There are 2 messages in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. [USS Capricorn] Oh where, oh where did the........
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
2. [USS CAPRICORN] While the Cat's Away...
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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Message: 1
Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 11:28:30 -0700
From: "Tree Deutscher" <treedr@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [USS Capricorn] Oh where, oh where did the........
MD 4
<Snip>
"Keep close and don't fall behind this time." Commander Phillips
replied to
Miaren.
Miaren nodded and stepped into her assigned place in line and they
worked
their way out of the short side passage and returned to following the
main
passage deeper into the mine.
<End Snip>After a moment Montana halted and by silent command the team
closed a perimeter around her and the doctor. Crossing her arms her
eyes were like green ice when they looked pointedly down at the short
brunette. "Doctor is there any danger of contamination to the team?"
She didn't like this, not one bit. The information that Hywell had
brought to light smacked at something that didn't sit well with the
lanky redhead. Section 31 whispered at the back of her mind and it
gritted on her nerves more then she cared to admit. Spooks and traitors
the lot of them, and this whole thing was starting to smell like a
rotten conspiracy. Was the Doctor in on it?
>From some of the reports that Montana had received about her parents,
especially her father, it was a good possibility. Miaren was an odd
replacement to be sure. Newbies were never put on long range vessels for
their first time out.. Just didn't happen, at least not without a special
reason. The thought left a bad taste in the redhead's mouth.
The CMO immediately began tapping furiously on her padd, after a moment
she shook her head. "Not at the present time Commander!"
"Good!" Montana answered sharply waving for the team to fan out. "I
meant what I said, 'do not' wander off! Let's face facts doctor, you
are a liability to this team, you're inexperience could very well get
someone killed! We can't afford any mistakes, so I expect you to do
exactly as you are told! If not.."
The stern warning was clear and Miaren's eyes widened in hesitation,
"Yes Ma'am"
With a nod of the First Officer's head the team began to move.
[..] Later
<Snip>
Montana stiffened. She remembered him too. Was this an ambush? She
glared
at the Doctor who it appeared was love struck, or something similar.
Was
this the real reason she ducked into that side passage, to send word to
this
person, to ambush them all?
"Ah sweet Miaren, I feel as if the hours we have been away from each
other,
were closer to days. I have missed you greatly, and I rejoice in your
return."
"Commander, who is this person?" Moran asked irritated that none of his
scanners or detectors had gone off or reacted.
"Forgive me my rudeness." He began with an ease that belied where they
were.
"My name is J'sse, and I am the personal assistant to Marquis," he
turned to
smile at Miaren once more. "Your host. Would you care to join me?"
<End Snip>
The silky sound of the voice pricked at her subconscious and Montana
gritted her teeth to fight off the feeling of submissiveness that
threatened to overwhelm her. She remembered it now, that sickening
feeling in the pit of her stomach that had made her weak and she
loathed herself for it. But the feeling wasn't near as strong as it was
from the other or was it her grim determination to not let them beat
her that helped her ward off the soothing effect.
Shaking her head slightly to clear the haziness in her mind she
suddenly noticed a pair of glowing greenish yellow eyes appear in one
of the passageways behind the man. Inner alarms went off and the XO was
by the Medical Officer's side in an instant. "No actually we wouldn't,
but thank you for your offer!" Montana quipped, curtly gripping
Miaren's arm tightly almost to the point of pinching it in hopes of
breaking the trancelike state that had come over the young woman. The
doctor gave a start and a small cry spilled out as she looked up at the
senior officer with a glazed expression. "Now if you'll excuse us we
have some more exploring to do!" Montana added rather rudely pulling
the doctor away. She had questions, plenty of them and there was no
doubt in her mind now that the Doctor had the answers. Was she really a
traitor or just that naive? There were just too many coincidences.
Scruffling sounds from the passageways echoed through the tunnels and
an all too familiar voice whispered to Montana in the form of a low
growl. **You'd better move it Red, or you and your buddies are gonna be
lunch!**
A small black shadow raced past Montana, gut instinct had her dragging
the doctor and calling for the team to follow. She should have known
that damned cat would be involved somehow, but for some strange reason
she felt she could trust it, or her as it were. Which was saying a lot
for Montana Phillips.
The team moved swiftly through the bowels of the mine and every so
often a faint meow drifted back that only Montana could understand.
**Would you hurry up!**
"Is it my imagination or do I hear a cat meowing?" Moran whispered
voicing the thought that was on everyone's mind. Montana let out a
disgusted snort her light illuminating a stairwell carved into the rock
walls. The flip of a black tail signaled the way. The sounds had
changed, growing louder more menacing the intense feeling of imminent
danger had the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. "In
here!" She called without hesitation starting up the crude steps still
dragging the dazed doctor along.
Miaren stumbled almost pulling Montana backwards. Frank jumped forward
to keep them from falling, "I got her!" Nodding to the security officer
it was then that Montana noticed that J'sse was still with them. "Move
it!" She ordered urgently avoiding his gaze yet flashing her light
briefly on Orgola and Kuma in such a way that a silent order was given
and the two surrounded the man allowing him to go between them.
The stone stairs circled upward growing narrower with each step forcing
them to move in single file and the higher they climbed the more
Montana was beginning to wonder if she hadn't made an error in
judgment. It was slow going, and thankfully the grunting slathering
noises seemed to decrease in volume as if what ever was making them had
stopped and was no longer following. An eerie tingling crept up her
spine, but despite her own reservations she was absolutely sure going
back down would not be a good thing.
With her light on the steps Montana didn't see the door until she
almost ran headlong into it. "Shit!" Raising her light she found the
door to be made of wood and of ancient design as in very thick and very
heavy. There was a small crack in the bottom that let her know where
they furry benefactor had disappeared to. Pulling back the bolt proved
impossible, her guess was it had to be locked from the other side. It
was hard to tell what was on the other side so there was know going
back and they would deal with what was on the other side. That is if
they could get it open.
"Hang on!" She said in a low tone raising her phaser to fire at the
keyhole. The weapon sputtered for a moment then went silent. "What
the.." Trying to fire again she got nothing at all "Damn!" she muttered
irritably. "Hand me a rifle!" Montana called out and was soon aiming
it, first at the lock then the whole door and as before nothing
happened. Hissed oaths erupted under her breath.
"Could it be the dampening field?" Moran called out giving J'sse a
sidelong glare. "The tricorders are no longer working and
communications went out when this guy showed up."
That was a possibility but for some reason she didn't think that was
it. It took a bit of squirming to move and rearrange bodies but somehow
despite their larger size Kuma and Moran managed to squish themselves
together on the step below Montana and between the three of them began
to work the door. The combined strength of the two men were exceptional
especially now that the sounds had started again and were getting
closer. Tense seconds ticked away as the three pushed and shoved unable
to move the solid door.
"Dammit!" Montana exclaimed in a rush, the approaching sounds ringing
in her ears. What ever was coming wasn't human and they were trapped
like rats confined like they were. "One more time!"
The two men pressed uncomfortably together placing their hands on the
door on either side of her, waist high. All the physical training
served Montana well as she balanced on the top half step sticking out
giving the men more room. Placing her shoulder against the door, "Go on
three!"
"One.Two...Thr..." The bolt suddenly flew back and with a load groan
the heavy door swung open the three officers flying forward.
The last thing the man on the other side expected was to have his
Senior Oficer crash into him and Montana and Ury went down in a tangle
of arms, legs and yelped curses.
"Get that door closed!" She heard one of the men yell as the XO pulled
herself free of the Security Chief. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Ury cleared his throat helping her too her feet. "We lost contact and
thought you might need some help! I know it was a rash decis.."
"I'll put you on report later Lieutenant!" She quipped scanning the
group to make sure they were all okay, "Where did that J'sse go?" She
demanded. "And where's the doctor?"
It was obvious they were in the castle, but as to where remained to be
seen. The team fanned out checking the corridor for the missing medical
officer finding no trace of her or the missing man which didn't
surprise Montana.
Scratching sounds and loud snarling vibrated against the bolted door
making the tall woman jump reminding them of their precarious
situation. Trying her phaser at the nearby wall it fizzled as before
and Montana looked at the taller redhead. ""We need to find the armory,
now! This is a castle they have to have one somewhere!" Looking around
the ancient hallway she noted that another was missing but then she
really didn't expect the furrball to hang around, it simply wasn't in
her nature.
{tag: Arle and what sharp pointy things will they find in the armory :D
and Carys - oh where oh where did the good doctor go?}
Respectfully submitted by,
Tree Deutscher
AKA
Commander Montana Phillips, USS Capricorn
***Summary***
* Montana fights of the mind effects and drags Miaren off when a black
cat appears to lead them to safety.
* They come to a stairwell and a door at the top. Discovering their
phasers don't work the team prepares to crash through the door Ury
opens it to find himself awkwardly tackled by the first officer.
* As the team regroups it's discovered that the doctor and J'sse are
missing. With no sign of her Montana decides to go looking for the
armory.
..
[This message contained attachments]
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Message: 2
Date: Thu, 19 May 2005 02:57:41 -0400
From: "Arlene" <wondermom@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
Subject: [USS CAPRICORN] While the Cat's Away...
MD 4
2000
On the CAPRICORN
Ury's head was spinning with all the odd scientific jargon, but he
thought he had the gist of things... there was some mutagenic disease
that had external origins that was laced in the samples that the good
doctor had returned to the ship.... something that someone didn't know
them to know about, since it had been expunged from all previous
records
of the planet, though had obviously been there prior to Istria's
fateful
trip.
*Lt. Rogan, report to the bridge.* The call over the comm. gave Ury the
much needed escape.
"On my way," Ury replied. Thanking the medical and science staff he
hurried out of the office to the turbo lift. "Bridge!" he barked as
the
doors whooshed closed.
A moment later Ury Rogan was stepping out onto the bridge, "Word from
the away teams?"
"No, sir, but we've been tracking their movements."
Ury leaned over the station and peered at the display. "Both teams are
heading toward the castle?"
"Yes, sir, but Lt. Commander Philips is about 90 feet below them -
still
below ground."
Ury frowned, this was not what he had expected from either commander.
But perhaps Montana did not realize where that mine shaft lead? If it
even were a mine shaft, which now he began to doubt.
"Sir, if you would take a look at this...?" the even tones of the
Vulcan cryptographer barely hinted that it was a request.
Ury walked over to the comm. station and glanced down while Varil stood
back to explain.
"I believed at first that it might have been a signal..." Varil stood
with his hands locked behind his back as he calmly went over what Ury
was looking at, "... so, upon further review, I realized that the
pattern was not random at all, nor a signal, but the fluctuation which
cycled at 2.85 and again at 3.66 Earth minutes, lasting 3.5 seconds and
2.2 seconds respectively."
Ury glanced at the Vulcan, with a confused expression on his face, "And
the importance of this is?"
"That during those 5.7 seconds during which the dampening field cycles
I
believe we will be able to use the transporter to transport crewmembers
into and out of the castle."
Ury's eyes lit up. "Now that is good news. Get with the transporter
chief and work it all out. I want to be able to get a detail down there
at a moment's notice."
Varil nodded once, "Understood." He picked up a PADD and left the
Bridge.
---
2030
"Sir! We've lost our lock on Philips and the away team. They appeared
to be rising in elevation, climbing, on the last reading... and I
believe they have entered the castle -- and they were moving at a very
fast pace."
Ury frowned. He didn't like the sound of this. Montana had been
unable
to account for her hours spent in that castle. It was so unlike her to
abandon her team, especially while men were dying! He wasn't about to
let her disappear in that place again. He was going to find out what
was going on down there!
He tapped his comm. badge, "Rogan to Varil, how's it going down there?"
*Our initial test was successful. The next opening will be in 3.45
minutes when we will conduct a second...*
"When is the next opening after that one?" Ury interrupted.
*6.29 minutes...* Varil replied, evenly.
"Great. I'm on my way!" Ury turned and quickly scanned the bridge
crew, "Mitchell, you have the Com. Zefla, contact Hughes and Satre.
Have them meet us in Transporter Room 1, fully armed, and bring our
gear. Tell them they have 4 minutes!"
"Yes, sir," Mitchell and Franks jumped to do as directed.
Ury crossed the Bridge and took the ramp down to Deck 4 where
Transporter Room 1 was located. He arrived in time to watch as Varil
and the transporter chief conducted their second successful transport
into and out of the castle. Ury grinned, "Good work."
The three team members arrived and Ury and Zefla quickly donned their
protective gear and slung their phaser rifles over their shoulders.
They didn't have moments to spare as they took their places up on the
transporter platform for the beam-out.
Varil counted down the seconds, "Energize."
The beam's sparkle enveloped the four members of the crew as they were
transported to the surface.
---
On Marin
The castle was eerily quiet. Ury's glance was swift as he took in
their
surroundings. They had materialized in what appeared to be a large
audience room. Strange metal figures stood on pedestals lining the
walls.
"Are those... robots?" Satre asked, his tricorder was out, but it had
stopped functioning only seconds after they had materialized.
"No, armor, I believe, knights' armor," Ury answered. He felt a cold
chill go up his spine. They were not invited guests and the castle
seemed to know it. "I want us to split up and search for our missing
crewmates, but be careful. Report back here in 10 minutes... or sooner
if you find someone!" He pointed each in a direction before heading
off
himself.
After a short time of searching into silent rooms, Ury began to have
the
feeling that he was truly alone in this giant place. Where had
everyone
gone?
"Mrrroooowww?" The sudden, unexpected sound made Ury jump. He turned
around and saw a familiar black cat with a familiar collar staring up
at
him with huge yellow-green eyes.
"Well now... if you are here, your mistress can't be far away. Where is
she, Hmmm? Where is Petra?"
As if in answer the cat turned and with a twitch of her tail began to
run down a side hallway. Ury had passed it by thinking it was empty.
But as he followed the cat he heard the distinct sound of someone, or
some ones, trying to budge a door that was fastened from his side. The
black cat sat down expectantly in front of the door and looked up at
Rogan.
"I may regret this...." Ury slid back the bolt, and the door burst
open
toward him, spilling out Montana, Kuma and Moran right onto Ury,
sending
him sprawling.
He was briefly aware that others had quickly passed through the door
before it was being hastily relocked.
[snip]
"Get that door closed!" She heard one of the men yell as the XO pulled
herself free of the Security Chief. "What the hell are you doing here?"
Ury cleared his throat helping her to her feet. "We lost contact and
thought you might need some help! I know it was a rash decis.."
"I'll put you on report later Lieutenant!" She quipped scanning the
group to make sure they were all okay, "Where did that J'sse go?" She
demanded. "And where's the doctor?"
It was obvious they were in the castle, but as to where remained to be
seen. The team fanned out checking the corridor for the missing medical
officer finding no trace of her or the missing man which didn't
surprise
Montana.
Scratching sounds and loud snarling vibrated against the bolted door
making the tall woman jump reminding them of their precarious
situation.
Trying her phaser at the nearby wall it fizzled as before and Montana
looked at the taller redhead. "We need to find the armory, now! This is
a castle they have to have one somewhere!" Looking around the ancient
hallway she noted that another was missing but then she really didn't
expect the furrball to hang around, it simply wasn't in her nature.
[end snip]
Ury nodded, "Yes, there is some armor back this way and there was a
locked door which at first inspection I took to be an armory. If we
use
some of the lances we might be able to get it open..." He glanced back
and Kuma and Moran, "No, we'll have no trouble getting it open." He
grinned.
They took swords and lances off of the knights' armor and then forced
open the armory door. Ury was still amazed that no one had heard their
racket and come to investigate!
"Lovely!" Ury exclaimed upon entering the ancient armory. "Cross
bows!
Exquisite design... and very functional." Ury was in heaven as he
examined the ancient-styled weapons. He quickly realized that these
were
not antiques but well cared for weapons. He handed them out to the
members of the merged away teams, explaining their use to those who did
not know. Slinging a quiver over the shoulder opposite his phaser
rifle, he picked up a compound bow and grinned. "This one is for me."
[TAG: to whomever wants to move this story along?]
---
Summary:
MD4 2000
After meeting with the science staff Ury is summoned to the Bridge
where
he learns about a fluctuation in the dampening field around the castle.
Varil explains that there are small windows during which he believes
someone or ones could transport safely into or out of the castle. Ury
instructs him to work on it.
2030
The ship loses their transporter lock on Philip's away team and their
last known coordinates put them near the castle and rising in
elevation.
Believing that they have returned to the castle, Ury is determined to
beam down. He and three tactical crew beam down and begin to search
the
castle. Ury is surprised by a familiar black cat and follows her to a
locked door, behind which is Montana and her crew members.
---
Respectfully submitted by:
Arlene Jacobs
aka
Lt. Ury Rogan, Security/Tactical, USS Capricorn
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