The pips (cont 2)

Posted on Mon Jan 11th, 2016 @ 1:52am by Commander Bertrand Cuprum & Captain Elijah Michaels & Commander Cor Cordale & Lieutenant Mickey McClane & Lieutenant Ishan Satele

Mission: If I told you...
Location: Bridge, USS Victory

"Sir, shuttlebay sealed and isolated. The surrounding deck has been isolated as per standard contagion procedures."

"Understood." Elijah said as he sat in his Chair.

"Val, did I hear the Lieutenant correctly, people have been coming back from the dead and attacking?" Mickey was unaware of it.

"The term I heard was zombification." she pointed out, "So I suppose the actual answer to your rhetorical question is yes."

"That almost sounds like something from a fictional character from movies back in the old 20th, 21st century called zombies" Mickey pondered.

"That's crazy, zombies?" Aladdin threw in his two cents

"Hardly as crazy as everyone makes it sounds. There's a species of fungus that essentially lobotomizes its host and assumes control of its primary brain functions." the science rabbitess pointed out.

"Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, affects mainly ants," Prada noted then looked at everyone's surprised faces. "What? Can't an incidental red shirt have a hobby?"

The doors opened to allow Satele onto the bridge, having received an all clear from Medical.

Prada earned herself a soft smile from the Science officer. "Incidental? Don't sell yourself short. Intellect is the gift of the cosmos."

"Are you serious? You're arguing about intellect? We still have people down there," Satele said, not intentionally meaning to be insubordinate, "I didn't come back here just to give a report, we need to form another away team of marines and head back down there to get our people out."

"Lieutenant, i recommend going back out take deep breaths and clear your head then come back in." Aladdin the dog suggested.

Valeria gave Aladdin a look. Perhaps this wasn't the time nor the place for an acting ensign to be doing any suggestion. Her full attention then turned to Satele... "It was hardly an argument, but we can discuss semantics later. What's the full situation, please?" the rabbitess tried her hand at diplomacy.

"Indeed, Aladdin. Watch it.." Mickey also gave him the stern look. "What the hell is going on at the station?" Mickey asked the officer

"I don't know the whole thing, but an intelligence officer reported the dead coming back to life and coming after others. Phasers don't seem to have much of an effect on them short of disintegrating them. And we've found that dermal regenerators doesn't seem to effect the infected people"

"The Commander requested any reinforcements bring flame or projectile weapons"

"The flames would have little effect on them. In order for that to succeed you would have to use the flamethrower at full power in order to incinerate them. But, Mr.Smith want's the Data retrieved at all costs. The only way we would be able to capture one of the infected is to use live bait." Mickey got up and suggested. "Val, don't give me that look. I also know what your thinking as well." Mickey said as he turned his suggestion to the captain. "Captain, this data. the only way we know what's going on is too trap one or use an officer to figure out and study what's going on. With your permission sir, i would volunteer for this moment." Mickey said then turned to look at val. "I don't intend to die, Lieutenant. if we are going to find out whats going on. I am going to be the one to redeem myself and volunteer for this part." Mickey then looked at the dog. He wasn't intending to die but at least do something right for once.

Satele was shocked, "are you insane? We have no idea what is causing this and you're volunteering to be bait in a trap that might not work? Sir, you can't do it"

Valeria did indeed give Mickey a look. Those pale, reflectionless eyes fixed on his form for a moment. "I cannot possibly advise against that action any stronger. There aren't enough words in every language I know to express how absolutely terrible and underthought that idea is."

"We can see what stimuli the infected respond strongest to, and use that to lure them to a force screen cage. Or isolate a clear path through the facility and read the research from the laboratory where the weapon was designed." the rabbitess listed two alternatives off the top of her ears. "You consistently speak of redemption and risk, but I'm beginning to wonder if you truly know what those terms mean." Valeria then turned to the Captain. "I advise strongly against any course of action that uses anyone as bait."

Though, it's entirely possible that Elijah already knew that was coming.

Mickey just looked at everyone. He knew he had to do this. No promotions, it was just fixing the damage. He knew the risk's that come with the uniform as he remained quiet while val spoke.

Mickey knew in his mind they're right but it would rather be him then anyone else.

Prada cleared his throat to address the Lt, "'Scuse me, ma'am. Can I just ask for a little clarification? Have you actually witnessed the dead coming back? So far all you have said is one SFI reported these things. For all we know they are mistaken, or lying. How would we know? Where could this phenomena have come from, given the base is secret? We don't know that this phenomenon has anything to do with the research we were meant to recover. Where are the rest of the command team? There are a lot more questions that need to be answered."

"Yet, this is why I am volunteering for this. If we knew what the weapon was capable. We need live bait. That's why we have to know. Mr.Smith would understand. Sometimes, we have to sacrifice for the greater good Prada. I am a Starfleet officer." Mickey said as he waited for the captain's word.

"What weapon, sir?" Prada countered. "No one has mentioned a weapon. We have one report of anomalous activity. Did you see a weapon, Lt?"

"I believe Mister McClane is assuming that the zombification is some form of weapon." a pause as the rabbitess turned to Mickey, "Please, calm yourself and let us organize our facts before you attempt to rush off to be some risk-taking hero." a pause, "Sir." to stem the discussion that he was of a higher station.

"We have three possible truths. The zombification is R47W, and it is a weapon, or the zombification is another project unrelated entirely to R47W, or the zombification is a weapon used by an revealed third party to incapacitate the original crew of the station, and it is not related to R47W. The facts state that there is evidence of incapacitate persons becoming animate and attacking others. Weaponry has little effect upon them, potentially due to the fact that the weapons we use rely on the nervous systems of the target still being intact and vulnerable to stunning. Simply put, at this point we need more data, and rushing off to go be bait and be some form of hero of redemption is not how that will be accomplished." the Science officer mentioned, slightly elevating her voice almost as though scolding a younger sibling.

Satele was simply getting frustrated with both the lack of action or the lack of a proper plan, "so than what do you recommend sir?"

Elijah looked at Satele. "We need to be realistic, guns blazing May expose more to the virus." He said pondering the facts. "On the other hand we sit back then we leave the Away Team to the fate of the Virus."

Valeria waited for a moment to voice her final opinion, "I advise that a security away team be formed to bolster the ranks of the crew already aboard the station. Equip them with proper gear to resist a biological attack, and weaponry that relies more on concussive force rather then energetic discharge."

"Maybe we can do something old school style, Val. If Phasers are the only way to beat them through disintegration. Maybe we need to go back to the old school era." He then looked at an old earth style weapons. "The only way i think now we would be able to use old earth style weapons. we could use the replicators to make them. Though i know we would have to reload. But, i think it would be better in my opinion but it's up to the captain." Mickey offered an alternative tactic.

"Both are good options to consider." The Captain commented. "Alright, I want a Team assembled in full Biohazard Kit, we can modify weapons to give more of a kick." He said pressing a few keys on the Tactical Display. "If we replicate projectile weapons we run the risk of collateral damage and not everyone is familiar with how they work."

Elijah then examined what information they had to work with. "Assemble in the Shuttlebay in one hour for a briefing."

Satele quickly stepped forward, "Sir, I'd like to volunteer to pilot the shuttle. I left my team behind and I want to go get them back"

"With respect, you just came back from the station. But however, you know it better than anyone else here" Mickey just stated his his opinion

"What do you think, Val?" The acting ensign looked at Val's direction

"I think volunteers shouldn't be disregarded." Valeria commented, equally to Mickey and Aladdin. "I think projectile weapons only run around the same risk of collateral damage as a misfired phaser, so my advise is not to miss." the rabbitess stated. "As for unfamiliarity with how they work, I was under the impression that everyone had an uncle or a brother that took them hunting?"

Elijah chimed in. "See that our Helm Officer gets checked out then Suit up and get ready, she knows what we are getting into." He said with a nod to Satele. "Val use whatever resources you need to check out this virus." He then looked at Mickey. "Mister McClane monitor the Sensors, I don't want the Breen showing up unexpectedly."

The Captain looked at his Crew. "Lives are depending on us.

"Thank you, Captain" Satele said, quickly walking off the bridge to prepare for returning to the Station.

"Yes sir." Valeria responded.

"Aye, Sir." Mickey began monitoring the sensors for anything out of the ordinary, even Breen.