Post 305: We're Outta Here

Stardate: 70715.1530
Title: We're Outta Here
Author: RJ Gilmore
Scene: Conference Room/Bridge
Time: Following "Xhian, We Have a Problem" and before "Rabbit Hole"
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Captain Gilmore gathered up his holodeck schematics and headed back to the bridge. It was no use, they were on the wrong track.

No matter how they tried to go around the damage that was popping up with the controls to the holodecks, another problem would immediately halt their progress and leave them back at square one.

Commander Zanh had come to drop off a hand-held communications device to him in the conference room earlier. As she did so, she informed him that a malicious Bajoran virus was tearing through the ship's computer. Transporters were offline. Options were running out quickly. She promised to keep him advised.

As exhausted as he was by this point, he couldn't give in to his body's desire for rest. He had to be on the bridge of his ship.

"Status." Gilmore demanded as he slowly walked to the command chair.

"We're about to cut our crew out of the holodeck." Zanh informed him, halfway between the science station and the turbolift. "As soon as we get Salvek and Lair out, we should be able to get a handle on this virus situation."

"I hope so. In the meantime though, we need a solid plan B," Gilmore knew that there was a good chance that not everyone would come out of the holodeck alive.

"Even if we can reestablish communications with Bajor after the recent problems there they are in no condition to render assistance with our repairs, which will be substantial." Zanh concluded.

"We should break orbit." Gilmore agreed. "Set course for Trill. They're in a much better position to help," he released a long, slow sigh. "If we can make it there."

Zanh nodded solemnly. A thought occurred to the Captain.

"Do we have the ability to separate the saucer from the star drive?"

"No! Um bad idea there, Long John Silver." Reece interrupted. "I would consider it absolutely suicidal to try that maneuver at this point, with no telling where that virus is going to set up shop next." He seemed to like the idea of heading toward his home planet a lot better.

"There's no place like home!" he continued, "I'm sure my people will be happy to roll out the red carpet for you. You want I should click my heels together three times and chant? Couldn't hurt. Might help."

"No thank you, Mr. Reece, that won't be necessary." Gilmore restrained his first reaction, knowing that they had been lucky that this man, as irritating as he was, happened to be on the ship. "Helm," he commanded Ensign Ellison, "set a course for Trill, as fast as we can get there."

His thoughts turned again to those still trapped on the holodeck and he waved Zanh and Reece on their way.

"Go get them."

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RJ Gilmore
Commanding Officer
USS Independence