Mission: 1:2: The Loss Of Faith

[Deleted]

Luke listened intently to what Helena was saying.
She clearly was an angry woman whose current motivation seemed to revolve around her son.
But none of this seemed to answer why she was on Karn IV to begin with. The way she spoke was as if she thought her ex-husband responsible. How on earth could that be the truth?

"Very well. I have very little time at the moment to be spared for this. I will allow Command to decide what to do with you and your son. For now you will either stay in Sickbay with Tras, or in your quarters. All other areas of the Ship are out of bounds to you both. Understood?"

<TAG Helena>

"I will attempt to make a visit to Tras again before he is moved to Assailant's Sickbay. I make no promises though."

Helena offered her thanks and then left the Ready Room, leaving Luke well and truly to his thoughts.
Shaking his head slowly and massaging his temples his mind wondered to the Academy days.
His head did that often, allowing himself to be almost transported back. Memories swam past him and Luke was once again reminded of his old classmate Kevin Zimmerman.
They had not spoken in years, longer for Lex of course, but Luke wondered if he even knew about the recent events. The 'swap' he supposed it would have to be called.

After reviewing a few padds that flashed 'URGENT' but really only involved transfers, something that he would deal with later, Luke set about composing a letter to his old friend... And wondered just quite how he was going to word it...

Kevin,

What a long time it has been.
I am sure you have heard many a rumour about what has happened to me since we last saw each other over two years ago now.
I am not quite sure what to say to be honest and am uncomfortable in putting it all in a transmission.
However, the Scavenger is on her way back to Assailant at this moment, due to dock within the next 12hours I believe, perhaps if you and your vessel are also present on Assailant we could meet, and talk about what has been happening to us these past years?
If you are not around then I am sure we can sort something out soon, I understand completely how busy the life of an Officer can be.

I hope to see you soon old friend,

Luke

He sighed, it was hardly a work of art, but it would do. He encrypted the message for Zimmerman only and sent it. This done he turned to his duties at hand.
Looking at the padds again he realised a conversation was due with Commander Apirana and then the whole Senior Staff, concerning two very different matters.
Just as Luke was about to call Paikea to the Ready Room he heard the Commander's voice over the comm.

"What is it Commander?" Luke asked in response.

=^= Sir, an Intrepid class vessel has matched out course and speed. She is requesting that we hand over Tras for him to be taken to Assailant separately =^=

"I'm on my way." Luke said, and moments later was stepping onto the Bridge.
"Open a channel." He ordered, taking a standpoint in the centre.

"This is Commander Drago of the Scavenger." Luke said, trying to sound at least slightly awake and bothered about this new turn of events. "How can I be of assistance."

=^= Commander, I am Vice Admiral Peterson. I have orders to bring Tras in separate to you and your crew =^=

"I am afraid that is not possible Admiral." Luke said in response. "The Captain is unwell and in far from a suitable condition to travel further than a few feet from our Sickbay. You may of course escort us home, we did encounter a slight problem back at Karn IV and I am sure the company would be appreciated." He said, slightly arrogantly.

=^= I suppose that will do. You are sure Tras is unable to make it to our Sickbay? =^=

"Yes." Luke lied. "As soon as he is fit to move I will let you know, until then we will continue at our current speed and heading. Anything else?" He added, feeling too confident now. He never knew when to stop.

The Admiral's eyes narrowed. =^= That will be all Commander =^= And with that the screen flickered and went out.

"Commander Apirana, you have the Bridge yet again. Please keep me updated of our progress.
Commander Pride, inform me when we are two hours from Assailant. There are preparations that need to be made." Luke headed to the Turbolift to leave the Bridge but before doing so he turned and smiled at his crew. "Good job everyone, nearly done. Then I promise, you are due some time off."

He left the Bridge, still smiling and arrived in Sickbay with the smile still there. Which was highly unusual for Luke, smiling may be easier than frowning but it was not the preferred choice.

"Things are not looking good Tras." Luke said on his approach to the forlorn looking Captain. "We were just intercepted by Vice Admiral Peterson's vessel. Apparantly he had orders to bring you in, so I lied. But I won't be able to protect you for much longer. I have logged my thoughts on the matter and that is really all I can do now." He paused. "How are you feeling?"

<TAG Tras>

[Deleted]

"Things are not looking good Tras." Luke said on his approach to the forlorn looking Captain. "We were just intercepted by Vice Admiral Peterson's vessel. Apparantly he had orders to bring you in, so I lied. But I won't be able to protect you for much longer. I have logged my thoughts on the matter and that is really all I can do now." He paused. "How are you feeling?"

At first, Tras didn't react and it wasn't until Drago touched his arm to get his attention that he looked up at the older man. "You don't need to protect me commander," he answered, "I knew what I was doing, and I knew it could get me in severe trouble. But I appreciate your concern."

The younger man looked sideways for several seconds, appearing in deep thought. "I am feeling better, though no treatment seems to be curing my...disabilities. I appreciate Miss Illito's efforts, but I think she's done enough. I don't want any more treatments, I'm just going to have to live with it. I'm mostly deaf, but I've managed the last thirty-eight years of my life. I can manage the rest of it as well."

Then he gave Drago a somewhat sheepish grin, while continuing to sign while talking. "Sign-language does have it's advantages you know, especially during radio-silence and 'secret' communication."

Taking in Drago's expression, Tras knew that he'd already seen some of the advantages. "Did you talk to my mother?" he finally asked after a long silence, "did she tell you why she was on Karn?" At Drago's negative shake of the head, Tras frowned. "Perhaps she doesn't remember," he offered, "it was thirty years ago that she disappeared. It could be she was brainwashed in someway, but still be clear on the fact that she was a hostage of some sort. All I know is that she didn't leave me voluntarily, but it wasn't until a few months ago that I finally learned she was still alive."

Again he fell silent. "I will face any enquiry," he finally spoke up, "and I will tell them exactly what I have told you."

[desertpride]

Pride: Watched the view screen as there ship was being escorted he didn't like how things were playing out and he didn't like secerts there was more going on then they all knew. Knowing that captain Tras was in big trouble and would have to answer a lot of questions. Still why did star fleet even think about allowing a world so early in developement to entery he didn't know.

It would seem there are more secerts then we all know and now there going to make Captain Tras the fall guy it would appear. Looking over at his console then thinking he tapped his combadge to talk to commander Drago.
"Sir if you have a moment I have a idea that I want to run buy you"<Tag Drago>

Commander Drago arrived a few mins later on the bridge and when to his ready room. Getting up from his station and walking into the ready room.

"Sir permission to speak freely" Drago looked at him " Permission granted"

"Sir I dont like Captain Tras anymore then the next person but I know when somebody is being set up to take a fall. With your permission I want to contact my home world and make Captain Tras a heroe for saving my life. Star fleet wants my world to join and if captain tras is a heroe there they really can't do anything to him not if the want them to join. Its like a stalemate. They need more worlds and there's enought pull to make sure that they dont loose this chance to gain my world he would be on borrowed time but it would be bettere then what they have planned" <Tag Drago>

[tarapik]

Meanwhile, a few light years away…

Tarapik leaned back on the back of his shuttlecraft’s chair. After the long trip in the vessel, Starbase Conqueror’s staff was kind enough to lend him, he was glad to see the sight of another base of operations in his viewscreen - Starbase Assailant, finally. The young Vulcan stretched himself and groaned. While he was alone, he could allow himself the luxury of illogicalness, but it was time for him to jump back into the highly-social life of a Starfleet base of operations, so he closed his eyes for a second and when he opened them, he was once again a logical and emotionless Vulcan.

Tarapik reached out for the console, opened a hailing frequency and said: “Starbase Assailant landing control, this is Lieutenant Junior Grade Tarapik. Requesting permission to dock” - and listened to the response. “Lieutenant Junior Grade Tarapik, this is Starbase Assailant landing control, you have clearance to dock. Move in towards shuttle-dock 14 and dock your shuttle craft there. I repeat, your landing site is shuttle-dock 14. Move toward it and dock there” – an excited and youthful voice was heared in the cockpit. “Roger that, moving in to dock” – Tarapik said, closed the channel and directed his shuttle to the designated dock, using the limited manouvres he had learned while at Starbase Conqueror.

Once in the large dock, Tarapik took his bags and left the shuttle. He moved to the wall and touched the computer panel there: “Lieutenant Junior Grade Tarapik reporting in” – he said emotionlessly. “Removing Lieutenant Junior Grade Tarapik from arrivals list. Complete” – the computer said equally emotionlessly. “Assign temporary quarters to the same!” – Tarapik said. “Quarters assigned” – the computer said – “Quarters 4794, deck 12.”

Tarapik entered the nearest tubolift and said: “Deck 12!” When he arrived at his destination he headed directly for his quarters, opening his way through the crowd in the corridor. He reached his quarters and said to the console next to the door: “Lieutenant Junior Grade Tarapik, temporary assigned, voice authorization: Tarapik-Omega-Alpha-7381.” When the door opened, letting him trough, he quickly dropped his bag and entered the shower. He hadn’t had the opportunity to take a bath for about three weeks and now was his time to relax. He left the bathroom in half an hour, now feeling quite truly purified.

Now he could do what he had promised to himself for a long time. “Computer, inform me, when USS Scavenger docks the station and securely lock door, voice authorization Tarapik-Omega-Alpha-7381” – he said, and even before the computer had managed to say “Acknowledged.” Tarapik was already sitting on the floor. He crossed his legsand dived into meditation state.

[Deleted]

Luke opened his mouth to respond to Tras but was cut off by his comm badge chirping, which was becoming more of a regular occurence these days.
Pride's voice could be heard loud and clear and Luke smiled, excused himself from Tras and then left from the Bridge, wondering what Pride wanted and why it had been necessary to contact him.

On arriving at the Bridge Luke made Pride aware that he was there and entered his Ready Room, poured himself a cup of coffee and then sat behind his desk waiting for Pride to enter.
When he did and explained what he had in mind Luke couldn't help but feel proud and impressed of his CNO. Despite their differences the young Officer was willing to return the gesture Tras had made to help the desperate Captain out.

"I think it is a marvelous idea Commander." Luke said genuinely. "Please inform me of any way that I can be of assistance."

<TAG Pride>

"Very good." He replied. "Now if you wouldn't mind, I have a fair amount of 'paper-work' to get through before we arrive at Assailant in the next half hour or so." Luke said, not in a rude way, but making it clear that Pride had been dismissed.
Who in turn thanked Luke for his time and left the Ready Room, giving the Commander time to look over the hundreds of crew reports and the few dozen transfers properly.
One that did not surpise him was Katie Anderson, she had seemed distant since Luke's arrival, he did not know what she was like before that but sometimes people just needed space and he hoped this was an example of that.
The next transfer did cause Luke some concern. Xerin Cole was leaving the Scavenger to finish her training in the Academy and Luke hoped, but knew deep down, that he hadn't caused her to feel uncomfortable in his presence. His behaviour around her had been unaccaptable but he had found it hard to control... Still, she had made the best decision for herself.
Finally, of those leaving the Scavenger, was her current Executive Officer, Semia Cavit. There was no reason attached to this transfer, just that it would be happening immediately and a new FO had been assigned to take her place, a certain Adam Parsons.
Also arriving to join the crew was their new CTSO and recent Academy graduate Lieutenant Junior Grade Tarapik. He was a Vulcan which immediately made Luke smile, he always got on well with Vulcans, there was just something about them...

Luke would inform the crew of the changes at the beginning of their next assignment, in the meantime he just wanted the ship back in drt dock and a chance for the crew to enjoy a well earned rest.

=^= Apirana to Commander Drago =^=

Luke hoped this meant that they were back at the Starbase and closed his eyes in anticipation and hope of nothing else bad happening.

"Go ahead Commander." He replied, eyes still tight shut.

=^= We are arriving at Assailant. I thought you'd like to be on the Bridge, Sir =^=

"Very good, I shall be there in a moment." Luke said, opening his eyes and closing the comm.
"Done and done he said to himself." Before stolling onto the Bridge listening to Pride getting clearance to dock. He grinned, many years ago that was him.
Suddenly the lights on deck flashed and dimmed to a low blue and the ships screens read "Starbase Control".
Luke leant back in the command chair and watched as the gaping hole of the Bay loomed and greeted the Scavenger.
They glided in slowly but surely and soon Luke felt the reassuring tug of airlock umbilical chords being attached.

"All decks, this is the Commanding Officer." Luke said into an open channel. "We have arrived at Assailant. Please perform your stand-down duties and then enjoy some well earned rest. Allow the Starbase teams to do their jobs now. Drago out."


Well done everyone! I will be starting a new thread on our boards either this eve or tomorrow morn for the R&R until then, feel free to wrap up your own thoughts on this mission on this thread but this is the official end to this crazy ride!
Well done again and I look forward to the next, interesting shall we say?, mission. Where I plan for things to get a little more heated, for us all

[Deleted]

Once the Scavenger was docked with Assaillant, it didn't take long for base security to appear and take Joseph Tras into custody. Despite the ship's chief medical officer's objections, they hauled him up by the arms and started pulling him along. Helena too protested, claiming her son wasn't well enough to travel.

Tras cast his mother a long silent look and signed something to her which caused her to fall silent. He shook himself free from the guards' strong grip, but walked with them nonetheless. "I am not a flight risk, and I can walk on my own," he commented, though being suddenly upright did make the room spin briefly. They walked the Scavenger's corridors towards the airlock, upon which he was marched straight to SBA's brig.

"This'll be your lodging until your hearing, captain," one of the guards sneered while thumping him in the shoulder.

Tras caught the wrist in a vice-like grip, making the guard squirm in pain. "I may be under arrest, ensign, but until the hearing I am due the respect of my rank, and receive treatment accordingly," he said coldly, as he thrust the guard away. "And I believe the saying is 'innocent until proven guilty'? So far, all I believe I am guilty of is trying to start up diplomatic talks and saving my mother." He knew perfectly well that these guards would not be told in detail why they were arresting a command grade officer, especially one with a respectable record like his.

He watched the guards leave with looks of disdain on their faces and he smiled to himself as he settled himself on the cot in his cell. The hearing would be soon, he knew, and he wasn't particularly worried about the outcome. Either way, he had his beloved mother back, and he'd be confronting his old tyrannical father with his shady past after this was over.