The Swirling Mists Have Cleared [Mission Thread]

[Deleted]

Phase One had been completed, and there was no further need at this time to remain around the larger Federation ship. They had other business to deal with, and staying nearby the Hepta would have been pointless.

"Melanippe," Andromache commanded her astrogator, "turn us around and head Warbird back to base camp."

"Yes, Your Majesty. At once."

Under Melanippe's expert guidance, the Amazonian starcraft executed a tight 180° turn, and sped off, still cloaked, toward the planet from which they had just come.

Andromache's lips curled into a smile that would chill the heart of any beholder. Even the Themiscryans, if they had upset her, had learned to tread softly in the presence of that smile. When Andromache smiled, blood was spilt, and men died.

"We have an honored guest," she said, "and there, at our base, we must make our visitor welcomed."

There on the bridge of Warbird every woman present mirrored their queen's frightening smile as the Amazonian ship headed to its planetary base.

[jamesoconnor]

Ship Status thread updated 16 September 2005

O'Connor

[roz]

OFF: Backtracking a bit.

ON: Roz spun around to face Joan who had interrupted them. Suddenly, the alarms went off and Roz's eyes turned green.

Roz: Computer end program.

She hadn't gotten to practice officially yet but she was sure she was still a threat to anyone she encountered. The program shut down around them and they were back in their regular clothing again. Roz ran over and picked up her little pack and raced towards the bridge. Along the way she saw an Amazon in the hallway ahead of her, facing the opposite direction. Roz pulled out her phaser and shot at her but the shot was absorbed by a sort of shield around the woman that glowed blue. The Amazon turned around and started walking towards Roz. Roz shot again but again with no effect. Roz didn't back away but held her ground and waited for the Amazon to get to her. She had a shield and an axe in her hand. Roz knew that she had to kill this woman or she would kill herself in opposition to being captured. The woman suddenly charged, swinging down the axe. Roz waited for the right moment then stepped just enough to the side to avoid being sliced in two the long way. She then kicked at the Amazon and her foot connected with the shield and both of them were knocked backwards. Roz started to fall backwards but flipped backwards onto her feet. She landed on her feet and pulled out her sais. She flippped them around a few times to get the balance as she watched the Amazon regain her own balance. The Amazon charged yet again and Roz sprung forward herself. The axe came across and up but Roz ducked under it and jabbed at the Amazon, only to be blocked by the shield. They battled back and forth before Roz thought of an idea and slipped to the floor, knocking the Amazon's feet out from under her. Roz then rose to her feet and glared down at the Amazon. She would see if she could infuriate the Amazon enough that she would make a mistake.

Roz: You call yourself an Amazon? You're not even worthy to kill a fly.

The Amazon kicked at Roz, who dodged then watched the Amazon leap to her feet. Roz's eyes turned yellow as a hawk's and she quickly dispatched of the Amazon's shield. She then ducked and dodged around, making minor cuts on the Amazon's arms. The Amazon then started becoming very skilled with the axe in her hand but as it was a larger and bulkier weapon that Roz's sais, Roz was able to avoid the blows. The Amazon brought the axe down and when it hit the floor, Roz kicked the flat side of it and it fell out of the Amazon's hands. Roz then knew she had no choice but to kill the woman. Roz kicked up and caught the Amazon under the chin then kicked out and sent her flying towards the wall. The Amazon crumpled on the floor but got to her feet again. There was a sound behind the Amazon and she turned around to see a security officer advancing. Roz took the chance and threw the sai, quickly ending the Amazon's life.

Officer: Was it necessary to kill her?

Roz: She would have done it herself or if we had kept her alive, she wouldn't have told us anything. There would be no chance of us using her as a bargaining chip as the queen would kill her instantly. She was better off this way.

Roz walked over and retrieved her sai then she ran towards the bridge to find everyone but TJ present. She looked around but didn't see him anywhere.

Roz: Computer, locate Captain Edwards.

Computer: Captain Edwards is no longer located on the ship.

Roz's stomach went cold as ice. This was not good.

[Deleted]

Ever so gently, Warbird descended on a cloud of dust that rose to meet it from the planet's surface, and then it came to rest about one-half kilometer east of the mound on which the hero, Vagh of the House of Rannuf, had lost his life at the hands of the War Queen.

Melanippe secured the starcraft and cut off the engines, then turned to Andromache.

"All is secured, my Queen."

"Excellent!" Andromache rose to her feet.

"We have much to do before the moonrise," the Queen said. "Our guest must be prepared and the grounds for this evening's activity must be hallowed before we can come again before the presence of Artemis.

"Tonight, we will be once more in a glorious battle, and bring great honor to Themiscrya and terror upon our enemies."

An approving cheer rose spontaneously from the warrior women on the bridge. Truly, they were at home with war.

"Let us prepare ourselves, sisters. Tonight, under the chariot of Artemis, under the light of her moon, we will offer her sacrifice once again!

All hail, Artemis!" she cried, lifting a fist into the air. And her people responded in kind.

[anderson]

Joan was not happy with everything going on around her. She quickly started to scan what could have taken the captain, and finds a ship not far from the Klingon one. She scans it, but is having difficulties on identifying it.

"Sir, another ship has been found not far from the Klingon bird of prey, and I believe they are the ones who took our captain. I am having trouble identifying it. I will let you know the moment I have. As for now, I am heading to main engineering to give them a hand in case they need it. Contact me if you need me." She says heading for engineering as quickly as she can.

"Cadet, we need to make sure we don't have any blackouts or... wait a minute. Commander we have an incoming message. It is a little bit fuzzy, but I think we can make it out. The cadet and I will try to clear it up a bit." She says, and gets the command to open it.

We need... did you hear us! We need.... Hello? Is anyone...

The message continues as the cadet starts to hit a few buttons.
We need help... Is anyone out there? Hello? We have been hit hard by an unknown vessel, and aren't sure how much longer we can sustain ourselves without assistance. Is anyone there?

The message continues in a bit of a loop.

OOC: I was in the holodeck, but oh well. Sorry, Cyle, I didn't mean to spell that wrong. Welcome back commander, good to have you with us again.

[Paikea Apirana]

OCC: Since no one is posting I think I'll continue a little bit with the story.

On:

Paikea question had lingered in the air for what seemed an eternity. It seemed that no one had given thought to the warrior women. Maybe it was the hours of recent studying, or just his gut feeling, but Paikea was almost certain that he was correct.

"Well what are you guys waiting for?" Commander O'Connor said to the bridge crew, recovering before anyone else did. Everyone went to work after that, it really became a flurry of activity. The cadets were scared to do much fearing that they might impede the rescue of Captain Edwards.

Paikea looked around the bridge, trying to think. He then saw Katie there working hard with Lt. Johnson. Luckily for him she at that moment looked up. Paikea smiled at her and went to work.

Paikea quickly went back to his station and started to work feverishly. His work seemed to offer no answer's, but then something very simple came to mind. Why were the Amazons here anyways. Paikea than ran a scan of the sector and realized that there was an old Klingon Battle-cruiser floating dead in the water.

"Sir, I have found a battle-cruiser in this sector, that may explain why the amazons where in this sector," Paikea said wiping off the sweat from his brow.

"Well then cadet report that to the XO," Commander Ford said as he continued to work.

"Commander I have found a Klingon battle-cruiser in this sector, 45,000,000 kilometers away," Paikea said.

"What, why didn't are sensors pick them up," Commander O'Connor asked frustrated.

"Sir, the ship barely has any power, it seems that it was just in battle. If we hurry we will be able to tell who attacked them, and if I'm right we will be able to study the Amazon's tactical moves," Paikea said realizing that everyone on the bridge was looking at him. Paikea would of been embarrassed by this, but realized that he needed to get over that. The life of Captain TJ Edwards life was in jeopardy.

[Deleted]

Time was meaningless in TJ's cell, and no one visited him for the space of what seemed like several hours. When light flooded the brig once again, this time two silhouetted figures stood framed in the doorway, one nearly five and one-half feet high, the other just under six feet. The two women activated the light again, then entered the holding area.

"We've been sent to prepare you for tonight's festivities," said the shorter Amazon. The merciless smile on the face of the taller woman made it clear to TJ it would not be a pleasant evening for him if these women had their way.

The taller unlocked the cell door and ordered, "Outside, male."

When TJ hesitated the taller woman, Xantippe by name, reached in and pulled him out, and the two forced him from the room.

Finally out of his prison, TJ surveyed the scene in the brief time the two warrior women gave him to do so.

To the west some distance away, he saw a large body of women similarly clad as were the two escorting him. They stood in a large semicircle around a mound of earth with some type of stone structure atop it. It was waist-high to another Amazon, who stood on the opposing end of the structure from the many warriors gathered around, and it seemed they were conducting some type of religious activity.

Clearly, the woman standing behind the altar, dressed in white with a red chiton that fell to mid-thigh, was a figure of some religious authority. Could this be Andromache? The barbaric quality of the scene was fascinating – until TJ realized, as they approached, just what the stone structure was.

It was a sacrificial altar!

The terrifying thought that he was about to become the sacrificial lamb flooded on the Starfleet officer with a grim force, and for the first time, he began to struggle in the hands of the two who were forcing him towards the bloodstained altar.

Using the heel of his boot to stomp the instep of the larger Amazon, thus forcing her to momentarily release her grip, he then shoved himself into the shorter woman, and ran as fast as he could toward a distant forest in an attempt to gain more time. If he could stall the upcoming ceremony by staying out of the hands of his captors, perhaps the additional time would give the crew of Hepta time to initiate a rescue party. IF they even knew where he was!

Xantippe and Antiope, the two who were forcing him toward the woman in white and red, recovered quickly. The taller of the two took out a set of metal globes, and spinning them over her head by a connecting strap, threw them at the fleeing officer. Her aim was flawless, and TJ fell face down to the ground, the strap and globes tangled around his feet.

In seconds, Xantippe and Antiope were upon him, pulling his hands behind his back and binding them at the wrists with what felt like leather thongs. Nor were they gentle, as the thongs felt as if they were cutting into his flesh.

The two tore TJ's shirt from him, pulled him roughly to his feet, and half-shoved, half-dragged him toward the women surrounding the altar.

The woman in the red chiton smiled cruelly.

[Deleted]

OFF: can anyone post on behalf of the marine instructor? Its been awhile and i'm kinda wiating on him for what to do next. i dont know weither he is gone for the moment or what, but yeah. I'm trying to be patient, but well the story's kinda moving along without me right now.

[Deleted]

OFF ~~~

To Officers and Crew of the Hepta...

Very soon we will likely meet on the field of battle. I just want you all to know that, within reason, you may use any of my sisters as NPCs in your posts at that time.

I would suggest that you portray them as I have as far as their military capabilities, however.

I look forward to reading your posts.

[anderson]

Joan did a little back ground work on the Amazons now and in the past, and found some interresting reading material. She wondered why they did all of this when she was done reading, and hoped for the chance to understand them, as she just might belong. She hides her feelings through her reading and continues to help out in main engineering. She locks herself in her office telling an engineer she doesn't want to be disturbed. She reads everything again, and then starts to question what she thinks about the Fleet and everything she has come in contact with. She decides it time to act, and wants the chance to understand the Amazon way of life. She leaves her office telling the same engineer she is heading for the bridge. When she gets out of Engineering she heads not for the bridge, but down to Shuttle Bay two.

Once there she says she is checking out the shuttles to make sure they are working properly, just in case they need them for later. The shuttle bay crew leaves her be after that, and she finds the right shuttle for what she has in mind. She enters and gets it ready for travel. Once things are good to go, the crew notices and finds it is too late to do anything. She blows uses her code to open the shuttle bay doors, not wanting to make more work for engineering, and heads out before anyone could stop her. She quickly goes to Warp 6 disappearing before they have any chance to stop her. She decides to follow the unknown ship, and hopes it is the Amazons.


Lt. Johnson hears the order to go to the aide of the crippled ship, and wonders how they can help. She then notices the Shuttle leaving, and wonders if they have permission. All of a sudden it is gone, and she notifies the commander. She hears that the CEO has left the ship, and is shocked.

"Cadet, they are going to need a sizeable amount of energy for the scanners, so we need to make sure they don't run out. We also need to shut those shuttle bay doors, and check all systems to make sure nothing is out of whack. I want you to observe the amount of energy needed for the scanners and to check the rest of the systems. I will shut the bay doors, and continue to monitor our station." Johnson says as she moves over to the left side of their station.


Lt. Commander Rizoru enters the bridge and takes the engineering station over. She checks over the ship's main areas before working on the smaller ones. She notices everything is checking out now, and wonders why Commander McCormick was so upset earlier. She doesn't understand and continues to work. It doesn't take long before the ship reaches the location of the damaged ship, and it is decided an away team will go over and help them in any way possible.

The people picked for the away team are the doctor and a few nurses, Lt. Commander Athur Medicci and the Marine cadets, and a small engineering team. The announcement is made, and several people head off the bridge to make preparations for this away mission. It is under way in about an hour, and all are accounted for. They all beam aboard the ship looking to help in any way possible.

Lt. Riz heads for their engineering hoping to get their ship up as fast as possible, and is met by their CEO. They exchange a few words before the team is put to work.

[Deleted]

Andromache had watched the entire episode from the time of the Starfleet captain’s struggle with Xantippe and Antiope to the time he was recaptured, his wrists were bound behind his back, and he was forced toward the Themiscryan War Queen. She smiled her anticipatory smile, then took out the long, snaked blade, laying it aside on a small promontory that jutted out like a magician’s servitor in the center of the altar’s back. From here, she could reach it easily, yet it would still be out of reach of the Amazons’ new victim.

When he had come approximately 46 meters from the central mound, his eyes caught sight of the tall woman waiting for him by the altar.

Clouds moved across the grey-lilac sky as Captain Edwards was forced ever closer to the sacrificial altar, then up the central mound. All this time, the Terran officer could not take his eyes from Andromache. She was exceedingly beautiful, in a harsh sort of way, with her white garment covered by a rich, maroon chiton. Under the glow of the planet’s moon, the crescent of the Diadem of Artemis sparkled. Antiope squatted down as she produced a long leather thong, wrapped it tightly around the Starfleet officer’s ankles, and then stood upright again.

“I am Andromache, War Queen of the Themiscryans,” she said to the man bound before her. “I have heard from my warrior Cyrene you are ... fascinated ... by our culture. This evening, I am going to give you a close view – a very close view – of one aspect of Amazonian life.”

She nodded to Antiope and Xantippe, the two warriors who stood beside the Starfleet officer. Xantippe took his shoulders and Antiope his ankles, and together they lifted the man, moving him into position over the altar.

Once he was there, Andromache placed her hands under the small of his back, and all three women lifted him still further, above the height of the War Queen’s head.

“Sisters!” she cried, and the warrior women hushed, that they might hear the words of their queen. “Daughters of she who rides the moon, this evening, before heading once more into battle for the glory of our beloved goddess and of Themiscrya, and for the honor of Andromache, we consecrate this male to Artemis!”

A barbaric cheer rose as Andromache, Xantippe, and Antiope slowly lowered Captain Edwards onto the rough altar stone. Quickly, Antiope and Xantippe stepped down off the mound, that all attention would center on Andromache and the sacrificial victim. As soon as they had done so, Andromache spoke once again.

“Sisters, within a matter of hours, we shall enter again into conflict with the enemy. As is our custom, and has so been for thousands of years, we meet on the plain to perform the sacred rites to give honor to – and to appease – great Artemis, that she who rides the moon may fight with us on our behalf.”

Taking the knife off the ledge behind the altar, Andromache raised it skyward, the blade upward, and it sparkled hungrily in the moonlight.

“O Artemis, you who have taken for so long our righteous Amazonian cause,” continued Andromache, whose face now was turned to the moon, “I lift my prayer to you on behalf of my people – my sisters – and myself.

“We now dedicate this Terran male to you who lasts beyond Apollo, ruling even after his chariot has fallen from the sky.

“Everlasting gratitude we offer to you, great Artemis, for transporting us to Themiscrya when so many of our ancient sisters were slaughtered at the hand of the Roman monster Lucullus, who decimated our numbers.”

TJ watched as Andromache turned the knife so that its long, snaked blade pointed downward, and tightened her grip.

“And now, gracious Artemis, forgive the faults of us, your daughters; look upon us in favor, and battle at our sides!”

Andromache roared in rage, and her Amazons echoed the sound.

In an instant, the sacrificial blade would claim its next victim, and the blood of the Terran would become the war paint of the Amazons ...

[roz]

OFF: You are a stinker TJ but I have thought of something. Joint post by Jordan and Roz. Will be jumping forward a bit as the last post there makes me nervous. Anyone else think I'm a little too attached to this? I apologize if I cross any lines.

ON: Jordan was transported over to the ship after taking care of the few patients that had been hurt by the Amazon Roz had felled earlier on the ship. There were a few casualties that all fit with the weapon the Amazon had been holding. Jordan began scanning around but there were no living beings in the room. They carefully made their way deeper into the ship and then they came upon a being buried under a few bodies and debris that was alive, but only slightly.

Jordan: Help me move all this.

The debris and bodies were removed to reveal an Amazon with a large cut across her body ranging from her right shoulder to her left hip. Jordan closed her eyes. There was no way that she would live long enough to help them much. She opened her eyes and saw the Amazon glaring at her and the male officers around her. She tried to move but only winced greatly.

Jordan: Don't move. Ya move and what will happen won't be pleasant for anyone.

Amazon: You are a betrayer. Trusting in men. Pah!

She spat in the direction of the nearest male officer. Draco suddenly appeared in front of the Amazon's face. She started and Draco just stared at him, his eyes swirling hypnotically. The Amazon's face relaxed and she calmed down. Jordan then noticed that there was something purple on her face and arms. She recognized it as Klingon blood but unlike the blood that surrounded her, this looked dried.

Jordan: Where did the blood on your face come from?

Amazon: The captain of the ship was sacrificed to Artemis so we would succeed in battle.

Jordan's stomach went cold and she felt someone suck in air behind her. The Amazon then started laughing hysterically and then she started coughing. Blood spurted from her mouth and she died. Jordan closed the Amazon's eyes and looked around her. Other people had reported in saying that they had not found anyone living. She sighed and they got off the ship before it started to decompress as a result of the extensive damage. Roz was becoming very anxious as everything was going on. They shouldn't be checking the ship. The thing was plainly dead. She hoped that they would all get back soon as any time that they wasted on the dead Klingon vessel, the sooner TJ was to becoming a sacrificial victim. She watched a shuttle race off into space and she gave on order to have it tracked, feeling that it might be a good idea. Whoever took the order obviously agreed as it was followed. She then remembered that she wasn't an officer and felt she had crossed a line by giving an order. However, Commander O'Connor didn't say anything to reprimand her for what she had just done. When Xin-Ling came back to the bridge, they made eye contact and she knew what fate awaited TJ.

Roz: Commander, I request permission to lead an small group of people to go after the captain.

She then got into the turbolift and as the door was closing, O'Connor shouted out.

O'Connor: Where are you going?

Roz: The shuttle bay.

The doors closed and the turbolift sped away. When the doors reopened, she raced to her quarters first and grabbed the pack from her past and then raced down to the shuttle bay and was stopped.

Officer: Where are you going?

Roz didn't say anything but her eyes went green and the officers let her in. She saw Xin-Ling in the shuttle bay waiting for her.

Xin-Ling: You not going alone. We come with.

Roz smiled slightly and saw Xin-Ling had the same look in her eyes. A look of silent anger and determination to save their friend. She then noticed that there were the Marine cadets loading things into the shuttle.

=Meanwhile, in sickbay=
Jordan thought about what she had seen on the Amazon and something in her mind pulled at her. Something about what the Amazon had said before she died had sounded familiar. She then remembered what it was. The word dagger. The memory came flooding back and she looked at Draco who was hovering around, checking for anyone that may have seen them come down. She then came up with an idea and ran it by Draco first. He agreed with it and appeared in front of Roz with a note in his hand, who stared at Draco, not comprehending. She took the note and read it.

Roz,
Use Draco. He can grab the sacrificial dagger and then disappear with it. You're then open to save the captain.

Roz looked at Draco who didn't show any sign of fear in his swirling, colorful eyes. She smiled slightly and nodded. Xin-Ling then read the note and nodded. They got in the shuttle arrived on the planet a short time later. The whole time during the ride, Xin-Ling and Roz hadn't spoken but had made a silent agreement with one another that they were going after TJ. When they landed, Roz and Xin-Ling left a few people to guard the shuttle while they went to find TJ, which wasn't going to be incredibly hard as he was still wearing his combadge and could track him and there was a lot of shouting in the distance. They raced towards the sound and started to slow as it became louder. Roz then put a hand on Xin-Ling's shoulder.

Roz: I have an idea that should give Draco enough time to grab the dagger then disappear with it.

She whispered in Xin-Ling's ear, who nodded. They then came to the village and hid behind a house near a mound that had TJ strapped to it like an animal for slaughter. Draco chirped as a signal that he was ready and then Roz nodded once and gave an ear-splitting screaming call and began running around the outside perimeter that caused all the Amazons to look around frantically. Draco disappeared then reappeared and grabbed the dagger in Andromache's hands. She spotted him and was about to tear him off when he disappeared with the dagger.

[bubblesdelight]

"Cadet, they are going to need a sizeable amount of energy for the scanners, so we need to make sure they don't run out. We also need to shut those shuttle bay doors, and check all systems to make sure nothing is out of whack. I want you to observe the amount of energy needed for the scanners and to check the rest of the systems. I will shut the bay doors, and continue to monitor our station." Johnson says as she moves over to the left side of their station.

Katie walked back the engineering station on the bridge to monitor the energy read outs of all the ships systems. Everything is in perfect working order, why is she having me run these scans again, Katie thought to herself.

Kaite turned around to face the front of the bridge, spotting Lt. Johnson hard at work at the operations station Katie decided she was going to run a few scans of her own. As she turned back around she saw Paikea a few stations down hard at work doing scans of his own. With out thinking anything more about it Katie placed the systems status information in the upper right hand corner of the console's monitor and began doing several scans. Katie was hoping the scans would be able to pick up a tachyon emission trail or at the minimum some residual antiprotons to help the Hepta locate the unknown ship.

"Paikea, could you give me a hand with these results I got from my scans?

<Paikea>

[Paikea Apirana]

The work that Paikea and his instructors were doing was taking an extremely long time. He was getting aggravated that the scans weren't coming up faster. The computer told him that it would take about an hour till the could understand the technology of the Amazons, by that time they would most likey find the ship.

"Paikea, could you give me a hand with these results I got from my scans? Paikea was a little suprised when he heard Katie's voice, but he of course said yes. More for his sake and the console's. He quickly walked toward's her and started to look over the scans. It was apparent that she was looking for the tachyon emission trail. Paikea and Katie both had to extrapulate what the scan had showed them and luckly for them, they had found the trail.

"Commander we have found the trail left by the ship, I'm sending the trail to helm," Paikea said.

"Thank you Cadet, good work," Commander O'Connor said. Paikea smiled at Katie and grabbed her hand tightly and whispered. "Don't worry" He then walked back to his station and as expected the scan still was not done.

[Deleted]

Taking the knife off the ledge behind the altar, Andromache raised it skyward, the blade upward, and it sparkled hungrily in the moonlight.

“O Artemis, you who have taken for so long our righteous Amazonian cause,” continued Andromache, whose face now was turned to the moon, “I lift my prayer to you on behalf of my people – my sisters – and myself.

“We now dedicate this Terran male to you, who lasts beyond Apollo, ruling even after his chariot has fallen from the sky.

“Everlasting gratitude we offer to you, great Artemis, for transporting us to Themiscrya when so many of our ancient sisters were slaughtered at the hand of the Roman monster Lucullus, who decimated our numbers.”

TJ watched as Andromache turned the knife so that its long, snaked blade pointed downward, and tightened her grip.

The Irishman lay helpless, bound atop the sacrificial altar. He had hoped he could buy a little time by fleeing toward the forest, but Xantippe’s skillful use of the bolo-like instrument brought those hopes crashing down along with TJ’s flight. So many things there were to observe, so many questions to ask these women about their culture and their history, so many things to — but only one thing pressed itself upon his consciousness: the knife in the hands of the War Queen.

He could see the tall Amazon tighten her grip on the hilt, and he winced in anticipation of the pain to come when the merciless blade would find its mark.

“’Tis knowin’ how t’ die we are in Starfleet; all I ask o’ ye is that ye make it quick,” he requested as he shut his eyes tightly and turned his head away.

[Roz and Xin-Ling] then came to the village and hid behind a house near a mound that had TJ strapped to it like an animal for slaughter. Draco chirped as a signal that he was ready and then Roz nodded once and gave an ear-splitting screaming call and began running around the outside perimeter that caused all the Amazons to look around frantically. Draco disappeared then reappeared and grabbed the dagger in Andromache's hands. She spotted him and was about to tear him off when he disappeared with the dagger.

Fully expecting the blade to invade his body, yet not experiencing it, was sheer torture. Fear and curiosity fought one another, and curiosity finally won out.

Opening his eyes, TJ saw Draco battling over the sacrificial knife with Andromache, and, realizing that where the firelizard was, Jordan was probably nearby. As best he could, he looked around, trying to see if he could spot her.

Perhaps the rescue party had come, after all – but what could a few persons do against so many? He knew from experience these women were as strong as men.

TJ’s heart sank again.

[anderson]

Joan continued to look for the ship, and luckily she found exactly what she was looking for. It wasn't easy to find, but eventually she had picked up the trail, and was very happy that her last couple of hours finally was going to produce results. She flies near the ship, and puts the auto pilot on, but finds they are firing upon her. She opens a channel.

"Amazon ship, I am no threat to you and yours, so please stop the attack. I have come to see if I belong with you, and wish to join you." She says, and a response is given immediately.

After being told to dock, and completing the task inside of their massive vessel, Joan is taken before a lady large in stature, and whom she considers to be the leader of this ship.

"I am trying to find out where I belong, and I think maybe that might be with you and yours. My parents were killed by terrorists when I was younger, and I have been adopted, but I am not sure I belong with her or the Fleet. I have served as a Science officer, and recently Chief Engineer. I am at your service, so what do I do?" Joan says a little nervous about all of this.

<Andromache>

Riz gets things underway as fast as possible, but hates working with these people because of the inhospitality. She tries to make it a painless experience, and does what she is told. She is asked for a report.

"All is going as well as can be expected, and we should be out of here in two hours minimum." She says, and hears she has only an hour instead, wondering how the chief does it, she acknowledges and sighs.


Johnson watches her cadet, and wonders if engineering minds her taking charge. She contacts engineering, and finds they are really busy. She makes it known that the station on the bridge is manned for now, and then closes the channel not wanting to take any guff from them. She opens one for her cadet.

"Anderson, come back and man our station, and I will switch with you. You need to be at your post, while I can handle both ours and engineering." She says, and then gets to work on the readouts. "Oh, and good work cadet." She says, hoping the praise doesn't go to her head.

[Deleted]

Backtracking a Bit, Prior to Our Landing >>>

anderson said:

Joan continued to look for the ship, and luckily she found exactly what she was looking for. It wasn't easy to find, but eventually she had picked up the trail, and was very happy that her last couple of hours finally was going to produce results. She flies near the ship, and puts the auto pilot on, but finds they are firing upon her. She opens a channel.

"Amazon ship, I am no threat to you and yours, so please stop the attack. I have come to see if I belong with you, and wish to join you." She says, and a response is given immediately.

After being told to dock, and completing the task inside of their massive vessel...

“We have received the small carrier, Your Majesty,” reported Melanippe.

“Good. Bring its occupants to me,” answered Andromache, as she rose to her feet and exited the Bridge. “Antiope, you have the command,” she said over her shoulder as she left.

It was a short walk, some 200 meters, to her destination: the Queen’s Closet.

Entering the large room, she walked straight forward, over the brick-red walkway that was elevated some 16 centimeters above the steel-gray deck, and extended from the doorway to a series of concentric circular discs, one atop the other and each with a rise of 20 centimeters, forming a stepped tower five meters in height. At its apex was a circular platform 30 centimeters in height by one meter in diameter. From that platform, a narrow walkway 30 centimeters wide climbed at a 30% incline to another tower, five meters in width by three meters deep, rising some 8 1/2 meters from the deck.

Centered on that rectangular tower, back against the bulkhead, was an ornate red and gold throne, draped with a diaphanous canopy of mint-colored material.

The War Queen Andromache climbed the conical tower and strode proudly across the narrow bridge that led to the elevated throne, and took her seat on it. Flicking a switch on the arm of her throne, she spoke.

“Xantippe, I am prepared. You may bring our visitors to me in the Closet.”

”Yes, my Queen,” answered a voice that seemed to come from nowhere, yet from everywhere.

The visitor – for she was alone – was first examined for weapons, and finding she was carrying nothing of any threatening nature, she was handed a robe resembling a chiton, which was popular among the ancient ladies of Athens, and instructed to remove her uniform and wear the chiton for her presentation to the queen.

With some assistance from Asteria, Joan adjusted the chiton, and the Amazon stepped back, looking at the fit with an approving nod. The garment was clasped at the shoulders with two broaches, and fell with a graceful, flowing neckline. Belted it was with a leather cord wrapped twice around Joan’s waist and knotted, the ends left to hang loosely halfway between the front of her garment and its side, and falling about 21 centimeters below the belt. The flowing skirt came down to her insteps, and on her feet were silver sandals. The material itself was soft, draped well, and was a bright yellow in color with brown trim at the end of the skirt.

“It needs just one touch more, and you should then be ready to come before our queen.”

Asteria produced a diadem, a tiara of zirconia, and placed it on Joan’s head. It could not be denied she made an attractive picture, and the Amazon smiled in approval.

“You are ready now,” she said. “Come.”

With that, Asteria led Joan out of the preparation chamber to the Queen’s Closet.

“When we arrive, say nothing until you are spoken to. We will enter the chamber and bow, then, at the queen’s word, you will walk down the red pathway to the first tower, climb to the top, and kneel. From that point, the queen will instruct you what to do.”

By this time, they had reached the Closet and entered the chamber. Asteria bowed at the waist, and Joan followed her example.

“Approach me,” said Andromache.

“Follow the red carpeting and climb the tower, then kneel as I instructed,” Asteria whispered to Joan.

Looking briefly at Asteria, Joan stepped forward onto the red pathway toward the first tower. She followed Asteria's instructions to the letter.

A smile broke on Andromache's lips – a strange smile for wartime. It was soft and approving, and her harsh beauty softened ever so slightly.

"I have been told you desire audience with me," she began. "Rise, and speak your heart, and do not fear. I am Andromache, and thus have I spoken."

Joan stood to her feet and said...

"I am trying to find out where I belong, and I think maybe that might be with you and yours. My parents were killed by terrorists when I was younger, and I have been adopted, but I am not sure I belong with her or the Fleet. I have served as a Science officer, and recently Chief Engineer. I am at your service, so what do I do?"

"You will find," said the now greatly softened face of the War Queen, "that we are fierce warriors, answerable to no man. That has been the difference between us.

"We will always welcome our sister who, though previously misguided, now wishes to embrace our ways, and live among us. To such, we are the dearest and most loyal of friends."

Suddenly, Andromache's visage hardened again as she scowled, "To those who would betray our trust, however, we are the terror that strikes in the night.

"Keep this in mind, and you will do well.

"Asteria, I appoint you pedagogue of this proselyte. Train her well, and see if she be true to Themiscryan ways. And if not – we shall see.

"Now go."

<<Tag: Joan >>

[Deleted]

OFF: well i certainly missed alot, yet, i read it all and maybe i missed somthing, but i dont know where i am any more, any help?

[roz]

INFO FOR MARINE CADETS: All marine cadets are going to go save the captain from the Amazons.

[Deleted]

cylejohnson said:

OFF: well i certainly missed alot, yet, i read it all and maybe i missed somthing, but i dont know where i am any more, any help?

OFF: As Roz say, you are with us. You could either be at the ship guarding it, or with us viewing the scene where Captain Edwards is on the altar. I would prefer you with us. Fighting nearly 500 Amazons will not be easy. Use of strategy, in addition to force, likely is required.

[Paikea Apirana]

It seemed odd that no one had noticed the override in the cargo bay. Paikea quickly realized that someone had tried to conceal the fact that they were leaving the ships.

"Commander somone just overridded the codes for the cargo bay and are about to go to warp," Paikea reported.

"What in hell," Commander O'Connor said as he quickly stood up and asked for the viewscreen. He just like everyone saw a shuttle quickly go to warp. He didn't even have to ask because Katie already had the information.

<Tag Katie>

Paikea hadn't really met Commander McCormick, but she didn't strike him as some one that would steal a shuttle and go into the unknown.

"Where is she headed?" Commander O'Connor asked looking at everyone for answers. Paikea was first with the information.

"She is headed towards, well sir she's not headed anywhere. It seems she is looking for something," Paikea said quite confused, he started to think that Commander McCormick was looking for the Captain, but he wouldn't say anything for fear that he might be wrong. Luckily for him Commander Ford said it for him.

"Commander she might be looking for the Captain," Ford asked.

Roz: Commander, I request permission to lead an small group of people to go after the captain.

She then got into the turbolift and as the door was closing, O'Connor shouted out.

O'Connor: Where are you going?

Roz: The shuttle bay.

Paikea had never heard of a training ship like this. A senior officer had just left the ship without permission and two others were leading a team of marines and security officer's after the Captain. The Hepta was really stuck next to the Klingon ship, they couldn't leave the injured there so they would have to deal with the injured as soon as possible.

In a matter of minutes everything was in motion, which surprised Paikea even more. It had been chaos a matter of minutes ago and now everything was working like nothing had happened.

Hours Later

=^=Doctor Mackler to Bridge=^=

=^=Bridge here=^=

=^=All the injured are back to their ship=^=

=^=Thats good to hear=^=

Paikea was glad to hear this, they would be able to soon be able to go after the Captain. Hopefully he wasn't lost to them or the rescue team.

"Shipwide. This is Commander O'Connor, all the Klingons are back on their ship. We are now going after the Captain. Prepare for Battlestations." The claxons once again quickly came alive and the Hepta went into warp.

Off: Sorry if I used some of your characters to much. It just seems that no one is really posting. I tried to stay vague while using them, so you could fill in the gaps if you like. Once again, plz don't me mad at me for using your characters

[anderson]

"Thank you." She says bowing like the other girl before they both leave. Once outside Joan is instructed to follow Asteria down a couple of halls into a large room. Inside this room several other women were sparing with each other, some with weapons and others without.

"You will now prove yourself a true warrior. If you are to be one of us, then you must be ready for any and everything." She says directing Joan onto a mat with a circle in the middle. She is told to stand in the center of the circle, to which she thinks cannot be good. She obeys, and wonders what will happen next. She notices Asteria makes some kind of hand signs, and Joan relaxes her body and mind concentrating on the sounds and air around her.

All of a sudden someone punches at her from the back to her left. She blocks it, but barely in time. She finds they are fast, and hopes she can keep up the same speed. The other lady is thrown a sword, and Joan looks around for something to defend herself, while trying to keep an eye on her and wishing for the holodeck. She has no luck in finding a weapon, and wonders if that was done on purpose. She realizes she wasn't told to stay in the circle, and dashes over to the wall, where she carefully, using her eye like any engineer, took off part of the wall's pannel. The unidentified woman quickly follows her curious to Joan's movement, and then slashes at her when she thinks it is good not recognizing the pannel for Joan's shield. Joan deflects the swords blows adding some blows from the shield as well hoping to knock the sword from her hands. She has no luck, and finds herself trapped in a corner. She carefully keeps hold of the shield, and flips behind the female warrior hoping to take her by surprise.

The warrior turns quickly, and Joan knocks the sword from her hands. She quickly puts her foot under the sword ushering it up to her waiting hand. Suddenly Asteria appears again.

"Enough, youngling, that will suffice. Please return those to where you found them, and then follow me." She says with a face that can't be read. Joan returns the sword to the woman, and then places the pannel back, while remembering this is all an evaluation of her skills. She doesn't show her delight, but instead keeps her head down looking like she is brooding instead, obeying when she was directed.



Riz decided it was best to let them control the bridge while she was away, but decided they didn't need her in engineering at the time she returned. She enters the bridge to find a Lt. at her station. The Lieutenant looks up and smiles returning the station to her, and then returning to her own station. She runs checks on the ships, and sends the commander her report on the Klingon ship via the computer instead of her voice, as she has other matters to attend to. Once that is done, she quickly starts to scan the ship to see what is needed of her then and there, and then gets down to business, since the pleasure is past.

Lt. Johnson returns to her station to find the cadet doing very well. She smiles at what she finds. Anderson turns around too quickly and finding she isn't alone, jumps when she see the Lt.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Report." She says wanting to know what she has been missing out on at the other station.

[bubblesdelight]

"What in hell," Commander O'Connor said as he quickly stood up and asked for the view screen. He just like everyone saw a shuttle quickly go to warp. He didn't even have to ask because Katie already had the information.

"Commander McCormick used her personal codes to override the cargo bay doors. It took the computer a few moments to figure out who did it because she covered up her steps by running her codes through several sub programs."

Katie had just finished up informing the Commander when Lt. Johnson began talking to her through the stations communications channel.

"Anderson, come back and man our station, and I will switch with you. You need to be at your post, while I can handle both ours and engineering." She says, and then gets to work on the readouts. "Oh, and good work cadet." She says, hoping the praise doesn't go to her head.

"Ok, I'm on my way." Katie said with a look of confusion on her face.

Katie smiled at Lt. Johnson as they passed each other. She sat down at the operations station and started to review the console for changes that might have been made while Lt. Johnson was watching over it.

I hope I didn't do anything wrong, Katie thought to herself. After a brief moment of rethinking what had happened she quickly decided she didn't do anything wrong and began to monitor the scans that had already been started by Lt. Johnson.

Lt. Johnson returns to her station to find the cadet doing very well. She smiles at what she finds. Anderson turns around too quickly and finding she isn't alone, jumps when she see the Lt.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Report." She says wanting to know what she has been missing out on at the other station.

"Well, all the ships systems are checking out perfectly normal. All stations have checked in and everybody is accounted for, except for the Captain that is. Did you find anything else out from my scans?"

[Deleted]

OFF: well, thats ok with me.

Cyle sat still, for some crazy reason he had agreed to transport with the team to a planet with 500 or more crazy Amazonian women, who wre bent on killing all males.

Shaking his head at the irony, Cyle looked on as Roz screamed as loud as she could and ran around the perimiter, confusing some Amazons, and cuasing them all the look about.

Cyle then looked back at the Amazon queen, who had a kind of lizard attached to the dagger, then the lizard and dagger were gone. "whoa"

[Deleted]

The small company viewed the grisly scene, anxious to move out for the attack, but realizing only too well the foolhardiness of such a frontal assault. Xin-Ling knew none of them would be successful in rescuing her friend on the altar if they used such a straightforward attack.

Picking them off a few at a time? No, not that much time to spare. Any moment, the blade in the hand of the tall woman in maroon and white who had the captain under such a threat would be plunged into Captain Edwards.

Suddenly, without warning, Draco, Jordan’s fire lizard, disappeared from the company and reappeared next to the woman behind the altar. The little reptile wrestled the knife from the imposing woman, succeeding only by disappearing again with the blade.

Wonderful!

That would buy them at least a little more time.

Like a flash, memories of their time together in Starfleet raced through her mind, nearly as swiftly as the Asian Warrior could move in battle. Her normally soft features hardened with a frown as she thought of her friend’s life’s blood being spilt for some false goddess worshipped by these people. Well, they would not let that happen!

When they had met, she was impressed with TJ’s determination to stand in battle by the side of her and her companions, Barbara Johnson and then-Commodore KezTrek, even after the beating he had received.

No! She was not going to let that happen! If need be, she would give her life in an attempt to save her friend.

Her soft eyes narrowed with determination, and the muscles in her jaw twitched in fury. Her fists clenched and reopened repeatedly as she prepared emotionally for combat.

Tag... Rescue Party...