Post 309: The Spider and the Hornet's Nest

Stardate:7018.0555
Title: The Spider and The Hornet's Nest
Author:Ensign Xhian
Scene: Jeffries' tube Deck 12/ Deck 15 (Main Computer Core)
Time: Just after Old Fashioned Holodeck Cuttin' Part Two

After Salvek came up with a plan to isolate the virus and trap it within the ship's computer core, Zanh ordered Xhian and Kellyn to go with him and offer any help they could give.As the three were on their way to the core, Kellyn asked, "Why are we going to the computer core?"

Xhian looked at her, not saying a word as Salvek explained his plan to the both of them. After he had done so, Kellyn grabbed Xhian's arm and whispered to him.

"We have to keep watch over Salvek, it could be he's finally gone over the deep end."

Xhain spoke to Kellyn in a calm, yet puzzled demeanor. "It seems, for someone who ought to know her superior officer and mate well enough to trust him after ten years, you sure are doubting a lot."

"It's because I know my Chief Engineer and mate of ten years so well that I currently doubt a lot." Lair Kellyn explained, frowning. She knew better than anyone that other forces were at work in Salvek at the moment which could be clouding his judgment. Still, after all they had been through together she knew that even at half his normal level of focus, Salvek was still the best engineer in Starfleet.

Xhian explained to Kellyn his thoughts on the Commander's idea and reassured her that he concurred; it was an exceptional plan.As the three entered the area of the ship's computer core, Xhian contacted Stratton in Main Engineering using the hand held transceiver and asked him to keep track of the virus's progress as the trio began setting up the false relays to the computer core.

"Good Idea, Ensign," Salvek said. "We will need all the eyes we can get at this point to follow the path of virus."They continued creating the false relays to the core and prepared to isolate the virus. Kellyn watched Salvek closely as he worked, worried about his condition.

The plan was going well, the more false command system signals they created and transmitted to the rest of the computer, the more concentrated the virus became in those areas.

"It's taking the bait!" Kellyn exclaimed.The virus went through every relay as planned, following their false signals like a trail of bread crumbs. A few minor problems occurred along the way, but Xhian and Salvek were able to adjust the appropriate settings to correct them as they appeared.

"Captain Zanh," Salvek hailed the Acting CO with Xhian's transceiver. "The plan is working.""Okay, before it figures out our system, let's isolate it." Kellyn added. They rushed to complete their tasks, each with their duties to perform.

After careful design and execution of the trap, the virus finally concentrated on the false command pathways entirely, vacating the rest of the computer system to focus its destructive power as it was designed to. Only, since the command systems here were redundant facades of the real thing, it did not cause any further damage to the ship.

The crew on the bridge were able to begin restoring power to most of the decks that had lost it. Next they started assessing how bad the damage was in order to begin repairs immediately while en route to Trill at maximum warp.

"Captain Zanh, the virus has been isolated." Xhian was pleased to report.

"We still need to be rid of it though," Kellyn warned.

"I know!" Salvek snapped, but then he drew a deep breath and appeared to regain his composure. "I am working it." he continued, in a soft but foreboding tone of voice.

Ensign Xhian
Engineering Officer
USS Independence