Exeter Compile 13 Dates: August 22, 2020 to August 31, 2020 Mission: The Flames of Purity, Day 15 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: The Flames of Purity Day: 15 Stardate: 2445.09.15 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Exeter, Bridge - aOPS, Ensign M'Rurrh - 1833) (USS Exeter – Steller cartography – Science Officer - Ensign SG – David Clarke - 1837) (USS Exeter – Steller cartography – ACFO, Ensign SG Ronnie Winters - 1839) (USS Exeter, Bridge - aOPS, Ensign M'Rurrh - 1850) (Asteroid Base - Upper Corridors, Holding area Omega- FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken 1850) (Asteroid Base - Upper Corridors, Holding area Omega- (NPC) DR.Gria Holb- 1851) (Asteroid base -Upper Corridor-Sec/Tac Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford 18:52) (Asteroid Base - Upper Corridors, Holding area Omega- FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken- 1853) (Asteroid Base - Upper Corridors, Holding area Omega- ACMO Ens Kasian Poldan1854) (Flames of Retribution (Cloaked) - Bridge - Tel'ni'li -1900) (Runabout Muskogee – Cockpit – Lieutenant Ire Williams and SPC Ensign Rylee Page – 1904) (USS Exeter - Science lab 3, SO PO Murphy Caine, 19:05) (USS Exeter – Main Engineering – Engineer – Chief Petty Officer Phillip Swift – 1907) (USS Exeter - Bridge – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1907) (Runabout Muskogee – Cockpit – Lieutenant Ire Williams and SPC Ensign Rylee Page – 1908) (Asteroid Base – Lower Corridor – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 1909) (Asteroid Base – Lower Corridor – MO, Ensign SG Kyros Ryelle, MD – 1910) (USS Exeter, Bridge – aOPS, Ensign M'Rurrh - 1910) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CIO/3O Lieutenant JG Jaelle Foxglove -1911) (Asteroid Base – Lower Corridor – SPC Ensign Greta Smith – 1911) (Asteroid Base – Lower Corridor – Sec/Tac Ens. Stan More - 19:12) (USS Rapier – Bridge – Vessel Master – Ofik Daj – 1912) (Asteroid Base – Lower Corridor – Engineer - Ensign - Galu Vozi – 1913) (USS Exeter - Bridge –CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 1913) (USS Exeter, Bridge – aOPS, Ensign M'Rurrh - 1914) (Asteroid Base - Near Beta team - Defense Team 1 -1915) (USS Exeter - Bridge – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1916) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 1917) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CIO/3O Lieutenant JG Jaelle Foxglove -1917) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – MO, Ensign SG Kyros Ryelle, MD – 1918) (USS Exeter - Bridge –aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok- 1918) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility- Sec/Tac Ens. Stan More - 19:19 ) (USS Exeter - Bridge –CMO - Ens Gabe Vesper - 1919) (Asteroid Base - Near Alpha team - Defense Team 2 -1920) (USS Exeter - Guest Quarters - SFI Agent, Lt. Commander Tyko Nix - 1920) (USS Talwar – Bridge – Vessel Master – Ibi Rashia – 1921) (Asteroid Base - Near Ops Room - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken -1921) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – Ensign JG Greta Smith - 1922) (Asteroid Base - Near Ops Room - (SPC)- SEC/TAC PO3 Sytuk-1922) (Asteroid base -Near ops centre-Sec/Tac Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford 19:23) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – MO, Ensign SG Kyros Ryelle, MD - 1923) (USS Rapier – Bridge – Vessel Master – Ofik Daj – 1923) (USS Exeter - Bridge -CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams -1924) (Asteroid Base - Near Ops Room - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken -1924) (USS Exeter, Bridge - aOPS, Ensign M'Rurrh -1925) (Runabout Muskogee – Cockpit – Lieutenant Ire Williams and SPC Ensign Rylee Page – 1925) (Asteroid Base - Near Ops Room - (Spc) Sec./Tac. PO3 Sytuk -1925) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek - 1925) (USS Exeter-Bridge- aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok – 1926) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – Sec/Tac Ens. Stan More - 19:26) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – MO, Ensign SG Kyros Ryelle, MD - 1927) (Asteroid Base - Ops control Room - (Spc) Sec./Tac. PO3 Sytuk -1927) (Asteroid Base - Ops control Room - Ensign SG Billy Alexander - 1928) (USS Rapier – Bridge – Vessel Master – Ofik Daj – 1930) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – SPC Ensign Greta Smith - 1931) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility - Sec/Tac Ens. Stan More - 19:32) (USS Exeter – Bridge – CO, L:t. Commander Trip Williams -1933) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 1933) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – SPC Ensign Greta Smith - 1934) (USS Exeter – Bridge – aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok-1938) (USS Exeter – Bridge – CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams-1940) (Asteroid Base, Hangar – Prophet’s Truth, Bridge – FO/CEO Atho Turil & Dr Fave Itel – 1940) (Asteroid base - corridor off ops centre, Sec Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford 19:40) (Asteroid base - corridor off ops centre, FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken 19:41) (USS Exeter – Shuttlebay – Ens(sg) Trinity Frost-1941) (Asteroid base - ops centre, SOPS, Ensign SG Billy Alexander - 1942) (Asteroid Base - Ops control Room - (SPC)- Sec./tac. Po3 Sytuk - 1943) (Unknown location Sec Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford 15, time unknown) (Asteroid Base - Upper Corridors, Holding area Omega- ACMO Ens Kasian Poldan 1944) (USS Exeter - Bridge – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1944) (Asteroid Base - Ops control Room - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1945) (USS Rapier – Bridge – Vessel Master – Ofik Daj – 1945) (Prophet’s Truth, Bridge - FO/CEO Atho Turil & Scientist - Dr Fave Itel – 1945) (USS Exeter - Bridge – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1947) (USS Exeter, Bridge - aOPS, Ensign M'Rurrh - 1948) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Corridor – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 1948) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – Sec/Tac - Ens. Stan More 19:49) (Prophet's Truth – Brig – MO, Ensign SG Kyros Ryelle, MD – 1955) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 20:00) (Flames of Retribution - Holding Cell One- ACFO, Ensign Ronnie Winters - 20:05) (Flames of Retribution - Holding Cell One- ACFO, Ensign Ronnie Winters - 20:05) (Flames of Retribution - Holding Cell Three - SFI Agent, Lt. Commander Tyko Nix - 20:07) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Begin Compile >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: The Flames of Purity Day: 15 Stardate: 2445.09.15 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (USS Exeter, Bridge - aOPS, Ensign M'Rurrh - 1833) Answering the call of the helm, the Exeter began closing to transporter range of the asteroid base. The Captain addressed orders to the entire bridge crew, bringing their focus to their shared mission. "Ensign M'Rurrh, give me a concentrated scan in the area, see if you can't pinpoint the location of the Enemy Saber classes." "Aye, sir. No trace in the immediate area. I am expanding the search parameters." One by one the bridge officers responded to their orders bringing the tremendous powers of the Exeter to bear on the task at hand. (Reply none) (Posted by MCD) (USS Exeter – Steller cartography – Science Officer - Ensign SG – David Clarke - 1837) "Oh, Ensign Clarke, I didn't know this was where you were stationed when we were at Battle Stations?" David turned at the sound of the voice. He had been so engrossed in keeping track of all the plasma storms cells and funnel clouds in their surrounding area he had not realised that Winters had entered Stellar Cartography. “Um hallo Ensign Winters. No this is not my battle station is this yours?” "Yeah, this is where I'm supposed to go if I'm not on the bridge. Monitor star charts and plan possible escape vectors if we have to bug out, our plan courses for escape pods if worst comes to worst. Stellar Cartography is the best place to plan the courses but update them in real time." “Yes that makes sense. I was assigned here by Ensign Cortez and Lieutenant Ravok so that I could give the bridge real time data on how the Badlands will affect us in our area.” "So what are you working on? Find anything fun?" He grinned. “It’s totally crazy out there. There is a massive storm front passing through this sector it should not hit us unless it changes course radically but this is the Badands so anything can happen.” He indicated to the large angry red smear that was moving across the map of their section of the Badlands. “In our immediate area we have that small plasma storm heading our way which could cause a navigational hazard but also the couple of funnel clouds that have been threatening to become something bigger. He brought up the areas on the large wall screen. (Reply Winters) “I have been trying to get some kind of reading on where the other ships maybe but there is so much clutter and back wash from everything I can’t find anything. There was some odd returns by the furthest cloud funnel but it was not there long enough to get a proper fix.” He looked over Winters. “With some one with you expertise do you know why some one would be flying a ship in from that vector and that close to a funnel cloud?” (Reply Winters) (Posted by Robbie)(SPC David Clarke) (USS Exeter – Steller cartography – ACFO, Ensign SG Ronnie Winters - 1839) “In our immediate area we have that small plasma storm heading our way which could cause a navigational hazard but also the couple of funnel clouds that have been threatening to become something bigger. "Looks pretty nasty, like something out of that old 2oth century Earth movie, what's it called again, Twister? Yeah Twister." ~Trip loves that movie, something about the flying clouds. Though he doesn't have the best taste in movies.~ Ronnie thought to herself. Even if the movie were terrible, and it wasn't, because Twister is a classic, if Trip liked it, she was going to like it, because ever since she met him, she had desperately sought his approval and affirmation. “I have been trying to get some kind of reading on where the other ships maybe but there is so much clutter and backwash from everything I can’t find anything. There was some odd returns by the furthest cloud funnel but it was not there long enough to get a proper fix.” He looked over Winters. “With someone with you expertise do you know why someone would be flying a ship in from that vector and that close to a funnel cloud?” "They wouldn't. There are too many variables, too much outside of your control. Even the best pilot would have trouble maneuvering in that area." (reply Clarke) "Granted a Saber would have a better chance than say a Galaxy class starship. But really, you wouldn't want to go over that way, unless..." (reply Clarke) "Well unless you were a smuggler and you sensed other ships in the region that might not take too kindly to what you might have as cargo. As small ship, could, if they were dumb or desperate, hang close to the funnels and use the anomaly's natural unpredictableness as a way to hide themselves from sensors." (reply Clarke) (reply Clarke) (posted by Will) (USS Exeter, Bridge - aOPS, Ensign M'Rurrh - 1850) =/\= Beta Team to Exeter. =/\= M'Rurrh admired the resilience and redundancy that were a cornerstone of Starfleet operating protocols. This meant the Tactical Officer could verify the arrival of both away teams as easily as she could through the Operations console or by contacting the operator in the Transporter Room. This adaptability also meant that messages from the away teams could be given priority broadcast on the bridge without filtering through the usual channels for outside communications, saving possibly-vital seconds. "This is the Exeter, go ahead Lieutenant," the Captain said, giving no sign of having been interrupted midway through a train of thought. =/\=Beta team reporting in. We’ve arrived on asteroid in the designated coordinates.=/\= "Perfect..." M'Rurrh gradually tuned out as the two officers exchanged pleasantries and used humour to normalise an intensely abnormal situation for them all. As she worked to minimise the ship's energy signature, boosting whatever natural cover The Badlands might give, one sentence brought her attention fully back to the away team: =/\=If I’m not mistaken it looks like a protomatter signature=/\= "Well, Sugar, honey, ice, and tea! What the hell are they up to? How does this impact your level of danger?" =/\=Well, if they’re smart it’s shielded. Which would explain the faint reading and why we didn’t get anything from the Exeter, too far away. The decayed wave could indicate that they are experimenting with it or that they are creating protomatter weapons, or both.=/\= M'Rurrh wasted no time drawing up the database records on protomatter, it's sensor profile and the most likely ways to contain and shield it. She wouldn't vary the current work of the sensors without an order but preparation was always wise. ~A wise hunter is able to have his prey come to him.~ The conversation continued as the Captain integrated this latest factor into the mission orders. "...Carry on with caution, who knows what other nasty surprises they might have." =/\=Understood. We’ll keep in contact. Beta Team out.=/\= "Ok, Lieutenant Foxglove, I want you to work with Ensign M'Rurrh and Lieutenant Cortez. See if the three of you can't boost sensors to locate any traces of protomatter on the station. If we can find it, then we can hopefully secure it. We might as well be proactive while the Away teams carry out their tasks." (reply Foxglove) "Alright, Ensign M'Rurrh, began a scan of the base for any internally shielded areas, Lt. Cortez, begin scanning for protomatter, Lt. Foxglove, do what you can to boost both their scans." "Aye sir, tasking the computer to review our existing scans with the altered parameters." As she worked, M'Rurrh spared a moment to check the ongoing surveillance of local space. The sensor screen now covered an area of several AU, but sooner or later the pair of Sabres would be revealed. (Reply any, none) (Posted by MCD) (Asteroid Base - Upper Corridors, Holding area Omega- FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken 1850) " Cryn, please tell me you have them ready." A newcomer said. When she glanced up and saw them she gasped. Sytuk took aim and as soon as he did she dropped her PADD and put her hands in the air. " Ple..please don't kill me" she begged. Sytuk stepped toward the woman. Phaser ready to take her down. The woman seemed harmless but she could still be a threat. " Orders Sir?" Sytuk asked Bracken. “Hold your fire, Sytuk, it’s okay, let her approach.” She knew that the Reman would still be ready whatever. “Give me a reason to trust you.” Ailynn said to the woman, the newcomer was trembling with fear. " Please let me go. I...I won't say anything, they have my son. " The woman said with tears filling up in her eyes. Ailynn sighed deeply. "Quite an easy claim to make, but the mere suggestion of it changes the dynamic of our situation now doesn't it. The woman began shaking. " Not all of us believe as they believe. They think we do but we don't, but just to be sure they take family members of personnel deemed highly essential and hold them so they can assure our loyalty. " she exclaimed. She truly hoped they'd be willing to help. “This is so much like that ‘Dungeons and warlocks’ game that Trip keeps trying to get me to play, but someones snuck in a Dilemma card.” Ailynn said a touch whimsically, her natural response to stress was inappropriate humour. “I understand sweetie, I do, but you have got to give me more to go on. And even then, at the end of this conversation, I’m going to have one of my officers stun you, and tag you.” Ailynn's voice was her gentlest, most careful bedside manner. She'd had the dubious fortune to work a children's retroactiveoncology ward in her 3rd year, and it had taught her a lot about (Reply Gria) “Plausible deniability. If I spare you, and they recapture you, prophets know how, they’ll know that we talked. If I stun you and treat you the same as the other prisoners, it may save your life. Tell me about your boy, his precise birthday and give me the one thing that you fixated on during your pregnancy.” (Reply Gria) (Posted by Mark) (Asteroid Base - Upper Corridors, Holding area Omega- (NPC) DR.Gria Holb- 1851) “I understand sweetie, I do, but you have got to give me more to go on. And even then, at the end of this conversation, I’m going to have one of my officers stun you, and tag you.” Gria became very afraid. " Why? I'm not going to harm any of you ." She replied in a panic. “Plausible deniability. If I spare you, and they recapture you, prophets know how, they’ll know that we talked. If I stun you and treat you the same as the other prisoners, it may save your life. Tell me about your boy, his precise birthday and give me the one thing that you fixated on during your pregnancy.” " He was born on star date 2439.07.02" She answered with tears in her eyes, but a smile broke through the tears. " He has Brown hair and hazel eyes like his father. He's smart, so smart and so brave. " she said wiping the tears off her face and took a deep breath. " Moba Fruit...I ate it until I was sick to my stomach and even then I still wanted it. Ironically it was the only thing that stopped the sneezing." she laughed nervously. ( reply Bracken ) ( reply Bracken) ( posted by Rob Davis npc Dr.Gria Holb) (Asteroid base -Upper Corridor-Sec/Tac Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford - 18:51) Sleeford left the side corridor puzzled, the sound he’d heard was out of place here, something that bothered him, it was something from his past, something that usually meant death was coming, it was the sound of stone on metal or more importantly metal on stone, a sound Sleeford had heard almost monthly during his youth on the farm. Entering the main area just as Bracken had taken down the cultist who had tried to attack her, smiling slightly he approached the fallen “victim” Six.” She inhaled, exhaling slowly. “Secure the area, tag cultists for removal when shields are down. Tag the captives for immediate removal to shuttlebay one when possible. Medic, see to what you can. Painkillers for this.” she motioned to the heap at her feet. (Reply Poldan) “No rush exactly on my last though...when you think of it after dealing with the others. All of you. ten minutes secure and rest then we move out.” Laughing softly at the FO’s comments Sleeford straddled the man and roughly grabbed his arms and pulled the arms together at the wrists, grabbing a tie from his belt pouch, Sleeford pulled it tight around the wrists and let the arms fall onto the back, leaning closer he tilted the head to the side so his captive wouldn’t choke if he vomited. Standing quickly as someone walked into the area and stopped dead at the sight of Sytuk pointing his rifle at them, trying not to laugh as the female panicked, dropped the equipment she’d been holding as her hands shot towards the roof of the cavern, the sight of a large Reman pointing a rifle at you seemed to have that effect on most people. Leaving the first officer to deal with the woman, Sleeford took the opportunity to rest and take in his surroundings. (Posted by Alistair) (Asteroid Base - Upper Corridors, Holding area Omega- FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken- 1853) " He was born on star date 2439.07.02" She answered with tears in her eyes, but a smile broke through the tears. " He has Brown hair and hazel eyes like his father. He's smart, so smart and so brave. " she said wiping the tears off her face and took a deep breath. " Moba Fruit...I ate it until I was sick to my stomach and even then I still wanted it. Ironically it was the only thing that stopped the sneezing." she laughed nervously. Ailynn smiled, as she chatted briefly, learning more about the Bajoran Doctor. Looking deeply, but kindly into Holb’s eyes. “On my honour, both as a surgeon, and A Starfleet Command Officer, I’ll save your boy.” Ailynn could see the love in the eyes of the woman in front of her, love, and fear for her child. The question about what she’d craved during pregnancy hadn’t been an idle one. Most mothers would instantly know the answer to this, and the reaction, even in the negative, would be instinctive, and not forced. “...Or I’ll die trying and take as many with them as I conceivable can.” (Reply Holb) “I’m sorry that I have to do this, but it will keep you alive.” She looked at Sytuk and gave the tiniest of micro-nods, knowing that he would understand, and stun the woman with a dart. Ailynn let Holb fall to the floor, a bruise or two wouldn’t hurt her, and would only serve to help the cover story along. “Good luck sweetie.” Ailynn said gently, sighing. (Reply Holb as above, none other needed) ( posted by Mark) (Asteroid Base - Upper Corridors, Holding area Omega- ACMO Ens Kasian Poldan 1854) Ailynn nodded to Ensign Poldan ordering him forward without any word. Kasian didn’t say anything he just moved forward to where he was needed. His mind alway on the problems at hand. His problems were the health of the team, not the cultist, his teammates, his shipmates. “Six.” She inhaled, exhaling slowly. “Secure the area, tag cultists for removal when shields are down. Tag the captives for immediate removal to shuttlebay one when possible. Medic, see to what you can. Painkillers for this.” she motioned to the heap at her feet. Kasians eyes looked at the man on the floor “Moron picked a fight he couldn’t win.” He said with a small smirk on his face “I’m a bit busy here so it will be a few minutes.” Kasian had the person he was working on stable and honestly most everyone else could wait till they were safe back on the ship but for some reason he was in no hurry at all. “No rush exactly on my last though...when you think of it after dealing with the others. All of you. ten minutes secure and rest then we move out.” the first officer came back to his response Kaz looked over at the first officer for a second with a smile on his face like she could read his mind! Honestly Kaz always felt transparent around her she was probably too smart of her own good. (posted by Richard) (Flames of Retribution (Cloaked) - Bridge - Tel'ni'li -1900) Tel'ni'li watched everything unfold, all of her meticulous planning was about to come to fruition. Soon thanks to the protomatter Bajor would be cleansed in the name of the Pa Wraiths. It was close to time for her fathers excile to come to an end. Soon she would return home a leader of her people and usher in a new age. One where her people would not bow to those who spoke empty promises of friendship. The base was simply no longer needed, like everything else it was a tool. The small measure of protomatter left behind would sever to futher devide the Federation forces the longer they were engaged in tue base the longer their ship was bound to the asteroid and could not afford to engaged her sabers at full force. It would also be enough protomatter to completely destroy the base if needed. A wicked grin crossed her lips as she entered an command on her main console of the Kligon warbird that was her command ship. Her sensors lit up as explosions racked the asteroid base. Closing off escape routes an in an instant changing the topography of the tunnels with in the base, and from these new accesses would come her defense teams. (Reply None) (Posted by Matthew Locke) (Runabout Muskogee – Cockpit – Lieutenant Ire Williams and SPC Ensign Rylee Page – 1904) Ire slid into the pilot’s seat and began a fast start up procedure, cutting as many corners as safely possible without causing damage to the Runabout. He heard movement behind him and saw Page enter the Runabout. He smiled at her and nodded. “Thanks for joining me Ensign.” Looking around, Rylee adjusted her flight suit, "With the best will in the world Sir, why am I here?" “Sorry you got volunteered by the skipper. We are aiming to misbehave and cause a nuisance of ourselves to help the Exeter drop the two Sabres which are out there about to give her some grief.” Raising an eyebrow, Rylee leant against the bulkhead and replied, "Mischief I like. How do we do that?" “Well the Muskogee runs on Tetryon plasma warp nacelles. Which means we can dump tetryon plasma out our rear end which will form a cloud and the Exeter can then blow up as the Sabers fly though it.” "Excellent… sounds good. But… why me? I'm ops. I mean sure, I can aim and fire things. But… surely there are those more qualified…." “That is true but I also need someone who can do more than fire the weapons. The Sabers are much larger than us and I need someone who can think out of the box which I understand you are good at.” Smiling, Rylee sat next to him, "Box…. Oh earth saying. I do have a mischievous mind, Sir. I can certainly think outside the box." “Also the Captain asked for you personally. I have known the Skipper for a long while he would not have recommended you for this if you were not up for the task.” Blushing, Rylee turned her attention to the console infront of her. Laying out the display how it suited her, she gazed back at Ire and nodded, "That's…. Good to know, Sir." “If you want to get off now you can and it won’t be held against you?” "And miss a chance to cause mischief sanctioned by the boss? No way." Rylee replied with a wink. =^=Ire get your ass out there now!=^= “Understood Mustogee launching now.” He looked over at Page. “Final chance to get off?” "You heard him, ass… out there…. Now mister." She replied with a wink. He grinned back at her. “Okay let's go.” He powered up the maneuvering thrusters so that the Muskogee was off the dec, snapped her around 180 degrees so that she was facing the shuttle bay exit and applied impulse power and felt the G-force slight push him into his seat as the runabouts gravity system could not react fast enough as they shot out of the shuttle bay and into space. (Reply none) (Posted by Jackie and Robbie) (USS Exeter - Science lab 3, SO PO Murphy Caine, 19:05) Caine squatted down and gathered his rock samples and their trays for the third time in as may minutes, looking up at the ceiling bulkhead he wondered not for the first time today what cowboy was flying this ship, what with the rumours of the security department becoming rouge, sometimes Caine wondered if joining the fleet had been a good idea. If it wasn’t for the opportunity to travel to new worlds to gather rocks and soil samples. Cursing as the trays hit the floor yet again Caine stood and shouted at the ceiling, in two minds to go to the bridge and give the flyboys a piece of his mind, scooping the rock back into the trays, he sat at the deck and began the process of sorting them back into their slots, as he did he lifted each rock and turned them in the light, each rock bringing back memories of where and when he’d gathered them. (Replies none) (Posted by Alistair) (USS Exeter – Main Engineering – Engineer – Chief Petty Officer Phillip Swift – 1907) Phil liked being an engineer. He got to pull things apart, put them back together. He leaned back in his chair watching the main readout, feet propped up on the counter. ~This is the life.~ He thought to himself. The ship rocked, rudely knocking Phil’s feet off the counter. The ship rocked violently a few more times. Things across the master display went from green to red. Aft shields, red. Aft stardrive ODN, red. Emergency Saucer separation, red. Port Warp Nacelle took a hit, it was amber. Aft phaser array, red. Phil’s 25 years in Starfleet told him one thing. There’s only one thing that rocks the ship that way. “Are we in combat?” He called out. =^= Damage report, and get Damage control teams working now. Focus on our shields, =^= came the Skipper’s voice over the comms. “Chief Swift here, sir. That’s a lot of damage! We’ll get DC teams on that right away!” Swift reported. “You heard the man! DC team alpha to aft shields, Beta to aft phasers, Gamma go to the port warp nacelle.” One of the Gamma members spoke up. “What about the separation mechanism?” “Ignore it.” Phil answered. He could see the fear in the boy’s eyes. “We only need it if we’re giving up. Exeter don’t give up, you hear me?” “Yes Chief!” “Get to work ladies and gentlemen!” Phil said. (Reply none needed) (Posted by Todd) (NPC CPO Phil Swift) (USS Exeter - Bridge – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1907) "It's definitely thinking outside the box, and it could work. But too risky. Especially with one shuttle already out there." Nodding her head, Erin understood his reasoning. ~He's right. I just hope he doesn't think I'm….~ she thought to herself as his next words broke her train of thought "But I like that you're thinking. Shows initiative." "Thankyou sir." After a few moments, the cry went up that a Sabre class vessel was encroaching on their position. With barely any time to focus on what was happening, the sip was rocked by weapons fire from the vessel. As the crew began to work together, the steady voice of their commander rang out, issuing orders. "Cortez, scan for any environmental anomalies. See if we can't use a plasma storm or two to our advantage." "Aye, Sir." As the ensuing battle started, Erin focused her scans on the badlands, sending a silent prayer into the universe that she had asked Adala to chart the plasma storms and their intensity. Having that information at hand was proving useful. As the bridge crew began their response, a thought entered Erin's mind. ~The tetryon plasma…. If we could time it right, we could use the plasma as Ravok said to damage their engines… put them on a path into the plasma storm off our port bow. Offer them the chance to surrender.~ "Captain!" (Reply Trip) "Sir, there's a plasma storm heading our way off the port bow. If we can time it right, use the Tetryon plasma to damage their engines putting them in the path of the storm. Give them a chance to surrender before it takes them out." (Reply Trip) (Reply Trip, any) (Posted by Jackie) (Runabout Muskogee – Cockpit – Lieutenant Ire Williams and SPC Ensign Rylee Page – 1908) Ire grinned to himself as he pulled the Muskogee into a tight turn as he cleared the Exeter. “How is the up link with Exeter?” "Holding steady and true. Unlike my stomach with that turn you just pulled." “Okay, does that include the weather forecast from stellar cartography?” Nodding, Rylee gave him a side glance, "Hey, of course it does. I may be a bit greener than you guys but I know my job." “Of course you do. I did not mean to cast aspersions on your competency.” He pulled the Muskogee out wide so that they were high and to one side of the Exeter. “Okay which way?” With a smile, Rylee took a look at the console and replied, "Second star to the right and straight on 'til morning." “Second star?” "Never mind. Direction I would suggest is those two big bad ships that are shooting at our home." “Well thank you for that wonderful piece of direction.” He pushed the impulse engines to their maximum and grinned. “Okay we need to set up an attack run so that we can disperse the cloud. We can’t go head on as they will blow us out of space but if we can get the dispersal right, we can hopefully damage one of its sides.” "You set up the run, flyboy. Leave the cloud and the defence to me." She responded, with a grin. Ire nodded at her suggestion and imputed the commands into the console. They would need to take a wide turn to set up their run and be out of the forward facing weapons arc of the closest Sabre. It was a fast and manoeuvrable ship but the Muskogee was faster. ~Okay a little bit closer. Go left, no left, yes that’s it just a little bit more~ Ire though “Okay on the attack run.” He jinked to the right missing a phaser beam by a whisker. ~Ow I have missed this~ "See those big ships firing those pretty lasers at us Watch out for them!" Rylee shouted as she returned fire. He watched as the Sabre came closer. “Almost there.” He muttered to himself as he focused on his target as he danced the Muskogee wildly across space. “Okay I will be passing the deployment point in a few seconds and proceed at your discretion.” "My discretion is not always the best thing but understood. " Ire pulled the Muskogee into a touch turn skimming past the Sabres flank and almost touched its shields giving Rylee the best possible chance of deployment that he could. Tapping on the console, Rylee took a breath and whispered, "here we go. Sorry Sabres, Kansas is going bye bye…" Pressing one control, she turned to Ire, "done now book it the hell out of here!" “Got it we are out of here.” He flipped the Muskogee and dived under the Sabres hull trying to put as much distance and the mass of the Sabre between them and then cloud. He saw on the sensors that the Sabre was trying to turn away from the cloud and reposition for a lock on him. “Hang on this could get a bit hairy.” "I'm glad I got an anti-sickness injection before i came on this flight." Ire grinned as he flung the Muskogee into and set of stomach churning manoeuvres hoping that it would be enough to not get weapons lock from the Sabre. He saw a flash out the corner of the Muskogee’s windows as the Exeter fired and ignited the cloud. The Sabre staggered sideways as its port shields blew out but it was not out of the fight yet. “Well you don’t see that every day.” "And much as this has been an education, I'd rather not see it again for a while. Don't think my stomach could take it." Winking at Ire, Rylee was about to respond when the Captain's voice came through the comm, =^=Ire do you copy?=^= “Muskogee here we copy Exeter.” =^=Have Ensign Page keep track of that storm, also our sensors indicated their hull is down to 40%, and port shield grid is gone. Make like an annoying mosquito and suck them dry. Fire phaser and torpedoes at their port side. Aiming at key systems. See if we can't disable them. I don't want them to be destroyed without giving them a chance to surrender=^= “Understood Exeter.” =^=Get er done=^= “On it, Muskogee out.” ~does he honestly think I can't hear him?~ Rylee thought to herself as she began to refocus the sensors onto the storm. Ire grinned to himself as he began a long turn to get themselves back in the right direction. “Okay lets set up for another run, as the Skipper said torpedoes and phaser. Which angle would be best for you?” "Well, I could say head on but any will do me fine.” "I’am just flying this thing you’re the one with the hard job.” "Just fly straight and true, if that's possible?" “I can assure you I can fly straight when needed. I just wanted to see if you could keep your dinner down?” "I really could say something right now but we have a job to do. Eyes on the prize." He watched as the Exeter began to pull away firing on the second Sabre. ~Looks like it’s just us~ “I wonder how close we can get to the Sabre for those precision shots we need?” "Pretty close?" “Ow I think we can get closer than that.” He said with a grin. ~Just as long as they don’t raise those port shields while we are inside~ His fingers danced across the console as the he brought the Muskogee around to face the Sabres port side. “What specific key systems are on this part of the ship?” "Engineering, environmental…" He nodded as he glanced at the distance from them to the Sabre. “We need to keep any eye on the shield generators let’s see if we can get them as well.” He looked over at Page and gave her a wide grin. “Ready?” "Would it make any difference if I said no?" “No, let's go.” Nodding, Rylee went silent, focusing all her attention on the task at hand. He gunned the impulse engines to give them maximum forward momentum as they headed towards the port side. His eyes were everywhere over the console looking at the information there and also outside the windows visual double checking what the data was telling him. He signed mental as they passed the shield perimeter which were still down. He was adjusting constantly keeping up with the Sabres manoeuvres as they reached the desired spot. “All yours.” Firing, Rylee smiled as the phasers began to tear into their environment control systems. He watched as Rylee surgically dismantled the targeted system with the Muskogee’s weapons. His console began to beep and he scanned the read outs for the reason why. “Hell they are trying to shake us. How long till your done?” "Done now. Get us the hell out of here." “Great.” He rotated the Muskogee and slammed her into full impulse rocketing the runabout back out into space doing a lazy turn making sure that the port side of the Sabre was always with in weapons range. He grinned to himself as the Muskogee took up an aggressive posture and looked over at Rylee. “Well was that not fun?” "You have a weird sense of fun!" Rylee replied with a smile. The comm channel clicked into life as Trips voice began to speak. =^=Attention members of the Cult of the Pah Wraith, the Prophets Fire or whatever it is you are calling yourselves these days. My name is Captain James Andrew Williams the Third, Commanding Officer of the Federation Starship Exter…..=^= (Reply none) (Posted by Jackie and Robbie) (Asteroid Base – Lower Corridor – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 1909) “ I fully agree with Greta. We should check first. Plus if the Exeter’s shields up. Well have stunned people laying about. That could put us in danger of being exposed.” Stan said ( Reply Smith ) “ No not me. I would stick out to much,” Stan said They seemed to be still discussing the scouting plan, and they were wasting time. “Enough.” Keira said, maybe a little more harshly than was required, “I thank you for your input, but with the number of people inside there is no way that we won’t immediately be seen once the door opens, even if it’s just one. We aren’t disguised and only one of us is fully Bajoran. I’m not sending Dr. Kryos in there to be captured. I doubt they’d convert him but, I don’t want them using him as a bargaining chip either.” Keira explained. “We’ll have to go with the tricorder reconnaissance.” (Reply Beta team IYW) “I’ll go in low with my type II, on wide heavy stun, I’ll keep the group of three to the left occupied.” Keira began reiterating her plan. “Vozi will cover the way we came, Smith and More with take either side of the door. Dr. Kryos, would you be opposed to covering our direction of travel with a phaser?” (Reply Dr. Kryos) “Doctor, I would get quite upset if we have to use anything higher than the stun setting. The stun setting is perfect.” Keira said. “When you two hear my phaser go off,” she indicated to More and Smith, “using the door frame as cover, pop in and stun and dart everything, working towards the center.” (Reply Beta) “If the Exeter’s shields are up, that’s fine. Stun will last for a while, an hour, two at most. We should be done by then.” She answered. “Positions.” She said. (Reply Beta) Once she saw everyone was ready she performed a silent countdown with her non-dominant hand.” Three. Two. One. She slapped the door actuator and the double doors slid apart from the middle. This revealed a group of long rectangular tables and benches made of a light cheap metal and five cult members were sitting on joking and laughing, half eaten food on plates in front of them. One of them caught a glimpse of Keira approaching. The cultist could only manage a deer in the headlights look before Keira pressed the firing stud on her phaser. (Reply More and Smith) The group on the left was hit two of them buckled to their knees. The third was slightly behind the front man so he was able to duck behind one of the tables and reach for his weapon. (Reply left side) One of the cultists began to do the same thing on the right side before one of Beta team trained their phaser on them. (Reply right side) (Posted by Todd) (Asteroid Base – Lower Corridor – MO, Ensign SG Kyros Ryelle, MD – 1910) “I’ll go in low with my type II, on wide heavy stun, I’ll keep the group of three to the left occupied.” Keira began reiterating her plan. “Vozi will cover the way we came, Smith and More with take either side of the door. Dr. Kryos, would you be opposed to covering our direction of travel with a phaser?” The doctor looked at the engineer and with a sigh. He was apprehensive about this mission, because at his heart he was a monk, not a combatant. Yet here he was carrying a phaser, in which their enemies were a terrorist cell of misguided Bajorans, his own people. He didn't like pointing a phaser at anyone, but something about this just made it hard. He would much rather it be a Klingon, or a Romulan, or a Cardassian, than his own people. ~No, no, don't think about that, don't wish they were Cardassians. That is what got these poor souls into this mess. No, Ryelle, stun setting, capture them, and then talk to them. See if you can't help them see the Prophet's light once more. The whisper of the Pah Wraiths, its an easy dark path. These are misguided sheep. I must go to them, save them.~ "No I would not be opposed, but if you expect me to take my phaser off it's stun setting, then I will have to become a conscientious objector. I'm a man of peace, religion, science, and medicine. A weird hodge podge. Stun, I can handle. But even if they were Cardassian, I would hesitate to kill. I'm a doctor, not a commando." “Doctor, I would get quite upset if we have to use anything higher than the stun setting. The stun setting is perfect.” Keira said. “When you two hear my phaser go off,” she indicated to More and Smith, “using the door frame as cover, pop in and stun and dart everything, working towards the center.” Ryelle nodded and took the Phaser he was carrying. Double and triple checking it was on the stun setting, he took a defensive position to best cover the away team. (reply none) (posted by Will) (USS Exeter, Bridge – aOPS, Ensign M'Rurrh - 1910) The sensor alert had flashed in one corner of M'Rurrh's console, but she'd resisted the urge to check whether the incoming vessel was one of the expected saber-class starships. Instead, she continued applying herself to the local problem of identifying and neutralising the protomatter below. All that changed with two words from the Captain: "Red alert; all hands prepare for battle." "Ensign M'Rurrh open a channel." Her fingers danced over the communications console, but none of her attempts to open a direct channel with the other ship were successful. "I'm trying, sir, but they aren't acknowledging the hail." Frustration was evident on the Captain's face as he turned back to face forward and tapped his commbadge. "Ire get your ass out there now!" After mere moments of talking with the runabout crew, the bridge rocked hard to one side. M'Rurrh kept her balance with feline grace but she saw several of her colleagues clutch at the consoles for support, and one Petty Officer's head had a brief liaison with a bulkhead. "Damage report, and get Damage control teams working now. Focus on our shields." The order was spoken to Engineering, but M'Rurrh copied it to the Operations Centre. Any support her department could give to keep power flowing to the shields could be the difference between... M'Rurrh's mind stilled as the viewscreen showed the second Saber joining the fight. "Ravok, prepare to fire phasers..." ~Now, little ship's, you will feel our claws!~ (Reply none) (Posted by MCD) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CIO/3O Lieutenant JG Jaelle Foxglove -1911) The Captain called for any tactical ideals from Jaelle. She was deep with in the Asteroid bases systems trying to be of assistance to the away teams when the Exeter came under attack. She stood eyeing the monitors before her taking in the tactical situation. The sabers flanked them and had them stuck between the base and thier positions. Jaelle thought quicky running a quick tactical assessment though her mind. "Captain, First I suggest getting room between us and that base. We already know that the enemy is not above using suicide tactics, and the last thing I want is to be with in the range of a Protomatter explosion." (Reply Trip) "I know, but we won't do the away team any good if we're severely crippled. We must move to an more advantageous position to engage the Sabers." (Reply Trip) "Next use the Dark matter phasers target unshielded asteroids and plasma clouds close to the enemy shields those secondary impacts should do damage with out stressing our main phaser arrays. Let keep them on thier toes and guessing. If we can dictate thier flight path by what they need to avoid, we can then predict more accurate firing vectors." (Reply Trip) "Lastly change the targeting, fire at the main contol relays. They act as nerve centers with in the ship. Damaging them will cause more secondary damage and knock out more systems than just trying to take out key systems which are normally better armored and have greater back up redundancies." Jaelle took a moment to bring up a holographic saber highlighting key areas where command relays were located and key areas to target. (Reply Trip, any on Bridge) (Posted by Matthew Locke) (Asteroid Base – Lower Corridor – SPC Ensign Greta Smith – 1911) “When you two hear my phaser go off,” she indicated to More and Smith, “using the door frame as cover, pop in and stun and dart everything, working towards the center.” "Aye, Ma'am. " Greta replied, checking her weapon and getting it to her shoulder, ready. “If the Exeter’s shields are up, that’s fine. Stun will last for a while, an hour, two at most. We should be done by then.” She answered. “Positions.” She said. Greta dropped to one knee, holding her weapon steady. Watching the silent countdown, Greta held herself steady and, as soon as the door opened and Merek was through, she snuck in to the left and glanced ahead Firing her weapon once, she tagged one, caught the second and growled and the third dropped behind the table reaching for a weapon. Creeping to the table, Greta smiled slowly as she peeked over the side, "No you don't. " she spoke softly as she stunned him, tagging him for later transport. As she stood to report all down, an explosion shook the base and caused her to stumble slightly. "What in hell was that?" (Reply Beta) With barely any time for the response, a second explosion tore through the wall a few feet from her position. Shaking her head as the dust settled, Greta realized that there were people in the smoke and dust. People with guns. As they began to fire, Greta dove over a table, pulling it down to use as a shield. Landing heavily, she took several deep breaths, went to raise her gun and hissed. Reaching behind her right shoulder, she hissed again. "Son of a…. Damn phaser burn." She whispered to herself. Picking up her rifle, she held her right arm to her side, steadied herself and said quietly, "Well, let's see how good I still am with the left." Leaning round the table, she caught sight of one of the group and took aim, fired and smiled as he dropped. S few shots flew past her as she ducked behind the upturned table again. (Reply Beta, any) (Posted by Jackie) (Asteroid Base – Lower Corridor – Sec/Tac Ens. Stan More - 19:12) Stan was very impressed with Greta. She hit three of the five targets. Tagging and stunning them. Stan ducked low so he was almost on the ground. Using the scope on his phase rifle. He targeted another and fired. The dart caught them in the lower thigh. Causing them to slowly sink to the ground like a deflated balloon. As he was on the floor More did not see who felled the other. He was just on the verge of standing up. When an explosion caught him off guard. Knocking him onto his side on the floor. “ What in wee Billy! “ He mumbled as pain went through his hip. More crawled towards an upturned table. As energy beams shot out from the newly blown entrance. He could not see or feel any blood. Plus he had been able to crawl without lights of pain. Dancing before his eyes. So his injury was more muscular then anything serious. “ How in the great bird of the galaxy did they know we are here! “ Stan said as he fired into the dust cloud. ( Reply Beta group ) Greta felled one of the newcomers. Stan knew immediately that these people were fanatics. He could hear what sounded like religious oaths. Being shouted at them as the new fire fight began. Then again he may of been wrong Stan was not sure. But the voracity of the attack. Showed just what these people considered should be done to infidels. He was tempted to switch to lethal. But no. Tag and stun had been the order. Why should he sink to their attackers level. He was a Scotsman at heart. From a noble people of proud warriors. Dating back long before man had left for the stars. Long before man had even learnt to fly. Strength through honour! Using the upturned table as cover he fired. Tagging and knocking unconscious another possible assassin. ( Reply Beta group ) ( Posted by:- Norman 🐼) (USS Rapier – Bridge – Vessel Master – Ofik Daj – 1912) “Signal the Talwar to advance!” Ofik called out. “Evasive pattern Lambda one! Ready phasers for another salvo.” The Exeter fired a series of attacks aimed at the smaller vessel. Torpedoes and phasers rushed towards the target, the phasers arrived first. The Rapier executed a Starboard roll spreading the damage over a greater area than intended by the attacker. Two phasers hit the starboard shields while the remaining three went wide. The initial three torpedoes impacted the port shield, their explosion knocked the remaining two torpedoes off course. Daj felt as the ship rocked from the damage. ~That could have been worse.~ “Status?” “ Hull’s down to 40%! ODN is damaged, secondary computer core is obliterated. ” came the response from Engineering. “Port shield grid is gone, shuttlebay vented to space. Emergency bulkheads are in place. Crew quarters on Deck 7 are vented to space.” “Send out the damage control teams! Back off, keep our Starboard side to her, evasive pattern Beta four!” (Reply Exeter, Talwar) (Posted by Todd) (Asteroid Base – Lower Corridor – Engineer - Ensign - Galu Vozi – 1913) "What in hell was that?" “Looks like they are wanting to do some explosive redecorating.” Groaned Galu as he picked him self off the floor where he had dived. He was movement through the in the dust cloud and heard Greta and then Stan begin to fire at the shapes as they appeared. “How in the great bird of the galaxy did they know we are here! “ He took cover beside a bulkhead “Why don’t you go and ask them. I am sure they will be happy to tell you.” Ducked as a phaser beam shattered a chunk of bulkhead that was above him. He looked back out as saw that there seamed to be a lot more movement in the slowly dissipating cloud. ~Ow this is not great. They can’t hold them all off. Okay lest level the playing field~ He pulled open his case and pulled out a small cylinder. “Rainy day I guess.” He looked at what he could see of the exploded wall and did rapid calculations on its structural integrity after the explosion. He inputted the numbers as he stood up and stepped out into the open. “Fire in the hole.” He yelled as he launched the cylinder into the dust cloud. He ducked back under cover and crossed his finger mentally that he had not over calculated the charge. To much and then over pressure would cause more damage and kill the attackers they were trying to stun but not enough then they would not be affected. There was a blast of pressure which and a blinding light as the cylinder went off. “Quick they may not be down for long.” As he moved forward. (Reply Beta team) (Posted by Robbie)(SPC Galu Vozi) (USS Exeter - Bridge –CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 1913) As the battle raged on and Ravok followed Trip's orders, Trip found himself keeping his head on a swivel as he was being given advice from every side. "Ensign M'Rurrh, can you get me a damage readout on the Saber?" (Reply M'Rurrh) "Thank you ensign." Trip then opened a channel to engineering. "Engine Room, how are our repairs coming?" (Reply Engineering) Trip then turned to Foxglove as she spoke. "Captain, First I suggest getting room between us and that base. We already know that the enemy is not above using suicide tactics, and the last thing I want is to be with in the range of a Protomatter explosion." "Logical," Trip said, hating that he sounded so, so, Vulcan. "Ensign Winters, give us some distance from the base, using Pattern Trip Alpha Dragon. Make sure we keep them in front, Aft Shield not 100% Aft phaser array damaged. "Aye sir," Ronnie said as she followed Trip's commands, giving them some distance, while at the same time, moving in a way to make them harder to hit. "I'm not going any further than this." Trip said as he turned to Foxglove. "I know, but we won't do the away team any good if we're severely crippled. We must move to a more advantageous position to engage the Sabers." "This will have to do. We make our stand here. Like you said, they aren't afraid to use suicide tactics. I don't want to embolden them by making them think we are running away or trying to protect something. Middle ground." "Next use the Dark matter phasers target unshielded asteroids and plasma clouds close to the enemy shields those secondary impacts should do damage with out stressing our main phaser arrays. Let keep them on thier toes and guessing. If we can dictate thier flight path by what they need to avoid, we can then predict more accurate firing vectors." Trip paused as he pondered her suggestions. "Lastly change the targeting, fire at the main contol relays. They act as nerve centers with in the ship. Damaging them will cause more secondary damage and knock out more systems than just trying to take out key systems which are normally better armored and have greater back up redundancies." I agree with the relays, but not targeting the asteroids. The environment is too unpredictable, If there was more wiggle room, we would, and I know we used the dark matter phasers to scare the ferengi. But too many variables this time. That time we weren't trying to do anything other than intimidate. Too risky, it's unstable area, new tech. I'm not that desparate." ~Yet~ "Tell you what Foxy," With all the adrenaline Trip hadn't released he had just given Jaelle a new nickname. One that was significantly nicer than murder fairy. "Those are old starfleet vessels. See if you can find their prefix codes and then if they still work. If we can shut them down, it might be our best bet at getting them to surrender." (reply Foxglove) "Captain!" "What is it Cortez." Trip said turning his head around. "Sir, there's a plasma storm heading our way off the port bow. If we can time it right, use the Tetryon plasma to damage their engines putting them in the path of the storm. Give them a chance to surrender before it takes them out." "That Might work if we can get the prefix code gamble to work. But more than anything, we need to make sure we stay clear. Good catch Lieutenant. Keep me posted on the Storm's path. Make sure Ensign Winters has that data." (reply Cortez) "Dr. Vesper, do you have a readout on our away team's lifesigns, how are they faring?" (reply Vesper) "Keep me apprised in case we need to send in reinforcements." (Reply Vesper iyw) Trip then opened a channel to the Muskogee. "Ire do you copy?" (Reply Ire) "Have Ensign Page keep track of that storm, also our sensors indicated their hull is down to 40%, and port shield grid is gone. Make like an annoying mosquito and suck them dry. Fire phaser and torpedoes at their port side. Aiming at key systems. See if we can't disable them. I don't want them to be destroyed without giving them a chance to surrender." (reply Ire) "Get er done!) (reply Ire iyw) Trip then sighed and turned to Ravok. "Focus all your attention on the second one. I want you targeting their main relays per Foxglove's suggestion. But let's not be shy. I want a 60 sec phaser burst from both arrays targeting their relays. See if we can't get through their shields. That should give us about 200 shots. Be accurate, but aim to cripple not kill. Is that understood?" (reply Ravok) "Fire!" (reply Ravok) As the barrage of phasers began raining upon the second Saber trip opened a channel to, not specific to either ship, but one that anyone within range could pick up if they were so inclined to listen. "Attention members of the Cult of the Pah Wraith, the Prophets Fire or whatever it is you are calling yourselves these days. My name is Captain James Andrew Williams the Third, Commanding Officer of the Federation Starship Exter. You can call me Trip. We do not want a prolonged engagement. We have the tactical and technological advantage. But we do not wish your deaths. Unfortunately I had to fire on and destroy your comrades earlier, but I did so with a heavy heart, to save the lives of my crew. The 500 lives that have been placed under my care. I gave your comrades every chance to surrender, but they did not. I did not wish for them to die. But I did what I had to do to save my crew. A crew made up of a variety of species. Tibruonian, Catian, Orion, Bolian, Human, Betazoid, Vulcan, Trill, Reman, Romulan, Roylan, Cardassian, Tellaraite, Rigelian, and Bajoran, among many others. All serving together for the ideals of the Federation. I understand your concerns, your misgivings, your fears. But violence is not the answer. We only wish to prevent further bloodshed. As we speak my crew on your base are only firing to stun. Using non lethal means. We do not seek this fight. But we do strive to protect all Federation citizens, including you. Stand down, surrender, and end this madness. Any and all who surrender now will be taken as Federation Citizens and not as terrorists or insurgents. You will be tried as Federation citizens, given all the rights and privileges that the federation charter provides. You will be treated fairly, equally, and I will make note of you surrender as a sign of cooperation to be used as a mitigator during sentencing. This is your last warning. I do not want any of you to perish for this fool's errand. However, I must protect the lives of my crew and those of the Federation that I have sworn to protect. If you do not surrender, any captives will be tried as traitors and enemies of the State. You will not have the same rights you would as citizens. Your sentence will be harder and there will be nothing I can do. I will fight to protect lives, because even though I loathe taking a life, I will do so in defense of others, something that in my culture, has been taught as justified for millenia. I will not hesitate. My record speaks for itself. Check your databases, I'm assuming it can link up to the current Starfleet personnel files. My name is James Andrew Williams the third, former commanding officer of the 1st Fighter Wing of Mars. One of the Leaders of the Mars Defence Force. Commander of the Battle of the Kuiper Belt of 2444, the Battle of the Delta Volanis Cluster of 2444, and the Second Battle of Wolf 359 . Combat decorated. I've taken down pirates who were more organized and outfitted than you are. So I ask you again, surrender. I may be young, but I've got teeth. So you have to ask yourselves. What's more important, martyrdom or redemption. Right now, we are bombarding your ships, between the Exeter and our Runabout. You can feel the impact across your hulls. You have 60 seconds." Then muting the audio Trip turned to Foxglove, "Any luck on the prefix codes?" (reply Foxglove) (reply foxglove, Ire, Ravok, Cortez, M'Rurrh, Vesper, Enemy combatants) (posted by Will) (USS Exeter, Bridge – aOPS, Ensign M'Rurrh - 1914) "Ensign M'Rurrh, can you get me a damage readout on the Saber?" "They're hit, sir, but not badly enough to bow out. Post shield is offline, they are maneuvering to compensate. I think someone's been making some modifications to their energy grid - these readings are a long way from Starfleet standards." "Thank you, Ensign" The Captain opened a channel to Engineering and M'Rurrh watched the saber-class vessel turn it's starboard shield toward the larger vessel, while it's next volley sought out the runabout. (Reply none) (Posted by MCD) (Asteroid Base - Near Beta team - Defense Team 1 -1915) The small defensive force numbering no more than five souls. Were made up of some of the more devote followers of the new orders. They believed in Tel'ni'li and her goals, they would die for her goals. "Any moments now." Called the team leader quietly. As the small breach charge was pressed on the wall to the mess hall. The team braced themselves for they knew what was about to happen. Explosions rocked the base causing the entire structure to shake violently. Shortly after the shape charge detonated and a new entry was made into the chow hall area. The small team flooded into the room though the confusion weapons at the ready and set to take no prisoners. They opened fire on those that dared to enter thier base. (Reply Beta team) (Posted by Matthew Locke) (USS Exeter - Bridge – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1916) "That Might work if we can get the prefix code gamble to work. But more than anything, we need to make sure we stay clear. Good catch Lieutenant. Keep me posted on the Storm's path. Make sure Ensign Winters has that data." "Aye sir!" Setting up a relay with the Conn, Erin began to stream all the data across to Ensign Winters console. As the conversations on the bridge continued around her, Erin's mind began to calculate the possibilities and patterns of the storm approaching them. (Reply none) (Posted by Jackie) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 1917) Phaser and disruptor fire criss-crossed into quite a light show. The Chief Engineer dropped prone to avoid the phaser fire from the person who had managed to drop behind a table. Keira’s plan was… going. She wouldn’t say “with out a hitch”, maybe a half hitch, certainly still salvageable. Her dive for cover ended up giving her the perfect angle to fire a shot and stun one of the ones who had hidden behind a table. They dropped to the ground like a sack of Kava roots. A rumbling shook the entire facility. "What in hell was that?" Greta said. A larger much closer cacophony erupted from the wall. Billowing smoke, no not smoke, rock pulverized into dust issued from the hole. ~A breaching charge.~ “ How in the great bird of the galaxy did they know we are here! “ Stan said as he fired into the dust cloud, but Keira couldn’t hear him. She was the closest to the explosion. All Keira heard was a ringing. She fired her phaser at silhouettes in the cloud some of which fell. Her security compliment of More and Smith were tagging assailants with precision. Keira caught a glimpse of a shiny metal cylinder coming from behind her. She turned to look at it’s source Vozi had thrown some sort of improvised device into the hole maybe to stop re-enforcements… (Reply Defense Team Leader) Keira turned around just in time to see someone charging out from the hole barely avoiding Vozi’s makeshift flash-bang. She swung her type II around only to have it knocked out of her hand with a precise kick from her attacker. (Reply Defense Team Leader) He was saying something that the Romulan woman couldn’t make out while throwing blows at her. Fore arm block. Fore arm block. Shin block. “What kind of monster breach charges his own people?” Keira yelled. As sound was still muffled and that damned ringing. She tested him with some probing blows of her own. (Reply Defense Team Leader) Keira badly wanted to go for her blade. Her discipline held her back. A trade of blows one from the other back and forth. They both backed up to re-evaluate the other. (Reply Defense Team Leader) The enemy combatant drew a ritualistic looking knife from a sheath hidden under his sash. Now since he had escalated to deadly force Keira was allowed to. ~Now it’s on.~ She drew her curved talon blade. (Reply Security) (Reply Beta Team, Defense Team Leader, any) (Posted by Todd) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CIO/3O Lieutenant JG Jaelle Foxglove -1917) "Tell you what Foxy," Trip called to her, "Those are old starfleet vessels. See if you can find their prefix codes and then if they still work. If we can shut them down, it might be our best bet at getting them to surrender." Jaelle smiled as she pulled up a Federation ship registry and went to look up the prefix codes while she back logged though the bases comm system to create a subspace link between the two sabers. The sabers were listed in the base computers with their registry numbers. Once she acquired those she was able to cross reference the registry with the ships prefix codes. "I got the prefix codes." She spoke with a wicked grin. She entered the access codes. "I main control of the Sabers, can shutdown the ships on your command." (Reply Trip) (Posted by Matthew Locke) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – MO, Ensign SG Kyros Ryelle, MD – 1918) It was safe to say that Ryelle was probably not going to volunteer for any more away missions. As Phaser fire and smoke darted across the air, Ryelle did everything he could to stay out of the thick of it and not get hit. He let out a phaser blast here or there, but in all honesty, he was a terrible shot. Especially with Vosi's improvised stun grenade, prayer was the only thing keeping Ryelle from losing sight of what was going on. Still, as soon as they were done, he was going to spend any free time he had in solitude. ~Never thought I would miss the monastery this bad.~ He thought to himself. While ducking he loocked at his surroundings. More seemed to be down, from what he could gather, there were some burns on the side of his leg. Greta seemed to be favoring her shoulder, the uniform there had been torn. He did not have eyes on Vosi, and Merek seemed to be engaged in hand to hand combat. More was the closest to him. He did his best to crawl over to the ensign and opened his medkit. "How we doing Stan?" Ryelle said as he aimed his phaser and started firing it so as to dissuade any hostiles to come that way. Then placing it down he assessed the damage visually. He didn't have time to do a full scan. (reply More) "It looks like you have some burns on your hip. Gonna give you three injections, should help you get back on your feet." (reply More) Quickly loading a hypospray he injected near the site. "This right here is a numbing agent, should help with the pain. I can't really treat the burns in the middle of a firefight, sorry about that." (Reply More iyw) Quickly reloading the hypospray he injected near the site a second time. "Antibiotic agent used in triage situations, will help against infection." (reply More if you want) Finally Ryelle injected him a third time. "Adrenaline shot, should help with the muscle damage, and also get you moving until we get to a moment of calm and I can assess you more thoroughly. Now then, if you could be so kind and help out the Lieutenant with her 'friend', Im going to make my way over to Ensign Smith." (reply More) Ryelle then gathered his stuff and began crawling as quickly and safely as he could to Greta. He didn't even look back to see if Stan was aiding Keira. He trusted that he would know what to do, and would be a much better shot than the already anxious doctor. "Ensign Smith, seems like you got singed." (Reply Greta) "Give me some cover will you, need to load some hyposprays." (Reply Greta) Quickly Ryelle loaded two hyposprays and injected them near the site of the burn. "A numbing agent and antibiotic, should reduce the pain and keep it from getting infected." (reply Greta) "Now then, I have eyes on Merek and More, but I've lost track of Vosi, do you see him?" (reply Greta) (reply Greta, More, any Beta) (posted by Will) (USS Exeter - Bridge –aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok- 1919) "Focus all your attention on the second one. I want you targeting their main relays per Foxglove's suggestion. But let's not be shy. I want a 60 sec phaser burst from both arrays targeting their relays. See if we can't get through their shields. That should give us about 200 shots. Be accurate, but aim to cripple not kill. Is that understood?" Ravok keyed away bring up the Saber classes relay positions. The image on his terminal depicted the saber in a blue color and the relays in yellow. He tapped various relays then slid the fingers on his left hand up and with his right hand... "Fire!" Trip command as Ravok slapped his index finger on the button to activate the phaser fire. During this time it was tactically dangerous to launch any torpedoes, because their guidance systems would maneuver them to avoid phaser strikes and could move the torpedoes into the flight path of the runabout. The Exeter's phaser arrays unleashed chaos upon the enemy ship. Their bridge sustained considerable damage and so did one of their impulse drives another barrage of that magnitude would be devastating for the cultist to endure. In the moment Ravok couldn't help but think about all the members of the Romulan fleet who would have loved to open fire like this on a Federation starship. Ravok never thought he'd be in a position like this , sure the pirates they fought had stolen federation shuttles, but these were Starfleet vessels he was firing upon. When the 60 seconds was up he released the button. His adrenaline was off the charts. ~ That was a rush~ Trip began speaking over an open channel directed at any who would listen. "Commander of the Battle of the Kuiper Belt of 2444, the Battle of the Delta Volanis Cluster of 2444, and the Second Battle of Wolf 359…" Trip mentioned in his speech to the enemy. Ravok felt tremendous pride to have been at Trip's side through all of that. The second battle of wolf 359 was something that shook the entire fighter wing. Through so many engagements, they had been victorious without any deaths among them, close calls, but no deaths. His mind rushed to Baker, his flight officer, his fellow officer, his friend...his brother in arms. Rage filled Ravok, his finger hovered over the command button to launch a spread of torpedoes right at their most damaged relays. It took everything in Ravok to hold back the urge to annihilate them. ~ They're beneath me, They're animals at best.~ Ravok shook his head and quickly removed his hand away from the terminal and sat back in the chair. ~ What the hell is wrong with you ?~ He questioned himself. This wasnt him. This wasn't how he felt about anyone or anything. He had never felt anything like that before, it was a weird sensation that passed over him, but in all its strangeness it felt natural, it felt familiar, it felt Romulan… ( reply any on bridge) ( posted by Rob Davis) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility- Sec/Tac Ens. Stan More - 19:19 ) Energy beams and explosions! Stan swore as he knelt bending his hip. He fired into the dust cloud surely by now they had hit everyone! "How we doing Stan?" Ryelle said appearing by Mores side. “ My hip hurts otherwise fine” Stan told Ryelle "It looks like you have some burns on your hip. Gonna give you three injections, should help you get back on your feet." “ Thanks be careful these people don’t care who they hit.” Stan warned Ryelle. "This right here is a numbing agent, should help with the pain. I can't really treat the burns in the middle of a firefight, sorry about that." “ Understood it’s ok I can ignore the pain. It actually not that bad.” Stan told him. (Reply iyw) "Antibiotic agent used in triage situations, will help against infection." “ Careful...” An enrgey bean nearly hit Ryelle. "Adrenaline shot, should help with the muscle damage, and also get you moving until we get to a moment of calm and I can assess you more thoroughly. Now then, if you could be so kind and help out the Lieutenant with her 'friend', Im going to make my way over to Ensign Smith." “ Take care.........” Stan said It was like watching combat from another time. Keira and her opponent were fighting hand to hand. More was tempted to stun them both. But that was really against Starfleet protocol to stun a fellow crew member. But still he was going to have to be very careful. The treatment to his hip had helped. Now it was more like a heavy sting rather then all out pain. Pointing his Phaser rifle at the her opponent. He waited until they were in the sight. Then hoping Keira did not suddenly. Get pulled into his rifle beam he fired. The opponent crumpled on the floor. Stan winced as a spike of pain went through his hip. “ Are you ok? “ He asked Merek. ( Reply Merek ) “ I am afraid not an honourable thought went from this yin here.” Stan said pointing to the stunned opponent” They were hoping by involving you in hand to hand combat. It would delay us enough until more attackers could arrive.” (Reply Merek, Beta team ) ( Posted by:- Norman 🐼) (USS Exeter - Bridge –CMO - Ens Gabe Vesper - 1919) As the battle raged on Gabe threw his hands over the panel watching as the readings showed how each member of the away team was doing. "Dr. Vesper, do you have a readout on our away team's lifesigns, how are they faring?" Trips voice came out. "Minor issues, the field medics are dealing with them, nothing major to.be concerned about, I think we have bigger troubles up here." Gabe said looking at the casualty reports from Sickbay. "Keep me apprised in case we need to send in reinforcements." "Obviously sir" Gabe said, a little sass slipping out by mistake (Reply any iyw) (Posted by Mat) (Asteroid Base - Near Alpha team - Defense Team 2 -1920) The computer core was a heavily armored and secure room. With only one way in and one way out it made for a perfect defensive position that corridor leading to the main entrance was long and smooth with few hiding spots which made defending easy. Now all the defenders had to was wait. Explosions rocked the base and the defenders knew what that meant. I predetermined signal to engage the enemy. Till now orders were only to attack indirectly to harass and annoy the Federation trespassers. Now however they waited weapons set to make sure they would not survive. They watched as the enemy breached the far end of the corridor. That's when the firing started. (Reply Alpha team) (Posted by Matthew Locke) (USS Exeter - Guest Quarters - SFI Agent, Lt. Commander Tyko Nix - 1920) As Nix sat down at the desk in his temporary quarters and began sifting through the crew manifest of the Exeter. He wish he could have been more help as the Exeter continued its combat with the cultists, but he knew the crew could handle it. Besides he'd only get in the way. Too many cooks in the kitchen and all that. Besides, he had gotten new directives from his superiors. As he began scrolling through the crew manifest, using his secret clearance to get all the redacted information on every crew record. And with the clearance he was given from SFI he had access to everything. He then checked to see their service history, their backgrounds, skills, strengths, weaknesses. His new directive was recruitment, identify any from the Exeter crew who might be assets to Starfleet Intelligence. ~She'll do, he'll do, security risk, danger to others, no, no, maybe, definitely no. It's a young crew. I don't even know why Starfleet gave a ship to a crew this young. I mean do they really think someone from this crew would be an asset to Operation Starfire.~ He then clicked on another profile. ~Oh yes, I should have checked your record first. You will do nicely.~ (reply none) (posted by Will) (USS Talwar – Bridge – Vessel Master – Ibi Rashia – 1921) It took some time for the Talwar to come around the back side in response to the initial attack. The Talwar’s warp drive was functional, but not as efficient as it could be. When Trentin had called for people with military experience to step forward, Rashia had no idea it was going to be captaining a starship. Her commission to Major in the Bajoran Militia meant she was used to giving orders, and people following them, and she knew about tactics, but star ship combat was relatively novel to her. “The Rapier is signaling us to move in.” the OPS station said. “Sensors show they’ve taken a beating.” “Not all of the weapons hit.” Vessel Maser Ibi said she saw it on the viewscreen with her own eyes. “They must have powerful weapons, also they have torpedoes. Too bad we never came upon a shipment of those. I was hoping that Klingon freighter had some.” “ Let’s give them some help. Full impulse on the attack vector. Fire at will.” Rashia ordered. The Talwar’s four phaser arrays came to life. She didn’t have the phaser lance that the Rapier had, all four of the arrays worked well. Each array fired three shots each in turn. It reminded Rashia of some of the ancient weapons of war that fired projectiles with chemical propellant that fired so fast you had to have multiple barrels turning to avoid the barrels themselves from melting. Due to the Exeter’s evasive maneuvers, tactical seemed to be missing more than hitting. They walked the last four shots in to hit. Rashia glared at the person standing at tactical. “Plasma storms knocked out the auto targeting.” He explained, “I was firing manually.” “Shields down?” Rashia glanced at OPS. “Their shields are still up at 50%, nothing got through.” OPS stated. “Helm, swing us in for a strafing run.” Ibi’s anger was showing through now, “Maybe if we’re closer Tactical could manage to get enough hits in to bring down their shield. Target the same shield.” “Yes, Ma’am.” The tactical responded. The Talwar swooped in dipping their nose down giving the dorsal arrays a clear shot. Two shots struck the Exeter’s shields. The Talwar executed a 180 degree roll to port exposing their ventral side and firing with those phaser arrays both also scored hit’s on the Exeter’s shields. She peeled away her aft shields now toward the Exeter as she swung around for another pass. “Their shields are down!” OPS called out. The Exeter counter attacked. A barrage of phasers lashed out at the Talwar, now that she was with in short phaser range. The Talwar rocked violently. The Tactical station exploded in a shower of sparks. Sending the tactical officer flying into a bulkhead. “Medical Team to the bridge! Status!” “Attitude control is out, SIF took a hit but it’s holding, bridge systems are at 80%, dorsal starboard phaser array is in need of repairs, one impulse drive is out, the other is still functioning. We’re nearly dead in the water.” OPS reported, and was still getting casualty reports from all over the bridge. “Hull is at 60%.” “That was one shot?” Rashia asked. “No, one salvo of five, just their phasers.” OPS answered truthfully. “They’re broadcasting something.” “If communications aren’t down, let’s hear it.” Ibi said she brushed chunks of debris off her chair and sat down. As she listened to this young man’s address to them. Slowly the color drained from her face. This is what they could do, if they weren’t trying. Imagine if they had angered him? She didn’t want her crew, most of which had become her friends to die. She let him speak of his short but illustrious carreer. When he was finished and he sent his ultimatum, she didn’t need a whole 60 seconds to decide, she didn’t need 10. “Send Captain of the Exeter, we surrender. All stop, power down weapons and shields. Damage control crews keep at it.” She sighed knowing when she’d been beat. “ Awaiting instructions.” (Reply Exeter) (Posted by Todd) (NPC Ibi Rashia) (Asteriod Base - Near Ops Room - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken -1921) They continued down the corridor, Ailynn remembered that the computer core was a heavily armored and secure room. Her memory supplied pictures of a secondary entrance, that they should have reached by now, that corridor had been shut off. Swearing profusely to herself, Ailynn motioned to carry on, shifting up the line to match the leaders, in the safe knowledge that it was impossible for anyone to flank them in this. Explosions rocked the base, tilting her head, but not ducking, “Frak…” Ailynn swore. Before adding. “The prophets was that…?” She snapped across the comms. (Reply any Alpha) Moving carefully, but swiftly up the corridor, They reached the pinch point that had been on her mind since mission start. Moving forward herself, a shot rang out, not set for stun, it just wide of the left side of her head, shattering stone, sending it in all directions, some of them drawing blood, running down her face, stinging her eye, she blinked, trying to shift the tiniest fleck of nickel-iron out of her left eye. Eventually, the pain cleared, and she could see once more. She remembered, through squinting eyes of thought, the layout and potential in the corridor ahead. “SHOTS FIRED! HOLD! COVER!” SHe fired a couple of shots utterly blind over the limited cover that they had. (Reply any Alpha.) Ailynn closed her eyes, concentrating on her mental map. “Power relay. Long shot. Hit it. It buys us 20 seconds complete darkness before reroute. It’ll be down to you two though, unless you have another suggestion?” (Reply Ravok, Sleeford, any Alpha IYW) (Posted by Mark) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – Ensign JG Greta Smith - 1922) Leaning against the metal table, Greta sighed as the cool metal soothed the burn on her shoulder. The ensuing fire fight seemed to be quieting some. Smoke and debris from the earlier explosion filled the air as she coughed a little. Suddenly, Doctor Ryelle appeared at her side, "Ensign Smith, seems like you got singed." Raising an eyebrow, "That's one word for it. Getting shot is another." "Give me some cover will you, need to load some hyposprays." Nodding, Greta fired a few shots over the table as requested. As she leant back behind the table, she heard the unmistakable hiss of the hypospray against her shoulder. "A numbing agent and antibiotic, should reduce the pain and keep it from getting infected." "You have anything that will keep a girl from getting yelled at by her fiance for getting shot?" She replied with a smile "Now then, I have eyes on Merek and More, but I've lost track of Vosi, do you see him?" Shaking her head, Greta sighed, "not since I auditioned for the academy diving team when I drove over this table." (Reply Ryelle) "He's a big boy, can take care of himself. " Greta responded. Taking a peek over the table, she looked back at Ryelle and smiled, "seems like the fun is over." (Reply Ryelle) Greta stood up, gingerly at first then picked up her rifle and walked over to the others, "We all good?" (Reply beta) (Reply Ryelle, Beta, Any) (Posted by Jackie) (Asteroid Base - Near Ops Room - (SPC)- SEC/TAC PO3 Sytuk-1922) “SHOTS FIRED! HOLD! COVER!” The first officer yelled as she fired wildly. Sytuk rushed toward her position seeing the blood on her face. ~ Damn them~ He thought. He felt the urge to go full force at them, but he knew he wouldn't last long. He wasn't here to commit suicide. (Reply any Alpha.) Sytuk looked at Bracken as she closed her eyes, seemingly in concentration. “Power relay. Long shot. Hit it. It buys us 20 seconds complete darkness before reroute. It’ll be down to you two though, unless you have another suggestion?” Lieutenant Bracken asked. Sytuk crouched down and removed one of his two E.M.P. distribution devices and held it up. Showing it to Sleeford and Bracken. " If we activate this and throw it down the corridor it should buy us no more than 90 seconds. ( reply any alpha) " Of course we would be fighting in darkness, but so would they." He replied, removing his helmet. " I don't need this to see. But one of you will. " Sytuk said, remarking about how the tactical helmets worn by Sleeford and himself could provide visuals in near total darkness. ( reply any alpha) He handed his tactical helmet over. Still holding the emp device in his hand. " 90 seconds. Make each one count" ( reply Alpha Team) ( reply Bracken, reply Sleeford and Reply Alpha) ( posted by Rob Davis- ( Spc)- Sytuk) (Asteroid base -Near ops centre-Sec/Tac Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford 19:23) As the order to move out was given, Sleeford rose from his sitting position and closed the visor to his helmet, instantly the world around him went a vivid shade of green as the image enhancement software kicked in. Moving off in a patrol formation with Sleeford at point and Sytuk off to his left hand side, rounding a corner which led to a long, barren corridor, just right for a frontal ambush, giving the team no where to go but forwards into a fire storm, if the defenders where worth their salt, as the old expression went, Alpha team should be dead with in three paces. As the first shots where fired, Sleeford resisted the urge to laugh, by rights he and the rest should be a smoking heap on the floor, most of The shots had hit the stone walls, showering the team with sharp shards. Hearing the FOs shouts coming in through the battle noise, Sleeford smiled in his helmet. SHOTS FIRED! HOLD! COVER!” ~No shi...~ As quick as the thought came it went, scanning the area to his front through the dust, Sleeford’s old training kicked in as he called out a quick fire control order. “All, 60, opening, four cultists, fire at will,” Ailynn closed her eyes, concentrating on her mental map. “Power relay. Long shot. Hit it. It buys us 20 seconds complete darkness before reroute. It’ll be down to you two though, unless you have another suggestion?” Seeing Sytuk reach into his vest pockets Sleeford wondered what he had planned, something nasty he hoped. Looking over as the man held out his package. " If we activate this and throw it down the corridor it should buy us no more than 90 seconds. Nodding Sleeford, fired another shot in the direction of the doorway, keeping some heads down. “I’ll take the 90 seconds over the 20 anytime. “ " Of course we would be fighting in darkness, but so would they, I don't need this to see. But one of you will. " Sleeford peered round the corner and fired again, hitting the lintel over the door, sending a shower of hot rock chippings into the room beyond, ducking back as shots where blindly returned. “Can we do something, their going to hit one of us through dumb luck if we’re not careful.” " 90 seconds. Make each one count" Nodding at Sytuk, Sleeford held out his fist, hoping the large Reman would guess the intention. “Semper Fi Brother. On three, two, one...Go “ As Sytuk threw his device, Sleeford turned his head away, against the flash that would come, so as not to overcome the Tactical advantage of the helmet. Counting down slowly until a bang and flash told him it was time. Rising from the kneeling position he’d been in, Sleeford moved forward a split second after Sytuk, firing at the ghostly green figure that where running around in the dark like rabbits in a light, dropping two before they knew what had happened, approaching the doorway, Sleeford knew by his count he had 65 seconds of darkness left, entering and going instinctively left saved him from being disembowelled, as a large blade swung where he’d been, firing at close range had the disadvantage of lighting up the area around him, making him a hard target, moving away from the fallen body, Sleeford was rewarded by a shot that skimmedhis uniform sleeve, making a scorched line and a burn on his upper arm, knowing that if it had been a direct hit he’d be dead. Firing back toward the attacker Sleeford was pleased to see the woman drop flat, looking round he could see the rest of the team had finished their own tasks, walking forward to console in the back of the room, approaching slowly Sleeford gently pulled the seated woman form the seat and laid her on the floor, cuffing and tagging here for beam out. Reaching zero, Sleeford closed his eyes as the lights came flickering back on and overwhelmed the software in the helmet momentarily. Standing back he allowed the technical types to approach and do their magic. (reply Alpha Team) (Posted by Alistair) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – MO, Ensign SG Kyros Ryelle, MD - 1923) Shaking her head, Greta sighed, "not since I auditioned for the academy diving team when I drove over this table." "As Interesting as that sounds, I believe that is a story for another day." Ryelle said with a chuckle. "He's a big boy, can take care of himself. " Greta responded. Taking a peek over the table, she looked back at Ryelle and smiled, "seems like the fun is over." "You call this fun. I would love nothing more right now than a cup of a warm Bajoran tea and a good book." Ryelle followed Greta back to the other Beta team members. "I've already briefly treated Ensigns More and Smith, though I will need to do so more thoroughly when we return. Are there any other injuries that I need to look at before we press forward?" (reply All Beta team) (reply All Beta Team) (posted by Will) (USS Rapier – Bridge – Vessel Master – Ofik Daj – 1923) “Sir, sensors reading charges are going off at the base.” OPS called out. “That means they sent an away team to the asteroid and they’re getting close to our work.” Ofik said. He didn’t want to have to go toe to toe with this more advanced ship, Exeter. Now it was clear he needed to buy them time. “They’ve launched a smaller vessel, a runabout.” OPS announced. “Ignore it.” Daj snapped. “It’s on an intercept course, with us….” ~That changes things.~ =^= Engineering, Port shield is back up, though not at full strength. =^= “Good, let’s deal with this mosquito before we head after the big prize. That should give the interceptor time to escape to the Gamma quadrant with the device,” Daj said. “Train phasers on that runabout. Weapons free, fire at will.” The Rapier’s phasers reached out to the smaller craft, which danced around the beams. “I can’t hit it…” Tactical complained. “Keep firing!” Daj commanded. The runabout’s evasive maneuvers lead into a smooth arc flying underneath, passing through arc shadows as she flew and coming around to the top. She released a cloud of blue drive plasma from stern to fore and broke off in a steep dive. “Where’d she go?” Tactical exclaimed. “Where’d who go?” Engineering joked, “Better question what’s that blue stuff, looks like drive plasma, did you finally hit?” “No.” Tactical said. “Beneath us!” OPS called out. Daj’s eyes widened. ~It’s a trap!~ “Helm, evasive maneuvers, heading zero mark negative nine zero, full power to impulse engines, dive!” “The runabout!” the blonde at Science warned. “Run it over. I’m done playing games with them.”Daj said. The Exeter’s phaser fire ignited the warp plasma, the ensuing explosion rocked the Rapier. “Another three percent off our hull, only minor systems effected, structural integrity is holding.” Engineering called out. “Then hit them with the forward shields! Ramming speed!” “They’re coming about, now their under our shields!” “Who do they have piloting that, and are they for hire?” Two more phaser hits rocked the Rapier. The lights on the bridge went dark for a moment and the emergency power kicked in. “Engineering, what happened?” Daj demanded. “Primary and Secondary life support is gone. Hull’s at 23%, and holding.” “Bridge to all crew, move to emergency life support shelters.” “The Exeter is sending a transmission.” “Ignore it, fire all phasers! Ramming speed, target the runabout.” The Rapier charged forward at its full speed of 0.95c easily overtaking the runabout at 0.75c. The smaller vessel shields collided with the larger in a bright blue flash striking the rear shields on the runabout sending her careening in a dorsal skid, lining them up for two hits from the Rapier’s dorsal arrays. “Their aft shields are down! Hull’s at 60%, one tractor beam and emergency power are down…” (Reply Muskogee) “We should pursue them!” Tactical called. “Leave them be. Hold fire.” Daj said reluctantly. “Hopefully they’ve learned their lesson.” “…and if they haven’t?” Tactical asked. “If they turn around end them.” Daj said. Ops pulled up the tail end of the transmission from the Exeter: =^= So I ask you again, surrender. I may be young, but I've got teeth. So you have to ask yourselves. What's more important, martyrdom or redemption. Right now, we are bombarding your ships, between the Exeter and our Runabout. You can feel the impact across your hulls. You have 60 seconds. =^= “Hail them.” Daj ordered. “What?” “Carry out my orders,” Daj warned. “Don’t make me repeat myself.” (Reply Exeter) “So, young pup, that’s quite an impressive ship you have there.” The older man said. “I am Ofik Daj of the Profit’s Fire group. To what do we owe the pleasure?” (Reply Trip, Exeter, Muskogee, any) (Posted by Todd) (NPC Ofik Daj) (USS Exeter - Bridge -CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams -1924) As the second arrival of the two Sabers signaled their surrender Trip smiled and looked at the OPS. "Ensign M'Rurrh, put a tractor beam onto the second ship, the one signalling surrender. Then send a message telling them to lower their shields and await for Transport to a secure holding facility on our ship." (reply M'Rurrh) Then turning to Foxglove, "Lieutenant, looks like we wont need those codes, the second ship has surrendered and the first has taken some heavy damage. I don't think either will provide much of a problem." (reply Foxglove) "Why don't you take a team down to one of the cargo bays and create a makeshift detention center. I don't think our brig is set to hold two crews, and all the ground troops. We'll need a larger facility." (reply Foxglove) "We got it here, Lieutenant, if we need you, I'll holler." Trip said, "And remember we promised we would treat them as Federation Citizens, keep that in mind when converting the cargo bay. They are protected by the Federation Laws and constitution and I will hold you to that. Not that I have any doubts, just want to be on the record." (reply Foxglove) As Trip waited for Foxglove to carry out his latest orders the first ship, the one that fired the lance, began hailing them, =/\=So, young pup, that’s quite an impressive ship you have there.=/\= The older man said. =/\=I am Ofik Daj of the Prohet’s Fire group. To what do we owe the pleasure?=/\= "I was hoping you would call Captain Ofik, rather than resort to anymore combat." Trip said with a grin, trying to hide his youth and inexperience. "I am Captain James Williams of the Starship Exeter. I think you know why we're here. The Federation will not abide any terrorist activity within or near it's borders. And you've been busy. The list of crimes for your group is pretty long. Killing innocent civilians, abducting Federation citizens. Attacking Starfleet Vessels. And then there is that little matter....or should I say, protomatter. I understand that you feel strongly about your cause, but is this really the way to make change?" (Reply Ofik) "Look Captain, we don't need to prolong this out any longer than we need to. Your allied ship is badly damaged and has already surrendered. You are badly damaged. We have the tactical superiority. I do not want this to end with anymore lives lost. So what do you say captain, why don't we just call it here and now, you lower your shields, give a call to lower arms to your troops on the station, and send us all your data and information on the protomatter and what you are planning to use it for. We'll beam you over to a secure, yet safe, holding facility, where you will be treated fairly. This doesn't have to fall to further violence. You can be cooperative and I'll make sure it is reflected in your trials. We don't have to play hard ball." (reply Ofik) "I'm speaking to you Captain to Captain, whatever bad blood you have with the Federation, with the Bajoran government, whatever has driven you to this, is it really worth your life and the lives of your crew?" (reply Ofik) (Reply M'Rurrh, Foxglove, Ofik, any) (posted by Will) ( Asteroid Base - Near Ops Room - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken -1924) He handed his tactical helmet over. Still holding the emp device in his hand. " 90 seconds. Make each one count" “One second.” Ailynn said, picking up the tactical helmet, and closing her eyes as she put it on, fitting it to her neck before opening her eyes. The sudden rush of information that overstimulated her retinae, flooding her brain momentarily made her dizzy for the couple of seconds that it took to get used to the display. “FRAK!” She instinctively reached out to steady herself, finding a shoulder. “Oh my...Sytuk…” Ailynn realised that it had been her Reman friend’s shoulder, and that she’d crossed a major line. “I’m so sorry, please forgive me. I didn’t mean to offend...I just lost balance...I’m so sorry.” (Reply Sytuk) Ailynn nodded awkwardly in the helmet, “So long as we’re good.” She drew breath. “EMP in three...two...one...Punch it.” Ailynn felt a rush of the good stuff. Precursor chemicals had sent their signal to the adrenal glands, which in turn flooded her system with adrenaline. The bodies most ancient ‘flight or fight’ response caused her heart to pound harder and faster forcing more blood faster around her system. Her pupils dilated, and breathing changed, the muscles in her lungs becoming more smooth allowing more oxygen to flow faster into her lungs. Her primal, reptilian brain had supplied a factory of power, and was on the verge of reacting without conscious input. Ailynn’s more modern, mammalian brain however, had the casting vote. Watching Sleeford take point, she knew he had that under control, however there were corridors opening, and cultists tried to force their way in from the flank. Knowing somehow that Sytuk was with her on the flanks she moved out. “Billy, Kaz, watch the six. I know it’s not your thing, but if anything comes from behind us just shoot it.” (Reply Billy, Poldan) Pushing forward she moved around Sytuk, raising her phaser, Ailynn stunned one, then twisted as another came at her in a melee. She caught his arm, her reactions heightened by both the adrenaline and the tactical readout of the helmet. Twisting the weapon out of the assailants hand she raised her phaser and stunned them. Ailynn allowed herself a smile, the flow of energy in her body was like nothing she’d ever truly felt. Every lesson that she’d ever learned, from her family, who’d all had serious experience in undercover ops, to her martial arts lessons at the academy, which given her height and reach, and core strength, she’d excelled at. Ducking under another she pushed him back toward Sytuk who was still maneuvering around her as they tackled the flanks up the corridor. (Reply Sytuk) Finally they reached the Control Room, and one more cultist grabbed her, he’d hidden behind the doorframe, and had somehow managed to miss detection. Ailynn felt him pull at her, his grab, weak at best. Ripping her attention toward her assailant, Ailynn felt her blood tingle with anger once more. It was not a good day for Carto Dien. He’d been a semi-devoted member of the cults for a year now. Glory, they’d been promised, was nigh. So when he saw a fleet Officer, Command no less, stroll into the Ops room, he took his chance. They’d been filled with tales of decadent high teas, and weak, indecisive Officers, who only cared about the menu for the next dinner, all five courses. Here though, the female Lieutenant snapped round instantly on him grabbing her arm. He never saw her eyes, he was grateful for that, she’d been wearing a helmet, for the first time, Dien knew true fear. The Officer was furious, and he could see that all the stories where just that...stories. She’d instantly rolled her arm around to gain an advantage, he could feel the two bones in his right forearm screaming objection to the treatment that they were being subjected to. “DO YOU REALLY WANT TO?” The slightly modulated voice screamed at him, he was still glad for the helmet, he’d seen someone in the killing zone before, and this was it, utter, primal, abject fury, she wasn’t fighting for points, no, she seemed to be a brawler. Only the endgame mattered. On some level, he respected that. He’d barely opened his mouth to answer, on some level still trying to fight back. Without warning the grip on his arm changed pulling him in slightly, he wondered why only briefly, noticing the elbow swinging round. “Tag him.” Ailynn pointed toward the unconscious body. “Billy. Time’s a’countin’ work your magic. Sytuk, assist him. Kaz. Check vitals of all the bodies. Sleeford, You and me cover our rear. “ ( reply all Alpha) (posted by Mark) (USS Exeter, Bridge - aOPS, Ensign M'Rurrh -1925) The Captain's smile spoke as much of relief as it did of the thrill of victory. "Ensign M'Rurrh, put a tractor beam onto the second ship, the one signalling surrender. Then send a message telling them to lower their shields and await for Transport to a secure holding facility on our ship." "Aye, sir." The Caitian brought the ship's tractor beam online, ensnaribg the second saber, as the Captain turned his attention to the next of his crew. "Talwar, this is the USS Exeter. We have you in our tractor beam. Please power down and prepare for transport to a secure area aboard our vessel." (Reply Talwar iyw) As she spoke to the 'enemy' vessel, M'Rurrh observed the Captain and Intelligence Officer discussing their next steps, ending with the latter being 'dismissed' from the bridge to take up her next task: "We got it here, Lieutenant, if we need you, I'll holler. And remember we promised we would treat them as Federation Citizens, keep that in mind when converting the cargo bay. They are protected by the Federation Laws and constitution and I will hold you to that. Not that I have any doubts, just want to be on the record." The Intelligence Officer's reply was lost between a further message from the Talwar and M'Rurrh's console alerting her to an incoming message from the Rapier which she duly pushed through to the main viewer. =/\=So, young pup, that’s quite an impressive ship you have there. I am Ofik Daj of the Prohet’s Fire group. To what do we owe the pleasure?=/\= M'Rurrh studied the Bajoran captain's face as a crewman emerged onto the Exeter's bridge and set about fixing whatever was causing the faint smell of burning coming from beneath the viewscreen. ~Perhaps now we can find a way to avoid further loss of life today.~ (Reply none) (Posted by MCD) (Runabout Muskogee – Cockpit – Lieutenant Ire Williams and SPC Ensign Rylee Page – 1925) Looking down at her screen as they repositioned, a wide smile flew over Rylee's face. “Are we good?” "My aim is still good. Primary and Secondary life support is gone. Hull’s at 23%." Ire’s console beeped and he took a split second to understand what he was seeing as his fingers move subconsciously controlling the runabout. “You maybe good but they are a bit miffed and are turning to chase us.” As the hits shook the smaller craft, a shower of sparks came from somewhere to the rear of the compartment they were in. Rylee swore under her breath as alarms began to fill the cabin. “Aft shields are down! Hull’s at 60%, we lost emergency power and a tractor beam." “Well that’s made things a bit more interesting.” Grabbing an emergency engineering kit from under the console, Rylee looked at Ire, "I can try and get some of our aft shields back but…." “Do your best. I’ll try and keep them away from our rear.” Ire snapped the runabout in quick turns trying to keep their aft quarter away from the Sabers weapons. "Sir, if they try and take us out now… we're done. But there maybe a way to salvage this or at least buy us some time to get the shields working." “What’s your plan? I am just bouncing us around.” "Contact the Exeter. Tell them to ignite the plasma. Sure, it will take their engines out and ours and put us both right in the path of that plasma storm. We're smaller, can probably weather it a bit better and longer than they could." He span turned the runabout and gunned the impulse engines into a tight spiraling turn. “That’s your brilliant plan. To kill us both?” "Well, you said that I was out here because I can think outside the box. They wouldn't expect us to put ourselves in danger." “That’s because they think we are not crazy and suicidal.” He snap rolled the runabout onto a new vector. “Go for it. It's not the craziest plan I have ever heard.” He looked over at Page. “Don’t worry Rylee. If it all goes wrong Trip will think it was one of my crazy stunts so you won’t get blamed.” ~Even if we live he will probably still think it was my idea~ Thought Ire "I'll get you home. Partly because it's my job and, in all honesty, sir… your fiancee kind of scares me a tiny bit. Anything happens to you and my ass is running far away from her." Ire smiled at her comment. It's funny the exterior face Greta put to the world compared to the kind, caring and wonderful woman he knew and loved. “Greta understands the risks we both chose in our chosen careers.” He said as he sent the runabout into a spiraling corkscrew. Rylee flicked open the comm system. “Muskogee to Ravok, can you read me?” (reply Ravok) “We are in a bit of a bind, Sir. The Saber is on our heels and baying for blood. We've taken damage. Hull is holding for now but our aft shields are nonexistent." Ire rolled and dived then pulling up sharply onto a new course (Reply Ravok) "Sir, The Captain is busy right now so we don't want to draw focus but i have an idea." (Reply Ravok) Looking over at Ire, Rylee smiled softly, "Sir, if it goes south, the Sabre conversation I mean…. Ignite the cloud." ~I hope it does not but it's better to have a backup plan~ Ire thought as he pulled them into another high G turn vertical turn. (Reply Ravok) "Yes, our engines may get caught in the crossfire but that's what makes this such a surprise. They would not expect you to put the lives of two of your own crew at risk as well." (Reply Ravok) (Reply Ravok, Exeter, any) (Posted by Jackie and robbie) (Asteroid Base - Near Ops Room - (Spc) Sec./Tac. PO3 Sytuk -1925) Bracken took the helmet and equipped it. She momentarily appeared off balance, she reached out and touched his shoulder. Before he could even react. He felt a flood of feelings. Insecurities , past shames, regrets. He also felt a devotion to Starfleet and service to the federation that he had never felt before, but most astonishing of all was a feeling of protectiveness towards subordinates.These weren't his feelings,no they were Lieutenant Bracken's. All of these things were bottled up inside this young woman who had for a moment and only a moment touched his shoulder. ~ How could this be? I felt something with Ensign Michaels, this isn't possible~ he thought to himself. Never before had he experienced something so profound , something so powerful. He felt invigorated, enriched and enlightened. He looked at her with the helmet on. " Oh my...Sytuk…I’m so sorry, please forgive me. I didn’t mean to offend...I just lost balance...I’m so sorry.” she said even with the helmet slight modulating her voice he could hear the sincerity in her voice. He looked at her and smiled " Its ok , your fine...Thank you " he was truly taken back by this experience he had never in his entire life felt anything like this. " So long as we’re good." She paused , drawing a breath." EMP in three...two...one...Punch it.” Sytuk launched the EMP device down the corridor. The device flew red and sizzles with audible popping noise. When it went off the lights went out in the corridor leading to the Ops center. As soon the lights went out they made their advance toward the enemy. In the darkness Sytuk's pupils fully dilated. His eyes saw a yellowish haze in the darkness, the discomfort of the light left his eyes, it was a welcome relief. Sytuk opened fire targeting 3 cultist, who had just had the advantage moments before. The darts hitting their targets and knocking them unconscious he continued his advance suddenly a man emerged from a room on the right hand side and had his disruptor aimed at Sleeford back. Sytuk grabbed the man's arm and raided it as soon as the shot went off. The man turned towards Sytuk punching him in the chin. Sytuk grabbed the man's face and shared the feelings related to memories of his childhood torment with the cultist. The man shook in fear as Sytuk pushed the man's head back with force , slamming it into the wall. Not enough to kill him but enough to knock him out cold. Sytuk aimed his rifle and shot the man in the chest with the dart, tagging him. While this was happening Bracken herself was engaged in a melee adventure of her own. After dealing with one another one came for her, she ducked him and pushed him into Sytuk. He rammed the man in the face with his rifle sending the man spinning to the ground. Sytuk shot and tagged him as well. (posted by Rob) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek - 1925) As her opponent was leaning in to the charge a controlled pair of white bolts came from the left and he dropped in place his blade clattering to the floor. She glanced over to where the shot came from. “ Are you ok? “ More asked Merek. Keira looked at face, his words were severely muffled. ~I need to learn how to read lips.~ The thought frustrated. ~I think he’s asking if I’m OK.~ The ringing was now gone. It was very apparent she couldn’t hear normally. “I think so,” she said putting her knife away confident there were no more to engage for now. “ I am afraid not an honourable thought went from this yin here.” Stan said pointing to the stunned opponent” They were hoping by involving you in hand to hand combat. It would delay us enough until more attackers could arrive.” She stared at his face again trying to make out what he was saying. She could make out him pointing to the attacker he just took out. ~Maybe their leader?~ Also something about delaying. “Possible. Could just be a heavy dose of over-zealous pride. Taking out me could possibly mean a promotion or accolades we are unaware of.” She said rather loudly as she picked up both her assigned phasers. She placed her Type II in the holster on her right hip and held her type III by the stock with her left hand keeping the weapon pointed toward the ground. "We all good?" Greta asked. "I've already briefly treated Ensigns More and Smith, though I will need to do so more thoroughly when we return. Are there any other injuries that I need to look at before we press forward?" “Say that again?” Keira said louder than conversation tone. (Reply Ryelle) “I was closest to the breaching charge that let them in the room. At first I heard a lot of ringing, which has subsided, now everyone sounds muffled.” Keira said. (Reply Ryelle) “I understand your concern, we don’t even know if the Exeter can beam us out yet. We need to press on, and finish so we can go back with mission accomplished. Do what you can, providing no other interruptions, we should still be able to get where we are going it should be a short walk.” Keira stated. (Reply Beta) (Posted by Todd) (USS Exeter-Bridge- aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok – 1926) As Trip conversed with the enemy captain, Ravok felt the gentle buzz of his commbadge. =/\=Muskogee to Ravok, can you read me?=/\= He stood up from his chair and walked to the back corner of the bridge standing in a doorway. " Go ahead Ensign " =/\=We are in a bit of a bind, Sir. The Saber is on our heels and baying for blood. We've taken damage. Hull is holding for now but our aft shields are nonexistent.=/\= " Now is not a good time, Ensign.The captain is talking to the Saber captain now" Ravok responded in a hushed tone with his hand slightly muting his commbadge. =/\=Sir, The Captain is busy right now so we don't want to draw focus but i have an idea.=/\= Ravok took a deep breath " Continue evasive maneuvers, don't stay in a fixed location, keep making yourselves a hard target." =/\=Sir, if it goes south, the Sabre conversation I mean…. Ignite the cloud.=/\= Ravok leaned further into the doorway. " Doing that could put you in harm's way. If things go south, I would suggest both of you getting out of here, from the looks of it you won't last much longer. Your engines could be destroyed." He responded , he admired Pages enthusiastic approach, but now was not the time. =/\=Yes, our engines may get caught in the crossfire but that's what makes this such a surprise. They would not expect you to put the lives of two of your own crew at risk as well.=/\= Ravoks face became flushed green with frustration. " Listen to me Ensign. That isnt my call to make. I don't decide who throws their lives away. That's not my job, my job as acting chief tactical officer is to ensure the survival of the ship, and the crew. If the conversation turns bad. I would suggest you get the hell out of here. There is no need to senselessly kill yourselves when we are capable of destroying them. They weren't willing to talk before , but now that they know we mean business, they are. " Ravok paused for a moment to calm himself. " Ire , you know the right thing to do. You more than anyone else know what to do in moments that you have not even a moment of time to react, I trust you my friend." Ravok paused, before saying his final word. "Ensign Page, as I am still the full chief of operations , a word or 50 words will be had with you about respecting the captain's authority when discussing terms of surrender with a hostile force as concurrent with Starfleet protocol 117section C on bridge communication decorum and etiquette...Ravok out" He said, ending the communication and walking back to tactical. \ ( reply Ire and Page if you want, ravok ended the communication because he needed to resume his post at tactical) ( posted by rob Davis) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – Sec/Tac Ens. Stan More - 19:26) It occurred to Stan very quickly something was wrong. Merek looked at him in a strange way. Plus the way she was speaking seemed slightly off. She was either concussed or her hearing had been effected. Fortunately Ryelle came over and started to tend to her. Judging by the fact that none of the bodies had vanished. It was clear the Exeter still had her shields up. This concerned Stan because if anything happened and they were stranded here. These people would eventually come round. If they were bio bombs Beta teams life expectancy would be three to six minutes. He examined the wall. Then started to examine the bodies around. One Bajoran was slumped across a table. There seemed to be something in his hand. More praised it open and found a comm. badge. That must of been how they alerted the others. This would mean trouble now. The group was aware they were here. Stan moved back to the others. “ How are you ma’am? “ Stan asked ( Reply, Merek ) “ One of the first five alerted the others. When we came in. If the blast didn’t prove we are here. Their warning did. (Reply Merek, Beta team ) ( Posted by:- Norman 🐼) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – MO, Ensign SG Kyros Ryelle, MD - 1927) “Say that again?” Keira said louder than conversation tone. Ryelle stepped back a bit at the loud volume with which the lieutenant was speaking with. ~If there are any left, her yelling probably alerted them to our position. I wonder if there is an issue with her hearing. Speaking slowly, clearly, and loudly, so at the very least Merek might be able to lipe ready. "Calmly, slowly, softly, can you tell me How, You, Are, Feeling?" “I was closest to the breaching charge that let them in the room. At first I heard a lot of ringing, which has subsided, now everyone sounds muffled.” Keira said. "Seems like you might have a mild concussion," Ryelle said as he began to take out his tricorder and get a scan. "I recommend that we get you back to the Exeter and let the others carry on the mission. Sure it may seem minor, but we should get it checked out ASAP, just to be sure. Head trauma is no laughing matter." “I understand your concern, we don’t even know if the Exeter can beam us out yet. We need to press on, and finish so we can go back with mission accomplished. Do what you can, providing no other interruptions, we should still be able to get where we are going it should be a short walk.” Keira stated. ~No one ever listens to Doctors.~ "Ma'am, I understand your concern, but you are the Chief Engineer of a Starship, and the rest of the away team is capable. We can't have you sidelined in the engine room, because you wanted to press on." At that moment Ensign More arrived to check on the Lieutenant. “ How are you ma’am? “ Stan asked "She's having a bit of trouble hearing at the moment Ensign. She'll be fine, if only to spite us all with her stubbornness." Ryelle replied. “ One of the first five alerted the others. When we came in. If the blast didn’t prove we are here. Their warning did." "Ensign More, perhaps you and Ensign Smith could make sure we are secure. As Lt. Merek is insistent we soldier on with her, I need a little bit of time to make sure she is at least able to stand up and hear some what." (reply More) "Thank you Ensign." (reply More iyw) Ryelle then turned back to Keira and took out to hyposprays. "This will only tingle for a moment. The first is a pain reliever to help with any migraine or headache like symptoms that were caused by your concussion. The second is an anti-emetic which should help with Vertigo." (Reply Merek) Ryelle then swiftly injected Merek in the neck with the two hyposprays. "The results wont be immediate, but you should feel better in the next 10 minutes." (reply Merek iyw) "Now then hold still." He said as he took out a small rectangular container and inputed some formulas and variables as he programmed whatever was in the box. "These are experimental surgical nanites. I can't get the autosuture into your ears to repair the damage, but these babies will go in through your ear canal and repair any damage done to the ear drums. Then when they are done they will dissolve. We've come a long way in bio-organic technology. Sure yeah, Starfleet may have been stagnant in starship research. But Federation Medical research is still unparalleled." (reply Merek) "Now hold still," He said as he took a hypospray looking device and injected the nanintes into Merek's ear canals. "Now then, let me know when things sound clearer." (reply Merek) (reply Merek, More, Beta) (posted by will) (Asteroid Base - Ops control Room - Ensign SG Billy Alexander - 1928) “Billy. Time’s a’countin’ work your magic. Sytuk, assist him. Kaz. Check vitals of all the bodies. Sleeford, You and me cover our rear. “ "Yes ma'am." Billy said as he rushed towards the main console with Sytuk at his side. It was weird calling Ailynn ma'am as he had known her since they were both kids. She grew up next door to his cousin Trip. He had known her through all her awkward teen phases. He had seen her at her best, and at her craziest shenanigans, like at Trip's bachelor party. He had always viewed her as a 'bro', so it was odd that she and Trip were now his bosses. Calling them sir and ma'am. But he was a Starfleet Officer to the core, so if he needed to call her ma'am, he would call her ma'am. " Tell me what you need Sir" He said, addressing Billy. Billy looked down to see that Sytuk was trying to look up the Prison cell on the monitor. "I need you to cover my six and not use any of the consoles. I need focus and concentration. I promise we can locate and free the prisoners when we're done. But I think I could work faster if you were watching my back." (reply Sytuk) "Alright, now then I can get to work. If anything is coming let me now." (Reply Sytuk) Billy then began accessing the myriad of files trying to locate operating plans, any sort of mission details, communications, base locations. Of course they weren't all going to be conveniently logged. He'd have to access flight plans, inventory, communications, reports, and logs to figure it out. But first he needed to establish an upload link to the Exeter. ~And done.~ "Lieutenant, I've got the upload link to the Exeter for data transfer up and running, but it will take a bit for me to find the relevant data and the to transfer it over." (reply Bracken) "I'll go as fast as I can." (reply Bracken) (reply Sytuk, Bracken, Alpha) (posted by Will) (Asteroid Base - Ops control Room - (Spc) Sec./Tac. PO3 Sytuk -1927) They finally reached the ops control room. As they entered he heard commotion behind him he turned to see bracken deliver a devastating blow to her assailant. Knocking him to the ground. “Tag him.” Bracken ordered as she pointed toward the unconscious body. “Billy. Time’s a’countin’ work your magic. Sytuk, assist him. Kaz. Check vitals of all the bodies. Sleeford, You and me cover our rear. “ she declared to them. Sytuk rushed towards the terminals with Ensign Alexander. Sytuk immediately pulled up internal readings of the base and started to try to locate the prisoner holding cells. He quickly accessed the location. Sytuk felt compelled to save the prisoners, compelled to protect them. " Tell me what you need Sir" He said, addressing Billy. ( reply Billy) ( posted By Rob Davis- (Spc) Sytuk) (Asteroid Base - Ops control Room - Ensign SG Billy Alexander - 1928) “Billy. Time’s a’countin’ work your magic. Sytuk, assist him. Kaz. Check vitals of all the bodies. Sleeford, You and me cover our rear. “ "Yes ma'am." Billy said as he rushed towards the main console with Sytuk at his side. It was weird calling Ailynn ma'am as he had known her since they were both kids. She grew up next door to his cousin Trip. He had known her through all her awkward teen phases. He had seen her at her best, and at her craziest shenanigans, like at Trip's bachelor party. He had always viewed her as a 'bro', so it was odd that she and Trip were now his bosses. Calling them sir and ma'am. But he was a Starfleet Officer to the core, so if he needed to call her ma'am, he would call her ma'am. " Tell me what you need Sir" He said, addressing Billy. Billy looked down to see that Sytuk was trying to look up the Prison cell on the monitor. "I need you to cover my six and not use any of the consoles. I need focus and concentration. I promise we can locate and free the prisoners when we're done. But I think I could work faster if you were watching my back." (reply Sytuk) "Alright, now then I can get to work. If anything is coming let me now." (Reply Sytuk) Billy then began accessing the myriad of files trying to locate operating plans, any sort of mission details, communications, base locations. Of course they weren't all going to be conveniently logged. He'd have to access flight plans, inventory, communications, reports, and logs to figure it out. But first he needed to establish an upload link to the Exeter. ~And done.~ "Lieutenant, I've got the upload link to the Exeter for data transfer up and running, but it will take a bit for me to find the relevant data and the to transfer it over." (reply Bracken) "I'll go as fast as I can." (reply Bracken) (reply Sytuk, Bracken, Alpha) (posted by Will) (USS Rapier – Bridge – Vessel Master – Ofik Daj – 1930) What Daj saw before him on the view screen was a young man what looked to be barely out of the Academy. Honestly he expected someone a little more, senior. ~What’s this? They have a Lieutenant Commander in charge of that ship?~ Daj motioned behind his back to the science station. A special cue they had set up for diplomatic situations such as this. Science began a focused Tachyon scan looking for Bajoran crew. They must be liberated. =^= I was hoping you would call Captain Ofik, rather than resort to anymore combat.=^= The young man said with a grin, standing proudly, Daj supposed it was to make himself look older, more in control. =^=I am Captain James Williams of the Starship Exeter. I think you know why we're here. The Federation will not abide any terrorist activity within or near it's borders. And you've been busy. The list of crimes for your group is pretty long. Killing innocent civilians, abducting Federation citizens. Attacking Starfleet Vessels. And then there is that little matter....or should I say, protomatter. I understand that you feel strongly about your cause, but is this really the way to make change?=^= “No one is innocent, Captain. Once the Federation allied with the Cardassians they became the enemy. That dissolves Bajor’s involvement in the Federation, meaning everything in Bajor, in orbit of Bajor and the Celestial Temple, and even your Star Fleet star charts label this sector, the “Bajoran Sector” are no longer a part of your Federation. Even your administration acknowledges our Sovereignty. It is ours to do with as we please.” He glanced over to the science station. Offscreen the blonde Bajoran woman silently held up both of her hands showing all ten fingers. ~10 minutes to complete the scan.~ His stalling was going well. =^=Look Captain, we don't need to prolong this out any longer than we need to. Your allied ship is badly damaged and has already surrendered. You are badly damaged. We have the tactical superiority. I do not want this to end with anymore lives lost. So what do you say captain, why don't we just call it here and now, you lower your shields, give a call to lower arms to your troops on the station, and send us all your data and information on the protomatter and what you are planning to use it for. We'll beam you over to a secure, yet safe, holding facility, where you will be treated fairly. This doesn't have to fall to further violence. You can be cooperative and I'll make sure it is reflected in your trials. We don't have to play hard ball.=^= “We’ve analyzed your ship, Captain Williams. There seems to be a severe arc shadow; aft of your saucer in-between those ample nacelles. Your powerful phasers can’t reach. You dare not fire with photons or quantums, else you risk damaging that pristine hull. Park our ship there, lock on with a tractor beam, our phasers tearing pieces off of that hull…. How does that Earth term go? I assure you we will hold on for the full eight seconds.” Daj was trying to get under his skin, using Earth terms and showing that he too still had teeth. =^= I'm speaking to you Captain to Captain, whatever bad blood you have with the Federation, with the Bajoran government, whatever has driven you to this, is it really worth your life and the lives of your crew? =^= Daj thought, he even showed action at contemplation, by scratching his chin with a frown on his face. “I’d be lying if I said I thought we’d have a snow ball in the Fire Cave’s chance at pulling that plan off now that we’re damaged. Captain to Captain then, will you give me time to tell my crew, explain our impossible odds, and convince them to go with out further blood shed? Say, 10 minutes?” (Reply Trip) “Excellent. I will deactivate all weapons as a show of good faith. We will hold position and make no further aggressive actions. I know nothing of protomatter, and I would surrender all protomatter, but we have none. You may of course scan to confirm this.” Captain Ofik said graciously. (Reply Trip) “Thank you Captain Williams for your candor and graciousness. I will contact you in ten minutes time. To further discuss terms of our surrender. Rapier out.” He said then glanced over to OPS to end the transmission. (Reply Trip, Exeter) (Posted by Todd)(NPC Ofik Daj) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – SPC Ensign Greta Smith - 1931) As Greta moved around the dining facility, carefully checking each of the tagged unconscious people on the floor, a thought occurred to her. ~Ire's up there in his cosy pilot's seat and he has no idea what's been going on down here.~ As she checked the final unconscious form, Greta stood tall and sighed a little. Walking back towards Ryelle and Merek, Greta stood just a tiny bit back from them and said, "All targets are still down and out, Ma'am. Are we continuing on?" (Reply Merek) (Reply Merek, Beta, any) (Posted by Jackie) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility - Sec/Tac Ens. Stan More - 19:32) Stan was concerned when Ryelle told him about Merek’s hearing. But still she had been lucky. More had been further away and ended up with a burnt hip. "Ensign More, perhaps you and Ensign Smith could make sure we are secure. As Lt. Merek is insistent we soldier on with her, I need a little bit of time to make sure she is at least able to stand up and hear some what." “ Understood “ More replied "Thank you Ensign." “ Well do our best “ He replied checking the charge on his Phaser rifle. (reply More iyw) Stan left Greta to check on the people around them. Slowly he poked his head outside the hole. Although thick with dust as yet re-enforcements. Had not come along to shoot more lethal burn marks in them. He moved slowly but stopped when he heard distant shouting. At first he thought more attackers were coming. But it seemed to be just people shouting at something. Whatever was going on someone had really upset everyone. He returned to the others. “ Our friends out there seem rather agitated.” He warned. ( Reply , Beta team ) “ It was rather muffled as they are all shouting at once. I did nee hear what was said.” Stan replied ( Reply , Beta Team ) ( Posted by:- Norman 🐼) (USS Exeter – Bridge – CO, L:t. Commander Trip Williams -1933) =/\=I’d be lying if I said I thought we’d have a snow ball in the Fire Cave’s chance at pulling that plan off now that we’re damaged. Captain to Captain then, will you give me time to tell my crew, explain our impossible odds, and convince them to go with out further blood shed? Say, 10 minutes?=/\= Trip looked at the enemy captain. Normally he wouldn't have given him even five minutes. But something felt off, so rather than be forceful, he decided it was better to play the long game. But everything with his empathic abilities was screaming that the enemy captain was scheming. He wasn't outright lying, but more so, in his emotions, Trip could tell was the feeling that the captain was up to something. "You have ten minutes." =/\=Excellent. I will deactivate all weapons as a show of good faith. We will hold position and make no further aggressive actions. I know nothing of protomatter, and I would surrender all protomatter, but we have none. You may of course scan to confirm this=/\= "I believe you, no need to scan." Trip said in reply. Except Trip didn't believe him. He knew he was lying. Whatever was boosting his empathic abilities, was telling him, screaming at hin him, that the Captain was lying. But Trip needed to play it coy, to protect the away teams. =/\=Thank you Captain Williams for your candor and graciousness. I will contact you in ten minutes time. To further discuss terms of our surrender. Rapier out.=/\= Trip sat motionless for a moment collecting his thoughts. ~What a self righteous....piece of... He'd never get to our blind spot, as damaged as they are, Ire would blast them out od the sky before they could even get to us. Before they could park, the Muskogee would make them toast. Plus Bajor was a member of the Federation when we voted in Cardassia. Still is a member. The Bajoran government voted to allow Cardassia in. The Bajoran Assembly voted unanimously. After the Cult of the Pah Wraith assassinated Ash's birth father, the Bajoran ambassador to Cardassia in the middle of a Speech, in favor of conciliation and allowing Cardassia in. Had the opposite effect. They rallied around his cause. Yeah the last 26 years have been rough, and there is still bad blood. But Bajor's will also allowed for the entry of the Cardassia. Arrogant, blow hard ass. Not to mention the lying to me. He's up to something. I know it, but I can't prove it. My Empathic abilities can feel it, but what little boosted telepathy I have, won't go that far. And I'm not ready to drop our shields.~ Trip stood up. "Doctor Vesper, run a scan on the enemy Rapier, specifically for how many crew members are on that ship, and keep the scan dynamic. I want to know if anyone is beaming off." (reply Vesper) Trip then walked over to Ravok. "I don't trust this guy one bit. He's up to something. I'm pretty sure he's stalling, He doesn't have protomatter, but he knows about it." (Reply Ravok) "What's your take on the situation? 10 minutes is enough time for them to plan something. This guys is more crafty than the other captain. It feels off, to easy. " (reply Ravok) "I don't like this one bit. I'm open to suggestions." (reply Ravok) (reply Ravok, Reply Vesper) (posted by Will) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 1933) Keira had heard some muffled conversations going on. If she got the gist of it, there was concern for her, security teams were, well for lack of a better word, securing the area, definitely something that needs to happen, after that explosion, perhaps even all of Bajor knows we’re here. Ryelle then took out to hyposprays. "This will only tingle for a moment. The first is a pain reliever to help with any migraine or headache like symptoms that were caused by your concussion. The second is an anti-emetic which should help with Vertigo." Keira had troubles hearing the subtle nuances of the multi-syllable words. From his tone and most of the smaller words she could tell that what ever he was about to do was going to help. She nodded wordlessly. "The results wont be immediate, but you should feel better in the next 10 minutes." The doctor informed her. “That’s reassuring…” she said sarcastically, then instantly regretted it. Ryelle was just trying to help. “Sorry.” "Now then hold still." He said as he took out a small rectangular container and inputed some formulas and variables as he programmed whatever was in the box. "These are experimental surgical nanites. I can't get the autosuture into your ears to repair the damage, but these babies will go in through your ear canal and repair any damage done to the ear drums. Then when they are done they will dissolve. We've come a long way in bio-organic technology. Sure yeah, Starfleet may have been stagnant in starship research. But Federation Medical research is still unparalleled." Keira knew about nanites, Engineering used them sometimes, it’s one thing putting them in a console, it’s another thing entirely putting “bugs” in your ears. “Bugs in my ears? At least they’re small enough not to see or feel them.” She exclaimed. "Now hold still," He said as he took a hypospray looking device and injected the nanites into Merek's ear canals. "Now then, let me know when things sound clearer." At first there was nothing. Then what best could be described as a building static, which gave way to a sound like fizzing or the rapid popping of very tiny bubbles. "All targets are still down and out, Ma'am. Are we continuing on?" Greta asked, she could hear her voice much better. Keira turned to the doctor. “The muffling is better. More like my head is wrapped in a single layer of batting instead of two quilts, thank you.” “Yes, Ensign Smith, we’ll be heading out shortly,” Keira said. “Ensigns More and Vozi, saddle up, we move in five.” (Reply Beta Team, IYW) (posted by Todd) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – SPC Ensign Greta Smith - 1934) After checking all the tagged people, Greta stood, took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders. Hissing a little, forgetting the shit she had taken, she closed her eyes gently and willed the pain back into the background of her mind. As she opened her eyes, she heard More speak, “ Our friends out there seem rather agitated.” "Perhaps their agitation has something to do with the fact we are in their space? What did they say?" “ It was rather muffled as they are all shouting at once. I did nee hear what was said.” "Perhaps they were singing a verse or so of Scotland the Brave? You know… Hark when the night is falling. Hear! hear the pipes are calling, Loudly and proudly calling, Down through the glen…" Greta replied with a wry smile. (Reply More) "What if they aren't attackers? We can't just go round shooting and tagging everyone willy nilly." (Reply More) (Reply More, Beta, any) (Posted by Jackie) (USS Exeter – Bridge – aCTO/COO Lieutenant jg Ravok-1938) Ravok didn't like the feeling of this idea of sitting for ten minutes, his friends and the woman he loved were down on that asteroid and here they were just sitting and giving the enemy 10 minutes to get themselves together. ~ Damnit Trip this isn't right. Use that brain of yours and don't fall for this charade , this blatant facade~ Ravok thought as he stood at the tactical station leaning on it with both hands , just looking down at his interface controls. Trip approached him. "I don't trust this guy one bit. He's up to something. I'm pretty sure he's stalling, He doesn't have protomatter, but he knows about it." Trip said. Ravok could tell he wasn't going on some wild hunch. Ravok looked up at him and nodded his head in agreement, not saying a word. ~ Thank you for using your brain , you had me worried man~ "What's your take on the situation? 10 minutes is enough time for them to plan something. This guys is more crafty than the other captain. It feels off, too easy. "Trip enquired. " Well...He's definitely up to something. Needing 10 minutes to discuss things with your crew of religious radicals? Come on, we aren't that gullible. This is exactly what I would do, stall and buy time. Ten minutes is almost an eternity out here." Ravok answered. "I don't like this one bit. I'm open to suggestions." Trip remarked. Ravok shrugged his shoulders " Besides blasting them to bits...I don't know " Ravok said, checking his systems. " Their weapons are powered down and as far as I can tell they aren't sending or receiving any communications detectable by our systems and nothing suspicious to cause any alarms to go off…" Ravok paused and looked at Trip with a nervous look. ( reply Trip) " Passive scans, redundant scans that constantly run on pretty much every starship that basically collect insignificant data on all the things we don't care about. " Ravok said. Knowing right and well the best way to hide something was always in plain sight, exactly where most people never look. ( reply Trip) ( reply Trip) ( posted by Rob Davis ) (USS Exeter – Bridge – CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams-1940) " Besides blasting them to bits...I don't know " Ravok said, checking his systems. " Their weapons are powered down and as far as I can tell they aren't sending or receiving any communications detectable by our systems and nothing suspicious to cause any alarms to go off…" Ravok paused and looked at Trip with a nervous look. "Well he's a good actor. I'll give him that." " Passive scans, redundant scans that constantly run on pretty much every starship that basically collect insignificant data on all the things we don't care about. " Ravok said. "Do it." Trip then tapped his commbadge, "Ensign Frost, get the Chickasha up and running out there. Take Master Chief Brown with you. Something feels fishy and I'd like to be prepared." (Reply Frost) "Take a defensive position on our Starboard. If any enemy craft tries to take a run for it, fire to cripple." (reply Frost) The opening a channel to the Muskogee. "Ire take up a defensive Position alongside the Exeter. I don't trust our friend. And the fact they have protomatter bothers me. I think they have a bigger hand than they are letting on. Take up the port side. Standard blockade formation. Just like when he stopped those smugglers who stole bio-neural gel from Jupiter Station. I doubt they have a large Starship around here." (Reply Ire) "And be careful. You've already taken some damage. Have Page start making some repairs." (Reply Ire) ~If I was dealing with a pirate, thats what I'd do. Prepare myself for every eventuality.~ Returning to his chair, he sighed and paused and glanced at the data that was coming in from the science station as he passed it on the way to his chair. "Cortez, is this accurate?" (Reply Cortez) "NO Seriously, is this, is this what the data suggests." (reply Cortez) Trip rushed back to his seat. "Enisgn M'Rurrh open a channel to the rapier now!" (reply M'Rurrh) "You lying son of a bitch! What the hell are you planning. The terms of the deal have changed. Unconditional surrender of all forces present at this base now. Now negotiations. Are you insane?" (reply Rapier iyw) "Do you have any idea what you guys are messing with. Hand over everything to do with the Genesis device now, or I swear, for the safety of the galaxy I will fire!" (reply Rapier) (reply Ravok, Frost, Ire, Cortez, Rapier) (Posted by Will) (Asteroid Base, Hangar – Prophet’s Truth, Bridge – FO/CEO Atho Turil & Scientist - Dr Fave Itel – 1940) Some had thought the undertaking of adding a secret hangar to the asteroid base was a fool’s errand and not worth the effort. Trentin Jost saw through that, and trusted his long time friend when he suggested it. They had time enough to build it just large enough for one ship. This ship. It’s sensor reflective lining made it look to sensors like solid rock, soon they would leave this besieged fortress they had made for themselves and escape to the Gamma Quadrant. “Make preparations to leave.” Atho ordered. “Aye.” OPS responded. The ship itself wasn’t very big. At only four decks, turbo lifts they installed decades ago were more of a convenience than a necessity as for the larger starships. He was meditating silently to himself while preparations were made. The lift they had salvaged from an old Daedalus class doors opened with that tell-tail whoosh that Starfleet crews of over 100 years ago had grown accustomed to. That, normally wouldn’t rouse Turil from his meditations, however what followed, the nasal and whiney voice of Dr. Fave did. “I can’t believe you have so little lab space.” Dr. Fave complained as soon as the door opened. ~I can see why Tel'ni'li despises him so.~ Turil thought. Point of fact had Turil put real money on the odds of Tel’ni’li killing him, he would have lost his money long ago. “Doctor,” and Turil said that word with enough disdain to fill a ten liter bucket, “as I’ve told you before…” he said with a sigh, “You stand in an ancient Bajoran courier that has been retrofitted with enough modern parts to make her an interceptor craft. Much of the space has been allocated to engines both warp and sublight, weapons and shielding to protect her against others who wish to do us harm. That is the absolute most we could spare.” “Give me the cargo bay then, it’s just empty space.” Itel demanded. “It’s not completely empty. We also need that much space at least, we no longer have a large interstellar or planetary government willing to shovel us resources for repairs or our scientific endeavors. Space for storage of trade goods and precious metals and materials suitable to trade for goods and services. Ships also require fuel to, as the Pakleds eloquently say: “To make us go.” So the space we give you will have to do.” “Hmph,” the scientist pouted. “Besides. Today is a day of celebration!” Turil exclaimed. “Celebration?” Fave had trepidations, he enjoyed pleasant suprizes, but was no fool. He knew this group tolerated him mostly because of how important his work was. “Today we lift back the veil for you. You will be one of the inner circle.” Turil said and he opened a compartment in the center chair. He presented the scientist with a small well sanded wooden box. Itel opened the box to reveal a simple Bajoran style ear jewelry, with red colored metal. “Why now?” Itel was no fool. “Leave us.” Turil commanded. “Five minutes.” The bridge was quickly vacated and only the First Officer and the Scientist remained. “Do you remember as a young child, how your parents always told you never pierce your Pah?” Turil asked. “Yes, they always said that it would anger the Profits, because it hurt us.” The Scientist answered. Turil gently picked up the red jewelry from it’s storage box with his left hand, reaching up to the scientist’s ear with the other. He squeezed the other man’s earlobe the seat of his Pah, with great pressure. Itel winced with the pain but stood strong. “No.” Turil cautioned, “That is the false prophet’s teaching. The real reason is that with ears pierced they cannot see us. It makes them blind to us, and we can cross the Celestial Temple undetected.” Itel was awkward but extremely intelligent. He knew when he was being played. “So you need me to wear the ear-ring so I don’t spill your secrets, what paltry pieces of your plan that you’ve allowed me to know. It’s beyond that cave we carved out. What that old recording and that blonde human woman called “Phase one”. Where is the device ultimately intended for?” “That is not my secret to give you Itel.” Turil said. “I won’t help you unless you tell me everything. You need me.” Itel threatened. “We need a scientist, we don’t need you.” Turil said absent of emotion. Itel’s face became white as the snow on the west moutains. Turil continued. “Sure, it would set us back by months, years maybe even. The true Prophets have waited for millennia, what’s a few more years?” “Fine.” Itel gave in. “Do you accept this gift?” Turil said holding the jewelry up. “Do what you will.” The scientist said full of apathy. “Doesn’t work like that.” Turil explained to be an Acolyte of the True Prophets, you must choose it. Unlike the false ones who force their way unjustly on the world of Bajor. “You have to accept, of your own free will.” Itel rolled his eyes. “Fine. I accept your gift.” Turil smiled. He clipped the top clasp portion on the pinna of Dr. Fave’s left ear. He further let the connecting chain to hang freely, he put his to first fingers on his right hand behind the Doctor’s left earlobe, he balanced the jeweled red disk with his thumb and the point just touching the lobe. With a moment only for anticipation he squeezed sending the point all the way through the scientist’s ear. “There.” Turil said and he clasped the the other Bajoran’s shoulders, “isn’t that all better?” Itel just realized he had been holding his breath. He exhaled and inhaled again and resumed a more normal rhythm. ~I just turned my back on my heritage.~ He thought. (Reply none) (Posted by Todd) (Asteroid base - corridor off ops centre, Sec Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford 19:40) Sleeford stepped back as the unconscious body was dumped at his feet. Rolling it over with his booted foot, he pulled his last tag out of his pouch and punched it into the neck of the man. “Tag him.” Ailynn pointed toward the unconscious body. “Billy. Time’s a’countin’ work your magic. Sytuk, assist him. Kaz. Check vitals of all the bodies. Sleeford, You and me cover our rear. “ Standing in the ops centre Sleeford heard the sound that had haunted him for the past several minutes, someone was dragging a large b bladed weapon either along the ground or along the wall. Looking round and seeing nothing of major concern Sleeford slowly walked back down the corridor Alpha team had just taken by force, stopping as a shadow darted across the intersection. Gripping his rifle tighter Sleeford followed the shadow as it disappeared round a corner, seemingly heading back to where they’d beamed in. As he slowly rounded the next corner, Sleeford felt the blade slice through the fabric of his uniform, between the gap where his tactical vest sat above his uniform pants, wincing and taking a sharp intake of breath as the blade cut through the skin. Finding no room to bring his rifle to the aim, Sleeford fired point blank in front of him, blinding himself as the beam flooded the sensors on the helmet, knowing by the sound of a heavy weight hitting the rocky floor he’d hit his attacker. Dropping to his knees Sleeford checked the pulse of his assailant, finding a faint one he grunted as he stood, a wave of pain washing over him, making his knees buckle. Taking several deep breaths he straightened and swallowed the bile that rose in his throat, reaching down he grabbed the collar of the man and began dragging him back to the ops room. Reaching the first corner Sleeford paused and wiped the oozing blood away with his gloved hand, moving slowly he made his way up the narrow damp corridor, grabbing the body again Sleeford moved forward and moved slowly round the last bend, swallowing to keep the nausea down Sleeford moved into the light of the Ops room. “I found our friend here lurking wit.....” The last thing Sleeford saw was the floor rushing up to meet him in slow motion, the sound of something heavy hitting the floor seemed to come from a long way away, trying to focus Sleeford wondered who dropped a large rock on the floor. (Reply any IYW) (Posted by Alistair) (Asteroid base - corridor off ops centre, FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken 19:41) “Exeter this is Bracken. Confirm connection. Data transfer initiated.” (Reply Exeter Ops) “Understood Bracken out.” Ailynn swung around and watched Sleeford as he hit the deck, her medical training reading him even at this distance, she could see that he was out for the count. Every fibre of her medical training screamed to launch forward and heal. Now though, she wasn’t a Doctor, she wasn’t a surgeon. She was the Command Officer for this away mission and all lives rested on her. “MEDIC!” She called across the suddenly hectic room. She saw, almost in slow motion the motions of the room. She remembered a conversation will each of her family, separately, each of them independently saying the same thing. ;There’ll be a time in your career, that your skills, your abilities won’t be enough. There’ll come a time that your being will flow into what it’s supposed to be.’ Ailynn saw all around her as she slowly pulled back to the shadows, her right hand moving toward the stowed knife. She could see the assailant, the figure raising a phaser at the wounded. Her rage would see no calming. ~first~ She unclipped the knife, her hand undoing the clasp ~do no~ She slowly withdrew the blade from it’s guard at the small of her back. Shifting the grip, as she slowed her breathing once more, She could see the cultist’s arm raised with a phaser in hand, there was to be no contention that it was a killing pose. Ailynn swiftly pulled the knife stored at the base of her spine, and in one fluid motion threw it, the blade spinning and embedding in the base of the skull. ~Harm~ She felt sick. Ailynn could feel the shame forcing itself on her, even as the blade left her hand, sailing across the room. The kill was instant, Ailynn stood up and turned to the rear corridor. “Secure the Bloody area. BIlly Begin Transfer” She called across the channel. It was only as things calmed that it crossed her, and it made her physically sick as it crossed her mind. ~I killed a man.~ She couldn’t stop the nausea, it encompassed her, and she threw up in the corner that she had found. ~Deepest shame~ (Posted by Mark) (Reply any alpha) (USS Exeter – Shuttlebay – Ens(sg) Trinity Frost-1941) =/\= Ensign Frost, get the Chickasha up and running out there. Take Master Chief Brown with you. Something feels fishy and I'd like to be prepared.=/\= Trinity had been running a standard ‘fast ready-to-launch’ for a while now. It was easy enough to keep the craft present primed at the first stage, her mind deepl on edge, she’d been here before many times. =/\=Take a defensive position on our Starboard. If any enemy craft tries to take a run for it, fire to cripple =/\= “On it Skip. launching as soon as the Master Chief gets here.” Trinity jumped up, pulling her flight suit from her waist, and fastening it around her neck, fixing up the front. “Master Chief Brown. Report to Bay 2 for immediate launch please Ma’am.” Trinity may be a lot of things, but she’d met Brown a bunch of times, and had never had any dealings with her that suggested anything other than the most profound professionalism. There was an edge to her that she couldn’t fathom, but Trinity, Fighter Jock that she was, had the deepest, most profoundest respect for the Master Chief. To call her ‘highly experienced’ was the deepest insult in Trinity’s mind. She would always and forever defer to such experience. “Ma’am, If you don’t mind taking the tactical countermeasures station and fasten up. This will be a bumpy ride.” (Reply Brown) “Wheels up thirty seconds, strap in, brace up Ma’am.” she said, then opened a channel to the Exeter. “Exteter Ops confirm rapid launch Chickasha launch 005 break 100.” (Reply Exeter Ops IYW) “Confirm pattern clear. Chickasha launch go.” Trinity smiled, the tingle hitting her, the one that let her know she was still alive. “Heads up Master Chief. Prepare war suite. Forming up on on Exeter Starboard 100 degrees dead upon launch. Immediate snap 100 dead. If we stay in the Exeter's mass well they won’t notice us.” (Reply Brown) The ship snapped up on the rear hindquarter of the Exeter. “Ma’am you insult me, I’m the best.” she hit back gently. “Watch the scans. I can feel a gravity well on the stick negatial drift 0…point...005 lateral. Not on screen. Allowing for Exeter. Confirm. Recalibrate flightstick and confirm.” (Reply Brown) “Brown get me a channel to the Bridge…” She continued, for no reason other than a feeling in her water. “Secure.” Trinity was glad of her thousands of hours of flight experience, otherwise, she’d have missed it. You can hide from the eyes, but... “Skip. This is Honey Badger One. Stick feels wrong. We’ve got a minor gravity well somewhere. We’re not alone.” Trinity knew that Trip knew that she was a ‘’to the letter’ pilot. She was inherently gifted, if something felt off… She gingerly held the flight stick, the body of the Exeter a huge expanse to the left of the Chickasha. Her left hand, dancing over the myriad of controls on the console in front of her. (Reply Brown, Exeter Ops (Trip?)) (Posted by Mark (spc)) (Asteroid base - ops centre, SOPS, Ensign SG Billy Alexander - 1942) =/\=Secure the Bloody area. BIlly Begin Transfer=/\= "I'm going as fast as I can," Billy replied. "Do you know how much data I'm having to sift through on the fly. I mean yeah I could easily send everything over. But do I really want to send over all the recent logs about what they are serving in the cafeteria?" (reply Bracken iyw) Billy then began cross referencing words that began cropping up frequently. Accessing and sending files with references to protomatter, Pah-wraiths, the Gamma Quadrant, and the Bajoran wormhole. But there was one word that popped up with some frequency that he was having trouble figuring out what it had to do with a Bajoran religious cult. "Hey Sytuk, why would a Bajoran religious cult worshipping the Pah-Wraiths have numerous references in logs and files to the first book of the Christian Bible and Jewish Torah?" (reply Sytuk) "You know, Christianity and Judaism, to ancient Earth religions, one was the precursor to the other. Look I'm not a theologian, but the Christian Old Testament is taken from Jewish scripture. The first book of both is Genesis. Why would a bunch of Bajoran religious fanatics be repeating that word over and over again. Nah I'm probably off base. I mean most of the files and logs are recorded and written in the Bajoran language, I'm using the computers translation matrix. I'm off base. It's probably translating a Bajoran word that probably means 'the origin or coming into being of something' like 'the genesis of a new epoch' or something like that. It's a just a keyword. Actually the cross reference keeps showing Genesis in the same files dealing with protomatter, odd." (reply Sytuk) Out of curiosity, caution, and fear, Billy opened one of the files. "You have got to be kidding me, are these folks crazy!" (reply Sytuk iyw) Then doing his best in a bit of anxious sweat to get a hold of Lt. Bracken, "Ailynn!" he shouted, protocol be damned, "You need to come over here now!" (reply Bracken) (reply Bracken, Sytuk, any alpha) (posted by Will) (Asteroid Base - Ops control Room - (SPC)- Sec./tac. Po3 Sytuk - 1943) "I need you to cover my six and not use any of the consoles. I need focus and concentration. I promise we can locate and free the prisoners when we're done. But I think I could work faster if you were watching my back." Sytuks hands paused as if he had turned into a statue. He glanced up and directly at Billy. For the first time unsure of a command given to him Sytuk look billy eight in the eyes " Sir" he said as he stepped away and raised his rifle in a defensive motion. "Alright, now then I can get to work. If anything is coming let me now." Sytuk said nothing and stood guard at Billy's back as he managed to sift through the bases files. Just then Ensign Sleeford hit the floor " Medic !" Bracken yelled out . Almost instantly Sytuk spotted a man in the shadows and before he could fire Bracken launched a knife at him, killing him instantly. Sytuk lowered his rifle in shock. He watched as the doctor rushed to Sleeford and watched as Bracken wobbled over to a corner frantically and threw up. Sytuk reached back on one of the terminals and shut the door to the main corridor, he then walked to the door and unleashed a high level and steady phaser beam at the door , in order to temporarily seal it. He looked over at Bracken knowing the look on her face, this was her first life she had taken. Sytuk had seen that look dozens upon dozens of times across the faces of many races and the face was always the same. "Hey Sytuk, why would a Bajoran religious cult worshipping the Pah-Wraiths have numerous references in logs and files to the first book of the Christian Bible and Jewish Torah?" Sytuk looked over to Billy, taking a few steps towards him. " I haven't read those books or heard of them." "You know, Christianity and Judaism, two ancient Earth religions, one was the precursor to the other. Look I'm not a theologian, but the Christian Old Testament is taken from Jewish scripture. The first book of both is Genesis. Why would a bunch of Bajoran religious fanatics be repeating that word over and over again. Nah I'm probably off base. I mean most of the files and logs are recorded and written in the Bajoran language, I'm using the computers translation matrix. I'm off base. It's probably translating a Bajoran word that probably means 'the origin or coming into being of something' like 'the genesis of a new epoch' or something like that. It's just a keyword. Actually the cross reference keeps showing Genesis in the same files dealing with protomatter, odd." " The Reman word closest to Genesis is Huvikit , it means to reshape what once was to what needs be " Sytuk stated. "You have got to be kidding me, are these folks crazy!" Ensign Alexander said shocked Sytuk jumped at Billy's reaction and snarled. "Ailynn!" he shouted, protocol be damned, "You need to come over here now!" Sytuk looked back over at Bracken who looked like she was still getting it together. "LIEUTENANT!!!" Sytuk roared to get her attention. ( reply Bracken ) Sytuk looked at a view screen as Bracken and Billy conversed and the doctor worked on Sleeford. " Sir's .." ( reply billy or bracken) Sytuk said" Lieutenant we have company " He said nodding his head toward the view screen. The visual of two dozen well armed cultist were heading towards the temporarily sealed door. Sytuk removed the second rifle from his back , holding it in his other hand. " They want a fight , It looks like we don't have choice " ( reply any alpha ) ( posted by Davis(spc)- po3 Sytuk) (Unknown location Sec Officer Ensign Paul Sleeford 15, time unknown) The first sensation Sleeford felt on waking was cold, a cold so deep it felt like his blood had frozen in his body. Opening his eyes he was surprised to see a white so bright it hurt to look at it, not the green he should be seeing. Easing himself in to a sitting position Sleeford looked down at his naked body. Looking up he stopped the movement and froze, looking slowly back down he let his gaze travel from his chest to his toes. “Okay I’m naked. Who pinched my uniform and tactical gear” Looking round Sleeford could see he was not alone, there was in fact large, black slabs as far as he could see, with every kind of beings laying on them,Klingons, Romulans, even a couple of Horta lay on slabs a distance away. As he watched Sleeford could see most of those laying here were still, others however writhed on their slabs in some demonic dance, some looked to be beating at invisible flames, others fighting unseen assailants. As he watched the slab next to him emptied, with a slight ring, like a distant bell. Sitting watching Sleeford felt a deep sense of peace, as if all the troubles had been lifted from his mind. Smiling he pulled his legs up and crossed them, smiling at nothing staring into the distance. ( Replies none) (Posted by Alistair) (Asteroid Base - Upper Corridors, Holding area Omega- ACMO Ens Kasian Poldan 1944) The next hour seemed to go by in a flash. Kasian had moved on to the cultists he had just started the scan with and he hadn't even given anything to him yet. He saw Sleeford go down. Kasian grabbed his med kit and moved over to his fallen comrade, pulling his tricorder out of his pocket and he started a scan. Reading the scan Kaz wished he could get back to the sick bay he wasn’t sure he was equipped to deal with this here. Kaz opened his med kit and looked at it. He knew it wasn’t going to have what he wanted. “Basic Med kit will have everything you need. My ass. Stupid old people stuck in the past. Kaz finally pulled out a hypo spray, adjusted it and administered Acetylcholine. Kaz mended the cut before getting up and walking over to the first officer. “It's a neurotoxin. I’ve given him something but it's going to take time to wear off even with the acetylcholine.” Kaz said keeping his explanation short. (reply any) (posted by Richard) (USS Exeter - Bridge – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1944) Sitting at her console, Erin tilted her head as the data began to stream through from the surface. Lots of data about crew compliment, shifts, nothing much of particular interest at first. Tapping quickly on the console, she sent a short message to the Captain advising him of the data upload. After a moment or two, some things began to come through that caught her attention. ~They can't be…. That's got to be a mistake. Surely.~ As she pulled up a file on the main computer and began reading through, her blood ran cold. Knowing what this could mean, she tapped a message out and sent it directly to Billy's PADD, =/\= Ensign Alexander, this data… is it complete? Is this really leaning towards what I think it is? =/\= (Reply Billy) (Reply Billy, Trip, any) (Posted by Jackie) (Asteroid Base - Ops control Room - FO Lt(sg) Ailynn Bracken - 1945) "Ailynn!" Sytuk shouted at her. She pulled herself up against the drop in protocol., "LIEUTENANT!!!" Sytuk snapped. Ailynn pulled herself up, ashamed at the first, and deeply abashed at the second. “Bracken!” She announced her presenc, finally shaking off the nerves, the shame of the death burioed deeply into that deepest place where she buried all of her shame. Sytuk called across. " Lieutenant we have company " He said nodding his head toward the view screen. The visual of two dozen well armed cultist were heading towards the temporarily sealed door. Sytuk removed the second rifle from his back , holding it in his other hand. " They want a fight , It looks like we don't have choice " Ailynn nodded. “Then let us not disappoint. Billy, confirm data transfer completion to Exeter. Sytuk, Sleeford take front quarter..” (Reply Billy, Sytuk, Sleeford) “Billy. Kaz. Take our six. Standing orders regarding shoot to stun.” She stood up fully, suddenly unafraid. “Mr Sytuk, Mr Sleeford. We take the front. Alpha team, let it be known, that should I die here, that you have followed my orders, and worn your uniforms with honour.” (Reply any alpha) Moving toward the sealed door, she pulled herself up to her full 6’2” and raised her phaser to full length, her body stood perpendicular, the sights along her arm unwavering. Her last purely conscious thought was one of protection. Protection of those under her. (Reply any) (posted by Mark) (USS Rapier – Bridge – Vessel Master – Ofik Daj – 1945) =^= You lying son of a bitch! What the hell are you planning. The terms of the deal have changed. Unconditional surrender of all forces present at this base now. Now negotiations. Are you insane?=^= “The protomatter? I told you I don’t have any. I’m just a soldier, I don’t do the science, the trinkets.” Ofik was now on the defensive. ~What kind of sensors do they have on that thing?~ =^= Do you have any idea what you guys are messing with. Hand over everything to do with the Genesis device now, or I swear, for the safety of the galaxy I will fire! =^= “Genesis? Is that what they were hiding? I guess that would work…” Daj looked over to the science station, he made the motion to cut audio. She shrugged. “More or less, depending on crew compliment.” “Send the signal.” (Reply Exeter) “They’ll see it.” “Hide it in our coms with the Exeter, it will take them a while to find it and you know she is monitoring.” (Reply Exeter, Flames of Retribution) Ofik nodded to turn the audio back on, “Sorry captain. It seems that last hit damaged the audio on our communications, we’re lowing our shields now.” (Reply Exeter, ) (posted by Todd) (Prophet’s Truth, Bridge - FO/CEO Atho Turil & Scientist - Dr Fave Itel – 1945) “Open bay doors, clear all moorings. Engineering, we will be leaving in quite a hurry, I’m going to need full sublight engines very quickly.” =^= Aye, we’ll be ready. =^= “Doctor Fave, if you could man the science station?” “What? I’m just a passenger.” “You are a scientist yes? You can read standard Bajoran? You can push a button? You can run a scan? A man of your brilliance?” Daj chided. “Well, of course,” Itel admitted. Turil pointed to the doctor, “Scientist…” then pointed to the science station, “ergo…science station. You’re part of the club now.” Turil said touching his own more elaborate ear decoration. “You’re going to have to start pulling your weight.” “Fine.” The doctor stated and powered up the station. “What would you like me to do?” “Scan for bio signs on the station.” He said. “Simple enough, there’s quite a few.” The scientist reported. “Bajoran lifesigns.” Turil corrected. “There’s one, no one and one with mixed blood.” Itel confirmed. “Tie in the transporter to your station and beam those two life signs to the brig.” The First Officer ordered. “The reflective bulkheads you installed. Can’t obtain a lock.” Itel admitted. “Then when we get out of here you’ll have approximately six seconds to obtain them before we round the corner. We’re in a bit of a hurry…” Daj said. =^= We’re ready. =^= “Pilot, ahead one quarter impulse power until we clear the doors then, execute a half loop and roll, cut it close to the asteroid.” Turil ordered. “Yes, sir.” The pilot stated with an ear to ear grin. “We’re ready, punch it.” Daj ordered. The personnel on the bridge were thrown back into their seats as the ship accelerated rapidly. The front windows one could look out as it opened up into the vastness of space. The inertial dampers struggled to keep up with the pilot’s maneuvers and the tight loop and roll. “They can see us now.” Tactical said. “Now’s your chance Doctor.” Daj warned. “Working,” his commands were entered rapidly “Got it. Their patterns are in the buffer. Wait, they’re armed? I’ll take away all the weapons. They’re now in the brig.” (Reply Alpha, Bracken, Beta, Reyelle) “Approaching maximum speed!” the Pilot announced. Everyone on board was smashed against their seats or thrown against a wall if they weren’t sitting. As the ship went from close to ten percent of the speed of light to well over half in an instant. “They’ve definitely spotted us!” Science called out. (Reply Exeter) The interceptor rocked as they were now at a full stop. “They’ve got us in a tractor beam!” =^= What in the Celestial Temple you playing at? The engines can’t take much more of this…=^= “Rotate our shield frequencies, rock us back and forth, ready aft polaron array.” “Ready.” Tactical answered. “Target the tractor emitters and fire!” Ofik ordered. A series of violet beams lashed out at the Exeter causing a feed back in the tractor emitter, which disrupted and failed, releasing the Bajoran vessel. “We’re free!” Announced OPS. “Engineering, micro-warp jump. Now!” Ofik ordered. =^= Three seconds….=^= “Aft shields buckling!” Tactical called out. =^= Now!=^= In a bright flash of light the Bajoran interceptor had gone out of sight. (Reply Exeter, Flames of Retribution, Runabouts) (posted by Todd)(NPC Ofik Daj, Atho Turil, Dr. Fave Itel) (USS Exeter - Bridge – CSO Lt JG Erin Cortez - 1947) "Cortez, is this accurate?" Glancing up, Erin nodded. For once, the fear evident in her eyes as she responded, "Yes, sir." "NO Seriously, is this, is this what the data suggests." "I'm sure of it. They have one, Sir." As the realisation hit both of them, she watched as Trip turned and began to speak with the commander of the other ship. As he was doing so, the data began streaming in from Merek's Tricorder. Sending it directly to Trip's console with a simple message, =/\= 2nd stage accomplished. Stage three, planetwide. =/\= (Reply Trip, any) (Posted by Jackie) (USS Exeter, Bridge - aOPS, Ensign M'Rurrh - 1948) The wounded starship was being pulled in different directions, towing one saber-class ship whilst still negotiating with the other; adapting it's cargo bays to accommodate enemy combatants; and all with its crew being split into separate arenas. ~This is a vulnerable position, spread open to so many mission objectives at once. And something doesn't feel right...~ On a hunch, M'Rurrh had been reviewing sensor records of the battle with the two saber-class ship's. Clearly adaptations had been made within the basic Starfleet hull design, and she wanted to spot what changes had been made. "Ensign M'Rurrh open a channel to the rapier now!" ~There! That weapons signature includes markers that can only come from Klingon components!~ Almost without realising it, she followed the order, "Channel open, sir." ~If this Bajoran group has access to Klingon components...~ She shifted focus to the scans of the asteroid. "You lying son of a bitch! What the hell are you planning. The terms of the deal have changed. Unconditional surrender of all forces present at this base now. Now negotiations. Are you insane? Do you have any idea what you guys are messing with. Hand over everything to do with the Genesis device now, or I swear, for the safety of the galaxy I will fire!" ~There!~ Unwilling to interrupt the Captain while he was live with the enemy captain, M'Rurrh pushed her scan of the asteroid onto one side of the screen. Only this time it included a previously unseen area, marked out with Klingon sensor masking technology - only visible if you know to look for it. Only as they looked, the sensor image moved, extending as though the hollow in the asteroid were stretching out.. ..and then in a blink things snapped back, whatever had caused the stretch had gone and the USS Exeter's long search had found them an empty room. (Reply any) (Posted by MCD) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Corridor – 2O/CEO – Lieutenant Keira Merek – 1948) They were assembled back into the same file formation. The corridors were too narrow to travel in the diamond slot or wedge formation she would have preferred. Looking at the tricorder guiding their way, the explosive charges did a number on the proposed path to Engineering, there was an alternate route, they were now forced to take. It was not direct, and took them by or through some of the more undeveloped areas of the facility, and right by the part with the faint protomatter signature. A ten solid minutes of walking and some ducking under and climbing over debris is what followed. The air started to smell less metallic and more natural. There was also a moisture in the air that wasn’t there before. Had the explosives ruptured a water storage tank? Keira’s tricorder started silently alerting her of what lie ahead. It wasn’t warning, but indicating there was life up ahead, not humanoid, but vast amounts of plant life. (Reply any, perhaps spotting moss or lichen on the ceiling or wall.) “Yes, we are getting substantial readings of plant life up ahead. How is this possible?” Keira said. “Move forward but cautiously.” (Reply More) As the group moved forward and the corridor turned to the left various mosses and lichens now lined the floors and the walls in thick layers, as the illumination levels increased dramatically, to near daylight levels. Keira’s tricorder was showing a muted protomatter signature was just around the corner. Though at this range, she could now tell that it was a protomatter by-product, and not shielded protomatter. ~There could still be shielded protomatter farther in.~ The corridor then opened up into a large cavern with two large blue-tinged white light illuminators, showing a very large cavern overflowing with plant life. The floor was lined with what appeared to be a grassland / marsh type region, it even had two trees tall enough to be half as tall as the cavern itself, one of which was remarkably fruit-bearing. (Reply Beta Team) (Posted by Todd) (Asteroid Base – Lower Section, Dining Facility – Sec/Tac - Ens. Stan More 19:49) Once Keira’s hearing had been attended to. The group once more moved out in formation. Moving along Stan’s hip gave him a little reminder. That he had cooked it and he would have to visit Sickbay. Stan hoped his early shenanigans would not be fresh in anyone’s mind. When he limped in there once the mission was over. As they slowly moved forward Stan noticed a change in the air. It felt much much fresher looking at his tricorder. More saw that it had picked up life forms. But on closer inspection these were different. Plant life. He showed the readings to Keira. “Yes, we are getting substantial readings of plant life up ahead. How is this possible?” Keira said. “Move forward but cautiously.” “ By these readings I would surmise simple Moss or Lichen. But it should na be here. True it does not need to much natural light. It has an extensive root system. So it can pick off any moisture absorbed from the rock. But it still needs wind for seed germination and some sunlight for energy.” Stan said realising the others were looking at him. ( Reply , Beta team ) “ The shirt colour does not suit my complexion. Anyway me Grandma was a wee bit of a botanist. She used to drag me around the garden as a wee yin. “ Stan said turning red. As they moved forward the corridor turned to the left. Stan noticed that more mosses and lichens now lined the floors and the walls in thick layers. He shook his head this was wrong all wrong. His tricorder was showing a muted protomatter signature coming from just around the corner. But the readings suggested it was more of a by product not the actual thing. Something in the pit of his stomach did a tango. ~Oh no please let me be wrong ~ Stan thought When Stan had been a Cadet. He used to love history. More would often be found sitting under a tree. Reading some historical persons biography.One day he read about a very famous Vulcan. Who died but was somehow brought back to life. The book seemed to have a large section missing. It didn’t say how this Vulcan did it. Only that it happened. More being the ever curious and to young to know. When best not pry in things only Admirals and heroic historical , people of the past should know. Started digging to discover why. Using procedures that if he had been caught. Stan would not be here today. But probably in a straitjacket lobotomised to the gills. He discovered about the Genesis planet and what happened. Realising that he had uncovered something he really should not know. He destroyed all evidence of his prying and hid. In the Academy library for two days. Once it was clear no yellow shirts were after him. He left and continued his studies. But now everything he had read. In that very top secret file. Jumped out at him. As he looked at the vegetation before him. “ Oh my goodness and an extra helping of what on my late Grandaddy's tomb.....” Stan said in shock. (Reply Beta Team) ( Posted by:- Norman 🐼) (Prophet's Truth – Brig – MO, Ensign SG Kyros Ryelle, MD – 1955) Ryelle was confused. One moment he was on the Asteroid base the next moment he was in a holding cell with the first officer. "What the hell is going on?" (reply Bracken) "It looks like we're not in Kendra province anymore." (Reply Bracken) "This is a bajoran interceptor ship. They must have had it hidden." (Reply Bracken) Ryelle then sighed. "I think I can hear someone coming, probably to take our weapons. What are your orders, sir?" (reply Bracken) (reply Bracken, guards) (posted by Will) (USS Exeter - Bridge - CO, Lt. Commander Trip Williams - 20:00) To say that Trip was pissed was an understatement. Against his better judgement he played ball with the terrorist captain of the Rapier, who was stalling for time so that they could get the real prize out of the system. Trip wished he would have been more forceful, more aggressive. But he wasn't ready to stoop that low. He had treated the enemy, the way he was supposed to treat an enemy that surrendered. To do otherwise, well he would not be the failure he felt he was, but he wouldn't be able to live with himself. To make matters worse, not only did the Interceptor get away, but given the ping he got on his console that had been tracking the subdermal and nearly untraceable tracker that Ailynn had been given, she was on the ship. ~Damn it! But at least we can track them.~ Trip tapped his commbadge as he stood up, "Engineering, repair any damage their stunt caused. I want us up and ready to chase as soon as possible." (Reply Engineering) Then turning to M'Rurrh, "Channel to the Rapier now." (reply M'Rurrh) "Well, congratulations, the surrender terms have changed. I was going to take you in as Federtation citizens, but you not only covered so your allies could escape with a Weapon of Mass destruction, but they've abducted a member of my crew. Prepare for transport." Trip then cut the channel before they could reply. "Ravok, drop, shields on my mark and have the Transporter technicians ready to transport the Talwar and Rapier crews to our new holding cell." (reply Ravok) With another channel he signaled the two runnabouts. "Ire and Trinity, stand down, lower shields and return to the Exeter. (reply Trinity, Frost) Trip sat down, "Ravok, lower our shields, and ready Transport." (reply Ravok) Trip sighed as he sat in the command chair. He would at least have this victory. The crews of the Rapier, the Talwar, and those the away team had tagged on the base. =/\=Transporter Room One, to bridge. Sir, we can't get a lock on the Bajoran Crews, they're gone, they've been beamed elsewhere. Not quite sure, can no longer get a lock.=/\= "What the hell!" Trip said standing up, as he turned to see Doctor Vesper and Ronnie disappear from the bridge, beamed by what seemed to be a klingon transporter beam. His fist and teeth clenched. His anger was seething. "Lietuenant Cortez, internal scan of the Exeter for all Bajoran lifesigns, whether they be full, half, a quarter, whatever. Anyone with Bajoran DNA>" (reply Cortez) "What do you mean there are no Bajorans on board!?!" (reply Cortez) ~ASH!!!~ "Trip to Muskogee, is Ire with you?" (reply Page) "Damn they got him too." At that moment a Klingon Bird of Prey Decloacked and went to warp before Trip could even order anything. They were gone. They won. They pulled a fast one. They got all their crews out, They took all Exeter Crew members with Bajoran DNA. And Trip was left on the bridge, with no prisoners, no Genesis device, with members of his crew gone, with his wife, his future, his family, his everything. He was fuming. He was angry. He was lost. "Lt. Ravok, did you get the warp signatures of those two ships?" (Reply Ravok) "Send a description of them and their warp signatures to Starfleet Intelligence. Maybe they can find them before they get away." (reply Ravok) "Ensign M'Rurrh, channel to the away teams) "Alpha and Beta Teams, it seems our enemy, well..... damnit they won, they got away, and they have all our Bajoran crew. Billy take lead of Alpha Team, finish getting that info and get back. Beta Team, Merek, see if there is any proto matter left on the base, find it, secure it, and get back here. Time is of the essence. I want us out of here ASAP." =/\=Acknowledged.=/\= Billy replied. (reply Merek) Trip turned to Ravok. "Lieutenant, you have the bridge." Trip walked to his ready room, as he entered he plopped into his desk chair. Tapping his commbadge, "Ensign Jester Lavorre, to my Ready Room now." (reply Jester) Trip sighed as he pulled up the tracker that Doctor Vesper had designed to see where Ailynn was headed. It seemed like it was on a course to the Gamma Quadrant. If they made it through the wormhole, they wouldn't be able to track her again unless they followed. At that moment a second dot appeared, slighltly behind, following a similar heading. ~Doctor Vesper, you sly son of a bitch.~ (reply M'Rurrh, Merek, Vesper, Cortez, Jester, Ire, Trinity, Page, Ravok, specifically, but really, Reply All, as some of your crewmates have been taken, Flames of Retribution) (posted by Will) (Flames of Retribution - Holding Cell One- ACFO, Ensign Ronnie Winters - 20:05) Ronnie landed on the ground with a thud. She had beamed in a seated position and her body collapsed as she went from feeling the comfort of having a chair, to having nothing. The ground was cold, the room uninvited, and if she remembered anything from her academy training and some of her friends' more interesting programs, she was in a klingon holding cell. She looked around to see if there was anyone else with her. Swinging around she saw the beautiful dark haired frame of a very familiar purple uniformed civilian. It was the Captain's wife, whom she had gottent to know well over the course of the last year, as Ronnie had been Trip's copilot in the fighter wing. "MUM!!!" She exclaimed running up to give Ash a hug. "Sorry Ash." She paused, "I don't know why I called you Mum. That's awkward, I haven't had a faux paux like that since my first year of the academy." ~Well that was definitely embarrassing. Though Ash is definitely very maternal in her nature. And so beautiful, I think she's glowing.~ (Reply Ash) "It looks like we are in a Klingon ship. Though who runs it I don't know. I guess we'll find out." (reply Ash) "Don't worry, I'll make sure you're safe." (reply Ash) (posted by Will) (Flames of Retribution - Holding Cell Three - SFI Agent, Lt. Commander Tyko Nix - 20:07) ~Well this is rather unexpected.~ Nix said as he looked at his new surroundings. ~Not the first time I've been in a Klingon Holding cell. But I doubt it's crewed by Klingons. Those cocky bastards actually pulled it off. Kudos to them, I guess.~ Nix then sat down on one of the beds in the holding cell as two other figures materialiezed into the room. He recognized one, but did not recognize the other. "Dr. Vesper, fancy seeing you here, I wish it was under better cirmustances." (Reply Vesper) "And I don't think I know you? Commander Tyko Nix, SFI. And you?" (reply ire) "Well I wish I was meeting you under better under cirumstances. Though not the first time I've made new friends in a prison cell." (reply ire, Vesper) (Reply Ire, Vesper) (posted by Will) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< End Compile >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<