Iorte Clancy
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Mar 9, 2016 17:58:55 GMT
Posts: 252
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Post by Iorte Clancy on Dec 8, 2021 23:06:14 GMT
The long-disused sections of his shattered partitioned mind had new transmutable, hyperneural energy sent through them once more, coursing through channels of obsolete genetically-altered brain matter. You've brought me to this... And you've brought more upon yourselves... With great reluctance, he allowed the gathering neural energy to activate his long-hidden and wished-forgotten resources. He entered consciousness acceleration.
While reality continued at normal pace, he leapt forward and reached for the phaser held by the second 'Intel' man, wresting it from his grasp; while Iorte couldn't move faster as a result of the neural modifications - his accursed Hybrudean heritage - they did allow him to process sense-data that much quicker, come to decisions, actuate his body a good deal more rapidly: what an average human could process by way of its cortex's commands in a second could be multiplied as much as 10,000 fold in the case of a Hybrudean, even one with a mind as effectively antiquated as Iorte's. A condition of his exile from Hybrudean space and the temporally-existing Standing Wave - oscillating within that region of space between, roughly, the amplitudinal years 2650 and 3050 - had involved his effective lobotomisation by the infamous Xetleti Archive.
In a matter of seconds, Iorte had the first 'Intel' man phasered unconscious - having reached his own weapon the other side of the room - and the second on his knees, keeling over and groaning at the blow the former boxer had struck at his abdomen. Released from the first Intel man's grasp and free from the mortal threat of the other's phaser, Iezelda fell forwards involuntarily into Iorte's arms. He hugged her, "Ok?" She nodded, unable to speak for a moment as Clancy felt her momentary tears seep into the shoulder of his uniform jacket. "How did they get in here?"
"I don't know; some data key," she said, drawing back, "Something tells me they're not Intel," she croaked a laugh and wiped her eyes. Iorte smiled; despite the experience on the Gecius warbird and at the Zova Dox facility (the true ordeal of it which had been her initiation) Iezelda was not counted a field operative and remained an administrator.
Iorte turned to the two assailants, finding the data key they'd used to gain access to the quarters and comming base security to have them transported away to detention cells. He'd have to pursue the relevant channels to get questions asked of them later, for there were slightly more pressing issues. He headed for his personal console.
"We've got to find out what's happening with these blasted pirates," he told Iezeld, "Not only do they seem to have been responsible for the destruction of the shuttle at a docking port on a supposedly uninhabited deck... they've now succeeded in killing Fenr!" he read off the latest classified information, "... Admirals Torek and Lemond have decided to comb all decks below 1620 for any unauthorised personnel using off-the-grid power sources and the like. They'd like someone to leak to a certain... Kallom... that this is about to happen."
"Iorte, wait. The assailants mentioned... they called them yakuzas?"
"Yes, an illegal Earth organisation with prehistoric roots," he said quickly, scanning through his console.
"Well, they mentioned two of them. One working for Hovak, the other, presumably for Rallos?"
Iorte paused; in the furore of the combat, he'd somehow forgotten those data. He tapped his commbadge, =/\=Admiral Lemond's office, this is Clancy.=/\= Erin Paquin responded; already knowing of Iorte and Iezelda's run-in with these Intelligence impostors, she immediately asked after their well-being. =/\=All's well, a broken rib perhaps. Commander, I have some evidence that a split has developed in the leadership of the pirates. The individual Hovak may have recruited his own assassin, perhaps to counter the other killer who I and Iezeld presume was hired by Rallos to assassinate Kyr Fenr; Hovak might even be aiming to remove Rallos himself via this second recruit, though I've no conclusive evidence.=/\=
<Tag Lemond etc.>
Paquin paused before replying, =/\=The Admiral's aware of your leads on the female assassin. You have four witnesses, but they don't seem to report consistent information? I have a suspected age range of 12 to 38, Iorte.=/\=
=/\=Yes, she seems adept in that quarter. In any case, regarding Kallom, I know you are in need of someone to leak to her. May I recommend de Luca? I feel my best bet is to continue searching for Hovak's hired assassin; if that means I run into the two Yatthos' recruit as well, then so be it.=/\=
While de Luca was given the task to leak information to Kallom, Iorte was given clearance to pursue the two assassins whom - he had a feeling - were or would soon be hunting each other as much as anyone else their respective masters turned them towards.
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Elena de Luca
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Dec 14, 2009 0:38:17 GMT
Posts: 266
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Post by Elena de Luca on Dec 9, 2021 14:20:22 GMT
Admiral Lemond's Office ... Mezzanine Level Command Center :: "..... with Mister Clancy still looking into the Pirates from another angle, I need you to go down to Delta Promenade..." Nia was saying as she poured Elena another coffee, "... You will need to find a woman named Kallom, Inga Kallom. It shouldn't be too difficult, from what I hear she shouldn't be too hard to find," "So once I find her I'm to 'let slip' about the Marines beginning their search?" "Yes, but you'll have to be convincing, Kallom isn't one to simply believe anything she hears, especially if we want her to get the information to the right people quickly," "So wandering onto the Promenade isn't an option..." Elena said, dep in thought for a moment, "... If I'm injured in some way, I could make out the Marines caught me hiding.....?" "I had been thinking along the same lines, I'll have Medical place some convincing bruising, that shou ....." "No, it will have to be genuine..." she said, getting out of the chair before walking to the door, a moment later she saw what she needed, "... Lieutenant, do you have a moment?" she asked the man passing, stepping to one side to allow the bemused Officer to pass her and into Lemond's office. "Admiral?" he said, clearly confused. "I need your help Lieutenant, and what I'm going to ask, needs to be kept in this room, is that understood?" DeLuca asked. "Yes, erm, Ma'am," "OK, good, then how good is your right hook..?" Elana asked, seeing the Officer frown, "... It's a simple question Lieutenant ..... Well?" "I can hold my own in a fight, but Ma'am, but I don't understa ....." "I need you to hit me, HARD!" Elena instructed him. Pointing to her temple. Understandably, the man turned to Admiral Lemond for guidance, but Nia mearly shrugged. He took a second, then swung. "NO LIEUTENANT, you have to make this look good, so let's try not to hold back because I'm some frail, weak, girl, shall we!" Elena said, glaring at the man so intently she wasn't completely ready when the second punch landed just behind her left eye, it spun her around and off her feet, right onto Lemond's desk, then the carpetted floor. The Lieutenant, clearly mortified, leaned forward to help her to her feet while wondering if he would ever see the light of day as a free man again. Elena put a hand to the point of impact, knowing from experience that it would bruise nicely. "Thank you, Lieutenant..." she said, with a wince of genuine pain, "... Remember, nothing is to be said about this outside this room, you're dismissed," "Yes, erm, understood... Admiral," the man said before leaving the office a lot faster than he'd entered. "Ouch, I felt that," Nia said with a wry grin as she picked up the contents of her desk. "Not as much as I did," Elena replied as Erin entered the office with a worn and frayed survival suit. She dropped it on the floor, along with two blankets and a ripped bag. "OK... I've arranged for you to be transported directly from here to Section Six on Level 1561, the Marine Training Levels ..... From there, you will have to make your way up to Level 1557. Emergency Bulkheads at the intersections of Sections Five and Six are in place, effectively sealing off those two Sections, supposedly that's where we think you'll have the best chance to bump into Kallom... Oh... One more thing... I haven't informed Colonel Zamblis that you are, dropping in, so it might be wise to avoid any contact, I imagine they are already a little touchy," "Understood," Elena said, picking up the dirty equipment before standing to one side of the office. Erin tapped her Commbadge and spoke quietly, Elena vanished from the office ..... Level One Five Six One - Section Six ... Marine Training Grounds :: She materialised in a small space, much smaller, in her humble opinion, that anyone in their right mind should be beaming into. It hadn't gone unrealised that had the Transporter Officer been out by a fraction, she could be 'in' the bulkhead, rather than next to it. Putting her near-miss with certain death aside, she looked around to get her bearings. The Jeffries Tube access she needed was approximately forty meters away across the open deck. She had been here before for training and knew that various structures found be risen or lowered to allow cover, or the sudden lack thereof, for Marine Training, alas, there we no such concealments. She stood completely still, hoping to hear any voices and was satisfied she was alone. She stepped onto the training deck and put her back against the bulkhead, then began to move to her left .... With fifteen meters to go, she suddenly heard two people approaching, lowering herself into a crouch she placed the bag and survival suit on the deck and waited. Thankfully the two people headed away from her and out of sight .... Not wanting to risk any further chance of being found, she picked up her kit and ran the short distance before quickly opening the cover and climbing inside. She crawled the twenty meters to the junction and clambered into an adjacent crawlway, at least now if anyone happened to open the hatch she had come through there would be nothing to see. Satisfied she was safe for the moment, she retrieved the sandwich and drinks flask Erin had put in her bag and ate, readying herself for the climb ..... Sated, she climbed the four Levels, then made her way horizontally along the service crawlways, until she reached the Emergency Bulkhead at the junction of occupied Section Four and Unoccupied Section Five. Using the manual override tool she moved the bulkhead just enough for her to clamber beneath, then sealed it behind her ..........
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Elena de Luca
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Dec 14, 2009 0:38:17 GMT
Posts: 266
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Post by Elena de Luca on Dec 10, 2021 1:47:06 GMT
Level One Five Six Zero Delta Promenade :: Making no effort to remain unseen, Elena pushed open the hatch covering the Service Crawlway and threw her frayed survival suit and bag onto the Promenade ... She climbed out and closed the access panel behind her. She heard someone behind her and turned to see a man picking up the old survival suit, he looked her up and down, a grin forming. "That's mine," she said, matter-of-factly. "Not anymore lady," She reached out, grabbing at her belongings, and felt him resisting ... In her peripheral vision she could see others, interested in what they were fighting over rather than who would come out the winner. She kicked the man hard in his thigh, seeing him buckle under the blow, but she still allowed him to have the upper hand, at least until the interest in their dispute had been raised. Without warning he threw a punch, catching her on the jaw, she spat blood from a cut to the inside of her cheek onto the deck and glared at him, he, in turn, laughed, clearly knowing he was going to come off best. They pulled at the frayed survival suit for another twenty seconds until she felt there were enough 'witnesses' to her unorthodox arrival, at which time she crouched, spinning on one leg while extending the other to knock the man's legs from under him. He hit the deck hard, but still held on to the suit with one hand while swinging wildly with the other. Much to Elena's annoyance, he actually contacted several of the swings, and then hit her hard making her lose her own grip. He was trying to get to his feet when she slammed a fist into his solar plexus dropping him face-first to the deck, she pushed him onto his back dropping onto his chest with such force she felt the air rush from his lungs. Her instincts alone saved her from the ten-centimetre long blade that passed her face by a fraction. Reacting she landed an elbow to the man's jaw before grasping the wrist of the hand holding the blade, she twisted it from his grasp, threw herself on top of him and in one smooth movement pushed the blade against the side of his neck directly above his carotid artery. She leaned forward, still straggling him, until her face was only centimetres from his, grinning, she applied a little pressure and brought the blade back less than a millimetre, enough to break the skin tension and draw blood. She knew by the widening of his eyes that he could feel the fluid running down to his collar. Leaning in so only he could hear her: "You move, you die, you understand...?" she whispered. After a moment she eased the pressure on the blade until it was hovering just above the skin. Happy that she wasn't going to have any further trouble from her erstwhile thief, she sat up, then stood, allowing him to do likewise, "...I am not here for trouble, I just need somewhere to stay for a while," she said, loud enough that the spectators heard her. "There is plenty space, but if you want food, you have to earn it," the man said, pulling his hand away from the cut on his neck before looking at the blood on his fingers, clearly realising how lucky he'd been. "I don't mind work when the need arises, for now, I just need somewhere to sleep, somewhere those arsehole Marines aren't going to suddenly drop in on me again," "Take your pick, most of the businesses are vacant, so are half the hotel rooms, where were you before?" the man asked. "Before ..... Before what?" "Well, you turned up here, mentioning Marines, and ...." he began. "Here's a free tip for you Mister. 'Sometimes it's best not to ask too many questions'... OK?" the man nodded, wiped at the blood still running down his neck, then he turned and passed through the rapidly dispersing crowd. Apparently, the late evening entertainment was over ..... She reached down and picked up her belongings, eyes scanning those close to her on the off-chance someone else fancied their luck, but no one was interested ..... She made her way along the dimly-lit Promenade until she found the entrance to the only Hotel in this Section, and entered the foyer. Making a show of approaching the desk, she tapped the bell and waited. "No ones coming Lady, find a room or leave," someone in the gloom off to her right said disinterestedly. She found the stairway and climbed up three flights of stairs. Satisfied she was far enough away from ground level, she wandered down the corridor until she came upon a room with an door open and presumably, unoccupied. Cautiously she stepped inside, moving away from the doorway as to not present a silhouette for any would-be attacker. She threw her bags on one of the chairs, then closed the door. For a moment she stood perfectly still, acclimatising herself to the 'sound' of the room, then moved slowly into the bedroom - Only one window, good, overlooking the destitute Promenade, she moved back into the main room and pulled a table over to the door, not directly in front, but off to one side enough that anyone entering would need to move it slightly to enter fully. Satisfied, she returned to the bedroom and climbed onto the bed, closing her eyes before falling into what to onlookers would seem a deep sleep. ~~~~~~~~~~She lay perfectly still, her breathing giving no indication that she was fully awake and alert .... There was someone in the room with her, and given she was still alive,could only signify that whoever it was, might want to talk, rather than cut her throat. "I'm trying to decide which you are more likely to be ... Military, or Mercenary," a woman's voice mused. "Both," Elena said, her eyes still closed, then as she sensed the flickering light of a naked flame, she turned slowly in the direction of the light. Opening her eyes very slowly, to at least allow her to accustom herself to the changing illumination. She could see at least three people in the room with her, the light was coming from a fire that had been lit in the hearth. "Reports of your 'arrival' seem greatly exaggerated, most prominantly, from the man who, according to him, allowed you to live," "Yeh, he was a regular saint... Anyway, any timeframe on precisely 'when' you might be rushing headlong into the reason you have woke me in the middle of the night?" Elena asked. "Definitely ex-Military..." the stranger commented with a slight laugh, seemingly satisfied that her initial, unspoken, assessment was correct. Elena didn't contradict her, "... You told the others that the Marines forced to leave your last accommodation?" "I didn't tell anyone, anything. I might have mentioned, mid tumble, the reason for my needing somewhere else to stay, at least until they get up here. Other than that, well it was all a bit heated, kinda thing ....." "I think you should get some sleep. I would like to talk to you in the morning if that's alright?" "Are you buying breakfast?" DeLuca asked, hearing the woman laugh. "Yes, why not..." the woman replied, "... Someone will meet you in the lobby at say, ten, we tend to sleep in around here. But I feel I should make something clear before our meeting, I do not suffer fools lightly, if you have, shall we say 'ulterior motives' for being here, rest assured, I 'will' find out, and the resulting consequences can be, unfortunate," "Hey, you invited me, remember. I'm more than happy to keep myself ahead of the Marines..." Elena replied casually, "... Close the door on your way out," she said, turning her back to those present ..........
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Iorte Clancy
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Mar 9, 2016 17:58:55 GMT
Posts: 252
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Post by Iorte Clancy on Dec 10, 2021 8:01:09 GMT
"This is our fourth such meeting, and yet once more you report to me nothing of substance, nothing that furthers my cause," the Romulan stated without fear. Hovak had just recently given ample evidence of his own skill in close combat, he'd thought, and perhaps with no little hubris considered he could match up well against this earthling.
"The Yattho dead on the Alpha promenade matched Balokr's description," Oshido said merely, "I did as required. The fault and misidentification lies with yourself."
Hovak sighed and nodded, turning to the half-functional replicator to have it produce a Romulan ale. Its approximation of the beverage was woeful.
"Even gods can err, Oshido-san," he said as he lowered the fluted glass to the table. "It's of no matter, for either of us. Both of us know what Rallos looks like. I believe I can engineer a trap... He, and Balokr if we are fortunate, will pass by for the first time a section where the ventilation systems are still operative to Starfleet military standards. Being for a time a chief engineer during the time I was in the Navy, I know how to access the local system to administer a deadly toxin to that section of passageway, while raising forcefields at either end."
"When will this be?" the assassin asked, weighing up the possibility of a defection. Hovak's arrogance could well be his undoing; yet, Oshido decided to remain with him for a while longer. Let the success or lack thereof in this endeavour manifest itself first. A kyodai of the Yamaguchi cadet branch he was a part of - opposed to the girl's branch - had engrained in him this virtue of pragmatism - await the moment when a clear victor emerges.
The Romulan pirate replied, "In five and a quarter hours. Now..." Hovak divulged the rest of his plan and instructions: while the Yattho leaders were hopefully being suffocated by some toxin, the yakuza was to resume his hunt of and eliminate the girl assassin. The back-up plan, in case some or all of these measures failed? The capture of a Starfleet officer who - Oshido would ensure - would not escape to reveal the pirates' location... He assumed Hovak would hold such an officer for ransom, protection against both Rallos - if he still lived - and Starfleet.
* * *
Oshido waited under the awning of a shop on Beta promenade. He'd tracked the assassin Shimuzu up through levels from below the deck 1620 to this point; she was currently sitting at the far end of the open space from him, reading at a table outside a chic cafe - a new establishment intended to regenerate this still slightly worn-down promenade. Sipping a water, he was careful not to look down the length of the place more than ordinarily. Reaching under his armpit, he felt for the short graphene-edged blade - able to cut matter cleanly at the base-molecular level - in its special sheath.
The words of the kyodai returned to him, "Silent as beyond the north wind! Don't let them suspect... For death, Oshido, lies just beneath the surface."
Clancy had been pacing about the detention centre front office and lobby, Iezeld waiting sympathetically by the doors. Those keeping the two mysterious Intel impostors in their cells were thus far refusing to let Iiorte anywhere near - of course, they'd had a serious security lapse recently so perhaps they weren't too much to blame.
The two captives had however been questioned by a trio - a protege of the experienced diplomat Admiral Kletchley, another Diplomatic Corps official and a mid-ranking SB security officer had conducted interviews. So far neither detainee had said much of anything, though it was clear they knew a great deal about Starfleet procedures, command hierarchies and the like, making it unlikely they weren't connected to Federation officialdom of some sort. For Iorte the explanation was clear, as dreadful as it was: Section 31 were in their midst.
He'd managed to arraign Kletchley's protege, having to grab him by the arm as he'd walked past upon the conclusion of another fruitless round of questioning, and asked him about Section 31 connections. The protege said again he'd pressed that point with the prisoners: predictably they'd denied it.
Sighing, he eventually left and made for Beta promenade with Iezeld in tow, as if by being in proximity to Orpk's he could channel new ideas, new avenues of attack into the mechanics of the case. Unwittingly they walked past the table outside the cafe at which still sat Shimuzu.
The other end of the space, Oshido saw these two Starfleet officers' oblique approach and, as with Shimuzu, didn't react either. At that moment the assassin received a comm in his ear, "Hovak here. One hour until Rallos and Balokr enter the passageway discussed. Concerning contingency plan, it's now a secondary objective: capture a Starfleet officer regardless."
Leaning innocuously against the inset wall of the shop-front, arms folded casually as if absorbing the ambience of another day of Starbase business, Oshido turned eyes towards the two Starfleet personnel Clancy and Iezeld.
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Elena de Luca
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Dec 14, 2009 0:38:17 GMT
Posts: 266
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Post by Elena de Luca on Dec 10, 2021 18:06:57 GMT
Unlike on smaller Starbases, the four Main Promenades on the Ournal Series of 'bases, were much larger in order to accommodate the tens of thousands of visitors they received on a daily basis ... Each Promenade was on two Levels, split into six Sections, each capable of being sealed from its neighbour. The Lower Level held businesses, arcades, religious establishments, hotels, eateries, to cater to almost every Federation race, while the Upper Level held more specialised establishments, and was by definition, much sought-after real estate. All four Promenades ran the full diameter of the Starbase, a distance of approximately four kilometres should anyone choose to circumnavigate the Starbase ..... On Delta Promenade, Elena woke. From the bed she listened, more out of habit than anything else, and satisfied she was alone, she headed for the shower ..... Dressed, she headed out onto the Promenade to find something to eat. The cafΓ© was sparse, but she imagined it could have been a very lucrative business before Betreka. She found a table and watched as people passed by until she realised someone was standing behind her, she turned to see a woman. "No money, no food," she said, matter-of-factly. "I'm waiting for someone," "Then wait elsewhere!" the woman said. "Maybe I'll have a coffee?" "..... and?" the woman asked. "..... Toast," Elena said, turning away to peruse the diverse group of people meandering aimlessly along the Promenade. She heard the woman mutter something as she vanished back into the cafΓ©... Moments later her visitor from the previous night dropped into the other chair at her table and began watching her. Not wanting to disturb her concentration, Elena remained silent, 'people-watching' ... "Do you have a name?" "Yes, thanks," "..... and what would that be?" the woman asked as her coffee and toast arrived. "Alex, Alexandra LavignΓ©..." she replied, using her long-standing alias that if checked would hold up to any scrutiny, "... And you, I assume you have a name?" she asked, buttering the toast as if disinterested. "Oh, everyone knows me, my name is Inga Kallom," "Great," Elena replied with a shrug. "Now, about these, Marines... How is it you came to be on the wrong side of them, exactly?" "Nothing to tell really, but hey, you're paying for breakfast, it would be impolite not to answer a question or two... I assume he's with you...?" Kallom nodded, making a mental note to ask her security not to stand out like the proverbial 'sore thumbs' while supposedly protecting her, "... Hardly invisible, is he ..... Well, the Marines ..... I was enjoying some time in one of the Cargo Bays, on Level one six six two, when a bunch of Marines materialised. I made myself scarce, but they were searching for something, or someone, and found me pretty quickly. They held me for hours, going over my reason for being down there, and who else I was with. Despite my saying again and again that I was alone, they didn't believe me, and said I was going to be taken for further questioning," "..... But you managed to get away, given your arrival here?" Kallom commented, her skepticism obvious. "It was hardly difficult, they left two Marines watching me, both very chatty. They were looking for whoever was responsible for the explosion that killed those two Starfleet Officers!" Elena said, finishing her toast and picking up the coffee. "Did they find them?" Kallom asked, clearly already knowing the answer. "Not where I was, no, but they found some old food containers, blankets, some other stuff, so there had been someone down there at some point, most likely another vagrant, but I didn't feel inclined to mention the possibility... They all got together to move to the next Level up, I took my chance and bolted. Those Marines, can't half chase when they need to. I'd got into the Service Crawlway when one of them grabbed me, I kicked him in the head and he dropped like a stone, the other got trapped when I locked an emergency bulkhead hatch, but not before he managed to land a good left hook," she said, reaching up to tough the genuinely sore bruise, which was not a healthy shade of blue and black. "Did they know you were coming up here?" Kallom asked, trying to hide the nervousness in her voice. "One hundred and two Levels, are you joking...!" Elena asked laughing out loud, "... No... I managed to activate a Service Turbolift, but it only got me up to Level one five six five... I found a Jeffries Tube with an unsealed hatch and clambered in, then started to climb. Seeing where I was, I decided to take a break and rest up. I know one thing though, whoever those Marines are after, they are not going to skimp on searching every Level," "If you are staying, you will need a job, unless you have funds," Kallom asked, seemingly ignoring the comment about the Marines. "I can always make use of a little currency now and then..." she said, glancing at the not so hidden guard, "... Maybe you could use more professional Security?" "Maybe I could at that..." Kallom said, rising, she instructed the cafΓ© owner to give her whatever she asked for tent turned to Elena, "... I have a small task to see to, then I will meet you back here to discuss, job opportunities," "Fine ....." DeLuca said, neither interested nor disinterested. She handed the empty cup to the woman, then after waiting thirty seconds, she got up and walked away ..... Fifteen minutes of shadowing the woman proved fruitful as she met with a man, a tall Albino. They spoke for seconds only before the Albino, clearly highly agitated, strode away. Elena decided to head back to the cafΓ©. She had been seated a few moments when Kallom, reappeared, she spoke with the cafΓ© owner then sat beside Elena: "Now, where were we?" "If you need to ask about my whereabouts, I suggest you ask me, not the hired help," Elena said, standing before walking away, Kallom caught up to her quickly: "Alex... Wait..." Kallom said as Elena paused and turned, "... My apologies... I tend to be a little too cautious at times," "That may well be so, but I haven't survived this long without being a little 'cautious' myself ..... I followed you, you met with someone, an Albino, I haven't seen his race before so they must be native to this region of space. Either way, you spoke to him and whatever you said clearly annoyed him... Unless you want a scene, I suggest you instruct the man approaching me from behind to move away, I don't take kindly to surprises..." Elena said, eyes still on Kallom, who glanced to her left and gave an almost imperceptible nod before returning her gaze to Elena, "... Now... That conversation, didn't have anything to do with our discussion regarding the Marines, would it?" "Who are you again?" Inga Kallom asked, eyes narrowing as she began to reach into her jacket. Elena took a step forward, putting the woman well within arms reach: "If you are trying to reach for a weapon, I suggest you leave it where it is..." she whispered, the business end of a blade resting against Kallom's blouse, "... I've decided not to take you up on your job offer, I tend not to get on well with people who repeat every word I say to the nearest pair of ears. I'll be leaving now, do us both a favour and return to the cafΓ©," she advised, watching Kallom, who was obviously fighting inwardly with her options before realising that the woman, LavignΓ© had the upper hand. She took a step back. "I think we shall meet again, Alex," Kallom said, the threat clear. "I wouldn't let one little disagreement rule your life, it's not worth the effort," Elena said, sheathing the blade before walking away. Behind her, she could tell Kallom was watching her, she hoped the woman took her advice ..........
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Dec 10, 2021 23:18:55 GMT
OOC :: Posting from Pirates POV ...IC ::"She is certain .....?" Rallos asked urgently, looking at Shimuzu then at Gr'vos and the Ferengi captive, Qal, who were watching the two intently.
"Yes... She said the woman arrived yesterday, running from Marines. she said they spoke about searching for those responsible for the deaths of the two in the shuttlecraft," Balokr said.
"Then we must relocate, just as I was becomming fond of our surroundings..." Rallos said, picking up the PADD he always carried. It contained a detailed schematic of the Starbase and had allowed the Pirates to remain hidden from prying eyes, "... We are here, Level 1641 - Maintenance Drone Storage and Repair - If the woman's information is correct, the Marines are still twenty-one Levels below us, which gives us time to find alternate accommodation,"
"We should leave this Starbase, now, Rallos!" Balokr said.
"We will 'LEAVE' when I am ready, and not until..." the Yattho replied, studying the schematic yet again, "Where is Hovak?" Rallos asked, suddenly changing the conversation as he realised that the Romulan was not present.
"He had business of his own. Do not worry, he will be with us when we move, or he will be left behind!" Gr'vos said, enjoying the Yattho's nervousness, "... Continue explaining your plan," he demanded.
"I have paid a great deal of gold-pressed latinum to ensure the operation of one of the turbolifts in this Section, they will take us up to Level 1570, from there we will be forced to change to a second turbolift which will convay us to Level 1562, the Service and Maintenence Level beneath Delta Promenade, once there, we will be able to rest,"
"..... and, then?" Gr'vos asked.
"Then I retrieve what belongs to me, and we depart this Station," Rallos said.
"Level 1570 is one of the MARINE TRAINING GROUND Levels!" Balokr said, no longer caring if the others heard him or not.
"A neccessary risk," Rallos said, an almost twisted grin forming.
"Have you lost your mind, I have no intention of going to those Levels, no matter how lon ....." he stopped speaking as he felt something push against his tunic, looking down he saw a phaser. He looked up at Rallos who was grinning.
"You will do as instructed, otherwise, I may feel the need to terminate our longstanding agreement..." the Yattho Leader said quietly, "...... Well?"
"NO!... I am sorry Rallos, but this is madness, moving onto the Marine Levels, even for a few moments, is suicide. If you wish to kill me for my disobedience, then do so!" he said defiantly. The Yattho Leader looked at the Klingon, hoping to read his expression, but found nothing but contempt. He looked again at his long-time friend standing motionless before him. Finally he returned the weapon to his pocket.
"We will still need to pass through that Level to escape, but..." Rallos continued, turning again to the PADD, "... Did the woman who spoke with Kallom say just how many Marines were searching?"
"No, just that they transported in and began searching immediately, and were in contact with others,"
"Presumably searching other Sections of each Level... So if the information is to be believed, we can surmise that the Marines are sending search teams into each Section simultaneously. So they could make a thorough search of each Level in a matter of hours ..... Which means, we have perha ....." Rallos began, but Gr'vos interrupted him:
"Wait! ... You are forgetting that many of those Levels are completely or partially decompressed... They will undoubtedly be bypassed," he said.
"Which means they could appear on this Level at any moment!" Qal said with a grin.
"This device you are determined to retrieve?" Gr'vos asked suspiciously.
"Yes?" Rallos replied slowly.
"Am I correct in believing that you still have no clue where it is located, or indeed, if it is still aboard the Starbase?" the Klingon asked, tiring of the Yattho and his self-indulging plans.
"Information regarding its whereabouts will be mine in due course," the Yattho said, by way of an answer, glancing at the girl ..........
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Dec 11, 2021 3:21:21 GMT
Posting from Pirates POV ::Shimuzu ...
She had watched him for three full days now ..... She knew that he was a single man, a Starfleet Officer, someone, like all those who served the Federation, he hoped to be given his own Department one day. Given her observations, she didn't doubt he would achieve that goal one day, in fact, she found herself wishing him well in his endeavours. Alas, that didn't detract her from her task .....
His duty shift usually ended at around 16:00 hours each day, unless he was delayed, which happened more often than not, but he usually arrived at the bar around 21:00 and stayed for only a couple of drinks before returning to his vessel.
Now she waited, enjoying, but not allowing the music to distract her. He stepped off the turbolift and made his way across the Promenade. She was sat across from the establishment he frequented and as he entered, she rose and followed him inside. As usual, the staff treated him warmly, he was a regular, and as such was treated with s modicum of reverence, not that the staff treated 'any' of their patrons differently, no, she found they all got the same exceptional attention.
She was dressed in a skirt, somewhat short, but it served a purpose, a blouse, and flat shoes. Her hair was down, reaching almost to the base of her back. She had watched him admiring her from afar several times, and felt that today was the day she could approach him without seeming too forward. After all, she was a girl, and in her society, it was unheard of for her to approach a man. In fact, in times long past, she would have been flogged, even stoned, for even thinking about making any form of advance to a male of her race. But these were different times ..... She watched as he spoke with the bar staff, enjoying the interaction as she slowly approached him.
He took the glass off the girl serving and turned on his stool, intending as always to enjoy the artists. His elbow made contact with something and he felt liquid spill onto his sleeve.
"Oh, hell, sorry!" he said, placing the glass on the bar before making a gallant effort to apologise for his clumsiness.
"No apology necessary Sir, it is OK, it was my fault," she said, smiling.
"Listen, let me buy your drink, by way of erm, an apology?"
"No, thank you, not necessary, it was my error, though I believe that I should replenish your drink..." she said, waving at the girl who had watched the scene from behind the bar, ".... Please... If you could replace this gentleman's beverage..."
"It's on me NevΓ©..." the man said, turning to the young woman, "... Let me, please?" he said, waiting. Shimuzu lowered her eyes as if embarrassed, then thanked him, asking if she could have a simple orange juice. Neve went off to fill the order as he smiled at the woman, almost a girl she looked so young he thought, then felt himself reddening.
"Would it be rude of me to ask if you would join me at a table, I am unused to sitting at a bar...?" she asked, knowing full well that he wouldn't say no given she had engineered the 'accident' to be his fault and not in any way, hers. He smiled as the drinks arrived, then got off his stool and motioned towards a table near the stage. She allowed herself to be led to the table, smiling as he pulled the chair out for her to sit, "... You must think me very forward,"
"I've seen you in here a few times, always a glass of orange juice, you watch the group on stage, then leave, but you never seem to talk to anyone while you're here," he said.
"I am new to the Starbase, I enjoy music, I had passed on occasion but never entered, it is not done in my society, to drink alone is, well ....." she didn't finish the sentence, knowing he would understand and thus be sympathetic.
"Well I'm glad you came in," he said.
"But you would rather my not tipped your drink, you must allow me to replace the garment," she insisted, introducing herself, smiling as he did likewise.
"Don't give it a second thought..." he said, "... Besides, it's had plenty spilt on it over time, one more drink won't hurt,"
"Very well, but please, if it cannot be cleaned to your satisfaction, then I insist on replacing it, OK?" she said with a shy smile.
"OK... You're on..." he said, realising he had finished his drink, "... Can I get you something else?"
"Well, I do not normally..." she said, looking at him, "...But maybe on this occasion, a small glass of wine would be acceptable?"
"OK, then wine it is," he said, as she seated herself on the stool next to his. The drinks arrived and they chatted while enjoying the Irish music. finishing her glass of wine, she made her apologies and got to her feet, saying she needed to leave, but had enjoyed their evening, however short. He said goodnight and as she turned to leave he asked if they could meet again, she smiled and accepted, allowing him to suggest the same time the next evening, then she left the bar.
Outside, she waited patiently ..... It didn't take long for him to come out. she followed him along the Promenade, knowing already which turbolift he would use. As he stepped inside she stepped behind him, making a small incision on the back of his neck. He reached up, frowning as he realised the girl from the bar was standing beside him. She smiled, holding onto his arm as he began to sway, convinced he was about to pass out.
"Whaaa..." he tried to say as the 'lift swam before his eyes.
"Do not concern yourself, we just need to have a little talk together, then perhaps, you could show me your ship?" she said. Chief Engineering Officers Office ... Deck Eleven Main Engineering Upper Level USS Raven-C ::Milyanov was sitting at his desk, for the umpteenth time he glanced at the chronometer above the door then tapped the commbadge on his jacket:
=^= Milyanov to Commander Tinsley .. .. =^=
=^= .. .. .. =^=
=^= Milyanov to Tinsley .. Where are you Nate? =^=
=^= .. .. .. =^=
"Computer, location of Commander Tinsley?"
'Commander Tinsley is in his quarters," the computer replied. Frowning Milyanov became worried. he tapped his commbadge again:
=^= Milyanov to Commander T'Seng =^=
=^= T'Seng =^=
=^= Lysia .. Milyanov .. Send someone to Commander Tinsley's quarters .. I'll meet you there! =^=
=^= On my way =^= she acknowledged ..... When he arrived, Security was already there, he waited while Lysia T'Seng overrode the door and stepped inside, she raised the lights and they found Tinsley unconscious on the floor ..........
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Iorte Clancy
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Mar 9, 2016 17:58:55 GMT
Posts: 252
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Post by Iorte Clancy on Dec 14, 2021 15:08:08 GMT
She had disappeared. He could recall seven other occasions where he'd been tasked with removing a fellow assassin from one of the three leading families, and on none of those occasions had he lost 'mental' sight of his quarry. It wasn't so much a matter of not knowing where she was now but rather what her intent was, what new assignment she'd been issued by Rallos and his associates - if she wasn't acting entirely of her own will.
Still, he had an officer in his possession as per Hovak's orders. Encounters with the prisoner - just two so far - had elicited unsatisfactory responses: spewed saliva, curses and threats, tedious recitals of name, position, registry number, etc.
Shimuzu had slipped out of his sight - no matter - as he'd departed Beta Promenade down one of its adjoining paths, following down a parallel corridor that which the Intelligence officer and the NCO accompanying him were traversing.
"Iorte!" had come the warning cry, and the aforementioned was taken to the deck. She - the warning NCO - had escaped, for Oshido had let her.
A following meeting with Hovak on deck 1658 was to be of interest. Oshido in his jet black fatigues entered the room cautiously, sensing - perhaps falsely - that the trap the Romulan had purportedly laid for Rallos and Balokr was in fact laid for him - Romulans were not unlike members of the yakuza families, honourable in martial spirit, yet cunning in methods of war - on whatever scale. The sign above the door had said in Federation Standard characters 'Torpedo Storage III-Eta'. Oshido watched Hovak emerge vampire-like from a torpedo's casing at the room's far end, green-veined hands pushing his frame up and out of the empty tube.
"I have an officer. Clancy of Starfleet Intelligence," the assassin intoned. Hovak nodded, opening his mouth and running a palm across it and his jaw. "You slept well?" Oshido asked.
"No." The pirate indeed seemed distressed, "Qal - the Ferengi - has privately commed that Rallos has delayed his journey to deck 1570." That was the deck on which Hovak planned to trap the Yatthos, Oshido knew. He'd administer a toxin through ventilation systems along a length of protected corridor - a passage the Yatthos would have to traverse before reaching a lift that would take them to level 1520. Oshido enquired if the Romulan knew why Rallos still hadn't moved. "He's still after this damnable device," Hovak growled, "How he means to get at it, I don't know."
Realisation struck Oshido, "Shimuzu." It was the reason he'd lost her. If she - and consequently Rallos - didn't yet have the temporal rift generator they would do soon. "Your opportunity to destroy your business partners will come soon enough," he reassured the Romulan. "Regardless of whether Shimuzu is able to reach them, with the device in her possession or not, they will still have to move through that corridor on deck 1570."
"I don't need to be in proximity of deck 1570 to administer the toxin... But going by Qal's information, these lower decks are being combed for anything out of place. Rallos and Balokr must move, and we must also!" Hovak announced. Oshido bowed and turned to follow his temporary master as he strode past him out of torpedo storage, adding, "Find your counterpart."
Iorte was blind, for now. He could still feel the sting where the high intensity non-visible light source - shone by the male Asian human back in the passageway - had created a hundred or more tiny holes in his retinae; they would heal naturally, or the process could be assisted by the services of someone from Starbase medical assuming he could escape from here.
There was something comforting in the darkness though: it attuned his hearing that more sharply, he knew when someone was present - a breathing not his own, emanating from about his height some feet away, perhaps from a table in the corner of the room; he knew when people left or arrived, he could hear the hum of the base's power beneath, above, all round him, and could make a wild guess where he might be in the gargantuan structure... But in the absence of technical knowledge which would've allowed him to pinpoint this fairly precisely, he could suppose with some reason he was below deck 1620, and that hopefully therefore marines were on their way.
Both the congealed substance that'd sealed his lips together - no echo chamber effect - and the chair he was tied down in - ankles, wrists, shoulders braced tight against metal bars spiking from the uncomfortable contours of the seat, which in turn was bolted to the floor - allowed him no clear idea of the dimensions of the space in which he was trapped.
Trying not to let frustration overcome him, he considered rationally that the pirates - who must be responsible, at least some of them - wished to hold him for ransom. And then he wondered what might've happened to Iezeld, and he felt his need to escape growing ever stronger.
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Dec 16, 2021 0:13:32 GMT
Posting from Pirates POV ::"Whaaa..." he tried to say as the 'lift swam before his eyes.
"Do not concern yourself, we just need to have a little talk together, then perhaps, you could show me your ship?" she had said.
Level 1641 - Section D ... Maintenance Drone Storage & Repair ::
It was almost five in the morning when she returned to the group ..... Everyone was awake, and all were talking about the Marine search teams that were hunting them down remorsefully. She walked to the replicator and requested a cup of Japanese Tea, waiting patiently for the item to materialise. Turning, she realised that Rallos had stopped speaking and was looking at her.
"Am I to take it you failed once again?"
"You may take it as you see fit..." Shimuzu said, gently placing the cup on the small table before seating herself, "... As I have explained, several times ... I was hired to carry out a specific task, this task was completed successfully. Following completion of our contract, you requested further use of my skills, which I agreed to. Again, in this aspect, I was successful in completing the task as instructed. I am not, as I regretfully had to inform you, am not a thief, I am trained in one vocation, one I do well, as my family will attest,"
"All you had to do was take the device!" Rallos said. This time, clearly having lost patience, she stood:
"I have spoken with my family, and regrettably, we feel it necessary that you complete payment for the tasks which I have completed as regards your contract with us. They have agreed not to submit a request for remuneration in regards to your asking me to carry out tasks outside my ability, and no mark will be made against your compliance should you wish to avail yourself of my families' services again,"
"Who the 'HELL' do you think you are dealing with here, CHILD...!" the Yattho raged, all sense of decorum lost, but Shimuzu simply watched the man before retaking her seat, "I will 'PAY' when I am good and ready... Tell your family that!" for a long time no one in the room spoke as Rallos ranted under his breath. Shimuzu picked up her cup to finish the tea, then returned the cup to the table. Balokr had been trying to calm Rallos, as had Gr'vos and Hovak. But nothing it seemed would quell his temper, he spun on the Assassin again, screaming for her to leave while she still could.
Shimuzu stood and returned the cup to the replicator, then spoke calmly:
"You have my apologies if I have not served you as required, but I must request payment to the agreed amount before I leave," she said, almost apologetically.
" ..... GET OUT! ..... OOOUUUTTTT ..... OOOUUUTTT .....!" Rallos screamed, fumbling for the weapon he kept beneath his tunic.
Had she not seen the smirk forming on the Romulans' face, she would, in accordance to their Code of Ethics, killed the Yattho where he stood, and the debt owed, would be passed to a relative or business associate, but she realised that should she kill Rallos, she could possibly be doing exactly what the Romulan wanted. Thankfully, Gr'vos stepped between them and held out a PADD, he turned it so she could read the screen. Satisfied, she nodded, he placed his thumb against the biometric reader and the remittance owed were paid in full. She bowed to the Klingon, then began to leave. At the door she turned:
"I feel I must inform you, that my family would take great offence should our agreement be honoured in full..." she said, looking directly at the still ranting Yattho, but aiming the comment at everyone in the room. They all knew now that should anything happen to her before she can return home, 'THEY' and they alone would be held fully responsible... She didn't wait to see if anyone regarded her warning, to have spoken it was in her eyes all that was necessary. They would heed her warning or else suffer the consequences.
With the Assassin now gone, Rallos finally began to calm himself, Gr'vos and Hovak tried to reason with him, explaining that they needed to leave this Level before they are apprehended. But a darkness had befallen the Yattho, and he shrugged off their help, retreating to the far wall before taking out the weapon he had failed to retrieve moments earlier:
"I know you are all in league with each other..." he said, eyes flicking from one to the next, "... I could kill you both and begin again, with loyal, trustworthy associates... YOU TOO BALOKR!... I know you are plotting," his friend stood perfectly still, shaking his head while telling Rallos he was wrong to doubt his loyalty, but the Yattho was unconvinced, he waved the phaser, forcing Balokr, Gr'vos, and Hovak together.
"It is clear you no longer trust those closest to you," Gr'vos said, taking a step forward, ignoring the weapon as it moved in an arc to pause on his chest.
"I have seen you ..... I HAVE HEARD YOU ..... Plotting, scheming, well you will not succeed!" Rallos said, his mind fogged with thoughts only of deceit and betrayal. Gr'vos, losing all patience, turned to leave.
"STOP!, or I will kill you where you stand, KLINGON!" it took a moment, then Gr'vos turned:
"You must do as you see fit. But mark my words, Yattho ..... I too have family, and as our former associate expressed, they will not take kindly to my demise, and they know where your family live, your daughters, your grandchildren, and I can assure you that 'their' deaths will be long and painful, so please, sate your paranoia, and be rid of me, but I promise that no member of your family will remain living before those suspicion-filled eyes of yours close for the last time!" without waiting for a reply he left the room.
Hovak, who had listened to his associate threaten Rallos, sat down, and he realised he had a problem. Shimuzu was correct in saying that should anything happen to her, they would all pay, so, he had a decision to make. Truth be told, the girl wasn't any threat, not before she severed her association with them, and more so now she had. Undoubtedly she would be on her way to her next task with little or no thought of her previous employer, but should Oshido find, and kill, the girl .....
Gr'vos stepped into the corridor and sensed before he actually 'saw' the Marine. He reached for the small blade in his belt and threw it. With a 'thud' it slammed into the man's chest, killing him instantly. Running forward he picked up the Marine and ran back to the room he had vacated a moment earlier. He threw the body to the floor as a wide-eyed Rallos looked on.
"THEY ARE HERE!" he spat. Grasping the Yattho leader, he ripped open his tunic and pulled out the concealed communicator:
=^= This is Gr'vos .. Bring the ship NOW! =^=
=^= Where is Rallos? =^=
=^= He is .. Busy .. Bring the ship now .. Or I swear that once I am aboard I will cut your heart from your chest and then .. FEED .. IT .. TO .. YOU! =^=
Throwing the communicator to the floor, he took the disruptor from his belt, then opened the door to check the corridor ..........
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David Tan
Starfleet Intelligence
Suum Cuique ...
Registered: Dec 11, 2006 10:56:04 GMT
Posts: 792
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Post by David Tan on Dec 17, 2021 16:37:40 GMT
Level 1558 ... Beta Promenade :: Iorte and Iezeld had searched the empty establishments as best they could ..... Frustratingly, there was no clear sign that all or any of the Pirates had been here, they were either extremely careful or had found another location to hole up in until they had achieved their goal, whatever that might turn out to be, the two of them headed down yet another of the corridors leading off the Promenade to continue their search ..... "They must be looking for the devi ....." Clancy was saying as his colleague saw something in her peripheral vision. She was slammed against the bulkhead, she felt dizzy, nauseous. "Iorte!" She shouted, seeing Clancy go down, the figure of a man standing over him, the assailant turned, eyes locking onto her, Iezelda didn't wait. Knowing she would be unlikely to overpower the attacker, she ran the length of the corridor until she ran headlong into two Security Officers: "Starfleet... Down there... NOW!" she ordered, raising a hand to the gash in her temple, feeling the blood flow between her fingers... The two she had sent to help Clancy returned, one grasping her arm as she threatened to pass out. "There's no one there, Ma'am," one said, tapping his commbadge to report the incident. There was a tell-tale shimmer of a transport in progress, David Tan and Rosa Noon materialised. "What happened?" Tan asked as Noon began to help her colleague. "He, someone, came out of nowhere..." Iezeld said as she was helped to her feet, "... I was slammed against the bulkhead... Before Iorte could react he was hit hard, at the back of his head, he dropped like a stone, the assailant stood above him, I... I..." the woman said as consciousness finally slipped away. Ten Minutes Later :: Medics were lifting Iezeld onto a maglev gurnney, and other Security Personnel had arrived ..... "OK, stay in pairs, I want every room off this corridor thoroughly searched, you find anything, no matter how insignificant you feel it is, I want to be called, is that fully understood?" "..... and if we find nothing?" one of the Security Personnel was asking as colonel DΓΊpin arrived. "Admiral Lemond brought me up to speed, is there anything I can cover?" he asked the Intelligence Deputy Chief. "I've split your people into teams of two. Iezeld and Clancyere attacked behind me, I can't see him not seeing it coming, so whoever it was is either damn good at keeping himself hidden, or he managed to approach without being seen. Either way, whoever it was, took Clancy with him, so they can't have gone too far. The issue is the turbolifts... If they dragged Clancy unconscious into a 'lift, they could have gone up or down," "My gut would say down..." DΓΊpin said, looking back along the corridor, "... They couldn't risk the turbolift doors opening to a group of people, explaining an unconscious man draped over your shoulder would attract too much attention," "So they have gone down, somewhere between here, and the Marine contingents searching the lower Levels," Tan said, shaking his head as one of DΓΊpin's Security approached: "Colonel, we're managed to pick up Mister Clancy's personal communicator. Tan smiled inwardly, all Intelligence Personnel carried a commbadge while off duty or on the Starbase, Security had managed to find Iorte's. "WHERE!" Tan asked. "Almost directly below us... In the Service and Utilities Access corridor," the woman replied. "Seal it off, contact command, have them seal all turboshafts on that Level. I don't want anyone down there that doesn't belong!" DΓΊpin ordered as they headed for the nearest Jeffries Tube ..... Once on the Service Level, they headed towards Clancy's location. At the door Security stood on either side, weapons drawn. Tan stood away from the door and asked Command to override the lock, the door slid aside and the two Security Officers entered, DΓΊpin and Tan close behind. The room was half full of transit crates, empty boxes, pieces of machinery. One of the two Security Officers approached. David could only sigh as the man held up a commbadge ..........
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Dec 19, 2021 1:09:30 GMT
OOC : Posting from the Pirates POV :: Level 1641 ... Maintenance Drone Storage & Repair ::=^= Where is Rallos? =^=
=^= He is .. Busy .. Bring the ship now .. Or I swear that once I am aboard I will cut your heart from your chest and then .. FEED .. IT .. TO .. YOU! =^=
Throwing the communicator to the floor, he took the disruptor from his belt, then opened the door to check the corridor ..... There was no one in sight ..... Cautiously he made his way towards the turbolifts, checking left and right for any signs further Marines were about to appear. Listening intently he could hear nothing and realised that the Marine killed could have been alone, and instantly realised that he himself might have brought them here faster than expected. Frustration and anger rising, he knew they had to leave ... NOW!
Making his way back to the Storage Hanger, he glared at Rallos as if this were all his doing, which essentially, it was! ..... He retrieved the communicator and asked how long before the ship arrived. They were less than fifteen minutes away, which meant the group had to reach an Emergency Docking Port soon.
"Docking Port sixteen on Level 1570," Hovak said.
"No, it is too dangerous..." Gr'vos replied, looking at the Romulan for a long moment before continuing, "... The Marine will be missed, we need to find an alternative," he said, checking the Starbase Level Plan. He raised the communicator:
=^= Dock the ship on Level 1642 .. Docking Port 11 .. Section 3 .. .. =^=
=^= That's right above where the search is being done! =^=
=^= Ten minutes .. Do not be delayed =^= he said, slamming the communicator off.
"No, we made arrangements..." Hovak said, glaring at the Klingon, "... We will go to the arranged pick up location,"
"If you wish to take the risk of going to that Level... You can of course do so..." Gr'vos said dangerously, "... We... Are going to meet the ship at the location I gave ..... If we have time. We shall return to collect you at the previous location, though I do not care much for your chances, I do wonder why you are insisting on putting us in more danger than we are by demanding the original coordinates for our departure,"
"I am unaccustomed to having arrangements changed on what is clearly a suspicion of our situation," the Romulan said calmly, while inwardly seething. Twice now he had arranged for the death of Rallos, and it seemed that he was to be denied again.
"Then you clearly do not get out of that office you savoured whilst serving with such distinction in your, military..." Gr'vos said, clearly goading the Romulan. It was instantly clear that had Hovak been holding a weapon, he would have killed the Klingon, unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your outlook of the confrontation, he didn't, "... Then I believe the matter is settled,"
"I am in charge, I make the decisions!" Rallos spat, glaring at the two.
"This way," Gr'vos said, ignoring the Yattho. He grasped the collar of Qal as he passed and pushed him ahead. At the junction, he pulled open the cover of a Jeffries Tube and pointed. Qal, unsure, stood still until he was pushed forward. Gr'vos followed the Ferengi into the service crawlway without a look back to see if the other three were following, truth be told, he couldn't have cared less had they remained in the Hanger ..... One Level down Gr'vos pushed open a hatch and forced the Ferengi out, following him closely, he looked left and right then grinned.
"Docking Port Eleven, is three hundred metres that way," he said, pointing into the darkness.
They had gone almost two hundred metres, when Hovak stopped, holding a finger to his lips. Gr'vos walked back the way they had come and stopped, listening intently. For a moment, he could hear nothing, then he heard the voices of two, maybe three people coming from behind them. If those voices were the Marines searching for them, they were in trouble, quickly rushing back to the others he pointed ahead, holding a finger to his lips when Qal began to object, obviously hoping to be overheard. As they reached the Airlock, Gr'vos again contacted their ship, being told it was holding station less than fifty metres off the Docking Port. He, like everyone else knew that the second their vessel tried to complete docking, everyone would hear the capture as the docking clamps secured the ship.
He estimated that the people searching for them were less than two hundred metres, possibly less, behind them. Allowing for the airlock to cycle, it was doubtful they would be able to enter the 'lock before the searchers were upon them! ..... Thinking quickly he decided on a course of action. He instructed the ship to dock immediately, this was met with objections from everyone. Ignoring the others he set the phaser he was holding to overload, then turned to Rallos:
"This weapon will explode in approximately sixty seconds..." he said as the whine from the overload began to rise, "... Take it back down the corridor. As soon as you feel you can throw it far enough down the corridor to injure as many of those pursuing us as possible, you will do so, then return," the Yattho former leader looked at the Klingon as if he had lost his mind, then laughed.
The blow from Gr'vos knocked the Yattho unconscious, as Balokr began to lower himself to help his associate, Gr'vos thrust the overloading phaser into his hands.
"I estimate you have forty seconds, possibly less!" ..........
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Dec 21, 2021 14:42:56 GMT
Posting from the Pirates POV ::"Regardless of whether Shimuzu is able to reach them, with the device in her possession or not, they will still have to move through that corridor on deck 1570."
"I don't need to be in proximity of deck 1570 to administer the toxin... But going by Qal's information, these lower decks are being combed for anything out of place. Rallos and Balokr must move, and we must also!" Hovak announced. Oshido bowed and turned to follow his temporary master as he strode past him out of torpedo storage, adding, "Find your counterpart..."
She had done all she could do in regards to the contract with Rallos. following his reaction and his bringing her competency into question, something that on another occasion would have led to his death, she had severed their tenuous relationship. Using her concealed subspace transmitter she had informed her Father of proceedings. He in turn confirmed that payment in full had been received from one of the group, a Klingon named Gr'vos, she confirmed he had gone against Rallos to submit the fees accrued. Wishing her well on the journey home, and she closed the comm.
~~~~~~~~~~
Oshido entered his quarters, realising instantly that he was not alone!
"I believe you have been going out of your way to ascertain my whereabouts..." Shimuzu said in the darkness, "... I thought it prudent of me to aid in your search ..... You are, GokudΕ ....." she stated. His eyes had accustomed to the darkness in the room, he could see where the girl was seated, but also knew that 'she' had been in the darkness longer, and he was in silhouette. Had it been anyone else in the room, he knew that they could and would undoubtedly kill him before he could move, should the need arise. But both he and his guest were of Japanese descent, and there was a strict code they led their lives by.
"Some illumination, perhaps?" he said, waiting for her to approve or disapprove.
"As you wish," Shimuzu said. He brought the lighting in the room up and turned to see her. She was sat, cross-legged, in one of the chairs, her demeanour confirming what he thought regarding etiquette among the two families.
"Tea?" he asked, forgoing conventional dictates.
"I would be honoured," she replied, eyes watching him move over to the table before opening the aged leather case, he took out the items he needed and began to prepare the green tea and wafers required for an informal gathering. normally it would have been her making the offer, and her serving him, but they were equals, and as such there was no dishonour in he taking the role.
"Your reputation proceeds you... Shimuzu-san," he said, bringing the ceremonial tea items to the table, returning to retrieve the boiling pot of water.
"As does yours... Oshidu-san," she replied, with the slightest of bows as she rearranged her posture, uncrossing her legs and placing both feet on the floor. She then slid off the chair and sat at the short table, again crossing her legs. She waited while he did likewise, watching as he prepared the tea with exceptional skill.
"Our meeting is somewhat, unique," he said, placing a small handleless cup before her, she could smell the aroma of the matcha tea.
"Indeed..." she replied, waiting for him to put himself a cup before replacing the pot of water on its mat "... Would it be impertinent at this time, to ask your intentions?" she said, watching him closely. He in turn knew exactly what she was referring to: She was asking, indirectly, if he had been given instructions regarding her health and wellbeing. Had he thought to ask first, he might have, but now the question was in the open, so to speak ..........
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Dec 22, 2021 15:38:03 GMT
Posting from the Pirates POV ::Level 1642 Section 3 Approaching Docking Port 11 ::"This weapon will explode in approximately sixty seconds..." he said as the whine from the overload began to rise, "... Take it back down the corridor. As soon as you feel you can throw it far enough down the corridor to injure as many of those pursuing us as possible, you will do so, then return," the Yattho former leader looked at the Klingon as if he had lost his mind, then laughed.
The blow from Gr'vos knocked the Yattho unconscious, as Balokr began to lower himself to help his associate, Gr'vos thrust the overloading phaser into his hands.
"I estimate you have forty seconds, possibly less!" .....
Balokr looked from the weapon to the Klingon and back, then held out a hand. Gr'vos put the overloading phaser in his hand and stepped back. The Yattho were tall, slender, predominantly over two metres, running wasn't something they did, but needs must, so he ran back the way they had come and as the whining of the weapon became too much he threw it down the corridor, turning to retrace his steps as fast as he could. He had only gone fifty metres when the device reached its critical state and exploded! .... The group covered their eyes, turning away as debris shot along the devastated corridor, they heard what could only have been the ceiling collapsing in a pile of tangled metal.
Not waiting, Gr'vos ran ahead until he reached the airlock he had instructed the ship to dock at... He looked through the small window set into the airlock and could see the ship, mere metres away and closing the gap...
..... Onboard the ship, the new Pilot was concentrating hard, Shuttles searching for them were close, and any slip could inform them of the ships' presence ..... Manoeuvring the now decloaked vessel closer and closer, three metres, two, one... With only one metre separating the ship from the airlocks outer door, he fired the thrusters to halt the approach before extending an umbilicus. Slowly he repositioned the ship to allow the umbilicus to connect, then seeing the indicator confirm the connection, he instructed the crewman at the ship's airlock to begin manually forcing atmosphere into the lock. Unable to use the docking clamps to ensure they remain in situ, the Pilot was forced to apply a small amount of lateral thrust to hold position with the continually rotating Starbase, along with continual forward thrust to ensure there was a solid seal between the ship and airlock, knowing the slightest deviation could decompress the airlock killing everyone both in the 'lock and undoubtedly in the corridor beyond... Once he was happy he could maintain their position he gave instructions for the ships airlock door to be wound aside, once open, the crewman approached the door on the Starbase side. He peered through the window then raised his hand. Gr'vos brought the communicator up and instructed the man to hurry, alas, to ensure their arrival and their tampering with the airlock remained unnoticed, they could not bring the airlock power online. So the man began to manually open the inner door. These airlocks hadn't been in use since the Starbase had been thrust into the Ξ±Cen Region of space. Gr'vos could see the crewman, pointing, gesticulating to the handle before waving his arms frantically. To the Klingon's annoyance, the man vanished back into the ship, returning moments later with two others. One ignited a hand-held torch before running the flame around the base of the arm. Finally, he stepped aside to allow the other two to attempt to pump the lever, but it remained steadfastly stuck. Gr'vos pointed at the handle again, the process was repeated.
This time the handle gave and the group heard a sharp 'crack' as the seal gave. Wasting no time, they continued to pump the handle until the others could step through. As they began entering the ship, the crewman told them that due to the damaged seal, the inner door could not be secured and could give. Suddenly the deck beneath their feet moved slightly, and the 'hiss' of escaping atmosphere was heard before falling silent. On the ship, the relatively inexperienced Pilot was having to use lateral thrusters to keep the ship moving with the constantly rotating Starbase while applying enough forward thrust to maintain the seal.
The deck moved again. Everyone stopped in their tracks, but this time the hiss of escaping air grew louder and louder. Behind them, a gap had opened down the left side of the connection between the airlock and the Starbase.
The shipwide comm burst to life!
=^= GET OUT OF THE AIRLOCK .. GET OUT NOW .. I CAN'T HOLD IT! =^=
They ran... Barely managing to pass through the ships airlock door as it closed and sealed automatically. Behind them, they could hear dull thuds as the crewmen who had opened the inner door and were trying to close it when the ship moved position, were now trapped in the rapidly decompressing airlock. They watched in silence as the ship backed away, the gap opening far enough to thrust the three crewmen against the Starbase and out of sight ..... As the distance increased, they could see a jet of atmosphere escaping from the partially sealed inner airlock door of the Starbase ..........
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Dec 24, 2021 14:18:48 GMT
Posting from Pirates POV ::As the Pilot backed the 'Danube Class' Runabout away from the Portside airlock, they could see atmosphere venting from the incorrectly sealed airlock door... Rather than turning the Runabout and leaving, Rallos had ordered the Pilot to hold station fifty metres off the hull of the Starbase, realising that as long as the cloak remained functioning, they were effectively invisible... In the Aft Section of the Runabout, he began screaming almost unintelligibly at the two Nausicaan's he had hired to protect him but had stood by watching, as Gr'vos had punched him to the ground earlier, only fueling the Yattho's paranoia even further ....
"Don't blame them Rallos..." Gr'vos said, shaking his head, "... The Nausicaan's and Klingons have had a long understanding... They don't get in our way, we don't decimate their Homeworld," Rallos fell silent as they heard a 'thud' and turned to see one of their former crewmen drift by the Portside window. Hovak, who had also made his way back astern to the Lounge, requested Romulan Ale from the Replicator before lowering himself into one of the chairs around the table.
"I suggest you relax Rallos before you have a heart attack... I fear that given the 'atmosphere' among us, no one here, apart from your colleague here would be in too much of a hurry to revive you." the Romulan said, grinning as both the Nausicaans, now moved away from the ranting Yattho and began talking quietly to each other, each glancing at the others every few moments. Had it not been for the circumstances of their situation, it could almost seem comical to an outsider as he allowed Rallos to be calmed by Balokr before suggesting they sit down and discuss options.
He ordered the Lounge cleared, including the Nausicaan's, he sealed the airlock door separating the Lounge area from for'ard Sections of the Runabout, then took a seat at the table, Gr'vos, Balokr, and finally, Rallos, glaring his defiance, did likewise as Qal, their Ferengi captive, climbed up onto one of the bunks, watching proceedings closely, hoping to find an opportunity to either advance his status, or at least gain an ally among the rapidly disintegrating group!
"We need to make a decision on where we are to go, it is clear that the Starbase is too dangerous for us at this point, we can of course, discuss returning another time... Afterall, we profited quite well 'before' the Starbase made it's not unwelcome return, and I am confident, despite our, disagreements, that we shall undoubtedly do so again," Gr'vos commented.
"We have two options..." Hovak said, glancing at the silent Yattho before continuing, "... We go to the vaults on Z'Hul, on the Klingon Border, or, we make for the Vakor vaults, on the Romulan Border, either of which holds more than any of us would reasonably need to survive without having to revert to more Piracy. Personally, I suggest the Planetoid Vakor,"
"We should return to Cestos, there we cou ....." Balokr began, but Gr'vos interrupted him:
"There is nothing worth retrieving on Cestos, we all saw the vaults completely destroyed,"
"You are taking NOTHING from the vaults!" Rallos stated.
"You think we will allow your escalating paranoia to dictate our actions, I am no physician, but even to me, you are bordering on the schizophrenic, possibly approaching a complete mental breakdown Rallos ..... Your accusations, threats, insults, do nothing but engender concern, suspicion ..... You believe one or more of us wants you dead... Then..." the Romulan said, taking his disruptor from his belt before pointing it directly at the Yattho's head, "... I could kill you quite easily and not lose a moments' sleep over my actions. Look around the table Rallos, do you see anyone trying to protect you?... You forget that each of us has the codes to access the vaults, we do not need your permission or presence. So, what is it to be Yattho, no more accusations, no more imaginary plots, or would you prefer it be YOUR DEATH ... HERE AND NOW?!"
For a long moment, no one spoke as the two continued to glare at each other, finally, Rallos reached out a trembling hand to slowly move the disruptor until it was no longer aimed at the centre of his forehead. Hovak nodded, then returned the weapon to its fixture on his belt. He picked up the flagon of Ale, downing it in one before slamming the empty vessel on the desktop.
"If I may..." Balokr began nervously, proceeding when Gr'vos nodded, "... We could go to the abandoned Mines on Kla'kt IV on the Klingon Border, we will be safe there," ..........
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Dec 27, 2021 13:18:56 GMT
SD: 2407.1226 .. 21:00 hrs ... Level 1641 - Section D ... Maintenance Drone Storage & Repair :: They have been on Level 1641 for an hour only, but like every Level preceding this one, there had been no sign that anyone but authorised personnel had down here. The Drones, normally used for basic maintenance of the superstructure of the Starbase, had been stored, apart from six that were helping the Workerbee shuttles, which were larger and capable of moving larger masses around during the repairs of the massive subspace pylons. The place smelt unused, damp almost, though the Captain knew that with the Level having been open to space, there would be no moisture to signify any dampness ..... Annoyed at his preoccupation with daydreaming, he returned to the others and continued moving along the main access corridor. He jumped nervously as his commbadge chirped to life unexpectedly: =^= Captain Butler .. Command Center .. .. .. =^= =^= Butler .. =^= =^= Captain .. We have detected a breach close to your location .. Docking Port Eleven .. Section Three .. We have dispatched maintenance but require your presence =^= =^= Understood .. Butler out =^= he looked around for his Second in Command: "Jeb..." he said, addressing First Lieutenant Fossy, waiting as the man approached from further down the corridor, on his arrival he gave his instructions, "... Take half a dozen of our men up to the next Level, Section Three... Command has just informed me they are picking up a small breach and we're leaking atmosphere, check it out will you... Take breathing apparatus with you, just in case," the Lieutenant nodded, quickly picking out five others before giving instructions before heading to one of the reactivated turbolifts. Lee turned back to what he was doing as one of his men shouted at him urgently! "Looking at this room they haven't been gone long..." said, looking at the discarded food and drinks containers, "... Chech the rooms either side, let's see if we can't find something to give us a clue as to their whereabouts," "CAPTAIN!" he heard one of them shout and ran to the room where a Marine was waiting ..... Inside, one of the Medics was checking over a clearly lifeless Marine! "It's Tachelli Captain, he wasn't feeling well when he reported this morning so I sent him back to see one of the Medics on our Levels, from what I can tell, one stab wound to the chest," "How long has he been dead?" Butler asked. "Six, maybe seven hours, they'll know better once we get him back," the woman said, wiping the blood from her hands. "Contact Alpha Medical Center, request a site-to-site transport," the Captain said, more determined than ever to get his hands on whoever was killing people seemingly unchecked!..... Posting from Pirates POV ::"If I may..." Balokr had begun nervously, proceeding when Gr'vos nodded, "... We could go to the abandoned Mines on Kla'kt IV on the Klingon Border, we will be safe there,"
"How can you be so sure?" Gr'vos asked.
"We used the mines when we first took up our profession. The mines were picked of all useful materials over thirty years ago, they were supposedly sealed to prevent any less scrupulous people from picking the remnants. The security post there was automatically monitored, but we managed to bypass it, so anyone checking will see the long-disused mines gathering dust, and nothing more," They were still discussing options, or the evident lack thereof when the Pilot contacted them. Unsealing the bulkhead door it slid silently aside as the group mover for'ard on the Danube Class Runabout.
"What?" Rallos asked.
"There's a Federation Shuttle less than two hundred metres away from us," the man said.
"..... And this is an issue, why?" Hovak asked.
"Because... If it continues on its present course, it will crash right into us?" the Pilot said, raising his eyebrows as if he'd stated the blindingly obvious, though the smack in his mouth from Hovak changed his attitude instantly.
"What... May I ask, are you intending on doing about this little setback?" the Romulan asked.
"It looks like it's moved to assist the other shuttle that's coming from beneath us, that one will miss us easily, but we're directly in the others' path. I could use the manoeuvring thrusters to hopefully push us back and further away from the Starbase. If they are concentrating on the breach, it's doubtful they would pick us up. Even cloaked we leave a wake," the Pilot said, regaining his self-reliance despite the blood.
"Do so," Rallos ordered as the dirty yellow battered hull of the Workerbee Shuttle came into view above them.
The Pilot brought the thrusters online and applied a single second of thrust to the Portside array ..... The Workerbee, still following the hull of the Starbase was essentially corkscrewing downwards while maintaining a constant distance. They could see the two men inside now, both were watching the Starbase rather than looking ahead as the craft fell, they were less than three hundred meters apart now, and Gr'vos speculated that should they remain in place, the section of the Workerbee directly below the flat window would hit them first ..... The Pilot applied a second burst from the thrusters, his eyes locked on those of the passengers of the approaching shuttle. Finally, though impossibly slowly, the Workerbee began to move to their left as the Runabout moved at a right angle from the Starbase.
He reached out and tapped an instruction into his console, sighing as the emergency bulkheads closed, not that it would make any difference given the Cockpit would decompress the second it was ruptured ..... Risking being located for the third time, he again activated the thrusters, this time the movement was more pronounced, but the Workerbee was less than fifty meters from the Runabout now, he informed them that it was going to be bloody close as finally, the Workerbee slipped further to their left and out of sight, for a long moment, no one dared breathe as the Pilot estimated there were mere centimetres between them as the two craft passed each other.
"I believe it would be wise to leave... NOW!" Gr'vos said through clenched teeth ..........
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David Tan
Starfleet Intelligence
Suum Cuique ...
Registered: Dec 11, 2006 10:56:04 GMT
Posts: 792
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Post by David Tan on Dec 30, 2021 17:57:02 GMT
SD: 2407.1230 .. 03:30 hrs Level 1554 Beta Promenade :: He hadn't survived in business this long by being susceptible to those trying to gain from their opinions of him ..... In the shadows, he stood waiting... At this time of the morning, the Promenade was practically empty apart from the odd Service Engineer, or late-night imbiber. Across from where he was standing, the darkened establishment looked almost derelict rather than just closed for business. He shook his head, genuinely annoyed at the turn of events that had forced him to disappear. Happy that he wasn't about to be disturbed, he crossed the open space before once again backing into one of the doorways. He checked left and right, then walked along the Promenade until he reached the door he was looking for. Quickly he deactivated the security seal, ensuring that it wouldn't alert anyone monitoring the device from another location. He pushed the door open, stepping inside before closing the door behind him. Along the corridor, he slid a concealed panel aside and activated a device he had installed long ago, now, anyone trying to access the establishment's surveillance equipment would only see a continual loop of data for each of the rooms. Grinning he took off the heavy coat and dropped it over one of the chairs, then made his way to the bar, hoping that no one had decided to remove any of the stock. He sat on a stool before pouring himself a drink, grinning even though he was alone. 'Yet again my associates underestimated my intelligence, and again they have lost out in the process' he muttered, with a hint of satisfaction. Pouring himself a refill, feeling he had earned the extra, he walked over to one of the doors leading off the main room. Behind the door, an invisible panel was set into the wall, the panel would only activate at his touch, so he was confident no one had gained access to his private papers. Checking everything was still in place, he resealed the panel and entered the bar once again. Walking behind the bar, he went to the end and tapped a code into the replicator... Beside him, a drawer clicked before opening a centimetre. He was about to slide the drawer fully open when: "A little early to be opening up," he spun at the sound of someone behind him, glaring left and right, before focusing on the man standing at the bar, his hands resting casually on the marble top. "How did you get in here?" he asked, eyes darting to the doors at the front of the establishment as he wracked his brain trying to recall what he had done wrong when he himself entered. "Let's say I just 'dropped in' shall we..." the man said, reaching over the bar for a bottle and glass, "... I assume that as your 'guest' this will be on the house?" he said, pouring a glass of Altairian Brandy. "Get 'OUT' or I will be forced to summon the authorities!" "Oh come now Orpk, let's not play naive, my name is David Tan. I am with Starfleet Intelligence." "Intelligence...!" Orpk repeated voice rising in pitch before he continued, "... What do Intelligence want with me, I have done nothing wrong!" the Ferengi said. "It's no longer there by the way," Tan said, motioning behind Orpk, and before the Ferengi could stop himself he looked at the almost closed drawer then back at David, his eyes wide with either shock or fear, Tan couldn't decide which in the gloom of the bar. He reached over the bar for a second glass, placing it next to his, then poured himself and Orpk a generous glass. "Wha ....." was all the Ferengi could reply. Tan was convinced that had Orpk the ability to let colour drain from his face he would have been as white as a sheet about now. "Who were you holding it for?" "I ..... I have no idea what you are referring to!" "Oh come one, let's face it... This..." Tan motioned to take in the room and their situation before continuing, "... Here and now... Is about as 'polite' as it is going to get. Once you are officially in custody, the questions will come much faster, and with much more menace behind them. So, why not get ahead of the game, so to speak, start talking now, while we're enjoying a convivial drink together?" David could see that Orpk was working hard to regain his composure. He drained the liquid from his glass and placed it next to the bottle before returning his gaze to the Ferengi: "People have died Orpk, including Federation Personnel ..... If you think for a fraction of a second that you are going to weasel your way out of the trouble you are in currently, you are sadly, and embarrassingly wrong, if we can't identify and apprehend those actually responsible, then the book will be thrown right at you, and you'll kiss goodbye to seeing the light of day for the rest of your miserable, conniving, life!" David got up off the stool and walked around behind the bar. Orpk, still with his glass in his hands had no option but to step back as David approached the drawer. Shaking his head he reached forward and opened it fully, stepping back to allow the Ferengi Bar Owner to look inside. Where he had concealed the device, was an empty space, now, just a plain blue cloth the device had been wrapped in remained. Orpk couldn't turn himself away from the empty drawer, it didn't register for a long moment that the device was gone. The man beside him hadn't said that Federation Intelligence had it, and given the fact, if true, that people had lost their lives, it was clear his associates didn't have it either. Orpk heard the doors at the front of the bar slide aside. "Well, time, as the saying goes, is up..." Tan said with a shrug, allowing two people to take hold of the shaking Ferengi, "... Take him to our interview rooms on the Command Level," Orpk couldn't bring himself to speak as he was led from the bar, his mind playing terrifying tricks on him as to exactly what was meant by 'interview room' ..........
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David Tan
Starfleet Intelligence
Suum Cuique ...
Registered: Dec 11, 2006 10:56:04 GMT
Posts: 792
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Post by David Tan on Dec 30, 2021 22:51:59 GMT
Earlier:
The two men had silently escorted him onto the Promenade, then into a turbolift ... Neither man had spoken to him despite his nervously alternating between making demands, or asking questions as to how long they thought they could legally detain a member of the Ferengi without representation. They stepped from the turbolift and crossed a corridor before entering a second, this time secure turbolift. One of the two men spoke to him now, but only to tell him to shut the hell up!
Stepping out of this turbolift, the two led him along a corridor into a room containing a table and two chairs. It hadn't gone unnoticed that no one, apart from the Intelligence People, had seen him.
"Make yourself comfortable, you'll be here a while," one of them instructed him before leaving him alone .....Starfleet Intelligence ... Mezzanine Level Command Center :: Now: For what seemed like the thousandth time, he banged on the door, demanding to be able to see a representative of the Ferengi Alliance, all to no avail as again his demands fell of deaf ears ..... (no pun intended) ..... He had slept, or what could pass for sleep in the small room. At some point, he knew they had to release him, and he swore an oath that once beyond these walls he would bring the might of the Ferengi Alliance down on Starfleet for their treatment. Twice someone had entered the room with food, but he had pointedly refused to eat or drink, irrationally claiming it drugged or worse, poisoned. Later ..... Without warning, the door slid aside and the man he had spoken to the previous evening entered. He picked up the untouched trays and handed them to someone at the door before dropping into the chair opposite Orpk. He tapped the PADD he had brought in then began reading, completely ignoring the Ferengi for several minutes before raising his head: "You didn't like the food...?" David asked, raising an eyebrow before continuing, "... As I told you when we first met, any chance of us being friends, exchanging pleasantries, helping each other out, has long passed. No one, and I 'DO' mean no one, knows you are here, apart from Intelligence Personnel, and by their very nature of being a secretive bunch, they are hardly likely to go telling tales outside school. So, here you are and here is where you are staying until we're completely done with you ..... You have very little leeway here Orpk, I really want you to understand that," "I want to speak to someone from my Government," Orpk replied. "Not going to happen I'm afraid, mainly because after the initial incident in your 'establishment' you disappeared, and were presumed dead, so no rights there. The other problem is that you were knowingly associating yourself with suspected criminal elements, people wanted for questioning by Starfleet Security, not to mention ourselves, in regards to numerous offences, so again, no rights there I'm afraid," "YOU CANNOT HOLD ME HERE!" Orpk screamed. "Yet, here you are," Tan said with a shrug before leaning back in his chair, watching as Orpk fought to calm himself, and after several moments he sighed. "..... What do you want to know .....?" the Ferengi asked finally, calm as he leaned forward, elbows on the table, then as if electrocuted, he flung himself across the desktop into Tan's lap, knocking both of them to the carpeted floor, David grasped both ears of the Ferengi and squeezed, hard, Orpk screamed, realising his mistake instantly as the Intelligence Officer threw him aside like so much dead weight. Pain flooding through him like he had never felt before, he scrambled backwards on hands and knees until he was in one corner of the room. He watched Tan as the man calmly got to his feet, reset his chair, picked up the PADD and sat down. "Hardly the best way to go," he said, motioning for Orpk to take his own chair, waiting patiently as Orpk clambered to his feet then released his hold on his left ear, almost fainting as he saw the blood on his hand from the torn lobe. "I need medical help ... You 'CANNOT' refuse me medical help it is against Federation LAW!" David nodded in agreement, got up then walked to the door which slid aside at his approach. He nodded to someone outside then walked away. In his place, another entered, this one seemingly more sympathetic as she tended to the two-centimetre long tear at the base of Orpk's left ear. As she treated the injury she asked if he wanted something to eat or drink, suggesting he at least had a little water if nothing else. Finally agreeing, he sat and waited while the women went away, returning with a glass of ice-cold water. "It's just water... I promise," she said as he hesitated. She held the glass while he took a sip, then another. He was beginning to enjoy the attention when Tan reentered the room. "That's enough, this is an interrogation room, not a bloody kindergarten...!" he said as he placed the PADD on the table and sat down, glancing back to see the door was closed then he leaned forward as if wanting to speak clandestinely, "... It looks like the powers that be are tiring of your stubbornness Orpk," "Then you will be forced to release me," the Ferengi said grinning despite the pain in his ears. The smile faded quickly as Tan shook his head. "Alas, no... Remember I told you about a deep, dark pit, well it looks like that is where you are heading unless, of course, you begin to show some cooperation..." David tapped the PADD then turned it so Orpk could see it easily, "... There is a list of names and faces there, we would like you to confirm that 'these' are the people you frequently do business with and are the ones responsible for the deaths on the Starbase over the last couple of weeks," "I don't know what you are referring to," Orpk said, pushing the PADD away. "Then you have a choice to make ..... You can go into confinement for the rest of your natural life, we can release you, once biometrically tagged of course, as we wouldn't want you disappearing on us, oh, and if you choose this option we will be letting it known to anyone who is listening how 'helpful' you have been with our enquiries, we'll also reopen your Emporium so you can continue to earn profit..." "I will be killed the moment you say I have cooperated with you!" Orpk said, eyes wide, the pain a distant memory. David could only shrug sympathetically, then seemed to have another thought: "There is another option....." he said quietly. "One that allows me to remain among the living I assume?" "Yes....." David replied. "This, option.....?" Orpk asked. "You can work for us..." Tan said as Orpk burst into laughter "... Nothing too drastic, just a little information here and there," he finished, but the Ferengi was already shaking his head. "I am no traitor!" "Hmm, well, it's late and frankly I'm hungry ..... I'll leave you to think over the options open to you..." David said, rising and walking to the door, "... You can go into the aforementioned pit, never to see the light of day. You can go back to work running that sleazy establishment of yours, knowing that there will be a very large target on your back ..... Or after an appropriate time, we can release you letting it slip that we couldn't hold you any longer. We'll make it difficult for you to run your bar, the odd unscheduled licensing checks, receipts queries, contraband confiscation and the like, all the while you will be passing us information," "..... And if I were to, agree, there would be financial compensation for my current hardship?" "I imagine some form of reimbursement could be agreed..." Tan said, stepping into the corridor, "... Think hard on the options open to you, someone will bring you a meal, I suggest you eat it," he said before the door closed ..........
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Iorte Clancy
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Mar 9, 2016 17:58:55 GMT
Posts: 252
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Post by Iorte Clancy on Dec 31, 2021 14:35:47 GMT
The theatre was filling up fast with late-arriving young colonists clutching their real-paper text books and datapads; the lecture itself had already started. Iorte was sat towards the back with arms splayed dramatically before him, in what he hoped was a wry comment on the uselessness of the tardy attendees. He began to focus on the words of the wizened lecturer, his mind - still dominated by a new-found naivete now he'd broken away from his original homeworld, where he'd had long decades to become jaded by his original species' accomplishments - curious at what the words might mean.
It wasn't so much a time of learning as a therapeutic experience, to let the lecture wash over him as it were. This was how he liked to absorb the substance of a talk, and it was the attitude he always took with him. True learning could begin later.
"The decision-making process... our thoughts, already well-formed... our physical actions... all determined before rising to the surface of consciousness. Now, is there free will?" the lecturer asked, turning to us suddenly, "Yes, but I very much doubt that we are involved."
It was from the time before the catastrophe that had wracked his adopted homeworld for four years and caused the population to flee for their lives.
He awoke in a grey, indistinct room. Instinctively he felt for his commbadge and found to his vague expectation that it was not affixed to his uniform. Some memory clawed at him and he recognised that it was natural for the badge not to be present, but trying to focus his thought on the memory returned nothing but a vague indistinction. Finding to his surprise that his hands weren't bound, he brought them from where they'd been hastily arranged behind his back - as if whoever, as it was evident to him he'd been kidnapped, had done this to him had wanted to tie him up but had been distracted and called away. He brought them towards the floor either side and pushed.
The room gained in clarity and resolution as he climbed to his feet, and he realised the space was of Starfleet design; grey panels and light blue flooring, one control surface whose buttons were lit up red and blinking periodically - door controls locked by unorthodox means.
"Computer... Iorte Clancy, Starfleet Intelligence. Where am I?" There was no response. He listened intently to the hum of the power supply whose presence was otherwise signified by the slight vibration in the floor and walls, trying as he'd done before to sense the shape and size of the ship or station's core. He concluded he definitely wasn't on a station, in other words the Starbase.
He thought back and recalled his captor, not the assassin who'd eliminated the two who had tried to take out Kyr Fenr, he'd realised, but another, who had perhaps been hunting the first.
The lights on the panel lit up green and the door to the room retracted, revealing a Romulan in tattered civilian clothing. "You're awake. Why aren't you bound?" he asked abruptly.
Iorte could only remain impassive; he was not to blame for any incompetence shown by the pirates, for these were clearly the people who'd kidnapped him. "Rallos again. Gah, I'm paying dearly for my missed opportunity." The Romulan seemed unaware he'd thought aloud. He was perhaps to be identified as Hovak, if the information was correct, Iorte thought.
"No matter. But perhaps the man who could've helped you is no longer alive," the Intel officer replied.
The Romulan baulked. Yes, I killed Oshido, Hovak thought, How does this idiot know about it? Can he see while unconscious? "You'll remain here."
"Really? Where am I? What is the name of this craft?" He thought he was on a starship of light tonnage, or perhaps a private craft which had been decked out - either to mislead him or to effect repairs with whatever materials came to hand, Starfleet or otherwise - with the panelling of a starship or shuttle.
"Obviously I will not tell you. Why ask?" Hovak said, and began to leave, drawing a disruptor pistol to warn Clancy against trying to follow him through the door. The Romulan stepped backwards, the disruptor levelled at Iorte until the door drew shut.
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Dec 31, 2021 23:05:14 GMT
Admiral Lemond's Office ... Mezzanine Level Command Center :: "..... You think he'll work with us?" Nia asked David as he poured himself a drink. "I think he's too terrified not to," "How much do you think he knows?" the Intelligence Director asked, looking over the transcripts of the two 'interviews' David had had with the Ferengi. "Well, I think he believes that we don't have whatever he was concealing in the bar, and given recent events, he's convinced his past associates don't have it either, which puts him in a bit of a spot..." Tan said as Erin entered the office to inform Lemond that there was still no signs of Iorte Clancy, "... He's still missing?" Tan asked. "He was following up on several leads he'd found on identifying the Pirates, he was supposed to be meeting someone late yesterday but we haven't heard from him since. Elana and Rosa have been to his quarters and checked his usual drop points, but there's nothing there, so he either didn't have anything to leave or didn't have time to leave what he did have," "What about his commbadge?" "Deactivated, or destroyed. Either way, it's a worrying development..." Lemond replied, deep in thought as she got up from her desk to pour herself a second coffee, "... I've asked Colonel DΓΊpin to assign Security at ALL Docking Arms within the Dome, and we're continuing the search of the Lower Levels of the Starbase, but apart from a fracture in one of the seals at an emergency airlocks, we're drawing a blank," "This is getting seriously out of hand," David said, about to help himself to a refill when Erin took the cup off him. "I'm surprised either of you two manages to sleep at all," she commented as she filled David's cup, "... I've just had a report from the search teams. They have found where the group were holed-up ..... Level 1641, Maintenance Drone Storage & Repair. The Marines found beds and other paraphernalia, but no signs of anyone," "So we've missed then..." Lemond said, the frustration in her voice obvious, "... Erin, contact Captain Komin, have her ready the El Alamein for departure," "They have been ready for the last three days Admiral, just waiting for somewhere to go," Commander Paquin replied. "Ahh, well, there's a small issue on that score..." Nia said, glancing out to the stars as if expecting 'Devine Intervention' to give her a heading. "Command is still scanning the area around the Starbase for any signs of a cloaked vessel, but by their very nature, they're notoriously hard to spot," Erin commented. "Well, we're not going to get any further tonight ....." Lemond said, standing. David did likewise, allowing her Adjutant to take the empty cup from him. "I'll go take a look at Iorte's quarters, just in case," Tan said, heading for the door. "You won't find anything David," "I know ....." Tan said with a shrug as he left the office ..........
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Jan 1, 2022 1:16:06 GMT
Posting from the Pirates POV ::"I believe it would be wise to leave... NOW!" Gr'vos said through clenched teeth. Junsk, the remaining Ruthian Pilot looked at the Klingon then at the man who had essentially hired him. Airing on the lines that the Klingon was more likely to kill him out of hand, he brought the thrusters of the Danube Class Runabout online and moved them away from the behemoth Starbase. At a mere half impulse it was going to take time to be sure they were undetected, but even the clearly insane Rallos couldn't argue with the obvious .....
"Take us to warp two, let's put some distance between us and our Federation friends," Balokr instructed the Pilot.
"What heading?"
"Remain on our current heading until instructed otherwise," the Yattho, still unsure as to their next location instructed, before turning to return back to the Lounge area. He had just walked past the Equipment Storage Lockers when Hovak came out of the Portside Crew Module before carefully locking the door.
"What do you have in there?" he asked, receiving a look that could have killed from the Romulan before he walked away.
~~~~~~~~~~
They had been on the same course at the same velocity for almost six hours when Rallos asked for opinions on where they should go. It was clear to everyone that his position as leader of the group was at the pleasure of those with him in the Runabout only. Everyone realising that should it come to a vote no one was going to go against Gr'vos, or possibly Hovak ..... with only a token discussion, it was decided they would go to the abandoned mines on Kla'kt IV ... Not ideal by any means, but going to either of the remaining vaults on Z'Hul on the Klingon border, or Vakor on the Romulan border was risky, to say the least, so with three days travel time ahead of them they sat down to eat.
"There's no replicator in there," Qal whispered to Hovak as he passed.
"What?"
"The Crew Module you keep secured, there is no replicator in there..." the Ferengi whispered, pointing at his ears as a way of explanation before continuing, "... I assume you are going to feed whoever is in there at some point?"
"Feed WHO!" Rallos asked overhearing the hushed conversation. Sighing, Hovak informed them all of his 'guest' .....
"You mean you have brought a Federation Officer here, WITHOUT CONSULTING US?!" Balokr demanded. Hovak stood, walking over to stand less than a metre from the Yattho who had questioned him:
"I was unaware that I required your ... Permission," he said quietly. For a long moment, the two looked at each other until Balokr stepped past the Romulan and approached the door in question.
"Open it," Balokr demanded. Had Romulan's mastered the art of shrugging, Hovak would have done so, but instead:
"As you wish," he said, approaching the door as the Yattho stepped back. He tapped in a code and the door slid aside. They all walked to the open door and looked at the man, a Hybrudean, laying on the bunk, his arms behind his head.
"Why isn't he in uniform?" Belokr asked after a moment.
"What?"
"WHY... Isn't this man, you indicated was a STARFLEET OFFICER, in a STARFLEET UNIFORM?" the Yattho demanded, seemingly bucking up enough courage to glare at the Romulan. Qal, who had been pushed to one side, finally managed to get a look at their 'prisoner' and wasn't too happy at what he suddenly realised that he'd seen the man somewhere before, and remembered where that was, and as Qal was recognising the man on the bunk, the man don't the bunk had recognised Qal.
"He isn't in a Starfleet uniform, because he isn't exactly... Starfleet," Qal said, almost happy that no one seemed to have heard him. He turned to move back Aft to the Lounge Area when Gr'vos grasped him and spun him around!
"If he isn't Starfleet, then just 'who' is he?" the Klingon asked dangerously. It took a moment for Qal to answer, but he finally managed to:
"He is ..... Starfleet Intelligence,"
Needless to say, the revelation didn't go down well .......... OOC: I hope I've guessed right that Hovak brought Clancy aboard the Runabout ... If not ... I'll modify this post accordingly.
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Iorte Clancy
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Mar 9, 2016 17:58:55 GMT
Posts: 252
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Post by Iorte Clancy on Jan 6, 2022 12:00:10 GMT
Clancy had at first pretended to be asleep until he'd heard an unexpected voice, having been sure the Ferengi would've been dropped by the group prior to leaving the Starbase. His eyes opened briefly and fixed on Qal; the Ferengi tried to hold his stare but shuddered and looked away before Iorte closed his eyes once more, seeming to those watching to fall once more into a peaceful sleep.
"You should feed him, Hovak," one of the Yatthos said, "You brought him aboard, he's your responsibility."
Hovak's eyes widened, "That had been my intention. I'd forgotten in fact. I left the room with disruptor drawn, still shocked to find that he was unbound," and he glared at the other Yattho, whose futile protest let Iorte know that this was Rallos. Apparently the ostensible leader of the pirates' organisation had helped the Romulan bring the unconscious Clancy aboard.
"And his hands are still unbound," Rallos said accusingly, "Have you been playing the coward, Hovak?" Iorte listened intently but if Hovak made any response it was non-vocal.
"... At least you haven't accused Gr'vos of cowardice, Rallos," Qal quipped. Again, if there'd been a reply from Gr'vos or anyone else Clancy had not heard it; it was probable Gr'vos was no longer present.
Enough of this, he decided, "I think it would be wise for you to return to the Starbase... At least return me," he said as his eyes shot open, "It will make things very much easier for me. For you, yes, but especially for me." Rallos had turned utterly pale, Clancy being surprised such a thing was even possible for the albino Yattho. The unstable pirate stabbed a shaking finger at the Intel officer, evidently wishing to say something but quite unable.
"I'm placing you all under arrest," Iorte said, swinging his legs off the bench and regarding the two Yatthos and Hovak, neither Gr'vos or Qal - who must've just left - being present. Balokr bristled while Hovak remained impassive. The Intel officer cleared his throat, "I assume you won't come quietly? Where are we heading anyway?"
Balokr glanced at Rallos, a silent exchange taking place between them as if the two had already hatched a plan, and left the room, leaving Rallos and Hovak - the two responsible for bringing Iorte aboard - with their prisoner. "You will eat now," Rallos said, "Eat or die."
"Very well," Iorte said, needing no time to think about it, and waited while Hovak had a plate of basic rations replicated. He took the dish, a recipe of Starfleet specification. "... Where did you get this ship? Or shuttle? And where are we headed again?"
His questions went unanswered and he was left alone with his meal, his hands necessarily untied. He supposed he was here either as an object for ransom, or perhaps simply as a hostage the threatening of whom would ensure the good behaviour of any pursuing ship.
From the particular vibration that could be felt through the walls and deck-plates, Iorte could discern that this shuttle or ship - or perhaps runabout - was at warp, mid-warp perhaps, but then the intensity of the hum wasn't so easily matched to speed as the size and mass of the vessel was unknown. He knew that his Intel colleagues would now be aware of his absence; it was likely they knew his disappearance coincided with the vanishing of the pirates, who'd been searched for on the lower levels of the base. He wondered if Intel would attempt to follow after the pirates themselves.
"Starfleet! It's no vault world, but we're heading to Kla'kt IV!"
He listened intently, having heard the faint rasp of a whisper through the heavy door of the room, and put down his plate, "Wait. Wait, out there!" It was no good, as Qal's footsteps were already receding down the corridor. The Ferengi had taken a risk; being cut off from most of what he knew and perhaps not rating his chances of survival, Qal had decided on an arbitrary course of action. Iorte tried the door, but found that Qal's foolhardiness didn't extend to freeing the prisoner.
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Jan 6, 2022 15:08:29 GMT
OOC : Posting from Pirates POV ::Hovak was inwardly fuming ..... His plans to assassinate Rallos had gone wrong, and now he found himself under the scrutiny of the other members of the group for having brought a Federation Officer aboard, an 'Intelligence' Officer at that! ..... He knew he was under no obligation to explain himself, nor would he, if they didn't like the situation in his eyes they were more than welcome to leave.
They were still three days from the abandoned mines on Kla'kt IV, so there was plenty of time for an unfortunate 'accident' to occur. He pondered the chances of him killing Rallos and placing the blame on the prisoner. With a little luck he could achieve two goals: be rid of the paranoid Yattho, and eliminate the Hybrudean in the process.
Gr'vos had almost laughed out loud when the Intelligence Officer informed them that they were collectively 'under arrest' ... He silently admired the man for his sense of humour. But wanting no more of the situation, he left the Crew Module and returned to the Lounge Area aft of the Danube Class Runabout. At the replicator, he demanded a flagon of Blood Wine and downed the liquid in one before asking for a second. He dropped into one of the chairs around the table and began to think ..... With the Prisoner, they had a new problem, one similar to the situation they had found themselves in after taking the two Women - The Federation would search and would come after them more determined than ever before. He pondered the idea of taking his share of the vast fortune they had amassed and leaving, it seemed the most prudent course of action in his mind.
Three Days Later Approaching Kla'kt IV ::
They had been forced to accept the fact that they had a Starfleet Officer prisoner, but no matter how many times his fate was discussed, no one wanted the man's blood on their hands. Even Gr'vos, despite the number of people who had fallen at his hand, was having 'doubts' even given the fact that they would undoubtedly be held accountable for the death of the Marine, along with the two lost in the Shuttle explosion on the Starbase. Clancy had been allowed out of his confinement only to use the Head. Each time the emergency bulkhead separating the cockpit from the rest of the ship was closed before he stepped from his room.
It had taken less than a minute for Iorte to identify the craft, a Danube Class Runabout, the four auxiliary Stations could be configured for numerous situations, Research, Science, Combat. if nothing else the Danube was an extremely versatile little craft. alone in the ship's single bathroom, or 'Head' he recalled the specifications of the craft: Less than twenty-five metres in length, approximately fourteen wide, with a draft of five point four metres. It could travel at warp four indefinitely, jumping to a maximum of four-point seven he thought. Six type V phaser arrays and he figured Rallos would have retrofitted at least one torpedo launcher.
There was a bang on the door and he heard Hovak's muffled voice telling him to hurry ... Grinning Iorte washed and dried his hands, only then did he open the door ... As he stepped back into the corridor he felt the ship drop from warp. He had been trying to keep track of the time they had been at warp, but given the vast difference between warp two and four, there was no reliable means to guestimate the actual distance travelled, but as he had been 'given' their intended destination, his mental gymnastics were redundant. He was about to comment when the Klingon grasped his jacket and manhandled him back into his makeshift cell.
Each of the two-man Crew Modules, Port and Starboard, had a small window, not that it afforded anyone looking out anything but a view of the stars, but it was enough for Clancy to see the small planetoid they were approaching. Kla'kt iV was essentially a burnt-out husk. The surface pot marked with countless meteor impacts, the interior mined to the extent the planetoid was almost a hollow ball in space. As they approached the surface Clancy could see an Airlock, much larger than the Runabout, he assumed it was used to take out the materials mined here, nevertheless, its share size surprised him.
The Runabout slowed until it was hanging approximately five meters off the jagged surface, still one hundred meters from the airlock. He couldn't see ahead but assumed they were waiting on the aged 'lock to cycle to allow them access. Finally, the Runabout began to move forward, he could see the massive doors as they passed inside the facility and rotated until the Runabout was facing back the way they had entered. He felt the smallest of impacts through his boots as the craft touched down and he wondered if the Pilot could have been Starfleet trained, but as his door slid aside he could see the Ruthian Pilot leaving the Cockpit. Ruthian's were renowned for their skills as Pilots, which explained the smoothness of their landing and positioning beside the inner airlock hatch.
They waited as the facility made a solid airtight connection with the Runabout, then Balkor opened the airlock. Gr'vos impatiently pushed himself past the two Yattho and into the facility itself, the jab of a phaser in the small of his back suggested he follow the Klingon off the Runabout ..... Inside, the decor and technology changed drastically ..... He turned to look back the way they had come, the almost pristine materials of the airlock a stark contrast the red-brown rust-coated bulkheads, the cracked and uneven tiles on the floor, this place had been constructed long before modern materials were available, tens, possibly hundreds of years ago from the look of the place.
Hovak led him to a small room off the main area and pushed him unceremoniously inside, he turned in time to see the rusted door slam closed, the unmistakable slam of a bolt being thrown. He looked around the room, a bunk, a table, a dilapidated bathroom, toilet and sink. He eyed the bunk, wondering if it would crumble under his weight ..........
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Jan 7, 2022 20:16:53 GMT
Office of Admiral Nia Lemond Director of Intelligence :: "Only one vessel attempted to depart following your orders Admiral..." David Tan was saying as Erin Paquin poured coffee and gave a cup to each of the Intel Officers present, "... We managed to detain it before it could leave the Sector, the Captain is currently in Holding, awaiting charges. The ships' Executive Officer showed me their manifest and orders, they were carrying medical supplies to the T'Quyag System, so after a thorough search, I allowed the ship to depart," "..... And we're one hundred percent nothing else left?" "There was one report..." Tan said, sifting through several PADD's on the Admiral's desk before finding the one he was looking for, "... One of the shuttles carrying out repairs on the airlock on Level 1641 picked up a tachyon surge whilst holding station off the Starbase, the surge lasted less than ten seconds and wasn't anywhere near enough to establish a reliable heading," "But it 'did' give enough for us to speculate?" Lemond asked, leaning forward. "Well, yes, but for every light year we move further away from the Starbase, the degree of error increases exponentially," Elena DeLuca replied, picking up her coffee. "I'm willing to bet they didn't change direction too many times... Where are we on the search for Mister Clancy?" she asked her Adjutant. "The USS Feynman is currently berthed here, I asked her Captain if she could undock and use the ships' sensors to check for Hybrudean life signs from outside the Starbase, she's a Science Vessel so her sensors would give a better more reliable result ..... They did six full scans along the full height of the 'base with no luck. It looks like if Mister if Clancy is still onboard he's well hidden and somewhere that we can't scan..." Paquin confirmed. "Then they did take him..." Nia said, shaking her head, "... How long before the El Alamein can depart?" "They're just waiting on word, Captain Komin has been ready to leave since late last evening," David replied. "OK, inform the Captain you will be departing in one hour," Nia said, rising. "To go, where, exactly?" Tan asked as the others stood. "Our only real, albeit, highly speculative information is the tachyon trail, you can start there," she said, making it clear the meeting was at an end. David, Elena, Rosa Noon and Iezeld left the office and headed for the turbolifts ..........
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Nia Lemond
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Aug 11, 2019 20:06:27 GMT
Posts: 238
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Post by Nia Lemond on Jan 11, 2022 13:21:41 GMT
OOC : Posting from Pirates POV ::Clancy risked a glance back the way they had come, the almost pristine materials of the airlock a stark contrast the red-brown rust-coated bulkheads, the cracked and uneven tiles on the floor, this place had been constructed long before modern materials were available, tens, possibly hundreds of years ago from the look of the place ..... Hovak led him to a small room off the main area and pushed him unceremoniously inside, he turned in time to see the twisted rusted door slam closed just enough to allow the unmistakable slam of the bolt locking him inside. He looked around the room, a bunk, a table, a dilapidated bathroom, toilet and sink. He eyed the bunk, wondering if it would crumble under his weight.
~~~~~
Hovak took one last look at the door, remembering somewhat annoyingly, even for a Romulan, how he had come to have the Intelligence Officer at all. Had his arrangements not been thwarted, Rallos would be dead, he or possibly Gr'vos would be in charge, and they would have been able to escape without any further loss of life. He knew now that after the shuttle incident, there would be no compassion, no sense of pity for their situation. The Federation would throw everything at them now, and if captured none of them could look forward to seeing open sky again!
As he returned to the main room, Gr'vos was arguing with Rallos regarding their situation. He walked to the makeshift bar and poured himself a large ale before finding a seat. Qal, the Ferengi, watched him and moved closer:
"You should take over," he said.
"..... Why would that be, Ferengi?" Hovak asked, wondering vaguely if Gr'vos would do what his so-called Assassin couldn't, and kill the Yattho.
"These Yattho, tall, thin, pasty-faced, they can't be trusted, now, with someone like you in charge, and me to hel ....." Qal flew backwards off the chair as the blow from the Romulan landed on the side of his head. Qal began to pick himself off the floor while Hovak continued to drink, seemingly all thoughts of the Ferengi gone.
"This 'partnership' you speak of is moot!" the Klingon said before dropping into a large chair, but Rallos clearly wasn't finished.
"I AM IN CHARGE AND WE WI ....." Gr'vos took out his disruptor and fired, the beam hitting the rusted bulkhead centimetres from the Yattho's head.
"Look at this...! Balkor said, holding a PADD, but no one was listening as they argued among themselves. He stood to get their attention, "LOOK AT THIS!" he repeated.
"What!" Hovak asked.
"I have been monitoring information releases from the Starbase, hoping to at least find 'some' news on the progress of their investigation ....." the Yattho informed them.
"..... And?" Gr'vos asked dangerously. Balokr glanced at Qal for a long moment, long enough to make the Ferengi worry.
"An unknown Ferengi was detained after entering premises on Beta Promenade!" for a moment no one spoke.
"What of it, just another scrounging, conniving 'weasel' trying to acquire profit for little or no work..." the Klingon said, snatching the PADD from Balokr's hands to read himself.
"It has got to be Orpk!" Qal suggested.
"That is ridiculous, the bar owner is dead... This is a ploy to coax us back into the arms of the Federation!" Gr'vos said, throwing the device back at the Yattho.
"Why else would they report such a trivial occurrence?" Qal asked, more concerned for his wellbeing than he was showing. Balokr had retrieved the PADD and was searching through the information:
"It doesn't mention the name of the Ferengi, but it would be somewhat unlikely for another Ferengi to come across the empty, and sealed establishment, and force entry, only to be captured whilst trying to steal what he can,"
"If it is Orpk, maybe he could help in regaining the device?" Qal speculated.
"..... And how do you propose we speak with this, reincarnated Ferengi.....?" Hovak asked, glaring at Qal as he waited for an answer ..........
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Iorte Clancy
Starfleet Intelligence
Registered: Mar 9, 2016 17:58:55 GMT
Posts: 252
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Post by Iorte Clancy on Jan 12, 2022 9:33:42 GMT
USS El Alamein, Starbase 47
The personnel tunnel and the last of the umbilicals supplying power externally to the El Alamein retracted into their stowed positions and the ship was released from its other moorings, now floating free within the Dome.
Iezeld entered the bridge and nodded to the familiar faces she found there; most though were unfamiliar, this being only the second time she'd been aboard the Defiant class, and that first time was very brief as they'd immediately beamed to the USS Vicksburg to transfer onto what'd turned out to be the Romulan warbird Gecius.
"Chief Petty Officer," Komin acknowledged, and Iezelda greeted the El Alamein's captain, trying to present an aura of authority. While Komin of course outranked her - as did all the ship's senior staff - she was nevertheless part of the Intel team assigned by Lemond in the last few hours; it was her mission, as well as Tan, de Luca and Noon's.
"How long until departure?" she queried, Komin informing her they were scheduled to leave at the top of the hour or 20 minutes. The other three Intel officers were aboard; it felt odd that Clancy was not amongst them, but then of course as she reminded herself finding Iorte was part of the reason they were heading out, the other objective being to bring the pirates to justice for their previous kidnappings as well as for the present case.
She took a seat at the console beside Commander Ross. The operations officer spoke eventually, "When did Intel last hear from Mr Clancy? Hurt his fist boxing, did he?"
"Intel's last contact with Clancy was at the time he was leaving to investigate the lower decks. Myself personally, I was with him at the time he was attacked and presumably captured. A human of Asian extraction assaulted the both of us. I was hurt, he let me go but retained Iorte. Don't worry," she said as Ross seemed worried and about to apologise, "You couldn't have known."
Abandoned mining station, Kla'kt IV
"Wow, I really am at the dead end of nowhere here," Iorte said to himself quietly as he was removed from the runabout, "Even Pluto is more lively than this place." He'd been told to be quiet and was dragged across the central area next to the expansive inner airlock and into an adjacent corridor, taking in his increasingly desolate surroundings as he was moved farther from the runabout's landing pad.
Having little else to do but rest and attempt to think of a way out of this place, he eventually began to doze on his bunk, until the rusted metal bolt on his door - which was deceptively strong - was shoved aside and the creaking door withdrew along the interior wall. The Romulan and the Ferengi entered.
"Tell us about Orpk," Hovak said, hand on the disruptor fixed to his belt.
Iorte blinked, "He's dead."
"No, he's not. At least, we have to reason believe he is still alive and accessed his old establishment on Beta promenade."
Iorte was impassive, still blinking as he evaluated the information. Qal turned and craned his neck towards the Romulan, "Can't you see, Hovak, he clearly knows nothing about it. Trust me, if Orpk was still alive, he would have..."
"Would have what?" Hovak said, in the meantime having drawn his disruptor and pointed it loosely at Iorte who'd now sat up on his bunk.
Qal didn't see any immediate harm in divulging what he thought, though he'd felt some hesitation at first, "Orpk would have attempted to contact me."
"Think about what you're doing here, Hovak," Iorte said uncertainly, trying anything to distract the Romulan, "About the difficulty you and your associates have put yourselves in."
"I've thought about it. And you Ferengi," the Romulan turned to Qal, "You think about what you're saying. Rallos keeps you here at his pleasure. I recommend -" The Romulan was driven from before Qal's eyes as Iorte lunged into him, having jumped from his bunk while Hovak's attention was turned to the Ferengi. Clancy was about to dive past and escape from the duo when he realised he might achieve more - he pivoted about, wresting the disruptor from the dazed Hovak's grasp and turning it on him, rendering him unconscious in his prone position on the smashed tile flooring. He was about to do the same to Qal when the Ferengi began bleating, pleading on his knees and holding Iorte by the leg, wailing louder and louder.
"Alright, alright! You can accompany me." Qal released his grip and collapsed, nearly hyperventilating. "Ok, enough. Direct me to the runabout." He closed the door on Hovak who once he awoke would find himself within the tight confines of the room in which Clancy had been imprisoned.
"Wouldn't you rather I lead you to the pirates?" Qal thought quickly, "You could take control of the group, become their leader. I will support you!"
Iorte glanced at the Ferengi, "You must be joking." He turned and headed down the corridor, disruptor held in readiness, the diminutive Ferengi following in his wake; while he couldn't agree to the entirety of Qal's plan, he did see sense in trying to track down the pirates first.
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