==/-\== USS Gott ==/-\== Cotez would have laughed heartily if Walsh had benn slapped across the room in the holodeck. "Cocky bastard", he grinned as he roasted the Xchi with his new toy. Turning back to look at the Major he saw him smiling. The air was full of methane and the fire seemed to want to expand as it ate at the dead bug. However it quickly ran out of material to burn and withered away. "Have to be careful where I use this", cortez thought to himself. Shaking his head he quickly made his way back to the corridor leading from the docking port. The place was thrashed and the air was murky and humid. Once he was sure the corridor was clear he gave the signal and the team began making its way down the dark hall. As cortez neared the first opened doorway he dropped down to one knee and put a closed fist in the air. He knew how fast the Xchi could sneak up on you and he wasn't taking any chances. Tilting his ear to the side he listened inside the room, hearing nothing he peeked his head around the corner and clicked his flashlight on. The room was relatively small and was probably some sort of sickbay judging by the beds lined up in a row. After quickly checking the room out he gave the clear signal and continued down the hall. Soon after, the team reached an intersection going in three directions. "Which way", he whispered back towards Ran'ar. Who pointed down the hallway leading to the left, "There should be an emergency access hatch down that way". He answered after a few seconds. "Damn, Richard said to himself. The lighting down the hallway was out and it was pitch black. Cortez looked back at Walsh who then gave a nod in approval and he was about to cross the intersection and head down the hallway that Ran'ar had specified when that same scathing gallop from before could be heard approaching from the very corridor that he had intended to go down. Quickly throwing a closed fist over his head Cortez froze and listened. As the steps began to get closer he then opened his fist signaling for the team to take cover which they did. The four men quickly backed up down the hallway and hid behind any debris they could find. A few seconds later seven Xchi appeared from around the corner and much to every body's relief kept running down the opposite direction. Once the final bug passed by Walsh signalled for the team to move out. Slinking back up to the corner Cortez again listened for any Xchi, once he was content that at least none were running down the hallway towards him he stood up and lead the team into the darkened hallway. The heat and humidity seemed to be getting worse as the team continued on towards the Jeffery's tube and Cortez could feel beads of sweat forming and sliding down his face. Eventually the team reached the Jeffery's tube without further incident. It was if all the bugs on this level were preoccupied with something else. Strapping his bug zapper around his shoulder Cortez was the first one inside and he began climbing down the ladder followed by the rest of the team. ==/-\== End Log ==/-\== Corporal Richard Cortez ODA Weapons Specialist USS Chimera