===== On the way to the shuttle deck, Warbird ==== "Federation spies!" came a cry from the frontal direction. The direction was the where the front patrol couple was supposed to be. A short moment afterwards the unmistakable sound af an fired distruptor was to hear. Obiously there was trouble ahead. Hurring from his position as the last of the group forward, Shane reached the place of 'trouble' within several seconds. A side glance revealed that two of the ODA marines already took guard positions and secured the little area. Shane looked for anything out of order and saw the with pain marked face of his DCEO. "I'm sorry, Commander." was the only thing Kirkland could say. Shane noticed the reddish color of blood on his arm and the burned uniform there. For the moment it was not important how it came to this confrontation, all what counted was the security of his team. After a second of consideration he ordered his team to retreat to a small side room they have passed some 20 meters back. The two ODA marines took their positions at the entry of the room. Kirkland had to be almost carried by the third marine, he was in pain and maybe under the effect of a wound shock. Once inside the room, Shane turned to Mai and said quietly but firm: "Doctor, please" and pointed as Kirkland. Without any questions, Doctor Quiocho put out her medical tricoder and her medical case and started to treat the poor man. Seeing that Kirkland was in good hands Shane went over to the marine that supported him to move along and asked about the details about the 'skurmish'. He wasnt very happy to learn that instead two marines in the front group, it was actually one marine AND Kirkland there. Another point was the question if the Kirkland's use of the phaser was a right reaction ... but he saw the point of the scanner in the romulan's hands. Sure, the chirurgical alteration was good enough to fool the romulans that saw them, but any tricoder would reveal any member of Shane's team within seconds. Romulans and Humans had quite distinct biosigns and not even by a mistake they could be changed. Shane frowned as the marine ended his report. Clearly, Kirkland wasnt supposed to be where he was, but Shane knew that anyone else in his place would most probably act the same way ... even he himself. He cursed mentally at the luck that seemed to have forsaken them. Now it was quite clear that the romulans were aware of intruders on their ship. Shane hoped that they still didnt know that the intruders are disguised as romulans, but even that was only a matter of time. But time was now precious and Shane could not loose any more of it. He released the marine and moved swiftly over to Mai and Kirkland. "How is he?" he asked the doctor. "Quite well, considering the situation" replied the young doctor. "He was lucky not to loose the whole arm, but he will suffer permanent effects if he wont be soon treated in the sickbay". Shane noded and looked at Kirkland. The "green" DCEO was now even more green in face ... he was obviously not good on, but he smiled weakly at Shane: "I am fine Commander". Shane shook his head: "No, you're not Lieutenant, but our medical abilities are now limited. We need to bring you to the sickbay as soon as possible. Do you think you can walk?" Kirkland noded slightly: "I try, sir". Shane noded: "Good, I will now lead the way, please dont be a hero Lieutenant, your task is now only to follow and not get killed". ===== 5 Minutes later ===== Shane's team was now moving slowly and with a great caution. For the moment Shane staked on concealment and not on speed. For so long as they wont be detected for the second time, for so long there will be no casualities. For the last 5 Minutes they've encountered no other romulans and Shane slowly stared to belive that luck is on their side again when he learned that he was QUITE wrong. He was just scoping from behind the corner to see if the next bit of the corrisor was free of romulans when a green distruptor beam missed his head just by inches. From the corner of his eye he noticed two or three romulan soldiers aiming him from not afar. He immediately tried to back off but he stumbled and fall on his back. Luckily he was not in direct line of sight of the romulans ... another way he would be now only a lump of grilled meat by now. "Watch out! Guards!" he shouted and tried to get on all forth when just a meter away of him a landed a small black metal round shaped object. Shane stared at the object for a second and knew that today wasnt a good dat for him ... The romulan stun grenade exploded with quite an intensity and Shane felt nothing more. ===== End of log ===== Cmdr. Shane Guzman XO USS Chimera