Gaining Access

The crew of the Hellcat had managed to gain access to the vessel known as Star One and landed in the hanger of the vessel. Rahel and Logan were beginning to feel that Freelancer knew a lot more about the vessel they now found themselves on that she was letting on. Passing through the airlock, Freelancer headed down the short corridor away from the hanger deck and disappeared around a corner. Seconds later, she re-emerged and beckoned the others into what appeared to be some kind of control room.

“Rashad, I need you to access the central database.” Azri requested.

Rashad stepped forward and started to work on the console in front of her. At first she appeared to be making progress in gaining access, but as time went on, the frustration started to show.

“This is a very tough security system.” Rashad commented. “Whatever I attempt to do, it appears to have anticipated my next move.”

“Then maybe it’s time we started thinking outside the box.” Logan suggested. “Rashad, try and access one on the low-level systems, I’ll use the other console and see if we can’t get access that way.”

“Divide and conquer.” Rahel commented.

“Exactly.” Logan replied.

Both Starfleet officers started to work at their respective consoles, attempting to hack system after system. Finally their assault on the vessel’s computer systems bore fruit.

“It appears to be working…” Rashad commented. “….I’m in.”

The console suddenly changed its configuration, displaying schematics of the vessel.

“We need to find the research labs.” Freelancer stated. “It should be on deck six, but Section 31 is constantly upgrading the vessel.”

“Found it.” Logan said.” Deck Six, section twelve.”

“Right, Rashad will come with me.” Freelancer stated. “We’ll search the research labs for the cure. I need you to head for the medical centre and wait for us to arrive.”

“Medical centre is on deck five, section three.” Logan stated. “That’s more or less one deck down from the labs and two decks from here.”

“See if you can locate the central processing core.” Freelancer requested. “If we have enough time, I’d like to take a look at just what Section 31 installed four years ago.”

“The core is in the very centre of the vessel.” Logan stated. “From these schematics, it’s heavily shielded and protected. But it’s very close to the medical centre, three decks down.”

“Will we come up against any obstructions or internal defences ?” Rahel enquired.

“From what I’ve gathered no.” Freelancer stated. “So long as we don’t activate any of the high-level security protocols, the defensive systems will remain inert. Gaining access to other areas of the ship shouldn’t trigger those protocols.”

“Shouldn’t …” Logan exclaimed.

“As I said, Section 31 is always upgrading the system and I can’t be one hundred percent sure.” Freelancer stated. “We’ll have to be alert, but hopefully we’ll complete the mission.”

“Time we got moving”. Rashad commented. “From these readings, I’d say we’ve got about forty minutes before the vessel completes its download and returns to sub-space. If we’re not off the ship by then, we’ll not be able to leave for another twenty-four hours.”

“We’ll see you at the medical centre in thirty minutes.” Rahel stated. “Logan, let’s go.”

Rahel literally pulled Logan off down the corridor, whilst Rashad and Azri headed in the opposite direction. At the end of the corridor, they reached an airlock.

“Can you open it without triggering the security systems ?” Rahel asked.

“I should.” Logan relied, opening an access panel.

Seconds later, there was a hiss as the door opened and a dull green light emerged into the corridor beyond. Rahel pulled out a tricorder and started to scan beyond the door.

“The air’s breathable.” She commented. “Oxygen, Sixteen percent, Methane two percent, CO2 levels three percent, the rest is nitrogen and inert gases. The temperature is a little high, thirty-nine point one Celsius, humidity 92.5 percent and atmospheric pressure is two kilopascals above normal. It’s a little warm, but it’s safe to proceed.”

It took the two officers about five minutes to pass through the vessel and reach the medical centre. The entire ship appeared to be lit with the same eerie green light and the general atmosphere onboard gave both of them a feeling of being under threat.

As soon as they entered to medical centre, Rahel started to check the room.

“For a vessel with no crew, their medical centre is fully equipped.” Rahel commented. “In fact some of this diagnostic equipment is state of the art, what I could achieve with equipment like this.”

Logan was only half listening; he had taken a seat at the main console and was accessing files.

“Rahel come and take a look at this.” Logan beckoned the Doctor over. “I think I’ve found Rashad’s medical file…….”