The Story So Far
Note: This information is provided for your reading pleasure but unless revealed in a section below. If you would rather not know the secrets, skip to The Setup

After the USS Challenger made her way to the research station near Kazis IX, (see Sim “Special Delivery” for details) station commander Captain Jackson received notice from Admiral Abhishek Ranka from the strategic operations team of the Pioneer fleet. They received an automated distress beacon from the USS Potterfield that something had gone completely wrong but little more information was provided.

The Potterfield’s mission was simple, pick up a set of scientific samples form a Class-M planet in the Hromi Cluster and deliver them to Star Fleet Intelligence’s research facility on Earth. They had received reports that a spore found there high-jacked the central nervous system of its host. Intelligence wanted to gather as much data about the spore should it be turned into a biological weapon at some point in the future.

The Setup
Base Commander Jackson discussed the situation briefly with Admiral Ranka, and finding no other ships, all of the Pioneer Fleet was otherwise occupied. The closest ship to the distress beacon was the Saracen however she was otherwise occupied with other, more pressing, business.

Rhodes and Harkness were summoned to Jackson’s office and told of the situation, at least as much information as he had as well. As far as Jackson knew: A cargo ship carrying biological and scientific specimens from a research station near Rigel to Malcor III. Rhodes and Harkness were going to take some cadets to save the USS Potterfield a Monolith Class ship , from what was probably poor maintenance. The equivalent of changing a flat tire.

Chapter 1 - Initial Approach
The Challenger accepted the mission and loaded up, setting off at maximum warp to the rendezvous location. Upon arriving at the scene they found a ship that was running on emergency power with the environmental controls set to maximum humidity for a Class-M planet, along with high heat, turning the interior of the ship into a jungle environment.

Additional scans showed that the ship was more or less in one piece, with an abundant flow of wildlife growing on the inside of the ship. A moss and flora composition covered the insides of the ship’s corridors and chambers, the thickest growth near a cargo hold on deck 6. Scanners indicated that there was life throughout the rest of the ship, something moving in the hallways, however, what that something was, it was impossible to tell.

There was a complication however, holed up in the Med bay (Deck 3) were five members of the crew of the Potterfield. However, in their paranoia of whatever was lurking in the wet, dark, recesses of the ship, they locked down the Med Bay, sealing the door shut and blocking transporter access in and out of the area.

In order to get a closer look, Rhodes ordered that an away team be sent over to investigate the situation. It was here Cadet Osten and Richards were bit and darted, respectively causing them both to become infected with the parasite.

Chapter 2 - Walking Dead
After an emergency site to site transfer of the away team to the sickbay, they were locked down and prevented from leaving. The CMO was soon assaulted and also became infected. Richards somehow escaped custody and made a run for it. He was eventually restrained by security but it was too late. His core body temperature caused him to overheat and eventually he died.

The other crew was deemed to be clean and plans were made to go back to the Potterfield to figure out what, exactly was going on, and what to do next.

Chapter 3 - Conversations with Plant People
The away team, lead once again by Harkness was sent to the Potterfield. This time armed with environmental suits they were prepared for anything. Breaking the first rule of RPGs, however, they soon split the party.

The first team, comprised of Harkness and Anderson when towards the Med Bay to try and break into the room and figure out what had transpired and how to clear the way. On the way there they were assaulted by the same darts that had infected Richards, however environmental suits provided enough protection that they were safe. However, as soon as they arrived at the sickbay, Anderson was kidnapped and dragged to Cargo Bay 3 where she was introduced to Sammi. Sammi is the apparent human host of one of the spores and the likely leader of the invaders.

The second team, now comprised solely of Harkness chased after Anderson but soon found his way blocked by a wall of the sentient vines. After a discussion with a gate keeper of sorts he was allowed to pass and was taken to the cargo bay where he found Anderson and Tavium suspended and being questioned by Sammi.

The third party, comprised of the CE and COS stayed in main engineering to attempt to restore power to the Potterfield so that they could gain control of the environmental systems. As the CE was making his plans, the COS was grappled by a semi-sentient plan and was dragged to Cargo Bay 3. She too was suspended upside down while she talked with Sammi when Harkness arrived.

Meanwhile back on the Challenger, the sickbay was abuzz with activity as the acting CMO, Aizala, and the CSO, Garth raced against the clock to see what they could learn from the remnants of the parasite infecting the corpse of Richards in an effort to save Osten and the CMO.

Likewise Davis received a call from a very cross Admiral wondering what, exactly, she was trying to achieve and why she and her crew hadn’t dealt with the situation yet.