Posted by Lieutenant William Hampton (Chief Engineering Officer) in MPT- “Six Hours From Evil”- Bridge

Posted by Lieutenant Casela Synthi-er (Counsellor / RTF) in MPT- “Six Hours From Evil”- Bridge

Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in MPT- “Six Hours From Evil”- Bridge
OOC: for Command staff

The voyage to Starbase 237 would take a week from Leviathan’s present position. Having just rendezvoused with a transport vessel and taken on two items of cargo. The first piece being the ruins, which were securely stashed away in Cargo Bay 1, and the second item being a blue orb, which had been taken to a containment cell, where the engineering and security department were currently at work making sure it was properly secured.

All systems reported normal on the Bridge, and by all accounts, it was completely normal shift. The long range sensor would begin to alert whoever was at the con that there was a vessel just at the end of sensor range, and Leviathan was headed right for it.

• StoryTeller S

(snip)
Casela nodded and moved over to the communications console. As soon as they were within range, she sent a general hail, all frequences and languages.
Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

Raauhl watched the bridge for a moment’s longer before mirroring the captain’s movements until he was side by side with him, in a low voice he said: “What are you thinking?” There were a number of plausible explanations for this phenomenon however the Leviathan didn’t operate with the plausible. Cobbs own feelings brushed over Raauhl and he to felt a sense of anxiousness.

• Lt Cmdr Raauhl, XO

Cobb turned to study his First Officer. “I’m thinking that someone is playing tricks on us,” he replied. “And I am not a bloody clown.”

He returned his gaze to the viewscreen, almost transfixed as the distance to the other vessel decreased.
“Now if that is not us, and it’s all a misunderstanding, I shall have some choice words for the other crew. And if it is us,” the captain continued, the concept flooding him with anxiety, “then under no circumstances can we let them get away. This universe is not equipped to handle two Zachariah Cobbs!”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

So part of her job, other than following ‘orders’ was to keep the command staff working. She turned at Cobb’s exclamation and saw the humored smirks of some of the CIC crew. “Captain Cobb, I’m sure the universe would do just fine in that case. But really, can you imagine TWO of me?” It was a pure joke at herself and to ease the sudden tension in the Captain and Commander. She knew what she was like, and so did they. But the idea of facing off against herself, was disturbing. But what she was really worried about, is if it was them, that meant there were two Dave’s. Keeping that thought to herself, she flashed the assembled crew a cheeky grin and hailed the ship again.
Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

The ship responded to the hails, and requested a visual transmission.

StoryTeller S

From her spot at the communications console Casela took note of the request. “Captain, the other ship is requesting visual transmission.” She had a thought though and e analyzed the other ships response to see what the communication signature was. Did it match Leviathan’s signature as well? She really doubted this was a sensor reflection. If it was, they wouldn’t have gotten a request for visual transmission, since Levi did not send out that request, the one they received wouldn’t be a reflection.
Lt Synthi-er, CNS

“Visual?” Cobb echoed, suddenly unnerved by the prospect of staring back at himself across open space. He wondered if the other Cobb, on the other Leviathan, was feeling the same measure of unnatural anxiety?
“And we’re sure that ship out there is the Leviathan, eh?” he quietly sought a last verbal confirmation from the Counselor.

Casela checked the hail signature and again with McReady for his readings and nodded to the captain.

Then, assuming an increasingly familiar, and yet still impressively confident, demeanor, he addressed the gathered bridge crew as one.
“By now I’m sure you’ve all realized the true nature of our predicament. If the data we’re receiving is correct then that ship, out there, is the USS Leviathan. We have no information yet on the identities of its crew but…it would be reasonable to presume that at least some of them will appear familiar.”
A pause. His words would take some effort to absorb and he wished for them all sufficient time to attempt it.

“Now, in a moment, I shall agree to their request for a visual introduction,” Cobb continued after a while. “But I will not question a single woman or man not ready to meet themselves. And no matter your rank or position, if the thought of seeing yourself on that viewscreen is too much, then with my full permission, you are now dismissed.”

He waited for a moment to see if anyone would leave and then ordered, “Okay then, let’s see them…or us.”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

Casela nodded, tapped a couple controls on the panel, “On screen, Captain.”
Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

The display of space shifted, and a the image of the Leviathan bridge filled the viewscreen. Cobb saw himself, dead, in the chair, Ryder could make out his body on the floor, a massive cavity in his chest, and Synthi-er could see her limp and deflated body. The rest of the crew laid about bloodied and motionless. The image permeated the screen for about three minutes and then ended.

StoryTeller S

The view before her on the screen was horrific. She’d seen masacures before, up close and personal, but this, this was the Leviathan crew. Her face paled slightly as she watched.

“Lt Synthi-er,” Cobb murmured, his voice thin and wavering. “Scan for lifesigns.”

Casela nodded and began the scan. She also ran a diagnostic on the sensors to make sure they weren’t being tricked. She waited, hoping to find some sign that the whole crew was not dead.

This had to be an illusion. A trick. Was it remnant energy from the Sandman still throwing them into waking nightmares? Had the Andromeda’s Tomb artifact broken free from its newly-erected containment?
Moving back to his seat, Zachariah quickly contacted the containment shift leader.
=^=This is the captain. I want an immediate update on our newest anomaly. I also want all currently housed anomalies checking and re-checking and I want someone to do a full sweep of both Nakuto and McHarrie’s laboratories. You find anything at all that might be causing hallucinatory effects on this ship then you are to report it to me immediately via a secure channel. Understand?=^=

The contact terminated, he returned his attention to the gathered officers, each one appearing as uneasy as he himself felt.

Casela sent a note to her staff, waking the off duty officers up as well informing them of what had occured and to keep it quiet. No need to panic the whole crew, yet. She also ordered them to speak with Doc Fey about the possibility of needing sedatives on hand incase anyone had trouble sleeping, or had a mental break down of some kind.

“Crew,” his tone remained muted, cautious, as if the words themselves walked a precipice of control. “I understand how difficult that was for some of us to see. Right now we are unable to determine whether it is real or merely a trick. I ask you to put the wider implications of it from your mind and continue to perform your duties to the best of your abilities. Lt Synthi-er’s counselling team will be on hand for emergency appointments for as long as that might be needed.” A quick nod to Casela to confirm the order, although Cobb knew she had probably already requested it herself.

Then finally, turning to his First Officer, Zachariah beckoned him over to where he and Casela currently sat.
“I am open to every suggestion at this point,” he informed the pair. “Although sending an away team over will, for now, remain at the very bottom of the list.”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

“Captain, I would suggest having Cpt Manhattan use his access to link with the containment decks there to ensure any anomalies are still contained. I would recommend Lt Cmdr GLaDOS, Lt Cmdr McHarrie, and Nakuto be ordered to do the same.” Casela was not going to suggest an RTF team go. And if they did she was NOT going. Nope. not. this. time. When the screen finally went blank, she was thankful. She looked at Cobb and at Raauhl to determine their mind state. It was disturbing, and she didn’t like it either, but were they okay enough to continue to be in the CIC. That was her first concern.
Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

A scan of the other vessel showed there was a single, solitary lifesign moving about its decks. It appeared to be heading toward the bridge.

StoryTeller S

Have digested the image and the reactions of those around him Ryder was unsure of himself until finally, his inner thoughts came out, “As much as I don’t want to but I recommend sending an away team directly to the bridge fully suited with a portable forcefield emitter. If we act quickly we could ambush the life sign on the bridge.” He turned to Casela as if to silently say get read. “I will lead the away team with Lt Sythhir, Capt Manhattan and two other RTF officers, maybe an engineer. We should have security on high alert and go to red alert.”

• Lt Cmdr Raauhl, XO