Chapter III: Reunited

Moira shakes her head.

Zephyr. Meyers. Yeh all right? Who're yer new friends? Where's Mike?

Speaking into the comm to the Verdun, Cass says, "Cassano to security teams. Report."

"Commander, we have the bridge. They have not complied with a direct order from security personnel as of yet. We do not know if these people are compromised yet.

"Standby."

She leaves her comm open and she squeezes the person's neck just a tiny bit, enough to get the person's attention.

"Command your team to take a step away from their consoles...NOW!"

Cass sighs. "guys just do what she says so we can move o to the to the sweep."

Moira glares at Kendall.

This always how yeh handle duress, Lass? Shoot first, ask questions later? Might ah remind yeh yer here so Cassano doesn't hafta putcheh in tha brig.

All of this will be sent to Darcy's and Cassano's datapads. She'd worry about being reprimanded for her tone, but aside from Zephyr she's the ranking officer in the room.

Reading the data pad, Cass says, "Okay, Lt. Commander Bruce, you have the conn of the Verdun."

Zephyr taps a final key on the console and steps away from it as directed, "I wouldn't do that if I were you Ms....what was your name again? As much as I appreciate your vim and vigor, something tells me that Lieutenant Commander Lloyd will not tolerate such aggressive behavior from someone she has never met." He puts emphasis on her rank to hopefully quell the apparent insubordination.

Turning to RC, he nods and says, "Lt. Commander," in a respectful tone. Observing the security personnel, Zephyr notes, "Ah excellent. Now we can track down the other members of the Potential crew! Be warned, most of the infected seemed to have been pretty easy to stun," pointing toward the wounds on his neck he adds, "but we have encountered one that came out of it shortly afterward and nearly took my life!"

Seeing no resistance from the people on the bridge, Kendall releases her grip on the person she gripped.

She says, "Sorry folks! We have had close calls with these worms before. I didn’t want to have any surprises.

"What’s the security situation on this ship? We need to find the easiest way to take full control, as there are other ships scanning the region."

"I will thank you to stand down this instant. I did not put up with being kidnapped, subjected to medical tests, and having to creep through a hostile ship to face down a creature with three inch claws who attacked one of my mere three allies just to be needlessly threatened by you," replies Alex with thinly concealed anger. "As Mr. Borealis said, I am Lt. Commander Alexandra Lloyd. Let me go. Now.

Everybody calm down! Nice ta see tha Potential isn't tha only ship that gets rankin' officers busy. So. Lt. Commanders Borealis an' Lloyd. An....Sir. (referring to Lorq) What's tha situation here? Any escape ships yeh've seen? Believe us. We've had nasty turns with'em too. Better shared over synthehol once this all blows over, though.

"USS Verdun - everything okay over there?"

Et's good, Commander. Well, good as it can be. Some slug injuries. They look pointier over here! Nasty business. We're determinin' available ships, an' where tha others may be. Good spirits otherwise! Any word on our watchin' friends, or from tha Antarctica?

Cass checks with Mezron to see if the scans are showing any new activity.

Patiently, very patiently, Cass asks, "And our friends watching from a distance?"

"Apparently our spectators aren't moving in yet. Focus on dealing with the parasites closing in on your position on the bridge. Take any opportunity to get the people who've been held prisoner to a runabout to take to the Potential's cargo bay."

Aye, Commander. Kendall. Yer' tha shooty one. Take a security officer a yer choice, an' Lt. Commanders Borealis an' Lloyd ta tha runabout an' get 'em back ta tha Potential.

She turns to Zephyr and Alex, giving each a spare injector. You two are lucky this is tha worst of yer injuries. Ah don't want it gettin worse.

She then addresses the 5 security officers that Kendall doesn't take, and Lorq. The rest 'a yeh are with me. Strength in numbers fer tha fire fight comin' our way. Priority one is lettin' Kendall an' tha others outta here. Then, we find any other friendlies. There're at least 6 a' us. Plenty ta break off an' take folks ta tha second runabout while still providin' cover. Meyers, yer with us too. Sir. If yer trained in a phaser, or if yer technically inclined, ah'll take yeh. Otherwise, go with Borealis an' Lloyd.

She passes Lorq and Meyers her last spare injectors.

These were made by our good doctor ta take out slugs. As fer the phasers, set 'em ta tha highest settin' other than kill. Anythin' else won't stop 'em, and ah dread ta think what'll happen if they wake up. Any questions?