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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shadowdancer" data-source="post: 1281710" data-attributes="member: 515">Chapter VIIDate: 110-993Place: Aboard the Bray Keaven, in jump space between Sentry and Alief. After everyone assembles in the crew lounge, and after Captain Argent gives him the floor, Swann faces the group. "Well, the substance inside the imaging table leg is indeed a type of explosive. There are two possibilities I see. "First, it could be a bomb meant to kill one of us, or all of us, or at least to stop the medical supplies from reaching Aleif. This, of course, provides the greatest immediate threat to us, and it’s probably prudent that we proceed under this assumption. "However, it could be intended for someone, or some group, on Aleif. The system is interdicted to keep the various countries from importing high tech weapons to use to wage war against each other. I don't know if this type of explosive is banned, but it probably is. Someone could be using this little relief mission as an opportunity to smuggle some banned items onto the planet. That’s why I think we need to check any other equipment that was shipped with this imaging table. Whoever attached the explosives to the table may have added some other surprises to the rest of the shipment. "But as I said, for now I'm assuming that we have a live bomb on board, and we need to take steps to disarm it and to minimize any damage it might do if it goes off before it can be disarmed. "We should move it, if we can, to an isolated area. I know that won't be easy since we are in jump. And we need find some way to dampen the effects of any explosion. The first thing I will try to determine is if it can be moved without triggering it. I’ll look for a triggering mechanism and a detonator. But they may be hidden inside the leg containing the explosives." Argent says, "Agreed. Let’s ascertain if we can safely move the machine first before attempting to disarm. Vargas has suggested moving it into the airlock, which should, hopefully, give us some more protection. If we can, we should also look at reinforcing those doors as well. "If/when we can get it safely moved to the airlock, let’s get it disarmed if we can. If not, as soon as we exit jump we'll jettison it from the airlock and hope it doesn't blow too close to any of the fleet ships. "As to if we are covertly smuggling anything aboard, that could be taken two ways. The fleet could innocently be smuggling similar items and needs to be warned after we emerge. "Another option could be the whole plague on Alief could be a fabrication by some group or groups known or unknown to cover the opportunity to move in a large amount of interdicted equipment and weaponry to the factions on the planet. We could be 'mules' to display an air of innocence. Control the information getting out of a location and you can do anything." Looking in Darishun’s direction, Argent continues, "Unfortunately, regardless of the high ideals the Imperium strives to display, the ugly truth is that even the Imperial government isn’t above using 'dirty tricks' to gain control of a situation. They just layer it in so much bureaucracy that it is almost impossible to prove it. With 11,000+ worlds and countless client states under its influence, anything is possible. That, and true human nature in the millennia that we’ve been considered 'civilized,' has barely progressed past the primate stage when you get right down to it. "At this point, all we can and should do is focus on the situation at hand. One, let’s get the device moved if possible and disarmed. Two, get a list of all other little surprises in the rest of the cargo and on the rest of the ship." Darishun cocks his head to one side as if in thought, and then softly says, "Perhaps, we should also visually and audibly record everything we do to disarm the bomb along with our subsequent searches. Then, we could place the recordings in a very resilient container along with an emergency beacon from one of the spare vacc suits. If we place the container far away from the cargo hold (as practical), there’s a chance that the container will survive and be found if we are not. "Also, the recordings may prove helpful to the other ships of the relief fleet even if we do survive as they may need to know how to discover and disarm similar bombs. "On another thought, perhaps we should all put on any protective clothing that we may have. Such clothing may help provide some protection against shrapnel from a small blast — assuming that the ship survives." Turning to Swann, "Good Belter, I would be honored to help you with the table if you need it. I know nothing of such devices, but my arms are at your disposal." Vargas raises his hand. "You might want to consider the fact that the imager has been moved any number of times already, including by me while orbiting Sentry, when looking for booby traps and detonators. Too many gimmicks increases the chances of a premature detonation, assuming the real target is on Alief, so whoever did this likely kept it simple. Just a thought." Dr. Saro speaks, "I’m not that familiar with explosives, so let me ask this. If we determine the composition of the compound, would it be possible to render it inert by exposing it to counter compound, so to speak?" Swann indicates that it might be possible. Darishun looks at the captain pointedly and comments, "Perhaps, we should move to disarm the bomb with some alacrity: the bomb may have been set to detonate shortly after jump. "If the bomb detonates now, there will be nothing to arrive at Alief within a reasonable time period, and the fleet may just think that we misjumped badly. Also, the crazed individual who placed the bomb may have had the foresight to set a relatively short timer on the theory that the longer the fuse, the more of a chance that the bomb will be discovered." "Agreed, Mr. Darishun," Argent says. "If there are no more comments, we all have work to do. Let’s get on with it. Keep me appraised on a regular basis." Vasilii quickly adds, "I agree that our main concern will be the disarming of the device and finding any new devices. I’ll get to work on checking all the other cargo containers right away. I’ll need a hand though, who can assist me? I’ll be in main cargo in 15 minutes." Vasilii goes to his stateroom and puts on his flak jacket. "Wearing a flak jacket with an explosive on the ship in jump space," he thinks. "It couldn’t possibly get any worse." Darishun plods off to his cabin to retrieve his flak jacket, which he believes may provide some protection from shrapnel, assuming that the bomb (or any booby traps) doesn’t destroy the ship. He then moves to assist Swann with disarming the bomb in any way possible, mainly by providing muscle to move things or a dexterous pair of hands.</blockquote>

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