Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
UTRINQUE PARATUS
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,197
|
Post by Carl Torek on Jun 15, 2024 12:52:51 GMT
Lower Decks ... USS Raven-C :: He had done as much as he could for the time being ..... The Raven's warp drive was damaged and would take a substantial amount of time to repair if indeed it could be without making use of Starbase-borne Engineers and equipment. So now, changing his appearance once again, the Changeling began to move through the decks of the Sovereign Class Starship, listening, picking up tidbits of information that could prove useful.
Now, in the guise of a Crewman, he made his way to the Enlisted Mess Hall on Deck Ten, there he picked a salad sandwich and cold drink, then sat at a table close to three other crew.
"Looks like we'll be crawling home," one was saying.
"Bloody Changeling is causing havoc all over the ship, the sooner he's captured or better still, killed off, the better!"
"I hear the Tkrnn have sent a few people over who can find him," the female of the group said. The Changling, sandwich halfway to his mouth stopped in shock. He hadn't counted on the Tkrnn taking this action, now he was worried, if the visitors were Tkrnn from the Homeworld, it was clear they had brought detection equipment with them. All they would need to do is sweep each deck in turn, he would have nowhere to hide!
Lowering the half-eaten sandwich to the plate, he drank from the glass and then stood to return his crockery to the replicator. He paused as if checking something on the PADD he had acquired earlier, listening intently to the three crew:
"I saw the Tkrnn ships arriving, hardly the size of a Defiant Class but who knows, maybe they can help, if only to catch this damn saboteur," one was saying. So they were going to hunt him down, that was now clear. He had intended to cripple the Federation Starship but not destroy it, after all, he wanted to survive, so giving up his life, for any reason, wasn't something he had intended to do. But this changed things completely ..... He left the Mess Hall and walked down the corridor until he was alone, then he placed a hand on the black panel that ran the length of every deck on the ship:
"Where is Primary Environmental Control?" he asked quietly.
'Primary Evironmental Control is on Deck Nine'
"..... Secondary Environmental Support?"
'Auxiliary Environmental Support is located on Decks Twelve, Eighteen and Twenty'
"Where is fuel storage?"
'State Fuel Storage Designation'
"Antimatter," he said, hardly expecting the panel to reply.
'Antimatter Fuel Storage is on Decks Twenty-One, Twenty-Two, and Twenty-Three' he grinned, silently thanking the designers for concocting such a helpful device as the ships' computer.
Again he changed his appearance, he knew that the female of the group in the Mess Hall was due back at her station on deck, so he took her appearance. Primary Life Support would be heavily guarded, but maybe Auxiliary Support would be easier to access. He/she stepped into the nearest turbolift and requested Deck Eighteen ..........
|
|
Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,474
|
Post by Andae Blakus on Jun 29, 2024 0:04:09 GMT
"What are the warbirds doing now?" Blakus asked from the XO's chair.
"It seems as though warbirds are falling back on the Melk'ansu's position to render it assistance," the ensign at tactical said after a moment.
"All of them?"
"Negative," the man replied after another brief moment, "One of them is now pursuing us." It didn't take much reasoning power to know which of the Romulan ships had elected to follow them: the Halkoth commanded by Pemok.
The viewscreen now showed the Vrijta and Dak'fh peeling back to assist the adrift Melk'ansu - an unmodified Valdore type unlike its three sister ships - and hopefully from the Romulans' point of view restore its life support.
Being as the Raven could only manage full impulse towards the Federation border, the Halkoth was already upon the Sovereign class, and the Maracanda and two Tkrnn vessels were forced to follow the Raven at the same speed, or they'd leave it even more defenceless against the upgraded Valdore...
Alarms blared from the environmental control console, "Admiral. We've just lost the secondary life support system. All of it," the officer at the console alerted the CO.
The changeling. Andae realised it almost immediately. To disable the whole secondary system the Tkrnn shapeshifter would've had to have struck at three separate locations in the lower half of the ship. Further to those attacks would be an effort to remove the last obstacle to impending asphyxiation of the whole crew complement: an attack by the changeling against primary environmental control on deck 9.
Torek turned briefly to Blakus and nodded near-imperceptibly, and the XO contacted the security chief's office, =/\=Commander T'Seng, this is the bridge. How are your and Leqvr and Kodtl's plans to interdict the changeling coming?=/\=
=/\=We've formulated a plan, sir. I don't want to give the details over the comm, in case someone's listening, but... Well, there it is. I dare not divulge anything further in case a certain someone is monitoring this.=/\=
=/\=Very well. You should know we've just lost secondary environmental support...=/\= He paused. Best not to tell her that primary environmental control would be the place to go next if her security wanted to capture the saboteur. She'd know that now.
He finally decided on a simple, =/\=Blakus out,=/\= and pursed his lips, not entirely satisfied. But then he had to leave this in T'Seng and Gerelo's hands; as Lysia had said, anything too much over the comm could result in giving intel to their target.
Can Lysia risk it though, going against the changeling in primary environmental control? he thought. Given the changeling had only just disabled the secondary system, it might well suspect that the security officers and their Tkrnn specialist assistants would now try to head it off at the primary system.
Andae realised something... If the changeling was intent on killing the crew, it might also be intent upon destroying the ship... And what would be the easiest way of doing that, outside of it striding into a busy engineering and trying to fire some particle weapon at the dilithium crystal chamber?
The answer was obvious, by going to an area that was quite secure (but not to a changeling) and sparsely populated... Antimatter containment.
Andae had to hope T'Seng had chosen that as the place to try to get the changeling, and he had to hope that was the changeling's next target, and he had to hope that neither of those parties then had any sudden change of plans! If both tried to go to primary environmental control instead, the changeling would surely be lying in wait...
<Tag T'Seng, Gerelo, and the nine Tkrnn visitors>
Pemok's warbird alone, meanwhile, followed the Raven and its three support vessels at the relative snail's pace of full impulse (0.25 of lightspeed). So far it'd held off firing, and Andae was beginning to wonder if this state of affairs would persist all the way to the Federation border... Was Pemok toying with them, ready to unleash all he had as late as possible in the Raven's flight?
<Tag Torek, Valente>
|
|
Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
UTRINQUE PARATUS
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,197
|
Post by Carl Torek on Jul 3, 2024 17:32:47 GMT
Deck Eighteen ... USS Raven-C :: Stepping off the turbolift, the Changeling looked first left, then right - Left would take him to Aft Tractor Control and the Navigational Deflector controls systems, Right, would lead him to two of the ships Transporter Rooms, but more importantly, Environmental Support Four, which served as the Secondary System for the Sovereign Class Starship .....
Changing the colour of his tunic to denote an Engineering Officer, he walked towards the room in question, seemingly studying information held on the PADD he had acquired earlier. He was at first wary, but when no one seemed to be ready to question his presence, he walked through the doors unchallenged.
Finding the sub-systems he wanted, he quickly entered several default override commands - He was expecting the ship's computer to challenge his changes and was:
'CAUTION .. You are about to disable a Level One Secondary System .. Authorisation required' the computer said.
Ready, he placed his hand onto the small screen and recited the Command Override Authorisation he had gleaned while surreptitiously surveilling one of the Senior Engineers.
'Authorisation Accepted'
Completing the command changes, he encrypted them with a random alphanumeric passcode and then shut the panel down. The code would be broken easily, but not without some delay.
Moving quickly, he again changed his appearance, this time to one of the Female Engineering Staff, then left the room ..... He/She moved to the turbolift and requested Deck Twenty-Four, where, according to the ever-helpful computer, he would find Antimatter Storage. There, he would be forced to make a decision - He knew that there were Tkrnn aboard the Raven with the ability to track and detain him if he should be located, so he would work quickly and then, satisfied he had done all he could short of destroying the Starship, he would be forced to trust to luck.
The room was cold, and temperature controlled, to help stabilisation of the ship's antimatter. Again he changed, retaking the form he held earlier, this was to hopefully confuse anyone being questioned as to any 'unusual' activity on the lower decks ... He looked at the rows of blue containers, some double-stacked. Approaching the first row, he pondered what he could do that would still allow him time to vacate the area, but with the pods sealed he was for the first time since boarding the ship, at a loss!
With limited options, he dragged several of the pods into the centre of the room before upturning them. Now on their side, each began to emit a low warning alarm, which he assumed someone either on the Bridge or in Engineering, would see and presumably act upon quickly. He glanced at the pods on the upper racking and had a thought - He located webbing straps, usually used to secure the pods on the rack, then approached a second row, climbing to reach the second level of racking, he quickly tied the strap around the rim of one of the pods and clambered down. Moving quickly he approached the door and pulled the strap taught, before cautiously stepping into the corridor. As the doors closed he used all his strength to pull the pod off the racking. He heard the pod hit the deck and almost immediately alarms began to sound.
He moved to the turbolift and entered ..... If he'd been successful in damaging one or more of the pods, it would take the crew some time, and caution, to clean up any antimatter spill .....Deck Eleven ... Main Engineering :: Lysia eyed the group as Andae closed the comm ..... "So, you believe you know where he might strike next?" Leqvr asked the Security Chief. "I'd be going for something that will hinder us, but presumably not destroy the ship outright..." T'Seng replied, eyeing the device the Tkrnn was scrutinising, "... You're certain that thing will be able to locate him?" she asked. "We are confident. Yes," Kodtl replied, a little too aggressively for Lysia's liking, but she decided to let his attitude go, at least for the time being. "What sort of range are we looking at?" Derik Gerelo asked. "They are quite impressive..." one of the other Tkrnn said, clearly impressed with Tkrnn technology. Technology that in T'Seng's opinion, had yet to prove itself, "... We should, depending on the construction materials used within your vessel, be able to locate our 'associate' if we are within thirty metres. That of course includes if he is located up to two decks above, or below, our positions," "Impressive ....." Milyanov said, barely hiding his scepticism. "I believe it would be prudent to split our group. Teams of three, or four personnel, with at least two being Tkrnn, should suffice," Leqvr suggested, eyeing T'Seng as if he were daring her to disagree. "There's nine of you, so ..." Lysia began, pausing as if working out the dynamics, "... Let's go with four teams of four, given you only seem to have brought along four of your detectors," she finished. "We cannot assume he is still roaming about the ship. With the loss of your support system, I would suggest he is on the lower decks, you agree?" Leqvr queried. "Sounds logical enough, unless he's done what he needed to and moved," Milyanov said as several alarms began to sound! "SIR... Antimatter spillage... Deck Eighteen!" One of his Staff informed them. "Get a containment team down there Lieutenant...!" the Chief Engineer ordered, "... I'll join you shortly," he said, eyeing T'Seng as she tapped her commbadge: "Computer .. Shut down and seal all turbolifts and Jeffries Tubes below Deck Eighteen .. Authorisation - T'Seng-Alpha-One-Four-Mu" 'Turboshafts disabled .. Jeffries Tube bulkheads in place' the computer confirmed. "I'd say that's where we start!" Gerelo said, checking his phaser's charge level. "No. We must position ourselves on Deck Seventeen, and then work down methodically," Kodtl said. "We'll split up. Four teams!" Lysia ordered. Each would take positions at compass points: Fore, Aft, Port, and Starboard, then the hunt was on, she hoped 'before' the Changeling could realise he had nowhere to go! ..........
|
|
Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
UTRINQUE PARATUS
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,197
|
Post by Carl Torek on Jul 3, 2024 22:52:18 GMT
USS Raven-C ::
They were making best possible speed ... The Raven leading, the two Tkrnn vessels Port and Starboard one thousand metres astern, while the Maracanda was holding station a further one thousand metres behind and below her the companion vessels ... Carl knew that without warp, they were looking at best, nine days, before passing into Federation Space, and then only if the Raven's impulse engines held out with the constant stresses ..... Two hundred thousand metres behind the four, Pemok's Warbird shadowed them ..... "Are you going to keep that up indefinitely...?" Calli asked, forcing Carl to turn in her direction, a frown forming, "... Fingers, drumming, it's a little annoying," she whispered. Carl looked at his left hand, and realised he'd been drumming his fingers on the armrest, he glanced at Andae, who shrugged, clearly unwilling to comment either way. "..... Sorry?" Carl replied. "Lysia has sealed off the lower decks, hopefully they've trapped the Changling down there," Calli informed him. "Good," Carl began, he was about to continue when the Duty Tactical Officer spoke: "Admiral, I'm picking up an increasing matter/antimatter imbalance in one of the Tkrnn vessels," she said. "Comms, contact the Tkr ....." Blakus began but was interrupted by the Tactical Officer. "Sir, I'm reading imbalance in 'BOTH' Tkrnn warp drives!" Carl was already getting to his feet when the first of the two Tkrnn vessels exploded spectacularly, followed a second later by the second! "Oh ... My ... God!" Anna Fields said from Helm as the viewscreen slowly readjusted to the blackness of the surrounding space. "Sir, we're recieving a communication," Lana Keel informed them. Andae looked at Carl, who was ashen as he continued to stare at the screen, he turned to the Comms Officer and nodded: =^= Admiral Torek .. I think it is about time we spoke .. Face to face .. As you call it .. .. =^= Carl could feel bile rising in his throat, realising who was responsible for the loss of so many people. =^= What do you suggest .. Commander? =^= Blakus replied. =^= I suggest you bring the Raven and your little shadow to a complete stop .. We will approach and I will transport aboard =^= Pemok said. =^= You are responsible? =^= Carl asked, almost a whisper. =^= A necessary evil .. Admiral .. But as to your question .. Yes .. I am responsible .. Albeit indirectly =^= =^= How? =^= Blakus asked. =^= We have .. Sympathisers everywhere .. Not only on the Homeworld .. It was a simple matter to manually isolate and override their matter/antimatter containment protocols .. .. =^= There was no need to vocalise the glaring fact that 'whoever' they had convinced to carry out this abominable act, had undoubtedly perished in the resulting explosions. =^= You will 'PAY' for what you have done Pemok .. If it's the last thing I do .. .. YOU WILL PAY! =^= Carl spat the words as if they were burning his throat. =^= I feel we will have to disagree on that point Admiral .. But in the meantime .. You will come to a complete stop .. Any attempt by you or the Maracanda to raise shields or bring weapons online will result in that vessel's destruction =^= After there was no reply from the Raven, Pemok spoke again: =^= You can stop .. Or suffer the alternative .. .. .. =^= Pemok said before the comm snapped off, leaving the Bridge in complete silence. Carl looked to where his Exec' would have been seated, but Blakus had been dealing with a separate communication from Captain Manley aboard the Maracanda. "They got the communication along with us..." Blakus said, "... they're awaiting instructions," Carl walked towards the viewscreen then paused, he couldn't find the words to say about what had happened. "Sir?" Calli quietly prompted. "Come to a full stop, tell Manley to do likewise," Carl finally said. USS Raven-C ... Stationary :: "The Halkoth is closing, and slowing ..... She is taking up a position where she can cover both of us," the Duty Tactical Officer informed Torek, Blakus, and Valente. It came to a complete stop two thousand metres from the Federation vessels. The three ships remained motionless for almost forty minutes, then they heard the telltale hum of a transport in progress, a second later Commander Pemok materialised in the for'ard area of the Bridge. Carl didn't think he was alone in wishing he could smack the smirk of satisfaction right off the Romulan's face! ..........
|
|
Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,474
|
Post by Andae Blakus on Jul 9, 2024 20:25:05 GMT
Blakus had to wonder at first what was stopping the Raven, as well as the Maracanda, from counterattacking, until the full implications of what Pemok was saying occurred to him... The Tal Shiar officer had had operatives - presumably at least one - on each of the four vessels: the two Tkrnn ships, the Maracanda, and the Raven!
It had to be assumed that the Tal Shiar agents - however many there were in total - were right now in a position to destroy the Raven and Maracanda from within, if they chose to do so, or more correctly perhaps they were given the order by the Halkoth...
Now the Romulan commander was stood before the Raven's bridge crew, in front of the viewscreen.
"We've come to all stop. So what would you have us do now, Pemok?" Andae demanded, in derision and defeat at the same time.
"I'm glad you asked, Commander..."
Valente took a pace forward, "This is all some sick game, isn't it? Your final chance to crow before you destroy us and the Maraca- "
"Don't be so vulgar," Pemok almost seemed angry, "Your opinion of Romulans is low indeed if you think I'd go to these lengths to show you who is the victor. If it was simply a matter of your destruction, I'd have it done from the Halkoth. I wouldn't have left my office, perhaps not even my quarters, while the order was being given for my operatives and sympathisers to destroy your vessels."
"Then what are you doing here?" Torek spoke after a long silence, his voice speaking of cold fury.
"You have something aboard this vessel. Something, or rather someone, whose presence you have been concealing since before you departed the Tkrnn primary star system. In your brig... you have my blood brother, Tal Shiar Major Nulakr. Protected by your forcefields, I'm unable to beam him out. Now that I can threaten your destruction, you'll give him into my custody."
His brother, Andae mused... Yes, it was true, the Raven still had Nulakr, the first officer from the destroyed warbird Mok'pa lingering in their brig, awaiting a return to Starbase 47 from which he'd likely be extradited back to New Romulus by the Romulan Senate (if the admiralty of Section 47 could still rely on the Senate's wish for amity with the Federation).
"So we bring him to you. And you let us go free?" Valente asked incredulously.
"Perhaps," Pemok said finally and left it that, pursing his lips.
It was clear to Andae that the Romulan very much wished to destroy them, once Nulakr had presumably been taken by Pemok's warbird out of the brig in a transporter beam-out. But Pemok couldn't possibly say that much, because that would lose him his leverage: Told that they would be dying anyway, once they'd surrendered Nulakr, the Raven and Maracanda crews may just as well refuse to release Nulakr, and so die sooner.
"Ok, so we surrender your brother to you, Pemok. But what assurances are there that we'll be safe, that we'll be spared. We need them, else what's the point?" Andae asked.
"I will give you the Halkoth as your insurance," Pemok said eventually, seeming now to think quickly as he strode back and forth in front of the viewscreen, "My vessel's shields will remain down during and after the recovery of my brother. Your and your Intrepid class ally's weapons remain fully operational, don't they? Thus you could attack us, inflicting heavy damage, if we proceed to try to destroy you after I have Nulakr back."
The substance of words and the thoughts they purported to represent were often different things where Romulans were concerned. Suffice it so say, Andae thought, Pemok will try to have his operative annihilate the Raven from within before we can fire at the shieldless Halkoth.
"I'll give you ten minutes to decide," Pemok said, "Let it be known that should my warbird register any change in your defensive systems, or any change at all in the status of your vessel or of the Maracanda, before we've concluded our agreement, both your vessels will be destroyed by my infiltrators." With that touching message he beamed away back to the Halkoth.
Andae, Carl and Calli turned to one another. Who was the operative stowed aboard the Raven? Could it even be the changeling intruder, considering the changelings of 'Laterza' were still presumably allied to the Tal Shiar? And who could be the sympathisers, if there were any of those as well?
"Admiral, the Halkoth's shields are lowering," the duty tactical officer said (T'Seng and Gerelo still below-deck trying to ambush the changeling).
"So there's our apparent insurance," Andae observed.
Valente turned to Torek, "Admiral, I don't see that we have a choice? If we refuse to surrender Major Nulakr, we'll be killed. At least giving Pemok his brother back will give us a fighting chance. Even if we only have a split second to act, or however it plays out once Nulakr is beamed over to the Romulans."
"I assume Pemok's going to try to kill us all anyway once he gets Nulakr," Andae put in, "Then again, family honour is a huge part of the Romulan code of ethics, and of their way of life, almost as much as it is for the Klingons. Perhaps the importance of a brother outweighs Pemok's murderous intent?"
<Tag Carl, Calli>
|
|
Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
UTRINQUE PARATUS
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,197
|
Post by Carl Torek on Jul 13, 2024 12:27:34 GMT
USS Raven-C ... Stationary ::
"..... Admiral, I don't see that we have a choice? ... If we refuse to surrender Major Nulakr, we'll be killed. At least giving Pemok his brother back will give us a fighting chance. Even if we only have a split second to act, or however it plays out once Nulakr is beamed over to the Romulans." Calli was saying.
"I assume Pemok's going to try to kill us all anyway once he gets Nulakr..." Andae put in, "...Then again, family honour is a huge part of the Romulan code of ethics, and of their way of life, almost as much as it is for the Klingons. Perhaps the importance of a brother outweighs Pemok's murderous intent?"
"Let's take this into the Conference Room..." Carl said, rising, he turned to Anna Fields at Helm, "... Lieutenant, you have the Con," .....
Conference Room :: Once around the curved table with his Senior Staff, minus those still searching for the Changeling: "So basically, if we hand Nulakr over, we risk being destroyed, if we keep him, we risk being destroyed?" Carl said, shaking his head. "That about sums it up," Harry Wedlerson replied. "OK then, if we're going, then I'm damned sure Pemok isn't having it all his way..." Torek said defiantly. "Seven minutes," Calli pointed out, after glancing at the chronometer. "Pemok can't transport Nulakr off the ship while he's in the Brig, right...?" Torek pondered, seeing everyone hesitantly nodding but remaining silent, "... Then that's where he's staying, at least for the present ....." "..... And when times up?" Blakus asked. "Lieutnant..." Calli began, addressing the Duty Tactical Officer, "... Approximately, how long would it take to lower the Brig's forcefield, transport Nulakr to another location within the ship, and then raise a forcefield around him?" "It would depend on the end location," "Then let's say, the Shuttlebay?" Calli replied. The Tactical Officer fell silent, calculating the procedure in his head: "Thirteen seconds ..... Give or take," "What are you thinking?" Blakus asked, eyeing the Raven's advisor. "We're dead in the proverbial water, right...?" she began, pausing for a second, "... But our 'Type Fourteen' Medical Shuttle isn't, and it has 'Level Ten' forcefields ....." "..... You're not suggesting putting Nulakr on the shuttle and getting it away, are you?" Torek asked. "It's an option, nothing more," Calli conceded, fighting the urge to shrug. "He's not going to destroy the Raven while his brother is aboard..." Harry began as everyone fell silent once again, "... So can't we try to 'force' Pemok to take us into Federation Space. Once relatively safe, we allow his brother to leave," "I can't see him agreeing to that," Calli said. "..... If we refuse to hand over Nulakr, Pemok's options are limited: He can accept our refusal, which is doubtful, he 'could' destroy our weapons and shields then board the Raven and attempt to take his brother by force ....." Harry said. "Which we're not about to stand by and let happen!" Jor Svensson said. "So tell him we have an offer?" Carl suggested. "He tows us back into Federation Space, and once there we hand his brother over, at which time Pemok and his merry men will disappear into the darkness, leaving us to limp our way home?" Calli mused, looking up at the chronometer. "He's not going to go for that," Blakus said. "Either way ..... Our ten minutes are up," Calli informed the room ..........
|
|
Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,474
|
Post by Andae Blakus on Jul 14, 2024 21:02:37 GMT
Andae thought they could combine both options: making Pemok an offer, at the same time as the Raven readied the ambulance Piper to receive Nulakr.
Understanding that he had Torek's tacit authorisation, on returning to the bridge with the others Andae passed a word to the duty tactical/security officer to have Nulakr transported from the brig to the Piper while Pemok's attention was elsewhere (namely, recontacting the Raven to discover its intentions).
If nothing else, the XO thought, this would give a few seconds' delay... When the Raven lowered the forcefields around the brig once again, having told Pemok he could transport Nulakr aboard his warbird Halkoth, Pemok's transporter operator wouldn't find Nulakr in any of those cells...
In the confusion and desperate scramble of those few seconds, in which the transporter operator would finally determine the new location of Nulakr (behind strong forcefields on the Piper), the Raven may be able to gain some sort of advantage...
"What is your decision, Admiral?" Pemok said on the viewscreen.
Carl turned to Calli, while Blakus was still returning from the tac/sec console at the aft of the bridge. "We suggest, Commander Pemok," Calli said, "That in return for our releasing your brother Major Nulakr to you, you tow us - as we're only capable of impulse power - back into Federation space, at which point we'll transport Nulakr over to you and then part in amicable circumstances."
There was a long pause before Pemok replied, "... That is acceptable," he said, no evidence of any sort of emotion on his face, at least nothing overt - for a moment, the warbird's commander almost passed for a Vulcan. Obviously it was a compensation. "Prepare to receive our tractor, in three minutes. Pemok out."
Blakus, having returned to the command arena, turned to Torek and Valente. It was clear to the trio that the Romulan commander was conflicted... On the one hand, he had the possibility that he would imminently be getting his brother back, but on the other, there was the just about evident fact that he was disappointed, almost furious, that complying with the deal would mean he wouldn't get to consign the Raven and Maracanda, with all hands, to oblivion.
Did the Romulan commander want a trophy earned in war, or did he want to keep his lineage, his family honour, intact?
The channel having been cut, Andae informed Carl as to the arrangements made - with the tac/sec officer - regarding Nulakr. Nulakr was now already aboard the Piper, forcefields internal to the ambulance shuttle, as well as the shuttle's shields, having been raised to prevent any sort of beam-out.
Carl nodded, accepting of the XO's initiative, "My thought was we could sacrifice the Piper, Andae, send Nulakr out aboard it, stuck in some section of it while it flies on automatic pilot."
Pemok's warbird would then chase it, Blakus realised to himself. "Either way," he said, "The Romulan transporter officer won't find Nulakr in his brig cell when we drop the brig's forcefields."
It seemed quite a risk, Andae thought as he settled uneasily into the XO's chair. It almost went without saying that Pemok would be planning to renege on their deal in short order... But should the Raven crew do so themselves? What did they stand to gain from it, particularly in the very unlikely event that Pemok held to their agreement?
"He's accepted," Calli declared suddenly, "We should make use of it. Even if it was in bad faith."
True, Andae considered. Under the current arrangement, they and the Maracanda would get all the way back into Federation space thanks to a tow. It was only after that had been achieved that they would release Nulakr, at which time Pemok would find his brother missing from the brig. The Piper (with Nulakr) could then, possibly, be released, honey to a bee, and the Raven and Maracanda, back in Fed territory and now unmolested, would drag themselves as best as they were able back towards Starbase 47.
Of course, nothing suggested that Pemok wouldn't seek to violate their agreement in short order!
That thought remained foremost in their minds, despite the fact that at this moment they were crossing the border back into the Federation, both Starfleet vessels being under tow by the Halkoth...
|
|
Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
UTRINQUE PARATUS
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,197
|
Post by Carl Torek on Jul 18, 2024 1:59:45 GMT
For'ard Section ... Deck Twenty ::
They were close now - If he hadn't managed by some miracle gotten passed the search teams - The Changeling's options were running out! Lysia tapped her commbadge: 'Gerelo .. Move down to Deck Twenty-One.. .. The two remaining Teams remain on this Deck''Confirmed' the Deputy CTSO replied. She approached the Security Officer covering the access hatch. With a nod he disengaged the lock and raised the hatch, phaser ready should they encounter someone trying to come the other way. She instructed the Officer to seal the hatch when they had passed through, then motioned for her 'partner' to go first ..... This Deck housed, among other Sections: the for'ard ventral photon torpedo launchers and magazines, the ventral-midships phaser arrays, the gravimetric polaron generators, antimatter storage pods, and the forward tractor emitter. "After you," Lysia said, not trying to hide the sarcasm in her voice as Leqvr shrugged and then began to climb down the rungs. Lysia followed, seeing the Tkrnn move aside as she reached the Deck. "He could inflict substantial damage on this Deck, we should move quickly," Lequr said, turning slowly to allow the device he carried to scan the area. "We're moving," T'Seng said, after a second's thought. She moved to the Midbay control console and brought up the ship's status: They were at warp, though not under their own power - She peered at the screen, frowning, cycling through numerous exterior displays, and was surprised to see two things: Pausing at the view from the Port Underside of the Saucer Section, she could see in close formation, partially hidden by the portside nacelle pylon, the Intrepid Class Maracanda, it was close, too damn close for her liking, but more worryingly, was the luminescent 'haze' produced when a tractor was established ..... "Computer, current heading and velocity?" 'Current heading two six five mark zero five .. Velocity is warp two point six five' the computer replied. She turned to the Tkrnn. "We're heading for Federation Space, and being towed, it can't be one of ours doing the towing," she said. "It is the Romulan Commander, it seems plausible that he, and your Admiral, have come to some, arrangement," Lequr said, continuing his scan, his back to her. She was about to ask why he thought this when Gerelo and Kodtl approached: "If he's here we need to get to him, fast," Gerelo suggested, eyeing the Two Tkrnn who had moved coles and were in a whispered conversation. "Leqvr thinks we're being tractored by Pemok, or one of his ships, any thoughts?" she whispered. "As good a guess as any," Gerelo replied with a shrug. "According to the log, the Changeling hasn't attempted to access antimatter containment..." T'Seng said, not bothering to whisper, "... I've locked this deck down, we'll search and scan each Sevtion in turn," "I suggest we start Aft..." Gereol said, "... Containment pod Storage," Seeing Lysia nod in agreement as Leqvr and Kodtl approached. "Just a quick question..." Gerelo prompted, eyeing the two Tkrnn, "... I don't suppose you people can survive without an atmosphere, can you?" "No ..... We cannot," Leqve said, clearly puzzled. "Fair enough, at least we know he's not making his way up the hull," the Deputy CTSO replied with a wry grin .......... Bridge :: Carl had been sitting at his desk in his Ready Room for over an hour, losing patience, Calli stood: "He doesn't want to be interrupted," Blakus said, raising his eyebrows, knowing exactly what she was about to do. "Ahh well, we can't always have what we want, can we ....." Valenté said, returning the grin as she approached the door and pressed the chime but got no reply, repeating the action with the same result, she sighed, then leaned into the panel to enter her override access, the door obligingly sliding silently aside. Without waiting for any reaction from Carl, she entered, walked over to the replicator requesting 'Coffee ... hot' then sat opposite him. "I wondered how long it would take you to use that 'Intelligence Authority' of yours, seems now's the time," Torek said, not looking up. "We'll cross into Federation Space in ninety-seven minutes. I somehow doubt Pemok is going to unceremoniously tow us up to Starbase Forty-Seven's space doors," Calli replied, not rising to his dig. "No, I somehow don't think he will either...." Carl replied, finally raising his eyes to look at Calli, "... You play chess," he said, a fact, not a question, as they had played many games against each other. Calli nodded but remained silent. "That's what we have here ..... I think he's looking for an honourable way out of this. Us holding his brother is clouding his urge to simply blow us and the Maracanda to kingdom come!" "So he's trying to find a way out that will maintain his honour, 'AND' get his brother back?" "Yes, but unlike chess players at a table, who can sit down to another game regardless of the outcome of that game, we're looking at a 'player' wanting an overwhelming victory, one completely humiliating his opponent in the process," Carl said. "He's not going to settle for a stalemate then...?" Calli speculated, "... Which leaves 'us' with two options: We knock over our King and submit, or we do something unexpected, and cross our fingers," "The Maracanda followed my instructions to take her warp core off-line and move into position to be towed..." Torek said, pausing to marshal his thoughts before continuing, "... What if we could contact them and rescind those orders, have them fire on the Halkoth then turn tail and run?" "..... And if they succeed?" "Pemok thinks he has all his pieces in place with us being crippled. If the Maracanda could inflict enough damage to break the tow, we would coast at warp for some time before going sub-light. Well before that happens we'll launch the Piper...! He'll have three options - One: Go after the Maracanda, why? ... Two: Turn on us, again in my opinion doubtful ... Or three: He goes after the Piper herself!" Carl said. "At warp six the Piper will put some distance between them and the Halkoth..." Calli speculated, "... From what we know, the modified Valdor Type can do warp seven, let's say eight if she pushes her drive beyond safeties ..... So ....." "The Piper, and our 'guest' could be well into Federation Space before they're caught, there 'HAS' to be ships out there that can intercept the Piper," Carl finished for her. "..... I'll be on the Bridge, thanks for the coffee," Calli said, rising to return her cup before leaving the Ready Room ..........
|
|
Calli Valente
Starfleet Intelligence
"Don't get in my way."
Registered: Aug 4, 2010 21:19:10 GMT
Posts: 539
|
Post by Calli Valente on Jul 18, 2024 12:54:44 GMT
Raven - Bridge :: Carl left his Ready Room and returned to the Bridge ..... "We've been discussing options following our, chat," Calli said, turning to face Torek. "..... And?" "We 'think' we might have a way to communicate with the Maracanda..." Calli said, seeing Carl's eyebrows raise as he waited, "... Morse," she finished. "As in Morse, Code?" Torek asked. "The same," "..... And just how's it going to work?" "We find somewhere - Harry has suggested Deck Fourteen, forward of the Port Nacelle pylon - We'll have a good view of the Maracanda's Saucer Section from there," "So what do we tell them?" Carl asked. Calli handed him a PADD, and Torek read the list of text: MESSAGE FROM TOREK ... AT NEXT SIGNAL BRING DRIVE AND WEAPONS ONLINE IMMEDIATELY FIRE ON TRACTOR CONTROL THEN DRIVE AND WEAPONS OF HALKOTH FLEE REGION FOLLOWING FIRING DO NOT RETURN TO RAVEN LOCATION! CONFIRM ... He re-read the list, precise, and to the point, but would it work? "I'm assuming there will be someone aboard the Maracanda who can decipher Morse Code?" he mused. "There should be, yes. Once they have the message, all they need to do is standby for your instruction to go," Andae said. "..... And if Pemok is expecting us to try something?" "Then it's likely to be a short fight," Calli said, forcing herself not to shrug. "OK, go see if you can get their attention, send the instructions as is," Carl said ..... Deck Fourteen For'ard of Port Nacelle Pylon :: Calli had taken the PADD and had picked up the highest luminescence light she could find en route. From her position, she could see the whole of the Starboard side of the Maracanda's Saucer Section. Pulling a chair over from one of the maintenance benches, she settled down and began trying to attract someone's attention ... It took all of fifteen minutes before she saw a face at one of the windows, only for it to disappear a second later. "Well that went well..." she said to herself, grinning a moment later when she saw an intermittent light from the Maracanda, "... Ahh, now we're talking, or blinking I suppose," she said, replying with her light. -- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. . ..--.. 'Morse Code?' she sent.
... -.- --- -... . .-. / -.-- . ... The reply came: 'Scober Yes' ... She paused, then sent the message as written on the PADD ...
Finally sending:
-.-. --- -. ..-. .. .-. -- / 'Confirm' ...
-.-. --- -. ..-. .. .-. -- . -.. 'Confirmed' ... Scober replied. Calli grinned, she didn't expect the Maracanda's Exec' to sit in the window indefinitely, he would likely post someone on watch. She left the chair and light in place then returned to the Bridge ..........
|
|
Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,474
|
Post by Andae Blakus on Jul 24, 2024 20:43:08 GMT
USS Maracanda
With the Halkoth towing the Raven and Maracanda with separate tractor beams, in arrow formation and just 30 minutes at current speed from Federation space, Calli's plan to use Morse Code to alert the Maracanda to new instructions came to fruition.
Scober had left an enlisted crewman to flash a palm beacon on and off whilst sitting in a couch on starboard side deck 6. The crewman had started to grow weary, before the light that'd been flashing on the Raven came again, framed above and right by the Sovereign's port nacelle bussard ramscoop and below and left by the forward section of the Raven's stardrive.
The Raven's new flashing indicated, 'confirm'. Dutifully the Maracanda crewman signalled back 'confirmed', and banishing the tiredness from her voice, commed the bridge, "Bridge, this is Specialist Maron. I've confirmed the Raven's orders to attack the Halkoth: tractor, engines, weapons, in that order."
"Acknowledged, Specialist. Return to station."
She recognised Captain Manley's voice. Seconds later, hell was unleashed, or what infernal possibilities the Maracanda was capable of realising.
* * *
Bridge, USS Raven
"Admiral, the Halkoth's tractor beams have been disabled by the Maracanda," the duty tactical ensign informed Torek. Already Blakus could feel the change in momentum of the vessel through the deckplates, the Raven no longer matched in velocity with the Valdore type warbird.
Then on the viewscreen he saw two bursts of photon torpedoes, as well as another sequence of phaser fire, erupt from off the port edge of the screen.
The Intrepid class's weaponry slammed into the Halkoth's port, ventral and aft shielding and collapsed one or more shield facings in that aspect. Sudden failures in the Halkoth's attitude control system in that area threatened to pitch the vessel out of its alignment but it compensated with its other thrusters, yet now the Romulan crew found their warbird dropping to sublight...
"Halkoth's engines are offline," tactical reported dutifully.
Blakus nodded in the XO's chair. Pemok had already responded however: before the Tal Shiar commander's own weapons systems were too severely damaged, he'd been able to fire a salvo of torpedoes and open up with his various disruptor cannon towards the Intrepid class...
As a result the Maracanda, while it'd been hoping to get away and leave an additional possible target for pursuit, was disabled and now dead in the water... through heavy damage to the starboard side of its saucer section through the Halkoth's retaliatory strikes. Few casualties, apparently, but certainly of little further use in the fight.
"Release the Piper!" The command from Torek had already been given during Blakus's evaluations of the attack damage to the Maracanda and of the new tactical situation...
Between the cutting loose of the two Federation starships from the Halkoth's tractor beam, and the 'almost' total disabling of the Romulan warbird's drive and weapons systems, the Piper had been set free from its berth in the Raven's shuttlebay, just three people aboard: Pemok's brother Major Nulakr and two civilians of varying degrees of Romulan heritage (both Federation citizens). The latter were insurance, as well as a gift, if and only if either or both of them decided to accept any gift from New Romulus of repatriation to the Star Empire.
"Our coordinates?" Blakus hollered as Fields attempted to regain control following the drop-out from warp after violent release from the Halkoth's tractor.
"Galactic coordinates?" Anna asked, "Never mind. We're 0.5 parsecs within the Federation border," there was an air of jubilation in her voice.
"The Halkoth's still further on ahead of us, some 5 million kilometres, our speeds about the same, the gap between us about the same," tactical said shakily, virtually hanging on to his console, not so much because of the rapidly fading extra inertia, but out of mere tension.
"What about the Piper?" Torek intoned.
"She's now some 30 million kilometres beyond the Halkoth, heading roughly towards Starbase 47, if about 5 degrees to the left... The warbid's pursuing it... But given relative sublight speeds, the Piper's pulling away from the warbird!" tactical exhaled.
Andae turned to Carl and Calli who was just returning to the bridge from her old-fashioned communication efforts, "Let's follow the Piper as best we're able," Andae said, "The hulk Maracanda is fine wherever she is. As it is the Halkoth is between us and the Piper. All three of us, Raven, Halkoth, Piper, are heading towards Starbase 47. Pemok will probably -"
Red alert was suddenly sounding, triggered from below-deck. The source? Low down in the stardrive section, Blakus discovered. T'Seng. Gerelo. The changeling...
"Incoming communication," Lana Keel announced at Comms, "The Halkoth." Would Pemok want to pursue or negotiate for Nulakr aboard the Piper, or would he high tail it and run back to the Romulan border regardless?
The channel was open. "Admiral. It would appear we are at something of an impasse. Your ambulance shuttle will lower its shields. I will beam those aboard it on to my vessel. And so I will be on my way. With my safe conduct guaranteed. Of course," Pemok stated.
|
|
Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
UTRINQUE PARATUS
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,197
|
Post by Carl Torek on Jul 27, 2024 14:06:00 GMT
USS Raven-C ... Bridge ::
..... Carl was nervous, as he had every right to be - If what they were about to attempt failed, Pemok would certainly unleash whatever built-up wrath he was festering ..... "The Maracanda is ready," Calli informed both her Senior Officers. Carl glanced at Andae, who gave the briefest nod. "The Piper's systems have been disabled...?" Torek asked, Calli nodded. The Medical Shuttle would launch remotely, then follow her pre-programmed information, he turned to the Duty Tactical Officer, "...Sixty-second delay, inform the Maracanda," The wait seemed to stretch, Carl wondered if anyone on the Brideg had noticed his disposition, but then the Maracanda fired on the Romulan Warbird! "Be ready!" Blakus ordered the Duty Tactical Officer. They watched as the Intrepid Class fired several volleys in quick succession, almost cheering as the Halkoth began to roll to Port, her weapons and drive systems compromised. "Now!" Carl ordered. The Piper lanced from the Raven's Shuttlebay and made an almost impossibly tight turn, Carl watched as the tiny craft put distance between itself and the three massive Starships before jumping to warp. "YES!" someone on the Bridge said, quickly falling silent. The Maracanda, having completed her task, had already turned approximately seventy degrees from Raven's heading and had gone to high warp, putting distance between her and the Raven as instructed - This, Carl though, was the crucial moment - On board the Halkoth, he could imagine Pemok, screaming orders at his crew to get drive and weapons back online. No doubt the Romulan could see at least 'two' of his prizes moving out of reach, the shuttle, now at warp, and the instrument of their woes, the Maracanda. But below and astern of him, was the still crippled Sovereign Class Ravan-C, a target Carl thought Pemok would undoubtedly unleash his wreath upon at his first opportunity. "Helm, push the Impulse engines to their max, we need to chase after the Piper as best we can!" Torek ordered. "Impulse engines at one hundred eight percent... One hundred nine percent," Anna Fields informed him ..... It took only minutes before Tactical confirmed the Halkoth had repaired her damaged Drive, almost simultaneously, the Valdore Type Warbird jumped to warp and disappeared in pursuit of the Piper. Carl tried to calculate in his head just how long the shuttle, at her maximum of warp-six, could stay out of reach of the pursuing Romulan Warbird. "The Halkoth is making warp seven point two, interception time to the Piper six minutes," the Duty Tactical Officer said as if reading Torek's mind. Then Comms informed him there was an incoming communication: =^= Admiral Torek .. It would appear we are at something of an impasse .. Your Ambulance Shuttle will lower its shields .. I will beam those aboard it onto my vessel and so I will be on my way .. .. =^==^= I'm afraid I cannot comply .. We have no control over the Piper =^= Carl replied, glancing over at Tactical, seeing the Duty Officer hold up three fingers. =^= I am afraid I do not believe you .. Admiral .. If you do not instruct the shuttle to drop from warp immediately .. I will catch then destroy it .. Then I will come about and end your miserable existence .. .. =^= Pemok fumed. =^= The shuttle's computers have been disabled to prevent the occupants from taking control .. They are already deep within Federation Space .. I urge you to reconsider your actions before it is too late .. Commander =^= =^= You think I cower from your federation .. Well .. I DO NOT! .. .. Comply or be DESTROYED! =^= the irate Romulan spat, turning to someone off-screen to push the ship harder Carl could sense the man's inner turmoil - Should he continue to race after the shuttle, or come about to exact his frustration on the Raven and her crew? - So before Pemok could spit further venom at him, he decided to give the Romulan some information that could affect his next actions: =^=.. .. I should warn you .. .. Your brother and two Romulan civilians are currently aboard the Piper .. Personally .. I doubt destroying a Federation Shuttle will lead to an all-out war .. But who's to say 'what' our respective governments might decide? =^= Carl could see the Duty Tac' Officer holding up two fingers. =^= .. .. Well? .. What is it to be Commander? =^= Carl pushed, silently hoping that Pemok's feelings for his flesh and blood would outweigh his current seething anger towards Torek. But rather than reply the comm snapped off! "Touchy bugger, isn't he," Calli said. "Sir...!" the Tactical Officer suddenly interrupted, "... I'm picking up three vessels approaching at high warp," "Ours?" Blakus asked, no hint of nerves in his tone. "Yes," "About time,! Harry Wedlerson commented from Opps. "How long before they reach us?" Carl asked. "Sixteen minutes," the Duty Tactical Officer confirmed. "How long before the Halkoth has the shuttle in range?" Calli asked. "Sixty seconds," The oncoming ships were going to be of no immediate help to the Raven, or the Piper, but their presence alone 'could' dictate how Pemok acted... The Romulan Warbird would need to drop from warp to transport anyone from the shuttle, that is 'if' he could disable the shields. Without doing so, he had no chance of beaming his brother or the Civilians away. But firing on the small craft could easily result in its destruction. It was this fact that had dictated just 'who' was going to be aboard the Piper. No Federation Citizens meant that if Pemok destroyed the shuttle out of sheer rage, he would be killing his brother, along with the two Romulan Civilians, but 'not' any Federation Member, something Carl believed the Romulan Senate might, at some point, take a dim view of. In the meantime, the onrushing Federation vessels would have closed the distance and could fire on the Halkoth ..... So it was down to Pemok's frame of mind ..... "Admiral, the Romulan Warbird is trying to reopen comms," Andae turned to look in her direction then nodded. Commander Pemok's image appeared on the viewscreen: =^= I want my brother Admiral .. I care not about the others on board .. .. I am well aware of the approaching ships .. But I could easily destroy the shuttle 'AND' the Raven before they can assist you .. Would you take that risk .. Admiral? =^="Sir, the USS Horizon has changed course to intercept the Piper, the other two are still coming our way," the Duty Tactical Officer informed him quietly. =^= I would rather not Commander .. Alas .. Our situation still stands .. I believe you will have to face your Superiors in due course .. But that is for you and the Senate .. As for the Piper .. .. =^= Carl glanced at the Tactical Officer but it was Comms who spoke: "The Horizon confirms they have altered course, and are about to intercept the Piper," Keel said, glancing from her station to the viewscreen. =^= Well .. .. Commander .. I believe you have a decision to make =^= Torek said, again thinkng about Chess, and the tactics within tactics, he endevoured to keep his face expressionless. "Horizon has intercepted the Piper and is overriding her systems, they are asking what they should do about the three aboard," Lana Keel said, not hiding the information from the Romulan onscreen. "Mute comms..." Carl instructed before he looked at Andae and then Calli, "... I think we should hand over Pemok's brother, on the condition he immediately heads for Romulan Space," "Sir?" Calli queried. Carl glanced at the screen and then turned to Calli: "He's not going to allow his brother to be taken into custody. I think he's lost any rational objective regarding our situation, this to him is purely personal in my opinion. He knows attacking the Horizon is tantamount to suicide, but I get the feeling he'll attack them, and any other ships, to get to his brother, regardless of concequences. I'm not sure I want to risk that sort of loss of life ..... Do you?" he asked. "Obviously not," Calli conceded. "Andae?" he asked, turning to his Executive Officer ..........
|
|
Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,474
|
Post by Andae Blakus on Aug 5, 2024 18:07:05 GMT
Andae needed only a moment's reflection, "Agreed, Admiral."
It did seem as if Pemok was on a mission of vengeance. Maybe it was only latterly conceived, but once the Romulan found out getting his brother back wouldn't be as easy as he'd imagined, and had likely already cost him not a few of his crew thanks to the Maracanda's attack at warp, ice had entered his heart and he'd resolved on getting Nulakr back come what may.
"In that case, Andae, if you'd like to do the honours?" Carl said.
Andae understood. He put in a comm to the Horizon via subspace, "With the authorisation of Fleet Admiral Torek, you are to recover only the two half-Romulan civilians aboard the shuttle Piper. Leave Tal Shiar Major Nulakr aboard the craft. USS Raven, over."
There was a pause before the response from the USS Horizon, "Acknowledged, USS Raven. Any reason why?"
"Nulakr is the brother of the warbird's commander. We strongly believe the commander will abandon all else in order to recover him. Any risk to the Raven, or Maracanda, once the commander has beamed Nulakr aboard his ship, is considered near to negligible," Andae commed in return, winging it, if only slightly, with respect to the latter.
"You're sure?"
"Yes, once you've commanded the shuttle's shields down and recovered the two civilians, reverse course towards Starbase 47 and hold station with your two other ships at... 2 parsecs from the Starbase, and 2 parsecs from your current location," Andae instructed.
The Horizon acknowledged and promptly transported both human-Romulan civilians aboard itself. Nulakr was left to ponder his fate in the sublight Piper as the Halkoth bore down in its approach.
It was frustrating, Andae thought, to be out here, dead in the water, with the Maracanda also as good as being out of action considering the Halkoth had completely ignored it in its run towards the Piper.
"The Halkoth has intercepted the Piper," tactical reported, "USS Horizon has already left it, now 10 million kilometres away..." There was a pause. "It seems the Halkoth now has Nulakr... and has reversed course..." There was a palpable sense of relief passing throughout the bridge, "The warbird's heading back towards the Romulan border, this way."
Andae collapsed in his chair, but far from being able to relax he was thinking furiously. Now that those three Fed starships were no longer needed to guard the Starbase from the Halkoth, some of them at least could be employed in picking up the Raven, tractoring and hauling it back to Starbase, assuming they could bypass the Halkoth with no problem.
"USS Kenosha," an unrefitted Sovereign class, one of the three vessels in the group, "is heading our way, think to give us a tow back to Starbase," Keel reported at length.
Meanwhile below-deck, the ambush had been laid for the changeling... and things hadn't gone right:
One part of the trap being laid at an intersection, the changeling, upon realising his new predicament, had high-tailed it in direction of the intersection, gunned down a security guard as well as one of the crack team of Tkrnn, and chased after Gerelo and two more security guards, while T'Seng attempted to close the noose from the other direction...
Tag T'Seng, Gerelo, All>
|
|
Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
UTRINQUE PARATUS
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,197
|
Post by Carl Torek on Aug 7, 2024 15:04:59 GMT
Bridge ... USS Raven-C :: Carl sat in silence, allowing Andae to oversee proceedings ..... "Sir, the USS Kenosha is moving into position forward and above us," Reported Lieutant Keel from comms. "Understood," Blakus replied. "Sir, I'm picking up two Valdore Type Warbirds closing on our location," the Duty Tactical Officer said urgently. "What the hell now!" Carl asked. "They are altering their heading, now on an intercept course for the Halkoth," "Kenosha reports they are ready to engage tractors," Keel confirmed. "Tell them we're ready when they are," Blakus confirmed. Seconds later duel tractor beams from the aft Engineering Section of the Kenosha caressed the Raven in a blue hue. "Captain Marino sends his compliments Admiral, he says they will take us to warp three point five slowly," Keel said as the Raven, shadowed above and ahead by the Kenosha, jumped to warp. "Sir, the two Romulan Warbirds are firing on the Halkoth!" the Tactical Officer suddenly said. "What...?" Blakus asked, quickly glancing at Torek before continuing, "... On screen!" the view of the underside of the Sovereign Class Kenosha was replaced by a starfield containing three massive Valdore Type Warbirds. As they watched, the firefight continued, but it was clear almost immediately that the Halkoth was outmatched. All three vessels were firing but with two against one it was only a matter of time ... Less than three minutes into the fight, the viewscreen suddenly adjusted to the blinding white explosion caused by the Halkoth's artificial quantum singularity drive being destroyed! "The Halkoth has gone..." the Duty Tactical Officer confirmed needlessly, "... The two Valdore Type Warbirds are turning back towards Romulan Space," ..... Deck Twenty-One :: The Changeling had found a way around the trap set for him - In doing so he had killed one Starfleet Officer, and one of the team of Tkrnn sent to capture him - Now, he was on Deck Twenty-one with no means of escape, they hoped ..... Having first headed Aft, they were confined the Changeling would run out of places to hide eventually, but backtracking, he had caught two of his pursuers by surprise, now, with Gerelo and two of the Tkrnn following the Changeling, Lysia had used a site-to-site transport to position herself and Kodtl ahead of their prey. She was kneeling on the deck, while the Tkrnn stood behind her, but their phasers held ready, pointing along the only passageway still open. They heard the hurried footfalls mere seconds before the Changeling came into view. The man, in the guise of a Starfleet Technician, came skidding to a halt as he focused on the business end of T'Seng's phaser! "On your knees!" she ordered. The Changeling's expression changed to puzzlement as he quickly pointed behind him: "He's behind me, get ready!" "I won't tell you again ..... ON YOUR KNEES ..... NOW!" Lysia repeated as she felt Kodtl change his position. "It's him," she heard the Tkrnnconfirm. The Changling must have known the chase was over, his eyes darted around for any means of escape but found none. Lysia tipped her phaser up at an angle to double-check the setting and then without any further warning, aimed and fired.The beam lanced across the space between them, hitting the Changeling high on the left side of his chest close to his shoulder, spinning him around before he fell to the deck writhing in pain. Lysia and Kodtl approached warily, half expecting the man to change something that could do them serious harm, but Changeling remained in Human form, one hand gripping his all but destroyed shoulder. Past the fallen Changeling, Gerelo, Leqvr, and the other Tkrnn came around the corner, weapons ready before slowing to a halt. "You, are of, our race... You 'MUST' allow me my freedom," the Changeling said, eyes on Kodtl. "You, and your like, are responsible for countless needless deaths. You surely cannot expect leniency," Leqvr said, forcing the Changeling to turn his head, wincing at the pain. Lysia could see the Changeling had no strength to heal the scorched chest wound. She was about to suggest he be treated by one of the Raven's Medical Staff when Leqvr raised the Starfleet issue Type-Two phaser and aimed it between the eyes of the Changeling. There was no time to react before the Tkrnn Council Member fired! The Changeling vaporised, leaving almost no trace he had ever existed ..... Leqvr seemed to contemplate his action for several seconds before handing the weapon, still set on its highest level, to Gerilo, who immediately reset it before looking at Lysia. "Your 'Changeling' situation is concluded..." the Tkrnn Council Member said as Kodtl moved to his side, the two remaining Tkrnn falling into place several paces behind, "... I believe it is time my associates and I return to our vessel," he said, almost matter-of-factly, eyes on Lysia. The Raven's Chief Tactical Security Officer looked at the deck plates in shock, then looked directly at Leqvr - She and the others had just witnessed a cold-blooded murder - Regulations cited she arrest the Tkrnn, who would undoubtedly face charges, but that was for Admiral Torek, and no doubt Starfleet Command, to consider. "Let's go," she said, stepping aside to allow the Tkrnn to go ahead of her and Gerelo to the tubolifts. She requested 'Deck One' but rather than step onto the Bridge she turned and led the group into the Conference Room. "Wait here," she instructed the Tkrnn, glancing at Gerelo before entering the Bridge ..... She asked to speak to Torek, Blakus, and Valente in the Captain's Ready Room, explaining what had happened ..... Following the briefing, the four entered the Conference Room where Gerelo informed them that Leqvr had instructed his vessel to stand by for their return. Carl eyed the Tkrnn, then sat down, unwilling to indulge in any further conversation. He turned to Lysia: "Lysia... Instruct the Kenosha to drop from warp momentarily while our, guests, return to their vessel..." he said, eyes on the polished tabletop, "... Commander, please escort our visitors to Transporter Room Two," he asked Calli ..... Four Days Later ... Approaching Starbase Forty-Seven :: Carl had spent the majority of the time in his quarters, leaving the running of the ship to his Senior Staff. He had contacted Section Admiral Gheskori via sub-space and apprised him of what had happened. Gheskori was cautiously inclined to agree with his actions in allowing the Tkrnn to leave the Raven. He felt that the possible fallout from even attempting to convene a trial for the Tkrnn Council Members responsible for the Changeling's death could have far-reaching consequences, for both the Federation 'and' the Tkrnn. As for the destruction of the IRW Halkoth with the loss of all aboard, the Romulan High Council had made it clear it was an 'internal issue' and as such none of the Federation's concern! In the preceding four days, Raven's warp core, still less than six months old, along with countless other damaged-beyond-repair systems, had been dismantled in preparation for removal once the ship was safely docked. Twelve hours from the Starbase, he had instructed the USS Kenosha to disengage the tractors towing the Sovereign Class Raven so she may approach and dock under her own power - Repairs would take time - But truth be told, Carl wasn't unhappy about that. His Crew, and if he were honest, he too, needed time to recuperate. The Raven would be refitted, given a new lease of life, and so would the crew, new faces, Crew and Officers, would board to replace those lost, or those cycling out of their assignments and moving on to pastures new. On the Bridge, he watched as Anna Fields navigated the ship on approach before the Dockmaster requested control. He sat back, inwardly thankful they were home as the ship passed through the massive space doors and into the cavernous interior, thrusters manoeuvring the enormous Starship gently alongside her assigned berth before tractors, umbilicus walkways, and external power lines connected the ship to the Starbase ..........
|
|
Andae Blakus
Moderator ..
Commander 1C
Registered: Oct 17, 2007 22:48:27 GMT
Posts: 1,474
|
Post by Andae Blakus on Aug 10, 2024 19:32:11 GMT
With the Raven gliding closer and closer to the Starbase at high impulse after being dropped off by the Kenosha, the ship's XO had time enough before rendezvous and docking with the Starbase to dwell upon the various events of their mission.
It'd started out as a collaborative effort. In hindsight that was ridiculous, Blakus thought. They'd travelled aboard the Raven towards the Romulan Neutral Zone, then through Romulan space, arriving at the far border between the Romulans and the aggressive Tkrnn, for now the Starfleeters in alliance with the Romulan Tal Shiar to tackle the Tkrnn incursion.
Then they'd been double-crossed. The Tal Shiar, in alliance with the warmongers amongst the Tkrnn, had tried to ambush and destroy the Raven. Having prevented their own destruction, the Starfleet crew had then received new orders from Starfleet Command: attempt to infiltrate the Tkrnn primary homeworld, via secret passage on a freighter that was to pass through a transwarp conduit from the boundary of Federation space to not too far from the centre of the Tkrnn empire.
Despite initial setbacks, they'd succeeded in heading down to the homeworld undercover and disabling a series of weapons systems that the Tkrnn had clearly hoped to use against not only the Federation, but the Klingons and the Romulans also.
They'd suffered losses on the primary homeworld, if not material or biological, then in terms of other resources available to the Federation, Andae knew. Yet they'd made it away without casualties. And now there was a treaty, between the Tkrnn and the Federation, allaying an all-out war which had threatened to eclipse the nascent conflict between Tkrnn, Klingons, Romulans - which too had found a useful, if only temporary resolution at Lambda Hydrae.
Six hours from Starbase 47, coasting at warp 0.8
Various questions presented themselves to the mind of the Raven's first officer. He sat up on his bed, barely aware of himself. Of course he was in a doze, but it mattered little. Whether one was fully awake, whether one was asleep... In the deep silence and meaningless abyss that persisted between stars, mattered it if a single corporeal being was awake or otherwise?
A scarlet flashing in the middle-distance of his vision, eventually drew his attention. "Acknowledge," he belatedy requested, "Onscreen!" Very soon he was fully conscious.
=/\=All hands, ship is one half hour from docking at SB47. Repeat...=/\=
He phased out the shipwide intercom and focussed on the communication he had before him in his own quarters.
The blank screen of his personal terminal was replaced by the Romulan dual eagle in faded green and blue, followed by an image of a clearly harried Romulan woman at a desk. "Commander Blakus, this is Colonel Karuth of the... Tal Shiar."
"Copy, Colonel, what do you need?" a still marginally sleepy Blakus replied, jerking forward towards the end of his bed and so repairing to his desk chair which lay before his personal terminal.
"I'd have contacted your ship on a less covert channel, or your Commanding Officer directly, if I could've done so without drawing attention. As it is, I've been able to make contact with you, Commander."
"And the reason for your making contact?" Andae said shortly as he slid into his chair before the terminal.
"I've made it back to New Romulus," she announced, The Senate has secured complete control over both the Navy and Naval Intelligence. After destroying the Halkoth, they've begun to expunge Tal Shiar cells and prominent Tal Shiar members. So my own organisation is taking a beating, as you might say... and it's not before time," there was a flicker of a smile, or smirk at the edge of Karuth's mouth.
"What about your own safety? If your own agency's travails are so welcome to you?" Blakus asked levelly.
"I'll be alright. I'm in a hideout as it is, here with members of the Resistance. We 'resist' imperial and senatorial rule of the Star Empire. With any luck, in time we'll overthrow the senate, get rid of the emperor - ceremonial though his role is - and institute a republic. Getting rid of the Tal Shiar, my old comrades, was admittedly only a first step. Now we must win our freedom!"
Andae nodded and felt something warming within him, "I wish you all the best, Karuth," knowing now not to use her Tal Shiar officer's rank, "The fight for freedom isn't something taken lightly, or achieved easily."
The Romulan was nodding. He tapped 'Off' on his terminal and sat back in his chair, deep in thought with only the stars for company.
Half an hour later the Raven arrived in port. Umbilicals were extended, and Blakus disembarked from the Sovereign class via the aft walkway, along with the engineering staff of Milyanov, Nate Tinsley and Christina Taylor, for old time's sake. Then he headed forward to join Torek, Valente and Wedlerson as they headed for the SB's turbolifts that would lead both to the Dome and residential officers' quarters...
|
|
Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
UTRINQUE PARATUS
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,197
|
Post by Carl Torek on Aug 11, 2024 0:15:28 GMT
Starbase Forty-Seven ::
The Raven had docked - Usually, one or more of the ship's Senior Officers were required to remain aboard during maintenance or refit periods, but with the ship's core completely dismantled and jettisoned en route, the focus for the coming week would be the refit and testing of the new core ..... As a result, Captain Stephenson, Head of Fleet Engineering, had informed him that everyone but those remaining aboard while docked were free to depart the ship. Thanking the Captain, Carl had put out a shipwide notification, then contacted their usual haunt when returning to the Starbase. At the turbolifts, he had extended his usual invitation to his Senior Officers to enjoy a meal and drinks at O'Toole's .....
O'Toole's Bar & Grill ... Alpha Promenade :: With most of his Officers agreeing to meet at the bar, Carl had first taken his family to their suite on Level One Four Zero Six, once there, Elise had made it clear that despite his offers to help, she had too much to do to be bothered with him hanging around, and told him to change out of his uniform and into something more suiting an off-duty Officer before she sent him off to the bar, promising to meet him there later. He entered the bar, busy even this early, and walked to the bar where he could see two of the staff chatting. "Girls..." he said, smiling. Nevé and Carla Cullen both turned and simultaneously threw their arms around him, each kissing a cheek each as Kara Devlin, Sean's Fiancé, walked over. "Put the man down..." she said, allowing her staff to move aside so she could take their place, "... It's good to see you back Carl, how was it, rough?" she asked, always genuinely concerned about his wellbeing. "No better or worse than usual..." he said, extracting himself from her grip as Nevé handed him a drink, "... Where's Sean, out?" he asked after downing half the glass. "He's on Earth..." Kara said quietly, "... He was called home, some family issue in Ireland," she replied, but squeezed his arm a fraction tighter for half a second. Carl knew better than to ask anything else until they had some privacy. "Oh, well I hope it's nothing too serious," he said. "The back room's ready when everyone arrives," Carla informed him as she came back behind the bar. "OK, thanks, we might not need it to be honest, but I thought I'd better get a booking in, I know how busy you are during the holidays," Carl said as she took the empty glass from him and refilled it. They were chatting when someone approached, Kara nodded and he turned to see a Captain standing waiting. "Captain, something I can do for you?" he asked. "Admiral, I apologise for the intrusion..." the man began. "No intrusion, I'm just enjoying a drink, Kara, get the Captain a drink on my tab," Carl said. "No, thank you, Admiral, I'm on duty... Might I have a word with you?" the man asked. Carl nodded and pointed to an empty booth, once seated he waited as the man introduced himself: "I am Captain John Lawrence, from the Judge Advocate General's Office, Earth," "Good to meet you, Captain..." Carl replied, taking a drink from his glass, "... Am I in trouble?" he asked with a grin. The Captain remained silent for what, to Carl, seemed a fraction of a second too long, before he replied. "We read your report on your last mission," Lawrence said. "..... And?" "Well, there are some questions that should ideally be answered. For examp ....." Lawrence stopped as Torek held up a hand. "You said you read my report. I'm assuming that you have already spoken to Section Admiral Gheskori, or you wouldn't be sitting here?" "Our office did contact the Section Admiral for some points of clarification, yes, he was happy to give us his thoughts on the Raven's mission, and didn't have any objections to our having a conversation with you," the Captain replied. "OK..." Carl replied, wondering why Gheskori hadn't mentioned he'd been questioned, "... I'm still not quite sure why you're here unless there's something in the report that needs clarifying?" Carl queried, making his reply more a question than a statement. "No, we... Obviously, there are questions, there always are in these situations," "These 'situations' like us being thrown into the middle of a needless conflict that could have reignited the war between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire ..... Those kind of situations?" "Admiral, I'm sorry, I think you have got the reason for my being here wrong," Lawrence replied quickly, looking around before attracting the attention of one of the staff, "... Please bring the Admiral another drink, and I'll have a whiskey," he said nervously. "Bring the Captain a double, from my bottle," Carl said, fighting to hide his amusement, it wasn't often a Captain felt out of his depth in front of him. "Sir ....." the JAG Officer began, but Carl held up a hand. "I'm sorry, let me apologise, Captain, I should have let you finish, there was no need for my adversarial attitude," the drinks arrived and Captain Lawrence plucked his glass off the tray and drank, coughing as the liquid burned his throat. "Nevé refill that would you..." he said, taking the glass from the man and handing it to the grinning waitress, "... So much for being on duty," he finished. "We know what happened, and we, the Council that is, is keen that some 'specifics' don't become public knowledge," "Well, I'm not about to go on some late-night entertainment channel and spill all, if that's what 'Command' are worried about," Carl said. "Good, well, we expected nothing less than your own, and your Officer's and Crew's exemplary behaviour," "Then you have nothing to worry about, have you Captain..." Carl said, raising his glass, "... Cheers," he said, Lawrence hesitated for a second, eyes flicking to the glass before he raised it, "Cheers..." he said, this time only sipping the amber liquid, "... This isn't synthehol, where do you get it?" "That would be telling, Captain, but suffice it to say it isn't brewed here..." Carl replied with a grin, "... Mind if I ask something?" "Please do," the Captain replied. "How are the talks going? ... Last we heard, the Romulans had agreed on initial terms with the Tkrnn, have the talks progressed any?" "The Romulans and the Klingons, who decided they should be in on things, have both agreed to allow the Tkrnn rights to settle on several of their uninhabited worlds. They have both agreed to allow Tkrnn self-government as long as they don't try to establish colonies on any further planets without prior agreement from the relevant race. Other than that, there's not much else I can give you at this point," the Captain said, finishing his drink. "..... And your questions for me?" "Oh, I think I have all I need Admiral," Lawrence said his eyes glassing over for a second. "You're staying on the Starbase?" Carl asked. "No, I'm due back on the Lancing, she's due to depart at twenty-two-thirty hours," "Well... I usually have a little get-together for the ship's Officers and Crew when we return from an assignment, a bit of a tradition thing. You're welcome to call back for a drink before you leave," Carl said as the two stood and walked towards the bar. "Thank you, Admiral, but I have a feeling I'm going to be sleeping that exceptional malt off before I'm facing a Court-Martial from being drunk on duty," "I won't tell if you don't..." Carl said with a grin as he reached over the bar coming up with a sealed bottle, "... Here, my compliments," he said, handing the Captain the bottle. "Thank you," Lawrence said, turning the bottle in his hand appreciatively before leaving the bar a fraction off-vertical. Kara came over and put her elbows on the bar watching the man leave. "Everything alright?" she asked. Carl nodded, deep in thought. "Yes, though I think I might have contributed to that man needing a liver repair sooner than he thought," "Well, Sean did tell you not to go sharing that rot-got around, now didn't he..." Kara said with a grin, eyes flicking to the doors before returning to Carl, "... The Captain there, troubling you?" "No, not really, but I have a doubt that he is a Captain, and I doubt he's 'JAG' ... If he's either, then I'm a bloody leprechaun," Carl replied with a shrug, convinced the man was posing as a JAG Officer, but was more likely from 'Internal Affairs' trying to snoop into something that wasn't their concern. Downing the last of his Guinness, he handed Kara his glass. "Geez, can't you be meetin' normal people now and then?" she asked, laughing. Carl could only shrug ..........
|
|
Carl Torek
Command Staff ..
Site Executive Officer Ranks Officer
Fleet Admiral
UTRINQUE PARATUS
Registered: Jun 17, 2006 22:34:35 GMT
Posts: 6,197
|
Post by Carl Torek on Aug 11, 2024 0:23:01 GMT
~~~ Mission 36: The Tkrnn Problem ~~~
ooo000ooo
Our mission has now concluded
A Shore Leave thread will be set up while the USS Raven undergoes her refit at Starbase Forty-Seven Once complete, her new mission will commence
ooo000ooo
I would like to gratefully thank Commander First Class Andae Blakus for his usual exceptional writing during this mission
Fleet Admiral Carl Torek
|
|