From the Security Docking Bay

Greg, I...uh...I don't see the darn thing. Give me a second.....

*Diving into the foam, Bubba frantically searches for the blaster, while Lt. Boma does his best to help by diverting some of the foamy material. After what seems like an eternity, a hand appears from under the froth holding the ticking weapon, and with only moments to spare he quickly slides the blaster toward the creature blocking the exit. To say the following explosion was larger than expected would be more than an understatement. The ensuing shock wave rocks the area, sending both men skittering backward into the nearby bulkhead, where they end up in a tangle of arms and legs. With their ears ringing like a large kettle had been placed over their heads and beaten with a club for days, the two stumble to their feet and try to shake off the insidious din, while looking to the results of the blast.*

Do...do you see anything, Greg...?

(Shakes his head in hopes of clearing the ringing noise and wiping the gunk off his face to see)


Lt Gregory Boma:  I see a path to the Lab Bubba.  (He gets up on his feet and weakly grabs Bubba and pulls him to his feet)  We have to go buddy, NOW!

(The two men struggle but manage to get to the Lab door. Boma presses the switch but the door doesn't open. Realizing that Bubba is finding hard to hear with how loud he is speaking, Boma yells...)

Lt. Gregory Boma: DAMN IT! THE HEAT FROM THE BLAST MUST HAVE WARPED THE SEAL ON THE LAB HATCH.

(He stops pressing the switch and lets Bubba stand on his own two feet a moment while he pounds on the door)

Lt. Gregory Boma: NIGEL, SETH, KYLE ANYBODY! THE HATCH WON'T OPEN! CAN YOU GET IT FROM INSIDE?

*Still dazed by the explosion, Bubba tries to understand Seth...*

What?! You want to wreck poor Alphonse??? What does that mean? And who the heck is Alphonse...?!!

*With all the uninfected crew gathered in the lab, the medical staff gets to work treating the wounded. Some injuries are minor and are quickly addressed by their SST teammates. But the major injuries require Seth and Nigel's skill and expertise. The most serious problem belongs to Ensign Lowell: a huge gash on her leg. It is very deep, severing muscles, tendons and an artery. The two immediately go into action, trying to stem the blood loss, and repair the spurting vessel.

And while their attention is directed elsewhere, a new problem arises. Although Seth had closed the door to the lab, the damage has prevented it from latching properly, leaving a slight gap. Emerging through the opening, one of the creatures slithers into the lab undetected...*

OOC: Sorry it took so long. It's been a bit hectic.

*Watching Seth and Nigel work their magic on Ensign Lowell, Bubba continues to struggle with the effects of the blast...*

Awesome job, gentlemen. Now that you've got Beth fixed up, how about checking Greg over there? That blast really slammed the snot out of us, and he really got rocked. And is there anything you can do about this ringing in my ears? It's like being stuck in a dryer set on extra-high spin cycle...

*Several of the crew pitch in to help with the lesser injuries, while the medical staff handle the major problems. Security team members double check to make sure all the entries and exits are locked down tightly, while others activate monitors to keep close watch on the creatures and the infected crew. Still managing to keep hidden, the lone intruder slides along undetected until it positions itself under one of the examining tables. And there it remains, as if listening...watching...and waiting.*

Did you say I'll be wearing those plums and herrings...?!! Seth, are you sure the blast didn't bounce you around, too?

*Seeing the reassuring expression on Nigel's face, Bubba begins to relax and breath a bit easier. While he waits for the medication to act, he has a chance to observe the rest of the crew as they quickly go about the task of securing the area. A few of the security team, having left the room earlier, return with what appears to be a small, but lethal-looking cannon. Mounted on a tripod, they set it up facing the entry door into the inner platform. Some of the other team members start to lay out the equipment they brought back, presumably from a supply locker close by. Still not up to speed, Bubba can't quite make out exactly what the various items are. But whatever they are, he feels better knowing the team is prepared. Ensign Lowell seems to be resting well, after Seth and Nigel finished caring for her wounds. Without their skill and expertise, the outcome would have been drastically different. A loud noise pulls Bubba's attention to the window between the platform and the Med Bay...*

(To himself) What the...what are they doing out there...?

*Through the window, Bubba can see the infected crew shuffling about in the other room. Moving in a trance-like but purposeful manner, they appear to be gathering together pieces of equipment that had been torn loose during the preceding battle. At various intervals, the crew stops and turns, as if listening to someone...or something. After a few moments, they return to their peculiar task. A small pile begins to grow in the center of the platform, surrounded by the odd creatures. In what can only be described as deeply disturbing, the creatures somehow seem to be communicating with each other, and start connecting the pieces together in a bizarre jigsaw puzzle. Using their weird appendages, they are able to fasten various components, slowly constructing some kind of unknown apparatus. A cold shiver runs up and down Bubba's spine as a large knot begins to form in his stomach...*

Robie, I don't think they're building an ice cream machine out there. Whatever it is, it doesn't look good to me. Greg, I've got a very bad feeling about this...

*In the outer chamber, the infected crew members gather more and more components, and the sinister looking machine continues to grow. In the next room, Lt. Boma and the others look on with horrified fascination, watching the creatures weave together their unknown construction. The menacing device rapidly increases, both in size and threat as each piece of the ominous puzzle is added. *

Well, I don't know about you guys, but I need a drink. Maybe we can figure out what's going on out there after a few bottles to settle our nerves. Greg...Robie...you fellas know where they keep the good stuff around here...?

(Concerned, about what is grabbing the attention of the SST at the hatch, Nigel walks to the hatch as he quickly shuts down Bubba's need for a drink)

Water only Bubba, we need clear and focused minds for now. I did feel a vibration of some kind. Something's not right.

(looking out the hatch window with the other SST)

What the HELL is going on out there?

*Begrudgingly following Nigel's veto of any liquid fortitude, Bubba mumbles something inappropriate under his breath while searching a nearby cupboard...*

Ratsa...Fratsa...Grumble...Grumble...Hey! Look at this...

*Finding a box of protein bars, he stuffs a few in his pocket and offers one to Seth...*

Here you go, Seth. This should give you a little boost. I'm not sure what flavor you've got...mine says "Cosmic Cookie Crunch". "Cookie Crunch"? Hmmm...that reminds me of...

*Before he can finish his thought, a troubling sound from the other room pulls Bubba to the window along side Nigel and Ensign Dillon. Looking into the outer chamber, he notices the strange device has grown much larger, and is now emitting a low hum while a panel of lights can be seen cycling through an unfamiliar pattern...*

Oh crap...this can't be good...