On the Attack Pt 2

Posted on Mon Sep 27th, 2021 @ 11:23pm by Captain Maia Sterling & Lieutenant Commander Sheena Toran-Blake & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Blake & Lieutenant Commander Robert Hendon & Lieutenant Commander Havri Belbre & Lieutenant Kasey Tanger & Lieutenant Rick Gibbs & Captain Karyn Somers & Lieutenant JG Samantha Blake, Ph.D

Mission: The Thorion Conundrum Mission Brief
Location: Medical/Science Lab
Timeline: 239408.11

[ON]

Maia had called for her specialists in Medical science lab 4. They needed to be able to turn their shielding into a weapon of sorts she asked the medical science and security teams as well as her diplomatic and marine representatives to be present.

Maia called for Lieutenant Somers in the transporter room to report to this meeting as there was some new intel,

=/\= Lt Somers report to the Science lab 4 we have some new intel. =/\= the Captain ordered.

Tapping her commbadge =/\= understood Captain, on my way, Somers out =/\= she finished then closed the link and headed out to Science Lab 4.

Ryan and Samantha entered the laboratory. They were talking in hushed voices about modifying their new defence against the Caliphate psionic attack and how best to develop it into an offensive system.

Brannon came into the Laboratory and took her place. She acknowledged Ryan and Samantha. "Hello hope you are doing well?"

Samantha paused her discussion to look at Brannon. Her expression was one of concern. "How are the headaches since we put up the telepathic scattering field through the shield grid?"

Brannon replied, "Mine has reduced dramatically since you did it and I also only use my telepathic powers when I have too to further reduce them. I learned that when Toda was holding me captive. She told me it would reduce the effects of the headaches as well. I have not heard anything from the others.

Sheena walked in on the end of Brannon's statement. " My headaches have eased up dramatically but my brain still hurts," she said. Walking up to the console, she input a series of high frequencies in the upper E-band and narrowed the beam. "This is what I found earlier as I scanned looking for a possible answer," she said looking at Maia.

"Yes, that is what I called you all here for. Since they have declared this telepath war I am going to take away their abilities to do harm. I have decided that when we capture a caliphate member we will inject them with a Philozine inhibitor. As you know Philozine is the neurotransmitter responsible for telepathy in Betazoids, I intend to castrate that ability in them rendering them telepathically, deaf, dumb and blind. Your thoughts on that " Maia asked.

"A wise thing, then maybe we can get some answers. I can't believe that only one Caliphate has the power to do what we all had happened to us. It doesn't make sense," Sheena said.

Robert arrived a little late full of apologies.

"Sorry I am late had to reattach a severed finger," he said.

Ryan glanced at Robert as he entered, giving him a nod. He looked back to Sheena and something in his brain clicked. "Your right. It's as if...." His voice trailed off as he's out of the box thinking kicked in.

"Thank you all for coming. Dr Hendon for this part will need your expertise. I understand that the neurotransmitter Philozine is what is responsible for giving the Betazoid their telepathic abilities. Do we have anything that can inhibit the production of the neurotransmitter Philozine? It would be best if we could chemically castrate their powers as they have shown they have no compunction to use them with great prejudice against us." Maia asked.

Robert thought for a moment. He had once read an article regarding an incident on the Enterprise D concerning Diana Troy losing her telepathic abilities for a short while. He quickly hurried over to a terminal his hands running over the surface as he spoke.

"The Enterprise D came in contact with a large number of creatures floating through space. The sheer numbers of their collective minds. Overpowered Deanna Troi’s Betazoid telepathic abilities. If we could produce the same thing here. It would have more effect on our attackers as Troi is only half Betazoid," Hendon said

"Very good please develop it as we are taking on prisoners I want their telepathic abilities cut off so that they can't hurt us anymore," Maia said.

Robert nodded and continued to read the report. It was later discovered that she never lost her powers, but they were instead overwhelmed by the two-dimensional creatures' strong emotions. So they had to come up with a way to mimic this. Robert would need to put his thinking cap on here.

oO Thinking cap…….thinking cap…….Oo An idea was knocking at his noggin.

Brannon listened to what everyone was saying and kept quiet. She was not sure what was going on but she wanted to hear more of what they were saying.

"Lieutenant Brannon when we capture these I want you to keep them unconscious, use anaesthetizine gas. Keep them out until we can develop the inhibitor." Maia said.

"Aye Captain replied Brannon. We can stun them so they don't resist then give them the gas so we don't have to harm them. Once given the gas they will be easier to handle." Brannon replied.

"Agreed I don't want them harmed per se, but I do want them neutralized," The captain reiterated.

"Ma'am, how may I be of assistance, now that I have recovered from the telepathic attack and have checked in on all the diplomats on board," Tanger asked as he came upon the bridge ready to get busy.

"Yes Mr Tanger, I want you to arrange a meeting with the ambassadors. We need to make sure the course of action I am taking is an ethical one". Maia said.

"Yes, Ma'am," Tanger replied. "I will get to work arranging the necessary requirements to get all the ambassadors together for a council of sorts for your idea."

"I just had a fleeting thought, when Ryan spoke earlier, I had a thought. What if....what if they were using a collective thought through more than one controller? If we nullify the prisoners, what is stopping the powerful collective from again taking over our minds?. I mean even with the shields and the frequencies being blocked, that doesn't mean they don't have a backup plan or contingency one....," Sheena added.

"That is something to think about. For all, we know they could be using some sort of Borg technology." Maia speculated.

Ryan's expression lost the far-away look it had had. He turned to Doctor Hendon. "Could Borg neural implants cause the sophisticated telepathic networking we have been encountering?" Mr Blake asked.

“ It’s possible. Judging by the scale of these attacks. However to do something like that. A person would have had to have been a liberated drone or deliberately inject themselves with Borg nanotechnology. Risky, very risky. But thankfully it gives me an idea. We could set up a dampening field that would cancel out any attempts at telepathic control and attack. A high energy signal would overwhelm the Betazoid making it impossible for them to do any form of mental attack.” Hendon said.

"That is an interesting angle of attack and defence, Dr Hendon. We still need to discover how they are doing it." Maia said.

Tanger had gotten to work coordinating the availability of all the ambassadors on the ship. He had to make the arrangements for all of their requests to be in the same room with other ambassadors. This is one part of the job that Tanger was rather good at.

Lieutenant Brannon kept listening to what was being said. Then spoke up, "Captain, Commander Blake brought this to my attention." As she passed a pad up, "It looks like it could be an amplification weapon of some kind and may even be how the Caliphate is increasing their telepathic strength. I propose that a Security team and an Engineer go to the Caliphate ship and investigate it. If we cannot bring it back we can destroy it to prevent the further use of it." Brannon suggestion.

Maia considered that for a moment.

Ryan turned to Maia with a slight expression of concern. "I know that I have not been officially cleared for away team duty, but as I was the one to detect the anomalous sensor readings I thought...."

Maia nodded.

Ambassador Saagu spoke up, "There have been rumours of a device the Caliphate have that does enhance their telepathic powers but has never been confirmed yet. This may be an excellent chance to prove that story right or wrong Captain Sterling." The Ambassador said.

"We haven't destroyed any of their three ships. Commander Blake, Lieutenant Brannon and Lieutenant Somers will lead an away mission to each ship capture their crew and inspect each vessel for anything out of the ordinary, take Lieutenant Doherty and Lieutenant McMahon with you as they have specialized ops systems and engineering power expertise. Be careful though I want all of you to return." Maia said.

Samantha spoke up. "I should go with one of the teams." She looked at Ryan. "You still need one more technical support specialist," Samantha said.

"Very well we will use three teams, let's discover the source of their power, to be forewarned is to be for armed. Ryan, you are not quite ready for this just yet but I want you to go with Commander Toran. If all goes well I will restore you to active status, help her do whatever you can to get me some answers. Lt Brannon will lead the second away team and Lt. Somers will lead the third. Take whatever specialists you need, security technical, capture the crews and if possible strip their technology, take the information from their own memory banks if you have to, but get me some answers." Maia ordered.

Ryan didn't like the idea of Samantha heading into another dangerous situation, but she was the most qualified person to fill the final slot. "Grab a tricorder and a field tech support kit and report to the transporter room with Lieutenant Somers." He tapped his commbadge as Samantha left to gather her gear. "Somers, Blake here. My sister will be in the transporter room in a few minutes. Transport over to the first of the disabled ships. Secure it and sweep for weapons or explosives."

Raising her eyebrow in surprise at Commander Blakes announcement, she tapped her badge to make the two-way connection =/\=Understood Commander, Somers out=/\=

Ryan turned to Brannon, Dougherty and McMahon. "Lieutenant Brannon, take Lieutenant Doherty and a four-person security team to ship adrift off the bow. McMahon, that puts you with...." Blake said

"Understood Commander", replied Brannon. We on Security will carry transporter locks. Anyone we stun will be beamed straight to the Brig here on the Leto. Gives us some more prisoners to interrogate. Plus we can turn them over to the Betazed government as a bargaining chip. Also, they don't come around to alert anyone we are there either.

"Lt Brannon hit her communications device. "I want my Alpha Security team in Transporter Room 1 asap. LT Dougherty grabs your gear and meets us there. Full tactical gear to include phaser rifles and hand phasers."

Angelina, remember any crew you encounter to keep them unconscious they have demonstrated an uncanny ability to project illusions." Maia said.

"Yes ma'am," Jamie said with a nod, her copious red curls shifting as she did. "Any special equipment needed aside from a phaser?"

Yes take some diagnostic tools and maybe a damage control kit. You are looking for a device that enhanced synaptic pathways or amplifies them. You will need to disassemble it from the ship and bring it back here so we can study it." Maia said.

"If this is true, one device may not be the only one. There may be more and they may be on Betazed as well. Not just this particular ship", Sheena said.

Maia nodded.

"Ambassador Saagu is likely very correct from the data that was shared with me before the attack. If her statement about a device is true it confirms the data I have received. My data says it is like a telepathic canon of sorts that projects thoughts much like a missile but in this case, it is a lingering projection. I did not say anything before because I didn't have the means to confirm this rumour and did not want to add speculation to the mix." Tanger interjected into the conversation. "My source is known to bend some of the data and may have been trying to mislead me, but from my notes and the playback in my head, he was correct and this one of several devices deployed by the Caliphate."

"Then we must capture it and learn all we can about it," Maia said.

"I will say it will not be easy as the data I have and will share with intelligence states they have guards posted by the devices that are armed with an individual-sized weapon that does the same as the larger device but only to a specific individual or small group," Tanger added.

Brannon replies, "We will have to hit fast and not give them time to use it. From what I hear the individual weapons can target only one person at a time. Means if they hit one of us the others can take them out. And we beam them back to the brig as we stun them.

"keep in mind that this is not an evolutionary development they must be using some sort of technology to enhance their powers." Maia reiterated.

"I'm going on this AT mission captain, I need to know where my father is. I know they have him," Sheena said sternly. Knowing that she could inflict pain on another's mind, she could get the info she needed from these prisoners, or at least she hoped so." Sheena said.

"Yes as a matter of fact Number one you will lead team alpha. Take Mr Blake with you and Dr Hendon." Maia replied.

Robert had been busy examining all the data. He ran his hands over the console. Finally based on what everyone had told him. He finally came up with a solution. But there was a small problem. It needed to be tested.

“Well, based on all the information we have been supplied. I have come up with an inhibitor wave that will work. But in order to know if it will work. It needs to be tested.” Robert said.

"Test it in the prisoner we have in the brig, The one called Toda," Maia said.

"As long as I can read into the mind of one of them, I'll do it, Dr Herndon," Sheena said before anyone else opened their mouths. It's not that she was out for vengeance, far from it. She wanted to find her father quickly before something happened to her mother.

“ I have set it to ignore your brain waves. As they are all as different as a fingerprint. No one but you will still be able to use their abilities.” He replied.

"You don't need to do that Sheena. We have Toda in the brig use her as your test subject." Maia ordered.

Robert did not like using this barbaric method. But they had no choice. They had to know if it worked. He just hoped that it would not hurt Toda. She had been through enough already. He handed her a device.

" Once we know this works well also set up a wave to protect the ship and crew. Until we get these devices on our prisoners. Obviously well set the device so that once it is on the forehead. The only way to remove it is without. Taking half the flesh off their face. Will be with a special code transmitted to the device. For now, just hold it. Ok, 5 4 3 2 1.." Hendon touched his console.

" Well, Sheena?" He asked.

"Well, I can sense everyone and read......RYAN! stop thinking that. I will be alright. I would not volunteer had I not trust Hendon. It seems to work just fine," Sheena said.

Ryan had been thinking that Sheena was likely to put herself at unnecessary risk to obtain information to save her father. He glanced at Maia for a moment. "I guess I'm just like you. You will do what is necessary to protect the Captain and I see my job as protecting the First Officer." It was more than that of course, but he knew she could take care of herself when push came to shove.

“ It works. Good. “ Hendon said relieved

Tanger was picking up on the minds that were filled with thoughts about what was happening. He knew that other full Betazoid telepaths would be sensing this all as well. He merely focused his thoughts on telling Sheena she was doing fine and sending as much positive force to her as he could. He knew she would need all the positivity she could get especially with all the stress the non-telepaths placed upon her.

"Doctor, I would be willing to do what I can telepathically to help if you need someone else," Tanger stated to Dr Hendon.

“ Thanks but as Sheena was their main target and now she is at ease. It looks like the inhibitor works. But thanks. We may need your help once the prisoners arrive.” Robert said

“

"Mr Tanger I want you to go with Lieutenant Somers away team, she will need protection and a strong arm to assist her," Maia said.

"You all have your orders, Let's get it done!" Maia said.

[OFF]

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A post by:

Captain Maia Sterling
Commanding Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant Junior Grade Rick Gibbs
Assistant Chief Tactical/Security Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

1st Lt Karyn Somers
Marine Executive Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant Commander Ryan Blake
Second/Chief Strategic Operations Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Doctor Samantha Blake, DSci. [provisional LTjg]
Acting Chief Science Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant Commander Dr Robert Hendon
Chief Medical Officer
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

LT Angelina Brannon
Chief of Security
USS Leto NCC-80916

&

Lieutenant Kasey Tanger
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Leto, NCC-809016