***Sim Log Narrative, SD 201909.13***

Bridge:

The Penumbra had escaped from the Kyrathians at the gas giant, and met up with the Cerberus a few light-years away. Capt. Zak Taylor had called for a gathering of Senior Officers and any others with input in the Observation Lounge conference room off the Bridge. He had already gone to the Lounge, but LtJG Tabeshk Tibris, the Operations Officer, and Ens. Denovan Hawke, the Tactical Officer, had not yet been relieved by their stand-ins.

Hawke stood quietly at the Tactical console. The ship was still at Red Alert even though there were no immediate threats after their escape from the gas giant. As the current ranking Security/Tactical Officer he should be reporting to the Captain's briefing, but he couldn't leave the station unattended, especially at Red Alert.

Then, Master Gunnery Sergeant Derek Hines, stood from the Reconnaissance Station behind Hawke. "Go ahead, Ensign, I'll take the Tac."

The Ensign turned to the older, and taller, Non-comm and said, "Thanks." He grabbed a PADD he had nearby and cross the Bridge to the Observation Lounge.

Tabeshk was still trying to cool his heated Klingon blood after the recent tension at the gas giant, in which he could not succeed in getting communications with Patterson in spite of his best efforts, and then the sudden jump through Slipstream to arrive here in the middle of nowhere. He grumbled under his breath, "Sometimes I hate being Klingon."

The Artificial Intelligence they'd acquired from the Darmok, MAX, spoke, "You appear to be struggling with your emotional state, Lieutenant Tibris."

Tabeshk grunted, "It happens every now and then, MAX."

MAX asked, "Do you need to excuse yourself from the Bridge?"

But as he said this, Lt. Cmdr. Bevin MacArdry slipped onto the Bridge, dropping a toolcase by the wall and stepping over to give Tabeshk a kiss on the cheek.

Tabeshk smirked and said, "Hey, Bevin, glad you're safe." Suddenly, he realized just who it was and his face beamed, "Wait! Bevin!" He jumped up and hugged her tightly. "I was so worried!"

Bevin smoogled Tabeshk back with a hug that could have popped half the vertebrae in his back. Tabeshk groaned, "Oof! That hurts, Bevin!"

Bevin grinned at him and answered in her strong Brogue, "Sairry, Tabby, I'll raimimbir naixt time tha ye're sae dailikite."

Tears began forming in the corners of the half-Klingon's eyes, "I thought I'd .," he choked a second before continuing, "I thought I was gonna lose another wonderful woman in my life."

The comm system chirped with a call from the Captain, "Lt. Tibris, I could use my Operations Manager in this meeting. And could you bring our Chief Engineer as well?"

Bevin chuckled and started towards the Observation Lounge, grabbing her toolkit as she went. "Aits nae thait aisy tae gait raid o me, dairlin."

Tabeshk rubbed at his eyes and grumbled, "You saw noting, MAX." He then lowered his voice and mumbled, "It's been a long time since I cried like that MAX."

The AI responded, "On the contrary. There is little on this vessel I am NOT aware of. I believe the Captain requested your presence in the Lounge."

Tabeshk straightened, "Yeah, yeah, MAX, I got it." He strode over to enter the Lounge alongside Bevin.

Observation Lounge:

Zak stood near the windows in the Observation Lounge, sipping from his mug of coffee. Lt. Cmdr. Relok entered first, a large PADD held in his hand. The Vulcan Chief of Sciences took his seat at the table and began skimming the contents of his PADD.

A moment later, Ens. Lea Kalawai'a arrived, drinking from a cup of tea and also carrying a PADD. She strode over to where the Captain stood and said, "Captain, what exactly do you mean by 'more power'? We're pushing the warp core past it's limit- unless you plan on grafting an extra warp core onto this puppy, we're not getting more power!"

The Captain turned to the Ensign with a smile and said, "And good morning to you, too, Ensign."

Lea folded the PADD under her arm and responded, slightly embarrassed, "Sorry for that, sir, but when an engineer says 'we're giving her all she's got', we are in fact, giving her all she's got."

The Captain replied, "Oh, don't get me wrong, Lea, I understand your limitations. I started my career in Engineering. We'll figure something out."

While they were speaking, Lt. Cmdr. Jason Carter arrived, also carrying a PADD, and moved to take his seat near the head of the table. Lt. Col. Travis Patterson entered just behind the Chief of Flight Operations, adjusting his uniform jacket and then running a hand through his rough Mohawk.

Dr. Shadow K'Trevala arrived next, a small stack of datachips in his hands. They contained the various data and reports about the formulation of the Bug Bombs and their dispersal units that he was eager to turn over to the Captain to disperse amongst their allies.

Shortly thereafter, LtJG. T'Lin, the junior Science Officer, arrived. Instead of the standard Personal Access Data Display device (PADD), she carried several notebooks of paper with pencils. She was writing in one of them even as she walked, muttering to herself in some sort of . gibberish. She continued mumbling as she made her way to take a seat at the table.

Patterson couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the Vulcan speaking in gibberish, then scanned the rest of the personnel gathered around the table, just as Ens. Denovan Hawke stepped into the room from the Bridge. The Tactical Officer gave a quick glance around the room and selected a seat at random, since it didn't matter to him where he sat. Only he didn't sit, but stood at parade rest behind the selected seat.

As Lea took her seat she addressed the Captain one last time, "If we're going to get more power, we need to either make all of our systems use less power, or find another power source."

The Captain froze as he grasped his chair, staring at Lea, "Another ... power source? Interesting ...," he trailed off.

Lea smiled, "I think you're thinking what I'm thinking."

Finally, the Captain surveyed the room, noticing who was present and who was not. He tapped his commbadge, "Lt. Tibris, I could use my Operations Manager in this meeting. And could you bring our Chief Engineer as well?"

A moment later, LtJG. Tabeshk Tibris and Lt. Cmdr. Bevin MacArdry entered from the Bridge and took seats at the table. The Captain smiled at them bemusedly as they entered.

Just as those two arrived, the Artificial Intelligence known as MAX manifested himself on the central pedestal of the Lounge table. He said one word, "Intriguing."

The sudden appearance of the holographic image of MAX, a "generic" humanoid face without distinct features, startled Lea, who spilled her tea all over the front of her uniform!

Tabeshk stifled a laugh, grabbing several tissues from the nearby box and saying, "You, uh, spilled some tea, Lea."

T'Lin added, "Distilled vinegar gets tea out of fabric."

Lea accepted the tissues gratefully and patted herself dry without further comment.

Finally, the Captain took his seat. As the Captain seated himself, Ens. Hawke decided he could sit as well, placing his own PADD on the table in front of him. The Captain officially began the Briefing. "So, thank you all for coming. We've downloaded all the data from the Delta Flyers, the Cerberus, and our own scans. I hope you've each had the chance to peruse it. I think we should begin with our power issues."

Carter said, "Lea, when we first brought the Darmok out here, I had done a few modifications on the warp core to bring its flow regulations to higher capacity, and recycle some of the matter-antimatter discard back through the conductors. MacArdry helped me install them. Something I learned when I was in Delta Squadron."

MAX commented, "Ah, yes ... I recall an increase in warp efficiency of an additional 27.42%, on average."

Lea nodded, "Right, I think I had to do some of the rewiring."

MAX added, "I have received the detailed schematics for the Cerberus from the on-board AI, AEGIS. Remarkable how such a small craft has such high performance."

The Captain said, "Ens. Kalawai'a was ... explaining ... to me that we've already maxxed out our systems ...," he trailed off with a smile.

Lea responded, "Yes, the only way we're getting more power is if we get another power source."

The Captain asked, "So, do you have any ideas on such an alternate source?"

Bevin answered in her strong Brogue, "Aye, I hae twa: Ane, a sawlir sail tae callaict tha sawlir waind tae haelp is wi prawpawlshun, an Twa, raiggin a sairies o callaiktirs an caipicitirs tae fire ais naidid tae awgmaint aur awn saistims. An I'm werkin an tha aideeah ailraidy."

Relok commented, "Sir, that installation was harnessing the lightning and kinetic energy of the gas giant's atmosphere. If we knew how they were doing that, I wonder if ...," he trailed off.

Lea mused, "Well . MacArdry, would it be possible to graft one of those collection devices and integrate it into our systems?"

Relok added, "Maybe if we could capture one of those energy-siphoning pods for study."

T'Lin said, "Well, the Kyrathian technology would most likely not be compatible with ours, but if we could disassemble it we could make our own."

Zak asked, "It would have to be a live pod, though, wouldn't it?"

Relok answered, "Yes, it would have to be still functional in order to see what it does and how it does it."

Lea asked, "Didn't we just get out of there by the skin of our teeth, though?"

T'Lin responded, "We have had far closer calls with them before, Lea."

Lea considered, "We could convert one of the cargo bays into a second arboretum."

But, Bevin addressed the Captain, "Nae naissisirily, sair. We caeld raivairse ainjaineer ait tae werk ais naidid."

Relok turned to the Chief Engineer, "On the contrary, Bevin. Their technology isn't material based, it's plant based. If it's dead, it's just dead organic tissue, not something we can deconstruct. We can deconstruct a machine or a computer, but not their plant."

T'Lin added, "Exactly, it would just be a matter of understanding how it works. Relok and I have already figured out how the Plant communicates with the Kyrathians, we just do not understand fully the language."

Bevin replied, "Nae sae mich DAID, bit iffin ait wair darmint, lak ain tha faill ain waintir, we mait be ibbil tae lairn samething fra tha wi laiss raisk."

Patterson chimed in, "With regards to capturing a pod, I think I have an idea to do that. Pops always told me when I was a kid ... the easiest way to catch a perch? Drop something shiny in the water."

Zak grinned and said, "Yeah, but it usually doesn't bode well for the bait, Travis."

Tabeshk had been twiddling his thumbs, not sure what to do or say, until he finally blurted out, "Can't we, uh, just light the plant on fire?"

Lea gut a glance at Tabeshk that clearly said, without speaking, "Are you f--g kidding me?"

But it was T'Lin who actually put the thought to words, glancing at Tabeshk, "That would destroy it, Tabeshk."

Tabeshk shrugged, "But isn't that the point?"

T'Lin explained, "We want to figure out how the technology works, destroying it would be counterproductive." Then she mumbled, mostly to herself, "I need to take another look at the download."

But Tabeshk reasoned, "It's just dangerous leaving it alive and intact, T'Lin."

T'Lin countered, "If we want to use their idea for power collection, we would need to see exactly how it processes that much raw power, it would not work dead, or at least, not destroyed."

The Captain wondered aloud, "I wonder if those pods can generate the deadly spores. That's a huge concern."

Hawke, who'd been sitting silently listening, chimed in. "They do, actually, Captain."

Then Relok caught Tabeshk's idea, put together with Bevin's comment about a dormant plant. "So," he began, "rather than burn it like Tabby suggests ... we freeze it!"

Shadow, like Hawke, had been sitting quietly and just listening. He chose that moment to speak up, adding another alternative, "If there were a variant on the Roundup to make the siphoning capabilities go inert ...," he trailed off.

That's when Patterson held up a hand. Once he had everyone's attention he said, "I appreciate the thought processes everyone has in agreeing that we need to capture a pod, but I want to put minimal risk to the ship as a whole. We don't need to capture one at all."

The Captain raised an eyebrow and then said, "Colonel, elaborate please."

Patterson explained, "What we need is a way to observe, calculate, and reverse-engineer the exact methodology used by the pods during their feeding methods." He paused before continuing, "As with any Starfleet vessel, sir, we have a number of autonomous, artificial 'lures' we can use. Why not deploy a probe, and use our shield emitters to extend and revitalize? As long as we aren't being directly siphoned, we should be able to sustain the probe long enough to get the data we need."

The Captain then said, "OK, so let's consider studying a pod to figure out how they harness energy so we can use that to our advantage." He paused, gathering himself and taking a breath and then said, "Next topic: that collection station and the passages underneath. What the hell are they doing there?"

Bevin muttered under her breath, "Gaittin a haill o a lawt o ainirgy fra tha gais jiant."

At nearly the same instant, Lea answered simply, "Collecting."

Patterson made a facepalm, "Thank you for the obvious assessment, Ensign."

Relok raised an eyebrow at the Ensign's nearly Vulcan-like statement of the obvious. The other Vulcan in the room, T'Lin, also raised an eyebrow and agreed with the Colonel, "Indeed."

The Captain sighed and said, "Yes, we know they're transferring a lot of power, but ... why? What are they doing with that kind of power?"

T'Lin said almost simultaneously, "What exactly are they using the power for?"

Bevin continued her previous observation, "I'm spaikewlaitin tha thay air gaittin ait tae pawir thair shaips fer ainaishial stairt ip, tae kinda kaik tha saystims aintae ivirdrive tae stairt werkin, an yousin thait ainirgy, raithir thain sanlaight."

Hawke reminded them of the data summary by saying, "The Installation in the gas giant's atmosphere collects power from the lightning and the winds there. Then they periodically 'beam' that power up to the Collector Station." He paused before continuing, "It also collects methane and ice crystals that are harvested by those Freighters we saw coming and going infrequently."

T'Lin interjected, "We know that they are 'collecting' an army."

MAX chimed in, "I believe I have three possibilities, Captain."

Lea started to chime in then stopped herself and said, "I have an idea, but I want to hear him first."

MAX continued, "One: it is being transferred from the collector to the surface for power distribution for mining purposes, which is unlikely that they would take such risks. Two: they are collecting the power and storing it in 'batteries' for their incomplete vessels and stations, which is more likely. But my deduction is something far more immediate ...," he trailed off without giving his final conclusion.

The Captain rubbed his chin and said, "So, we think those passages are just ... root cellars?"

Lea interrupted, still focused on their power problem, "So . what if we just stole a bunch of batteries?"

Tabeshk stared at her open-mouthed a moment, and then said, "Could that work?"

The Captain also stared open-mouthed a moment, then tilted his head. "Steal ... their batteries? That's a ... brilliant idea!"

Tabeshk said, "I agree!"

But T'Lin reminded them, "The batteries are Kyrathian. Kyrathian technology would, at best, not be compatible. At worst, they download our location, our weaknesses, our comm system. Everything."

Lea explained her thinking, "We steal the batteries, and then figure it out from there. It's a short term solution, but with the way we're overworking our engines? We need a short term answer."

After a moment as folks processed what they'd heard, MAX picked up where he'd left off. "My suspicion, based on extensive research and frivolous studies of Kyrathian encounters with the Aslans ... suggests that, much like their Colony Ships and Stations have a nursery ... they have a demand for manpower to match their construction. I suspect those passages beneath the Collection Station to be for a nursery to raise an army to combat the Aslans, in response to their increased resistance."

Zak was again open-mouthed in shock. "Wait, MAX? You said it might be a nursery?"

Patterson rubbed his own chin and said, "It would fit the MO for the Kyrathians, and it is supported by the rapid acceleration in their construction, and their willingness to take increased risks in harsh conditions."

T'Lin murmured, "This is the beginning of an all-out war."

The Captain cursed, "Damn!" He took a breath and then said, "If they're breeding down there, and building ships and stations in the rings ... they are ramping up for something huge!"

T'Lin pointed out, "This amount of Kyrathians and this much power, they could hold the potential of wiping out an entire system."

Shadow agreed, "I'm afraid that with what we found here, we may not be able to sit back as recon for the Aslans for much longer."

Zak straightened, his mind becoming set. "Well, whether it's cold storage, living quarters, or breeding pit, we need to get inside those underground passages. If nothing else, we steal some batteries and get out, right?"

Lea said, "If we're there stealing their batteries, we might as well sabotage them on the way out. Two birds with one stone."

T'Lin asked, "Have we already sent word to our allies about our suits? Can they make them, I mean."

Zak glanced over at Bevin, "We did let the Aslans know about our suit upgrades, right? I'm not sure they need it with their exoskeletal shells, but ...," he trailed off.

Bevin answered, "Aye, sair, an I saint thaim aur plains fer thaim tae aidaipt ais thay naidid."

T'Lin asked, "Bevin, what materials did we make the suits out of again? And are there any materials we found on their planet that could be a substitute? Even our first attempt at the suits would work in an emergency."

Shadow said, "I can get some more of the Bug Bombs and Roundups ready for dealing with the tunnels, a gift that keeps on giving?"

Carter had been quiet for a while, but now said, "Well ... they're already aware that we were in the area at this point. No doubt they've contacted nearby aid. There's likely to be even more there now than when we first arrived."

Relok agreed, "Astute observation, Mr. Carter. But, our Aslan allies should be arriving soon. That ought to be sufficient diversion, I would think."

Hawke pointed out, "Just that one station did happen to have 40 or so syphoning pods, almost unlimited torpedoes, the ability to regenerate pods, ." he trailed off, his point made.

Carter said, "Six Aslan Battlecruisers against two Kyrathian Stations and at least half a dozen Colony Ships that we're aware of ...," he paused and then said, "They're gonna get swarmed within minutes."

Tabeshk mentioned, "We do have our Bug Zapper."

Carter glanced over at him then said simply, "They don't."

Tabeshk shrugged and said, "We could teach them."

Carter shook his head. "They're set to arrive in less than 20 minutes. I don't think the entire Starfleet Science Division could adapt and incorporate foreign technology, even with detailed schematics, onto 6 battlecruisers in that short a time window."

Tabeshk slumped, "You're probably right."

The Captain said, "Hawke, Carter, we can assist the Aslans in their fight, keep the swarming to a minimum with Delta Flyers and MAX doing our Point Defense Lasers and such ...," he paused, then continued, "Then, we could take a covert team with a small shuttle to the Collection Station and get down in the tunnels."

Lea added, "And blow the station up on the way out?"

Shadow interrupted, "NO, we drop off the bug bombs and the like, and the residue should kill the original bunch and possibly two more encroaching teams of Kyrathians at that."

Tabeshk said, at almost the same time, "What about the bug bombs? Think they'll work as well?"

Zak said, "If those tunnels are a breeding den, we definitely need to take it out. That would set their plans back a bit."

But Lea began to have objections. "I don't know if ., I don't know if we should. Sabotage their weapons systems, or power systems, sure . but, if there's a breeding station down there. I'll admit I don't know much about the Kyrathians, but . wouldn't that be crossing a line?"

T'Lin answered, "We have to, Lea. They can make better weapons or power systems, but to rebuild an entire army? That takes time."

The Captain sat up straighter and said, "OK, so I think this is the plan: We go back, have the Penumbra assist the Aslans in an all-out fight while a covert team in full EVA Biosuits take some portable bug bombs into those tunnels ... steal us some batteries and kill a bunch of baby Kyrathians."

Tabeshk said, "Yeah, sounds like a plan."

Lea resisted, "Yeah . that . that's the part that I object to. I didn't join Starfleet to do that."

Bevin said, "Aye, sair, aind gaein wi tha traipil layir daifinsive scrains, ain thaim werked railly weel, thain alang wi tha aixtra pawdir ais ain aidishinial daittairint."

T'Lin argued, "As soon as the army is built, they will wipe out the entire system, and continue building. Each new planet they overwhelm is another place to breed."

Relok spoke up, "Captain, Ens. Kalawai'a has a point. Do we engage in mass genocide for the Aslans's war?"

T'Lin looked at her fellow Vulcan, "This will be our war, eventually, Relok."

Lea looked at T'Lin, "And war has rules, T'Lin."

Shadow muttered, "Tell that to the Japanese at Pearl Harbor."

T'Lin answered, "Logic says that they will continue to spread. They have no rules, Lea. And they certainly will not follow ours."

Relok responded, "I'm all for the logic. The needs of the many and all that, but ... it does seem to be a violation of the Federation's principles."

Even Patterson spoke up, leaning forward with his fingertips pressed together. "We go, we take a look, and see what we find, but ... if there is indeed a nursery there? They're non-combatants ...," he trailed off.

Lea straightened defiantly, "I draw the line at murdering non-combatants."

Shadow replied, "I'm not happy about it myself but sometimes we have to deal with collateral damages." Lea just glared at him.

T'Lin commented, "I knew 22 different ways to kill a person at age 9. If the Kyrathians age faster than Vulcans, they could learn hundreds by the end of the year."

Lea sighed and said, "I'm not saying there's an easy solution, but there has to be one."

The Captain sighed, lowering his head a moment before lifting his chin once more. "This is what these Briefings are for. To give the Captain options. You're right; we can't just go murdering innocent children, even if we despise the actions of the adults. But ... we do need to shut down their operations, and if they are merely 'building' an organic army ... like the Jem'Hadar of the Founders, well ... we might be forced to do some ... unsavory actions. So, let's get the Penumbra in the fight, and take a look at those tunnels. We'll assess our tactics after we know more about what's going on down there."

Patterson tapped his commbadge, calling Hines, "Master Gunny, get the Pathfinders into EVA suits. We're gonna go investigate a possible Kyrathian Daycare Center." Hines acknowledged the call.

Carter looked at Hawke a moment, then turned to Lea and Bevin. "We're gonna need everything that core can pump out for maneuvering and weapons. Shields won't account for much if they get on the hull." He slid a PADD across the table to Lea, "That's the Core Stabilizer schematics." He turned to face the image of MAX on the central pedestal, "MAX, prioritize targets within 100m, and scrutinize for Energy-Siphoning Pods as first priority. Fighters as second." He turned his attention back to the Tactical Officer, "Hawke, I'll line you up best I can to give you every phaser bank we've got."

Hawke said, "Doing something with the Flyers shields to 'sour' the milk should help with those pods."

Patterson turned to Carter, "I'll need the Deltas."

Carter looked at Hawke, then MAX, then Patterson, "Your guys trained to do orbital drops, right? Delta flies them over, dumps their cargo, then gets into the fight ... you might not have a quick getaway."

Hawke answered, "Yes, I've done a few, actually."

The Captain pondered a moment, and then said, "Hawke, I planned on keeping you at Tactical on the Penumbra."

Hawke answered, "I'm fine on the bridge, sir. If things change mid action, they change."

Zak gave a half smile and then turned to the Colonel, "Patterson, you'll need Science and Engineering, Doctor K'Trevala, and just one shuttle, the Delta's are our fighter squadron for the fight."

T'Lin said simply, "I need to be down there."

Lea piped in, "Me too."

Tabeshk turned to T'Lin, "T'Lin I know your capable, but, are you out of your mind?"

T'Lin simply answered, "I was the one to originally figure out how the Plant Pods worked."

Tabeshk grunted and muttered, "And Lea's out of her mind, too! I am perfectly happy on the bridge. I have a feeling I'll need to monitor things anyway."

Patterson smirked, and then patted Carter's shoulder. "No rest for the wicked, Cowboy. Give me the 2nd best pilot we've got. After all, the only easy day is the one I return to my Maker." He stood and cleared his throat, "So, the Away Team will be myself, Hines, Shadow, T'Lin, Lea, and a couple other Marines. Everyone else will be on the Penumbra to keep it in the fight. We'll be taking a standard shuttle since the Deltas will be fighter support for the Penumbra and the Aslans."

The Captain stood and nodded. "Very good, then. If there are no further questions, dismissed!"

Seeing the meeting was over, they all stood and returned to their duties.

In Attendance:

Capt. Z. Taylor, Dr. K'Trevala, Ens. Lea Kalawai'a, Ensign Denovan Hawke, LtCmdr. J. Carter, LtCmdr. MacArdry, LtCmdrRelok, LtCol. T. Patterson, Ltjg Tabeshk Tibris, Ltjg. T'Lin, MGySgt. Hines

NPCs:

MAX (Reconnaissance AI, played by Hines), AEGIS (*Cerberus* AI, played by Patterson)

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