Checking the Runabout

Posted on Wed Dec 19th, 2012 @ 12:29pm by Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer & Commander Jonathan Coleman & Lieutenant Saith i-Ki Baratan

1,125 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Mission 81 - Revenge
Location: USS Pegasus, Main Shuttlebay
Timeline: Following 'A Talk'

ON:

Bridge

Initially, Saith bristled at Roebuck’s question, but relaxed it when K’Temoc answered. She didn’t think it was Rihannsu either, even if the weapons were. The Empire had been in complete chaos for several years and many stockpiles, ships, and who knows what were known to be missing, and who knows what else isn’t known but still is just as unaccounted for. It could also be the case that the Rihannsu were being set up, and the weapons weren’t Rihann.

She nodded her acknowledgment to the Captain, “Runabout is being sent to the Main Shuttle bay.” She got up and headed towards the door. She vowed nothing would escape her scrutiny. It was one thing to attack a warship and soldiers; it was cowardly to attach civilians and kill children. She seethed all the way to the main shuttle bay. Pausing at the door she took a deep breath trying to regain her composure. She was prone to anger anyway, and she still had not completely recovered from her overindulgences the night of Admiral T’Lar’s party.

Main Shuttle bay

The runabout named Cherokee sat in the middle of the bay. She had just set it down when Admiral Bremer walked in, she said nothing to him; there wasn’t anything she could say.

Bremer and Coleman arrived in the Main Shuttlebay just as the Runabout landed and Baratan shut down the tractor beam.

"Ensign, I want you to scan for any traces of DNA not belonging to the victims."

“yes sir,” was all she managed. “Computer scan for, separate into like groups, and identify all DNA.” She knew that any DNA the computer could not identify it would list as ‘unknown.’

Mike paused a moment, those 'victims' aren't just random people, they were his family. He swallowed hard and knew he should be in Sick Bay at Janice's and Christopher's sides...but he also knew the moment he stopped and sat down he'd break down emotionally again....

"Coleman, continue looking though the logs."

Coleman nodded and said, "Aye, Aye sir."

Mike pulled out a tricorder and started scanning the hull of the Runabout itself. Preliminary scans suggested the weapons used were Romulan, but it made no sense. They were too far from the border, and if a Romulan ship had attacked the small Runabout they wouldn't of left it adrift...or left survivors.

Coleman looked over the ops console, trying to bit together any of the logs of what had happened on the runabout. He wanted to make sure that he did the best job he could beceause the general was like extended family. He wanted to find out what really was happening.

While the computer worked on the DNA, Saith walked around the Cherokee twice, simply looking at it to see if anything felt out of place. Something did, but she couldn’t seem to identify what. She wished the Admiral would leave this task to her and her crew, but she understood why he could not. She said nothing and did her best to ignore that he was there. Even though he was scanning the hull, she would do a series of official scans herself.

Finally she stopped walking, “Computer, run a complete three dimensional scan on the runabout, once that is completed I was photo stills of the Cherokee stopping every inch” as the computer began to comply she walked another circle around the small ship. She wouldn’t allow anyone else to touch the runabout or inspect it until she had a complete series of scans. That way, they would reduce contamination. Once that was completed they would go inside and begin the rest of their work. She listened for both Admiral Bremer and Commander Coleman to keep abreast of what they were doing. They both outranked her by a mile, so if they disagreed with her directives she would have to acquiesce.

She turned to her small group of crewmembers and knowing it was unnecessary, stated the obvious, “we need to be very careful with this runabout and this investigation. We cannot afford to miss a single thing, not a scar, a bolt, a piece of string or hair. I want it all and I want it done properly.” They all nodded and vocalized their assent, even though most of them looked to Bremer to see if he agreed with Saith’s order. The computer notified her that her scans were complete. “We will work from the outside in.” She assigned each person a section then got her own gear and took the remaining portion, next to Admiral Bremer. She shook her head, "something is not right here Admiral, somewhere in my head I know it, but I cannot bring it to the forefront right now. I am sorry." The last was said quietly.

Mike nodded, he had the same feeling.

Sometime later, Saith paused and looked at the incoming report from Captain Harrison; she nodded at what she saw and turned her attention to her crew. They had covered literally every square centimeter of the outside of the craft and were ready to move inside. She assigned two of the crew and herself to work the inside of the craft, and put the others on scanning and compiling the data they already had. This was going to be a long and tedious process, she thought, but she would not stop, not give up.

Mike stood there,looking at one one the scorch marks on the hull, when it finally hit him. "The blast patterns are wrong." He said aloud. "They aren't consistent with Romulan disruptors...they look more like Federation Type-VII phasers."

Saith paused and stepped back in beside him. She looked at the scar again, and took another reading. "I, I think you are right Admiral."

"Beam aboard some of the debris we know didn't come from the Runabout." Mike ordered. He expected to find they were tritainum, but had to be sure.

"Yes sir." Saith turned and ordered the debris beamed in. It materialized on their side of the runabout. Saith turned to the chunk of debris behind them bringing up her scanner.

Mike's expression changed as soon as he saw the debris. They weren't the greenish color of Romulan ships...they were dark gray. "Duranium/Tritanium composite." Mike said, even before he looked at his tricorder.

"Coleman, scan the area for any residual ion trail. Also, look for any lingering neutrinos. Ensign, clear the room, post two security officers outside. NO ONE gets in here without my express permission!"

Mike turned and left the Main Shuttlebay. He had a feeling who was behind the attack now, and was heading to his Ready Room to find out.

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