Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Nov 8, 2015 15:20:30 GMT
"Eradicated?!" Blakus stood agape. The ruling chamber member Y'hhor paused, lowering his eyes and linking his fingers, acting as if Andae had said something unfortunate and out of place. The others of the ruling chamber acted likewise. He wondered vaguely if in their presumed transportation to this place they had also been moved forward in time, past when the Federation had already been destroyed by the Xallac and/or Halanan.
"Yes, they have been eradicated, and yet they have not," Y'hhor said sadly. "Your displacement to this location achieved two things. One, it allowed us to carry out the destruction of your species uninterrupted; two, the method of your displacement allows for the reverse effect to be achieved... you can be displaced back to our invasion force's coordinates, where you may be able to avert catastrophe and change the course of our futures.
"Admiral Torek," Y'hhor continued, tilting his head and looking behind the Admiral, "Hmm... Clearly she has failed." The rest of the chamber members shook their heads, making quiet noises of outrage. "How typical of our 'allies'. Admiral, if she had arranged for herself to accompany you on your away mission then the process in bringing you here would've been rendered irreversible. We would have achieved permanent victory, with you stranded in our future."
Blakus had no clue at all about whom Y'hhor was speaking. "It's a shame that Lieutenant Epps proved so uncooperative," another chamber member spoke, before being silenced by Y'hhor:
"We'll come to that in a moment. You see, guests, your radio telescope in the North American continent of Earth served as more than just a transmitter to update us on current events on Earth - before it inevitably failed - it was also the staging point for an invasion. Faceless engineers and scientists constructed it, their essences pulled from all over the galaxy from various time periods, and each accompanied by an enforcer of sorts, disguised as a deputy both in their original time period and then in late 20th century Earth... See, Te'yyah, the quadrupeds did have their uses."
A female chamber member, presumably Te'yyah nodded dolefully, "The Xallac's transformation process necessitated a change in tactics, whereby they could be deployed as the deputies Y'hhor mentions."
"Who are you? Where is this? Is this a planet of yours?" Andae stepped forward, almost to the table where the members were situated in a semi-circle.
"All irrelevant questions, for your civilisation has been destroyed. Whatever tricks you may be able to pull to return to the relay station, I wish you luck. Now please, be gone from my sight." Y'hhor rotated away and steepled his fingers, facing the wall which he promptly was absorbed into.
"No wait, Commandant, the Xallac Hierophant won't want us to depart so quickly!" the female Te'yyah cried out.
Y'hhor reappeared, regarding his colleague tiredly, "He transmitted his success in the destruction of Bajor, did he not?"
"Yes, but... he has returned, with news of further conquests to be had towards the galactic centre. His armies were driven insane with bloodlust during their campaigns against Bajor and outer Federation worlds; he demands the command of a new expedition."
"And when he finds these here," he indicated the bemused Raven officers, "What do you think his reaction will be? He'll realise we don't have his people's best interests in mind. Those he thought destroyed - these people here - the Hierophant will find have been transported past their expiry date." He sighed, "Call him off, I know you have power over him."
As they spoke the ceiling came crashing down, chunks of unknown metals, circuitry and a granite-like substance engulfing the away team's view of the ruling chamber and its members, who Blakus swore he could shapeshifting suddenly into another phase, disappearing like wisps of smoke through cracks in the fallen masonry. The presumed Halanan had escaped.
"Sir," he turned to the Admiral; Carl Torek along with all the rest of the senior officers, security and marines understandably stunned, "He mentioned something about reversible displacement; I believe it means we can effectively return ourselves to the relay station, though I don't -"
He broke off abruptly as he saw the light that was filtering, streaming into the room from above. Climbing the fallen masonry and twisted metal - which looked very much like the metals they'd found on the construction world, place of manufacture of the Xallac warships - above the unoccupied and smashed table through the jagged hole to the light beyond, they found themselves on a street in an urban area. A metropolis lay all about them, tall buildings - empty shells, windows blown out, the structures torched black in places - loomed above them, and from the air, beyond the cloud layers Andae could distinguish outlines of star vessels - shaped very much like the Xallac ships they'd encountered - moving slowly in formation. They were firing at the surface.
"Perhaps underground is better?" Andae shouted at the others over the din of the destruction. The city was being ripped apart by particle beams and torpedoes, already ancient-looking buildings crumbling and the deserted streets being pounded with high-energy weaponry. Torek and Burwell were closest by. They stood surveying the devastation from the edge of the hole blasted in the ground above the ruling chamber.
"It appears the Xallac-Halanan alliance isn't as stable as we'd first thought," Burwell said.
Andae turned around, nodding, "If it's true they have moved us past the time they carried out the invasion, I would say the Halanan, in our present are the greater threat. The Xallac saw that and have come to eliminate them after their conquests. If we do get back to the relay station, should we then not destroy the Xallac chain, knowing that they'll try this? Or find a way to counter the Halanan ourselves?" He faced the whole away team, minus Epps of course, "Who knows what sequence of events played out that brought about the destruction of the Federation? The politics between the Halanan and Xallac may have led the Halanan to conquer Earth and subordinate the Xallac to their will. That would fit with what Y'hhor was saying about the Xallac Hierophant asking for control of another expedition."
"More importantly," Burwell pushed the engineer aside, who was about to make a riposte before the Colonel continued, "How do we get back to the relay station?" They stood watching the city, tall spires silhouetted against a deepening red glow - fire consuming the metropolis - cut through intermittently by lightning bolts of pale green shooting from the circling sharks that were the Xallac warships.
<Tag Torek, All>
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Carl Torek
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"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
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Post by Carl Torek on Nov 11, 2015 18:09:44 GMT
Carl couldn't believe what he was seeing .....
If this was one of the Halanan or less likely, Xallac Home-worlds, they were witnessing devastation on a massive scale, hundreds of thousands, millions, billions of people were dying or dead in the planet-wide rubble as the Xallac star-craft bombarded the surface relentlessly. Why had the chamber been attacked, and by whom ? ..... Somehow, almost miraculously, they remained untouched as rockets slammed into the surface of the planet around them, but Carl still could not accept the apparent fate of Earth and the Federation, something was amiss, something out of place, it had to be otherwise he would have no option but to believe every word that Y'hhor had uttered, having to realize that everything they knew, everything they stood for, was lost !
"Wait a minute, what if we're in our future ?" Harry Wedlerson asked and making everyone turn from the bombardment to face him, "We heard Y'hhor say 'eradicated' .... Yet the woman, Te'yyah was concerned that we were still in this time-frame. Is it possible this os one of the worlds the Xallac destroyed tears 'before' they hatched the plan to form the alliance with the Halanan ?"
"What difference does that make ?" Burwell asked.
"It could make a lot of difference Colonel ..... We can't ignore the fact that we have been taken out of our time, whether that be into ur past, or the future there is no way of knowing without one of the Ruling Chamber parting with the answer. but the fact still remains, in 'our' time, the facility on Earth is only partially completed, the Xallac are still in orbit around the charred planet we 'know' to be the third in this System ..... As you said earlier Colonel, if we can get back to our time and if we can get out of the facility and back to the Raven, why not simply destroy the sleeping Xallac en-masse and prevent them ever passing through the portal into the Sol System ..."
"I don't think it is going to be as easy as that." Calli said, not wanting to dismiss the Commander's logic, but at the same time stating a simple fact.
"He mentioned this 'reverse displacement' ... I had the feeling at the time that he actually regretted the comment, realizing it gave us a means to return to the now destroyed facility on 'S2-3' and from there ....." Wedlerson replied, looking from Calli to the three Senior Officer's in turn.
"OK, so, how do we make use of this 'reverse displacement' ?" Carl asked, "The Xallac council moved us through time apparently at will, or at least, I didn't see or feel any residual transporter effect. We were simply there, then here."
"It would have to be underground." Andae commented.
"Then we find a way under the ruins." Torek said determinedly, "Besides, I have the feeling that Y'hhor is orchestrating the firing ensuring we remain among the living until we realize our fate. He was unhappy, in fact I would go as far as to say he was damn worried at the prospect of the Hierophant finding us still alive. Despite his outward demeanor, he wants us gone."
"We have no way of knowing which building held the Council Chamber we were previously in." Jamison said, looking around at the rubble and shattered spires.
"No, but I have the feeling we are either close, or directly outside, there would be little need in moving us through time 'and' space ?" Calli offered.
They all made their own three sixty rotation, all eyes falling on one particular building ... It had suffered several hits during the bombardment, but compared to those in close proximity, it had fared much better ... collectively deciding that was where they needed to be, they began to run, more to make the chances of being crushed by falling masonry, or decapitated by flying shards of whatever the Xallac used as plexi-glass. Only meters from the closest entrance, a massive segment of one of the spires slammed into the wide walkway, they held their arms up to protect their faces from severe damage, but still suffered numerous cuts and contusions. Lieutenant Scott fell hard, his arm shattered by the flying rock, but Teng and Burwell picked him off the floor almost without breaking their headlong run, barreling through the wide entrance and into relative safety. The two quickly secured Scott's broken arm and bound it across his chest, it was all they could do until they had access to equipment that would allow them to do a better job. Splitting up they began to throw open doors hoping for a means of escape.
"Stairs !" Jamison shouted over the din, the others rushed to join him.
Crashing through the door, they all entered the wide stairwell, the seismic shudders continued to plague them as the continued bombardment took it's toll on the surface. It was obvious to everyone that the thousand story building above them was going to come down on their heads, and sooner rather than later. They had committed themselves to a course of action they could not rescind, it was down or be crushed under the millions of tonnes of rubble about to crash around them !
Walking to the guard-rail, Carl looked over and downward. The shaft, almost fifty meters in diameter was deep, appearing almost bottomless. The walkway they stood on was level at the door was wider, almost like a mezzanine, narrowing at it spiraled helically downwards, clinging to the wall of the shaft. He could see more and more of the mezzanine's obviously indicating access to lower floors, these too vanished into the depths. it was obvious that the shaft penetrated deeper than the building above soared into the Xallac sky !
"Lieutenant, how do you feel ?" he asked Scott, who had been given field sedatives for the pain.
"Been better Admiral, but I can keep up no problem."
"OK, then I suppose the only way is down." Torek said, motioning to the downward-angled walkway, "Let's go." ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Commander 1C
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Post by Andae Blakus on Nov 13, 2015 20:07:11 GMT
The group descended the walkway, passing what Andae estimated was a kilometre below the surface of the presumed Halanan world. Perhaps this battle was part of history, a bombardment during the Xallac - Halanan war prior to their alliance. If that was the case, then they could at least rest easy knowing that Earth and the Federation hadn't yet been destroyed, though if the Halanan were able to send them into the past, they might just as easily be able to send them to the future.
They stepped off the spiralling walkway onto another landing, some 1.8 kilometres down by Andae's reckoning. He went to a console that overlooked the shaft on a platform that extended some 10 metres into the cylindrical shaft's cross-section. "I don't understand," he said after a moment.
"What is it, Andae?"
"I would say this shaft is unfinished. Look at these tunnels leading off from it about a 100 metres above us," he pointed to a graphic on the Halanan or Xallac console, "They've all been buried. That's why we didn't see them. 220 of them of varying lengths but equidistant from each other, like spokes on a wheel. Does that seem familiar?"
"The dig site in the Mojave. They were trying to build something similar here? What for?"
"We can only guess," Andae lifted his fingers from the console, the display suddenly indicating that he'd been locked out. The console was glowing red, building in heat. It started sparking, gyrating as its floor fixing was shaken loose; that combined with the thunderous impacts of Xallac starship weaponry echoing down the shaft had them running down the next length of walkway, "We're on the right track!" he shouted back up at the others. The console had shown him the location of several administrative centres at the bottom of the shaft, one labelled Ruling Chamber, and another designated Displacement Centre.
They entered the Chamber; it was deserted, the table and chairs covered in cobwebs, detritus littering the floor, information pads and styluses collecting dust on the table. "This could mean anything," Andae said, seeming almost deadpan.
"Indeed," Jamison said, circling the table letting a hand brush through the cobwebs, "Their past, council buildings long abandoned knowing the world was doomed to being conquered by the Xallac? Or the future, perhaps the distant future, when the Xallac have returned to collect more spoils of war with the Halanan long gone from this region of space?"
Andae looked about the place, "If Y'hhor was making sure to leave us untouched by the bombardment, we can discount one possibility, that he's no longer here. He wouldn't leave if he wanted to show us -"
Burwell looked on sceptically, "I don't understand. Y'hhor said in this Chamber that the Xallac were returning from their conquests and the Hierophant was with them, demanding another war."
"Y'hhor made sure to move us to a time where we would be safe from the Hierophant but would later meet our final end, after he shows us what happened to Earth and the Federation," Andae proposed, before adding cautiously, "And we may also have been moved in time when transporting 'onto' the planet's surface from the relay station. It's the only way to explain the Hierophant's presence there, who was supposed to be in the Raven's sickbay - as in our own time."
They made their way warily to the Displacement Centre the other side of the wide deserted hall. They heard dull thumps of the Xallac bombardment, the vibration - felt even at this depth - raising dust from the surface of consoles. The Centre was approximately ten times the size of a starship transporter room; a lowered empty space of harsh angles that appeared to be the 'displacement' area took up one side of the room, various consoles lined the other side.
"Do we intend to return to the relay station?" he asked, "Y'hhor referred enigmatically to someone on our crew, whose absence here means our initial time displacement from the relay station to the Chamber was rendered reversible. Why that might be I don't know. But the reversible displacement may work from here too." He looked around, hearing distantly the percussive rhythm of the attacking Xallac's weapons, "Whenever this is."
"Not so fast, ladies and gentlemen."
The voice was unmistakeable despite having only met its owner once. Andae turned with the others to see Y'hhor standing at the Centre's entrance. He had a weapon levelled at them, and was accompanied by eight others brandishing what Andae surmised were their equivalent of phaser rifles.
"Y'hhor. So you've come to reveal to us our final fates."
The presumed Halanan pretended not to hear the question, "So you've found the Centre, as I thought you would. It was the only way to make you safe from the Hierophant, but you know I can't let you leave..."
<Tag Carl, everybody>
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Nov 15, 2015 20:53:30 GMT
OOC :: Sorry for the length of this post but I got a little carried away .....
Listening to the groups tentative speculation as they traveled ever downwards, Carl pondered the idea of life without the Federation, and without Earth as it's hub. "Y'hhor made sure to move us to a time where we would be safe from the Hierophant but would later meet our final end, after he shows us what happened to Earth and the Federation." Andae was saying. Entering what they supposed was one of the central command area's they realized they may have found what they were looking for, as in the far corner was a structure that could possibly be the very displacement device they had been told of. They began checking console after console, hoping to find something to help them return, but where ? ... Andae had asked if they intended to return to the relay station, saying that Y'hhor had mentioned someone, not with them at the moment. who could be pivotal in returning them to their own time. Carl struggled with this, wondering 'who' had been with them from the beginning of their mission, yet wasn't here with them now. "..... Why that might be I don't know. But the reversible displacement may work from here too ?" "Not so fast Ladies and Gentlemen." ........ ~~~~~"So ... You have found the Center, as I thought you would. It was the only way to make you safe from the Hierophant, but alas. you must know that I can't let you leave here." Y'hhor said, glancing at his underlings for confirmation. "Why bring us here in the first place then ?" Calli asked, stepping a few paces towards the man until the guards persuaded her it would be unhealthy to continue, "You could have simply killed us several times in the last few hours, in the relay station, or in the surface facility, you could have ensured that we didn't find this place." "That is so .... But, shall we call it 'whim' on my part. In truth, I was seriously considering killing you earlier, but the idea of bringing you here and showing you that your precious Earth, and the all-powerful federation are no more. Yes, there are small, almost insignificant groups still fighting the good fight, but they will be hunted down and eventually eradicated. I have fought long and hard for this moment, so forgive me if i chose to gloat somewhat at your utter defeat." "You said 'will' ......." Calli said, eyes locked on Y'hhor, "So ... You either made a mistake, one of those proverbial 'slip o the tongue' things, or maybe you are trying to convince us that we're done with for whatever reason." "Why would I attempt to deceive you ?" "Hmmm, well, lets see ... Maybe we're not that far in the future, if at all. For all we know you transported us to another already bombarded planet and not forward in time ?" Calli replied. "This is getting us nowhere Y'hhor !" Torek interjected, "It is obvious that our leaving this facility is going to be counter-productive to whatever plans you and your, people, have. I don't believe for a second that you went through with your plans to attack the Earth and from there eradicate the Federation. even with your millions of sleeping Xallac, the federation would have fought, as they did with the Borg invasion. we have never been the type to simply kneel to the first invader, so lets finish with this pretense .... 'IF' you have destroyed the Federation, then prove it, or kill us and be done !" Surprisingly, Y'hhor didn't react as they had expected, instead he turned away from the Star Fleet Officers and seemed to confer with one of the guards for several moments, the guard glancing over Y'hhor's shoulder every few seconds as if to clarify something he was being told. Carl wondered if one or more of the 'guards' were in reality part of the Ruling Chamber though he had no basis for the thought other than the fact that Y'hhor had spoken with two of his guard yet seemingly ignored the others. Finally the man turned to face them again: "The idea that you need 'proof' as you call it, is moot. You will die here and the remaining pockets of resistance will be hunted down and, eradicated. But alas, I am needed elsewhere, so I bid farewell to ......" he stopped speaking as one of his guards pulled him aside as a large section of masonry fell from the roof to the floor. It would have crushed him where he stood had the guard not acted, but then more and more rubble fell as the bombardment penetrated deeper and deeper. Lighting flickered and finally failed as Carl dove towards Y'hhor, but the man was backing out of the dust-filled room ordering his guard to open fire ! He looked back at the Displacement Center area still undamaged, but they had no option but to try to save themselves from the imminent collapse of the shaft and the underground facility. He shouted to Blakus to activate the consoles. "Admiral ..." Andae yelled over the cacophonous din, "There is 'NO WAY' we can use this, we could end up anywhere ... ANY-WHEN !" "You have an alternate idea I am more than happy to consider it Andae." Carl said, stepping to one side as part of the wall fell into the room. "SIR ! ..." Calli added, "We were told that we would need this other person from the Raven who can reverse our displacement, do you have any idea who that could be ?" "How can that help. We can't get back to the Raven to collect him or her !" Burwell shouted. "No, but if we can get out of this chamber, maybe to the orbital relay platforms, or back to the surface, we may have a chance of being picked up by the ship." Lu Yang said. "The Raven may not even 'BE THERE' if we are in the future, the ship will be long gone or even destroyed. We have no options left open, if we want to live then we use that thing !" Jamison said, pointing at the Displacement Platform in the corner, still miraculously untouched by the collapsing facility, "There must be some way of designating location or time-frame of arrival. Anything is preferable to dying under rubble." he finished, looking at Carl, who had to agree. He made a decision and spoke to the Chief Engineer: "Andae, do your best to get us back to the orbiting relay station, we'll worry about 'when' we are once we have the luxury of time to do so." but as Blakus was about to try, a phaser beam lanced past his face forcing him to step back. Y'hhor and his one remaining guard approached the console. He was bloodied, obviously having been hit by at least one piece of falling masonry. Dazed, he glared at the federation Officer's cursing in his native language before vowing to kill each and every one of them by his own hand. Torek couldn't help laugh in the mans face: "Look around you Y'hhor ... We are 'ALL' dying unless you do something about it. You have one phaser, you can't kill us all before we get to you both. So either way one or more of us will be getting out of this facility, with or without your help." Carl said, seeing Yang and Davis inching toward the man holding the phaser on them. Suddenly, Will stepped forward as if reaching for Y'hhor, it forced the guard to train his phaser on him and ignore the Marines who were closer. They jumped on the man and relieved him of the phaser throwing it towards the falling rubble in the now blocked doorway, "Up to you ... Die here, or live ?" Y'hhor, obviously beaten, stepped up to the console, he began to input instructions but suddenly frowned. "WHAT !" Calli said. "Some of the contr ....." "Stop hesitating Y'hhor. Get us the 'HELL' out of here ... NOW !" Carl ordered, expecting the room to completely collapse around them any second. ~~~~~~~~~~Materializing on what they assumed was the Orbital Relay Station they had recently been taken from, everyone began to brush off the dust and grime from the collapsing facility. Y'hhor was stood in the middle of the room un-moving. Carl asked for a head-count and told everyone to prepare to return to the Raven, thankful the man, obviously eager to preserve his own life, had come to his senses. As they gathered together he could see Calli puzzling over something: "Problem Commander ?" he asked his half-sister. "The air ... It's, different, cleaner." "Erm, Sir's .. I think we have a problem." Marine lieutenant Yang said. Carl and Calli approached her, puzzled looks on their faces. Lu simply pointed out of the observation window and stepped away so they could look ..... Where only hours ago there were strings of millions of Xallac in suspended animation, was only empty space. Just visible was the nearest Relay Station, but that too was bereft of any signs of Xallac life. "What the ...." Calli exclaimed, but it wasn't the lack of orbiting Xallac that had shocked her. She pointed ...... Carl looked in the direction signified and couldn't believe what he was seeing, for there, far below them, was a living, healthy, blue green planet. Untouched by war, untouched by the Halanan or Xallac. In fact from orbit, it looked like the proverbial paradise. They turned to look at Y'hhor, who had taken full advantage of the distraction and was now sat calmly observing the Federation Officers. "Where are we Y'hhor ?" Torek demanded. "You are where you began. ... 'Relatively' speaking of course." then continued quickly as Jamison snatched hold of him then lifted him out of the chair, "... OK ... I had no time to set the controls, and without the 'element' I could not return you to your own time, so ...... I used the first setting stored in the program." Will raised his other hand, balling it into a fist. "Where are we ?" Torek asked, glancing out of the observation port again. "As I informed you, Admiral. You are precisely where you were before appearing in the surface facility .... It is more a 'when' you are." ".... and that would be ?" "The first years !" ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Commander 1C
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Post by Andae Blakus on Nov 16, 2015 20:00:46 GMT
The words uttered, Y'hhor slipped out of Jamison's grasp, sliding through his fingers and losing humanoid form... What was Y'hhor slithered down the hallway, a silvery stream of viscous fluid, reflecting the light and disappearing around a corner. Andae sat back in shock, though he'd half seen it coming, so Y'hhor was a Halanan.
He had a deep cut in his forehead from being struck by falling masonry in the Displacement Centre, he was covered in dust and felt as if he'd swallowed at least a hundred grams of it. Tentatively he turned to look out the window that Yang and now the others were peering through, the blue-green marble of the Xallac or Halanan world now thoroughly untouched... Going by Y'hhor's transporting of them here and the fact that he'd stated he had picked the first one on the list, Blakus guessed that this was a Halanan world.
"The first years," he mused, "The first of their interstellar conflict with the Xallac? The first of their alliance...? Or perhaps four hundred years ago when the ruins of the complex uncovered in the Mojave was built?"
"Either way, do any of you recognise the implications?" Calli asked, "We could stop the Halanan, or Xallac war-machine from getting going in the first place!"
"Assuming we could get off this relay station, that the Halanan would allow us, and that the planet below offers anything in the way of a means to disrupt their chain of command, in the case that it isn't their HQ." Blakus looked about them, "Besides, how ethical is it to weaken one culture to such a degree that it guarantees victory for the the other side in the forthcoming war?"
"Now we know that Y'hhor is a shapeshifter..." Yang said, looking down the corridor the Halanan had made his way down before presumably reconstituting himself elsewhere on the relay station.
Blakus leant forward, cursing. "Yes, I swore I could see him and his fellow Chamber members effectively disappearing when the masonry fell on their Ruling Chamber, they seemed to turn into smoke and exit through the gaps. Then we were transported, possibly through time, to the ruined city under bombardment."
"Now we know Y'hhor's a shapeshifter," Yang continued testily, "How easy is it going to be to escape the relay station. Do we intend to find a way down to the planet, sir?"
"Y'hhor's brought us here. He's going to help us whether he likes it or not," Torek answered.
The group - Blakus, Torek, Valenti, Jamison, Wedlerson, the injured Scott, Yang, Burwell, the rest of the marines and security - made their way from the corridor and its viewport over the alluring blue-green world below - it looked so peaceful, serene, completely unbetraying of whatever malign forces may be at work on its surface - through a doorway that snapped open, bolting into the ceiling and the floor before clanging shut behind them. Andae glanced back at the door before looking ahead warily. Knowing the labyrinthine nature of these corridors from previous experience, he had left a patch of torn uniform behind so that if they came back to this place they would know how to orientate themselves. They were now striking into unknown depths of the relay station.
At the next junction, with the retraction of the metal doors into the floor and ceiling, they were faced by four Halanan in humanoid form. The primordial Halanan stepped back, understandably confused at the sight of Starfleet officers with weapons pointed at them, before they dissolved and crawled up through gaps and vents in the walls, only to reappear seconds later and trickle down the walls to the feet of one of the marines.
"Private!" Burwell shouted, aiming his rifle at the pool of non-humanoid form Halanan as they crawled up the marine's leg. The man started screaming, the horrid sound abruptly cut off as the Halanan enclosed his head in a reflective silver sheath, the viscous matter now covering his whole body. Burwell and another of the marines advanced slowly towards the marine, "Private... Private?!" He fired at the approximate location of the marine's right arm, the Halanan matter only quivering and recoiling slightly revealing a patch of the green uniform beneath before closing up again.
Burwell looked at Torek searchingly; Andae watched Carl nod almost imperceptibly and all the marines opened fire on the four Halanan that made out of the marine private a glistening silver column. The Halanan matter glowed red, a screeching sound was heard and they eventually withdrew from the private's body, which slumped to the floor. He'd been suffocated.
"As you can see you are at my mercy, crew of the Raven," Y'hhor's voice came from all around them seemingly, "You can either accompany me to the surface to see the great works of my forebears as my prisoners, or die here." Andae looked up, realising that Y'hhor was in a vent above them, but as soon as he saw the Halanan's dark eyes Y'hhor cast off his physical form and shot away from the grille through the ceiling.
<Tag Carl, Alll>
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Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Nov 18, 2015 20:59:52 GMT
Y'hhor reappeared and led them down a hallway, this time the Raven crew acquiescent though wary as to the Halanan's intentions, keeping their weapons raised - they knew however that if they attempted to kill Y'hhor the Halanan waiting in the confines of the relay station would spring on them, and also that Y'hhor was potentially their only way home, back to their own time.
He stopped the Raven crew at a junction, with a corridor off to the left and a solid wall that looked as if it had a removable panel set into it in front of them. Y'hhor nodded into empty space and a Halanan coalesced from the floor, taking on humanoid shape and standing before him. He nodded again and the female Halanan turned and removed the wall panel. Andae gasped at what he saw inside.
"We call it the Cronus Distorter, manipulator of the irrefutable physical law of chaos... from order will come disorder, entropy increases on the macroscopic scale, time ticks onward." Y'hhor had the female enter commands in the Cronus machine. "It will, sadly for both our parties, be a long while before we reach your time if we go by the old-fashioned laws of entropy. This device..."
"Is a time machine," Blakus said, "A predecessor to your temporal displacement technology."
"In a sense," Y'hhor answered. "Using this we can create a bubble around the beings in question who wish to make a journey through time - only forwards mind you, which works out well for ourselves - and instruct the machine to 'distort chaos'; it will increase the process of entropy and make time run faster within the bubble."
"The only problem being..." Blakus was well aware of the deception Y'hhor was trying to promulgate, "Increasing entropy within the bubble will only decay our bodies faster; we will age faster, and then we will die. There's no great leap in time with your device, Y'hhor, and I doubt very much that the device will remain intact throughout the ages until 2401. If at any point it's interrupted - such as, for instance, in the case of its destruction - the occupants of the bubble will be dead anyway."
"Very perceptive... In you go," Y'hhor smiled faux-pleasantly and gestured towards the area in front of the Cronus Distorter, as if he expected them to simply obey. "There's no way back for you now. I have other means to return. Actually, remaining here is infinitely preferable to returning to the war-torn system of centuries hence, the desolation of a once vibrant Halanan world before the day when the Xallac rained from the skies... Vehicles encased in spiked tritanium carapace, to shield themselves from the temperate climes of our worlds, skewering our people in the street - the humanoids we lived (or rather live now in this time) with in close companionship - while we fled underground or to the farthest reaches of the Orion Arm to escape the murderous solids, where we hatched our plans to one day bring them under our dominance."
Andae heard something whisper in his ear. He snapped his head to the left, searching out the source of the sound - it was as if somebody had been standing right next to him. He looked around, seeing that none of the others seemed to have noticed it. Y'hhor continued speaking, "Yes, the vast Halanan hegemony covered two thousand star systems at its greatest extent, approximately three hundred years before the outbreak of the Xallac War..."
Blakus drifted away from the group, gradual enough not to rouse suspicion - besides, Y'hhor was too caught up regaling his audience with his race's exploits before humanity had even reached space. He made one further step to the left and then vanished, a buzzing energy field revealing its presence to the others as the CEO crossed its boundary, disappearing in the same manner as Epps had.
"Take this," a person whose face was covered with a red-mask shoved something into his hands. "It'll protect you from the worst of the X-rays."
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Carl Torek
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Post by Carl Torek on Nov 19, 2015 16:24:17 GMT
Carl listened to Y'hhor ... He had the distinct feeling that the Halanan had thought through his plan with every detail covered. Though some things did have him confused, for example, why bring the Federation Officers to the past just to have them perish, why show the planet 'before' it was a crushed burning ball of lava-strewn waste. The man's egotism far surpassed any conscience he may have had, bringing them here to see what once was while giving them a sense of what was to happen, already had happened, to their own planet.
He suddenly realized that they were one short ... Commander Blakus had been stood off to his right and slightly behind him, but he could see him in his peripheral vision, and now he couldn't. glancing at his feet as Y'hhor turned to face his toy, the Cronus Distorter as he called it, Carl confirmed that the Engineer was no longer with them, he wondered how he had managed to slip away unnoticed, but the Halanan was again singing the praises of his ingenuity so he turned to face the man hoping Andae's appearance would not be discovered.
"..... the vast Halanan hegemony covered two thousand star systems at its greatest extent, approximately three hundred years before the outbreak of the Xallac War ..." Carl felt a hand touch his arm:
"We may have a way out." Blakus whispered, almost making Carl turn to face him.
"Alas, as much as I am enjoying my, let's not call it a victory, but it does warrant such, I must take my leave of you ......" y'hhor said, stepping back to allow his guards to have clear line of fire should the need arise. He instructed one guard to set the Cronus Distorter and join him. Bidding a false farewell, Y'hhor turned away as the guards shepherded the Raven Officer's forward. Entering the lattice-type framework they stood, silently watching the guards who had already began to move to the doorway, obviously not wanting to be caught up in any residual effects from the device. The guard instructed with the final operation engaged a force field to prevent any sudden escape, then grinning at the condemned, left the room ...
It was obvious that the device wasn't something that operated instantaneously, they could hear a hum beginning to slowly build, and feel a smallest vibration through their boots. For the first time he could remember, Carl ruefully wondered if this would be the last actions of the Raven crew, but Andae, rather than simply accepting his fate, had knelt on the floor and was opening a small case Carl hadn't seen in his hand earlier.
"Commander ?" Carl asked, glancing from the Engineer to the case and back, the other's following suit.
"I have no idea ..." Blakus said by way of explanation as he activated the device in the now open case, "We were listening to Y'hhor singing his own praises when I heard someone whisper in my ear, I began to inch away from the group and ..."
"Vanished." Carl said.
"Thankfully, neither Y'hhor or any of his guards recognized the disruption my passing through the energy field produced. Someone gave me this, no explanation, then practically pushed me back to our side." Andae finished.
There was a torrent of questions as the sound and vibrations continued to build, then a light, so bright it blinded all inside the Cronus Distorter for long seconds ...
"Head count !" Carl said as he realized they were still able to interact. Everyone confirmed their presence, each in turn having their own conception of what being affected by the 'Time Machine' as Blakus had called it. As the white on white light began to subside, they began to see each other and moved closer together, it was Calli who pointed out something was amiss:
"We have a guest." she said, looking the red-masked woman up and down ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Nov 24, 2015 3:00:45 GMT
The woman lifted the mask from her face, revealing a mid-thirties humanoid, identical to a human though many races had the same appearance as those from Earth. "You didn't move forward in time, nor were you injured," she said, "You are right when you were. My advice, travel to the surface of this world. The same machine that's saved your lives now will protect you from similar X-ray emissions around the capital of the Halanan planet. The nature of Halanan bodies means they can set whatever atmospheric conditions they see fit, and what better climate than one inhospitable to Xallac life, whether in sub-zero preferring quadrupedal form, or..."
"Or as you see her now," Blakus interjected. "Admiral, this is the Xallac Hierophant." Stunned expressions and muted sounds of surprise greeted him. "She claims she travelled back in time after the demise of the Federation, to stop this peace treaty before it can be turned into an alliance between the two species."
"It's not merely a claim. It's a statement of fact," the unmasked Hierophant said, irked. "I was prostrate in your sickbay, behind a forcefield, watching you, Commander Blakus pacing back and forth before me... Now I find you again, after I broke away from the Raven and carried out the destruction of your homeworld. Incidentally, you 'may' want to stop the less-transformed me from escaping your vessel once you get back there. Otherwise this loop will continue until my other self can convince another of you to stop your own destruction."
Blakus nodded, not sure how to respond. "How do we get down to the surface?" Burwell spoke, "Y'hhor or his slippery friends will be close by."
"Follow me," the Hierophant led them down the corridor, back the way they had came away from the Cronus Distorter. "I've never seen this world look so serene. Don't let it's appearance deceive you," she said, looking back at the Raven officers after peering out a window to the planet below.
At the next opening of one of the metal hatches whose halfs receded into the floor and ceiling, they were met by a trio of Halanan. Seeing their quarry, the shapeshifters morphed rapidly into contorted humanoid forms, trying to trap the Hierophant who was coming upon their position. They twisted continuously, trying to encapsulate the Xallac as all four were lifted from the floor. The Hierophant however had a trick up her sleeve: an ornate dagger fell from her attire and gripping it in her hand she slashed at the now luminous, now stretched humanoid matter of the Halanan, the edge of the blade glowing indigo. The three Halanan shrieked, their amorphous bodies being torn asunder, ripped to pieces then falling to the deck. They fled, attempting to reconstitute themselves, through a gap between wall and floor.
"Spatial displacement only," the Hierophant said, Blakus following in a daze into something that looked like the displacement centre on the surface of the planet (a few hundred years hence). The Hierophant stood at the controls and motioned the senior staff into the displacement area, a bare space of angular surfaces. "I'll set it for delayed displacement and go with you," she said, "You can trust me." Blakus looked into the Hierophant's eyes, expecting to find some evidence of that there, but there was none.
They entered the displacement area, then - with a building and piercing shriek emanating from somewhere within the displacement area - at least a dozen Halanan, accompanied by twice that number of an unidentifiable species - in plain attire, brandishing rifles - charged into the room. The fire from the latter's weapons struck the walls of the empty displacement area, the Raven staff and the Hierophant having vanished, blotted seemingly out of existence instants before.
* * * * *
On a bright sunlit boulevard - mostly deserted - the Raven staff and their guest appeared out of nothingness. Either side of the boulevard lay grass swards, the one in front of them leading up to a large building, bleached sandstone and silver in colour. The Xallac Hierophant identified it as the Ruling Chamber of the Halanan Senate.
Blakus looked ahead at the structure then turned to his CO for directions. "How do we get in undetected?"
The Hierophant spoke. "I must leave you for now. Know that I wish to disrupt these talks as much as... you may wish to. By doing so we will stop this alliance from forming, and I will not have to live with the weight of remorse of annihilating your United Federation of Planets. You have my word the Xallac will put an end to the war with the Halanan. But we will not form an alliance with the Halanan, for apart from what I just mentioned we know that the shapeshifters intend to dominate us in the alliance, use us as their tools in our wish to wage war with the just developing Federation."
She turned away, "This place is being bombarded by high energy X-rays to dissuade Xallac attack. The machine in Commander Blakus's possession will protect you from the worst of it. We'll reconvene later today. I have my own plans... The first round of talks are due to start in five hours. I'd think about how you intend to start disrupting them, make links, whatever you need."
Blakus turned to the rest of the staff, shrugging his shoulders. A bizarre course of events.
<Tag Torek, All>
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Carl Torek
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Post by Carl Torek on Nov 24, 2015 21:07:26 GMT
"How do we get in undetected ?" Blakus said as the Hierophant took her leave.
"Just out of curiosity here, before we go barging in anywhere you understand ... " Colonel Burwell said, getting everyone's attention, "We 'ARE' still in the past, well, our past that is, right ?"
"Yes Colonel, their present, our past, four hundred years, give or take a decade." Calli said, a wry grin forming at the man's understandable confusion.
"OK .... I think it's pretty obvious that we're not going to be able to simply walk into the Chamber and speak to those present ..." Carl said, looking around their location, "As anyone else noticed how 'Human-like' everyone is by the way. We've been passed by at least half a dozen residents thus far and not one has given us a second glance ?"
"Is it possible the Hierophant has somehow 'masked' our real appearance, or less likely, manipulated 'our' perception of the locals ?" Burwell asked. It was only then that they all realized that the Halanan were seemingly mimicking the Human form already. Was it possible that the Raven's first encounter with the race left some sort of lasting impression on them, or was it their first encounter that sewed the seeds for the Federation's eventual demise ? .... They of course had no way of knowing any of this, it was purely speculation, and speculation of any kind in their current situation was a less than healthy pastime !
"The Hierophant said that the gadget Commander Blakus was holding would protect us from the high-energy Xrays, so maybe it's helping us remain inconspicuous." Burwell said, as two nondescript Halanan passed them without a look.
"Then we'll need to take every advantage of that." Carl said looking around the group, "We'll split up .... Calli, you take Harry and Colonel Burwell, make your way around to what looks like some sort of 'town square' ... Try to find out whatever you can but under no circumstances get into anything you can't get the hell out of without killing half the population, OK .... Andae and I will take the 'direct' route. Security will accompany you're team Calli."
"Direct route ?" Blakus repeated, as if he hadn't heard correctly.
"That building has something like eight or ten floors, it's a given that the Ruling Council chamber isn't going to take up all of them, ergo there must be other offices or departments within the building ... Right ?" everyone nodded.
"So we're just going to walk right in." Andae said almost too casually. Carl grinned.
"Keep Comm's silence unless absolutely necessary .... get what you can, we'll look over the building and meet you back here in two hours."
~~~~~~~~~~
Striding across the grass, Carl and Andae tried to look as if they were entitled to be there. It wasn't an easy task, because as they cleared the fauna and began to approach the building itself, they were conscious of the number of Halanan around them. He knew that his Chief Engineer was still having doubts regarding the Hierophant, and truth be known, so was he, but what option did they have really ..... As far as Carl was aware, no-one in the Federation had seen a Halanan in it's native form, in fact, apart from the Raven incident, they had only been seen on one other occasion, and even then only after the fact, and that was never confirmed.
Across the large square was a hostelry, obviously to allow visitors to remain in the main city. They decided to sit at one of the empty tables and take stock .....
"Is there any way we can get the layout of that building without going up and asking for plans ?" Carl asked, the hint of sarcasm obvious.
"In the main concourse of Star Fleet Headquarters, there is a massive information screen telling you who's where ..... Just saying ....." Andae replied, raising his eyebrows as if it was completely obvious.
"Hold on, I'll be right back." Torek said, getting up and walking away before turning back, "Oh, order some drinks, we're tourists after all."
~~~~~
Entering the large open foyer area, he looked left and right, he was about to move forward when he noticed a woman using some sort of screen. he realized there were almost a dozen of the screens situated in a large circle. Approaching on he watched the woman as she put her hand on the screen then seemingly scrolled the page manually. Looking back at his screen, he tentatively placed his hand on the cool glass-like medium and the screen sprang to life ..... ten minutes later he returned to the table. Andae was having a conversation with what he assumed was a waitress or the Halanan equivalent. He sat down and took the offered drink. Once they were alone he relayed what he had found:
"The building has eight floors. The Ruling Chamber is on the sixth and occupies all the floor with several small office-type rooms leading off. It can 'ONLY' be accessed by authorized personnel. The lower floors seem to be your basic regional authorities offices."
"What about the upper two floors ?" Andae asked, eyeing the building surreptitiously.
"Nothing. As far as the information screen goes the building is six floors, one of which is out of bounds to all but the chosen few."
"What's the plan ?" Andae asked, knowing what his friend and Commanding Officer was going to say before he did so.
"We find out what is on seven and eight." Carl said ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Nov 25, 2015 21:25:44 GMT
Andae finished his drink, checking over his clothes and realising that if he was disguised, then the populace would be seeing him attired in much the same way as they were. He couldn't imagine that the Halanan would've adopted human forms so readily, so they must also be being presented to the Raven officers in a form they could understand, all courtesy of the X-ray device in his pocket.
"I'll say again, are we going to walk right in?" he asked, looking about the sunlit square. There were not a few Halanan wandering about, in and out of administrative buildings and other establishments, seeming in a complete state of peace. It was hard to believe this race was still technically at war.
"We seem to be concealed from the Halanan or at least made to look like them," Carl answered. "Quick, the waitress is returning."
"It's ok. I think," Andae raised a hand, "She's the Hierophant." He turned to face the approaching 'woman'. "How goes the infiltration?"
She put down a silver case by Torek's chair, opened it and pushed what appeared to be small knives into their hands. "A special property of these weapons allows them to slice Halanan in their non-solid form; it takes them fifteen minutes to reconstitute themselves. These," she handed them further tools, "Are security passes; they'll let you access whatever level you need, including level 6 but not the Ruling Chamber itself or the hidden floors."
"The... hidden floors?" Blakus asked, feigning ignorance.
"In the building ahead of you if you choose to infiltrate it. I take my leave once more. Good luck, gentlemen." She departed.
Andae leant forward, keeping secrecy, "She intends to spark their war all over again, or at least conclude the peace talks and start the alliance, I'm sure of it. I'd say she knew we intended to walk straight into the building, complete with convenient passes to allow us up to level 6, but not inside."
They headed for the Halanan Senate building, soon swarmed about by shapeshifters who nevertheless paid them no more attention than they did their true compatriots. In the foyer, they located a line of turbolifts of some description and took to one. "Level 6," Andae requested. There was no response; a Halanan, grimacing, reached past him to a panel next to the turbolift door and pressed a button with an indecipherable but presumed numeral 6 engraved in it. Andae had the feeling the Halanan was watching them warily, if not a little suspiciously, wondering perhaps why these two who he'd never seen before had the right to access the Chamber.
Leaving the lift, Torek and Blakus came to the level 6 door - the Ruling Chamber lying at least two rooms beyond; this door would rather allow them into the side offices to the Chamber - withdrew their passes against, Andae thought, his own better judgement - not trusting the Hierophant - and hovered them over the release. Barging through and staying clear of line of sight to the Chamber to which they'd not be able to gain access anyway, they climbed narrow, poorly lit stairs bringing them to level 7.
"What now, sir?" Andae looked at the black-tinted door that led into level 7 proper. "The passes won't work up here." He looked down the spiral staircase, seeing Halanan milling about, before one began shouting, pointing up at them and declaring in fierce tones that they should very much not be there.
=/\= "Wedlerson to Torek! =/\=
=/\= Commander, I said comm silence! =/\= Torek whispered harshly, Blakus going down to try to make amends, telling the official that they were new in the building and had simply lost their way.
=/\= I know, sir, but we've come under fire, the other side of the square from where you were! Two security officers and one marine have been hit: Lieutenant Scott. Valenti and Burwell are ok. A land vehicle rolled into the square, something like a tank firing disruptor beams at us while we were talking to a Halanan scientist. =/\=
<Tag Carl, Calli>
Blakus's talk with the Halanan was not going well. "No one! Goes up there, citizen. Who do you think you are? You're certainly not an employee... Any employee knows that entering 'the place that does not exist' is tantamount to dismissal. Unless you're mad..." the Halanan looked on him malevolently, Blakus then finding himself having to duck beneath the man's swinging arm. Why aren't they just becoming non-solid, kill me like they killed Private Horace? he thought, bemused. He found his balance and elbowed the man in the small of the back, the Halanan sprawling to the floor and screaming in rage. Such a calm species, Andae had always thought, finding himself having to throw a punch at another Halanan who he'd come face to face with after diving past the first.
Suddenly there was a gaggle of Halanan all about, pressing in around him, words speeding from their mouths, sometimes intelligible, sometimes sounding as if they came from a codified language. Their words became a sea of meaninglessness, the montonous voices closing in about him as he lashed out at them as much as he could, tempted at last to draw the dagger given to him by the Hierophant.
He pulled it from his garment and slashed at the first few Halanan, the shapeshifters recoiling in terror, some losing their solid form as they were struck, retreating along the floor in this turbolift landing. He made to lunge at another but his weapon came loose in his hand. They were on top of him; he struggled to get to his feet, Halanan beating him on the back, trying to force him back to the floor.
"Carl!!" he yelped; his CO, approximately fifteen metres above him up the staircase. As he managed to find his feet again, still pressed about by Halanan bodies, he saw that one of the Halanan had recovered the dagger and was surging towards him. He cried out, before the dagger was plunged into his shoulder; the Halanan continued their press about him as he tried to manoeuvre his already falling body towards one of the turbolifts.
<Tag Carl>
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Carl Torek
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"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
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Post by Carl Torek on Nov 30, 2015 17:58:35 GMT
OOC :: Post written from the Chief Medical Officer's POV :: The Senior Staff had left the ship ....
=^= Piper to Raven =^=
=^= Go ahead Admiral =^= Marionette replied.
=^= Commander .. You have your orders .. If we fail to return you are to fire on as many relay stations within range then pass through the portal .. On our side you will destroy the ring complex and contact Star Fleet Command with a full report .. They must destroy the duplicate on Earth with all due haste .. Understood ? =^=
=^= Completely Admiral .. Safe return =^= the Gynoid said before closing the Comm. Sat in the Command seat she watched the Piper impassively, Roach in turn was watching the Chief Tactical / Security Officer ... Lieutenant Hood had only recently been cleared to return to Duty. In the absence of the Executive Officer, who himself was in Sick-bay recovering. Allan Hood was effectively in Command. Granted, the Android, Lieutenant Commander Marionette, Chief Navigation Officer, out-ranked him, but Hood had the Command experience, or at least, she hoped he did.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Doctor. You wish to speak with me ?" Marionette asked, making Helen turn to face her.
"No, just visiting." she replied, stepping down to sit herself beside the Gynoid and handing her a PADD, "That's the Medical Report on Mister Hood. As you can see he's cleared and has returned to duty. As for Commander Jamison, he's staying put for another day or so."
"Staying 'put' ..." Marionette repeated.
"Commander." Lieutenant Gerelo interrupted suddenly from the secondary Tactical Station, "I was certain I picked up some odd readings from the platform as the Piper vanished."
"Explain Lieutenant." Hood asked his Deputy.
"It was almost as if 'another' ship appeared in it's place. I'm getting readings of movement on the orbital platform now. They were not there five minutes ago, but we've not picked up anything approaching either us or the platform. Roach eyed Hood impassively as the Chief Tactical Officer double-checked the readings and nodded. There was definitely someone, or something, aboard the platform now. Beaming it, them, aboard was not an option, and it was clear that the platform may be vital to the Away Teams' safe return.
"It's possible that it is some sort of regular service, the equipment in those platforms are having to keep millions of Xallac in their comatose state, a breakdown would be the last thing they needed." Roach offered.
"Any signs they have seen us ?" Marionette asked. Hood looked at his Deputy.
"Not that I can see Sir. Though they may know exactly where we are and deem us to be no threat ?" Gerelo replied.
"Lieutenant ..." the Doctor began, addressing Allan Hood directly, "It is possible they are aware of the away team and their 'relocation' shall we say. Do you think it prudent to go over there and find out, surreptitiously, what they are up to, ans if they intend to prevent the crews' return ?" Hood glanced from the Doctor, to the massive platform beyond the screen, then back again. He needed to make a decision .......... < tag : Allan > < tag : Away Team >
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Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Dec 1, 2015 1:20:26 GMT
Andae managed to right himself before he fell into the lift, punching the nearest Halanan and thanking his righthandedness - for it was his left shoulder that'd received the stab wound. He beat his way through a gaggle of grey-suited Halanan, all slick black hair and pale faces. He imagined that they were being projected to appear as such to him, and that his own attire was changed so that he fitted in to look like them.
He heard feet on the stairway above, looked up - hoping to see that it was Torek bounding down the steps and not some uninvited visitor from floor seven. "Admiral! The lifts may be our best chance for escape." The Halanan pressed in around them as they entered the lift, Torek fending them off while Andae rested against the back wall of the lift and slammed the button to shut the lift with his foot. He held his shoulder, breathing heavily and seeing the scarlet liquid seeping through his fingers and dripping down his arm and onto the floor.
The elevator started its descent as the fists of Halanan pounded on the doors, soon fading as they left the sixth floor. In the comparatively peaceful lobby one of the lift doors chimed, slowly rolling back to allow the CO and CEO to leave.
Rushing to the exit and down the wide marble steps of the Senate building, to the sunbaked square with the windows of the surrounding buildings that reflected the starlight blindingly, then onto the grass sward back to their original point of appearance, Andae's breathing became more and more ragged. His sight blurred, he started to feel faint and stumbled once or twice, collected by the Admiral.
"That... didn't go entirely to plan," he said, lowering himself onto the pavement clutching his shoulder. "Where's Yang when you need her," he laughed, squinting at the lush green of the grass that led away to the Ruling Chamber and Senate, still not able to see clearly. It didn't feel as if the knife had pierced very deep - certainly nothing that was immediately life-threatening - yet it was more than a simple flesh wound.
He made himself comfortable against a hedge that jutted onto the path at this point, while Torek tried to make contact with Calli's team which was presumably still under fire from the 'tank'-like vehicle. The description - from what Andae could hear over the comm that Carl now had open with Valenti and Wedlerson - sounded quite familiar... Yes, the tritanium carapaced and spiked vehicles of the Xallac that Y'hhor had described. Had the Xallac come to destabilise the peace talks themselves, on instruction... he realised, of the Xallac Hierophant? She'd declared that she wanted the alliance plans abandoned as much as the Raven crew did. While they didn't want the Xallac-Halanan war to continue, the alliance had to be stopped here, and thus the Federation's demise 400 years hence - or in their own time - would be avoided.
Then why was the Xallac 'tank' attacking Valenti's team? Did the Hierophant in fact want the alliance to succeed? If so, she'd fooled them all, led them back here only to annihilate them, just as Y'hhor had attempted with the Cronus Distorter. It seemed to boil down to bragging rights: the Xallac leader would kill the Raven away team in the past rather than the Halanan leader.
Through the haze and the pain - with only the voice of Carl and Wedlerson's from the commbadge giving him a semblance of clarity of perception - he saw a wavering Halanan form emerge from the distance on the path. It approached him, bypassing Carl as if the Raven CO was behaving like a normal Halanan citizen, and kneeled before him.
"Are you ill, sir?" the Halanan asked.
"No, fine... citizen. Just a scratch."
The Halanan was bemused. "A scratch? I see no wound. But your face is off in colour, almost pink. Here, let me assist you..." He pulled Blakus to his feet, who stood back warily, and immediately feeling faint again. Could his disguise courtesy of the X-ray device be failing because of his debilitation?
"Please, I am fine... I have just had... a rough morning," Blakus concluded. As he tried to get the Halanan to move along, he saw circling in the sky a shuttlecraft-like vehicle, banking towards the square and slowing before the Senate building. In the side of the structure, on approximately the level of the seventh floor, a previously unseen door slid back and the craft entered... Some sort of landing bay? he thought.
"Avert your eyes, citizen," the Halanan told him before he left him be, "No one sees those floors."
Five minutes later as they were en route to Calli's location, Blakus watched possibly the same craft exiting the Senate building, peeling away in the sky before - just a grey dot by this point towards the horizon, though only perhaps a couple miles away - it landed on an asphalt pad alongside several other similar craft. He wondered if one could be stolen.
<Tag Torek>
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Carl Torek
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Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
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Post by Carl Torek on Dec 2, 2015 0:04:43 GMT
"Avert your eyes, Citizen," the Halanan told him before he left him be, "No one sees those floors." Carl watched the man walk away, obviously annoyed at the fact that two of his race had defied one of the most serious laws.
"You think he'll speak to anyone about our behavior ?" Andae asked as they walked, still looking the way the craft had gone.
"I doubt he'll even give it a thought. He, in his opinion, reprimanded us for our indiscretion and likely it would end there. Of course, him witnessing a second such lapse may see us facing someone a damn-sight less lenient. What are you staring at ?"
"That ship, craft, it went over there. While on the higher ground I was certain I could see numerous similar shuttle-type ships." Blakus replied, his shoulder suddenly spasmed, reminding him he had an injury that would need seeing to sooner rather than later, "We need a way in, that little ship didn't seem to have any problem." he would have shrugged had the thought of a lancing pain running the length of his body hadn't dissuaded him.
Twenty minutes later ::
It was astonishing to him that although there seemed to be a raging fire-fight going on only meters away, the Halanan seemed totally oblivious of the fact. more to the point, they even crossed the square where phaser-fire was lancing between the two quarreling factions. Stood with his back to the wall, Carl risked a glance around the corner ... The tank-like vehicle was keeping his Officers pinned into one corner, yet the Halanan didn't seem in any hurry to surround, or even force the hostiles to capitulate. He whispered over the din to Blakus to remain in place while he approached the vehicle from the rear ... Minutes later he was less than twenty meters from it and somewhat bemused. There was no way anyone could be inside the vehicle, allowing for the turret and obvious drive systems, it simply wasn't viable. Then he realized that this 'tank' was either remotely controlled, or was fully automated, carrying out it's programmed task to the best of it's ability.
The rear of the tank seemed to be solid, no obvious protuberances to denote scanning or radar systems, no clear audio visual sensors. 'Hey, you didn't need to see a light switch to know it was there to turn the light on' he thought to himself cryptically ... Gingerly he inched forward, ready to run the hell out of there should the thing suddenly turn it's attention on him. A meter from the vehicle he stopped then reached out to take hold of he decided was the hatch release. Rotating the handle he teased the hatch open and glanced inside through the small crack he had created. Frowning, he motioned for Andae to join him ..... Blakus edged over and looked into the interior of the vehicle:
"There's hardly room to fit two smaller Halanan in there, and uncomfortably at that !"
"Shape-shifters." Carl said, a hint of a laugh in the reply, "OK, first things first, any way we can stop this thing firing on our people, hopefully 'without' informing whoever is running this thing of our meddling ?"
It took the Engineer ten minutes, in which time the tank continued to hold the Raven Officer's at bay, but suddenly the firing stopped. Blakus climbed out of the sardine can of a tank and grinned, waving the others over. Carl stood there as the remainder of the Away Team converged, looking at the Engineer as if awaiting some sort of report maybe:
< tag : Blakus >
"So there are several more of these things making their way to the square, presumably to corner the Away Team for whatever reason, and this one still things it's firing to contain them, even though it clearly isn't ?" Carl asked after Andae had informed them of what he had found, "Well, let's not outstay our welcome. We'll head for that small shuttle area Commander Blakus noticed. If all goes well we should be able to get into one of those craft and fly right into the Senate Building." It was now obvious to everyone, that 'someone' was attempting to manipulate their movements. That tank could have killed them on the first couple of shots, but it hadn't so, who, who was playing them ? .....
It took another two hours to trek the distance to the parking area where Blakus had seen the small craft head towards the ground. Carl hoped that these things were going to be somewhat bigger than the tank things they had encountered. They needed to get on to the one level that would allow them to transpose back to their own time. Once there, Carl fully intended to decimate the Xallac strings in orbit. He would prevent this invasion at whatever cost, even if it meant his own life was forfeit in the process ..........
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Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Dec 2, 2015 7:00:50 GMT
Andae clambered out of the tank with its tight confines, Halanan passing by him completely oblivious. He guessed the image being projected to the away team - of humanoids unconcerned with the fight across the square they should've been witnessing - was an effect of the X-ray device that he still had on his person, gifted to him by the untrustworthy Xallac Hierophant.
It could well be that the Halanan, here in their true liquid form that was being concealed from the away team's sight, were not able to perceive the threat to their city, or to the away team... It could be that in their true form they were in something analogous to the Great Link of the Founders, and thus wouldn't be concerned about automated tanks in their vicinity, which lay outside their perception while in such a link.
"Xallac control interfaces..." he said, "Lucky I have experience of them from the Xallac starship we explored back in the 25th century.
"The only plausible explanation is that it's being controlled from a vessel in orbit. The internal computer was receiving messages from a geostationary position about 5000 km above this settlement - I cut the link and disabled the systems. It also had a situation display showing more of the same tanks moving through the city to this location. We thought they must be Halanan and indeed they were never meant to be manned, though they're actually of Xallac design. My guess is the Halanan perform maintenance on them in the same way that they do on the construction planets - where they were overseers in the automated construction of the Xallac fleet."
They made their way to the landing pad and one of the dozen Halanan equivalent of shuttlecraft, wondering how they were going to get aboard undetected. They had found it easy to walk around the city in their apparent disguises, but even then, a Halanan had warned them quite sternly about not travelling to the seventh and eighth floors of the Senate, in fact having said they shouldn't even be looking at the floors. Then what would happen if they tried to commandeer a shuttle to take it to floor seven?
"Admiral, a theory..." he paused, gasping and gripping his shoulder. Yang was attentive at his side, continuing to bandage the area and doing her best to close the wound with the autosuture medical tool, though it seemed curiously ineffective...
Carl asked what was in his mind as they approached the landing pad, Yang hurrying to keep up with him as they stepped onto the boiling asphalt, the star of this system blinding before them as it'd started setting in the west. Well, not the actual west... Andae answered, "That tank's of Xallac design; if it was being controlled from orbit chances are it's a Xallac starship up there directing its remaining active tanks. Why would they do that in the midst of a peace conference?"
The team pondered his words as they somewhat surprisingly found themselves striding right into a shuttle, taking their seats - with an autopilot system greeting them cordially and indicating to them they were obliged to strap in. That had seemed far too easy. "But they were shooting at us, not at each other, or at Halanan," Wedlerson replied to Andae.
The CEO nodded, still short of breath and feeling faintness coming upon him again, "Yes, but how did they know you were there, or rather that you were a disguised enemy and not another group of Halanan? I can only think... That it's the only person who knows for sure that we are here, the Xallac Hierophant. She must be directing her ship in orbit. She never wanted to help us halt the peace process, we were only brought back so that we could be destroyed. A game between her and Y'hhor perhaps, though Y'hhor surely wound up back here by accident. Nevertheless if they complete their designs and the alliance is formed, the Federation will fall as has been predestined in the vision of the future Y'hhor showed us... this planet, devastated, over 400 years hence."
<Tag>
They were left to mull over the words as the craft took to the air and banked through the fading sky, leaving twin vortices in its wake as it headed towards the Senate building. The door began sliding back to the left and right, a small landing strip beyond flashing its lights at them as they made their way 'into' floor seven of the building - it was unremittingly dark, small glimpses of light escaping through cracks to the right of them: open doors, presumably into the whole of the rest of the floor.
The craft touched down and the landing party disembarked, Blakus holding back as the rest of the team approached one of the doors - he wanted to see what would happen to the shuttlecraft. Its hydraulics hissed, doors closing, autopilot thanking them for their custom, and then, levitating, glided back out of the bay to the set of landing pads two miles away. Turning back to the away team as they disappeared through the brightly lit door, seemingly into pure whiteness, Andae steeled himself and followed.
"Give them access to floor eight. Where unwelcome visitors are made welcome by your most gracious custom..."
The scientist nodded, taking his seat at the Cerulean Council's conference table, tapping a button to release the locking mechanism of the door into floor eight; the Raven away team were currently ascending the stairwell from the landing bay below. The Cerulean Council, secret ruling body of the Halanan Empire... It was a specialised section of the Ruling Council - that government body which presided over the Empire's affairs from the Ruling Chamber on floor six - and not even all of its own members knew the identities of their fellow members. The scientist said to the Halanan that the Raven had access to floor eight.
"Excellent... Oh," he turned to the scientist, "I hope the displacement field was not too uncomfortable?" The scientist shook his head, glancing behind him at the recess in the wall of the conference room. "Most excellent... They should be here shortly. Now we see what the Federation have to say about us. Keep them at arm's length remember," the Halanan chuckled, "Lest they too fall into our alliance."
<Tag Torek>
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Dec 3, 2015 14:44:36 GMT
"..... She never wanted to help us halt the peace process, we were only brought back so that we could be destroyed. A game between her and Y'hhor perhaps, though Y'hhor surely wound up back here by accident. Nevertheless if they complete their designs and the alliance is formed, the Federation will fall as has been predestined in the vision of the future Y'hhor showed us ... This planet, devastated, over 400 years hence."
"I have to agree Andae." Carl said, glancing behind them as if expecting to be faced with a group of unhappy Halanan as they settled into their seats, the shuttle lifted, "My worry is 'why' go to all the trouble ..... If the Hierophant doesn't intent to help us, then why is she even interacting with us, she could quite easily have left us to our own devices."
~~~~~
Passing through what he surmised was some form of shield, the shuttle entered the building, efficiently settling onto it's landing struts and opening the doors. Gingerly, everyone stepped out, Carl was eyeing the large doors at the end of the landing platform when he heard a hiss. Turning he watched as the shuttle departed, presumably to await it's next passenger. The corridor beyond was almost 'sterile' in appearance, and he wondered if this was yet another ruse to lure them, or some fanciful plot of the Hierophant ... Passing no-one, the group reached a set of stairs and with no other options available, began to climb, all the while, Torek had the distinct feeling they were being herded towards their goal rather than discovering it of their own accord.
At the top of the stairs there was a wide hall, elaborate yet indecipherable images covered three of the walls, he assumed they were Halanan, but could have been surreal landscapes for all he knew.
"No accounting for taste." Calli said.
Wedlerson, rather than admire the artwork, had moved further into the large hall and was looking at a set of extremely ornate double doors. They were covered in some form of script, that if viewed in the corner of your eye, seemed to be rearranging itself every few moments. Turning away he summoned the others:
"Well, it's in or down Admiral." he said wryly. Carl looked at the doors then began to walk towards them. As he did so they glided silently aside and into seamless hidden recesses ... The room beyond was also white, but with somewhat less intensity than the level below. Tentatively, they entered ..... The room was totally void of any furnishings apart from the large curved table at the far side. Sat at the table, apparently patiently awaiting the Federation Officers arrival, was a man. Carl had to admit that, even for shape-shifting Halanan, the likeness to a Human Being was exceptional. Truth be told, if he didn't 'know' he was in reality, Alien, then he would have convinced himself he was indeed Human. Moving into the room the doors closed behind them, not that they would have realistically had any escape route had they remained open !
"Welcome." The Male, sat in the middle of the table, set to accommodate seven places, said pleasantly as he glanced at the only other person in the room, who was stood off to one side regarding the newcomers with something approaching distaste, "I am one of the Cerulean Council, a group of Halanan tasked with, well let us not contemplate what we are tasked with shall we .... You may be seated." the man said, motioning to two long benches, that seem to have appeared from nowhere. Carl sat down, the others following suit.
"I'm assuming that given you allowed us here, you did so for a reason ?" Torek asked.
"To the point ... I admire, is that the right word, yes, I admire that in a, man."
"You are of course here because we wish to ......" the man stopped speaking as the other in the room approached and bent down to whisper in his ear for a long moment, then he returned his attention to the Federation Officers, "It appears you have been receiving additional help in your quest to seek us out, is this not so ?" Carl remained stolidly silent, which instantly annoyed their inquisitor. He slammed a fist into the long table and uttered something unintelligible to the other person, who stood back and spoke into some hidden device.
"You're presence here is, somewhat disturbing to the Council." the man said, still happy to remain anonymous apparently. Would you car to enlighten us one what you hope to achieve ?" Carl glanced at Blakus, who was frowning as if trying to recollect something, or was trying to put a name to a face he had seen somewhere before. He turned back to the man at the table, choosing to ignore the other completely.
"It had never occurred to the Federation that the ever-elusive Halanan actually had a sense of humor."
"I fail to see wha ...."
"Never mind." Torek interrupted as he stood, "You are currently at war .... A war that as far as we can tell has lasted hundreds of our years. Yet, here you're Ruling Council sit's planning an end to that war and an alliance with your enemy the Xallac. The outcome of this affiliation would be the eventual eradication of the United Federation of Planets, and all it's Members ... Is this not so ?"
Carl had to hand it to the 'man' ... His reaction was nothing more than exceptional. He remained totally still, eyes locked on Torek's with un-nerving accuracy, but he made no comment on the accusation so Carl continued:
"I have to say, I am at a loss as to why you would have us brought here to be before you." but again the Halanan simply watched him without replying. Maybe he was waiting for the Federation Officer to work it out for himself. Alas, he was going to be disappointed as Carl turned and sat himself back down, refusing to continue and matching the others' stolid silence. Andae leaned in and whispered something.
"Feel free." Carl said, feigning disinterest in the whole proceedings ..........
< tag : Andae > < tag : Allan >
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Allan Hood
Lieutenant
Only real security: a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.
Registered: Dec 4, 2014 4:19:10 GMT
Posts: 147
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Post by Allan Hood on Dec 4, 2015 3:20:26 GMT
OOC: I edited my first post near the end to incorporate Admiral's Torek writing so everything flows. If this doesn't make sense, let me know. I'm also not sure how to use Lt. Commander Marionette since she out-ranks me and is a command officer. Would she lead the away team? Would she stay on ship for navigation?
I also don't know how to use different fonts. I wanted to put the admiral's writing in italics so everyone can see how it fit in easier.
By the way, who are those people on the station? What do you guys want me to do with them? ****************** A blinding light burst behind Hood’s eyelids. Gracie? Sami-Jo? He attempted to shield his arm against it but to no avail. Am I dead? Is this it? Hood scanned the distance for New Jerusalem, only blinding whiteness. Silence. Where is the voice of the archangel? Did the other believers already rise? Have I been called up into the air?
Suddenly, Hood felt people pulling his arms and shoulders back. They’re stopping me from being called, he lethargically thought to himself, and fought their pulls. The blinding light began to give way. Blurry movements and shapes came out of the light as it darkened.
Next, his head began to pound, the beating of an eternal drum in his ears. Nausea flooded his instincts and he leaned over the sickbay’s biobed to retch.
“Damage Report!” he called harshly.
“The Admiral has disengaged the multi-vector assault mode and united the three sections together, Lieutenant,” someone answered backed.
“Sami? Gracie? Where’s my family?”
“We’re here, Husband,” Allan Hood’s wife Sami-Jo answered soothingly, “you’re dreaming, everything’s okay. We’re aboard the Raven now, we’re not on the Victory.” The last time Allan Hood sat in the command chair, he was tossed from his seat of authority, literally. Though trained in the holodeck for numerous hours, he was never fully prepared for a real battle. He has been suffering from the occasional nightmare ever since. Though many officers have reported to have been through more traumatic battles and not suffered any nightmares or flashbacks, Hood was not one of those officers.
Hood checked his chronometer and shook off his mind’s tricks. Thirty minutes until the computer sends its hostile alarm to wake him. He thanked and kissed his wife, apologizing for waking her. Hood reached for his combadge and headed for the sonic shower.
“Hood to bridge. Any word from the away team, Nesnah?” Junior-grade Lieutenant Nesnah Bor, a female Romulan command officer, manned the big chair as head of the night crew.
“No, sir. They have missed their last two check-in times,” replied Bor, “we were just about to wake you.”
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes, Hood out.”
Earlier than expected, Lieutenant Hood stepped onto the bridge.
“Captain on the bridge,” Bor called out, standing at attention.
“That’s extremely inappropriate right now,” Hood joked and relieved the Romulan. As Hood received various status reports, Bor caught him up and the lack of communication between the Raven and the surface and the attempts to reestablish contact.
"Commander." Lieutenant Gerelo interrupted suddenly from the secondary Tactical Station, "I was certain I picked up some odd readings from the platform as the Piper vanished."
"Explain Lieutenant." Hood asked his Deputy.
"It was almost as if 'another' ship appeared in its place. I'm getting readings of movement on the orbital platform now. They were not there five minutes ago, but we've not picked up anything approaching either us or the platform. Roach eyed Hood impassively as the Chief Tactical Officer double-checked the readings and nodded. There was definitely someone, or something, aboard the platform now. Beaming it, them, aboard was not an option, and it was clear that the platform may be vital to the Away Teams' safe return.
"It's possible that it is some sort of regular service, the equipment in those platforms are having to keep millions of Xallac in their comatose state, and a breakdown would be the last thing they needed." Roach offered.
"Any signs they have seen us?" Marionette asked. Hood looked at his Deputy.
"Not that I can see Sir. Though they may know exactly where we are and deem us to be no threat?" Gerelo replied.
"Lieutenant ..." the Doctor began, addressing Allan Hood directly, "It is possible they are aware of the away team and their 'relocation' shall we say. Do you think it prudent to go over there and find out, surreptitiously, what they are up to, and if they intend to prevent the crews' return?" Hood glanced from the Doctor, to the massive platform beyond the screen, then back again.
“Prepare an away team, Ms. Bor, we’re going to have a look around,” Hood said in such a way to not worry his inexperienced junior staff. Hood was really on red alert inside seeing that he has not heard from his captain all night. He did not want to add any possibly misplaced extra stress. “Be sure to add Second Lieutenant David Scott, just in case.”
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Dec 4, 2015 12:42:13 GMT
OOC :: Post written from 2nd Lt David Scott's POV ::David had been in the Armory making his assigned checks when the ships' comm chirped to life:
=^= Lieutenant Scott .. Assigned to Away Team duty .. Please report to Lieutenant Hood in the Observation Lounge immediately =^=
=^= Confirmed =^= Scott replied to the room. He secured the phaser-rifles he had been checking and headed out .....
~~~~~~~~~~
Entering the Lounge he could see two other people already there, but no signs of the Chief Tactical / Security Officer. He took one of the vacant seats and looked out through the panoramic plexi-glass windows. There below them was the charred remains of what was once a thriving planet, now a lifeless husk. Higher, he could see the closest orbital Platform, the three 'strings' of Xallac stretching into the distance eventually to meet with the platform after circumnavigating the planet below. Millions of beings, held in some form of suspended animation waiting to be awakened prior to the invasion of the Sol system and the Federation. He shivered at the sight as the doors opened, Lieutenant Hood entered, the Chief Medical Officer close behind. Truth be told, Doctor Roach tended not to get involved in Command issues, she had plenty to do without having to 'babysit' as she usually put it, Command Officers ... But with Senior Staff away, and the Executive Officer still waiting to be cleared for Duty, the Android, Lieutenant commander Marionette was de facto in Command of the Raven, but Lieutenant Hood was better suited for the task at hand and was leading the Away Team .....
"Approximately fifteen minutes ago, life-signs were detected on the platform the USS Piper had docked with earlier. It is possible whoever is over there is attempting to prevent the Piper's return, or they could simply be there to check on the status of their strings. The four of us will be going over there, quietly, to ascertain what is happening. Any questions ?"
"Armament ?" David asked.
"Hand phasers only Lieutenant, we don't want to blow the place up. OK, if there is nothing else, Transporter Room Three, Ten minutes." Hood said, picking up his PADD and leaving. David stood and left for the Armory ... Signing out four 'Type Two' phasers and picked up a field Med-kit. Once ready, he headed for the Transporter Room ..........
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Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Dec 5, 2015 17:20:03 GMT
Andae got up from the bench and took a seat at the table directly opposite the Halanan, the male recoiling in surprise and glancing at the deputy head of the Cerulean Council who maintained her vigil from the room's left corner. The male forced himself to regain control, until his implacable visage was restored, "You've dared to approach me, Commander."
He returned the Halanan's gaze for a few moments, wondering if it could really be true, if the passing resemblance wasn't in fact a coincidence, if the man had failed to conceal the features of his previously assumed human form totally, unable to adapt - like so many changelings, the Founders for instance - to the human form quite exactly - and if they did manage the feat, they left a greater margin for error in how completely distinct that assumed body was from their previous human form, while conversely if they managed to differentiate between the characteristics of two assumed human forms completely, it would be near-impossible for that assumed form to look wholly human.
"How long have you been here?" Blakus asked, "Back with your own kind? Or are you from this time, four hundred years in the past, supervising the start of the Mojave construction, then leading the team uncovering it 400 years hence - the commander from start to finish?"
The Halanan sat impassively, glaring at Blakus, not blinking - unnaturally so. The anaemic light of the cerulean-tinted room added to sterile, menacing effect of the Halanan's emaciated skin. "I cannot fathom what you are talking about, Commander Blakus." How does he know my name? Andae thought ironically. To know him so completely indicated greater intel... Y'hhor could be in the vicinity, the fugitive from 400 years in the future. But how long did the Halanan live? A different Y'hhor may well be present in this time. Or it could be that this being before him now had already encountered the Raven crew...
The Halanan spoke, "Really, Commander, your efforts at divining the truth of this enquiry... My identity, if that's what you wish to discover... If you haven't already figured it out," the man paused for effect, the female Halanan stiffening in the corner, her patience obviously wearing thin. "Andae Blakus... Blakus, Blakus... You always knew how to lead yourself into the most improbable of traps."
He was trying to throw him off now, the CEO knew. The Halanan knew his identity was already known, and was now trying to make the Raven officer entertain other possibilities: old friends, acquaintances and the like who would have intimate knowledge of Blakus's failings - or imagined failings! Andae thought.
"I don't know, Professor Carter, what you are talking about. I've always been adept at avoiding such pitfalls, and have a certain knack, when it comes to getting to the heart of the matter."
Carter's face fell; he regarded the desk, the Halanan in the corner smirking, "You always were excellent at welcoming Federation officers, Malve. You evidence that 400 years from now I understand, when you get these people to travel to Xallac space, to meet Y'hhor, to come back here... To fall into your well-laid trap only for you to be exposed in your moment of triumph..."
Carter slammed the table, "Quiet!!" He composed himself, then began melting. Becoming silver, his surfaces glistening with the icy blue of the room's lights, he morphed into a more recognisable form, minus an archaeologist's attire, wearing instead a nondescript grey suit. Blakus sat back, immensely satisfied, though also aware they were in immediate peril.
"I believe you have places to be, Malve," the female said.
Carter, the scientist in charge of the excavation of the site in the Mojave, left the table and walked to a recess in the room's other corner. "The Xallac have already started the construction," he told her, then stared pointedly at the stunned Raven officers, "Of their wormhole unit in the Mojave. To cement our alliance, I'm to take over the construction, with the unwitting assistance of a certain person present..." his eyes drifted over the Raven officers, falling momentarily on Admiral Torek. With that he vanished.
Blakus retreated back to the bench, the female Halanan stepping into place, "Yes, the alliance... You should know the papers have already been signed. Your fate is sealed." Apparently she received a communication, as she raised her wrist to her mouth to reply, "Yes, you can send him in now."
Y'hhor entered through the same door the Raven officers had come through. "Is all progressing as planned?" he asked. They fell into talk.
Looking around at the other Raven officers, yet daring not to speak a word, at least nothing audible, Andae wondered how they could possibly escape this situation. He glanced at Torek, seeing that his CO was thinking along the same lines. He looked directly at Y'hhor and the unidentified female, "Why do you want peace?" he asked, "Why? Your species' abilities should be enough to put the Xallac under your thumb."
"A thousand years of war is abundant evidence against that hypothesis, human," the female said, before returning to murmur at Y'hhor in Halanan tongue.
Knowing the desperation of their situation, Andae cast about at the place, surveying the doorways, other exits... anything that could get them out of the immediate danger. Fortunately the ceiling caved in.
Through the choking dust, Y'hhor spoke, pointing a finger at the hole in the roof to the now open sky above them, "The Xallac!" he shouted, "Blundering quadrupeds." Masonry fell in, Andae getting an acute sense of deja vu, which Y'hhor may be feeling also. "They were meant to fire... to fire... outside of the... when attacking..." Y'hhor coughed on the dust, spluttering and falling. Wedlerson landed a kick to his jaw - all thoughts of metamorphosis having abandoned the Halanan in the sudden onslaught which, from what he had been saying, Andae figured was friendly fire on the Hierophant's part - at least they'd remembered to use a low setting for their weapons... the whole structure could've been vapourised.
"The Xallac ship in orbit, sir, it's picked us out just as it attempted to do so with its remote tanks. Seems they've forgotten that they're also hitting the Senate!" Andae yelled across the room at Carl and what others of the staff and marines he could see. The whole room was filled with fallen chunks of the ceiling; dust reduced visibility, and there was a worrying sensation of vertigo (for the floor seemed uneven, and Blakus soon realised, the whole building had been structurally compromised, from the 8th floor and possibly two or more floors down).
<Tag Torek> <All>
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Dec 8, 2015 20:19:28 GMT
".... Andae Blakus ... Blakus, Blakus ... You always knew how to lead yourself into the most improbable of traps."
".... I don't know, Professor Carter, what you are talking about. I've always been adept at avoiding ...."
".... To fall into your well-laid trap only for you to be exposed in your moment of triumph ...." Carl suddenly realized he had somehow, recognized a name spoken during the conversation. He turned to Blakus, who was still interrogating, or was being interrogated by, the man sat opposite, it was hard to tell. Where did he know the name from ... AS Blakus and the Halanan continued, he didn't have time to give it further thought as the room suddenly shuddered under the impact of an orbital weapon. "The Xallac ship in orbit Sir. It's picked us out just as it attempted to do so with its remote tanks. Seems they have forgotten that they are also hitting the Senate Building !" Carl suddenly got that feeling of nausea, akin to sea-sickness, as the whole building seemed to lean alarmingly. The Xallac were intent on destroying the whole structure, but to what end, they 'wanted' the alliance with the Halanan, wanted to eradicate the Human Race, and the Federation. He was gripped around one arm as the floor shifted yet again, Blakus and Calli were now huddled together trying to dodge sections of ceiling that was collapsing into the room. He watched as the Halanan in the room seemingly 'morphed' into some form of thick, viscose liquid, seeping between the ruptures in the once ornate floor, they were being abandoned to their fate. Unable to do anything more than protect their heads for the coming catastrophe, he almost passed out as he felt a warm 'fluid' around his legs. Looking down he could see the liquid beginning to rise, first to his knees, then waist, then chest. The others too were being enshrouded all equally terrified at their situation. His last conscious thought was of the liquid rising to his chin, nose, eyes, then all seemed to take on a bluish tint. He wasn't aware of the building collapsing around him, nor his being taken from the resulting rubble .... When he could open his eyes, he was in another building, large windows open on all four sides, cool night air gently passing across his face. It was dark ... At first he thought he had perished and this was some sort of 'afterlife' but as he raised himself to a seated position on the bed, he could see the other's were with him. Through the windows he could see no other buildings but he could see 'stars' ... The clear Halanan night blue black bejeweled. "Admiral ?" he looked over to see Calli, she too had wakened and was sitting on her bed, feet hanging over to rest on the floor, "Wha ....." "You must rest." someone said, stepping further into the room, the Halanan spoke into some form of communication device then eased first Calli, then Torek, back to the pillows, "You have had, what is the wording in your language, yes, quite a shock. Your systems will need to readjust before you will be able to return to your former selves." She placed a hand on a small lit pad beside the bed and he fell immediately into a deep sleep. After checking the other Federation Officers in turn, she left the room, sealing the door behind her ....... ~~~~~~~~~~They were sat in a windowless room ... A circle of chairs each occupied by one of the Federation Officers. Before them, turning slowly to allow all to see her, was the Woman ! "What happened ?" Torek asked finally. "You were in mortal danger. This did not suit our plans. When the Xallac fired upon our Senate Building there was much loss of life, but fortunately, we were able to save you." "You were going to kill us, what, hours ago !" Calli said, trying to raise herself out of the chair, but seemingly paralyzed, could only slump back into place." "It has been fourteen of your hours since the attack. Unfortunately we were unable to capture or destroy the vessel in orbit. As for our desire to bring about your demise, let us say that you have received a reprieve." Carl was trying, and failing, to rid himself of the acid taste in his mouth, the Woman noticed his discomfort and waved several Halanan forward. They allowed each of the seated to drink for a moment. "The building was collapsing. How did you get us out ?" Harry asked between sips of cold water. "We, had little option but to save you ourselves." the Woman said, seemingly upset as she continued her explanation, "You were 'enveloped' for want of a better description, by several Halanan. They in turn made every effort to exit the falling structure before the upper floors crushed you to death." "En ... veloped ?" Lysia Teng said, feeling the urge to vomit. "We had to form a protective layer between you and the falling remains of the building, this, unfortunately, could only be accomplished by our, imbibing, or absor ......" "We get the picture !" Carl said, trying not to dwell on the method too much, "So you saved our lives so you could take them on your own terms. Seems a lot of work to achieve the same outcome." "We did not save you personally. We ordered several Halanan to do so. They each took fluid form, our most basic, and climbed your body until covered, they then, jumped from the building. Their form adjusted to greatly lessen the impact on each of you, but it was still somewhat traumatic, causing each of you to loose consciousness for some time. Unfortunately, the Halanan that saved your lives, perished, but not before we could take your unconscious forms to a place of relative safety." The Federation Officers sat, dumbstruck at what they had just been told. "What do you plan to do now" Carl asked ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Dec 9, 2015 17:19:46 GMT
This brought about a significant change in circumstances; the Halanan had been willing to sacrifice several of their own number - in their jumping from the building - to save the Starfleet officers. If they were capable of such self-sacrifice, surely their plan was not to eliminate the Raven officers. Then what? He looked up at the nearest Halanan, who caught his eye and glanced at him quickly before looking away, as if she had been pierced, some secret divined from her unerringly accurate approximation of a human body.
She paid him no more regard and stepped forward to the centre of the circle of Raven officers and enlisteds. "You are to remain here while we contain the threat from the Xallac. They have already taken over several outposts along the perimeter wall that rings our city." Trying to stand Andae found that his ability to move was severely curtailed. Shoulder better though, he thought, smiling suddenly and mood lightened. "Yes, the city's under attack," the Halanan woman responded to their surprised looks, "Four of their warships have landed several of your kilometres outside the city and have disgorged hundreds of soldiers."
"This may not," another stepped forward, a male, "Be the occasion of the peace treaty that Y'hhor had spoken of; he believed that our time which he'd accidentally transported himself and you back to was it, and that there was no reason for us to be concerned about the high number of Xallac ships in orbit."
Several years hence then perhaps, for the peace treaty, Andae thought dryly, still shuffling about on his chair trying to stand. "Where are we?" Wedlerson asked.
"Two kilometres under the surface," the woman answered.
"Why are you keeping us alive?"
She glanced at her male companion, perhaps slightly uneasy, then turned back to them, "We wish to learn more about your species. That in the coming peace treaty we will cement with the Xallac we will know the course to take to prevent the need or desire for war with your species, with your... Federation."
"Aren't things already in progress?" Andae asked, "The construction in the Mojave, supervised by 'Carter' is already in progress, isn't it?"
"That is a Xallac operation. We know little if anything about it, that is why Carter, or Malve, is present there disguised as a Xallac, to discover what exactly they are building. When we have come to peace with the Xallac and have formed a tentative alliance - rather than the tight warmongering alliance that your history dictates and which Y'hhor tells us of - we will demand to know of the operation and dissuade them from the action if they intend to attack you.
"We will ask a series of questions," she continued, "... "
Andae phased out at this point; a piercing ringing had set itself up in his ear. He wouldn't have reacted even if he could have, aware immediately that this was something covert being transmitted directly into his ear, and not wanting to rouse the suspicion of their hosts by suddenly grasping at his ear. "She's lying," a voice said, close and almost seeming as if it came from inside him, "It is true what she says about the Xallac invading their city. But Y'hhor has told her and her fellow Cerulean Council members that there is a threat to the future-Halanan and Xallac's plans for your species destruction in 2401. The threat comes from yourselves, and from the rest of your crew; that's why they want to question you, rather interrogate you, to find out how your crewmates in your own time plan to halt the invasion of Earth."
He tried 'speaking' back to the voice, having innumerable questions, 'Who are you?' being the first amongst them, it was however impossible. The woman had finished speaking, and nodding to her companions departed the brightly lit room. The door slid shut, but, the voice informed him, it was by no means sealed. He informed the Admiral what he'd been 'told', but it seemed all of them had received the same information.
"We need to find some way to contact the Raven, or simply to get back to our own time. But Y'hhor must be stranded here; otherwise he'd simply head back to the future and see to the Raven's annihilation." He pondered over how the time-stranded Raven crew might achieve either goal. "Perhaps there are time displacement centres, or some equivalent, on the landed Xallac warships?" The others looked at him with incredulity.
<Tag Carl, Allan>
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Carl Torek
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Post by Carl Torek on Dec 13, 2015 1:03:46 GMT
"We need to find some way to contact the Raven, or simply to get back to our own time. But Y'hhor must be stranded here; otherwise he'd simply head back to the future and see to the Raven's annihilation." He pondered over how the time-stranded Raven crew might achieve either goal. "Perhaps there are time displacement centres, or some equivalent, on the landed Xallac warships ?"
Everyone in the room, still fixed to the seats they had been placed in, but able to move more and more by the second, looked at Blakus with something approaching incredulity.
"Did anyone else hear the voices ?" Marine Lieutenant Lu Yang asked, trying to hide her confusion.
"Yes, we did." Calli said as everyone began to reluctantly nod their confirmation.
"I think it's a given that if, whoever was passing on that tidbit of information is right, we do need to move and quickly." he looked at Andae, somehow hoping the Engineer could shed some light on just 'who' had bed doing the speaking, but he seemed as confused at everyone else. He looked at those present, his gaze finally falling on the Marine Commander, "Colonel, you're not looking too well, do you need attention ?" he asked, eyebrows raised as he glanced toward the door. Burwell caught on instantly and groaned, before slumping forward in his chair at such an alarming angle that Carl thought he'd certainly suffer neck or spinal injuries should the seat release him unexpectedly.
"..... HELP ! ..... HELP ! ..... We need some assistance here !" Calli suddenly began to shout.
Two of the people who had accompanied the woman earlier entered the room, they immediately noticed one of those restrained in some discomfort, one leg was at an acute angle, while both arms were now touching the floor. Carl was worried the man had dislocated something, he looked in such a helpless position, and everyone could tell he was very adept at faking illness, or almost lifelessness in this case. One of the men approached the Marine, lifting his head slightly.
"He's had some sort of attack. Can't you see that !" Calli shouted at the man, hoping to fluster one or the other into reacting. The first man nodded to the second, who approached the door. Carl thought he was going to get Medical help, but he stood to one side of the door and placed his hand on the wall. The first man took the weight of Burwell and Carl could see the second man was now looking at a panel, invisible seconds ago, but obviously activated by touch. He used his index finger and tapped one of the small circles, Burwell fell forward, caught by the first man and lowered to his back. As the second man approached the pair, Carl wondered when the Marine was going to react, thankfully he didn't have long to wait:
"DO SOMETHING ! ..... He's obviously struggling brea ....." Calli was saying, her voice intentionally raised enough to make the two look in her direction:
The blow hit the first man beneath his chin, knocking him backwards to fall at the feet of Lieutenant Yeng, who immediately wrapped her legs around his throat and applied pressure. The second man, realizing something was amiss, began to stand. Burwell slammed a fist into his midriff and followed that by a blow to the mans temple. both were unconscious before they could make any attempt at changing their form ... Burwell got to his feet and unceremoniously picked up the Halanan and dragged him to the wall. Lifting him to a standing position he took the mans hand and placed it on the wall where he'd seen him do earlier. thankfully, the panel illuminated on demand. Burwell turned to Torek then continued .... One by one the Federation Officer's were released from their invisible bonds. Torek turned to Burwell and Yeng, their Medic:
"Is there any way you can keep these two unconscious ?"
"We have sedatives Sir, but I don't know how much we can saf ....." Lu Yeng began, but Torek interrupted her:
"Give them everything you have !"
"But Sir, we have no idea of their physi ......" she began, but seeing the look on her Commanding Officers' face stalled her objection instantly and she knelt beside the two, injecting both before nodding to Torek that it was done. frankly, at this point in time Carl didn't care if the sedative killed them both, it was less than they deserved in his opinion, but they had more pressing issues to worry about, not least the fact they were apparently two thousand meters below the surface !
"I'm guessing there isn't going to be a simple solution to getting back to the surface, but we need to make that our priority." he said as the other's readied themselves to leave the room.
Tentatively, they moved to the doorway, obligingly left unlocked by the two guards. Burwell inched forward and opened the door, looking left and right along the bare corridor. No signs of life ... He informed the others then told Yeng to take the left side of the corridor while he took the right, the remaining Raven Officers filed out behind the two Marines and Lieutenant Teng, one of Hoods Security team. they had gone maybe thirty meters when the corridor turned through a ninety degree turn and less than twenty meters away looked like the Halanan form of transporter.
"This is too easy." Wedlerson said, looking back along the corridor, wondering where everyone was, "So what, we simply beam to the surface ?" he asked, looking into what seemed to be a booth-type platform that could hold three, maybe fourat a time. it hadn't gone un-noticed that there didn't seem to be any controls, were they going to need to drag one of the unconscious Halanan here to activate the device ? ... Lysia Teng and John Young approached the platform trying to see anything that would activate the device, but the walls were totally devoid of any control surface. Lieutenant Commander Teng, with the approval of Torek, stepped into the 'booth' ...... She stood there for five, then ten seconds, and was about to step out again, somewhat disappointed with the anticlimax, when she vanished from sight. Young followed her in and turned to face the others when he too disappeared.
"Calli, Lieutenant Yang, with me !" Carl ordered, "We'll step in. I have no idea if this is a two-way trip, so give us ten seconds and follow us." he said to Colonel Burwell before stepping inside, Calli and Lu behind him. This time they simply waited and ten seconds later ...... Vanished ...... He saw the others immediately, thankful that they were alive and hopefully in no immediate danger. Lysia pointed out through one of the semi-intact windows and Carl approached the sil, almost struck dumb at the devastation he saw beyond the frame. Building's, some once over a kilometer in height, were now reduced to rubble, sprawling parks were now charred remnants of their former glory. They themselves were in a structure that could have once been a hundred meters tall, or over a thousand, they had no way of knowing and their priority was to get out of wherever they were into open space. Every second spent inside a structure, however seemingly sound, was a possible death sentence for them. As the others arrived, Calli pointed out what was left of the 'space-port' it was there, at least for the most part, the Xallac had, for some unknown reason not targeted whatever vessels were parked, but had destroyed the main buildings, support, technical, passenger thoroughfares and the like. Almost thirty vessels stood intact, but that wasn't to say the orbiting Xallac couldn't suddenly decide to blow them into the next world on a whim at any time, so they needed to act ..... Now ! ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Dec 14, 2015 19:15:59 GMT
Blakus stepped towards the booth with Colonel Burwell and one of the security officers; Wedlerson and the last of the marines would be the last group to depart. As soon as he entered the booth he was blotted out of existence, caught midsentence in speaking to the SMO and then reappearing in the ruined building with the five who had already come through: Carl, Calli, Yang, Teng and Young.
"Admiral, they were lying about the Xallac warships having landed. Though..." Andae cast about at view of the city out the broken window, "... Looking at it, they weren't exaggerating about the devastation." Why would the Halanan lie about the Xallac ships? Perhaps to instill fear in their captives, to keep them from seeking a way out of the underground complex - unfortunately for the Halanan they'd achieved the opposite effect.
The Halanan ships at the decimated spaceport - perhaps unlike the Xallac ships that Andae had theorised may have temporal displacement technology - would certainly have the tech, it belonging to their own species. However, if it did exist it must surely be malfunctioning, non-operational in some way, for they had not yet been killed. If Y'hhor had been able to return to the future to dispose of the Raven there, the Halanan would've had no need to keep their prisoners alive for interrogation, so that they may find another way to destroy the Raven before it could threaten their invasion plans.
They made their way along the scorching streets of the Halanan city, the place seeming verily deserted; it reminded Andae eerily of the post-invasion world of the Halanan Y'hhor had shown them, with the Xallac ships pounding it from orbit. This was far too similar. He imagined Halanan concealed in the shadows of buildings, or constituting a broken window frame, a fire hydrant or a signpost. The very sunbaked ground beneath them could be a single one molecule-thick Halanan, stretched across a whole block of the city. They reached the spaceport, finding - just as before when they'd boarded the shuttlecraft to take them to the Senate building - the place deserted.
Andae approached one of the silent ominous Halanan vessels, this particular one some three hundred metres in length. Wind howled across its smooth chrome surfaces, the only sound in the whole starship parking lot. He searched for an entrance of some type, walking beneath the ship and touching the landing struts. He heard a quiet hiss from behind him and saw a shadow extending across the ground.
He heard Burwell calling, "Weapons," and a synchronised raising of phaser rifles. Turning, he saw a ramp had descended from the side of the craft, about which the marines stood in a semi-circle, aiming at the dark recess in the side of the now-opened ship. "Let's go," the Colonel called after receiving orders from the Admiral. Andae hurried with Wedlerson to catch up with the marine squadron as they entered the ship.
"Ah, you're here," a voice said from the darkness. Each member of the away team paused, glanced at one another in the gloom. "Well, come on. The site of a peace treaty is a good deal more desirable than remaining here, isn't it?" They heard shuffling footsteps.
"Who are you?" Andae asked cautiously.
"Y'hhor of course. Come with me."
They followed the possible Halanan through the vessel, knowing they had no other choice at this stage; the Halanan could destroy them, suffocate them, choose whatever manner of death they desired for the away team, if they wanted to. The light level increased gradually as they passed to what they assumed was the fore of the vessel, where the mysterious Halanan - who claimed to be Y'hhor but didn't sound much like him - had stated the temporal displacement technology was located.
There was a room ahead packed full of machinery, looking very much like the starship components the Raven crew had found on that abysmal construction planet. As he stepped into the tangerine light of the room the Halanan turned so they could see his face.
"Oh, it is you," Burwell commented.
"Indeed." Y'hhor sat by one of the consoles on a three-legged wooden stool, sighing, "Your friends in the early 25th century are trying to contact you... They want to know your situation, if any of you are injured, what you have found. I'm surprised, that they were able to deduce that you had travelled back in time. They succeeded for the most part but unfortunately they had their spatial coordinates slightly wrong; they managed to contact this ship instead of you. Give me a moment." He fiddled with some fibre-optic wiring.
Blakus glanced at the others. This dangerous Halanan wouldn't be so nonchalant with them unless he had certain safeguards in place - several disguised Halanan situated about the room, or in the corridor, for instance. A noise that sounded as if it came from a weak-signalled commbadge permeated the room, and Y'hhor turned to them, his face expectant. The voice was faint, but instantly recognisable. Lieutenant Hood. "Away team, this is Lieutenant Hood, please respond..."
Y'hhor let it play for several seconds before turning the dial on the control panel to cease the transmission. "He's going to be disappointed," he said, "When it's I who appears in his future and not you. You're going to help me repair this," he patted a small box next to the stool he sat on, "The temporal displacement core unit. All of them have been malfunctioning, due to an EM blackout caused by our soon-to-be-allies the Xallac. Don't worry, I'll take you to the time of the actual peace treaty. I, meanwhile, have a date with destiny... my destiny, the destruction of your starship and the end of your pithy attempt to prevent your species' annihilation."
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Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Dec 19, 2015 0:31:49 GMT
Lt. Milyanov...
The ship continued its circling of the charred planet, dark crust edged in grey with molten flows of lava criss-crossing its surface, a far cry from the world that'd teemed with life roughly 400 years ago. There had been no word from the away team for over 24 hours; Milyanov had obviously been concerned over his Chief; how he and the others had simply disappeared from the relay station like that; at first scan seemingly vapourised but on second scan it having been revealed that no molecular constituents of the Starfleet officers remained. That'd had them scratching their heads.
Now they'd discovered that the officers had been transported back in time, approximately to stardate 2000.0715. The crew were directing their efforts to finding a way of communicating through time to the away team. Tinsley, one of the assistant chief engineers directly under Milyanov, had suggested opening a subspace vacuole with a variable time coefficient - feeding anti-chronitons into the forming vacuole to establish a link to the past through which an EM ray might pass without interference.
After an aborted attempt at a slingshot manoeuvre to take the ship back in time - tried in simulations only - Milyanov had conceded to Tinsley's plan and the latter engineer had accompanied Lieutenant Hood's team to the surface.
The only issue, as Milyanov had told Tinsley as he'd entered the transporter room, was the displacement factor: if the coordinates were off by a micron then, through the effects of chroniton gravitation and subspace tachyonic warping, the desired location that the message through time would be transmitted to would not be that which they'd intended (to the away team's commbadges), but kilometres, perhaps even lightyears away.
Unfortunately, his technical prophesying had come true, and had come true in a bygone age.
The message transmitted by Hood was to the correct temporal coordinates, though approximately 3.2 km away from their intended target, where - through the subspace vacuole - they had managed to ascertain the coordinates of all of the away team; all intact, minus two marines.
"Unbelievable..." Milyanov said from the bridge engineering console. They had made contact alright, though - once adjusted for time dilation and warping effects of temporal subspace vacuole travel - they'd found the receiving end's communications array to be of extraordinary configuration. Something that seemed ready-made to detect incoming information from other time periods. The technology was thoroughly alien - though bearing hallmarks of Halanan design - and it would take a great deal of modification from the receiver in the year 2000 to be able to decipher Hood's message and thus make it intelligible. One transmission from that 400 year ago period had been received in return, repeated several times and whispered, "Y'hhor... Y'hhor..."
He spun round to face Jamison in the command chair, "Sir. Hood's communication has missed the mark. I suggest, if we can't get our message directed straight to the away team through time, that we initiate a slingshot manoeuvre around the S2 star... 400 years into the past." The bridge fell silent, most of them likely wishing that the Russian assistant CEO hadn't brought that up again. "If we execute the slingshot correctly, we'll be in circa the year 2000 and heading back to the planet will be able to make direct contact with the away team."
<Tag Jamison, Marionette>
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Carl Torek
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"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
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Post by Carl Torek on Dec 19, 2015 2:58:46 GMT
Following the Halanan who professed to be Y'hhor, he was wary of their situation more so now than ever before, knowing they could be killed very easily if their 'host' so wished .... "Your friends in the early 25th century are trying to contact you ... They want to know your situation, if any of you are injured, what you have found. I'm surprised, that they were able to deduce that you had traveled back in time. They succeeded for the most part, but unfortunately they had their spatial coordinates slightly wrong; they managed to contact this ship instead of you. Give me a moment." he said, then Torek heard the voice of one of his Officer's obviously attempting to contact them, but Y'hhor, or whoever the Halanan really was, cut the transmission recording and turned to them: Frankly, Carl was beginning to wonder if they would ever decipher who was who and who was actually dominant in the so-called alliance. At first it seemed the Xallac were calling the proverbial shots, but now, having been brought into the past, and shown what he could only believe was on possible outcome, or future timeline, he wondered if the Halanan had actually orchestrated this whole thing from the start in order to finally rid the Universe of the Federation. "..... due to an EM blackout caused by our soon-to-be-allies the Xallac. Don't worry, I will take you to the time of the actual peace treaty. I meanwhile, have a date with destiny ... My destiny, the destruction of your star ship, and the end of your pithy attempt to prevent your species' annihilation." Y'hhor's last comments pricked his admittedly waning attention for the man's monotone recital. "Whoa ...." he said, finally allowing the frustration of the last days out, "You are basically saying that once 'WE' repair the Temporal displacement Unit, you will first drop us somewhat conveniently at the point where the alliance is to take place, presumably allowing us to do what we can to prevent the aforementioned alliance. While you, in the mean time, no pun intended, will travel back to 'our' real time and destroy the Raven, allowing the invasion to go ahead ?" "Congratulations Admiral. A few rather 'minor' flaws, or rather, minuscule errors in your assessment, but you are essentially correct in your assumptions." Carl looked from the Halanan to the others, then back, unable to believe what he was hearing. He found himself wondering if he had simply misheard the man so asked him to repeat his plans, Y'hhor was more than happy to oblige. "So, basically, we're going to repair that thing ..." Carl said, disbelievingly as he walked around the room shaking his head, admittedly dumbfounded, by what he was, hopefully mistakenly, perceiving to be the man's plan of action, "You will then drop us at the alliance talks, while you pop off to destroy the Raven, thus assuring your success ?" Y'hhor nodded almost enthusiastically. Carl had timed his walk almost to perfection as he was less than a meter from Y'hhor when he confirmed his plans ... Turning, he slammed a fist into the Halanan's 'face' knocking him backwards, but Torek didn't stop there ... He knew it took great effort to shape-shift, and the Halanan needed time to restructure his physical form and outward appearance, Carl hit him again, then again, beating the man to the ground. He raised one leg, foot hovering over the dazed Halanan, but then he was pulled back and away by unseen hands as First Lieutenant Yeng knelt beside the semi-conscious man, using his hypo-spray then stepping back, seemingly satisfied. Harry and Andae finally released their Commanding Officer and Carl looked at the heavily sedated Halanan, part of him wishing he'd stove the man's head in for what he planned to do, but also realizing he was acting completely out of character. He stepped back, eyes still locked on the Halanan as Blakus leaned close: "He deserved everything he got Carl, and more." he said quietly. "Can you fix that thing ?" Carl said without preamble. Andae looked from Torek, to the bank of six temporal displacement units, which, when working in conjunction would be able to send anyone, practically any-when, and finally nodded, "You have two hours." Carl said, turning away to glare at the unconscious Halanan now bound by Teng and Young. < tag : Blakus >Two hours later ::Having instructed the Marine Lieutenant to ensure the Halanan remain in an unconscious state, Carl took several steps towards the man but Calli got between them, he turned to Colonel Burwell: "Can you blow this thing once we're gone ?" "Given we have almost nothing to work with, it will take some imaginative re-wiring, but yes, I can turn this complex to ash if need be. Will we get out to wherever you're planning on sending us 'before' it goes up, well, that will remain to be seen, but any timed-delay detonation, without the proper equipment would be out of the question, unless of course this thing has a 'self-destruct' we can take advantage of ?" he asked, glancing at Blakus, who was already removing panels. "No .... And we're as ready as we're going to be. If we are going I suggest we do it now." the Chief Engineer announced. "Can you put us back on the Raven Andae ?" "No, we'll be here, technically. "OK ......." Carl said, looking one last time at the unconscious Y'hhor, "Take us back to where we belong. Colonel, I want this room to be rubble ten seconds after we disappear, understood ?" "All set Admiral, the confirmation sequence should set off a cascade reaction. With Commander Blakus' help I have cross-wired every circuit to automatically feed back onto itself. Should make for quite a show, though I'm sure our Engineer could have come up with something more spectacular." Burwell said. "I don't need spectacular, I need rubble." Carl said, stepping into the middle of the room, the others, with the exception of the Chief Engineer, following suit. Andae looked at Carl, waiting. "Back home Commander." was all Carl said. Blakus set the panel then joined his crew ........ ooooooo000ooooooo "Unbelievable ...." Milyanov said from the bridge engineering console. They had made contact alright, though once adjusted for time dilation and warping effects of temporal subspace vacuole travel, they'd found the receiving end's communications array to be of extraordinary configuration. Something that seemed ready-made to detect incoming information from other time periods. The technology was thoroughly alien - though bearing hallmarks of Halanan design, and it would take a great deal of modification from the receiver in the year two thousand to be able to decipher Hood's message and thus make it intelligible. One transmission from that four hundred year ago period had been received in return, repeated several times and whispered, "Y'hhor ... Y'hhor ..."
Milyanov spun round to face Jamison in the command chair, "Sir. Hood's communication has missed the mark. I suggest, if we can't get our message directed straight to the away team through time, that we initiate a slingshot maneuver around the S2 star ... Taking us approximately four hundred years into the past." The bridge fell silent, most of them likely wishing that the Russian assistant CEO hadn't brought that up again. "If we execute the slingshot correctly, we'll be in circa the yea ....." "SIR ! ..... I'm detecting life-signs on the surface." Lieutenant Gerelo said urgently, hoping he hadn't suddenly mistaken some atmospheric reflection and misinterpreted it. "Gerelo ?" Jamison said from the Command seat, as Milyanov began conforming the Deputy Tactical Officers' findings. "Confirmed Sir ... I'm reading bio-signs for Admiral Torek, Commander Valente, Commander Bla ....." "Lock onto them NOW !" Will said, almost out of the Command seat as if electrocuted. "Got them, but picking up something else, I think there may have been an explo .... "TRANSPORT THEM DIRECT TO THE BRIDGE ... NOW!" As the away team materialized, Will worried at just what Gerelo had seen, but his priority was to retrieve his Commanding Officer and the Away Team, they could worry about repercussions at a later date, if there was one ... The combined effect of the temporal displacement, combined with the sudden snatching of the Away Team from their environment caused issues. As the team materialized, they dropped to their knees, exhausted. Jamison requested emergency Medical assistance to the Bridge as he tried to help the fallen away team. Carl opened his eyes, surprised to find himself in the pristine confines of a Star Ship Bridge. Doctor Roach was already at his side, issuing orders for the transit of the Away Team to Sick-bay, but Carl needed to issue one order .... "Will ... Destr ... the platforms. All of them, then get us through the portal to our own spa ......." he lost consciousness before he could complete the sentence .......... < tag : All >
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Carl Torek
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Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Dec 19, 2015 12:36:44 GMT
OOC :: apologies for the extreme length of these combined posts ::
"Will ... Destr ... the platforms. All of them, then get us through the portal to our own spa ......." he lost consciousness before he could complete the sentence. Jamison was about to give the order as the computer informed them of a breach: * INTRUDER ALERT .. .. .. INTRUDER ALERT * Suddenly someone, or rather, 'something' appeared on the Bridge ! ... Bipedal, almost two meters in height, stocky, with an armored outer shell, obviously built for battle, the knuckle of each middle finger extended in a rigid claw, razor-sharp and seemingly precision-tiped ... It looked around the bridge, eyes finally falling on the unconscious Torek. It gave a grotesque grin and used what little vocal capacity it held to grate out a comment: "Yooor ... Explossssion ... Nonnnne !" it hissed, reaching down to thrust one of the claws through Torek's shoulder. One of the Bridge Security personnel made the mistake of trying to prevent further injury to his Commanding Officer, loosing his life in the process. The Bridge was in chaos as the 'thing' attempted to attack everyone. A second armored attacker appeared as Blakus manages to retrieve a phaser, firing point-blank into it's face on the highest setting possible, the thing vanished from sight as Andae swung his arm towards the initial arrival, but the predator had preempted his move and was a lot closer than first though. It's backhand swing saving the Chief Engineer from disembowelment. * INTRUDER ALERT .. .. .. INTRUDER ALERT * "They are now on several decks Commander !" Wedlerson said. Jamison ordered force fields to be erected at every bulkhead and Engineering sealed off, anyone caught out would have to fend for themselves, they had to clear the Bridge quickly. Three more of the predators appeared before them, attacking anyone moving, and with only two working phasers it took time to kill the new arrival's but the first was still standing, seemingly glaring at the remaining Bridge crew. He was stood over the bleeding Torek, the claw only millimeters from the man's face. Andae held the phaser steady, aiming directly into it's face, Harry held the other off to the predators right. It looked from one weapon to the other, before resting it's gaze on Jamison, Blakus, and Valevte. To make a point, he lowered the claw until it drew a spot of blood from Torek's temple, making it clear that should anyone fire his own body weight would impale the Admiral before he was vaporized ... It seemed they were at an impasse .... As they watched the predator, it seemed to be grinding it's teeth, no, Calli realized it was almost looked as if it was chewing, so when it spoke for the second time they were shocked at the clarity: "Youuu, thought tooo, prevent us. But here we prevail to, completeeeet our goal.""Is that the Halanan ?" Wedlerson asked, causing the predator to turn to regard him before looking back at the others: "He issss, correct ..." the thing hissed, "You willl release me annnnd my brethren or sufffffer the, consequenccces." ..........
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