Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Feb 8, 2021 22:34:42 GMT
SF HQ, San Francisco, Earth
Karka spent the next two days, after Lana and Kendal's funeral, unavoidably back at SF Command, conversing with various officers, former colleagues at SCE from before he'd joined the Excalibur, and a few Federation administrators who were to various degrees interested in the proceedings against the senior Excalibur officers. For some reason he'd found himself surprised that in return for the kidnappings and killings most people wanted to see extraditions, or other punishments handed out, sometimes quite severe ones. Usually bureaucrats were cautious in their manoeuvres, their stated opinions, not so here apparently. He knew there were parties in Starfleet working towards these ends.
A virtual act of war, it had been called, although others - a minority - had called for moderation. Others, still - Admiral Albett and, Karka believed, Admiral Osani - were calling for a balanced approach. That was the line those admirals and their alllies were pushing and which had already been promulgated Federation-wide as official UFP policy, a preemptive move that'd irked the warlike elements. Whichever option was chosen, it would have to see justice done for the Captain and his family.
That event had crushed all the Excalibur crew. In the utter turmoil of the last few days, Karka had found himself profoundly moved on more than one occasion.
He was now on the verge of returning to the Excalibur in its drydock; he had to oversee the extensive ongoing repairs, and amongst other things help evaluate Mark Unwin's test of the restored warp core and drive which took place yesterday. It'd met with marginal success, he understood, but they'd develop greater understanding in the following minutes, hours, hopefully not days.
Stepping into the transportation centre - an octagonal complex at the heart of Starfleet Command and the Academy campus - he encountered his effective defence attorney Lieutenant Commander Roskov.
"How do you do?" he bowed minimally, having long since learned appropriate decorum amongst real humans, though he worried vaguely whether this mannerism might have been tainted by the pervasive influence of Lirwa in his mind... Some sort of neuro-temporal transmission from that trickster and Old Earth enthusiast, altering his memory, Karka's greeting thus being something of a curio, doubtlessly outmoded.
"Commander Psonoir," she nodded abruptly, "If I may... what are you doing?" Karka paused - he must've missed something. He told her he felt he had return to the Excalibur to oversee repair work, despite the ongoing inquiry. "That would be a bad idea," she said (Karka noted she seemed apologetic), "If you depart the terrestrial region directly administered by Starfleet Command, or leave Earth altogether... Well, it won't finish our case but, shall we say, you'll be keeping me busy for the next six months."
"My apologies," Karka stepped back off the transporter pad, "I didn't know."
He did know that the part of Earth under the direct jurisdiction of SF Command extended across about a fifth of the former USA, an old world nation situated in the North American continent. So he and Schirra were to be confined to this area until their fate could be decided? Acquittal was almost certain, Karka believed, but it didn't make his absence from his Excalibur home any easier.
The Excal XO nodded to Roskov and started leaving the transportation centre, then to his surprise found his eyes lingering on her a moment longer. He saw she was starting towards the transporter pad. Involuntarily, he darted forward a couple steps, "Wait, where are you going?" his tone was urgent.
"Oh, I'm heading to the Excalibur," she said airily, as the transporter operator declared energising. "I'm going to see my partner. Commander Unwin." Karka tried to keep his face from falling as she dematerialised.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Feb 13, 2021 16:24:00 GMT
Office of Doctor Junsuke Ito ... Starfleet Medical Center San Francisco :: "OK, how is Mackenzie doing?" the psychiatrist asked. Daniel sat for a long moment seemingly deep in thought before finally accepting that he would never be free of the man if he remained stolidly silent. "She's struggling, understandable given she's lost half her family... She still can't bring herself to sleep a full night in her own room... Too many memories I suppose..." Schirra replied, getting up to help himself to a third cup of coffee, creating his seat with no comment from Ito, who seemed to be waiting for him to continue, "... Her grandparents have taken a place close by, so they can be available for, times like this," "That's good of them," the Doctor replied with a reassuring nod. "It just seems that wherever we go, the beach, the park, out to eat, the slightest little thing reminds her, and me, of when we used to go there as a family ..... To be honest, it's been suggested that I relocate, get away from anything that brings it all back, but that's hardly practical at the moment. As for going back, out there... That would depend on Mackenzie," "Why on her?" Ito asked. "Well, she's all I have left, at this point, the mere 'thought' of leaving her behind makes me ill," Daniel said, sipping at the too-hot coffee but hardly feeling the burning in his throat. "Has it occurred to you to give consideration to taking her along? "Starfleet haven't got to the stage where they would be happy to have children running up and down their corridors Doctor, I doubt they ever would," "You are a highly decorated Officer Captain, as is your Executive, I'm sure Starfleet wouldn't want to lose such assets, and would make accommodation for your circumstances..." Schirra could only shrug, hardly caring what Starfleet thought either way, "... How do you think Mackenzie would react if the option were there to have her live aboard the Excalibur?" "I think the thought of her getting on 'any' Starship would fill her with utter dread!" "Oh, I believe children are much more resilient than we give them credit for Captain, I have worked with children in the past, prior to my appointment here as Chief of Psychiatry of course, and even I have been pleasantly surprised at their ability and resilience to adapt to situations in their lives, very surprised... Of course, not all do so, but having spoken to your daughter on several occasions, I am reassured there will be no long-lasting issues, she is a very bright little girl Captain, she continually strives to do you, her sister, and, her mother, proud," "She's selfless... Daniel said, "... It's always about how everyone else is, she dotes, doted, on her sister, it was almost as if their 'roles' were reversed at times, Mackenzie looking out for her big sister, rather than the other way around," Ito nodded knowingly as he glanced at the clock. "Well, we are coming to the end of our session for today Captain, same time tomorrow I believe..." the Psychiatrist said, seeing Schirra rise to replace his cup in the replicator, "...Oh... The Excalibur?" Ito asked, catching Daniel off guard. "We've gone over that, it's out of my hands... Frankly, I'd be surprised if I'm part of Starfleet in 'any' capacity when the inquests are done with," Daniel said, shrugging. "You have not been aboard since your return?" Ito prodded. "No... I wasn't even allowed to oversee the testing of the new warp engines. If it wasn't for Karka's frequent visits to 'update' me on progress I'd ....." he stopped talking, vaguely wondering if Doctor-Patient confidentiality applied if said Doctor had just been informed that an officer might or might not be breaking regulations regarding Schirra, but again he dismissed the quandary with a shrug as he headed for the door. "Maybe I shall see if our meeting tomorrow could be held aboard the Excalibur," Ito mused. "Why?" Daniel said, a little too forcibly than he'd maybe intended. "You have a problem with going aboard your ship? "The Excalibur isn't my ship... Not any longer," "Oh?" Ito replied, leaning forward even though Shirra was still in the now open doorway. "I dragged what was left of the Excalibur back here, on docking I was relieved of duty pending the enquiry, by extension I was also relieved of my Command... Ergo... Not my ship," "A formality I'm sure..." Ito said with a smile as he now stood, "... Very well, I shall see you here at, fifteen hundred Captain, and please, feel free to bring your daughter along," He held his smile as Daniel turned and left, then sat down and began transcribing his notes on their latest session together ..........
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Feb 13, 2021 21:08:26 GMT
A knock on the door made Ito pause in his dictation: "Enter..." the door opened to allow Admiral Osani to enter. He walked to the cabinet and poured himself a drink before dropping into the chair opposite the psychiatrist. "Any progress?" Osani asked, clearly referring to Schirra. "He feels responsible," "For?" Nagano urged. "Well, primarily for the loss of his wife and child, the loss of so many of his crew... What would you expect?" "He couldn't have foreseen what was going to happen, had he gone through channels they may have died anyway," the Admiral commented, a hint of sadness, regret, in his voice. "It's going to take time, he's physically fit, but mentally, unable to return to duty, his grieving process must continue a little while longer," "Things have changed since the Excalibur's' return..." Osani said, rising to refill his glass, "... With the Federation's decision not to take reprisals against the Xes'dnu, the Trianguum have begun to exert their 'influence' shall we say... Three races within the Gliese 641 Star System have been attacked without warning, all three are requesting Federation assistance in their fight against the Xes'dnu," "A quandary indeed," the Japanese psychiatrist commented sipping on his saké. "An understatement," "Would your interest in the recovery of Captain Schirra be somehow connected?" Ito asked. "The Excalibur is undergoing final tests before receiving her certification, we're woefully short of Command Officers....." Osani didn't finish the sentence. "..... and you want to send Schirra back out there?" Ito asked. "We may have to, regardless of the investigation," "Well, alas Admiral, I must tell you that I will not be passing the Captain fit for duty at this point in time," Ito replied. I completely understand your reluctance Doctor, but we have obligations, two of the attacked races are already members of the Federation, the third was under review along with the Xes'dnu. We cannot simply ignore our commitments," "..... and you would risk Captain Schirra having a relapse? ..... I can only assume you have given thought to the possible consequences of sending the Captain back to the very people who caused the loss of his family?" Ito asked, already annoyed at the Head of Starfleet for presuming he could walk into his office and 'bully' him into submission, but rather than answer the question, Osani asked his own: "In your 'professional' opinion, Doctor' what are we looking at, a week, month, months?" "You expect me to give you an answer to that Admiral, really!... I cannot simply give this man a couple of pills and a glass of water and expect his grief to evaporate. Among other things, he has his surviving daughter to consider. In one sense he will be reminded of his loss every time he looks at her, that can't be measured. They both need time to come to terms Admiral, you must be able to see that," "I do... I really do... But given the vessels we have available, we have no option but to use the Excalibur, even with her we can't hope to protect three Systems permanently. Excalibur has three senior Lieutenant Commanders on staff, but despite their time on the ship, none of them has the required Command experience to take the ship out," "Well, fortunately, that is not my problem, Admiral," Ito said, standing. His action clearly signifying the conversation was at an end. After a moment Osani stood before returning his glass to the cabinet. "Would you mind if I spoke with Captain Schirra and Commander Psonoir?" Osani asked, clearly not needing Ito's blessing to do so. "I would expect nothing less Admiral, but please, might I ask you not to place too much pressure on either Officer, I understand you need the Excalibur actively aiding your efforts, but neither man needs bullying," Ito asked, seeing the slightest change in Osani's expression before he caught himself, the Admiral nodded then left, closing the door behind him. Once again Ito sat at his desk and continued transcribing his notes ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Feb 22, 2021 18:44:41 GMT
Karka had been cleared to return to the Excal after it'd been sounded about that the ship may be needed to combat a renewed Xes'dnu threat. Apparently the new Triangulum Council (the successor to that led by the late VaS'inKir) had decreed an assault on three nearby planets, two of them Federation members, the Triangulum presumably then having intended to pursue some ambitious expansionist policy all along. Perhaps their wanting to join the Federation had been a sort of ruse to begin influencing UFP policy very much in their favour.
He strode from the turbolift, "How's it coming, Lieutenant?" he asked Jenni Gold, who turned from her chair at the aft of the bridge.
"All short-range, long-range and subspace comms are back online and fully operational, Commander."
"Good. We may soon be in need of them." He settled into his seat at the starboard-side science console, his customary position; there was something irksome - on Constitution class starship bridges - in having to remain standing all the time, he found.
The ship was still in its drydock, maintenance work having now been completed and the various articulated arms of machinery extending spider-like from the dock having been withdrawn from the Excal's hull. She was almost as good as new, now just lacking her Captain and a confirmed mission.
The Excal and one other ship - the USS Sword - had been tasked with combating the Xes'dnu's attack on the two UFP member worlds (and assist the third), these being the only ships in range with command-level officers available. Of course, this didn't give enough coverage concerning the overall strategic picture. The preliminary study of what resources to apportion where in the planned mission had indicated the Excal should head for Gliese 641c while the Sword - with its proven warp engines - would dart between Gliese 641e and Gliese 641f (these being the three worlds under attack from the Triangulum-ruled Xes'dnu and their seat on Gliese 641d).
"Yes, I'd heard the inquiry had been suspended," a voice said from behind him; it was Unwin emerging from the turbolift, grinning with hands on hips.
Karka turned, half in surprise, half guardedly, "Quite. Osani and Albett have seen fit to return me to the ship. After an interview, they decided I was ready immediately to resume my post. The Captain's still on the surface," he volunteered the extra information.
Unwin lowered his voice as he took the bridge seat next to Karka's, "As the inquest is still on ongoing... technically," he frowned, "Don't you... don't you worry you won't have your position once we return?"
Psonoir paused - how best to answer this? He chose a minimal shrug and turned to the blue-glowing science scope, "Of course I worry. The Excalibur is my home... As for Captain Schirra..."
"Yes?" Unwin said after a long pause.
Karka swung in his chair back to the Chief Engineer, and felt a brief moment of tension and jealousy as he considered the recent 'triangulation' of his, his defence attorney's and her partner Unwin's interests, before resuming, "... Confidentially," - no matter how very quiet their conversation, it seemed a little absurd to call it confidential given they were on the bridge; fortunately there were only three other personnel present, and too absorbed in their work to notice - "I think I know the reason why he's had so many interviews with Osani since we learnt about the new Xes'dnu attack. The Starfleet C-in-C is attempting to persuade him to return." He had a moment of introspection, "I don't think the Captain knows where his home is, except by his daughter's side."
He instantly regretted the statement, the judgement. Who was he to decide what Schirra did or did not know or want? Still though, after the news of the three-planet assault, Karka had returned to the ship only two days later; now almost a week had passed, and the CO was yet to return.
He considered telling Daniel how lucky he'd been. How lucky that Mackenzie had survived. The rescue operation to recover the three family members (and Koni T'Seng) could've easily ended in the deaths of all four... Half that number still lived. Yet this was scant, perhaps ruinous consolation.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Feb 25, 2021 23:03:48 GMT
Office of Doctor Junsuke Ito ... Starfleet Medical Center San Francisco :: "To be frank Captain, I'm not sure why you are still coming to see me..." Ito said with that disarming smile of his, as he watched Mackenzie drawing with the crayons on a blank paper pad he'd given her, "... You worry about her," "Of course I do!" Daniel said, barely able to keep his voice in check. "That of course is understandable... Maybe you feel that if Command reinstates you, send you out there, into the unknown, you will be losing the last link to your family, did you even consider asking them to assign a tutor, allow you to take Mackenzie with you?" Daniel could only look at his daughter kneeling at the small table drawing yet another family, and the tears. One part of him knew he couldn't leave her alone, hell, he could hardly allow Lana's parents to watch her when he was required to visit Headquarters for one endlessly incomprehencible reason or another. "They are hardly likely to say yes Doctor, Starfleet isn't a place for Children," "I believe Command has assigned a new Security Officer, among others, to replace those lost. I think you will like her, she is of Italian descent, her great great great grandfather was a Grand Duke no less," "Really?" Daniel replied, hardly hearing what the man had said. Both men were silent for a long moment then Ito stood, cheerily asking Mackenzie if she would like to go on a little surprise trip, the five-year-old said yes, instantly dropping the crayon before jumping up to pull Schirra to his feet ..... The shuttle was on the roof waiting when they arrived, Mackenzie ran forward, jumping into the craft before climbing into the seat next to the Pilot, clearly, the Pilot had been warned not to dissuade her, so he smiled as she excitedly shouted for her Father to hurry up so they could fo for a ride. Reluctantly, Daniel followed Ito into the craft and they lifted off the roof of the Medical centre..... No-one, apart from the excited 'Kenzie spoke as the shuttle gained orbit then approached the Excalibur. The Pilot allowed the five-year-old to contact the ship and ask for permission to dock, the bemused Officer approved their approach shaking her hear. The gentle, almost tender touch as the shuttle docked shook Schirra more than he'd expected, and it took him a moment to regain his composure, Mackenzie meanwhile was already waiting for the airlock doors to slid aside and she sprinted through the gap the second it was wide enough. Instantly she snapped to attention, saluting the Docking Officer, who tentatively reciprocated, wondering vaguely if she was being tested in some new-fangled way, almost breathing a sigh of relief as the Doctor and Captain Schirra stepped onto the ship. "Welcome back, Capta ....." she began but didn't finish as Schirra simply walked past her completely disregarding protocol. "I'm assuming dragging me here is your idea of my acclimatising myself to familiar surroundings, some way to further my supposed recovery?" Daniel asked, trying and failing to grab 'Kenzie's hand before she darted off down the corridor. "Hmm ... 'Acclimatising to familiar surroundings' ... I will have to remember that one," Ito said with a wry grin. One part of Daniel was almost grateful that he had been almost goaded into returning to the Excalibur, familiar surroundings, familiar faces, the security of somewhere he had always thought of as safe. Yet even as those feelings spread, he also had the building resentment of Ito for bringing him here, everything reminded him of his loss, but not only his, others, wives, mothers, husbands, siblings, had all lost loved ones, and he couldn't fight the feeling that it was 'HIS' fault, he was in Command, he was charged with protecting those who put their trust, their lives, in his hands! Seemingly without knowing, they stepped onto the Bridge ..... He was conscious of the faces looking, or rather trying not to look, at him, all were sympathetic to his loss, but he couldn't understand that, he turned back to the turbo-lift but Ito grasped his arm before gently applying pressure to turn him around. "Is this your seat Daddy?..." Mackenzie asked, Daniel could only nod, "... It's very comfy," the five-year-old said as she spun through a full circle. "What do you want from me, Doctor?" "Me?... Well, I would like to be able to say I can look at a man who is trying hard to come to terms with his loss, a man who is winning the fight regardless of how long he has to endure the fight. A man who will reconcile himself to his place in the world and will act accordingly. I believe that I will see that man one day," Ito said. It was only then that he realised he needed to make a decision of his own, should he take Mackenzie home, spend his time working close to home, picking his daughter up from school every day, sitting on the lawn watching the yachts in the bay protecting his Daughter from all that could harm her, or should he tell Ito he wants to return to space? ..........
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Feb 26, 2021 10:17:42 GMT
The city lay in ruin .... Buildings, once reaching almost one thousand meters into the once clear sky, now lay as piles of rubble, spires of the infrastructure pointing into the gloom. All around him lay the remnants of a once-magnificent city skyline, the envy of many, a testament to those with the knowledge and foresight of design.
Stepping over sections of window frames, desks, workstations, he picked his way through the rubble .... Kneeling, he reached forward to pick up a tiny patch of colour in the greyness..... A child canvas shoe, red, white, with red laces, he could see the dried blood covering the once pristine canvass. Unable to take it in further, he placed the shoe down as if it were a sacred relic before moving on. His head turned as he heard the noise once more, this time coming from nearby, but try as he might he couldn't identify the direction.
In the distance, he heard another explosion, a plume of red white smoke billowing upwards into the dull sky. Again the voice, calling?
It seemed to him that he was walking in circles, each building shattered from within, ruins, signs of those who had lost their lives, millions in the first attack, more still in the second almost a month later, or so it seemed in his mind ..... He raised his hands, clamping them against his ears to silence the cacophony of sounds, cries, but nothing worked, so again he lowered his arms and lowered his eyes towards the rubble-strewn ground, so as not to see ahead of himself. There, off to his left, he was sure that was where the cry was coming from!
With renewed hope, he began to climb over the wreckage, around immovable twisted and warped structures set into the earth like some bizarre statuesque display.
Ahead he suddenly saw something, small, dirty white, but there, moving, he began to increase his efforts hoping beyond hope that he wasn't alone ..... The arm was raised, a small almost delicate hand waving, an almost feeble moan from below the debris. He ran, slipping, falling, clambering over each object trying to detain him, until he reached the arm and the waving hand, it, like everything else, was bloodied, at least one small finger dislocated. Filled with uncontrollable promise, he shouted into the rubble that he was here, that he was going to help, but the small voice fell silent. Fear began to fill every fibre of his being as he picked frantically at the detritus, throwing anything he could lift away from the small form held beneath. Then he heard it ...
The explosion was closer, too close!
Try as he might his efforts seemed for nought as the pile covering the child seemed to remain as substantial and impenetrable as before. The sky darkened and he looked up, a wall of sulphurous ash a hundred meters tall was rushing towards him, if he didn't find shelter the ash would claw at his lungs, suffocating him in seconds. But despite his peril, he kept pulling at the rubble until the wall of ash was almost upon him. Tears ran freely down his face as he took hold of the small hand hoping beyond hope to give the child some small comfort in his or her last seconds ..... Them the poisonous ash engulfed them both ..... "DADDY ... DADDY ... DADDYYYYYY!"He sat bolt upright, the nightmare was still fresh in his mind. For seconds he didn't realise where he was, but his five-year-old Daughter was shaking him as hard as she could, her vision blurred through the tears as she pleaded with her Father to wake. Finally, the nightmare was replaced by his crying child and he reached forward to take her in his arms, she clung to him as if her life depended on it as he slowly fell back onto the sweat-soaked covers. Slowly he stroked her hair, feeling the wetness of his tears as he did so. Slowly, so slowly, her crying subsided until she was quietly sobbing, her arms still tightly around his chest. Long after Mackenzie had finally succumbed to a night of restless sleep, Daniel could not banish the images of the ravaged obliterated city, and those he couldn't save ..........
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Feb 27, 2021 12:58:22 GMT
Office of the Head of Starfleet Operations ... Starfleet Headquarters San Francisco ::
"While it is unprecedented .... Given the extraordinary circumstances .... The President is willing to allow you to take your Daughter with you .... A tutor will of course be provided if you so wish,"
Now they had actually given in to the one reason for him 'not' to return to the Excalibur, Daniel was at a loss. Truth be told, he still wasn't convinced he even wanted to return to duty, but Starfleet had been his life since entering Starfleet Academy at seventeen, and he knew nothing else. But he still struggled to accept the loss, both to the ship and himself, A month had passed since the funerals, a sham of sorts given nothing had remained of those caught in the epicentre of the explosion, but nevertheless, Command had decreed that funerals take place to honour those lost, including both Lana and Kendal, who had been posthumously awarded the Federation highest honours.
Now, here he sat, having to make another decision .....
Schirra Home ... Marina Boulevard San Francisco ::
"Do you want to take her with you?" Barbra asked as they watched Mackenzie playing in the garden.
"You know I do, but it's impossible..." Daniel replied, seeing Lana's parents nodding, "... We're likely to face a damn sight more aggression from the Xes'dnu than we did the last time. While there hasn't been any declaration of war between them and the Federation, they have knowingly attacked a Federation Member Race, and as such have stated their intentions,"
"Then leave her with us, you know it's the right thing to do Daniel," Terrence Thewlis said quietly. Mackenzie came running over to her Grandparents, pulling both up out of their chairs to play ball. Daniel could only watch, no longer having to fight back the tears, but still hurting nonetheless ..... USS Excalibur ... Spacedock Three Geostationary Orbit Earth ::The shuttle was climbing, he had asked the Pilot to take his time, he wasn't in any real hurry to get aboard, but knew that once he was he would need to act accordingly. Five kilometres above him he could see the gleaming hull of the Constitution Class Excalibur still embraced by the cradle. Everything had been done to ready the ship in almost record time, new nacelles, new warp core, almost thirty percent of the saucer section had needed to be rebuilt, to all intents and purposes, the ship looked brand new! ..... But it still held memories, not only for Daniel but for everyone serving on her. Sat beside him was the new Security Officer, Caryna Agosta. She, and others, had been assigned to replace those lost. he glanced over almost smiling as he watched the young Lieutenant's face, he remembered when he too had first been assigned to a Starship, so long ago, but the memory was still there. He silently said a prayer to protect those in his care. **********
Stepping over the threshold of the shuttle he set foot on the ship proper: "Welcome back," Karka said quietly. Dan could only smile, not trusting himself to reply. "The Dockmaster has cleared us for departure whenever your ready," the Exec' said as they made their way through the ship to eventually reach the Bridge ..... Everyone stood to attention as he entered and he waved a hand to signify they should continue with their assigned tasks. He walked forward to the newly replaced 'window' and looked down towards the blue-green jewel rotating sedately below them. Somewhere down there, his five-year-old daughter was playing, and for a fraction of a second he felt a chill run the length of his spine, he banished the dread that he would never see her again almost as quickly as the thought had occurred. "Where is the Sword now?" he asked as he avoided the chair. "She left yesterday, they will be covering 641E and 641F," Psonoir confirmed. "OK... Then let's go..." Schirra ordered, finally dropping into the centre seat, "... Aft thrusters," he sat in silence as the massive Sovereign Class Starship eased away from the cradle before Psonoir gave heading orders and speed instructions to the Navigation Officer. Seconds later the ship entered the nether-realm of warp speed and the Earth vanished from sight ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Mar 10, 2021 15:19:12 GMT
Just enough time had passed now, Karka thought, for the pain of those who'd lost loved ones to have subsided, enough for the ship's personnel to resume something like normal operations. Indeed, they were forced to with the new activity in the Gliese 641 system and the Xes'dnu's attack on three planets - one planet lay inside the Xes'dnu homeworld's orbit and two outside of it, one of them not a Federation member but wishing to become so, two constituting one Federation member, inhabiting those outer worlds.
All involved in the tragedy and disaster of over a month ago remained affected by the events, not least the Captain, but also the family of Taka Yukigori - one of whom, Ena Yukigori (Taka's sister), was serving on the Excalibur as a junior engineer - and the friends and relations of the 60 others killed in the kamikaze attack.
Karka sat at his station on the bridge, chair rotated towards the viewscreen showing the familiar illusion of a streaming starfield, dust and hydrogen particles diverted round the warp bubble, the Excal leaving in its wake a comet-like tail of turbulence as it tunnelled through the interstellar medium.
"Precisely 24 hours from the Gliese 641 system, Captain," Reneus reported from the helm. Captain Schirra silently acknowledged.
They'd all heard the reports. Intense fighting on the surface of Gliese 641e, which was one of the two worlds belonging to the attacked Federation member species; many casualties, the Triangulum throwing the full weight of its considerable space and ground-based military power behind the assault. Gliese 641f so far remained untouched, though defence lines had been established by the Xes'dnu to prevent a counter-attack by the outer planet to protect its other planet. The USS Sword had already arrived and was protecting Gliese 641f while attempting to have a cease fire called.
Gliese 641c's ragtag forces, by far the weakest and most in need of a Federation starship's assistance (the Excalibur's task), had been fighting a series of spaceborne skirmishes and making hit and run attacks - with varying levels of success - on the Xes'dnu who'd launched their operations against them the week before. 641c's situation was fairly desperate.
The three attacked worlds were inhabited by a single species named the Jorain, a relatively new Federation member. Only two of the planets were within the Federation, 641c's inhabitants having not been willing to join it along with their fellow species members on 641e and f. Karka understood the reasons for this were due to events lying deep in the past: at some point a part of the Jorain had felt themselves oppressed by another part of the species, and had gone into exile (voluntary or otherwise) to make a new colonial home on 641c, closer to the system's star. They felt to become part of the Federation as the member species identified as 'the Jorain' would put them back under that ancient oppression. Their wish was for independent membership and thus their own voice on the Federation Council.
Karka knew Starfleet Operations had deduced that the Triangulum had seen a political opportunity while 641c had been applying for membership. It seemed they'd sought to take advantage of the benevolent Federation by wishing to become members themselves, perhaps even become leaders of some joint Jorain-Xes'dnu Federation member entity, influence Federation policy and dominate the rest of the Gliese 641 system and beyond.
Now since the kidnapping and the immediate consequences - refusal of any consideration of membership, turning out of Xes'dnu citizens from Fed space, etc - they'd given up their former strategy and instigated direct military strikes on their system's co-inhabitants.
Karka glanced up from the science scope and checked his display's chronometer - the ship was now a little under a day from the very edge of the system. Unwin entered the bridge and took the seat next to him, "Sorry I'm late. Subspace communique, was just speaking to Aksana." That was Unwin's girlfriend and Psonoir's attorney in the suspended inquest/court martial preliminary. "She talked a bit about the case, but didn't mention you directly."
"That's a shame."
"Huh?" Unwin said as he slapped a peanut into his mouth and took a sip of water.
"Don't bother yourself about it unduly," Karka said quickly and turned back to his console.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Mar 13, 2021 16:37:42 GMT
The Excalibur had been en route to the Gliese 641 Star System for over a week now, and the mood on the ship was noticeably subdued .... Not surprising given their recent losses. But now they had a task to perform, and while the lost were remembered, in one sense it fortified the companionship, camaraderie, among both new and old members of the crew ..... Hours earlier Daniel had spoken to Barbera and Terrance, Lana's parents, and had talked with Mackenzie, his five-year-old daughter, who he had been forced to leave behind, not by direct order, but from the obvious realisation that a Starship was no place for families, let alone a single child. This he thought would change in the future, but for now, he had to comfort himself that she was safe and well with her grandparents ...... Earlier, Daniel had left his quarters, meaning to head directly for the Bridge, but for reasons he couldn't quite explain, had decided to take a tour of the ship: Numerous people nodded, stepped aside to allow him to pass. Standing to attention, saluting, and other such requirements of Junior Officers or Crew was all well and good on the ground but had no real place in space. He was approaching the turbolift when a woman spoke to him: "Captain..." he turned to see a Lieutenant he had spoken to her when they had come aboard while the Excalibur was still in Spacedock. As the two entered the 'lift she continued, "... Sir, I wanted to say again how gra ......" "Lieutenant, as I told you before, you 'earned' your position on the Excalibur, in fact, I believe Captain Finley of the soon to be commissioned sister vessel, the USS Tizona, was a little peeved, believing I stole you from him," "Thank you, Captain, I hope I can do you proud," she said as the doors had slid aside, allowing both onto the Bridge ..... He had been sat watching the stars through the depolarised 'window' for some time, the chatter of the Bridge almost going unnoticed as his thoughts strayed to Lana and Kendal over and over again. This was natural, according to his Councillor, and rather than fade, he himself would learn to cope with the memories. "Time to Gliese 641C?" he asked. "Five hours twenty-eight minutes Captain," Lieutenant Reneus confirmed from the Helm. "Any signs they know we're coming?" Daniel asked. "The Ruling Council of the systems' designated Homeworld, Lyadran One, is aware we have been assigned to aid them..." Sarah Wentworth confirmed from Operations, "... As for the fighting, long-range sensors show a lot of firing out there, though it looks like they are managing to keep the Xes'dnu at bay for now, or at least away from the surface," "They haven't reached the surface?" Schirra asked, positive he'd read they had done so. "Not ground forces, the Xes'dnu did manage to make several atmospheric attacks on the Homeworld, but they suffered losses of their own," the Operations Officer confirmed as Karka read over her shoulder. The system Homeworld is largely academic, am I right?" Daniel asked as he got up and moved to one of the Science Consoles to bring up Gliese 641's data. "No, They have five planets in the system, three of which are Class 'M'..." T'Seng added, "... 'Lyadran Three' the outermost planet of their Star is largely industrial, population less than two million. 'Lyadran Two' is more Academic in nature, with a population of Eight billion. Then their Homeworld, 'Lyadran One' population approximately three point six billion... The planet seems almost idyllic from what we can pick up on scans," "Hardly like Earth then," Daniel muttered. Entering Gliese 641C Star System :: Both Koni T'Seng and Karka Psonoir had scanned the system and the ships in one space, most of which seemed to be firing on each other ..... Schirra looked at the Tactical information, genuinely shocked at the seemingly decrepit vessels that were attacking or holding off the much more advanced Xes'dnu warships over and over! ..... No less than eight vessels, six Lyadran and two Xes'dnuan seemed to be adrift, the others were carrying out strafing attacks on each other. Daniel had been given 'very strict' instructions as to his leeway on arrival, and the comment that 'in no circumstances' was he to deploy weapons systems unless first being fired upon by hostiles. He had of course argued that should the Lyadran's should have the full benefit of the Excalibur, a clear show of force, but Command, in their unwavering wisdom, pointed out that the USS Sword, was already involved in direct confrontation. Needless to say, he wasn't happy, but orders were, apparently, orders ..... "So the Xes'dnu have left the second and third planets alone?" Schirra commented. "They would hardly want to destroy any industrial real estate they get their hands on, as for the Academics ....." Koni speculated with a wry shrug. "Is there any chance we can make orbit undetected?" "Of which planet, Captain?" Lieutenant Reneus asked. "The Homeworld?" Schirra replied. "No Sir, I'm surprised we haven't already been detected..." the Navigation Officer replied before frowning, "... Though if we put the Excalibur behind the fifth planet, out of direct line of the inner planets, and away from any viable route the Xes'dnu would take should they retreat, we might be able to plot a route that would allow a shuttle to get onto the homeworld," "Karka, use my Ready Room, contact the Ruling Council, or whoever is in charge of their Homeworld, advise them of our intentions, providing they no objections, of course, Jenny, see to the Commlink," Daniel ordered. Psonoir left the Bridge, Schirra asked for a Tactical view of the system. The 'window' polarised and a schematic of the Star, the five planets, and a myriad of small vessels. "OK... There's nothing more we can do for the moment... Mister Reneus, plot a course for the fifth planet, keep us in Comms range until the Exec' has spoken to the Council, then hide us away," Reneus confirmed the orders as Schirra once again took the centre seat, inwardly annoyed that his hands were technically tied, at least for now, but 'that' would change! ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Mar 21, 2021 17:24:48 GMT
"... As I've said several times, Chief Administrator, we have been sent here at the behest of Starfleet Command and the Federation Council to help defend your system from the aggression of the Triangulum-led Xes'dnu. We have no intention to absorb you within our sphere of influence or anything like that. You should be treating as your would-be saviours," Karka sat back in the ready room chair granted him by the CO, regarding the Lyadran senior in his cream and pale green robes.
"Yes, but your appearance is sudden, and not without suspicion. What is your sister vessel doing in the adjoining systems? Which side are they supporting?"
Karka tried not to groan, "The Lyadrans populating those systems of course, and they're Federation members at that. As a matter of fact, isn't it true, Administrator Dhalavi, that you too are applying for Federation membership?"
The Administrator hesisted, "Yes."
"Then your whole argument falls apart," Karka collapsed further into the chair and made a helpless gesture, "You wish to join the Federation, eagerly so, and yet you are suspicious of our presence here, of being 'absorbed' into the UFP."
"But your motivations have not been clear to us from the moment the Xes'dnu kidnapped four of your citizens. Some of us believe you allowed the Xes'dnu to take them; that it was a sham, that you'd prefer Xes'dnu membership of the Federation over and above our own claim, which is independent of our erstwhile compatriots the Lyadrans in the two nearby systems. The ways of the Federation cause us perplexity... you support one side, then the other. It's called power-play."
Karka nodded to himself, "I can see we're getting no further here, Administrator. But I can at least thank you for giving permission to enter orbit of your home planet... We can proceed from there, working out our difficulties, convincing you of our good intentions, before immediately transiting the system to assist in your efforts against the Xes'dnu invaders. They've been here well over a week now?" Dhalavi nodded. "And your resources - war materiel and the like - are nearly exhausted, requiring months of further gathering and manufacture?"
Again, Dhalavi nodded. Karka concluded the comm now saying perhaps things could be put on a firmer footing with Starfleet and the Lyadrans of Gliese 641C. He returned to the bridge.
Difficult people, he shook his head, But then maybe they aren't too much to blame; over the centuries they've grown suspicious of outsiders, he imagined ever since their effective rejection by their co-species members in the other two systems Gliese 641E and F.
"We've permission to establish standard orbit, Captain. The Chief Administrator in charge of off-world affairs down there," Psonoir shook his head, "He's a tricky fellow to deal with, almost paranoid ; he's seems unsure whether we're here to help or to destroy. I imagine we'll find their head of state a lot more agreeable." He took his subsidiary chair at Science.
Koni commented, "At least those military commanders under him have a clearer idea who the enemy is. In the last half hour, they've disabled a Xes'dnu mid-displacement destroyer. The Xes'dnu've been forced into something of a retreat in that volume... Lyadran vessels deciding not to pursue, for now."
Indeed, the Lyadrans may soon be on the run again, Karka thought. It seemed though, in what was perhaps a strike of luck for the system's inhabitants, that more and more Xes'dnu vessels were being damaged, crippled, even wholly disabled as the minutes passed by.
In the next quarter of an hour there seemed to have begun a general retreat/falling-back of the Xes'dnu ships towards the adjacent inhabitable planet (one of the two non-M class worlds of the system). Perhaps this was the Excal's moment to slip from behind the farthest planet from the EM-irradiating star and silently, submarinally - avoiding detection - make for Lyadran I and standard orbit.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Mar 21, 2021 19:40:05 GMT
Deck five - USS Excalibur ... Main sickbay ::
"So you think it was a bad idea?" Daniel asked.
"I do, Captain, I do..." Doctor Wundt said from the other side of the desk, "... Command were wrong to force you into coming back so soon, but that said, you could have quite easily refused, you were still under medical treatment, both for your albeit minimal physical injuries, but also to assess your psychological wellbeing. Losing family isn't something someone simply sets aside, not even Starfleet Captains,"
"Hardly relevant given our situation," Daniel said, refilling his glass from the ice-cold pitcher.
"Oh, it's more than relevant Captain. Doctor Ito sent me your records, and in our opinion your need more time to recover,"
"Have I behaved out of character thus far?"
"Well, let's see ..... You appear to be hesitating, placing the ship out of harms way behind a Moon rather than following orders, how would you define such actions had they been by another Officer?"
"You don't know my orders, Doctor," Schirra retorted, immediately regretting his tone, but Wundt simply shrugged. The two had been speaking for a further fifteen minutes when the Comm chirped to life:
=^= Captain to the Bridge .. .. =^=
=^= On my way =^= Daniel replied via the Commlink in the Doctors' desk, "..... Thanks for the chat doctor," he said, rising and heading for the door.
"Same time tomor ..... tomorrow," Wundt said to the closing door.
Bridge :: Daniel listened to his Exec's report, happy in one sense that they were at least fighting back rather than rolling over, he agreed that it was clear the Lyandran didn't trust them. Heaven knows how they would react to Federation membership and the volume of vessels that might visit their Homeworld if accepted. But that wasn't his problem, he had been sent here to ensure that Lyandra One remained intact, and foremost, out of Xes'dnu hands! "Helm, plot a course that will put us in orbit about their Homeworld 'without' being detected by the Xes'dnu please," he ordered before dropping into the centre seat. Karka was stood beside him watching proceedings as they left the relative protection of the Moon and began a slow spiral towards Lyadran One. It took a full four hours to close on the planet using impulse engines and thrusters, but finally, they were ready to make orbit: "Captain, the only way I can assure we're not detected is to establish a retrograde orbit, effectively keeping the planet between us and the rest of the System," "That would mean we would only have contact with their Capital for approximately sixty-five percent of the time Captain," Sarah Wentworth said from Operations. "It will have to do until we can convince the Lyadran otherwise..." Daniel said, "... Lieutenant, Keep us at 'Yellow Alert' if it looks like we're about to be discovered I want us ready to move," "Aye, sir," Wentworth confirmed. "I don't suppose you discussed our dropping in on them, did you?..." Daniel asked with a wry grin, Schirra shook his head in mock disappointment, "... Contact them, say we're in orbit and would like to come down to the surface," **********Fifteen minutes later, the Away Team were almost ready, consisting of: Commanding Officer | Captain Daniel Schirra | Executive Officer | Commander Karka Psonoir | Chief Tactical Officer | Lt. Commander Koni T'Seng | Chief Security Officer | Lieutenant Caryna Agosta |
Schirra entered the Transporter Room and stepped up onto the platform where the others were waiting. He had decided to bring their newly appointed Chief Security Officer along ... 'No harm in her getting her proverbial feet wet from the outset' he thought, almost calling her Yukigori by mistake as he had entered the room. "Chief..." Karka addressed the Transporter Officer, "... Inform the Lyadran Council we are ready to beam down," "They are waiting Commander," with a nod from daniel Karka ordered the transport ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Mar 29, 2021 18:58:01 GMT
Karka and the team were beamed into a wide semi-circular chamber, finding themselves standing on a raised section immediately in front of the room's apparent entrance. His eyes zeroed in on the panel of councillors the space's other side - their individual pale-surfaced desk-spaces' flush with the chamber's curvature. Everything was an off-white, a faded pale green, and light seeming to emanate from nowhere at all.
He watched Schirra step forward, "I'm Captain Schirra of the United Federation of Plan- "
"Yes, we know who you are," the man at the centre of the nine-member panel was curt, "You were gracious enough to send us information on your ship, including its senior personnel, just before you established orbit. Anyway, I am President Daco Bhiritt of the Independent Lyadran Confederation. Your presence is..." he paused, looked at the others who - to Karka with his enhanced visual acuity - seemed to have varying reactions to their leader's words, "... welcome," he shifted with some discomfort. "We've been fighting the amoral, avaricious Xes'dnu for nearly two of your weeks. The relief you provide will be much appreciated by the Lyadran people, not least those amongst our fighting forces."
Schirra responded with respectful comments while also pushing his own line. Apparently the atmosphere was in fact quite informal - Psonoir's mind couldn't grasp what the Lyadrans would consider a formal meeting - and he, T'Seng and d'Agosta were free to wander about the sizeable chamber - though guards followed at a distance.
This was a fairly advanced people, he realised, as he surveyed some of the displays, charts, what was clearly nanotech built into these and other systems at a quite fundamental level.
Then why was its military so far behind? he asked himself, ragtag vessels barely able - though putting up a valiant fight - to keep the Xes'dnu from overwhelming, annihiliating them from the cosomos. The answer of course lay in the fact these Lyadrans (unlike their Fed member counterparts) had been isolated from interstellar affairs for quite some time, perhaps over two centuries; they'd believed they'd no need for system defence, for much of a military at all...
His and d'Agosta's attention was called back to the official first contact, the latter rushing along with Karka feeling some quite forgivable impulse to keep to procedure, this being her first assignment. Koni, meanwhile, continued lackadaisically perusing the various screens and items lying about the edge of the chamber, the guards jerking forward in apprehension each time she moved to touch various important panels.
Foreign affairs chief Dhalavi was speaking (the Lyadran Karka had communicated with while still out behind Lyadra V), "... Nevertheless, the Xes'dnu will return from the second world in still greater numbers; their resources, seemingly limitless; their determination, implacable."
"Calculations of the Xes'dnu's whole military might have shown they'll exhaust themselves in their attempt to conquer your world if they fail to achieve such in four to five weeks," Karka put in, directing his gaze to Dhalavi who'd sat upright perhaps already preparing a return salvo, "Recall your fellow Lyadrans in the two nearby systems. You remember them?" he provoked - dangerously, this being a first contact, "They are under assault, too, and believe me, conditions are worse for them."
"Yes, your ship - the USS Sword? - isn't providing much help in that quarter..." Dhalavi trailed off, pitching over in his seat briefly to clear his throat.
"My point is, Chief Councillor, that the Xes'dnu are focussing most of their efforts - and sustaining moderate to high losses - in trying to capture your long-estranged counterparts' twin systems. The Triangulum consider you a secondary target, and as long as they so maintain they will pour most of all they have into the Lyadran Federation member's domain. This will diminish their fighting capacity, and whatever reapportioning of resources they undertake won't be enought to prevent war materiel shortages when it comes to finishing the secondary target: yourselves."
Karka heard d'Agosta clear her throat beside him, "If we, together, the Federation and your Confederation can hold the Xes'dnu at bay for those four to five weeks, we should feel confident we can prevent any further strikes against yourselves," she inhaled sharply and shuddered a little; first time out in the field, she'd had the courage to speak up, Karka nodded to himself and smiled.
The next step would be to go on the offensive, against the Xes'dnu themselves.
"Still, they'll being come at us soon," the Lyadran President said, "And Chief Administrator Dhalavi and the military wing don't believe they can hold off one, perhaps two more assaults upon our home planet. What do you plan to do?"
"Strike at them," T'Seng said, "Take on their capital ship."
"I may have another idea," Karka's partitioned Hybrudean mind was working fast, "A small craft, an unmanned shuttle, perhaps one of your own, President Bhiritt, can be launched into their midst. We can modify a quant- ..." he reminded himself of which century he was in, "... A photon torpedo to increase its destructive yield nearly a hundredfold. We put the torpedo casing aboard your craft, launch and set it adrift on a heading for the centre of the oncoming Xes'dnu flotilla. Once it's roughly within the centre of the formation..." he imitated pressing the button of an old-fashioned detonator (a gesture picked up from his colleague the humanophile Lirwa). After a moment of all-round confusion, he added, "Boom."
"And you just came up with this? Shouldn't this have been considered a viable tactic from the first moment of your arrival?" Dhalavi stated. Karka found that Dan, Koni and Caryna were glancing towards him, also somewhat surprised.
"Unfortunately it didn't reveal itself during our discussions. We haven't been here very long," the Hybrudean explained haltingly. Schirra was still looking his way, curious, amused, he couldn't tell; he kept his eyes straight on the panel of nine. Indeed, if there should be any falling out with the CO over this, subject matters could arise that Karka would very much prefer not to visit (i.e. the fact he was from the 29th century and the rest of the crew, Schirra included, didn't know it).
With the first contact over, they now stood under the golden-hazed skies of the Independent Lyadran homeworld, at the centre of its great metropolis. Psonoir made preparations to communicate with a null marker and acquire technology via the Archives orbiting Hybrudea, which would fabricate a 24th, perhaps 25th century quantum torpedo and send it coursing down the tunnel of non-being to place itself innocuously in the Excalibur's torpedo arsenal.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Apr 4, 2021 15:06:26 GMT
Lyadran Homeworld :: Following the meeting, they had been escorted to a large dining area where they had been 'wined and dined' much more lavishly than the situation warranted in Daniel's mind .... Now, they were waiting on what Dhalavi had called an 'escort' who would show them around the city. "OK..." Schirra said, glancing around to make sure no-one was within earshot of the group, "... Did anyone else think they were less than grateful for our arrival?" "Bhiritt was defensive. Did you notice how he seemed to constantly defer to his Minister?" Agosta volunteered. "I have to agree," T'Seng added. "It's not uncommon for a Head of State to allow his Senior Advisors to speak on their behalf..." Daniel commented, "... I wasn't happy with their comments regarding the Sword," he finished, looking up into the mid-afternoon Sun. "What we're they expecting exactly?" Caryna pondered. "I still find this set-up a little strange..." Schirra began with still no sign of their supposed guide, "... How is it that two Systems, Gliese 'D' and 'E' Systems have seemingly advanced far more than their neighbours. You would have thought that once vessels from their nearby Systems began to visit, this System would catch up pretty quickly. It also bothers me that until now they had shown no signs of wanting to be connected with the Federation in any way shape or form," "Maybe they have finally realised that the Trianguum are making a move to usurp the government?" Clancy said as he watched two Lyadran stood roughly thirty metres away, he turned back to the others: "We're being watched," he said quietly. "Hardly surprising..." Schirra replied, glancing once again around the garden, nodding appreciatively, "... You think the Lyadran could be hiding something?" "Like what?" Koni asked with a shrug. "I don't know, but something isn't right..." Daniel said, his frustration obvious, "... One thing is certain, they are hardly showing how competent they are, we've been stood here for fifteen minutes," Schirra nodded, making up his mind he began to walk off, a second later the other three followed suit. "We're leaving?" Agosta asked, puzzled. "Are our friends following?" "After a fashion..." Psonoir confirmed with a wry grin as he saw the two move parallel to them while clearly trying hard 'not' to look in the Federation Officers' direction, "... They are hardly inconspicuous," Daniel looked around casually, then picked out one of the massive buildings that ran along each of the four sides of the gardens. He headed that way as Koni noticed their shadows were now looking somewhat uneasy. One retrieved a comm device from her pocket and was likely asking for instructions. Daniel began pointing out the architecture, nodding appreciatively every now and then, hopefully, their shadows would think they had simply tired of waiting for their guide and decided to take a look around the gardens ..... They reached the edge of the grass, manicured to perfection, 'If nothing else they were competent gardeners' Schirra thought as he again pointed out the decorative features of the building opposite. Without warning, he turned to his right and again began walking, this time almost directly towards the two Lyadran who had been watching them. He commented on each building, on the gardens, as they closed the gap. He was ignoring the Lyadran who realising they were about to walk into the Federation Officers, turned and walked across the lush grass to avoid contact. Inwardly, Daniel grinned. As their 'shadows' moved behind a small grove of trees, Daniel stepped over the decorative rope bordering the gardens and headed across the road. Caught unawares, the other three followed a few paces behind, catching up with the Captain as he stepped onto the broad paved area in from of the buildings. "Fancy a little exploration?" he asked as he walked into a small passage between two buildings. Once out of sight he took a PADD-type tablet from his tunic. "What's that?" Koni asked. "I picked it up while we were in the Government Building," Schirra said, activating the device before frowning, it hadn't occurred to him that any information would be in the Lyadran's language, Koni, seeing his frustration, took the tablet and began to access the device. After a moment she showed the others what she had managed to bring up: "A map?..." Psonoir commented dryly. It did look like a map of the city, presumably for visitors, they had noticed several larger versions throughout the gardens, "... Any way you can change the language?" "No, but it looks colour-coded..." T'Seng said, pointing to the screen, "... That's the Government building we were in, so we could assume that all the others with the same colour are official departments, blue could be recreation, maybe, we can't say for sure without entering one or more of the buildings to check," she said with a shrug. "What about these?" Daniel said, pointing to several structures outside the city. "Factories, commercial, who knows..." Agosta said, "... But I'd say they were clearly out of bounds," "Then we need to take a lo ....." Daniel began as someone behind him spoke: "YOU THERE!" the four spun to see two Officers eyeing them, both were holding drawn weapons. Behind them stood Dhalavi, that annoying smile back, and behind them were the two Lyadran who had been assigned to watch them, both clearly fearing possible consequences of their ineptitude. "Ahhh, there you are..." Schirra said, deftly handing the tablet to T'Seng before walking forward, "... My apologies Minister, we were waiting on your 'escort' and decided to take a look around your wonderful gardens," he didn't expand further given they were obviously not in the aforementioned gardens any more. "The apologies are mind to offer, Captain..." Dhalavi said with the slightest of bows, he waved two armed guards aside and motioned for the Federation Officers to precede him back onto the grass, "... I am afraid we shall have to postpone your sightseeing until later, there has been a, development, which requires our attention," "The Trianguum?" Daniel asked. "No..." the Minister said almost casually, "... Alas just one of many day-to-day problems that require dealing with," "Then I look forward to your next invitation Minister," Schirra said, taking out his Communicator. =^= Schirra to Excalibur .. .. =^= =^= Excalibur .. Commander Unwin .. Go ahead Captain =^= =^= Four to beam up =^= Daniel smiles at the Minister as he felt the caress of the transporter. Materialising he quickly stepped off the pad. "As soon as it's dark we're going to back down to take a look at that restricted area," he said before leaving the transporter room, the other close behind ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Apr 6, 2021 18:00:52 GMT
Karka had to agree with the Captain as they'd departed the governmental building and entered the square, symmetrical garden. Baroque perfection, he thought, but yes something was amiss in the way the Lyadran ministers had spoken - they'd been on guard, glancing at one another, some smiling, some with consternation. Perhaps they were at war among themselves.
And when it came to the fight against the Xes'dnu, the similarities between the two factions' situations were striking: as Daniel had remarked, they'd both suddenly become interested in joining the Federation, both were adjacent to systems possessing Federation member worlds, both were marginally behind those member worlds (the Independent Lyadrans on average moreso) in tech development.
The Xes'dnu and isolated Lyadrans had more in common than they had differences, and Karka had even begun to suspect the apparent war between them was being faked, carried on with little enthusiasm either side.
He picked an exotic looking flower, surprised to see another sprouting into full form in its wake - a clear sign of genetic modification, or perhaps matter transportation. He looked round at the impressive gardens and government HQ, nodding in satisfaction. There was nothing like being under new skies pierced by an alien sun - he believed not one Hybrudean had ever visited here, but then the world-lines were so entangled now he could well be mistaken.
After following the others across the road and down the alleyway between the two buildings and being stopped in their tracks by Dhalavi, they'd returned to the ship and prepared for the night escapade.
* * *
The team's complement was kept to a minimum, five officers: the Captain, Karka, the CMO, Agosta and Prescott, an experienced security officer who'd played key roles in several Excal missions and, the XO hoped, would support the young Caryna in her work.
They beamed into the complex undetected by the Lyadrans' unsophisticated defence network - though again, Karka had noted some of their tech seemed strangely far in advance of the rest - and took to cover outside a large warehouse structure. As the XO peered up into the night's sky, he could make out the faint outline of the building, it was far taller than it was wide.
=/\=Found an ingress point,=/\= Prescott's voice crackled through his communicator. They acknowledged and followed, and having checked via Karka's bulky tricorder that no one was inside, decoded the lock using the tricorder and pulled two 15 metre high doors apart. It took some effort, but the reward more than repaid it: standing before them was some 250 metres tall oblong mass of obsidian black machinery, clear Xes'dnu technology.
Absorbing the shock at the apparent deception from Foreign minister Dhalavi (and perhaps President Bhiritt) that the Lyadrans were fighting the Xes'dnu for their very lives, they tentatively began to explore the bulbous warehouse, Karka with his tricorder scanning everything about him - closing with some apprehension towards the giant machine (its height not far off the length of the Excalibur), Agosta and Prescott covering the angles (the latter finding a lift taking him to an upper gantry level for better line of sight) and Schirra evaluating a board of consoles.
"The Xes'dnu," the CO said simply.
Karka nodded, "Triangulum, you'd expect, or Residuum rebels - a last hideout on a neighbouring planet?"
Just as he was checking with his nearest null marker that the modified torpedo had been installed in the Excal's arsenal (maybe it wouldn't be needed, unless against the Xes'dnu and isolationist Lyadrans together), yelling and the scampering of feet on metal gantries resounded from above. He took cover with phaser raised; they were on the gantry level above Prescott, the Excal officer hidden for the time being, Karka decided. From within his visual field he could see three Lyadrans and two Xes'dnu (Triangulum? Residuum hold-outs?)
The first shots of bright blue beam-weapon fire stroked in arcs about them. Karka kept low, bowed his head, the results of his scans for lifesigns had been mistaken.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Apr 12, 2021 16:20:13 GMT
Unidentified Building Lyadran Homeworld :: The Away Team had been outside the group buildings for fifteen minutes now, with nothing to show for their search until the Security Officer, Prescott, informed them of a possible way in ..... Despite the clearly oversized doors, there was no Security to be seen, which under normal circumstances could mean the building was being used for the manufacture of anything from construction equipment to farming, or a myriad of other uses. Having come across the almost black structure so, to say the least, the Excalibur Officers were almost struck dumb at the sight before them, which was clearly Xes'dnu in origin! "Find a console each, get every scan you can run, I want all the information we can gather before we confront our ever so helpful Lyadrans!" Schirra ordered, eyes moving up and down the structure before him, still struggling to believe they had been deceived so easily. He was approaching one of the vacant consoles when the firing started. Within minutes, the Excalibur crew had neutralised the attackers, all still on the high gantries but now unconscious or dead. Daniel grabbed the Doctor and quickly climbed to reach the closest of the bodies where Prescott was already checking for weapons ..... Kneeling, he could see that the man was wearing Lyadran garb, as were two of the others, the remaining three were clearly Xes'dnu, which made his job harder. He checked the man's pockets, hoping to find a communicator, but he was out of luck. Leaving the Doctor and Prescott to watch the doorway at the furthest end, where they believed their attackers had entered, he moved quickly to the next body, his search producing the same result. He looked down to see the others who had continued to gather what data they could, and with nothing to be gained by staying on the gantry, he, Prescott and Wundt joined the others: "Any way we can access that?" Schirra asked, pointing at the monolithic structure. Caryna Agosta approached the device and ran a scan. She turned to speak to the Captain when the lights raised unexpectedly, they could hear more voices coming from the opposite direction they had entered, quickly running between the consoles to hopefully keep out of sight, they reached the large doors. For a second Schirra worried that they had been sealed from outside, therefore cutting off any escape route, but as Karka and Prescott grabbed the doors they moved easily aside ..... In the open Daniel was about to take his communicator from the pocket in the arm of his jacket when a bolt from a phaser slammed into the wall beside him. They began to run down the closest gap between buildings, each turning to fire back the way they had come before continuing to run headlong into the semi-darkness. It was clear, that whoever had been in the building hadn't been alone, leaving some hidden outside to cut off the interlopers. The Excalibur Officers rounded a corner and could see a wooded area approximately two hundred metres away, presumably one side of the industrial estate. Daniel knelt and peered around the corner of the building hoping to see how many were chasing them but was surprised to see no one. "We're clear," he said, unwilling to believe they had simply given up. Karka risked a look and nodded as Agosta scanned the way they had come. "According to this there is no one chasing, but given recent events I'm inclined to ignore it," the Security Chief said dismissively. "Well, unless they have developed invisibility, I'd say we can be pretty sure there is no one chasing us," Psonoir said, shaking his head. "What now, Captain?" the Doctor asked. "I want to see one of the other buildings before we return to the ship..." he said, seeing the others eyeing him but remaining silent, "... We need to find something to tie one faction or another to all this," "We're not going back to the ship?" Doctor Wundt asked in disbelief. "Captain, I obviously made myself aware of what happened before I was assigned to the Excalibur..." Agosta said, pausing as the Exec' glanced in her direction, "... Sir, I don't see how the Lyadran could be unaware that anyone from either Xes'dnu faction could have constructed that without their knowledge," "Three of those who attacked us 'were' Lyadran Lieutenant," Karka stated, eyes still on the woman. "So is it possible that a small number of them are working with the Xes'dnu without the government's knowledge?" she pressed. "I don't see how Lieutenant," Schirra commented with another glance back down the alleyway. "Sir... From our scans, there are approximately two hundred identical buildings in this area, clearly, their industrial infrastructure where they receive or ferry materials to their complexes on Lyadra Five. Isn't it possible that one, or more of these buildings, could have been used for something else, without the knowledge of the Ruling Council?" she finished, falling silent. Daniel had to admit that her hypothesis had merit, but without confronting the President, or the so-called Foreign Minister, there was no way to confirm what his Security Chief was saying. He checked the time, realising it was close to dawn. "Why did they stop chasing us?" the Doctor asked suddenly. It was a good question ..... "We'll backtrack, I noticed a high walkway traversing the building we were in and the one adjacent, let's see if we can get a look in that building before we go back to the ship," Schirra ordered. "Sir..." Psonoir said, pointing towards the brightening sky. Daniel conceded they had no time to do a search, moving around in daylight was impossible, reluctantly he took his communicator and flicked it open. "Good morning," they turned as one to see the Foreign Minister, Dhalavi eyeing them with ammusement ..........
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Apr 12, 2021 18:52:48 GMT
"You really are rather predictable, Captain," the Foreign Minister said.
"You misled us from the start!..." Schirra spat back "... All this, my Family, what do you hope to gain, surely Federation membership isn't your goal, because once they find out what you're doing you'll be lucky to have a planet 'to' live on!"
"My dear Captain, you are being over ...."
"Where are your people?" Schirra interrupted.
"My... People?"
"From the building!" Schirra said, risking a step towards the Lyadran.
"Oh, they are not 'my' people as you call them, in fact, had it not been for my help you wouldn't have survived the attack in the building..." Dhalavi said with a grin, "... You believe that you were responsible for killing those people, as you call them, without injury to any of your team, interesting," Daniel looked at the Lyadran, realising there was no way of telling if he was speaking the truth, but then why lie?
"Who was chasing us?" Psonoir asked, looking past the Foreign Minister.
"Oh, they were my, people,"
"How did you find us, how did you know we were on the surface?" Agosta asked.
"Let us say that my intuition led me to believe your treatment, while with the President and Myself, was reason enough in your mind to come back covertly, we were not exactly, welcoming,"
"That's a given," Wundt muttered, but the comment was heard by Dhalavi, who turned:
"..... I am sorry ..... And you would be?"
"One of my Officers..." Schirra interrupted before Wundt could reply, "... So where do we go from here?"
"From, here, oh, I see, forgive me, Human vernacular it is still strange to me. Yes, you may return to your vessel..." everyone looked at the Minister as if waiting for the punchline of a not very amusing joke, but Dhalavi smiled that smile again and shrugged, "... You think I came here to take you into custody, alas no,"
"The construction, in the building we were in?" Agosta prompted.
"We have no information, only a very few have access, and unfortunately, I am not among them,"
"I don't believe you," Daniel said. The Lyadran was silent for a long moment, seemingly weighing up his reply.
"These buildings, warehouses, are used to store everything the planet needs to survive. This 'estate' is one of six situated around the Homeworld. You speculated earlier, everything we need, from the smallest piece of equipment to the largest, is brought here from Lyadra Five and placed here for distribution where needed. We are somewhat lacking in the most basic of production facilities. Farming, livestock, numerous other endeavours, but essentially dependent on our off-world production facilities... The building you entered is one of sixteen that we know of, all of which are off-limits to all but a few, so you see Captain, we are as much in the 'dark' as you put it, as you yourselves are,"
"You're saying that someone in Government has allied themselves with the Xes'dnu and you can do nothing about it?" Daniel asked.
"We have long suspected that some among us sympathised with the plight of the Residuum on the Xes'dnu World, but we chose not to involve ourselves. Much like our distant 'cousins' we too shunned our neighbours in favour of self-continuance,"
"Just out of curiosity here..." Agosta said, stepping close to the Lyadran Minister, "... Why should we believe that you and your little group are not the ones going behind your government's backs?"
Everyone watched the Foreign Minister closely, awaiting his reply ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Apr 19, 2021 22:13:45 GMT
Dhalavi bowed deferentially in his cream and green robes, "I admit I have no irrefutable proof, not at hand at least. Anyway, Captain Schirra, do you really think it appropriate that a quite junior officer should ask a question on her own behalf, approaching me to what I may say is an uncomfortable distance, without your permission? The Starfleet command hierarchy is not without its flaws, at least as practiced by you, no?"
As Schirra tried not to fume in response, Karka cast a glance over Dhalavi's shoulder at ground-cars approaching in silence, utilising some form of antigrav so as to glide half a metre or so off the road surface. They wound their way along meandering paths in approach, Karka tapping Schirra's shoulder alerting him as to their presence.
"Dhalavi... Dhalavi!" the CO silenced the foreign minister in the midst of his subsequent response, "Are those yours?" and gestured to the cars.
The expression on the Lyadran's face as he turned to look was clearly one of genuine shock, "No... Run. Run, I say!"
Karka fell in alongside the Lyadran and his party of two and the Excal landing party as they fled through the matrix of alleys interlacing the 16 irregularly-placed structures, taking cover from the apparent assailants - whoever they were - as best they could.
As they rested from their flight against the wall of a towering building - almost as tall as the one they'd gained entry to in the night - Karka remembered they'd forgot to mention the Xes'dnu, the two, possibly three Xes'dnu within that 300 metre high structure who'd been side-by-side with the Lyadrans in their assault on the Excal team... Were those Lyadrans working for their government or acting alone?
He checked the alleyway and saw Dhalavi and his duo were some way down it, cowering a little and out of earshot. "A theory," he spoke first to Schirra beside him, his aerobic respiration returning faster than the others', "Dhalavi's telling the truth. We were attacked in the building by Lyadrans who - as Dhalavi told me via subspace - believe the kidnapping of your family..." he paused, of course it was still a sensitive issue, "... was a hoax. They think the Residuum were merely pawns in the kidnapping and it was all engineered by the Triangulum and Starfleet Command, and believe that the Federation would prefer the Xes'dnu as a new member world rather than themselves."
"The presence of the Xes'dnu in the building, and the accompanying tech..." Schirra said, nodding, "So these Lyadran hardliners are sheltering Xes'dnu Residuum refugees, whom Dhalavi and his men took out and maybe inadvertently saved us. Then Dhalavi's a traitor."
"An apt saying of Old Earth, Captain... The enemy of my enemy is my friend? Some Lyadrans have allied themselves with the Residuum against the Triangulum - perhaps they're those who are fighting the interplanetary war above us most convincingly, those not retreating from the combat when they might press an advantage, as we witnessed aboard ship."
"You're saying they're a group unattached from the government," Prescott said, "Perhaps purely military, up there right now between the homeworld and Lyadra III doing their utmost to defend their homeworld from the Triangulum, though they consider us their enemies, too."
And who might be overseeing that defence, on behalf of the Residuum and the Lyadran paranoiacs? Not President Bhiritt, the man seems utterly benign, Karka thought with sudden awful apprehension, foresight, a premonition that could be known only to himself. A face appeared to his mind's eye: No. It'll hurt the crew, it'll hurt Starfleet too much.
"And those hesitating to fight?" Agosta said from across the alley, "I had thought they were uninvolved with the Lyadran government, but now I'm not so sure. I wouldn't blame President Bhiritt, but..."
As she was speaking an antigrav car shot by in silence, visible for only a moment, but Karka recognised the Independent Lyadran Confederation insignia: these were governmental vehicles.
A change in the air brought sudden knowledge the vehicle was reversing slowly towards the alley's entrance. Thinking urgently whether the Excal officers were currently with the right people, Karka took to flight as the car took up position for line of sight down the alley, the rest of the landing party right behind him.
A pulse cannon of some sort atop the vehicle rotated in their direction and a backseat window retracted to present a phase gun: azure beam weaponry and projectile fire arrowed and described arcs down the alley; the fire was indiscriminate, Starfleeter or no, carving one of Dhalavi's group in half. Psonoir had time enough to look back to see a desperate Dhalavi and his remaining guard slamming into a side door and gaining entry to the adjacent structure, while he and the Excal team took the next right in the veritable maze.
They careened into the next three-way junction under ever-brightening skies, coming to a halt as they saw themselves secure from any of the prowling vehicles' targeting reticules. "Recommend we return to the Excalibur, sir!" Prescott panted, hands on knees.
Karka looked wearily at mountains painting the distant horizon. "I think that's a good idea," Schirra said, flipping open his communicator.
Back on the bridge they used the gathered data to establish that the 16 structures contained five of the same pieces of Xes'dnu tech they'd found in the first building. Triangulum or Residuum, they still weren't clear, but at least they now knew the foreign minister was working against his own government.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Apr 24, 2021 15:26:54 GMT
USS Excalibur ... Following escape from surface ::
The team had successfully beamed back to the ship, presumably frustrating their pursuers ..... Speculations had come to light, the most telling being that the Lyadran Chief Minister, Dhalavi, may well be working against his own Government, who in turn were possibly colluding with Residuum Hardliners who could have been coerced into taking action against the Excalibur, and by definition, the Federation itself. To Daniel, it was all beginning to seem too complicated! "What's the status of the Sword?" Schirra asked as he dropped into the center seat. "She's holding station following an attack," Lieutenant Wentworth replied from Operations. "Set course, we'll rendezvous with her and speak to Captain Volkov, I want to hear his opinion on our situation," USS Sword - Constitution Refit Class Starship Open space ... Monitoring Gliese 641 Star System :: The Excalibur came alongside her sister ship, holding position one thousand meters off her for'ard port quarter. Daniel, along with Karka, Koni T'Seng, and Sarah Wentworth transported over, welcomed by the Sword's Executive Officer, Commander Paolo Kpora, he escorted the group to the Captain's Ready Room where Volkov was waiting ..... "Anton..." Schirra said, offering his hand to his counterpart, "... You read my report?" "Yes, and I have to admit, it makes a 'lot' of sense. If Lyadran Rebels are indeed sheltering Residuum refugees, but it could prove difficult to prove.." the man said, waiting while his Yeoman distributed drinks for everyone before retreating, "... This idea that the Minister is working against his Government sounds viable, and it could go some way to explaining these attack," "Oh? ....." "Yes, we noticed a pattern, of sorts, to the Xes'dnu attacks, they always split up, dividing our fire, but don't take advantage of our only being able to go after one vessel at a time. They seem to hold back, if you will, allow us to target one ship, which after what seems a halfhearted attack, they turn and run. Meantime, the other ships appear to be doing little or no damage to the surface infrastructure on either of the two Lyadran worlds they target. I'd almost go as far as to say they are deliberately targetting non-populated areas, leaving major cities and a great deal of the industrial complexes unscathed!" "We noticed there wasn't much damage to the Sword Captain," T'Seng commented. "Oh we've had our fair share of hits, but that too leads me to wonder if all this is some ploy we're not seeing?" Volkov replied, his frustration obvious. "You didn't go after any of the Xes'dnu vessels," Wentworth stated. "We disabled three of their ships, all of which are currently being towed back to their own system," the Exec' stated. For a moment Daniel absorbed what was being passed on. "..... And this theory that the Federation is in league with the Xes'dnu?" Schirra asked. "I can't accept that, leaving out the fact that there isn't an iota of evidence to substantiate the theory, it's ridiculous given recent, events..." the Russian Captain replied, holding Daniel's gaze for a moment before continuing, "... I do think that the Xes'dnu are taking advantage of the fighting between the Residuum and the Trianuum, using that to their own ends, but as I said, going off recent attacks, they are either seriously incompetent or are purposefully trying 'not' to do any serious damage on the surface, which could be a prelude to a ground invasion in my opinion. The less infrastructure they can damage, the more hold they will have over both other sides once the proverbial dust settles. I could be wrong of course, I've had no face-to-face dealings with the Lyadran, so...." Volkov finished with a pronounced shrug. "You think the Federation would reconsider the blocking of the Xes'dnu's application?" T'Seng asked, glancing at Daniel for a second. "That's not for me to speculate, Commander..." Volkov replied, rising to refill his cup, "... I do, however, believe that we need at least one more Starship out here, if only as a possible deterrent, with the loss of the Juno, and still no word on what happened to the USS Erinome, we need another obstacle to their advances." "About President Bhiritt, he's bordering on naivety in his handling of our arrival and his take on the situation as a whole, could he be fooling us?" Schirra speculated. "I don't think so..." Psonoir said, moving to refill his own coffee cup, "... I do think he may well be putting too much faith in his own government. Hell, if his own Chief Minister can work so easily behind his back, what else could be going on?" "Anton, contact Starfleet, tell them we have discussed the situation, request another vessel join us, ideally another heavy cruiser, I think the Megiddo, an old type Constitution Class should be due out of spacedock after her refit," "..... And if they can't spare anyone?" "Then we'll have to do what we can..." Daniel said, rising, his Officers following suit, "... I'm going back to the Lyadran Homeworld, maybe speaking to the President again might shed some light on things," they walked to the transporter room and stepped up onto the pad. Volkov bade the Excalibur Officers farewell and then he and his Exec' returned to the Bridge ..... Returning to the Excalibur Daniel called a meeting of his Senior Officers. They had things to discuss, but in the meantime, they would return to orbit around Lyadran Two, where they would request a meeting with the President. Schirra wanted authorization to further investigate the buildings outside the city ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on Apr 26, 2021 15:32:25 GMT
"There has already been one incident out that way in the last two days, in which friendly fire killed an aide of the foreign ministry. I'm afraid the President simply won't allow it," the Lyadran official said on the Excal's viewscreen, answering the starship's request for permission to visit - officially this time - the structures outside the city.
The Excal was back in orbit, having evaded Xes'dnu patrols and Lyadran squadrons that'd been zealously pursuing those patrols (the Starfleeters couldn't trust that these Lyadrans weren't of the hardline elements who wanted no outside interference at all, or at least an independent seat on the Federation Council when this was all over).
Karka spoke from beside the Captain, "Can we speak to President Bhiritt or someone else with authority? Why should we believe what you say about him, and -"
"Because he told me so himself. Government vehicles intercepted trespassers on restricted ground outside the capital. We are still working out what happened ourselves; we don't need Starfleet boots on the ground complicating matters infinitely. Adjutant Biliv of the Independent Lyadran Confederation's foreign ministry, out!"
The Excal continued to rotate about the Independent Lyadran homeworld. "Well, he let on something there, didn't he? The foreign ministry again."
Karka nodded, "Perhaps Dhalavi's entire department has been colluding, obstructing, not letting their own President know the truth." It seemed to Karka that Dhalavi had been coordinating things to hinder the defensive effort of his people against the Triangulum-led Xes'dnu, to leave avenues clear for the Xes'dnu to approach as near as possible the homeworld Lyadra II. What'd led him to conspire with the Triangulum was unclear - perhaps he'd been promised the regency of the whole system by the Triangulum once the latter had come out the victor? Regardless, there was at least the hardline element balancing out Dhalavi's efforts with their (over)ambitious reaches and strikes against Xes'dnu positions in the star system.
The official had also let on that the government were unaware it'd been Excal officers at the complex of structures outside the capital, which opened the way for an apparent 'first visit'.
Deciding to let the Lyadrans' own night-time investigation play out, the following morning the ship learnt news that the Megiddo had been readied in double-quick time and was already on its way out to assist its sister ships in the star cluster.
Karka told an expectant Unwin - who wanted to get involved - that they'd wait 'til high-noon, when approximately half an hour either side of it the Lyadran capital stood in silence remembering their ancestors, those who'd fled from persecution on the other two Lyadran worlds centuries ago and had colonised this nearby system. This seemed the best time to return and explore the 16 structures, about a third of which contained Xes'dnu tech.
Having ascertained the absence of any Lyadran governmental forces in the area and laying an undetectable (by Lyadran standards) sensor jamming field around it, a team of five transported down from the Excal, and found themselves face to face with four Xes'dnu.
They were three metres from one of the structures they thought contained Xes'dnu technology. Karka glanced at Schirra, perhaps having been prompted by the CO's quick movements: Schirra hadn't said a word and was drawing a phaser, seeming to prepare to fire and take out all the Xes'dnu he could.
Psonoir hoped the CO had sense enough not to begin a mission of vengeance - he'd shown excellent control throughout the assignment so far - but couldn't take the chance, "Captain, no!!" and batted the phaser out of the CO's hand - the weapon fell into the grass, not having fired; whether Schirra had meant to press the trigger or not Karka didn't know.
The CO spun on Karka before realising he had to defend his own person first, ducking behind a nearby line of shrubbery along with Agosta and Unwin, while Karka rolled on the ground, Xes'dnu weapons fire tracing after him, and picked himself up to run with T'Seng to other available cover. The five crew were for the moment pinned in two separate places, but with only four weapons to hand - Karka shook his head, it'd all happened in an instant, disarming the CO, potentially saving a life, potentially not.
He put it out of his mind and with phaser arm raised tried to pick a line of sight on a Xes'dnu. Whether these were Residuum (as believed), or Triangulum (who'd perhaps found a way to these structures since the Excal had last been here) was for the moment immaterial. "If they're Triangulum then Dhalavi got away to tell them about the Residuum's being here," he suggested to himself, not realising he'd spoken aloud as he saw T'Seng mulling over the words.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on May 2, 2021 18:26:51 GMT
Lyadran Homeworld ::
Following their fruitless conversation with someone titling himself as a 'Senior Ministry Spokesman' named Biliv, they knew they were not going to be given an audience with the Lyadran President, so they had little option but to again transport to the surface to investigate what was rapidly becoming a jigsaw puzzle no one was going to finish ..... The away team materialised between two of the massive buildings, unfortunately, they beamed in less than five meters from four Xes'dnu Militia personnel. Karka and Koni had been watching Schirra closely, both feeling that the Captain may not be thinking straight due to the loss of his family, and could easily take matters into his own hands that could compromise the mission and the Excalibur, so when the Exec' saw him reacting, he had acted to prevent Daniel firing! with no weapon, Daniel could only run for cover as energy lanced across their paths, dropping to the grass he glared at his Executive Officer, part of him wanting to hit the man hard for preventing him from taking retribution for Lana and Kendal, but part also inwardly asking if he would have killed the Xes'dnu in cold blood. He could see his phaser less than ten meters away, but there was open ground between him and it... Two of the Xes'dnu Militia had fallen, hit by T'Seng and Unwin, while Karka was clearly trying to protect Schirra by holding off the one firing in their direction. Thankfully, Karka looked over in his direction and he pointed to the dropped weapon, he held up three fingers, lowering them in turn, then dove from cover ..... The two remaining Xes'dnu both spun simultaneously and fired in his direction giving Unwin and Agosta clear shots at both. Daniel dove forwards and rolled, grasping the phaser mid-roll and brought it up ready to fire, he could smell something and glanced at his shoulder, a hole approximately six to seven millimetres in diameter could be seen. Thankfully the beam had only glanced his skin leaving a scorch mark across his bicep. Without speaking they dragged the unconscious Xes'dnu out of sight while Agosta accessed the code allowing them to ingress the closest building. Pulling their erstwhile attackers inside, they bound and gagged all four. Koni treated Daniel's wound as best she could, but warned him that it was going to be sore. "Where are we?" Schirra asked, not looking at Psonoir. "We're in the building adjacent to the one we need to get into, but it was the nearest door and best option to get out of sight Captain," the Security Officer explained. "Did anyone notice any alarms being raised?" "No," T'Seng said. "OK... We need to get into the other building..." Daniel decided quickly, "... Caryna, Mark, you go first, get us a way in, we'll monitor from here," the two Officers slowly opened the door, light flooding in from the mid-afternoon Sun, they checked the coast was clear then sprinted across the grass to their target. With Unwin covering, Agosta worked quickly to bypass the door while ensuring its opening didn't show up on someone's panel. After a moment she nodded to the Chief Engineer, who signalled to the others. Schirra, Psonoir and T'Seng ran across the open space and into the building, Agosta closing the door quickly behind them! ..... The group waited while the cavernous area was scanned thoroughly, all readings showing they were in fact alone, at least for the time being, so they would need to work quickly. "We know that the technology is Xes'dnu, I just can't see how we can ascertain 'who' is helping them," Koni said, the frustration in her voice felt by all. "Up there," Daniel said, seeing several levels of metallic walkways surrounding the almost black obelisk. Cautiously, the five began to climb, reaching one of the upper levels some hundred meters off the floor below, they made a circumnavigation of the structure unable to find anything remotely like an access panel. With no option, they continued their climb, checking on each level: "Finally...!" Agosta muttered. The others returned to where she was standing, her tricorder moving back and forth over a small area, "... I think there's a panel here," she said, tapping the solid mass before her. "How long before our friends wake up?" Schirra asked. "Oh, they will be asleep for the next six to eight hours, unless someone comes across them first..." T'Seng said with a wry grin as the others eyed her with puzzled expressions, "... I sedated them before we left, just to be on the safe side," "Nice of you to mention it," Karka said, clearly annoyed. Koni shrugged. "Ha!" Caryna said as a panel, two meters wide by three in height slid silently aside. Beyond the threshold, there was a long dimly-lit corridor, Agosta took her phaser from her belt and stepped inside ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on May 5, 2021 20:12:46 GMT
Karka ran across the open space between structures, trusting no more Xes'dnu were in the immediate vicinity as indeed there weren't. They were back again, in the space with the jet-black construction; climbing up the levels, after an inordinate amount of time they found an access point, what Karka at first thought was a data panel but was actually a way in for humanoids.
Proceeding through corridors that grew steadily murkier until they were little better illuminated than the external surface of the thing, the landing party located a circular room, which Unwin and Agosta ascertained must put them somewhere near the centre of the entire ship, power generator, weather vane, whatever it may be.
"Oh, wait a second..." Karka muttered, backing into something that may have been a console and apparently impacting a liquid crystal display - common in preceding and following centuries.
A projection of some sort - a hologram, Karka knew to call it, though this one had none of the fuzzy edges he was used to or clear signs of photonic projection - appeared in the centre of the room, "If you are hearing this, if you are seeing me, then I've failed to save myself, but the project of the Residuum may still be alive..."
The voice continued, but it was the speaker they were more concerned with. VaS'inKir! He'd been lost in sickbay, along with his aide and Schirra's wife and daughter after the kamikaze attack.
"It seems our friend was more involved with his species' Residuum than he led us to believe," Karka breathed.
"... So, as you can see, we have at our disposal an arsenal of these missiles, five such devices across this complex. Missiles? you may ask, and certainly, they seem over-large, but these single-use weapons possess a crew complement of 110. Escape-pods for last-minute use are abundant, but a crew is necessary to guide each to its target. Unfortunately, we could only have them transported here, secluded with the Lyadran people, if the critical component to activate their warheads was removed. Detection by the Triangulum, in the gap between our stars, would otherwise have been inevitable. I know you are not Xes'dnu, or your action wouldn't have activated my projection. I know you aren't Lyadran, for they don't know about these devices. Whoever you are, I entrust to you my colleagues' safety. Will you help them overthrow the Triangulum?"
The projection ended, blinking out in an instant rather than fizzling away, before magicking itself back and starting again. "Ok, I've had enough of the smirk," Unwin said, waving a hand through the face of the oblivious projection before Psonoir was able to shut the hologram off.
"Right. Not all Lyadrans are unaware of these 'missile-ships', contrary to what it said," the Hybrudean said. "Dhalavi and his foreign ministry colleagues certainly know, they saved us from the Xes'dnu last time we were down here, in this very building." Things had developed for the worse then, since VaS'inKir composed his message.
They set about attempting to access more systems, confirming what the projection had told them about this (and its four equivalents) being a 350 metre long weapon, but with one crucial piece of hardware to make them work missing in each case. "We're here to protect the Lyadrans, not to interfere in internal Xes'dnu politics," T'Seng complained.
"But that doesn't rule out using these against the Triangulum Xes'dnu in this system," Schirra stated. "We'd assist the Lyadrans in the process."
Unwin spoke, "We've had plenty experience with this sort of tech - at the Xes'dnu homeworld, on its two moons - so integrating the key components once found shouldn't be difficult. But no idea where they might be, who might be keeping them."
Karka looked back down the corridor, the mental map out of here forming in his mind, "I have an idea... But no way to prove it currently."
"Minister Dhalavi," one of them said.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on May 9, 2021 16:22:40 GMT
"... So, as you can see, we have at our disposal an arsenal of these missiles, five such devices across this complex. Missiles? you may ask, and certainly, they seem over-large, but these single-use weapons possess a crew complement of 110. Escape-pods for last-minute use are abundant, but a crew is necessary to guide each to its target. Unfortunately, we could only have them transported here, secluded with the Lyadran people, if the critical component to activate their warheads was removed. Detection by the Triangulum, in the gap between our stars, would otherwise have been inevitable. I know you are not Xes'dnu, or your action wouldn't have activated my projection. I know you aren't Lyadran, for they don't know about these devices. Whoever you are, I entrust to you my colleagues' safety. Will you help them overthrow the Triangulum?" Daniel had listened to the monologue with the same sense of shock as the others, they had all believed VaS'inkir dead, so how long had it been since he had recorded the message? It was clear that they had to rethink their assumptions about what was happening. They had to assume that if the Minister, Dhalavi, knew of the presence of the missile ships, then it was clear VeS'inKir had been working alongside the Ministry ..... Daniel knew they were getting dangerously close to involving them in the internal politics of the two races, but regardless of his feelings, in which one small part of himself wouldn't grieve if the two annihilated themselves completely, allowing him to return home, he had orders to comply to, meaning he would have to aid the Lyadran in their battle against the Xes'dnu. 'How far would I allow myself to go?' he wondered. He had already given his opinion following T'Seng's comment, and now he wondered if he would actually allow the Excalibur to be embroiled in a genocidal attack on another race. The one saving grace was that the weapons were incapable of flight with one crucial piece of electronics missing. He shuddered inwardly to think what chaos these devices could wreak on a planet and its inhabitants as Unwin asked the question on everyone's lips: "..... who might be keeping them?" "I have an idea... But no way to prove it currently." Karka commented. "Minister Dhalavi," one of them said. the Excalibur Exec' nodded. "I might be throwing a spanner in the works here..." T'Seng said with an exaggerated shrug, "... But how do you propose we achieve getting to him?" "We'll need to get into the Central Offices," "Riiight?" Koni replied sceptically. "I think I've accessed the automatic control systems..." Caryna Agosta said from one of the illuminated panels. She motioned to the others who looked over the almost childish programming going off the basic star charts, "... It clearly wasn't designed for anything other than getting each device from here to the Xes'dnu Homeworld by the shortest route," "Not Lyadran designed?" Daniel asked. "I doubt it unless it was done as a school project," the Security Chief replied. They were still discussing it when Unwin spun! ..... Holding a finger to his lips he pointed in the direction they had come then held up two fingers. Someone was coming their way. Schirra made a decision, he inched towards Karka and pointed towards a second dimly-lit corridor, Agosta reached up and shut down the console she had been using before sliding to one side hopefully out of view. They could head two people talking, but not worriedly, Technicians, Security, there was no way of knowing without either revealing themselves or being discovered. The Excalibur Officers held their positions, phasers ready. Then the voices seemed to lower as if the two were moving away, after a moment and reasonably sure they had dodged the proverbial bullet, Schirra gave a sigh of relief, a relief that was woefully short-lived as they heard the unmistakable sound of the hatch they had entered the weapon through close! Rising to their feet, they looked around the small space, there were two corridors, one leading back the way they had come, the other off at a tangent. Instructing all but Karka to remain here, he headed back to the door which was sealed closed. After a moment's search, it was clear any controls were either nonexistent or well hidden. The two returned to the others to give them the news: "Great..." Mark Unwin muttered, "Stuck in a massive flying bomb," "You accessed the navigation systems Caryna, any chance you could override the door?" Schirra asked, unable to stop himself grinning at the Engineers' comment. Reactivating the console Agosta began sifting through control systems. "Hmm, not as trusting as we thought..." she said, pointing at a series of commands, "... Remote access, maybe they didn't quite trust the crew to fulfil their objectives, according to this each 'missile ship' can be remotely piloted overriding any preinstalled programming ..... If I'm reading this right, whoever has the correct codes could send these things anywhere!" "The doors?" Schirra prompted, noting what Agosta had said. "Whenever you're ready, Captain," the woman replied. T'Seng, Unwin, and Psonoir moved back to the door, positioning themselves to hopefully cover both directions once on the outside gantry, with a nod the door slid silently aside .... Two beams of almost pure cerulean light lanced from Federation phasers, dropping the two men previously inside the weapon. Both seemed to be technicians, which was, Schirra supposed, a minor bonus of sorts. Quickly they dragged the two unconscious bodies into the missile and closed the door. "We won't have much time, they are going to be missed and someone will come looking," Agosta said. Daniel nodded, taking his communicator from the zipped pocket in his sleeve and flicking it open: =^= Schirra to Excalibur =^= =^= Lieutenant Wentworth Captain .. .. =^= =^= Lieutenant .. Can you get a lock on us? =^= =^= Lock established Captain .. Are you ready to transport? =^= =^= Yes .. But not to the ship .. Locate the Ministry .. Find somewhere secluded inside the complex .. Then send us there =^= =^= You want to beam into the Central Council? =^= =^= Whenever you are ready .. .. Lieutenant .. .. =^= There was a moment's hesitation while the Operations Chief moved to Tactical to scan the massive Government complex. =^= Stand by .. .. I've found a location which if I'm reading their layout correctly is approximately two hundred metres from the main Council Chamber =^= =^= That will have to do .. Energise =^= Schirra ordered. He felt the tell-tale caress of the transporter and the gantry vanished into oblivion, a second later he needed to take a second for his eyes to acclimatise themselves to the complete darkness of the room as the transport was completed. Quickly Agosta and Unwin moved to the doors, listening intently for any signs their unannounced arrival had been discovered. The room was small, a circular table with twelve chairs, possibly a small conference room. Koni took out her tricorder and scanned their surroundings, thankful that she managed to get a decent schematic of the building and surrounding grounds. It also showed that there were over sixty people inside the building. She moved to Daniel and showed him her readings: It was already past zero three hundred hours yet the place was quite busy. "We need a route to Dhalavi's office," he whispered. "It's on the floor above us," the Secutiy Chief replied, moving to the door to scan for lifesigns ..........
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Karka Psonoir
Commander
Registered: Apr 9, 2013 19:55:13 GMT
Posts: 422
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Post by Karka Psonoir on May 24, 2021 11:09:13 GMT
Karka had thought quickly as they managed to exit the missile ship and Schirra communicated with the Excal. If VaS'inKir had been colluding with Minister Dhalavi and had given him the information on the weapons, that would certainly confirm Dhalavi as a Triangulum conspirator, if the hologram message was composed before VaS'inKir had been left with no choice but to quasi-defect to the Starfleeters' cause, or before he'd joined the Residuum. Perhaps he'd been a mole within the Residuum - who amongst the latter would've suspected the leading member (at the time, unless the message was recorded before he rose through the ranks) of the Triangulum Council to be used as a mole?
Both the technicians they'd incapacitated and stored in the missile had been Xes'dnu - presumably two of the 110 members of the Residuum that were to fly it, or perhaps ground crew. Actually, for all they knew - if this was a project of long time standing - many of those crewmembers may no longer be active or indeed alive.
The entire arsenal could already have been repurposed. And yet the VaS'inKir hologram's message would seem to hold true - the weapons' original purpose had been to at least do enough damage to the Triangulum to transfer power to the Residuum... Could the Excal officers at least use them to decimate the Triangulum fleet in this system, thereby going a long way to saving the Independent Lyadrans? Or were these missiles to be considered too deadly, and their duty should be to ensure they never flew at all?
He searched about the small room in the government departmental building they'd materialised into, "Seems this is where the foreign ministry holds its meetings," he remarked.
"Yes, yes, Commander Psonoir," the CO sighed, and continued checking the corridor for signs of life before pausing, "Koni, are you reading any lifesigns in Dhalavi's office?"
"I am," she'd already been evaluating it, "But it appears to be unconscious."
"Perhaps it was a late night at the office for the minister," Karka said. He turned to Schirra, "Captain?" Schirra nodded as he gathered the collective thoughts of the team from about him; he contacted the ship and spoke in hushed tones to Wentworth, having her transport the five of them directly into an ante-room to Dhalavi's office.
Beaming in once more they listened intently from behind the wickerwork partition; they could hear nothing at all from the main office except for a slight rustling that seemed to come from the floor, quite near to them.
Security chief Agosta led the way through the wood door, Karka watched her changing expression as she shortly after beckoned the others to quietly enter the office. Psonoir was vaguely amused. The first thing to draw the eye was the incredibly untidy state of the foreign minister's desk, huge sheafs of real paper gently illuminated by the first etchings of dawn inside the room and scattered over the floor. The window had been left open slightly and the papers had seemingly fluttered off the desk over the floor. The desk's chair was empty; the room's occupant lay in a sleeping bag off to their right, near the wickerwork partition. It seemed the rustling sound had been that of her sleeping bag as she'd rolled over at the sound of their materialisation. Karka noted the uncanny resemblance of her features to Dhalavi's - perhaps the minister's sister?
He walked over to the desk and found most of it inaccessible, the drawers' locking mechanisms involving the Lyadrans somewhat incongruous - considering their military's capabilities - sub-nanotechnology.
There was one drawer, however, constituted of something resembling oak; he opened it and inside found a bottle of transparent fluid - clearly a liquor - that rolled noisily to the front, as well as something of evident Xes'dnu design. Approximately 2 cm to a side, could it be one of the five missing components? It was poorly concealed, he observed to the team; he had an image of Dhalavi sitting back in his chair, admiring the component and holding it up to the light, while he swigged at his preferred means of sustenance.
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Jun 8, 2021 15:28:33 GMT
Primary Governing City Lyadra Two ... Parliamentary Headquarters :: The woman refused to speak, glaring at the intruders as if they would rue the day they appeared. With little option, Daniel ordered her bound and gagged then moved behind the screen. Two consoles were set against the wall, both inactive. They returned to the main area and began searching: ~~~~~ "You think it could be the missing component?" Daniel asked, looking over Karka's shoulder at the small metallic object. "It's about the right dimensions, though there would be no way of knowing one way or the other without detailed plans," The Exec' replied. "We 'could' go back and try it," Koni said with a wry grin from behind the screen as she tampered with the controls of one of the consoles. She stepped back, almost tripping over the unknown woman in the process, her previous comment forgotten as she called for the others. Seeing the additional light in the room Agosta ran to the windows, quickly locating a panel she darkened the glass, hoping no one in the square had noticed the sudden illumination of the Minister's office! Karka was still examining the device in his hands as he and the others approached T'Seng ..... The screens all seemed to be displaying information primarily regarding day to day functions of Dhalavi's Departments, but two on the right were clearly encrypted, showing only an unrecognised logo. "Minister Dhelavi is a busy man," Unwin said as he scanned the screens one by one. "What about these two...?" Schirra asked, "... Is there any way you could access the data being sent to these screens?" Unwin and T'Seng got to work, they had to be careful as it was highly likely the screens were protected to prevent just anyone seeing their contents, Koni lay on her back to remove an assess panel, handing it to Schirra before scanning the interior. She shook her head 'tutting' in annoyance as she eyed the complex circuitry. Taking a tricorder she carefully ran a passive scan, hoping her intrusion wouldn't be detected and sound the appropriate alarms. Five long minutes passed with no sign of the screens activating. Daniel had been looking at a rectangular panel to one side of the console: "Any chance this could be biometric?" he asked. "No harm in checking I suppose," Unwin said, turning to pick the bound woman off the lushly carpeted floor, she struggled, forcing Mark to tighten his grip making her wince in pain through the gag. As he turned her back to the console, Koni grasped one hand and raised it towards the panel, the woman fought, shaking her head violently left and right her eyes wide with obvious fear. Karka pulled her away and she instantly relaxed somewhat. "I'm going to remove the gag..." Agosta said quietly, "... If you try to make a sound I will hit you, do you understand?" the woman nodded, so with a nod from Schirra the gag was pulled down a fraction. "You cannot use my hand, the authorities will be notified and the room will seal!" "Who are you...?" Daniel asked, "... Why were you sleeping on the floor?" "I could have allowed you to reveal your presence here, but I did not. Who I am is of little concern, as is why I am here ..... I can help you but you must do likewise," "Oh?" Psonoir commented. "I want your assurance that if I help you gain assess to the console, you will allow me to leave unharmed," the woman said, her confidence growing despite her situation. She knew they had to allow her conditions, it was that or sit here until the staff returned in a few hours, at which time all of them would be arrested, so she waited, outwardly patient, for their decision. "Agreed," Schirra finally said, the others resisting the urge to look at their Captain. "The small panel with nine quadrants ..." she said, nodding towards the console, Koni, closest to it confirmed she could see it, "... Press in the following order: Top middle - Bottom left - Bottom right ... Bottom middle - Top left - Top right ... The centre control will begin to pulse, you must then input Center three times in succession, which will activate the console. Please be aware that you will have only five seconds to complete the final access input!" Koni looked at the others, her eyes falling on Schirra, he nodded and she reached forward, turning to the woman as she did so. Something made her pause and the woman repeated her instructions, adding that if the young woman was incapable of following a few simple directions, maybe they should untie her so she can input the code herself. Koni turned back to the console and began ..... After the initial six, the centre did indeed begin to pulse, so without hesitation, she completed the access code. Daniel looked from the data on the two illuminated screens to the unknown woman, who seemed more pleased with herself than she rightly should. "You've raised an alarm!" he said ruefully. "No," the woman replied with something approaching a secret smile, clearly their arrival would benefit her as well as the Federation Officers. "Captain ..... If I'm reading this right we have a problem," Koni commented, pointing at the information being displayed. Schirra turned to look, frowning as he took in the data. "You're sure you are reading this right?" he asked, the Excalibur's Tactical Officer could only shrug, Daniel returned his gaze to the screens then shook his head, "... The facility we were in, it's not the only one," "We expected that," Karka said as he moved to peruse the information himself, but after a moment he took looked as shocked as Schirra. "How come we didn't see any of this when we entered the system!" Schirra asked rhetorically as he slammed a fist into the nearby desk receiving no more than a suspected dislocated finger for his efforts. Koni began scanning the data to two tricorders. They needed the information as proof for Starfleet Command and the Federation Council. Schirra eyed the screens again, still hardly believing what he was seeing ..... If the data was correct, the previously believed uninhabitable planets, Lyadra One and Lyadra Three were nothing more than arsenals! What they believed to be several vessels under construction on the Lyadran Homeworld for the defence of their sovereignty, had been duplicated, and successfully concealed on the two unoccupied worlds many times over. In fact, according to this data, there were more than THREE THOUSAND enormous vessels at various stages of construction. But what caused a shiver to run down the length of Schirra's spine was the data scrolling silently on the second screen, there, in plain sight, was detailed information regarding the Federation's defensive strengths ..... Schirra realised that both he and Starfleet Command had been in error when they had believed the USS Juno destroyed with all hands in the Xes'dnu attack. The information they held could only have come from the ships computer banks, or from Captain Peter Cernan himself! ..........
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Daniel Schirra
Captain
Registered: Apr 8, 2013 21:02:47 GMT
Posts: 468
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Post by Daniel Schirra on Jun 21, 2021 15:00:19 GMT
Primary Governing City Lyadra Two ... Parliamentary Headquarters :: Daniel re-read the information, eyes flicking from one shock to the next trying to find one piece of good news ..... Finally, he called the others over and waited while they too read the data before them. Koni was first to speak: "You can't believe Captain Cernan gave them this information!" "I don't believe it for a second..." Karka said defiantly, "I know men and women who worked with him and not one had a bad word to say about the man. If they got this information from him then they tortured him to get it!" Psonoir walked away before he said something he would regret. Daniel looked at the others, it was clear they all felt the same. The only saving grace was that Starfleet Command would have reset command codes and access data and removed Cernan's command codes. But the fact was, someone had the Juno! "We should get back to the ship and report to Command," Daniel said. he took his communicator from his sleeve pocket and flicked it open. He was about to speak when the device chirped to life: =^= Excalibur to Away Team .. .. =^= =^= Schirra =^= Daniel replied as he watched Agosta transferring the last of the information to her tricorder. =^= Captain .. We are picking up a vessel on the limits of our long-range sensors .. .. We believe it's a Federation Starship but there is no transponder code =^= =^= Have they scanned you? =^= =^= We don't think so Captain .. .. It just seems to be holding station .. We picked up to Lyadran vessels heading out that way an hour ago =^= =^= Lieutenant .. .. It's possible it is hostile .. Standby to transport away team back to the ship .. Once we are aboard reposition the Excalibur to avoid their sensors =^= =^= Sir .. If we close to transporter range it is likely we will be picked up on the planetary defence systems =^= Lieutenant Wentworth explained. Daniel looked at Karka and the others before replying: =^= When did their defences come online? =^= =^= Approximately thirty minutes ago Sir .. We have been monitoring internal communications and given they didn't seem to have detected the away team we felt it best to maintain comm silence .. Sir =^= =^= You did the right thing Lieutenant .. Close to beam us back aboard now =^= =^= .. .. Understood Captain =^= the Operations Officer said after a moments' delay. "The Lyadran's are bound to pick up our transport," Psonoir commented as they took position, Daniel could only shrug at this point. Their main objective had changed dramatically, far from the Lyadran's wanting to 'join' the Federation of Planets, their intention all along was now obvious. He wondered if the Lyadran and the Xes'dnu had planned this jointly from the beginning, or they had formed an alliance at some point! "Sir, we should remove or corrupt the data the Lyadran have on us before we leave!" Agosta said. "They would detect any tampering with data..." Schirra replied deep in thought, "... It's also likely that they have it stored elsewhere, no, the less opportunity we have to give our visit away the better," =^= Excalibur to Away Team .. Ready to transport =^= =^= Energise =^= Schirra replied, waiting as the room disappeared to be replaced by the Excalibur's transporter room. Running from the room they headed up to the Bridge ..... USS Excalibur :: Sarah Wentworth jumped out of the centre seat as Daniel approached: "Status Lieutenant?" he asked quickly. "We have adjusted our orbit, it shouldn't cause too much concern on the surface but will hopefully hide us from the unknown ship, unless it moves too," "Any signs our transport was detected?" Karka asked. "Sir... Four Xes'dnu vessels have left the System at high warp," the Duty Tactical Officer informed them as Kino took her position. "Any idea where they are heading?" "Unknown, but their heading will put them directly between the Lyadran System and the Sol System," T'Seng confirmed. "It could be part of their manoeuvers against the Lyadran," Wentworth speculated. "Or they are putting something between us and Federation space," Daniel mused ..........
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