Mission 3.3 - The Hammer and the Anvil

[Deleted]

"Ma'am, I would like to help re-take the base, since you will need a doctor on such an endeavor."

“Very well,” Nika replied, smiling. She liked what she had seen of the doctor so far, and he seemed like a good addition to the team. She nodded at Saarok, Ezdreiana and Zoilip to head out. As they were walking towards where the fishtank was said to be, Nika realized that they seemed more military than civilian, just in the way the group carried themselves.

Nika knew they would look less suspicious if they talked among themselves. Unfortunately that wasn't really her area, her culture and childhood had better prepared her for listening, and silence. She didn't know how long it would be until they arrived at The Fishtank, so she decided to try to get to know the CMO. “Did you enjoy the Academy?” Nika asked. She hadn't gone through it, had been an acting ensign, just like the current CTSO, Ensign Bahri, but she was curious, since she had heard that the missions were often interesting, and that the instructors insured the cadets learned a lot. Nika wondered if she might have missed something.

<Tag Krythan, All>[/b]

------

Hajari stood up slowly. Even before he opened his eyes he knew where he was. Some sort of detainment facility. Which was most unfortunate. He sighed, and stared at the invisible forcefield. He took off a shoe, and threw it at the forcefield. Who knew? In the chaos that Hajari knew must be present, it was always possible that someone would forget to secure the prisoners, including himself. Unfortunately he was not so lucky. Not that he had expected to be, but he could hope. He examined his shoe to see if it had been scratched or partially disintegrated, but it wasn't, so he put it back on his foot.

“Can I get a glass of water here?” Hajari asked a guard watching him, trying again. He knew there wasn't any greater chance of this working than the first, but there were always basic strategies that had to be tried.

“No,” the security guard replied.

“What about humane treatment for prisoners?” Hajari demanded, feigning indignation.

The guard didn't deign to speak further. She instead directed Hajari's attention towards a glass of water already resting on a shelf in his cell. Hajari frowned, then decided to actually sip from it. He was thirsty, and would probably have to trust at some point that the stuff wasn't drugged. So why not do it now? The placement of the water glass was an intelligent move. He would have done similarly if he had captured prisoners. And agreed to treat them humanely. The glass of water in his cell increased his respect for the Starfleet officers some. But he knew he would still get free. Somehow. The fact that he wasn't now falling unconscious, safely subdued, from the water was a sign of that.

He heard the unmistakable sound of transporters. But he didn't go to the edge of his cell to watch like some fool bystander. He waited. Either the transport concerned him or it didn't. He expected he would find out soon enough which was the case.

He saw the guard he had talked to a little step suddenly back into view and carefully aim her phaser. She fired once, and by the thud Hajari heard she hit someone. Before she could do it again a hit stunned her.

Hajari recognized a fellow officer's voice in the swear that was abruptly shot out. “Is there is a problem?” Hajari asked.

“No,” the officers replied. “I'd rather have had her release you since it wouldn't have set off any alarms, but I did bring along a mechanic.”

“Good,” Hajari replied, and was quickly able to step out of his cell. “Where to?” he asked the leader of the group.

“The bridge, or however far we get until someone notices us and the alarm from the brig,” the leader replied.

Hajari nodded in agreement with the plan. He couldn't have changed it if he had wanted to. He didn't have that power. But he didn't want to, so all was fine. Another of the officers was found in the brig and released, but the third from the bridge team couldn't be found. She was probably dead, for all Hajari knew. He suppressed a sigh, and headed with the group towards the bridge. He assumed that was where the ship's captain would be found.

<Tag Sarina>

[sarina]

(Thanks Nika ))

[USS Victory, Engineering]

Sarina had finished her work in Engineering and stretched. It was time for her to head to the bridge and initiate their plan. She wasn’t going to use the turbolift, knowing that it would activate sensors on the Starbase, instead heading for the Jeffrey’s tube which would lead her to the bridge, the Captains Ready Room to be exact.

She shouldered her pack which contained some supplies she’d picked up while in engineering, a medkit, her walkie-talkie and a small engineering kit. The climb would tax her but she knew it was necessary. She hoped that her teams were doing what they had been told and what was necessary. With that thought she grabbed the first rung and began climbing.

She just barely made it past the next deck when an alarm began beeping somewhere on the ship, echoing through the empty corridors. Dammit she thought as she pulled herself through a nearby hatch and exited into a side corridor, heading for one of the computer consoles along the wall.

When she saw what had caused the alarm she muttered, grabbing her walkie-talkie. She had to get a team on the escaped criminals right away. But where were they? She could not use the internal sensors due to the fact that those on the Starbase would know where she was if she did.

After letting her teams know on the ship she headed for the bridge again, this time taking a different route. Another set of Jeffries tubes closer which would bring her up, in the turbolift shaft below the bridge. She could not take any chances now.

(OFF: She's not on the bridge yet and still capable of being captured, feel free to do so LOL)

[mercy]

Stuart, D'Beren, and T'Val were so far successful of not being spotted while going from one Jeffries Tube to another.

"Where exactly do you think we should be going? We can't just keep going all the way down to the recesses of the station."

Stuart stopped and thought for a moment. T'Val's question was a good one. At the rate they were going, it could take hours, and D'Beren looked like he was getting tired of climbing access ladders between decks.

"How about the Fishtank then? It should be crowded with plenty of civilians and more than likely a few Starfleet personnel too. Maybe then we can find out exactly what's going on. Plus we could probably get something to eat there as well."

"I agree. We should have discussed this sooner for it's four decks above us."

"I know. At least we didn't get too far down. T'Val, what about Yade? Can Yade let someone know where we are going?"

"Yes, she could communicate with Admiral Magellan's firelizard, Dinas, who in turn can inform the Admiral. I don't know why I didn't think of it earlier."

T'Val took pause to call forth Yade. She had gone 'between' just before the overtaking of the station as she sometimes did. Yade appeared before them. T'Val closed her eyes in order to give Yade a visual thought of what they were attempting to do, and that she was to pass on this message to Dinas. It didn't take long before Yade understood and then disappeared again to embark on her own mission. T'Val, D'Beren, and Stuart moved on towards the Fishtank.

[Deleted]

Hajari walked along the empty corridors. He was amazed by just how empty they were. Even in battle situations, it seemed like he should pass someone. But he didn't. Which was good for a stealthy situation, but sort of worrying.

He followed the directions to find the bridge. He, with the rest of the team, arrived at what they thought was the bridge, but he usually pictured a bridge with people on it. A part of him wondered if this could be a trap. He heard a sudden noise, but rather than jumping her pointed his phaser at it. “Come out slowly, without a weapon,” he ordered, hoping he wasn't shouting at the Starfleet equivalent of a tra'mi. That would be rather embarrassing.

Sarina had arrived on deck one and had been met with little resistance until she stumbled against a chair in the lounge. The next thing she knew she heard a voice from the bridge. “Come out slowly, without a weapon,” She muttered and slowly pulled her phaser from the holster and palming it as she moved towards the door. Still giving no indication of hearing him.

Hajari felt sure that there was still someone there. They hadn't replied though, which was a sign that they probably intended to resist. His superior officer nodded at all the members of the group, and they carefully spread out. They put two officers around all the entries that they knew about, one ready to grab the officer's weapon and the with a phaser firmly trained on the spot they would come out of, in case the first soldier failed. Hajari was one of those set with his phaser aimed.

Sarina took a deep breath and headed back towards the jeffreys tube she'd vacated. Her only hope to remain free was to get OFF the bridge and contact her people spread throughout the ship. She realized though that she probably would not get very far so once at the jeffreys tube she set her walkie-talkie to transmit the morse code for SOS and slipped it back into the shaft. pulling the cover shut. Now if only her people would understand the message before it was too late. Once that was done she found herself a spot where she had clean shots at the exits to the room and waited.


Hajari frowned, as no one appeared. He didn't much like being wrong. He sighed, but his superior officer seemed much more content with the situation, since they now apparently had control of the bridge. “Scan for the lifeforms,” she ordered.

“There are some scattered around the ship,” Hajari reported. “But I can't tell any more than that.”

“Very well,” she replied. She called to one of the ships to get back up to guard the ship, while her team, including Hajari, did what they were better suited for, catching Starfleet officers. “Remember,” she reminded her team. “If you can capture them without even stunning them that's best. But if you need to, don't hesitate to shoot. Stick in teams of six, and stay in constant contact with me. And the Captain has to be here somewhere-Starfleet COs don't abandon their ships.”

Hajari nodded, then joined his designated group to search the ship. They went as quietly as they could, hoping to catch up with single officer, but prepared to deal with more.

Sarina sat back, she was content for the stand off. Her people were smart and knew that the ship might be taken by invaders and knew what to do. She was going to wait out those on the bridge. She wasn't just sitting there though, she was thinking of a way to ambush them even if she was trapped. Time began to pass way too slowly ....

Hajari nodded to his companions, and tapped his open commlink twice. According to ship schematics he should be at one entry of the lounge. Another team was headed toward the other, and the tap was their sign. There might well not be anyone here, but it was a lounge, so chances were high there was at least valuable equipment. Hajari heard the light four taps in reply. Since there were two exits the only way to be sure the potential officers didn't escape would be if both exits were cut off. Which they were now.

Hajari knew that as he entered he would be seen immediately, so he raised his phaser and fired through the room even before he knew whether anyone was there or not. His first shot missed, but he quickly prepared to take the second.

Sarina dove as Hajari entered the lounge, she knew that the other entrance would be entered at the same time and knew she had to stay out of their sight for a little bit anyway. She took a shot at the other door hitting the edge of the door, and falling heavily to the floor as she rolled to get one shot off at Hajari before scrambling for cover again.

The twelve Romulan officers slowly advanced. They would prefer that none of them got shot, but were willing to take the risk they would be. Hajari joined a few of the others in systematically firing their phasers again and again so as to cover the entire room without hitting anything vital, but having a high likelihood of eventually getting the Starfleet officer, no matter how much she dodged.

Sarina slithered behind the table and chairs, trying to keep out of the way but eventually a stray shot hit her in the shoulder and she fell to the floor, hitting her head on the way down. The world going dark as she slumped to the floor, the phaser rolling from her limp hand.

[Deleted]

As the group was making way towards the Fish tank, oddly enough, they did not encounter any Romulan or Debrune troops. Obviously Cmdr. Cir'kem was correct in assuming that they would not expect them to come to the Fish tank. As the group was moving, Saarok could hear Nikaila attempting to get a conversation started with the new CMO, Dr. Rogers and she appeared to be successful at it. Saarok however was not in the mood for a conversation. To think some incompetent and illogical fool allowed a group of Romulan warships enter federation space and take over the most important Starbase in this part of the quadrant. He was simply furious or as furious a Vulcan could be. And after all this was over he was going to find out whose incompetence let this happen and that person will be dealt with he thought... dealt with as a spy for the Romulans.

While deep in thought he almost did not even notice that they have arrived at the Fish tank. They were still not inside but it would be better to check the premises before entering.

"Cmdr. Cir'kem", he called, "I believe someone should check to see if it is safe inside or not", he said

<TagNika and Everyone>

[evoran]

"Hogan to bridge." came the chief engineer's voice.

"Voran here." said Voran, getting up from where he was helping an ensign repair a damaged console.

"We have communications back, sir."

"Good work Mr Hogan. Keep it up."

"Aye sir."

They had been on their precarious journey for several hours now and the crew had been working round the clock, and were making progress.

"Finally, we can contact the outside world." said Voran. "Mel, you have the bridge."

The Bolian took the command chair as Voran entered the ready room. He sat down at the desk and established a communications link with the nearest Starfleet base, Starbase G-6. He was patched through to the starbase's commanding officer. The image of a middle aged human woman of African descent appeared on the screen.

"Captain Voran, this is Admiral Gates." She said.

"Admiral, are you aware of the situation at Starbase Assailant?"

"No, we lost contact with the base several hours ago. We have dispatched a ship to investigate. Can you shed any light on the situation, Captain?"

"Assailant has been taken by a Romulan-Debrune taskforce."

The Admiral looked shocked for a moment, but collected herself.

"What is your situation, Captain?" She asked.

"I'm aboard the USS Galaxy currently on course for the Betreka Nebula, we sustained considerable damage during the battle."

"Very well Captain, I'm ordering you to redirect to G-6 at maximum possible speed. I'm ordering the starships Kirk and Reliant to rendez-vous with you and provide assistance if needed."

"Aye sir." said Voran, "Galaxy out."

Re-entering the bridge, Voran said, "Alter course to Starbase G-6, maximum warp and engage."

"Sir, even at our current maximum warp, it'll take us 13 days to get there."

"The Kirk and Reliant have been diverted to meet us." Said Voran.

"They're both Republic Class Starships, they'll be able to tow us if necessary." Said Commander Tol.

Adams tapped his combadge, "Adams to Hogan, please make sure that the structural integrity field is strong enough for towing and high-warp velocities."

[sarina]

Sarina woke with a headache the size of Texas. She opened her eyes and let out a groan as she tried to sit up, only to find herself lying on the floor of the bridge, her hands shackled behind her and her feet shackled as well. The shoulder which had been hit by the blast ached, something wet dripped down the side of her face and matted into her hair.

Slowly she pushed herself into a sitting position, to find the bridge taken over by the Romulans. She let out a gasp of pain as she leaned back against the bulkhead and a wave of nausea swept over her.

Her eyes met Hajaris briefly before he turned away from her and back to the bridge and back to his men. The woman was secure, he thought, she won’t give us any trouble.

Sarina rested back against the bulkhead. What had she gotten herself into, she wondered. “You know you won’t get away with this.” She said to Hajari. Speaking was a chore, as was breathing or moving. Everything hurt and she couldn’t show it or the Romulans would use it against her.

Her dark eyes roaming the bridge for any sign of weakness or anything to show how many of her people were still free or had she been the only one captured. Sarina shifted position, trying to get comfortable and only managed to get kicked by one of the passing Romulans.

She muttered and tried to kick him back, only to be pushed roughly against the bulkhead. “You’d do well to just sit there.” Hajari said turning slightly to watch the interaction, a slight look of amusement on his face.

[Magellan Lin]

Dinas felt the impulse from Lin. It unwound from its hiding place and peered out from under the console. The invaders were all around him but he felt he knew what he should be doing.
Pausing he waited until backs were turned and then skittered for the door.
In the corridor he hugged the wall and scampered along until the rear entrance to his masters office could be seen. Two men stood outside and each bore weapons. He crouched and then flexing his wings leapt forward.
He made a bee - line for the first guard who yelped and through up his hands. Dinas swerved over the mans head letting his tail slpa the romulans face. He ploughed on it the chest of the second man.
He didnt have the weight to knock him over but he scratched at his clothing with his small claws and hissed viciously,
"Get him off Get him off" the Romulan screamed, his partner now recovered a little came tor rush to his aid when suddenly the door burst open and Loskene emerged, in natural form he towered over the Romulan, his three legs pulled him forward at a frightening pace and with a swing of his hand he sent the Romulan flying backwards. Dinas was wrestled free and the second guard pulled up his disruptor. His aim was stopped as Magellan grabbed the romulans arm with both hands.
The two struggled fighting for control of the weapon. As it went lower it discharged burning a hole in the carpet.
Magellan twisted to one side using the Romulans own weight against him and shoved an elbow up into his throat. The romulan gasped and choked before slipping to the floor inert.

"Lets go" Loskene sent telepathically to Magellan and took the lead. Magellan stooped for the fallen disruptor and called dinas to him.

The three of them set of at a run the sound of more Commandos echoing down the corridors behind them.
"Where now?" Loskene sent as they reached a cross section.
A shot blistered past that Magellan returned as they dived down the loop corridor that ran in a cricle around most decks.
"Jeffries Tubes and down to my private shuttle. We can reassess from there."
Loskene nodded and ripped a panel open allowing them to climb inside.

[sarina]

[Bridge, USS Victory]

Sarina woke a short time later, her forced nap hardly what you could call pleasant. Her side still hurt where she’d been pummeled and her head had started bleeding again after another beating by Hajari. It appeared that her people were remaining just out of his reach and it made him one very cranky Romulan indeed.

She fought to sit up, using everything she had to not cry out as two, apparently cracked ribs rubbed against each other as she moved. Her eyes, now puffy and swollen by the latest beating, dark with anger watched has Hajari paced the deck in front of the viewscreen.

If she wasn’t in so much pain, she would have laughed at the look on his face. He was angry at his people, annoyed at the handful of Starfleet officers which seemed to escape every trap he set for them.

She groaned low as she moved to a new position, her hands hidden behind her as she slowly worked on the lock of the shackles. Sarina knew she had to get loose or she would end up dying at the hands of the Romulan who barely acknowledged her except when his angry and annoyance got to be too much and he needed something to hit.

Hurry up. she thought to herself, hoping upon hope that her people knew she had been captured by now, the lack of communication should have been one hint. The SOS she’d sent should have been picked up by both teams on the Starbase as well as those on the ship. With that thought she slumped back and continued to work to free her hands.

[Deleted]

"I believe someone should check to see if it is safe inside or not," Ambassador Saarok said, making perfect sense, and being quite logical.

Nika nodded. “Agreed. I'll do it.” She could tell a Romulan soldier from a non-Romulan, and if the Fishtank was swarming with them it would obviously not be best for the officers and ambassadors to enter. She thought about how she would inform them if all was well or not, but she would be within sight of them, and she thought the others would be able to tell easily enough if she looked distressed or not.

Nika entered the Fishtank slowly, glancing around as if she was looking for a friend she was meeting here. She didn't see an overabundance of Romulans, there were a few, but they looked like they were just relaxing. She glanced one final time around. She didn't see anyone she recognized, but that was hardly surprising. She nodded slowly, as if to herself, and headed off to an empty table, waiting for the others to follow.

<Tag All>

As she waited for the others she heard an odd clacking sound come over the walkie talkie. She frowned, she didn't have a clue what it meant, and it seemed likely to attract notice. Fortunately the noise in the Fishtank was such that it didn't.

When the others arrived, she wasn't sure that any of them had noticed the noise, since they had been busy walking. “Did you hear the noise over the walkie talkie?” she asked them. They hadn't, so she tried to replicate it as best she could, tapping on the table. “Does that mean something?” Nika asked, realizing that it could just be that someone had pressed down the button when they didn't mean to.

<Tag All>

---------------

Hajari paced to one side of the bridge. He didn't like not knowing where all the officers, or even most of them, were. He had been ordered to do something, and he had every intention of following his orders. His feet took him to the other side of the bridge. He had to find out some information from the captured officer. But that meant he would have to talk to her, and he rather wished he could avoid it.
Back to the other side of the bridge. He continued pacing as he talked to the Starfleet officer. “I know you're not likely to answer questions. In which case the consequences will be unfortunate.” His feet still moving.

<Tag Sarina>

“Interesting,” he remarked, though it really wasn't. His feet came to a rest over the officer. He looked down at her. “Where is your Captain?” he asked.

<Tag Sarina>

He nodded to one of the officers to kick her, since she didn't seem to feel like answering the questions. He started pacing again, but this time he didn't go all the way from end to end of the bridge.

<Tag Sarina>

[Deleted]

ooc: I'm a bit disappointed that nobody even so much as wrote one line for Tedak.......giving me something to go on when I got back............Mag, if this post doesn't quite fit your plot....please edit (in a diff colour?)

ic:

So far, Tedak had managed to evade capture by the renegade Debrune and their Romulan cronies, but the Romulan diplomat knew that eventually his luck would run out. It was now only a matter of when it would run out. Yet he knew that, with the station being taken over, he did need to warn Ji'Zhan, if only he knew how to achieve it without exposing himself, and putting the Elder in harm's way.

~who're you kidding~ he chided himself, as he inspected his Honour Blade before resheathing it between the folds of his robe on his left side. Anyone seeing the sheath would assume him a right-hander, but little did they know he had taught himself a little trick just to achieve this deception. ~he's already in harm's way, and I've got to warn him.~

The Romulan looked up to see his two loyal firelizards circling quietly above him. He was relieved to see the two dragonettes understood the meaning and purpose of stealth action. ~Find Ji'Zhan~ he ordered Nut, knowing the Debrune Elder would understand the little brown without effort. ~Warn him of the upcoming danger, and tell him that I'll do my best here to keep him safe.~

The Romulan rose from his crouching position and dusted off his robes, as though he had just done some maintenance work on a shaft. "Now to see just what we can do here," he murmured, as he continued his little game of hide and seek on the starbase.

<anyone?>

[sarina]

Sarina lay back against the bulkhead when Hajari made his way around the deck and stopped, standing above her.
“I know you're not likely to answer questions, in which case the consequences will be unfortunate.” He said as he nudged her with his foot.

“You will not get anything from me.” Sarina said through clenched teeth. The pain from her ribs and the bruises were starting to take their toll on her. Her dark eyes found his briefly before she glanced around the bridge, hoping to draw his eyes away from her while she continued to work on her shackles.

“Interesting,” he remarked, though it really wasn't. His feet came to a rest over the officer. He looked down at her. “Where is your Captain?” Hajari continued.

She lay back resting now, realizing he was not going to be sidetracked from harassing and torturing her. She made a comment in an unknown language (Cherokee/Tsalagi) and grunted as he ordered one of his men to kick her. His aim excellent if he was aiming for her broken ribs.

The world began to spin as she fought to remain conscious, the pain flowing in waves over her injured body.

[Deleted]

T'Val stayed close to Mercy, tightly holding on to her son as they carefully and extremely cautiously made their way to the Fishtank. She wasn't exactly sure why Stuart wanted to go to the Fishtank, as she believed that this would be the first place the enemy would look for them, if they at all noticed they were missing.

In her arms, D'Beren stirred restlessly, and whimpered softly. The child was aware that something bad was happening, but his young brain couldn't quite comprehend what, even though generally he was a very bright and intelligent boy. He clung to his mother, hiding his face in her long hair, allowing himself to be comforted.

Suddenly Yade re-appeared before them, chittering softly but agitatedly. "She cannot find Dinas," T'Val whispered at Stuart, "she has not had the chance or time to go looking for him, but he was not with Magellan. Though she has seen both Magellan and Loskene departing OPS in a hurry."

The Vulcan wasn't sure what the relevance was of this information, though she didn't know that only moments before Lin and Loskene had been captives. Suddenly Stuart pushed her back against a wall, making a hissing sound indicating she should be quiet. Holding her breath, she prayed D'Beren and Yade would remain quiet too, as they watched a small armed group of Debrune and Romulans pass by in what appeared to be a hurry.

"That was close," T'Val whispered, once the coast was clear, "we should hurry, we cannot chance fate too often or we will be caught. What do you plan to do once we reach the Fishtank?" Her eyes sought Mercy's and she held his gaze when she asked the question.

[Magellan Lin]

Tanok paced Ops in a fury.
He always knew keeping the lid on a whole starbase with less than 400 men would be difficult but he had expected to be able to keep control of the two senior ranking officers.
He paused a moment and then realised he might be able to turn this around, it would mean risking the support of people on teh station but it might speed matters up.

He crossed to the main console and opened up the tanoy.

"This is Commander Tanok, Base Commander. It is of vital importance that the divine child D'beren is located and protected. There are agents aboard after him.

These agents have also siezed Admirals Lin and Loskene, they are threatening to execute them unless D'beren is handed over to them.

We believe that D'beren is at this moment being taken to these despicable criminals - Who knows what happens once the Divine Child is handed over.

We urge all citizens to report any sitings or to hand in the child. We think he is traveling with a vulcan woman who's twisted logic has her believing that in turning over the child we rescue the Admirals. She is wrong, we are quite capable of rescuing teh Admirals with our own staff."

He thumbed off the comm and took a seat to let the masses take care of his problems.

[mercy]

Stuart looked at T'Val and was surprised at her question. He took the medical tricorder he had taken along and started scanning her.

"What are you doing?" T'Val aksed incredulously.

"Seeing if you're okay. Stress must be getting to you...you seem to be losing your short term memory."

"Why do say that?"

"Because we had already discussed the reasons for reaching the Fishtank. Dont' you remember? The reason for going there was because it should be crowded with plenty of civilians and more than likely a few Starfleet personnel too. Maybe then we can find out exactly what's going on. Plus we could probably get something to eat there as well."

Stuart looked over the readings of his tricorder. "Yup, just a little stressed."

"I'm sorry. I guess all of this climbing and hiding from the intruders is getting to me."

"It's okay. We're almost there and we'll be able to get some nourishment and relax a little....I hope."

[Deleted]

Ezdreiana had been quite for some time now. Commander Cir'kem was still in the Fishtank checking things out. They needed to access if they would be able to carry out this plan. Ezdreiana hoped that this would because they needed to get to Lily. With her help they could overtake the Romulans onboard.

The commander finally called them over and reported that the Fishtank was completely empty of Romulans. So far the plan was going as planned.

"Does that mean something?” Nika asked.

"I don't think so, but we don't have time to sit here and think about it," Ezdreiana responded as she made her way towards the far east side of the establishment.

"Commander I think it's time to continue with our plan," Ezdreiana said," right now everything is going as planned and the main computer is five levels from here."

<Tag Nika or Saarok>

[Magellan Lin]

Zoilip nodded at Ezdrianas suggestion,
"If we can get Lily back on line then things will become considerably easier"
Nika listened to the debate as they took seats in a table at the back of the fishtank.

The local populus appeared to be conducting themselves as normal. They seemed a little more skittish and kept a wary eye on the pair of Romulan Commandos stood at the door. Everyone gave them a wide berth.
She was a little concerned that she had yet to hear anything from Sarina, her CTSO has been left on the Victory for over an hour and still no word, perhaps the romulans had moved on the Victory in force.

TAG Nika

"I agree" Saarok noted, "It seems D'Beren is the key to the success of this invasion, we need to get to him before they do."
"We could if we knew where he was"
"And what about the Admirals" another added,

Nika held up her hands for quiet,

"Zoilip, you know the base, perhaps you and Ezedriana can go try and get this Lily online. The rest of us will attempt to find this Divine Child of theirs."

There were nods of agreement.

TAG Alll


****

Magellan wheezed heavily, he couldnt remember the last time he had had to run for so long and so far. He collapsed against the bulkhead an pulled off his tunic. He held up his captured disruptor and noted the failing power supply. He sighed at the futility of it all, a feeling he had last felt on Trill, trapped in the caves facing certain death... a death he consoled himself had been averted.

Loskene rose from his crouch and looked about him, his head tucked to one side,
"I think we lost them" he replied barely out of breath,
Magellan rarely saw Loskene in his natural form and found it somewhat disconcerting, alien was part of the norm for starfleet but Species 8472 were... more than alien.
"So whats next" Magellan shrugged,
"We fight"
Magellan grinned,
"We have been but we need more of a plan than that. Its just the two of us... perhaps we need to even the odds somewhat."
Loskene looked up,
"I doubt we could rescue our people, that will be the most heavily guarded area"
"Agreed" Magellan said with a twinkly in his eye, "As much as I regret it there are other forces on this station"
"Forces?"
"Like any city Assailant has its under belly, If Tomlinson were here he could find us any number of disreputables to help us"
Loskene looked sceptical,
"I m not sure criminals will want to help us let alone meet us"
Magellan shook his head,
"I possibly have an option and a contact in mind... We need to get to city hall"

[Deleted]

T'Val calmed down at Stuart's assurance, reminding herself she had to find the time to meditate. She knew she wouldn't be able to continue on a sane level if she didn't meditate real soon, emotions would take over and she'd project her fears to both her son and the man she loved. She was gone in so far that she didn't even think of having Yade contact her ex-husband or his firelizards, as she knew they were on the station too.

She paled visibly when they both heard the message over the station's intercom, announcing that she was going to hand over her son to the rebels. "I am most certainly not!" she spat, though she was shivering with fear. Her eyes held the naked fear she was fealing, but they also flashed with fury. "How dare they suggest that I would hand over my son, forsake his life for peace!"

If it hadn't been for Stuart restraining her, she'd have charged out and gone to give whoever sent that message a piece of her mind. "I am not handing him over," she seethed, clinging her son to her, "he will NOT be a pawn in this."

Her gaze locked with Stuart's. "We must find a safe haven. If we go to the Fishtank, there will be people who will turn me in and take D'Beren from me and cause him harm. Is there any other place we might be safe?"

<Mercy>

[Deleted]

“I don't think so, but we don't have time to sit here and think about it,” Ezdreiana responded.

“Of course,” Nika replied, her voice icy. The tapping had seemed important. It might not be, but even if it had been, Nika had certainly not planned to 'sit here and think about it.' But she didn't like being seen as incompetent and incapable of handling anything, which was her impression of how the ambassador was treating her. Nika deliberately made her shoulders relax. This wasn't a particularly good time for debate or inner strife. In fact, it was never a good idea to pick an argument with an ambassador, and this just wasn't important.

Nika half-listened to the conversation, ready to add anything if necessary, but she was worried. She had hoped the tapping might be from Sarina, but if it was some kind of code...it was obviously indecipherable, at least for everyone present. “Zoilip, you know the base, perhaps you and Ezdreiana can go try and get this Lily online. The rest of us will attempt to find this Divine Child of theirs,” Nika said.

Everyone nodded. “Zoilip, Ezdreiana, before you go, where would you hide a child on this base? Do you have any hints as to where we should start?”

<Tag Zoilip, Ezdreiana>

“Thanks.” Zoilip and Ezdreiana left, and Nika directed those who stayed to look for the child search in groups of three, and, for those who knew people on the base, if they saw them and could trust them then they should have them join their group. “Ensign Rogers, Ambassador Saarok, you're with me,” Nika said. “Unless you'd rather lead your own group, Ambassador,” Nika added, realizing that giving orders to Ambassadors could be tricky business. She knew that each group should have someone from the station in it, but if Ambassador Saarok wanted to be elsewhere she could find someone else to join the group. Ensign Rogers, being a Starfleet officer, didn't get as much choice as to what group he would be in, but Nika didn't think he would have a problem with it. She hoped the Ambassador wouldn't, because she wanted to get the groups moving and on their way as soon as possible.

<Tag Saarok, Rogers>

--------

Hajari looked carefully down at the Starfleet officer, she was breathing raggedly, unevenly. She was still conscious. “Why shouldn't you cooperate?” he asked, his voice calm, even, none of his frustration showing. “You can tell us what you know, help the near-peaceful transition of power, from the Starfleet to the rightful leaders, the Debrune.” Hajari nodded at the officer to kick her again. “But sweet words aren't going to help, are they? Too bad.” Hajari motioned, and the officer lashed out again with his foot.

[/color]Hajari knew that even if the Starfleet officer wasn't going to tell him anything, just having her as a hostage was good. Any information that could be 'coaxed' out of her would be nice as well though. Unfortunately Hajari got the feeling that she was nearing the point where she would lose consciousness, and be of very little use at all. He lifted an arm, waving the 'medic' forward. [/b]The medic knew her orders, knew that she was to heal the Starfleet officer just enough so the officer wouldn't faint, or do anything else silly like that, but not so much that the Starfleet got the impression she was well enough to attempt an escape.

[/color] He looked around the bridge, averting his eyes from the wounded officer. [/b][/color]He didn't like this ship all that much. It was too elegant, flashy, didn't look like a proper ship at all. There were weapons, it was a powerful ship, without a doubt, but they weren't the focus of the ship.

Hajari paused, his ears picked up something. He glanced at his security officer, who obviously hadn't noticed anything. He walked closer, coming up right beside the security officer. [/b][/color]“I just heard something, footsteps,” he whispered, so the Starfleet officer wouldn't overhear. “Check it out.”

<Tag Sarina>[/b]

[sarina]

[Bridge of the USS Victory]

Sarina, even with the aide of the medic was just about ready to pass out when she too, picked up the sounds, or rather the vibrations, of footfalls just outside the bridge.

Whomever it was had arrived at their destination via the Jeffrey’s tubes and from what she could tell there was another group gathering in the now deserted observation lounge.

Her wounds were aggravated again by yet another kick from the guard as Hajari looked on. She groaned and curled up in a ball as the doors to the lift and the lounge opened simultaneously.
------
Fifteen minutes it was all over, two teams of 10 guards had taken back the bridge and had a medical team attending to Sarina.

She’d live to fight another day, her wounds treatable. But what she needed most was rest, BUT she wasn’t about to not get back into the fray and insisted on being helped off the ship and back to her crew.

The teams would keep the Victory clear, working through it one deck at a time, rounding up those who had tried to take her from her security teams.
------
Sarina stood, somewhat unsteadily. She was weak from the beatings, her ribs still ached but not as much thanks to the pain meds the medics had given her. Just enough to dull it but not keep her off her feet, even though that was what they wanted to do.

One of the guards walked up to her as she was getting ready to step from the bridge and head to the Assailant. “Here, you might want this back.” He said with a smile, as he handed her back the walkie-talkie she’d dropped down the tube prior to her capture.

“Thank you.” she replied as she clicked the button opening a channel to Cmdr. Cir’ Kem.

/*/Ensign Bahri to Cmdr. Cir’Kem. I’m on my way to your location with several security guards. I hope the doctor found you. Please let him know I am in need of his assistance. \*\

She quickly closed the link and turned off the walkie-talkie knowing that the Commander would surely have something to say but she wasn’t in the mood. It was time to pay them back for what they had done to her and to the Station.

The group moved quickly through the ship and onto the station. They managed to elude the Romulans which now patrolled the station in pairs. Taking the ship was one thing, getting the Station back was going to be a bigger and more interesting mission.

<tag Nika>

[Deleted]

/*/Yes, the doctor is with me\*\ Nika replied. /*/I'll come to meet your group\*\ Nika said. She wasn't interested if the others in the group objected, since now this was a manner in which the best interest of the crew was supreme. And telling Sarina their location or having her guess it didn't seem like the best idea. But Ensign Bahri should be fairly easy to find, since she was just coming from the ship.

“Did you catch that?” Nika asked Ensign Rogers. “I hope you brought your medkit.”

<Tag Krythan>[/b]

Nika nodded. The group found Sarina along with the civilian-dressed security guards. Nika gazed at Sarina, knowing that the wounds were bad. But she couldn't exactly send Sarina to sickbay, since that would just make her a perfect target for the Romulans to capture...again, Nika guessed. But still, Sarina should hardly be traipsing around the Starbase in her condition. “Do you know anywhere Ensign Bahri could be safe at while she rests and regains some strength?” Nika asked Ambassador Saarok.

<Tag Saarok
and Sarina-fell free to try to object ,
and Krythan-heal her as best you can, and try to keep her from continuing on if you can .>

[Magellan Lin]

OOC:

Okay I feel I need to summarise what is happening and where we go from here.

Loskene and Magellan have escaped, they do not know if anyone else is alive or about and so are preparing their own retake mission.

Mercy and T Val are trying to keep D'Beren out of Tanok and Jak'tels hands.

Elarus Voran is on the Galaxy gathering a task force to return

Zoilip and Ezdriana are going to the Computer Core to get access to the Computer

Nika and Saarok and now Sarina and Krythan are near the Victory - she is wounded. They need to find somewhere to lie low and help the others out - FIND D'Beren.

Tedak is roaming about looking for T'Val and D'Beren.

Okay I think we are reaching the apex of the mission and need to work in this week towards the conclusion. I have a broad idea of how it could go and will make a post this afternoon steering the plot in that way. Feel free to chip in and alter.

[Deleted]

The Romulan froze when he heard the announcement. "Who's he kidding," he scowled, as he dodged into the nearest jeffries tube to avoid yet another Romulan patrol. How they had managed not to find him was beyond Tedak, but so far their stupidity suited him just fine.

"She'll never give him up to anyone," he murmured, hoping feverishly that he was right. Despite having found new love in the Jefferson's doctor, he still loved his ex-wife dearly and would always love her no matter what. By now, he was wondering whether Sev had found Ji'Zhan, the little bronze had been gone a fair while now and Tedak was starting to get worried.

A chirp brought his attention back to his surroundings and he caught brown Nut staring at him, his eyes slowly twirling a mix of orange and green. While quite alert to danger, the little creature also seemed to be at ease. "Find T'Val," Tedak urged, "and get Yade to look out for danger."

He knew the little green would keep an eye out, but she was also young and reckless. However, just like his own two, the green was a fierce defender of her bondmate. The brown firelizard chirped and winked out. Knowing that Nut would find T'Val didn't quite settle Tedak's unease. These occupyers knew what they were doing, and knew how to get their way. Setting the station's civillians up against the Vulcan doctor and her human partner was indeed a very clever move.

"I can't let this happen," he continued to murmur, as he darted from corridor to corridor, hopefully still unseen, "I need to get to them." In his thoughtlessness, he didn't see the two civillians coming up to him and he squarely ran them over, sending the three of them sprawling.

"My apologies," the Romulan spoke softly, "my fault entirely I wasn't looking where I was going."

<anyone>

[Ji' Zhan]

Ji'Zhan's shuttle had barely docked at the starbase in orbit around Earth, when suddenly an excited bronze creature erupted in the air beside him. He gazed at it in astonishment, wondering how such a magnificent creature could travel such a long way.

It took him a moment to actually recognize the bronze as Tedak's Sev. The Debrune elder held up his arm for the bronze firelizard to settle down on; he could see that the dragonet was eager to tell him something, and Ji'Zhan had the feeling it couldn't be good news.

"You have news for me?" he asked, rather unnecessarily, as he had no sooner spoken the words or his mind filled with images he'd rather not witness. "That's extremely bad," he acknowledged, "but I can't leave now. I have work to do here on Earth on behalf of the Debrune people."

He gazed out the shuttle's windscreen, down at the peacefully rotating planet below. "But I will return as soon as I can. Return to your master and have him do everything he can to protect our people. We must prevail, Jek'tel must not replace me."

Sev chittered angrily and excitedly, digging his talons in Ji'Zhan's arm. The Debrune elder gave a painful gasp. "I know my little friend," he said softly, "I promise I will be extremely careful. Tell your master I will be fine. I have my bodyguards with me, no harm can come to me."

The little bronze chittered again, then disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared. Ji'Zhan sighed miserably as he watched the bronze disappear, then turned to his bodyguard. "We have a more complicated task ahead of us than anticipated," he told them, "and we are in extreme danger. Jek'tel may have had his operatives follow us to eliminate us. We must be careful, and weary of any dangers ahead of us."

[Magellan Lin]

Sub-Commander Renak was a by the books officer. He would have been commander by now if only he was more open to the standard routes for career advancement - Blackmail and Assasination. Since the collapse of the Senate in the Shinzon debacle the Romulan Empire was a mere shadow of its former self, at least Tanok had a vision of a new way.

He and his team were part of many on a deck by deck search of the starbase. It would take days, if not weeks, but Tanok had already that a successful conculsion had to be reached within the next day and a half.

The commandos with him were among the best of those allied to Tanok rogue element. They were lean and strong and knew their jobs well. They had been with him during the Dominion War and had more than matched up to the Jem'Hadar.

The fact that no-one had yet handed in the child told Renak one thing that whoever was looking after the child was staying out of sight and away from the public and that narrowed the field considerably.
He had begun and Apex to Base search of all non-accessible areas including Jefferies Tubes and Walkways.
He paused as his comm clicked it was Kalor,

"I think we have them"
"Where?"
"In the Jefferies Tube. Connection Hub 24C."
"Have they seen you?"
"No. No visual contact just short range tricorder analysis. 1 Human, 1 Vulcan and 1 Debrune child"
"Excellent. Stay where you are. Set up a perimeter I dont want them escaping. I ll be with you in a moment"

***

Stuart and T'Val paused a moment. It was hard work climbing through the bowels of the ship with a child in tow. On most ladders they had to take it in turns to carry him, especially after D'Beren grew tired of pig backs and walking.

He was tired and grisly and they were all hungry. There was no real plan of where to go only the desire to keep moving. The Jefferies Connection Room was the size of a small room and acted as a hub for several other corridors and tubes. They sat slumped against one wall.

TAG Convo between Stuart and T'Val

D'Beren looked about him, still no fun to be had. Travel all day and no sleep. He yearned for a toy or perhaps sleep and definitly food. He could practically sense the Jum Ja Stick he thought of. Mum and... he paused his train of thought broken... he had never considered how he should address the funny eared man. They continued to talk... boring adult stuff that meant nothing to him. Out the corner of his eye he notcied something silvery... now that was interesting. He pulled himself unsteadily to his feet and toddle off towards it. He knew he shouldnt wander off but this was much more interesting.

A shadow fell across him and he paused, he looked up and saw a man, his heart rose... and then fell, for a moment it looked like Daddy. He didnt like the look of this man and he began to cry.

T'Val and Stuart heard the cry and were on their feet immediatly they searched about them in horror for D'Beren they saw him stood in the corridor only a few feet from a Romulan.

"D'Beren!!" T'Val called a hint of anxiety breaking through her vulcan demeanour.
"Come to us" Stuart called moving towards the doorway, if D'Beren moved only a few feet this way he could seal the door between them and the Romulan.

Renak shook his head slowly,
"I wouldnt try it"
D'Beren turned and tottered towards Stuart and T'Val
Inches more and they could seal the door.
"Lets see" Stuart said reaching for the door."
Renak looked almost sad,
"I am taking this child, and you will not stop me nor will you pursue me."
T'Val was bent double coaxing D'Beren to her and edging closer herself.
"Nothing will stop me from protecting that child."
Renak frowned,
"I m afraid it will because you will be too busy dealing with her"
He levelled his disruptor and shot T'Val.
The bright green bolt of energy struck T'Val squarely in the chest and thrust her backwards like a rag doll.
Stuart gasped and bent to her side, a shadow fell over him and the last thing he saw was the Romulan pick up D'Beren and seal teh door between them.