Holodeck 1 - Deck 4

With the Captain knocked out and slung across the largest of the Gorn mercenaries, Bok was feeling rather elated with himself. Not only had he captured the ship currently orbiting this planetoid, but he also had a group heading towards his best laid traps of the entire Quadrant, and he made sure people knew it was highly expensive, more than a year's worth of profit! But aside from that, he now had the Command Codes for every ship base and outpost of the Gamma Quadrant.. he just needed to extract them from the heavy lump on the cold, metal Biobed that hung from the ceiling in what must be his office space.

The CO chose not to move, albeit in and out of consciousness. Lewis could use this time to blindly survey his surroundings and garner the information required to bring down this group of misfit thugs!

Daimon Bok: You! Find this new group, bring me it's Commander! He shall watch his Captain die a most a horrible death!

The Gorn who had just released the CO and tied him to the bed had reservations, but he dared not to show it at least, not in front of the Breen. They had been promised more than he and his with this whole planetary system now belonging to the Breen.

The large green reptilian Gorn shrugged it off and took a group of 13 with him. 8 Gorn Hegemony and only 5 Breen Confederacy officers... But he really did not trust the Breen.

The Gorn took his team and fanned out, in search of at least 2 more prisoners...

The Captain, still on the Biobed listened as intently as he could to Bok's diabolical plan as much as he could before drifting out of consciousness again.

Daimon Bok: Sleep now, Captain... For soon you shall see the rise of the Ferengi Commerce Alliance once and for all! No more Klingon Empire's, no more Cardassian thugs and certainly, no more Federation swine like you!

Lewis fell into a dark abyss, making note to himself to punch Bok square across his face once he was realized by whatever rescue team was surely already on their way...
_________________
Mr. McCloud

The Marine Detachment Commander could see that there were two corridors that left the domed area they were in. One of them was northwest and the other was northeast from where they had being walking around. MCpt Lopez decided they should split up at this point and instructed 1Lt. Parra to take the path running northwest with his Squad and Chris would take his down the path running northeast.

MCpt Lopez: Lieutenant, we’ll be splitting up for now. Take your Squad through the northwest passage into the next domed area. Terminate any opposition with extreme prejudice. We only need to collect one prisoner and that’s the Ferengi mercenary, Bok. Obviously we need to collect Captain Little as well, so don’t forget it should you come across him cowering someplace.

The Marine Captain thought about what he said about the Captain cowering and realized that was poor wording and corrected himself immediately.

MCpt Lopez: I don’t mean he’s cowering like a coward, I meant he would be taking cover to avoid getting riddled with rounds from our weapons. The Captain lowered the safety protocols on this program, so although the rounds aren’t deadly, they will certainly hurt him should he get hit by any of them. So keep that in mind, Lieutenant.

Chris got his Squad together and cautiously walked towards the northeast passage to the next dome. Before entering, he called up LCpl Hudson to lead the way with the Motion Tracker up and running.

MCpt Lopez: Hudson take point, keep your eyes on the tracker, we want no surprises. Vasquez, take up with Hudson with your Smartgun and lay down some suppressive fire if you come across anything other than Captain Little or Daimon Bok. The rest of the Squad will be right behind you. Weapons, ready!

LCpl Hudson: I’m on it, Cap!

Pvt1 Vasquez: Aye-firmative, Sir!

The two Marines lead the way into the passage with MCpt Lopez following a few paces behind with the rest of Squad “A”. It was all quiet, except for the electronic pings of the Motion Tracker indicating there was nothing ahead of them so far. Chris wondered what was happening with 1Lt. Parra and Squad “B” since they should be entering the northwest passage any moment. As for MSgt Arbor and Sgt Hicks, they made up Squad “C” who remained behind in the dome making sure none of the Breen, Gorn or Jem’Hadar sneaked up from behind to surround them. It would be very unfortunate for the Marines if that were to occur. It would definitely cause them to get a failing grade and not impress Capt Little by much. These were the best Marines in Gamma Fleet and Chris wanted to make sure the Captain knew it.
_________________
Marine Captain Christopher D. Lopez
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Infiniti

Tony moved along with Squad “B” toward the northeast passageway with LCpl Drake leading the way with his Smartgun. Pvt Wierzbowski was in need of a Motion Tracker so the 1st Lieutenant called for the Arch to procure one for him. Once 1Lt. Parra had the item in his hand, he gave it to the Private to use.

1Lt. Parra: Here you go, Private. Keep this thing going so none of those idiots get the drop on us.

Pvt Wierzbowski: Thank you, Lieutenant! Should I stay beside Drake with you behind us?

1Lt. Parra: That’s a good idea. Sergeant Ferro and I will make sure our flank is covered while we’re in the passage. Let’s move out!

Squad “B” moved into the northeast passage slowly with LCpl Drake and Pvt Wierzbowski leading the way, the Motion Tracker was making the constant clicking sound indicating there were no contacts ahead of them. With Squad “A” heading down the northwest passage and Squad “C” staying behind, they were now in separate groups inside the domed complex. Tony thought perhaps this was going to be easier than he anticipated…but it was just a matter of time before opposition would be encountered. That was a mathematical certainty.
_________________
1st Lieutenant Anthony Parra
Deputy Detachment Commander, USS Infiniti

The Gorn Alpha, pointed towards the southwest passageway and grunted at the Breen to take that route. He and the rest of the Gorn detachment took the southeast passageway, towards MCpt Lopez and his team.

Gorn Commander: Go that way, kill any that oppose!

Breen Commander: *INDECIPHERABLE COMMENTS*

The Gorn Commander chose not to reply to such a crude comment about his grandmother and chose to focus on the advance towards the enemy squad that was approaching from the other end of the passageway.
_________________
Mr. McCloud

With the two Marines leading the way, LCpl Hudson kept his eyes on his Motion Tracker while Pvt1 Vasquez used the eyepiece of her headset to get the feed from Hudson’s tracker. That way both of them could see and hear if anything was coming towards them. As Squad “A” preceded forward for several minutes, MCpt Lopez could feel something was coming up ahead since it was just too quiet in the passageway. Almost on cue, Hudson’s tracker started pinging with the sound of approaching entities!

LCpl Hudson: We’ve got movement! Multiple targets ahead, Captain!

Pvt1 Vasquez: Hudson’s right! I see the movement, but they’re not showing on infrared! It’s got to be Breen and Gorn!

It didn’t take Chris more than a few milliseconds to come to the decision the approaching entities were not coming to surrender, but to capture the Squad as hostages of Bok!

MCpt Lopez: Terminate targets!

As expected, the Breen and Gorn began to open fire in the narrow passageway at the approaching Marines. Their energy weapons not reaching any of their targets due to the low visibility in the dark corridor made the enemies easy for Vasquez to lock in on when she opened fire with her Smartgun!

Pvt1 Vasquez: Let’s rock!!

With volley after volley of rounds from the M-56 Smartgun, the Breen and Gorn targets were cut through their middles, spilling their guts all over the floor! Being fearful of the weapon the Marine was using, the surviving Breen and Gorn backed off into the dome the passageway lead to and took cover. They were not about to walk into an ambush of that kind of firepower again!

MCpt Lopez: Don’t go rushing into the next chamber, they’ll be waiting for us behind cover by now! We need to fire grenades into where they’re hiding. When that flushes them out, we’ll rush in there and terminate the targets!

Along with Chris, LCpl Hudson readied the grenade launcher on his M-41A Pulse Rifle and slowly moved forward to the opening of the passageway. The tracker indicated the pillars the surviving Breen and Gorn were hiding behind, so Lopez and Hudson aimed carefully at the ground just beside the pillars and fired their grenades! When the explosions occurred, the bodies of the hiding assailants were blown clear of the pillars and sprawled them onto the floor! They quickly got back up since their armor mostly protected them from the blast. That’s when Chris moved the Squad forward!

MCpt Lopez: They’re clear, let’s take ‘em out!

The Marines in the passageway charged forward towards the dazed Breen and Gorn mercenaries and opened fire! It wasn’t long before their bodies were riddled with the 10mm explosive tipped rounds that dealt such fatal damage to them. When Squad “A” gathered around the chamber, they searched for the next passageway to the area where Bok was holding Capt Little. While doing so, Chris tapped his Combadge and called to 1Lt. Parra.

MCpt Lopez: Lopez to Lieutenant Parra! We’ve engaged a squad of Breen ‘n Gorn and terminated the lot of them! I’m willing to bet there’s more of them, so be careful out there Tony. Have Drake up front with the Smartgun, Vasquez drilled them down when they tried to get the drop on us in the corridor. Keep me posted, Lopez out!

Not needing a response from 1Lt. Parra just yet, Chris looked around the chamber for the passage to the next chamber. Judging by the method the Squad was searching the decayed and decrepit structure, it wouldn’t be long before the corridor was revealed and they could proceed into the next area to be investigated. It would bring them closer to rescuing Capt Little and prove to the Captain they were certainly a group of tough hombres.
_________________
Marine Captain Christopher D. Lopez
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Infiniti

Hearing about what happened with Squad “A” from MCpt Lopez made the 1st Lieutenant anxious to do the same with Squad “B”. Tony already had LCpl Drake up front with Pvt Wierzbowski leading the way with the Motion Tracker. As they all continued forward through the corridor, the tracking device was only making the tones of there being no movement ahead of them.

Pvt Wierzbowski: Maybe we’re gonna luck out and not come across anything in here!

As Drake heard the Private’s hope of there being nothing ahead of them, Mark whispered to Pvt Wierzbowski quite sternly.

LCpl Drake: Shhh, Trevor! The Gorn have excellent hearing!

The Private gasped when he realized he spoke so loudly, then whispered his reply to the Lance Corporal.

Pvt Wierzbowski: Sorry!

The chattered up ahead of Sgt Ferro irritated her and in a low voice, scolded the two of them.

Sgt Ferro: Will you both shut up! The Breen can hear really well too! They have sound waves amplified in those helmets they wear!

Hearing what the Sergeant had said, both LCpl Drake and Pvt Wierzbowski used hand gestures to convey their apologies to Colette. Sgt Ferro acknowledged with a nod, as Squad “B” made it into the chamber ahead with no resistance whatsoever. 1Lt Parra was a little surprised they made it without running into any of Bok’s mercenaries he hired to carry out his evil deeds. As the Squad entered the large area, the Motion Tracker still detected no movement. Tony found this to be very odd, considering the firefight Squad “A” dealt with.

1Lt. Parra: Let’s fan out and take a look around. There has to be another passageway here somewhere.

Each of the four Marines walked around the large chamber and examined the dilapidated interior for the corridor that leads to the location of Capt Little. After a short amount of time, Tony heard a short whistle from LCpl Drake. The 1st Lieutenant quickly covered the distance between himself the Marine with the Smartgun attached to his body’s harness. There before them was another corridor for all to see. That was when the tracker picked up movement coming down the corridor! Tony looked over towards Colette, Mark and Trevor and whispered directly to the three of them.

1Lt. Parra: Take cover, they’re coming!

The four Marines quickly got behind the pillars and waited a short amount of time before a Gorn with a few Breen soldiers entered the chamber.

The mercenaries examined the room for any Humans they could capture or kill in order to earn an extra bonus in their paychecks. They were able to hear the firing of weapons a short time ago in the chamber they split away from the rest of their team. The Gorn figured after the firing stopped the other squad was victorious in either capturing or killing off the Humans coming for their worthless Captain. Humans made this Gorn very agitated and he preferred they kill as many as they could. Just when he saw some movement, flashes of what appeared to be the discharge of projectile weapons appeared from behind each of the four pillars in the chamber. Before the Gorn could react, he felt horrible pain in his abdominal area! He looked down and saw his blood and organs leaking out from the large holes created by the rounds of ammo fired at him. A few moments later, the Gorn was on the ground looking up at the ceiling. He was dying…which didn’t take him long to do.

As for the Breen, they too, had their bodies ripped to shreds by the rounds of ammunition the projectile weapons fired at them. The energy absorbing armor they wore was just no match for the 10mm armor piercing, explosive tip rounds that came at them. It wasn’t long at all before the entire group of mercenaries fell victim to the Marines’ expertise and proficiency with their weapons of choice.

With their success, Tony tapped his Combadge to contact MCpt Lopez and report their victory over the Breen and Gorn. The 1st Lieutenant had a certain amount of pride in his voice that reflected how proud he was with Squad “B”.

1Lt. Parra: Parra to Captain Lopez. We took out the team of mercenaries sent to capture us. We’ll be moving forward unto the next chamber, which according to the layout map on the wall, should be where Squad “A” is currently located. So basically, Sir, we’re on our way to you.

The four Marines walked the passageway with some confidence after taking out the Breen and Gorn mercenaries of Bok. When they reached the next chamber, Tony could see members of Squad “A” ahead of them apparently looking for the next passage. 1Lt. Parra motioned for Squad “B” to join Squad “A” in the search for the hidden corridor. Seeing MCpt Lopez up ahead, Tony caught up to him and smiled to the Marine Captain.

1Lt. Parra: I compliment you on your choice of weapons, Sir. The LV-426 gear was perfect to use in this scenario. I think Captain Little will be impressed.

Tony looked at MCpt Lopez as he waited on his response. Here was a man Tony had grown up with and he had a lot of pride in Christopher. Ever since they were children living in the San Fernando Valley together in an apartment complex, they had been good friends even though they were more than a few years difference in age. 1Lt. Parra remembered when he told his parents he would be going to the Academy to become an officer in the Starfleet Marine Corps and how proud they were of him. A choice Tony made so he could walk in the footsteps of his hero, Christopher D. Lopez! Serving with him aboard Infiniti has been the best time in his life, but serving aboard Event Horizon is becoming a close second.
_________________
1st Lieutenant Anthony Parra
Deputy Detachment Commander, USS Infiniti

As the firefights continued in the corridor outside the dome Bok had set up office in, the Captain had awoken again, but had chosen to keep his eyes closed for the time being. Bok was pacing up and down the room after losing contact with the ambush squad. He had his prisoner, he had his ship coming, but what he did not have was a verifiable route of an exit strategy...

Daimon Bok: Captain, I think a little trip is in order for you!

Knowing not what Bok had planned, Lewis did not plan on staying around too much longer. Whilst the FCA were some of the most inhumane species the Federation had come in contact with over the centuries, what they lacked was a comprehensible understanding of battlefield scenarios.

Bok's back was turned and the energy whip was visible in its holster! The Captain's Lirpa had already been confiscated, perhaps even destroyed, the energy whip, if he could get to it, would be his only hope of subduing the Ferengi mercenary!

Lewis jumped up off the metal bed as Bok headed back across the room, still pacing, unaware his prisoner was even awake! He grabbed the whip in his left hand as he bought his right fist up, connecting with Bok's chin, throwing him back, against the chair.

He took aim with the whip and just as quickly decided against it. He set it to overload and threw it into the open waste receptacle. He strode over towards the Ferengi as he too was starting to gain his footing again and was standing, readying for the fight that was now commencing proper.

Capt Little: Your days as Daimon of the Ferengi are over... Were over, years ago!

Daimon Bok: My title will mean nothin' once I present you to the Grand Nagus!

Lewis cared not for Grand Nagus Rom's plans for him, all he knew was he needed to keep Bok busy, so true to the ancient Earth techniques of wrestling, he took one step back, and used both his legs to jump up at an angle to kick Bok Square in the face with both feet!

The struggle continued for a few moments, both combatants showed the faze of their energy dwindling, but neither would submit.

Lewis could only hope that the energy whips detonation could be seen by the rescue teams and serve as distraction enough for them...
_________________
Mr. McCloud

Chris smiled at his young friend, Tony, as he replied to him. They had been friends a long time, ever since they played Holo-Games at their mutual friend's living quarters back on Earth's San Fernando Valley. This was twelve years ago, when Chris was in middle school and Tony was still in elementary school. Now they were officers in the Starfleet Marine Corps, and damn proud of it.

MCpt Lopez As far as I've heard, Captain Little is hard to impress and will surely find some fault in our method of rescue. But I thank you for your compliment, Tony. I figured with the Breen, Gorn and Jem'Hadar, they would not be prepared for the weapons used in LV-426 gear-out. Looks like I was correct, by the look of the bodies and the mess we made of them. Now we just have to find the Captain and get him out of this mess he designed for himself.

The Marine Captain looked around the domed area they were in and yelled out to both Squads "A" and "B"...

MCpt Lopez: Has anyone found the passage to the next area yet? We're being graded on our efficiency and we're starting to take too long!

Hudson was searching the southern area of the dome with Vasquez when they came across a closed doorway. Bill figured this had to be it and called out to MCpt Lopez.

LCpl Hudson: Captain Lopez, I think I found it! The door is sealed though, so that's a big hint that Ferengi is in there molesting our Captain!

Chris laughed on the inside as he pictured Bok molesting Capt Little. What a hilarious sight that would make! But the Marine Captain shook the image from his mind and told LCpl Hudson what to do.

MCpt Lopez: Hudson, run a bypass! Get that door open! Vasquez, stand ready with your weapon. If it's anything but Capt Little and Bok, fire away!

Hudson immediately took out his bypass kit and started on the controls for the doorway. Pvt1 Vasquez made her stand right in front of the double doors and waited for them to open. When they parted, Hudson grinned and made a typical wisecrack about his abilities.

LCpl Hudson: Yeah, I know I'm awesome, ya'll can line up and kiss my feet when we're done with this scenario!

To which Jenette Vasquez wryly responded...

Pvt1 Vasquez: In your dreams, Corporal!

LCpl Hudson: Hey, you can't blame a guy for dreamin'!

After the small banter between the two of them, they entered the corridor and headed for the other end. LCpl Hudson used the Motion Tracker to make sure there wasn't any motion ahead of them in the passageway. All while Pvt1 Vasquez lead the way with her Smartgun fully ready to fire.

Chris saw them going into the corridor and yelled out to the entire Squad for them to follow Hudson and Vasquez with weapons ready.

MCpt Lopez: Alright, let's get in there behind them, two by two formation. Drake, you bring up the rear, just in case this is a trap. I'll lead the way, so follow me, Marines!

The Marine Captain lead the way with 1Lt. Parra at his side. The rest of the Marines paired off behind them, with Drake bringing up the rear with his Smartgun protecting their aft section, This way if somebody came up from behind, Mark would cut them down where they stood.

When the combination of Squads "A" and "B" reached the sealed doorway at the end of the passageway, Hudson was already working on bypassing the lock. After a few moments, the lock could be heard disengaging and Vasquez was first to step into the domed area. Jenette could see Capt Little fighting with Bok in what looked like a pub brawl between a pair of hooligans. Vasquez was ordered not to fill Bok's head with rounds of ammo, so she moved to the side so MCpt Lopez and 1Lt. Parra could get an unobstructed view of the fight going on.

Chris walked over to them with his M-41A Pulse Rifle raised and waited for Capt Little to knock Bok away with a kick to the chin. This was long enough for MCpt Lopez to step in between the Ferengi and the Captain. The Marine Captain aimed his weapon at Bok's chest and smirked.

MCpt Lopez: On your knees, hands in the air, Bok! You can't beam up through the magnetic storm outside so you're out of options. You can be sure the Ferengi Commerce Authority will be made aware of your failure and you may just get to live out your life on the Klingon Penal Colony of Rura Penthe, if it were up to me. As the Borg would say, resistance is futile!

As Chris was addressing Bok, the rest of the Squad moved in and surrounded the area where the Ferengi and Capt Little were fighting. There was no where for Bok to run that wouldn't get him a rifle butt to the forehead. The Ferengi Ex-Daimon was captured!

The Marine MedTech, Cynthia Dietrich took out her Medkit and began scanning Capt Little for injuries. Since the safety protocols of the program were altered to allow anything but lethal injuries, it appeared that the Captain was pretty banged up.

Cpl Dietrich: How are you feeling, Captain? You've been pretty banged up by the Ferengi over there.

As the Corporal waited on a response from Capt Little, she used a penlight to check his pupils for signs of a concussion. In the meantime, Chris placed restraints on Bok while the rest of the Squad kept their weapons trained on him. It was clear the Ferengi was already whining about it not being his fault and offering bribes to be let go. Bok was searched by LCpl Hudson, making sure the Ex-Daimon had no weapons or communication devices on his body. Chris wondered what Capt Little thought of his rescue. The Marine Captain was understandably curious...
_________________
Marine Captain Christopher D. Lopez
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Infiniti

As the Captain stood and gingerly held his arm at a weird angle, he turned to look towards the Marine Captain.

Capt Little: Ah, welcome to the Ferengi Nerd's camp, gentleman... It's about time...

Before the Captain could finish his sentence, Bok was making a move while Pvt1 Vasquez's back was turned and watching the room at large with her Smartgun. Bok had realized too late this was not a woman to cross. She'd made a move towards the trigger of her M-56, but the Captain motioned for her to keep a happy finger and instead, used what appeared to be his broken arm to whack Bok around the head. His nose now bleeding and unconscious, Lewis made a move with his foot to make doubly sure Bok was not going anywhere.

Capt Little: Contact the Grand Nagus and tell him we have his... Pet to return to him... I need a stiff drink. Captain Lopez, if I could I'd promote you for your quick thinking regarding the ammunition you chose!

The Captain waited on the replies from the group at large as he used his right hand to hold his left arm, still visibly in pain but not showing it.
_________________
Mr. McCloud

Much to the Marine Captain’s dismay, Bok was able to make a move without being stopped by any of the Marines under his command. The fact that Pvt1 Vasquez turned her back on the conniving Ferengi really angered Chris. Bok shouldn’t even have been able to get back up on his feet after being restrained by MCpt Lopez himself. Regardless of how the scenario turned out, Chris would feel nothing but failure in his Squad and himself.

As for Cpl Dietrich, she examined the Captain’s broken arm and winced at how seriously it had been broken. Capt Little’s radius and ulna were both practically shattered, with bone fragments throughout his forearm, even embedded in the Captain’s muscle tissue. The tears in the muscle caused internal bleeding so Cynthia reported the CO’s condition to MCpt Lopez.

Cpl Dietrich: Captain Lopez, Captain Little’s arm is severely fractured. Both his radius and ulna are shattered, bone fragments are tearing up the muscle tissue causing internal bleeding. The Captain needs to get to Sickbay right away; we can’t play this out in the Holodeck anymore. Captain Little needs medical attention immediately.

This was a bit of a relief to Chris, it meant the Squad couldn’t possibly make the situation any worse with their incompetence.

MCpt Lopez: Understood, Corporal. Due to the nature of Captain Little’s injuries, I’m terminating the program. Dietrich, I’ll accompany you to Sickbay with the Captain. Dr. Tudismaque will want a report on how this happened from somebody less likely to embellish on the training exercise.

Chris spoke aloud for all in the domed area to hear, clearly.

MCpt Lopez: Computer, end program!

The entire interior of the dome disappeared and was suddenly replaced by the walls of Holodeck 1. Both MSgt Arbor and Sgt Hicks were standing, somewhat bewildered, not too far from the exit to the Holodeck. With only the Squad of Marines standing around along with Capt Little, Chris gave further instructions to his Marines.

MCpt Lopez: I want you all to get back to the targeting range and wait for me to return with the Corporal here. We’re taking Captain Little to Sickbay and once we give our report to the Doctor, we’ll be heading back to the barracks ourselves where I’ll be addressing our incompetence as a unit. Let’s get a move on!

Chris was sure Capt Little made his arm much worse having to defend himself from Bok’s attack. The Marine Captain was utterly ashamed of their performance, even though the idea of using the weapons from LV-426 was an ingenious idea. Had this been an actual occurrence and the Captain getting hurt the way he did from defending himself from an apprehended suspect, Chris would be facing a demotion from MGen Alderez.

The Marines cleared out of the Holodeck, no longer carrying their weapons of choice, or the equipment they requisitioned, and walked in a defeated manner down the corridor and to the Turbolift on Deck 4 and returned to their area. Chris and Cynthia escorted Capt Little to the Turbolift and brought him to Sickbay on Deck 3. When they arrived, the expression on Dr. Tudismaque’s face was of complete astonishment. MCpt Lopez knew he had a lot of explaining to do…
_________________
Marine Captain Christopher D. Lopez
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Infiniti