Andae Blakus
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Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
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Post by Andae Blakus on Oct 18, 2023 14:45:07 GMT
USS Raven
Blakus looked at the shot of the Argosian vessel, courtesy of a hull-mounted aft-facing camera, on the bridge viewscreen. He had a hard time believing that some crack team from the Raven would be boarding that junk heap and so be taken to the Tkrnn's primary homeworld.
Perhaps though it was better than taking a whole fleet of starships, or even a handful, for this way it might allow the team either to slip by unnoticed into the heart of Tkrnn territory or to be given a veil of credibility, in that Dar'Kal apparently frequented the primary homeworld for trade purposes.
Very well then, once the freighter got to the core of Tkrnn space the Raven officers had some sufficient cover story or other means of evasion to carry out their investigations. But how were they going to get there?
* * *
Argosian freighter
Andae worked with Milyanov and a team of engineers - only as an additional helping hand, mucking in with the troops in his old department where there were still a lot of familiar faces - on the Argosian freighter, dragging circuitry out and putting in Starfleet-friendly interfaces here and there.
He knew all of the engineers of course, but had only worked with about half of the current group face-to-face in his former role as Chief Engineer. He'd gotten to know one of those new recruits a little better recently, the Betazoid Ensign Berai who'd helped them on VP Laterza's apparent psychic absence.
In addition to the new replicator, for the impending guests' benefit as much as for Dar'Kal's, the freighter captain had argued to the Raven crew he needed revamped shields. After some hesitation, Torek had agreed; they were going to have a team over there, heading into Tkrnn space, after all; they certainly needed as much protection as they could get.
They also - despite Dar'Kal's protests - wanted the new console interfaces, so the guests wouldn't have to take a crash course in Argosian ship systems and language.
"New impulse engines wouldn't go amiss," Dar'Kal was saying over the engineers' shoulders in one of the cramped passageways.
Milyanov, turning with a heap of dismembered circuitry in his arms, gave the freighter captain a dark look before throwing the wiring on to a mound of other detritus in a recess the other side of the corridor, "That'll take too long. We'd need a Starbase or shipyard for replication of some of the exotic materials, anyway."
Dar'Kal's face fell and he shrugged, "Well, no matter. We'll just have to hope we don't run into some Tkrnn scouts, won't we? You do know how fast they are, or can be?"
Blakus guided the captain away from his working engineers and got him to follow down the corridor, to a lift that gave access to the small number of other decks: holding the bridge, about ten suites of cramped living quarters, the engine room, a sickbay of limited utility, a ridiculously confining mess 'hall' (about three metres square), and of course the large cargo bays. "My home away from home," Dar'Kal had chuckled as he'd initially shown the engineers around.
"Look, Dar'Kal, how exactly are we getting to the centre of Tkrnn space?" Andae asked, "I imagine this ship isn't capable of too high a warp factor. And need I say it the Tkrnn homeworlds are all the way over in the Gamma quadrant."
"Well, we can get to Tkrnn space itself in not too long," Dar'Kal said, "It's just beyond the Romulan border, you know. Galactic north."
"Yes, I know that," Andae gritted his teeth, "We've come from there, the Gamma Zordon sector to intercept a Tkrnn terraforming vessel. But the Tkrnn homeworlds are a long long way in from that border!" He called a lift, and as the door opened he gestured with polite impatience for the Argosian to board it first. "Bridge," Andae stated. "Well?"
"There's a conduit," Dar'Kal said eventually, "an old transwarp conduit, three lightyears the other side of the Tkrnn-Romulan border, leading to the homeworlds." He huffed. "I wish I hadn't had to tell you that, but getting my career back on to the legal side of things is important to me, and Starfleet will enable that once I take you through the conduit and to the heart of the Tkrnn empire. Empire, yes, for it may as well be called that."
The lift reached the bridge and they exited, Blakus seeing the room was no better lit than the rest of the freighter.
"You've been using the transwarp conduit all this time, to trade with the Tkrnn?" Blakus continued their exchange, "And a few others would know about it, too, because you said you were one of just a few who the Tkrnn allowed to their primary homeworld?"
"Yes, and yes," Dar'Kal nodded, taking the battered command chair, "Now, when will your modifications be complete? And how many of your crew will be accompanying me? I have limited space."
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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 Oct 20, 2023 23:19:35 GMT
USS Raven-C :: It had taken thirty-six hours to complete work on the Agrosian Freighter - In that time Carl had held a briefing with Andae and Calli regarding the Away Team ..... ".....You can't go, Carl," Calli said. "..... Reasons?" Torek retorted. "You know full well why..." Valente replied, keeping her tone neutral, "... Apart from the fact that you are the Commanding Officer of the Raven, you are also the Section Executive Officer, if anything should happen once on the Tkrnn homeworld, do you think for a second they won't bleed every last iota of information out of you by whatever means necessary?" she looked at Andae, who could only agree. "Fine, so who are you taking?" he asked his Exec' "Calli, Lysia, Nate Tilsley, and myself," Blakus confirmed. "When will you be ready to depart?" "The freighter is ready now..." Calli said, looking at the PADD she was holding before continuing, "... We've given him more than we first agreed upon, but nothing that will enhance his firepower," "OK, then no time like the present, as the saying goes," Torek said, rising, Valente and Blakus following suit before all three re-entered the Bridge ..... Argosian Freighter :: The Away Team boarded, and Dar'Kal grinned as he watched them load several large satchels carrying their supplies. Lysia moved towards the front of the shuttle, intending to take one of the two pilots' seats, but the Argosian blocked her way: "You're in there..." Dar'Kal pointed to the galley area where four bunks had been installed, two on either side of the small central table, "... I prefer to do my own flying," Before anyone could comment, the comm chirped, confirming they were free to depart when ready. With no other option, Blakus, Valente, T'Seng, and Tynsley lowered themselves onto the bench seats and waited as the Argosian took the right-hand seat. He spoke quickly with the Raven's Bridge then lifted the freighter off the deck. With limited space, he was forced to use the for'ard manoeuvering thrusters to push the freighter backward. Slowly it approached and then passed through the forcefield into the space between Raven's two enormous warp nacelles. Holding station, Dar'Kal motioned for Blakus, effective Away Team leader, to speak to his Commanding Officer: =^= We'll monitor as far as we can .. The Science Vessel Curie is setting up a subspace relay close to the Tkrnn border .. It should ensure you have Comms =^= Torek informed them. =^= Good to know =^= Blakus said, opening his mouth to continue before the Argosian snapped the comm off, engaging thrusters to move away from the massive Sovereign Class Starship. Within minutes they were heading away and towards the transwarp conduit ..... Calli had been watching Dar'Kal, who had steadfastly refused any offer to join them in the galley, she asked if she could come up front to witness their passing into the conduit, but her request had been turned down in no uncertain terms. Disappointed, but still wary of the Freighter Captain, she couldn't quite figure out what was making her concerned until Lysia got up and began to walk forward. The Raven's Tactical Officer had almost reached the bulkhead separating the cockpit from the galley when Calli heard the distinct static fizz of a sub-standard forcefield snapping into place! She took a breath to warn Lysia but the woman made contact with the 'field! "What the hell is this!?" Calli asked, rising as Andae and Nate turned from checking their equipment. "Just a precaution..." Dar'Kal said apologetically, "... Non of you are familiar with the controls, I would hate for anything unavoidable to hinder your mission," "Drop the forcefield ..... NOW!" Blakus ordered as Calli frowned, she sniffed the air and then looked at Lysia and Nate, both looked half asleep and Andae's voice was beginning to slur as if intoxicated. She dropped to her knees, searching through the crates in search of the phasers they had packed, but before she could grab one, her eyes rolled and she slipped into darkness ..... ---------- She had been conscious for two full minutes, but utilizing her training, she had remained motionless all that time, her eyes closed, breathing shallow so as not to give any outward impression that she was anything but out cold ..... She could hear raised voices somewhere behind her and risked opening her eyes a fraction - The first thing was the light - There was too much, which could only mean some of that light was emanating from an 'outside' source! She could see Andae and Nate opposite her, both still seemingly under the influence of whatever gas Dar'Kal had pumped into the galley to subdue them. Risking moving her head, she could see Lysia T'Seng on her back, legs beneath the central stanchion holding the tabletop, it was then it dawned on her that they were no longer in space, but docked aboard another vessel! Moving infinitesimally slowly, she twisted her position to look back toward the Portside Airlock. She could still hear the raised voices and was certain she recognized the Argosian, but the other, clearly a woman, was, for some reason, vaguely familiar. Certain they were alone in the galley, she risked moving, first to Andae, using one hand to gently shake the man while her other hovered millimeters from his mouth, ready to stem any noise he might make. As his eyes opened she held a finger to her lips, relieved to see him make an almost imperceptible nod of understanding. Still listening intently to what was clearly an ongoing argument beyond the open airlock, Blakus began to wake Tynsley, while she raised Lysia. She looked back to see Andae frowning, Nate Tynsley was not coming around. "He might have got a larger dose of whatever knocked us out," Blakus said. Calli nodded, pointing towards the airlock, Andae nodded and then returned his attention to the Engineer. Slowly, she moved back until she was beside the airlock and shook her head in frustration - She 'knew' that woman's voice, but where the hell from? ..... Suddenly, a shadow passed across the opening and she moved back, ready to act. A man entered the airlock and looked at the four Starfleet Officers before speaking: "They're awake," he said, almost shrugging as he retraced his steps out of the craft. Calli, knowing any form of attempted subterfuge was pointless, moved to the airlock and stepped over the threshold. She almost immediately recognised her surroundings. But to say she was surprised at what greeted her was the proverbial 'mother' of understatements! "Madam Vice President..." she said, eyes on SabinΓ© Laterza, "... I have to say that I'm a little surprised to see you," ..........
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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 Oct 25, 2023 13:34:45 GMT
"Nate. Nate! Wake up, damn it... You're not going to like where we are," Andae added as the Assistant Chief Engineer started coming around.
The XO had managed to steal a glance towards Dar'Kal's viewscreen which still displayed a normal forward view. The form in the exterior, the colour scheme, the lighting, made it very clear where the Raven away team, and the freighter, had ended up.
"Oh, yes, mother? Where, mother?" Tinsley gargled blearily and with difficulty forced himself up into a sagged sitting position.
"Alright, junior. Get your head together and help us out here," Andae replied. The two of them remained in the freighter whilst T'Seng joined Calli on the deck of the vessel's receiving bay outside, now in conversation with the unfortunately present Sabine Laterza. What the VP's presence meant could be found out in time, but there were only two or three possibilities.
"What happened? We're on... we're on a Romulan ship?!" Tinsley blurted, glaring - through the low open door separating galley from bridge/cockpit - at the viewscreen.
"Yes, and going by the design of the shuttlebay outside, I'd say its Valdore type. Which can only mean we're on the Tal Shiar vessel Mok'pa. We were knocked out by something like anaesthezine gas," Andae explained to his subordinate. "There's still something we might do."
Outside the port hatch and down a lowered ramp were two Tal Shiar guards. Beyond them, Calli and Lysia continued an only just audible conversation with Laterza, the Argosian Dar'Kal, and Laterza's chief bodyguard Commander Williams, who'd been the one to enter the freighter's galley and see that the 'passengers' were now awake. Andae listened in, aware his and Tinsley's presence near the hatch was known to the two guards.
"I wasn't expecting this detour, before reaching the Tkrnn border, I must say," Calli was saying.
"Oh no... You've made no detour. You're exactly where you intended to be, only... You're on the IRW Mok'Pa, in orbit of the Tkrnn's primary homeworld in the Gamma quadrant," Laterza said and Andae descried that she was smiling.
"And who's 'we'?" Lysia enquired, recovering with difficulty from the news.
"Myself and the Tal Shiar," Sabine said lightly, "And Dar'Kal, I suppose. And General OhVok, the retired grandee of the Romulan surface army of course, along with his own warbird."
"Why?" Calli was seen to shake her head and gesture with her arms out before her.
Laterza's expression had hardened, "The Tal Shiar's alliance with the Tkrnn - at the expense of the Romulan Senate and Navy - was recognised by myself and one or two others on the Federation Council as being of supreme advantage to the Federation, though the President and most of the rest couldn't see it."
"What are you talking about, Madam Vice President?" Calli said.
"We have a chance to weaken the Star Empire's Senate, and its grip on its own affairs beyond all repair, by use of the Tal Shiar and the Tkrnn! Admiral Torek also would do well to see it!" she declaimed.
If she was actually a changeling, as Ensign Berai, the alluring Betazoid with whom Andae had had by now several friendly conversations, Laterza's at least was a good cover story, he thought as he looked on.
So then, it seemed the freighter had been taken through the transwarp conduit as planned, into the Tkrnn core and to the primary homeworld, where now the Mok'pa and probably also OhVok's warbird now hovered, having used the same conduit.
At this point, the door to the shuttlebay was opening and the Mok'pa's Acting CO Major Hirt'vak entered, walking to stand with VP Laterza, Commander Williams and Dar'Kal. The guards either side of the freighter entrance saluted and moved slightly towards Hirt'vak. Andae saw the opportunity.
He and Tinsley broke out of the freighter's hull and down the ramp, each smashing into one of the two distracted guards, Tinsley taking the disruptor of one and downing him with it, while Andae used a regular combination move to neutralise the other opponent. At the moment, and probably at this moment only, it was four Raven officers against four antagonists in the Romulan shuttlebay...
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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 Oct 29, 2023 11:01:25 GMT
IRW Mok'Pa ... Cloaked Romulan Valdore Class Warbird High Orbit of Tkrnn homeworld :: It had quickly dawned on Calli that the Federation Vice President was working, if not directly, against the will of the President, and by extension, the Federation Council ..... Was this some protracted effort to usurp the Council, or something Sabine Laterza believed in on a more personal level, she could only assume that they wouldn't know unless the woman decided to enlighten them ..... The first problem was their presumed detention!"What are you talking about, Madam Vice President?" Calli asked. "We have a chance to weaken the Star Empire's Senate, and its grip on its affairs beyond all repair, by use of the Tal Shiar and the Tkrnn! Admiral Torek also would do well to see it!" she declaimed. "Wait ..... You're saying you intend to instigate some 'takeover' if the President and the Council don't understand your thinking...?" Valente said, shaking her head in utter disbelief, "... You can't honestly believe that's going to happen, Madam Vice President, or are you intending on replacing Ra-Ghoranni in your little fiefdom?" "You would do well not to speculate on events and take heed of what I am trying to te ....." the Vice President paused as she saw someone in the corner of her eye - A second later all-out fighting broke out between the remainder of the Away Team, and the Tal Shiar guards - Williams immediately pulled SabinΓ© out of the melee and into one corner of the hanger bay while Blakus and Tinsley fought and overcame the two Romulan guards. But it was obvious that Hirt'Vak, seemingly in command, was allowing the fight to run its course before raising a hand. Every Romulan moved back as if retreating, leaving Blakus and Tinsley with their backs to the Argosian Freighter. "Your efforts are commendable, Commander..." Hirt'Vak said, taking a step forward before holding out a hand, clearly waiting for Tynsley to hand over the disruptor, who after a glance at Blakus, complied, "... You can relax gentlemen, by the ongoing agreement with the Vice President, you are to have free-reign throughout this vessel, within limits, of course. As for the man you killed, he was 'lax' and deserved nothing less," the Mok'Pa Executive Officer said, handing the disruptor to one of his subordinates before looking at Laterza. "I'm still at a loss as to what you intend," Calli said, her comment aimed at the Vice President. "As I said, some among us have long believed the Federation is lacking on some fronts, one being their 'tolerance' of the Romulan Star Empire, and its position within the Federation. The Tkrnn issue only makes the Federation's position more untenable, something that cannot be allowed to continue, thus our efforts to 'restructure' both the Council and the Romulan Senate to reestablish our rightful position," As Laterza spoke, Calli couldn't help but notice the fraction of a second's change of expression in some of the Romulans present, though they quickly hid their personal feelings on what the Human was saying. "So ..... Taking us, what might I ask is that all about?" Andae asked. "That wasn't my doing, at least initially..." SabinΓ© said, almost apologetically as she glanced at Hirt'Vak, "... It was thought that your presence on the surface might 'hinder' progress," "We have been giving the Tkrnn, and indeed the Federation, much thought Commander..." Hirt'Vak said, taking a pace forward as if to highlight his position in the highly dubious hierarchy of the group, "... With the Vice President's aid, we will accomplish what we want to achieve without the inevitable loss of life and bloodshed on both sides should we have decided upon open warfare," "But you already said that you intend to subdue the Tkrnn, presumably against their will..." Nate said, eyeing Calli and Andae before continuing, "... Are we to assume that should the Federation Council not wish to 'bow' to your new order of things, we too will suffer the wrath of the Romulan State?" "We have no wish to antagonise the Federation, only to ensure our continued survival. The Senate, along with the Federation Council, have become 'soft' in their efforts ..... Oh, we do realise that the federation is essentially a benign entity, preferring diplomacy over force, which for you is I assume, commendable. Alas, Romulns have long known that the 'ONLY' way to preserve our existence is by FORCE!" Hirt'Vak spat. Calli looked at Laterza, who suddenly seemed a little less sure of herself: "Madam Vice President..." she began. Carefully watching the woman for any subtle change, "... You cannot surely agree with all this. By your actions here, you are openly challenging the President and the Council. Neither of which I assume will sit back idly waiting on what you and your 'friends' do next. They 'WILL' send ships out to bring you back, possibly to face charges, after which I doubt you will be enjoying that chateaux of yours again for some considerable time, if at all," "I wouldn't concern myself too much about my future Ms Valente," "Meaning?" Blakus asked darkly. "Your fate, as you Humans fondly refer to it, is in my hands, not those of your Vice President," Hirt'Vak began before Laterza stepped in front of him her back to the Federation Officers. "You overstep your authority, Major ..... I believe it would be best if you returned to your Bridge and continued your assigned duties!" Everyone watched the impasse until the Major's hand moved towards his disruptor, Laterza's arm came up having morphed into a silver razor-sharp blade which sliced across the Romulan's throat like the proverbial 'hot knife through butter' ... The man's head dropped to the deck a full second before his lifeless body crumpled beside it. She glared at the remaining Romulans as if daring any of them to react, but none did. The Federation Officers stood in silence, their suspicions now frighteningly confirmed. The Changeling returned her weapon to match her other arm then turned to face the Away Team: "Now, what is it to be, will you help us in our efforts, or would you prefer to meet the fate of this, underling?" she asked, motioning to the body at her feet ..........
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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 Oct 29, 2023 11:55:37 GMT
IRW Mok'Pa ... Cloaked Romulan Valdore Class Warbird High Orbit of Tkrnn homeworld :: "We will not participate in the murder of innocents!" Andae said, realising like the others that they needed to buy time. "No one is asking you to do so, Commander," the Laterza Changeling said, seemingly happy with the outcome of her dramatic demonstration of the consequences of apparent disloyalty. "Then what 'DO' you expect from us?" Calli asked. "Only that, for the present, you watch, listen, and in time make your minds up as to your own position within this ongoing drama?" the Changeling replied, half answer half question. "We came here to find the perpetrators..." Valente said, glaring at Laterza, "... Now you show yourself to be the very person we came here to stop!" "I am not your enemy Ms Valente, nor alas, am I inclined to consider myself your friend. Much like our departed Romulan friend..." she began, pausing as three Romulans picked up the body and head of Hirt'Vak and took him from the hanger, leaving a trail of blood in their wake, "... I am here to ensure our survival. Yes, we have acted presumptively in regard to the Federation, namely the situation on your Starbase, and we regret those actions and the declaration of war from your Federation Council. Some of us acted outside their, what is it you military call it, yes, your 'remit' I believe, and as such we now need to deal with the threat from yourselves. But in aiding our endeavour I am sure an agreeable compromise can be reached with your President before we come to fighting a needless war, do you not think?" "Any possibility we could go somewhere else, the blood is a little distracting," Tinsley said, wrinkling his nose. "Yes, I think we can do just that," the Changeling said, eyeing two of the Tal Shiar who stepped in behind the Federation Officers as Laterza led the way ..... ---------- "This is the only Stateroom on the vessel ..... There are several bedrooms off this living area..." the Changeling began as if showing a prospective buyer around a lucrative property, "... As you can see, this vessel has been highly modified, it is no longer a ship of battle, but still more than capable should the need arise. You will remain here during your stay aboard, presuming you make no attempts to escape, of course, as while this is somewhat 'lavish' the cells are not," she said, leaving the four alone. Calli waited a moment then approached the door, which slid aside as it detected her presence. Rather than having a guard posted, the corridor was empty, she turned and informed the others: "So we do have run of the ship?... Hmmm..." Nate said, shaking his head, "... Then I think it would be rude not to go exploring," he said, heading for the door which again obligingly slid aside. They had been out of their stateroom for less than a minute when they were stopped: "You were shown to your quarters," the Romulan Officer said, eyeing them with suspicion. "Yes, and we were told we had free run of the ship, within limits, so we're taking advantage of that and taking a look around, it's not often we get a close look at one of your warbirds," Calli said smiling. "This, thing is anything but a Warbird, it has been fashioned for the weak the needy, an 'INSULT' to all Romulan Military!" "Not a happy chappy then?" Nate asked, knowing his levity was clearly annoying the Soldier, but the man merely glared, no doubt having been instructed not to kill any of them on a whim. "You will avoid any restricted areas. despite instructions, your unauthorised presence in any of these areas 'WILL' result in unfortunate repercussions," "You speak like a Federation Civilian, have you spent much time with us...?" Nate Tinsley asked, just managing to sidestep out of the way as the Romulan barged past them ad out of sight, "... Touchy sod," he said with a wry grin. "OK, the first order of business, apart from annoying the crew that is..." Andae said with a glance at Tinsley, "... We find a way back to their hanger bay and the Freighter," "Then leave...?" Calli asked, frowning, "... I seriously doubt they will simply let us wander back aboard, and even if they do, they can just shoot us out of space the second we egress the Mok'Pa," "Then we need to make sure they have other things on their minds when we say our goodbyes," Tinsley said, his expression one of quiet determination ..........
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Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Oct 30, 2023 14:54:08 GMT
One of the first things the away team had decided to do was attempt to disable the Mok'pa's weapons, or at least the main disruptor arrays and prominent torpedo launchers, so that in getting away aboard the Argosian freighter they wouldn't be shot down immediately. If they were fired at, it would be with the warbird's weaker remaining weapons.
Aware of if not heeding the Romulan officer's advice to stay out of restricted areas - noncompliance said to be lethal - three of the away team were pressing towards weapons control, not encountering any of the crew so far. That would surely change, Andae thought.
"Ok, here we are, sirs. Look, we're bound to face trouble," Tinsley said to Andae and Calli at the outer doors to weapons control.
Andae looked through the small hexagonal plexiglass window of the door into the rooms beyond. It wasn't possible to distinguish anyone in there, but that didn't of course mean it was empty. "We've had trouble enough already," he retorted to Nate.
It had indeed been a whirlwind few hours since they'd arrived on the Valdore type, via Dar'Kal's freighter. To Andae, things were certainly complexifying. There was the Senate, the Navy, the Tal Shiar, as well as a faction in the Federation Council, and of course the Tkrnn...
Too many stakeholders, too many rules to this game, he thought. What other entities might be involved, or become involved, before the end of all this? And how would it end? Blakus was wondering if the threat of the Tkrnn may not be over once and for all when the away team were through here.
At least things were a little more settled when it came to the most evident of the many antagonisms: the conspirators (the Tal Shiar, the Tkrnn, and the elements on the Fed Council) seemed to have as their target the Romulan Senate, and presumably also the Federation Council, if the conspirators were aiming at strengthening their respective powers.
Laterza showing herself to be a Tkrnn shapeshifter would seem to change little of that. She then merely originated from another group within the allied conspirators.
Blakus's commbadge chirped, and he was brought back to the moment. He tapped it.
=/\=T'Seng here, sir. I'm on deck 7... have disabled internal sensors in your area.=/\=
Andae acknowledged. T'Seng's own tampering would surely be known about, he thought, but they had an infinite regress problem: to mask their efforts of sabotage in one area, they had to deactivate some system in another area, and to conceal what they'd done or were doing with that, they had to alter a system in yet another section of the vessel, and so on; turtles all the way down, as he thought the old saying from an earlier century of Earth's history went.
The three entered the Mok'pa weapons control and - while at first it seemed deserted - found themselves forced to deal with two Tal Shiar lieutenants and a technician who were on a small upper level the width of a narrow walkway.
One lieutenant jumped down, flooring Tinsley, but was incapacitated by Andae and Calli; the lieutenant still above then fired her disruptor and struck Andae a glancing blow on the shin, but in the meantime Valente had climbed up and pulled her down; the Romulan tumbled and fell to the deck below, knocked unconscious.
The technician they grabbed and made of him a recruit, getting him to help with disabling the weapons' arrays, but the man escaped Tinsley's clutches and tried to raise the alarm, so he was shot down with one of the fallen disruptors by Blakus.
It wasn't the last disturbance they suffered in weapons' control. "What... are you doing?"
Andae recognised the voice, he turned and saw an equally confused Colonel Karuth - presumed former CO of the Mok'pa, who they'd worked with aboard the terraformer.
He pointed his stolen disruptor at the Colonel, and she explained she was still under house arrest but, like them, free to roam the ship. "Now could you answer my question?" she went on impatiently.
"We're disabling the weapons," Calli said eventually, "We've decided to get out of here. We need to not be shot down as we escape."
Karuth absorbed this, eventually nodding and turning her intense gaze on the three officers, "Can you take me with you? If I am taken back to Tal Shiar headquarters..."
She didn't finish the sentence. Presumably she thought she was going to be removed from the ranks of the agency - that was executed, and probably tortured beforehand.
"Perhaps," Blakus answered, and gestured about him, "What's the story here?"
The colonel frowned, and eventually picked up on the meaning of the saying, "If you're referring to the situation on my warbird and its new objective, Hirt'vak and 'Sabine Laterza' had been involved in a power struggle. Though their political aims are about the same."
"And your role?"
"I was part of the power struggle, too. I didn't get on with Laterza; that she turns out to be a changeling may go a way to explaining that. But obviously I didn't get on with Hirt'vak either, given he's responsible for my overthrow. So I was caught between the two parties.
"Now that Laterza's killed Hirt'vak, she has all the power amongst the allies, and her lieutenants - Romulans and Tkrnn, there are other changelings aboard I've discovered - have told me I'm suffered to continue moving round the ship, but for little else than their amusement!"
"Just about finished here," Tinsley was saying, working the consoles to disable disruptors and torpedoes.
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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 Nov 7, 2023 11:08:58 GMT
IRW Mok'Pa ... Cloaked Romulan Valdore Class Warbird High Orbit of Tkrnn homeworld ::
"And your role?"
"I was part of the power struggle, too. I didn't get on with Laterza. That she turns out to be a changeling may go a way to explaining that. But obviously, I didn't get on with Hirt'vak either, given he's responsible for my overthrow. So I was caught between the two parties..." Karuth said with a shake of her head, "... Now that Laterza's killed Hirt'vak, she has all the power amongst the allies, and her lieutenants - Romulans and Tkrnn, there are other changelings aboard I've discovered - have told me I'm suffered to continue moving round the ship, but for little else than their amusement!" "Just about finished here," Tinsley was saying, working the consoles to disable disruptors and torpedoes. "How far to the Hanger Bay where they're keeping the freighter?" Calli asked the Romlan Colonel, who had noticeably lowered her disruptor but hadn't returned it to her belt. "Approximately one hundred twenty of your meters, down three Levels, but reaching the craft will not be easy," "We didn't expect it to be!" Calli retorted, glaring at the woman, who seemed to find the Intelligence Officer amusing. "Shall we see how far we can get before the alarm is raised...?" Karuth said, glancing at the panel Tinsley had been working at before nodding a degree clearly impressed with the Human's ingenuity, "... You would fare well as an Engineer, Commander," "I 'AM' an Engineer," Nate said, wondering why they were even giving the woman any attention. In his unspoken opinion, she would undoubtedly betray them well before they could even hope of getting off the Warbird. "It might be best if you were to leave any encounters to me. I might be an amusement among the crew, but they would still be wary of showing any open hostility to someone of my rank and, shall we say 'former' status. Despite events, I still have friends among the crew, and with their assistance, we should be able to escape unharmed..." Karuth said, pausing at the door to turn to face the Federation Officers, "... You do realise that my aiding you it only to facilitate my own escape, where I can hopefully regroup. I am in no way siding with whatever 'plans' you have concocted," "Lady ..... Once we're out of range of this bucket you can go where the hell you like, the further from us the better!" Tinsley said, more than ready to continue his diatribe until seeing the look Andae gave him. With a shrug, he fell silent. "I believe I am beginning to like you, Commander," Karuth said with a grin. "The feeling isn't mutual I assure you," Nate said, glaring at Calli as she grinned at the exchange. "Whenever you're ready ..... Colonel," Blakus said, motioning towards the door with the disruptor he still held. "Very well, though I suggest you keep that out of sight if we encounter any of the crew. It would be one thing for them to have to put up with Humans wandering around, having one armed would certainly see us detained, possibly worse!" the Romulan Colonel said, turning to walk out of the room without another word. Tucking the weapon into the small of his back, Andae covered it with his tunic and followed the woman out. Along the main corridor running almost the full length of the massive Warbird, they quickly reached the turbolift's, two side by side, seemingly unable to decide on which to use, Calli reached forward and tapped the small pad beside the left-hand shaft. Seconds later the doors slid silently aside revealing an empty carriage. Stepping inside Karuth requested the Level they needed and as they dropped Calli noticed the woman close her eyes for a long moment and realised that she was as unnerved by what they were doing as the rest of them. No one wanted to get into a close-quarter fire-fight, it was a given that they would all die in such a situation, clearly, Karuth seemed to believe she would suffer the same fate, perhaps for all their bravado and outward confidence, some Romulans did fear the prospect of not reaching the proverbial 'ripe old age' ..... As the doors slid aside they were confronted by two of the Tal Shiar. Both Junior Officers began to step aside the second they saw Karuth, but only took half a pace, thus partially blocking their exit from the carriage. "Colonel?" the female said, clearly puzzled. "Sub-Lieutenant, there is a problem?" Karuth asked, stepping off the turbolift thus forcing both Juniors to move back to avoid colliding with her. "Colonel..." the Sub-Lieutenant said, eyes narrowing as she panned her vision over the Human enteragΓ© before returning her attention to Karuth, "... You are on a restricted Level," "I am well aware of the status of Levels on my own vessel, Sub-Lieutenant, and whilst I am temporarily not in Command, make no mistake, this is 'STILL' my ship, now..." she paused for effect then continued, "... Are you going to step aside so I might continue the tour I have agreed to give our guests, or would you prefer to detain us whilst the appropriate authority is attained ..... Though who you would ask for such authorisation is somewhat a conundrum, given the First Officer is still enjoying the hospitality of the USS Raven-c, and the Changeling posing as the Federation Vice President had earlier killed the Second Officer?" she finished, eyebrows raised as if waiting on a four-year-old to explain the mess she had just made on the living room carpet. "Apologies, Colonel, I meant no disrespect," the woman said, hastily stepping aside, her associate following suit. With a curt nod, Karuth moved past the two, the Federation Officers walking behind. no one risked turning to see what the two Tal Shiar were doing, but Calli thought it was a given that once out of sight they would contact the Bridge to report the visitors' whereabouts! "Any chance we could get a hurry up on?" Nte asked, risking a glance back, seeing both Tal Shiar Officers had either returned to their duties or were likely rushing to report their encounter. "We are here..." Karuth said, motioning toward the large double doors ahead, "... Once inside I suggest you bring the freighter drives online while I disable the forcefield over the exterior Hanger Bay doors," "You're not seriously going to allow her to come with us, are you?" Calli whispered to Andae. "I don't see that we have any option," Blakus replied as the doors slid aside to reveal the massive Hanger Bay ..........
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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 Nov 18, 2023 19:45:10 GMT
"What was this help you referred to?" Andae asked Karuth as, having sealed the doors, they pressed through the hangar bay towards the resting Argosian freighter, resting indeed, as its peculiar shape gave it the appearance of a large feline stretching out after the hunt.
"When I reach the console that'll allow me to disable the external forcefield, I'll need to contact two officers via the internal intercom. A lieutenant, and an uhlan, who've been my loyal supporters for decades, who could do nothing when Hirt'vak apprehended me on my return from the shapeshifters' terraformer. One will prevent the bridge overriding my forcefield command; the other will ensure security detachments are delayed in arriving here to prevent us leaving."
Blakus nodded. That sounded reasonable enough; it didn't on the face of it seem as if Karuth would have any reason to lie; she'd only just been told about their plan to escape, so would've had no opportunity to collude with these followers to lay some trap for the three Raven officers and render their escape shortlived indeed. He hoped that logic held up...
He headed for the freighter, seeing Valente and Tinsley already climbing the ramp of the port-side hatch and entering, while Karuth peeled off and made for an upper level through a door in the right-hand wall, to a control room with the requisite console for lowering the forcefield.
Surprised to find the freighter - as well as the wider cargo bay - virtually deserted, the XO settled into the cockpit area and started plotting the vessel's course away from the warbird and, assuming the weapons remained disabled, on to a new heading at warp towards the transwarp conduit - and thus to Federation space.
"I've disabled the forcefield and disguised my work," Karuth's voice came through the Argosian comm system.
"Excellent. What now?" Andae turned to the comm speaker and shouted while working the helm console.
"My tampering hasn't been discovered yet, but the report of the two soldiers we encountered will eventually allow the bridge to conclude that the four of us are responsible. We haven't much time."
Blakus indicated that in that case she better scramble. "Only one thing, Federation. When we get clear of the planet, I want to separate. I have a set of coordinates for you. There we'll find a Romulan light cruiser - my command ship - which will take me aboard. From there I can continue the fight against 'Laterza'."
The colonel arrived at the freighter and climbed aboard, "That'll be fine," Blakus replied, "Only I want to pull up at least a quarter parsec short. You've been helpful, certainly. But surely you understand that I have to take precautions..."
Karuth nodded and smiled grimly; to him it appeared her eyes shone as well, albeit darkly, "You're as worthwhile an accomplice as Commander Tinsley, your engineer."
Blakus paused and nodded briefly, then summoned the other two into their positions within the freighter, ready for egress from the luxurious warbird. It was at this time that the Tal Shiar caught up with them...
A circular annulus glowed briefly in the double doors of the hangar bay entrance, and the weakened section was knocked in by the butts of disruptor rifles. A Romulan reached through and released the sealing mechanism, the doors now sedately rolled aside, and a mass of Tal Shiar soldiery piled through and advanced, hollering orders to one another as they pressed towards the freighter.
Andae turned briefly to Calli who nodded and hit the control to start the engines; now she turned the freighter right through 90 degrees, wisps of gas from the noisily firing thrusters dispersing into the atmosphere, and gunned forward thrust. Shortly they were clear.
"Four Tkrnn one-man flyers inbound. From the Tkrnn homeworld's surface," Tinsley reported.
The XO studied the sensor readings on his co-pilot's display as they put distance between themselves and the warbird.
"Confirmed," he said shortly. Also according to the display, the Mok'pa's primary disruptors and torpedoes were still offline. He hoped the readings could be trusted, imagining Romulans apoplectic on the bridge, helpless to interdict as they watched the freighter take to interplanetary space.
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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 Nov 22, 2023 17:02:05 GMT
Civilian Research Vessel ::
Having spun the ship through ninety degrees, practically blowing the intruding Tal Shiar back out of the Hangerbay, she hit the thrusters and exited the Warbird, only then did she give flight control to Nate Tinsley ..... She eyed Karuth as Tinsley confirmed they were being pursued. "I don't suppose you have anything up your sleeve to get rid of those?" she asked, pointing at the tactical display on one of the secondary monitors. "You wish me to do everything for you?" the Colonel asked, a grin forming. Inwardly, Calli fought the urge to slap that grin right off the Romulan's face. "How long before they catch up?" she asked Lysia T'Seng. "Five minutes..." the Raven's Tactical Officer said with a frown, "... Though they could be here much faster if they wanted to," again Calli glanced at the Romulan Colonel. "Can we go to warp?" Blakus asked. "This rust bucket is hardly Federation spec' it takes time to build up inertia before it can form a cohesive bubble..." Nate said from the Piolot's seat, "... Three minutes, give or take," They watched the tactical display silently counting down until Tinsley gave a short chuckle: "Here we go..." he said as the Research Vessel jumped to warp. They waited anxiously but there was seemingly no sign of the pursuing Tkrnn Fighters, "... I'm setting course for the Romulan cruiser," "Fine, don't forget, hold a minimum of a quarter parsec short, they can send someone out to meet us," Blakus said with a glance at Karuth ..... Following Transfer of Colonel Karuth :: They held position, watching the small craft that was taking Karuth back to her ship put distance between them. Once satisfied, Tinsley turned the vessel towards Federation Space but only engaged impulse. It was clear a discussion was forthcoming: "You want to go after the Changeling?" Calli said, reading Andae's expression. Blakus barely nodded. "You think that's a good idea, Commander?" Lysia T'Seng asked, turning to face the others. "Nate, can you open a secure subspace channel on this thing..." Calli asked, seeing the Raven Engineer nod, "... Good ..... Contact the Raven, update them on what we have thus far, and make them aware of the new information regarding our Vice President. No doubt they will want to try to find the real SabinΓ© Laterza, if she's still alive," "What do you think Karuth is going to do now she's been freed?" T'Seng asked. "I don't know, and frankly, as long as she stays well out of our way, I don't really care... Besides, going off what's happening inside the Romulan Empire, I think she'll have her hands full just trying to stay alive," "There's no way we can reboard the Valdore Class. So, we wait it out, hope the Changeling decides she is 'homesick' or we go down to the Tkrnn Homeworld and cause enough commotion to force her to return?" Lysia suggested. "Just out of curiosity here..." Nate said, turning his own seat to face the group, "... Even if we 'can' get Laterza down to somewhere we can snatch her, who's to say she couldn't just take on someone else's likeness?... She's only looking like the 'VP' out of necessity, now we're aware, won't she avoid taking that form like the proverbial plague?" "He's right, if the Changeling does take on another likeness, we would have no way of knowing one way or the other," Calli said, clearly frustrated. "I think we lost any opportunity to snatch or dispose of the Changeling, if we even ever 'had' one, once we left the Mok'Pa..." T'Seng said, continuing as the others remained silent, "... Could we even do enough damage on the Tkrnn Homeworld to make a difference to their plans, well, short of....." she stopped talking, realising what she was about to say was ludicrous, even in her own head. "Short of...?" Blakus urged. "This 'faction' of Changelings, we know there aren't that many of them, and given their losses, there might be fewer than we think. So what's to stop us talking to the Ruling Tkrnn and offering our erm help?" "I doubt they would entertain the idea..." Calli said, falling silent for a moment before continuing, "... Besides... We're at 'war' with the Tkrnn, so our turning up on their doorstep, so to speak, will just be handing ourselves into their hands. That said: What if we could get to the surface and root out this 'faction' and openly expose them somehow?" "You don't think the Tkrnn Council already know about them?" Blakus said, shaking his head. "I don't doubt for a second they know what's happening, but the vast majority of Tkrnn, the ones incapable of morphing into whatever takes their fancy, might not, and if history is anything to go by, they can't be too happy with being thrust into a war they likely never wanted. According to the information we have thus far, all they really want is somewhere to live without being on top of each other," Valente said. "What seems strange is why didn't they just come to the Federation and ask for assistance?" Nate said. "They're not in the federation," Lysia replied. "When's that ever stopped us helping when we can?" "It still doesn't solve our immediate issue..." Calli said, glancing again at the silent Blakus, "... We need to make a decision on our next step. We could run back to the Raven and return to Starbase forty-Seven, continue our investigations from there, or we turn around and cause as much trouble for the Changelings running this show while we still can. Obviously, it wouldn't hurt to find a way to put a stop to them in the process," she finished with an exaggerated shrug ..........
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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 Nov 23, 2023 16:19:00 GMT
"... or we turn around and cause as much trouble for the Changelings running this show while we still can. Obviously, it wouldn't hurt to find a way to put a stop to them in the process," Calli finished with an exaggerated shrug
Blakus had to concur - whatever they did had to involve ending the threat of the Tkrnn to the Federation, at least for the immediate future, whether that was heading back to Starbase or remaining wholly within the Founder relatives' primary system.
"I say we should remain here, head back into the system at least some way, enough so that we're outside of sensor range of Colonel Karuth's light cruiser out there (which I don't think we can entirely trust, even if she is in a conflict with people in the Tkrnn hierarchy). There's a lot we can do on the planet... But first..." he turned to Nate,
"Get on that communication to the Raven, Commander."
Tinsley nodded and swung his pilot's chair to the port-side where he accessed the long range communications array and pointed it towards the idling transwarp conduit. He put through his comm while the others continued discussing. "USS Raven, this is Commander Tinsley, on the Argosian freighter in proximity of the Tkrnn primary star system."
"Good to hear your voice, Commander. May I say you're coming through beautifully," Torek responded, "Where is Captain Dar'Kal?"
Tinsley took a breath and updated the CO on everything that'd happened since they'd boarded the freighter bound for the Tkrnn homeworld. The early incapacitation by Dar'Kal who proved himself after all a renegade; the awakening on the freighter's mid-deck; the discovery they were on the IRW Mok'pa, in orbit of the primary homeworld, in the presence of Sabine Laterza and a couple others of her entourage!
They'd discovered that 'Laterza', actually a changeling, was part of a factional entity within the Tkrnn, which also alarmingly included hardline minority groups in the Federation Council, the Romulan Senate, and all of the Tal Shiar.
Following the effort to disable the warbird's weapons, they'd headed in company with the deposed Karuth to the hangar bay, and so - commandeering the Argosian freighter - escaped the fray, with its skipper Dar'Kal still aboard the Valdore type.
"We now think we can transport to the surface of the homeworld ourselves, perhaps try to sabotage the Tkrnn in their efforts," Nate continued haltingly as he listened to the different ideas Blakus, Valente and T'Seng were discussing and passed them to his interlocutor,
"Trying to capture or eliminate various officials; sabotage key facilities the Tkrnn are using in their war effort... Perhaps also speak with the authorities and expose the pro-Fed war faction," the engineer finished.
Blakus half-listened with approval, and soon the comm was ending; the Raven signed off, Torek agreeing for now to a mission extension for the freighter's stowaways, and the transwarp conduit, no longer required, returned to its idling state.
<Tag Torek possibly>
* * *
The XO went on with the discussion now that Nate had rejoined them.
It seemed to him that if they could get down to the Tkrnn's capital and more or less to the heart of power, then besides speaking to the Supreme Rulers and presenting a case for help they could give in the case of exposure of 'Laterza's' war party, it still made sense to try to force 'Laterza' down herself, even if she wouldn't be recognised. It seemed that she was either the central figure in the antagonism offered by the Tkrnn to the Federation or was one of several Tkrnn, some of whom probably themselves had membership with the Supreme Rulers.
"And the people themselves?" Valente asked, "If the Rulers know about the war faction, but the people do not?"
"It stands to reason that the Tkrnn possess popular assemblies," the XO replied, "They at least seem to believe in peaceful expansionism. Perhaps there'll be a way to address one or more of them, and to show them what's being done in their name by Laterza and her associates. That is if the Supreme Rulers let us anywhere near the assemblies..." the XO added doubtfully.
"Let's get back in there, break in, cause some damage," T'Seng said, "Attract the attention of the Rulers. If they don't listen to us; well, at least we've hurt their war effort."
The XO smiled, "Subtly, subtly." They set the freighter moving at low warp - to minimise the extent of its ion trail - back to the Tkrnn homeworld, having also found the computer of the freighter contained the resonance frequency of the shield grids splayed over the planetary capital.
<Tag Valente>
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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 Nov 26, 2023 14:02:05 GMT
Argosian freighter ::
=^= .. .. Good to hear your voice Commander .. Where is Captain Dar'Kal? =^= Torek responded.
=^= We now think we can transport to the surface of the homeworld ourselves .. Perhaps try to sabotage the Tkrnn in their efforts =^= Nate suggested as they updated Torek .....
Carl fell silent, clearly working through numerous scenarios' should anything go wrong, the main issue being if the Away Team were captured during something the Tkrnn Council considered unlawful, or worse, an act against the Tkrnn people themselves, given the state of war that existed between them and the Federation! ..... Finally, he approved their request to infiltrate the Tkrnn homeworld acting on two fronts - They would attempt to surreptitiously contact one or more of the Tkrnn Ruling Council, try to get them to agree to at least talk, or failing that, they would use everything at their disposal to disrupt the Tkrnn war efforts, or eradicate all those felt leading those efforts! "I can't believe that the Tkrnn populace are unaware that they are at war," Nate said as he worked to plot an approach back into the System and then to the Tkrnn homeworld itself - Hopefully undetected. "Let's get back in there..." T'Seng said, "... Attract the attention of the Rulers. If they don't listen to us, well, at least we'll hurt their war effort." "Subtly, subtly," Blakus said with a wry grin, knowing Lysia sometimes tended to favour direct action rather than talking. Happy he had everything ready, Nate informed the Away Team Leader, who after a seconds pause, nodded - The Argosian Freighter came about and began the long parabolic entry to the Tkrnn Star System ..... ---------- "Any signs we're been spotted?" Lysia asked, breaking the long silence within the freighter. "You'll know if we're spotted..." Tinsley said, concentrating on piloting. T'Seng huffed but didn't reply. The wasn't any use, as Nate was right, "... We're approaching the first shield grid, I've adjusted the frequency of the warp drive to approximate an old cargo craft, I spotted over a dozen in orbit, presumably awaiting authorisation to head down to the surface themselves. We're jumping the queue, but as long as they don't raise the roof, or look out the nearest window, we 'should' get through unchallenged," "..... And if we are?" Calli asked, receiving a shrug by way of a reply. She glanced at Andae, who still seemed preoccupied. "We're passing through the inner grid," Tinsley said as the comm chirped with a digital instruction. "What's that?" Blakus asked nervously. "Apparently, destination and landing coordinates. Seems they're happy we're here to drop off or pick up something..." the Engineer said, acknowledging the instructions before making several quick inputs, "... Don't worry, we're not going where they want. I've picked out an area outside the city, we should be able to drop below their sensors and land unseen. We'll have to walk into the city, but hey, a little exercise never hurt anyone," he said with a grin as the others adopted synchronised frowns. "Just out of curiosity here, but 'how far' outside the city, exactly?" Calli asked. "Twelve kilometres, as the proverbial crow flies," Nate replied. "We're not 'flying' though," T'Seng commented. "Yes, well it might be a little over the twelve..." Tinsley said, dropping the freighter like a stone before levelling off, "... We 'should' be below their radar now, we'll land in approximately five minutes, might be an idea to get ready, on the off-chance," As the freighter moved between ground rises and clumps of trees, almost rocking back and forth as Tinsley expertly piloted the aged ship, the others got packs from lockers, loading them with what they would need, tricorders, emergency packs, medical supplies, a locator scanner to hopefully find their way back if the need arose, and each took a phaser from the weapons rack. Calli checked the power supply of her's then did the same for Nate's before plucking two replacement fuel cells for each weapon, dropping the cells into the packs she reached forward to hand the Engineer his weapon. Nate deftly slammed the phaser to his belt and pulled his tunic down to conceal the weapon as he pointed to an impossibly small clearing. "You're landing there?" Lysia asked dubiously. "You doubt my skills...?" he replied with a chuckle as he dropped below the treeline, coming to rest less than a metre from a sheer drop that would surely kill them all if they, or the freighter tipped over the edge. Powering down the drives, Nate stood and walked to the Portside access hatch, "... Please depart the craft in an orderly fashion if you please," he said, bowing theatrically as the hatch slid upwards into a hidden recess. Outside they saw just how close they were to the edge, understanding immediately why the Engineer had instructed them to use the Port hatch, given the first step out of the Starboard hatch was a drop in the region of seventy metres. Calli had to admit - The man was skilful indeed - The freighter was sat in a clearing and actually brushed against overhanging branches of the closest trees. She doubted that the ship would be spotted from the ground, and doubted it could be seen from the air unless someone passed directly overhead 'and' was conveniently looking straight down through their own hull. "OK, folks, I guess we're walking," Nate said, resealing the hatch before encoding the control panel. 'No point in giving someone a free ship' he thought ..........
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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 Dec 3, 2023 12:44:14 GMT
Blakus and the others walked through a narrow pathed thoroughfare bisected by a line of palm-like trees with two-storey buildings in sandstone either side. In their approach to the capital city they had mercifully not come across anybody, and were keeping to suburban backstreets to try to keep things that way.
To Blakus the place seemed idyllic, contrary to what he might've expected, having had some vague premonition of brutalist architecture, the monuments of a great and terrible empire or expansionist state such as the Tkrnn's was imputed to be. To see that their urban environments weren't vastly different from Earth's was a surprise.
They came after a while to the outskirts of the capital and entered in secrecy (as they thought, but in reality they were tracked by agents of Tkrnn changelings in the time they took to traverse the various urban residues to the centre).
They passed unmanned checkpoints, deserted avenues, acceding to greater and greater awareness that something wasn't right.
They found their way into a series of buildings off to the left of their nominal course, these likewise curiously empty though clearly designed for humanoid occupancy - the solids amongst the Tkrnn, 95% of their population.
Their explorations of the interconnected buildings proved unfruitful until they entered a room on the first-storey,
Tinsley had come to stand by a diagram on a wall. It was evidently a global map of the Tkrnn primary homeworld. Clear dividing lines with the spaces so defined were labelled in Tkrnn ideogrammatic script, "Haven't we seen this sort of division before, on countless pre-warp worlds? Obviously denoting geopolitical independence. A world still awaiting its unification."
"The Tkrnn are politically divided? Then who do the Rulers really represent?" Valente asked, "Just one of these polities, or several?"
Presumably not all of them, Blakus thought, otherwise the clear distinction between the governments seen on the map would make no sense.
There were several such diagrams along the same wall, the second and third apparently showing maps of other planets, perhaps the other Tkrnn homeworlds, while the fourth displayed what Andae thought must be this capital city (capital not of the planet, but of just this polity, yet perhaps still in some sense centre of the whole empire).
"We must be here," he gestured to a point on the diagram of the capital and moved his finger northwards, "Seems there's another checkpoint just here."
* * *
Soon they approached said checkpoint, akin to some sort of tollgate which lay in a greater circumferential wall with great structures in behind it, forming in a rough heptagon the whole of the centre of the capital. Blakus walked up to the gateway with its EM detection devices and other prohibitory equipment, shrugged at the others and was about to make his way through, when the whole gate began melting into a gelatinous silvery grey substance.
In a brief moment in place of the imaginary tollgate they were confronted by ten Tkrnn shapeshifters.
"I see our efforts to clear the district have not gone unrewarded. Welcome, representatives of the Federation," the right-most changeling spoke.
Andae recovered quickly, "I take it we have the pleasure of speaking to representatives of the Supreme Rulers?"
"Incorrect. We are magistrates presiding over sessions of the empire's assemblies. Solids dominate the membership of the Supreme Rulers. The Elite have little say at that level, instead we control the middle ranks. And below us are the mass of the solids, the rabble."
That was some surprise to Andae. The 'Elite' was evidently the shapeshifter population, still clearly arrogant enough, in line with their middling social status, to refer to their inferiors as 'the rabble'. "How did you know we were coming?" T'Seng asked.
"We have agents amongst the group of she you refer to as 'Laterza', on the alien warship in orbit." The IRW Mok'pa, Andae recognised. "You should know that almost all of those you refer to as changelings fall into either our group, or Laterza's."
If these ten changelings were opposed to Laterza's war faction, Blakus thought, then it stood to reason they didn't have much power over them, otherwise the aggressive expansion against the Klingons and Romulans would likely never have happened. How could the four Raven officers help change the balance? Conduct what sabotage they could? Then they would need directing against whatever there was to be sabotaged, without drawing the inevitable interest from the shadowy body of the Supreme Rulers...
Andae held his hands up, "Is there any way we can help you combat Laterza and company, for the benefit of peace between our peoples?"
The changelings all looked at each other. "Only if some of you don't mind getting killed," one replied.
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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 Dec 5, 2023 15:29:41 GMT
City Limits - Close to the Capital ... Tkrnn Homeworld :: It was clear that they were struggling - Especially given they had no 'real' plan in place - SabotagΓ© was one option, along with trying to coerce the Tkrnn Changeling not in favour of the war to help. If they were unwilling to put themselves in the proverbial 'firing line' then all well and good. But if they wanted to remain 'outside' the upcoming activities, it was at least hoped they would leave the Federation Officers to their devices ..... She had been listening to the exchange between Andae and the group of Changelings, concerned that they were in a perilous position! "Is there any way we can help you combat Laterza and company, for the benefit of peace between our peoples?" Blakus asked. She, along with the others, tensed, it was now or never, as the Tkrnn seemed to conduct a silent forum before one turned: "Only if some of you don't mind getting killed," he replied. "Not an option I'm afraid," Nate Tinsley said with a shrug. "What you propose is dangerous, not only for you but for ourselves, and our families..." the first Tkrnn said, eyes narrowing as he looked at each of the Federation Officers in turn. "..... You expect us to sacrifice ourselves to aid in your subterfuge?" a second demanded. "WE... Don't expect you to do anything, we're at war, as you politely pointed out..." Calli said, glaring at the Tkrnn that had spoken last, "... We're well aware of the number of Tkrnn unhappy with the recent turn of events, as well as the lengths the ones instigating this action are willing to go to gain success. But they 'must' know their plan to force the Klingons and Romulans into all-out war has failed miserably, and their actions on Starbase Forty-Seven have only added to their woes!" "You appear to be under the impression we care about what has happened ..... Yes ..... War was and is, unfortunate. We petitioned very strongly to approach the Federation for help, but they were defeated in chambers time and time again by those you might describe as the 'the hardline' among the Council,"Calli watched in her peripheral vision as three of the Changelings spoke urgently before one approached the speaker: "..... We should get off the street, we are attracting attention," he said. Calli casually looked around, taking in the architecture, the low-lying buildings seemed to radiate out from what she assumed was the centre of the city, where tall spires lanced into the mid-day sunlight, she also noticed several Tkrnn eyeing the group warily as they passed, two talking in hushed whispers as they passed. "There is a small establishment on the main thoroughfare inside the central plaza, you cannot miss it. We will meet you there at..." he spoke to one of his associates then turned back, "... We shall meet you at midnight. We will adopt your method of timekeeping for the duration of your, stay," Without another word the Tkrnn seemed to morph, changing their outward appearance before each went their separate ways. One, the first to have spoken to them, turned and approached: "I must insist you do nothing to 'upset' the local populace, having you under arrest is not conclusive to a successful working relationship,""That's almost six hours off, jus 'what' are we supposed to do in the meantime?" "The city has many riches, maybe you could, what is the Human expression: 'Site-See' I believe!" With that, he too walked away. "At least no one is looking at us anymore," Lysia T'Seng said. "OK, let's make a note of utilities, power, water, etc. No point in standing around practising our advanced thumb-twigging!" Andae said ..........
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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 Dec 5, 2023 21:55:09 GMT
00:00 hrs ... Inner City :: During the last hours, the Away Team had explored most of the outskirts of the region's capital, now, close to the agreed meeting time, they were sat at a small table outside what on Earth would have been a cafΓ© bar, the satchels Lysia had issued before leaving the ship, each holding a tricorder, phaser, minimal equipment, and importantly, four, photon grenades in each, were on the floor beneath the table .....All four had purchased drinks along with what they were reliably informed was a 'local' delicacy that was placed in a large brown between them by their hostess. As they spoke, Lysia gave a brief nod to Calli - Two men were approaching - No one got up as the two took the empty seats and settled as if greeting old friends. A waitress took their order and disappeared inside: "Where's your friends?" Nate asked casually. "It isn't too wise to be seen in large groups, it attracts, attention," one said as he handed each Andae and Calli a small device that looked like a smaller version of the standard issue PADD. "What are these?" Calli asked, turning the small device in her hands. "They are what, on your world, would be called, pamphlets, visitor information if you will?""..... And we getting these why?" Nate asked as he took the one Calli was holding. "Even here, like on most worlds, we have 'tourism' ..... Visitors who have never been to the capital. Never enjoyed the wonders of this city. Like the other major capitals, populace monitoring is the norm, officials are always keen to find out what visitors are enjoying. Of course, they also ensure that there are no prying eyes wandering into areas they would be, unwelcome," he finished darkly. "So we're going to be looking at what, museums, old buildings, maybe the local train station?" Tinsley asked, dropping the device on the tabletop as the Tkrnn's drinks arrived. Then after a pause the conversation resumed: "Unlike our 'standard' info-tabs, those have been modified to not show on any recording systems. They will also show 'restricted' areas and what is in those areas, along with security levels for each,""Very nice..." Calli said, non-committally as she looked at some of the other patrons, "... You said it wasn't wise to be seen in numbers, but we have seen plenty of groups milling around," "..... Ah, I apologise, you misunderstood, I was referring to 'Changelings' in my comment, normal Tkrnn are much like any other civilian population, they go about their business, holiday, visit,""We've been taking a look around," Blakus said, watching their expression for any signs of change. "We rather expected you would," the second Tkrnn said as he held out a hand for the device Andae was holding. He made several inputs and then handed it back. "What's this?" Blakus asked. You undoubtedly will want to remain here for several days ..... We have taken the liberty of securing lodgings as guests of the council in a small hostelry,""We were planning on returning to the ship," Nate said, frowning. "You are concerned you will be discovered ..... Do not concern yourselves, as you see around you, we resemble Humans in so many ways, only a very close inspection would show you for what you are,""And you..." Calli said, suddenly annoyed at what she was sure was a thinly veiled insult, "... How do you know one of the council is sitting across from you on a nearby table watching and listening to everything you say and do?" but despite her comment, the Tkrnn smiled, as if he'd just remembered some private joke. "We... Do not frequent this section of the city, at all," the second Changeling said as if slapped. "Fine, great ..... So what now?" Nate asked as Andae examined the info device, getting to grips with the somewhat simplistic menu before pulling up specific information. "And you are sure these devices cannot be traced, of the information we access flag any alarms in the corridors of power?" Lysia asked. "We are sure. Now, have you decided on where you will go first?""Well, that depends on if or when you can get us in to see the council," Blakus said with a shrug. "Perhaps it would be best if we didn't go into too much detail regards our plans. But we do need a means to contact you," T'Seng replied. "If you access the directory, it will give you any details you require. To contact myself or one of my associates, just request information on the Tousenna Theatre. It is closed for extensive refit, but tapping the icon will open a communication to one of us, again unrecorded,""Please be cautious, while the nightlife, as you call it, is very active within the city - As you might have noticed, within the capital, nowhere actually closes - But being caught outside the central area 'will' attract attention, so, until tomorrow ....." the first Changeling said as they both stood, bowed, then turned to leave. Calli watched them walk away, talking together as if old friends enjoying a warm night on the proverbial town. She surreptitiously looked at those around her, the Changeling was right, no one was paying them the slightest notice, they were just another group of visitors, tourists, hoping to enjoy their time in the capital ..........
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Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Dec 12, 2023 21:40:37 GMT
"... nowhere actually closes - But being caught outside the central area 'will' attract attention, so, until tomorrow ....." the first Changeling said as they both stood, bowed, then turned to leave, and departed the area of the establishment and exited the plaza by its southern edge...
In narrow side-streets they made their way gradually towards their secret hideout. With Laterza's people everywhere, their magistrates' offices and the places they presided over the popular assembly were deemed unsafe for use. They often asked themselves how far the contest between their peace party and Laterza's faction would be allowed to go by the Supreme Rulers, what grade of violence, fraud and double-dealing would it achieve before the inevitable intervention?
Approaching the end of one alley, the shapeshifter who did most of the talking to the four Starfleet officers took sight of a slithering greyness, just peeling off from the transverse main concourse, barely discernible in the twilight against the street's concrete-like ground.
He nodded to his companion, "They've come for us."
While he held back and drew his particle weapon, his companion acknowledged and pressed ahead, his limbs melting into the gelatinous silvery substance of the Tkrnn's natural form; he picked up speed, darting in a mass of tendrils to the left and so on to assault their changeling brethren and would-be assassin.
Unable to get a clear shot, the first changeling had to watch as his colleague was murdered; his shot with the particle weapon struck the assailant - the Laterza-aligned shapeshifter - a decent blow. The hostile changeling's liquid body had been torn into three parts, and as it took its time to reconstitute itself, the beleaguered assistant to the Raven officers was able to escape through the maze of backstreets...
* * *
In the annex between the away team's four sets of quarters, Blakus turned from the window overlooking the city. He spoke to the trio of officers sitting at the table, "To me it seems the best target."
"Run me through the pros and cons again," Calli replied.
With the dawn plans were solidifying in choosing a target for attempted sabotage. Andae's view was that they should go for a series of manufacturing plants, dedicated to the synthesis of a unique material used in much of Tkrnn weapons technology and essential to its working.
"According to the info-pads, the material comes in liquid form. It's injected into the power core and circuitry of typical Tkrnn weapons, from handheld arms up to particle beam arrays that are affixed to terraformers. The liquid's a conductor, carries information, allowing different parts of weaponry to communicate with each other," Blakus said.
"It permits Tkrnn armaments quite a great degree of sophistication..." Tinsley added, "Some of the weapons are rendered so complex that they're akin to computers. Artificial intelligence. The downside for the Tkrnn is that the weapons are also dependent on the material for their basic functionality."
The aim would be to knock offline the equipment in the plants, or better yet destroy a large quantity of the manufactured liquid that was on-site, something that would take a long time to replace, perhaps long enough for the hostilities - of a war thus far barely fought - between the Federation and the Tkrnn to have played themselves out and concluded.
Like their recreational and commercial sectors, Tkrnn state industry knew no closing time, so the series of plants would be occupied whatever time of today they decided upon. "Cover of darkness would be best, we could approach unseen, even if workers are in the buildings all hours," T'Seng said.
Blakus nodded and clapped his hands together, "Well, I think it's about time we checked in with our changeling friends." He knew they had to work with this Tkrnn peace faction, but to be bound to call on them at a set time was a little infuriating.
"What happened to your buddy?" Valente asked the changeling as he appeared on the small comm display set into the table.
"Good of you to keep our appointment... He's been neutralised," the Tkrnn said shortly, "'Laterza's' people are on to us. The Supreme Rulers still seem not to know anything."
"Where is Laterza herself?"
"Presumably still on the alien warship - apologies, the Romulan warbird - in orbit."
<Tag Valente>
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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 Dec 20, 2023 12:48:00 GMT
Annex ... Away Team Quarters Tkrnn Homeworld :: "To me, it seems the best target." Andae had been saying. "..... Run me through the pros and cons again," Calli replied. After a prolonged but necessary discussion, it was decided that the liquid plant would be the first target of their sabotagΓ© efforts. With that done, Blakus used the Info-pad to contact the Tkrnn. The man appeared on the small screen, and almost immediately, they could see he was nervous: "What happened to your buddy?" T'Seng asked, glancing at the others. "Good of you to keep our appointment... He's been neutralised ..... 'Laterza's' people are on to us. The Supreme Rulers still seem not to know anything.""Where is Laterza herself?" "Presumably still on the alien warship - apologies, the Romulan warbird - In orbit.""So out of reach, at least for the moment," Calli said. "Any luck with the Council...?" Blakus asked, and when the Tkrnn remained silent he continued, "... We've picked out our first target," he said, briefly outlining their plan. "I had a suspicion you might want to attack one of the production facilities ..... I have dispatched a trusted Aide with a package, he should be with you shortly. Do not be concerned, the package contains passes you must wear to pass through the perimeter. Alas, once inside you will as you say 'be on your own' as I have no authority within the facility itself,""They were still talking when a young man approached - He walked straight to them as if already knowing who he was looking for, then stood to one side seemingly waiting. Calli turned from the info-pad and approached the man, who silently held out a small wrapped package. She took it and turned it over in her hands, half expecting the thing to go off in her face. The Tkrnn seemed annoyed as he turned away. "Thank you," Calli said, surprised when the younger man turned to face her: "I do not appreciate being sent out on 'errands' in the early hours," he said, turning before walking away. With a sign, Calli returned to the others, Andae had concluded his conversation with their contact and was waiting. She opened the pack to see several small metallic discs, Andae reached in and plucked one out. He turned it over in his hands and then placed it against the civilian Tkrnn-type tunic he was wearing. "These are remotely scanned at the facility perimeter, anything out of place and we won't even 'see' the inside," he said, motioning for the others to pick a disc each. "..... You're confident he's been able to get us in...?" Lysia asked, eyeing the seemingly blank disk before placing it where her Starfleet insignia would normally sit, "... He 'could' be leading us into a trap," "I don't think so..." Nate Tinsley said fixing his disk, "... If he wanted us caught he could have done so several times by now, why go to the trouble of letting us get near the facility risking us getting in before captured or killed outright?" "Only one way to find out," Andae said with a resigned shrug as he watched Lysia take each of their satchels in turn, checking the contents, handing each their phaser in turn before standing, apparently satisfied they were ready. Andae couldn't suppress a grin at their Security Chiefs' cautiousness, her thoroughness had helped them on more than one occasion ..... Outside Facility Preparing for Ingress :: They were lying prone on the roof of a single-storey building, closest to but still aproximately fifty metres from the gate they were watching ..... "The place looks deserted..." Lysia said quietly, panning the night-vision monocular along the seemingly flimsy fenceline, "... That fence is what, one point five metres, why even bother, anyone could just clamber over it if they wanted in?""Maybe the Tkrnn respect boundaries?" Nate said with a chuckle, knowing that even without the disks, it wouldn't have been difficult to access the facility at some secluded spot. He motioned as he saw three people come into view below. Everyone fell silent as the trio approached the wide gate, which was already sliding aside to allow them access. "Seems easy enough..." Calli said, activating the info-pad to pull up the schematics the Tkrnn had supplied, then got to her knees. "... Shall we go?" Lysia asked, shuffling towards the back wall. The others followed her off the roof then they walked towards the gates, casually talking as they had seen the trio do. At ten metres, the gate obligingly rolled aside, and once through, they moved to a pre-selected location, out of sight of the main gates, before moving to one of the doors set into the long blank wall. As Lysia stepped close to the door, expecting to have to work to open it undetected, she heard a click, possible lock release. She took another step, phaser ready as the door slid into a concealed recess: "OK... Well... So far so good," she whispered, before stepping into the facilities' interior, Blakus, Valente and Tinsley one pace behind, everyone paused, backs to the wall in deep shadow. "We're clear... There's no one within one hundred thirty metres of us, they might have minimal staff during night hours, so we'll need to keep out of sight," Tinsley confirmed. "Nothing like stating the blindingly obvious," Calli said, raising her eyebrows theatrically. "I suggest we split up, teams of two..." T'Seng suggested, eyeing the schematics, "... There are two main targets we'll need to destroy for maximum reward: here, and here," she said, turning the info-pad so they could see their objectives. "..... Calli, you and Lysia take 'A' ..... Nate and I will take 'B' ..... We'll regroup here once the grenades have been placed, set detonation for zero three hundred hours, we'll be done and gone before then," Blakus decided. "Girls versus Boys eh?" Nate said with a cheesy grin, feigning pain from the punch in the arm he received from a frowning T'Seng. "OK, regroup in, one hour," Blakus said moving off right. After a moment, Calli and Lysia turned left and headed towards their objective ..........
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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 Dec 30, 2023 0:05:13 GMT
With the closing in of evening, the team debouched from their quarters and its joining annex and headed out into the twilight suffused throughout the Tkrnn capital. But the route was not so easily traversed by the Raven's XO, who got lost and separated from the others in passageways in the series of VIP suites. A felt screen falling, a light going out and a clap of hands. Blackness.
When 'Blakus' reconvened with the others at last in adjoining streets, all was not well. For shapeshifting agents of 'Laterza' had abounded in the corridors of power: the first officer of the Raven and the away team's leader, incapacitated and replaced by a Tkrnn changeling!
'Blakus' and Tinsley pressed through the sequence of corridors in this sector of the plant, the shapeshifter surveying one of the team's two info-pads as they progressed.
According to the pad, the two targets A and B each consisted of a large vat of the liquid used in Tkrnn weapons, manufactured and refined and ready for shipment to the arms factories. Both vats were ready to be moved come the morning, so as far as the team were concerned they had just this night to prevent this batch of the liquid from providing the key ingredient to newly delivered munitions.
The two found their way out of the corridors and into a broader space, of a higher ceiling and vastly more floor space... the plant or factory floor proper.
Finding a good vantage point, they soon saw that in these night-time hours there were just three Tkrnn present - presumably all humanoids, being labourers and not the middle ranked changelings such was their position in the Tkrnn caste system.
One was on the ground floor level, a worker moving back and forth silently in front of banks of machinery, tapping an indicator there and opening some valve there. On the upper level, patrolling along a pair of parallel gantries, were two armed Tkrnn, nightwatchmen.
At the far end of the space from where 'Blakus' and Tinsley made their observations was the vat of manufactured liquid, towering at a height of some four metres and being about five by five metres in length and width. Its opaquely translucent walls gave a suggestion of gentle movement of the fluid within, as it was stirred by hidden instruments preventing the mixture from losing the required consistency, cohesion and so on.
'Andae' debated a short time with Tinsley and came up with a plan on how to evade the two guards, the lieutenant commander coming up with a distraction technique by reflecting light off his tricorder towards the body of the right-hand guard that patrolled his length of gantry.
As hoped for, the guard started, wondered at the flash of light he'd seen and then headed in Tinsley's general direction while the latter relocated in the room. Meanwhile and as a consequence, 'Blakus' stole a march down the same right-hand side of the room and past the oblivious guard.
As Tinsley found himself struggling to get out of line of sight (which the guard would have if would but turn around), 'Andae' reached the vat. The worker on the factory floor was just out of view, he noticed, and so he attached the photonic explosive, programming the delay for 0300 local time as planned.
The changeling briefly shook his head. He didn't know why he was meant to go along with the Starfleet officers' plan and complete their task at this plant; he was just following Laterza's orders.
The real Andae was able to observe these events, watching what his replacement and the engineer Tinsley had resolved upon. Though he had managed to make his way into the liquid plant separately - as he knew what plan he and the other three had decided upon - there was little he could do to intervene and attempt to remove his changeling doppelganger, for he was held fast by Tkrnn humanoid arms.
"But that is you!" the plant's foreman gestured and protested as he, the real Blakus and other workers watched the screen.
They watched from the plant's office space. On the display, the factory floor was visible, 'Blakus' and Tinsley scampering around, the two guards and the worker oblivious. A second screen showed Valente and T'Seng having just finished a phaser fight with labourer Tkrnn, as they tried to get to target A.
<Tag Tinsley; Valente, T'Seng>
"I told you, I've been replaced by one of your shapeshifters, specifically that shapeshifter there," Blakus pointed to his own visage, "Now, again, I demand you take steps to end the threat of your staff to my officers. And be convinced by what I tell you about your rulers!"
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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 Dec 31, 2023 14:11:51 GMT
Tkrnn Homeworld ::
"Girls versus Boys eh?" Nate said with a cheesy grin, feigning pain from the punch in the arm he received from a frowning T'Seng.
"OK, regroup in, one hour," Blakus said with a glance at Nate before moving off right. After a moment, Calli and Lysia turned left and headed towards their objective .....
----- As they made their way down the wide thoroughfare, lined on either side by what seemed to be a mesmerising number of pipes, stanchions countless screens showing who knew what, it looked like someone had randomly put together a three-storey mishmash of equipment for no other reason but to make it look as utterly confusing as possible. Calli walked ahead with her tricorder scanning, while Lysia, holding their info-pad watched their backs, turning through three sixty degrees every few paces, phaser held ready. "According to this, the silos we need are approximately sixty metres ahead," T'Seng whispered. "We might have company ahead ..... I'm picking up three life signs just entered the building," she warned. They were closing in on their intended location when they heard voices! Both women flattened themselves into a small recess in the vertical piping, and waited ..... Calli continued to scan, holding out three fingers to Lysia signifying the three newcomers were unfortunately heading their way. T'Seng put the info-pad into her pack and readied herself. They were between several chest-thick rising pipes, hopefully, hidden from view in the shadows, but if any of the three approaching decided to stop to check one of the perplexing myriad of monitors, it was likely he would see them in the shadows. The three were now close enough to see their shadows on the floor, Calli held her breath - The last thing they wanted was a firefight - Andae had rightly suggested they get in 'and' out without attracting attention, that way they would be back at their accommodation well before the photon grenades did their jobs, but unless the three moved past without seeing the unwanted guests, a fight was all but inevitable! Lysia reached out to tap Calli's arm, motioning to the dimly illuminated thoroughfare with her phaser. The Tkrnn had paused, one talking about levels somewhere in the system, Calli let out a breath as they moved past the Starfleet Officers, but then one turned to tap a screen on the opposite side of the wide walkway, he was saying he had overridden whatever issue had presented itself and turned, but then his head snapped to his right, eyes locking on T'Seng's! Without hesitating, Lysia shot the man before he could raise the alarm, but his collapse was heard, which got the other's attention. Unsure what had happened, both drew weapons, eyes flashing back and forth as they tried to identify the source of the firing, one reaching towards what Calli could only assume was some communication device pinned to his collar, she dropped the man quickly, but then had to duck for cover as the remaining Tkrnn began to fire at the intruders. With Calli and Lysia effectively pinned down they needed one of them to get into the open, where one would get the Tkrnn's attention long enough for the other to take him down, with a silent nod, Lysia dove from cover as the Tkrnn paused, she fired twice as she rolled, seeing the Tkrnn worker change his targeting to her, she felt chips of scalding material against her arm as the shot went a fraction wide, blasting a hole in the concrete-like flooring, then she saw the beam from Calli's phaser arc across the gap, hitting the Tkrnn in the chest! Lysia got to one knee, phaser moving in unison with her eyes, scanning in both directions as Calli emerged from hiding, then as quickly as they could, they dragged the heavily stunned workers out of sight. Both knew they would be discovered or missed at some point so they moved quickly towards their goal ..... The silos, looking like massive versions of something Calli had once seen in an old whiskey distillery in Ireland, stood in two long lines, moving to the third in that line, they separated, each setting the one grenade low and out of sight to all but the most thorough search. Picking these silos would hopefully rupture or destroy one or more on either side, making the resumption of production more difficult. Moving back into the thoroughfare, they began to retrace their steps, the chronometer on Calli's tricorder helpfully noted it was zero-one forty-five, so they still had over one hour, plenty of time for them to return to their apartment. Reaching the three workers, they took a few moments to better conceal the bodies before moving through towards the egress point where hopefully Blakus and Tinsley would be waiting or on their way ..........
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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: 6,164
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Post by Carl Torek on Jan 6, 2024 13:37:44 GMT
USS Raven-C ... High Orbit Tkrnn Homeworld :: Inside, Carl was beginning to worry ..... They had lost contact with the Away Team almost twenty-four hours earlier - Nothing unusual given the circumstances - But it still didn't quite ease the small know in his stomach not having all the facts to hand. Each of the Away Team had been implanted with a subdermal transponder in their forearm, this device, undetectable to all but a thorough scan, could be used to locate someone or could be activated to inform anyone monitoring that the owner of the transponder was in serious trouble and thus needed help. The transponders could also be remotely activated from Tactical or Medical should the location of anyone implanted need finding or extracting from a given situation quickly .....
Several times they had been forced to move the Sovereign Class Starship behind one of the three Moons orbiting the planet below when vessels either entered or began to depart the Tkrnn System, this in itself wasn't an issue, but moving always presented the possibility that some over-eagre tech' on the ground might wonder what, or who, they were, and raise the alarm. With the Federation currently in a state of war with the Tkrnn, it was doubtful their presence would be welcomed with proverbial 'open arms' but with hostility, despite being the most sophisticated Starship in the Federation's Fleet, there was still a limit to how many attacking vessels she could handle at one time.
"Sir, I'm picking up two vessels leaving the surface," the Duty Tactical Officer informed him yet again.
"OK, let's go hide ..... Again," Torek said, frustration beginning to grate on his nerves.
At the Helm, Lieutenant Anna Fields made the required inputs - She had already anticipated they would be moving several times, and as such had preprogrammed the navigation computers to find the quickest route to conceal the ship and execute that instruction on her command. Rolling to Port, the massive Starship turned and once again headed for cover, holding position less than one thousand metres from the rocky surface of the small moon while monitoring the small relay buoys they had positioned well outside the atmosphere of the unsuspecting homeworld below.
On the viewscreen, the Duty Tactical Officer brought up the tactical display - It showed the Tkrnn Homeworld, the three Moons, the Raven, denoted by the blue arrowhead insignia, along with yet more blinking red circles, these latest denoting the two vessels now leaving the planet. Thus far they had been lucky Carl thought, it was only a matter of time in his opinion, that more than one ship would arrive or depart on differing headings, and hiding would be impossible, but he would have to face that situation if if arrived.
He sat almost sulking as he watched the two red indicators move away from the planet, then suddenly disappear.
"Both vessels have gone to warp and are leaving the System," the Duty Tactical Officer confirmed.
"Great," Carl replied with a subdued sigh. His mind drifted back to years ago, when as Executive Officer of the 'original' USS Raven, under the Command of Mc7_of_9, where 'he' was the one leading the Away Teams, but now it was his Exec' Andae Blakus, taking that responsibility, while he uncharacteristically fought the compulsion to bite his fingernails to the quick every five minutes. His mind wandered to Elise and the girls, back on Earth. He knew they understood the reasoning behind his asking that they stay behind rather than come alone as was the norm, but still, he missed them, the though giving way to his yet again aimlessly pondering a life beyond the centre seat.
"Shall I return the ship to our previous position, Admiral ..... Admiral?" he suddenly realised Anna Fields was talking to him, and Harry Wedlerson at Opps was looking in his direction.
"Yes, do that please Lieutenant," he replied, watching the screen change from tactical view to standard as the Raven once again moved over the Northern polar region, where the planet's magnetic fields hid the ship from view.
Carl fought off another urge to get up and pace the 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 Jan 6, 2024 21:41:41 GMT
The Blakus changeling surveyed the situation. With the photonic grenade planted at the foot of one of the vats behind a stanchion, the Starfleet officers' work was, due to a quirk of how 'Lemond' liked to go about things, half done for them. The rest of it depended on how the other duo had fared and if they would successfully find their way back.
As it happened they had done so, and had clearly preceded 'Blakus' and Tinsley by some minutes, as Valente was checking her chrono with evident impatience. Now his main work began; it was time to dispose of these unwelcome visitors, and allow his compatriots in his war sect - whenever they decided to intervene - to do the same with the Raven XO he had replaced...
In the twilight, the four of them descended urban relief to a path by the wide river that wound through the empire's capital, heading upstream on the left bank. Their course now directly abutted on to the water.
The changeling held back, bringing up the rear, Valente, T'Seng and Tinsley - walking nearly abreast - not too far ahead...
As the Tkrnn moved, his command division uniform began to lose cohesion. His arms, extending, melted at the fingertips, the new liquid state propagating gradually up to his shoulders; those arms darted forth from his main body in a profusion of tendrils and knocked the trio off their feet, two of them propelled over the riverside wall and into the murky water...
* * *
Liquid manufacturing plant, Tkrnn capital outskirts
Andae had to wonder how he'd been permitted to enter this building in the first place. Clearly he'd been incapacitated, prevented from leaving the building where the away team had had their quarters, and had been substituted by some changeling, presumably one hostile to those who made up the Tkrnn peace party.
So how had he come to be free again? Was it possible they'd seen some use in letting him get away? He didn't ponder it much longer as now the foreman returned to the plant's office space where Blakus had been kept since being apprehended.
"Your associates have eliminated another four of my workers, Mr Blakus," the foreman said, "You can't expect me to order my people to stop attacking when they themselves are attacked without warning!"
"I imagine they think they need to open an escape route. If you'd show some sign that you're willing to stop the hostilities, my officers would reciprocate," Andae replied. "Where is my team now?"
"No longer in the factory complex. We've sent people to pursue. Shortly I'll be contacting the authorities and -"
"No, you can't do that," Andae started and paused, "You have to understand that your Supreme Rulers mean no good for you, and neither do some of your changeling population. They are all about war with the Federation, and expansionism into the territories of the Beta quadrant powers... Maybe eventually the Alpha quadrant, too. I understand that you, and those of the changelings amongst you that are peaceful, don't want that. We're here as part of an effort to bring the war to an end."
"In your favour, and with the Tkrnn's defeat," the foreman retorted.
"That's not so. No one will be said to have won. Only we hope your rulers will bring their ambitions to an end; maybe they'll be overthrown, maybe they'll simply cease from their behaviour."
"Ok, fine. But why do I need to know all that?"
"The point is you cannot tell them of my or my colleagues' presence. Let me address the popular assemblies; maybe they can do something about the Supreme Rulers' and the war party's designs..."
"We're unionised," the foreman seemed deep in thought, "And I'm a rep. The union has its own section in the assembly. I could use my office there to introduce you on the assembly's floor."
Andae relaxed somewhat and nodded, "That's good, that's a start. Now give me the means to contact my team. I need to warn them of my replacement."
The foreman nodded to a worker who brought in Andae's confiscated items, "Your communication device," the foreman held out Andae's commbadge and clasping it in his hand Andae activated it,
=/\=Away team. Come in, away team.=/\=
* * *
Riverside, Tkrnn capital
Tinsley tried to gain his bearings. He was loose with no foothold or handhold; for a moment he struggled to discern which was up and which down. He was buoyant, almost weightless. He realised then he had his eyes shut tight; he opened them. He was almost blind. Visibility was at some few short metres. He was underwater in the Tkrnn night.
He judged he was about 7 or 8 metres below the surface. Not far away he could see another human form - Lysia T'Seng. Where were Blakus, Valente? What'd happened - they'd come under attack?
Then he saw another object; in the near darkness it shone out with some distant reflected light source. A commbadge. The water around it was rippling slightly... Someone was attempting to transmit to it.
<Tag Valente/T'Seng>
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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 Jan 16, 2024 10:46:54 GMT
It was becoming clear that something was holding up Andae and Nate's progress .....
After the agreed wait, Calli risked contacting Andae - He explained they had been speaking to one of the Tkrnn. They would exit the facility by the alternate route and meet up on the bank of the river two hundred metres outside the perimeter. Agreeing, albeit reluctantly, Calli and Lysia headed for their egress point.
Fifteen minutes later they saw the two heading their way, moments later the four began to walk away, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible. They had confirmed that all the charges had been set successfully and checking the chronometer on her tricorder, T'Seng said that despite the minor delay, they should still make their apartments with plenty of time to spare. Calli was about to say something when everything changed!
The building to their right disappeared in a massive explosion, none of the four had time to react as the shockwave from the explosion slammed into them, Calli felt something hit her shoulder and the right side before seeing heat hit her in the face. She, like the others was lifted off the floor and thrown like rag dolls over the low railing separating the wide path from the canal beyond. She was unconscious when she hit the water, sinking quickly like so much dead weight, before the body's natural buoyancy brought her to the surface.
Her body reacted, coughing out river water before trying to gulp life-preserving oxygen onto her lungs to keep her alive.
The shock of hitting the cold water had brought her back to consciousness coughing and gagging, but alive ..... Off to her right the sky was a myriad of reds and yellows, looking for all the world like some bizarre version of hell. She began to tread water, turning in circles trying to find the others. She saw someone, face down and swam over before realising it was Andae, she turned him over and checked for a pulse, it was there but barely, but most worrying was the fact he didn't appear to be breathing.
With no med kit, she quickly resorted to basics - She put one hand behind the Exec's neck, arched his head back and treading water began mouth-to-mouth, forcing oxygen-rich air into his lungs before removing her mouth to allow his body to expel the air before repeating the process. Leaning back as best she could she slammed her fist into his chest several times, hoping to force the heart to return to something approaching normal, or at least to hope it remained strong enough to keep Andae alive until help arrived.
Repeating the mouth-to-mouth, she sighed with relief as Andae suddenly convulsed, coughing up copious amounts of water before opening his eyes for the first time. She moved behind him before rolling him over. Now behind him holding his head out of the water, she began to kick hard for the nearby wall and hopefully, help. all the while she was scanning back and forth trying to locate Lysia and Nate, then, as she reached the back she saw someone break the surface maybe twenty metres from where she and Blakus had been. She realised it was Tinsley and he was holding Lysia much like she had Blakus. Relief folded through her as she felt hands reaching down to take Andae from her, before helping her too out of the water.
Someone threw a blanket over her shoulders as Blakus was lowered onto a makeshift stretcher.
"HELP HIM!" she tried to say, but her throat was swollen from her efforts, and it came out more like a groan.
Several people had gone into the water, some thrown there by the explosion, others trying to help those injured. She could see people moving towards Nate and Lysia and relief flooded through her. She lowered herself to sit on the ground as several Tkrnn began to ask questions she couldn't answer - What the hell had happened, what had gone wrong - But then she realised it wasn't the production facility that had blown up, it was two maybe three buildings further away. She knew from the schematics they had been supplied with that these buildings were storage and lab facilities, but how had they been destroyed?
She overheard snippets of conversation as people moved back and forth - Bomb - Hit from the air - Blasted from orbit!
Officials were arriving and taking charge, with Blakus now conscious and sitting up, despite instructions, she moved towards him and as the men helping him seemed satisfied he wasn't going to pass away, moved to the next injured plucked from the water she leaned close:
..... Nate ..... Lysia?" he asked.
Being pulled out of the water," she replied, trying but failing to stifle a coughing fit brought on by the water still in her lungs.
"Alive?" he asked, relief flooding over his face as she nodded.
"What the hell happened!?" she whispered urgently
"It wasn't us," Andae said, wiping spittle from his chin and looking back at the still intact facility as Calli suddenly realised something:
The explosives were still set to detonate at zero three hundred - A little under fifteen minutes from now. What had meant to be the destruction of the production facility with no loss of life, could now result in countless fatalities! ..........
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Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Jan 29, 2024 20:23:48 GMT
Andae had left the company of the foreman, the Tkrnn saying he would meet with the XO later and introduce him to the popular assembly in the company of the liquid plant workers' union. The Raven officer had given the foreman his regards and made to catch up with the others, taking the alternate exit provided by the technicians.
It was mere moments after reaching the rest of the team that the XO found his forward momentum greatly augmented; he was propelled off his feet and, with the three others, sent plunging over the railing into the river that wound its way through the Tkrnn capital.
A blank space in his memory interceded, and the next instant of his awareness was of spluttering for life in the extreme cold, aware of his buoyancy, of the icy liquid covering about half his body. He was on his back, being dragged along by someone, towards the riverbank...
Next he was sitting on a low stone wall, a blanket over his shoulders, shivering for all he was worth and with a cup of something in his hand that tasted of little else than hot water.
Tea, probably, he thought with distaste, but was grateful for its imparted warmth. Truly the most enjoyment was derived from something, only needing a little of it, when a state of deprivation had prevailed before.
He spoke with Calli and they completed each other's knowledge on what'd happened, as far as they were able to at least. He glanced up and saw one of the Tkrnn that'd helped them; surprised, he recognised the plant foreman. After noticing his commbadge had been stuck on transmit (he frowned and fixed the issue), he and Calli addressed the foreman, "We're glad you were on hand to help."
"There's many others who need it," the solid Tkrnn nodded in reply and looked round with concern at the riverside in blackness.
The scene was one of general chaos. People running to and fro, wild shouts, sounds of repulsor craft departing and arriving, some of them emergency services. Behind the trio of Blakus, Valente and the foremam, the fires from the destroyed buildings burnt hot, illuminating half-bodies in the light of fiery tongues licking from the blackened remnants of the destroyed structures.
Someone came running up to the trio - one of the foreman's plant workers, the plant being the series of buildings adjacent to ground zero of the explosion,
"Naotak has had a look at the labs and other destroyed buildings," the worker Tkrnn spoke raggedly as he crashed to a halt in their midst, "It looks like particle weapon damage, boss. Also I spoke to a couple people on the way here... they say they saw three beams of green light come down from the skies in quick succession, hitting the labs!"
"From the skies? How far up in the skies? Could they see an end point?" Calli asked the man, as Blakus went back to shivering.
"They didn't say. So I imagine they couldn't see where the weapons had come from, though I can't be sure," the worker said somewhat disjointedly. The foreman nodded and clapped his underling on the shoulder, and the two Tkrnn went off to help stricken compatriots.
"So this was done by particle beam weapons from the sky, with no clear origin..." Andae murmured, trying to pull his thinking together into some coherence, stopping himself from trembling and his teeth from chattering,
"We know Tkrnn shipborne weapons are off-yellow or silver in hue. The only ship around here whose weapons I know would give a green colour is the Valdore type warbird Mok'pa. What do you think, Commander?" he turned to Valente, who nodded in agreement as they were joined by Tinsley and T'Seng (both worse for wear like Blakus, but alive).
Nate raised an eyebrow, "The Laterza changeling's ship destroyed those labs? Why would she do that? That would hurt the Tkrnn war effort that her faction is so keen on," he pointed out.
It dawned on Andae, "... Perhaps she thought that the four of us were in the buildings? Perhaps she had intelligence on us, on our whereabouts as we went about sabotage? It was good intel, but was slightly incorrect in the details, and so her borrowed Tal Shiar warbird hit the wrong set of structures; still almost killed us anyway."
"Do we go back and disable our charges planted on the liquid vats?" Valente asked.
"I don't see that we can," Andae said, the balance of his system gradually restoring itself, enough now that he was able to cast the blanket off his shoulders.
"It's too much for us to head back in there, too dangerous..." he said, "By now this whole district will be swimming with Tkrnn security personnel... No pun intended," he added as he cast his eyes towards the darkness of the river in which many of the locals still bobbed up and down awaiting rescue.
"Then you better have a word with your friend, sir," Lysia said, referring to the foreman, whose shift at the plant it was.
That didn't turn out to be an easy conversation, but it was necessary to have it, and the foreman accepted it, at the price of Andae not being able to meet with the popular assembly, to convince them to fight against the Supreme Rulers and Laterza's war faction. Thus there had to be another way to continue to hamstring the Tkrnn until peace was brought about.
The foreman now evacuated his workers from the plant, and it too then went up in flames... this time for a different reason: the Starfleeters' planted charges.
"This is going to confuse the hell out of the Supreme Rulers," Andae said. They all four peered through slits looking down-river towards the site of the two destroyed industrial complexes. They were taking cover in a sort of mini-bunker just off the riverside path farther down from the explosion epicentre. The two complexes: the labs, and the liquid plant (one ended by the Romulan warbird attempting to eliminate the Starfleet officers, the other by the Starfleet officers themselves).
Before long the foreman joined them again, and Andae convinced him to at least speak to his assembly about convincing them to fight their own rulers...
Now the question was whether the four dared return to their quarters across the city. If 'Laterza' had her agents on the look-out for them, there was a good chance that included the residential building they'd set out from...
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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 Feb 13, 2024 12:35:26 GMT
"This is going to confuse the hell out of the Supreme Rulers," Andae said. They all four peered through slits looking downriver towards the site of the two destroyed industrial complexes.
Before long, the foreman joined them again, and Andae convinced him to at least speak to his assembly about convincing them to fight their rulers... Now, the question was whether the four dared return to their quarters across the city. If 'Laterza' had her agents on the lookout for them, there was a good chance that included the residential building they'd set out from ..... "Well, I'm guessing we can't hang around in the open too long..." Calli speculated as she watched the medical teams that had treated them moments earlier, all rush headlong towards the secondary explosions, "... Some 'official' bound to try to question us on why we're here, or worse case, one of Laterza's operatives will recognise us and report," "I have to agree," Nate said as he double-checked the contents of his pack which still held two of the variable yield photon grenades and the other items Lysia packed. "OK, but we'll have to take a back route, then try to find out if any of Laterza's people have found where we're staying. I don't want to walk into a trap," Blakus said, seemingly unconvinced but willing to proceed until a better idea presented itself. ---------- The foreman having left, the four of them headed back towards the city ..... It seemed that every few metres they were forced into a back alley or sidestreet to avoid the multitudes of Security personnel deployed by the Ruling Council ..... Finally, they paused less than one hundred metres from their apartments and scanned the area using tricorders: "Several of the rooms are occupied by Tkrnn, presumably the same people who were already there when we arrived," Tinsley said. "No sign of Security?" Calli asked, eyes moving back and forth along the wide thoroughfare. "Not that I can tell, but it's hardly conclusive given the distance involved..." Nate replied with a shrug, "... I'm not picking up any weapons signatures, but again that could be down to the distance, these things weren't designed as phaser-spotters," "OK, let's get closer," Blakus said, moving out of the side street but remaining close to the shop fronts and hopefully 'not' in plain sight. The others followed, Tinsley scanning behind them to ensure no one was going to come up on them unexpectedly. As they reached the apartment block, two meg-lev vehicles sped past heading towards the industrial section, possibly Fire or Security personnel. No one in the vehicle even glanced in their direction. sighing with relief, Calli moved up to Andae: "I'll go around the back, see if I can get into our apartments unseen," she said. Blakus had been considering options when Calli presented one of her own, he nodded, telling her to be careful ..... Moving quickly, Calli moved down the alleyway that separated the block from the first of the shops on the avenue. Once at the rear entrance, she retrieved her tricorder and scanned the door and beyond - No signs of life - So she approached the door which like all doors on this seemingly over-trusting planet, was unlocked. Pulling the door open she slipped inside and dropped into a crouch, her phaser ready. She held her position for a full minute, listening for the tiniest sound that could betray someone waiting in the semi-darkness ahead. Satisfied she was alone she rose and moved towards the stairs, phaser in one hand, tricorder in the other. climbing to the second floor she paused once again at the door that led to the corridor. scanning she could pick out tenants in their apartments, a quick recall told her that the same number of people were here now as that morning, so 'hopefully' no unwanted guests awaiting their arrival. Returning the tricorder to her satchel she tentatively opened the door just far enough to listen for movement - Again, nothing - She pulled the door open and stepped into the corridor, moving casually towards the room she shared with Lysia, Andae and Nate's was the next door along. She leaned close to the door and then used her thumb to deactivate the locking mechanism quickly before stepping inside. She moved to her left, knowing her entrance presented anyone lying in wait a perfect silhouette to aim at. She quickly searched the rooms then moved through the connecting door and carried out the same search, both apartments were empty. She tapped her commbadge twice then returned to the other room and took a seat, moment later Andae, Nate, and Lysia entered. "Well, it doesn't look like we've been identified," she said as Andae poured each of them a drink. "I have a feeling the Tkrnn Rulers might be a tad more worried that they have been fired on from orbit, by what they must assume is a Romulan Warbird, looking for anyone moving around on the surface might not be a priority," T'Seng commented. "So... The big question..." Nate said as he took the offered glass from Andae, "... Do we move on, continue our disruption, or contact Raven for pick-up?" "The Raven may be keeping out of sight as arranged, I doubt they would have gone after the Mok'Pa even if they witnessed the attack..." Blakus speculated, "... Either way, we need to rest. I suggest we take turns, two rest two keep watch," "Agreed, though before we do let's get some food inside us. I'm going to take a much-needed shower before I eat, and given you 'ALL' smell like you've just clambered out of a sewer, I'd suggest you do the same," she said, downing her drink in one before heading for the bathroom. Nate made a theatre out of sniffing his armpits dramatically before he headed for the connecting door, andae a pace behind. Lysia glanced at the bathroom door and then poured herself a refill ..........
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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 Feb 20, 2024 12:26:10 GMT
It was zero two hundred - Tkrnn Homeworld time - When the banging on the door began ..... Hearing the commotion next door, Calli, and Lysia dove from their beds, each snatching the phaser on the bedside cabinets as they rushed for the door. Calli could hear Andae's raised voice then was startled by a sudden knocking on the connecting door. Nate Tinsley entered quickly, telling them to come to their room, where Blakus was now listening to a flustered Tkrnn: "..... I am telling you that you have moments only... The Ruling Council has been informed of enemy infiltrators working with the Romulans, they intend to make very public examples of you all if captured!" "So you expect us to simply follow you into the night?" Nate asked, his phaser a mere metre from the jabbering Tkrnn. Some know of your arrival, and as you have seen, are willing to help against the tyranny being forced upon us. I came at great risk but if you choose to ignore my warni .....""OK... OK...!" Andae said, turning to the others, "... Get dressed, quick, we're leaving!" Without waiting, Calli and Lysia returned to their room, dressed quickly then threw everything into the satchels that could give away their presence. That done they returned to the other room where Andae and Nate were finishing up their packing. Calli could see the Tkrnn, standing close to the door leading to the corridor, eyes darting around the room as if fearing discovery at any second. Once ready Blakus approached the man: "Where are you taking us?" "There is a small, what you would call, a township, village? ..... Twenty kilometres from here to the North, we have friends that will hide you until you can be taken off the surface,""What about the Romulan attack, you said the Council believe we're working with them?" T'Seng asked as she swung her pack onto her back but retained the phaser. "Given the first attack that was followed by the substantial destruction to the liquids facility, it was a natural assumption, don't you think?" the Tkrnn said, already opening the door before tentatively glancing both ways along the corridor. Without waiting, he stepped from the room and turned to his right, heading for the staircase leading to the back of the building. following in line, Andae taking the lead, Calli and Lysia following, with Nate at the rear watching for anyone coming up behind them. At the door to the bank of the building, the Tkrnn hesitated: "Problem?" Andae asked. "All transport has been suspended ..... You will need to walk through the back streets and cross two wide open areas, if we are seen it is doubtful we will escape capture," he replied, obviously nervous. "Just keep moving, we'll be right behind you," Calli said, stepping forward to open the door, allowing the cold night air to enter. The street was in darkness save for sporadic lighting, they moved single file, crisscrossing the street between the pools of light to, hopefully, avoid detection. Ten minutes passed before they were at the first wide intersection. This, unlike the back street, was well-lit, and it was clear that anyone looking at the intersection couldn't fail to see the five of them, but with no other options open, they had to cross. Blakus stepped up to the corner of the building and then moved out far enough to see the whole square. They had approximately sixty metres to cross, he waited then confident they were alone, he motioned for the first to make the crossing. Calli readied herself, then sprang into a dead run, keeping low she crossed quickly then lowered herself to one knee, phaser panning the intersection as she saw T'seng already halfway across. As the Tactical Officer passed her and adopted the same posture, Tinsley bolted past them both with Blakus metres behind. The Tkrnn, who had refused to divulge his name came next, but had way across they heard the shout, ordering him to stop! Inching back into the shadows, the four Federation Officers watched as the man raised his arms, even at this distance Calli could see he was about to collapse as two Tkrnn Security people approached him, weapons raised. They could hear the two demanding why he was out beyond the curfew, the four looked at each other realising that none of them had been made aware of any movement restrictions imposed, but given the Council's concerns, it was an obvious next step. Suddenly one of the Tkrnn Security raised his weapon and slammed the butt into the Tkrnn's face, blood exploded from the gash in his lips as he dropped to the floor. "You are a 'TRAITOR' and will be executed in the square in full view of our citizens, both as a warning, and a deterrent. Get to your feet!""We can't let them take him!" T'Seng whispered as yet another blow landed on the floored man, they heard the breaking of bone. "Nate, come with me," Calli said, tucking her phaser into the waistband at the small of her back, Tinsley did likewise and then stood. Calli linked his arm, adopting a sway as the two stepped into the open. "Hey, leave him alone...!" Valente slurred, forcing both Security to spin in unison, weapons coming up level with the ground, "... Why're you hitting him, can't you see he's helpless?" "On your knees ..... NOW!" one of the guards ordered, moving to intercept them. Calli lowered herself, grasping Nate's arm as if to steady herself. "You are under arrest ..... Breaking curfew, and PUBLIC INTOXICATION!" he said as if he'd just been asked to eat something left by one of the dog-like animals roaming the countryside. "Wha ....." Calli slurred as the man reached them, already raising the butt of his weapon to hit the still-standing Tinsley. Deftly, Calli reached behind him and withdrew his phaser. Bringing it up she saw the guard's eyes widen in surprise, but before he could raise any alarm the beam hit him in the chest, dropping him in a crumpled heap metres away. She was already sighting on the second as he began to raise his rifle, and he too met the same fate. Rising quickly she could already hear Blakus and T'seng running their way, Nate plucked one of the dead guards off the ground and began to run back to the side street and semi-darkness, Blakus was lifting the other as Lysia and Calli ran to the stricken Tkrnn, lifting him to his feet before half dragging him the remainder of the way across the square and out of plain sight. "You ..... You!" he stammered. "Your collar bone is broken..." T'Seng said as she made a quick triagΓ© assessment of his injury. "You, killed them ..... There will be repercussions once they are missed, others will come!" The Tkrnn continued to splutter, shock setting in. "Then best we leave..." Andae said as he and Nate returned, "... Which way?" "I ..... I cannot!" the Tkrnn began, falling silent as the business end of Nate's phaser caressed the tip of his nose. "Move, or join your friends..." Tinsley said darkly. For a second the only other sound was that of a hypospray as T'Seng numbed the man's shoulder, using one of the medkit slings to support his arm, "... WELL?" ..........
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Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,452
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Post by Andae Blakus on Feb 24, 2024 22:57:37 GMT
North of Tkrnn capital city
They'd found their way out of the city by its northern edge, the Tkrnn's regenerative capacity - though he wasn't a shapeshifter - meaning his shoulder and arm were healing much faster than the quartet of officers might've expected.
Now they were in countryside at night and visibility was very poor, but with 15 kilometres covered already, they would before long be arriving at their destination, in the village designated by their Tkrnn assistant as the place for their potential rescue from the surface.
Andae could see the village through some nearby intervening shrubbery, the settlement already visible in the distance, a collection of glittering lights punctuating the darkness out towards the horizon.
So they would arrive there, to be rescued by whom? They would hope to eventually end up on the Raven, but would that be immediately, or would there be an intermediate stop, to be identified with those who would pick them up initially?
The Tkrnn had recovered enough to be able to hold a conversation, as well as not need their assistance in ambulating along through the frozen night. "You aren't the only ones that the Supreme Rulers suspect of being in league with the orbiting Romulans."
Blakus blinked, then realised what he was alluding to, "The Laterza changeling also?"
The Tkrnn nodded, "The Supreme Rulers know that she and her coterie have evil designs, wishing to continue the state's bellicose expansionist policy, and enlarge upon it. But the Rulers are unable to act against her, as she holds too much of the power in the middle and upper levels of the bureaucracy. While on the other hand their own Council is in some ways like an advisory body, very prestigious but lacking some key administrative powers that Laterza and her faction have almost managed to monopolise."
"Well, the Supreme Rulers are right where she is concerned," Tinsley said, "She is working with the Romulans, in charge of them in fact. But we certainly aren't working with the Romulans!"
"I know that. It's just about convincing the Supreme Rulers of it. Fortunately, you won't have to, because the orbital plane of one of my faction's ships will soon be coming over the horizon, and will transport you aboard once you and I reach the village. Then down here the Supreme Rulers will likely summon me."
Their relief was shortlived upon reaching the village in darkness, as immediately subsequent to meeting some of the assisting Tkrnn's factional friends, a group of Tkrnn soldiers sprung a trap.
Tinsley was shot unconscious, and T'Seng went down with a wound in the leg. Blakus and Valente ducked away from the fire of the nascent hostiles. The XO darted a glance at their assisting Tkrnn, who recognised what Andae's look purported, and made signals to others of his friends: that ship the Tkrnn had mentioned had to get up over the horizon and in range for high-resolution beam out, now!
There were about seven ambushing Tkrnn, wearing the insignia, Andae could see, of the Council Supreme Rulers. Ok, so these were guards of the Council, and not Lemond's war-party infiltrators come to seek revenge for the Starfleeters' escape from the warbird (though Blakus imagined there were some of those about).
Fending off the attackers with their weapons fire - the defending Tkrnn with their own weapons, Andae with the phaser snatched from the hand of Tinsley's unconscious form, Calli with her own phaser - they shot down three of the ambushers, before Tkrnn was left to battle Tkrnn as fiery orange transporter beams snatched the four Raven officers away.
Peace faction vessel, low orbit, Tkrnn capital world
They materialised on a transporter pad, made their way to the bridge of the diminutive four-deck Tkrnn vessel, where Andae and Calli were introduced to the vessel's captain, another Tkrnn of the peace party. T'Seng and Tinsley were taken to the cramped medbay.
The Tkrnn pointed out the small viewscreen and on it a none too welcoming sight... the IRW Mok'pa, turning on them with disruptors being primed. Could the warbird be evaded? The Raven's presence would certainly be helpful... Where was it, still the other side of the transwarp conduit on the edge of Tkrnn space?
"The one you know as Admiral Lemond, or her changeling equivalent rather," the Tkrnn skipper explained the warbird. "Where is my colleague?"
"You mean the one who showed up at our residence and took us to that village?" Blakus asked; the skipper nodded. "He's stayed behind; he's going to try to tell the Supreme Rulers we're not in league with Lemond and the Romulans."
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