Mission 20: Doppelganger

[Carl Torek]

~ MISSION 20: DOPPLEGANGER ~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Note: Each of you will be required to post both the genuine Officer, and the Doppleganger
To do this, I would like the real Officer posted as normal (teal)
While the doppleganger will be posted in Italics & white typeface
(so as not to confuse us old guys)

ooo000ooo

Synopsis:

The Raven crew have been replaced by clones, or Doppleganger's, who masquerading as the real crew have taken the Raven ... The real crew, all drugged in one way or another to remove them from the ship, are being held in an as yet unknown location.

OK:

The Vamax have been trying to gain Federation membership for almost a decade, but conflicts with neighboring systems, namely the Tvozi, have prevented talks reaching a point where there petition is accepted and their membership confirmed. The Vamax are fully aware that any further issues between the two systems could, and indeed would, lead to their not being accepted into the Federation. They are therefore blackmailing the Tvozi into submission by withholding vital fuel supplies.

A third race. The Qlani. Have purchased technology to enable them to ‘clone’ personnel on a Federation Star ship, the USS Raven-B ... The ship has been taken from Star base forty seven and will be used to attack the Vamax. They in turn, unable to believe the Tvozi have formed an alliance with the Federation, will fight back. The war will decimate many worlds, leaving the Qlani free to enslave both systems for their mineral wealth and slave labor for their war-ship building yards.

Should the Qlani succeed, they will continue to build until they can turn their eyes to the Federation itself !

The Raven crew, once free, will need to ‘acquire’ a vessel as Command will not allow them to go after the Raven themselves. Torek will get hold of an aged Klingon vessel, and defying orders, will go after his ship ...

RACES:

VAMAX: The Vamax are currently appealing for membership to the Federation and control approximately sixteen planets high in valuable mining commodities. They will trade at a high price and are eager for a successful and lucrative time once granted membership.

TVOZI: The Tvozi have been suffering a tentative peace with the Vamax due to their dependence on several of the minerals they need to purchase or their survival. One hundred percent of their fuel needs are supplied by the Vamax and are immediately cut off if relations between the two systems strains.

QLANI: The Qlani are the third and most dangerous race. Their aim is to take over both systems, for the mineral content of the Vamax worlds, and the massive slave labor force they would rule from both systems to help expand their fleet of ships. Not yet able to sustain a war against both races, they intend to cause the Tvozi and Vamax races to fight and then take both worlds.

Welcome to our next outing
I hope you all have an enjoyable and exciting mission

Off we go

Carl Torek

[Carl Torek]

He had been in the meeting with Admiral Sato Tetsutaro for roughly one hour. They had covered every aspect of the Raven's repairs, yet again. Now he was satisfied he had certified the ship and placed her and the crew back on 'Active' status.

"So do you have anything for us ?" Carl asked.

"Nothing worthy of the Raven's attention." Tetsutarô said, taking the empty glass from Torek to refill it, "I do have a request of you and the Raven though. My Granddaughter is to be bridesmaid at a cousins wedding on Tanniz four, in the Grelen System. How would you feel about escorting her there ... As a favor to me ?"

Torek/Alemet couldn't quite believe his luck. He had come up here requesting a mission. Anything really to get him and the ship legitimately out into open space. Now, his friend was asking a favor that would accomplish that with no questions asked.

"It would be my pleasure Admiral." he said, taking the offered drink .....


Twelve hours later:


"Admiral Tetsutarô's Granddaughter is aboard. She has been given one of the VIP suites as you ordered."

"Good." Alemet said, "Make the necessary arrangements for departure. Inform me when we are in open space. I will be in the, my, ready room."

"Why are we nurse-maiden this girl." one of the people on the Bridge said, stepping in front of his Commander.

'Torek' slammed a fist into the mans throat. Crushing beyond repair his carotid artery, then looked at the man as he choked and drowned in his own blood. He was dead before his body hit the carpet !. Satisfied he had made a point, he grinned.

"Remove this." he said, pointing to the corpse, "Does anyone else feel the need to question my actions ?"

When there was only silence, he continued to the ready room, content and secure in his absolute dominance over the people he commanded. He could never stomach being questioned, let alone by some menial ... Entering the office, he sat down listening to his own thoughts. hardly glancing at the full-length window as the ship began to first back away from the dock, then turned through almost one hundred degrees, before moving majestically toward the massive space-dock doors ... Only when he could see the blackness of space, and the crystal white of the millions of suns, did he finally breathe a sigh of what could be called .. Relief !

He re-entered the Bridge, moving directly to the Command seat. The Bridge was totally silent. It wasn't something he was unaccustomed to, but he also relied on his trusted inner cabal to voice their opinions ...


< tag: all >


"We will remain on this heading for twenty hours." he said, once everyone had said their piece, "At that point i want you to disable the ships transponder and make a course change ... We will vanish from the federations motherly caress, and wreak havoc on our enemies."

Alemet watched as the stars passed. The Raven was arrowing through space at an unimaginable velocity. At some point, this ship would cause a war, a war that would decimate over thirty worlds, a war that would finally secure the Qlani as the dominant race ... They would enslave the peoples of those worlds, forcing them to build Qlani battle cruisers in the hundreds.

Then, and only then, would they turn their attention to this Federation of Planets ! ..........

[Andae Blakus]

OOC: This is a back post for now as things have moved past what I'd written. I'll write a more up-to-date one tonight.

IC:
The Commander checked into his 'new' quarters on the USS Raven. He found all of 'his' belongings already nicely stowed away, in drawers, in a cupboard, on a low table, and also - rather liberally - on the floor. There wasn't another assignment like this one, he mused; Where one didn't even have to bring their luggage along for the journey and yet it was still all there, ready for use.

=/\=Sickbay to Commander Blakus,=/\= an electronic voice said.

He went to the wall panel and pressed the button to answer. =/\=Yes; Blakus here.=/\=

=/\=Commander, were you going to stop by for your check-up? As agreed earlier today?=/\= He didn't answer immediately, having suddenly been put in the position of having to think up a response. =/\=Hello? To see if there is any residual effects from Toptani Syndrome?=/\=

=/\=What? ...Ah, right, of course... I'll be there shortly.=/\= He departed his quarters, hoping he hadn't been too unusual.

This was a brief detour, he thought as he entered the sickbay, for he would next be going to the bridge. This would however, he realised, be an opportunity to check-up on a particular someone. A junior Doctor was coming over - not the chief, he saw. The Doctor smiled, "Commander, have a seat."

The man checked him over for some time, Blakus being again suddenly put in an alarming situation of having his body fully scanned multiple times by state-of-the-art medical equipment. If anything was going to uncover genetic differences, it would be the device this Doctor was using.

Slightly jittery, Blakus asked, "Where is the CMO?"

"Hmm?" the Doctor was saying, "Oh, I'm not sure. He's on down-time; had to make sure he got his shore leave in before our next mission, I guess."

"Very well, I understand," Blakus replied (satisfied that the last of the senior staff would be being replaced) before adding, "And I expect you to do the same, Doctor, everyone needs their shore leave... Why, you must be one of only sixty-odd people not to have left the ship yet."

The man blinked. "Well, yes sir; how did you know that?"

"Doctor, as first officer it is my job to know what the crew are doing and how they are dividing time between work and leisure, particularly when there are opportunities for shore leave."

The man nodded, coughing in slight embarrassment. "Yes, sir, I beg your pardon. That was foolish of me."

"Yes, well... Don't make a habit of it." Blakus congratulated himself on working his way out of that one, and for starting to use common human vocabulary. "So; everything checks out?" The man nodded. "Thank you, Doctor, it's reassuring to know I don't still have Potanyi Syndrome. And may your shore leave be productive and free of incident!"

Blakus was up and out of sickbay before the Doctor even had a chance to say goodbye - never mind correct the XO on his naming of Toptani Syndrome. "Sheesh, you would've thought he'd know the thing's name, after it brought him low like that..." he muttered, moving off and packing his things up for a quick break on the Starbase.

* * *

The XO arrived on the bridge to a brief - and very unexpected and confusing - round of applause. He figured it was to do with his recovery from Potanyi or whatever it was, so he thanked them, saying it was good to be back, before heading down to the command area. Quickly he figured out which seat was his, so he wouldn't look too foolish.

He sat back, finding the chair much more comfortable than expected, then looked around the bridge. Considering the dozen or so present, he figured that about four of five of them were already replaced. The rest would follow soon when he put out the ship-wide call that ALL would be having shore leave, no matter how short.

And they had better comply, he thought, otherwise this little venture could have one or two hiccups before it's even begun.

<Tag All>

[ahlan]

.:.Several Hours Prior.:.

Shooku Ahlan carefully rose from his chair in his office in sickbay after having dealt with the Commander he felt that it was time for him to go to his quarters for some down time with his wife Suru. Quietly he strolled towards the turbolift before entering it. Just as he turned to face the door he heard a loud bang as something dropped from above him.

Shooku spun around in time to catch a glimpse of an identical looking Andorian male that was exactly the same hieght as he was and wearing the same type of uniform. But, before the real Shooku could react the imposter reacted boldly it seemed that the training in the Imperial Guard had been transferred into this match of his. Shooku felt a sharp blow that took the wind out of him, before a foot swept his own from beneath him.

A needle pierced his neck and warm fluid entered his vien mixing in with his own bluish colored blood. That was when everything went dark. He found himself now swimming in some sort of nightmarish dream that was too difficult to break from...

.:.Present.:.

Shooku pulled the front of his uniform down and smoothed it out. He quietly entered the quarters to find Suru standing there cooking something that smelled of rather fine taste. The aroma almost knocked him off his feet as he kissed the Anarian woman. This woman however was not his wife, but the wife of the Andorian he replaced. Hopefully this woman would not sense anything suspicious as he sat down across from her in order to enjoy his meal. There was one thing he hadn't counted on. Suru was pregnant and he didn't know that because it was still a secret. The couple only having discovered this earlier in the day...

"So Shooku when will we have the ultrasound done for the baby?" She asked taking a small bite from her plate.

Shooku nearly choked on his food, but managed to hide it, "Next week." He lied...

This is when Suru noticed something rather odd. Either he had forgotten what she had told him, or this was not her Shooku, but an imposter. There was really no way to tell this Andorian looked like him. And, even acted like him, the only odd thing was that this man didn't seem to know that she was pregnant. Had she dreamed herself telling him..? No she had not, she hid the intense feelings that washed over her. Suru had a very bad feeling about this...

[Deleted]

Will sat in his office going over and making changes to the security duty roster. He wanted to be sure that either he or "Delik" were on duty at all times for now until they got the rest of the Ravens crew under lock down. He was hoping it was sooner rather than later. He had already heard of the incident on the bridge with the "Captain." He was just lucky that the whole bridge crew had been replaced already or the idiot would have ruined their mission before it even got started.

With the schedule fixed to his liking, Will left to make his way to the bridge. He passed several crewman on the way to the lifts that all acknowledge him for whom they believed him to be.

"This may just work." he thought to himself as he entered.

Thirty seconds later, the doors parted and he made his way to his station while searching the bridge for his luxurious leader. He recognized the others from his party easily separating them from the junior officers that now littered the bridge. He made eye contact with Commander Blakus.

"Hello Commander. Welcome back." he said, playing his role.

[Carl Torek]

After leaving the Bridge 'Torek' went to his quarters. The quarters he shared with Galla and the two children. Outside, he took a deep breath, relaxing as the implanted memory engrams did their jobs. Entering he smiled at the woman and said hello to the two children he knew as Bethan and Vanessa, the Engineers daughter. Alemet had worried about their not taking the Engineer, but replacing him while in a long term coma would have been a waste ... After eating, he and the woman, Galla, sat together. She placed her head on his shoulder obviously relaxing. He was contemplating the night together when the Comm chirped into life.

=^= Captain to the Bridge =^=

Galla sighed as he reached to tap the Comm badge.

=^= On my way =^=

"Sorry. I need to deal with this." he said, making a show of affection kissing her on the forehead as he got up and left his quarters.

~~~~~~~~~~

"What is it ?" he asked, exiting the turbo-lift and taking his seat.

"You are being hailed, you personally." his Exec' said nervously, "Captain Kevin Norris of the USS Balene. She's seven hundred thousand kilometers away on a reverse heading."

"Open the Comm." he ordered, setting his face in a welcome smile.

=^= Carl .. Good to see the Raven back at work =^=

=^= Hello Kevin .. How are you ? =^=

The man on-screen frowned.

=^= Kevin ? ...... When have you ever called me Kevin Carl .. I think you have been spending way too much time on that Star base =^= he said, a grin forming.

Carl returned the grin but didn't reply. He could see Blakus to one side, looking nervously at the readouts at the tactical station.

=^= So where you heading .. I thought you were still waiting for the old man to assign you mission orders .. Not managed to sneak away un-noticed I hope .. You know what Tetsutarô is like =^=

=^= We're taking his daughter to a wedding actually =^= Carl replied, watching the man closely.

=^= Running errands for the top brass eh .. OK .. Well I'll see you when you get back in Carl .. I'm pretty sure it was your round last time we wer in O'Tooles so get your wallet ready .. Norris out =^=

Torek was about to relax when the Comm continued again ..

=^= Hey .. You recovered enough for the re-match when you get back ? =^=

=^= Certainly .. No worries .. See you when we get back .. Raven out =^=

The Comm closed and 'Torek' stood, rubbing his palms against his temples for a few seconds to ease the headache that was developing, 'and i have only been up here five minutes' he thought. He was about to go back to his quarters when Jamison shouted.

"The Balene has changed course. She is heading straight for us !"

"WHAT !" Franklin said.

"We're being hailed." Will said, looking at Torek, who nodded then looked at the screen.

=^= Problem Kev ? =^=

=^= We contacted Tetsutarô and he confirmed your orders .. But I said I thought something was wrong .. Sorry but you don't seem yourself in my opinion Carl .. He asked me to come aboard to double check .. Can you drop out of warp for rendezvous =^=

Carl hesitated, but for only a second.

=^= No problem .. Hey you had better be bringing one of those bottles of Romulan ale with you or no tour .. Raven out =^=

"Let them establish a parallel course. He will need to drop shields to beam over ... Get the weapons ready ... The second those shields drop hit him hard. I want nothing left of that ship that can be identified !"

< tag : All >

He watched as the Balene made her long leisurely turn to come along side Raven. The gap between them was only two hundred kilometers. The Raven would need to fire and raise her own shields almost simultaneously to avoid being caught in the matter/antimatter blast. He glanced at Jamison, hoping he was quick enough.

"Drop shields." he ordered.

"Balene is dropping her shields." the Helm Officer confirmed.

"FIRE !"

Phaser fire lanced across space, bridging the gap between the two vessels in two micro-seconds. The immense power sliced through the Balene like butter as the Raven turned away under full impulse. A full volley of photon torpedoes arced from the Raven exploding against the decimated hull of the Nova Class ship. Two seconds later nothing but atoms remained of almost twelve thousand tonnes of ship and eighty plus crew ... Everyone on the Bridge was silent, they knew that taking the lives on that ship was necessary to their goal. It didn't make the loss of life any easier to some.

"Disable the transponder ... Set heading for the Qlani system ... Warp seven." Torek said, looking round the Bridge, "NOW !" he shouted ..........

< tag : All >

[Deleted]

"I want nothing left of that ship that can be identified !"

"With pleasure." answered Will as his fingers flew over the console. He felt as if he had been doing it his whole life.

"Balene is dropping her shields."

"FIRE !"

Will targeted straight at the opposing vessels bridge and Engineering sections. He wanted to destroy the ship quickly without any chance of any survivors. It was essential to their mission that no one got in their way and he planned to see to it that no one did. One way or another, they would have what they desire.

As the Raven changed course, Will let loose with a few photon torpedoes as well before placing the shields back up. He didn't need to physically see the space that previously held the now missing Federation ship. His readouts told him all he needed to know. It was gone. Every single piece of metal. Every single piece of the crew. He smiled. He really loved his job.

"Disable the transponder ... Set heading for the Qlani system ... Warp seven. NOW !"

"Transponder disabled, Captain" Will answered without trying to hide his disdain for the chosen leader of the mission.

"Course laid in, sir. We're at Warp 7 and holding." came the reply from the helm.

With irritation at how everyone else had so easily accepted their roles, Will decided he needed to get off the bridge for a while before he did something dumb to jeopardize the mission like Alemet had done earlier by killing the subordinate on the bridge.

"And he's our leader this time out." he muttered to himself.

The turbo lift doors parted way and Delik walked over to the security console by Will.

"Thazous, my old and most trusted friend." he mumbled as the second man approached "I need to get out of here for a while. Man the station."

"Yes, Couak". he answered with as his eyes darted toward the captain, for both men knew they were suppose to use their Raven names only from here on out.

Couak made his way to the lift and slouched back against the rear wall as soon as the doors closed. He quickly stood back up to his full height as the lift came to a stop. He held his composure until he was in the cabin of the human he had replaced. Than he let his fury be released.

"I still can't believe they chose him over me to lead this mission." he began as he shoved a chair across the room. "He has been nothing but a failure to them yet they continue to coddle him. WHY???" he yelled. "This mission should have been mine."

After a few more seconds, he began to breath normal again and he reigned himself in.

"All will be fine." he said. "I will do the task given to me and insure our success for our people. But if "Captain Torek" screws up one more time, I will kill him and take over."

He picked up the chair that he had dispatched only seconds earlier and sat down at his console. He entered a secret code into it and brought up records fro his home world. Names of everyone they were using on this mission. He needed to see who else would be on his side other than Thazous should it come to it.

[/color]

[Andae Blakus]

Commander Blakus wasn't surprised that his leader had taken extreme measures against Norris's ship. He'd seen it before, many times, from the point of view of Alemet's second in command. He'd always followed the Qlani superior, had traced the man's path up through the hierarchy of the Qlani's warrior-caste. And now he was here, following the same person's commands, but he would let no person tell him he was still operating from within his Captain's shadow.

In fact, just like his 'real' counterpart locked away in a dark place, it was part of his job to advise the Superior, fill his mind with his own thoughts. Of course, the rest of Alemet's cabal were held in almost equal regard by him, but still, it didn't stop him making queries. And he had one now.

"Sir.." he said quietly, not wanting to question 'Torek' blatantly in front of the bridge staff, "What do we do when Tetsutaro realises something's happened to the Balene? They'll send people looking. I know we've deactivated the transponder, but all the same, they'll know something's amiss. We'll be tracked, hunted down and we'll have to defend ourselves again.

"I advise we attempt to mask our ion trail. I know one or two tricks we could pass to whoever's in charge of engineering."

<Tag Torek - Alemet>

...If only I had the memory engrams of the other Blakus's engineering knowledge... he thought. If he 'looked' inwards for those memories, he only found the personal ones, fragments of relations with those civilians on the ship and assorted others (such as family) that might prove useful to upholding his deception.
He looked through them now, as he had earlier. And again, as before, he saw there weren't many of them when it came to non-Starfleet crew on the ship. There was a risk, he supposed, that they were out-of-date; but no, surely, in the short time since the sample of them had been taken, things could not have developed that far for the real Blakus.

And they wouldn't be developing that far for him right now, he thought, a corner of his lip curling with the vestiges of a grin, daring to make its way to his face.

He surveyed the bridge from his privileged position, next to the seat of the Superior, and he knew that - given the opportunity - many among the crew would not blink in grabbing his position. He also knew they'd sooner bypass his seat altogether and go straight for the Superior's, for he was sure he was seen as simply the yes man to Alemet's whims... But if that were the case, he thought with conviction, then the same title was branded upon half a dozen others, including all of Alemet's cabal.

<Tag All>

[Carl Torek]

"Sir ..." Blakus said quietly, not wanting to question 'Torek' blatantly in front of the bridge staff, "What do we do when Tetsutaro realizes somethings happened to the Balene. They will send people looking. I know we've deactivated the transponder, but all the same, they'll know somethings amiss. We'll be tracked, hunted down and we'll have to defend ourselves again."

"We will mask our Ion trail for now. I have a few tricks in mind." Torek said, tapping the Comm link.

=^= Torek to Lieutenant Fishner =^= he said, his eyes remaining on his chosen.

=^= Fishner Sir =^=

=^= It is time Ballon .. Do what you need to do then get back to me =^=

He closed the Comm without waiting for any reply, then glanced around the Bridge. He wasn't stupid, he knew that some, maybe all here would not hesitate to kill him if he showed a moments' uncertainty or doubt. That was fine, he knew how to defend himself. At the age of fourteen cycles he had killed his first opponent, and by the twentieth he had killed over a dozen more. Their society bred distrust, but also honor. He would and could trust his chosen with his life, well, maybe not his life, but close. Killing the subordinate was a lesson to those present that he was still in charge. If his chosen had been stood close enough, he would have had no hesitation in killing him to make the same point ... It was their way !

"Supe ...... Beg forgiveness ... Captain. We are getting questions from people who witnessed the destruction of the Federation vessel." one of the Bridge staff said.

"Put out a general order. I want all confined to their quarters ... No-one must be in the open in five minutes. Anyone found is to be killed ... De-activate access codes for all but our people."

"Captain .. We will need people in essential area's who are not of us." Will said.

"NO !" Torek spun to face the man who had spoken, "Confine all."

"Alemet." Blakus whispered, and 'Torek' knew his chosen was right and maybe he was acting in haste.

"Very well. Use only those you need."

He sat down, signifying the conversation was at an end. No-one would approach him now for fear of their life ending. He knew this and took it as a given. But he had something on his mind and needed to think it through. In six hours they would pass close to outpost two nine four. Regulations stated that all vessels transiting the region must file their projected course for records. Two nine four was an automated post, but that made it no less a problem. Blasting it into oblivion would give the Federation their exact location. Ignoring the automated link request would simply set in motion a program that would not only scan a ships transponder code and report the infringement to the appropriate authorities, but when it couldn't access the transponder, would send out a general alert, locking all tracking sensors on the 'illegal' vessel until it can be captured and investigated. If the said ship attempted to approach the base it would open fire disabling the ship.

Docking, or beaming aboard was strictly prohibited. So he needed to think. After checking the schematics of the base, he knew it was fitted with personnel area's used for maintenance crews etcetera. it also had a sick-bay ....

This, he decided, was their way onto the base ..........

[Deleted]

"Captain .. We will need people in essential area's who are not of us."

"NO! Confine all."

I should shot him now." Couak silently thought as the commanders #2 spoke up.

"Alemet."

"Very well. Use only those you need."

Will sounded the general quarters and placed Delik in charge of making sure everyone was locked down. Knowing that this part would be coming, Will had gone through the ship roster and had separated the names of all the newest and lowest ranking crew members on the ship. These were the ones that they would use in the areas that were not covered by one of their own. The thought was that they would be too green to ask questions or defy orders.

Less than ten minutes had passed when Delik reported that the lock down had been completed with out incident.

"Captain. Lock down of all non essential personal is complete."

Wills report fell on deaf ears as the "captain" sat down in the center seat and seemed to ignore everyone. That was fine with Will as he was busy with his own personal agenda that had been running through his head for the last couple of hours. He returned his attention to the console before him and did his job for now. Regardless of his thoughts of their chosen leader this time around he would still make sure that the mission itself went well.

[Andae Blakus]

Blakus was interested to know what 'tricks' Torek had planned, and why he'd seen fit to inform Ballon of them - as if the two men were the only ones who knew of the tricks - and not himself. The Commander shook his head in his chair. Yes, it appeared that there were things Alemet would hide from him, so he could surprise even the closest member of his chosen few when the time came.

The Superior had people confined to quarters, so that they could not now act on what they might perceive as madness from the Captain of the Raven, or even question his authority. Of course, the Commander thought, there did exist ways whereby Alemet could've appeased the civilians' fears, rather than worsen them by trapping them in their quarters. He could've asked Blakus to send out a general message, anything to ease their concerns; such as, 'The Balene had been hijacked', 'It was a practice target', 'It was being destroyed after quarantine status'... Anything. But such babysitting, such pithy reassurance was not the way of the Qlani. Honour, honesty, ruthlessness, respect, and if any of those qualities were lacking, it could often mean the harshest punishment possible. Which was usually death.

"Captain," came a voice from the bridge's tactical rail, "Lock down of all non essential personnel is complete."

He waited for Torek to respond to the man posing as Commander Jamison, but the Superior was silent. Blakus looked up behind him, eyeing the tactical man for a moment but saying or gesturing nothing (as he might've on behalf of Torek).

The tactical Qlani's name was Couak; Blakus had served with him before, but just once, and only briefly. Before completion of that assignment, Blakus had been reassigned to a warrior-grouping under Alemet's command, and that was the first time he'd been within the service of the Superior. It threw an interesting spin on things... Couak was part of his past, Alemet was the recent history (if one defined the last great many cycles as recent).

Couak hadn't changed, that much was clear to Blakus. He was still ruthless; his seeming outward obedience providing only a thin gauze, for the great ambition and dangerous nature of the man that lay beneath. While others may not have realised the Qlani's agenda, Blakus knew Couak would always and forever be plotting something, and he knew with certainty he could not be trusted. He also briefly wondered if Couak remembered, him, he guessed that was so, but the man's impassive face gave nothing away.

He was the type who was never happy, Blakus suspected (although he wasn't sure, considering he'd known him for only a short time), and who always felt he deserved more. Perhaps he did, Blakus reasoned objectively, and then decided he'd look into Couak's record since his last experience of the man, up to this, the present date.



(modified to white italics only - Torek)

[Deleted]

A light started to blink as Will stood at his station.

What? They couldn't have discovered the real crew already. Why are they sending us a message? he thought as he keyed in the code to read what it said.

To Captain Carl Torek, USS Raven, Commanding.

As from this date you are hereby promoted in rank to Commodore, many congratulations and thanks for your excellent service.

Section Admiral Paul Drew,
SD 96.0429

Right. Like I'm going to mention that to Alemet. He already thinks he's a god. We'll just save this little surprise for the real Carl Torek and his court martial that he will receive for starting this war. Couak thought with a silent laugh.

[Carl Torek]

Two nine four had a sick-bay ... He needed access to the automated log systems ... So he needed a patient !

"You ... Thazous ... Bring me one of the personnel." he said surprising the Bridge.

"Sir ?" the man said, almost struck dumb at being addressed.

"Bring me someone who is not of us. A woman. NOW !"

He frantically searched the memory engrams implanted and suddenly knew who he needed. Leaving the Bridge he entered the turbo-lift and requested deck eight. Once the doors opened he headed along the corridor, then without hesitation pressed the chime next to the door .. After a moment the door opened. He reached in and grabbed the woman by the throat. She stood immobilized in shock. Thazous lifted a finger to his lips, instructing the woman to remain silent as he slowly moved her forward into the corridor. Once the door closed he eased his grip ...

"Turbo-lift." he ordered simply, leaving her in no doubt of her need to comply. After entering they rose in silence. When the doors opened he approached the Command area.

"The woman you requested." he said, but the woman spoke too.

"Carl ... What the HELL is goi ....." she hesitated, seeing something different in the man she loved, "Wait .... Carl ?" she started, confused.

"No. Not Carl, or at least not 'your' Carl." Alemet said grinning, "Alas I do not have the time to explain. I need access to the automated base we are approaching. For that, I need someone injured badly enough to allow me that access. You are, unfortunately through a tragic unavoidable accident, that badly injured person, and require the facilities of the base."

"Wha .... ?" she began, falling silent as she saw what he was holding.

While he was talking he had picked up a phaser from the seat beside him and was adjusting the settings. Before she could react, the phaser's beam of energy lanced from the weapon, hitting her full in the face and throwing her into the massive view-screen. Galla screamed in agony, grabbing her burned, destroyed face.

"Open a channel to the station. Request permission to beam over for a medical emergency." Torek said simply.

Blakus had watched the shooting and was now watching the woman as she screamed in unimaginable pain, but as Torek was talking she suddenly fell silent. He got up and approached her, bending to check her pulse.

"Alemet ... She is DYING !" he said.

"All the more reason to get her to the stations medical facility." Torek replied, casually turning the phaser in his hands.

It was just as well he was admiring the weapon, because should he have looked up he would have seen a look of pure hatred on one of his trusted followers. In that moment the adage 'If looks could kill' could not have been truer ..........

ooooo000ooooo

Walking through the corridors, his head was spinning. He knew he'd ordered something, but for the life of him he couldn't remember what that was. He entered the turbo-lift and requested a destination. Minutes later the doors opened ...

Several people were waiting to use the lift and were waiting for him to step out ... He looked at them in confusion before moving forward.

"Commodore ?" a woman said, concerned at his apparent confused state, not to mention appearance, "Sir, Is everything alright. You didn't leave with the Raven ?"

Carl looked at her in silence for a few seconds, trying to make sense of what was going on in his head.

"Commod ... What are you talking about. What about the Raven ... Where's Admiral Tetsutarô. I need to see him now !"

The woman nodded to someone behind her then lead Torek to the Admiral's office. On entering the aged Admiral stood up in confusion.

"Commodore Torek ?" he said quietly, watching the confused man trying to take in the information presented to him, "Carl ... Why are you not on the Raven my friend ?

"Raven ?" Carl said, fighting to get his confused thoughts in order. But before he could continue he had the distinct feeling that the room was spinning. The sensation was too much for his drug-overloaded mind to handle, and he fell to the floor unconscious ..........

[mieshafranklin]

Lezari sat with her feet up in her new quarters. They were not what she was used to, but at least she didn't have to bunk with someone else. She was a younger member of the group, but had been selected by her new leader Alemet to join on this little excursion. She settled into her new home just after drugging her counterpart and relocating her to a pre-defined location. It was all part of the flawless plan. Her counterpart had some interesting tastes.... lavish decorations, plush pillows. She appeared to be a softy, but it was a welcome sight compared to what she has recently been accustomed to. This should be a walk in the park... She smiled.

The new senior crew was growing fond of their new Raven quickly. They had already destroyed a ship and were now on approach to a station that they couldn't access without being fired upon. Surely they would need a woman of Lezari's talents soon. She slowly walked to the bridge, wondering what she would need to do.

As she entered the bridge, she immediately took the science officer's post. She gathered the information they had gathered thus far and waited for orders. She dare not yet move to her own beat without the approval of the leaders.

(tag Torek and all)

[Deleted]

Will began to stir. His mouth was extremely dry and his head was pounding. He noticed that his back was also sore and he realized that he was laying on the floor in a semi dark room. He allowed a few moments for his eyes to adjust. As he looked around, he saw Delik lying a few feet away and also recognized several other members of the Raven crew.

"What the hell's going on?" he muttered before surrendering to the grogginess and losing consciousness once again.

[Deleted]

Couak smiled as Alemet fired the phaser into the womans face.

Finally. The act of a true Superior. he thought.

This was how these subservients were meant to be treated. He watched as the Blakus impostor went to her side and checked her vitals.

"Alemet ... She is DYING !"

"All the more reason to get her to the stations medical facility."

Couak allowed another grin to dawn his face as he worked his console to inform the station of their "medical emergency." He couldn't help but to think that the mission was in no way of failing. Not as long as they remembered that they were and acted like Qlani.

"Sir." he said as he addressed Alemet. "I've informed the station of our "emergency" and they are sending docking orders to the helm."

<Tag Torek/All>

[Carl Torek]

"All the more reason to get her to the stations medical facility." Carl said.

It took him less than two seconds to realize something was not quite right. He looked up at his chosen, surprised that he was making such an issue of caring for this Human ... He stood, walking over to the dying body and his chosen.

The gesture alone was enough to instill fear in all who was watching, but someone was harboring other thoughts. They watched as he approached the two, and looked on, almost in dismay as he didn't simply kill the woman outright.

"You have some issue with her current state !" Alenet asked his chosen, making it a comment rather than a question.

"Sir ..." Will said suddenly, "I have informed the station of our "Emergency" ... They are sending docking orders and co-ordinates to the helm."

"Very well ... Acknowledge and proceed with docking." Torek said, never taking his eyes off his chosen.

"We have no further need for the woman, should we transfer her to the medical facility ?" someone asked.

Alemet shrugged. He looked at the destroyed face of the woman at his feet, then at his second in command. Something wasn't right ... He knew it .. Life-long instinct had taught him so, but he knew someone on his Bridge was dissatisfied with his actions ...... That alone ensured he would kill any and all of his trusted followers to ensure loyalty among his following. 'But do 'I' beleve this ?' he thought, a moments doubt surfacing. He turned slowly, to ensure all his trusted were aware of his scrutiny, then returned to his seat.

"Dock the ship. Take 'that' to the medical facility, then find a way to asses schematics. I need a route to the inner core. We will need to erase any record of our arrival." he said ..........

ooooo000ooooo

"He's coming round ... Inform Admiral Tetsutarô ...." A nurse said, within minutes the man appeared in the Medical Center.

"Good afternoon. It is good to see you are back in the land of the living Commodore." Tetsutarô said, looking at the man on the Bio-bed, " I think I need to ask you some rather pertinent questions, but first I would like an explanation as to why certain events have taken place ..."

"Ad ... Admiral ..." Torek said, still confused, "I'm pretty much in the dark myself. I have been addressed as Commodore for a start off, and for some reason people are looking at me like I'm a ghost !"

"We have been friends a long time you and I ..." the Admiral said, "Do you remember my first name by chance ?"

Torek looked at the man, wondering if this was some sort of joke. Addressed as a Commodore, talk of his leaving, his obvious status as a patient .. It was all becoming too much. He spun his legs off the Bio-bed and fell to the deck plates. No-one moved to help him, so he struggled, fighting the confused state he was experiencing until he sat upright ... Taking a few deep breaths he grasped the support leg of the Bio-bed and started to pull himself up. It took an eternity, but eventually he was on his feet. The Admiral nodded to someone and Carl felt the ice-cold injection from the hypo on hid neck. Thirty seconds later he was fully alert !

"What is my given name ?" the Admiral said, his tone severe.

"Sato." Carl replied instantly, still trying to work out what the hell was going on .....

"I think we have a problem." the ever enigmatic Admiral said, "Come."

They moved from the main ward area to a consulting room. Once Tetsutarô has accessed the Comm link he turned the screen so Carl could view it ... What he saw left him dumbfounded and speechless. He was watching a station log, a log showing the USS Raven departing Star base forty seven, not unusual in itself, but for the fact that 'HE' was on the Bridge !.

"Biometrics have already scanned the records .. 'You' were not on the Bridge of the Raven when she departed, but you were. That much is obvious. We now know the ship was taken." Sato said.

"How the hell could that happen, we have protocols, safeguards , sys ...." Carl began, but Tetsutarô interrupted him.

"Clones." he said, silencing Torek, "We have no idea why at this point. We do know a Galaxy Class vessel has been taken. Also .. The USS Balene, who was asked to intercept you has vanished. We have also lost contact with your ship. Her transponder signal has been de-activated."

Carl jumped up and headed for the door. He was surprised when it remained closed.

"I remember turning up in Command." he said, rubbing his temples and turning to look at his friend, "I was addressed as Commodore ?"

"Insignificant at the moment my friend, but yes, you have been promoted ... Congratulations .. The Command center was a little curious as to why Raven had not acknowledged the Sub-space Comm from the SA. That was what initially caused us to look further. But the loss of the Balene and subsequent disappearance of the Raven is now a priority one issue. Thus my friend, our surprise at you wandering into the Command center ..." Tetsutarô said.

Taking this in, Carl came to the only decision a ships' Commanding Officer could come to ..

"I NEED A SHIP !" he demanded, shocked at feeling something being pressed against his neck ... Before he could react he fell to the floor unconscious.

"Let him sleep for four hours then have him report to me." Tetsutarô said, sympathy showing on his face as he left Medical ..........

[Deleted]

The Raven docked with the station and Couak accompanied the away team over as security. He had been impressed that Alemet had had it in him to do what he did to the woman to help get them on board but one correct action out of a thousand still didn't make him the right leader for this mission.

As "Blakus" and the medical crew took her to the medical room, Couak went with the engineer ensigns to get the access they needed.

"Sir?" one of them began. "May I ask what happened to cause us to dock here?"

"No. You may not." Will answered. "Now start accessing those schematics so that the Captain can get the information he needs."

"Aye, sir." she answered as she began working with no further comments.

A few moments later, "Delik" entered and Will left him in charge as he made his way to the medical room. He entered to hear Blakus and some of the ensigns from the ships sick bay discussing the diagnosis. Will walked up beside him so that he could whisper in his ear without any of the others hearing.

"Why bother with her? She served her purpose." he said.

<Tag Blakus>

[Carl Torek]

Carl watched at the Helm Officer gently guided the massive vessel to within ten meters of the docking pylon that had partially extended from the base, then slowly, nudged her sideways so the umbilical walk-way could seal.

"Docking complete Captain ... We have an air-tight seal." she reported.

Carl wasn't listening. He was still turning the phaser in his hand. His mind playing back the second the beam slammed into the womans face. Her skin almost boiling from the temperature as she fell to the floor in agony. There was something wrong. He knew it, but for the life of him he couldn't understand what. Why did he care about this woman ? ... He was about to dismiss the thoughts when his mind provided the answer ... She was something to this Torek.

"Sir ... We are docked." Blakus said quietly.

"She the woman is cared for." Carl said, realizing too late what he had said. He looked at his chosen and knew the man was confused at the comment. After all, he had just shot her. He also noticed others had heard the order and were watching the Superior closely, "Should she die the base will contact their Command to report and we will be discovered. So keep her alive ... Do I make myself clear, or would you like clarification of my wishes !"

He locked eyes with 'Blakus' hoping his conviction wouldn't be tested too far. He would hate to have to kill the man who had become a trusted Chosen. But more, he could not afford him, or the rest of his followers to see doubt, that one thing would get him killed ... Quickly ! ..........

ooooo000ooooo

Opening his eyes he was grateful of the dimmed lighting. Taking time to waken, he tried to remember the course of events that had led him to this point. Flashes of memory were cascading around his mind and he was having difficulty latching onto one of them ...

"He's awake." a voice out of his vision said, then the face of a nurse appeared above him, "Relax Commodore, I'm going to give you something to stabilize your system."

He felt the cold of the hypo-spray as she spoke, and his mind began to clear.

"I need to see Admiral Tetsutarô."

"He has asked us to send you to his office once we're ready to release you .... Give us half an hour Commodore before you start to protest. We'll run the tests we need and have you in his office within the hour."

"Half hour !" Carl said, laying back resigned to the fact he needed to let them do their prodding .....

~~~~~~~~~~

"OK Commodore you are free to go." The Doctor said, "But take it easy, there may well be some residual effects for the next few hours."

Carl got off the Bio-bed and trying no to show the unsteadiness in his legs, headed out of the Medical complex ... Once in the turbo-lift, he allowed himself to rest against the wall for the ride upward. Even the few moments alone seemed to have done wonders he decided as he stepped out onto the Command area. Tetsutarô's Adjutant approached him as he looked round the enormous reception.

"Commodore Torek ... Good to see you on your feet. I am Captain Ross, the Admiral's assistant. He would like me to update you, then if you would follow me please he's expecting you."

Carl fell into stride with the man. As he explained about the Raven being taken, or rather Torek being asked to escort the Admiral's Daughter to a wedding, the subsequent loss of the Balene. The presumption that Raven had now de-activated her transponder, effectively vanishing until spotted. As they reached the office Ross moved ahead to open the door before stepping to one side allowing Torek to pass, he closed the door behind the man.

"Carl. Good to see you ..." Tetsutarô said coming round his desk, "I assume Ross has brought you up to speed with our 'situation' ... But first ..." the Admiral reached up to Carl's collar, and after a moment stepped back seemingly satisfied, "Can't have a Flag Officer wandering round with incorrect rank insignia. Just would not do my friend. Now, a drink ... I am sure our Doctors have told you to abstain, but I feel you may well need one about now. Take a seat, I will do the honors."

Carl sat ...... A Thousand questions vying for first place to be asked, but Sato handed him his drink with that 'knowing, soothing' smile of his then sat himself opposite.

Over the next hour, Tetsutarô told Carl all Command knew. Which was all but nothing save the general direction they were heading when the Balene was destroyed. The Admiral was also confident that outpost two nine four would pick them up on approach.

"I need use of a ship." Carl said.

"Impossible at this point I am afraid. The Section Admiral has authorized me to send four vessels currently not involved in urgent missions to go after the Raven.

"Then the first 'privilege' of me new rank will be to commandeer one of those ships and head the search !" Carl said standing, but Sato remained seated and silent, allowing his friend to vent the anger, frustration, and possible embarrassment, at loosing his ship.

"You don't seem to understand Commodore. You will not be allowed to go after your vessel. We need to establish the how's and the whys of this situation. And I am certain you have grasped the concept that replacing you alone would not have been enough to take over the Raven. We think, the Senior Staff would have been replaced, and if that is so, then, my friend, where are your Officers ?"

The full realization hit Torek like a slap in the face. His ship gone, the crew, or key personnel at minimum had been replaced, but what of the others ... What of Galla, Bethan, Vanessa. All the families, Civilians. Under normal conditions there were some thousand plus souls on a Galaxy Class vessel. Granted while in space-dock that number would be reduced considerably, but he figured there were still three, maybe four hundred still on board when the ship was taken out, most civilian and science personnel choosing to wait for the ship's return and next mission than go on what was a simply 'Taxi Run' ...

Tetsutarô sympathized with his friend as he watched the full ramifications dawn on his face. He had personally confirmed Galla's appointment as civilian head of the ships psychiatric and counseling department.

"We must discuss options my friend." Tetsutarô said, taking the empty glass and re-filling it ..........



< tag: ALL >

[Deleted]

"Why bother with her? She served her purpose." Will had asked.

He began to remember the look of the Superior on the bridge when he ordered her care. He didn't exactly buy Alemets reasoning behind the order. Surely they were far enough out that the would be long gone before any other ship approached their location.

"So tell me Chosen One," Will began, "Why is our Superior so enticed with saving the human woman now? He was the one who caused her injuries. He isn't going soft on us is he?"

Before waiting for a reply, he turned and waked out of the sick room. He would confront Alemet with his quires.

A few moments later, he was back on the bridge of the Raven.

"I must speak to you, Captain, if you will." he said as he gestured to the ready room.

Alemet looked as if he could give Couak the same treatment has the human woman had received earlier but without a word, he turned and walked toward the ready room. As the doors closed, he quickly turned but before he could speak a word, Couak was speaking.

"I came to question your real reasons behind saving the human woman." Couak said to him. "We both know that if she were to die, we would have the information that we need and gone long before another vessel arrived. Why are we wasting time on her?"

Couak saw the look of hate in Alemets eyes but he didn't back away or cower away like some of the others would have. He stood his ground, albeit with his hand on the phaser that was tucked into the waist band of his pants at the small of his back, waiting for either a reply or for Alemet to go for his own phaser.

<Tag Torek>

[Andae Blakus]

The callous hatred of his Superior was hardly unexpected, but even Commander Blakus was given pause for thought as he witnessed the defenceless woman being propelled into the viewscreen. She slumped to the floor in a pathetic heap, limp and seemingly lifeless, with her face to the floor.

He moved across quickly to her, turning her over and seeing the crimson red mark worked into the carpet from where her face had impacted it. The unconscious form of her seemed suddenly frail and helpless, as he held her shoulders and observed in near shock the ruin that had been her face. His hand moved to her neck - streamed with clots of ruptured skin tissue recently burst from her face - and found a very weak pulse.

"Alemet, she is dying!" he blurted out, his words affected by the sight of the woman's injury.

"All the more reason to get her to the station's medical facility," said Torek casually. Then there was a pause, during which the bridge's silence sucked life from all those present, bearing down on them like a vast unknown oppression, the weight of its unspoken authority daring them to object. "You have some issue with her current state!" Alemet 'asked'.

More silence. Enduring and almost painful. Eventually, Blakus found the courage to speak, something he thought he'd long since overcome in his lengthy service to the Superior. "No, sir," he said, "I've never had issue with your actions. I follow you, and will follow you to the end, whenever and wherever that might be."

---

It was something residual, he'd decided. Some marker which was what the real Blakus's reaction would be to the shooting; that was what had caused his reaction to it. It was a reaction that might've got him killed...
From the memory engrams, the impostor Blakus saw it reasonable to assume real Blakus would have great discomfort with what had happened. Seeing someone who looked exactly like the real Carl Torek so casually shooting his partner in the face, mutilating and twisting her features beyond the recognition of the untrained observer, made it impossible not to not only know how Blakus would feel, but to actually experience some of that feeling too.

However, despite all this difficulty, Alemet had told him to make sure the woman didn't die, for the real Torek. He'd told Alemet he'd make sure she didn't die, no more; he hoped that was enough, for he'd become unsure of his Superior's current emotional state, not knowing whether he was being tested, or simply ordered.

"Why bother with her? She served her purpose." Couak asked, speaking from behind Blakus and the group who were attending the injured woman.

He hadn't noticed his fellow Chosen's approach. He glanced at Couak only slightly before returning to his vigil of the woman. Her face was mending, but it was not at all clear if it was possibly to restore it completely; Blakus saw the chances as slim.
He sighed gruffly, "I was told to keep her alive. And what the Superior commands of me, I obey." A couple of medical staff milled around the medical bed, thoughts of conquest and glory set aside to preserve the woman Alemet had brutally maimed.

"So tell me Chosen One," Couak spoke, clearly sarcastic, "Why is our Superior so enticed with saving the human woman now? He was the one who caused her injuries. He isn't going soft on us is he?"

As if to deny it by physical action, Blakus twisted quickly and grabbed Couak by the throat. Despite the impostor-CTSO's impressive strength, Blakus succeeded in forcing him against the wall, knowing if he tightened his clamp-like grip on the Qlani the man would start to suffocate. "The Superior has his reasons," Blakus spat, "Do you dare deny Alemet's record of victories, the brutal manner he's conducted them in? He has never wavered, and I have followed him in his conquests for longer than you have been in the ring of the Chosen; so 'mind your step', to borrow one of these human phrases!"

Slowly he loosened his grip, allowing Couak off the wall, before releasing the man completely and returning to the medical bed; he ignored the shocked looks of the medical staff. "Rest assured, Couak, if at any point I notice a distinct change in my Superior, I won't hesitate to put him in his place, regardless of my length of service under him. Again, I will make the move. Not you."

<Tag Couak/Jamison>

He waited for Couak's reply with his back turned, silently waiting for the CTSO to depart the medical bay and return to the security teams. He perceived the CTSO's departure, and then, almost imperceptibly, his shoulders slumped in relief. It was fortunate he'd had his back turned to Couak, too, for if the Qlani had seen his facial expression the mand would've seen the doubt that was etched there, clearer than the most perfect glass. Blakus's troubled gaze persisted, as he surveyed the tender form of the injured woman whom was known as Galla.

<Tag All>

[Carl Torek]

Couak watched the man shoot. He also witnessed something he didn't expect, and it was this that forced his tongue ..

"I must speak to you, Captain, if you will." he said, unable to notice the deafening silence save for the injured womans screams. He wondered fleetingly if he would meet the same fate, but Alemet headed for 'his' ready room.

Once there the Superior remained silent, an old Earth adage 'hung for a sheep as a lamb' coming to the fore-front of his mind as Couak followed him in and spoke without prompt.

" ...... Why are we wasting time on her ?" Couak finished.

Alemet looked at his trusted follower, part of him knowing the question was valid, part of him knowing this man before him should have remained silent. For to question a Superior was to invite severe and immediate retribution. Alemet looked at the man, but his eyes never left Couak's .. In that examination he could tell his companion was holding a weapon. Be it a particle weapon, or a more traditional blade, it mattered not to him. Because his attacker would be dead, his throat slit from ear to ear before he realized his assassination attempt had failed. Alemet would then drag his lifeless body onto the Bridge to reinforce his position .. But he needed to teach this 'man' a lesson in servitude.

Before Couak could even react, Alemet brought up his hand .. Not the one his follower was trying to watch, but his left hand. Will felt a cold sensation as the tip of the plexi-ceramic blade pierced his skin by less than a millimeter and less than two from the jugular vein. It happened so quickly that Couak's mind didn't have time to react, let alone his body ...

"I am beginning to tire of your questioning of my actions Couak." Alemet said, a smile of pure evil forming on his face as he moved the point of the blade forward a fraction, "Our being discovered matters not ... My deciding to save the life of the woman, matters not ... Oh I see the discontent in your eyes Couak. I should be done with you if truth be known. But you are a trusted follower. THAT, and THAT alone is saving your life !"

He removed the blade slowly, before turning away to place it on the desk. Then seemingly in no hurry, turned to face his follower.

"You would kill me ... Replace me ?" he asked, then when Couak remained silent he continued, "Do not question me again Couak. I have given you your life today. I will take it from you at any time I wish should I feel the whim !"

Alemet walked round the ornate desk and sat down. The meeting was clearly at an end ..........

ooooo000ooooo

Two hours after entering Tetsutarô's office, it was more that clear that his Senior Officers had been replaced with what the Admiral had called Dopplegangers, or clones to the layman. How many was unknown, but they conceeded it would have been the Bridge crew plus one of two in Engineering, plus several Security Officers, just in case of trouble ... But that didn't ease Carl's fears.

"Let me join the sear ....." he began, but Tetsutarô interrupted him.

"I cannot allow it my friend ... Please ... Let us handle this. You knew members of the Balene crew, and I know Captain Norris was a personal friend, you were his daughters' Godfather I believe."

While talking Tetsutarô had casually taken the half empty glass from Torek and had re-filled it. A part of him sympathized with the man. His ship, his family, friends, colleagues, were gone, and his frustration at not being allowed to go after them was justified. But that was the way of Star fleet ...

"Carl, listen .. The USS Iroquois and the USS Griffon, each in the same sector, have been sent to the co-ordinates were Raven was last seen. We have a couple of vessels in dock that could be sent within the next forty eight hours. The Olympia will be another week minimum."

"THEN I WILL FIND A DAMN SHIP MYSELF !" Carl almost yelled in frustration, downing the burning liquid in one and jumping to his feet, "With your permission ...... Admiral ......!

Tetsutarô sighed .. He felt this mans pain. But could do nor say anything that would prevent him searching for a means to go after his ship ..... He was about to allow his friend to leave on his quest when the Comm chimed ..

=^= Admiral .. We have just received word that another member of the Raven crew has turned up ... He is in Medical ... Dazed and unable to communicate but stable =^=

=^= Identification ? =^= Tetsutarô asked.

=^= We're busy working on him Admiral .. We'll check that when we have him stabilized =^= The two friends looked at each other ...

=^= We are on our way .. Tetsutarô out =^=

"The plot thickens my friend." the Admiral said, motioning toward the door, "Shall we go see who we have ?"

Carl put his glass on the table and followed Tetsutarô out of his office ..........



< tag : Found Officer >

[Deleted]

Without another word, Couak turned and stormed out of the Ready Room. He continued his defiant march straight to the turbo lift and off the bridge.

"That son of a Gala beast." he mumbled when he was finally alone was able to touch his throat where the dagger had penetrated the skin. "I will kill that man."

As the lift came to a halt, he exited the doors and began walking toward "his" quarters. Once inside, he began to destroy the room in a fit of rage.

First the First Chosen had dared to touch and threaten him. Than Alemet had the gale to assume that he too could threaten Couak without retribution. Well he would show them both. He would show all of them that he was a force to be reckoned with.

He put his hand to his throat once more and realized that it was still bleeding. He was going to have to go to sickbay and get it repaired. And Morka forbid that anyone get in his way. In fact, he would love it if someone did. He needed to fight. Needed to kill right now and he didn't care if it was a human or one of their own.

As the doors parted and he entered sickbay, an ensign started toward him immediately.

"Commander? Is everything alright?" she asked looking at his hand covering the small, bleeding space on his neck.

"I had a minor accident." he began. "Repair it. And be quick about it."

As she lead him to one of the beds, Couak had to fight the urge to reach out and snap her neck. He kept himself in check by remembering that the Federation treated females as equals. He was even going to have to let her touch him in order to stop his blood from seeping. He sat down and watched her as she went to a medical cabinet and extracted an instrument. As she approached Couak and reached for his neck, he involuntarily flinched.

"It's okay, sir. You won't feel a thing." she reassured him.

If she only knew how discussed he was at being touched by a female for a reason other than what they were intended for.

"Just repair it, wom....Ensign." he said.

"Yes sir." she answered as she pressed the instrument to his neck. "There you go. All done."

He jumped off the bed and walked out of sickbay without a second thought. With thoughts of revenge in his head, he began making his way back to the bridge.

"All in due time." he said to himself when he was once again alone in the lift.

***************************************

Once again, Will began to regain consciousness. Looking around, he realized that he and the others here must be somewhere in the bowels of the star base. He wasn't sure how long he could stay awake this time, so he decided to try to get help for the others.

It took him several minutes but Will was able to drag himself over to the doors that held them captive. When they didn't open when he approached, he almost gave up. He wasn't sure he had the strength to do it manually. He began removing the the junction panel and exposing the circuit chips. It took him a few moments to remember his engineering training. He had the doors opened in roughly 30 minutes and dragged himself out into the corridor. The last thing he remembered before finally passing out once again was a couple of pair of hands reaching down to help him stand and asking if he was okay.


(guess i'll play found officer ;D )

<Tag: Torek/All>

[Carl Torek]

Carl followed SatoTetsutarô out of his office ...

Entering one of the tourb-lifts, Tetsutarô requested Medical level six and the lift immediately began to fall.

"Did Medical say who they had ?" Carl asked.

"No ... They were less than forthcoming on that information. They said they had an Officer who in his delirium, claimed to be from the Raven."

As the doors opened both men stepped out. Moving forward they approached the reception desk where a nurse was waiting. She introduced herself as the person who had admitted the Officer in question. Torek and Tetsutarô fell into step behind her ... As they passed along the corridor Carl couldn't help notice people in assessment rooms awaiting treatment. As the trio passed one of these, Carl glanced in then stopped to take a second look.

"Commodore ?" Tetsutarô said, puzzled.

Carl didn't reply, but entered the treatment room and looked at the woman sat on the bio-bed.

"Lieutenant ? ......" he said, looking into the glazed womans eyes, "We haven't met yet ... I am Commodo ... Captain Carl Torek ... Commanding Officer of the Raven. Am I right in thinking you are my new Science Officer ?"

The woman looked at him in total confusion as the nurse reviewed her chart.

"She literally wandered in her a couple of hours ago. Dazed, confused, unable to focus ... She has been given sedatives to relax her, and we're waiting for a councilor to arrive."

"She doesn't need a Councilor." Carl said, "Give her something to steady her. I'll be back shortly to speak to her ... I assume this isn't who we came down here to see ?"

"Next room actually." the Admiral said, frowning at the woman on the bed before leaving the room, Torek following.

As the two entered the next room Carl smiled.

"One of yours I assume." Tetsutarô said ..........

< tag : Will / Miesha >

ooooo000ooooo

He watched the man leave his office ...

On the one hand Couak was most likely the most loyal follower he had ever had. After his first chosen that is, but even so, he was so close to punishing the man to the full that he needed to restrain his impulse to simply slit the man from ear to ear !

He could not deny that Couak had a valid point. He DID regret shooting the woman, and that alone was grounds for his termination. It was obvious that the engram implant had gone deeper than required, thus giving him 'feelings' ... But theses feelings could be his downfall. He knew Couak was displeased, to the point that he had dared to enter Alemet's rooms armed with a weapon. That alone set events in motion ......

He would kill Couak !

Not now, but when he was no longer useful, or devoted to his Superior, Alemet would make an example of the man.

They would get the information, and disable the monitoring station, then if Couak gave him cause to ponder loyalty, he would gut the man ! ... His, along with every Qulani's rebelliousness was built into the their genetic make-up. It was a kill or be killed society. He himself, had shown uncharacteristic weakness though, and that needed to be rectified ...

"Has our arrival been erased from the data-banks and all tracking systems de-activated ?" he asked.

"We can depart soon Superior, but we are still attending to the woman you sho ... Who was, used to, gain access."

"Leave her to die ... She has served her purpose !"

Alemet couldn't understand the mixed emotions that were surging through his mind. This was an alien being, he knew nothing of her, and cared even less ... she was the proverbial means to an end in his opinion. But some growing part of him couldn't help grieve for her certain death once left alone.

It was that, that he couldn't prevent showing on his face. An this, the Bridge crew could see ... Including his Chosen ..........


< tag : ALL >

C'Mon all, let's see some posting. Things are getting exciting yes ?

[Deleted]

"One of yours I assume."

Will heard and than saw the two men enter the room.

"Captain!" he called as he tried to stand only to be hit with an onslaught of dizziness. "Whoa."

"Easy there Commander." said the nurse as she reached out to stay his weaving body and to assist him back down to a sitting position.

"Are you alright there, Commander?" asked the Admiral.

"I'll be fine, sir." replied Will as he straightened his back to more respectful position of attention. "I'm just in a hurry to get out of here and discover what happened. Why we're all unconscious in one of the bases..."

He was suddenly interrupted by the Admiral. "Wait. Did you say "ALL"? he asked.

"Yes, sir." continued Will. "There was about 30 of us in the room." Before he could say more, both the Admiral and Captain Torek turned toward the nurse. She spoke quickly anticipating their questions.

"The commander mentioned more people in the area where he was found. I contacted base security and they sent some people to take a look. The called and told me that they found others and that they are moving them here now. They should be here any moment now."

As if on cue, the doors parted and security and medical people began walking in carrying and assisting other members of the Raven crew into sickbay. Will watched as they entered and as the security chief in him kicked into full gear he quickly realized the commonality.

"Sirs. It appears to be our entire Senior staff and most of our ranking crew members." he said.

"Carl", the Admiral said. "This is a significant amount of your crew. If they're here, than who is running the Raven?"

"Wait!" Will said as he snapped his head toward Tetsutarô. "What do you mean, who's running the Raven?" Suddenly remembering who he was talking to, he added a respectful, "Sir?"

<Tag Torek/Any member that wants to regain consciousness>


*************************************


Couak walked out of the lift back onto the bridge just in time to hear the exchange between Alemet and the station.

"Has our arrival been erased from the data-banks and all tracking systems de-activated ?"

"We can depart soon Superior, but we are still attending to the woman you sho ... Who was, used to, gain access."

"Leave her to die ... She has served her purpose !"

Couak came to a halt at his station.

"Now that's the Alemet I remember." he thought to himself. "Cruel. Efficient. Deadly. Maybe he will complete this mission without me having to do something drastic."

Couak went about monitoring the return of the personnel that went station side.

"Everyone has returned from the Medical station, Captain." Couak informed their leader. "We are clear to depart."