Divided

[Reha Khev]

She knew her com link to the Khrein was not functioning with any amount of clarity. And if she was correct in the amount of information the Khrein was receiving she would be less then pleased. Mentally a string of curses went though her mind, t'Vlack was more then difficult at times like this.

And since it was her com link that was not supplying the Intel, she would hear it the most. She began to pay closer attention to everyones words and actions. Just to be on the safe side should the Khrien ask her questions.

The time for simple passive observance was over.

[***Dhivael Action***]

Quol records /enters all the information he can based on observation and speculation and returns the chip to t'Stellam who then transports it back to Dhivael.

[Lyretha t'Stellam]

She had deliberately stayed to the back of the room in a attempt not to draw too much attention to herself. Even if the comms were working perfectly, little useful information could be gleaned from the casual conversation and she wanted to appear disinterested, letting the engineer poke and prod about to his heart's content. Once he had completed a preliminary examination, he returned to her as if to make a report and handed over the chip.

Holding up the tricorder she began scanning, first around the door and then back into the corridor a few feet back. This was of course only a cover for her real intentions. With a quick backward glance she set down the chip along a emergency transporter device, already programmed to return to the ship. She activated it and prayed to the Elements that the energy would not interfere with or scramble the transport or the information on the chip.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

An alarm went off on the oira as the unauthorized transport materialized. Liordra held up a hand and canceled the alert as she recognized the chip that had appeared on the deck. There had been little information coming in on the comm the past hour. She had assumed it was because they were moving closer to the source of the disturbance. She picked up the chip and without any explanation, went directly to her ready room.

[Arrain Quol]

Quol recorded his findings on the chip. From what he could observe in the few minutes he made them the engine was unlike any he had ever seen, or even envisioned before. He writes the following in the brief report he gives back to the Security Chief.

The energy output was massive, and the first noticeable thing. Everyone, including myself, up to this point has been seeing the interference as just an annoyance, but in the end that was the real clue to setting my mind going. The interference doesn't just disrupt the ssaith's readings but seems to distort them. Ssaith and Tricorders are very sturdy sensor instruments, it takes a lot to make this kind of distortion so I ruled out the usual suspects, which left me only with temporal and para-dimensional fields. The real clue came when I took a look at the panels that the Aryes Engineer had opened. This engine was meant to distort dimensional space, but only slightly. The obviously phasic-related death of a Borg we found confirmed this for me. The ship could phase out of alignment with real space, but more than any sort of molecular phase inverter could do. This engine is actually meant to take the ship out of the dimensional string which our universe could exist in. In short it could travel in at least 5 Dimensions, but only for a small period of time. However, according to Sting Theory and Quantum Theorists that is all anything would need to move an object to almost any point within the universe. I believe we are dealing with what I can only dub a Phasic Engine. It is sort of like how, if you break orbit from a planet you can travel to any point on that planet in mere minutes. If you phase out of alignment enough with the Universes' space time harmonics you are no longer bound by the same laws and can move almost instantly to any point along our Universal grid. Basically this engine has the ability to move a ship from any point in the Universe to any other point in a matter of seconds.

[Captain Shran]

The Versatile Specialist currently at the tactical position was the first to notice the transport signal. "Sir, I'm detecting something on senors. Its a transporter beam from the surface directed at the Romulan ship," he said to the back of the Andorian captain.

Shran turned around to face the officer. "You are sure, Ensign?"

"I am very sure. The computer does not lie."

Shran returned his focus to the view screen, his antennae pulled back into a gesture of thought. "Hail the Romulans. I want to speak to their commander," he said finally.

"As you wish, sir," came the response as he opened up the channel to the other ship. "I'm on it now."

The Andorian sat looking at the viewscreen for nearly two minutes, waiting.

"The channel is open, sir," said the Ensign.

"Thank you, Ensign. Patience though, is a virtue... With Romulans it is a necessity." knowing the truth in his own words he sat and waited till finally the screen sprung to life with the visage of the Romulan Commander.

To what do I owe the pleasure, Captain? Her face is still and expressionless. Shran noticed a look of almost rushed annoyance, but even that was hard to discern. His Romulan counter-part was unreadable at least to him. He hoped his counselor would have a more astute take on the situation. Silently he was thankful that Commander Hannover still sat beside him.

"Always a pleasure, Commander." He nodded once as was his people's way. "My ship has detected a transport of particular intensity which you have received from the crashed vessel. Might I ask what it was which you took aboard?"

Nothing more than an information chip, Captain. My Security Chief noted that the comms were not functioning and sent her report verbally. The casual sweetness of her voice was both evident yet clearly orchestrated. Like a wall it concealed behind it an unknown meaning.

"Only an information chip... of little importance..." replied Shran just as casually. "We too have heard nothing from our team on the surface, and would be curious to know what is going on. Perhaps you could transmit the findings on that chip to us... In the name of equality, of course."

Of course Captain. Once I've had the opportunity to review it myself. I do need to insure there is no... personal information included.

"We dance round in a ring and suppose. While the secret sits in the middle and knows..." He imitates a human smile for the benefit of the other CO. "For some reason I thought of Robert Frost, but back to the matter at hand." His smile departs his lips. "Of course, Commander. I would not want the privacy of your crew to be forfeit. I will expect your transmission in a timely manner then?"

"I hope we can trust him, sir. I sense no good, myself," Shran hears his VS officer hiss to the back of his head. His antennae move slightly, but he holds. The Romulan is a woman, he hears the counselor snap back in a whisper.

The Romulan Commander continues on, perhaps never hearing the conversation... as Shran hopes.You have my word, Captain, and I assume we can expect a similar courtesy when your team reports in?

"As always you have our loyalty to follow our agreement. I keep my word... I hope you are as honorable."

Loyalty is a double-edged sword, Captain. You will have no reason however, to doubt my honor.

"That is good to remember, Commander," replies the Andorian. "It is also good to remember that Romulan secrets these days are like Romulan Cloaking devices. They are getting easier and easier to see through. Don't underestimate me." He gives the signal and the Ensign cuts the transmission. The view screen winks back to the tranquil picture of space, replacing the Romulan visage.

She is tough to read by her voice says the counselor after the transmission is ended.

"I had no hopes of shaking her... she is a worthy Commander, but was she telling the truth, you think?"

I believe her to be telling the truth. Romulan Commanders are notoriously hard to shake. However, she gave her word and her word is honor. She will not betray her honor.

"Keep working on it, Commander..." he said before turning back to the officer positioned at the tactical station. "And ensign, I know you are new to my bridge, but I considerate it not only rude, but very unbecoming to have my senior officers speaking out of turn in front of those I am negotiating with... please keep that in mind."

"I'm sorry, sir. It will not happen again."

His antennae softened a bit as they relaxed. "See that it doesn't... But also remember Ensign, that when the viewscreen is not active I always welcome any comments or suggestions you might have to a situation."

She gave her word she would send the data, but she said nothing of all the data. Romulans are sticklers for words, said the Counselor almost suddenly and very much to herself.

"I'm well aware of that omission, but getting bogged down in the semantics of her statement would only leave me looking like a fool. It is an obvious verbal trap." And Shran planned to fall into as little of the traps he could in the coming hours, but for now... only time would tell.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

As the chip was activated, it was not the Daise Dheno's report as expected, but the Daise Paectum's, she saw. As she listened to him explain his theory, the feeling of warning came to her again. If he was correct..if he was correct then much more than intelligence was at stake. The Borg had created these engines but for some reason had abandoned them. Assuming they had malfunctioned, perhaps even killed the entire crew complement, the Borg would not have carelessly discarded such technology so that anyone finding it would have access to it. While both the Empire and Starfleet were engaged in a war over who would have the rights to the information, it was possible that the Borg too might have been notified of their ship's return and be on their way here to reclaim it. And if the Borg found them here, helping themselves to their equipment?
She commed the oira.

"Tactical, Helm, I want you both to pay particular attention to the long range scans. If you read anything out of the ordinary, I want to be informed immediately. Be prepared to bring weapons and shields online and be ready with evasives."

[Arrain Terrh Sahen]

He had been watching the Federation ship on the viewscreen, his fingershovered over his control board at the first sign of deception from the other ship

He just about jumped out of his seat when the Riov's voice came over his communications line "Tactical, Helm, I want you both to pay particular attention to the long range scans. If you read anything out of the ordinary, I want to be informed immediately. Be prepared to bring weapons and shields online and be ready with evasives."

He turned to look at Veralen, whom he was sure recieved the same transmission, to gauge her reaction. Then he turned back to answer the Riov "Ie, Leih. Evasives are on stand by and are ready to use in a moment's notice. I shall monitor the sensors for anything suspicious and report" Besides the Federation ship, he thought to himself

[Veralen Sahen]

"le lieh, I have both weapons and shields at ready." One word she thought and both would be on instantly. She already more then uncomfortable with this situation. Especially with the attitude displayed by the Andorian.

"Leih long range scans are already monitoring but I will notify you instantly should it I hear anything."

If this Andorian was any indication of what they were like it was the Federation that deserved the reputation of extreme suspicion. And she was sure he would turn faster then a heartbeat on them, and was only waiting for the slightest sound to do so. And at this point nothing would bring her greater pleasure then to take out this, this Andorian.

She saw how Terrh looked at her to guage her reaction but there was nothing visual to be seen.

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

From: Riov Liordra t'Takar. Leih, RSE Dhivael

To: Captain Shran, Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Aryes

Re: Information received

Captain Shran,

I have no reason to attempt to deceive you in misrepresenting the contents of the information chip received from our away team, as it can and I am certain will be, verified by your own personnel.
My Chief Engineer believes this to be a phasic drive, capable of travel within at least five dimensions and by an extension of existing theory, from there to any point within our own universe, including those others which are accessible through hyperstring connectivity.
There is enormous potential in this and as is becoming clearer, great danger as well.
For the remainder of our time here, I recommend we put aside our mutual suspicions and work together to recover what we can. Consider too, if both the Romulan Empire and Starfleet are aware of this, that others may be as well, including the Borg themselves.

Riov Liordra t'Takar

[Captain Shran]

Shran entered into his office after the Lieutenant posting at the Ops station made him aware of the message coming from the Romulan Warbird. It was marked to him, and as far as he could tell this was the information he had been waiting for. He was weary when he opened, not knowing what expect...

...After reading the Commander's message, he sat behind his desk to ponder what he had learned. The Commander was surprising candid with something could have been very valuable to have kept hidden. After revealing the existence of a... phasic drive... Shran doubted what could she have left out? It reminded him of an old Andorian saying. You don't hide the knife after revealing the sword.

This news was disturbing... Romulans no longer seemed like his biggest fear...

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

{Reposted and Continued From Sim}

Only several minutes had passed since she had sent the information to the Federation Captain and already the Andorian was hailing her in return.

"A pleasure to see you again Captain. I assume then you have read my communique?"

"Yes, Commander, and I will admit I am disturbed by this. There are many implications found in so little words. I was hoping to speak candidly on the matter. What are your thoughts, as you would choose to share them on this?" His antennae were stiff and unmoving, but his eyes and tone seemed gentler.

"There is good reason to be disturbed , Captain. What questions do you have for me and have you heard from your own team yet?"
What were her thoughts. he'd asked. At the moment they were far beyond here. How could they extract unstable equipment or collect data without the use of their recorders? How would she be able to justify the lack of information to her superiors who would see this as failure? She had hoped that Shran's team, which included the Subcommander, would have made some discoveries of their own to aid them.


"No. the interference makes comm traffic all but impossible, and no comm signal no transport lock. It is a problem I hope to correct... For now I think candor is our best ally. What are your intentions for this engine? I do not believe that you have not thought of its possible uses?"

"My intention was the same as your own, when we arrived, however, since discovering the nature of these engines, my intentions I think are no longer valid. If, as we suspect, the Borg created these experimental drives and then abandoned them due to some malfunction, it is extremely dangerous for us to be here. The interference we are experiencing may already be exposing us to the same hazards that caused the Borg to leave." The interference meant there was also no way to detect bio signs and determine with any certainly if their personnel were even still alive.

"What do you then suggest we do? He'd asked. " I very much doubt either of us will leave here while the other remains. and we cannot just abandon this ship here. The Borg are the last species I want having this sort of technology." He left an unspoken meaning in that last sentence... even more than Romulans, perhaps he hesitated to add.

"This is a very delicate situation Captain. We have our orders to follow but we also have the safety of our crews to consider." She withheld a frown. Too many questions. Too few answers, she thought. With no way currently to retrieve their teams, what if the Borg returned? Would it be necessary to destroy the sphere and their own personnel, rather than allow the Borg to recover it?

"True..." his hesitation was brief but noticable, "and under that... I ask, have you devised out a way to get our away teams back? The more and more I hear about that ship below the more and more I think we need our people back safe up here. I guess that I was hoping you had a way of reaching them. I mean you did receive that information chip. So they can beam out, but we can't lock on them. My team doesn't use self returning transportation devices. I suppose I am asking for some help on this matter." His antennae shifted only slightly.

"We need to find a way to shield them from the interference. Move them away from the ship if necessary." It seemed to her that the interference had worsened since their arrival. It had been simple enough to transport the teams in, now, they were unable to get even a simple comm through. "I have theorized that the more power needed, the more the energy will interfere with it's operation. Transporting the chip took very little energy, while transporting a crewmember requires much more. If they can locate an area where the interference is partially shielded , as when they were first transported in, they should be able to return."

His antennae shudder a little. "I would prefer a way to get them out myself, or is that what we should call Romulan efficiency. I mean you have your information, after all."

"I trust my crew as you should trust your's, Captain." Her response was suddenly cold. Federation crews put themselves first and the mission second. Romulan crews understood that personal sacrifice was expected. They did not fear or shrink away from situations that put them at great risk.

"I trust my crew as they trust me. I have no doubt they are working on the problem, but they should have no doubt that we are as well, because we won't leave them behind." His voice was still but the gentler tone was no longer there, and his eyes had grown cold again.

We will if there is necessity, she thought. "Our sensors should be able to locate the areas with less interference. If our teams also have been able to locate these as well, it will be our best chance to extract them."

{To Be Continued}

[Captain Shran]

Shran sat back a little in his seat. "From where I stand, we can't make any assumptions what our teams can and cannot detect. If we can signal out teams or get some message to them we could direct them to these areas... but i fear our window is closing. The energy seems to be building, and these few areas of opportunity are shrinking."

[LtCmdr Dr. Cindy Lee McKenzie]

..- ... ... .- .-. -.-- ... -.-. .- -. -.-- --- ..- .-. . .- -.. -- . They hear Morse code as it repeats "USS Can you read me" she changes the communications over "I can reply to them"


She then sends a reply .-- . -.-. .- -. .-. . .- -.. -.-- --- ..- ... - .- - ..- ... .-. . .--. .-. - ... - --- .--. she says the message as she sends it "We can read you status report stop and waits for a reply

[Riov Liordra t'Takar]

"I agree that the energy seems to be building, Captain." An overload perhaps. Some minor damage to the engines that had caused a small breach. She had balled her hands into fists without noticing. The Andorian's only concern seemed to be retrieval of the teams. From her perspective, what was in danger of being lost was the mission. Despite all the cautions and the compromises they had made they knew almost nothing about the ship. Now, as the Captain had stated, that window of opportunity was rapidly closing and what would they have to show for their efforts?

She refocused her attention on the Andorian. Something stood out in her memory. Something the former Riov had said.
If there was too much interference to break through, try sending and receiving on a lower range. The longer waves would not meet with the same resistance.

"I am going to attempt to use a low energy waveband to break through the communications block. The universal translator should be able to convert the radio waves into speech."