Silence came once more before Quinn change the subject. Then Quinn spoke.
"The caretaker, Troleen...he's gone?" He asked flatly. Her thoughts were held too close to the surface.
"Yes. The children are aboard, but they are alone. I would like to go to them. I have not meditated for several days. The effects of the relic were quite powerful and the stress of the situation has made it difficult to suppress my emotions. If it is acceptable, I respectfully request permission to be relieved of duty for the evening." Sevryll replied.
"Of course Commander, please tend to your children."
Sevryll stood nodded and walked out of the Captain's ready room. Quinn sat down behind the Captain's desk and took a deep breath and tried to quiet the voices in his head. He did not tell Sevryll the entire truth on why he did not go back for the Captain. He struggled with it but was warned not to tell anyone, but if Lt. Commander Sevryll was to become Quinn's number one, he must be able to confide in her the truth of the Captain's disappearance and their entire mission. Quinn knew that he needed to speak with his senior staff but decided to give them some much-needed rest. We were not arriving to Starbase 157 for another four days he would have his staff meeting tomorrow at 1100 hours. 1100 hours came quickly and Quinn stood in the ready room as members of his senior staff arrived and took their seats. Quinn sat down and began to speak.
"I know a lot of you have questions about what happen with the Iconians and where the Captain might be. At this time I can not tell you the details of his mission. I can tell you that Starfleet has made me temporary Captain of the USS Tiberius and Lt Commander Sevryll as my First Officer. We will not be going to Starbase 157, Starfleet has asked us to go to Altair III, it's the third planet in the Altair system. Starfleet has lost communication with their outpost and need us to find out what happen. We will arrive in six days. Any questions? "
TBC
Commander Quinn
Acting Captain
USS Tiberius
The counselor sat down at the table and looked at his fellow crewmates. They were all concerned. So was he. The day before this he had found his son asleep on his couch compliments of the Iconians. It had been very uncomfortable after he had awakened and Margon couldn't stop thinking about it. But now was not the time to think about family problems. There were bigger things to be concerned about. The counselor focused his thoughts on Commander Quinn's voice.
"We will arrive in six days. Any questions? “
"Yes Commander" said Margon, "If my memory serves me correctly, this system was the victim of an interplanetary war for decades... I read about the peace talks and the Federation's influence in this star system. Have we been in contact with the Klingon Empire about our outpost?"
Brex felt relaxed. The sensation was amazing. His eyes were closed and all he could feel was an Andorran woman's antenni caressing his blue-ridged face. A slight hum seemed to fill the perfectly silent air. In grew into a rhythmic gravely noise.
"Stop that, it tickles!"
Brex giggled, and reached up to brush the antenni away from his face only to feel the sharp twangs of a felines claws ripping into his blue skin.
Brex snarled,
"No, really! Stop that Talas!"
Brex opened his eyes, expecting a beautiful blue female. Instead he saw two large yellow eyes staring back at him. He reached out to touch the face, but at that very second
HISS!!!!!!
Mr. Mouse jumped away from Brex, nearly shattering a glass table. Margon stood above Brex startled by the sight of his son in his quarters.
Brex rolled his eyes,
" Why am I here!?"
"I was just about to ask you the same thing."
Margon picked up Mr. Mouse and stroked his fur trying to calm him down.
"The last thing I remember was that that darned bright white light! I was in a field with some of my customers from five forward. Whats going on dad! Why am I here?!"
Brex seemed annoyed by the fact that he would be in his fathers quarters.
"What do these Iconian's think? That I happen to be friends with the only other Bolian on board?"
Brex thought to him self.
"all I know is that the captain's not on board anymore... there's a briefing with Commander Quinn soon, and more will be explained then. Are you ok?"
Margon tried to smile, but it was very hard.
" I'm as good as I can be for getting transported around like someone's Tarkalian Felder Beast! If you don't mind I think I'm gonna get our of yout hair... oh... scratch that... I'm just going to head back to five forward, thanks for the use of your couch. You should get a license for that animal..."
Brex started to get up and walk to the door.
"Maybe we should talk..."
Margon grabbed Brex's shoulder.
"NO DAD! Stop it!"
"Stop what? I never did anything?"
Margon looked confused.
"You stopped being my dad 50 years ago. Why start again now?"
Brex walked out the door.
Margon looked at the ground.
Maybe he's right...
Margon thought as he sat down with Mr. Mouse.
The door closed.
Brex looked out the window in five forward. He saw the stars in front of him. He glanced around the room to see no one. It was a quiet night. Brex tapped his COM badge.
-Beep-
"Brex to J'Dan."
There was no reply.
Brex had not yet seen J'Dan after the Iconian incident. He was surprised that he had not yet came to five forward.
"Computer please locate Mr. J'Dan"
"J'Dan Marley is not aboard the Tiberius."
The computer responded quickly.
Brex looked out at the stars and started to panic.
He thought for a moment. Maybe the computer was wrong. The Iconians may be affecting the ships sensors.
-SWISH-
The door to five forward opened, and in walked J'Dan. J'Dan pulled his shirt down to hide the wrinkles.
"Sorry boss, I was a little distracted..."
Brex smiled and looked at J'Dan to see a lipstick mark on his forehead.
"You missed a little something."
Brex took a towel and wiped the mark his off his head.
J'Dan turned red, and started to walk into the kitchen.
"I take it things went well on your date a while ago."
Brex said with a small smile.
"You could say that..."
J'Dan seemed nervous.
"You don't have to be scared son. I know what that was like... the old days."
Brex picked up a glass and polished it. He knew that the replicator was capable of such a task, but he still enjoyed the fine art of bartending, even if it was old fashioned.
J'Dan came from the back with a pad in his hand.
"Boss, what exactly happened to us?"
J'Dan asked.
"All I know is that Commander Quinn should be explaining what is happening..."
Brex replied.
"It's just so hard to think that these people have been hiding all this time, just to cause all these problems."
J'Dan said defensively.
J'Dan shook his head sighed
Brex looked outside and started to speak.
"I don't know what their up too, no good I presume."
Sevryll found her children sleeping soundly in their own bed. The tall Vulcan woman strode quietly into the small room that held their slumbering forms, and knelt beside M'rynn. The toddler's breaths were measured and deep as her right thumb slowly fell from the corner of her mouth.
Sevryll brushed a lock of wispy black hair from the little girl's forehead and kissed her cheek. M'rynn unconsciously raised a tiny eyebrow in response, yet never stirred from her deep slumber. Her mother removed the girl's shoes and pulled the blanket up to cover her. Then she stood and moved to the child who slept on the other side of the bed.
N'Val shifted from his left to his right side—his little face contorted into a frown as he muttered something low under his breath. Sevryll knelt down and pulled the boy's shoes off then tugged the blanket up over his twitching legs. She watched him for a minute then gently placed her hand on his until the twitching stopped. Though he did not wake, a small smile grew upon his face producing two dimples. She kissed his forehead then backed from the room and bumped into a silhouetted form standing in the entry.
Sevryll started and spun quickly on her heel, instinctively falling into a defensive stance—the quiet whisper that followed caused her to relax slightly.
"That's my girl. Nice reaction time, great form, but you let me slip in behind you. What if my intentions had been criminal?"
She knew that voice, it belonged to her husband, yet David was on assignment for Section 31...how did he get aboard the ship?
"David..." the relief in her voice was evident.
"I wish." The voice muttered sarcastically to himself. Actually I'm a hologram that David programmed."
Sevryll keyed a sequence into the panel behind her and the door to the children's room slid shut.
"I was not aware that my husband was capable of programming holograms." She stated flatly.
The hologram walked over to a chair, plopped down and put his feet up on the table in the center of the room. "He's not, but he has friends who are. Section 31 is full of smart people."
Sevryll remained standing near the door to the children's room. Too much had happened in recent days.
"If you are a hologram designed by my husband, then what is your purpose?" She inquired coolly.
He smiled and nodded towards the door that Sevryll had closed only moments before, "I'm the baby sitter." He said with a wink.
"The...babysitter." Sevryll repeated. "Why didn't David inform me of your program?"
"Because he knew you'd be adamantly opposed to one that could kill," he replied with a grin. "Oh yes, I've been programmed in every form of advanced martial art that Section 31 has on file. I was activated before you left space dock and I've been quietly keeping an eye on things. Where'd you dig up that old fossil you called a 'care taker'? You hired him to take care of our kids? Oh sure, he was nice ol' blue hair, but he was always AWOL. By the way, where's the old coot now?"
Sevryll frowned. She didn't have an answer for him...the retired Betazoid teacher, whom she had hired to watch her children when she was on duty, was simply gone. She suspected he was apart of the group who was responsible for Captain Bell's disapearnce.
"Our last mission involved beings who were master illusionists—you could be yet another of their cruel deceptions."
"Did they have something to do with the crew's sudden vacation?" he asked sarcastically. Sevryll didn't respond to his remark.
"Oh, hey...I programmed a great water park simulation on the holodeck while you all were on break." He nodded towards the children's room again, "when they wake up, I'll take them there."
David obviously gave the supposed"hologram", his own unique brand of humor in addition to his appearance and voice.
He could tell that she still wasn't convinced, he was telling her the truth,"you're a scientist, run a diagnostic on me." He gave her a wink then handed her a tricorder. She took it but opened her desk drawer and removed one, she was certain he hadn't tampered with. He smiled, "ah, you'd make a great agent Sevryll. Better safe than sorry. Right?" She laid his device down on the desk and ran a diagnostic with her own. He was exactly what he said he was...a hologram.
She closed the tricorder and looked up to meet his smile, which before now, had only belonged to her husband David. "You look exhausted," he said. " I'll shut down—you get some shut eye." She watched as the hologram vanish. In the silence following the hologram's disappearance, she finally had time to realize how much she missed the real David.
Sevryll awoke to the sound of the children's laughter. The hologram was back and apparently entertaining the children. When the twins noticed her, the hologram stopped what he was doing and walked to the replicator. "Café Latte...hot." After the replicator formed the cup of coffee, he removed the beverage, pulled a chair out, and motioned for Sevryll to sit in it. "good morning," he said with a smile as he set the Latte on the table before her.
"What are we to call you? You are not David...I will not call you that."
His smile faded. "Not a problem. Ummm...call me...Dennis." Dennis was David's nickname in middle school. His basketball coach used to call him "Dennis The Menace" because of his fair head of hair and his tendency for trouble. The real David despised the name...his hologram didn't seem to mind it.
"I insist that the children call you that as well" she said.
"Logically." He replied, then rumpled N'Val's hair as the boy climbed up into Sevryll's lap and hugged her. She hugged him back.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Commander Sevryll
Chief Science Officer
USS Tiberius
http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1572.0
"...Starfleet has lost communication with their outpost and need us to find out what happen. We will arrive in six days. Any questions? "
No rest for the weary, Sevryll thought to herself. David always said that when he learned of an impending Section 31 mission. Until now, she hadn't thought of the truth of that statement.
"Have we been in contact with the Klingon Empire about our outpost?" Asked the Margon.
"An excellent question. If the Klingon Empire is not aware of this situation, they should be informed immediately. They too had settlers on Altair III, I am positive they will want to investigate." Said Sevryll
Quinn nodded to Margon. "Yes. They are on their way now. We are to coordinate our investigation with them."
---------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Commander Sevryll
Chief Science Officer
USS Tiberius
http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1572.0
Ensign Starstriker was disoriented from the white flash of light. But what was more concerning was the fact that the captain was missing. "What is going on? We go to the Iconians for peace talks, now we're headed off on another assignment? Something is definately off...."
The captain of the vessel was now Commander Quinn and he was planning to have debrief the senior officers soon. "A pity I can't listen in." You cannot interfere, this is not your time, soon all will be revealed... Starstriker sighed aloud.
But none of that mattered now, all that mattered was the next mission, which was leading them to the outpost.
Although the Bajoran was not technically a crewmember, she was assigned to the ship by Starfleet Command to make sure that regulations were strictly followed. During its mission, the Tiberius would be involved in an unusual number of prickly, political deliberations. Starfleet brass wanted a starchy, straightlaced, law-lover to keep the interests of Starfleet at the forefront of the Captain's mind. Now that Captain Bell was missing, that person was Commander Quinn.
When the briefing had ended, and all but Lt. Commander Sevryll and Commander Quinn had left the room, Avrik Newol entered. She sidestepped the last of the senior staff as they left, and made her way to where the acting Captain stood.
"Commander," Avrik wore a warm, friendly smile as she nodded to Quinn and Sevryll. They greeted her in turn. Her smile shrank slightly as she continued. "I felt now was as good a time as any to share with you, the reason for my presence aboard the Tibirus. Before now, only Captain Bell and Admiral Talbot were privy to this information. Because of the unfortunate events of our last assignment, and now that you're acting Captain, I thought you should know."
"I know why you're here Lt." Quinn replied in his usual soft-spoken voice. "Starfleet gives us difficult assignments, but they want a spokesperson to micromanage our decisions."
"Micromanage?" Avrik's usual cheerful countenance was replaced by a furrowed frown. "Look Commander, I'm not here to hold your hand."
Quinn nodded and smiled. She was a quick-witted, albeit quick-tempered young woman. Yet her blend of duty and personality made him respect her. "I like you Lt..." His response surprised Avrik. "But don't push your luck. You may be Starfleet's eyes and ears, but I'm still in command of this ship." He paused before continuing in a gentler tone, "I realize that you did not ask to be put in this situation. This is your first assignment on a Starship isn't it?" He walked around the end of the table to close the distance between he and Avrik.
"Yes it is Commander, though I can't say that I'm enjoying it much." She replied with a frown.
He laughed, "Neither am I. If you respect my authority as commander of this vessel, then I respect your assignment as my counsel."
"Of course Commander, I have no intention of brow beating you with Starfleet law. I'm just an advisor." Her smile had returned.
"I'm sure you're a good one Lt."
She nodded in response, then offered a hand to Quinn. "Thank you Commander." She replied.
------------------------------------------------------
Lieutenant Avrik Newol
Assistant Judge Advocate General
Starfleet Command
http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1591.0
The B'rel variant Bird of Prey resembled a bat'leth posed for combat, yet the Klingon vessel was there to help the Tiberius not to engage her.
"Hailing frequencies open Commander."
The captain's chair was positioned between Sevryll and Margon. Sevryll watched as Quinn rose from that seat to introduce himself to the Klingon vessel displayed on the viewscreen before them.
Avrik Newol stood behind her at the auxiliary station. It was the first time she had ever stepped foot on the bridge and she felt exhilarated. Quinn could feel her anticipation as he spoke aloud to the Captain of the Klingon ship.
"I am Commander Nathan Quinn, acting Captain of the USS Tiberius."
Quinn stood and faced the view screen. A very beautiful Klingon woman appeared on screen.
"I am Commander Nathan Quinn, acting Captain of the USS Tiberius."
The Klingon spoke " I am K'Renth, Captain of the Battle Cruiser Qutaa. Welcome to the Altair system. The Klingon Empire extends warm greetings and looks forward in assisting the Federation in its investigation.
"Thank you K'Renth, your assistance is welcomed. We will rendezvous in three hours at coordinates 3565.1", Quinn replied.
The Klingon smiled "Until we meet in person"
Quinn nodded and the screen went blank. Quinn turned to Sevryll with a smile.
"Well that was a little too pleasant, wasn't it? Captain K"Renth is not too pleased with her new assignment. I didn't need my telepathic abilities for that."
"Indeed" Sevryll replied
Quinn sat back down, " We need to prepare all stations. Something just doesn't feel right about this."
TBC
Commander Quinn
Acting Captain
USS Tiberius
The dust from the surface of Altair III mixed in the atmosphere to create a mass of swirling red clouds. The Tiberius maintained a stationary orbit with respect to the outpost on the planet's surface.
"Sir, sensors are indicating weapons fire within the outpost."
In a matter of seconds the image of K'Renth, captain of the Klingon Bird of Prey, appeared on the viewscreen.
"We are detecting a conflict below. I am preparing a landing party of my best warriors—we would be honored if you joined us in battle commander." She tossed her head up and revealed a vicious smile as she awaited his answer.
Margon motioned to Quinn to mute the communication. He glanced at the communication station and then turned toward the counselor. Yes Counselor? He asked.
"I don't trust her sir" Margon cautioned. He rubbed the ridge on his nose. "We have no idea what her intentions are, and if what you are sensing is even half right, we could be in serious danger if we beam down there with them."
"Thank you Counselor" said Quinn,"I will take it under advisement, right now, I need to answer our Klingon friend."
"But Commander..."
"I heard you Counselor" Margon was cut off by Quinn.
Quinn glanced again at the communication station and the microphone was turned back on...
"I heard you Counselor" Margon was cut off by Quinn.
Quinn glanced again at the communication station and the microphone was turned back on...
" We would be happy to join you, please send the coordinates to our transporter room."
K'Renth smiled and nodded then the screen went blank. Quinn turned toward his counselor.
"I apologize for my abruptness. I know K"Renth is up to something. She was getting suspicious of my silence. I had to answer her."
Counselor Margon smiled. " Do you know what she is hiding?"
"I don't, I tried to probe her thoughts but she has been trained in closing off her mind. Not many Klingons can do that." Quinn replied.
Quinn turned to Sevryll, "Put together an awayteam and report to transporter room three. But number one, be very couscous. Things aren't as they seem.
"Aye Sir.. " replied the Vulcan and she headed toward the turbolift.
TBC
Commander Quinn
Acting Captain
USS Tiberius
"Ensign Enoch, you're with me." Enoch may not have been a security officer but he was decidedly Klingon, and his Starfleet profile indicated that he was particularly proficient in hand-to-hand combat. Aside from this fact, the purpose for his away team selection was simply the ensign's Klingon heritage.
For whatever reason, the commander and counselor were each suspicious of K'Renth. Sevryll claimed no fluency in "Klingon body language", and believed that Enoch could provide her with the insight she needed if the captain of the Quataa... was indeed hiding something.
Lt. Peters and Ensigns Manrique and Storm Shield met Sevryll and Enoch in Transporter Room One. Peters passed them each a phaser, as they all took their places on the transporter pad. The away team turned to face the Denobulan transporter chief, but before Sevryll could give him the go ahead to beam them to the surface, doctor Peterson rushed through the doors and into the Transporter room.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Commander Sevryll
Chief Science Officer/Acting First Officer
USS Tiberius
http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1572.0
Quinn sat in the Captain's chair and waited for a report from the away team.
Helmsman said "Sir we are detecting a ship"
Quinn stood up 'What!!! Where did it come from?"
"I don't know sir, it wasn't there a minute ago, it must have been hiding in the near by nebula." said Ensign Logden
"Can you ID it Ensign?"
Ensign Logden ran her fingers across the helms panel. "No sir it's not any configuration in Starfleet records"
Lt. Nagumo over at the tactical station asked, "Should I raise shields Captain?"
Quinn looked over at him and shook his head, "We don't want to seem aggressive"
Lt. Nagumo looked concerned
Quinn paced the bridge and ran his fingers through his hair trying to sense the alien ship. "Try and hail them"
Lt. Nagumo yelled, "Sir, They are firing torpedoes "
Quinn yelled, "SHIELDS UP" and quickly pressed his comm. Badge "ALL HANDS BRACE FOR IMPACT.. I REPEAT ALL HANDS BRACE FOR IMPACT!!!!!
TBC
Commander Quinn
Acting Captain
USS Tiberius
Dr. Peterson glanced at the Commander in the transporter room and said' "you were not planning on leaving without me were you? After all, there may be survivors that need medical attention, and if there's a fire fight there will undoubtably be wounded that I will need to attended to."
"We detected weapons fire on the surface Doctor. Once the area is secure we will request that you beam down to our coordinates." Sevryll looked down at the doctor, standing ready at the door. "Prepare for a massive influx of wounded doctor."
"I'm a very accurate shot. Please allow me to accompany you to the surface...If we are met with hostile fire you'll need an extra phaser. And if we're met by a mass of wounded civilians..."
"...I will need your expertise." Sevryll finished his sentence for him in an even tone. She chewed on his statement for a fraction of a second then nodded her approval. Lt. Peters tossed the doctor a phaser as he stepped onto the pad and Sevryll motioned to the Denobulan Transporter Chief that they were ready to beam down.
Glittering particles of light bonded to form five Starfleet Officers, within the outpost on the surface of Altair III. The Klingons transported within seconds of the Tiberius away team. Their corresponding transporter coordinates placed them within a large complex in the center of the settlement. Upon materialization, the crews of the Quataa and Tiberius drew their side arms in preparation of hostile fire.
Lt. Peters ignited the light he carried in his right hand. Its hazy beam revealed the bodies of armed civilians, laying in twisted heaps about the facility. The corpses bore the scorched marks of recent annihilation.
K'Renth and Sevryll approached one another as the away teams united their effort to inspect the immediate area. Stepping over the dead of several worlds, the Vulcan and Klingon met in the center of the room.
"I am Lt. Commander Sevryll, and this is Ensign Enoch," Sevryll's introduction of Enoch was met with a sidelong glance by the Klingon Captain. She growled quietly as she she took in the Vulcan's stolid expression.
K'Renth's striking green eyes narrowed before she turned them on Enoch. She considered the young helmsman carefully before replying in a curt voice,"I am Captian K'Renth".
"Commander," Lt. Peters spoke quietly as he advanced from the far side of the room, "I'm picking up bio signs in the west wing of the complex."
The doctor could see the bodies sprawled all over the complex. The smell of burned flesh was overpowering.
The damage to the bodies was quite extensive. Every cell within them had imploded upon impact. A Scan from his tricorder told him that energy weapons were the cause. And these particular weapons had been outlawed in the Federation due to of their barbaric nature.
The doctor pressed his comm badge and informed Sevryll of his findings, indicating that it was extremely unlikely any survivors would be found.
Peterson continued to survey the scene and record the damage with the use of his medical tricorder. Then he searched for anything, that might indicate why this particular outpost was chosen as a target.
Peterson's comm Badge beeped, it was Lt. Commander Sevryll.
"Peterson here."
"Commander," the chief of security, spoke quietly as he advanced from the far side of the room, "I'm picking up bio signs in the west wing of the complex."
The Vulcan nodded and signaled for Lt. Peters to wait before advancing. She gazed across the vast space within the compound, in search of the doctor. His search for life amongst a multitude of motionless forms, had taken him to the far side of the complex and she could barely make out his shadowy figure, from her location, on the opposite side of the room.
Sevryll tapped her comm badge, and informed him of the security chief's discovery. "I do not want to jeopardize the safety of the away team; the up most care should be taken in our investigation. Please meet us at these coordinates. We will wait for you and Ensign Manrique before investigating further."
"On my way." He replied.
As Doctor Peterson and Ensign Manrique ran the obstacle course of debris and dead, two energy discharges struck them both in the back. The two crew members abruptly plunged to the cold, stone floor. Though conscious, they were unable to move a single appendage to defend themselves from their unseen aggressors. The doctor's eyes met Manrique's. His gaze was stubborn and angry as he shifted it in the direction of the away team.
Through the gloom Manrique could see the Klingon and Tiberius away teams progressing towards them, firing at the attackers. Beams of energy crisscrossed the darkened war zone, illuminating its once obscure contents.
The anonymous aggressors provided cover for two of their own, as they grabbed the paralyzed Starfleet officers and hauled them into a near by corridor. With their hostages in tow, the shadowy assailants disappeared within the multitude of dark passageways inside the immense complex. In an instant, they transported off the surface of Altair III, leaving the winded away teams behind in frustration.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Commander Sevryll
Chief Science Officer/Acting First Officer
USS Tiberius
http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1572.0
He awoke in what was little more then a small empty room, bare of of the normal tapastries that one would expect to find. It looked as if the make shift cell was put together at the last moment.
The doctor could hear the muffled sound of voices, but could not make out what was being said. Although groggy, from being hit with the beam weapon, he was otherwise uninjured.
Peterson still had his medical equipment and managed to modify his comm badge to that of a homing beacon. He hoped that the Tiberius and the commander would check all frequencies once they knew he had been beamed off the planet.
All he could do was wait and see what his captors wanted with them, and hope that his career in Starfleet would not come to an abrupt end.
Quinn yelled, "SHIELDS UP" and quickly pressed his comm. Badge "ALL HANDS BRACE FOR IMPACT.. I REPEAT ALL HANDS BRACE FOR IMPACT!!!!!
The ship shook back and fourth, Quinn fell to the floor but quickly regained his footing.
"Photons full spread" Quinn yelled.
Lt. Nagumo turned to Quinn, "Sir they are pulling back, do we pursue?"
"Stand by Lt." Quinn pressed his comm. Badge. "Number One what is the status of the away team"
Sevryll voice could be heard, "Captain, the aggressors just beamed away, and they took Doctor Peterson and Ensign Manrique with them."
"What?" Quinn announced, "Stand by we are going to beam you back. Transporter room, beam the away team directly to the bridge."
A few seconds later the away team appeared on the bridge.
"Helm set a pursuit course" Quinn turned to Sevryll, "Where are the Klingons?"
TBC
Commander Quinn
Acting Captain
USS Tiberius
Before she could answer the commander, the communications officer interjected.
"Sir, the Quataa is hailing us."
Quinn nodded, "on screen."
K'Renth's eyes sparkled with exhilaration.
"These piles of rotting forshak will wish they never crossed our paths commander." A fierce smile spread across the Klingon female's face.
"As you know, they've taken two of my officers. Do not destroy the ship..."
"Of course," she hissed. "Our vessel is currently cloaked aft of the Tiberius. We are maneuvering into attack position now. Once their ship has been disabled, I want the baktag who commands it, and his cargo... to myself." She tilted her head as she emphasized the last word of her sentence.
The bridge of the Tiberius shook again as the aggressors fired once more. "Shields are holding commander," reported Lt. Corran. Quinn looked over his shoulder at the tactical officer, then back to the view screen. A frown formed on Quinn's face.
"We'll talk about that later Captain. I'm a little busy right now. Again, your help is appreciated. Now, if you'll excuse me..."
"Certainly commander, " replied the Klingon.
Quinn turned and motioned for communication to be cut, then faced the Lt. Corran.
"Return fire. Target their weapons."
Sevryll fell into her chair as the ship lurched again. "Captain, before they were was taken, the doctor mentioned the civilians' wounds were made with outlawed weapons. It is my assessment that we are dealing with marauders."
"I believe you mean murderers," replied Quinn as the bridge lurched again.
Ensign Manrique and Doctor Peterson braced themselves as their kidnappers' ship shook violently with each volley from the Tiberius. An armed Acamarian approached their cell and motioned for them to stand away from the force field. The doctor looked at Ensign Marique; it was clear they wouldn't be able to take him, for he was armed to the tooth and heavily armored. They stood back and the field was deactivated. "You," the Acamarian Gather pointed at the doctor with his phase rifle, "come with me." Marique stepped forward in defense of the doctor, but Peterson advised against it with a motion of his hand and a concerned look on his face.
The man took Peterson to a medical bay, filled with wounded Gathers. All were clad in the same armor as the individual who escorted him there. Peterson presumed they were injured in the assault on the surface and that they were sole the reason for his abduction.
"Get to work!" Shouted the escort, before shoving the doctor in the back with his rifle.
On the bridge of the Acamarian ship, Chorgan barked orders at his crew. "What is our status?!"
"The Quataa has decloaked. She's taking up a defensive position along side the Starfleet vessel. Replied the helmsman frantically.
Mattack, the second in command, whispered to his captain: "Chorgan, we must leave now, we can't take them both. You know what she'll do to us! You killed her son—she won't stop until we're all dead."
"Shut up!" Chorgan shouted aloud as he paced the bridge. The Tiberius continued to pound them rattling the crew as well as their equipment. "Slek...get us out of here, maximum warp! Fire the aft pulse cannons to disrupt their sensor arrays."
Before the Tiberius and the Quataa, had completely disabled the alien ship, a blinding pulse filled the bridge of the Tiberius and the ship was gone.
"What happened?" Barked Quinn as he rubbed his eyes.
Corran's fingers ran across his panel. "They've fired pulse cannons...Sensors are off line commander."
"Get them back Lt!" Quinn ordered, the edge in his voice was now clearly evident.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Commander Sevryll
Chief Science Officer/Acting First Officer
USS Tiberius
http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1572.0
As doctor Peterson surveyed the injured crew, he noted that many of the wounded were not seriously injuries, however, one was bleeding internally and required immediate surgery.
He recalled the words "above all else do no harm, then informed his captors of his needs. He asked to speak to his captors' leader so that he could find out what this was all about. At the least, he could learn the reason he may end up dying. There was also an off chance that he could, perhaps, find a diplomatic way out of this situation... without the loss of further life.
The doctor hoped that Lt. Commander Sevryll could still hear his thoughts, even though he had not tried to reach her, and was not sure that his telepathic abilities would be strong enough at this distance. Luckily, the doctor still had the Iconian artifact in his possession. He hoped that with its enhancing effect, it might allow him reach her...he would use it to tell her to track his comm frequency so that they could find them.
For now, all he could do was hope that the fates would be kind and that he would live to see another day. He would continue to serve Starfleet to the best of his abilities, which at the moment he could not say was his best, or anywhere close to it.
Acrid smoke rose from the consoles on Chorgan's bridge, filling the vicinity with a white haze. His gruff voice snapped orders at the bridge crew as he sliced through the haze that had obscured his armored form. "Status?" he snarled over the railing from the higher command level.
Mattack, Chorgan's second in command, answered him promptly from below, "We are safely away from the Starfleet vessel and the Quataa." He paused a moment as he gathered the courage to continue, "I shouldn't have to remind you Chorgan that K'renth will not stop until she has satisfied her Blood Oath."
Chorgan's hard glare eventually caused the second in command to avert his eyes and drop the subject. Mattock had not been present when the raid on the settlement went wrong—he had no idea what really happened...yet his constant nagging was damned annoying. It was worse than his late mother's persistent harassment. What Chorgan needed was a second officer, not an overbearing parent.
"I'm going to the medical bay to see how our new doctor is handling things. Find a sector where we can lay low. Someplace where we can pick up more capable mercenaries. And Contact someone who will purchase our spoils. "
Doctor Peterson worked frantically to save the injured Acamarian that lay stretched on the med table before him. The detained physician found himself conducting a delicate operation with rudimentary equipment. The kit he had brought on the away mission, was not outfitted with the precision devices available back on the Tiberius. If it was, this surgery would not be as difficult or time consuming.
Chorgan strode into the crowded med bay, stepping over the injured as he made his way to where the doctor stood.
"Will he live?" he inquired coarsely.
"I'm doing my best to insure that he does. Who are you?" The doctor asked without stopping to look at the man.
"What does it matter? Make sure he doesn't die." Chorgan turned to leave the med bay, but the doctor's next statement stopped him in his tracks.
"You're an Acamarian Gatherer." The doctor sensed Chorgan's annoyance at the term he used. There was an awkward pause before the man replied.
"I am a Gatherer...Acamar III is no longer our home." He growled.
"Well, Gatherer, your Acamarian blood is composed of an odd composite of iron and copper based blood chemistry. Your friend requires a transfusion if he is going to live. Take a seat." Peterson knew he could probably aquire the blood needed, from any of the healthy Gathers injured in the attack, but he wanted a bit more information from the man who had just entered the medical bay. The seriously injured patient was important to him some how. He was certain that the man would donate the blood and because of it, he would become the doctor's captive audience for a few hours.
Chorgan stared up at Peterson as the abducted Starfleet doctor prepared his arm for the transfusion.
"It's obvious why I'm here," the doctor began, "and I'm guessing that you're the one who made that decision." Peterson pushed the needle roughly into Chorgan's arm as he finished his statement.
Chorgan grimaced but did not react to the doctor's purposeful lack of bedside manner. "Yes." He replied through clinched teeth.
"Then you're the leader of these cut-throats?" The doctor looked up from his work and held the other's eye for a moment before continuing the transfusion.
"Cut-throats," he said with a chuckle. "I've never heard that term." Chorgan continued to glare at the doctor as Peterson connected the crude transfusion device, to the unconscious patient. A few minutes went by before the doctor continued his questioning.
"Is murder your primary occupation, or is it just something you like to do to... unwind on the weekends?"
Chorgan laughed at the doctor's last question. "You brave doctor...." He eyed Peterson before continuing, "no, killing is an unfortunate by-product of my 'primary occupation'."
The doctor's face twisted in disgust but he managed to keep his temper. "It was my understanding that Acamar III's Sovereign Marouk, offered a repatriation for the estranged Gatherers. The negotiations were mediated by a Starfleet Captain. From what I've read, Picard was eventually successful and the Gatherers agreed to return home the same year."
Chorgan's smile was replaced by a frown. Anger boiled out in his reply, "Sovereign Marouk used Picard to lure us into a trap. Once he left, the so called 'conservative Acamarians', wiped out most of our clans. We're all that's left...we're gathering the best weapons and mercenaries to return the favor." Chorgan stated flatly.
Sevryll sat across from Quinn in his Ready Room. " The remaining sensors are failing to track the alien ship's course. What's worse, K'renth's vessel suffered the same damage to primary and secondary sensor arrays. They cannot assist us in our search."
Quinn sat back in his chair and rubbed the bridge of his nose as Sevryll continued "As you know commander, the artifact that the doctor and I studied, created a telepathic link between Margon and ourselves. I do not know how long its effect will last, but I have been receiving faint impressions from the doctor."
Quinn straightened in his chair and leaned forward. "What sort of impressions?" he asked with renewed hope.
"Images, fragments of conversation...they are faint and infrequent at best."
"Perhaps I can help you enhance them. I'll ask Margon to join us. It's possible that he has also sensed the doctor."
---------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Commander Sevryll
Chief Science Officer/Acting First Officer
USS Tiberius
http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1572.0
The surgery, although difficult, went well and the patient who should have died, would soon make a full recovery. All that remained to do was complete the final sutures.
Doctor Peterson spoke to his captor and told him that wished to help him in his plight. He believed that he had been treated unfairly, I asked Chorgan why the Klingon had taken a blood oath against him.
Peterson told Chorgan that Tiberius had a Jag officer on board who could help, if he could provide proof of his accusations. After an uncomfortable pause he barked an order to his second in command and then stated, "I don't know why, but I believe you are a man of honor who is either extremely stupid or very brave. I'm not sure know which, but I prefer to think the latter is true." He gave the doctor the required information and his version the raid that resulted in the blood oath"
Peterson sent the information to the last known position of the Tiberius, on a scrambled alpha channel: priority one, and hoped the JAG officer was as good at law, as he was at diplomacy, for his very Life hung in the balance.
He then sat and pondered his predicament. Unfortunately all he could do now, was sit and wait...
Peterson hoped that the Tiberius received his message but wondered if the Commander could read or receive his telepathic thoughts, reaching out to her from so far away.
He supposed, that all I could do was be ready to act when the moment presented itself.
"Whoa, whoa what's happening?"
Councilor Suder had just woke up from staying in the holodeck for a very very long time.
"Hey Councilor Margon?" He was not there. "Well I better 'clock in'..."
Chirp =/\= "Councilor Margon, I am here." Chirp =/\=
Suder then had some scrambled eggs and hashbrowns. "Hashbrowns!"
Ever since Suder came to Earth, he fell in love with hashbrowns. After he was done eating he went to the councilor's room and searched the Starfleet records.
"Whoa what are Bizarro Borg? I better ask Commander Quinn!"
"Who wrote this report on me? It came from a starbase not some random space station! And I never stole anything!"
The one thing that was right in the report was that Suder didn't like wearing the normal uniform and that he twisted the rules on other Starfleet ships. Instead of wearing the jumpsuit he wore Black Cargo pants and a jacket with the uniform color on it.
The turbo lift doors opened and Counselor Margon stepped onto the bridge. He made his way to the ready room. The door chirped and Commander Quinn said- "enter"
Margon walked in to see Sevryll seated at the captain's desk.
"Ok, my head is swimming with surgery images and an impatient Vulcan" he grinned.
Sevryll gave him a look of disgust. "I used my com badge Counselor" she stated bluntly.
"Yes, but I knew your call was coming about 10 seconds before it happened" he grinned again and sat down in another chair next to the Sevryll.
"So we need to find the Dr do we?" he asked looking at Quinn.
Quinn smirked, amused by Margon's light hearted mannerisms. "Couselor, can you assist Sevryll in her search?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact if you ask her to scan for an iron and copper based blood signature in a system with three M class planets in sector... hmmmm.. " He rubbed his nose ridge... "the Dr overheard a navigation command from an officer on the ship he is being held on..."
Sevryll nodded... "Eight" she said. "Sector Eight."
Margon chuckled. "Eight, yes Eight, that is what it is. Find him Commander, I can't handle much more of these bloody images in my head!"
She got up from the chair. "If you will excuse me gentlemen, I have a Dr. to find."
She walked out of the room and the doors hissed shut behind her.
Meanwhile...incoming message..." This is Gorjano Pedro....Beaming back aboard...Apologies for absence. I recently choked on a groatcake ( there is a shortage of syrup of squill and thusly the cake was dry) & my mentor beamed me out to a passing lightship. I was unconscious at the time and also thusly was unable to inform the Captain. Those pesky sail ships take an age...I was hospitalised in a Bajoran fundamentalist hospice...I was nursed back to health by the Prylars and they take a long time due to their fondness of chanting. Nor did they pass on my messages as it co-incided with their vow of silence that occurs every 27th rotation.
Is Brex still aboard?" ...message ends.
Mattock interrupted Chorgan and Peterson timidly, "we have reached Dessica II."
Chorgan turned to the doctor, "You're coming with us. Get your kit in order. "
Doctor Peterson frowned as he began to prepare his med kit for the unexpected expedition to the surface. Dessica II was in Sector 8, and if he wasn't mistaken, it was a hot bed of illegal activity. The Orion Syndicate often utilized Dessica II's congested bars as a smokescreen. Elasi, Orion, Osaarian and Nausicaan interstellar pirates flanked their operation and camouflage The Syndicate's transactions. If one was looking for mercenaries, illegal weapons and fast ships, Dessica II was definitely the place to locate them in abundance. Unfortunately, it was also the best place to find a tragic end.
The young boy of eleven or twelve, clad in black armor, mumbled unconsciously on the table behind him. The doctor wondered if his young patient had been apart of the raid on the Altair III. Chorgan's concern for the kid, led Peterson to believe that he was related some how. The doctor primed a hypospray and administered the sedative to the boy. As he watched his patient relax, he told himself that he would see to it that the child would no longer be involved in Chorgan's plots. How Peterson would accomplish that task, would have to be determined at a later time...
Ensign Manrique paced his holding cell anxiously as a group of Gathers entered the brig. "Stand away from the containment field." One of them growled. Manrique stood back and balled his fist in preparation. The field was deactivated and Chorgan entered the small room.
"You're on my ship because I require men capable of killing. Have you ever taken a life?"
Johnny considered Chorgan's question, he hadn't had to kill anyone, but he was confident if he had to... he could. The ensign determined that a lie was the best response, so Johnny answered with a macho, "yeah.... what are you doing? Writing a book?"
Chorgan took a step forward and sized up the young officer. Johnny stood his ground and maintained eye contact.
Chorgan saw this as a challenge and swung a fist hard at Manrique's face. The young officer stepped back with his right leg and parried the attack with an extended left forearm. He then quickly countered the attack by stepping forward again, sliding his right leg behind Chorgan's, while simultaneously hitting the armored Acamarian in the throat with falcon strike. Chorgan fell flat on his back, gasping for air on the floor. The other Acamarians rushed Manrique but Chorgan stopped them from punishing the Starfleet officer for his bold display.
Between his labored gasps for air, he laughed aloud. Two Gathers hurried to help him off the floor, but he waved them off and stood to face Manrique once more.
"You'll make an excellent member of my crew." He turned Mattock "Get him some armor...he's coming with us."
"Have you located a customer?" Choragn asked Mattock as they strode through the corridors leading to the transport bay.
"Yes, he is waiting for you at The Brintek Bar," replied the second in command. The transport crafts have been loaded with the freight and outfitted with additional weaponry and hardware in the event that you need them."
"Tell him I am expecting the payment in full." Chorgan entered the transport bay where a small contingent Gathers awaited his arrival. Doctor Peterson and Ensign Manrique were among them, clad in the same black Acamarian armor as their captors.
Two of the Gather's transport crafts landed in a prearranged docking bay. Once they secured their freight, they headed for the coordinates their contact had given them.
The Brintek bar was dark, smoky and filled with the voices of various patrons, most of which were Elasi, Orion, Osaarian and Nausicaan.
Several Nausicaans looked up from their dom-jot game as they walked in, and Orion Slave girls danced around the room to the rhythmic beat of drums. They whirled around the group of Gathers who's tough exteriors, began to melt into dull-witted grins and glassy-eyed stares. One particularly beautiful Orion, slid her seductive greens arms around the doctor's shoulders then wrapped her sheer veil around his waist. Her devilish smile kept his eye as she pulled him gently towards the center of the crowded bar. Before he wandered too far, Chorgan grabbed him by the arm and hauled him away from the trance. "Get back..." he growled at the slave girls. They danced away as the group of Acamarians muttered to one another in disappointment.
Andrus checked the computer and saw no "patients" scheduled so he left the Councilor room. He went to the holo deck and said
"Computer open program number 5607" The computer said "you may now enter"
He entered and it was a arena. In the room he was in had different armor types and different weapons and different types of battles Andrus called
"Computer....type of game Deathmatch Enemies level 1, My armor type 1 with Flames Phaser Machine Gun!"
He suddenly got armor with a flame design and his Phaser. This arena was a replica of The USS Tiberius. The enemies were just simple robots They looked creepy.
"The Match will start in 5...4....3....2...1 Fight!"
In 10 Minutes he took down all 2 robots and the activated his nice tropical island simulation.
"Ahhhh Paradice!"
He left and went back to the Councilor's room and Started Playing a Gutair no one really knew he could and he liked it he started playing a very old Human song called "Smoke On The Water" Then after had the computer do the vocals and the rest of the instruments for "All Along The Watchtower" It was not Bob Dylan's it was Jimmy Hendrix's song he liked old songs.
Dessica II was not unlike other planets that the doctor visited in previous off-world excursions. The smell of dried blood, and sweat intermingled with the dense blue-grey smoke that filled the air of streets. It was a mix of a haphazard display of various market merchants, competing against each other for the elusive gold bars of latinum that allowed them to eek out a barely human existence in earth terms.
He surveyed his surroundings, wondering how things could have gone so wrong. How did he end up in the situation that he found himself in? He checked and found that his makeshift transponder was still working, and hoped it, along with his latent telepathic ability, would be enough to make it through another day. The doctor kept reminding himself that if he wasn't a doctor, he may not be around to be having this conversation with himself and decided he was lucky to still be alive.
As long as he was still alive, there was still a chance he could get out of this situation in one piece, Hopefully....
Ensign Bandana knew little of what was going on, but he knew it was dangerous. His first real live space battle experience was over. He wished there was more to do, but he knew his place was in Astrometrics, but now it was time for some R&R.
His quarters seemed huge, far bigger than they had been on the space station. He sat down to read some classic Earth fiction, "The Martian Chronicles" by Ray Bradbury.
"Wow, they had some pretty crazy ideas about the future back in the 20th Century."
It was difficult for him to concentrate on the book when he knew that his crewmates were in a dangerous situation, and at any moment the ship might be attacked again.
Ensign Bandana walked to the replicated, "Chocolate Egg Cream, Brooklyn Style".
He finished his drink and left his quarters for Five Foward. He really hadn't gotten the oppurtunity to meet his fellow crew mates yet. "And this was just a good time as any" He thought.
Captain's Ready Room – USS Tiberius
Sevryll nodded... "Eight" she said. "Sector Eight."
Margon chuckled. "Eight, yes Eight, that is what it is. Find him Commander, I can't handle much more of these bloody images in my head!"
Sevryll got up from the chair. "If you will excuse me gentlemen, I have a Dr. to find."
She walked out of the room and the doors hissed shut behind her.
Margon stared at Quinn for a moment.
"Is there anything else I can do for you counselor?" Quinn asked.
Margon smiled "How do you do it sir, how do you deal with other voices and images in your head. I have only two other people thoughts in my head and I can barley handle that. I couldn't imagine thousands of voices... I'd go crazy."
Quinn laughed "Well my dear counselor, I was not always in control of my telepathy. It has taken many years of hard work to filter out the clutter.
Margon stood, "Well I'm glad this is only temporary."
They both laughed as Margon exited the Captain's ready room.
As soon as the doors closed Quinn's expression changed. He sat back down in his chair looking concerned and wondering if they would ever find their missing crewmen.
TBC
Commander Quinn
Acting Captain
USS Tiberius
Avrik Newol smiled at the stolid Vulcan as they met at the trubo lift on the bridge. The JAG officer motioned for Sevryll to enter the lift first. The Vulcan stepped inside, clasped her hands behind her back and turned to face the entrance. Avrik followed, but instead of turning toward the door, she stood facing the Sevryll. It was becoming obvious that the JAG Officer was unaccustomed the simplest of starship routines. As always, the young Bajoran woman wore a warm, friendly smile. Sevryll nodded politely at Averik and focused her attention on the door, over the Bajoran's left shoulder.
"Deck 14," Sevryll announced. Instantly the turbo lift began its descent.
"How are you commander?" The young JAG Officer asked as her broadening smile formed dimples in her cheeks.
"I am well thank you. How are you Lt.?" replied the Vulcan.
"Please, call me Newol. How am I? I'm glad to be off duty. So...what's on Deck 14?"
"Stellar Cartography." Sevryll stated in her typically flat, Vulcan tone.
The turbo lift stopped and the doors slid open to reveal a busy corridor. Averik stepped out of the lift with Sevryll. "I've never seen Stellar Cartography, mind if I join you?"
Ensign Bandana was looking forward to a good meal and a strong drink in Five Forward, but that would have to wait... Lt. Commander Sevryll was headed down to the lab and she needed his help locating two missing crew members.
The ensign looked up from his PADD as the doors open with a hiss. The commander had arrived and she wasn't alone, a petite Bajoran woman accompanied the Chief Science Officer. He stood as they made their way across the lab towards him.
"Hello Commander." He said ; his eyes resting on the Bajoran at her side.
"Ensign." Sevryll replied, inclining her head to greet him.
The young woman, who accompanied his superior, offered her hand. "Lt. Averik Newol," she said with a smile.
"Pleased to meet you." He replied bashfully.
Sevryll interrupted the awkward introductions by activating the hologrid. The room dimmed as a 3D map of Sector Eight appeared before them. The map bathed three of officers in a dancing blue light as she asked the young ensign, "are you familiar with this system?"
Averik watched Bandana step forward to study the eight planets as they revolved around a single sun.
"Of course I am commander. It's known as the arm pit of the Alpha Quadrant." He laughed but the Vulcan failed to see the humor of his joke. Ensign Bandana passed his hand through the hologram as he indicated one planet in particular. "This is where I'd go if I had to lay low. It's loaded with criminals, arms dealers mercenaries and spies. You may have heard of it... Dessica II?"
Sevryll arced an eyebrow. She knew this planet... Dessica II was the location of a noted archaeological site: the ancient, Romulan ruins of 'Nafir'. The government on Dessica II was corrupt and crime was rampant. Yes, the ensign was right. This planet was the perfect hiding place. "Please scan the surface and generate a map of all the settlements. Contact me when your work is complete."
A pair of Pakleds occupied the center of the massive table that Chorgan decided to claim for his men. Like many others, the Acamerian deemed Pakleds to be mentally absent and thus easily manipulated. Seated at the back of the bar, the slothful, droopy-eyed humanoids gazed up at the Gather who towered over them.
"Get up." Ordered Chorgan in an atypically tender voice.
"Uh-huh. We are Pakleds..."
Doctor Peterson noticed that Chorgan was in a particularly playful mood. Perhaps it was because the Acamarian anticipated selling his looted cargo for a large sum of credit chips. Chargon exchanged sardonic glances with his men before he responded to the Pakled.
"Ooooh...I see." He said reacting to that non-sequitur with a toothy grin.
The second Pakled chimed in, falling for Chorgan's false sympathy,
"we look for things to make us go."
"Well friend...You're in luck!" I'm here to make you go!" Chorgan spread his arms for dramatic effect as he leaned in towards the humanoids seated at the table before him.
The two Pakleds exchanged looks. The first arched his massive brow, his eyes opened just a bit wider as he responded with a wistful, hopeful longing: "Good. We are far from home."
Chorgan's men chuckled aloud as Doctor Peterson's eyes cut to Ensign Manrique's disapproving grimace. The only reason the security officer allowed this bully to continue his charade, was because of their need to gain the tyrant's trust.
"Well then, let me help you get a little closer Pakled!" With that Chorgan's cheshire smile dissolved into a scowl as he grabbed each of them by the collar and hauled them up from their chairs. The Acamarian held the two before him a moment, reveling in their fright, before tossing them backwards with a great force. The two fell upon a near by table occupied by a group of surly Naussicans who completed the task, by chasing the poor Pakleds out of the bar completely.
The Gathers' roaring laughter rivaled that of the heartiest Klingon Warriors as they took turns congratulating Chorgan, then claimed their places at his recently acquire table.
*Aboard the Tiberius*
Sevryll left Averik and Ensign Bandana in Stellar Cartography to share her revelation with Commander Quinn.
The lift opened and deposited her on the bridge.
"Commander, we have narrowed our search to Dessica II."
---------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Commander Sevryll
Chief Science Officer/Acting First Officer
USS Tiberius
http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1572.0
Tiberius arrived in orbit over Dessica II as Quinn sat in the Captains chair and going over the latest intelligence reports about the planet below.
Ensign Enoch turned to Quinn, "Sir we are in orbit"
"Thank you Ensign" Quinn pressed his comm. Badge. =/\= Quinn to Stellar Cartography...=/\=
=/\= ...Lt. Averik here sir. =/\=
=/\= Has Ensign Bandana located our missing crewmen yet? =/\=
=/\= Yes sir, they are located in a settlement in the northern part of the continent. It looks to be one of the bigger settlements, I'm reading 4556 inhabitants. I can narrow it down to a two-mile section. =/\=
=/\= Great, send the coordinates to transporter room two. And meet me in sickbay. =/\=
=/\= Aye sir =/\=
=/\= Quinn out........ =/\= Quinn to Lt. Nagumo, Ensign Stormshield, Ensign Corran, please report to sickbay. =/\=
Quinn turned to Commander Sevryll, "you have the bridge Commander." He stood and headed toward the turbolift.
TBC
Commander Quinn
Acting Captain
USS Tiberius
The doctor could sense the that link between he and Lt Commander Sevryll had somehow become stronger. He could sense that she was nearer, flashes of thoughts came to him. Perhaps the USS. Tiberius was close, perhaps even in orbit.
He adjusted his comm band's wave length, and hoped that the commander could sense his thoughts and get a better fix on their location.
It had been years since the doctor took combat training at the academy, and he made a mental note for the security chief to set him up on a refresher course... if he ever got out of this mess.
The doctor made mental preparations to ready himself for the possibility of close-quarter combat, which would probably be inevitable. He made polite conversation with Chorgan and asked him to explain in detail of how he and his people were betrayed, and through talking to him discovered that the Klingon's death was purely accidental. Although he feared that would not help him, if the klingons got a hold of him.
Peterson would hopefully, one day discuss his findings with the JAG officer, and recommend that the Federation resend any support of the government that engaged in the butchering of Chorgan's people.
"Ensign Starstriker report to the bridge" chirped the computer as friendly as it could possibly do.
How about you make me?? he sighed to himself "Ok, I'll be there." replied the ensign to the computer.
"Crazy times, first we lose the captain and now we're chasing after the doctor. Well, we are close to the doctor, but I don't know anything about the Captain. Maybe something will change."
After dressing, the ensign went to the bridge. "You have the Bridge Commander" stated Commander Quinn. He didn't mind that he wasn't going down to the planet, even though he was a little intrigued by it. Even in this century, it seemed crime was rampant, which just seemed odd. "Why would crime even be in a universe that has almost everything? Perhaps it's just the nature of people."
He went over to the Ops position and took over...waiting. 'I can wait, but I wonder...will I be needed?' No, your mission is not to interfere...
King Linksr
The atmosphere on the bridge was charged with anticipation.
Humans could not easily hide their enthusiasm and Ensign Starstriker was no exception. Sevryll nodded to him politely as he took his place at Ops.
His eagerness for action was transparent—a symptom of youth and inexperience. Though he had never seen combat, Sevryll was convinced of his abilities as a bridge officer. Unfortunately, she was also certain he would soon see the action he longed for... she could only hope he would survive to learn from his experience.
Dessica II's colorful atmosphere shone brightly against the blackness of space. From orbit the planet was beautiful—its allure masking an ugly reality. From above, it was nearly impossible to distinguish the foul pestilence crawling on the ground below. The unsightly face of Dessica II was only revealed upon visiting its surface. It is then that one recognizes the planet as a cesspit of the nefarious.
Counselor Margon stood from his chair and joined her before the view screen.
"You know what it reminds me of Commander? Phyllobates Terribilis."
"I am not familiar with that idiom Counselor."
Smiling he replied, "its not a phrase Sevryll...it's an amphibian— a strikingly beautiful 'frog' native to Earth's Central and South America. A Batrachotoxin is secreted from its skin glands, which blocks neuromuscular transmission, resulting in muscle and respiratory paralysis and death. The frog's brightly colored skin was developed to warn its predators to avoid it."
"Thank you for the words of comfort Counselor." Replied the Vulcan as she lifted a single eyebrow.
"Sorry."
A distant voice interrupted their conversation; it was arguing with another. Sevryll looked about the bridge for the origin of the voice. No one else seemed to hear it. Before she could continue, the Counselor's hand on her arm stayed her search.
"I hear it too," he whispered with concern.
"Ensign Starstriker, I'll be in the ready room. You have the bridge. Come with me counselor." They entered the captain's sanctum as the argument between the detached voices became heated and more belligerent.
Sevryll remained standing, her gaze focused loosely on the stars outside the view port. As if to prevent the voices from detecting their apparent ease dropping, she whispered to Margon, "I can not determine the content of the conversation, but I believe one of the voices belongs to Doctor Peterson. Can you interpret what they are saying Counselor?"
---------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Commander Sevryll
Acting First Officer
USS Tiberius
"Why yes, yes I can, it's Chargon, and from the tone of things it doesn't sound good" said Margon.
They stood for the longest time in silence. Then Sevyrll got a look of satisfaction on her face. "Of course" she said. "We can't understand Chargon because our minds don't have a universal translator!"
The Counselor smiled. "Yes, that is it. The way I hear the voices is not as much in words but in thought and intent"
The Vulcan calmly looked at the counselor. "Perhaps if you would convey the emotion of Chargon, I could understand better"
Margon smiled, "Well that is certainly an option. He is deceptive, and in my opinion totally unstable! His emotions are all over the board, and I mean much more than they should be"
Sevyrll nodded and her face grew solemn. "He has no intention of letting our people go. He hates what we stand for."
Margon chimed in, "The Dr. is getting us information. He senses us. But I fear that Chargon is not being completely honest about his intentions."
Now the counselors emotions began to overtake him. The hate that he was feeling from Chargon was eerie to say the least. It wasn't something the counselor was familiar with. After all he was a Bolian, and they were pretty jovial most of the time.
Margon felt uneasy and his eyes widened. "Commander! We have to find them NOW! I fear for our peoples lives."
Quinn walked down the corridor heading to sickbay when he ran into Ensign Took.
"Sir", Took replied quietly.
Quinn smiled "Hello Ensign, we got to stop meeting this way"
Took nervously laughed, as Quinn put his hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Carry on Ensign".
Took blushed "Yes sir" and headed in the opposite direction.
Quinn entered sickbay a minute later and Lt. Nagumo, Ensign Stormshield, Ensign Corran, and Lt. Averik were waiting. Quinn approached...
"I'm glad to see that all of you are so prompt, :Quinn smiled: We are going down to the planet surface to rescue our missing crewmen. We have narrowed their location down to a two mile radius."
Lt. Averik spoke up "Sir why are we in sickbay?"
"Nurse Phillips and her team are going to alter our appearance to blend in on Dessica."
Everyone sat down on a bio bed and the Nurses went to work. 30 minutes later the five of us stood on the Transporter padd in transporter room two unrecognizable. Quinn was now a Naussican, Nagumo and Stormshield were Packleds, Corran was an Orion and Averik a Ferengi. Quinn looked at Lt. Decker "Energize"
TBC
Acting Captain Quinn
USS Tiberius
"Ahhhhhh!" Chorgan slammed his tankard down and wiped his mouth with the back of his gloved fist. "Klingon Fire Wine! It burns going down and sears the stomach as well as the brain!"
"Sounds... scrumptious." Peterson thought sarcastically to himself as he watched the Gather demonstrate his immeasurable masculinity.
The Gather's rye eyes narrowed as he gazed upon the stalwart Idanian seated across from him. Draim returned the arrant glare.
"Yes, so I've heard," he replied dryly. "I grow weary of the 'chitchat'. Where is the cargo you promised me Chorgan?"
There was a silence at the table for several minutes before Chorgan finally dispelled it. "We had an arrangement." He replied tersely. "Eight Thousand bars of gold-pressed latinum, is the sum I require for the safe delivery of your shipment."
The Idanian smirked then motioned to his associate. The henchman brought a chest to the table, deactivated a locking mechanism and revealed a portion of the payment. Chorgan's men stood to block the view of fellow patrons, as their captain analyzed the bars.
"Now...the cargo. I want to see the shipment before payment is remitted." The Idanian insisted.
Chorgan left five of his men in the bar, took the captive Starfleet officers and two of the Gathers with him and lead his customer to the docking bay. They pushed their way through the gloom of the crowded alleys, filled with crafty merchants who profited greatly from the armies of thugs on Dessica II.
Once inside the docking bay, the shipment was inspected and the transaction was finalized.
"A pleasure doing business with you Draim." Chargon smiled as the last of the shipment was transported off his craft.
"Likewise," replied the Idanian.
The doctor watched Chorgan's customers leave the docking bay before he spoke to the Gather. "There is yet much we need to discuss Chrogan."
Chorgan's expression hardened, "you speak with a haughty authority doctor. Mind your manners."
"The weapons you just sold were looted from the bodies of innocent people. I can't allow you to proceed any further." The doctor's voice had risen. He was tired, and the stress of the situation had caused him to speak his mind without considering the consequences of his actions. He clinched his fists and stepped forward to face the man who had abducted him several days before.
Ensign Manrique interrupted the discussion, in an attempt to repress the impending danger the doctor had placed himself before.
"Doctor, do you have anything in your med kit for a headache?" Too late...Chorgan cursed the doctor in his native language then struck him with a back fist to the face. The doctor staggered backward then recovered and countered, landing a fist on Chorgan's jaw.
Mattock stood back watching with great interest as the other Gather attempted to seize the doctor. Ensign Manrique joined the fight, sweeping the newcomer's feet out from under him, then falling upon the Gather's ribs with his knee. The man cried out in pain before the security officer rendered him unconscious with an elbow strike.
The ensign then assisted Peterson in bringing down the brawny leader. Chorgan was no featherweight. It took them several minutes of fierce fighting before Chorgan fell hard upon the docking bay floor. They turned to face Mattock, but the remaining Gather held his hands out before him in a gesture of surrender. "Let me help you escape. We must hurry, the others are awaiting our return."
"Sevryll to Commander Quinn."
"Quinn here."
"Sir, I would be remiss in my duties if I neglected to protest your inclusion among the members of the awayteam. It is far too dangerous, please allow me to go in your stead."
---------------------------------------------------------------
Lt. Commander Sevryll
Acting First Officer
USS Tiberius
http://www.treksf.com/forums/index.php?topic=1572.0
Before Leaving Chorgan, doctor Peterson administered a heavy sedative that would keep the gatherer out for many hours. Hopefully long enough for the three to make their escape, otherwise he was sure that Chogran would hunt them down until they we were dead — As they had enough evidence to keep him locked up for the rest of his natural life.
From what the doctor saw Chorgan was dangerously unstable. His hate had become all consuming and had turned him into the very thing he was fighting against. So strong was his hate that it had turned his pursuit for justice in to an obsession that was psychopathic in nature.
Peterson was sure that Chogran felt that he was justified in the killing of innocents, feeling that it was done for the greater cause...for his pursuit for justice. How similar he was to the many tyrants Earth had over the centuries, who justified violence and cruelty in the pursuit of their goals, that for all intensive purposes were misguided and flawed.
Many tyrants came to mind, Hitler, Khan, etc... One would think that with thousands of examples of injustice that people would know by now that violence always leads to more violence...even as a last resort, it is usually quite ineffective in getting the intended results.
Civilization had come far, but after seeing what Chogran has done, the doctor realized that the univers still had much to learn. I just hope, that with some luck, I will be able to put an end to Chogran's misguided persuit of justice before he can kill me or any other person. He thought to himself
Ensign Manrique was a tough, security officer who didn't mind getting in confrontations. But he didn't like watching persons being bullied. Chorgan was actually being congratulated by his companions for picking on two easy-going Pakleds. Manrique found such behavior repugnant--he saw no bravery in Chorgan's actions. He unwittingly frowned. "Perhaps I would be impressed if he picked a fight with those Naussicans over there. . ."
Manrique could see that the doctor was doing a good job talking with the Acamarian leader. The doctor sure was keeping cool about all this. Manrique was still upset about Chorgan's bullying and wondered how much longer he was going to put up with him, and his revenge-bent group. The conservative Acamarian government betrayed and destroyed the Gatherers but Chorgan didn't have to take out his rage on Federation outposts. Manrique didn't see how the Federation was responsible for Acamarian affairs. Manrique sighed aloud.
"What's wrong Starfleet?! Do you miss your little starship with all its climate controls, food replicators and those holodeck rooms?" asked one of Chorgan's cronies. Manrique realized how foolish he had been, by letting some of his emotions show. He needed to turn this occurence into a positive one.
"There are no Orion girls on Starfleet ships. At least not girls like these. . ." said Manrique.
"Chorgan will let you know when you can have a good time human!"
Chorgan expectantly waited to hear what Manrique would say. He didn't have to wait long.
"Take it easy buddy! I won't go after one of those girls until Chorgan tells me to. I think he'll allow me to pick a fight with someone though," Manrique said with a defiant gleam on his eyes while looking at Chorgan's companion. The Acamarian took the bait.
"You insolent Starfleet kid!" The Gatherer stood up, kicked his chair behind him and lunged at Ensign Manrique. Manrique had also stood up and was in a fighting stance when the Acamarian attacked him.
"HAHAHAHAHA. I ask you my good doctor--are all Starfleet officers as cocky as this one? HAHAHA" Asked Chorgan in a pleased, almost jovial mood as his crony and Manrique began brawling. He was obviously liking Manrique more and more.
The young ensign managed to knock the Acamarian down to the ground. Manrique was about to stomp his rival on the chest when Chorgan interfered with a loud, booming voice, "Enough. That's enough for today. I don't want any of my men, including you, to be injured before our big fight. That is alright with you isn't Manrique? Because if it's not, then I would like to see you take on everyone here."
"That's fine with me Chorgan. Whatever you say."
"Good. Now clean up this place a little bit. I'm expecting a very important person."
The Acamarian got up off the floor while glaring at the Starfleet security officer. He was also somewhat surprised that Starfleet officers could be as violent as he. He actually had more respect for the ensign though he still wanted to get back at him for nearly seriously injuring him.
Both he and Manrique straightened themselves up and sat down. At the same moment, an Orion female brought drinks for everyone on the table. He was not very surprised that Chorgan was served Klingon fire wine. Manrique had tried it once during his Academy days and found the wine to be too hot for his esophagus to handle. It almost literally burned.
-----
The Idanian that showed up a little later was interested in buying some of the Gatherers' loot. Manrique was surprised that Chorgan took the doctor and he along with only two other Acamarians. It made no sense to Manrique. Did Chorgan really trust the Starfleet officers that much Manrique wondered? He should at least brought more than two Gathers with him. Perhaps Chorgan was losing his good judgment?
-----
Ensign Manrique finally released Chorgan from a bear-hug grip after doctor Peterson gave him the heavy sedative; the Acamarian was tough. The doctor was tougher than he looked too. Manrique was surprised that the doctor stood up to Chorgan. He had put their lives at great risk. He could have waited for help to arrive or for their situation to be better. But the doctor was his superior. Anyway, this was not the time to discuss the doctor's actions. They had to find their way to safety fast. First they had to take the remaining Acamarian out of action. He and the doctor turned to face him but he surrendered saying, "Let me help you escape. We must hurry, the others are awaiting our return."
"What others?" asked Manrique incredulously. There had been too many surprises for Manrique since he left the Tiberius. This one might be the biggest surprise—a Gatherer was offering to help them escape. "Why are giving up? Why didn't you help your leader?"
"I let you take him down because he's lost his mind. It's all over. Our people are dead. What's the point in revenge if nobody's left to avenge? We're all that's left. Those men in the bar are loyal to Chorgan's dead cause. Everyone else is not so loyal. . .they'll follow me."
"You mean you don't want to continue fighting the government who annihilated your people?"
"No, I don't. We don't. It's hopeless fighting them with weapons. Chorgan should have realized that. He was nearly a victim of revenge himself. It's time for the few of us who remain to make things right for ourselves. We'll continue fighting but not with weapons. . .perhaps the Federation can help those of us who are left? They owe us that much. They need to make sure that the Acamarian government keeps its word."
"Is that why you're helping us?" asked Doctor Peterson.
"Yes, that's largely why I'm helping you. Now we have to get out of here before the Chorgan's posse gets suspicious."
"Wait one moment Mattack. Let me speak with Ensign Manrique right now," said the doctor as he pulled Manrique aside. Manrique did not let his eyes off Mattack.
"The Tiberius is close by. They're here looking for us" whispered the doctor.
"What? How do you know doctor?"
"There is still a weak telephatic link between Lt. Commander Sevryll, Counselor Margon and myself due to the strange artifact we discovered."
"Well, that's great doctor! We should be able to contact them. Maybe Mattack can help us with that. What do you think? Can we trust him? Can you sense if he's being honest?" exclaimed Manrique.
"Yes he's being honest." Then the doctor faced Mattack and asked, "Can you get us a communicator?"
"Ensign Starstriker, I'll be in the ready room. You have the bridge. Come with me counselor."
"Yes sir" said a suprised Isaac.
Either I'm really lucky or in big trouble, he thought to himself
Isaac got out of his ops seat and walked over to the command seat. He stared at the seat, as if it was where he belonged...
Sounds of explosions, battle crys and high-pitched screams filled his head.. "Stop!, nooooo!!!"
"Sir"? asked Ensign Bartok. "What?" asked Isaac. "What are your orders?" Queried the junior grade ensign.
"Yes, tell Engineering we need to work double time on the array, we're still blind and with that Acamanian ship still out there we're in danger. Also, tell sciences we need an alternate way to detect that ship, in case the array doesn't come back online. Put us on Yellow Alert until further notice. "Yes sir!" replied the startled Ensign Bartok.
Isaac sat in the command chair. "How comfortable, no wonder captains hate leaving this chair for admirality." he thought to himself. You are forgetting though that you cannot do things that would change the future here or your identity, you must be involved only to the fullest extent of your existence in this realm "Yes...know, I know."
King Linksr
Klaxons rang out, interrupting the discussion regarding the voices that they alone could hear. Lt. Commander Sevryll and Counselor Margon exchanged bewildered glances then they hastily exited the ready room to investigate the nature of the Yellow Alert.
Margon crossed the bridge and took his seat as Starstriker rose to meet the Vulcan.
"Situation?" she asked in an even tone.
"I felt it was necessary to be on our toes in the event that the Acamerians revealed themselves."
She considered him with a thoughtful eye then nodded her approval. "Take your station at Ops Mr. Starstriker."
"Aye sir."
Sevryll then tapped her comm. badge, "Ensign Morgen, report to the bridge."
"On my way Commander," replied the science officer.
Sevryll tucked her hair behind her ear and sat in the captain's chair. She crossed her legs and gripped the arms of the chair. On the view screen before her, the glowing hull of the Klingon Vessel hovered in geosynchronous orbit.
"Ensign Starstriker, open a hailing frequency."
"Hailing frequency open commander."
The image of Captain K'Renth appeared on the screen. The Klingon woman stood on her bridge, fists planted firmly on her hips in a stance of frustration...or was it bravado? Sevryll was not certain. Her understanding of emotions was greater than that of most Vulcans, but when it came to Klingons, she definitely was not conversant.
"Commander," hissed the Klingon female through clinched teeth, "Quinn has transported to the surface without conferring with me first. Does he wish to beat me to Chorgan?"
Sevryll was now fairly certain that it was indeed frustration she read in K'Renth's posture.
"Not at all Captain. Commander Quinn has taken an away team to the surface in an attempt to glean information. He awaits your arrival in a tavern—I'm transferring the coordinates to you now. The members of our away team have altered their appearance to blend in. I suggest that you disguise yourselves in a similar fashion."
K'Renth harrumphed before abruptly cutting communication.
"That went well." Margon chuckled.
If Sevryll had been human, she would have shared the laugh. Instead, she inclined her head in agreement.
Ensign Morgen entered the bridge and Sevryll set him to monitoring the repairs to the sensor array. "Keep me apprised of the progress Ensign."
Several hours had pasted since Sevryll spoke to the captain of the Klingon vessel. K'Renth met Quinn on the surface and her War Bird moved off to maintain an orbit on the opposite side of the planet. Since that time, Tiberius had been searching nonstop for the Acamarian vessel. Their damaged sensor array had prevented a through search, allowing the Acamerians to find the Tiberius first.
Ensign Starstriker studied his console.
"They're on a direct course commander. Heading 778 Mark 4".
Sevryll stood and walked around to the back of the captain's chair. "Hail the Acamarian Ship."
"Hailing on all channels... they're not responding. Commander, they're powering weapons!" Starstriker pivoted in his chair to face the acting first officer.
"Shields up. Red Alert." Snapped Sevryll.
Soon after the order was given a weapons blast struck the Tiberius, shuddering the bridge and jolting its crew. Sevryll steadied herself against the chair as her feet fought to keep their position on the deck. A trace of irritation could be detected in her level voice, as she gave the next order.
"Helm, evasive action." She cut her eyes toward the young ensign who manned tactical, "ready forward phaser banks, fire at will."
A concentrated ray of energy sliced through the zone between the two ships and pierced the Acamarian vessel's shields. The Tiberius took three more hits in rapid succession. Smoke from a nearby conduit began to seep onto the bridge, filling it with a thick haze. Sevryll stepped away from the captain's chair, hands out for balance as the bridge rocked again. "Report."
"We've taken 4 major hits, shields are holding at twenty percent commander," replied Ensign Starstriker.
Sevryll paced the bridge, keeping her eye on the vessel before her on the view screen. "Reroute power from nonessential systems to the shields."
"Aye Commander."
"Ensign Morgen, how are the repairs to the sensors coming?" The ship lurched again before the ensign could reply.
"Sensors are online, operating at eighty percent commander."
"Scan the Acamarian Ship. Attempt to locate a weak point in their shields."
"Aye Commander."
Yet another volley of disruptor fire collided with the Tiberius shaking her violently.
"Helm, hard about." The battle intensified as the Federation ship cut into a series of maneuvers, taking some hits and delivering a number herself.
"Ma'am, sensors have located a weakness in their aft shields," reported Ensign Morgen.
"Concentrate fire in that area."
The counselor was thrown to the floor as the Acamerians landed a final punch to the Tiberius. The bridge shuttered as Starstriker reported, "their shields are offline commander".
Sevryll helped the counselor to his feet as she ordered tactical to target the Acamerians' engines.
An explosion flashed on the view screen as the attacking vessel was immobilized.
Her final order declawed the predator, "target their weapons, fire when ready."
The battle only lasted a few minutes, yet it had seemed like hours to Counselor Margon. "Piece of cake,"he said sarcastically.
The dark, crippled mass that made up the Acamarian vessel, floated before them on the view screen. The repeated attempts to hail the Acamarians had failed; the alien vessel's com system was no longer functional. Sevryll decided the proper course of action was to assemble a boarding party to commandeer the ship.
"Ensign Morgen, Ensign Starstriker you're with me. Counselor, you have the bridge. Attempt to raise the Klingon vessel. Inform them of our situation."
Lt. Commander Sevryll, and Ensigns Morgen and Starstriker recruited ten security officers, before they transported to a corridor on the Acamarian ship. With her phaser drawn and tricorder scanning, Sevryll lead the team down the narrow passageways. Sparks rained down on them as they navigated the darkened, smoke filled interior of the disabled vessel...
"Can you get us a communicator?" doctor Peterson asked Mattack.
"Chorgan has one on him. You don't think he wouldn't leave without one do you?" replied Mattack matter-of-factly.
Ensign Manrique searched the unconscious Acamarian. He found a small, anti-personnel phaser and a small, broken, Ferengi made communicator on Chorgan's body. Manrique was very disappointed. He held it on his palm and showed it to the doctor and Mattack while pocketing away the small phaser. "Just our luck. It broke while we were fighting him," said Manrique. "Don't you carry one Mattack? You're second in command."
"I usually do. . . who doesn't? That communicator you're holding was mine. Chorgan sometimes forgets to carry one and today was one of those days. I let him take my communicator. Anyway, I may still be able to get one from one of the others in the bar."
"If that doesn't work, we can always get one from some Ferengi merchant present in the bar or elsewhere around here," suggested the doctor.
"I don't think that's necessary. I can get one don't worry about that."
"But we'll be going in without Chorgan. . .they'll get suspicious," added Manrique.
"I suppose so but we'll have to risk it. We don't have any platinum or anything else that we can bargain with a Ferengi."
"I suppose Mattack is correct doctor," said Manrique a little doubtful and leery. But Manrique knew that they had to take action quickly if they wanted to communicate with the Tiberius.
The corridors on the Acamarian ship were poorly lit . By design, they were not as brightly lit as Federation ships and now several large stretches were blackened from malfunction. There were several strange smells in the air – smells too strong for humans, much less Vulcan noses. One of such smell was metallic, it reminded Morgen of the taste of copper. And as soon as he approached one of the fallen Acamarians, tricorder in hand, he understood why. He was bloody...their blood was a mixture of iron and copper...now Morgen knew where the metallic smell came from.
The dark and smelly corridors gave him a claustrophobic feeling. But he dismissed it and focused on finding the way to the bridge. His mind was troubled with a string of questions that popped up as soon as he was summoned for the away team: "What was the purpose of taking possession of this ship? This is not usual Starfleet procedure. Why were they here? Once they took control of this ship, what would they do with it?" He wondered to himself...he decided he would ask Lt Commander Sevryll when the proper moment arose. But he would be careful not to sound as though he questioned her orders.
They reached the bridge and there they met the first real resistance – disruptors were drawn by the Acamarians, but the were promptly stunned by the Federation team's hand phasers.
When the bridge was secured, Ensign Morgen found the proper way to ask why they were there. "What systems should be our priority to restore on this ship and to comply with your plans for it?" He asked.
"I will need you to accompany me in my search for an injured boy...I'll explain later." She was aware that several of the away team members questioned her decision to board the Acamerian ship, and Morgen was among them. She understood their uncertainty and reassured Morgen, "we will be taking this vessel back to Starfleet Command as evidence in a crime. The crew of this ship is responsible for the massacre that took place on Altair III. We suspect that they are also to blame for attacks on additional outposts."
She nodded to the head security officer, "detain all the survivors. Clear the cargo bay of potential weapons, and confine the Acamerains there. I will have a medical team beam aboard to tend to the injured."
"Yes ma'am," replied the officer.
Sevryll, Morgen and Starstriker rounded the last turn in their search for the boy. The corridor they found themselves in led to a makeshift medical bay. Sevryll slowly and carefully searched the injured marauders, for the child she saw in visions shared with Counselor Margon. She and the Counselor saw the doctor's bloody hands moving frantically to save a young patient— they later determined the boy was the sole reason Peterson was abducted.
A telepathic link created by an ancient relic, was discovered during their last mission. It alone was responsible for the the bond between the doctor, counselor and chief science officer . At first it was a nuisance to Sevryll. The emotions felt by the doctor and counselor were difficult for the Vulcan to push back—they caused pain and confusion. Now, aside from the afore mentioned side effects, she found the link to be useful. It had helped them narrow their search for the doctor to the planet they now orbited.
Sevryll found the boy on a table at the back of the med bay. In her vision, she noted that the doctor was protective of him, a sentiment Sevryll shared as a mother. Because of this, she was determined to see that the youth survived.
Sevrylll nodded to her Science Officer, "you're in charge Mr. Morgen. See to the comm and supervise the repairs to the engines. Assist Mr. Morgen, Ensign Starstriker. I'm beaming back to the Tiberius with the boy. I will check periodically on your progress."
"Aye ," replied Starstriker and Morgen in unison.
"Sevryll to Tiberius. Two to transport directly to sickbay."
Everyone sat down on a bio bed and the Nurses went to work. 30 minutes later the five of us stood on the Transporter padd in transporter room two unrecognizable. Quinn was now a Naussican, Nagumo and Stormshield were Packleds, Corran was an Orion and Averik a Ferengi. Quinn was about to say energize when his badge chipped.
=/\= Sevryll to Commander Quinn. =/\=
=/\= Quinn here =/\=
=/\= Sir, I would be remiss in my duties if I neglected to protest your inclusion among the members of the away team. It is far too dangerous, please allow me to go in your stead. =/\=
Quinn smiled =/\= Noted =/\=, he turned to Lt. Decker... Energize!!
The familiar surroundings of Transporter room two dissolved and was replaced with the sounds of a busy thoroughfare. It was night down on the planet and there were fire burning in trashes cans and many people surrounding them. Quinn pulled out his tricorder and read it's readings.
"We are meeting up with K'Renth and her crew, we are to meet in a tavern around the corner from here. Let's go."
Quinn's motley crew of disguised crewmembers made there way into the very busy tavern, only a few minutes passed when K'Renth in all her Klingon glory comes pounding in with two of her crewmen. Quinn approached her cautiously.
"Ka'plaa, Captain K'Renth" Quinn said with a smile.
K'Renth two guards pulled out knives and held them up to the Naussican's throat. Quinn's crew took a step forward but with one look from him step back.
K'Renth pulled the Naussican's face close to hers and stared in his eyes. "Commander Quinn??", she growled.
A broad smile crossed the Naussican's face. "You like my new look?"
The guards put away their knives and the two crews walked over to a more isolated table and sat down.
K'Renth turned to Quinn. " So what is the plan? "
The counselor was shaking.
"I know I've trained for this but I'm not sure I am prepared for command of a starship!"
He sat down into the captains seat and it felt strange, not that it wasn't thrilling, but he would have prefered different circumstances.
"Hail the Klingon ship" he said with all the authority he could muster.
The Klingon ship was just now making it's entrance. The view screen flickered and a large threatning Klingon peered at Margon.
"Oh great, thanks for showing up now, you missed all the fun!" said the counselor sarcastically.
"What do you want blue man? Who are you? Is this some kind of joke?" snarled the Klingon.
"I am counselor Margon and I'm in command of the Tiberius, I have information for you, so shut up and let me send it to you!"
Margon had read somewhere that you had to be firm with Klingons, you couldn't let them get the upper hand, otherwise they would never listen to you. So Margon got the most aggresive face he could put on and continued.
The Klingon's face turned from sour to a look of curiosity.
"Commander Sevyrll the first officer wanted me to bring you up to speed on what is going on!" the counselor barked.
The Klingon smirked, "Ha! I like you, even if you are blue!"
The Bolian counselor motioned the communications officer and data was sent to the Klingon ship.
"It's coming to you now, Margon out"
The screen went back to the disabled ship in front of them hanging silently in space.
The counselor sighed with relief. Talk about a game face.
The com chirped, it was Commander Sevryll. She was bringing an injured Acamarian to sick bay two. Counselor Margon waited for a report. Normally he would have jumped toward the turbolift and gone straight to sickbay, but he was under strict orders to command the ship.
"Why does everyone like to remind me I am blue?" he asked to no one specifically. The bridge crew looked at him and shrugged their shoulders.
"I could use that piece of cake right now" he muttered.
"Sir?" said the ops officer.
"Never mind" the counselor chortled.
All Margon could do now was wait and hope that nothing serious happened on his watch. He wasn't prepared for this, nor did he feel comfortable in this seat. At least Sevyrll was back on board. She would hopefully be back on the bridge soon.
"Be careful Captain, even a Klingon should watch his back in this place." K'Renth grinned at the artificial Naussican standing before her in the tavern. Quinn's alterations were convincing, yet his slightly above-average human height, translated to a rather stunted Naussican...one that, perhaps had not obtained the appropriate amount of nutrition as a youth.
K'Renth's crewmen inspected the hoge poge of species that made up Quinn's away team. They were a bit confused by the disguises, for they had seen the Captain of the Federation ship on their viewscreen, and they were certain he was human. One of the more vocal Klingons inquired, "Why do you hide your faces?"
Lt. Averik was not exactly delighted that her delicate, Bajoran features were now concealed by the over exaggerated features of a Ferengi Male. Quinn even made her wear a modest, prosthetic stomach to make her look "more profitable", as he called it. She had protested before the procedure began, but Quinn successfully resisted her ordinarily persuasive debating skills. She was a crafty lawyer but then he was a former ship's counselor, and Quinn could smell "bull" a mile away. Averik Newol was still a bit indignant and took her frustration out on the "slow witted" Klingon male towering above her.
"Its called 'blending' genius, you might want to try it yourself. You stick out like a sore thumb." The Klingon growled low at the uncharacteristically bold, frumpy Ferengi. "You are not Ferengi." He hissed. "Give... the man... a prize." She replied as she folded her arms across her chest. Quinn cut a look of warning at the JAG officer. She caught its meaning and held her tongue behind the sharp prosthetic Fernengi teeth.
The Klingons and Federation officers intermixed, and begin their investigation, paired in groups of two. Before Quinn and K'Renth departed, they gave their away teams a rendezvous time and coordinates. Then Klingon captain offered her men a last bit of advice before she and Quinn left the Tavern.
"Obtain information through any means necessary... but please... don't kill anyone!" The Klingons roared with laughter and slapped each other on the back before beginning their fact-finding mission.
Chorgan awoke in an empty hanger bay, his head pounding with the force of ten phase cannons. It seemed his newly acquired employees had some how managed to overwhelm him. Mattock was missing as well; the spinelessness coward had done nothing to stop them. He was probably assisting them now. Chorgon pushed himself off the hanger deck and approached the one Acamarian who had not betrayed him, Beroan.
Beroan was lying face down beside their craft. Chorgan searched him and found that his weapon was missing. In anger he kicked the man, "get up."
The two Acamarians traversed the ground between the hanger bay and the tavern where the rest of their men awaited. They stuck to the darkened alley's, using the shadows to hide their forms from prying eyes—Eyes that belonged to quislings who would sell their information for a single credit chip.
Chorgan's anger brewed inside and begged to be poured out on the traitors who had dared to challenge him. They would pay for their impudence. Mattock would pay in blood.
The Tavern was within view and the two were moving towards it with purpose, when they suddenly stopped and ducked into a doorway in the alley. K'Renth was leaving the Tavern with a Naussican. Chorgan would have to rethink his plan.
Sevrylll nodded to her Science Officer, "you're in charge Mr. Morgen. See to the comm and supervise the repairs to the engines. Assist Mr. Morgen, Ensign Starstriker. I'm beaming back to the Tiberius with the boy. I will check periodically on your progress."
"Aye ," replied Starstriker and Morgen in unison.
'Hmm, helping him with this ship?' It was in bad condition after the battle with the Tiberius. 'What Fools they were, thinking they could take on an Akira-class ship 1 on 1.'
"So, what should we do?" ensign Starstriker asked Morgen. "We should set about getting this ship somewhat operational." replied Morgen. "I'll go down to their version of engineering and see what we have to deal with, sir" said Isaac. "Fine, I will go to the main bridge and see how things are looking up there" stated Morgan.
'Hmm, boy this is just not good, the engines are shot...' "Ensign, report" chirped his combage. "Engines are not in operational status, we took a good chunk out of them when we fired back, We may have 1/2 impulse power in 8 hours but you should probably ask an Engineer for his opinion on this mess sir." stated Isaac. "That bad huh, the Bridge isn't all that bad, but nothing much is working, this ship certainly isn't very durable considering how much we shot them with." replied Morgan. "Well, assist the engineers as best you can until we get further orders". "Yes sir."
*It wouldn't take that much and no one would notice.* *NO, you know the laws that you set yourself, violating them isnt' good. This mission must continue on without you as the hero.* *Sigh...I just hope nothing bad happens. We got lucky with this ship, not durable at all*
King Linksr
Chorgan welcomed the relative obscurity offered by the darkened alleyways—especially now that he sighted K'Renth. She was obviously on Dessica II to fulfill her Blood Oath.
Months earlier, he killed her only son, Kesk. Why the adolescent warrior was at the village at that time, was beyond Chorgan. Perhaps it was fate. Suffice it to say, the young Klingon was one of many people who fell that day.
Though Chorgan understood K'Renth's wrath—he felt no regret, for Kesk was struck down as the heavy descent of his cold blade swept toward Chorgan's own son, Emany. Chorgan's perfect aim stopped the Batleth's arc before it could taste flesh, and Kesk's full weight fell in a heap upon the much younger Acamarian boy.
He knew it would be a mistake to underestimate K'Renth, after all, she was a Klingon Warrior. Ordinarily, Chorgan would not hesitate to confront her, yet his son, the boy Doctor Peterson had saved, gave him his sense of self-preservation and purpose. He had to elude her in order to ensure the future of the Gathers and secure Emany's future among them as leader.
He watched as K'Renth disappeared around a corner and cautiously approached the The Brintek Bar. Inside he found the same Nausicaans at their Dom-Jot game, two new Pakleds, a Ferengi male and many Orions, Elasi and Osaarians. He scanned the room with his eyes for Acamarians. They were seated in the back of the room at the table he left them at.
*Aboard The Tiberius*
The comatose boy Sevryll brought aboard the Tiberius, bore many injuries. Quite a few of them were suffered in years past. A tricorder scan revealed that a sedative was administered via hypospray, hours earlier. Sevryll knew the tranquilizer was dispensed by Peterson's hand, for the scene played out in a vision when she first laid her hand upon the boy's arm on the Acamarian ship.
"See to his injuries," she told the Ferengi doctor, "and inform me if his condition changes." The Vulcan rushed out of sickbay to take over for Margon on the bridge. Earlier, she could hear his thoughts echoing in her mind as she searched the Acamarian vessel. The apprehension he felt, hunted for fissures in the emotional barrier she futilely maintained. Anxiety managed to seep in and she felt his unease as he lowered himself into the captain's chair and hailed the Klingon ship. She struggled to push back the angst and reinforced his confidence with Vulcan poise. After some time, she heard him say:
"I am counselor Margon and I'm in command of the Tiberius, I have information for you, so shut up and let me send it to you!"
Hours later, Sevryll entered the bridge to find the counselor comfortably seated in the command chair. When he noticed her presence on the bridge, he quickly offered her his place and shifted to the chair on the left. The blue Bolian had cheerfully relinquished the responsibility of command to Sevryll. His spreading smile barely hid his relief and utterly failed to conceal his delight. "Well done Counselor" whispered Sevryll. "When our mission is complete, perhaps we can share that piece of cake." Margon's smile broadened at the prospect.
Sevryll tucked her hair behind her ear as she eased herself into the captain's chair, "what is our status Counselor?"
"Commander, ah, yes, it's good to have you back. Although that chair is comfortable, it brings a heavy weight upon all that sit in it" Margon smiled.
"I'm not used to that, I would much rather be asking how someone is doing emotionally than to figure out if the photon torpedos are at the maximum yeild!" He chuckled.
"As far as status is concerned, the Klingons know what we know and we are simply waiting for a report from the surface. It has been some time since we have heard anything and I grow a tad bit worried about the away team. I understand that our guest is doing better? Can you explain to me where we are at in this whole mess?"
The Bolian looked at the Vulcan, she seemed to be doing well. He watched as she seemed to have an air about her that showed confidence and more than usual. She liked the position she was in, and she seemed to have a handle on the stress. She looked calm, and with the effects of the unusual device still lingering, the Counselor felt her very centered and able to handle the extra emotional conversations that were flooding her head.
Margon waited for an answer. Sevyrll was quiet at first.
"Chocolate" he mused.
"Counselor?" Sevryll inquired.
"I like chocolate cake." He grinned and sighed relief.
K'Renth and Quinn exited the Tavern and headed down the street. Something wasn't right. Quinn tired to read K'Renth's mind but she had been taught to block telepathy, but he could still feel K'Renth anger but did not want to confront her about it at this time, the last thing he needed was a confrontation with a Klingon. Quinn took out his tricorder and scanned for Peterson and Manrique, there was too much interference. Quinn stopped walking and stretched out his telepathy. He knew Peterson was half Betazoid and was hoping he would be able to feel his presence.
K'Renth looked at the Naussican "What is it?"
The Naussican Quinn had a smile on his face. " I found them "
"How??" K'Renth exclaimed
"Telepathy..." Quinn explain. " They are close, just around this corner. "
" Great!! " K'Renth said and pressed a button on her right forearm. It beeped several times.
Quinn looked at her, "What was that.." "A diversion" K'Renth said with a smile"
Moments later there was a loud explosion and Quinn could see a large fireball shooting into the air, just a few yards away.
"What did you do? "
"This was plan B just in case your plan failed" She hissed.
"Failed.. you didn't even give my plan a chance. We could have gotten my men and been out of here without incident."
"Our plans are not the same Captain" Quinn tried again to break through to the Klingons mind, but only managed to get two words "Blood Oath"
"Blood Oath...Who are you after? " Quinn asked. "This is no concern of yours Captain. Get your men and leave this place."
The Tiberius Bridge
"...I like chocolate cake." Grinned the counselor. Before Sevryll could inquire as to his preference in chocolate varieties, the young lieutenant seated at Ops, interjected.
"Commander," Lieutenant Li Sameria said, her voice held a note of intensity that immediately captured Sevryll's attention.
"Yes, lieutenant?"
"I've detected an explosion on the surface, near the rendezvous point." The Vulcan glanced at Margon. The Counselor's face expressed the concern Sevryll's would not.
Contacting Quinn, via the comm, would compromise the away team's undercover investigation. The Vulcan formulated a logical workaround as she stood and walked to Sameria's station. "Can you determine the source of the detonation?" inquired the Vulcan as she gazed over the Bajoran's shoulder.
Sameria deftly keyed a combination of queries and was promptly given a less than satisfactory response. "Sensors are only functioning at seventy five percent...the most I can establish is that the blast was six seven point zero six meters from the tavern's entrance."
Sevryll straightened to her full height, "are they, capable of detecting casualties?"
The Bajoran indicated that the casualty report lacked the detail Sevryll desired.
The patrons within the Brintek Bar rushed for the door in order to locate the source of the small quake that spilled their drinks and ruined their Dom-Jot games. Outside, the streets were filled with bystanders gazing slack-jawed at the flames rising from the docking bay a few meters away. Chorgan heard one of the onlookers exclaim, "the docking bay is on fire!"
The lead Gather had remained inside the bar, with the remainder of his men. It would be unwise to scamper into the streets in plain view. He motioned for them to follow through the door at the back of the Tavern. Chorgan was certain K'Renth was responsible for the blast, and he knew she expected him to come stumbling out of the shadows and into the sharp, pointy end of her D'k tahg.
Their transport craft was most likely destroyed in the explosion and Chorgan's communication device was gone—destroyed in the struggle at the docking bay. Unless he could contact his ship and arrange for the only remaining craft to be sent down, they would be trapped on Dessica II. The second craft was rarely operational, but Chorgan was hopeful that one of his men had taken the initiatve to repair the lousy piece of scrap while he was away. "I should have grabbed an engineer instead of that useless security officer," he mutterd to himself. Once outside the tavern, Chorgan turned to the Gather nearest him "give me your transmitter," he ordered, then he activated the device and called his vessel. At first there was no reply.
Lieutenant Sameria was monitoring the surface of Dessica II, when she received a hail from the Acamarian ship. "Commander Sevryll, the Acamarian vessel is hailing us."
"On Screen." replied Sevryll.
Ensign Morgen stood before her on the viewscreen. "Commander, we're receiving a call from an Acamarian on the surface. I believe it is the captain of this ship. What are your orders?"
Counselor Margon glanced over at Sevryll, a sly smile spread across his face, "I recommend that they answer his call..."
"Agreed," she said then gave her science officer, Ensign Morgen, the go ahead.
Chorgan repeated his call a second time, and finally a voice that he did not recognize answered. "Yes Captain?" it replied.
Chorgan's eyes narrowed as he anylized the disemodied voice, "who is this?" he gruffly demanded.
Ensign Starstriker shot an uncomfortable glance at Ensign Morgen, as they stood together on the bridge of the Acamarian ship.
Ensign Morgen mouthed the first name he could think of, for Starstriker's response. Though no sound passed over them, Starstrker's lips formed the word given, repeating it to Morgen for verification. All the while, his eyes expressed a sincere disappointment of the science officer's lack of creativity. Morgen nodded with a smirk and anxiously motioned for Starstriker to answer the Acamarian. The reluctant ops officer hesitantly offered the odd alias to Chorgan, "...Filth, sir."
"Filth?" repeated Chorgan. Starstrker was sure the poor choice in names would blow the whole thing. "I don't recognize that name.... Ahgh, we don't have time for this. Our transport has been destroyed. Send the second craft." As Starstriker and Chorgan discussed the availability of the second craft, ensign Morgen pinpointed the location of the Acamarian on the surface, and transferred the data to the Tiberius.
The Tiberius' transporters were off-line, the battle with the Acamarian vessel had seen to that. Tiberius' engineers reported that the transport systems would require a complete, in-port overhaul before they could be considered safe. The Gathers had no transport system aboard their vessel, so beaming the Acamarian aboard either ship was out of the question. The only thing they could do now, was keep track of Chorgan for the away team, and somehow get Quinn the information they had collected...if he was still alive. Sevryll pondered their options for contacting the away team, then consulted with the counselor. Within the ready room, the two senior officers discussed the next course of action.
"Ensign Morgan, I'm heading back to engineering to assist." stated Isaac. "What is the status of the ship?" asked Morgen. "Right now, we have an engineering crew working on the impulse engines, they're pretty intact but the primary connections between the main core and the engines are badly damaged. We've stabalized the main power and back up systems. The only question the repair crews have is whether we should fix the weapon systems." Isaac said. Morgen replied, "no, that won't be necessary, however, you should go ahead and disable them so they can't be used again." "Ok" replied Ensign Starstriker.
Ensign Starstriker made his way down the weapons control room. It was a mess of garbage and broken parts. He wasn't sure whether it was due to the Gatherers or the battle. He started by sifting through the mess to find the controls to disable the weapons from use. 'Hmm...this may take a while.'
Ensign Morgen was going over the repair crews' reports. They looked promising. 'If the battle had lasted a minute longer, the damage could have been worse.' He ordered the teams to hurry their repairs so that they would be prepared for departure at a moments notice. 'It's going to be a long night, that's for sure,' he thought to himself.
'Talk about a mess, but at least I've figured out how this stuff works.' Isaac was about to deactivate the weapons when he heard: "Ensign Starstriker..."
TBC
King Linksr
Ensign Morgen was itching to correct all those who were calling him "Morgan" instead of "Morgen". But he kept a firm grip on himself, blaming the confusion on this anomalous explosion of similar names. The ship's counselor was Margon, the bartender last name was also Margon and there was yet another ensign "Morgan" (first name Rayne). But this crew had more important things to be concerned with.
The repairs were the priority—the sensors more so than the propulsion. The Acamarian ship's sensors could be useful in complementing the Tiberius', which were down. The sensors could also assist the away team.
As he concentrated on the puzzle of allocating resources, he heard the hail and then the order "Attention, this is captain Chorgan! We will be approaching your orbit on a small vessel! Do not fire! We managed to steal a transport since you incompetents did not send us one as I requested. Prepare the shuttle bay! We will be docking soon. "
Morgen realized that he had very little time to grab the opportunity to accomplish what Commander Quinn was attempting at the surface. Destiny had served him a good hand and he had better place his bet wisely. No time for consultations. He grabbed the communicator and snapped: "Ensign Rodgers, go to the deposit 3 and grab 10 canisters of BZ gas and bring them to environment control room of the starboard level 5." – "Ensign Starstriker, reduce atmospheric pressure of starboard shuttle bay, we will be filling it with BZ gas"
------------------- 15 minutes later -------------------
Lt Comdr Sevryll and Counselor Margon were still on the Tiberius ready room, discussing courses of action, when the chime interrupted them.
=/\= Bridge to Sevryll, relaying message from Ensign Morgen =/\=
"Commander Sevryll, I am glad to report that we have Chorgan and his team under our control here."
"What? What you mean, they were on the surface?" The surprise raised Sevryll's voice just one pitch which, for a Vulcan, was like screaming.
"We received a communication that they had stolen a transport ship and that they were almost here. They then asked to land on our shuttle bay. I am sorry that I did not consult you before I acted on my own; there was no time to spare. We flooded the shuttle bay with a sleep gas that I found in their deposit. We raised the pressure inside the bay to 2 atmospheres of the mixture, so that when they opened their hatch inside, the gas would flow in and put everyone to sleep before they could disembark."
Sevryll and Margon looked at each other: "Well, ... that was not what I was planning, but..."
Security officer ensign Johnny Manrique, Dr. Peterson and Mattack didn't take the direct route towards the bar on their search for a communicator. They first headed in the opposite direction so that they would have less chance of meeting any of the Gathers. Manrique noticed a small Packled transport ship, docked in a makeshift bay. The unsafe docking bay belonged to one of the many small, struggling entrepreneurs of the Dessica II. "People have to make a living somehow, even if it doesn't meet interplanetary standards," thought the young ensign. After having walked along the degraded and what Manrique perceived as decadent streets, the trio could finally see the rear entrance of the bar they had been in. When suddenly they heard a loud explosion that rocked the ground.
"What was that?!" asked the doctor. The security officer looked around and could see in the distance that the main docking bay was on fire. That was where Chorgan had been left unconscious. Manrique glanced at Dr. Peterson. They looked at each other with surprise; then ensign rapidly changed to a contented look. The security officer was no where near disappointed at the prospect of Chorgan's death.
"Who caused that to happen?" asked the doctor.
"K'Renth blood oath. It seems that the Klingons are here too doctor," answered Mattock. "Let's go into the bar now. We can use the explosion as an excuse to get a communicator and get out of here."
The three men began to walk into the garbage filled alley, when suddenly they saw Acamarians coming out of the rear exit of the bar. One of them was Chorgan. Manrique's face was one of disbelief as he pushed the other two men between piles of old rusting, stinky plastic containers. "Wait a minute. . .wasn't he supposed be unconscious in the docking bay?" asked Manrique as he looked at the doctor.
"Yes. I gave him more than enough sedatives to keep him unconscious."
"Chorgan must have taken some drugs beforehand that quickly counter-acted the sedative's effects. He may be mad, but his paranoia served him well today."
The security officer grabbed the phaser from his small trouser pocket. He was only going to use it if it was necessary. He did not want to go against a group of armed Acamarians . Manrique noticed that they were heading towards the Packled ship. "They're going to get away in that ship. They'll override the security lock in no time," said Mattock. Manrique looked at the doctor expectantly, wanting him to authorize a plan to stop the Gather leader. The doctor could sense and see Johnny's wishes.
"Very well ensign. Now that the danger on the ground has dissipated, I'll allow you trail Chorgan with one condition."
"What's that?" asked Manrique excitedly.
"That Mattaock goes with you. I will not let you go alone," said the doctor who had the expectant look in his eyes this time. His eyes were on Mattock. The Acamarian nodded his head. "Very well. I will stay here and look for the Klingons and for Commander Quinn." Said the doctor "I can sense that he's here. Once I find them, I will let them know what happened. Hopefully, you'll be able to neutralize Chorgan and his followers, before they can get away. At the very least, try to send a message to the Tiberius for assistance. Now hurry; you don't have much time."
"Yes sir," exclaimed Manrique.
The ensign and Mattock briskly, yet silently, made their way to within 15 meters of the Packled ship. They noticed one of Chorgan's henchmen working on a panel in an effort to disable the ship's security lock. In less than 30 seconds, the henchman had succeeded. The big, thick, rectangular rear hatch slowly slid open. Chorgan went inside first; his posse followed. Manrique nimbly began to move toward the hatch and with his hand, motioned Mattock to follow him. When he got to the entrance, he peered inside. He noticed that in front of him was a door and to his right was a small passageway which led to the main control room. There were no Acamarians in sight and he quickly opened the door. The room was actually a small storage room. There were clothes and other personal belongings of Packled taste. Manrique went inside and Mattack followed him.
Within minutes, Manrique could feel the small vibrations of the ship's engine coming online. The ship took flight seconds later.
Johnny surmised that the ship was going to to dock inside the Acamarian ship. He wondered how far they would get though since the Tiberius was already in orbit. Who knows, maybe the Tiberius had already neutralized Chorgan's ship. Perhaps the Klingons had destroyed it. However, one couldn't underestimate a fighter like Chorgan. Manrique's best chance for mission success and his survival was to wait for the ship to dock, wait for the Acamarians to disembark and then send a message to the Tiberius through the communication system. At least, that's what Johnny Manrique thought.
Finally, Manrique could feel the ship docking. He heard the Acamarians laugh and chuckle with joy and satisfaction. They had after all escaped from the Klingons and found their way safely to their ship. The security officer didn't hear Chorgan among the merry Acamarians. He heard the exit hatch open but immediately heard a rush of air seep through the entrance. Then noticed white, fast moving air go through the slits of the storage room door. The white gas filled the room within seconds; within a few seconds more, Manrique sat on the floor, closed his eyes, heard Mattack say "What's this?!" and then said "Unconscious. . .not again. . ." The security officer succumbed to the sleeping gas.
Sevryll and Margon looked at each other, "that was not what I was planning, but your course of action is to be commended Ensign." said the Vulcan. "How many occupants did the craft contain?"
"Five. Four Acamarian Gathers and one of our missing officers: Ensign Manrique. A sensor sweep found Manrique and one of the Acamarians hidden in the cargo area. They were uninjured."
"Please prepare a suitable detention area for the Acamarians. Additional security officers are on their way to assist in their confinement. Because our transporters are offline, I will be deploying two shuttle craft to rendezvous with you. Be careful Ensign, Chorgan is a treacherous individual. All necessary precautions should be taken where he is concerned."
"Understood Commander, Morgen out."
Chorgan's equilibrium failed as he stumbled over to inspect the barrier that surrounded him. The affects from the gas that had incapacitated him an hour before still clung on, dulling and disorienting him like a bad hang-over. As he tripped over his uncooperative feet, his hands instinctively stretched out to meet the containment field. A moderate charge surged through him and he cried out. Yet it was not pain that caused his howl—it was a sudden eruption of rage. He fiercely attacked the field like a wild animal. Energy arched and popped as he clawed futilely at the makeshift cell that contained him. After ten minutes, exhaustion finally overtook him and he sank to his knees in resignation. He released a pittifully hoarse moan as he purposely hit his head against the floor over and over again. The three security officers assigned to guard his containment cell relaxed....somewhat.
K'Renth drove her blade deep into the Acamarian who attacked her. She could not see the man's face but his eyes shone in the dark with the light from the near by bar. They held hers—his eyelids flickering with shock before his shadowy form slid down toward the ground. K'Renth kicked her opponent backwards then turned to watch as Quinn fought against a second coward. The Klingon stood back, allowing the Federation Officer the honor of defeating his own foe. When Quinn's assailant fell lifelessly to the ground K'Renth motioned him toward the tavern where the sounds of yet another struggle emanated.
"Our crewmen are in there!" said Quinn as he ran toward the entrance.
"Our crewmen are in there!" said Quinn as he ran toward the entrance.
He entered the tavern and looked around at all the chaos. People were fighting, chairs were flying and the sound of glass breaking could be heard all over the place. Quinn noticed his crew in the corner fighting and made his way over to them, shoving people out of his way.
"We need to get out of here.. now" Quinn yelled as he led his crewmen out of the tavern. Once outside Quinn saw K'Renth and her crew battling some of the Acamarians.
"Get your people out of here Captain.. We can handle this." K'Renth yelled as her Bat-lath sliced through another Acamarian.
Quinn and his group turned to leave when he saw Dr. Peterson come out of an alley. "Doctor!!! " Quinn yelled. Dr Peterson turned and looked but continued to walk away. Quinn yelled again "Doctor Peterson". Peterson turned again with a confused look on his face and scanned the area trying to locate who called his name. Quinn stood there looking puzzled as to why Dr. Peterson was ignoring his calls. Suddenly he remembers their disguises. Quinn ran up to the Doctor who took a defensive stance...
"Doctor it's me, Commander Quinn", the Naussican said with a smile.
You could see the relief come over Doctor Peterson face. "Where is Ensign Manrique? Quinn asked quickly.
"He's with Mattack"... "Mattack, who is Mattack?", Quinn replied.
Doctor Peterson started to explain when phaser fire shot overhead. "Everyone take cover" Quinn yelled. The group scattered and everyone pulled out there phasers to turn fire.
Quinn pressed his comm badge =/\= Commander Quinn to Lt. Peters... Go ahead Commander... Lt. we are under attack and outmanned, we can use some assistants... Aye sir, transporters are down but will get down there as soon as we can.. Peters out =/\=
A few minutes later the Acamarians were caught in cross fire as Lt. Peters and his team approached from behind the attackers. A few moments of phaser fire and the fighting was over. The surviving Acamarians surrendered and laid down their weapons, Lt. Peters and his crew rounded everyone up.
Quinn walked over to Lt. Peters, "Thank you Lt. for coming to our rescue".
"Anytime Commander.. you know you look pretty good as a Naussican" , Peters said with a smile. Quinn rolled his eyes. "Thanks"
Suddenly one of the Acamarians broke lose and pulled a phaser from his ankle and fired it directly at Commander Quinn. Lt. Peters jumped in front of Commander Quinn taking the full phaser hit to the chest. Several security officers fired on the Acamarian and killed him. Quinn bent down and took Lt. Peters in his arms. "Rhys.. Rhys.. ". Doctor Peterson came running over as Quinn picked up Lt. Peters and headed toward the shuttle craft.
While carrying Lt Peters to the shuttle, Dr. Peterson was hit from Stray Phaser fire, Disregarding the pain he pushed on to get the injured Lt. To the safety of the shuttle.
Dr. Petersons face was grim as he looked at the unconscious Lt. Peters he barked some orders at some nearby security officers. Once on board the shuttlecraft he began to work furiously, but he realized he was losing the fight.
He muttered under his breath, about the barbaric weapons the Arcadians used and gave Lt. Peters a Sedative and Pain Medication.
Realizing their was nothing more he could do for Lt. Peters, he gave the grave news to the captain.
I am sorry Captain, But those dam Arcadian weapons make it impossible for me to stop his bleeding his very life depends on how fast we can get him back to the ship, But I am not sure if he will survive that long.
I have made him comfortable and placed him in a medical Stasis Field, to buy us some time, and have an emergency surgeon standing by.
The captain noticed a pool of blood forming at the doctors feet and put his hand out to steady the doctor. He felt his feet give way from beneath him and then he was surrounded in darkness...
"So put us all to sleep didn't you?" asked ensign Johnny Manrique though he said it as a statement.
"Yes I did. You probably liked it considering everything you've been through. By the way, what were you doing with that Acamarian in that cargo room?" asked ensign Morgen as he pointed at Mattack laying unconscious on a metallic bed.
"Oh, that's Mattack. He was the Gathers' second-in-command. He turned against Chorgan." Johnny described everything that happened on the planet surface. Similarly, Morgen told Manrique commander Quinn's plans, preparations and actions on the Tiberius and the planet.
"So the kid is safe now. I wonder if he knows what kind of father he has?" wondered Manrique.
"He doesn't really know. But I tell you this, K'Renth will not be happy about what has transpired." said Mattack as he stood up. Morgen was a little apprehensive about the Acamarian's apparent sudden awakening. Manrique turned to face Mattack and told him, "You mean the blood oath? I'm sure she's having a lot of fun right now. She doesn't know Chorgan is here and certainly does not know where the boy is."
"She will want at least Chorgan," said the Daa'Vit knowing from his warrior race's contentious history with the Klingons.
The security officer gave Morgen an understanding glance. The captain was in a predicament right now. Lieutenant commander Sevryll wasn't going to give Chorgan to K'Renth since he had to face the Federation's justice system. On the other hand, the Klingon did have a legitimate claim on Chorgan.
"Well it's too bad we got him first isn't it?" said Manrique sarcastically. Manrique could care less whether Chorgan were in Federation custody or had a Klingon bat'leth pierce his heart—all he'd ever cared about was neutralizing him as a threat to others.
/\"Ensign Morgen, this is Lt. Commander Sevryll. I need you to send Chorgan aboard the Tiberius. This will help in preventing the Klingons from possibly attacking you."/\
/\"Right away M'am. I'll have ensign Manrique take care of that."/\
/\"Very well. Tell ensign Manrique it's good to hear he's fine."/\
"Well, Manrique, you haven't seen the last of Chorgan. Get him off this ship for our safety. You do feel up to it right?" asked Morgen playfully.
"But of course Morgen, I mean Sir. . . I can't wait until I'm in charge next time. Then I'll get a chance to ask you silly questions too."
----
Manrique and Mattack went to the holding cell where Chorgan was contained. The security officer had reluctantly agreed to let Mattack see Chorgan one last time. Chorgan would probably have a fit but Johnny could handle him. At least that is what he thought.
"Traitor! How could betray me. . .our cause!?" Chorgan screamed at Mattack.
"You're mad Chorgan. Because of that you wouldn't understand. I'll just tell you that you were not helping our cause by killing Federation citizens."
"You ungrateful. . ."
"Quiet! You're coming with me," interrupted Manrique assertively. The force field was lowered and two other security officers tied Chorgan's hands. They motioned him to walk out of the cell in front of them. He went past Manrique but stopped in front of Mattack and then resumed his rambling. Chorgan tried to butt head the other Acamarian but failed as Mattack pushed him away.
"Mattack may have a point Chorgan. You can't seem to control yourself. Mattack, stay here; I don't want any more problems. I'll take him" said Manrique. He and another security officer grabbed Chorgan by the arm and pushed him out of the room.
On their way to the ship, Chorgan intermittently continued his ramblings. As Manrique was about to board the shuttle craft, Chorgan disappeared; he had been beamed out of the ship. The other security officer looked at Manrique incredulously. "Mattack!" yelled Manrique. "Let's go get him."
The security officers sprinted back to the holding cell and they found Mattack composedly walking toward them. The Federation officers drew out their phasers and pointed them at Mattack.
"Stop right there," Manrique ordered Mattack. "Tie him up," he told the other security officer. "You slipped a tracking device on Chorgan! That's why you wanted to see him again didn't you. Then you contacted the Klingon ship just a few moments ago. Why'd you turn over Chorgan to the Klingons Mattack? Answer me or you'll regret it. . ." exclaimed Manrique though Federation rules prevented him from making Mattack regret his actions. He certainly wished he could beat him senseless right now. He made Manrique look like an amateur. The young security officer was in reality inexperienced. He had placed too much trust in the older and more cunning Acamarian. He could almost hear Lt. Commander Sevryll reprimanding him in that composed Vulcan manner. Johnny could even beat himself senseless right now.
"Chorgan is not the man he used to be. He's gone mad. I can't stand to see him that way anymore. In spite of the killing he's done and all the harm he's recently caused for our cause, he is still a man worthy of respect. He was an honorable man and I can't allow for him to further deteriorate and die like a deranged animal in a Federation prison. K'Renth will give him the chance to die with dignity. I apologize for any trouble this will cause you."
"'Die with dignity'. . .'I apologize'. . .just shut your mouth! You Acamarians. . ." said the exasperated security officer. On this day, Johnny Manrique wasn't get to get over the feeling that he had miserably failed in getting his task done.
Peterson and Quinn quickly carried Lt. Peters to the shuttlecraft. The rest of the crew boarded and they took off from the planet's surface. Quinn could see Doctor Peterson working feverishly over Lt. Peters.
Quinn turned to the shuttlecraft pilot. "How soon will we arrive on Tiberius"? "Will be there in 2 minutes sir." Replied the pilot.
Doctor Peterson walked over to Quinn, "I am sorry Captain, But those dam Arcadian weapons make it impossible for me to stop his bleeding, his very life depends on how fast we can get him back to the ship, But I am not sure if he will survive that long."
Quinn nodded "we'll get there in two minutes"
Doctor Peterson continued "I have made him comfortable and placed him in a medical Stasis Field, to buy us some time, and have an emergency surgeon standing by."
"Very good Doctor", but Quinn noticed a pool of blood forming at the doctor's feet and put his hand out to steady him. The Doctor passed out.
"Doctor, Doctor", Quinn said in surprise. As he lifted him onto a biobed and started to examine his body looking for the source of all this blood. Quinn turned the doctor over and notice the phaser burn on his right shoulder. He grabbed a tricorder and scanned him.
"Sir we have reached the ship," said the pilot quickly. Quinn turned to his crew, "Prepare to take Doctor Peterson and Lt. Peters to sick bay immediately"
The shuttle docked and the doors opened. Quinn grabbed Lt. Peters stretcher with Ensign Douglas and exited the shuttle as quick as possible. Moments later they entered sickbay and transferred Lt. Peters and Doctor Peterson onto biobeds. Several doctors and nurses surrounded them and began their work.
Nurse Chow came over to Quinn and gently grabbed his arm. "Sir if you will follow me, we can get you back to normal" Quinn looked at her with a puzzled look but then remembered that he had been altered. He followed her to a biobed and noticed the other altered crewmen being changed back. A few minutes passed and Quinn felt his face as Nurse Chow said she was done. Quinn stood and walked over to where the team was working on Doctor Peterson and Lt. Peters.
Doctor Reed approached Quinn. "Sir Doctor Peterson will be okay. He lost a fair amount of blood but we have stabilized him and he will recover in a few hours." Her face then turned grave, "But there is nothing we can do for Lt. Peters, the damage is to severe and he has lost to much blood, I'm sorry Captain."
Quinn walked over to Lt. Peters and took his hand. Peters' eyes opened slowly and he spoke quietly "Captain, I'm sorry", Quinn smiled "Sorry, sorry for saving my life, Rhys you have nothing to be sorry for. I couldn't have asked for a better Chief of Security... and friend". Lt. Peters smiled then coughed, "Thank you Cap....Nathan for believing in me, for giving me a chance when most others would have turned there back on me. Quinn squeezed Lt. Peters hand, "Please Rhys.. just rest and save your strength". Peters was fading in and out of consciousness, "Sir...... could you please...... take care of........Phil and Grant." Quinn smiled as his throat constricted and was unable to speak so he gave him a nod. Lt. Peters hand gave Quinn's hand one last squeeze before relaxing and falling to his side. A tear fell from Quinn's eye as he bent down and kissed Rhys's forehead "Goodbye my friend".
Though the crew of the Tiberius had not served with one another for an extensive amount of time; a series of tragedies brought them closer together. Each painful event, wove its dense fibers into another fragment of the fabric known as character.
Its been said that tragedies alter loosely fit crews and remodel lackluster vessels. This was especially true of the Tiberius, for the vessel, intended for exploration, was now the inviting home of a tightly knit family.
Sevryll and Margon could feel the swell of grief that threatened to burst through the doors of sickbay and engulf the crew of Tiberius, but Quinn's quiet strength captured the flood of emotion and swallowed it down like bitter elixir. The rush to sickbay slowed as Margon and Sevryll approached the place where Commander Quinn stood in solemnity. The two drew near as Quinn moved his hand over Peters' unseeing eyes—closing them forever. Peters had been like a brother to Quinn and now he was gone. All the Vulcan could offer her friend was her presence, as he bent to kiss Peter's forehead. The counselor's hand gently gripped Quinn's shoulder in support and the three of them stood at Peters' side for some time before Margon's gentle voice broke the silence:
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Quinn turned and wiped a tear from his cheek, "Counselor, if that is the case then he was the best friend a man could have"
Margon looked into Quinn's eyes and tried to comfort him. He could tell that Commander Quinn was touched, but he could also see the courage in his eyes as well. He was cut out for space, and he was a fighter. This was where he shined, and this was where his friends were. Lt. Peters had paved the way for this man to continue the exploration, to boldy go and find the new worlds and civilizations that beckoned to be found.
All the same though, no one likes death, especially when it comes too soon. Especially when it seperates friends.
The counselor gently spoke to Quinn, "Could I arrange for the memorial sir?"
"Of course Counselor" said the acting Captain. There was a long silent pause, Quinn raised his head, took a deep breath and fought back a sob, and then grabbed his forehead. Choking down the emotion he said, "I'll be in my quarters"
Sevryll said nothing. She looked at the counselor with an eyebrow raised as Quinn walked out of sick bay.
"In his quarters?" she inquired.
"Yes, he needs some time to collect his emotions Commander. I would imagine he is feeling things much deeper with his Betazoid senses. They were very close."
"I understand that Mr. Margon, It's just that we need to debrief..." the counselor cut her off-
"Sevyrll, it will be ok. There will be plenty of time to figure out this whole mess, he needs his space, so let's give it to him.
On a Vulcan ship they would have grieved differently. Oh, they would have felt the loss, but not in an uncontrolled way. They would have immersed themselves in work, which Sevyrll was desperate to do. They would have spent time meditating and stopping themselves from feeling the pain of loss. But this was a federation starship with many species on board, most of which had raw untamed emotions. The whole crew would react differently than Sevyrll and she knew that. She appreciated the Counselors patience.
The counselor continued, "After the captain makes the announcement to the crew, I will inform them of Lt. Peters memorial. In the meantime I will need to find our holodeck intendent. He should be able to help me get some images and personal things from Lt. Peters quarters."
"Understood Counselor" Sevryll paused for a moment and looked at the Bolian. "Thank you counselor" she said.
"For what?"
"Your presence and demeanor has brought a stability to a very unfortunate situation." her eyebrow raised again.
The Counselor tried to smile, but it just didn't seem appropriate. "Glad to have helped Commander, it's my job"
They both turned to walk out of the room, but as they walked through the door, they both turned their head to look one last time at the lifeless Lt. on the sick bay bed. The counselors eyes fell to the floor and Sevryll's brow tightened. The door made it's "Swish" sound behind them...
Acting First Officer's Log, Star Date stardate 530871.5.
It has been approximately four months since we embarked upon our first assignment. Immediately after leaving Starbase 514, the Tiberius was forcefully set upon a path of chaos. Yet the crew has persisted in spite of its misfortunes, and they carry on despite the unexpected loss of Captain Bell. Though their resolve perseveres, it is apparent to me the Captain's absence has weighed heavily upon them—especially Commander Quinn. It is my summation that he blames himself for the Captain's disappearance.
It is essential that I mention that in the face of tragedy, the Commander continues to serve with distinction. Yet, I am concerned that our latest bereavement may have pressed upon him a stress too great to bear. This conclusion shall be reserved for Counselor Margon to draw, as this is his area of expertise and not my own. I will discuss my observation with him when the opportunity presents itself.
I called upon Doctor Peterson this afternoon— It was most agreeable to see him. Though he still occupies a bio bed in sickbay, his disposition is jovial. I find this odd. In our four months of service together, he has never presented himself as especially good-humored. He recited several stories, in a matter of minutes, that included what humans refer to as... punch lines. My husband is human and revels in the telling of these stories called jokes. Why some species insist on futile attempts, to make Vulcans laugh, escapes me. Perhaps it is a challenge they cannot avoid. Still, the doctor's recent development of a sense of humor is intriguing. Perhaps the abduction has altered his disposition, but I have served among other species long enough to recognize that humor is not an emotion which typically follows such a trauma. Again, this assessment should be reserved for Counselor Margon. It seems he has much work to do. I hope the secondary counselor will be of some help to him.
In closing, I must add that I have the utmost respect for the crew of the Tiberius...they have endured much and continue to carry on with dignity and honor. It is a privilege to serve along side them.
Acting First Officer's Log, Supplemental:
The science officers, left on Altair III, have completed their forensic investigation and we are now on our way to collect them before returning to Starfleet Command to present our evidence.
The Acamarian child, recovered from the Gather vessel, has recovered fully from his injuries. It is unclear at the moment, if he participated in these massacres. He claims that he fought along side his father, but Mattock, the Gatherer and second in command, has indicated that the boy attended, yet was not allowed to join the adults. Apparently, the son of Chorgon was not yet old enough. The boy fervently denies this, but I believe Mattock. Currently, the boy is under Counselor Margon's care. I have noticed that he is not a particularly well-mannered child, yet his life has been difficult, it is not unexpected that his behavior should reflect this fact.
Chorgan, the leader of the Acamarian Gathers, father of the boy in question and Captain of the vessel we commandeered, escaped Federation justice... Instead of standing trial with his men, he has succumbed to a Klingon blood-oath. He was transported off his vessel and onto the Klingon ship, by his treacherous second in command. An hour later, his body was detected floating away from the Battle Cruiser. It seems K'Renth's son, who was yet another victim of the Gathers, has been avenged.
Captain K'Renth has requested that the boy be given to her. At first we believed that she intended to kill the child, but Chief Engineer K'arath and Ensign Enoch have informed us that under such circumstances... it is not uncommon for a Klingon to adopt an enemy's offspring. The two Klingon Federation Officers called attention to the fact that the boy is of a warrior race. Perhaps it is best that he is given an opportunity to temper his rash Acamarian blood with Klingon Honor. Commander Quinn has been considering K'Renth's request— he promised the Klingon that he will come to a decision within the hour.
Comander Quinn sat staring out at the stars as Counselor Margon attempted to comfort him.
"You did fine on the ship wide announcement Nathan", said the Bolian, "you had compassion but authority. It's going to be ok."
Quinn glanced back at Margon,"I gave him this job Counselor, I have given many orders and assignments, but this one, well, it wasn't supposed to happen that way."
Margon crinkled his nose and rubbed the ridge on his forehead, "It's never supposed to happen. None of it makes sense, but one thing is for sure. He went out fighting. That is how he wanted it. And he saved you from certain death. I think Rhys would be pleased with his sacrifice. You have a lot to do yet acting Captain."
"I suppose so", said Quinn. "Now what is it that you wanted to talk about?
Margon cleared his throat and said his peace, "Starfleet Command wants to make sure you are ready for this. Losing someone close to you during your command is hard, especially on a Betazoid.- no offense.
Quinn smiled loosely, "none taken- go on Counselor"
"I'm supposed to give you the green light in your new position. I have to assure them that you are capable and mentally ready for the next mission." he pulled out a data pad. "physically you're fine, how are you really doing Nathan?"
The Commander looked directly in the counselors eyes-"I'm still mad Counselor, I won't lie to you, but part of the healing will take place when we get on to what we are all out here to do. So to answer your question, I am ok, I just need some closure. I keep getting this feeling that I'll see him again"
"What? " inquired Margon, "see him again? Is this your El Aurian side kicking in? Nathan you are complicated! Is it your denial or your gift?
Commander Quinn shuddered and very matter of factly said "It's not denial Counselor, I know he is dead, it's just a feeling, I get those sometimes. I have accepted what happened. I'm ready to move on."
That is all that Margon needed. "Nathan, prepare some words for the memorial. If it does what it supposed to do, you will have the closure you need. I am going to meet Ensign Pedro in Rhys' quarters, we have some significant work ahead of us if we are going to make the memorial on holodeck 2 at 1900 hours." The Bolian touched Quinn's shoulder "I think it would be good for you to clear your head back at Earth Commander, while the ship is being repaired. Now, get to work and inspire us, you knew him best."
Margon got up and made his way to the door. "You always know what to say Mr. Quinn. You can do this."
*********************
Ensign Pedro Gorjano, the Bajoran holodeck intendant met Counselor Margon in Lt. Rhys Peters quarters. The walls were lined with weapons of every shape and size. It was sparse as far as furniture was concerned with a com station and data desk at the back of the quarters.
What surprised both of the them was a kitchen. Yes, a kitchen unit was to the right of the data desk, complete with a sink, food replication unit and several cooking utensils dangling from the hangers above the sonic stove. The counselor hadn't known Rhys's love for cooking and was surprised that the chief of security would be into recipes. But here it was nonetheless.
Ensign Pedro sat down at the data desk and spoke, "Computer, access personal files, Lt. Rhys Peters"
"Voice identification not recognized, request denied" chirped the interface.
The counselor kicked in "Computer voice override authrorization Alpha, Beta, two three , killed in the line of duty"
This time the computer came back with "access granted Counselor"
The screen lit up and thousands of files scrolled across. A loud chirp sounded and both men jumped. The video of Rhys smiling into the camera alarmed them as they gathered their composure."
"So, I'm dead am I? " Rhys chuckled. "You don't think I'm just gonna let you trip through my files without so much as a hello do you?" I imagine my death had some purpose- but wait, why am I telling you this? I have a surprise- you have activated a holodeck file that can only be played upon my death, and it can only be seen when everyone is assembled by the captain in charge, so sorry folks, I may be big bold and bald, but I'm only talking when everyone is together. Peters out! With that the security chief came close to the camera and shut it off.
Silence filled the room.
Pedro looked at the counselor—"Oh boy, this will be interesting!" I can't get anything from the rest of his files, it's just all work related. It doesn't look like he talks much to relatives, it looks like his father is dead and his mother last sent him a message a few weeks ago. She lives near Starfleet Headquarters in San Fransisco. There isn't much to work with Counselor!" He looked nervously as he downloaded the holo program on to an isolinear chip. Throwing it into the air the chip arched as the counselor grabbed it from it's path.
"Ensign, I suggest your amusement be saved for another time" he rolled his eyes and looked around the room. "Whatever is on this chip is the last thing we will ever hear from Mr. Peters."
************************
The crew assembled in holodeck 2. Ensign Pedro had made a nice looking scene outdoors on Earth in the garden at Starfleet Headquarters. He even had Buzby's character puttering around working on the flowerbeds. The crew mingled solemnly until Commander Quinn and Sevryll entered through the arch. There were seats arranged and the crew sat down as Commander Quinn walked to the front. Counselor Margon shook his hand and whispered something in his ear. The Commander smiled and shook his head in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding- a holo program?" he said quietly.
Margon rolled his eyes again and nervously shook his head yes.
Quinn cleared his throat. "As you all know it is with great sadness that I stand before you today. We have lost a close friend and an incredible officer. But before I go on, apparently he left a last request. I am supposed to play a holo file. I just want to warn you that I don't have any idea what's on this. Computer? Play Lt. Rhys Peters last farewell. Commanding officer authorization 2929 Zeta."
The computer chirped and the chairs, garden and setting dissolved. Many of the guest fell to the floor. Fog rolled onto the ground and it became night with three full moons in the sky. All around the crew were stone ruins with vines overtaking them. Rhys Peters stood atop the highest stone wall. He was smiling.
Peters looked down on the crowd from on top of the wall. He held a spear in his hand and as he raised it into the air. "I'm sure I died doing what I loved, defending my captain and crew- I just want you to all know that Starfleet was my savior. A lot of us are that way. If you remember anything about me remember this- it's worth it. It's all worth it. It gives us a sense of well being, it gave me a second chance. Nathan, if you made it out alive, thanks for everything. You never know what life will throw at you so..
I only have one thing left to say—
"DEFEND YOURSEVES!
With that weapons of every size and shape appeared on the ruins and several shrieking sounds came from the forest around them. It was one of his fighting simulations. Quinn grinned from ear to ear. This is exactly how he thought Rhys would like to be remembered! He was a warrior and a champion! Strange and scary creatures with spears, axes and exotic weapons emerged from the forest as the crew grabbed their holo weapons.
The Klingons in the group were the first to jump into battle and even Sevyrll picked up a Bat'leth. The whole service erupted into a battle of epic proportions. The crew began slicing, kicking, attacking, defending, and shouting. Clanks and sword sounds were deafening as the roaring of the creatures filled the air.
The counselor's eyes were huge.. he had never seen anything quite like this. Quinn was a mad man with the battle ax. He was jumping and swinging and all the time with this funny smile on his face. The crazy part was, this was exactly what the crew needed. They needed to blow off steam, they had lost a brother and a friend, and no one knew the best way to handle it. Lt. Peters had been a prophet. He realized that the only way the crew would get over his death was to get their aggression out. And getting it out they were. It was almost comical at this point. The crew was sweating, uniforms were being ripped, all the while they were laughing and teaming up against the holo creatures. The battle reached a frenzy when all of the sudden Lt. Peters shouted "VICTORY!"
At that the last creature was killed, and the crew stood breathing hard with sweat, blood, and hair going every which way. At once they all laughed and cheered then burst into applause.
Commander Quinn made his way up to the wall and looked over the crew. His uniform was torn and he was soaking wet.
Quinn stood there breathing hard, he turned to the crowd, drinks materialized on tables all round and everyone picked up a glass. "Well ladies and gentlemen I was going to stand here and tell you about my friend Rhys but that holo battle pretty much sums him up perfectly. But he was not only a fighter; he was a good man and a true friend. We all know the risks that come with this uniform and we accept them without question. We are Starfleet and there isn't a nobler calling then exploring the stars, visiting strange and exciting new worlds and meeting new life forms from all over the universe. You never know when this life might end so live each and everyday to it fullest like my friend Lt. Rhys Peters". Quinn raised his glass, "To our fallen comrade Lt. Rhys Peters." Everyone raised their glasses and repeated " To Lt. Rhys Peters ". Quinn took a drink and set down his glass. He continued, "We are heading back to Earth for repairs, so take a little breather but be prepared. Let us honor Lt. Peters and the namesake of our vessel Captain James Tiberius Kirk, because so many brave men and women have given their lives to boldly go where no one has gone before."
THE END OF SEASON TWO