Stardate 2271.3.22: 2330h
…Continuing the adventure from Act II: The Gods of Coxa II.
On the ascent into orbit, Gareb shows a small example of the same strange devices that have been popping up on Coxa II; of unknown origin and material, invisible to detection by sensors, and producing technological effects otherwise impossible. This particular device, he explains with the imaginative metaphor of a Star Fleet engineer, was snuck inside the engine's antimatter converters and worked like a blood clot, soaking up all of the converted energy into itself and rendering the engines useless. As they ponder this phenomenon, they notice that the Romulan's broad belt is made of the same strange substance, and likewise does not respond to sensor readings.
Meanwhile, the three "guests" are chastised for their expected collusion with the Romulan, and interrogated further. "Yes, we knew there were Romulans. They were—are—part of our party. The Federation would never have funded the expedition, so we turned to bodies who would." They explain with frustration how they had attempted to procure the Orion Space Syndicate as sponsors, but found them to be only interested in slaving and racketeering. Soon they were approached by the Romulan Star Empire, who offered funding in their expeditions in exchange for the exclusive right to purchase their research.
"Aside from the two of us," the doctors say, "we've chartered out a ship with four pirates, and the Romulans have supplied us with two 'advisors.'" The last word is mentioned with some bitterness, and the detainee Norman takes some offense as well. "Hey now, who're you calling pirates?"
"Our goal," finishes Leigh Moore, "is to locate what I believe is an actual outpost of the very Slaver Empire itself, resting intact in those jungles for millions of years! You've already seen some of the technology that has been scattered around the planet—just imagine what else we can learn if we found the outpost."
Posts by Wednesday, please.
Crew Status:
CAPT Dillon Wyse — CT 11/11, phaser energy 9/9
CDR Gareb Endilev — CT 15/15, phaser energy 9/9
CDR Nadix Ar Eth — CT 12/12, phaser A energy 9/9, phaser B energy 9/9
LCDR Dale Collins — CT 11/11, phaser energy 9/9
LT Dr. Ned Ryerson — CT 12/12, phaser energy 9/9
ENS Lou Abbot — CT 12/15 (-1 DX), phaser energy 9/9
ENS Bud Costello — CT 0/8 vaporized
Current prisoners:
Dr. Leigh Moore — CT 9/9
Dr. James Silliphant — CT 10/10
Norman Meston — CT 14/14
