensive screening :: Hakran K'hal: :: tilts head :: Anything solid giving you that idea Commander? Rhan K'hal: :: gets a chirp, checks it out :: Tandaris Admiran: ::ticks off fingers:: He's a neuroscientist ... known for doing shady neuroscience ... working with bio-neural gel on a planet outside Federation jurisdiction ... Tandaris Admiran: What he didn’t count on was how Alpha Verran's bio-neural gel differs from the Federation's. Tandaris Admiran: Federation gel-paks have specific engineering tolerances, partly to prevent these kinds of ... unfortunate evolutions. Hakran K'hal: I find it hard to believe he'd overlook that. Counted on it, more likely. Tandaris Admiran: On the flexibility of the neuronal pathways? Yes. On how this would interact with the built-in peering and update protocols, thus spreading the pseudo-intelligence throughout the whole grid? I hope not. Maryse Dubois: ::Nods in agreement.:: Probably with some monetary motivation behind it. Tandaris Admiran: Our ships are now experiencing the equivalent of a secondary effect. Rhan K'hal: :: turns back to Swain, clears throat :: Captain, they checked his lab, the only one they're aware of anyway, also the one where Commander Admiran originally picked him up. He wasn't there. The Verans say they're too busy with everything going on to go looking for him, especially when, for as far as they know, he's done nothing wrong. They did say we could poke around for him ourselves. Tandaris Admiran: ::rubs his hands together:: It has been a while since we’ve had a proper manhunt. Maryse Dubois: ::Stands by the auxiliary console, inputting something.:: Cptn Swain: Tell them to put out a planet wide alert for them, you can tell in no uncertain terms its not a request. Tandaris, why don't you take a security team down with Commander Augistine and have a look around. Maybe you can find something in his lab to implicate him. Tandaris Admiran: Understood. Rhan K'hal: :: winces :: Captain, remember what you just said about intergalactic incidents... Rhan K'hal: We don't have any evidence, just speculation at this point. Cptn Swain: I do. I'll take any of the heat for it. Tandaris Admiran: In the meantime, all three of our ships need to take their gel-pak circuitry offline and perform a systems-wide reboot. That will temporarily fix our problems until we can get to a starbase and have our gel-paks completely replaced. Rhan K'hal: :: nods :: Just wanted you to make sure you knew your head was in the guillotine, sir. Maryse Dubois: All of the initially affected packs belonged to one company. No major incidents in their records save for this moment. I wonder who would gain the most from a company folding under these circumstances? Rhan K'hal: :: makes the call to aV-II :: Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

MISSION BRIEF: As the Excalibur continues to investigate the power grid failure, having narrowed down on the neural gel packs as the likely culprits -- though a number of questions remain, the Tennessee Valley and the Mary Seacole, which have been leading relief efforts on the planet have begun experiencing power failures. A team from Excalibur has been dispatched to establish communications as well collect samples from the ship's neural gel packs on the chance there is a connection. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: standing in front of the medical lab's large screen, looking over the testing results :: Indaura Ryssan: :: in medical :: William Chocox: ::has been taking a small cat nap on the way to the Mary Seacole. Cptn Swain: ::on his way to the bridge, considering all of the ways that he disliked Dazim:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Ens. Harker> ::In the shuttle heading for the Seacole. Perks up as they near the lifeless ship.:: Wow, no lights on anywhere. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ((Slaps Will with @ )) William Chocox: ((Danke.)) William Chocox: @Hm? None whatsoever? William Chocox: @ That's even worse than I thought it was. Maryse Dubois: ::In the medical lab as well, looking at a PADD.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Ens. Harker> Not exterior. Don't show anything in the windows, either. They have life support, right? William Chocox: @ As far as I remember hearing. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> It seems we have our source. :: taps the screen :: All of the degenerated gel shows this same RNA mutation. Based on what little study I've been able to do in the allotted time, I would guess that the mutation allowed for the more efficient, longer-lasting neural processes. William Chocox: @::feels the shuttle touch down:: Well, guess we're here. Cptn Swain: ::Enters the bridge:: Report. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> The only production location that has any of this in their last control sample is from the Gamarn plant. Which is highly annoying, as this is where I source my own gel from. I'll have to re-do all my latest research. :: shakes head :: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> It still doesn't explain why it started thinking though, but I suppose that'll keep me busy for a while once I get my lab up and running again. William Chocox: @::steps out of the shuttle and sweeps his flashlight around:: Anybody home?! Indaura Ryssan: :: Goes to the medical lab :: Doctor, I can get away for a moment, do you need any help? Tandaris Admiran: How do we stop these side effects then? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Ens. Harker> ::Follows Will with the rest of the disposable engineers.:: Maryse Dubois: Will we be able to track where all the gel from that factory went? Tandaris Admiran: Maybe some kind of retroviral agent? Maryse Dubois: We'll also need to flag it, make sure no one else installs it. Indaura Ryssan: Someone should :: hears a noise behind her :: Ah, here they are. :: the gel packs are making their way into the lab :: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: scowls at Tandaris :: I don't know how many times I have to say it, this isn't pathogenic. An anti-viral will be as useful as cutting your leg off just because your foot fell asleep. Tempting anyway though. William Chocox: @ Huh, wonder where they all are. Indaura Ryssan: We want to know where the gel went? Tandaris Admiran: So why are our ships malfunctioning? Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: turns to Maryse :: I've already contacted the government, they're going to work on that now. Indaura Ryssan: :: A nurse is placing the packs neatly on the medical lab tables :: Maryse Dubois: ::Sighs at Dazim, then looking to Indaura.:: If you want to subject yourself to this, then you're welcome to. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> Other than other shuttles, the bay was completely empty except for a single officer that approached the shuttle. William Chocox: @ Hello? ::points his flashlight in that direction, making sure not to blind whoever was coming over:: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: Tandaris :: They're Starfleet. Inefficient bureaucracy, incompetence, general bad luck? I could name more. Maryse Dubois: ::Notices the packs that were brought in.:: I still think there is some sort of exposure, biological or not. Indaura Ryssan: Hopefully we can discover the full history. Tandaris Admiran: Right. Maybe it's memetic. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Seacole Lt.> Are you guys from the Tennessee Valley? They were supposed to send over some people to help get our warp drive restarted. William Chocox: @ No, we're here from the Excalibur. The Tennessee Valley is having some issues. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> In any case, we haven't had any incidents planetside of isolated systems experiencing power outages, and there was a lot more exposure to the gel down there than there has been up here. William Chocox: @ I'm Lieutenant William Chocox, and with me is Ensign Harker, and ::starts naming off the riff raff engineers:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Gets a scanner and places it over one of the gel packs :: Going to scan each one, catalog what we have. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Seacole Lt.> Issues? Like we're having issues? We've got life support, but not much else. Engineering is pulling their hair out. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> So, I think that pretty much does it for me. On behalf of the Tamarn Empire and the Alpha Veras II government, thank you for your assistance and yadda yadda yadda. Tandaris Admiran: ::Maryse:: Are we done with him? Maryse Dubois: If you're satisfied. William Chocox: @ I can't say without looking at both ships, but it seems to be so. We're here to save your engineers' hair. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> Hrmph. :: looks to the security :: To the transporter room, armed goon. The sooner I get off of this tin can the better. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Seacole Lt.> Well, I can get you down to engineering, but it is going to be a climb. The lifts aren't working. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: taps footpaw impatiently while the security guards wait for confirmation from someone wearing a uniform :: Maryse Dubois: ::Looks at the screen a moment, then her PADD. She then inputs a certain lot number in, setting the PADD by Indaura.:: If you find a pack from this lot number, set it aside. I want to examine it if possible. Maryse Dubois: ::Looks to security and nods.:: William Chocox: @ I've always loved a good climb. What about you Ensign Harker? Indaura Ryssan: :: Goes to scan another gel pack :: Tandaris Admiran: ::Maryse:: Maybe our gel-paks are being affected my the information being sent from the surface. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: heads off with security, no doubt leaving room for joy and hope to return to the lab :: Maryse Dubois: It's quite possible. I'm still not 100% convinced this is just a simple freak accident. Hakran K'hal: :: gets a beep from one of his biologists working in the security lab that the pale grumpy one has departed, starts making his way back up to the medical lab :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Ens. Harker> ::Groans.:: I guess. Cptn Swain: ::Drinking tea, waiting for any news:: Rhan K'hal: Captain, TR 1 is requesting clearance to transport Dazim back to the planet. William Chocox: @ Oh come on, it'll be fun! Get the blood flowing. Tandaris Admiran: Foul play? Cptn Swain: ::lifts a brow:: Oh? Hakran K'hal: :: pokes his head in the medical lab :: I hear it's safe again in here. You guys solve the mystery already? Maryse Dubois: ::Nods.:: Corporate sabotage seems likely, or maybe something more sinister. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Seacole Lt.> ::Snickers and motions for them to follow. He heads for the JT hatch in the shuttle bay and opens it, crawling through to the first junction.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Ens. Harker> You're idea of fun is very different from mine. Rhan K'hal: Aye, sir. Seeing as I haven't heard any reports from security of him getting loose, he's either there because Cdr Admiran and/or Dr. Dubois let him or evicted him. Indaura Ryssan: :: Moves to a third gel pack :: William Chocox: @ Did you join Starfleet for a cushy job sitting behind a console? Maryse Dubois: ::Smiles at Hakran.:: Well sort of. We at least know the batch and factory the bad ones came from. Cptn Swain: I can understand why they'd want to be rid of him. Hakran K'hal: I suppose that was enough for Mr. Grumpypants to take back to his government. Though with the issues with the Mary Seacole and Tennessee Valley, I imagine we're not packing up and going off to play holodeck shuffleboard yet. Cptn Swain: Thoroughly unpleasant creature that one. Rhan K'hal: Did he hiss at you, sir? Cptn Swain: Clear him for departure. Maryse Dubois: ::Nods.:: And since we don't know how this spread, you can be certain it might affect us. Rhan K'hal: :: clears the transport, notes the destination as a public transporter hub :: Cptn Swain: ACTION> Medical receives a call from the hanger deck for medical assistance. Apparently a loader has short circuited and there are several injuries. Indaura Ryssan: :: Scanning the fourth :: Hakran K'hal: :: Tandaris :: Just how much gel do we use on the ship, and I don't suppose there's a way to get by without it? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Ens. Harker> Yes! I like coding. Coding doesn't involve climbing.... usually. You never can tell with Admiran as the Chief. ::He started the climb following the LT.:: Maryse Dubois: ::Gets the message from sickbay as a medical team is dispatched.:: Injuries in the hangar deck? Tandaris Admiran: Like most Starfleet ships, we're a hybrid. We could disable the bio-neural circuitry, but it would reduce our systems capacity Indaura Ryssan: Trouble down on the hanger deck. William Chocox: @ You willingly signed up to be on a ship with Tandaris Admiran and thought you'd get solely a cushy coding job? Hakran K'hal: #Dazim> :: heads to his lab, and little to his surprise, a certain manufacturing worker is waiting for him outside :: Yes, yes, nicely done. Though I certainly don't carry your payment on my pocket, you'll have to come in. :: keys into his lab :: Hakran K'hal: Maybe a good idea to prep that in case the lights start to flicker then, Commander? Maryse Dubois: ::Looks to Hakran and Tandaris.:: I have something I would like you to propose to the Captain. Call me paranoid, I guess, but you should consider asking him to prep a comm buoy. I was on the bridge when the other two ships sputtered and died. They had very little time to do anything. If the same happens to us, other ships may fall into the same "trap". Maryse Dubois: ::Nods to Indaura.:: Go. I'll be there shortly. Tandaris Admiran: Agreed Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Ens. Harker> I didn't know who he was before I joined! ::Breathing a bit harder as they reached another deck.:: Otherwise... Hakran K'hal: :: nods :: Good idea, Doc. Cptn Swain: ::Rhan:: Have we heard anything from the TV or the Seacole teams? William Chocox: @ No idea whatsoever? I would've done some research before agreeing to come out here. William Chocox: @::keeps climbing:: Maryse Dubois: ::Medical team arrives in the hangar.:: Rhan K'hal: Not yet, Captain. Lieutenant Chocox just arrived a moment ago on the Mary S. Maryse Dubois: ::Grabs a kit.:: I'm going to check the hangar. Indaura Ryssan: :: Nods :: Hakran K'hal: :: Tandaris :: Would you like me to play messenger to the Captain so you can keep working, Commander? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Seacole Lt> ::Opens the last JT door for them and pushes open the hatch that leads into engineering.:: Indaura Ryssan: :: gets a kit and heads to the hanger deck :: Maryse Dubois: ::Also heading to the hangar.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Ens. Harker> Yea, well, not much I can do about that now. ::Huffs and puffs.:: William Chocox: @::crawls out of the JT:: See? That wasn't so bad. Indaura Ryssan: :: Two are behind her to help. They enter the lift :: Hangar deck Tandaris Admiran: ::Hakran:: Let's go together Hakran K'hal: #Dazim> :: keys into a relatively obvious safe, extracts a substance that is certainly not legal on the planet but one that people seem to enjoy anyway :: Here you are. I may need your services again though, so don't get too far under for now, hmm? :: tosses the large packet to the jumpsuited man :: Indaura Ryssan: :: Enters the hangar deck :: Hakran K'hal: :: nods :: I suppose you can use a break, come to think of it. Between the hours and the adverse working conditions. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Ens. Harker> :::Collapses into a chair once they were inside engineering.:: I'm going to be sore tomorrow. William Chocox: @ I'm sure Doctor Dubois would be able to take care of that. Tandaris Admiran: Yes, I'd thought I'd met the most ornery Khal. :: heads for the TL:: Hakran K'hal: #Dazim> :: doesn't even have to shoo the man away, seals the door behind him :: Maryse Dubois: ::Arrives in the hangar, her team already taking care of patients. She checks on everyone first before walking over to the failed equipment.:: Hakran K'hal: :: follows, chuckles :: Rhan seems positively agreeable compared to that ghost, eh? Though as far as stubbornness goes, Mreh is still the king of that. Short of our mother, anyway. Maryse Dubois: ::Takes a crewman aside.:: What exactly happened? William Chocox: @ So, who's the person I have been sent to lend a hand to? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ ACTION> Mary Seacole engineering was complete chaos. Every available engineer was on duty, trying to figure out what was going on. Emergency lights were active, but that was the only illumination. The warp core was offline. Cptn Swain: Deckhand> We were trying to move too much stuff with these new loaders and just got it over loaded. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Seacole Lt.> ::Waves a hand.:: Chief Swanson is in there somewhere. She'd be the one you'd need to see. Tandaris Admiran: I wasn't going to rank you.... Maryse Dubois: What were you moving? William Chocox: @ Thank you. ::starts looking for the most harried looking engineer there:: Hakran K'hal: #Dazim> :: waves a paw on an otherwise blank portion of wall and waits as a secure door appears and opens in front of him :: Damned Starfleet. :: looks over at a section of wall where there's a missing crate of gelpacks :: Had to waste some of the good stuff. Cptn Swain: Deckhand> ::points to a bunch of heavy equipment now laying strewn across the deck:: Cptn Swain: (( Two minute warning ))) Hakran K'hal: So what exactly do we recommend the emergency comm buoy say? "redrum" might be a bit melodramatic. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Chief Swanson> ::Looking harried, indeed, though she didn't have any hair to pull out. She was bald.:: Indaura Ryssan: :: Goes over to the injured :: William Chocox: @ Chief Swanson? I'm Lieutenant William Chocox from the Excalibur and I am here to help. Maryse Dubois: I see. Well, please be careful next time. ::Walks over to the loader a moment, then back to the medical team.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: @ Chief Swanson> What? ::She straightened and turned to squint at William and his team.:: A LT from Excalibur. Well, I guess we're saved. Indaura Ryssan: :: scans :: Tandaris Admiran: A precis of what we've found out would help Cptn Swain: ...and... Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 1119.2017 As the Excalibur continues to investigate the power grid failure, having narrowed down on the neural gel packs as the likely culprits -- though a number of questions remain, the Tennessee Valley and the Mary Seacole, which have been leading relief efforts on the planet have begun experiencing power failures. A team from Excalibur has been dispatched to establish communications as well collect samples from the ship's neural gel packs on the chance there is a connection.

MISSION BRIEF: The Excalibur crew continues to investigate the cause of a planetary power grid failure and believe it could be tied to the bio-neural circuitry achieving some base level of sentience/conscience that should not have developed. Meanwhile, both the USS Mary Seacole and the USS Tennessee Valley are themselves experiencing technical difficulties, though we have yet to confirm the cause and if they are related to the issues on the planet. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: frowning over the data :: Cptn Swain: ::In the science lab, glancing towards Dazim:: Tandaris Admiran: ::frowning over Dazim:: William Chocox: ::sends Tandaris more data from his project for Dazim:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> More power fluctuations from the Tennessee Valley and several of their systems go offline. Indaura Ryssan: :: In sickbay :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Nurse> ::In sickbay. She opened a recently delivered crate and pulls out a gel pack, showing it to Indaura.:: Look, Doctor Ryssan. Did we order these? Rhan K'hal: Commander, both ships are flickering like candles in a stiff breeze now. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She frowned.:: What? The Tennessee Valley, too? What in the blazes is going on over there? Are their communications up? Cptn Swain: So do we have a working theory on how this happened? Rhan K'hal: Let me give them a whistle. *hails the TV* Maryse Dubois: ::Still on the bridge for the moment, worried about what is going on.:: Do they at least have emergency power for life support? Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: looks away :: Not at the moment. Cptn Swain: Well someone needs to think of something. That should be our priority. Rhan K'hal: The Seacole does, checking the Tenn-Val now. Tandaris Admiran: ::looking over Chocox's new data:: Oh. Maryse Dubois: ::Sighs in relief.:: I'll be heading back down to the labs. Looks like we may have to change strategies. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: looks up at Tandaris :: "Oh" what? Cptn Swain: ::Looks over, running a hand through his hair:: Maryse Dubois: ::Enters the TL.:: +Sickbay+ Dubois to sickbay. Prepare for potential patients. We may have to take on evacuees. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Nurse> ::Turns the gel pack over in her hands.:: This one looks a bit strange. Like... it's used or something. Burnt, maybe? Tandaris Admiran: So the latest forensic analyses are back, and I think I know why the grid failed. Maryse Dubois: ::Sighs as she exits the TL, eventually re-entering the medical lab.:: Tandaris Admiran: The neural gel-packs were starting to think. But we already found the signs of Irumodic syndrome. Tandaris Admiran: They were ailing, and when your brain has a degenerative disease, the neurons start misfiring. Maryse Dubois: :;Doesn't have time for greetings.:: We may need to find at least a temporary fix soon. ::Looking to Tandy and Swain.:: Both the Mary Seacole and Tennessee Valley have lost power. Tandaris Admiran: In this case, the gel-paks controlling the power grid's load-balancing failed during a power surge. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: I wonder if something is catching. Like that syndrome of the doctor's. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Swain+ Hawthorne to Swain. Maryse Dubois: And if we aren't careful, I fear we may be next. Rhan K'hal: ::mutters:: I think I'll leave the biology to the ones with the degrees. Cptn Swain: +Hawthrone+ Go ahead commander. ::Steps aside to let the conversation continue:: Indaura Ryssan: +Dubois+ Understood doctor. William Chocox: +Tandaris+ What's the next project you have for me sir? Hakran K'hal: Dazim> We've already determined this isn't pathogenic, Doctor. Are you suggesting that not only did the gel start to think but that it became telepathic and can cause brain defects to begin Irumodic syndrome in completely unaffected, sealed gel? Hakran K'hal: Dazim> Am I suddenly going to become friendly and bake cookies too? Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ Standby. William Chocox: +Tandaris+ It's not like I have a chair at my console. Maryse Dubois: I'm not sure. I just know that 2 ships are out there without power. Tandaris Admiran: There must be a transmission vector. Tandaris Admiran: If not for the Irumodic syndrome itself, then for the sentience. Maryse Dubois: But I do know that all 3 ships were using shuttle to ferry cargo. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Swain+ Captain, we have a bit of a situation. Both the Mary Seacole and the Tennessee Valley are now experiencing power issues. Cptn Swain: +Miranda+ Troubling. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Nurse> ::Begins unpacking the crate to see if there was anything in it besides second hand gel packs.:: Cptn Swain: +Miranda+ Let them know we're standing by to assist them, continue to monitor the situation. Keep me informed, as well. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: +Swain+ We would, sir, but they've lost communications. Both have life support, but little else. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> The planet is full of competing labs and production companies, but the power network and the control grid are universal. Something could have been introduced at any number of areas. Cptn Swain: +Miranda+ ::Exhales audibly:: Get a team on standby. I guess if we have to ferry messages over the old fashioned way, we can. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: waves a paw :: As for the other ships, I'm not convinced there could be a non-contact method of transferring the unusual gel qualities. There's nothing intrinsically susceptible in standard gel that some stray electromagnetic field is going to suddenly turn it into a gooey Daystrom. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She looked to Rhan.:: You heard him. Rhan K'hal: Aye, Commander. Rhan K'hal: :: gets to work on that :: Cptn Swain: ::Turns on heel:: I am sending a communications team over to the Tennessee Valley and the Seacole. Tandaris send one of your people along to test the gel-packs on their ships. Indaura Ryssan: :: Going over the gel packs, but waiting for any incoming :: Tandaris Admiran: ::Swain:: You got it. Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ OK, I have a task for you. William Chocox: +Tandaris+ Ready. Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ You're to go to the Tennessee Valley and the Mary Seacole and test their gel-paks. Use biohazard protocols. William Chocox: +Tandaris+ Biohazard protocols? What's the hypothesis? Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ The gel-paks may or may not be communicating a degenerative disease and/or some mechanism of spreading the sentient-like behaviour we've observed. Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ Don't worry about it. Rhan K'hal: :: gets that settled, has a team sent down to await engineers :: William Chocox: +Tandaris+ Has that line ever worked to make sure someone doesn't worry? William Chocox: ::starts getting ready to leave:: Cptn Swain: You said there are different manufactures of the gel-packs, Dazim? Rhan K'hal: :: also manages to track down that mislabeled crate... and has a good dressing down started for the idiot that didn't question why a special delivery shuttle with a bunch of biohazard-marked samples would also have 1 box of medical supplies :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Nurse> ::Looks up at Indaura, gel pack flopping in her hand.:: Looks weird, right? Hakran K'hal: Dazim> Yes. The Tamarn aren't as overtly capitalist as the Ferengi, but the appreciate the innovation potential of competition. Since Alpha Veras II has ample ingredients, many different concerns have settled in here. Rhan K'hal: +Sickbay+ K'hal to sickbay. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Nurse> Maybe they're upgraded? Should we plug one into the equipment and see how it does? Indaura Ryssan: +K'hal+ Sickbay here Maryse Dubois: ::Listening to Dazim.:: Indaura Ryssan: :: to the nurse :: They should not be like this. We should put it under the biobed scanner. Cptn Swain: Right. Have we cross checked the samples to see if there's a correlation? Perhaps a bad batch? Rhan K'hal: +Indaura+ Log shows you received a crate of medical supplies within the last 2 hours. It should actually have samples of the gelpacks from the planet in it. Those need to go to the medical lab. Indaura Ryssan: +K'hal+ We are examining them now. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> We're just getting started on that, but we have a lot of samples to work on. We need more minions. :: rolls eyes, sneers :: Sorry, "helpers." Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Nurse> ::Looks down at the gel pack in her hand, about to plug it into the biobed, but pauses at Rhan's comm.:: Cptn Swain: ::Levels a cold glance:: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: un-phased :: Cptn Swain: This is a top priority. If the problems on the Seacole and the TV are related, then we could be next. Cptn Swain: Tandaris, pull whoever you need from wherever. If they're not doing mission critical and can work the equipment, do it. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> Well then, stop bothering us and let us get back to work. Cursed administrators, always thinking they're doing something useful by strutting around giving orders like "make sure the sky is still blue." Hakran K'hal: Dazim> Or green. Depends on the planet, naturally. Tandaris Admiran: Understood. Cptn Swain: Mister Dazim. Maryse Dubois: ::Facepalms.:: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> Don't waste your breath, /captain./ I'm not Starfleet personnel and I'm the Alpha Veras II representative. If I want to call you monkey I'll do it. The worst you can do is ask me to leave. Cptn Swain: I suggest you spend more time working and less time being an obnoxious twit. Cptn Swain: Just a friendly suggestion. I always find that helpful when I am doing research. Cptn Swain: ::Smiles:: Keep me informed Commander, Doctor. I'll be on the bridge. Indaura Ryssan: :: Scans the gel pack :: Hmm Hakran K'hal: Dazim> True, but again, stop bothering me so I can. Maryse Dubois: ::Nods.:: Yes Sir. Cptn Swain: ::Pretends he doesn't hear the Cait and continues walking:: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: looks to Tandaris :: Have you got some people coming or are you still counting your spots? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Nurse> ::Puts the gel pack back into the crate with the others and closes it up. Tags it for delivery and sends a message to have it picked up and sent to the lab.:: William Chocox: ::heads to the shuttle bay:: +Tandaris+ Who am I going with? Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ There should be a communications team prepped and waiting for you. Tandaris Admiran: ::Dazim:: I'm ready when you are. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: looks over at Maryse :: Don't think I didn't notice that one other Cait was wearing blue. You have some /other/ science personnel on this ship, I'd hope. Why don't you invite some of them over to the party too. I'd ask for yours too but I imagine you're up to your armpits in original recipe, extra-crispy. Cptn Swain: ACTION> A shuttle is waiting with a communication team loading up. William Chocox: +Tandaris+ Thank you sir. ::walks into the shuttle bay and goes over to the shuttle bay:: I believe you guys are my ride? Cptn Swain: Issaha> ::Having gotten the bat signal, arrives in the science lab:: Rhan K'hal: Wilson> Yes sir, we're the carrier pigeons. Maryse Dubois: ::Sends a request to Hakran for some science personnel.:: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> We might as well leave the bad gel for now, since we're more interested in source contamination. We have samples from... ::checks the padd:: 34 production facilities, with samples from each going back six months. Plus samples from 10 state labs and 48 private research firms. Hakran K'hal: +Maryse+ :: via text :: "I thought you'd never ask, I've had the biology group on standby. I'll send them down, and they can also distribute some of the load to the science labs." Cptn Swain: (( couple minute warning )) Tandaris Admiran: Let's start with the facilities that start with "F" William Chocox: Thank you for the lift. I assume we're headed out post haste? Rhan K'hal: Wilson> Those are the orders, sir. :: makes the "after you" gesture toward the shuttle door :: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> "F?" Maryse Dubois: ::Replies in text:: +Hakran+ Thanks, your..."cousin" is really getting pushy. Tandaris Admiran: I like "F" Maryse Dubois: ::smirks.:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Ens. Harker> ::Runs for the shuttle, engineering kit over his shoulder. He joined Will.:: Hey, what's going on? I'm not scheduled to be on until next shift, but they told me to get down here for an away mission. William Chocox: Thank you. ::hauls his equipment through the door before poking his head back out the door:: Anything I can help you guys bring in? Oh, you're with me. We'll talk in the shuttle. Cptn Swain: ...and.. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> Fine, F it is. :: opens the container listed on the padd :: Ah, here we go. F'qai'ia'pulon. Basically means Noble Flying Death, a particularly common symbol on the planet. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> It is my pleasure to hand you some Noble Flying Death. :: hands the pack to Tandaris :: Tandaris Admiran: Thank you. ::gets to analyzing:: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: rolls eyes, starts sensibly with the first numerical entry :: Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 1112.2017 The Excalibur crew continues to investigate the cause of a planetary power grid failure and believe it could be tied to the bio-neural circuitry achieving some base level of sentience/conscience that should not have developed. Meanwhile, both the USS Mary Seacole and the USS Tennessee Valley are themselves experiencing technical difficulties, though we have yet to confirm the cause and if they are related to the issues on the planet.

MISSION BRIEF: The Excalibur continues to investigate the cause of the catastrophic failure of the power systems on the planet, and believe it could be tied to the neural gel packs exhibiting some, well, unusual properties. They are being assisted by a Caitian scientist who appears to be related to our own brood, but has a darker past. Meanwhile, the medical ship USS Mary Seacole appears to be exhibiting power failures and we have lost communications with them. Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Cptn Swain: BEGIN SIM Hunter Matheson: ::still at helm, hailing Seacole every way he can think of, even through low frequency systems:: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: tapping his foot-paw impatiently in the medical lab :: Rhan K'hal: :: initiates a full scan of the Mary S :: William Chocox: ::is in Engineering:: Hunter Matheson: ::and he has this weird idea that he can hack into their com badge system, but decides that it's all connected and it might make things worse:: Cptn Swain: ::Making his way to the bridge:: Hakran K'hal: :: to Tandaris and Maryse :: For now I'll leave you with your mystery and our pain in the tail. If you need any of my facilities, help yourself. Tandaris Admiran: Thank... you? Maryse Dubois: We may use them to get away for a while. :;Smirks.:: Hakran K'hal: :: chuckles :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Any updates on the Mary Seacole? I see they still have life support. Any other active systems? Cptn Swain: ::Exits the TL for the bridge:: Maryse Dubois: Sure you don't want to stay? Tandaris Admiran: ::Maryse:: Do you think we should take this to the captain yet, or do we need more information? Hunter Matheson: ::turns to Tork, but he doesn't have any ideas either:: Rhan K'hal: Doesn't seem to be an actual problem with their power /generation/, their warp core and fusion reactors are on, just not sending out much power since it doesn't look like it has anywhere to go. Other ship systems are fluctuating between online and off Cptn Swain: ::A bit breezy as he is unaware of the situation on the Seacole:: Status? Rhan K'hal: Ah, there they've started a shutdown on the warp core, looks like. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Hail the Tennessee and see if they received any communications from them. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She sighed and looked at Swain as he approached.:: The Mary Seacole is having difficulties. Their systems are fluctuating and they've lost communications. Cptn Swain: ::Lifts a brow, sobering a bit:: Maryse Dubois: It certainly wouldn't hurt to fill him in. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: finally exasperated, pops his head through the doors into the corridor, looking sour(er) :: What in the name of Scientific Progress are you two doing out here? Where are my new samples, or did your minions stop for lunch before delivering them? Rhan K'hal: :: takes the hail on the Tenn V. while Hunter continues to feel out the Mary S. :; Tandaris Admiran: ::looks from Dazim to Maryse:: Um, Rock, Paper, Scissors? Maryse Dubois: ::Doing her best not to facepalm.:: We haven't heard about the samples yet. I'm sure they are on the way. Hunter Matheson: ::workworkwork::: Cptn Swain: Was the Seacole showing any signs of distress before we lost communications? Hunter Matheson: Uh.... ::works the console one more time::: Hunter Matheson: ::muttering:: This is weird.. Rhan K'hal: :: it's a short conversation :: They received the same comm we did. They're trying to increase their own system to cover the Mary S. so they can at least use comm badges. Hunter Matheson: ::checks the frequency again::: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: harrumphs, disappears back into the lab :: Hunter Matheson: ::slight snort:: Nah... Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Sensors noted momentary power fluctuations, but that is all. Hunter Matheson: Uh.... actually... yes. Hunter Matheson: :::turns to Hawthorne::: Ma'am? Rhan K'hal: :: swivels to face Hunter :: Cptn Swain: ::Frowns:: Interesting. William Chocox: ::looks over more of the planet side data:: Hunter Matheson: ::looks back, tweaking the console::: Cptn Swain: Something to share with the class, Mister Matheson? Tandaris Admiran: One of us should inform Swain. The other should keep an eye on Blondie. Hunter Matheson: ::pinning down the frequency:: Yes, ma'am... Hunter Matheson: Someone on Mary Secole is broadcasting at 247 Hz. I have the com set to all frequencies and it picked it up. Hunter Matheson: Not... quite... understandable, though. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She frowned.:: What do you mean, Matheson? Rhan K'hal: Not at that low frequency, it'd take 15 minutes just to get one byte transmitted. Hunter Matheson: Yes, sir. Doesn't make sense. Hunter Matheson: Wait... wait wait... here's another one... Hunter Matheson: ::searches some more::: This one is at what? Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: punches a few buttons on the console :: Hunter Matheson: 634 kHz? Little higher, but not much. Maryse Dubois: ::Nods.:: Well...who should do what? Hakran K'hal: Dazim> +Engineering Lab+ Medical lab to lieutenant Chow Sox or whatever your name was. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> Message from the Tennessee says that they also lost communications with the Mary Seacole, but are sending a team over to investigate. A shuttle departs the Tennessee and docks with the Seacole. Cptn Swain: ::Brow lifted he made his way over to a mission ops console along the railing:: What would they even be using to send something out on that low of a frequency. Tandaris Admiran: Rock, Paper, Scissors Hunter Matheson: ::figures he should have listened more in Com 101::: Maryse Dubois: How about a free pass from a non-critical medical exam? William Chocox: +Dazim+ It’s Lieutenant Chocox to you. Rhan K'hal: Looks like the Tennessee Valley is going to take point, they've dispatched a shuttle over. They would have the expertise. Hunter Matheson: Something really, really old, sir. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> +Chocox+ Close enough. Have you run a bariatric assessment of the degenerated neurons yet? Hunter Matheson: Like... ::thinks:: a vintage emergency radio? William Chocox: +Dazim+ Was that requested? Tandaris Admiran: You win. Which job do you want? Cptn Swain: The Seacole is an Olympic-class starship. Not exactly an old tanker. If the Tennessee has launched a search party, we should let them take the lead, but keep an eye on the situation. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> +Chocox+ No, it wasn't *requested* but I'd assume you'd more initiative than a drunken Nausican. So consider it requested, unless you'd like me to come down and join you to help? Hunter Matheson: Yes, sir. ::;goes back to work::: Maryse Dubois: I'll go see the Captain. You, keep him out of trouble. Maryse Dubois: :;Starts heading for the lift.:: Feel free to sedate him if you think it will help. Tandaris Admiran: I was afraid you would say that. All right William Chocox: +Dazim+ I’ll get right on it. Your call is important to us. ::cuts the comms:: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: grunts at the reply :: He might actually have some potential. Hunter Matheson: ::shakes his head as he tries to make sense of the signal, but it's not working::: Cptn Swain: ::Glances to Miranda:: Anything new to report from Engineering's investigation? Tandaris Admiran: ::re-enters the lab:: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: turns back to the medical equipment and sets up a couple of new slides for examination in the DNA re-sequencer :: William Chocox: ::gets working on Dazim’s request:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She sighed again.:: Honestly, I'm afraid to ask. We have a visitor in the medical lab that's analyzing the bio-gel to determine why it failed. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: He's a bit of an upstart, from what I've heard. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: flicks an ear over :: Your assistant has some snark, he might not be totally incompetent either. I tol... asked him to start a bariatric assessment on the degenerated neurons. Maryse Dubois: ::Enters the bridge at the tail end of Miranda's sentence.:: And then some... Cptn Swain: Perhaps I'll check in myself. Cptn Swain: ::Pushes back from the mission ops console:: Let me know if the situation with Seacole changes. Rhan K'hal: He might respond well to a scientific intellectual. Cptn Swain: ::Smirks, despite himself:: Maryse Dubois: ::Holding the PADD with the report in her hand.:: Oh? Something is wrong with the Seacole? Rhan K'hal: Cargo Toting Grunts> :: distribute a selection of crap gel, and control gel samples from various production facilities in both the engineering and medical labs :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> Shuttle departs the Mary Seacole and starts back for the Tennessee. The Tennessee hails them to inform them that the Seacole will be taking their warp core offline to reboot their systems. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> It's about damned time. Cptn Swain: ::Exits the bridge and heads for the medical labs:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She glanced to Maryse.:: Yes, they're having power difficulties. How goes it in the lab? Maryse Dubois: Well we determined the gelpacks are sick. ::Hands her the PADD.:: They had Irumodic Syndrome. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: looks around :: I suppose I'm going to have to prep the samples myself. You'd think on a starship full of people there would be some lab assistants. Maryse Dubois: It seems they began thinking collectively, which then lead to the syndrome. Tandaris Admiran: You scared them all away Rhan K'hal: :: surprised ears... not to mention eyes and mouth :: Tandaris Admiran: But I'll assist you Hakran K'hal: Dazim> I suppose you're better than nothing. Maryse Dubois: The problem is, we don't know why they began thinking. Cptn Swain: ::Exis the lift heading towards the med lab:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ::She blinked as she looked at the padd.:: They began thinking? Maryse Dubois: ::Nods.:: Yeah. We're not sure if it was a design flaw, or mutation, or someone's tampering. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: And this caused them to what... burn out? Shut down? Cptn Swain: ::Passes by security with a nod and enters the medical lab:: Tandaris Admiran: What can I do? :: Thinking about flies and honey:: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: looks over, hopeful for someone that isn't a grease monkey, huffs out an exasperated breath though :: Great, more useless people. Maryse Dubois: Irumodic Syndrome is a degenerative disorder that attacks neurological pathways. So yeah it turned them to go. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: looks back at Tandaris, ignoring Swain :: For now we need to get the samples out of the containers, labeled and on slides so we can start testing them. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> The shuttle returns to the Tennessee and docks without any issues. The Mary Seacole's warp drive goes offline, but doesn't immediately come back on. Cptn Swain: Testing them for what? Hakran K'hal: Dazim> We need to try to match the sample from the "ground zero" to a manufacturer before we worry about its integrity. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: ignores Swain's question, figures the spotted one can do that since he's the one in the uniform :: Tandaris Admiran: Neurological decay, Captain Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: So, their neuro-pathways were fried, which shuts them down. Interesting... Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: And has our guest come up with a way to keep immunize the other gel packs? Cptn Swain: Interesting. Cptn Swain: Theories on why they'd be decaying? Hunter Matheson: Hm.... ::muttering while he works:: Tandaris Admiran: Well, I'd be interested in knowing why they were thinking Indaura Ryssan: :: Working in sickbay :: Maryse Dubois: ::Shakes her head.:: There is no cure for Irumodic Syndrome, so the only thing we can do is find out why their behavior changed and try to correct it, or replace everything with new packs from a fresh source. William Chocox: +Tandaris+ Do you want the data I’ve got from this assessment? Hunter Matheson: ::he resets the all-frequency standard::: Tandaris Admiran: +Chocox+ Yes, please Hunter Matheson: ::and drums his fingers on the console as it scans for anything from MS::: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> Gel is a useful information highway, not a brain. The structure isn't capable, at this time, of supporting that kind of self-organized activity. Now don't you have reports to write, admirals' asses to kiss? Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: does NOT like having his flow interrupted, especially by Starfleet command types :: Cptn Swain: Excuse me? William Chocox: +Tandaris+ Sending it as I get it. Hunter Matheson: ::and he finally sits back, shaking his head, then looks to Tork:: It's gone. Tandaris Admiran: Captain, this is Dazim ... K'hal. Our expert. Who is wrong. Hunter Matheson: Tork> Yeah? Hunter Matheson: ::he shrugs:: Just... gone. Poof. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: vibrates in umbrage, rolls his R so much it practically zooms through the lab making squealing rubber sounds :: Wrong? Maryse Dubois: ::Watching the viewscreen, noticing the Seacole.:: Commander, shouldn't their lights be coming back on? Hunter Matheson: Tork> Maybe it was a kid playing? Hunter Matheson: ::he takes a deep breath into a sigh::: Doubt that the MC has kids aboard. Cptn Swain: Wrong about? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Yes. ::Frowning at the screen.:: They were just restarting their systems. Rhan K'hal: They could be doing a very cautious restart of the warp core, Doc. Not all engineers like to light the flare and toss it into the firework wagon like ours. Maryse Dubois: What happened to them? Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> The Mary Seacole is now dead in the water. William Chocox: ::feels a disturbance in the force, as if thousands of engineers cried out “Not all engineers” at once:: Tandaris Admiran: The gel-paks had formed an ad-hoc neural network that was thinking on a distributed level Tandaris Admiran: And this may have caused the grid failure Cptn Swain: ::Lifts a brow:: An ad-hoc-neural network? Rhan K'hal: Although... :: looks over the scans :: Generally they keep some power running during the process. They're kaput. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> The Tennessee experiences a brief power fluctuation, but it was only momentary and surely a fluke, right? Maryse Dubois: They still have their fusion reactors right? ::Trying to be all engineering like.:: William Chocox: ((Never trust an action statement like that.)) Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Yes, but I'm not seeing anything. Matheson, are you getting anything at all from the Seacole? Rhan K'hal: They were on before the... oh hell's bells, the T. Valley just flickered. Hunter Matheson: No, ma'am. The signal just went away. Hunter Matheson: ::swivels:: I've tried everything. Tandaris Admiran: It's easier just to show you. :: brings up Chocox's data analysis showing the neural activity:: Hunter Matheson: The last signal was a repeated beep of 3 - which is the standard rescue alert. Hunter Matheson: But it just went poof. Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: groans :: While you're wasting time going over everything that we did 3 hours ago, I'll be over here trying to PROGRESS. Maryse Dubois: Commander...::Has a very uneasy feeling.:: We just had some bad gel packs sent to us for testing. If whatever this is...::Waving her hand at the viewscreen.:: is spreading... Hunter Matheson: ::gives the doc an *oh @#%!* look::: Rhan K'hal: The gelpacks are supposed to be a closed system, how does walking gel down a corridor compromise anything? Hunter Matheson: ::sighs, looking at Tork:: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: Where are those gel packs now? ::Looking at Maryse with a bit of concern.:: Cptn Swain: ::Glances towards Dazim, before looking over the information Tandaris was showing him:: Cptn Swain: I see. Maryse Dubois: In our lab, I'm hoping. Rhan K'hal: :: checks console :: Yes, all the samples that came aboard were split between the engineering and medical labs. Rhan K'hal: But it's not like they cut them open and squeezed some out like MRE pudding, they were crated on the planet, they wouldn't be opened until they're in the labs. Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: K'hal, have the crates checked. I want them all accounted for. Cptn Swain: That's certainly unusual. Hunter Matheson: ::shudders at the MRE reference::: Cptn Swain: :Dazim:: So what progress are you trying to work on? Cptn Swain: (( 3 minute warning )) Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> The Tennessee has another power fluctuation, much like what happened to the Mary Seacole. Indaura Ryssan: :: Working and working. :: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> :: low grumble just short of a growl :: When I'm not being bothered... :: shoves a sample into a machine and pokes at the buttons like they're ants :: I am trying to determine, in between origin verification, to see if any gel shows signs of augmented neural connections. Standard gel could not start thinking any more than he :: points to Tandaris :: could drag his spots around and do graphic design on his butt. Rhan K'hal: I'll have them do a triple check, Commander, but I already had the transfer holographically recorded and all contents verified twice. Cptn Swain: I am aware of the limitations on gel-packs. What sort of augmentations are you looking for? Indaura Ryssan: :: was not sure if she should be working on people or those gel-things :: Hakran K'hal: Dazim> It's all about electron flow, so I'm looking for any signs of enhanced conductivity in the neural connections. Rhan K'hal: :: has that sad kitten look for having his thoroughness questioned :: Cdr Miranda Hawthorne: ACTION> Triple check caused an officer to physically track down the crates rather than rely on the computers. One of the crates had been tagged improperly and were medical supplies that had been delivered to the lab by mistake. One crate of the gel packs was missing. Cptn Swain: Interesting. Cptn Swain: Are you thinking its self-replicating? Hakran K'hal: Dazim> Unless a high amount of compromised gel was introduced, and they're too good down there to have that kind of mishap, it would likely have to be. :: thoughtful :: Cptn Swain: ..and... Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM Cptn Swain: PAUSE SIM

SD 1105.2017 The Excalibur continues to investigate the cause of the catastrophic failure of the power systems on the planet, and believe it could be tied to the neural gel packs exhibiting some, well, unusual properties. They are being assisted by a Caitian scientist who appears to be related to our own brood, but has a darker past. Meanwhile, the medical ship USS Mary Seacole appears to be exhibiting power failures and we have lost communications with them.

SD 1029.2017 Excalibur is assisting two other Federation vessels aiding the recovery of Alpha Veras II, which has suffered a catastrophic failure of its power network. Engineering has been tasked with investigating the original failure of the power grid and is playing host to a rogue Catiain named Dazim, who we’ve discovered is the black sheep... er cat... of the Khal family. (Though they’ve recently pawned him off on Medical in the lab.) In main sickbay, our medical team is still helping with triage overflow from the planet.

SD 1022.2017 Picking up from where we left off, we have a guest aboard who is a bit of cranky cat, literally. He will be helping us track down the source of the power grids failure, in theory.

SD 1015.2017 Engineering has returned with their guest in tow to continue working on discovering a cause to the power grid failure. Elsewhere Hunter has, yet again, found himself in need of decontamination.