Glaucus turns to Zed. "Zedrick," he says, startling Zed—nobody uses his full given name—"If you would be so kind as to return post haste to Dyson Station and report your crew's findings to Capt Samson and the Intelligence Officer... Maintain comms silence as regards the nanites and our android friends."

He turns to leave the Thames, "Now, I'll brief Mr. Xelox and leave Dr. Pierce to his medical wizardry."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 23:51, Sat 14 Sept 2019.

Arriving at Dyson Station, docking control takes over the Thames and secures the ship is a parking pattern—although runabouts can enter the station's hangar deck, there's no space to house them so they're usually placed in station-keeping mode. The four officers beam over to the station, where Capt Samson is waiting, flanked by two members of the Rapid Reaction Team, both wearing security armour and armed with Type 3A Compression Phaser Rifles. The RRTs follow Samson and the Thames crew to a briefing room and halt outside the door, taking up a security post.


Samson takes a seat at the head of the table and begins, "Lieutenants, you both know LCdr Talbot and Lt Avalon," indicating the Intelligence Officer and the Security Chief. "I understand you have some alarming news."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:14, Sun 15 Sept 2019.

In reply to Capt. Delilah Samson (msg # 2):

Prompted by Zed, Jon gives a brief run down of his discovery of the crawling metal, and Tony's subsequent discovery of the partially melted nanites. Jon is nervous at first, talking in front of a group of higher ranking officers, but his confidence increases as he proceeds.

When he's done, Jon lets Tony take over and outline his theories in his ... own colourful fashion.

"Thanks, Jon," says Tony. "Well, we've got a piece of alloy which seems to originate in the Delta Quadrant with traces of nanites on it, but burnt so bad  I can't get a fix on them.  The alloy is solid, but Jon says he saw it doin' an imitation of an inch worm and not givin' off no readings on his tric. Then it fell over stiff as an inert piece'a'junk and reads fine on the tric now. I did a diagnostic on his and it's workin' fine. Nanites on a piece of Delta Quadrant debris says Borg to me, but I gotta wonder if it might be related to our android friends, the Kapecki, 'specially cuz these Chirpers are related to them Finorii or Droyne or whatever they are."

"Did you confront Cdr Olivaw?" asks Samson.

"Naw, didn't think it was a good idea wit'out checking with you, Boss!"

"Hmmm. Sounds like you've been talking with Mr. Xelox. His patois is rubbing off on you. But you're right. We don't know much about the Kapecki and their robotic systems may well incorporate nanotechnology. Ms. Dahlakino is a roboticist. We'll read her in on this."

The communications officer interrupts over the tannoy. "Captain, we've got a report from Dr. Adonidas that Dr. Dovan is missing under suspicious circumstances. She's copied us a scan of his burnt-out tricorder and Dr. Pierce can't contact him psionically."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Thu 26 Sept 2019.

Samson glances to the ceiling and says "Samson to Dahlakino. Please report to Briefing Room One."

The answer comes over the communicator, "Yes Ma'am. Be there in a trice."

The communications offer comes back on line, "Lt Gazzo, copying the scans of Dr. Dovan's tricorder to your PADD now." The PADD pings and the screen lights up.

Glancing over the datastream, Tony can see that it's the raw data. He replies, "Can you patch me a live feed and remote access to Petty Officer Mirabelle's tricorder? Thanks."

Moments later, the door opens and Dahlakino steps in. She's in uniform with a gold under-tunic and the golden tab of a Lt(jg provisional). She still wears the leather helmet around her lekku and her goggles. "Lt Dahlakino reporting as ordered, Captain."

As Dahlakino finds a seat, Zed's commbadge chirps. "Adonidas to Sloane. We've got a missing doctor and patient. I understand you guys found something that caused you to head back to confer with the captain. I don't want to jump to conclusions, but could whatever it was that you found have any connection to our missing man?"

Dahlakino looks concerned. "I have a bad feeling about this. There's a disturbance in the Force."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:34, Wed 09 Oct 2019.

Zed's commbadge chirps. "Adonidas to Sloane! We've got a serious problem! Chiree just came in with report about the missing patient and entered telepathic communication with Dr. Pierce! Pierce went trance-like and convulsed, then hit the floor! He muttered 'Resistance is futile' and remains unconscious!"

Samson slaps an icon on her control panel. "Update to the Red Alert. We've got a report indicating possible Borg activity. Isolate all Romulan prisoners and equipment!" Turning to the team, she says "Looks like you were right, Gazzo! Sloane, get your ship down there and initiate anti-Borg measures! Dahlakino, go with them."

"So we're on our way back?" Tony asks. "Geez, I'm getting dizzy!"

"Suck it up, buttercup!" snaps Samson, "You've been here long enough to get used to it! Dahlakino, with your Force sensitivity, hopefully you can be of some help."

"What about Professor Lake and the Lintillas?" asks Dahlakino.

"We'll burn that bridge when we get to it. Right now LCdr Carson is in charge of that aspect of things."

"Ja, Captain, but how far can we trust her?" queries Talja.

"Christ, I don't know. I'm dealing with this as quickly as I can," says Samson, exasperated. "Now, just get there!"

The transporter beam envelopes them and they materialise on the Thames.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:16, Wed 20 Apr 2022.

Meanwhile back at the crash site:

Dr. Adonidas presses a hypospray to Nathan's neck and says, "Would you like some tri-ox compound to clear your head?"

If Nathan agrees, she gives the shot. "You gave us quite a turn there when your eyes rolled back and you said 'Resistance is futile,' then went pale and passed out. I've reported it to Capt Samson and the Thames is on the way back with Lt Dahlakino. You've not met her, but she's an alien with a... unique... skill set."

As Nathan's head clears, whether from the sip of whisky or the tri-ox injection, Nathan reflects on the sensation of being assimilated, as filtered through the Chirper patient's sensations, further filtered through Chiree's psychic transmission. The feeling of one's personality being torn away will be with him forever, but he is able to compartmentalise it for later reflection.

Having seen to Nathan Dr. Adonidas says to Mirabelle, "PO, get on the horn and order all personnel here to be on the lookout for Dr. Dovan. Do not approach him—report immediately upon spotting him. All hands are to be armed with Phaser II's locked on heavy stun setting. Repeat, lock phasers on setting number three, but contact me before firing. Do not fire unless specifically ordered and do not engage."

Mirabelle looks back quizzically, "Yes Ma'am. shall I recommend phasers to be set on modulating frequencies?"

"No, PO, I don't want to panic people. If someone spots him, I'll tell them myself, but until then I don't want to even whisper the word Borg. I assume complete responsibility for this order," replies Adonidas. She taps her commbadge, "Adonidas to Thames. Coordinate with Cuyahoga on approach and beam Gazzo, Gröen and Dahlakino down, then I want Sloane and Clare to join Cuyahoga in scanning the area."

Breaking contact, she turns to Nathan, "Now, Doctor, how are you feeling? Do you need another sip of whisky for fortitude?"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 02:10, Thu 24 Oct 2019.

About half an hour after his last discussion with LCdr Glaucus, Billy is observing some Chirpers tending to basic tasks like cleaning up after the funerary rites when his commbadge chirps. A female voice says, "Attention all personnel; be on the lookout for a missing officer. Doctor Dovan is a male Deltan, wearing a blue lab coat over his uniform when last seen. He may be in the company of a Chirper. Do not approach or engage Dr Dovan, but immediately report his position to Dr Adonidas, Chief Medical Officer. Dr Dovan was last seen about fifteen minutes ago in the Medical Module and is not responding to his communicator. We have reason to believe he may be under an outside influence and may become violent. Lock phasers on setting three—heavy stun—but do not fire without explicit orders. I say again..." and she repeats the message. Billy recognises the voice as belonging to Petty Officer 3^rd class Mirabelle, a medical technician.

"Oh well, at least the rules are straightforward," passes through Billy's mind. "Damn Starfleet with its 'do it our way, not the logical way'." He pulls out his tricorder and scans for Dovan—no Deltan life signs.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 03:37, Sat 02 Nov 2019.

Lt Nathen breaths heavy and takes his time.
A shot would help. He tells Dr. Adonidas when asked about the tri-ox.
He then takes his time to pull himself together.

On being offered the whiskey he also excepts it.
Taking a long hard shot.
Oh.  That is good.  He says.  One of the odd sides of being on the diplomatic staff.
Unlike a lot of starfleet Betazoid's persona,l alcohol is something I had to get use to.
He carries on focusing himself.  On the offer of a second shot of whiskey Lt. Nathen answers.
Are you trying to get me drunk Dr. Adonidas?
I am not sure what my wives would say when they find out.
He gives out a little chuckle and winks at her.

Then he pulls himself together for action.
First he gets down and talks to Chiree.
Chiree has nothing to be sorry for.  Nathan and Chiree are friends.
I asked you to let me see.  What you did was good and helpful.
I learned a lot and it will help us find your chirper and our Doctor.
What you did was very good and if anything like this happens again I want you to do the same.  Thank you.

He then gets up.
Just to confirm.  Both the chirper and Dr Dovan have been turned into borg.
I can tell you that is one feeling I am so glad to experenced third hand and not have experience for real myself.  It was not very nice.
What I don't get is why only these two have been effected and they have not tried to affect others?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:26, Sat 02 Nov 2019.

"That, Nathan, is the 64 thousand credit question." She screws the cap back onto the miniature bottle and returns it to her medpouch. "Look at this," she says, handing him a PADD, "Capt Samson copied me this report from Lt Gazzo."

The PADD has Tony's scans of the piece of monotanium, the remains of the nanites, and the noted origins of the monotanium as an alloy only known from the Delta Quadrant; followed by the speculations on the possibility of the nanites actually being Borg nanoprobes.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Mon 04 Nov 2019.

Petty Officer Mirabelle looks up from her own copy of the report and takes out her own tricorder. She says, "Hell, this says that most of the internal circuitry are just plain missing. I thought it felt a bit light!"

She points the peripheral scanner at Dovan's dead tricorder and activates it. She runs the peripheral over the husk of the subject tricorder and curses, "Goddamn it all to hell! Confirmed—we've got a Borg infestation! Recommend all personnel be informed, Commander!" she says to Dr. Adonidas. And gets busy updating the report to Dyson Station.

Dr. Adonidas stares at the updated report, gobsmacked. "Ain't that a kick in the teeth..."

The image Mirabelle has just passed on is incontrovertible.

This message was last edited by the player at 21:31, Tue 12 Nov 2019.

"Oh, shit!" exclaims Adonidas. She taps her commbadge, "Adonidas to Capt Samson. We confirm Borg presence in the Sphere. I say again, we confirm Borg presence in the Sphere! Doctor Dovan and at least one Chirper have been assimilated. We await your orders. Am informing personnel on site of situation and advising to take appropriate measures." She grabs Nathan by the sleeve. "Nathan are you fit for duty? This is perhaps the most important order I'm ever going to give—find Dr. Dovan by whatever means you can. Psionic, technical, Mk.I eyeball—whatever! If Chiree is indeed psionic, have him put out a be on the lookout order to his flock for Dr. Dovan. Tell them not to approach him, just report his position."

Once again she taps her commbadge. "Attention all personnel on site. This is Lieutenant Commander Athena Adonidas; we are now in a red alert situation. We have a Borg infiltration. Medical Lieutenant Dovan has been infected by Borg nonoprobes and must be considered a Borg Drone. If spotted, do not approach him. Stun him if possible—if not—" she chokes up for a second, "—lethal measures may be used. This is a last resort, though. We know that subjects can be unassimilated if caught early enough, so I'd rather he be captured alive. Cuyahoga and Thames, confirm you've copied this message!"

Her commbadge replies, "Rai here, Cuyahoga confirms, awaiting orders!"

In reply to Dr. Athena Adonidas (msg # 15):

In the Cuyahoga, which Jon and Zed have joined up with, Jon is hoping against all hopes that the evidence that he and Tony found did not indicate Borg.

As Jon hears Adonidas's announcement, his guts turn cold at the thought that he was just down there and he had found the first clues. I left an easy science posting to find a little adventure and perhaps some unexplored surfing spots. Jon thinks to himself. So far I've been shot, poisoned, almost drowned a friend, and now I'm going to be fighting Borg. This is not what I had in mind. If the waves had come in just slightly different, it might have been me and Tony who had been assimilated.

Jon shakes his head trying—not completely successfully—to clear his thoughts.

"Should we set our phasers to modulating frequencies?" Jon asks, not sure if he's successfully keeping a quaver of fear out of his voice.

Dr. Adonidas replies, "Acknowleged, Cuyahoga and Thames. Yes, Mr. Clare. Maximum Stun setting—as I said, we'd like to get Dovan back alive. Do a high-res scan for Deltan life-signs and in particular, atmospheric micro-traces of Deltan pheromones. Mr. Gazzo, please beam down and bring your full tech assessment field kit."

Grimacing, Tony collects his gear and beams down. Talja takes the mission ops console and says, "I'll do the life-scans, Jon. You tackle the pheromones. Should be simple for a climatologist to isolate a trace atmospheric contaminant."

Jon recognises the sarcasm in Talja's voice. Simple indeed! There must be a whole part per million! Might as well do a visual scan for reflections off Dovan's bald scalp.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:07, Tue 19 Nov 2019.

In reply to Dr. Athena Adonidas (msg # 17):

"Do assimilated Deltans even exude their normal pheromones?" Jon asks. Nonetheless, he sets up and starts scanning for micro-traces in the nearby atmosphere. He also widens the scan parameters, looking for any atmospheric abnormalities (sudden pressure or temperature changes, unexpected turbulence, deviations from the normal elemental percentages).

Jon launches a series of micro-probes, tiny drones launched from the 13.3cm micro-torpedo launcher. A few of these contain air sampling equipment, while others are surveillance drones with cameras and multispectral sensors. One of these reports back with a reading of refined duranium. This is consistent with a Starfleet commbadge.

A closeup image from the probe reveals a Starfleet commbadge and a swath of black fabric caught on a shard of metal trim on the doorway of an abandoned building. Jon calls up a second probe, one of the air samplers, and it detects extremely faint traces of pheromones. Running the traces through the analysis routines, he can determine that the pheromones are, for want of a better word, stale; almost completely broken down. This would seem to indicate that Dovan is no longer emitting the chemical signature. Unfortunately, it also confirm he's no longer wearing his communicator, and the urban terrain is so unsuited for tracking that no boot prints are visible.

In reply to Relic GM (msg # 19):

"I've found Dovan's comm badge!" announces Jon. "And some very faded traces of pheromones. I'm going to try to trace its source."

Jon does some additional scans in an attempt to determine if the pheromones traces lead in any particular direction. He also initiates a thermal scan of the abandoned building and the surrounding buildings, looking for locations that have an ambient temperature (39.1°C) matching a Borg ship.

"Copy that, Mr. Clare. These readings indicate he's probably no longer exuding pheromones. The pheromones have a half-life of about five minutes. His clothing is certainly infused with them, but they're degrading quickly. We need boots on the ground." Adonidas turns to Nathan. "Doctor, please head to the coordinates Jon gave us."

She taps her commbadge, "Mr. Xelox, I'm copying you a set of coordinates. Dr. Dovan's commbadge has been found, and we need you to check it out."

Lt. Nathan had been silent for some time.
I am sorry Dr. Athena.  I was thinking over what you said.
It like trying to detect a computer after it been switch off for some time.
Very hard to do.  I really do not know how my skills can find Dr Deltans.

I will head over to the coordinates Jon gave us.  Maybe some of my medical skills be more use.

Lt Nathan heads off to coordinates.

In reply to Lt. Nathan Pierce MD (msg # 22):

Jon continues scanning the surrounding area looking for locations that match Borg ambient conditions.

"Does 'boots on the ground' include us also?", Jon asks.

Dr. Adonidas replies, "Yes Jon, you and Tony both. Zed will remain airborne with Talja continuing the scans. You'll beam down, beam Nathan site-to-site as well. You and Tony take phaser rifles and his tech assessmant field kit. Take science and engineering tricorders, and Nathan will take his medkit and a medical tricorder. Meet Mr. Xelox there and bring him a phaser rifle. It is imperative that we attempt to capture Dovan alive, both because he's a Federation officer in need of rescue and secondarily because it'd be nice to interrogate a Borg drone."

She turns to Nathan and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Well, Doctor, in addition to your medical skills, you may well find your psionic skills useful, as well as your more... er, mundane skills. God speed, Nathan!"

She passes him the large medical shoulder bag and a Type 2 phaser. Nathan feels the normal tingling of the transporter effect and materialises along with Jon and Tony in the ground floor of a deserted tower. The door is broken and twisted and a piece of black cloth clings to a shard of the metal. An exocomp hovers nearby, taking scans of the room.

"Hey, Nate, how ya doin'?" greets Tony. "Well, there's Dovan's commbadge." He waves the peripheral from his tricorder at it. "Hummph! Just an empty shell. The nanoprobes have obviously scavenged it for materials."

There is a scuffing noise at the door. Turning, they see Fast Billy climbing past the obstacle.

Tony hands Billy a Type 3 phaser rifle, then detaches a phaser 2 from his waist and passes it over. "Remember, heavy stun only, on a modulating frequency. We've confirmed he's been exposed to Borg nanoprobes, but given Picard and that Seven dame on the Voyager in the Delta Quadrant, we think we can de-assimilate him—well, the bosses do anyway."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:50, Sat 21 Dec 2019.