Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2008 14:03:27 GMT
Drew listened with interest to the reports that the Nevada senior staff provided. The unexplainable death of the Naal officers was intriguing, Drew had been in situations before which had seemed hopeless, had even seen his ship captured by the enemy but in all those situations he had fought back, reclaimed what was his, but not the Naall. They had been prepared to die rather than even risk fighting back – did they have something to hide? Something that they did not want Starfleet to find out?
Although attempting an autopsy on a non-Federation citizen without the consent of the deceased’s government was usually a strict no, in the circumstances Drew felt that it was necessary. He was therefore pleased when Captain Updeik gave his consent to Dr. Grey carrying out further examinations on the bodies and establishing the cause of death. It might very well help them to explain what had happened on that ship.
Thankfully the body count for the Nevada crew was considerably less, not one crewmember had been seriously injured. However, the fact that Commander Draco had been stabbed did worry Drew as he remembered Mr. Acelik’s own abilities with his carefully concealed knife. In fact Drew had been so concerned about this that he had arranged for the Acelik’s knife to be kept in the buffer during transport.
When Updeik’s officers had finished giving their reports, it was the turn of Acelik to stand up and say his piece. As Drew expected, it was an anti-Federation rant, filled with inaccuracies and claims that Starfleet itself was some kind of conquering force. The rest of the Nevada crew were apparently caught off guard by Mr. Acelik’s views, Drew noticed that many of them exchanged surprised looks, and when Acelik demanded to know the reasons for the Nevada’s arrival, all eyes at the table turned to both Drew and Updeik.
“Mr. Acelik, I can assure you that we are only here to help,” Updeik answered calmly, “your world is, and always will be, a part of the Federation.”
“Please Captain,” Acelik snarled, “you have not been interested in us for over a century.”
“That is just not the case,” Updeik protested, “with the Dominion War and the Borg threat it is true to say that Starfleet have paid less attention to more peaceful areas of the Federation, but that does not mean we have ever abandoned anyone nor is Starfleet in the habit of laying claim to planets.”
Drew nodded his agreement with Updeik’s words. Many people in the Federation were surprised at the disruption that had occurred here recently, and like the Nevada crew, Drew had been initially shocked and surprised at Acelik’s anti-Federation stance. It just was not a view that the peace loving Federation encountered very often. At least not from member worlds.
“Captain Updeik speaks the truth,” Drew said in response to the still disbelieving look on Acelik’s face, “we are only here to help and to restore equilibrium.”
As Updeik again took over the meeting and continued to explain the nature of his mission, Drew reflected on his own. While it was perfectly true to say that the Nevada’s original mission had been peaceful, it was not necessarily true to say the same of Drew’s own mission. In the interests of allowing Captain Updeik to continue to protest his innocence, Drew had decided against briefing him fully on what he had been doing here himself. While the Nevada crew could busy themselves with their humanitarian mission, Drew’s own goal was to make contact with Starfleet’s informant on the ground and force the status quo to be restored. The Federation was not going to lose this world, not if Drew and the organisation he worked for had anything to do with it. “Admiral?”
Drew was suddenly aware that everyone around him was standing, some were even walking towards the door. Captain Updeik had obviously dismissed the meeting and Drew had been too deep in his own thoughts to realise.
“Sorry Captain, I was light-years away,” Drew said, now also standing from his chair and making his way to the exit, “Are we to resume course?”
“I believe we have done all we can here with the Naal ship,” Updeik replied, “Dr. Grey can take what she needs, and then we will be on our way.
“Good”, Drew said simply, “would you mind if I have a quick word with your Security Chief?”
Updeik nodded his consent and left Drew to catch up with Commander Park, who was just walking across the back of the bridge towards his station.
“Commander,” Drew said quietly, “I have something I want you to do for me.”
“Oh?” Park asked, looking round.
“Yes, I would like you and Counsellor Vise to interview Mr. Acelik, find out what he was doing on that prison ship and why he is such an anti-Federationalist. I always need to know what his intentions are now he is aboard the Nevada.”
“Very well Admiral,” Park replied. Drew watched as the Security Chief nodded to his relief to stay at his post and then walked down to the command level to speak with Counsellor Vise. The two were in a deep conversation for a few moments, and then together exited the bridge.
Rather than remain standing, Drew took Vise’s now empty seat to the right of the command chair. As he approached Updeik and Commander Trek ceased their conversation, which Drew suspected may have actually been about him.
“What is our ETA?” Drew asked as he sat down.
“We should be approaching the planet in just under an hour,” Updeik replied.
“Excellent,” Drew said, leaning back in his chair and watching the viewscreen, “yes, excellent.”
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2008 17:34:00 GMT
“I believe we have done all we can here with the Naal ship,” Updeik replied, “Dr. Grey can take what she needs, and then we will be on our way.
“Good”, Drew said simply, “would you mind if I have a quick word with your Security Chief?”
Updeik nodded, and as Drew went to catch up with Park, Updeik and Trek proceeded back to the Bridge.
"Commander?" Updeik asked, as they entered the Bridge.
"Yes, Captain?" Dan replied.
"What's your thoughts on your Admiral?" Updeik asked, as they took their seats.
"Well experienced man, a lot of responsibility weighing on his shoulders," Dan commented. "Capable leader as well, though I know that more by his reputation than personal experience. Why do you ask?"
"I get the feeling that Nevada may be getting a Commander," Updeik replied.
"The Admiral, sir?" Dan asked. When Updeik nodded, Dan asked, "Why so?"
Updeik was about to respond when the Admiral approached.
“What is our ETA?” Drew asked as he sat down.
“We should be approaching the planet in just under an hour,” Updeik replied.
“Excellent,” Drew said, leaning back in his chair and watching the viewscreen, “yes, excellent.”
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 8, 2008 16:46:28 GMT
|USS Nevada |Conference Room
Lucy's hands pressed against the table pushing her chair backward. She'd meant to speak with Counselor Vise but she had already left the room. Dr. Grey wanted the counselor's professional opinion on their 'guest'. The medical scan hadn't shown anything out of the ordinary but mentally, the man seemed a wreck. Best thing to do was to send a message. Vise would get it as soon as she returned to her office.
Request a meeting or just ask for a report? 'Meeting would be better. That way I can ask questions."
Pushing against the arms of the chair now, Lucy stood slowly, her feet making a soft swishing sound as her boots slid forward. She got them underneath her in a firmer position, having kept herself from sitting heavily back down in a very undignified motion.
At least she had permission to autopsy the Naal officers. At the moment, she had an idea of their cause of death.
::later:: |Sickbay/Morgue/Autopsy Room
=/\= "Grey to Captain Updiek."
=/\= <Updiek> =/\=
=/\= "I have a definitive cause of death, captain. Suicide. There's no doubt. I found remnants of the capsule in their back molar. I'd think one of them would have the courage to not bite down on it. But, no, each and every one are dead of polonium-210. It's a radioactive metalloid. Useless! A useless waste of life!" =/\=
=/\= <Drew> =/\=
=/\= "Yes, sir. I'll have the official report complete in 30 minutes." =/\=
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Seth Helacaan
Civilian 4
Registered: Feb 8, 2008 12:30:38 GMT
Posts: 467
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Post by Seth Helacaan on Sept 11, 2008 18:22:13 GMT
Danath was back in his quarters, and he was deep in thought. His mind had been thrown into doubt since the conference room meeting. He did not know what to think, did not know if what he was thinking was normal, did not know what to do. The psycho-conditioning that his masters had put on him was not helping either. It failed to find reason within his head, it stumbled in the dark, adding to the confusion rather than illuminating and guiding Danath's actions.
On the one hand, there was what he had been recruited to do. Allow himself to be captured by the Naal, a stage of the operation that had been successful, despite the disastrous sequence of events that had led to its eventual completion. Having his best friends - away from his work - murdered was something he did not consider as an 'acceptable consequence' of the job. His second objective was, of course, to reach the one of the core-worlds of the Naal conglomerate, where he would have met with some well-informed individuals... Though the whole plan had to be changed, thanks to the interference of the Federation.
On the other hand.. there was this strange insistence from Starfleet that they were here for no other reason than to help. Danath could scarcely believe it, and he knew that he did not need to be thinking about it. But what Drew and Updeik had said was still there, gnawing away at his conditioned mind, and planting the seeds of doubt.
There was a chime at his quarters' door. He got up from the couch and blearily eyed, for he was quite tired, walked over to the door and pressed the button to open it. It was Commander Park, whom Danath had first seen on the prison ship, and behind him, the Counselor, Vise.
"Commander, Counselor. What do you want?" he said, too bluntly for their liking. Danath did not notice his own abruptness however, and the two Starfleeters seemed distant to him, as if removed from his primary consciousness. His mind was going haywire..
< tag Park & Vise >
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Jon Park
Commander 1C
Approved Grade Reduction
Red Alert
Registered: Oct 14, 2007 20:46:50 GMT
Posts: 811
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Post by Jon Park on Sept 11, 2008 19:56:24 GMT
Jon left his Station and headed to the Counselor. " I think it is time we spoke to our guest. I sugjust you interveiw him. I will look like a guard for securty reasons."
<Tag Vise >
As the two officers headed to the turbolift Park told her. "I will meet you at Mr. Danath's quaters i have to speck to Commander Collins in the brig." Park oprdered the lift to take him to the Brig and steped out. Park walked in to the secured section of the ship. Park walked up to the Ensign on duty in the brig. "Your dismissed Ensign." The Ensign looked shocked but nodded. Park walked to the console as Collins walked up to the arch of the door. "So Commnader you decide to pay me a visit."
Park tapped commands into the console and picked up both a Padd and the Phaser that was always there. Walking over to the cell Park tapped some commands in to it and the feild fell. Holding up the pasher Park asked one question. " Why did you attack Rebbeca and the othere people on board?"
Rick looked at the phaser in jon's hand and back to him. " I did it becuse of your father, Jon i am sorry but i am to blame for him going missing." Jon stepped back and was in shock. Tapping the commands on the Padd he reactivated the Force feild and dropped the phaser. "Why didn't you just come to me? Why did they have to be hurt?" Park asked looking at rick.
Rick looked at him and grapped the phaser from where it had fallen on the floor and tapped the Padd dropping the force feild again. tears streaming from his fase Park held the phaser up just as Thomas and the Ensign from before walked in. Thomas ran to Park pulling the Phaser from his hand as the Ensign reactivated the Feild again. Thomas Said "Sir stand down" Park handed him the Phaser and looked at Collins " Your under arrest for the attack on Lt.Commander Salfer, and the attacks on several crewman on deck 7 and on deck 13." Park let his words sink in. "I think you carrer in Star fleet is over." Park turned and let turned to Thomas "I won't have shot him." Thomas looked him in the eye. "I didn't want to take that chance."
Park left the Brig and tapped his combadge. =/\= Park to Vise. I will be headign to outr guests quaters now meet you there." He said the words with a heavy heart he knew he had just found out a huge peice to his fathers disapperance but not all. Metting up with Vise at Danath's quaters he pressed the door chime.
As the door opened for him to enter Danath asked. "Commander, Counselor. What do you want?" Park answered as he stood near the Vise with a phaser visable on his persons. "We need to ask you a few question."
<Tag Vise / Danath
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sarlina
Guest
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
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Post by sarlina on Sept 12, 2008 0:56:32 GMT
Sarlina looked up as Commander Park came to stand next to her. "I think it is time we spoke to our guest. I suggest you interview him. I will look like a guard for security reasons."
Sarlina glanced at the door through which Acelik had just left. "Good plan. I'm curious to know what's up with him, and why he was out there. He just seems... distant. On the way to the lifts, Park told her that she'd meet them at Danath's quarters. He turned and left, well Sarlina continued walking.
She considered what she would do when she got the chance to talk to Acelik. Frankly, Sarlina didn't trust him, so that would require a change of tactics. She wasn't here to figure out how to solve Acelik's problems, she was here to figure out who he was.
=/\= Park to Vise. I will be heading to our guests quarters now meet you there. =/\= His voice had definitely changed. Earlier, it had been confident and slightly nervous. Now both were gone, replaced by a sadness. Maybe she'd have someone else to talk with after they were done with Acelik.
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Seth Helacaan
Civilian 4
Registered: Feb 8, 2008 12:30:38 GMT
Posts: 467
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Post by Seth Helacaan on Sept 12, 2008 14:11:20 GMT
"We need to ask you a few questions." Park replied shortly. Danath nodded and gestured for the two officers to enter. He did not notice how the two of them were regarding him very suspiciously as he went to sit on the couch, neither did he register how Commander Park seemed unsteady and upset. Nor did he realise that he may be going insane.
"And what questions did you wish to ask me?" Danath said, as he uneasily sat himself down.
He watched Vise glance at Park, the security chief seemed gave her a nod of encouragement and she spoke. "What were you doing on the Naal prison vessel?"
Acelik flinched. "Well," he said and paused, "What do you think? I was imprisoned." Park brought the chair from the bedroom section over. Vise set it opposite Danath, silently nodding thanks to the security chief, who then stepped back to watch from the shadows. Like a guard... Danath thought. This wasn't 'A few questions', this was an interrogation, and a poorly disguised one at that. Danath felt himself laugh, for all the Federation's supposed morality, they still worked the same way as the most vicious races of the galaxy when it came to their security. No matter how much they dressed themselves up, that was clear.
Danath's laughter was hollow, and when he stopped, Vise seemed to shift uncomfortably. "What makes you think different, Counselor?" The Wezean got her to look back at him, right at him. He looked right into her eyes yet he found that he could not focus. The Counselor got the disconcerting feeling that the man was looking through her, off into some strange region, rather than at her.
"Why," said Danath, "would I be on the ship for any other reason? Who told you to ask me of this? Was it Drew?" Danath saw from both Park (behind in the shadows) and Vise's reactions that it was, he laughed again. "He can not prove anything, even if he knows what he's saying. Take your questions back to him."
<tag Vise>
The Wezean got up slowly and was about to try and dismiss the two from his quarters when he thought of something else. It was important enough that Danath's confused brain could still recognise it as such. Despite reassurances that all of the Wezean prisoners had been brought aboard, Acelik wanted to be sure, his fellow colonists were very important to him. He stopped Park by the door. "Er, has your sensors operator picked up any further human lifesigns from the prison vessel? The Naal had concealed sensor-proof chambers for... torture." Danath said the last word quickly, not wanting to dwell on it too long.
Park shook his head and Danath eyed him for a few more seconds. "Ok.." he said, "Who is your Operation's officer anyway? I don't think I've seen that member of your staff yet." Danath had no idea why he had asked it; he did not know that it was simple curiosity from his floundering mind, trying to work out things for itself by speaking.
<tag Park>
With blackness all around him, suffocating and slowly killing him, Seth Helacaan regained consciousness. His eyes tried to open, and as they did, dark choking dust filled them. He yelped with the pain and irritation of it and closed his eyelids again. The Wezean tried to move his arms, but found them constricted by some substance that restricted all attempts of movement. Whatever it was, it was hard, sharp and tightly bonding. Where was he?
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Jon Park
Commander 1C
Approved Grade Reduction
Red Alert
Registered: Oct 14, 2007 20:46:50 GMT
Posts: 811
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Post by Jon Park on Sept 12, 2008 16:27:58 GMT
Jon was a little shocked when he was told to take his questions to Drew. Park pressed a point home to danath. "Well i have no reason right now to question my CO. You on the other hand are a guest and also a criminal. As a matter of Ship security i will ask again. What were you doing on that ship?"
<Tag Danath>
As Park saw they weren't going to get a answer from him real or otherwise Park just waited for Vise to finish talking to him. As they were about to leave danath stopped him at the door asked Jon. "Er, has your sensors operator picked up any further human life signs from the prison vessel? The Naal had concealed sensor-proof chambers for... torture." Park nodded no. Then he said ""Who is your Operation's officer anyway? I don't think I've seen that member of your staff yet." Park turned and looked at him. "he is on leave... Why do you know anything we may want to know?" Stepping back in letting the door close so they were alone. "Listen if you know anything tell me. I can help i have a lot of pull with Command. what do you want? Maybe i can help." Park said.
<Tag Danath>
Park left shortly after and Vise followed him. Park entered the turbo lift. "Deck 15." Park said. Turning to him. "I know u want to ask so just ask." As the turbo lift stopped and they exited heading to the left. As they approached his office they entered. As Jon sat behind his desk Vise asked he Question.
<Tag Vise>
Park sat back and looked deep in thought a million light years away."Lt.Commander Collins who is in the brig from attacking several crewman was at one time working on a project with my father testing warp core designs.Well i found out a little bit ago he was to have been the pilot on the flight where my father went missing." Park stopped and took a moment." My mother received word before i left on this mission that Star Fleet has found the data recorder for his test fight. she went to review the data at the academy. I haven't heard from her yet, Not that i expect to being so far out of comm range."
<Tag Vise>
"I Will not let my personal feeling endanger the mission. Now we will speck of this again but not until we are done with this mission. We have to have the ship scanned again i hope we have the ship in tow." Park said standing up and heading out of his office.
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2008 12:26:25 GMT
Drew watched with satisfaction as the colony world grew closer on the viewscreen. When he had been captured by the Naal he had feared that he would not be able to complete his mission, but now, thanks to the Nevada’s intervention, he would be able to carry out the tasks assigned to him.
Drew barely listened as both Updeik and Trek requested various reports and started ordering for various sensor readings to be completed. He just continued to watch the viewscreen and plan his next move. It was important that he make contact with the planet without anyone on the Nevada finding out, and there was only one way for him to do that.
“Captain,” he said suddenly, standing from his chair, “I need to check in with Starfleet Commander, if you will excuse me, I will retire to my quarters.”
“Of course Admiral,” Updeik replied, as Drew walked away from the command deck, he heard Updeik order a channel to be opened to the Nevada’s Operations Officer, who was believed to be on the planet below. As the turbolift doors closed, Drew noted the response that the officer in question could not be raised. Perhaps, Drew reflected, he was not the only Starfleet Officer to have been betrayed on that world.
Minutes later, Drew was in the guest quarters that had been assigned to him. As soon as he entered the room, he ordered the door to be sealed and internal sensors to be deactivated. The last thing he needed was some eager Ensign checking up on him.
Tapping several commands into the small desk console, Drew activated a special program known as the Zeta Directive. Under this directive, he would be allowed limited control to several ship systems, without anyone on the bridge being aware of his activities. It was a system design many years before to allow Starfleet Admirals to be able to carry out aspects of their missions that a Starfleet Captain could not be seen to do.
“Computer, open a coded transmission to these coordinates,” Drew ordered as he tapped in further commands, “text only.”
For what he had to do now, there could be no record that could be traced back to him. For those reasons, even a basic audio transmission was not possible, even in the 24th century, the written word was sometimes the best.
White Tiger, this is Star Racer, Drew typed into the console before him, do you copy?
Confirm identity came the short response.
Drew tapped in his personal details that would confirm his identity only to White Tiger. The response satisfied White Tiger, who in turn provided her security details.
Someone leaked my location to the Naal Drew typed, but luckily Starfleet Command had already dispatched a ship here on peacekeeping duties, I am aboard it now in orbit.
Do they suspect anything? came the reply.
No, Drew answered, they have a crewmen down on the planet and will busy themselves searching for him before they even start to worry about me. I should be able to arrange to transport down to the planet shortly, but I think we need a new meeting place.
Agreed, White Tiger replied, I will transmit a new location to you. Come alone.
I know the drill, Drew answered, “I have to go now, before they start to suspect anything, take care old friend[/i].
Same to you
Drew closed the channel and then made efforts to cover his tracks. If anyone ever found a record of him using the comm system, it would appear as if he had indeed contacted Starfleet Command. His task done, he shut down the computer system and returned to the bridge.
He would have to wait before he could carry out the rest of his mission…
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sarlina
Guest
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
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Post by sarlina on Sept 13, 2008 21:17:21 GMT
After a quick nod of encouragement from Park, Sarlina looked at Acelik. "What were you doing on the Naal prison vessel?" It seemed a good place to start. Even though Acelik probably wouldn't answer it honestly, it would at least give her a clue as to where he stood.
"What do you think? I was imprisoned." Park brought a chair over, and Sarlina gratefully sat in it. She was slightly disconcerted by Acelik's laughter following his statement. "Why would I be on the ship for any other reason? Who told you to ask me of this? Was it Drew? He cannot prove anything, even if he knows what he's saying. Take your questions back to him." What was that supposed to mean?
"What were you imprisoned for?" She asked. Acelik got up, and Sarlina knew that he was about to order them out of his quarters. She was surprised when he asked about the people in the torture chambers. Acelik didn't seem like the type to care about other people. Making a mental note, Sarlina followed Park out to the lifts.
"I know you want to ask, so just ask." Vise continued to follow him down to the office. She considered how best to phrase the question. She didn't want to be too blunt, unlike Acelik, Park wasn't a criminal.
After he sat down, Sarlina softly asked "Earlier... what did you find out?" Park told her about Lt.Commander Collins in an emotionless voice.
"I'm sorry. Lieutenant Collins..."
"I will not let my personal feeling endanger the mission. Now we will speak of this again but not until we are done with this mission. We have to have the ship scanned again. I hope we have the ship in tow." Sarlina nodded and left the office, followed by Park. She would have trusted Park not to do anything irrational, but grief often turned to anger, and with someone involved with the death on the ship... she wasn't entirely sure.
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2008 3:25:21 GMT
“Captain,” Drew said suddenly, standing from his chair, “I need to check in with Starfleet Commander, if you will excuse me, I will retire to my quarters.”
“Of course Admiral,” Updeik replied. As the Admiral left, he said, "Open a channel to Lieutenant Helacaan on the surface."
"Channel open, sir."
"Nevada to Lieutenant Helacaan."
The only response was static. "No response, sir."
"Must be electromagnetic interference," Dan suggested. "Scan for Lieutenant Helacaan's comm signature."
"Too much interference, Commander," the Ops officer reported.
"Commander Trek, can you try to cut through the interference?" Updeik asked. "We need to get in contact with Mr. Helacaan."
"Yes, Captain," Dan said, moving over to the engineering station. "I'll try modulating the comm channel with a tri-axilating frequency. I've found that to be effective in cutting through interference."
While accessing the communications, Dan noticed something. "Captain, I've reading a comm echo in the communications system."
"Source?" Updeik asked.
"I'm tracking it now," Dan said. "Hmm...it disappeared. Must have been a sensor ghost. The comm channel should be ready. Try it now."
"Nevada to Lieutenant Helacaan, report," Updeik said, hoping they were cutting through the interference.
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Seth Helacaan
Civilian 4
Registered: Feb 8, 2008 12:30:38 GMT
Posts: 467
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Post by Seth Helacaan on Sept 15, 2008 13:06:36 GMT
Seth began to recall what had happened. The explosion... He and John had been buried under the rubble. They had slowly made their way out, cut and burnt, only to be shaken by further blasts. It was not Naal weaponry, it was cruder than even their arms, this was Wezean technology; that is, if you could call it technology. If Seth had had room to, he would have laughed at the irony. Confronted by the biggest threat to Ascension for over a century and he had been attacked by his own people.
Slowly, Seth began loosening the piles of rubble, twisted metal, smashed rock that was over him. The pain was excruciating, but he fought through it. Still though, he was not going to get out for a long time unless he had help. Putting that behind him, knowing that he had no other choice, Seth continued to struggle against the oppressive weight, until help arrived.
"Here he is.." he heard a voice say. The debris was shifted from above Seth, and more and more of the orange-grey sky of Ascension became visible, bathing Helacaan's battered body in eerie light. At last, he was lifted out of the rubble, and barring a few scrapes and bruises as well as a couple of bad cuts, he was fine.
It was his brother and two friends who had dug him out, Seth embraced each of them, grateful that his brother and himself were relatively unscathed. He looked behind at the house and had to fight back tears when he saw what he saw. Nearly half the structure had collapsed, the roof hung loose over part of the sitting room, showing where the wall had been blown away. It had left a nice neat cross-section as well. Other people, associates of the family and people from other hierarchies, slowly stepped about the bombed building, picking up bits and pieces of belongings, that had no place on bare ground. Some walked around with weapons, as if on a disorganised patrol.
Seth stepped towards his home, a place that had been his (as well as previous generations of his family's) abode for over a century, and knelt in front of the blasted out section. He ignored the sharp rocks that were digging into his knees, as well as the terrible burning that was starting in his eyes.
"Why did they do this?" John asked from behind him. Seth knew that the question was not rhetorical, and was in fact directed straight at him. "I know you and father have been meeting with that group again," John continued, his voice level and unwavering in spite of the pain Seth knew he must be feeling. "You cannot hide these things Seth, our xeno-blood is what has done this. It's a perceived affiliation with the Naal that has provoked this damned attack. Our own brethren have turned on us, they think we're in league, that we have brought the Naal upon them."
Seth could barely believe what he was hearing, the meetings were meant to be a secret, and he could not bear to here his brother speaking of things so ludicrous. "Seth? Are we in affiliation with the Naal?" John asked quietly, Seth could hear his brother moving closer.
"No!" Seth shouted, "The meetings... are, are not what you think." He stood up and turned around, coming close to John and making sure his brother had his full attention. What they were speaking of was very secret, and was for a very select few in the Helacaan family hierarchy only. "Father and I have been in contact with... certain people, who can contact 'certain' members of the Naal conglomerate, to see about stopping this madness. To re-enforce the status quo, if you like."
"These certain members being our kin I assume..?"
"Yes."
"Who are this group that you meet with then?"
"We don't just meet them, we are a part of them. Two are from other families that have less than orthodox associations, much like us. The third I don't know about, she is mysterious, but seems quite well linked with members of the Naal." Seth grimaced, he did not like to talk about this. The genetic association that the Helacaans had with the minor race in the Naal Conglomerate was not something they were proud of, but they had had to accept it. It was far from common knowledge on Ascension, being only a rumour that was often used as a negative in the politics of the world.
John nodded in understanding. Seth was glad he had appeased his brother's concern, it made it one less thing for him to worry about. Then, Seth heard the almost heartwarming chirp of what could only be a Starfleet commbadge. Despite the uncertainty he held in his opinion of the Federation, the safety of a Federation vessel seemed a distant but welcome comfort to him now. "Where is it?" Seth asked aloud.
"It's coming from over here, here it is." One of the Helacaans' armed associates pulled Seth's battered commbadge out of a pile of rubble, and came over to give it to him. As soon as Seth took it a voice started to speak.
"Nevada to Lieutenant Helacaan, report," it said.
Despite his only brief contact with him, Seth recognised the voice of Captain Updeik. "Helacaan here, Captain. It's good to hear your voice.. uh, sir." Seth nearly forgot Starfleet protocol, but he was surprised that it actually was good to hear the Nevada CO's voice. "Hell knows we need you down here.." Seth muttered, looking around at the debris.
<tag Updeik/Trek>
"Recommend you send away teams to the surface immediately, Tactical, Marines, Medical personnel required I would say." Seth looked to the horizon, and through the haze saw the faint, almost mirage-like Naal Capital ship amongst the mesa of rocks. Subdued by its menacing presence he said, "That Naal ship is still here, and it's not going to move anytime soon."
<tag Updeik/Trek>
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2008 23:18:55 GMT
"Helacaan here, Captain. It's good to hear your voice.. uh, sir."
"What's your situation, Lieutenant?" Trek asked, since he knew from experience that Captains didn't like repeating themselves unnecessarily.
"Recommend you send away teams to the surface immediately, Tactical, Marines, Medical personnel required I would say. That Naal ship is still here, and it's not going to move anytime soon."
"Acknowledged, Lieutenant," Updeik replied. "We'll send them shortly. Nevada out."
Updeik looked over at his First Officer. "Number One?" He didn't need to say anything more than that.
"Aye, Captain," Dan said. "Bridge to Commander Park and Doctor Grey. Report to Transporter Room 1. Commander, I want a full security detail and a squad of marines. Doctor, medical team. Be there in 10 minutes."
<Tag Jon and Lucy>
As Dan left the Bridge, Updeik said, "Commander?"
After Dan turned around, Updeik said, "Your mission is recon and basic aid, for now. I don't want you creating a war zone."
"Aye, Captain," Dan said, then entered the turbolift thinking, it already is one.
10 minutes later, all the teams were on the surface. The planet was hot, dry, and sparse. If the color were a little richer, it would remind him very much of home.
Looking around a moment, he quickly found Lt. Helacaan. "Commander Park, set up a perimeter," Dan ordered, then noticed that Seth looked a bit worse for wear. "Doctor, check up on the Lieutenant, would you?"
<Tag Jon and Lucy>
"Report, Lieutenant," Dan said, as the Doctor moved in.
<Tag Seth>
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2008 17:06:33 GMT
|Sickbay |CMO's Office
"Bridge to Commander Park and Doctor Grey. Report to Transporter Room 1. Commander, I want a full security detail and a squad of marines. Doctor, medical team. Be there in 10 minutes."
"On my way, sir," Lucy immediately answered. She hit the send button with a grimace. The autopsies were done; the report now in the XO's in-box. It still made her angry.
Moving into the main exam area, Dr. Grey gathered the list of doctors and nurses she would need then had her assistant tell them to report to the transporter room. In a flurry of movement, Lucy gathered supplies and equipment that would serve to establish a field hospital with triage.
|Surface
The planet was hot, dry, and sparse. Dr. Grey tapped her side then looked down, doing a quick inventory of her supplies. She had everthing she needed. Glancing at Dr. Haven, she pointed to him and a nurse to tend to the group standing huddled near the crushed shell of a building. What the building had been like initially she couldn't tell.
Two orderlies tugged at a sandy-colored canvas, moving away from each other. In 2 minutes, they had a lean-to set up.
"Commander Park, set up a perimeter," Dan ordered, then noticed that Seth looked a bit worse for wear. "Doctor, check up on the Lieutenant, would you?"
"Seth, Never mind me... I'll make this as fast as I can."
<Tag Jon>
"Report, Lieutenant," Dan said, as the Doctor moved in.
Lucy flipped the tricorder mode to medical and released the small scanner. Moving around Lt. Helacaan, a thought struck her.
"Sir, I don't mean to interrupt, but shouldn't the counselor be here?" Lucy asked quietly.
<Tag Seth>
<Tag Dantrek>
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Jon Park
Commander 1C
Approved Grade Reduction
Red Alert
Registered: Oct 14, 2007 20:46:50 GMT
Posts: 811
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Post by Jon Park on Sept 20, 2008 22:28:47 GMT
As Jon was heading back to the bridge he received the call to head to the transporter room. Jon tapped his badge. =/\= "Aye sir." Park tapped the combadge again =/\= "Park to Alpha and Gamma teams report to transporter rooms for away mission. Commander Thomas report to transporter room 1 with my weapons. Park to Captain Marks i need to platoons of marines to report for an away team."
As he Entered the lift with Vise he said. "Transporter room 1." Park exited when the lift stopped on the deck with the transporter room. He turned right and saw Commander Thomas standing by the rooms with his weapons he attached the hand phaser to his belt and shouldered the phaser rifle.
Planetside-----------
As the transporter beam deposited the away team on the planet Surface Commander Trek ordered him to set up a perimeter. "Yes sir." Turning from Dan Park said. "Thomas, Rebbecca with me." As they head off to set it up Park watched as Lucy checked on Seth. He hoped he just looked worse then he really was. Thomas walked up to him. "We have set-up a perimeter and have lookups i was about to sent a team out to scout a head."
Jon shook his head no and reported back to dan. "Sir we have set-up the perimeter with look outs 100 meters from all entry ways." Looking at Lucy and Seth he asked Dan. "How is he has the doctor told you anything yet."
<Tag Trek>
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2008 10:24:58 GMT
The atmosphere on the Nevada bridge was tense. Although, much to everyone’s relief contact had been established with Lieutenant Helacaan, an entire away team was now on the world below, subject to the dangerous unpredictable hostile conditions that had ravished the Federation colony for so long now.
Over the course of his career, Drew had spent many missions where he had to send others to carry out dangerous tasks while he remained on the ship. It was something that he had never really felt comfortable with, and even now his confidence would be shaken with each death of an away team member he had sent out. But it was, he had finally realised, a part of the job and something that he would have to live with, even if his dreams were sometimes haunted by ghosts of dead Ensigns.
A glace to his right told him that Captain Updeik was right now experiencing those very fears. This was his ship, his crew, his away team and finally his decisions. If anything were to go wrong, he would blame himself. For the first time since coming aboard, Drew actually felt a connection with the Captain. There were something’s that only Starship Captains could ever understand. It made Drew feel sorry for what he had to do next. Poor Captain Updeik’s day was going to get a lot worse.
“Captain, you must excuse my impoliteness once again,” Drew said, rising from his chair.
“Admiral?” Updeik asked, confusion clear on his face.
“I have a mission to complete,” Drew responded curtly, “and I cannot complete it here.”
Understanding appeared on Updeik’s face. The Captain rose from his seat and placed himself directly in front of Drew.
“I am sorry Admiral, but I cannot allow you to go down there, you were captured once before, I cannot risk your being captured a second time.” Until now, Updeik had spoken to Drew in the deferral tones that all Starfleet Officers used while addressing Flag Officers, but now there was a clear edge to his voice. The man knows his duty, Drew reflected, had to give him that.
“Your concern is appreciated Captain,” Drew said, an edge creeping into his own voice, “but I am going anyway.”
“With respect Admiral, this is my ship and my mission, what I say goes.” There was now a look of hard determination on Updeik’s face. Perhaps this would not be as easy as Drew had expected. Still, there was always a way for an Admiral to get his way, it just wasn’t a very pleasant method.
“I need hardly remind you Captain that I outrank you”, Drew answered harshly and in a louder voice than before, “now get out of my way or I promise you you’ll never sit in the Captain’s Chair again.”
At these words many of the bridge crew turned round to stare at the two red shirted officers in the centre of the bridge. There was a moment of incredibly tense silence, when only the rhythmic chimes of the automated systems could be heard. Updeik and Drew were standing head to head; a now silent battle of wills was being fought between them. It was a battle that everyone knew who would win. It was Updeik who broke the silence.
“Aye Sir,” he said in a cold stiff voice and returned to his chair, not watching as Drew left the bridge. Once the Admiral was gone, the Captain barked out his next orders: “I want a complete transporter lock on him at all times, I want to know everywhere he goes and everyone he speaks to. Now someone get me Commander Trek on the comm.”
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2008 1:50:24 GMT
"Sir, I don't mean to interrupt, but shouldn't the counselor be here?" Lucy asked quietly.
"Not in such a hostile area, Doctor. I don't want to risk personnel unneccesarily. Security, Marines and Medical we need, but a counselor we don't," Dan replied. "Go ahead, Lieutenant," Dan said to Seth.
Before Seth could speak, Dan's comm badge chirped. He just wanted to hear Seth's report and get a handle on the situation. All these interruptions. "Excuse me for a few minutes," Dan said.
After he stepped a few meters away, he tapped his comm badge. "Commander Trek here."
"Number One," Captain Updeik's voice said. "I've got a lovely little surprise for you. Admiral Drew with be joining you shortly."
"Captain, this isn't a good time to joke around," Dan said, knowing his Captain was jovial, but didn't know he was a kidder.
"I'm not. He is," Updeik replied. "I'm keeping a sharp sensor eye on him, but I want you to keep your eye on him as well. If anything happens to him, both our careers are in trouble."
"Aye, sir."
"Updeik out."
Dan returned to the Lieutenant and Doctor. "How is he, Doctor?"
"A few bumps and bruises, but he'll be fine," Lucy replied.
"Sir we have set-up the perimeter with look outs 100 meters from all entry ways," Park reported, returning. "How is he has the doctor told you anything yet."
"He'll be fine," Dan said. "Commander, I'm afraid your job is about to get harder. Captain Updeik just informed me that the Admiral will be joining us. I want your team to keep an eye on him. I want two marines shadowing him at all times, if not active accompanying. We can't allow anything to happen to him."
"Sorry about that, Lieutenant. Go ahead," Dan said, hoping no more interruptions would come.
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2008 11:28:06 GMT
Chief Betty Turnpike ignored the sound of the transporter room doors opening, after twenty years working transporter rooms she had gotten used to the busy hustle of the place. However, it was with surprise that she saw three figures before her, all dressed in civvies. She recognised the woman as the ship’s counsellor, and she was almost certain that the older of the two men in the group was Admiral Drew, but the younger man she had never met before. Straightening her uniform, she put on her most professional voice and asked the Admiral what he wanted.
“Please transport us to these coordinates,” Drew said in response, handing Chief Turnpike a PADD, “Afterwards, I would be much obliged if you would delete the record of this transport from the logs.”
“Yes Sir,” Betty replied, “but um, sir, begging your pardon and all sir, do you have the Captain’s permission sir?”
“Of course,” Drew answered with a smile, as he joined his two companions on the transporter pad, “now, if you would be so good as to energise.”
Betty nodded her head nervously and then worked her controls and within seconds she was once again alone as the transporter did its job. A message appeared on her screen confirming the transport, and asking for confirmation to save, following the Admiral’s orders, she pressed the “no” option. When she looked down at the PADD the Admiral had given her, she saw also that the entire memory had been wiped as soon as she had accessed the logs. The Admiral, she realised, really did not want anyone to know where he had gone.
As the transporter beam faded around him, Drew became aware of the sights and sounds that first told him he was no longer aboard a starship, these sensations were soon followed by the taste of fresh air as he breathed deeply. Although on board ventilation systems aboard starships had gotten increasingly advanced, there was still nothing like the real thing.
“Welcome home Mr. Acelik,” Drew said turning to face his fellow traveller, “before you get any silly ideas, just remember, am the one with a concealed weapon now.”
“Admiral!” Counsellor Vise protested.
“As I explained Counsellor when you insisted on accompanying Mr. Acelik, we are dealing with matters relating directly to the security of the Federation, if he betrays us, I will kill him.”
Counsellor Vise did not reply, but Drew could see from her expression that she disagreed with him. Still, he had not asked her to come here. He was not even really sure why he had decided to bring Acelik with him, the man was a liability and could not be trusted, but he had proved to be useful in the past, and Drew suspected he would continue to be. Acelik also added a degree of authenticity to their group; hopefully his presence and their lack of Starfleet uniforms would allow them to blend in more easily.
Drew was also aware that time was not on their side. It was very likely that Updiek had informed the Away Team of what was happening and had ordered his people to keep tabs on Drew. The only thing in his favour at the moment was that without the usual Starfleet comm badges or transport coordinates the Nevada would not know where he was. However, that would change once their began scanning for human live signs
“So Admiral,” Acelik said, “are you now prepared to tell me the truth of your mission?” “Not just yet Mr. Acelik,” Drew answered as they began walking to the centre of the town, “I will say that we are going to meet with some friends of mine, friends who I believe will be able to end this conflict once and for all.”
“That does not fill me with confidence,” Acelik said under his breath as he continued to walk beside Drew and Vise.
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Seth Helacaan
Civilian 4
Registered: Feb 8, 2008 12:30:38 GMT
Posts: 467
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Post by Seth Helacaan on Sept 28, 2008 17:10:57 GMT
Seth watched Commander Trek and his team as they beamed on to the planet's surface, he winced with the pain, and through hazy eyes, watched the Nevada's XO come towards him, stoically moving through the dust that was still in the air from the earlier explosion. Seth nearly smiled, Dan Trek had not changed since Seth had last seen him. The Wezean was surprised at his... pleasure, yes that was the sensation, at seeing Starfleet uniforms again. He had not expected it, and had not realised how much he had missed the Nevada.
Before Seth had time to croak a greeting Trek spoke. "Report, Lieutenant," he said. John Helacaan came up beside Seth, anticipating that his brother would need help with answering Trek's request. Seth nodded thanks and suddenly Doctor Grey was before him.
"Doctor, good to see you again," Seth said. Grey took out her medical tricorder and scanned him, foregoing the greeting and preferring rather to check that Seth was ok. She asked Trek a question about the Counselor, Seth was only half listening. He was still in a daze, his house stood crumbling behind him, and the largest threat to Ascension in over a century was on the horizon in front of him.
"Counselor Rylka?" Seth asked, and was then corrected. Sarlina Vise was the new Counselor of the Nevada, apparently. Perhaps things have changed more than he had thought...
"Sorry about that, Lieutenant. Go ahead," Trek said to Seth. He had been in contact with the ship. Seth again had not listened properly to know what the conversation was about anyway.
"Well, Commander. Over the last few weeks we have been attacked periodically by raiders from that ship over there." He pointed at the horizon. "They have pillaged and plundered, so to speak, and have captured hundreds of our people, including... including my sister." He struggled to say it. The Helacaan brother's sister was still missing, if the Naal were not renowned kidnappers, they would have presumed her dead by now.
"The places that the attacks have taken place form a rough line about two-hundred kilometres long," John put in, "They have abated recently, we don't know why..." he tailed off and looked at Seth. What he had said was not strictly true. Trek asked what had happened to the house. "Our own people did this, Commander Trek" John said shortly. "But let's not concern ourselves with that now, we need to spread your men out. I recommend going into the town."
Seth nodded and spoke, "There's people we can talk to there, we can start planning a counter-offensive."
<Tag Trek/Park/Grey>
Danath looked around and immediately felt comforted. He was home, home at last. Off the terrible Federation vessel, and back to his birthplace. It was, ultimately, where he belonged.
“Welcome home Mr. Acelik,” Drew said to him, “before you get any silly ideas, just remember, am the one with a concealed weapon now.”
He felt a flush of anger, but controlled it. He felt like spitting in the face of the Admiral. It was still there, the lecturing voice in his head, contradicting everything he thought and then counter-contradicting and again and again and again.. until he had confused his mind to the level that he did not know what was right and what was wrong. Was it the psycho-conditioning, was that what was destroying his mind?
Home now seemed a distant comfort to Acelik, even though it was now all around him. Everything he saw and touched seemed removed and far away. If he had no pride, Danath would have collapsed on the ground and despair.. And just like that, the feeling left him. He knew it would be back..
He, Counselor Vise, and Drew moved towards the town centre. Danath did not recognise the place, but it was like any town on Ascension. This was just one of many that had been originally constructed 150 years ago, the design came from a standard template of urban layout that the original colonists had taken with them on their journey. Of course, the passage of time transformed each of the towns in different ways, individualising them, but it was still very possible to compare two towns and find large similarities between them.
The transporter had deposited them on the outskirts, they had some walk ahead. On the way there, Danath wondered if there was a sect of the service he was a part of in this town. He also weighed up the pros and cons of trying to strangle Admiral Drew.
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sarlina
Guest
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
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Post by sarlina on Sept 28, 2008 19:47:10 GMT
Sarlina looked around the planet. Drew had transported them down a ways off from the town, and in civilian clothing. Obviously he didn't want anyone to notice them. Still, Drew hadn't protested too much when she insisted upon going along, which meant he probably wasn't trying to keep things hidden from the crew. Probably. His insistence on coming to the planet had been odd, to say the least.
Drew turned to face Acelik. "Welcome home Mr. Acelik. Before you get any silly ideas, just remember, I'm the one with a concealed weapon now.”
“Admiral!” Sarlina looked at him, shocked. She knew that Acelik had tried to kill Drew, but it didn't seem like Drew to bring that up again. Of course, she hardly knew Drew, or even why they were down here.
“As I explained Counsellor when you insisted on accompanying Mr. Acelik, we are dealing with matters relating directly to the security of the Federation, if he betrays us, I will kill him.” Sarlina nodded grimly, biting her tongue to stop from saying anything else. It was odd that Drew had invited Acelik. Especially when it seemed like Drew would have no qualms about killing him. They would have all been safer back on the Nevada.
“So Admiral, are you now prepared to tell me the truth of your mission?” Acelik asked.
“Not just yet Mr. Acelik. I will say that we are going to meet with some friends of mine, friends who I believe will be able to end this conflict once and for all.”
Sarlina frowned. If there was anyone left on the planet who could truly end the conflict, wouldn't they have done so already? What was the admiral up to?
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2008 16:59:31 GMT
|Medical tent
Body bags were being carried to a small wooden outbuilding that had barely survived the bombing. Starfleet technology was keeping the enclosed bodies cool waiting burial. Or whatever ritual Seth's people honored, Lucy thought. She hadn't had the chance yet to find out what the proper procedure would be once the "dust had settled". In this case, that was quite literal.
Dr. Grey brought her head up, straightening her back with a conscious effort. Looking over the cots containing the living, she nodded. They outnumbered the dead by far. The hypospray in her bloodied hands finished pressing anesthezine into the upper arm of a woman. A quiet, peaceful look came over her face and she immediately fell back on the bare cot in a drugged sleep.
Catching movement of Starfleet uniforms, Lucy turned to one of her doctors without looking at him.
"You're in charge. Everything is under control. The indigenous people will gradually start taking over. Let them. Understood?"
"Yes, Doctor Grey. Will you be remaining here? On the planet, I mean."
For an answer, Lucy grinned. Then, grabbing an antiseptic cleaning pad, she washed up on her way to join the rest of the group. Her cover would be her report. But one way or another, she was going to be in on whatever plans they were making.
"Admiral, medical is secure. My people will be returning to the ship within the next 12 hours. Is there anything I can do here?"
<Drew>
<Vise>
"I can keep a watch and give you my opinions, counselor. Anything else?"
<Anyone>
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2008 21:14:39 GMT
As Drew hoped no one in the town seemed to be paying any attention to their arrival, it was clearly a busy time of day for the planet and the town centre was filled with people, which as far as Drew was concerned was all the better.
Since his last rendezvous with his contacts had been leaked to the security services, Drew was also keeping a much closer eye on those around him. It had also been agreed to meet in a different place and change other details of the meeting as well, all in the hope that this time, nobody would betray them.
However, in the interests of avoiding a lecture, Drew had neglected to inform the others of his decision to bring company with him. None of them would like it, but if their plan was to work, then it would be people just like Acelik who they would have to convince. The Federation would not be able to survive here unless the people once again supported and believed in it.
“That’s our destination over there,” Drew said to Vise and Acelik, pointing to a small building on the other side of the square, “try not to draw too much attention.”
No sooner had those words left Drew’s mouth when he heard an all too familiar sound behind him, followed by a very familiar voice. It seemed the Nevada crew had worked quicker at tracking him down then he had anticipated.
“Doctor, please don’t call me Admiral here,” Drew said in a whisper, pulling the young doctor close by, “as I was just saying to these two, I don’t want to draw too much attention to us.”
“Anyway,” Drew continued, “now that you are here, Counsellor Vise can bring you up to speed, myself and Mr. Acelik are going over to that building. If you promise to do exactly as I say, you can join us once the Counsellor has brought you up to speed.”
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2008 22:06:19 GMT
Dan was in a state of irritated relief when they finally caught up to the Admiral. When Drew failed to arrive anywhere near there, Dan had had to contact the ship, found out that Drew had been beamed down, but had erased the information erased as to where he was going, and left his comm-badge behind, and had been in civilian clothing. So they had to locate his bio-signature, and track him down.
Dan tried his best to keep his emotions in check, as he was dealing with a flag officer. But he was charged with the Admiral's safety, and his patience wore thin, and it showed in his voice. "About time we find you, Admiral" Dan said, after Lucy was finished speaking to him.
"Sir, I have orders to watch after you, but I can hardly do that if I don't have any idea what you're planning," Dan continued. "Since you obviously have a hidden agenda, care to let me in on it, so that I can do my job?"
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Deleted
Registered: Apr 26, 2024 8:49:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2008 13:58:46 GMT
Drew could not believe the audacity of these people. They had been sent on one mission and were now appeared to be making it their goal in life to ruin his own. As for this Commander standing before him and telling him that he was preventing from doing his job! The anger flared up in Drew and it was in a heated voice that he replied:
“Me stopping you from doing your job?” Drew repeated, “I think Commander your job was to provide humanitarian aid to the people of this world, not to interfere in my mission. I am very capable of carrying out tasks without getting killed, regardless to the number of pips on my collar. It is you, sir, who is stopping me from doing my job.”
“With respect sir...” Commander Trek began, but Drew cut him off. He was downright annoyed now and in no mood to hear any retorts. He had gone to such lengths to make sure things went without a hitch, and made sure that no one here on the planet even suspected that he and his group were Starfleet Officers and now the entire Nevada crew seemed to be beaming to his location in full uniform and “siring” and “admiraling” him in front of everyone.
“Don’t you with respect sir me Commander,” Drew said, “by being here you have not only placed my mission in jeopardy, but the lives and safety of you own officers!”
As if to prove Drew’s point there was suddenly a loud explosion to the right them. Starfleet training snapping in, all of the officers quickly examined the area, trying to judge what had happened. When another explosion occurred much closer to them this time, all of them ran for cover.
“That last one was a rocket blast!” Commander Trek yelled as another explosion occurred behind him.
“We need to find where they are coming from,” Drew yelled back over the loud screams and panicking of the surrounding crowd who were now also all running.
“Trek to Nevada,” Commander Trek said tapping his comm badge, “we are under attack and require emergency assistance.”
“It’s no good doing that Commander,” Drew called back, “they will have a dampening field in place, they knew we were here.”
Drew, Trek, Lucy and Counsellor Vise all finally made it to cover behind two large statues, which provided them a view of the entire scene in front of them. Four buildings were now on fire, one of which was close to being totally destroyed, their were burn marks along the floor where phaser blasts had struck, no doubt aimed at the fleeing Starfleet Officers.
“Phasers!” Trek ordered his people as Drew frantically tried to find Acelik in the crowds. In all the confusion the former prisoner had somehow managed to escape Drew’s attention and was lost in the many faces of the crowd. As Drew surveyed the scene, he could see that there were many wounded, including many children. This was after all a busy town centre.
“Commander, we need to find our attackers and disable them,” Drew said quickly, “we have supporters somewhere on the other side of town. It is likely that they have now fled, but it is imperative that we find them, Mr Acelik is also missing.”
<tag all members of the Away Team>
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Seth Helacaan
Civilian 4
Registered: Feb 8, 2008 12:30:38 GMT
Posts: 467
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Post by Seth Helacaan on Oct 3, 2008 1:29:20 GMT
"I still think we should have gone with them."
Seth shook his head at his brothers insistency and looked sideways at Jon Park. The two Starfleet officers were picking through the rubble, occasionally looking up to survey the surrounding area. Seth kept looking at Park for a few seconds, he wondered if the Nevada's security chief felt out of place in his Starfleet uniform, what with the prolonged looks that some of the people around were giving him. Seth knew that he would feel out of place, just as he did on the Nevada.
John Helacaan on the other hand was helping with the wounded. Of the two siblings, John had inherited most of their father's love for healing. While not a doctor himself, John was capable enough to be trusted with administering medical aid, and there were many who needed it. The fact that there had been so many around outside the house was comforting actually. It reassured Seth that perhaps the bombing had not been as 'anti-Helacaan' as he had first suspected.
Eventually Seth went over to his brother, intending to reply to the latter's earlier statement of desired intent. He only got half way across the new clearing made by the absence of part of a building that should have been there, the reason being, that his commbadge went off. Expecting a clear, concise message as they always were Seth was alarmed when all he got at first was extremely noisy static.
Frowning, Seth looked around at Park. The CTSO looked confused as well, he had also been contacted seemingly. John Helacaan stopped what he was doing as well, and the three of them came into a circle over a particularly large mound of rubble. Seth listened intently. He was sure he could pick out the voice of Commander Trek, as well as the sound of phaser discharge. The sounds continued for a few seconds, barely hearable beneath the oppressive volume of static, then there was something that may have been a particularly loud crackle of static or an explosion. Either way, the comm badge was abruptly cut off.
"They're in trouble," Seth said, not mincing words. At the other two's silence, Seth felt he needed to say something else, "What do you think is going on?" he asked them vaguely.
John Helacaan spoke, "Naal. I recognised the comm distortion, they are using one of their dampening fields. Not very successfully it must be said."
"Do you think they're in the heart of town?"
"Wherever they are in there we'll soon find out. We should be able to see the smoke from here soon, I would have thought.."
They were already running for the two Repulsor Vehicles parked by the side of the house. Luckily for them, the two transports had virtually avoided all potential damage from the bombing. The Helacaans lead the way, Commander Park followed them and Seth signalled for four others to jump in the second RV.
They were on the way. Seth sat in the pilot's seat and set the controls to autopilot. The system would now follow a preprogrammed route into town, 3.6 kilometres away. Seth could take over whenever they needed to.
Half way there and they came under attack. A pair of Naal at the side of the road operating a projectile-based rocket launcher were waiting for them. "Look out!!" John cried uselessly. A solid black rocket trailed by a thin dash of red light (its independent power source) flew towards the lead RV containing the Helacaans and Jon Park, almost too fast to see. It pierced the frontal section of the automobile-sized vehicle and through to the cabin area where it exploded. Immediately the vehicle careened out of control, its central section was weakened to the point of breaking by the rocket weapon, and it was tossed like a ragdoll off the side of the road. The burning carcass dug itself into the dusty ground of Ascension with some force, the front section totally submerged into the hellish, choking grey gravel.
The following RV stopped immediately, and out of it came two Wezeans brandishing their crude laser weapons. One was shot instantly by two more Naal who had been hiding behind another crest in the landscape, just off the side of the road. The high powered energy-projectile impacted on the unfortunate man's chest, spraying thick red blood into the surrounding air. The other man dived off to the side of the road, taking cover behind another crest. The other two, still in the RV, turned there vehicle to the side, trying to get it off the road and into some sort of shelter.
Seth knew it wouldn't help, the projectile rocket had been a heatseeker. He watched from the side of the wrecked vehicle, unable to move as he was buried to the waste in gravel. His skin was burnt in places, and it hurt, badly. Trying to ignore it he instead listened to the sound of the firefight that had broken out on the other side of the road, it was out of Seth's sight, his view being eclipsed by the wrecked and blackened hulk of the RV. He didn't know where the hell his brother was, or where Park was for that matter, he could see that they were not in the vehicle.. they must have bailed out before or after it had crashed. He couldn't speak, when he tried to call out his throat felt dry beyond belief, and it hurt to move his mouth. Damn it hurt not to move his mouth!
The other Helacaan was on the opposite side of the vehicle to Seth, and besides the action taking place on the other side of the road, he was aware of one thing only: that his left leg was either broken, or was no longer attached to his body. John's instinct was to scream in pain, the need of it was overwhelming him. Yet within him he found reason not to, if he made a noise like that then the Naal would know he was still alive. Surely as it was, they were assuming he was dead, just as Seth and the Starfleet officer probably were. He fought back the temptation to cry out, and moved his battered right arm to wipe away the tears forming at his eyes. Then he strained to see over to the other side of the road (the level of the road was raised up above the bleak flats on either side) without moving too much. One of their own lay dead in the middle of the road, John could see. There was criss-cross of fire beyond that dead form, and suddenly added to that was the orange beam of a phaser. That would have to be Park, John thought. So he was alive still, at least.
<tag Park>
Seth was on the verge of losing consciousness, the pain had become too much, and the weight of the gravel beneath him was slowly crushing his legs, cutting off circulation and making him feel sick in the stomach. Suddenly, he felt hands grab him under the armpits, and quickly but carefully he was dragged out. He brought his eyes around to look at his saviour and realised that it was one of the men from the other RV, the pilot in fact, he had ditched the vehicle on the same side of the road as the crashed one. "Thanks," Seth tried to say. It probably sounded like more of a choking, dry cough. In Seth's ears, he could hear the noise of the firefight continuing...
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