Solving The Problem

Lieutenant Commander Barker, Marine 1st Lieutenant Jack Truman and Lieutenant Commander Lucas Taline were all in the main deflector control room, trying to recalibrate the main deflector to pick up the faint carrier signal that was used by the captured hologram ASHER. If they could get a strong enough signal, then they would be able to track the mirror vessel and hopefully destroy it before it managed to return to its own universe.

The three officers were however having trouble setting the deflector controls to pick up the high-band sub-space frequency and had decided to incorporate a 'booster' system into the sensor matrix. The idea was to try and boost the signals coming in from the deflector array to make detection easier. So far they'd blown up two booster units and an EPS conduit.

"What we need to is some kind of filter to go between the deflector array and the booster." Chu suggested as a second EPS conduit fused. "If we can filter out all the lower-band signals and concentrate on just a narrow spectrum of the high-band, then we shouldn't blow up anything else."

"Can it be done ?" Taline enquired. "We don't have anything that could filter out that kind of noise."

"There's a device we discovered whilst examining the Proletarian escape pod that might just do the job." Chu replied. "It might need a few modifications to work with our systems, but I think it will work."

"What does this device do ?" Taline asked.

"I think it was designed to block telepathic ability, by filtering out certain brainwave emissions." Chu suggested. "But the device should be able to be converted to filter out subspace signals just as effectively."

Just then Taline's comm badge beeped, signalling that someone was attempting to communicate with him. He tapped his comm badge in response and heard the voice of the Captain.

[Captain Taybar to Commander Taline. Please report to Cargo Bay three immediately.] The Captain requested.

"On my way." The Chief Engineer replied. "I guess its upto you two to get this filter working."

"We'll get down to the maintenance bay and start work on the device." Chu replied.

With that Taline left the control room and headed for Cargo bay Three.

Cargo Bay Three

When he arrived at the cargo bay, he found the Captain, Commander T'Kul, Ambassador Maul and a number of other officers, plus a male Nuan.

"Captain Maul. I'd like you to meet our chief engineer." Aki stated. "Lieutenant Commander Taline, this is Captain Miko Maul of the Nuan secret service. He's very kindly brought us a little gift."

Taline looked at the Trill Captain, then noticed the five crates, all now open.

"Torpedoes !" Taline exclaimed.

"Barien 'Leeches'." Rashad stated. "In full working order from what the Captain tells me."

"We have one problem." Aki remarked. "How to launch them ?. We were thinking we could use the probe launcher, but I thought I'd get your opinion first."

Taline was very quiet for about a minute as he thought to himself and examined the five torpedoes. Finally he stood up and gave a deep sigh.

"It might be hard, but I think we can do it." He started. "But we'll need to hand-load each torpedo into the probe launch tubes, I don't think they'll fit the autoloader. Which is going to slow down how quickly we can fire them."

"Any other problems you can foresee ?" Aki asked.

"Just one." Taline replied. "How are we going to control them once they're launched. I'd need to look at the control systems before I'd attempt to launch one of these, we could end up blowing ourselves up."

"We anticipated that." Captain Maul announced. "I've got a set of schematics for the torpedo control systems here."

He passed Lucas a device very similar to a Federation Padd, but slightly smaller. Taline examined the Padd for a few seconds, then looked at the Captain.

"This is going to take some time." He announced. "For a start its all in Barien, we'd need to convert it to Federation and then I'd need to examine these inch by inch."

"How long ?" Aki asked.

"Two maybe three days." Taline replied. "We should have the deflector working by then, if we can get the new signal filter Commander Barker has started to work on."

"As fast as you can Mister Taline." Aki replied. "I'd like to get this nightmare over and done with as soon as possible."

"Yes Captain." Lucas stated. "I'll get right on it."

The Chief Engineer left the cargo bay and headed back to his office in Engineering.

"Captain Maul." Aki said. "You and your crew are welcome to remain onboard until we get things sorted."

"I'm sorry Captain, but I doubt we can stay more than a few more hours." Miko suggested. "We need to get back to Nuan space as soon as possible. We have so few warp capable vessels at the moment, that we need everyone."

"Then I guess we should start to arrange for the Nuan we have onboard to be transferred to your vessel." Aki suggested. "Although I think there are some on the ship who will miss their presence."

"That would be of a great help." Miko thanked Aki. "Our people are eager the hear about the Nuan's that have been working with you and the Federation."

"Then I will leave you in the hands of my first officer how will make all the arrangements." Aki stated, heading out of the cargo bay. "I'll be on the Bridge if you need me."

Aki left the room, shortly followed by the Starfleet crew and the Nuan's who had helped transfer the torpedoes. Commander T'Kul also bid her farewells and left the room, leaving only Captain Maul and the Nuan Ambassador.

"It will be good to have you back home." Miko announced.

Opinger was quiet for a moment.

"Is there something wrong ?" Her brother enquired. "You're not thinking of staying with these people ?"

"The thought had crossed my mind, brother." Opinger replied. "I have made a home here and I like these people. They are generous of heart and have the courage of a Nuan Spiked Tiger. I feel that I still have a task to perform, that the prophets are still guiding me to go beyond my world."

"Our father would be saddened by the news of your continued absence from his side." Miko stated. "But I am sure he will understand."

"Would you have time for a meal ?" Opinger asked. "I'd like you to see more of this ship and its crew. Maybe you will see why I believe my place is now here on this ship."

"I would like to see and learn more." Miko suggested. "And I could probably do with a good meal."

The two Nuans left the cargo bay and headed for the mess hall.