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 Apr 22, 2022 0:26:01 GMT
Day five Late Evening :: It was clear that McKinnon wasn't going to back down. David looked at the porch, realising that the Māori farmer's wife and daughter were watching him. He felt that despite McKinnon's assurances, he honestly believed that they couldn't do anything 'but' blame him for the loss of a husband and father... He walked over to them and sincerely apologised, the woman seemed to gratefully accept his apology and the little girl took his hand, squeezing it for a second before letting go. "Haere Ra," the girl said as the mother took one of his hands in hers.
"Kaua e whakahe ki a koe ano mo nga mahi a tetahi atu," she said, releasing his hand before taking the girl inside. "What did they say?" he asked. "Aroha, the mother, said that you shouldn't blame yourself ... Her daughter, Maia, said 'bye' ..." David felt almost sick to his stomach, he had seen his fair share of deaths in his time, but never seen the consequences of a loss of life he couldn't help believe was his doing, regardless of the kind words from his widow. He was about to go back to the door when McKinnon stopped him: "You've said all you need to say, David, they understand, they just need the time to greave, like everyone else. You going back again isn't going to help anyone, believe me," he said, glancing upwards before returning his attention to Tan. "Are you armed?" "I have a 'Type One' phaser," Tan confirmed, retrieving the device from his pocket. "Then give that to me, it might come in handy if we need to cut some wood for a fire, you take the phaser rifle. I'm much more at home with my Browning rifle anyway," he said, walking to the saddles that had been taken off the horses. He pulled a still pristine looking rifle from the saddle holster and released the magazine, replacing it with one from his jacket, before slinging it over one shoulder, then walked back to where Tan was standing. "Very nice," David said, genuinely appreciating the workmanship of the hunting rifle. "Neurotoxin rounds, you hit anything with these and they're unconscious before they realised they're unconscious ..... No recoil dampened output so completely silent. My Father gave me this the first time we went hunting, had to replace a few parts here and there, but it's as reliable now as it was when it was given to him for 'his' first hunt... The 'scope is new, all bells and whistles, but hey, my eyes aren't what they used to be," he said with a shrug, patting the stock as if it were his favourite child. "OK... It's going to be dark in a couple of hours..." he said, glancing upwards before returning his attention to Tan, "... Any ideas on how good these Orions see in the dark?" "I've never asked..." David replied, checking the phaser rifle's power cell, reassured that it was fully charged, "... The boys ....." he said finally. "They're children David, and they know these woods better than even I do, I doubt even Orions would kill children out of hand..." he said, seeing the uncertainty on Tan's face, he paused for a moment then continued, "... These Assassins, we know they have been hired to ensure your, shall we say 'premature' termination, before you can get outside help, right?" "That's about right, yes," "So they are unlikely to entertain any idea that rather than 'keep' running, you would turn the tables and go after them?" "You want to hunt them!" David said, incredulous at the suggestion. "I can put a live round from this..." he said, tapping the stock of the rifle, "... In your eye, at two thousand metres, without hitting the lashes, with the darts, fifteen hundred metres, give or take a metre. So we're hardly disadvantaged ..... If we can get in behind them, it should be relatively easy to pick them off one by one ..... They 'are' going to pay for killing Hunu David, his family deserve no less," "Fair enough, but at the first si....." David began, but was interrupted, "Right!" McKinnon said with a worrying sense of purpose. ~~~~~~~~~~ The first hour was spent backtracking the way they had come ..... McKinnon's reasoning was that the Orions, even if they hadn't been fooled by the boys' antics, would or 'should' be well past Hunu's home, and thus they were safe from any intrusion. Every few moments McKinnon, an experienced 'tracker' in his own right, paused to look at the ground and their immediate surrounding, informing Tan quietly of the boys' progress. He explained what he hoped was happening when they took a rest: Each time the boys deviated, the track they left was shorter than the last, this would hopefully lead the Assassins to believe that the diversions were all constructed to slow them down, and they would eventually ignore these 'sidetracks' in favour of keeping moving ahead. In the meantime, he and Tan would be closing the distance behind them ..... Once he had a clear shot, he would drop both Orions in quick succession, but he was content to hit just one, leaving one to deal with. "Mind if I take a look?" David asked, nodding towards the rifle. McKinnon handed it over. Tan couldn't help but admire the workmanship that had gone into producing this handmade weapon, it felt comfortable in his hands, and as he raised it to his eyes to look through the telescopic sights, he was shocked at the sheer amount of detail and information was being displayed, instantly realising that anything he was taking aim at would more than likely be hundreds of metres away by the time he'd took in each parameter projected while leaving the shooter to make his or her own decisions on firing. He handed the rifle back, full of respect for both the man and the weapon. "We might as well stay here until first light," McKinnon said, delving into his backpack. "You're sure?" Tan asked, suddenly on edge. "The Orions are almost two kilometres ahead of us to the northeast, we'll pick them up in the morning," he said, placing a small camp stove on the ground before emptying various foodstuffs into three metallic pans ..........
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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 Apr 24, 2022 1:17:40 GMT
Day Six :: When he woke, McKinnon had already cooked what David realised was porridge on the camp stove, and handed him a bowl and spoon. While he ate, his companion packed away the cooking equipment and cleaned up the small area where he had set the stove. By the time David had finished his meal, it would be hard to tell they had even been there. Using a small amount of water from one of the flasks he rinsed the bowl and spoon and then handed them with thanks to his companion ..... "OK, if you're ready?" "I am," David said, picking up the phaser rifle as McKinnon donned his rucksack, and checked his Browning rifle before putting the strap over his shoulder. "Then we go this way..." he said, heading out in front of Tan, "... The Orions were camped approximately two kilometres northeast of us, so presuming they are still under the impression you are trying to find help as quickly as possible, they should still be heading in the same direction, so we should begin to catch up with them quite easily," ..... The first two hours passed uneventfully, every now and then, McKinnon would study a nearby tree, and each time McKinnon changed direction slightly. Clearly, 'Some sort of Māori mysticism' he thought. But as McKinnon saw his puzzled expression, he explained that the boys were leaving indicators, invisible to only those skilled in tracking: "You see the ferns, here, here, and here...?" McKinnon asked, pointing at several slim branches each having twenty to thirty smaller fronds branching off. David nodded, admitting he simply couldn't see what the man was trying to point out. Patiently, his companion pointed out several other fronds, "... You see the difference, here?" Again, David stirred at the fronds, suddenly realising that on one of the branches, a single frond was broken, so slightly, that unless it was pointed out, it would never be noticed. "Erm ....." "This is how the boys are telling us which direction, and how far ahead your Assassins are," he said. David quickly identified and pointed out three broken fronds, keeping to himself the fact that had they not been pointed out, he would never have seen the small breaks. McKinnon grinned like a father happy that his son had managed to use the bathroom for the first time. While Tan, inwardly disappointed that he obviously hadn't done as expected, remained silent as they carried on along the practically invisible trail ..... After a while, he realised that they had been climbing for some time and asked McKinnon about it: "Your hunters have gone ahead, but the tree cover for the next kilometre or so, thins out, so if by any chance they decided to take a break or double back, we could walk right into them. This way we keep the higher ground 'and' the cover," Another hour passed when McKinnon suddenly halted, eyes on the woods ahead. He waved at David to crouch as he slowly unslung the rifle checking with a glance that there was a tranquiliser round chambered. He flicked up the scope covers and rested the butt against his shoulder .... Sweeping the weapon in a precise arc, McKinnon had already lowered the rifle about five degrees when the younger of the two Māori boys David had met the day before emerged and approached them! "Nakau...?" McKinnon said, placing one arm around the boy whilst holding the rifle aimed back the way the boy had come, "... What has happened, where is Taika?" "Uncle ....." he said tearfully, hugging McKinnon, "... The green people ..... They have Taika," he said, his upset obvious. David felt his heart jump into his mouth as the boy spoke quietly. "Where!" "The old shearing sheds, you know, off the Kullu trail," he said, looking in David's direction over McKinnon's shoulder before continuing, "... They say you are to send 'that' man to them immediately," "How did they find you?" McKinnon asked, ignoring the demand for the moment. "We led them along the Unlaau trail before turning back, we thought we could run them in a full circle, but one had held back. They are skilled in tracking, but cannot our signs. They do not know that you are indeed close behind them. I had to go a good way in the wrong direction before backtracking, in case they realised," he said, ruefully shaking his head as if he should have known better. "Have they harmed him?" "No ..... But I have been asked to inform you ...Nakau said, looking expressionlessly at David, "... Mister Tan ..... That for each hour you delay going to them, they will take a finger from my brother's hand... The first hour will commence three hours from the sun's high point," he finished. Emotions flooded the Starfleet Officer, and he turned away, unable to hold the boy's gaze any longer. He threw down his pack and dropped the phaser rifle beside McKinnon's backpack: "Which way?" David asked. "You can't go, they have been sent to kill you, it's highly likely that they will do just that when you turn up..." McKinnon said, turning to Nakau, "... You must go to the Ranger Station. You remember the sequence for emergencies?" "Yes," "McKinnon! ..... You can't send a 'CHILD' for help, it's redicu ......" David began, but was completely ignored as McKinnon continued to speak quietly to the boy: "Good ..... Then when they answer, you must inform them where we are, and that a Federation Officer is in great danger, can you remember all that...?" he asked, Nakau nodded confidently, "... Tell them where we are, and to be cautious ... OK?" "I will do Uncle," Nakau said. Then with an all too brief hug, he turned and vanished into the trees and out of sight ..... Before David could speak again, McKinnon spun to face him: "How do you think the families living in these regions, and myself for that matter, get our supplies...?" he asked, then realising he wasn't about to get any plausible answer, he continued, "... We have agreements with several city-based merchants. These two boys go out every week and bring any supplies shuttled to the Ranger Station back to their house and others. Anything too big I bring on my next trip .....In fact, the boys make quite a good living out of their little business. You can't genuinely believe that all Kiwis live off Deer steaks and porridge do you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "I ....." was all David could manage, realising all too late, that self-sufficiency wasn't a vocation restricted to the adult population, and that each family member had a role to play. Rechecking the rifle McKinnon turned to him: "Give me an hour, then set off along that trail, it's difficult to see, but as long as you keep the sun on your right side and behind you, you should reach the sheds in about two hours," "Where the 'HELL' are you going to be!?" he asked McKinnon, who was in the process of changing the ammunition from tranquilisers to live rounds. David looked at one of the bullets. He didn't really know about old firearms, nowhere near as much as Carl Torek, who was considered an expert in the field, but he knew a hollow-point round when he saw one, and knew that hitting someone in the chest would leave a very neat hole in the front, while removing a good portion of the persons back, undoubtedly including their spine. He looked at McKinnon but said nothing as the Kiwi gave him a curt nod and walked out of sight! ..........
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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 Apr 27, 2022 15:13:39 GMT
Despite the situation, and the fact that McKinnon had lost a friend, then seeing that man's children held to guarantee Tan's compliance, he couldn't allow the man to spend the rest of his life incarcerated for killing the two Orion Assassins ..... He ran after the elderly Kiwi and stopped him from continuing ..... "McKinnon, wait...!" he said, grasping the man's shoulder. Not expecting any resistance, Tan wasn't fast enough and found himself on his back with McKinnon's knee on his chest and the blade of a kukri against his throat, "... You can't kill them," he said, getting his breath after being winded when thrown to the ground. He felt something cold running slowly down his neck and realised that the scalpel-sharp edge of the kukri had moved perhaps a millimetre. For a moment he actually thought he was in serious danger, but finally, McKinnon removed the knife and stood, handing David something to wipe the blood now soaking into the collar of his shirt: "I know how you must be feeling, but you can't kill them, you'll be held for murder despite the circumstances," It was clear that the man was weighing up what had been said. Almost reluctantly he removed the live rounds magazine from the underside of the Browning and handed it to Tan, he then restored the neurotoxin rounds, before double-checking the Zeiss scope. "There was no need to kill Hunu, they could have held him or completely ignored the man. If they had the information they needed, then why kill him!?" "You know why," was all David could say, knowing whatever he said was never going to be enough. A short time later they agreed to continue with the original approach, this time he watched silently as McKinnon walked away ..... David sat on the grass, enjoying the sun as it streamed through the high tree canopy and waited until the agreed hour was up, then he followed the trail he'd been shown ..... Several times he found himself having to backtrack metres to ensure he was heading in the right direction. McKinnon had said the trail was hard to distinguish, but he hadn't realised just how hard and it was clearly taking much longer than he'd first expected to reach the clearing where the shearing sheds were located. With no option he picked up his pace, knowing he was risking losing the trail, but it was that or risk the Orions hurting the boy they were holding. He was well over an hour late when he finally reached the sheds. He stood on the edge of the treeline trying to identify where the Assassins could be. They were obviously awaiting his arrival, but would they just kill him on sight, or take some time to gloat over their pending success by torturing him until they were tired of the sport. The other issue was Taika, what would they do with him once they had Tan! He tried to see where the elderly McKinnon was hidden, presumably somewhere where he would have a clear shot at both Orions simultaneously, or so he hoped as incapacitating one would surely mean the boy's life would be forfeit. He had been concentrating so hard on aspects of the situation that were out of his hands when he suddenly heard something behind him. Turning he saw one of the Orion Syndicate Assassins - He was standing at least ten metres away holding a phaser on David, the space between them ensuring the Human couldn't reach him before he could fire. Grinning, he motioned for Tan to step into the open and then down the slope from the trees towards the sheds. "You have given us quite the chance, Human," "Happy to oblige," David said, the sarcasm lost on the Assassin. "Our client is eager to see our task completed successfully, we too would much prefer being anywhere else than this planet. Normally, we would simply kill you, and be done, after all, we have already been paid the agreed sum. But in this case, we are somewhat suspicious of the people who hired us. We feel there could be more recompense due to the obvious urgency to expedite proceedings to a conclusion," "Do you ever stop talking, it must be a nightmare for your friend...?" David was already turning to goad the Orion further when the blow landed, knocking him to the ground, "... I don't suppose it's worth talking about you changing your allegiance at all?" he said as he clambered to his feet. "Alas, no ..... It would ruin our reputation, among other things, and would undoubtedly put an end to any further contracts," the Orion said, feigning regret as he urged Tan further down to the cluster of buildings. "Killing outsiders, holding children hostage, not really the Syndicate's style is it," "The old man was something of an error on my associates' part. Holding the children, we were, are, limited to how long our task could take, sending one of the youths to find you saved us the trouble and guaranteed your compliance. There is no need to fear for their lives, the one sent to find you has undoubtedly gone to find help and is therefore safe, while the other will be released a little later, no harm would have come to them, you have my assurrence on that matter..." the Assassin said, sounding as if he wasn't happy with involving the children in the first place, "... As for your elderly friend - It is hoped he will see sense and reveal himself before there are any 'unfortunate' repercussions," "Elderly friend?" David repeated quizzically, the Orion laughed as if he knew Tan would deny all knowledge .... They were approximately thirty metres from the Main House when the Orion instructed him to kneel, hands behind his heaaf. He felt the cold metal of the phaser resting against the back of his neck as fFrom the house, the boy stepped into the sunlight. He looked at Tan for a long moment: "You must tell our Uncle to come out from the trees," the boy said, turning left and right as he scanned the treeline. "Are you alright Taika?" "..... UNCLE ..... YOU MUST COME INTO THE OPEN!" Taika shouted, eyes locked on the trees. David knew all too well that if they captured McKinnon, he was a dead man! ..........
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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 Apr 28, 2022 23:48:57 GMT
Seven hundred and fifty metres away, McKinnon was sitting behind a fallen beech tree, the reticle of his Zeiss scope resting casually on the first Orions temple ..... At this distance, sound didn't travel, so he couldn't hear what Taika was shouting. He moved the red dot to Tan's head, watching for any sign that he should do as instructed, but the Federation Officer was making no outward indication one way or the other, so again he swept between the kneeling Tan, Taika, the house, and the only Assassin in view. He was confident that if both were in the open he could drop one, then hit the second before he realised his associate had hit the ground and he applied pressure to the firing mechanism of whatever he was carrying. But with one out of sight, that wasn't an option, so he waited. "He's not here..." Tan said with a shrug, "... You think he would allow a child to go for help?" "Then you should hope he is nearby, or I am afrai ....." the Orion began, intending to threaten him, but David interrupted him: "Look, it's a given that you are going to kill me at some point, why not show some semblance of compassion and let the boy go. There's no way any of them could reach help before you two have had your fill of taunting me," "No ..... I believe our little friend here still has his uses, and no, I do not believe your friend would leave you to your fate..." the Orion said, turning to peer into the treeline. Unable to see the other man he grasped Taika's shoulder and began to squeeze, grinning as Taika cried out in pain as he was forced to the ground. David spoke quickly, hoping McKinnon wouldn't react to the boys' cry. "Just out of curiosity here..." he said, making the Assassin look up, easing his grip on Taika in the process, "... I'm guessing there's plenty of rewards being an Assassin for the Syndicate," "I am well paid for my services, yes," "Do not injure the child!" David turned to look at the house ..... In the shadow of the doorway, he could see the silhouette of the second Assassin, realising that both men were Human, and not as he'd first thought, one Orion and one unknown. He looked back at the one standing over him. For a second, he wondered if there might be a way to sow the seeds of doubt about their partnership. It was plain they had worked together for some time, so one or the other suddenly suspecting their colleague of even a minor betrayal could prove beneficial to the survival of all concerned. "Your friend in the shadows knows the ramifications of hurting a youth. There will be no lenience should you hurt him any further," "I'm not quite sure how anyone would be able to tell what either of us had done if you all vanished," the man said, grinning. "Well, let's say that my friend hadn't gone for help, but was holding out somewhere awaiting his chance to kill you both... Wouldn't a guarantee that you wouldn't be hurt tempt you to reconsider?" David asked. "How about this..." the Syndicate Assassin said as he took a knife from his belt and dropped it in front of Tan, "... How much pain would you allow this child to endure before you picked up that weapon and cut your own throat?" he mused. Looking at the handle of the knife, embedded in the soil roughly two metres from Tan, far enough away that it could be easily kicked out of reach. "I'd have to give it some thought..." David said casually, "... But while I'm musing your scenario, how about this: What if my friend hasn't gone for help, and is even now watching us from cover?..... Because had he stayed, your time is running short, and regardless of whether you kill me or not, once he's satisfied he can kill you both, he will do just that, you murdered his friend needlessly, he'll want retribution for that," he finished with a shrug. Smiling as the Assassin crouched lower, eyes darting left and right as he again scanned the treeline. Once more his associate barked instructions from the safety of the doorway: "Bring them inside, we have new instructions," he ordered. Before the first Assassin could reply there was an audible 'thwack' and a neat hole appeared in the doorframe of the house. "Oops," David said, receiving the butt of the Assassins rifle to his jaw, knocking him onto his side as the business end was pushed against Taika's temple! "COME OUT .... NOW..." the Syndicate man with David shouted into the trees. When his demand went unheeded he told David to pick up the boy, "... KILL ME, WE KILL BOTH! ..... Carry him into the house," he ordered. With no option, Tan did as instructed and picked Taika up, starting to walk slowly towards the second Assassin. "If we get into that house, you will have signed your death warrants!" Tan said, then fell silent as they crossed the grassed area and entered the house, the door slamming shut behind them. Inside he walked to a settee and gently laid Taika down, pulling the throw off the back of the settee over him, then he turned to the two Assassins: "I have to admire your determination ..... Although I have a feeling you're not as 'proficient' as your self-professed résume proclaims. In fact, you seem downright amature in my humble opinion," "You are alive because we are allowing it," the formerly hidden Assassin said. "Oh, I seriously doubt you have any say in the matter. In fact, it's likely your 'employer' will be asking for a refund ..... I certainly would," he finished with an exaggerated shrug, knowing he was winding the two up to breaking point. he just hoped their employer turned up before either passed his breaking point and killed David for the hell of it. Taika stirred, edging to a sitting position next to David, he whispered something: "He needs the bathroom," "He can wait!" the first Assassin said. "He's ELEVEN ... He needs to use the bathroom ... NOW!" David demanded. With a resigned grunt, he was told the bathroom was down the corridor. Neither Assassin followed him so David assumed there was no means of escape via that room. A few moments later Taika returned and asked for something to eat. One of the Assassins left, presumably heading for the kitchen, returning with sandwiches which he dropped onto Taika's knee before stomping away. David watched the two holding them, happy that their plans were seemingly falling apart, knowing it was only a matter of time before their relationship suffered. His only worry was that one of them might 'remove' the cause of their discontent before their partnership was irrevocably damaged. He was eating one of the sandwiches when he thought he saw a small 'dot' on the window. Trying not to draw attention, he shifted position next to Taika and continued to eat, a moment later the dot reappeared for a second before again vanishing. Both Assassins were sat with their backs to the window ... Again the 'dots' appeared, repeating the sequence after a two second pause: -- -.-. Followed by: -.- Having decoded the Morse for 'Mc' and 'K' ... David realised that McKinnon was letting him know he was now somewhere in front of the house ..... So in one of those 'ideal world' situations, all he needed to do was somehow get both would be Assassins to step out the front door at the same time! Unfortunately, the unexpected arrival of a shuttle put paid to any plans that might have been forming in David's head! ..........
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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 May 2, 2022 17:22:18 GMT
David had heard the shuttle arriving, it was hard not to ..... What he wasn't expecting was who walked into the house ..... Only now realising that, far from the Orderly helping him, he had been working with Lacén and T'Par all along! "Did you get the information?" the Fincher asked one of the Syndicate Assassins. "No... The Yattho perished before we could attain what you required. "Then why is 'HE' still alive, you understood your instructions I assume...?" he was asking, referring to David as Taika, the youngest son of the Māori they had needlessly killed entered the room, "... WHO THE HELL is THIS!" he demanded. "..... 'He' is how we persuaded Mister Tan to give himself up to us, we believed Rallos might have given up his secret, holding the boy would have persuaded him to give up that information, had he been in possession, it seems that is not the case," "He knows who he is!" Fincher asked, eyes wide. "Yes, alas, neither he nor the boy knows anything of use to us," "So 'WHY' are they still alive?" "We are not in the habit of killing innocent children, if you wish him dead, then feel free to execute him yourself, but his life or death will not affect our fee..." the Assassin said as Fincher looked at David and the boy, "... Our vessel is due to extra us at midnight tonight, I suggest you make whatever arrangements for the boy as you see fit. As for Tan, he has nothing to offer, so unless you wish to modify the terms of your contract?" "No ..... He must not be found, more so now that he has regained his memory, T'Par won't be happy with this," the Orderly said. "Her feelings are of no concern to us," "I should have strangled you to death when I had the chance," David said dangerously. "Well, we all make mistakes..." Fincher said, walking over to grab Taika's jacket. David slapped his hand away and received the butt of a phaser rifle to his temple. Fincher again grabbed the boy, pulling him to his feet before heading for the door. He turned to the Orion Syndicate Assassins, "... Get rid of him, or we'll expect of fees returned, I'll see to the boy myself," he said, stepping into the sunlight of the doorway. There was a 'thwack' and the Orderly fell backwards into the room, a precise entry and exit wound in his neck. Taika ran back and jumped into David's arms as one of the Assassins inched towards the body. "Hmm, seems you have visitors," David said with a grin. Glaring at Tan, he pulled Fincher back into the room and closed the door. "Let the boy and the Officer walk out and you can take the shuttle there and leave," they heard McKinnon shout, clearly some distance away. Both Assassins looked at Tan then moved out of earshot, presumably to discuss options. "I'd take the offer," he suggested. "You should be more concerned with your own welfare than ours. We will not only leave here successfully but will ensure your friend out there dies before we do so," "You've had days to catch us both, the only way you could manage it was by snatching 'CHILDREN' to suit your purposes ..... Hardly a blazing endorsement for your little guild of Assassins, are you?" he goaded as one of them looked at the other: "Go out to the shuttlecraft, erase the flight logs and set the autopilot to take the craft far out to sea then ditch," one said, ignoring David's taunt. "You're the pilot here, you go!" "I will remain to watch our priso ....." the first retorted, but the second clearly wasn't happy at being seen as subservient. "If the Federation searchers locate the shuttle they will undoubtedly land to investigate its presence..." the second said, realising his associate wasn't about to step into the sunlight to be killed, "... Get to the window, watch for any movement. I will approach the shuttle from the rear of the house. Be ready!" David watched the man walk through to the back of the house and then heard the door opening. At the rear of the house, the Assassin tentatively opened the door, allowing it to swing wide before he risked approaching. For a moment he wasn't too sure what he was seeing, then realised that a large melon-like fruit was suspended from the overhanging porch. Frowning he hesitated, then heard the 'thwack' and the melon exploded in a shower of pulp and rind, covering the Assassin before he could retreat into the kitchen. Screaming obscenities he kicked the door shut and returned to the living room. "Let them go," they heard McKinnon shout again. Silently David was beginning to wonder if the aged Kiwi farmer was just that. He certainly seemed to be displaying skillsets far beyond shearing and fruit picking. He resolved to ask the man about it if they got the chance because while delaying the Assassins, he was also giving them more encouragement to get rid of their captives in favour of escaping. "Contact the ship, we are leaving now!" the pulp-covered Assassin shouted. "We cannot leave, the Federation will approach 'ANY' vessel entering this area and inspect it!" his partner said, obviously worried about the turn of events that saw them as simultaneously captors as captives. "Cut your losses ..... Let the boy go, it's the only chance you have of getting out of this debaclé alive," David said. But the Assasins had other ideas ..... One walked to the door and opened it. Keeping out of sight he shouted towards the treeline: "I am going to the shuttlecraft then returning. If you believe we have nothing to lose, then kill me. But rest assured the boy and the Federation Officer will be deal 'LONG' before you can get to my associate!" With a look at his partner, then at Tan and the boy, he stepped into the sunlight and crossed the thirty metres to the shuttle. Climbing inside he accessed the control systems and then programmed the shuttle to leave in sixty seconds. Looking out through the liquid-aluminium windows he could see nothing but the treeline. Whoever was out there was well hidden, so getting to him would be almost impossible in the time they had. Frustrated, he exited the shuttlecraft and returned to the house, thirty seconds later the craft lifted and disappeared from view. Once back inside he walked over to David: "Come with me," he said to Taika, who clung to David. "What are you doing?" his associate demanded. "As our 'Federation Officer' here surmised, we are not 'child killers' and have no need for their involvement in such proceedings..." he said, turning back to Tan, "... He is in no danger, ask him to come to the door, then he is free to go, you have my word," the man said sincerely. David spoke to Taika quietly for a moment then forced him to release his hold. The Assassin took the boy and led him to the open door, walking away as Taika ran from the house and into the trees opposite. Then he turned to look at Tan, now alone with his possible killers ..........
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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 May 3, 2022 22:56:58 GMT
"So what happens now...?" David asked as the two Orion Syndicate Assassins spoke quietly to each other, "... Personally, I think you should be cutting your losses, so to speak, before both of you die," "Just what makes you think either of us is going to perish?" one of them asked. "Well, you're not getting out of this building, at least not until my friend out there is satisfied I'm among the living. That, and the fact that time is obviously running short and you need to get off-planet sooner than later," "It is touching that despite your precarious situation, you are concerned as to our welfare. But you need not worry on our behalf, you will die, we will leave, and that will be the end of the affair," "Let's face it, your instructions, from the messenger, who, unfortunately, stepped in front of a bullet, was to get rid of me. Doing that here won't work, because even if you vaporise my body, there will be residual traces that will be picked up by any investigating teams. Oh, you could burn this place to the ground, that would hinder any examination of the building, but then of course you would be at the 'not so' tender mercies of my friend outside. So you need to get me off-world ..... I'm going to assume that you weren't expecting the former Fincher there, and have the means to get away?" "Our arrangements are not your concern..." one of the Assassins replied, "... and as for finding evidence of your demise, again not an ....." a knock on the door made him stop speaking abruptly. "Visitors?" David asked with a grin. One of the two approached the door cautiously, reaching out to turn the handle before allowing the door to swing into the room. He inched forwards then heard a voice - On the porch was a communicator: "Time is running short, release the man you are holding before that time runs out .....!" he heard McKinnon shout. "I'm guessing that by now the authorities will have spotted the shuttle and gone after it. If by any chance it ditched, they won't take long to establish that it was unoccupied and track its course back here..." David said, suddenly realising something he should have thought of much much earlier, "... You have the means to get off the surface ..... A ship in orbit, that's why you are not too worried about time. You know that any vessel trying to leave Earth orbit will be subject to inspection, that's why you're not rushing, you're waiting for the right time to vanish!" he finished, ready to kick himself for his stupidity. It didn't help his temperament that both Assassins grinned. "YOU HAVE A SHIP IN ORBIT .....!" "I don't believe there is any need to inform your 'friend' of our plans, Mister Tan. Better to console yourself that at least you were able to save the young ones from harm," "..... And there was me thinking you were relying on someone turning up to get you off-world..." David said, shaking his head, "... To be honest, when Talthor there turned up out of the proverbial blue, I thought it was him and that deranged Vulcan, but obviously not. More fool me for questioning your organisational skills," "Is that meant as some sort of, a joke?" one of the men holding him asked quietly. "No ....." he replied as he began to hear a soft 'beeping' coming from one of them. The second Assassin took a small device from his pocket and tapped the screen: "The ship is ready, it will be above us at the arranged time," he said, glancing at Tan before returning the device to his pocket. "Then alas we must end our association, Mister Tan ..... Not that it will make any difference in your last moments, but this is purely a business arrangement, nothing more, nothing less, and unfortunately, much like your Federation and Starfleet, we too have a reputation to uphold, one we are rather proud of, one which keeps us gainfully employed I might add," the Assassin took a step forwards until he was less than two metres from the still seated Tan, then raised his phaser. In what seemed like slow motion, David could see every aspect of his impending death as he watched the man begin to apply pressure on the firing mechanism ..... Bizarrely, he found himself wondering just how much pressure would need to be applied to discharge the weapon, alas his musings were interrupted by a 'tink' as seven point six two projectile from McKinnon's rifle passed through the thin pane of glass before embedding itself in the forehead of his erstwhile grim reaper! ..... The Assassin fell backwards, crashing through a table on his way to the wooden floor. For a full second the second man looked at his colleague as if he had become the butt of some obscure 'joke' he wasn't privy to. He reacted quickly after his initial pause, diving out of sight while keeping his own weapon trained on Tan, who had turned to look at the window, where a neat hole was clearly visible. "Isn't it about time you cut your losses here...?" David asked the remaining Assassin. Who told him to stay silent, "... It's obvious that if you remain here, that man out there 'IS' going to kill you, regardless of whether I'm alive or not. If you transport up to your ship, with or without me, Starfleet 'WILL' certainly stop you leaving orbit, so you'll be looking forward to a lonnnng stay at the Federations pleasure," "Keep talking and I will take my chances, good or bad," "Live or die, your choice I suppose," David said with a shrug as he glanced at the hole in the window again before subconsciously inching further down in the chair. For a moment the man seemed to be contemplating the previous comments. "Failing is an occupational hazard, not one we see often, but alas, on rare occasions it occurs, the unaccounted-for rears its head..." the Assassin said quietly as if he were reviewing some terms of his contract he hadn't given credence to before, "... Given our profession, there is always that 'unexpected' factor, that no one cannot hope to prepare for, that is why we are so 'successful' in our preferred trade, we 'DO' try to account for the unexpected," "But not some old man with a gun?" David said. "Alas ....." he said, glancing at the body of his former associate, "... No ..... Not some old man with a gun," "So...?" "We are not all solitary killers, Mister Tan. Some of us actually have families to provide for, a wife, children, all counting on adequate funds to be available, so you see, allowing you to lie would reflect on my abilities, and the welfare of my family," "You're kidding, right!" "No, my family, although they have no knowledge of my 'profession' if you will, are provided for by the Syndicate, my home, my wife's employment, my children's schooling, are all dependant on my fulfilling my obligations to the Syndicate. Failure to do so would affect not only me. If that were so I would be thinking differently right now, but ....." he stopped talking as if he'd already said too much. for minutes, the two sat in complete silence: "What if the Federation were to guarantee the safety and wellbeing of your family?" David asked quietly, realising he might be getting through to the man, seeding doubt ..........
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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 May 5, 2022 23:33:14 GMT
The Syndicate Assassin sat watching his companion for a moment before laughing ..... "I would have thought you would have known more of our practices, by reputation, if not first-hand knowledge, and the code we live by ..... Should I renege on a contract I have accepted, word of my disloyalty would quickly reach the ears of those who inevitably make the decisions, and I would be openly hunted until my corpse lay in the General Square on my homeworld. You know of our work, nowhere is one hundred percent secure, not the furthest outpost or the most impregnable facility, the Syndicate will always find a means to reach their target..." the Assassin said, glancing at the window before continuing, "... Even if I were to agree, there would be no way to extract my wife and daughters before they were taken and publicly sacrificed as a warning to all in the Syndicate," "What if you reported that I killed your associate and fled..." David asked, thinking fast, "... You say that you are going after me, which would give your family some grace before they are taken from you, in the meantime, we go to your home and take them ourselves. Once in Federation custody, there will be no way your colleagues could reach them, or you," "You continue to proceed on the assumption that I would want to betray the Syndicate," the man mused. David thought for a moment then replied: "You've had me most of the day ..... Granted, you may have been delaying the inevitable because T'Par and her partner still need certain information. With Rallos dead, you 'could' have been hoping he divulged said information to me before he met his fate, possibly hoping to benefit without the inclusion of your employer. Either way, you've had all day to complete your contract, yet here I still am, so there must be a reason?" "Believe what you will. We come highly recommended Mister Tan, and are rewarded very well for our services. I have no need of whatever the information that woman demanded led to, nor do I care... My task was to apprehend the Yattho and extract the information, if that proved impossible, then we were to dispose of both of you leaving no trace. Again, something we are extremely adept at... So, as you so clearly point out, Rallos is dead, and as you do not have the information sought... The time of your demise is purely mine to decide, maybe I have been enjoying your company, who can say," he finished cryptically. "I still think you are having second thoughts," David said, falling silent as the Assassin's phaser came up off his lap aiming directly at his chest. For a split second, he thought he was about to die but the Assassin pulled out a small device, presumably an Orion version of the Federation tricorder, and checked readings before replacing it in his jacket. "Expecting someone?" "I have to give you credit David, if I may call you David. For someone facing death, you seem to be dealing with the situation very calmly... Perhaps it is your Federation training, or maybe simple over-compensation, a means to deny your impending fate," the Assassin finished, glancing out of the window for the fourth time now. "Where are your family?" David asked, surprising the man with the change of tack, who then shrugged as if answering would make no difference to the day's outcome. "They, we, live on Saiph IV, the fourth planet of the Saiph System in the Orion Nebula..." he replied, pausing as if remembering images and private details of their home, "... We reside in Syndicate provided accommodation, a quite large home actually, in one of the more affluent areas on the outskirts of Saiph's Prime City, the house and location a representation of my continued success. The girls have gardens to play in, a good school. My wife believes I work for the Orion Government, my position and duties taking me from home on a regular basis. They are used to my absences," "We could provide them, and you, with everything you would need," "No ..... In truth, I actually appreciate your trying to dissuade me from fulfilling the contract I took, but alas there is no other option open to me," "There's another issue you might want to consider," Tan said. "..... and that would be?" "Fincher ..... I'm only guessing here, but wouldn't he be expected to report to T'Par at some point ..... When he doesn't, she will undoubtedly come to check," "He was nothing more than an inconvenience, one, thanks to your friend in the trees, isn't an issue any longer..." the Assassin said, moving slightly to look out of the window yet again, "... He was foolish enough to get himself killed, hardly something I could be held responsible for. She should have picked more competent associates," "Let us get your family out," "You're insistence on helping me when I have stated several times, that your help is neither solicited nor wanted, only makes you look weak," "I've faced death more than once, and come 'VERY' close on several occasions, so no, I'm not pleading for my life..." David said, rising to his feet despite the phaser aimed at him, "... So by all means fire. It's a given that you will not leave this house either way, so if the satisfaction of killing me works for you for the few moments you'll remain alive, then feel free!" "How long...?" David asked, seeing the Assassin look right at him for the first time, "... How long before your ship is in transporter range?" Tan asked, sitting back in the chair. "You are more astute than I first believed. Though I must admit, your resourcefulness was evident from the start..." the Assassin said, looking around until he found what he was looking for. He walked over to a small desk and took out an old basic PADD, after accessing the screen he put the device back on the desk and returned to his previous position, "... My vessel is currently overhead and will be for several minutes, but it won't be needed just jet, we have a little more to discuss first ..... You said you could take my family off our homeworld and into safety, was that mere talk as you tried to bargain for your life, or was the offer genuine?" "It was a genuine offer," "..... And how long after our business is concluded, would it become public knowledge?" "If you want my help, then put the weapon down and 'stop' wandering back and forth in front of that window," David said quietly. "How ..... Long?" "It won't. Federation Security will ensure that none of this reaches the public, the death of the Farmer will be explained as required, otherwise, the whole incident will go relatively unreported," David assured the man, who seemed to be fighting some internal decision. finally he spoke: "My name is Tnar'R ... Ston Tnar'R of the First Prefecture, Northern Capital, Saiph IV. My family are well known, so won't be difficult to locate ..... That device is all the details your people will need... Stand up," "Why?" "Do not make this any harder than it is ..... Stand, now, and take two paces forward," Tnar'R ordered. For a second, David hesitated, and then a wave from the Assassin's phaser forced him to his feet. He took the two steps forward. "Your device... Let me use it to contact the authorities," "I want to hear your word as an honest man, that you will do everything in your power to ensure my family's safety and wellbeing," "You have my word, but you nee ....." David began before suddenly realising why Tnar'R had been manoeuvring him so precisely, he held up a hand shouting for the Assassin to drop his phaser as he raised it to within a meter of David's head, and began to apply pressure to the firing pad. Despite the danger he leapt forward, simultaneously hearing the 'tink' of a bullet passing through the pane of glass and the 'thunk' as it entered the Assassin's temple ..... ~~~~~ When McKinnon entered the house ten minutes later, David was sitting on the chair closest to the Assassin's fallen body, he was looking at the man knowing that it was possible 'he' was the cause of the man's death by sowing the minutest seed of doubt for the first time into his head. Had he known, even a fraction of a second earlier, could he have prevented his death, there was no way of warning McKinnon of the Assassin's possible change of heart, so the unspoken query was moot. They covered the bodies then McKinnon shouted for Taika to come out of hiding and into the house. "What's that?" the elderly Kiwi asked, nodding to the old PADD David was holding. "It's a promise I need to keep," David replied. "Thirty minutes later a shuttle landed, it contained a Security contingent and the older brother of Taika. The two boys hugged as the Commander of the Security detachment entered the house. David stood: "..... David Tan ..... Starfleet Intelligence ....." he began ..........
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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 May 7, 2022 23:36:57 GMT
Aftermath :: "Lieutenant Conroy, USS Gosford," the young man introduced himself as Security Officers covered both David and McKinnon, a third relieving McKinnon of his rifle: "I'll be wanting that back," the Farm owner said pointedly. "Lieutenant... My Authorisation Code is Tan-Sigma-Phi-Two-Rho... You need to contact your ship and send personnel to the Federation Penal Settlement. They neet to arrest the Director, Doctor Lucén, and a Vulcan woman named T'Par," David said urgently, realising that if they found out their efforts to kill him had failed, they would surely try to leave the planet!" "We'll deal with that once we have you back up to the Gosford," the young-looking Lieutenant replied, kneeling to look at the wounds inflicted on the two deceased. David walked up to the man and pulled him to his feet: "I have just identified myself as a Starfleet Intelligence Officer! ..... That alone should tell you that when I ask for something, it can usually be taken as an order, not a suggestion..." he said quietly, not wanting to embarrass the man unduly, "... Now, the Vulcan woman will undoubtedly have the means to leave Earth, likely taking the Director with her, so... Contact you Captain and have him or her transport Security to the Penal Settlement and take the two I mentioned into custody before they flee. Instruct your Captain not to make any attempt to contact the Settlement prior to their arrival," For a moment the Lieutenant looked as if he was about to argue the point, but thought better of it. He stepped outside tapping his commbadge ..... "What happens now?" McKinnon asked, sitting between the two boys. "Hopefully the Gosford's Captain will understand the urgency and get down here before T'Par and Lacén can flee," "..... And me?" "You were acting to protect the life of one of the Children and myself ..... There will undoubtedly be an inquiry but I wouldn't concern yourself about any repercussions from your actions..." David said, looking at the now covered body of Ston Tnar'R, then remembering the PADD, he considered telling McKinnon that the Assassin had forced him to shoot, knowing he was going to die but hoping his family would somehow be freed of the Syndicate, but realised it would do the Kiwi no good one way or the other knowing he needlessly killed a man. He picked up the PADD, turning the aged device in his hands. "What's that?" "Details of his family ..... Towards the end, I think he knew he wasn't getting away and wanted me to have the information," "He was going to ki ....." McKinnon began then stopped talking, a frown forming as Conroy came back into the house: "The Captain is transporting down," "Has Security been sent to the Settlement?" David asked urgently. "They are transporting down now..." someone from the doorway said, David turned to see an elderly man entering, hand out before him. Taking the offered hand, he was about to reply when the man continued, "... Captain Josef Huber, USS Gosford. I must apologise for the reluctance of my Security Officer, he is new to his position and despite orientation, has not yet had the pleasure of dealing with Starfleet Intelligence. My ship is in geosynchronous orbit, I have instructed my Executive Officer to challenge 'ALL' vessels coming within transporter range of this area," "David Tan..." David replied, relieved the two would hopefully be detained before they could escape, "... Thank you, Captain," "You seem to have been having a little excitement," he said to the two boys, who sat silently eyeing the man nervously as someone knelt before the two talking quietly as McKinnon eased their fears. "My Medical Officer will take them to the ship for a thorough checkup, if that meets with your approval?" Huber said with no hint of sarcasm. David told McKinnon to go with them, asking Huber not to restrain him during his visit. "Thank you again, Captain, their Mother is on a smallholding some distance from here, they recently lost their Father so I would appreciate it if you could pick her up en route?" David asked. Huber gave instructions and the room cleared of all but the bodies of Fincher and the Assassin, and himself. The third body laying on the path outside the door. "You were fortunate we were so close, another fifteen minutes and we would have left orbit," Huber said, seeing David holding the PADD. "I need to get the information on this sent to Starfleet Intelligence as soon as possible," "I will have the bodies retrieved, you can use my Ready Room to contact your Offices ....." he said, motioning for David to pass him into the sunlight. Huber tapped his commbadge and instructed the ship to transport them both ..... USS Gosford... Nova Class Starship Earth Orbit :: Materialising, the two left the Transporter Room and headed directly for the Bridge ..... "Captain, we have taken Director Lacén into custody amid some seriously 'verbal' objections, our Security teams were having trouble locating the Vulcan woman, but ground Security spotted her trying to board a sub-orbital shuttle, as a tourist, no less, she was brought aboard moments ago," the Executive Officer said as he nodded to the newcomer. "Commander McFarlane, my Exec' ... David Tan, Starfleet Intelligence," Hubed said by way of introductions. "Sir....." the Exec' said. Commander, good to meet you..." David replied, "... Where are you holding them?" "We have them both in visitors quarters under guard..." the Exec' replied, glancing at his Captain before continuing, "... Not knowing the circumstances of taking them off the surface, I thought it prudent 'not' to throw them in the Brig," "Well, they will both be finding out what the inside of a cell looks like soon enough. I'd like to speak to them," David said, seeing the first hint of hesitation in the Gosford Officers. "Unsurprisingly, they are both making demands, the Vulcan woman asking to see her Planets' Representative to the Federation Council, Lacén just demanded Legal Council. I've held off thus far, but given one of them is Vulcan, there's only so much time I can delay the inevitable..." the Captain said, clearly as frustrated as Tan, given what he'd been told so far about the circumstances of their being aboard, "... When we confirmed with Command that we had both people you named aboard the Gosford, they gave strict instructions that no one speaks to them until someone from the Council arrives," David was about to argue the point, but realised these people had helped him: "You said I could use your Ready Room, Captain ..... I'd like to contact my immediate Superior if that is OK?" he asked. Huber nodded, then turned to his Communications Officer: Lieutenant, please see to it that Mister Tan has a secure subspace channel at his disposal in my Ready Room," "Aye, Sir," David nodded and left the Bridge... Sitting the desk, he could see the screen was ready: "Computer. Open an encrypted subspace communication channel to: Admiral Nia Lemond Director Starfleet Intelligence Starbase Forty-Seven Yattho Sector - Beta Quadrant." ..........
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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 May 9, 2022 17:36:46 GMT
David came out of the Ready Room after his conversation with Admiral Lemond ..... "Admiral Lemond has briefly looked at the information provided by the Syndicate Assassin Ston Tnar'R... Apparently, there is more than just the name and address of his family in there. She is contacting Command to change your orders to take our guests and myself, directly to Starbase Forty-Seven," "I've just been contacted by Command..." Huber said, clearly disliking what he'd been told, "... We're instructed to change orbit and to take up a parking orbit above Starfleet Command," "Over San Francisco...?" David said worriedly, as the ship began to change her orbital track, "... You said you are holding both T'Par and Lacén in visitor Quarters, did you allow either of them to contact anyone prior to confining them?" "We're a 'FEDERATION' Starship Mister Tan, not the 'KLINGONS' ..... Had either of them asked to contact representation, I would have been bound to allow it, as it happens, neither asked," Huber said, eyes locked on the Intelligence Officers'. David apologised for his abrupt demeanour before pulling the Captain to one side: "Why would you be told to move the ship, surely if they wanted to detain them at Headquarters it would have been just as easy to shuttle them to the surface?" "I don't know... Apparently, someone walked into Headquarters practically within minutes of us apprehending them, and spoke to the Klingon Representative, who then contacted someone from the Diplomatic Corps, and requested that the two not be questioned until on the surface..." Huber said before asking David and his Exec' to accompany him back to his Ready Room ..... ~~~~~ "We're absolutely positive neither contacted anyone...!" McFarlane reiterated, "... I had instructed that the computer terminals and replicators be deactivated prior to them going to their respective rooms," "Could either one of them reactivate a terminal temporarily?" "No ..... I had the power cut from outside their rooms, just to be on the safe side," McFarlane said with a glance at the Captain. "Well 'someone' knows we have them," Huber said, deep in thought. "Do we know who turned up at Starfleet Command?" David asked. "I didn't ask, and they didn't offer up a name, just an instruction, which I'm having to comply with unless your Admiral can force the issue..." Huber said, shaking his head, "... It might help if I had some insight as to prior events," "It won't believe me, but the short version would be my being 'brainwashed' by our Vulcan guest into believing I was someone else, who was sent into the Sanatorium to extra information out of another occupant. Needless to say, it all went pear-shaped pretty fast, thus our ending up here....." David said as the two Gosford Officers listened in almost disbelief. "She used that 'mind-meld' trick they have?" McFarlane said, eyes wide. "It's no trick, believe me, for a couple of days I believed I actually 'was' that other person ..... Unnerving would be an understatement," David said as the Comm chirped to life: =^= Captain .. I have a priority subspace communication for Mister Tan =^= the Comms Officer informed him. =^= Transfer it to my Ready Room Lieutenant =^= Huber said, glancing at Tan and his Exec' as the screen on his desk activated. "You want some privacy?" the Captain asked. David said that if Lemond wanted to speak to him privately she would say. Nodding, Huber turned the desk monitor around for David. "Computer, access communication, this terminal ..... Access authorisation: Tan-Alpha-Two-Sigma-Phi....." the screen burst to life with an image of Admiral Lemond, the three listened to the extremely short and concise message: =^= David .. I've just heard you have been redirected and the prisoners will be taken directly to Starfleet Security San Francisco =^=
=^= Yes .. Stange turn of events =^=
=^= As is my being 'instructed' to tell you to arrange passage back to Starbase Forty-Seven at the earliest opportunity =^= the Admiral said, raising her eyebrows.
=^= If it's OK Admiral .. I'd like to take a few days of my accrued leave .. I'm still a little 'off' after my ordeal =^=
=^= I thought you might .. Keep me informed .. Lemond out .. .. =^= The comm snapped off and David turned the terminal back to face the Captain. "What the 'HELL' is going on!?" McFarlane asked, eye flicking between his Captain and the Intelligence Officer ..........
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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 May 9, 2022 22:00:28 GMT
David was frustrated at not being allowed to speak to T'Par or Lacén, despite asking numerous times, Captain Huber could do nothing but refuse ..... He had though been informed that Arthur McKinnon had been released without charge and thanked for helping Tan during the previous days. He and the widow and children of the murdered Hunu were being taken back to New Zealand. He made a mental note to visit McKinnon, and Hunu's family before he left for Starbase Forty-Seven ..... He was sitting in the Executive Officers seat on the Bridge, watching the four-kilometre tall Ournal Class Starbase looming large on the Gosford's viewscreen the Comms Officer informed the Captain that a shuttle was coming up from the surface and had requested permission to dock once the Gosford had taken up station keeping with Starbase Zero Zero One above San Francisco. "They're in a hurry," Commander McFarlane said. "Is there no chance I could have five minutes with them before the shuttle arrives?" "Orders, Mister Tan, sorry." the Captin said ..... As the USS Gosford came to a stop, the Captain instructed his Comms Officer to contact the shuttle and have then dock in the ship's Main Shuttlebay. He asked the Exec' to meet the arriving Security Detachment and see to the transfer. He was about to tell David he would have to remain on the Bridge but changed his mind ..... ~~~~~ "Commander... Mister Tan will accompany you," As they reached the Shuttlebay, the two waited until the shuttlecraft powered down and the large interior doors opened. Five Security Officers were coming out of the shuttle, the Lieutenant in charge approaching the Exec' to hand him a PADD. "Transfer orders Commander... If we could be taken to the Brig, we'll release you of your passengers," "They are in 'VIP' quarters on Deck Two..." McFarlane said, seeing the Lieutenant's eyes widen for a moment before he and his Detail fell into step behind the Exec' and Tan, "... I'll be glad when they're gone, we're already almost a day behind schedule," On Deck Two they approached the two Security Officers detailed to watch the visitors: "Open up ...." McFarlane instructed, entering the quarters as his Officers stood aside. David saw the reaction on both T'Par and Lacén as he walked into the room, but give them their due, both regained their composure almost instantly as the Lieutenant instructed his Detail to secure the now Prisoners. "Are they really necessary Lieutenant?" Mc Farlane asked as the two were placed in restraints. "Orders Commander," the man said, motioning for his team to take the two out ..... The walk to the Main Shuttlebay proceeded in complete silence and inside the 'bay T'Par and Lacén were led into the shuttle, with two Security Officers to each detainee. David couldn't help but ask the two if they were satisfied with the outcome of their enterprise, annoyingly, neither graced him with a reply as the Lieutenant informed the Exec' they were ready to depart. Both he and McFarlane placed their thumbs on the small pad beside the screen, indicating that the transfer of the prisoners was now complete. "Safe trip," McFarlane said as he and Tan stepped back, allowing the door to slide shut ..... The massive exterior door began to rise, the blue shimmering forcefield holding the atmosphere in. With a nod the shuttle lifted half a metre off the deck and began to rotate until facing the forcefield, then it moved forward, the 'field wrapping around the contours of the craft until it was back in space. A moment later the Cargo Chief lowered the outer door and McFarlane and David returned to the Bridge ..... ~~~~~ "Ah, Mister Tan... I've just been informed our departure has been delayed until zero six hundred tomorrow..." Captain Huber said as the two stepped off the turbolift, "... I know you're probably anxious to get away, but I was hoping you would join me in a spot of supper, around nineteen hundred?" David did want to get down to the surface but still had to wait for someone from Intelligence to contact him for a more thorough report, and given he realised he was actually hungry, he readily agreed, and with over an hour to wait, he graciously accepted a tour of the ship. Later, in the Captain's Ready Room, Huber, McFarlane, and David sat down to eat, for the first time, David felt he could start to put the last weeks behind him, the Director and the Vulcan would face numerous charges, including murder. It was highly likely that the Vulcan Consulate would petition for T'Par to be tried on her Homeworld while Lacén would face a Federation Court here on Earth. It was possible he would be called during the trial, but he'd face that when the time came. The door to the Captain galley opened and he immediately smelled the food. Three enormous steaks rested on plates, potatoes, mixed vegetables, and a gravy bowl. "Compliments of Mister McKinnon ..... The wine is from his own vineyards, apparently," Huber said. The three made small talk, discussing where the Gosford was headed, Risa first, then out towards Betazed, then some long-range mapping ..... All three were enjoying their meal when the Gosford's Chief Operations Officer entered: "Sorry to interrupt Captain, but we have a shuttle on approach, they are asking permission to dock," "One of the scheduled arrivals?" McFarlane asked, wondering why he'd brought it to them. "No ..... It's been sent up by Starfleet Security ..... Captain, they are coming to collect the two people we have detained," "WHAT!?" Huber demanded as David felt an ice-cold shiver run the length of his spine ..........
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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 May 10, 2022 18:35:54 GMT
David's eyes closed, the fork holding a succulent piece of steak halfway to his mouth: "Instruct the shuttle to dock, I want to see the Security Officer in charge the moment he's on board!" Captain Huber ordered. Leaving the food, the three ran back to the Bridge. "I need to get over to the Starbase..." David said urgently. "Pete, please see to it that Mister Tan gets over to the Starbase immediately," Huber instructed his Exec', glaring at the Ournal Series Starbase, "... WHERE IS THAT SECURITY DETAIL?!" he was demanding as the Exec' and David entered the turbolift ..... Starbase Zero Zero One ... Geosynchronous Orbit above San Francisco :: The Gosford shuttle had barely stopped moving when David activated the door and left at a run. He was met at the hanger door by two Starbase Personnel: "Take me to Primary Operations, NOW!" he ordered as McFarlane caught up. The four entered a turbolift, stepping out onto the identical Command Centre as Section Forty-Seven's ..... Running to Flight Control he asked the Lieutenant to pull up 'ALL' logs for the last three hours. David scanned through the log, then again a second time, believing in his haste he had missed the relevant information. He slammed his fist against the console in frustration as Sector Zero Zero One's Commanding Officer, Section Admiral Efan Kist approached and introduced himself. "Admiral... You ne ....." David began as Kist raised a hand. "I'm aware of what has happened, and we're already doing everything we can," "The two who escaped... A Vulcan woman named T'Par, and a Doctor Lacén, need to be recaptured before they can leave the System...!" David said, knowing that he was inching very close to insubordination with his attitude, "... Apologies, Admiral. Have you found out where the shuttle originated from, and where it went to?" "Flight Control San Francisco confirmed that the last shuttle to depart for orbit left almost four hours ago. Apart from cargo transporters or orbital maintenance craft, nothing has lifted off or reentered Earth's atmosphere since that shuttle," "They arrived on the Gosford approximately two hours ago Admiral. Their flight plan and credentials were all confirmed by Starfleet Security San Francisco..." David needlessly explained, "... They left the ship and were tracked down to the Spaceport. There's no way there can be no record of the damn thing. What did it do, vanish into thin air," "Admiral, I can confirm that the transfer orders were genuine, they were checked while the shuttle was en route to the Gosford, and again once they docked, as per procedure... the shuttle docked at sixteen forty hours, departed seventeen zero five hours..." McFarlane said, backing up David's comments, "... In fact, the Gosford's own logs should verify that the shuttle docked, and for how long," Section Admiral Kist instructed one of his Officers to request the Gosford's logs ..... A moment later the Lieutenant asked for Admiral Kist to take a look: "There's nothing here saying you had a shuttle dock," he said, stepping aside to allow a flabergasted McFarlane and Tan, to look at the log data. "Admiral, I'm sorry but this is just wrong..." the Gosford's Exec' said, shaking his head in disbelief, "... I myself authorised the docking 'AND' completed the transfer. That shuttle 'WAS' on the Gosford, I don't care what any log says!" "Has anything left Earth orbit in the last three hours?" David asked suddenly. "Eight departures, and six arrivals..." the Flight Operations Officer confirmed, continuing before David could reply, "... Last scheduled departure confirmed at fifteen-thirty hours," "Admiral ..... One of Kist's Staff interrupted, "... We've just had a comm from the Gosford, Captain Huber has discovered a one hour gap in the ships logs, commencing sixteen forty hours... Commander, he's asked if you are free to return to the ship in preparation for your early departure time?" "Contact Captain Huber with my compliments and tell him the Gosford is remaining in orbit until further notice," Kist instructed, turning to McFarlane and Tan, "... Shall we take this into my office gentlemen?" he asked, leading the way ..........
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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 May 12, 2022 19:14:03 GMT
The investigation into the missing shuttle, and that of the Vulcan woman, T'Par, and the Penal Settlements Director, Lacén, ran for three days ..... In those three days, the movements of 'ALL' near-Earth traffic were halted, regardless of the Race aboard any of those Spacecraft, or the reasons a particular vessel wanted to achieve or depart orbit - Nothing moved. All ships in orbit were systematically searched, while every effort was made to find the missing shuttlecraft. The vessels that had left Earth orbit were pursued and searched, their logs and sensor data almost forensically examined. But, despite all Starfleet's efforts, nothing could be found to confirm the craft had returned to the surface, let alone left orbit, it was as if it never existed! ..... Finally, bowing to Diplomatic pressures brought forth from several Federation Member Worlds, Section Admiral Kist was forced to recommence flights ..... During that time, David had hardly slept, insisting on being on every search detail that might have flushed out the people he was looking for. But, with flights running, and the searces discontinued. With little else to do with his time, he went down to the surface, intending to drown himself in copious amounts of self-pitying alcohol ..... ~~~~~~~~~~ Staying in Starfleet Officers' temporary quarters on the Academy Campus, he dropped onto the bed, his pack flung aside. For hours he tried to think of anything that could help find the fugitives, but time after time he came up with nothing remotely useful. He wondered if asking the Vulcans to find and hand over one of their own even crossed his mind, but he had the feeling someone a damn sight higher than he had already made that same request ..... After changing, he had eaten something and then crossed over to Marina Boulevard intending to try to walk his frustrations off. But the lack of progress was still eating at him, and feeling like a drink, or three, he walked down the beech to the Yacht Club ..... He was downing the seventh or maybe eighth double 'something or other' when someone sat on the barstool next to him. For a moment the newcomer didn't speak, then as David held up his glass for a refill, the man spoke: "If I may, I would like to pay for the gentleman's drink?" "I'll pay for my own drinks, but thanks for the offer," Tan replied drunkenly. The man nodded then shrugged before continuing: "You're not going to find them, Mister Tan..." he said, pausing as David rotated his stool to face the interloper, "... T'Par had everything planned well in advance of you getting involved. So in the scheme of things, it didn't really matter one way or the other whether you got the data she was looking for," "She caused the death of an innocent MAN!" "His death was, unfortunate," "Who the 'HELL' are you, and why are you telling me all this!?" David asked, grasping the man by his collar. "Who I am is rot relevant ..... Why I am telling you this is because, despite my somewhat 'questionable' allegiances, I feel you should be able to put an end to your fruitless search ..... They are gone, you will see neither again," "I'll find them if I have to search every habitable planet from here to the Galactic Center..." David spat, getting the attention of those nearby, "... I'll put that woman, and her 'LACKY' in front of a Judge, then she'll pay!" "You have a life in Starfleet, friends who care for you, why throw away everything for pure revenge?" the man said, pausing as he saw David looking at him intently: "She sent you here..." he said, the realisation finally permeating the fog of alcohol he'd imbibed, "... WHERE IS SHE?" he demanded, shaking the man until they both fell to the floor. Several people intervened, pulling the two apart and dragging them to their feet. Several times he lunged unsuccessfully at the man until the bar owner got between the pair. "I don't know what your argument is about, gentlemen ..... But this is a family establishment. There are children and parents here that would be extremely upset to see two grown men behaving as you are. So, I'll say this once and once only: Either you sit down and act civilly to each other, or you both leave ..... Now!" "Terrence... Problems?" someone asked the owner. David turned to see two Starfleet Security Officers eyeing them. David assured the owner and Security that he had done arguing, he held up both hands in mock submission as if to reinforce his statement. "A trivial difference of opinion Gentlemen, nothing more nothing less," the stranger assured them. "One more raised word ....." Terrence said, holding a finger up to each in turn, before thanking the Security Officers for their swift appearance and returning behind the bar. David returned to the stool another customer had picked up. The man was about to sit when Security stepped in his way, suggesting he find 'elsewhere' to enjoy the early summer evening drinks. As the stranger turned to leave he again urged David to drop his fruitless search, and then he left. The second the man was out of sight, David grabbed one of the Security Officers. Quickly identifying himself, he instructed one of them to follow the stranger and report his whereabouts, thinking that it was a lead, tenuous at best, but a lead nonetheless. He was asking the bar owner if he'd seen the man he had argued with before when the Security Officer returned. "He vanished..." the Officer reported apologetically, "... He crossed to enter the Palace of Fine Arts, by the time I'd crossed he had disappeared," Shaking his head, David asked for a refill and dismissed the Security Officers ..... The sun had set by the time he was ready to leave. Given his condition, one of the staff offered to ensure he got back to quarters. The next morning, the sun almost burning his retinas despite his eyes being closed, he scrambled off the dishevelled bed and into the shower. It was time he returned to Starbase Forty-Seven ..........
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