Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
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Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on Apr 29, 2023 11:55:25 GMT
USS Raven-C :: "You will fire on the vessel immediately, Admiral!" Nulakr demanded.
"I don't think so, Major,"
"Then my vessel will do so,"
"They're still trying to play catch-up Major, and I imagine they are as uninformed as to what that ship is doing as we are. I doubt they'll fire unprovoked..."----------"Any thoughts on 'where' that thing might be heading?" Carl asked. "There's nothing for practically hundreds of lightyears in this direction," Anna Fields at Helm confirmed. "Still no contact with the away team?" "No, Sir, and we still can't get a transporter lock on them..." Lysia T'Seng answered from Tactical, "... Maybe the away team set the ship moving ..... Or the Romulans," she said, glancing at Major Nulakr. "We need to stop that ship from reaching their warp threshold, or where they will end up is anyone's guess," Carl said, his frustration well hidden. "Sir, the Mok'Pa has cloaked!" T'Seng informed Torek suddenly. Nulakr grinned but remained silent. "We 'could' move ahead of them then emit an inverse graviton burst..." Nate Tinsley said, having come up to the Bridge, and now at Engineering Station One, "... It will at least slow their acceleration curve," "Helm, get us ahead of the Tkrnn vessel, Nate, get ready," Torek said. They watched as Lieutenant Fields moved the Raven, dwarfed by the Tkrnn terraforming vessel, out to Port and increased speed. It seemed to take an age to pass the behemoth, but finally, she confirmed they were now matching the Alien vessel's rate of velocity increase and keeping ten thousand metres ahead. With their speed at zero point eight six of warp, they had little time. Tinsley made inputs to his console before confirming he was ready. Torek nodded asking for the Aft view ..... The Tkrnn vessel, seemingly a massive wall more than filled the large viewscreen. Nate projected the inverse graviton field which seemed to do nothing other than swathe the trailing vessel in a soft fog before dispersing and falling well behind the two racing ships. Carl wondered if the 'field' would have any effect on the cloaked Romulan vessel, deciding that it was their issue not the Raven's given no one asked them to cloak. "They are holding at full impulse," the Helm Officer confirmed. "OK, let's try to get some communication, I want to know what's happening over there," Carl ordered, not having to check that his Bridge Officers were now hard at work, he couldn't help but smile inwardly as he glanced at the Romulan Major, who far from smiling, was now clearly concerned. But why, if the Mok'Pa 'had' been caught in the field, it wouldn't take long to purge their engines and catch up now both the Raven and the Tkrnn vessel were holding below warp! ..........
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Calli Valente
Starfleet Intelligence
"Don't get in my way."
Registered: Aug 4, 2010 21:19:10 GMT
Posts: 534
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Post by Calli Valente on Apr 29, 2023 12:45:05 GMT
Tkrnn Vessel ::
"Do you feel that...?" she asked, lowering herself to one knee before placing the palm of a hand on the deck plates, "... I'm sure that there wasn't any vibration through the deck a moment ago, I think we're moving!" Everyone could feel the subtle, almost nonexistent thrum of powerful drive systems that were undoubtedly trying to push the ship forward at unimaginable velocity ..... "We need to reinstate communications with the Raven!" the Marine 1 st Lieutenant said. "Agreed..." Calli said, looking at the others, "... But we also need to put a stop to this things headlong rush into the unknown," The Romulans too were suddenly concerned, Calli had seen them talking in hushed tones, glancing at the Federation Officers every few seconds, she was convinced they thought the Humans here, or possibly on the Raven, were responsible, but she didn't have time to worry about them, she confirmed with Andae, who was at a loss, speculating that possibly whoever had taken their missing Officers, both Federation 'and' Romulan, might be the one moving us, but where, and why! "According to these schematics, there are drive systems throughout this damn thing..." Demik Gerelo said, shaking his head frustratingly, "... It looks like the main drive systems are built deep within the ship, but that's contrary to all ship design, why put engines in the 'middle' of this thing 'AND' on the outer extremities?" "Wait a minute..." Lew Burwell said, frowning, "... You remember the bulkhead we passed, there seemed to be a metre-wide strip bisecting the corridor.....?" "Yes, but we established that that was possibly an internal bulkhead to prevent extensive decompression should there be an accident..." Gunnery Sergeant Leon Peel commented, continuing as the others looked in his direction, "... Though why they would need something like that in the middle of the ship is beyond me," "We're not going to get answers speculating," Andae said. "We need to find out who brought the ships' systems online, and quickly...!" Calli said, looking at the schematic, "... Going off these plans, there should be numerous control rooms, I'm not labelling them 'Bridges' for obvious reasons, but maybe depending on the orientation of the ship they could use more than one, or perhaps there's a main, or principle Bridge, and the secondaries are used during terraforming?" "You talk ..... HUMANS ..... But do nothing else," one of the Romulans said suddenly deciding he'd had enough. "So, just out of curiosity, but what exactly would you do?" Burwell asked the Romulan. "I would locate and 'BE RID' of the intruder!" the man said, eyes locked on Burwell's. "Typical Romulans, kill first, ask questions after," Kim Lu-Yang said, grinning as another of the Romulans turned to stare her down. They were still talking when they felt a shudder pass through the soles of their boots, either whoever was in control of the Tkrnn ship had decided to decrease velocity, or they had been forced to by an outside agent. "Are we slowing?" Gerelo asked no one in particular. "Not sure, but we're not going to warp, at least it doesn't feel like it..." Calli speculated, "... I suggest we take one or more of what we 'think' are control nodules and try to find our unwanted guest," "Before he, or it, takes any more of us you mean," Lu-Yang commented, receiving a glare from Burwell. "I'd like to find the main drive systems ..... If this thing does go to warp there's no telling if the Raven, or the Mok'Pa, could slow it again," Demik said, receiving a nod from Milyanov before looking at Blakus and Valente. "Agreed..." Andae said, nodding, "... Gunney, Kim, you go with him, keep in touch," "We shall hunt down this interloper ourselves!" Colonel Karuth said defiantly. "We should stick together!" Calli said, knowing her comment was falling on deaf ears. Karuth looked at her, then gave Blakus a withering look before she strode off with three of her Officers. The remaining Romulans moved together, eyeing the Federation Officers with something close to contempt. They spoke quietly before glaring at Blakus almost as if daring him to issue any orders they felt disinclined to obey ..........
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Calli Valente
Starfleet Intelligence
"Don't get in my way."
Registered: Aug 4, 2010 21:19:10 GMT
Posts: 534
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Post by Calli Valente on Apr 29, 2023 17:33:36 GMT
The Tkrnn watched as the Earth vessel began to move around my ship ..... Try as he might he dared not urge the engines to more power, doing so would have ultimately caused more damage than good, and after all, he thought, he could eliminate any and all comers if he needed to, it was their loss, not his. It all came down to how many the Humans and Romulans would sacrifice before admitting defeat!
He was surprised when the instruments informed him that there was suddenly an issue, and despite efforts, the ship could not achieve warp velocity. No matter - He had hoped to take the interlopers deep into the vast open space between the stars, but now he would simply allow the terraforming vessel to continue in normal space while he, he .....
----------
Suddenly, sensors informed him that the Romulan vessel, moments earlier turning in pursuit, had now disappeared, but to where?
It wasn't too much of a worry, they would be cloaked, a technology the Tkrnn had recently purchased and augmented into their smaller vessels, but cloaking the terraformer would require enormous amounts of unavailable power, so they remained visible as they moved through the stars, and regardless of their mistaken safety in being cloaked, the ship would still need to 'decloak' before firing, or attempting to return their foolish Officers and men.
The Human vessel was now holding position ahead. He was running continual scans but they were helpless, the technology blocking their communications and scrambling the transporter lock was well-tested and he could leave the ship to oversee its continued optimisation while he returned to the higher sections, and the intruders .....
Moving with confidence, convinced he could not be found or captured, he headed for the Humans once more. He had killed three of the Romulan infiltrators, and now he would take more, shortly they would become paranoid, or rather 'more' paranoid than they normally were, and he would bring them to their knees to the point that they would 'BEG' to be returned to their vessel alive!
The Human Commanders - Blakus and the Female, Valente - Were leading their Officers from one corridor to the next, occasionally they would pause, discuss options, or the lack thereof, would search rooms, and check the reading on one panel or another, all the while believing that they were alone, while below, hidden, the crew slumbered in deep hibernation, not ready to wake until they were close to their next assigned Planet. Were they found it could be difficult for him to act, they would undoubtedly hold the Tkrnn responsible for their own losses, possibly holding his own people to force his compliance!
They were ahead of him now, moving slowly down one of the corridors that would if followed, lead them to one of the six vast Engineering Plants holding the drive systems of the terraformer ..... The Romulans were arguing amongst themselves, something about their, 'Commander', he couldn't tell at this distance, were they 'disillusioned' with the Female leader, plots among plots, he knew the Romulans, shifty, untrustworthy, willing to kill before they query, the slightest insult or wrong word plunging whole families into life-long feuds ..... GOOD .....!
He checked before opening a small maintenance panel and retrieved a tool, twenty centimetres in length, one end honed into a spike used to align deck panels, the other a half-hexagonal, again used for deck plating. he morphed into the likeness of the Romulan he had killed earlier, then lay on the deck in the semi-darkness.
"Argh ....." he whispered as the intruders passed ahead. One of the Romulans paused, looking back frowning.
"Argh ....." he said, again almost a whisper, smiling as the Romulan peered into the gloom before cautiously approaching. He had to be careful, if the Romulan called for help before reaching him, he could find himself in unwanted danger.
"Tu'Jor?" the Romulan said confused but thankful in having found his lost friend alive. He knelt using one hand to lift the injured man's head. The Tkrnn's arm shot forward, the tool embedding itself in his throat, his other hand slammed over the Romulans mouth preventing him from calling for help, he pulled the man down wrapping his legs around the injured man's torso holding him still as his body fought against the coming darkness, finally his struggles ceased.
Satisfied, the Tkrnn pushed the body off him and stood, he moved forward checking his actions hadn't been overheard, then returned to pull the body into one of the countless unoccupied rooms. Once again he transformed, now taking the generic appearance of a Human male ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on May 2, 2023 17:30:55 GMT
Tkrnn terraformer
Blakus was evaluating his options, thinking indeed that he was the only one who mattered at this time. He wondered why that might be, and realised that it was to do with the loss of contact with the Raven and the half-team of Taylor and the four (actually now just three) Romulans who with her. He was alone in this gigantic seemingly empty city in the stars, but this recognition had him recall that he at least had some of his team around him.
Was it wise to split the group? was his main thought. Some of the Romulans had left to pursue their own ends for now the Starfleeters still had two of the Tal Shiar's number with them, including the one of captain rank who'd diced with Blakus before.
Also Gerelo had gone with Yang and Peel to search out one of the number of engine sections. That left just five of them: Blakus, Valente, Wedlerson, Burwell and Milyanov; thus seven, including the Romulans.
At least - apart from Christina Taylor and Tom Wilks, isolated from each other and the five of them - all the active Starfleeters were with the group. As for Lieutenant Boon and Corporal Broad, something told Andae there was little hope for them.
The terraformer had clearly slowed, and looking at plotted predictions of its acceleration curve given the current values of all known variables it was evident it would never quite achieve warp velocity. But that was only based on current data; if whoever or whatever was driving the vessel onward managed to overcome the apparent problems, it might make the warp breakthrough.
If it did, there would be serious trouble, as the engines appeared to be of a type, which both the XO and Chief Engineer had seen before, which Starfleet Engineering had dubbed AON (all or nothing). Either they gave an effective speed of warp 1 or close to warp 10 - if anything could be said to be close to infinity - and nothing in between. Thus if it jumped to warp with the something like warp 9.9975, as Andae understood it to be, it would outpace the Raven and Mok'pa easily.
"We're near to one of the terraformer's 500 nexi, or bridge-like centres here," Milyanov pointed out to the four Starfleeters and two Tal Shiar, gesturing to their current coordinates on a display, "If we can get there, we could try to discern just why this ship has so many of them. I'd suggest a..."
The words died in the engineer's throat as the doors of nearby hatchways and personnel passages retracted in a guttural whirr - all but one of them, which as it happened pointed them towards the bridge-like centre he'd indicated on the wall panel.
"I guess we have no choice," Andae murmured. Somewhat reluctantly but with a quiet resolve, he led the half-dozen others down the spoke-like corridor towards that centre of six such passageways.
Something in the surrounding cubic kilometre had cut their comms, and perhaps Taylor's and Wilks's also. Presumably - it would be a great coincidence otherwise - the same thing as had jumped the vessel to high subwarp velocity. Now it was forcing their route by blocking various access ways. Perhaps a trap, but what else to do?
Were the Romulans responsible? He didn't think so. They at least seemed just as much victims of this manipulation as were the Raven officers. They reached the central hub of corridors, a room just like 500 others over the vessel, and he found an answer to some of his questions...
IRW Mok'pa, unknown location in eastern void
The senior officers of the Mok'pa were in the ward room watching a tactical overview's replay of the Raven overtaking the terraformer and emitting an anti-graviton wave.
"Clever manoeuvre, but how fast or slow the Raven runs with our Gamma Quadrant collaborators makes little difference. They're heading away from inhabited Romulan regions; strewth, they're heading where the shapeshifter wants them to head! And that's enough," Hirt'vak's new temporary XO said.
"I have to agree," Major Hirt'vak said, standing before his XO and the rest of the senior staff. He rounded the table, "My officers, we should easily be able to keep pace and decloak in any part of the eastern void the terraformer and Raven happen to be travelling through at the time we decide is right for the attack. We'll decloak with our sister ships and the USS Raven will be destroyed, taking with it Section 47's Executive Officer. Meanwhile, the treacherous Colonel Karuth and her other loyalists will be eliminated on the terraformer, by our friendly Tkrnn changeling, along with the Raven's away team."
The Tal Shiar had made its agreement with the Tkrnn, courtesy of covert Tal Shiar member Crelev, currently stationed on Earth in the UFP President's office. The Mok'pa intended to ambush the Raven, for which the Tkrnn terraformer acted as the honey, drawing the Federation starship with it... into the claws of three Romulan warbirds.
"There is the question, though, my loyal followers, what to do about Major Nulakr on the Raven..." Hirt'vak asked.
"It is an issue, sir," the XO admitted.
"I had not envisaged that all members of Nulakr's party would be cast off Torek's ship," Hirt'vak replied. "One of them, Lieutenant Pojoc perhaps, might've killed the major. Yes..." he sighed and let his eyes roam, searching inside himself in joy, his mind running through various visions of his coming tyranny over the agency, indeed over the whole empire... "Nulakr stands in the way of my plans..."
Tkrnn terraformer
The seven strode into the room to see at the central pedestal a holographic projection. It was the life-size 3D image of a Tkrnn - humanoid or changeling, it wasn't clear - speaking in quiet tones. The projection's replay quality was not good, slightly warped, clearly malfunctioning. It seemed to be telling theoretical occupants of the ship about the terraformer's mission, about what it had meant, about what the addressees should do in the future. What it had meant, Andae noted; presumably this was intended for a time when the behemoth's assignment had already been completed.
"Who started this up?" he asked the group, "It's not meant for the present, let alone for us?" And with that the changeling who'd blocked comms, propelled the vessel in a change of course, appeared in human form at one of the six passageway entrances and, morphing its arms into long hammer-like weapons with the hardness of tritanium, unleashed its attack...
One of the two Romulans fell after a blow to the thorax; the changeling ducked under Valente and Burwell's phaser beams and brought his hammer round in a long arc, swinging unerringly for Blakus!
[OOC: I can modify if the idea of the changeling attacking them openly like this is no good. He might be able to escape quickly after doing a bit of damage.]
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Calli Valente
Starfleet Intelligence
"Don't get in my way."
Registered: Aug 4, 2010 21:19:10 GMT
Posts: 534
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Post by Calli Valente on May 7, 2023 17:26:33 GMT
"..... Who started this up...?" Blakus asked the group, "... It's not meant for the present, let alone for us?"
They all paused, listening to the narration until Burwell saw something in his peripheral vision and began to turn, alas he was too slow to help the unlucky Romulan Officer who took the full brunt of the blow from what looked part organic, part metallic weapon as it crushed the man's thorax, killing him instantly.
Burwell was already dropping to one knee, Calli, having seen the marines' movement spun and followed suit, both Federation Officers missing their mark as the Changeling morphed mid-stride becoming part bird-thing, part monstrous bear-like creature as it reached out to snatch another of the Romulan contingent off her feet before slamming the body into the bulkhead with such force everyone couldn't help hear the bones shattering in the dead body.
Burwell, having seen Calli dive out of harm's way as the bird-thing stretched out an onyx-coloured talon Burwell fired again, hitting the Tkrnn and spinning it around. Still, even as it was hit it was already in the process of changing, this time into something almost fluidic, before dropping to the deck and vanishing into small ducts, presumably part of the air circulation systems within the vast vessel.
"Cover the doors!" Blakus said as he knelt beside Calli, she quickly confirmed that apart from a bruised ego, she was fine. Regardless he held onto one hand as she rose to her feet, crouching to retrieve her dropped phaser before thanking Andae.
"What the hell...! Burwell said as he positioned himself on the threshold between the corridor they had just left, and the room they were attacked, "... That thing has at least made it clear he's unhappy with our being aboard,"
Calli moved over to the console, eyeing the myriad of controls as the narration, now completely ignored following the attack, finally ceased. She used her PADD, holding it above the controls to allow the translation program to work:
"This seems to be one of the main control rooms, presumably manned during terraforming or maybe seeding..." she said, seeing reading for numerous silos and their contents, or lack thereof, "... These look to be full, possibly seeding materials, they seem to have the ability to seed massive swathes of land from low orbit, tracts, maybe ten to fifteen kilometres wide and who knows how long, these silos could hold enough seedlings to germinate hundreds of square kilometres at a time!"
"How far down are they?" Blakus asked, still glancing at the doorway half expecting another open attack.
"Well, they cover most of the lower Levels, the lowermost ten for certain, but more where the silos are located. There are engineering plants down there too, and what looks like controls for some sort of phaser array, hundreds of firing nodes aligned along the forward edge of each silo, maybe they can 'plough' the surface from up here somehow, then simply release the seedings on the next low orbit. If they don't need to make too many changes to the atmosphere itself they could practically move right in once the seeds have established a foothold and can be harvested,"
"They're gone!" LewBurwell said suddenly.
"What ..... Who?" Blakus began before realising who the Marine was referring to:
The Romulans had disappeared! ..........
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on May 7, 2023 21:36:32 GMT
Captain's Ready Room USS Raven-C :: Carl had been listening to the threats from the Romulan for fifteen 'FULL' minutes, despite his frustration with the man, he could have once almost sympathised with his being instructed by Colonel Karuth to remain aboard the Federation Starship, but despite Nulakr's venomous protestations, he wondered if there wasn't some proverbial method in the Colonel's madness ..... "I 'DEMAND' you allow me a secure channel to my vessel," Nulakr was saying, not for the first time in the last fifteen minutes, which to Carl was rapidly feeling more like aeons! "Major, I'm more than happy to provide you with a secure channel, and of course, you can make use of it wherever you like within this vessel," "You will monitor this communication!" "How many times do I have to tell you, you can have a secure channel, right here, in this office, you can instruct the ship's computer to encode your transmission, or my Communications Officer can come in here and install or activate whatever precautions you desire. Believe me, Major, the last thing on my mind is what you're going to be saying to anyone on that cloaked vessel of yours, though you might want to ask 'WHY' they are cloaked, given we're supposed to be cooperating?" Carl got up from his seat, hoping the Romulan wouldn't decide to take his frustration out on the furniture, the desk, and the leather wingback chair, were both antiques, gifted to Carl on his appointment as Commanding Officer of the USS Raven-A, by his Stepfaether Admiral Sato Tetsutaro, and as such, immensely irreplaceable. "You will allow me to contact my vessel unmonitored?" Nulakr asked, still wary. "Go for it..." Carl said, exasperated, before heading for the door that led directly to the Bridge, he motioned for his Comms Officer to approach then pointed her to the Ready Room, "... My Communications Officer will give you access to a secure channel, you can put whatever safeguards or access codes in you feel necessary," he walked away before the Romulan could continue the conversation, though it hadn't actually 'been' a conversation for God-knows how long. Frankly, he was happy to be out of the Ready Room and free of the Romulan, albeit for minutes and not for good. "Anything from the Away Team?" he asked. "Communications and Transporter Lock are still being blocked..." Lysia T'Seng replied, "... We're still trying options," "No signs of the Mok'Pa I suppose?" 'What is your staus?'
'We are ready for you to return to the Mok'Pa, Major'
'..... And the Colonel?' Nulakr asked cautiously.
'She is leading the Away Team with the, Humans' came the reply.
'Any signs that we were pursued?'
'You appear to be asking many irrelevant questions, Major. Might I ask your concerns?' Hirt'Vak asked cautiously.
'My concerns are, not something you need worry about, Major... Now, has the High Council contacted you in regard to the Tkrnn vessel?'
'They have of course requested an update on progress, nothing more at this time'
'Understood'
'You wish to return to the Mok'Pa, Major?' hirt'Vak asked.
'No ... I believe I am of more use here, await my next communication," Nulakr said, snapping the comm off before the Second Officer and the one Officer he most feared, not because of his prowess, but because Hirt'Vak had family members close to the Ruling Council, and should he call in what Humans call 'a favour' then he could quickly find himself adrift in the blackness of space. He had decisions to make, and no Federation 'ADMIRAL' was going to get in his way! "No, they're cloaked, so unless they decloak ....." Lysia was saying as Nulakr reentered the Bridge. "All good?" Carl asked, turning away before the Romulan could reply, which had he hesitated he might have seen the look he was given - Not hatred, more calculated speculation. "I believe you should attempt to scan for, unidentified in this vicinity," Nulakr said suddenly. "Oh, and why would that be, unless you have information that we're not out here on our own?" "A precaution, Admiral... Nothing more, I assure you..." Nulakr replied, seemingly relieved that his brash suggestion had not been taken as intended, "... I think I will return to my quarters ..... Unless you require my attendance?" "You don't want to remain to monitor the Away Teams?" Carl asked, somewhat surprised. "You seem to have things under control, and I am sure should there be 'complications' the Mok'Pa will contact me directly," the Romulan said, heading for the Starboard turbolift. As the doors opened Carl replied: "So you 'do' have a direct lick to your vessel ..... Good to know," ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on May 8, 2023 16:23:26 GMT
An engineering section, terraformer
With Gerelo, Yang and Peel having split off into their own group to investigate prominent engine sections, they'd fallen out of contact with the main group... Of course, it was mutual, and neither Gerelo's trio, nor indeed Blakus's team, could raise Christina Taylor, Tom Wilks or the Raven.
"Look at this, Lieutenant," Yang said to Delik as she rounded a corner and they stepped into the entrance of a vast chamber; columns about 50 metres in diameter rose up from the depths and into the heights, pulsing with power. "Some form of magnetic constrictors?"
"Everything seems doubled up," Gerelo observed, "What did we see before, when we were still with the group? Reinforced sections at innocuous points in passageways. Redundancies? Or might this be like some over-eager Starfleet battlecruiser?" He meant the saucer separation ability. He knew Milyanov had recognised over 500 separate apparent control centres over the vessel... Could it be that, once the terraformer reached its first, or perhaps only, destination, it was designed to separate into 500 smaller units, each heading for a part of its target world to be colonised?
They talked it over, and Gerelo asked, "What would be the implications of that? That the Tkrnn have more than one of these behemoths? One for each Romulan and Klingon planet they intend to settle once those empires are gone?"
"Sirs, what's that over there?" Gunnery Sergeant Peel gestured with the barrel of his rifle. Banks and banks of cryostasis units! Gerelo recognised, on the far side of the vast space. This, and the separation ability? If only they could contact the other group...
Yang heard something; it was the coalescence from liquid form of a changeling behind the three of them...
<Tag Gerelo, Yang, Peel>
* * *
Elsewhere, the terraformer
Relieved to say the least, Andae looked where the dead bodies of the two Romulans who'd remained with their team (the Tal Shiar mid-ranked officer having gone off to find Karuth, Lieutenant Taylor and co) had been scooped up from the deck by the fluidic material that the changeling had clearly morphed into, and had been taken into another part of the ship.
None of the other bodies had been accounted for either, the bodies of those the 12 Starfleet officers and 9 Tal Shiar operatives had lost from their number since beaming aboard.
Could the Tkrnn be using the bodies in some way, the same as those eight lost on the Starbase? Did the Tkrnn want or need to harvest such raw material?
Of course it's confirmed that at least one Tkrnn shapeshifter is aboard this thing... Andae thought, But how many more could there be, and where? In hibernation somewhere? Did changelings even need that? But then perhaps Tkrnn humanoids might be in such a state. Where on the vessel though?
"I think we can assume that our attacker was the same one as jammed our comms to and from the section of the ship we were in," the XO said and peered at the deck, thinking for a moment he'd seen an isolated bit of Tkrnn matter, as if each part of one's body could exist independently; hoping he'd hallucinated, he went on, "He's tried to cut us off from all contact and hope of rescue, zero in on us and take us out. It didn't fully work: We've been able to travel some 1.5 kilometres from the point at which we lost contact with the others and the Raven; perhaps the changeling lost patience, and went for an all-out attack in the hope of eliminating all of us. Unfortunately for him he found we'd split up into several groups, so even if he'd succeeded with us there'd be someone else, someone who could even spring an ambush on him..."
* * *
IRW Mok'pa, unknown location nearby
On the bridge of the Valdore type, Second Officer Hirt'vak considered his XO's words... The Tal Shiar officer Nulakr on the Raven had done an excellent job of evincing suspicion of Hirt'vak and the crew on his transmission with him. If his communication had been monitored, those Federation lackeys who saw it would think that Nulakr could be trusted. How ironic then that, actually in fact, Nulakr's apparent mistrust of the Second Officer might be justified!
Yes, both Hirt'vak and Nulakr knew of the plan to trap and destroy - in collusion with the Tkrnn - Colonel Karuth and her loyalists on the terraformer. Yes, they both knew of the ploy to do something similar with the Raven out in this eastern void, the starship to be destroyed by the Mok'pa and two other warbirds. But Nulakr - unless he harboured secret doubts about his subordinate? - didn't know of the plan by Hirt'vak to end his fellow major's life...
He surveyed the bridge - packed with his associates, loyalists who'd followed him up through the ranks, at their respective relative levels, over the last 10 to 20 years - and nodded in satisfaction, sweeping his body back to face the viewscreen, "Are we ready, my soldiers?" They called out in unison, hailing him, hailing above all the Tal Shiar...
"Then communicate to the Halkoth and Vrijta... set an intercept course... decloak, full disruptors, destroy the USS Raven."
On the bridge of the Sovereign class, Lysia T'Seng alerted Torek and Nulakr who sat in the CO's and Counsellor's seats respectively. She continued to be amused by the idea of Nulakr fulfilling a - somewhat irate - Starfleet Counsellor's role. "Admiral... Detecting three Valdore type warbirds decloaking... and closing on our and the terraformer's position, half-warp speed."
"The Mok'pa?"
"She is one of them, sir," T'Seng confirmed, and her eyes widened, "All three are arming disruptors and photon torpedoes. Lead ship is firing!" Nulakr narrowed his eyes and nodded slowly; he should've known. He nearly said aloud, But Hirt'vak... I'm still aboard...
<Tag Torek>
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on May 11, 2023 18:17:49 GMT
OOC: Posting as Lieutenant Demik Gerelo ...IC:Gerelo's Group ... Lower Levels [Engineering] :: ..... They had been searching as instructed - Demik was moving slowly, the others in line behind him. They had passed through several corridors, checking each vacant room in turn, then had come across a passage definitely not showing on the tablets displaying the ships' Schematics. Deciding it was worth investigation, they entered the darkened corridor and passed into a large open space: Cryostasis units, hundreds of them in rows around the circumference of the vast room, Demik was trying, and failing to do the math: If this was one of possibly 'five hundred' subsections of the whole, there could be tens of thousands of Tkrnn awaiting revival. No doubt stasis would be preferable to being awake during what might be a 'generational' journey, presumably, the occupants would be needed both to complete the terraforming of the target world, but then, would they go to the surface as its new population? ... Five hundred individual settlements throughout the planet? ... It seemed a viable presumption. Kim Yu-Lang had been circumnavigating the large central column-like structures when she was sure she heard something! ..... Gunnery Sergeant Leon Peel saw the Lieutenant tense, her eyes flashing back and forth. Slowly, he brought his weapon up trying to peer into the semi-darkness in the peripheries of the massive cathedral-like room, then he spun as something got his attention directly behind the Marine LYu-Lang, but before he could fire the Changeling wrapped what looked like a tentacle around the Lieutenant's waist and lifted her off the deck, it moved so fast that Peels first and second shots missed their mark, but Gerelo had also spun and fired, the beam lanced through what could have been a 'shoulder' or upper arm causing the Tkrnn to screech in agony as it dropped its prize and disappeared into the darkness! Gerelo and Peel ran over to the injured Marine who was coughing up blood. Peel dragged his pack off his back and opened it before retrieving a version of the hypospray, he told Gerelo to move Kim's arms off her chest and he injected the painkiller. Demik kept watch, half expecting the Tkrnn to renew his attack while they were trying to tend to the injured Marine, but it seemed he'd caused as much, if not more injury to the Changeling. Peel was busy making sure Yu-Lang wasn't going to die on them but when Gerelo looked at him he could only give a shake of his head. "Six, maybe seven broken ribs, punctured left lung, who-knows-what other internal injuries..." the Gunnery Sergeant said, remaining on one knee, one hand holding the hand of Kim Yu-Lang more for moral support than any medical reason, "... She needs more help than we can give her Lieutenant, and quickly, or ....." he didn't finish given the obvious conclusion should no help be forthcoming. "I'm going after the Changeling!" Gerelo said, checking his phaser. "Sir..... You can't, we're on its turf, all it needs to do is morph into a deck plate and then crush you as you pass...!" demik knew the man was right, but he couldn't help but feel it was his failure to protect his team that may have got Kim Yu-Lang killed, "... She's pretty stable now, she doesn't appear to be losing blood as fast as she was, but I'm worried about her going into shock. The meds will help, but for how long is anyone guess, she needs a transfusion," "We'll carry her ba ....." Gerelo began, but Peel interrupted: "We can't move her. I'm guessing the bleeding is being stemmed by the fact she's horizontal and sedated, her pulse is weak, but that's to be expected, lifting her would do no end of harm, Sir," Demik looked down at the unconscious Marine trying to figure out what to do next that wouldn't get anyone killed .......... OOC: Posting as Fleet Admiral Carl Torek ...IC:USS Raven-C :: "Admiral... Detecting three Valdore-type warbirds decloaking... Closing on our and the terraformer's position, half-warp speed!" Lysia informed Torek. "The Mok'pa?" "She is one of them, Sir..." T'Seng confirmed, updating her Commanding Officer seconds later, "... Lead ship is firing!" "SHIELDS ..... Helm, move us around the Tkrnn vessel, try to keep them out of line of sight!" Carl ordered, spinning to glare at the Romulan, who far from appearing to have been expecting the attack, was now staring at the viewscreen wide-eyed! The Raven banked over almost as if toppling before it dropped then shot to Port, phaser0-fire could be seen as it overshot the target. CONTACT THEM ..... NOW!" Torek ordered the Romulan. "I ..... But they ....." Nulakr stuttered almost in shock that they had attacked at all. "I'm not sure I can fight off 'THREE' Valdore-type Warbirds Nulakr, but I am DAMN SURE going to try...!" he said, turning back to the viewscreen, "... Tactical please Commander," he instructed Lysia. "Sir, the Mok'Pa is leading the attack, but the other two scan as Standard Variation Valdore..." Lysia said, scanning the three vessels trying hard to keep up with the Raven's 'hide-and-seek' manoeuvres, "... I suggest we target one of the others first," "Your call Commander..." Carl said, glancing at the Romulan Major before continuing, "... Helm, take instructions from Tactical," "Aye, sir!" Reneus confirmed with a dried nod to Lysia T'Seng. "On my mark, thrusters only, turn us counterclockwise and roll us on our back, Lieutenant..." T'Seng said, concentrating on her panel, head nodding as if she were inwardly counting down, she glanced at the Tactical Plot on screen, and then spoke, "... Now!" The massive Sovereign Class Starship paused her hard turn and began to roll over, the three Romulan vessels, just emerging from behind the Tkrnn terraformer were suddenly confronted with a Federation Vessel far from trying to flee, had begun to turn to face the oncoming Tal Shiar fleet. On the Mok'Pa, Hirt'Vak realised the danger and told his Helm Officer to climb away, but the other two were unable to react as fast! At Tactical, Lysia waited as Carl watched the Plot, then: "Weapons lock on second and third Valdoe's Admiral," "Photon torpedoes. Full spread ..... Fire!" "YOU CANNOT!" Nulakr screamed, suddenly leaping forward, his hands around Torek's throat as he pulled him back and out of the centre seat. Lysia fired a volley of eight photon torpedoes, then a second volley. The first disabled the shields and weapons of the second and closest of the two Tal Shiar Vessels, and the remainder slammed into the third vessel with only minimal damage as it too turned out of harm's way! Carl's vision was already vanishing into blackness as the grip suddenly released and he dropped to the deck gasping for air. =^= Bridge to Sickbay .. MEDICAL EMERGENCY! =^= he heard Caryna Agosta saying as his vision began to return. she was standing over him, her phaser locked onto the immobile Romulan Major ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on May 18, 2023 13:49:55 GMT
An engineering section, terraformer
"Her pulse is weakening again, Lieutenant. I may be able to stabilise her temporarily with what I have here, but it will take the facilities of Wundt's sickbay to get her on the mend again," Peel told Gerelo who stood over the marine duo.
Gerelo cast about with roving eyes at the possible engine core of this of over 500 units, with its banks of cryostasis chambers containing sleeping Tkrnn (presumably all humanoid, as changelings likely didn't need to sleep, and in any case would do so in their natural liquid form). He looked again at the Gunnery Sergeant treating Lieutenant Yang, "What will it take to stabilise her? Can you do a little more... what about a transfusion in the field?" he said distractedly.
"That's what I'm talking about, sir," Peel nodded, "It will take more work on the Raven, but I can reduce the impact of the blood loss with a transfusion from someone on the away team. I reviewed the blood types beforehand as per standard procedure; if I remember right, only Commander Blakus and Corporal Broad would be compatible as donors."
Given Broad was missing, only the XO was available; unfortunately, he was halfway through the vessel... But it was now undeniable that Yang's life depended on that kind of triage. "Go. Retrace our steps. I only wish I had another marine to send with you," Delik said, "Find the Commander's team and secure the blood!"
Peel nodded and scampered out of the cavernous space, back down the tunnel and up through the ship.
* * *
USS Raven
The trio of warbirds had darted round the terraformer, coming up over its horizon and streaking towards the Raven, which they found at uncomfortably close quarters!
Trying to maintain his calm, Major Hirt'vak had ordered the Mok'pa helmsman to get his vessel out of the way, but that was more difficult for the two sister ships who were in advance of the Mok'pa-variant Valdore. The lefthand vessel was able to take evasive action but the right, having its shields and weapons disabled and still reeling from the shock of the torpedo attack, didn't react fast enough to the Sovereign class's close proximity...
The port nacelle of the warbird impacted the Raven's port bow shield grid. While the warbird was diverted in its course only slightly, the nacelle was ripped away, sparking and tumbling into the blackness, while that section of the Federation starship's shields flickered and failed. Further damage reports spread throughout the Sovereign class.
Meanwhile the giant Tkrnn terraformer was decelerating, aiming to reverse course now that its joint op with the Tal Shiar had passed a major phase and the Raven had been ambushed as planned with the terraformer as decoy.
So what that it was a failure? The supreme rulers of the Tkrnn had nothing to do with the Romulans' incompetence, nor did they care for the Tal Shiar's own fortunes in the Star Empire.
The Raven endured, and the Tkrnn's mission likewise continued. It prepared - to be executed once it'd braked from warp 0.95 - to set a course for the Eta Iridi system, in the western end of Romulan territory, near the Federation, a system home to two inhabited worlds, combined population of 800 million Romulan colonists...
With its red alert lights flickering, only partially functional, Tinsley stood at the Raven bridge's engineering station, temporarily in charge of his department and surveying the damage reports along with Lysia T'Seng.
The glancing impact of the warbird's nacelle had collapsed a shield grid and caused secondary explosions. Auxiliary power was required. A hull breach had occurred, one deck bled dry of atmosphere. Another deck had been given an incinerating blast of lethally hot ionised gas billowing through its passageways, as a subnetwork of EPS conduits had ruptured in several places.
Nate looked around to the centre of the bridge, where the mayhem of the attempted throttling of Torek by Nulakr had taken place in the midst of the Romulan attack and near collision with two of the warbirds. The Tal Shiar officer had perhaps acted in desperation, as he'd seen his own people forsake him but yet at the same time had been unable to accept seeing them attacked in turn.
While security surrounded and escorted Nulakr away to secure quarters, Torek was stretchered away by medics and replaced in the centre seat by T'Seng - who asked Tinsley to take on tactical and leave the engineering station to a junior engineer. "The terraformer's changing course again," Tinsley said, taking in what was shown on his tactical display, "Heading towards an inhabited Romulan system, perhaps its target for terraforming."
"What about the Romulans?"
He nodded and leant into his console, "They're still here. The one missing a nacelle is dead in the water, but Mok'pa and the other one are coming around for another pass!"
T'Seng acknowledged and had Anna Fields take evasive action... In the distance, the terraformer now jumped to warp, taking the away team along with it.
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Calli Valente
Starfleet Intelligence
"Don't get in my way."
Registered: Aug 4, 2010 21:19:10 GMT
Posts: 534
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Post by Calli Valente on May 20, 2023 14:55:31 GMT
Gerelo's Group ... Lower Levels [Engineering] :: Demik watched as the Marine Gunnery Sergeant ran from the room ..... Despite his size, the Marine was clearly extremely fit and would have to be given his position within the Fleet's Marine Corps ..... Gerelo retired his attention to the bleeding Kim Yu-Lang, he was concerned at the spreading pool of blood moving inexorably out from the prone Marine. He had to keep telling himself that it 'looked' worse than it was. He estimated she had lost something like one, to one pint five litres so far, so close to one-third of her blood capacity, too much more could mean brain and motor functions would begin to suffer. He looked around, half-hoping to find something to help, but the room was devoid of anything useful - Not that he'd expected to find a copious amount of ready-to-use saline solution. He did find something to cover the Marine with, in the hopes of at least keeping her core temperature from falling too much, something else that would be extremely detrimental to the girl's health and well-being. He knew that giving a transfusion of certain non-compatible blood groups could be fatal, but he recalled that someone with 'type B' blood could donate to both 'B' and 'AB' while someone with 'type O' blood could donate red blood cells to other groups, 'O' being the universal donor. He was 'B-' while Kim was 'AB' so not being sure if the rule applied, he dared not risk giving her any of his own blood to supplement her loss ..... Main Team ... Mid Levels [Approx 1.5 kilometers from Gerilo's Team] :: "..... I think we can assume that our attacker was the same one who jammed our comms to and from the section of the ship we were in ....." Blakus had said as they began examining their immediate surroundings. Calli paused, lowering herself to one knee before placing the palm of her left hand on the cold deck plate. "Calli?" the Raven's Exec queried, others turning in her direction. "I think we've changed course, or at least changed velocity," she said, frowning. Harry Wedlerson, who had been looking at the corridor walls they had been passing through, had paused in front of a section approximately two metres long, and constructed of a different material than the surrounding bulkhead plates. It looked like black glass, or something very similar, in fact, now he was actually taking notice, it could resemble the computer interface used on practically all Starfleet vessels, from pleasure craft to bulk hauliers, to Starships! He glanced at the others, seeing only Lew Burwel, the Marine, was watching him, it seemed Burwell was thinking along the same lines and gave a brief nod towards the panel. Tentatively Harry stepped closer, raising one hand but pausing his forward movement centimetres from the surface as he moved the tricorder in his right hand back and forth: "Definitely some sort of interface," he said, replacing the tricorder to his belt before reaching out to make physical contact with the jet-black panel. he almost removed his hand as the whole thing instantly lit up! "How the hell have we missed these...?" Burwell said, shaking his head as he approached the Operations Chief. Andae, Milyanov and Calli all moved closer, "... Well, you might as well ask it something," the Marine colonel said with a grin. "Display schematic of this vessel," he said, hardly expecting any response, grinning when the whole panel changed to display an extremely detailed three-dimensional blueprint of the vast Tkrnn Terraformer. "Display our location," Calli instructed, but got no response, then realised Wedlerson had momentarily been in physical contact with the panel. She reached forward to touch the glass then repeated her request, the display obliged, zooming in on their position within the ship. They were mulling over how they could make use of the new-found information display when they heard someone coming, FAST ..... All drew their phasers and lowered themselves to present the smallest target as a gasping for breath Marine Sergeant Peel ran headlong into the room almost flattening Andae Blakus and Calli in the process! "Tha... Thank..." Peel said, gasping for breath, wondering vaguely if he was having a heart attack. "Gunney?" Burwell said as the Marine lifted himself out of his stoop. "We've got trouble... One of the Tkrnn attacked, he, it, stabbed Lieutenant Yu-Lang, she's bleeding out...!" Peel said as the stitch in his chest began to ease, "... According to her 'TAB' (a small patch on the chest of each Marine Uniform showing the Blood Type) only Commander Blakus on the Away Team, has the same blood type unless we can get her back to the Raven for a transfusion, quickly!" ..........
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on May 21, 2023 8:48:34 GMT
USS Raven-C :: "..... YOU CANNOT.....!" Major Nulakr spat, reaching for Torek.
Carl's vision was already vanishing into blackness as the grip suddenly released and he dropped to the deck gasping for air.
=^= Bridge to Sickbay .. MEDICAL EMERGENCY! =^= he heard Caryna Agosta saying as his vision began to return. She was standing over him, her phaser locked onto the immobile Romulan Major .....----- With Doctor Roach insisting that he be taken to Main sickbay immediately, Carl glared at the Romulan Major, who having already been hit by Agosta's phaser on heavy stun, was clearly weighing up his options: He could attempt to reach Torek, force the Bridge Officers to allow him to transport off the Raven to his own vessel, currently astern of the Raven, or, he could allow himself to be taken into custody, and undoubtedly from there to a trial either on the Federation Starbase in this Sector, or possibly on Earth itself, that only if the Romulan High Command didn't put pressure on the Federation Council to release him unharmed! The Raven shuddered under the irrational attack by the Romulans, they were supposed to be allies, cooperating to ensure possible mutual survival, yet they had attacked at the first opportunity. "Doctor, just administered whatever pain-killing 'potion' you have with you, I'm sure you can see we're having some issues up here, issues I can't simply leave!" Carl said again eyeing the two Medics, who took a step backwards. "I 'could' relieve you as unfit due to your injuries, Admiral!" Helen Roach said, her eye still locked on his, neither backing down as she plucked a hypospray off one of her colleagues. She took a pace forward and placed the device against his neck, he felt the ice-cold serum enter his bloodstream, and the pain began to ease. "Admiral...?" he turned to see Lysia T'Seng, one of her Security Detail holding onto Nulakr, "... What do you want doing with him?" she asked. "Confine him in the Brig, I want two Security watching him constantly, he's to have no access to anything outside the Brig itself," Carl ordered. Nulakr tried to pull his elbow out of the Security Officers' grasp, but he applied pressure to the inside of the Romulan's elbow, dropping the man to his knees in agony, After a few seconds he allowed the prisoner to stand up, ready to repeat the immobilisation technique. "You can make this easier Major, we'll let you speak to your ships so you can instruct them to cease their unprovoked attack?" Carl said, allowing Nulakr time to consider. "My vessels will destroy you Human, my death will be all the greater for my sacrifice!" Something in the way the Romulan was speaking, false bravado, almost as if he were gloating about what was about to happen. Lysia stepped closer, pausing as if in deep thought. Nulakr could only glare at her, knowing the man holding his arm almost casually could inflict pain Nulakr wasn't willing to endure should he so wish. "He's lying..." the Tactical Officer said suddenly, happy to see the minutest flinch from the Romulan before he regained control of his emotions, "... You weren't expecting them to attack, were you?" "They have their orders, as do I," Nulakr said, feigning boredom as if he'd tired of the conversation. The ship shook again as another volley slammed into the weakening shields, and with their Port bow shields already failed, Anna Fields, at Helm, was working hard to keep that aspect of the ship out of the line of fire. Reports were coming in thick and fast as injuries increased, yet by some miracle there had been no fatalities thus far, but given the Romulan's continuing presence, that might not long be the case! ..... EPS conduits were rupturing throughout the Port side of the Saucer Section, and evacuations were already in progress as the Romulan smiled. "We shall die together, Admiral," he said as the ship shook yet again. "SIR...!" the Duty Operations Officer said suddenly. they could see one of the remaining Romulan vessels, designation unknown, was coming about, presumably to collide with the Raven. 'Bloody Romulans, nothing if not dramatic' Carl thought as the ship rolled to Starboard so quickly that everyone was forced to grab hold of fall to the carpeted deck. Thankfully, they were spared a second collision as the Valdore Type Warbird disintegrated as no less than six photon torpedoes slammed into it, the first dismantled their shields, and the remaining torpedoes removed the massive Warbird from existence. The Mok'Pa, moments earlier coming at the Raven, now turned away, presumably wary of the odds being evened unexpectedly! "Holly hell!" Anna Fields said without thinking. Seconds later, they saw the gleaming USS Maracanda climb from beneath them. The Intrepid Class Starship majestically rolled through three sixty degrees before coming around to approach the Sovereign Class Raven before holding station one thousand meters off her Portside Aft Quarter ..... Carl glanced back at Nulakr, still being restrained, and would have given real money - if indeed it still existed - for a picture of the Romulan's utterly dumbfounded expression! The Comms Officer informed Torek that they were receiving a communication: =^= Maracanda to Raven .. .. We've been sent to help .. None too soon it appears =^= Captain Grant Manley said from the Maracanda Bridge ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on May 26, 2023 13:53:04 GMT
Main group, Tkrnn terraformer
Blakus turned from the schematic of the Tkrnn vessel on the wall display - with its clearly segmented sections that if he were to work his way slowly through counting them he was sure he would find numbered over 500, each possibly being a unit for colonising one part of the surface of the terraformer's target world. He blinked and made up his mind and rolled up a sleeve, "How much do you need, Sergeant?"
Peel told him and while it seemed a lot, Andae knew it wasn't very much for a transfusion in the field. "Just enough to give her half a day of survival time, perhaps, before she needs more attention on the Raven."
"I can give more," Andae replied quickly.
"It's not needed; any more might be counterproductive if I can't stem the flow, and would cause you problems, sir. Besides, regulations and my agreements as a field medic would prevent me from taking any more."
"Take what you need. Unfortunately we can't site-to-site beam you back to her location," the XO said, "You'll have to run back. What did your group find? The engine room?"
Peel nodded as he worked, he and the other four all gathering round Blakus who went down on his haunches in anticipation of needing to prevent dizziness from the sudden but safe blood loss, "That and more, Commander. The engine room, probably, for one of the 500 sections. We believe the vessel separates into them, as Commander Milyanov already suggested. And also... cryostasis units."
"Cryostasis. The Tkrnn?" Burwell asked his subordinate.
"Yes, Colonel. Gerelo reckons probably humanoids. The shapeshifters wouldn't sleep in that bipedal form surely." Burwell asked him how many. "Thousands at least, maybe ten. And that's only in one of over 500 sections over the ship, sir." His work done, with Andae feeling a little faint, his arm quivering from the drawing of haemoglobin-rich substance, Peel stood up sharply and stowed the three blood bags in his backpack. He sighed as if to say 'here goes nothing' and began his arduous descent back through the Tkrnn vessel.
"We're at warp..." Wedlerson was saying to Valente and Milyanov. "What is the vessel's course, given galactic frame of reference?" he addressed the wall display's audio interface.
"Federation citizens. Base 10 mathematical system," the machine intoned and paused, "You are intruders. Nevertheless the Tkrnn have evaluated no risk in connection with providing the information requested. Coloniser's course in galactic coordinates: 264 mark 30."
"That's towards the western frontier of Romulan territory, back on the original route. I think we must've reversed course before. Why, though?" Milyanov asked, Andae barely hearing all this as he slumped fully on to the deck fighting off dizziness. "What is the vessel's destination?" the engineer asked.
"Federation designation, the Eta Iridi system, Romulan-inhabited, two planets, combined population 800 million. This is the vessel's target. Goal, complete destruction of population and limited terraforming, occupation and resettlement by the Tkrnn. Further goals, deterrence and interdiction of nearby Federation facilities and vessels on the Romulan-Federation border, and destruction of some Federation life if necessary."
With Andae unnoticed and about to pass out, his consciousness dissolving in a fog of ill-focus, the others requested external sensors' information... To their shock, the Raven and Mok'pa were no longer present, but another unidentified Federation starship had recently passed by at high warp...
USS Raven
With Torek having fought to remain on the bridge and Nulakr carted off to the brig - totally forsaken by his Tal Shiar colleagues and having alienated himself from his hosts as well - the CO was able to take control without threat from the Romulan, ordering on screen.
"With Vice President Laterza's compliments, the Maracanda is here to assist you, Admiral," Captain Manley said.
Torek greeted him and went on, shaking his head, "She gave you the orders as she gave them to us? The Section Admiral and the Starbase's staff weren't involved?"
"Correct, sir. And both the Federation Council and the Romulan delegation to Earth know what has happened here; I told them en route after my ship picked up weapons fire both Starfleet and Romulan in this vicinity. Romulan Ambassador Crelev extends his apologies and is taking steps to find out about what happened. About why the Tal Shiar attacked you. And the Romulan Senate hasn't put out anything official yet but reports have it there's a real ding-dong behind the scenes, Senate, Navy, Tal Shiar."
"Thanks for evening the odds here," Tinsley said from the engineering console, having moved back there. Manley and Scober nodded on the screen. Now with one Valdore destroyed and the other disabled only the Mok'pa-variant Valdore warbird remained.
What were the Tal Shiar up to? was the obvious question. It seemed they'd colluded with the Tkrnn or just its terraformer to bring about the recent encounter and ambush. "We have an away team on the Tkrnn ship that's jumped to warp, Captain," the engineer said.
"Then I suggest we ignore the Mok'pa for now, Admiral," the Maracanda CO addressed himself to Carl, "and get after your people."
Torek and bridge crew readily agreed and the Raven and Maracanda jumped to warp through the depths of Romulan space. Manley and Scober came over for a conference while the hostile Mok'pa took up following at a long distance, resuming its cloak...
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,163
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Post by Carl Torek on May 27, 2023 21:40:55 GMT
OOC : Posting as SabinΓ© Laterza.IC :ChΓ’teau de Laterza. Loire Valley, France ...
Family Home of Federation Vice President SabinΓ© Laterza ::
The ChΓ’teau de Laterza had been in her Family since the early sixteenth century, old Earth calendar. Gifted to the Family by King Louis XV, who occasionally visited Chambord between 1746 and 1748, and it was somewhere she returned to at every opportunity - On this occasion, unlike scheduled visits, she had an ulterior motive for her unannounced return ..... The North Wing of the ChΓ’teau, overlooking the large moat and the extensive gardens beyond, were her private quarters, and restricted to all but a handful of Staff. Her offices were in the East Wing, and also enjoyed magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Here she could work when her presence wasn't required at the United Federation of Planets Headquarters in Paris or at Starfleet Command Headquarters in San Francisco, but today she was enjoying the gardens:
She had actually arrived a full two days before her guests, she had wanted to enjoy the summer and the ChΓ’teau's open spaces while arrangements were made for her guests arrival ..... The Romulan Ambassador, Crelev, along with one of his Aides, materialised in the gardens, and were led along pristine paved paths by one of the House Staff to meet with the Vice President.
Sabine was enjoying the Sun, she loved this place, and if it were her call, she would conduct 'all' her official duties from this magnificent estate.
"Ambassador Crelev," she said, eyeing the Aide before returning her attention to the Ambassador.
"Madam Vice President," Crelev said with the slightest of bows before introducing the Aide, Na'los ..... One of the House Staff, dressed not in Federation uniform, but holding a Senior Rank nonetheless, stood at a discrete distance from the three. Not close enough to overhear anything discussed, but certainly close enough to act should anything untoward happen, Crelev didn't doubt the reason for the man's presence.
"What happened?" Laterza asked without preamble.
"It seems there were, complications," Crelev said.
"I'd say that 'THAT' is something of an understatement!" the Vice President said, glaring at Crelev. She was about to continue when the Aide spoke:
"We are confident we shall endure, Madam," he said, eyes moving between the two seated people before flicking nervously at the sky.
"..... I wasn't aware I needed your reassurance...!" SabinΓ© said, eyes narrowed, "... But please, feel free to ease my concerns,"
"The Raven was, fortunate, nothing more, and it makes little difference to our goal. The Terraformer vessel has already adjusted its course and is currently moving towards the Eta Iridi System as instructed,"
"Crelev?" she said, seemingly dismissing the Aide with a glare.
"The Mok'Pa is holding station. It would have orchestrated the destruction of the Raven had you not dispatched a second vessel. I believe that 'that' is what caused the issue, SabinΓ©," the Romulan said. The Vice President didn't allow her annoyance at the man's casual familiarity show, but wouldn't allow a second occurrence.
"I was under the impression, misguidedly as it appears, that the two Tal Shiar Warships you dispatched, the Halkoth, and the erm, Vrijta, if memory serves, were sent to intercept the Raven and the three combined would be more than a match for even a Sovereign Class Starship, yet your report states that both have been incapacitated and are of no further use to our enterprise, is that correct?"
"We had expected the Raven to withdraw, faced with superior numbers, alas, Admi ......" the Aide began, but Laterza interrupted him:
"I'm sorry .....?" she snapped. Crelev glared at Nu'los, clearly waiting.
"Apologies... Madame Vice President," Na'los said with a bow, but his eyes were on Crelev the whole time.
"You assured me that things would progress on schedule..." SabinΓ© said, fighting to hold her annoyance in check, "... What of Colonel Karuth?"
"She joined the teams exploring the Tkrnn vessel, unfortunately, contact was lost ....." Crelev said.
"Is the sunlight bothering you, Mister Nu'los?" she asked the Aide.
"Should we not be conducting this meeting somewhere more, secure!?"
"Oh, I wouldn't worry yourself too much regarding security. This ChΓ’teau, and the grounds it sits upon are shielded..." SabinΓ© said with a smile, obviously enjoying the Aide's discomfort, "... For example: You yourself were scanned both before and after you were transported onto the Estate, can't be too careful, now can we? ..... Besides, you asked for this meeting, not me. Had I been asking, you would be providing much better excuses for your abject failure thus far!"
"Meaning?" Crelev said nervously.
"Well, let's see..." SabinΓ© said, rising from her seat before walking over to the almost surgically trimmed border along the path. Crelev hadn't noticed the man who he had earlier assumed was one of the Vise Presidents' Staff, step closer, one hand resting in the small of his back, "... For example... I had assumed your request for this meeting was to apologise for your ineptitude, what we didn't expect was that you would bring along one of the Tkrnn," she said, eyebrows raised as if waiting for a reply. Crelev looked at her as if she were insane, the only people here were himself, and his Aide ..... His Aide?
He turned in time to see the Romulan he believed was Nu'los, change, seconds earlier this was the man Crelev trusted with his most secret information, yet now he was facing someone completely different!
The man thought to be one of the Vice President's Staff had raised a phaser and was aiming it directly at the Changeling, who smiled ..........
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Calli Valente
Starfleet Intelligence
"Don't get in my way."
Registered: Aug 4, 2010 21:19:10 GMT
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Post by Calli Valente on May 27, 2023 22:40:31 GMT
Main Group Terraformer Mid-Levels :: Calli helped Gunnery Sergeant Peel harvest two full blood bags from Commander Blakus, who despite his objections against taking more, was already semi-conscious, and would need at least an hour to adequately recuperate and regain energy. The ship's computer was helpfully answering the latest enquiry: 'Federation designation, the Eta Iridi system, Romulan-inhabited, two planets, combined population 800 million. This is the vessel's target. The goal, was complete destruction of the population and limited terraforming, occupation and resettlement by the Tkrnn. Further goals, deterrence and interdiction of nearby Federation facilities and vessels on the Romulan-Federation border, and destruction of some Federation life if necessary."'/i]The others looked at the display, both shocked and puzzled at what they were seeing: Instead of the Raven and Mok'Pa, there was nothing but stars, but he was almost convinced that that for a split-second, he'd seen another ship. "I'm pretty certain we've gone to warp... Calli commented, frowning, "... See if you can make contact with the Raven!" she ordered, on the unspoken assumption that, despite not being in visual range, the Raven was going to be coming after them, she walked over to where Andae was quickly recovering after the transfusion. Wedlerson tapped the panel, trying to make sense of the display - The last thing he wanted to do was disable the computer by possibly making it believe they were a problem to the ship's equilibrium - He wanted to look as innocent as possible while hopefully 'coaxing' as much useful information as possible out of the thus-far amiable computer: "Computer .. Can you open a direct communication link to the nearby vessels?" he asked, hardly expecting any reply. 'Authorisation Tollak Six required,'"I'm assuming none of us as this 'Tollak Six' authorisation?" Raven's Operations Chief said, frustratedly before trying again: "Computer .. Is there anyone with appropriate authorisation on board at this time?" 'There are currently two thousand six hundred forty personnel with appropriate clearance or above on board'"Bloody hell...!" Calli said, shaking her head in dismay before Harry pointed out that they would likely be among those in hibernation and not running around the ship 'willy-nilly' waiting for something to do, "... So can we wake one of them?" "Beats me," Wedlerson said with a shrug. Calli stood, and approached Harry, who instructed her to make physical contact with the panel in the first instance, then it seemed to 'remember' who had spoken and replied accordingly: "Computer .. Can one of the personnel with appropriate clearance be wakened from hibernation?" 'Restoration protocols require Level Tollak Eight or above' "Great," Calli said. "Hold on, we know for a fact that at least one person, if we're describing these Changelings as 'people' is aboard. He's killing us off one by one...!" Milyanov said, taking in the vast area before satisfying himself no one was about to jump out at them without warning, "... So maybe we capture him, it, and put him to work," "That's not going to work..." Burwell interjected as he checked Andae's pulse before nodding, seemingly happy the Exec' was again up and about, "... He clearly wants rid of us, for reasons known only to himself, so he's hardly likely to suddenly decide to help out. The only way we're going to maybe force his hand is by threatening the very thing he's here to preserve," "Meaning?" Harry asked, not sure he wanted to hear the reply. Burwell approached the panel and touched it for a second, then spoke: "We threaten to disable or deactivate one or more of the hibernation calls..." he said, waiting for a better idea to be tabled. With a shrug, he walked to the jet-black panel and placed a hand on it, "Computer .. Can you open a shipwide communication?" 'Shipwide communications are available .. .. Do you wish to proceed?'"Yes, please .. Open a shipwide communication," Lew Burwell said, shaking his head at the annoyingly prolonged procedure. He remained silent for a moment, mentally drafting what he wanted to say. When ready, he began: "To the Tkrnn Changeling aboard this vessel .. We require your assistance .. You will stop attacking our personnel and present yourself to the Federation Officers closest to your location .. Failure to comply with this request will be unwise," he moved away from the panel. He waited a full five minutes, in which time no reply was forthcoming, then tried again: "To the Tkrnn Changeling aboard this vessel .. You have sixty seconds to comply with our instructions .. I assume you have the ability to monitor our location .. Please do so now!" again he waited. There was no way for him to confirm the Tkrnn was even listening let alone watching proceedings, frustrated at the lack of cooperation he tried once more: "To the Tkrnn Changeling aboard this vessel .. It is in 'BOTH' our interests for you to reply to this communication. Your continued silence will only confirm your continued hostile intentions and force us to act accordingly. You have, ten seconds!" he fell silent, and everyone inwardly counted down. Thankfully, Harry hadn't been forced to vocalise any threat he was going to make against the sleepers, no point really, unless he knew someone was there to reply to said ultimatum ..........
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Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
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Post by Carl Torek on Jun 3, 2023 17:25:23 GMT
Aboard USS Raven-C :: =^= We have an away team on the Tkrnn ship that's jumped to warp .. Captain =^= Tinsley said. =^= Then I suggest we ignore the Mok'pa for now .. Admiral .. .. And get after your people =^= Grant Manley said in the centre seat of the USS Maracanda. "Sensors show that the Tkrnn vessel is passing warp three and still accelerating," Lysia T'Seng informed everyone. Carl inwardly wondered at the sheer power required to move such a gargantuan vessel as the Terraformer, physics could only achieve so much, and it was clear that achieving high warp took time, he imagined Starfleet Engineers would be salivating at the prospect of getting anywhere near the Tkrnn ship. =^= We have two disabled Romulan Warbirds some distance back .. But no sign of the one assigned to assist =^= Manley was saying. =^= There's clearly some internal politics going on between the Romulans and the Tal Shiar .. We need to assume that the Mok'Pa won't simply leave us to our own devices =^= =^= Agreed .. .. =^= =^= Come about Captain .. We'll go to warp and chase down the Terraformer =^= Carl motioned for the communication to be cut, then instructed Lieutenant Fields at Helm to go after the Terraformer, he still couldn't get the uneasy feeling that the Romulans, or more specifically, the 'Tal Shiar' were not done with the Federation Starship just yet. "Warp five, Lieutenant," he requested. "Warp five," Fields confirmed, turning the Raven and leaping into the realm of faster-than-light travel. "The Maracanda is holding station five hundred meters off our Port Aft quarter one thousand metres astern of us," Lysia confirmed moments later. "Understood," Carl said, wondering just what was happening to his absent personnel ..... ----- It didn't take long to close the distance between themselves and the massive Terraforming vessel. Once within ten thousand metres, Torek instructed his Helm Officer to match course and velocity. Lysia confirmed that the Maracanda was still holding station as ordered. There was no point in contacting the other ship just yet, of course, he knew full well that if Manley had any thoughts he felt were relevant to their situation, he would communicate with the Raven to air those thoughts. Meanwhile, despite all efforts, neither Lysia T'Seng nor Nate Tinsey was able to break through whatever the Tkrnn were using to block communications and transporter functions. As frustrating as it was, all they could do was follow, and hope for either a breakthrough or a smidgen of blind luck - Truth be told, Carl wasn't bothered which came first ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jun 3, 2023 18:29:35 GMT
Nate Tinsley perspective, USS Raven OOC: sorry it doesn't lead on much further, wrote before seeing the new Torek post, now sort of a back post but adds Manley and Scober's visit to the Raven about Federation Council's concerns
The COs of the Raven and Maracanda were accompanied by their first officers (Lysia T'Seng acting as XO in the Raven's case), three security guards and Tinsley through the corridors of the Sovereign class, from transporter room 1 to the conference room, the two Maracanda officers beaming across just before both vessels had leapt after the Tkrnn vessel into the supraluminal realm.
Tinsley entered last as Torek was pouring four double measures of brandy from a pitcher, for himself as CO, his fellow CO Grant Manley, T'Seng and Frank Scober. "We'd thought you were in serious trouble," Manley said as he threw his back, "My tactical officer detected a collapsed shield grid and two of the three warbirds still active and looping back on intercept courses."
"We did take serious damage. No fatalities, but large volumes of three decks in the saucer were blown out by plasma from ruptured EPS conduits," T'Seng said.
Torek nodded, "And the Mok'pa is still out there under cloak. The other ships are out there, too, in fact, though we think they're quite thoroughly disabled. Who knows where the Mok'pa is at the moment... my gut tells me it's not far away. Nevertheless you can rest assured, Captain, that your presence wasn't quite so essential."
"We still have our doubts, our suspicions," Manley replied flatly, swirling his new shot of brandy before eyeing the fluid and casting it back, "Or I should say the Federation Council does." They took their seats at the conference table, Tinsley warily watching the four of them with their brandy glasses, the engineer invited as the third most senior to stand in, in the event Carl or Lysia were called away to the bridge.
"As I said before, it was the Council who sent myself and my ship out here, bypassing Starbase 47 authorities," Manley said, "I spoke to Vice President Laterza personally, from her chateaux in France. She is concerned that the Romulans have become too involved in this covert operation. Apparently she and Crelev expected that the Tal Shiar would do little more than escort you here to the Romulan-Tkrnn border; perhaps join you for some initial investigations, but otherwise stand aside. Now it seems they've not only got their hands dirty but even turned on you..."
Manley studied the three Raven officers and then looked briefly at Scober, who seemed to barely register his CO, perhaps instructed not to give too much evidence of any plan made by the two Maracanda officers before beaming aboard, Tinsley thought, alarmed he was even considering such a thing.
Torek looked to Lysia who led the Raven's response, "You said the Federation Council has doubts and suspicions. What did you mean?"
Scober volunteered, heaving himself forward in his seat, "They're wondering how the Tal Shiar so effectively deceived you into thinking they were on your, or rather our side... Laterza disagrees but some of them think a Tkrnn changeling may be present aboard the Raven."
"All crew had standard physical shortly after departure, during transit to the Romulan neutral zone," T'Seng replied, "Be assured we would've found something amiss with one or more of the blood tests..."
"Then possibly you have a stowaway. We can't say for sure. Perhaps there's not a problem as some of the Council think; in any case Laterza would agree with you," Scober shrugged his shoulders.
"I've been ordered to remain here until the situation is resolved - either with your mission to study the terraformer completed, or you having got out of here without further loss," Manley said, "The Fed Council wants to know who of the crew has made contact with the Tkrnn?"
Tinsley spoke, "We have a dozen of our people over on the terraformer now. The First Officer, our Mission Advisor and our Chief Engineer amongst others." Little did he know that two of them - Alek Boon and Mia Broad - were already dead.
"We're not gaining on the Tkrnn vessel, are we?" the Maracanda CO asked, though he already knew the answer. Tinsley's eyes were downcast; they were gaining on the terraformer ever so slightly, its peculiar engines having two modes, one of speed warp 1 and the other warp 9.99... "And it's heading for an inhabited Romulan system?"
"As far as we can tell," T'Seng nodded. They were closing to within 10 kilometres of the Tkrnn ship...
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Carl Torek
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Post by Carl Torek on Jun 9, 2023 18:58:14 GMT
OOC : Posting as SabinΓ© Laterza.IC :ChΓ’teau de Laterza. Loire Valley, France ...
Family Home of Federation Vice President SabinΓ© Laterza ::
Crelev saw the Vice President's eyes widen, he turned in time to see the Romulan he believed was Nu'los, change, seconds earlier this was the man Crelev trusted with his most secret information, yet now he was facing someone completely different!
The man thought to be one of the Vice President's Staff had raised a phaser and was aiming it directly at the Changeling, who smiled:
"You cannot hope to overcome me, Sir..." the Changeling said to the man holding the phaser. Over fifty metres away, Laterza's Security detail couldn't see what was transpiring as the Changeling spoke to Crelev, "... I have come to prove our invulnerability, you came to us to help bring the Klingons and Romulans into a state of war, thus strengthening your tenuous hold on authority. Your assumption that the Humans would stand to one side and allow this to happen on their own Starbase, was an error we cannot forgive,"
The Vice President's Aide, still pointing his phaser at the Changeling glanced at Laterza as if for instructions, it was all the Changeling needed, he stepped up to Sabine and grabbed the Vice President by the throat turning his body slightly so the Vice President was now between the armed aide and himself. Smiling, he began to apply pressure.
"Don .... on't ....." SabinΓ© pleaded as she felt her throat contracting, Crelev had moved quickly, but not fast enough:
"I will snap this pretty neck like a brittle twig if you move any closer...!" he whispered, then turned to the aide, "... Drop the phaser please, and remain motionless if you wish to keep your charge alive,"
The Changeling casually looked around, satisfied no one had noticed the altercation, he looked at SabinΓ© and spoke in a whisper:
"Keep your arms at your side Madam Vice President..." he began, eyes on the Security detail close by, "... We would not want to alarm unduly now, would we? ..... I am about to release my hold on you, if you try to raise any alarm, I will kill you before your protectors can react, do you understand me?"
Assuming her head movement was, in fact, a nod and not the last throes of consciousness, he slowly released her.
"Now, I think it is time we discussed how to further our, alliance," the Changeling said, a smile forming as he looked from the Vice President to Crelev then back .......... OOC : Posting as Carl Torek.IC :Conference Room USS Raven-C :: The conversation between Grant Manley, his Executive Officer Frank Scober, Nate Tinsley and Lysia T'Seng hadn't really shed much light on what was happening in regard to their current situation, either back on Earth, or on Starbase Forty-Seven. Other than those in authority were demanding answers to questions Carl simply had no immediate logical reply for. They had people missing, they had been attacked, either with the Romulan Senate's authorisation or more likely, without it, he strongly believed that it was the Tal Shiar who were calling the proverbial 'shots' so to speak. Which meant what - Could he expect help from the Senate - Or were they too concerned at how much actual power the Tal Shiar held to consider aid even if it was requested? ..... That said, the Senate 'must' be aware that the terraforming vessel was now en route to one of their Star Systems, so, what action, if any, would they take? He was still inwardly absorbing the comment from Captain Manley, that he had been asked to remain aboard the Raven, presumably leaving the Maracand under Commander Scober's Command for the duration ..... Why? The Raven, Maracanda in close formation, were holding position ten thousand metres astern of the Terraformer, and not that the Tkrnn vessel had presumably reached its maximum velocity, they would struggle to close the distance without risking damage to one of both Starships. "Admiral..." Lysia said as they returned to the Bridge, "... We're still struggling to break through whatever interference the Tkrnn are employing to block communications and transport, we're going to need to get a damn sight closer if we're going to have any chance at either getting our people back or sending back-up over there to assist," "I suggest we try to slow it down..." Manley suggested, seeing others on the Bridge turn in his direction, "... A volley of photon torpedoes targeting their drive systems should slow them enough for us to make a close approach," "..... Then do what?" T'Seng asked. "It's a given the Romulans won't let this thing commence terraforming procedures," Tinsley speculated. "So we slow it before it reaches Romulan Space, or we sit back and let them do the work for us," Carl said, more comment than a question, but Nate still felt the need to reply: "The Romulans won't care a jot who's over there, they will simply hit it with everything they have until it slows or blows up," "Then we need to slow it down then, don't we," Carl said, glancing at Manley as he sat in the centre seat, eyes on the Terraforming vessel filling the large viewscreen ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jun 13, 2023 15:35:31 GMT
Tkrnn terraformer
There was indeed a Tkrnn listening in to Burwell's communication, the very same transmission that echoed down the vast and deserted corridors of the terraformer and in its over 500 nexi which lay as focal points for the passageways that were so many spokes about their central points.
It filled areas of the ship in which conscious Tkrnn dwelt, too... not less than 200 of them in a series of fabulous residential suites in the lower levels of the prow...
"As you suspected, I was listening. There are a great many hibernation cells, a great many labourer Tkrnn. The loss of one of them is of no importance to the Supreme Rulers." Still groggy and feeling faint from the blood transfusion, Andae had been casting about wondering where the voice was emitting from, suspecting certain audio equipment but then spotting what must be the Tkrnn changeling, in the unnerving form of Vice President Sabine Laterza emerging from shadows in the passage next to the jet black interface.
"Madam Vice Pr- " Burwell began but shut up as he realised the impossibility that Laterza should've been able to find her way here.
"And who are the Supreme Rulers?" Andae replied to the Tkrnn, building his resolve in the face of yet another of the formidable changelings - another, unless it was the same who'd accosted them last and killed two of the Romulans... "Can we speak to the Rulers? I mean can our chief authorities?" Perhaps there was still time to reason this out, Blakus thought. In his view the Tkrnn really didn't need to be going anywhere near the Beta quadrant, let alone Federation space.
"The Supreme Rulers do as they wish," 'Laterza' said, and Andae thought he caught a hint of resentment.
"Then they don't count you amongst their number?"
"Not at this time." The Tkrnn would say no more on the matter. "But if you wish... You may interrogate... you may see and question one of the labourers, a humanoid." She or it turned away and held up a hand that with splayed fingers then worked with majestic speed on the computer interface.
"You mean a humanoid, like those on the board of the Supreme Rulers?" Calli asked. "Like those who dominate them?"
Finishing working on the interface, 'Laterza' took forever to nod, "That's correct," she seemed to say almost in fury, before again returning focus to the matter of the cryostasis units, "All humanoids aboard are in hibernation. We changelings aboard have been conscious for the entire transit time, from the edge of what you would call the Gamma quadrant boundary, at its segment near the galactic centre. Except of course for our periods of reconstitution when we revert to our natural liquid state; during which we are still aware, I would remind you..." she cast them a warning glance.
It emerged she'd ordered the computer to direct a cryostasis unit from deep within the bowels of the vessel - though as it turned out still in this one of 500 sections of the ship - to this location, via a network of personnel transporters which were a cross between maintenance shafts and turbolifts. The hibernation unit in question materialised through what seemed for a moment to be a porous metallic substance, which after the unit had passed through reformed itself into solid matter.
The cell stood vertically, the head and shoulders of the humanoid sleeper within clearly visible, a female of about twenty five to thirty at least by human reckoning. Meanwhile the Laterza Tkrnn turned and worked a panel at the left side of the sleeper unit, and the front panel dissolved as if it'd been a holographic projection.
"She is awakening. You may speak with her. This is a mid-level bureaucrat, name - what use they have of them, I do not know - is Naqno. In another three of your years she will be considered for membership with the most vaunted Supreme Rulers." As the quintet regarded the cryostasis unit, the Laterza changeling stalked off, though - once he realised she'd gone - Andae thought how she might still be watching.
They approached the unit as the Tkrnn female within emerged and opened her eyes, and Andae immediately recognised the fear in them. "Have we reached Eta Iridi?" she asked, trembling. "Where are my colleagues?"
Not knowing what else to do, the team shrugged at each other and helped the sleeper away from the unit and on to a bench at the edge of the space. Andae asked himself why 'Laterza' had done this, awakening the humanoid. Was there some sort of power struggle within the Tkrnn that the changeling was wanting to involve the Federation in?
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Calli Valente
Starfleet Intelligence
"Don't get in my way."
Registered: Aug 4, 2010 21:19:10 GMT
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Post by Calli Valente on Jun 20, 2023 18:46:20 GMT
Tkrnn Terraformer :: Having got over the shock of speaking to the Federation Vice President, or at least the Tkrnn Changeling's joke in impersonating the woman, the group watched in silence as the 'woman' acclimatised herself with being awakened before the allotted time. "..... Have we reached Eta Iridi...?" she asked, trembling, but refusing any further assistance to stand on her own two feet, "... Where are my colleagues?" Calli stood watching, as did everyone else, the Tkrnn who had initiated the revival process, knelt before the Changeling he had identified as Naqno, a mid-level bureaucrat apparently until Blakus took a step forward, the Changeling immediately turned! "You are not of the Tkrnn!" she said, eyes darting to the underling before returning to the group of Federation Officers. "We are from a group of pla ....." Andae began, falling silent as Naqno held up a hand, she addressed the underling in what everyone assumed was their native language, and it was immediately clear that either the language was so complex the universal translator program couldn't handle the complexity, or something was blocking the devices everyone had incorporated into the comm badges. "You will vacate this vessel immediately!" she said after several moments of what sounded like pure jibberish to the others. "We cannot do that," Blakus began but the Changeling took a pace forward and hit the Raven's Exec' with such force that he was thrown backwards, landing almost ten metres behind the others, blood running freely from the cuts in his lips and inner cheeks. He spat blood on the deck plates as struggled to his feet. the Changeling turned to Calli: "He speaks for you?" she asked, surprising everyone. "Yes, he is in Command while on this vessel," Calli explained. Naqno eyed Blakus as he got to his feet, wiping the blood away with the sleeve of his right arm. "..... Interesting," Andae returned to the others, eyeing the Changeling with, what Calli believed was something approaching contempt. "You will depart, or face the consequences!" the Tkrnn bureaucrat instructed them, turning away as if the matter were done with, but her underling again approached, half kneeling as he spoke in hushed tones, Naqno kept moving her eyes from the underling to the Federation Officers then back as she made occasional almost imperceptible nods. Finally, she stood, looking down on her lesser for a long moment before morphing her left hand and arm into a long, curved, blade, bringing it down in a curve so fast the underlying had no time to react as his head was severed. The body fell in almost slow motion, the head hitting the deck metres away. Then, she turned to face the Away Team! ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jun 24, 2023 20:11:44 GMT
Middle decks, Tkrnn terraformer
Blakus had looked in shock on the dead body of the underling and at the still hissing barrel of the overcharged energy weapon held by Naqno. The question went through his mind, why had she done it? What had she and the dead Tkrnn said to each other before she'd pulled the trigger?
"You'll come with me now," she gestured to the five Raven officers with the phaser-like weapon.
Blakus didn't think so. While she was undoubtedly strong and had hit him well enough, she remained a flesh and blood humanoid and without doubt couldn't take on more than one of them, let alone all five. But as he completed the thought, he discovered the odds weren't quite as favourable as that.
A number of Tkrnn humanoids - having recently awoken - entered the chamber, along with a couple changelings, identifiable as such because their limbs - both arms and legs - were continuously morphing into a number of different shapes, their heads and torsos suspended above the deck on masses of rippling silver substance.
"I'll have to ask you to head this way," the bureaucrat Naqno intoned and pointed the phaser at Burwell's head, he being the officer positioned closest to her, and with her other hand gestured down one particular passageway. "All of you. It's important that you be kept together."
Not knowing why this was so essential, Andae lowered his head and led the four Raven officers down the broad brightly lit corridor; they were flanked by watchful Tkrnn humanoid labourers each of whom brandished a form of energy-based rifle.
"What are we doing now?" he asked Naqno once they'd reached a low-ceilinged room off the left side of the spoke passage. It had banks of quite old-fashioned consoles set into three of the four walls.
"With many of us awakening from stasis now, we're assigning ourselves our orders. From here I will help coordinate the vessel's approach to the Eta Iridi system." She had labourer Tkrnn sit at the consoles and apparently begin communicating with other parts of the terraformer, the whole of which truly seemed to be coming to life now.
"And the changelings amongst you?" Valente asked, "They didn't need to emerge from stasis. One of them told us they've been awake the whole time, since the terraformer left your space."
"Yes, the Elite," Naqno said, "They have their abode in the prow. The Supreme Rulers - humanoids - who are aboard do well to keep them at arm's length. Now'd you better cease with your questions... It had been decided that any intruders should leave immediately, either by transportation to their point of origin or in lieu of such availability, via an airlock into vacuum... But I've chosen to keep you here, to witness our work as we remake two inhabited worlds!"
Somehow not feeling grateful for this mercy, Andae was about to make some sarcastic remark when a humanoid labourer entered and marched up to Naqno, "We are on the outskirts of the target, Bureaucrat."
Naqno acknowledged and turned to another labourer, who nodded and flicked a couple switches, a holographic display of an external view from the terraformer blooming out into the middle of the room.
The display held an impressive sight: a black expanse punctuated by a distant sun and two small white dots (planets) set at different inclinations round the central body. It soon became apparent to Andae that the terraformer had arrived at Eta Iridi. Another display showed an aft view, and there about 10 kilometres away, station-keeping with the terraformer, at full impulse, were the USS Raven and an Intrepid class starship.
"We are now on new trajectory for first of the planets," another labourer reported. Which would be inhabited by millions of Romulan colonists, Andae thought. Where the hell were the Star Empire's warbirds? They were just going to let this happen?
"And sequence initiated, Naqno," another Tkrnn, this one a changeling and presumed member of the Elite, intoned - as Blakus noted, possibly of the same rank as Naqno.
Distant clanks and vibrations were heard and Andae felt that the terraformer had taken up a new motion. "Everything is proceeding as normal," the same changeling reported to Naqno.
This isn't the movement of the whole terraformer, but the free motion of one of 500 sub-units! Andae realised. He and the other four were all within the same section of the ship. Lieutenants Gerelo and Taylor and their teams were presumably in different ones.
From the bridges of the Raven and Maracanda, the crews watched in awe; the terraformer was already on course into the system as it atomised itself into its constituent sections...
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Carl Torek
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Post by Carl Torek on Jun 25, 2023 14:16:06 GMT
Office of United Federation of Planets
President
Ra-Ghoranni
βββββ Carl couldn't quite believe that despite their situation, Section Admiral Gheskori had 'insisted' he take part in an encrypted sub-space communication. Under duress, he sat in his Ready room watching the various images on the wall-mounted viewscreen. Currently on the left side of the screen were Gheskori and Admiral Lemond, the Head of Starfleet Intelligence, both in the Section Admiral's office on Starbase forty-Seven, and on the right, the Office of the Federation President showing numerous, he presumed 'advisors' and Representatives ..... The Efosian President was sitting at his desk ..... "..... simply cannot continue to allow the Tkrnn to move around our territory unhindered!" one of the Federation Council was saying.
"Several days ago, following continued issues on Starbase Forty-Seven, which now, unfortunately, include an explosion which cost the life of a Starfleet Officer and injured several others ... I dispatched the USS Charleston, carrying a federation Envoy, to the Tkrnn Star System. My esteemed colleague, Ambassador Kur'vuk, representing the Romulan Star Empire in Ambassador Crelev's absence, has permitted safe passage of the Flagsip through their space. I must point out that their offer to 'accompany' the Flagship was graciously declined,"
Ra-Ghoranni said, raising one hand centimetres off the polished surface of his desk to silence the Representative, he paused for a moment before continuing:
"..... The Charleston, is now, albeit circuitously, en route back to Earth, having been turned away from Tkrnn Space under threat of attack. Given the current state of affairs, we are holding this extraordinary meeting to discuss possible reprisals to the Tkrnn," the Efosian said with a curt nod to the Romulan.
"Mister President..." Nia Lemond said, "... It is painfully obvious that whatever plans the Tkrnn had for coaxing the Romulan and Klingon Empires into all-out war failed, thus their encroachment on Starbase Forty-Seven. Has there been any communication regards their actions, which surely amount to hostile activities against the Federation on their part?"
"As yet, Admiral, there has been no reply to any communications sent by us, which suggests, that they are either ignoring us or feel their activities prudent to their ongoing activities,"
"But surely they need to respond, they can't seriously expect us to allow them to run riot on Federation Territory without answering for their crimes!" Nia said, clearly trying hard to control her frustration as Gheskori glanced at her without comment.
"The Council are in full agreement, Admiral Lemond..." the President replied, rising from his seat to pace the office clearly troubled but in control, "... It has been put forward that 'if' the Tkrnn are allowed to continue, they will eventually incur the wrath of the Romulan Star Empire, and inevitably the Klingon Empire. Given our association with both, it is felt, among some, that we, the Federation, will have no option but to declare war,"
"Mister President..." Carl said from his Ready Room aboard the Raven, "... Given their actions thus far, and the loss of life both Romulan 'and' Federation, I feel we must take action 'BEFORE' the Tkrnn are allowed to commence any terraforming activities. I still have personnel on the Terraforming vessel with t this point no means to contact of retrieve them," he didn't mention the fact that he was ready to do almost anything to halt the mammoth ship short of destroying it completely, but it hadn't been completely ignored as a possible last-chance option in his mind.
"The Council is aware of your situation, Fleet Admiral, and is taking it into account," Ra-Ghoranni said, making Carl wonder where he was getting this 'up-to-date' information, then remembered Grant Manley. He was about to enquire about this information when the door to his Ready Room opened, Lysia T'Seng entered, remaining out of view of those Torek was in conference with. Carl knew that his Tactical Officer would never enter unannounced unless there was a reason to do so, he informed those on-screen that he was needed and removed himself temporarily from the three-way communication and looked at Lysia: "The Tkrnn vessel ..... It looks like it's in the process of separating into individual Sections!" ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jun 27, 2023 19:17:33 GMT
A separated sub-unit, Tkrnn terraformer
"We are approaching what you call Eta Iridi I," Naqno informed them with a look of considerable self-satisfaction.
Apprehensively Andae regarded the holographic external shot in the middle of the small room as it zoomed in on the first planet in the system. The room was he'd been told the control centre for just this separated section of the whole terraformer; other Tkrnn personnel would be in the 500 others...
On the screen, greys and greens under thick cloud cover revealed the world's varied topography, and while whatever settlements the Romulan colonists had established weren't visible from space, Andae knew full well that the planet was home to about 400 million people.
There were prominent oceans and a few large land masses with impressive chains of inactively volcanic mountains, around which were sizeable flatlands, and the XO understood all at once why the Tkrnn had chosen this world for their limited terraforming operations. It was something that could easily be adapted to accommodate their species: the plentiful oceans for the changelings, like how the Founders lived in The Great Link; the land masses, with the ample space for building permanent settlements, optimal for the humanoids who vastly outnumbered their shapeshifter brethren.
The 500 sub-units streamed on into the system and were nearing orbit of the world, each on a different target plane about it and approaching at different velocities; as the away team had thought before, Andae thought, perhaps each of these sections was going to terraform a distinct part of the planet.
"Our people won't stand for this. You must know they are following you now," Burwell told Naqno from near one of the three banks of consoles. Like the others (Blakus, Valente, Milyanov and Wedlerson), he was closely watched by rifle-armed Tkrnn labourers.
"Yes, the two Federation starships," Naqno glared, "They can do nothing. While our ship was whole, it was impregnable. Now, in many pieces, there is no way your two ships can take on all of them. Just having awakened, I still know little of this Federation. But actually I doubt if your ships' weapons could do damage to any of our sections."
The Laterza changeling was invited in. "My shapeshifter friend," Naqno intoned, "Tell the Starfleet officers what happens next."
The changeling morphed and took on the shape of Section Admiral Gheskori, smiling benignly at the Starfleeters,
"The first step in the colonising process will be to poison the atmosphere and destroy the current population of 421 million," it said, "In about four of your hours' time, a nerve toxin will be deployed into the upper atmosphere by 120 of the 500 separated sections of the terraformer. With the toxin still in aerosol form it will multiply once it's inside the troposphere. Estimates indicate that the entire populace of the planet will have expired in about 18 hours. Once this is complete -"
Wedlerson's rage had been building slowly. With the mention of the toxin's rapid effect, he finally lost composure and dived at 'Gheskori' with a cry. The changeling was taken aback and was actually wrestled to the ground; it changed and slipped back, escaping from Wedlerson's furiously grasping hands, rising into a column in its liquid state before reforming this time as a Klingon warrior with a hammer for a right fore-arm, about to bring it down on the Operations chief's head...
"No," Naqno shook her head firmly (the changeling desisted, disappointed) and instead she turned to Blakus, "As his compatriots say, Commander Blakus is in charge. He's responsible for his people's actions. Throw him out the airlock," she shrugged her shoulders dismissively at two labourers who without a word gripped Andae by the shoulders and escorted him from the control room.
Oh wonderful, the XO thought as the others stood forward, erupting in protest.
With him gone from the room and being marched into an airlock - by the labourers and the Klingon changeling who'd taken Gheskori's form again - the other four officers were still present as the Intrepid class of the two following starships contacted Naqno's separated section on a private channel.
Milyanov stood with jaw lowered as Captain Manley's visage appeared on the central viewer,
"All's proceeding as planned..." the changeling imitating the Maracanda CO said to Naqno, "I've been in contact with Crelev at Earth. The Federation Council suspects nothing. My crew suspects nothing."
<Tag Valente, Burwell>
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Carl Torek
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Post by Carl Torek on Jul 9, 2023 13:24:11 GMT
Carl, was standing at the rear of the Bridge, studying the Master Systems Display with Lysia, reviewing the 'scant' data they had been able to cull from the Tkrnn Terraformer, when the Helm Officer, Anna Fields got his attention: "SIR! ..... The Tkrnn vessel ..... It looks like it's in the process of separating into individual Sections!" The two spun, eyes on the scene displayed, almost struck dumb ..... The cube, moments earlier a vast monolith several kilometres square, and dwarfing the Sovereign Class Raven, was impossibly separating into smaller cubes. It was almost ballet-like choreography, in its precision, as if the thing were coming apart from the centermost cubes, each opening the distance between itself and its formerly adjoining duplicate. A full minute passed as open space began to show between the cubes before they began to move into what the Duty Tactical Officer said looked like a 'string' each moving into line with the one above, below, left, right, or ahead and behind, Lysia speculated on the computer technology needed to achieve such a manoeuvre given the required processing capacity to successfully separate, then reintegrate, a Prometheus Class Starship into three separate sections. Minutes passed as Lysia, now at Tactical One, had overlayed a tactical plot of the confirmed 'FIVE HUNDRED' individual cubes ... They were moving into positions that would ensure complete surface coverage of the first of the Planets in the Etta Iridi I Star System. "Admiral, the planet below has a breathable atmosphere, and is inhabited!" Lieutenant Jor Svensson at Science confirmed. "They're going to irradicate the indigenous population in favour of transplanting their own people?" Anna Fields stated in disbelief. "..... I'm picking up what 'could' be individual life signs on several of the cubes!" T'Seng said suddenly. "Enough to get a lock?!" Carl asked, turning to his Tactical Officer. "No, but the readings are continuing to improve, maybe the individual cubes don't have the power curve as the complete vessel?" "Comms, try hailing the Away Team," Torek said as the cubes continued their graceful orbital ballet. "Nothing yes Sir, but I too am picking up sporadic readings, possible incoming communications," Carl could only turn back to the view on screen as the five hundred cubes continued their seemingly unstoppable circumnavigation of the planet and its, they assume, ignorant inhabitants ..........
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Andae Blakus
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jul 13, 2023 15:43:19 GMT
Terraformer section, site of beam-in
Lieutenant Wilks had waited and waited and none of the away team or their Romulan counterparts had returned. He'd tried them on the comm, too, and after an initial report from Blakus about having found another of the 500 centres scattered through the vessel had heard nothing.
Figuring that he was alone at this beam-in site, he'd begun to devise a method to ensure his own safety until the teams got back or the Raven found a way to cut through the jamming apparently set up by someone - presumably a Tkrnn, probably a changeling - somewhere else on the terraformer.
Eventually, as the behemoth seemed inexplicably to shift under him and seemed to be moving with a little more lightness, a little more freedom, he discovered a way to break through the interference himself... =/\=Wilks to Raven. Repeat, Lieutenant Tom Wilks to Raven. Are you out there?=/\=
Nothing came back, but he suspected, indeed virtually knew that the ship must at least have seen that someone was trying to contact them, even if the message was unintelligible. Then he gained access to external sensors and visual shots of the exterior, and while he was shocked to see that the terraformer was no longer whole, was floating in tight orbit about some world - its bulk atomised into many parts - he was equally relieved to see both the Raven and another starship in close proximity!
=/\=Wilks to Raven. If you read me, I have not seen the away team since beam-in time. I have reason to believe some of them may be dead. In any event, for me at least, all of them are missing.=/\= He sighed, and began to repeat, =/\=Wilks to Raven. There's a planet out there, I don't know which it is. All the rest of the away team are missing...=/\=
<Tag Raven>
A different section
"We are 90 minutes from deployment of the nerve toxin into the upper atmosphere," the changeling present informed the humanoid Naqno, who nodded and glared at the central viewscreen which displayed a view of Eta Iridi I, the world that in 19.5 hours time would have no life, Romulan or otherwise, left on its surface... Limited terraforming would proceed apace once that time had expired.
For the four Starfleeters present (Valente, Burwell, Milyanov, Wedlerson), there were a number of things that needed to be done, some of which they were capable, others less so.
First of all, a possible method of escape; second, how to prevent the Tkrnn from carrying out this genocide (disable the delivery system of the toxin perhaps, but the changeling had said 120 of the separated cubes would carry it out; how could they even theoretically disable them all?); third, how to stop Commander Blakus from being blown out an airlock, and fourth, how to get a message out to the Raven that they were here waiting to be rescued...
Unknown to them, Tom Wilks on a different section had done some of point four for them. But the interference preventing a transporter lock remained...
Out of the control room and down the end of the adjoining hallway, Blakus was being secured in the airlock. To his shock, one of the changelings, one impersonating Vice Admiral Kletchley, was being forced into the tight space as well...
"The shapeshifters amongst us can survive vacuum, as you probably guessed," the wizened 'Kletchley' sneered and grinned at him with his bad teeth. But why are you even in here? Andae asked. "I'm here to make sure you don't have anything up your sleeve. I will end you out there," he gestured to the portal in the outer airlock door, "if you try anything."
With that the outer door began its unlocking sequence. Andae tried not to panic, "No... You must understand. We mean you no harm... We only wish you to desist from your efforts in Beta and Alpha quadrants..." Where are my damned colleagues?! he demanded of himself. Have they tried to...?
The air shot from the chamber as the door started to come open. Andae and the changeling lost their footing and were ejected from the airlock in the sudden silence. They spiralled into the blackness. Andae clamped his jaw shut, the last he remembered, Don't take a breath.
Bridge, USS Raven
New sounds emanated from the Operations console, the duty officer (in the absence of Wedlerson) blurting, "Sir, picking up a lifesign. This one definite. Near one of the central terraformer sections... It's drifting away from it. in vacuum." People only had a moment to absorb this as the Ops console took biosign readings. "It's human! And apparently unsuited!"
<Tag Torek> OOC: I'm assuming the comm and transporter jamming doesn't extend that far out from each terraformer section. Also the changeling is impervious to sensors so isn't being detected.
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Carl Torek
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"UTRINQUE PARATUS"
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
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Post by Carl Torek on Jul 15, 2023 18:17:34 GMT
=^= Wilks to Raven .. If you read me .. I have not seen the away team since beam-in time .. I have reason to believe some of them may be dead .. In any event for me at least .. All of them are missing .. .. Wilks to Raven .. There's a planet out there .. I don't know which it is .. All the rest of the away team is missing .. .. =^=
"What's he talking about, all missing?" Jor Svensson muttered from Science.
=^= Stand by Lieutenant =^= Carl said, trying to calm the man's obvious nervousness, then before he could continue, the Duty Operations Officer spoke:
"Sir! ..... Picking up a life sign. This one is definite. Near one of the central terraformer sections... It's drifting away from it, readings fading fast!..." People only had a moment to absorb this as the Ops console took bio sign readings. "It's Human, and apparently unsuited!" Before Torek could issue orders, Svensson confirmed he had a lock and was transporting the body directly to Main Sickbay! "Sir, I am receiving a communication from Starbase Forty-Seven," "Encoded...?" Carl asked as he was about to leave the Bridge for Main Sickbay, receiving a negative from the Communications Officer, "... Well ... Are you going to keep us in the dark indefinitely, Lieutenant?" "Sir... Admiral Lemond wishes to speak to you, immediately," the woman said. "In my Ready Room, please," ..... ---------- Carl re-entered the Bridge five minutes later and looked at those present. "What's the status of the man beamed aboard, do we know?" he asked. "It was Lieutenant Alex Broad, Captain. Doctor Roach couldn't save him. She's on her way to the Bridge now Sir. Carl took this in then spoke: "Admiral Gheskori has confirmed that a state of 'war' is now in effect in regards to the Tkrnn," "Sir, I'm picking up a large group of vessels, they are departing Romulan Space in one hell of a hurry!" "Heading our way?" "It appears so," the Tactical Officer confirmed. "Comms, try to contact 'ANY' of the Romulan vessels close to us, see if they have any idea what's going on!" Carl said as Helen Roach stepped out of the turbolift. She shook her head, indicating there was no way to save the young man. "Sir, I'm getting no response from any of the Romulan vessels," "Try the Mok'Pa!" "I have Sir, no response, and they are still cloaked so ....." the Lieutenant said. "Sir, the Romulan vessels are splitting up, it looks like they are taking up an attack posture, but ....." he fell silent as one of the five hundred individual terraforming cubes disintegrated in a burst of matter/antimatter! "Who FIRED...?" Torek demanded, seeing the Mok'Pa decloak directly ahead of the Raven, "... Open a Comm ..... NOW!" the Comms Officer confirmed the comm was established. =^= MOK'PA! .. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? .. .. .. =^= =^= MOK'PA! .. .. .. =^= "They 'CAN' hear us I assume?" he asked, his frustration growing. The Comms Officer nodded, eyes flicking between Torek, the enormous Valdore Class Warbird on screen, then back. "Sir, the Romulan vessels will be here in less than four hours," the Duty Tactical Officer confirmed as if Carl didn't have enough on his proverbial plate. "Damn!" Carl said. Knowing he couldn't go anywhere while he had people on one or more of the cubes positioning themselves around the planet nearby. A silent concern ran through his mind like a freight train: Who were the Romulans here for? ..... If they were here to extinguish the Rebel Romulan Tal Shiar faction, then all well and food, but if they were here to destroy the Tkrnn, where did that leave the Raven, and by extension, the Federation? ..........
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