USS Victory C- Episode 4.2 - Mission Neyounce

[Felix Savali]

"Mr. Gonto", Felix said, "I want you to attempt to extrapolate the attack patterns the enemy ship is using from the attack on us, the sensor system should have a full log of it", he said, "Cmdr. Rylka will help you if you need help", Felix said to Gonto

<Tag Gonto/Tiffani>

--A bit later a message comes from Cmdr. Cir'kem--

Nika worked with Sarina, and they studied the data log, and saw that a tachyon field would work against this ship. And then, soon, the field was up. “Nika to Captain Savali, we have a way that might work to detect the other ship.”

"Might work , commander?", Felix asked using the intonation which made it obvious he wanted an explanation

“Well, it will probably work, it works on Romulans, but we have to deploy probes all around the area where we think they are,” she said.

"I see", Felix said, "Well you better hope it works, although this time round well have our shields up and he wont be able to do much damage, if he gets a chance to shoot at us long enough he will be able to 'cause damage", Felix said

"But I am interested in these probes", he said, "How do you propose we do that without him noticing them and destroying them or noticing them and leaving the area where we place them?", he asked

<Tag Nika/Sarina>

--After the convo was completed, Felix called Samantha to check on the repairs--

=/\=Savali to Cmdr. Parker=/\=

=/\=Cmdr. Parker here, go ahead=/\=

=/\=How are the repairs coming along?=/\=, he asked

<Tag Samantha>

[Deleted]

"How do you propose we do that without him noticing them and destroying them or noticing them and leaving the area where we place them?"

“They’re small enough that they should be practically unnoticeable,” Nika said, but she could tell from Savali’s face that he didn’t think that would be good enough, but there was more that she and Sarina had discussed.

“But we’re attaching them to space debris,” Nika explained. “And are currently calculating the necessary trajectory to make it look like they just randomly bounced off our ship, but to get them evenly distributed, as necessary.” Nika studied the PADD with the information on it, trying to find a way to get the probes to look like they had just bounced off the ship. She knew they would have to launch the probes at a staggered pace, so they would all be where they needed to be at the same time, but that would help it look like the probes weren’t what they were.

<Tag Felix>[/b]

[trekkie3]

Sam crawled out of the jerries tube onto the corridor, she’d just finished the final part of the repairs to the lateral sensor grid.

Her commbadge bleeped a moment later. It was Felix calling for an update.

=/\= Weapons are all full power, sensors are all online, shields are only at 80%, we will another 10 minutes to get them up to full power and thrusters are back online =/\= she reported.

=/\= Understood =/\= Felix said closing the channel.

Sam picked up her tool kit and stood up. She decided to go and give the shield repair team a hand, to make sure they kept to her estimate.

[Felix Savali]

“But we’re attaching them to space debris,” Nika explained. “And are currently calculating the necessary trajectory to make it look like they just randomly bounced off our ship, but to get them evenly distributed, as necessary.” Nika studied the PADD with the information on it, trying to find a way to get the probes to look like they had just bounced off the ship. She knew they would have to launch the probes at a staggered pace, so they would all be where they needed to be at the same time, but that would help it look like the probes weren’t what they were.

"Well commander", Felix said, "The plan sounds as if it could work, just do your best to gives us one clean shot at their ship.", Felix said

<Tag Nika/Sarina>

--After ending the convo with Cmdr Cir'kem and Ensign Bahri, Felix contacted Cmdr. Parker for an update on the repairs--

After he heard they'd be ready to go in about 10 minutes, he decided to inform the CTSO by when they should have the probes ready.

=/\=Savali to Sarina Bahri=/\=

=/\=Ensign Bahri here go ahead=/\=

=/\=We will be read to depart for the planet in about 10 minutes, will the probes be ready by then?=/\=

<Tag Bahri>

--After finishing the conversation with the ctso he turned to the CNO who was running diagnostics on the navigation systems--

"Cmdr. Gonto", Felix said, "In case the detection grid doe not work, i want you to prepare a set of adapting evasive maneuvers so that we can evade as much as possible of the weapons fire from their ship and perhaps even somehow extrapolate his position from the last known coordinates.", Felix said

<Tag Gonto>

[nasty]

"Report!" Nyco yelled getting frustrated with the incompetence in his crew.

"Sir, we let the Federation ship get out of our sensors range, it will take some time to find them again."

"Sir." The tactical officer said.

"What is it?" Nyco replied.

"It appears the Neyounce Space Forced noticed our battle, they have sent up a flight of attack fighters. Each of them is armed with several high yield anti-matter torpedoes."

"Stay on course." Nyco said.

"Sir, they know we are here and that we are cloaked. We need to retreat. We are greatly outnumbered." The Tactical officer said.

"You are a coward. There is no greater good than to die for you cause. It's the only way to get into the Temple of the Gods." Nyco said trying to rally his troops.

"I must agree Captain," The first officer said, "We must live to fight another day. Our cause has only so many ships and good Captains."

There was no fighting it, his entire crew wanted to pull back. He had no other choice but to do as his crew wished or else he face an insurrection.

"Plot a course for the far moon, full speed ahead." Nyco said.

"Aye sir."

[sarina]

(OFF: I’m back and ready to rumble)

“Yeah,” said Nika “Of course, we won’t be sure if this will work or not until we’ve tested it, and then if it doesn’t, we’re going to have to think up a new way quickly.” Nika shrugged. “So let’s get this one set up. If you think up a back-up possibility, mention it,” she said.

Sarina nodded as she worked at her console. “Let’s get to it.” Her fingers moving over the keypad.

The Captain stepped to where they were working. "But I am interested in these probes. How do you propose we do that without him noticing them and destroying them or noticing them and leaving the area where we place them?"

Nika replied to the Captains query so Sarina didn’t bother to reply. What she said would do the trick.

"Well commander", Came the Captains reply, "The plan sounds as if it could work, just do your best to gives us one clean shot at their ship."

Sarina nodded and spoke “Yes Sir.” before turning back to the console to set up the probes..

[travorgonto]

Mr. Gonto", Felix said, "I want you to attempt to extrapolate the attack patterns the enemy ship is using from the attack on us, the sensor system should have a full log of it", he said, "Cmdr. Rylka will help you if you need help", Felix said to Gonto

"Aye, Sir," Travor said as he was reviewing the senor data on the other ship. He noticed that the other ship attacked from the rear, where they were most protected from the Victory's weapons.

"Cmdr. Gonto", Felix said, "In case the detection grid doe not work, i want you to prepare a set of adapting evasive maneuvers so that we can evade as much as possible of the weapons fire from their ship and perhaps even somehow extrapolate his position from the last known coordinates.", Felix said

"Aye, sir," Travor said as he bagan to program a few manuevers into the computer. When he finished, Nika and Sarina informed the captain that they were ready to deploy the probes.

[Deleted]

“The plan sounds as if it could work, just do your best to gives us one clean shot at their ship.”

“Yes sir,” Sarina replied, then she and Nika turned to work with her to get the probes up. The two worked silently, intently, on doing the theory side of getting the probes down, though they did once nearly have to go down to engineering to explain what they meant for the probes, but that was worked out soon without requiring visiting engineering, which was probably for the best, since Nika doubted the engineers wanted to be bothered.

“Captain, the probes are ready,” Nika said, after she had checked with engineering one last time to be sure that they really were. “Whenever you want them to be,” she said, since she knew the Captain would be sure to want to be sure the enemy ship was around before he launched the probes. After all, they were pretty much only get this one chance to make it work.

<Tag Captain Savali>

[sarina]

Sarina tapped the keypad at her station, double-checking all the settings on the probes that had been prepared. She was satisfied that the probes would work, the space debris being a good cover.

As with any plan of this sort there was always the possibility that it would blow up in their own faces. This is something she hoped would not happen. The Captain of the other ship appeared to be over confident and this is something she silently hoped would be his undoing.

She looked up from her console at Nikas voice.

“Captain, the probes are ready. Whenever you want them to be.”

Sarina relaxed at her station, but only slightly. She was itching to see if this was going to work or not.

[trekkie3]

Sam headed away from the shield generator followed by Nal and another couple of engineers. Now that all the offensive and defence system were back to full power, they could concentrate their repairs on less essential systems, at least up until they came under attack again.

“Nal your with me,” Sam said. They were going to repair the gravity generating on deck 25, but before they could do that they would need magnetic boots. Sam had sent a few officers to do that job earlier but their team had been resigned to another more important repair jobs of the next round of firing.

Once they had arrived at the locker, Sam took out a pair of boots for herself.

“What size are you?” she asked.

“Size 7,” he responded, she took out a pair of boots and handed to him.

They entered back into the turbolift from which they had just came from.

“Deck 24,” she requested. They exited the lift only moments later and Sam sat down on the deck and took of her shoes and replaced them with the boots.

They then moved over to a jerries tube entrance and Nal pulled of the panel. They left their shoes next to the panel on the deck floor and crawled though. The boots were heavy and it took Sam a lot of effect to drag her feet behind.

The reached the ladder connecting the two deck and Sam pressed a button that open the door in the floor. She stepped onto the ladder and climbed down. She feel her upper body being pushed downwards and her lower body beginning to float. She kept hold of the ladder as she entered the zero-g zone.

She had done may simulations in zero-g so managed to pull her way down the ladder and get her feet hovering over the deck below. She reached down keeping a tight hold of the ladder with her other hand and activated the magnets on the bottom of her boots. Her feet hit the deck with a clatter of metal against metal.

“Your turn,” she said looking up at him though the hatch. He looked back down nervously.

“I never like zero-g,” he commented.

“Just remember your training and keep a tight grip of the ladder,” she told him trying to calm him down.

“Ok,” he said stepping on the ladder and found his way down it. It look him a bit longer than Sam to reach the deck and Sam had to give him a bit of help at times but he made.

“That wasn’t to bad,” she said smiling. Nal looked at her seeming to disagree.

They walked down the deck to the gravity generates and began repair work.

[Deleted]

The probes being ready, Nika waited, double checking everything. She felt the ship beginning to move on, as Commander Gonto moved the ship to where he thought the other ship that had attacked them would be. There was no proof that the ship was or wasn't here, although Nika thought that if it was here then it would probably have attacked them. But she couldn't be sure.

“Captain,” the assistant chief operations officer, Lt. Commander Jameson, said. “I'm reading a group of attack fighters, they appear to be a different design than the ship that attacked us.”

<Tag Felix>

“They're hailing us,” Commander Jameson said, and put the image onscreen.

“Greetings,” said the male who appeared on screen. “I'm Captain Meis of the Neyounce Space Force Fighter Fleet,” he said, and waited for the other ship to explain itself. He had been told to expect a Federation ship with supplies, and he assumed that was what this was, but he didn't want to make any stupid mistakes.

<Tag Felix>

“Well, then I can escort you to the Neyounce, and the terrorists won't be able to bother you any more.” Meis said, smiling slightly at the Federation ship, glad that they had arrived safely.

<Tag Felix>

[Deleted]

“Well, then I can escort you to the Neyounce, and the terrorists won't be able to bother you any more.” Meis said.

“I have to think about it a bit, but that sounds fine,” Captain Savali said.

“Once on Neyounce my people can try to fix any damage to your ship that needs to be repaired.”

“I'll check with my crew, but I doubt that will be necessary,” Felix replied, then gestured to Commander Jameson to cut the signal.

“Ensign Bahri, I want you to be prepared in case they're lying or plan to attack us,” he ordered.

<Tag Sarina>

“But appear as non-threatening as possible.”

<Tag Sarina>

“Thank you,” Felix replied, then tapped his commbadge. =/\=Captain Savali to Commander Parker, is everything down there under control?=/\=

<Tag Sam>

=/\=We've received an offer of help, but I'd rather not accept it unless we absolutely have to=/\=

<Tag Sam>

Felix tapped his commbadge again to close the channel. “How long would it take to prepare more probes?” he asked Nika.

“About fifteen minutes so long as we keep with the exact same strategy,” Nika replied.

“We should have that much time. Start deploying the probes on my mark,” Felix said.

Nika understood his reasoning, either the ship that had attacked them would be far enough away that they wouldn't notice the probes, or they would be close enough to be detected by them. And chances were high that Captain Meis wouldn't notice the slight increase in the amount of space debris being reflected off the Victory.

“Do it,” Captain Savali ordered, and waited until the probes were in their spots. “Anything?” he asked.

Nika glanced at Sarina, since Tactical had the better sensors for this kind of work.

<Tag Sarina>

[nasty]

"Sir, the fighters are escorting the Federation ship toward Neyounce."

"Bring us about and plot a course to follow the Federation ship. With any luck we might be able to attack again once the read orbit." Nyco said.

"Sir, their weapons are now powering down, but their shields are still up."

Nyco listened to the reports as they continued to come in about the tactical situation that sat before him. He was under direct orders to return to the Rebel base, but the chance to destroy a Federation ship would increase his prestige with the Rebel Army. With this victory he could take command from the aging General if he could get enough ships behind him.

"Prepare a boarding party," Nyco said with a smile, "I think it's time we simply destroy the ship from the inside out."

Nyco knew his ship wasn't powerful enough to take on the Federation ship in a heads up battle, but if he could plant several anti-matter bombs through out the ship he might be able to take her down with out firing another shot. The thought amused him so much began to laughing uncontrollably on the bridge of his ship.

<Tag USS Victory>

[sarina]

Sarina listened to the conversation between the Captains of the ships, her hands hovering over the console. She looked up as the communications were cut off by their Captain.

“Ensign Bahri, I want you to be prepared in case they're lying or plan to attack us,” Felix ordered.

“Yes Sir.” Sarina said, nodding slightly. Her hands moving over the console, her movements almost casual in nature.

“But appear as non-threatening as possible.” he continued.

“Of course Sir.” she smiled briefly before turning back to her console.

She continued to listen to the Captain as he issued more orders, her thoughts running ahead of what her hands were doing.

“How long would it take to prepare more probes?” he asked Nika.

“About fifteen minutes so long as we keep with the exact same strategy,” Nika replied.

“We should have that much time. Start deploying the probes on my mark,” Felix said.

“Do it,” Captain Savali ordered, and waited until the probes were in their spots. “Anything?” he asked.

Sarina glanced from Nika as she turned in her direction, then at the Captain, her hands already checking the scans.

“Nothing Sir.” she held her gaze at the Captain waiting for further orders.

<tag anyone>

[trekkie3]

Sam had just returned to engineering dropping of her gravity boots of on the way, when the call from Felix came in.

=/\= We are working on repairs, but the attack has done a lot of damage =/\=

Felix mentioned about being offered assistance but not wanting to accept it. Sam knew that a little would help repairs along faster, but she knew that her engineers could get the job with or with out help.

=/\= The engineering crews can handle the repairs =/\= Sam confirmed to Felix.

Felix closed the channel and Sam returned to work.

[Deleted]

“Nika, can I talk to you in my office?” Felix asked, and Nika followed him.

“What is it, sir?” she asked.

“I don't think we can, in good conscience, just drop off these medical supplies and continue on our way. The problem is that we don't know what the people who attacked us wanted-and I'm not fully comfortable with that. Captain Meis dismissed them as 'terrorists,' but I'm not fully sure that's the correct label.”

Nika didn't quite agree with Felix, since she didn't think anyone could ever really understand another's thoughts. “With all do respect, sir,” she said, though she thought the first part was unnecessary, she hoped that the Captain knew she always respected him; “I think the problem is that they fired on us.”

“We should talk to him and find out why they did it though. I'm putting you in charge of finding out what Captain Nyco wants and determining if there's a chance we could negotiate.”

“Yes sir,” Nika replied, she would fulfill her duty, but she wasn't the best at talking; she took a minimalistic approach to words. Which might work here, she figured that she would be able to get her point across quickly, perhaps before they could be attacked again. Finding the ship, however, might be harder, which meant she should get working on it as soon as possible.

Felix still hadn't come out of his office, so Nika glanced at Sarina, who looked like she had something to say. Nika, at Ensign Bahri's request, glanced at her science console, and saw a map on it, with a note saying where the ship that had attacked them was. Nika frowned slightly. “Hail the ship,” she ordered, carefully keeping the word enemy out of her command, as she didn't want the other ship to be an enemy.

“Yes sir,” Lieutenant Commander Jameson replied. Nika frowned at the sir, she didn't feel comfortable with it, although she supposed that Starfleet regulations demanded a sir for pretty much anyone giving orders. She shrugged though, and didn't say anything about it. “They aren't responding,” Commander Jameson informed Nika.

“Send them this message anyway. This is Commander Cir'Kem of the Victory, and I would like to talk to you. I believe talking generally goes better when we aren't firing at each other, but I do know where your ship is now.”

<Tag Nyco>[/b]

Nika, though aware that the channel was still open, turned to Ensign Bahri. “Ready weapons,” Nika instructed. “I'd rather not have to use them, but just in case.”

<Tag Nyco and Sarina>[/b]

[nasty]

"Sir we have intercepted a message from the Federation ship."

"Play it." Nyco demanded.

"This is Commander Cir'Kem of the Victory, and I would like to talk to you. I believe talking generally goes better when we aren't firing at each other, but I do know where your ship is now.” There was a pause in the transmission then, “Ready weapons, I'd rather not have to use them, but just in case.”

"It's a trick." Shouted the tactical officer, "They will wait for us to drop our cloak and then fire upon us."

Nyco said silently in his chair considering his options. This was the second time the Federation ship had requested some form of talks. The first time Nyco felt it was in desperation, now he had the keen feeling the Federation starship had the edge on him this round. If he decloaked but kept his shields up it wouldn't matter because the more powerful Federation ship would easily destroy the NRF Aft'a.

"Open a channel, audio only." Nyco ordered.

There was a slight hesitation in the communications officer but after a slow turn of Nyco's head toward the back of the bridge he heard the COM open.

"Attention Federation vessel, this is Captain Nyco of the NRF Aft'a. Stand down and you shall have the peaceful talks you wish."

<Tag USS Victory>

[sarina]

Sarina glanced back at her console as Nika, a ship suddenly appearing on sensors.

“Um .. Captain, there does appear to be a ship present.” She muttered under her breath and made a mental note to run a diagnostic on the Tactical sensor array as soon as they were out of danger.

Her hands resting on the console as Nika ordered weapons ready.

“Ready weapons,” Nika instructed. “I'd rather not have to use them, but just in case.”

She bit her lip and let out a sigh of frustration, the sensors had made her look foolish in front of the Commanding Officer.

[Deleted]

“Mute the COM line,” Nika said, thinking over the situation.

“Ensign?” Nika addressed Ensign Bahri. “How long would it take you to bring weapons back online after we power them down?”

<Tag Sarina>

Nika frowned, wishing Federation technology was about 200 years more advanced than it currently was. Not that they needed that much of an advantage, but overwhelming force probably wouldn't hurt. “I guess that will have to be good enough. But be alert in case they try anything,” Nika said, trusting that Ensign Bahri would be alert anyway, and finding the words nearly unnecessary, but she said them anyway, if just to stall for a little more time before talking to Captain Nyco again.

“Unmute,” Nika ordered to the operations officer. “Our weapons are no longer readied, and we are prepared to talk.” Nika realized after she had finished saying it that this was a rare, for her, repetition of known information-she wouldn't have hailed the other ship if she hadn't wanted to talk-but they had been words that had come naturally to her. From her upbringing, so Nika hadn't a clue why she had said it, just that it had seemed the correct thing to say.

<Tag Nyco>

“Why you have been attacking Neyonce and the ships thereof?” Nika asked, hoping to get a direct answer. “And why did you attack us?”

<Tag Nyco>

[nasty]

“Our weapons are no longer readied, and we are prepared to talk.” Nyco heard over the COM.

"Good new," Nyco replied, "Disengaged the cloak."

"Aye sir." The tactical officer replied.

With in seconds the Aft'a appeared directly behind the USS Victory. The Aft'a size matched that of a Defiant Class Federation Starship with none of the same offensive capabilities. The Aft'a was now sitting in a no win situation, which brought an uncomfortable feeling to the bridge of Nyco's ship.

“Why you have been attacking Neyonce and the ships thereof?” Nika asked, hoping to get a direct answer. “And why did you attack us?”

"Intelligence reports indicated a shipment of weapons was to be brought to Neyounce using a Federation Starship. The Federation charter strictly prohibits the selling of weapons and supplies to worlds engaged in a civil war. I attacked your ship in an effort to prevent such unlawful actions from taking place." Nyco said calmly.

<Tag USS Victory>

[sarina]

Sarina looked up as Nika spoke.

“Ensign? How long would it take you to bring weapons back online after we power them down?”

“I can have them back up in 5 minutes by setting them on auto reboot.” Sarina said as her hands moved over the console. She knew what to do, to make it look like the weapons were being powered down, and then bring them right back up again. The fingers of her left hand danced across the keypad, disengaging the weapons, her right hand hovering over the fire button, ready to bring them back online at a moments notice.

“I guess that will have to be good enough. But be alert in case they try anything.”

“Sorry Ma’am, it’s the best I can do.” Sarina commented, growing silent as the comm was activated.

[Deleted]

“Sorry Ma’am, it’s the best I can do.” Sarina commented.

“It's fine,” Nika replied, with a slight smile, then remembered Felix, who was still in his office. He had told her to try to negotiate, to find out their motivation. “If you don't see my signal though, just set the phasers on auto reboot again.” Nika thought that would let them be able to avoid intimidation, but still be able to defend themselves.

<Tag Sarina>

"Intelligence reports indicated a shipment of weapons was to be brought to Neyounce using a Federation Starship. The Federation charter strictly prohibits the selling of weapons and supplies to worlds engaged in a civil war. I attacked your ship in an effort to prevent such unlawful actions from taking place."

“Yes, Federation charter does forbid it, which is why we wouldn't be doing it. The Federation does not sell weapons to either side, and this ship[/i] does not participate in civil wars, except to offer humanitarian aid-medical aid-which was all we were doing here. So, obviously, your 'intelligence reports,'” Nika said, putting as much disdain into the words as she could, “Must not be accurate, because I can't think of another explanation for this situation.”

<Tag Nyco>

“Besides, you still haven't told me the origins of this civil war,” Nika said, deciding to take a different tactic, and her tone became more friendly, almost chatty. “I'm not going to take sides, I don't think I could pick a side, after all, it's people killing each other,” and Nika couldn't condone that, couldn't understand people doing it on behalf of a government or a wish to overthrow a government. “But why? Why do you keep attacking their ships and why do theirs keep attacking yours?”

<Tag Nyco>

[sarina]

Sarina nodded and turned back to her console. “Yes ma’am.” her hands already moving over the console setting the phasers up so they would be ready if needed. Her fingers and palms almost becoming part of the console as she worked.

Her ears open to what was being said by Nika and the Captain of the other ship. She wanted to be ready for anything, any minor movement or sound that might be sent her way if her talent is needed.

[Deleted]

OOC: jp between myself and Ensign Bahri

While Nika was trying to talk with Captain Nyco, she realized that in order to have a chance at a negotiation, she would have to make sure that the other side to negotiate. Nika didn't want to stop talking to Captain Nyco, but she wanted to be sure that she had the authority to at least open talks between the two sides, in case she managed to convince Nyco that talking might be a good idea.

“Mute the channel, so they can't hear us,” Nika quietly ordered the operations officer. He nodded that it had been done.

Nika looked around the bridge briefly, she wanted someone to talk to Captain Meis, someone she trusted. “Ensign Bahri,” Nika said. “Would you mind doing something for me?”

Sarina looked up from her station "Yes Ma'am, what is it?" Her hands resting lightly on the console.

“I'd like you to talk to Captain Meis, if you don't mind. I would, but I'm currently engaged in negotiating, or at least trying to, with Nyco. But I don't think it would be the best idea if I convinced him, then Meis isn't willing to talk. Would you be willing to try convincing him that a negotiation with Captain Nyco might be reasonable?”

"What makes you think he'll listen to me if he won't listen to you?" Sarina asked. It wasn't that she didn't want to give it a try but was curious to know why he would listen to a lesser officer over a senior one.

“I'm not sure he wouldn't listen to me,” Nika said. “I do think winning Captain Meis might be harder than Nyco, but I think it would hurt negotiations more to have the person talking to Nyco switch at this point. Besides, you're probably more...eloquent than I am,” Nika finished, knowing it to be true. She didn't really understand why Captain Savali had asked her to do this in the first place.

Sarina stiffled a laugh and shook her head. "Me more .... eloquent?" She shrugged. "Sure, I can give it a try if you really think I can make a difference."

Nika didn't really understand why that would be funny, but she shrugged. “Thank you,” she said. “I'm not sure where you can talk that it wouldn't be overheard by Captain Nyco, have you any suggestions?”

Sarina bit her lip as she thought about the question. "How about the Ready Room or Observation Lounge?"

“Yeah, that would work,” Nika said, smiling slightly at Sarina. “Good idea, you can choose whichever you'd prefer.”

"I would feel more comfortable in the lounge I think." she gave a slight smile. "Less intimidating there."

"Of course," Nika replied. "Anything else?" Nika asked.

"I am not a negotiator Ma'am. I really am not sure what else would be needed." Sarina replied.

Nika glanced at Captain Nyco's image on the viewscreen; he seemed to be a little impatient at waiting. But with any luck he would think they were talking about the situation, which they were, which might make him a little uneasy, giving the negotiations a higher chance of succeeding. Or it just might make him upset. “Nor am I,” Nika said. “So I wouldn't know. I just thought I'd offer.” Nika shrugged.

Sarina followed her gaze then looked back at Nika "I think that is all I need, or hope that I need. What have I to offer to Captain Meis in this?"

“I hope we don't have to offer anything,” Nika commented. She would think that the offer of peace would be enough. “But we do currently still have the medical supplies we were going to give them. As much as I'd hate to withhold them, I doubt we can feel right in giving them to a self-destructive people. If they want anything else, you'll have to refer them to the rebel faction.”

"I understand." Sarinas mind was already running in twenty different directions as she thought ahead of what she was going to be doing.

“Then you're dismissed from the bridge,” Nika said. “Good luck,” she added with a slight smile, hoping that Sarina wouldn't need it.

"Thank you Ma'am." Sarina took a deep breath and moved allowing the secondary crewman who had arrived at her silent summon take her place. She turned towards the lounge, the butterflies in her stomach starting up.

Nika nodded, then turned to Captain Nyco, as Sarina left. “So, do you think there is any chance you're willing to put to an end to this conflict?” she asked him.

<Tag Nyco>[/b]

Sarina entered the lounge and sat down. She hoped this was one task she was up to.

Captain Meis scowled at his officer. “What do you mean they want me to visit their ship?!” he asked. “I'll need guard to make sure that they don't decide to kill me.”

“I highly doubt the Federation, of all options, would attack an officer of Neyounce,” his security officer, Kela, replied, smiling slightly to show she wasn't trying to cast a negative light on her captain. “But you can choose two security officers to come along.”

“Good,” Meis said, and chose the two officers, one of them being Kela. He transported over to the ship, and was escorted to the Observation Lounge. “Why did you ask for my presence?” he demanded of the sole officer who was there as he marched through the door. “There isn't a problem with the medical supplies, is there?” he asked, suddenly fearful for the lives that relied on them.

Sarina stood as the Captain entered the lounge. If she wasn't nervous before, she was with his tone of voice. The first thing was to calm him down, get him to relax. Her knowledge of negotations was limited but she knew this was a must. "No sir, there is nothing wrong with the medical supplies." she motioned to a seat across from where she stood. "Please have a seat." she began walking towards the replicator. "May I get you something to drink?"

“No, thank you,” Captain Meis said firmly.

“I'll take something,” Kela said, smiling at the obviously nervous Starfleet officer. “Tea please.” Kela could tell that the officer was trying to calm them down, though she didn't know why. Still, she thought that the best way to gain the upper hand here would be to try to disconcert the officer.

Sarina smiled slightly. "One tea coming up." She turned towards the replicator and requested two cups of tea. Sarina turned back and handed one cup of tea to Kela while sitting opposite the two at the table and placing her cup before her.

Captain Meis glared at Kela, not understanding what she was doing. “That could be poisoned,” he hissed at her, in their native tongue, he knew that the Federation's commbadge would probably take a while to figure out the language, so he had a few sentences.

Kela grinned at him, then took a sip. “But it's not,” she replied, in Federation standard.

Captain Meis turned to look at the Starfleet officer, not liking the risks that were being taken here. “Why did you ask me here?” he asked.

Sarina took a deep breath. "Captain, I am curious about the reasons for this civil war. I would like to hear your side and reasons for it."

“My side?” Meis asked. “I wasn't aware there was another side. But this is no civil war, they are terrorists, plain and simple. I'm just defending the people,” he said, since he saw himself as defending the only people that really mattered-the inhabitants of Neyounce. The terrorists no longer mattered, they had left the planet and given up citizenship. Meis didn't really know why, but he knew that they had not been happy to return to the planet and forget about it all.

Sarina took a sip of her tea before speaking. "In any conflict there are two sides, yours and theirs." she placed the cup down, wrapping her hands around it. "How long has this conflict been going on?"

Long enough,” Meis admitted.

"Why are you fighting? If this is not a war, what are your reasons for continuing this battle?" She looked from the Captain to Kela and back again. "You call them terrorists? why?"

“We have to defend ourselves. They're terrorists because they attacked us, taking out one of our ships, a ship with families and children aboard,” Meis shot back. That was what the captain who had returned to Neyounce in a shuttle had said, and Meis hadn't seen, nor did see, any reason to doubt him.

"Captain Meis, did you and your people investigate this thoroughly before you started shooting?" She didn't want to anger the Captain but wanted to find out if every avenue had been checked. She had an idea but would have to check with her own Captain before even suggesting it and it was a long shot.

“I would assume so,” Meis replied firmly. “That would be the proper action.”

Kela put her cup down on the table with a thud, to catch the Starfleet officer's attention, then gently shook her head. “No one really thought it was worth investigating. Since the ones who would decide would be planet-side officials, and this conflict doesn't really affect them-the,” Kela wasn't sure how to refer to them, but decided terrorists would be fine, since no one had proved they weren't yet, “ 'terrorists' have never attacked the planet.”

Sarina scowled at Kela before turning back to the Captain. "I would like to hear the other side of this and why they are attacking. I think that in any conflict both sides should be heard."

“Well, you are welcome to hear the other side if you wish,” Captain Meis replied. “But I don't wish to negotiate with terrorists.”

“She thinks she can end the conflict,” Kela interrupted in her native tongue, tilting her head slightly to look at her captain., and completely ignoring the Starfleet officer. “What if she's right?”

Meis glared at her briefly, before turning back to Sarina. “Can you guarantee that they are willing to talk to us?” he asked, since he'd be rather surprised if she could. And might be willing to try it.

"I can't guarantee anything Captain, but I think that if you want an end of this it would be a prudent course of action." Sarina had no idea what her own Captain would say about this and was putting a lot on her words and suggestions.

“Great,” Meis replied. “But how am I supposed to talk to them? It's not like they respond to our hails. And I doubt the Federation would be willing to let me use one of their communication stations.”

"Captain, I would be willing to ask our Captain for you, IF that is what you wanted to do." Sarina motioned towards the door. "I can check for you if you want me to."

“Yes, that's what I want to do,” Meis replied, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But I can't promise that this will work.” Personally, he didn't think it would, but not to the extent that he'd spurn the Federation's offer to help set up a talk. “Please, check.”

Sarina stood. "I'll be right back." she turned towards the door after flashing her guests a slight smile.

“Are there any listening devices here?” Captain Meis asked, as the Starfleet officer left the room.

“I don't know,” Kela replied, shrugging slightly.

“What do you mean you don't know?” he hissed at her.

“I mean that our technology isn't advanced enough to pick it up if the Federation did have them. But I haven't detected any, if that's any help,” she said. “And I don't think the Federation would bug us.”

“Fine then,” Meis replied. It didn't really affect what he said, he just wanted to know if it was or not. “But what am I supposed to tell my superiors if this fool-hardy negotiation, through some miracle, goes through. You seem to want me to negotiate, but how am I supposed to justify it?”

“How about the fact that people's lives could be saved,” Kela suggested, while she waited for the Starfleet officer to return.

<Tag Sarina>[/b]

[nasty]

"Yes, Federation charter does forbid it, which is why we wouldn't be doing it. The Federation does not sell weapons to either side, and this ship does not participate in civil wars, except to offer humanitarian aid-medical aid-which was all we were doing here. So, obviously, your 'intelligence reports,'” Nika said, putting as much disdain into the words as she could, “Must not be accurate, because I can't think of another explanation for this situation.”

"My intelligence is correct," Nyco replied with an aggressive tone in his voice, "You must not be the ship I am looking for then.

“Besides, you still haven't told me the origins of this civil war,” Nika said, deciding to take a different tactic, and her tone became more friendly, almost chatty. “I'm not going to take sides, I don't think I could pick a side, after all, it's people killing each other,” and Nika couldn't condone that, couldn't understand people doing it on behalf of a government or a wish to overthrow a government. “But why? Why do you keep attacking their ships and why do theirs keep attacking yours?”

"Oh this is too long of a story to hold your attention Commander." Nyco replied.

There was a brief silence as Nyco watched the Starfleet officer consider a few things in her head. The sounds of the starship were suddenly cut off and Nyco and his crew had to watch as a conversation seemed to be taking place on the USS Victory.

"I don't like anything that's going on sir."

"I don't either," Nyco replied, "It seems that either the intel we have received was false or this is in deed the ship we need to destroy."

"What are you orders sir?"

"We wait." Nyco said stroking his chin with his fingers.

“So, do you think there is any chance you're willing to put to an end to this conflict?” she asked him.

"This conflict...maybe, but I am in no position to call off a war that has been raging for the better part of a century." Nyco replied.

"You must understand..." Nika started but was cut off quickly by the Aft'a tactical officer.

"Neyounce Star fighters are en route to our location, their weapons are hot."

"Engage the cloak and get us out of here!" Nyco shouted, "Open the channel."

"Channel reopened."

"Commander, I am sorry I must depart. It seems that you were not telling the truth about your intentions here at Neyounce after all. Let's hope for your sake we don't meet again. Until next time." Nyco said.

The Aft'a quickly engaged it's cloaking device and rushed away from the Federation Starship and the incoming Neyounce Star fighters. Nyco felt a bitter taste growing in his mouth, it was the first time he had to leave a battle with out the destruction of the opposing starship. In his eyes the Federation was no longer a neutral power in the Neyounce Civil War, it had allied itself with the fascist government in place on the Neyounce home world. He would remember Commander Nika's face for as long as he would live, and from that day forward he would scheme and plan the destruction of her and her ship.