USS UNICORN

Mission 4 -- A Whiter Shade of Pale

OFF>>
USS Unicorn Sick Bay
Councilor DevRoy is interviewing Biggs.
ON>>
Councilor: entering the room sees Biggs sitting on the bed chuckling, She
takes a quick look at the screen and notices that Biggs appears to be tied
into the Star Base computers and appears to have some type of very complex
technical read out on the screen. She tries to get an telepathic impression
from the small engineer and is shocked at the intensity of the engineers
anger. What is worse she appears to be a major recipient of it at the
moment! His calm exterior was all a farce! He was well aware she had
arrived and was radiating such hate and anger that it was almost
unbearable. What was worse was that Bigg's appeared to be a latent telepath
himself. Crude, Untrained, but definitely sensitive enough to know he had
been probed! Composing herself she decided to try to find out the cause of
the anger so she could read deeper. Looking directly at the old man, "Why
are you so angry with me? I have done nothing to hurt you? I am here to
help you. "
Biggs: the "Killer" glint in his eyes: "You'd make a fine screensaver, Good
looking enough, but totally useless. Why they ever gave you Beta Zoids this
much power on a Star Ship I'll never know. There's only one officer I
answer to on this ship and that's the Capt'n. I don't have to be
accommodating to no nosy female mind peeper out for a cheap thrill! Don't
tell me you 'Feel my Pain' either, you don't know the meaning of the word,
but your about to find out."
DevRoy: defensive, shocked, hurt and almost in tears, "The Captain gave me
orders to examine you Commander Wayne, I am just doing my job. There are
sound Medical reasons as well for you to be checked out. Surely we can be
reasonable about this?"
Biggs: malicious, hard smile, "Liberals! As Lessonar would SAY GAGH! I
think the rest of us are really at some MEDICAL risk from second-hand Beta
Zoid stupidity! OScrume! Of course the Capt'n would want me checked out,
But as Dr. Wakakoe is always pointing out, I do have privacy rights. I
don't have to tell you or give you a Fargin thing! What's the matter? Only
way to get your sexual jollies is read someone else's mind, pervert? Well
read this, what am I thinking Now?" Knowing that DevRoy will automatically
read his thoughts Biggs shows his vast experience in the galaxy and it's
many low dives, by thinking back over every sleazy, deviant sexual
encounter he has witnessed, viewed, heard about or imagined. The councilor
red faced and in tears runs sobbing from the interview. Biggs with the
glint in his eye, is now satisfied. Sheesh! How he dislikes Beta Zoids! At
least Vulcan's had some respect for a man's thoughts. He had learned allot
on Vulcan, more than most people realized. After all Vulcan's weren't just
good in Science and Computers! Laughing to himself. A Vulcan wouldn't have
run out in tears either. Bigg's mother had been a Vulcan. Sure he didn't
carry any of the traits outwardly, but imagine growing up with a mother
that could read your mind, the only good part of that was at least she was
logical. No wonder he became an engineer. Turning, he goes back to work on
the new shields he is designing. Yelling as he hears the door open, "Don't
come back mind slut! We don't need your kind on this ship."
OFF>>
Outside the Sickbay:
Sanders and Lanor see the distraught councilor heading for the Bridge in
tears. They look at each other and hear Biggs say in a taunting, angry
voice "Don't come back mind slut! We don't need your kind on this ship."
Both stand shocked for a moment."
ON>>
Lanor: "I hate to say this but I think the Capt. has really SNAFU'd this
one. Biggs has complete access to everything on this ship and he is not
anywhere near normal. I have a real bad feeling that this is just the tip
of the asteroid. Maybe we had better come back later. Give him some time
to cool down?"
Sanders: looking at DevRoy as she enters the turbo lift and pulled in both
directions decides it would be useless to follow the councilor. Decides she
is not going to let Biggs get away with this, "I think we should talk to
Biggs, Dryal."
Lanor: shakes his head, "Not a good idea, my sweet. The Captain has already
yanked my chain when ever I talk about Biggs to him. The Admiral is
blocking any and all probes of Krazzle which includes Biggs as well. This
whole thing stinks like yesterdays fish. I don't like where this is headed,
but you and I know that whatever came back from that torture chamber sure
isn't the Bigg's we trusted. Has he been doing anything with the computers
or comm. devices?"
Sanders: shakes her head no, "Nothing that anyone has detected. I know the
Captain has allot of experience in computer's and he hasn't detected
anything overtly illegal or wrong. Just the usual Bigg's tinkering to
improve systems. It appears Bigg's is researching Shield technology and
performing normal maintenance functions on the ship. The only odd ball
thing was when he borrowed your override to look at readings in Scan Net.
That turned out to be Bigg's searching the Star Base records for the guys
who snatched him. The Captain approved it automatically and the Admiral
countersigned it. They appear to be backing Bigg's play on that at least."
Lanor: puzzled, and worried, "He has to be doing something we can't see but
what? It is rumored the Krazzle are very good at psychology and that they
can do things even our psyche boys can't detect. Could Bigg's have some
type of personality overlay?"
Sanders: "They been over him with everything Medical Science has to offer,
and while he has been subject to extreme torture, nothing like that was
ever discovered. Sure there are some obvious personality changes, but
nothing that can't be accounted for by what he went through. According to
Dr Wakakoe, they came very close to killing him. Another hour and he would
have been dead."
Lanor: quiet, controlled, low voice, "I don't like this."
OFF>>
Bridge USS Unicorn
A distraught Councilor DevRoy goes rushing to the Captain's Ready Room.
ON>>
Acey: Councilor DevRoy to see you Captain.
DevRoy: in tears, "I hereby resign my commission and request that you
release me from all duties immediately."
McAllister: caught by surprise, looks up from his plans to infiltrate the
Pale.
OFF>>
J'min ain't the only one that can leave them hangin!
With living proof that evolution can go in reverse, this post is from
Commander Wayne....

OFF>>
USS Unicorn
docking bay/cargo entrance
Major Lanor has several marines standing unofficially about the docking
bay. He is extremely suspicious. Several Star Base personnel he has never
seen before are carrying boxes and crates conspicuously labeled as computer
and shield parts into the cargo bay under special orders from Captain
McAllister. Security had to let them pass based on those orders very
explicit and sealed orders but the special scanners had told the major that
the parts included radioactive materials as well. This made the Marine
Commander even more wary considering the way Krazzle spies had been
targeting the ship and crew lately.
ON>>
Lanor: Stepping out from behind the crate, "Halt, random security
inspection. Lets see your papers and your cargo."
Foreman: nastily "Back off, Captain. We were warned about you. Your not the
Security Officer on this bucket of bolts and we don't have to show you
diddly! We have confirmed orders from Captain McAllister and his orders
includes in writing a no interference order about you. You try anything
with this shipment and you'll be spending some major brig time. This cargo
is under a secrecy and non tampering order."
Lanor: Snaps his fingers and the marines suddenly pull weapons pointing
them at the workers, "Wrong on both counts." Hands the foreman a memo pad.
"As of 0900 this morning Kira has officially named me her replacement until
such time as she is medically fit to resume her duties. She figures I am
the only one on the ship with the rank and the expertise to handle this
kind of delicate situation." Steps up and stares the foreman down with a
glare to match even Biggs 'killer' look. "Are you going to argue with my
delicate handling of this situation?"
Foreman: Angry but not stupid "Your digging your own grave, but it's your
funeral Mr. I ain't getting my boys shot just so you can prove a point.
I'll be making a full report of this to your Captain and the and the
Starbase Commander. Here." Hands Lanor his papers.
Lanor: totally reversing his look to one of a content administrator, "Thank
you. You see we can all get along just fine as long as things are done my
way. So your carrying, " flips through the documents. He notes that they
have initially been requested by Biggs who is also the XO and Chief
Engineer, the Captain had approved both Biggs secrecy request and non
tampering order. "Spare parts for the computer and new parts for the
Shields" Turns to the cargo handlers, open it up. I want to see this one
and that one."
The cargo handlers look confused for a moment as the foreman tries to think
of away out of this mess. "Let it go Captain, back off now while you can
and me and the boys will put it down to one honest mistake." Noting the
extra squad of marines in the upper cargo bay he realizes this is a trap,
not a random search and finally seeing no way out, gives the nod. The cargo
handlers crack open a case of 'Hard drives and memory chips' only to find
several smaller, far more heavily shielded devices with a nuclear warning
label stamped on the side. Everyone but Lanor looks surprised as they
crack open another case to find yet another group of the same type of
devices.
Lanor: Face frozen, "All right I want these..."
Suddenly the Captain's image appears directly in front of the Major
his voice is tightly controlled and he is obviously angry.
McAllister "MAJOR LANOR, soon I think to be Private Lanor what in the seven
hells of Caruyic do you think you are doing? No, don't answer that. Major
you are under arrest. Motions to Starbase security men who are double
timing down the corridor. Take his weapons and escort him to the Brig. He
is not to be permitted to speak with anyone. The rest of you men," Looks at
the Marines, "Report to the sergeant. You men are confined to your quarters
until further notice."
Lanor: quietly, "Yes Sir." signals his men who immediately march from the
room. Turning he hands the documents back to the foreman who takes them
with a smile. Lanor quietly shakes hands with the man. "I truly hope we
didn't inconvenience you. Have a nice day." The last was spit from Lanor's
lips with a twist of bitterness. As he was marched silently to the Brig,
Lanor wondered, WHY would the Captain be loading old style tactical nukes
onto the ship? Biggs was involved somehow, was that Biggs using the
hologram image of the Captain or was it really the Captain himself? If it
was the real Captain what could he possibly have planned for tactical
nukes? The only use for such weapons in those quantities,that Lanor knew of
was a planetary bombardment but surely StarFleet would not condone such
useage. That had to be Bigg's doing. How did that old man get his hands on
highly restricted Tac nukes?
OFF>>
Plots within plots
Posted for
Capt. Lanor
USS Unicorn Marine Commander

OFF>>
USS Unicorn Deck 6 Lounge:
Curled up on the end of a well padded sofa.
ON>>
Slocar: lazily watching members of the crew roaming in and out of the
lounge is well hidden. It's Chameleon abilities have it well blended into
the Pastel colors of the Sofa and no one has noticed it. The Slocar is
intelligent. More intelligent than most people would realize. About on par
with a smart five year old, the Slocar liked activity around it. For the
most part it was feeling friendly to the crew but disliked the cage as
there was usually little interaction there in Lessonar's room. As activity
was usually high in this area, it usually enjoyed this room observing the
strange goings on of the two legs. One female crewman, approached and the
Slocar warily moved. Most two legs seemed to never notice him and a moment
later the crewman sat on the same cushion the Slocar had been on a moment
before. Not realizing her near miss with a stinky fate. The Slocar was
already scurrying out the door. As it moved down the corridor it suddenly
smelled a strange odor. Following it's nose it came upon a strange sight. A
large hairy two legs dressed in a strangely refractive suit was moving
cautiously. It was not one of the normal crew. The Slocar, curious,
followed it interested.
Krasgar: The Krazzle commando was elated. The new skein suit, a development
of Romulan Technology and purchased at great cost by Lord Skragg, worked
much like a chameleon's natural ability by blending colors around it.
Outfitted with sensors, the Krazzle had managed to sneak in through the
Engineering tubes near the Impulse engines and was working his way around
the ship recording design changes. It had mistakenly come to Deck Six on
his way to Deck Four. Detritus was interested in the results of his
infection of the Engineer and the Krazzle was to make an initial survey of
the victim. Once again he attempted to enter the Turbolift, but the humans
used this item to often on this deck, the main reason he had to get off
here in the first place. Finally, impatient, he decided to use the
Engineering crawl ways and moved in that direction. The climb to Deck Four
was long and hard but the Krazzle was strong and well trained. Quietly, he
entered the Sick Bay. A proto monkey was there running several tests.
Another obviously a guard was sitting with his weapon on a table paying
little attention. The Krazzle watched with interest.
Wakakoe: Placing the blood sample down. Rubs his forehead and looks
wearily at the test results. Without an uncorrupted supply of Ivantia blood
there was just no way to synthesize or try to dilute the affects. Sure he
had some blood on order, but this blood was rare in Starfleet, and unlikely
to arrive before the ship departed on it's mission. As he turned he
suddenly noticed a strange distortion and with a shock looked directly at
it.
Krasgar: suddenly realized the sharp eyed Human has somehow spotted him
rakes out with his claws unsheathed. The doctor's eyes widen in pain as the
claws slash deeply into his chest and he slumps to the floor. Unconscious
or dead makes no difference to the Krazzle, but he will have to work
quickly. With great speed and ability he throws a knife at the guard who
as the Doctor falls has finally noticed him as well. The Krazzle laughed
with disdain, obviously this guard was no warrior. With a ship with 50
Warriors on it, they place some incompetant on guard. The knife strikes the
guard in the chest and he falls as well. Ensign Harsh caught by surprise
dies as the knife hits his chest. The Krazzle satisfied moves into the
contamination room of the sickbay. He has been told to find the small
proto-monkey and record the medical data on it. However, he stops in shock.
Their are two small proto-monkeys! One is silvery and has wings and appears
to be sleeping. The other is awake and working at a terminal. He quickly
decides to record both and leave.
Slocar: Has continued following the strange shimmering two legs, the Slocar
observed as it attacked the other two legs. The Slocar moved to examine the
injured one. It was living still but badly injured. The other with a stick
in it's chest was dead. As the attacking two legs came back towards it the
Slocar became alarmed. Looking at the creature it released directly at it,
painting it a bright Red in color as clouds of red spray filled the room.
The stench was enormous. The Krazzle reacted like it had been hit by a
bomb.
Computer Voice: "Medical Alert, Sick Bay. Medical Alert, Sick Bay.
Possible Bio Chemical Contamination. Chief Engineer report to Sick Bay,
Marine Bio Hazard Team to Sick Bay." Alarms go off all over the ship.
Kira: sedated and in the contamination field never notices a thing.
Biggs attempts to jump up and the restraint field still in place Locks him
tightly. Even then though his strength allows him to slowly pull his way
out as he curses the field, coughing blood. He has spotted the bright red
Krazzle as it blindly scrubs at it's nose and eyes. The engineer has the
"killer look" and he is trying, despite the smell to get to the Krazzle.
The EMH though appears and single minded immediately sedates the cursing
engineer despite his protests. "Let me go you stupid machine, get off me,
darn your hide, executive override....DREK! Who is the ICEHOLE that
installed an EMH on this......" starts snoring. The EMH places him
carefully back on his bed and tucks him in, examines the sleeping Kira and
then calmly walks out the door and over to the bodies. Diagnosing that
Ensign Harsh is dead it starts working on Wakakoe.
OFF>>
Deck 11 Brig:
ON>>
Lanor: as alarms go off all over the ship he starts cursing the situation
that has made him unable to respond or his marine contingent, Sure that
Bigs has done something deadly He yells to the Starbase Guards who have
just placed him in confinement at the Captain's orders. "Anyone care to let
me out?" seeing no takers he shruggs his shoulders and sits back realizing
he can do nothing while be watched so closely. He decides to wait and see
what will happen.
OFF>>
Fighter 300 and 301: On maneuvers testing each other with phasors at
1/1,000th power are maneuvering. They hear about the alert on board the
Unicorn.
ON>>
Lessonar: as he performed a modified split S has finally gotten J'min in
his sights when the alert sounds, over the speaker pumped through by his
weapons handler. He immediately suspects the Slocar has again been
discovered by some hapless person. "OScrume!"
J'min: taking quick advantage and unaware yet of the alert performs a boot
legger turn and simulates a dual photon torpedo strike. The computer
pronounces him the winner. His crew chief then informs him of the ship
alert. Realizing he might have won on a technicality, he does not gloat.
OFF>>
Bridge, USS Unicorn:
Ready Room Captain McAllister
ON>>
McAllister: just finished explaining to the Admiral, why his Marines pulled
phasors and threatened Starbase personnel is suddenly hearing more alarms.
As the Bio Hazard warnings go off he suspects that Lessonar's pet has
struck again. Already irritated at the Klingon Marine for the computer
stunt, and the gassing of Sanders previously and angry over Lanor's failure
to obey orders and making his job that much harder, is in no mood for more
irritation, He decides to holo immediately to Sick Bay. With a quick flick
he is suddenly there and in shock sees the Krazzle clearly, thanks to the
sensor arrays Biggs placed in ready room and around the ship. McAllister
quickly presses a button and the interior defense is initiated and fires a
stun setting phasor at the Krazzle. As the bolt strikes a suicide bomb
implanted in the Krazzle goes off in the Sickbay. The Doctor is immediately
killed and the EMH winks out. The Slocar had decide to go curl up on Biggs
chest and the containment fields protect both him, the Slocar as well as
Kira from the blast. Little is left of the Krazzle or his tools.
Marines: Sarge in charge, has started by passing the door when the
explosion goes off. Realizing the situation is serious and no officers are
available he hits a full Red Alert which includes the Starbase as well.
Slocar: in the room realizes that it will not be able to sleep here and
departs for a quieter area.
OFF>>
Another fine aromatic post from Biggs.

OFF>>
Starbase DANTE SICKBAY:
After the attack of the Krazzle Commando Kira and Wayne have been moved to
the Starbase Sickbay to recover. The Unicorn Sickbay is a shambles and
repair parties are working on it.
ON>>
Dr M'Boto: finishes reading his scanner, "Well Commander Wayne, it appears
you are well enough to be released. Light Duty only Commander! Your
infection is not transmittable now, but neither are you fully recovered. I
don't know why the rush but both the Admiral and your Captain want you back
on your ship immediately." Looks curiously at the engineer.
Biggs: non committal, "Thanks Doc. Got to go. I got allot to do." He leaves
the Sickbay without enlightening the doctor. The doctor watches him walk
out the door and shrugs. A strange case.
OFF>>
Captain's Ready Room thirty minutes later.
ON>>
Acey: Commander Wayne has arrived Sir.
McAllister: looking up from the reports on the recent incidents. "Show
Biggs in Acey."
He rises to shake the X/O's hand. "Glad you could make it Biggs, we have
some real problems to take care of. Acey kept you informed?"
Biggs: sitting down gratefully, tired from his walk, "Yes Sir, nothing we
can't handle in house. You approved DevRoy's request? You know why I had to
be hard on her. If she reads yours or my thoughts she could be a disaster
waiting to happen."
McAllister: nodding, "I know why you did it, I just wish there had been a
better way. The EMH is toast right now isn't it? Any chance of getting it
back on-line?"
Biggs: reflective, "We could but I don't recommend it. The EMH is to
dependent on the computer and to limited on away missions. We need a real
Doctor. Might I suggest Dr M'Boto from the Starbase? He seems competent
enough for this mission and we can revisit this problem in depth later."
McAllister: has Acey mark it for his attention later, "OK, I am still
pending approval from the Admiral on the Shield upgrade you want to
perform. Start the preliminary work on the way to the Pale and I'll get
back to you on that. I had to throw Lanor in the Brig, he got into the
parts you ordered."
Biggs: smiling, "Yeah, the boy does take his job serious. I know you could
have him up on charges for it Capt'n but I would like to keep our dirty
laundry in house. How about letting me handle the problem?"
McAllister: dubious, "I'm taking allot of heat on this one Biggs. He pulled
weapons on the detail, violated orders and exposed items we wanted to keep
secret. I know he was doing his job, but his loose cannon tactics caused
allot of problems. The Admiral won't want to just slap his hands and the
Starbase Commander is furious."
Biggs: pleading, "Give me a chance Capt'n. The boy don't deserve a
demotion, he was trying to protect the ship. He don't really know what he
did and I can bring him up real short fast. I know your having to trust me
allot, but I'll make it worthwhile."
McAllister: staring at the X/O a long time, "OK Biggs, I was going to
demote him, but I guess you ain't been X/O long enough to have had your
chance. I'll give you a chance, but if he pulls another stunt like this,
I'm going to come down on you both like solid Neutronium
Biggs: grateful, "Thanks Capt'n, I'll bring him in line. After all he's
just a Jarhead, I just have to remind him he ain't paid to think. As for
the Slocar, we haven't located the beasty yet but there is no doubt it is
the one nailed the Krazzle. I'll have an analysis on it soon. Now that we
have enough on board personnel, I'd like to take the ship out, any
objections Sir? I think we should get away from the Starbase before the
Krazzle hit us with something else."
McAllister: smiling, "Eager to go Biggs? I guess you have reason. OK go
ahead and take her out. I'll be out shortly to relieve you and let you go
deal with the Major."
OFF>>
USS Unicorn Brig Cell #1
Capt. Lanor laying on his bunk with his feet up in the air singing loudly
to no one in particular. He is actually doing rather well.
ON>>
Lanor: deep bass voice, "Swing low sweet char-i-ot, someones gonna carry me
home. Swing low sweet char-i-ot..."
The guards outside his cell are getting antsy as they have already had to
turn back 10 visitors from the ship. No one more than once but it's
obvious they are unwelcome and unwanted onboard the vessel and the
melancholy song and the general good nature of the prisoner is NOT what
they are accustomed to.
The door slides open and Commander Biggs walks in with a memo pad which he
hands to the guards. They read the pad and then verify the orders per
their instructions. Receiving verification the guards turn and beat a
grateful retreat back to the starbase.
Biggs walks quietly up to the door and listens to a few bars before
realizing that the stupid jarhead is deliberately singing in a false bass
and messing up just a few of the words. Not enough to be conspicuous but
enough to be unsettling.
Biggs: stepping in front of the door, very tired from his walk "Well
Jarhead you got yourself into a pickle this time. What have you got to say
for yourself?"
Lanor: swings his feet off the wall and faces Biggs surprised, "Well I
thought I was forbidden visitors but I should have known that anybody who
could escape the good Dr. wouldn't let a couple of security guards get in
his way." pauses as he notices Biggs promotion, "Congratulations on the new
pips. Must have taken the left over the Capt. is gonna have from mine."
Biggs: looking at Lanor, "Your not the sharpest knife in the drawer are
you? Harsh and Wakakoe are dead. It appears a Krazzle Commando got in and
killed them, while you were busy playing around with the stuff you weren't
supposed to be messing with, you didn't deal with the stuff you should have
been watching. Your at attention Mr. The Captain has given me the authority
to remind you just how stupid you've been. Before I tell you just how dumb
that is, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Lanor: sat stunned for a moment then stood slowly to attention, "No excuses
can make up for it. Do you want my resignation now?"
Biggs: no humor, "Two of our shipmates killed, and it's no excuse? Now you
want to run like a coward from your responsibility? Your so dense light
bends around you if you think I am going to let you off that easy Mr. Up to
this time you been carrying out each and every one of your duties to your
entire satisfaction. This appears to have given you delusions of adequacy.
When the Captain gives you a direct order, your going to learn to follow it
or I will personally have your hide is that clear?"
Lanor: standing at attention, "Yes sir. I underestimated the enemy and two
people died. It won't happen again Sir."
Biggs: glaring, "Your darn right it won't, while I'm X/O. I have better
things to do than waste my time insulting an idiot. Since you seem to have
to much time on your hands, I am going to be taking a personal interest in
everything you do until I am satisfied that you know what your job is! You
have 1 hour to have you and your unit prepare for a full dress inspection.
I will personally conduct this inspection and if I find anything out of
place I will personally make you wish you were never born. Now double-time
to the Marine Barracks, and I will be along shortly. Dismissed!"
Lanor: "SIR!" exits the room. Knowing that he had severly underestimated
the enemy. Wakakoe and Harsh had paid the price for his mistake and he
wouldn't be making the same mistakes again. The only good thing in this
whole sorry mess was that now he knew for sure what before he had only
suspected. He couldn't say he was happy knowing though.
Biggs: tired slumps, and slowly moves towards the door to return to the
bridge.
OFF>>
Post from Major Lanor and Cmdr Wayne......

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