==/-\== USS Chimera Main Science Lab ==/-\== Richard's mind raced as he made his way down to the science labs. He needed to stretch his legs and decided to skip the turbolift and use the emergency stairwell instead. He was so busy thinking about the Xchi that he had forgotten how late it was. "2 AM", he grumbled to himself. He had no idea what type of crew schedule the Chimera science department used but realized that new cadets and screw-ups were usually given the graveyard shift. Regardless the ship was scheduled to reach the Marsh in a few days and time was something that was not on his side at the moment. He hoped he would find at least someone with some experience with alien species. ==/-\ A Few Minutes Later /-\== As Cortez stepped into the science lab he noticed that for the most part it was pretty empty except for a few scientists who didn't even seem to notice that the Marine had entered into the lab. He scanned the room looking for someone who's face was familiar but with no luck. Taking a few steps further into the room he was about to accidentally knock over what looked like someones science experiment, hoping that would get somebodys attention when he noticed a Bajoran sitting in the back of the room staring at a computer console. He remembered seeing him having lunch with the general the day before. Cortez quickly made his way to the back of the room where the Bajoran was working and began to introduce himself. "Excuse me sir," he said loudly towards the Bajoran who was still facing his computer screen. Young Bajoran was sitting at one of the consoles in the science lab, staring at the data rolling on the screen in front of him. {Why did I let myself to persuade to take another shift?....} He thought. {Of course... Petrel promised me two hours in the holodeck for exchange... Oh prophets...} Warrant officer Petrel came to him after his last shift in the Astrometrics and asked him if he couldn't take his shift, because he needed to arrange something. So because Terek hasn't felt tired, he accepted it for the two Petrel's hours in the holodeck. But now he was beginning to regret it. Firstly it seemed that it would be easy. He was ordered to finish some geologic samples analysis from some of the previous missions. But when he sat at the console and waited for computer to finish diffraction process, the tiredness began to fell down upon him. His eyes began to drop lower and lower.... He stood from the chair and stretched himself a little to wake up, but in the moment he sat back, it started again... Just in the moment he was yawning widely, someone entered the room. The green uniform of the ODA told Terek that this will be something about the upcoming mission. Why else would ODA member came to the lab? For a moment man stood in the middle of the room, looking around as he was looking for someone. Apparently, he didn't find anyone because he approached one table and...{what is he doing... repetition of that experiment would take almost four days....}...Terek almost saw the look on the face of WO Petrel who commenced that test... The look that would say 'how?...why?...when?...who?' and if it would kill in that moment, Terek would fell on the ground with the hole in his chest. But luckily, soldier made up his mind about destroying the experiment and focused his attention on the Terek. He approached him. "Good early morning, may I help you somehow?" Asked Terek in slow voice and empty smile as his brain was still getting on the speed and shook his head a little to make that stupid gray thing in his head wake up. "What do you know about the Xchi?", Cortez said getting straight to the point, "I need to figure out a more efficient way of killing them or perhaps maybe theres a way to disorient them a little", he continued rather bluntly. "I was hoping you or one of your colleagues might be of some help, or at least show me in the right direction". ODA officer went straight to the point of what he wanted to talk about. It seems to another discussion about the X'Chi. {What do everybody think? That scientists should know everything?} "Well sir, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. About anatomy of the X'Chi is known a very little. As far we know only a few things and right now we are trying to verify one theory. We know that the intelligence of the X'Chi is growing in some ration with their increased number." Terek paused to swallow and to realease his throath a little, because he was a little hoarsed and then continued. "As I said about their anatomy isn't known too much. Only basic knowledge.. They are about 3 meters tall, weight of 300 pounds. Thick exoskeleton, mandibles and six limbs... like an insect. But I'm sure this is what you already know... and probably also seen in the holodeck. We could only meka some preparations on possible situations and try to think up something. Why don't you tell me what is your experience with them, how they behave... even when it is only an holoprogram and then we can come up with some suggestions..." Added Terek with a smile, because it really will want some time to investigate this problems to find some suitable solution... Then he thought up something. "Maybe we can also ask doctor Summers. I think she'll perhaps know something more about the biology of this species..." Cortez nodded his head, "The simulations haven't proven much. Practical weapons like our phaser rifles seem to have little effect on the bugs natural body armor", Cortez paused, I understand everything at this point is simply theoretical, we won't really know until we face the bastards in person." "But They can't be the only insectoid race out there." he continued, "Is there another similiar species that maybe you are aware of?" He then suddenly remembered the insects back on earth. They all seemed to come out at night. "What about light" he said still formulating his thought, "Do you think that using bright lights might be able to at least disorient the bugs? Terek thought of some other insectoid specimens that Federation had encountered but couldn't thought up anything. So he stepped to the nearest console and inputed a question. "Computer search database for any entries concerning an intelligent insectoid species." [Stand by] [Two entries found. The Xindi race encoutered by captain Johnathan Archer and Jarada first contact made by captain Jean Luc Picard.] Replied computer after a short while. So Terek displayed those informations and looked on it. "Sorry Corporal, it seems that the Starfleet encountered some insectoid species, but nothing similar to the X'Chi. But to that your suggestion. It is possible. Some insects are afraid of a bright light. Certainly you can try some flash grenades or something like that, but we should come up with something effective. You say that clasic phaser rifles have only a little effect on their armor... well most of the insects on the earth and other planets have their exoskeleton made form the substance called Chitin. It is a polysaccharide with some amount of nitrogen. In a base it is a similar as cellulose. So first thing that comes to my mind are a flame based weapons as for the wood burns so this exoskeleton also could. Another thing. Perhaps we could try to modify a phaser rifle to emit an thin, powerful cutting beam. At least it could be powerfull enough to cut you way through the armor and then you would be able to use clasic weapons." he paused to catch his breath and then added: "But of course this is just a theory. Perhaps we could try some ideas in the holodeck to see effect on our own eyes." Finnished Terek his speach looking to the ODA officer waiting for his reaction. Richard was still staring at the screen when the Ensign mentioned using fire as a weapon. "Fire" he finally said turning around. "Its worth a shot". He then turned and began walking quickly towards the exit. He got about half way before stopping and turning back around, "Oh yeah, be at the holodeck at 09:00, we'll be testing your ideas...and by the way my names Richard". For a brief moment Terek stood surprised looking at the corporal, who seemed to be in some kind of trans. He just began to mumble to himself then turned on his heels and began walking away. Terek wanted to ask him when he was planning to test some of the weapons, but he hadn't had a chance as ODA told him to be at the holodeck at 0900 hours... {great... another day without sleep. But well...} "I'll be there sir....It was... pleasure to meet you. I'm Terek. See you in the morning..." And with this he watched as the door slid shut behind the Richard... {now this was interesting meeting... But probably I would stop be surprised about thing like that here... Well never mind...} said Terek to himself with a little shrug and then he turned back to the console and saw that computer finnished his sample analysis so he began to check it out... As Cortez left the science lab he headed straight for Specialist Lynch's quarters, "If anyone can build me a flamethrower, its that guy." ==/-\== END LOG ==/-\== Lance Corporal Richard Cortez ODA Weapons Chimera USS Chimera + Ensign Terek Weranis Assistant Science Officer USS Chimera