She hits a snag, but her efforts don't go unnoticed...

Marie deftly tapped at the input panel of the door terminal. Each of her efforts brought forth a series of warning *beeps* from the system, each sounding more indignant than the last.

Finally, the engineer smacked her gloved hand against the bulkhead in frustration. "Its no good captain!" she called out to Sampson. "This thing is shut tight, and won't open easily without the proper credentials. Looks like we need someone on the level of the Chief of Security or the..."

A soft chime from the door console cut in over her words. The view screen of the system was suddenly filled by the image of a man's face - dark, slightly graying short hair, gaunt cheeks covered with stubble. The man's unblinking pale eyes stared out of the screen impassively.

"Ah, it is you Captain Samson," spoke the man, his voice filtering through the terminal's speakers. Marie recognized the tone at once - and so did Samson.

"Safin," Thane Samson growled, staring at the terminal from afar, as if his distaste of the man kept him from approaching closer.

"Doctor Safin, if you please captain," the dark-haired man nodded slightly in recognition. "The bridge systems alerted me that someone was trying to access the main area, and I assumed that it was you and your...crew."

"I don't care much for formalities at the best of times," Samson replied, "and in case you haven't noticed Doc, these aren't the best of times! Now what the hell do you want? We're at the bridge like you asked - so open this door and get us inside!"

"Captain, that is impossible. That door is our mutual problem - until it is open, we are all stuck where we are. I suggest that we work together to-"

"Where's Jane? Where's my sister, Safin?" Marie broke in over the doctor's cold tone, staring at the man's image with anger.

"You must be Miss Franklin," Safin closed his eyes briefly, and shook his head with the air of man **** to deal with an unavoidable, but minor nuisance. "I can sense that you don't have the necessary patience to wait, or the necessary manners to stop yourself from interrupting me further. So in the interest of time I shall tell you what I know, and move on."

"Doctor Franklin and I had a difference of opinion," Safin continued without giving Marie a chance to respond,"on the best way of dealing with our current predicament. Against my advice - against my direct orders - she ventured into the depth of Science complex, convinced that she could find a way to stem the outbreak there. Our communications broke down soon after she entered the Science decks, and I had not heard from her until she contacted you, Miss Franklin, during your elevator ascent. I hope that satisfies you, because that is all the information regarding Doctor Franklin that I have."

Marie was about to reply, when she felt Samson's hand on her shoulder. She bit her tongue, and spun away from the screen.

"Good. Now as I was saying," Safin's voice continued on, his tone even, "Captain, I suggest that we work together to open the bridge door and get you inside, where you can aid me with the ships controls, and secure us a way out. I have been working to overcome the lock down imposed by Security Chief Lemar, but I have been frustrated in my attempts thus far."

"Let's assume for the moment we're willing to help you out - how do you suggest we go about getting this door open?" Thane asked gruffly.

"Whatever it is, I know I want no part of it," Nicholas whispered before falling silent after a sharp elbow jab from Irina.

"You need to secure the credentials of either Security Chief Lemar or Captain Martin. Other officers should also have access, but since my own credentials as Chief Science Officer do not suffice," Safin's brow twitched slightly, "I can only assume that the current lock down requires a security level higher than my own. Chief Lemar and Captain Martin are the only two officers I know of with a clearance level that exceeded my own."

"And where do you suggest we get these credentials?" Captain Samson growled.

"I have had no direct contact with either Chief Lemar or the captain since the crisis began," Safin gave a short shrug, "I suggest you search either of their quarters. Chief Lemar's quarters were near her duty station at the Security center. The captain's quarters are further away from your current location, on the far side of the ship. I would caution you against taking that route - it passes directly over the Science decks, which have been badly damaged."

"I'll talk this over with my people Safin. Stay on your comms, we have your channel and I'll be in touch shortly. Out," Captain Samson jabbed his gloved finger against the input panel, and Safin's gaunt face disappeared from view.

"Well," Samson turned to his crew, "you all heard the man. Thoughts?"