Columbia Mission 05: "Escape from the Pussycat Lounge"

From Federation Space - Official Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Star Base Bravo suffers a devastating terrorist attack while the Columbia crew enjoys a medals and promotion party at the Pussycat Lounge, a popular strip club and casino. Finding themselves cut off from the rest of the base, they must search for a safe exit and organize the evacuation of wounded and civilians before time runs out and the loss of power causes atmospheric venting from the damaged section.

Captain's Logs

Capt Adaran 225

Stardate 21302.22

Though not technically a Columbia operation, the events of the past few days involved most of its crew and should be entered as part of the ship's official record.

The terrorist attack on Star Base Bravo nearly cost us our lives. Thankfully, though, due to the crew's quick actions, no one was lost. The attack happened during the usual awards and promotion ceremony held after each mission, which on this occasion was hosted at a private establishment in the outer section of the base, the Pussycat Lounge, an entertainment venue often frequented by Star Fleet officers. The crew was gathered in the conference facilities when the bombing occurred. Luckily, that section of the base escaped major damage. Only a short walk away, though, the adjoining section was completely destroyed, leaving only an unreliable forcefield to stand between us and the vacuum of space. Communications were also impossible due to interference.

Left with only battery power, which I knew would run out in less than two hours, I sent several uninjured members of my crew to search for a way to safety. Others tended to the wounded. West, Vos and Cavalera were the most seriously injured, with several employees of the club also needing medical attention. Panic threatened to break out at one point as the civilians tried to enter the outside corridor before we had secured the area, but it was soon averted.

Macleod, Dendra and Giraath scouted the corridor and adjacent businesses, locating a Ferengi looter who had used the ventilation ducts to access our section of the base from an adjoining safe area. He was recruited to lead us out. Dendra also reporting that a large chunk of debris would soon collide with us. This decreased our time to find safety, and I hurried everyone along to evacuate as quickly as possible, following the Ferengi's lead through the ducts.

The Ferengi apparently had a partner, though, who abandoned him when he learned we were Star Fleet, leaving us temporarily stranded and unable to bring down a small forcefield in the duct system that separated the two sections. Our newest engineer, Gray, who'd only just reported that day, managed to get the field down for us, and the evacuation proceeded without further incident. That is, until Giraath and I, the last to enter the ducts, reached the section break. The debris collided with the unsafe section before we reached safety, and the larger forcefield failed, causing decompression. Air rushed through the duct at hurricane strength, almost trapping Giraath and I. Giraath's bulk, however, worked to our advantage, and he was able to push both of us forward past the section break and activate the duct's forcefield from the other side, stopping decompression.

Finally making it out of the duct system, I learned that our injured had been taken up to an Auxiliary Sickbay for treatment. A small team of Star Fleet officers was also ahead of us working to open up other sections coreward to connect to the rest of the base. I ordered those of us on the Columbia crew who weren't injured to help, and from that point we joined in the broader rescue effort. I eventually lost track of most of the crew as we branched out where we were needed.

Personal Log, Addendum

Once communications were restored and I was able to connect with Star Fleet offices on the base, I was ordered by SOCOM to help with the analysis of intel information related to the bombing. I was also able to learn that Sabina hadn't been injured. I'd figured she was safe, as she'd been working late that night in the fleet office, and it's well protected. And when I finally was able to make it home, I found that it had suffered only minimal damage, with just a few things having fallen off shelves. The news that the Tal'Shiar has closed the border though is unsettling, especially in light of what we've learned in the last few weeks. I fear we're headed towards a larger conflict, and the Uihvueri will become more dangerous than they have been in the past.

Crew Logs

First Officer

LCdr Xan Macleod

Stardate 21302.18

I didn't expect to be writing another log quite so soon. We were all set for a relaxing shoreleave, the only thing left to get through before a sorely needed rest was the Columbia's post mission award ceremony which, since Adaran chose to hold it at a certain well frequented nightclub, promised to be a good start to our break.

I guess I should have known, given our luck lately, but I don't think anyone could have guessed the sudden devastation that occurred part way through the evening. We know now that Bravo was attacked but when it happened it was like an earthquake followed by the systems going off for a few minutes. Between losing gravity and regaining it, we all got a bit battered about, some more than others of course.

While our medical team did what they could for the injured, Adaran ordered teams to investigate our situation. I and a couple of others attempted check the situation in the corridor and but were hampered by some of the bar staff who were close to panic and determined to just run out there. With the help of Adaran, Giraath and several members of Bravo Squad we finally managed to get things under control (give or take the odd heckler,) and get out to take stock. Unfortunately Kemarrin was injured in the process but Giraath took his place.

Incidentally, with Dendra being officially re-assigned we made Giraath CTO... I'm still not sure whether he's happy about it, but I know he'll do the job well, and that's what counts.

Outside the Pussy Cat Club it became frighteningly clear that what had occurred wasn't a simple malfunction, though I think most of us had guessed that anyway. There was literally a chunk of the station missing. We could see the open sections on the other side of the gaping hole and the debris that floated in between. What was worse, was that the only thing standing between us and the vacuum was a forcefield that was nearly on its last legs.

I sent Dendra back to report to the Captain while the rest of us started checking out the shops for other survivors. We'd already caught a glimpse of a Ferengi crawling through the vents so when we heard a noise in the local pawn shop we went to investigate and sure enough we ran into him. He seemed to have both a good knowledge of the ducts and the means to travel through them – a technically adept friend in fact – so we recruited his assistance to lead us to the other side of the sealed bulkhead and relative safety, since the air vents seemed just about the only escape route.

In the meantime, a large piece of debris was floating towards us and we estimated that we had about ten minutes left before it impacted so while I, Dendra and our new friend started working on our exit, the others began loading the wounded into the vents… to be honest I was a bit worried about the combined weight, most especially with our Gorn, but while the system groaned a little, it held, and I realised after that Giraath was left until last, no doubt he argued with Adaran for the privilege, I’m just glad they both made it.

There was a security crew on the other side of the bulkhead attempting to make their way into the inner core of the station. Lieutenant Parker offered her assistance but by then there was nothing she could do but help our wounded to the auxiliary sickbay.

The final impact and loss of air occurred as the last few people were climbing down from the vents. We had engineers on standby, Bailey and someone who I’ve only just learned was at the party because he is to join our crew, Skyler Gray… I didn’t know who he was then but he didn’t balk at being ordered to go back and seal the vent, though very fortunately it wasn’t needed as Giraath managed to seal it behind himself and the Captain.

After that we helped out in the relief efforts, wherever we were needed, until things stabilised. I went from one thing to another so that I hardly know how much I did… we worked our way to the auxiliary engine room and then on to help rescue people trapped in other sections.

There was a huge death toll and I gather the Romulans were behind it, though rumours are rife. What with this and the shadow of a betrayal on the last mission, I think things are going to be tense on the Columbia for a while.

On a personal note, it wasn’t until things calmed down that I managed to find out that Gabe was okay – since we’d left him with a baby sitter to attend the party– and that Emilia had seen him (she was stuck in Sickbay,) but I’ll admit they were always at the back of my mind. I’ve never really had to deal with that with anyone but Annie and I always have a sense of her… I’m learning to deal with it but I have a feeling it will never really get easier.

End Log

Security

COS Lt Don West

Stardate 21302.18

Let me start off by saying there is a grey section in this report, as I was knocked unconscious and can only report on what I heard happened.

The Columbia crew was invited to a strip club for the awards ceremony after completing our last assignment. Yes the Captain does know how to choose a location for a party. I had asked skip the event, as I was to meet up with some high ranked officers to discuss my command training.

I attend the meeting and it concluded rather early, so I decided to join my crewmates at the club. I recall entering the club, and that’s about it. The story goes that when the original attack took place on the base, the light chandelier came down and took me out. Judging by the size of the bump on my head and the amount of glass around me when I came to, it seems plausible.

The attack on the base left us Columbians on the back foot, but being a crew which knows how to compromise, we quickly jumped into action and worked well together to help all the injured crew and civilians to safety.

I assisted Vos to safety, he took a nasty blow in the chaos, but according to the latest medical reports I saw, he will be ok.

Never a dull moment, even on base, if you’re a Columbian!

End log.

Ens Xavier Cavalera

Stardate 21303.12

After my recovery following the Columbia's prior mission, the crew were invited to the Pussycat Lounge on Star Base Bravo for a party. I was just getting used to my optical implant and my clone fingers, I wasn't really in the mood to attend a party but, I figured life moves on.

My luck thus far in Star Fleet has been not good, I can't say bad cause 'bad' is too negative. I'd rather say unfortunate for argument sakes. Forgive me for not remembering all of the details but, I'll give it my best shot.

I straggled into the Lounge and arrived later than most of the other crew members, figuring this would be a good time to get to know the crew outside of duty; I changed my tune and was able to relax a bit; especially with the help of some alcoholic beverages. Captain Adaran greeted her crew and hosted the awards and promotion ceremony.

The furthest my memory can decipher was me talking to a few of the crew then, a loud explosion rattled the entire lounge sending people and debris flying in various directions. I do remember going airborne from the blast and experiencing a great amount head pain. Everything else is dark with the events that followed. Talking to other officers I was assisted by a medic named Sita, then eventually Lieutenant Junior Grade Kemarrin. I gained consciousness at Star Base Bravo's sickbay and was told I suffered a fractured skull along with other minor cuts and bruises.

Thankfully, my fellow crew mates were able to get me out of danger and into sickbay for treatment. I will seek out Martok and personally thank him for keeping me alive. I haven't spoken to my family in a long time and after finishing this log.....I will do just that. I plan on spending some serious downtime in my quarters, resting and relaxing.

End Log.

Medical

CMO Lt Andrew Wood

Stardate 20302.20

Sounds of a busy and noisy Sickbay in the background

...Woooh...

Looks like I may have a few moments to get some thoughts down.

Maybe I can actually get a break and some planet-side time after this. Been busy ever since the...attack, they're calling it. Apparently security's been pretty tight last couple days, wouldn't really know I haven't left this Sickbay.

Man, would you believe it happened just as we were getting ready to really have some fun at the Pussy Cat Club after the awards ceremony. I still don't know which George's birthday it was, I should check into that, throw them another party.

Well, the explosion happened, though we didn't know what it was at the time. I remember clearly falling to the floor, trying to protect Dendra. The rest is kind of a blur of trauma, treatment, X's basilar fracture, moving through the vents and getting here. It never stopped, there were so many injured. I don't even want to guess how many died.

We're still just trying to catch up...

  • male voice* "Doctor, Ms. Charbonou is waking up."

Thanks, Derek, be right there.

End log.

Tactical

CTO Lt Raass Giraath

Stardate 21301.18

Rather surprisingly, Captain Adaran offered me the the newly opened Chief Tactical Officer position. Apparently Lieutenant Dendra has been transfered to another ship. I accepted the offer, but with some serious misgivings. I'm not entirely sure I want the job, but maybe doing well here will increase my chances of getting my retirement papers accepted. When I send them. But that will have to wait until after this business with these mysterious Inquisitiors was been resolved. So far, all the reports about have been bad. The odds don't seem to be in our favr regarding these aliens. But it does seem like they've quieted down a bit. Probably preparing for their next big push.

Well, I'll get back to enjoying the party, and then our shoreleave. We're on Bravo until the Columbia's troubles get sorted out. Damned investigations. At least the interviews are over with for--

Recording abruptly ends, due to sudden power failure.

Stardate 213202.22

Starbase Bravo has been attacked by the Uivueri. Susbtantial damage was inflicted on the station. No one has any idea how they managed it, but they did, killing in excess of 20,000 personnel on the starbase. The attack was in conjunction with seven other atttacks on Starfleet Starbases and installations, resulting in in over 30,000 deaths, and 50,000 other casualties. Four other attacks occured in the Neutral Zone, though no details are forth coming, as the Tal'Shiar has seized the Neutral Zone and closed the border. 40,000 Federation citizens have been trapped inside the Neutral Zone.

It seems the Romulans are hell bent on reigniting the the war.

The attacks came during our shore leave on Bravo. The crew party that Captain Adaran had planned for us happened to be located just outside the kill zone. We ahd the immediate task of evacutating the survivors in our section. We had to use the ventilation ducts, as all other routes were sealed. The resuce attempt went well, as we lost no one in the effort. It was a close thing, though. The emergency power was near to failing, and a peice of debris hit the station before we got clear. That took down the emergency fields, and almost cost us dearly. Had any more power conduits been damaged, we might not have been able to reengage the force field in the ducts. Fortunately, that was not the case, and the filed reactivated, stopping any further loss of atmosphere in the next section over.

The crew performed well, especially under the circumstances. After some initial panic, the civilians in the area settled down well enough, which greatly aided the rescue effort.

And now it's time for some down time.

End Log.

Lt JG Martok Kemarrin

Stardate 21302.16

The party started off as many others had. The Captain handed out medals and promotions, the food and drink was served, dancers began dancing, music was playing, and then all hell broke loose. The first sign of trouble was a loud explosion and the station rocking violently. The rocking through myself to the ground and upended all of the tables and chairs, even some of the lighting fixtures came loose and crashed to the floor. Sometime after the initial blast I noticed that my arm was wounded and managed to find a medkit in order to attempt a quick treatment. A small piece of glass was stuck in my arm which I removed, what I didn't know was that there was another piece stuck further in my arm that would later cause significant, but not permanent, damage.

Rescue efforts began immediately with the Captain taking charge of the situation. The civilians present in the club were panicked and wanted to leave the room although we wanted to ensure that the corridor was safe before we began moving anyone. While attempting to keep the civilians from forcing their way through the club doors I was thrown into a bulkhead and knocked unconscious for a short period of time. It was later determined that I had a minor concussion due to this incident although there wouldn't be any after effects.

Once things began to calm down I was told that there was a civilian stuck in a supply room and needed help being extricated. I, with the assistance of Crewman Richards, managed to open the vent that led into the room. I crawled into the room through the vent and located the injured woman. She was unconscious and was unable to offer any assistance in getting her out of the room. I lifted her into the vent at which point Richards got her moved entirely into the main room. Power to this section of the station was minimal at this point and as I was trying to leave the supply room the lights failed completely. Moving in darkness I managed to get out of the room and myself and Richards carried the woman to the vent system where everyone was gathering to move to the next section.

After we made it through the vent the forcefield separating the section containing the club from space failed due to something massive hitting it. Air was rushing through the corridor and vent at which point someone managed to reengage the emergency barrier within the vent to seal off the club from the section that everyone had been extricated to.

While crewmembers were working on stopping the section from completely venting all of its atmosphere I was helping Ensign Xavier Cavalera to the Auxillary Sickbay. The trip included a section where I was required to carry the nearly unconscious crewman up some stairs. Upon our arrival at Sickbay, I found an empty spot to set the injured man down and called for assistance before the injuries I sustained earlier became clear. The treatment I applied to my forearm didn't hold and had torn open at some point while helping Ensign Cavalera to Sickbay. Inside the wound was a piece of glass that had caused serious damage through all of the movements performed while trying to escape from the damaged section and make it to Sickbay. Due to blood loss I lost consciousness and from that point on I am unsure of what happened.

I awoke in Sickbay a couple hours later where I noticed that my arm was splinted and I was lying on the floor near where I had set down Ensign Cavalera. I haven't had much of a chance to find out what happened after I lost consciousness although I can assume that someone removed the piece of glass and performed surgery to repair the damage to my arm. I assisted in rescue operations as best as I could considering my injuries.

I'm looking forward to getting back on the Columbia as it seems a safer place than Starbases at the moment. The last couple times I've been on Star Base Bravo I have never managed to have a fully enjoyable time. My arm appears to be healing well and I anticipate that it will be completely healed by the time the Columbia sets off on its next mission.

End Log

Engineering

Lt JG Skyler Gray

Stardate 21301.14

Well I've been on Bravo for a day now, I was expecting to report to the Columbia tomorrow morning, however I received a summons to report in casual clothes to some type of lounge here on the base. I guess there is some sort of party going, and the Captain wants to meet me in a less official manner.

The Titan was a great ship, and an excellent first assignment, but with the loss of engineering officers on the Columbia, the federation decided I would be of better use here. Honestly I am rather excited. the Columbia, from what information I could get on it, seems to be one hell of a ship. I am more intrigued however by what I couldn't find out about my new ship. Since it is technically part of the Special Operations Command, many of the experimental systems are still classified. As the only Engineering officer on board, I suspect I will have full access to these things once I am official on board.

Well that is all for now, I need to spend the next several hours trying to decide what level of casual is expected and appropriate.. some how this informal meetings is more stressful than my first time reporting in on the Titan.

End Log

Stardate 21302.17

So. Meeting my new Captain went about as well as it could go with things blowing up, and parts of the space station literally falling off. I wasn't having too bad of a time, hanging out by my self in the corner. When I arrived they had just started handing out awards for their latest mission, so I didn't feel inclined to interrupt and introduce my self. Then all hell broke lose. Things were shaking, people falling over.. at one point I thought there was going to be a fight between the Columbia crew and the club employees. Luckily that was sorted quickly by the realization that we were about to be sucked out into space.

I have to say I am surprise at how many people pulled personal phasers out of who knows where at a party where we were suppose to be on leave. Needless to say the first stop I made before leaving the base was to appropriate my own hand phaser.

I'm also never leaving home with out a small tool bag again. In the short time I was there, I had to figure a way to get through a locked door, remove a mag plate, shut down a force field, and patch up the hole left behind, all with my hands and some pocket lint.

Sometimes I think the rest of Star Fleet just expects us Engineers to sprout hand spanners from our foreheads. Contrary to popular belief, it takes more than just a good kick to get some things working.

Ah well. I am finally on the ship now, and have gotten settled into my own quarters. A lot smaller than the ones on the Titan, but then the ship it self is a lot smaller. Better accommodations than I had on the Atlas however.

Anyways, I'm suppose to report to engineering here shortly, and find out who the Chief Engineer is, and report to them as well. Hopefully things will settle down now that I'm on the ship.

End Log

Medical

Lt Emilia Cirrus

Stardate 21302.17

So much for shoreleave. I was really looking forward to spending some time with Xan and my other crew mates at the ceremony Captain Adaran plan, but that all went to hell when someone decided to blow up a big chunk of Bravo and kill tens of thousands of people throughout the sector. I’ve only been in the 2nd Fleet for one mission and I’m already tired of the Romulans and their convoluted factions. Why can’t they all be like the DRR or even the Empire? Anyway, enough of that.

We were in the Pussycat Lounge on Bravo – a location that revealed Adaran’s taste – when the explosion happened and we lost main power as well a life support. The Lounge wasn’t directly affected by the explosion, but the blast definitely caused problems. There were many patients to attend to, which was a little difficult in the dress I was wearing, but I was able to do my job just fine. The main problem was the fact that we were trapped in the Lounge and we were about to be sucked out into space by failing forcefields around the explosion site. We had to evacuate through a vent with all the patients and civilians in the Lounge. Again, it wasn’t easy, but we got out and into a corridor just in time for the forcefields to fail. There was a brief moment when the vacuum created by the explosion attempted to get at us, but one of the forcefields in the vent was activated.

With the help of the civilians and other Starfleet personnel we were able to get the patients to an auxiliary Sickbay. Time from that point on is a bit of a blur. There were so many patients to be seen not only from the Lounge but from other parts of the Base. At first we couldn’t get to Main Sickbay, but once we did things just got busier. All I know is that I spent about four days almost entirely confined to Sickbay, switching off with various doctors and nurses to take 2 or 3 hour naps when we couldn’t function any more. They had to bring Gabe to me there so I could be assured he was okay, but I only got to see him for fifteen minutes. I’m sure the only other department that has been as busy as Medical is Engineering.

We’re going to get a proper shoreleave, as much as you can on a base that’s in shambles. I know that there are parts of it that are whole, but I haven’t been able to see them yet. I’m finally back in quarters with Gabe and Xan, but I need some time away. After being cooped up on the Columbia and then in Sickbay, I need to stretch my legs. Thankfully the Base is still huge even if half of it is inaccessible.

End log.