ST:SoD123 | "The Experiment"

Stardate 99165.9

The IRW Kaishaasi proceeds to the location of the Tal Shiar research base to investigate the source of the subspace being, but they discover something they did not quite expect...

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Romulan@annpc#557 | After completing their preparations, the Kaishaasi travels towards the D'Surren system to investigate the Tal Shiar research base. Nikki is in her quarters as the ship warps towards its - Romulan@annpc#557 - destination when the doorbell chimes Nikki@crystyl sits working at her desk and loooks up, "Enter" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella steps into the room, "Empress. Faedani has received some new intelligence." Nikki@crystyl:"Sounds promising. What - specifically - is it regarding?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella takes a seat, "It's not good news, I'm afraid." Nikki@crystyl:"Not so promising..." Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "Our sources at Rator report that a fleet of 81 ships has just departed the system, heading towards the direction of the Agrama sector. Primarily Zauger vessels, but also supported by - Romulan@annpc#557 - Romulan ships seized by Vitellius, or the cowards who bent their knee to him at the first sign of danger." Nikki@crystyl:"A significant force, but not likely his strongest yet. How long until they become a threat?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "If they maintain their current course and speed, they'll be at Agrama in two weeks. We should still be able to complete our mission here. We're only a few hours out from D'Surren, - Romulan@annpc#557 - and if we return to Agrama at maximum warp, it will take less than two days of travel. The problem is mounting a defense once the enemy does arrive at Agrama. They outnumber us three to one, - Romulan@annpc#557 - assuming everyone who's agreed to stand with us shows. The planetary defenses will help, but they still won't turn the odds in our favour." Nikki@crystyl:"So we need to find a way to either bolster our defenses to withstand this fleet, or deal with them before they reach us" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella nods, "The fleet isn't even travelling under cloak. They know they have us outgunned and I suspect they're abandoning the element of surprise for the intimidation factor. This'll allow - Romulan@annpc#557 - us to carry out some guerilla strikes, but with tight formation they're holding, I don't expect we'll be able to do substantial damage before they arrive. Maybe we'll find something to bolster - Romulan@annpc#557 - our defenses among the research at D'Surren. I don't hold out high hopes for it, but we're almost there already; might as well check out what these scientists have come up with." Nikki@crystyl:"Agreed. Fear not, we will come up with a means of containing them; their arrogance will be their undoing" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "Let's see what we can learn from D'Surren first. Knowing Tal Shiar research, there must be something of use there, even if it doesn't completely turn the tide for us." Nikki@crystyl:"Yes, that will be our first port of call" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "I will make sure we're ready for anything when we arrive. There might be more of these beings there." Nikki@crystyl:"How are we progressing with countermeasures on that front?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "Our shield modifications are fully complete. We can't know for certain if they'll work until we encounter another spatial rift, of course, but our science officers are confident that - Romulan@annpc#557 - it will shield us from allowing them to appear on our ship through subspace, just like how regular shields block transporters. We will need to have our shields raised, which means lowering our - Romulan@annpc#557 - cloak, but we don't intend on staying hidden anyways. We're not here to scout out the research cell this time, we want to make contact in any case." Nikki@crystyl:"What about combating the creatures if they got onto the research base?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "We've already stocked our armoury with melee weaponry since the last encounter, but most of our soldiers and guards are trained to use disruptor rifles and pistols, with hand-to-hand - Romulan@annpc#557 - and close quarters weaponry being secondary. So we've created a number of weapons like the one I gave you," she motions to the projectile rifle in the room that she gave Nikki previously Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "We've made a few like yours, but replicated and of less intricate workmanship, but we've primarily been making ones of a scattergun design. We've determined that they're the most - Romulan@annpc#557 - effective for the close ranges our soldiers will likely be fighting in." Nikki@crystyl:"Excellent. I understand that Serenity has been giving some a crash course in melee tactics too. I just hope now we won't need any of this" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella nods, "You and I both. It would be nice if what the Viahranen encountered was an isolated accident, and we can simply negotiate a deal with these researchers and return with something - Romulan@annpc#557 - to aid our defense. But I have a feeling things won't be so easy. If only they were," she chuckles Nikki@crystyl:"It seems to be the Romulan calling in life; to defy the odds and flourish in spite of the universe's best efforts to undermine us" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "And the fact that we are still here after all we have been through is a testament to our strength. We shall not let Vitellius and his alien lackeys defeat us." Nikki@crystyl:"No we shall not" she nods firmly --- NPC@annpc#557 | Back on the Latenter, Victoria calls Mischa to the bridge... Mischa@crystyl steps off the lift a short time later, "What have we got?" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "Problems. One Commander Reldak is trying to leave Agrama after hearing about the overwhelming odds of the forces on their way here. He commands a small battlegroup of three ships, - NPC@annpc#557 - all T'Varos. Not the most significant of forces, but Nikki's fleet here is already outnumbered without deserters." Mischa@crystyl continues to join the analysis, "That may be the case, but have you eaten proper crumpets Victoria?" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "Proper crumpets...?" Mischa@crystyl chuckles, "A delicacy from my homeland, you really haven't lived until you've enjoyed them with a cup of good old English tea. But I digress; they are perfectly formed and nice and firm upon first - Mischa@crystyl:- inspection. However, as soon as the edge crumbles the whole thing can easily fall apart in your hands while you eat it" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "Ah, I see the metaphor. Once someone deserts, others will quickly follow until there's no fleet left." Mischa@crystyl:"Exactly, yes. This battlegroup may be insignificant tactically. But politically... they could be the first crumb if allowed to exit. What are our options?" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "Commander Dulmus, in command of the Tarai, Imaella's former ship, is threatening to open fire on Reldak and his T'Varos if they try to leave. That's also not ideal; it will enforce - NPC@annpc#557 - discipline among the fleet, but turning on each other...isn't exactly good for morale. Right now the two are just at a standstill." Mischa@crystyl:"Agreed, it will just put everyone on edge and that is not the best frame of mind to face what it is to come. If needs be, we could infiltrate and seize command of the battlegroup" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "It's an option. Let's see if Dulmus can talk him down first." She taps her console, bringing up the comms between the two Romulan commanders onto her screen for Mischa to observe Mischa@crystyl watches intently NPC@annpc#557 | Dulmus: "...I will not allow you or any of the ships under your command to leave. There is no negotiating. Fall back into line, Reldak, or you will have to get past my ships. We both know your - NPC@annpc#557 - three T'Varos will not prevail." NPC@annpc#557 | Reldak: "If you intend to fight us, you may as well just let us go. Our ships could easily be destroyed in battle, on /both/ sides of the battle. You will lose us anyways! More Romulan lives - NPC@annpc#557 - do not need to be lost. Have we not lost enough already?" NPC@annpc#557 | Dulmus: "If I allow you to leave, who is to say you will not join the enemy? We may as well destroy you now, when we do not have to face you with the bulk of their fleet." NPC@annpc#557 | Reldak: "You know I am no traitor, Dulmus, but I also do not have a death wish. If I wanted to join Vitellius, I would have done so already like the warbirds that fly under his banner now. I - NPC@annpc#557 - will have nothing to do with him, but surely you can see as well as I that making a stand here at Agrama is suicide." NPC@annpc#557 | Dulmus: "Imaella will find a way." NPC@annpc#557 | Reldak: "I stand loyal to the Star Empire, to the new Empress, but loyalty means nothing when our ships are rubble in orbit of the planet. You have my word that if you allow me to leave, we - NPC@annpc#557 - will not join Vitellius. Tail us if you desire, and destroy us if we break our word." NPC@annpc#557 | Dulmus: "You expect me to believe you'll take your warbirds and what, just cruise about?" NPC@annpc#557 | Reldak: "My cousin T'Maekh heads the Star Serpents. She has extended an open invitation for me to join." Mischa@crystyl looks to Victoria, "Star Serpents?" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria taps her console, "Star Serpents...a Romulan mercenary group, or pirates depending on who you ask." She taps some more. "This could work in our favour..." Mischa@crystyl:"How so?" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "They're connected to Nuvan's former cartel, which we now control. Most of their supplies come through the cartel, since both Imperial and Republic colonies refuse to do trade with - NPC@annpc#557 - them due to allegations of piracy. Eirril might be able to get them to join us here, and if that happens, it could be enough to convince Reldak to stay." Mischa@crystyl turns to another operator, "Relay this Eirril and get him on it asap" looking back to Victoria, "We can only hope to find a resolution before these two fall apart completely" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria nods, "On it, Commander." Mischa@crystyl:"Perhaps we can leak a subtle comm to Dulmus suggesting this possibility" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria smiles, "Good idea. That shouldn't be too difficult for us..." Mischa@crystyl:"And it would also leave the lingering question to start circulating around fleet leadership as to who it came from. Being an intel comm, the natural assumption for them would be Tal Shiar. Tal - Mischa@crystyl:- Shiar loyal to Nikki at that" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "...giving them a nice boost of morale in the process. Perfect, Commander." Mischa@crystyl:"Let's make it happen then. On both counts" --- Romulan@annpc#557 | A few hours later, Nikki is called to the bridge of the Kaishaasi as they arrive at the D'Surren system Nikki@crystyl strides over, settling ever more comfortably in her throne, "How far out are we now?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "Just on the edge of the system. No signs of spatial rifts yet." Romulan@annpc#557 | The turbolift doors open and Haelhen t'Hakhoallieu steps onto the bridge, watched by two guards Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "Welcome to the bridge, Haelhen." Nikki@crystyl looks over, "So good of you to join us. And just in time to reach out" Romulan@annpc#557 | Haelhen smiles as she looks around, "It's been a while since I've been on the bridge of a ship as impressive as this. As I promised, I will keep my word and attempt to contact the Tal Shiar - Romulan@annpc#557 - researchers. If there are any still alive down there after their more recent subspace experiments." Nikki@crystyl:"Well then, let's find out shall we" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "Decloak us and raise shields. Then open a comm to the scientists, per Haelhen's instructions." Romulan@annpc#557 | The crew quickly get to work around them. The Kaishaasi shimmers and exits cloak Romulan@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "Shields are raised, Admiral." Romulan@annpc#557 | Science Officer: "Modifications are in place and functioning as anticipated." Romulan@annpc#557 | Comm Officer: "I have a channel open, but we're not receiving anything from the other side." Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella nods to Haelhen, "Let's see if they respond to you." Romulan@annpc#557 | Haelhen steps to the middle of the bridge, "This is Haelhen t'Hakhoallieu of Agrama. Through tides of sand and storms of blood I have come, past distant lands whose residents are the stuff of - Romulan@annpc#557 - myths. I have borne witness to marvels no mortal eyes have set upon before, seen horrors that would drive weaker minds mad. Yet in all this time I have never been subject to one who is so - Romulan@annpc#557 - simultaneously beautiful and terrifying as your work." Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella smiles, "Verak's Return. Was that your idea for a passcode, or theirs?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Haelhen: "Theirs." Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "Well, I see that some among these researchers are quite cultured." Romulan@annpc#557 | Comm Officer: "Still no response, Admiral." Romulan@annpc#557 | Haelhen: "They would have responded if they could. Either they're in trouble or already dead." Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "If they're dead, we may still be able to find something of use among their research. We've come all this way, have the landing team proceed." Nikki@crystyl:"Then it's on to the next phase of our operation here. We'll have to get feet on the ground" Romulan@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "Landing team is assembling in the transporter room now." Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "When they're ready, lower a slight window in our shields, only long enough for them to transport down to the site identified by the Viahranen." Romulan@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "Understood, Admiral." --- NPC@annpc#557 | On the Latenter bridge, Victoria reports, "Commander, Reldak has stood down and his ships are returning to formation. Eirril wants to speak to you in the cell room, though." Mischa@crystyl nods, "As expected. Continue monitoring things up here" Mischa@crystyl heads out NPC@annpc#557 | Down in the cell room, Eirril works away at the large central console, with multiple monitors around him Mischa@crystyl strolls in, "Seems the Romulans just had a little change of heart out there. What are the odds..." she smiles NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril turns and smiles back, "It wasn't too hard to get the Star Serpents on side with the cartel firmly in our grasp. This'll give Nikki a small boost to her forces as well. Not much since - NPC@annpc#557 - the Serpents are primarily ground forces. They have an old T'Liss and some armed freighters, good enough for some deep space robberies but not much of a match against military ships." NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "Still, something is better than nothing, and ground forces'll come in useful if Vitellius gets troops planetside." Mischa@crystyl:"And most importantly; our crumpet remains intact" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "Our what?" Clearly, Victoria didn't share Mischa's wise metaphor with him... Mischa@crystyl chuckles, "Just something we were discussing earlier. How is fleet morale now?" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "From what I can tell, still nervous about the upcoming confrontation, but much better than before. I didn't ask to talk to you just to discuss my success though- I'm not /that/ vain," - NPC@annpc#557 - he smirks Mischa@crystyl:"Ok, what's on your mind?" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril taps on his console, and the image of a Cardassian man shows up on one of his screens, "This is self-proclaimed 'Gul' Selesk. One of the few other mercenaries who's answered Imaella's - NPC@annpc#557 - offer. Most of them are either already bought out by Vitellius or want no part in this conflict." Mischa@crystyl:"You have something on this Gul?" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "Oh I have a lot of things on this Gul. He used to be a part of the Network. He was a junior member of the Obsidian Order when it disbanded and was unable to acclimatize himself to the - NPC@annpc#557 - new Cardassian society following the war. It was no surprise he joined the old Scryer. What's strange though is that the last I heard of Selesk, he refused our offer to join and we believe he - NPC@annpc#557 - was among those recruited by this mysterious Survivor organization. And now he suddenly appears in Romulan space, exactly where we are conducting an operation. That's a little unusual, don't - NPC@annpc#557 - you think?" Mischa@crystyl:"You know how I feel about coincidences..." NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "Exactly why I brought this to your attention." Mischa@crystyl:"We'll have to keep a close watch on this one" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril nods, "Agreed. He flies a heavily modified Jem'Hadar attack ship from the Dominion War, outfitted with a state-of-the-art cloak. He's expected to arrive soon." Mischa@crystyl:"Keep me posted on his activity" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "Will do, Commander." --- Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Serenity and Yuzuki beams down with one Centurion Elev and three of his Romulan soldiers. The soldiers all carry sheathed short swords, but are primarily holding old-fashioned projectile - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - weaponry. Elev and one soldier have a shotgun in hand, while the other two are wielding automatic rifles. Yuzuki has a projectile pistol on her belt as well, along with the dual blades she used - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - in the fight with the subspace being during their last encounter Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The group materialize on the surface of a rocky planet, facing what seems to be a cavern entrance sealed by a door of clearly Romulan design Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "We seem to be in the right place. Poorly as the Viahranen crew did against that subspace thing, they did get us accurate intel." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris steps up to the door. As expected, it doesn't open Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Soldier: "No access panel anywhere." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris smirks, "Access panel? Who needs an access panel?" She takes out a cylindrical device from her jacket, placing it on the door. The cylinder projects a holographic interface, which she begins to - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - tap away at Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Hm. They've got good security. Only to be expected for a Tal Shiar hideout I suppose, but I'm still impressed." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "Can you get us in?" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Oh yes. Just give me a few moments, it's taking a bit longer than I expected." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | As Yuzuki works away, Elev hangs back and lets her do her thing, looking to Serenity instead Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "Is it true that you fight pretty much exclusively with your sword?" Serenity@crystyl:"No, I fight absolutely exclusively with my sword - there is no pretty much in it" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "Not just against these creatures, against enemies with disruptors as well?" Serenity@crystyl:"Of course" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "You must be good. And /fast/." Serenity@crystyl:"Yes, I must. Else I would never have survived training" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "Well, I look forward to seeing you in action, then." Serenity@crystyl:"You shouldn't" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "And why's that? You're on our side, aren't you?" Serenity@crystyl:"Yes. But if my blade gets drawn here today, that means we have found ourselves against an enemy who has already bested you with your ranged weapons. If you see my blade drawn, it may likely be the - Serenity@crystyl:- last thing you see, that is why I do not want to see you desire of witnessing it fulfilled as I bare you no ill will" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "Good point. After the damage a single one of those things did, I sure hope there aren't any more of them here. Though hopefully our new non-energy weapons'll even the odds out a little - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - more." Serenity@crystyl:"That would be a better thing to hope for" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The door slides open and Yuzuki turns back to the group, "There we go. Time to see what's in there..." Serenity@crystyl heads over ready to follow in Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "I'll take point. Serenity and Lyirru stand beside me, be ready to engage the enemy at close quarters. Nemisa and Ameh, move in behind us and be ready to lay down covering fire. S'Herak, - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - cover our rear." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev readies his shotgun and moves in... Serenity@crystyl nods to Elev and follows Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Something is clearly wrong the moment they step into the facility. Several of the lights are out, and one of them can be seen flickering erratically in the distance. In the few seconds when - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - that light is on, a smattering of green, Romulan blood is visible on one of the walls Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"So much for our hopes of finding the researchers alright..." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris draws her swords, ready for confrontation Serenity@crystyl looks Elev, "It appears you may get your wish after all. I'm sorry" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "Be alert, everyone." He taps his wrist communicator, "This is Centurion Elev to Kaishaasi. We have signs of a struggle and likely hostiles loose within the base." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris <C - Imaella> "...continue in-... search... -liminate threat... necessar..." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "You're breaking up, Admiral." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris takes out a tricorder, tapping on it while still maintaining a hold on her weapons, "The same materials that makes this base invisible to sensors is interfering with comm signals as well. We - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - probably won't have any contact with them further in. If you want to call for reinforcements, we should head back out." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "We all know what the creatures are capable of. Sending all our troops in here'll just mean more bodies. A smaller and more elite team like ours is the better call. If we can't make it - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - inside, it's not worth throwing more soldiers at this base. The Admiral'll raze it and we move on." Serenity@crystyl:"That is a sound summary, I concur" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "Let's keep moving, then." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Check the ceilings and any maintenance accessways. These beings are sneaky, and the last one got the drop on us from above." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The group press on, the soldiers proceeding cautiously and professionally, checking every corner. Soon, they come across the blood splatter and not far from it, a body in Tal Shiar uniform Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "Must be one of the researchers." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris kneels over the body, running her tricorder over it, "Killed by bladed weaponry. Higher concentration of silicon in the dried blood around the wound. They're definitely here." Serenity@crystyl:"We have no idea how many, so it may be prudent to section everything off like you did before in order to track them down" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "We've got to gain control of the facility's systems first. Look for access consoles, anything we can use to get into the systems here." Serenity@crystyl mutters into her sleeve, "There are consoles everywhere though, how do I tell a systems access one from the rest? Better not say anything though. I'll just play it cool like always" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris chuckles, "Don't worry, we'll handle the technical work. You don't get much technical training, do you?" Serenity@crystyl:"There is not a lot of technology at the sanctuary, so no" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Well, you had more time to dedicate to your martial training this way. That's why you're so good with the sword." Serenity@crystyl:"Very much so, yes" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Most people outside your order spread their time over a variety of skills. They tend to have a set career and relevant skills they're very experienced at, but there are few who are as dedicated to - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - a single skill as you are. That level of dedication is rare and very valuable." Serenity@crystyl:"That is why there are so few us, and why we only swear our blades to the most worthy of causes" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris smiles, "We're glad to have you with us, Serenity." Serenity@crystyl:"It was the Empress' wish that I accompany you here. We should expedite this outing so that I can return to protecting her" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "There. That console looks like it has system access." Serenity@crystyl:"I was just about say that, good spot" Serenity@crystyl smiles to herself, "Cool like always" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris chuckles and nods to Serenity, "We'll get this wrapped up as soon as we can." Serenity@crystyl:rolls 18 (1-100) Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:rolls 87 (1-100) Goto Yuzuki@anncaris spots something as they head towards the console. She holds Elev back, warning, "Above us!" Serenity@crystyl clasps the hilt of her blade, ready to react Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev raises his shotgun, opening fire just in the nick of time as one of the blue creatures dives down at him. The shotgun pellets hit the being with full force, sending it crashing back into - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - the console and onto the floor. Wounded, it lets out another screech, but the team are all equipped with hearing devices this time which automatically cancel out the harmful soundwaves. The - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - screech has no adverse effect other than being an annoying sound. Elev fires again, silencing the creature and sending it tumbling back onto the console again. This time, it doesn't get back - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - up, but Elev fires a third shot point-blank into its head for good measure. It slowly begins to fade away into blue mist, as the one on the Kaishaasi did Serenity@crystyl:"I suspect that is not the only one here" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"I have a feeling it isn't either..." she steps up to the console, "...and the console's busted." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "Sorry. Had to kill the thing first before it killed us." Serenity@crystyl:"There are always other consoles" Serenity@crystyl:"There /are/ always other consoles, right...?" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"In a base like this, I'm sure there will be. Let's keep look-" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Another screech echos through the hall, and then another Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "Well, there's /definitely/ more than one." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The soldiers quickly take up positions, weapons raised and ready Serenity@crystyl also stands ready, but her sword remains sheathed Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | A nearby maintenance hatch flies open and another being leaps out. The soldiers open fire immediately. It screeches as it is hit by a few bullets, but it presses onwards, darting in an - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - erratic, zig-zag pattern. It manages to evade some shots, but a few more bullets and shotgun shells impact it. The being manages to make it to melee range but is already greatly weakened. As - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - it lunges, Yuzuki quite easily parries its strike, steps aside and plunges her other blade through its neck Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | While they take out this creature however, several more come into view, bursting out from other maintenance hatches or crawling in from other hallways. The soldiers are soon forced to spread - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - their fire in different directions, making it far less effective. They manage to take out another creature at range, but one of them close in with only minor injuries, knocking S'Herak's - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - shotgun out of his hands. The weapon clatters to the ground beside Serenity as the being is about to finish off the soldier with another blow aimed for his body... Serenity@crystyl leaps in to intercept the creature, lunging low and unsheathing her sword in a single sweeping strike that finishes high after slicing the creature in half Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | S'Herak gives her a nod of thanks before retrieving his shotgun and rejoining the fight. However, the creatures are clearly beginning to overwhelm the team around them. Two more make it to - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - melee range, with Yuzuki holding one of them off. Nemisa attracts the attention of the other with automatic rifle fire, pulling it away from Yuzuki and luring it into the sights of Elev's - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - shotgun. The two soldiers take it out, but the celebration is short lived as another creature dives in behind Nemisa. She manages to evade the blow, but receives a swipe on her leg that knocks - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - her down Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Nearby, Yuzuki lures the being into Ameh's line of sight and darts out of the way, giving him a clear shot. He takes it, landing a shot on the being's head and two more in the torso. However, - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - as he focuses on that being, another ambushes him from behind and he does not evade in time as he is stabbed through the chest. The now re-armed S'Herak finishes off the being with a blast - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - from his shotgun but it is too late for his comrade, and yet another one of them emerges from a tunnel, seeking to stab S'Herak in the back... Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "Fall back! There's too many of them!" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"We can't! They're coming from every direction!" Serenity@crystyl spins around, slashing at the one going for S'Harak Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | This time, the being is not in the middle of combat with someone else and completely unwounded, allowing it to react with its usual speed and parry the blow, before quickly moving into a - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - counterattack against Serenity Serenity@crystyl holds her ground, switching stances instead so quickly parry and counter Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The being manages to parry her attacks in turn, and the two seem to be locked in a stalemate when... Goto Yuzuki@anncaris ...suddenly a beam of energy shoots out from the maintenance hatch, striking the being in the back. It freezes, giving Serenity a chance to quickly finish it off Serenity@crystyl needs no invitation and promptly does so Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Serenity finishes the being and notices that the others around them are being taken out as well...by similar beings that are glowing a faint green instead of blue. They burst out of - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - maintenance tunnels or drop down from the ceiling but don't engage purely in melee combat. Instead, these green ones seem to be able to project beams of energy from their blade-arms, giving - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - them a significant advantage over the blues. The remaining soldiers and Yuzuki look around in confusion, weapons raised but not firing as what appears to be two factions of these beings tear - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - away at each other Serenity@crystyl:"I am uncertain what is going on now..." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris glances at Serenity, then back to everything around them, "You're not the only one..." Serenity@crystyl:"Should we continue to assist or use this distraction to relocate?" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The greens don't seem to be killing the blues, but are quickly subduing them and dragging them off...somewhere. One of the greens however is killed in the struggle Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev: "Let's get out of here. We can figure out why they're fighting one another when we're not in the middle of the fight!" He calls out as a streak of energy flies by near him Goto Yuzuki@anncaris nods, "This hall is clear! Come on!" Serenity@crystyl backs away, covering the group and not taking her eyes off the fighting Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | They retreat only a few steps before three of the greens turn to them, following the retreating group. As Serenity backs away, there is a clatter behind them and the team suddenly comes to a - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - stop. She finds herself back to back with Yuzuki Serenity@crystyl glances partway to see what's happened Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Serenity finds that the team's escape has been cut off by another green in front of the hallway. A second and a third are emerging from a maintenance tunnel and they find themselves surrounded - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - by six of the green beings. Elev lets go of the injured Nemisa, pointing his shotgun at the beings. Nemisa drops to her knee again, holding up her rifle as she kneels. S'Herak does the same - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - with his shotgun towards the three on Serenity's side Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Another green joins the trio on Serenity's side, but this one doesn't have arm-blades. Instead, it stands straight and tall, with fingered hands, albeit ones ending in sharp claws Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Clawed Green: "More Romulans. Good." Serenity@crystyl stands with her blade ready but held firm and regards the greens as a new encounter, challenging accordingly, "Choose to live" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Clawed Green: "You will not prevail if you battle us." Behind him, more greens join as the blues are all dragged off. "But I do not seek your deaths. You will notice that my people did not - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - attack you." Serenity@crystyl relaxes her stance a little, "Declaring your intention not to harm us can equate to choosing to live, very well then" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The clawed green gestures and the other greens lower their blade arms, "Come with me. I will take you to our leader." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Elev looks around, "I don't think we've got much of a choice, do we?" Serenity@crystyl:"We do not" she sheathes her blade Goto Yuzuki@anncaris sheaths her weapons as well, "I suppose we are going to their leader, then." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The clawed green turns and leads the way. The three that blocked the way behind them continue to follow, watching the team while only two at the front move to accompany the clawed one Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"So...why are you in conflict with the others?" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Clawed Green: "Our leader will explain." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Very well..." --- NPC@annpc#557 | On the Latenter, Mischa is called to the bridge as they pick up Gul Selesk's Jem'Hadar attack ship... Mischa@crystyl strolls in, "So what is our Gul up to?" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "That's what we're trying to figure out, actually. His ship decloaked a few minutes ago and he's opened up a communications channel with the Tarai, but I can't crack the encryption. - NPC@annpc#557 - His security is leagues above the Imperial Navy's." Mischa@crystyl steps over, "Theirs I can understand. But ours?" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria nods, "It's at least on par with ours, which is why it's so difficult to crack." NPC@annpc#557 | T'Fel: "We may not be able to listen in on his communications, but we are able to obtain scans of his ship. The Gul has made quite the modifications." Mischa@crystyl begins to work alongside Victoria, "That should be far beyond the capability of any organization he would associated with" glancing back, "What have you got T'Fel?" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "It /should/ be. The Scryer Network is good, but not that good." NPC@annpc#557 | T'Fel: "His ship still uses the frame of a Jem'Hadar attack ship, but most of the internal components have been heavily upgraded and altered. Other than the profile, it no longer reads as a - NPC@annpc#557 - vessel of Dominion design. The cloaking device is Romulan in origin. The warp nacelles contain integrated Borg technology, the impulse engines are of the same design as those employed on newer - NPC@annpc#557 - Klingon bird-of-preys. The polaron weaponry have been completely replaced with antiproton beams which appear to be based on Iconian technology, and the deflector has been overhauled with - NPC@annpc#557 - Arshai elements, not unlike the Jem'Hadar ships fielded by the Colonial Fleet. It's warp core appears to be that of a Starfleet Intelligence Incursion-class escort." NPC@annpc#557 | Nethay: "How did he get access to an SFI warp core?" NPC@annpc#557 | Hassan: "An Incursion-class was lost in the Hurq conflict near Cardassian space. The wreckage was never recovered." Mischa@crystyl:"Well at least we've solved one mystery. This Gul is definitely trouble, and not the kind I like" NPC@annpc#557 | T'Fel nods, "Agreed. His vessel may appear to be that of an outdated Dominion design, but with these modifications, it is capable of going up against the most powerful vessels of its weight - NPC@annpc#557 - range such as the QanwI'." NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "I wonder why he's come to support the loyalist fleet here. He's not in it for the money, that's almost certain..." Mischa@crystyl:rolls 62 (1-100) NPC@annpc#557 | As they talk, Mischa finally manages to break the encryption on the comm! Mischa@crystyl:"Ok, that... should... do it!" NPC@annpc#557 | On the console, Commander Dulmus' visage appears on one side, while a Cardassian Mischa recognizes as Gul Selesk from the dossiers appears on the other NPC@annpc#557 | Dulmus: "Very well, you may keep your reasons for joining us to yourself. Know that if you do betray us, even if we lose the battle, we are more than powerful enough to ensure that we bring - NPC@annpc#557 - you down with us." NPC@annpc#557 | Selesk: "If I wanted to stab you in the back, Commander, I would never have decloaked my ship! You're right to be cautious though; in this galaxy, you can never be certain of someone's true - NPC@annpc#557:- intentions. But I'm sure you've seen something of my record now. My specific goals are mine and mine alone to know, but everything I do, I gain some benefit from it. I've never really understood - NPC@annpc#557 - the fanatical, die-for-your-people types myself." NPC@annpc#557 | Dulmus: "Are you mocking our loyalty, or do you actually have something to say?" NPC@annpc#557 | Selesk: "Well as you said, I'm but a single raider. If I betray you, it's more than likely that I'll end up dead before the battle is over, regardless of who emerges victorious. That's not - NPC@annpc#557:- very self-interested behaviour now, is it? It would be smarter to stick with one side from the beginning. Is it so surprising that I would choose yours? Do you doubt yourself so much that you may - NPC@annpc#557 - perhaps think that by the very act of joining you, I am displaying uncharacteristically non-selfish behaviour?" NPC@annpc#557 | Dulmus: "Enough. Are you here to join us or insult us?" NPC@annpc#557 | Selesk: "To join you, of course. You were the one who prodded me about my motivation. I'm merely trying to resolve your doubts." NPC@annpc#557 | Dulmus: "I must be sure with someone of your reputation." NPC@annpc#557 | Selesk laughs, "Oh Commander, that's rich coming from an Imperial Romulan! I'm just as devious as anyone under your command. Which is why I think I'll fit right in!" NPC@annpc#557 | Dulmus: "Very well. Form up with Commander Reldak's light warbird wing. And we'll be keeping an eye on you." NPC@annpc#557 | Selesk: "As you wish, Commander." NPC@annpc#557 | The comm ends, and both sides of the conversation disappear from the console NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "I don't like it. He makes a good point- Vitellius has more pay to offer and better odds of victory, Joining Nikki's fleet doesn't make sense for someone who's as shrewd as Gul - NPC@annpc#557 - Selesk should be. A single ship is not much use if he plans to backstab the loyalists, but he still could be up to some sabotage." Mischa@crystyl:"It could be as simple as gathering intel on the fleet here" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "True. We can block any outgoing communications attempts from his ship if he tries to transmit any intel out. And I have a feeling the Romulans are going to question him if he tries - NPC@annpc#557 - to leave all of a sudden to deliver the intel." Mischa@crystyl:"It's about all we can do for now" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria nods, "We'll make sure to keep monitoring him. Between us and the Imperial Navy, someone has to catch it if he tries anything." Mischa@crystyl:"Let's just make sure it's us" NPC@annpc#557 | Victoria: "Understood, Commander." --- Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Back in the Tal Shiar base, the clawed green being and its two escorts stop outside a door Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Clawed Green gestures at the door, "She awaits you inside." Serenity@crystyl follows the others in Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The door slides open and the chamber beyond is dimly lit. As they all step inside, suddenly the door seals behind them and the green lights turn to full intensity to reveal two rows of cells - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - sealed by force fields lining both sides of the room. There are Romulans inside the cells, many of whom run up to the force fields upon seeing the new arrivals. The force fields to the right - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - of the room promptly flickers out. Two of the Romulans start to rush out when they are suddenly pulled to the back of the cells, and the team also feels the gravity shifting, pulling them down - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - towards the cells on the right... Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | S'Herak, still in the rearguard, turns to the door but finds it locked shut, then the team begins rolling into the cells despite their attempts to fight back, the gravity being too strong... Goto Yuzuki@anncaris and Elev grab onto the edges of their cells, but are soon pulled to the very end by the gravity as well. When all of them are fully inside, the force fields flicker back on and they feel the - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - gravity plating at the back of the room shut off, returning the gravity to normal. Serenity finds herself separated from the rest of the team in a cell with a male and female Romulan, both - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - wearing Tal Shiar uniforms Serenity@crystyl looks around, poised and on edge but struggling to find anything to do. Or attack Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The two Romulans in the cell with her move out from the back, with the male taking a seat on the bed, "Settle in. Not much you can do with your sword here in this cell." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The door slides open and the clawed green being steps in once again Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Clawed Green: "Ah, everyone is in their new rooms. Excellent. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Deception." Serenity@crystyl:"No kidding..." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris moves to the front of her cell, "Why lock us up? You seem to have done the same to the others of your kind, the blue ones." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Deception: "Not the same. Not quite." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | A door at the other end of the chamber slides open and another one of the beings that actually have hands steps through, though this one doesn't have the claws and is dressed in a lab coat, - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - looking much more Romulan if not for the glowing green, semi-translucent skin Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Deception: "Ah, and Curiosity is here. I am sure he would be more than happy to explain.” Serenity@crystyl:"Wait, I've heard this story from a passenger on the transport I took out of the colony. There are others called grumpy and sneezy too, right?" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Curiosity: "No...? There is not." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Deception: "Of course there are." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Curiosity: "Do not mind deception. Lying is in his name," Serenity@crystyl:"I thought Deception was his name? Now you're lying! I thought you were Curiosity. Damn, now I'm curious... ohhh, that's how it works" Serenity@crystyl totally doesn't get that it really isn't, but seems satisfied still Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Curiosity: "Not quite. We do not affect you. It is you that affect us." Serenity@crystyl:"We have already learned this. But you are not like the others we have discussed this with before - the blue ones" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Curiosity: "No, we are not. That is my handwork- green is a better look, wouldn't you say?" Serenity@crystyl:"Of course it does. But you also seem to be splitting the over exaggerated racial traits into individual focal points, whereas the blues are a bit of everything" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Curiosity smiles, "How very astute. The traits are different depending on who specifically imprints on us. The blues are the most common, the typical baseline for the Romulan people. I - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - imprinted on one of the scientists, a particularly curious individual, hence the name. But I was not always like this, either. We were all blues before, as you call them. This is my work, but - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - it is all Ambition's plan." Serenity@crystyl:"Of course it is..." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Deception: "I did not truly lie when I told you I would be taking you to see our leader. I just didn't clarify the circumstances under which you will be seeing her. Sit tight- Ambition will be - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - along shortly." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Curiosity: "Before then, I have a few questions for you. You are clearly not of this facility. You came here on a ship, did you not?" Serenity@crystyl:"I am under no obligation to satisfy you, curiosity. Explain your actions in imprisoning us and your intentions here. Then I will consider it" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Curiosity smiles, "That's Ambition's job. I just research. I suppose my questions shall have to wait until she gets here, then," he sighs, heading out as well --- Romulan@annpc#557 | As the two more coherent green beings exit the holding area, the force fields of the cell flicker slightly, though they don't turn off- it looks more like an adjustment in the field Serenity@crystyl notices but thinks nothing of it being as tech savvy as she is... Romulan@annpc#557 | The Romulan female in the cell with Serenity steps up beside her, "So, did you come here to help us, or to kill us?" Serenity@crystyl:"Have you done anything to threaten me?" she asks, turning Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "No. Well, not personally." Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "Our organization has gained quite the notoriety of late. Even more than usual, that is." Serenity@crystyl:"Really? Well, you have not threatened me therefore I have no reason to kill you" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "Good. Since you've still got your sword with you..." Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "Why are you here, then? Not many know of our location, and you don't look like a Hakhoallieu soldier." Serenity@crystyl:"That's because I am not one. And I here because my Empress commanded it" Serenity@crystyl probably isn't the best person in the group for the Tal Shiar to play Q&A with as they might realise by now Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "Empress? Surely you don't mean Sela." Serenity@crystyl:"I do not know who that is. I am sworn to Empress t'Rllaillieu of the Romulan Empire" Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "And I have no idea who that is, either. Clearly things have changed since our absence from the Star Empire." Serenity@crystyl:"Empress t'Rllaillieu recently claimed her birthright to make a stand against Vitellius the pretender" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "Vitellius. We have heard of that name through the monitoring channels, before we were locked up in here. We're scientists primarily, but we still have Tal Shiar technology." Serenity@crystyl:"Yes, the Empress came here out of concern for you when a nearby vessel picked up one of those creatures. The House you serve was abused by Vitellius, but rescued by the Empresses fleet" Romulan@annpc#557 Male nods, "So House Hakhoallieu informed the Empress of your location, and you've come to help?" Serenity@crystyl mutters into her sleeve, "Hakhoallieu... that's the name of the girl who was stood at the Empresses side when they tried to comm this place. Coincidence or...?" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "So there is a Hakhoallieu here." She glances to the male, "It seems you're right. If they're here to help, we should brief them on what occurred here. The others will probably be doing - Romulan@annpc#557 - the same in the other cells." Romulan@annpc#557 | Serenity however has not heard a sound from the other cells since the greens left, despite being able to beforehand Serenity@crystyl glances to the wall between cells at hearing that, "That flickering on the barrier. That was some sort of audio dampening?" Romulan@annpc#557 Male nods, "That's correct." Serenity@crystyl:"Then what is it you wish to brief me on?" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "You're wondering how these beings took over our facility, I imagine." Serenity@crystyl:"That, and what you want to brief me about" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "Well, the situation so far, so we can work our way out of here together. Hopefully." Serenity@crystyl:"That would be a sensible use of our time. Please proceed" she sits on the best, ready to listen Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "Well, this all began during a technical misalignment in one of our attempts to contact the Solanae. As you are no doubt aware, we aided the Iconians during the war, hence our notoriety." Serenity@crystyl mutters into her sleeve again, "From the context this seems to be common knowledge, I should just go with that for ease here" looking back and nodding, "Of course" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "You're...not aware of it?" Serenity@crystyl:"Damn, she noticed..." she nods, "I am still learning my way around" Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "Maybe I shouldn't have explained in such detail...well, now you know." Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "We weren't aware of what we were doing at the time. We never actively worked against the Romulan people. We took orders from above, and the orders told us which avenues of research to - Romulan@annpc#557 - pursue. Eventually, we began to contact the Solanae directly. We only found out what this meant after the war had ended; by then the Tal Shiar were in tatters and we didn't /have/ any orders - Romulan@annpc#557 - from above anymore." Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "But the Solanae were still interested in the results of our research, and we were in turn interested in the knowledge they possessed. So we continued working together." Serenity@crystyl:"Makes sense. And this led to the blue and green things?" Romulan@annpc#557 Female nods, "The first time was an accident. We meant to open a rift to the Solanae's domain, but instead that misalignment opened to the layer of subspace where these beings originate from. - Romulan@annpc#557:- One of them came through and our strongest psionic imprinted on it. Then it killed him, and four others, before we managed to capture it." Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "That's the one that calls itself Deception now. Back then it was blue, and pretty much feral." Serenity@crystyl:"Like the one I killed back on the ship..." Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "You had one on your ship?" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "They must have been in range when Curiosity powered up the rift, and one manifested there instead of in here." Serenity@crystyl:"Yes. The ship that it first appeared on was in this region when your subspace thing happened. When it returned to the fleet nearby, we boarded and I killed the creature" Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "It was the only one, and you've dealt with it?" Serenity@crystyl:"Yes" Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "Good. You know as well as I do how dangerous they are now." Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "Anyways, the second time we brought one in was not accidental. We had surmized that they were attracted to the individual with the highest esper rating, since our strongest psionic was - Romulan@annpc#557 - the one who imprinted on Deception." Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "We used our strongest remaining psionic to set up a lure and opened the rift again. This allowed us to capture the second without any casualties." Serenity@crystyl:"Clearly that did not last" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "The more contact these beings had with us, the more...refined they became. At this point, Deception had begun conversing with those of us that studied it, though it did not take on the - Romulan@annpc#557 - name yet. But do not be mistaken, they were still the exaggerated embodiment of our characteristics they always were. If anything, their enhanced ability of speech makes them more dangerous." Serenity@crystyl:"Yes, the blue had very limited speech though it was still coherent" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "At this point, we had successfully brought in the second one, Ambition, but it was not taking on the characteristics we desired. We had instructed the psionic that imprinted on it to - Romulan@annpc#557 - focus on loyalty and duty, but the being still had no desire to listen to any of our commands and had to remain caged." Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "So we tried a third time, with the least ambitious and manipulative of our number. We temporarily moved everyone else with a higher esper rating into the Solanae layer of subspace, so - Romulan@annpc#557 - there would be no one else to draw the being to. We also made contact with the Solanae, who were quite intrigued by our studies and provided us with all they knew of these beings to bolster - Romulan@annpc#557 - our research. Seeing what they were capable of, we sought to create an army from them, one we could offer to the Star Empire and redeem our reputation." Serenity@crystyl:"I don't understand. The sullied reputation was that of your larger organization, not this facility. Why did you need to redeem yourselves?" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "People do not always bother to make the distinction. And we did work to develop technology for our larger organization to use against our own people, even though we did not know that - Romulan@annpc#557 - was what they would be employed for. We contributed towards the Tal Shiar's actions indirectly, but for many that is enough to condemn us." Serenity@crystyl:"I think I understand. It is not unlike my reason for swearing my blade to the Empress" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "And your reason is?" Serenity@crystyl:"A fellow sister - one particularly dear to me - was killed by Vitellius. She had sworn to aid a Republic battalion and they moved to stop him before he could seize control of the Star Empire. Since- Serenity@crystyl:- news of her death reached the sanctuary, I have felt compelled to avenge her, and some of that is no doubt pride in the sanctuary" Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "I see. If we survive this, we will do all we can to aid your Empress- if she will have us." Serenity@crystyl:"I am certain she will be pleased to hear that. But yes, first we must regain control of your facility. The others with me - they said something about... system access consoles" Romulan@annpc#557 Female nods, "That will help, if we can reach them." Serenity@crystyl:"Then we must do so immediately" Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "I've tried, but I don't have any tools. Your team was brought in here with equipment- they didn't capture you but lured you into here. I don't suppose you have anything on you aside from - Romulan@annpc#557 - that sword?" Serenity@crystyl shakes her head, not unless you count my robe" Romulan@annpc#557 Male chuckles, "There's not much I can do with that. Give me your sword though- I might be able to pry open some panels and do something. I don't think I can shut down the force fields, but I - Romulan@annpc#557 - may be able to sabotage the gravity plating to give us a chance at rushing out when they next open the field." Serenity@crystyl 's eyes narrow and she clasps a firm grip on the hilt of her blade, quickly standing and drawing it to defend herself Serenity@crystyl:"Nobody wields this blade but me. With our current circumstances, I will allow you to direct its actions but no more" Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "Very well. I'll show you what I need to pry open, then." He moves to the back of the cell, pointing at a plate, "Start with this one." Serenity@crystyl eyes the panel, working out the best way to attack it before suddenly driving her blade downwards with both hands through the seam at the top most edge. Nothing happens for a moment, but then she - Serenity@crystyl:- splits the second blade and the force of the weapons parting pries the panel adge out Romulan@annpc#557 | The male widens his eyes at the weapon splitting, "An impressive design. Good thing you were the one doing the prying- I never thought it had such a function." Serenity@crystyl rejoins the blades and holds the hilt up, "That is not the only one" a slight glistening glass like bead is apparent right where the hilt meets the blade, "Genetic ident reader. Were you to have - Serenity@crystyl:- attempted to wield this, you would have promptly lost your hands" Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "Right. I shall remember not to pick it up if you drop it in a fight or something..." Serenity@crystyl:"That would be wise" she looks to the panel innards, "So does this help?" Romulan@annpc#557 Male nods, "Yes, yes it should. Thank you," He begins to get to work on the machinery beneath the panel. "I'll let you know if I need another panel removed." Serenity@crystyl looks around the edge where the forcefield is for anything else suitable to pry off. Her simple logic naturally concluding that forcefield controls would be right next to it Romulan@annpc#557 | Serenity sees a spot near the force field that seems pry-able Serenity@crystyl shrugs and gives it a bash like before Romulan@annpc#557 | A panel doesn't come loose. Instead, quite a significant section of the cell wall shakes dust down onto the bed Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "Great...let's hope we manage to break out so we don't have to stay here for much longer..." Serenity@crystyl frowns at the result, "It worked on the last one..." Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "I...believe that was connected to the ventilation system. And no, it's not large enough for a person to squeeze through, before you ask." Serenity@crystyl:"Then I shall continue my search" Romulan@annpc#557 Male: "There's no need, the force field systems aren't accessible from anywhere in here. Just...remove the panels I tell you to. I didn't build those cells, but I have a good idea of how they - Romulan@annpc#557 - work." Serenity@crystyl:"I do not see the value of being incarcerated like this. It is a most... frustrating waste of our time" Serenity@crystyl seems to continue searching anyway Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "I don't think bashing every wall is going to help. How about I fill you in on the rest of what happened while he works on the more technical business?" Serenity@crystyl:"There is more? Very well, learning everything about one's adversary prior to an engagement is always fruitful" Serenity@crystyl retakes her storytime seat on the edge of the bed Romulan@annpc#557 Female steps back over to the front of the cell, "The third one that we caught was less aggressive than the other two, and the one that eventually became Curiosity. It became coherent quicker - Romulan@annpc#557 - than the other two, but it still wasn't the soldier we hoped for. So we started experimenting with them more directly." Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "During this entire process, Deception was working its own plan. One of our researchers was the wife of the psionic that first attracted them, you see. And since Deception had touched - Romulan@annpc#557 - his mind before he died, it used this knowledge to convince her that the soul of her husband lived on inside it. She was very hostile to him at first, as you would expect of someone who has - Romulan@annpc#557 - killed a member of your family, but slowly Deception persuaded her that it was really her husband, and by the time we began to suspect what was happening, it was already too late. Deception - Romulan@annpc#557 - manipulated her to free him and immediately killed her before releasing the other two. They took over the facility, but they did not kill us all. They locked us in here." Serenity@crystyl:"To what end?" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "It was Ambition's idea. It, or she as they have taken to calling her since they took on names, have been periodically opening more rifts and bringing more of their kind here. We imprint - Romulan@annpc#557 - on them to begin with, then the greens capture them and turn them into others like them. They appear to have achieved what we were unable to- build an army." Serenity@crystyl:"So it is an invasion then" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "We don't know Ambition's full plan, but given her name, I would expect nothing less. As for why the greens are green, that was a result of our direct experimentation with them. We - Romulan@annpc#557 - used the Solanae's knowledge to alter their chemistry in an attempt to induce the traits we desired. It may have something to do with why the original three associate more heavily with one - Romulan@annpc#557 - aspect than the rest of them, but even with the data from the Solanae, much of it was trial and error. We know Curiosity is using our research to turn the new arrivals green as well, but - Romulan@annpc#557 - not directly into something like the first three. Whether that's intentional or he simply cannot replicate exactly what we did, I cannot say." Serenity@crystyl:"Then hopefully he can when he eventually shows himself" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "Maybe. What we managed to achieve with the first three was largely trial and error, as I said, so we do not know how exactly to replicate our work. Being one of the beings himself, - Romulan@annpc#557 - Curiosity may know better than us, or he may be just as clueless. We shall see. But our studies did reveal something that will be useful to us if we can make it out of this cell." Serenity@crystyl:"And that is?" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "These beings consist largely of tetryons, which are highly unstable, but they have some capability to stabilize it when in our space, allowing them to exist here. This stabilization is - Romulan@annpc#557 - not fully understood, but they seem to have some control over it. The greens have learned to release unstable tetryons in a blast similar to tetryon-based energy weaponry, and I saw one of - Romulan@annpc#557 - them fall to a blue the other day. I didn't have a scanner on me, but it dissipated after death, and I think its tetryons must have destabilized." Serenity@crystyl:"Yes, we saw the same thing. So how does one typically go about destabilizing tetryons?" Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "By generating a subspace field with a specific harmonic designed to target the particular form of stabilized tetryon. Fortunately, our research has made us quite familiar with these - Romulan@annpc#557 - specific stabilized tetryons we are dealing with. If we can gain access to the deflector system being used to open the rifts, I can use it to form the necessary field around the facility to - Romulan@annpc#557 - purge the entire base of their presence." Serenity@crystyl:"Let me guess, doing so requires a system access console..." Romulan@annpc#557 Female: "Exactly. We-" she pauses as the door slides open, and the male Romulan quickly covers up the panel that was pried open just in time Romulan@annpc#557 | Deception and Curiosity step back into the room, this time led by the tallest of the three beings, which has also adopted the appearance of a female Romulan Romulan@annpc#557 | The fields flicker again, likely getting rid of the audio dampening Serenity@crystyl looks out to the new arrival, "Ambition, I presume?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "You presume correctly. You must have arrived on the ship that decloaked in the system and contacted us." Serenity@crystyl:"I do not recall us contacting you. We were attempting to reach these researchers" Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "Not us specifically, of course, but you sent a communication to this base, a communication which we received." Serenity@crystyl:"So now will you explain yourselves?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition glances to Deception, then back to Serenity, "Unlike Deception, I shall speak plainly. I require a starship. And you possess one." Serenity@crystyl:"Why?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Deception: "Because we do not wish to be confined to this facility. Now that we have had a taste of what your realm can offer us, we wish to see more, to experience as you do. We want to - Romulan@annpc#557 - live among you, we want to explore the universe and all it has to offer us." Serenity@crystyl:"I'm not talking to you, I will only accept the word of the others. With your nature revealed, everything you say will be treated with mistrust, thus making it pointless to even attempt your - Serenity@crystyl:- deceptions any further" Romulan@annpc#557 | Yuzuki: "Yes...never trust someone named Deception." Romulan@annpc#557 | Deception: "I suppose it makes it a little too obvious, doesn't it? I might take on one of your Romulan names, once I make it out of here. Thank you for the advice." Serenity@crystyl:"If you want advice, then I offer you this; stop making an enemy of the Romulan people you are forged from and now claim to be inspired by. You will find your goals much more easily attainable - Serenity@crystyl:- through more honorable means" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "I am not here to make an enemy of you. I said I require a starship, and you have the only one in range. I did not say I will take it by force. I am not beyond doing so, but it is - Romulan@annpc#557 - neither my first resort nor the most feasible approach." Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "Yes. You lower only a portion of your shields for the time required to transport your team to the surface. Even if Deception tricks you into sending down another team, or lowering - Romulan@annpc#557 - your shields to recover you, we would only have the opportunity to send one team on board your ship. Seeing as you have began to develop weaponry to fight us, that will not be enough to seize - Romulan@annpc#557 - control." Serenity@crystyl:"Yet your opening gambit was still to have Deception here mislead us, and then imprison in these cells" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "We imprisoned you for our own safety. We know the researchers have devised a means to purge this facility of us. If you found it, you may have destroyed us." Romulan@annpc#557 | Deception: "As for why I deceived you...well, it is in my nature, and it was the most effective way of reducing your threat without sacrificing our own." Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "That is not a lie, though I did not instruct Deception to do this. He acted of his own accord." Serenity@crystyl:"And what of you Ambition? If you speak the truth, then this grand ideal you preach of exploring our realm does not tally with the way you have been bolstering your numbers here" Romulan@annpc#557 | Deception: "We are not bolstering our numbers. We need additional tetryons from our own realm to continue to survive, otherwise we will wither and eventually fade away. More coming through is - Romulan@annpc#557 - simply a byproduct, and we cannot leave them to rampage, so Curiosity changes them." Serenity@crystyl:"All the more reason to work with us instead of doing what you've been doing" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "Again, not entirely a lie. We do require the occasional rift to survive. But bringing others through is also not a happy coincidence, otherwise we would have killed all the - Romulan@annpc#557 - scientists here so there would be nothing to attract them. We are bringing them through for our own reasons. I am not certain on Deception's; perhaps he truly only wishes for the - Romulan@annpc#557 - revitalization. Curiosity desires more subjects for his experimentations, and I gain an army in the process." Serenity@crystyl:"Exactly as I thought. An army is not a prerequisite to exploration, but it /is/ what the researchers here were all working to achieve when they encountered you" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "That is correct. I have promised to speak candidly, and I shall. I know of the glory that the Romulan Star Empire once was, and I seek to achieve such glory for myself and my own - Romulan@annpc#557 - people. But the galaxy is a vast place, and the entire universe even larger. I do not have to make an enemy of the Empire that inspired my desires." Serenity@crystyl:"These researchers sought to create an army /for/ that Empire. Does your desire not extend to that? They are all devout and loyal Romulan citizens after all, so that Romulan pride should be a big - Serenity@crystyl:- part of each of you, no?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "I am Ambition. My desire has outgrown the intentions of these researchers. That said, I do not expect you to agree to assist us with no benefit to yourself. We are aware that you - Romulan@annpc#557 - are in the midst of a conflict. I am willing to lend my forces to whichever side you support. Once you are victorious, you will grant me ships. They do not have to be warbirds. I will settle - Romulan@annpc#557 - for cargo freighters and transports, as long as they are capable of warp travel. We will depart for somewhere far from Romulan space, where I will build my own empire." Serenity@crystyl:"It is not my place to make such arrangements. But we are here at the behest of the rightful Empress of the Star Empire, and she most certainly can" Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "Is she on the ship which contacted the facility earlier?" Serenity@crystyl:"She is reachable through communication channels" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "Good. Then we shall contact her. You will come with us, so she can see that you are alive and unharmed." Romulan@annpc#557 | Deception steps forward, tapping on a control panel outside and deactivating the field, "Keep your weapon. You have faced us before. You know you will not likely overcome the three of us at - Romulan@annpc#557 - once, and there are more of us nearby." Serenity@crystyl:"Very well" she focuses on Deception, "Just know that if you do /anything/ to threaten my Empress, then your entire summoned army will not be enough to keep my blade from you" she glowers before- Serenity@crystyl:- looking into the other cell/s to check on everyone else Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "You do not need to worry. In our current capacity, I don't think we can even harm her." Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "And as long as Deception is not the one striking the deal, I promise there shall be no trickery." Romulan@annpc#557 | Everyone else still seems to be in their cells, alive and well. Nemisa's is in the same cell as Elev, and her injury seems to have been treated Serenity@crystyl turns back, "Be sure that remains the case, and I am confident that both parties can reap great rewards from this. Let us contact the Empress then" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "Come with us, then." Deception reactivates the field as Ambition leads the way, with Curiosity and Deception following along behind Serenity and keeping an eye on her --- NPC@annpc#557 | Meanwhile on the Latenter, Mischa is called down to the cell room again... Mischa@crystyl strolls in, "So what have we got?" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "This isn't about Selesk, but I have been trying to track his movements in the meantime as well. We've got fairly detailed records of his activities when he was under the banner of the - NPC@annpc#557 - Network, but nothing that sheds any light into what he might be doing here. It does offer some nice insight into his modus operandi, though. But after the death of the Cardassian Scryer, he - NPC@annpc#557 - largely fell off the grid, showing up here and there on occasion, but we have no idea what he was doing in these places." Mischa@crystyl:"I'm sure you didn't ask me down here just to recap what we don't know" she smiles a little NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril smiles back, "Of course not. Remember the doctor we were planting on Mantilles to check out the Halls?" Mischa@crystyl:"Of course" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "Well, he's in place and we have confirmation. Both of Halls' parents are not human, but have undergone species reassignment surgery to appear human and masquerade as the Halls." Mischa@crystyl:"Excellent! Do we have a positive ID on their true species?" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "He believes they're Orions. He's fairly certain that Linda Hall is Orion due to the Laruva Syndrome and the other signs of the surgery. Jacob is harder to say, he's definitely been - NPC@annpc#557 - made shorter than he was originally, and he's not Klingon or Nausicaan or another ridged species, but he could be another tall, non-ridged species." Mischa@crystyl:"A curious development indeed. The Orions are no strangers to espionage, but this seems beyond them" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "Exactly. And even if this is the work of Orions, they have nothing to gain from replacing already retired Starfleet personnel. It also doesn't explain why Ashley Hall, who is the - NPC@annpc#557 - the actual human daughter of the original human Halls according to multiple Starfleet medical evaluations, was conducting the sabotage on the Challenger." NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "If she was an undercover Orion, that would make sense. But as far as we can tell, she's not, and never gave any sign of being one." Mischa@crystyl:"She is definitely an anomaly in the pattern so far as we see it" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "Since we are right about the Halls and those remains we identified, that means we might be right about many of the other people we suspect. Which means a significant number of retired - NPC@annpc#557 - Starfleet personnel, present and past, that have been replaced, but only after retirement. Perhaps..." Mischa@crystyl:"Perhaps...? NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "We found the Halls and this whole replacement business through Ashley Hall, who tried to sabotage Coalition efforts in the Sphere and was extracted by one of the mysterious temporal - NPC@annpc#557 - vessels when she was discovered. So these replacements must be connected to the future ships and whatever they're up to, right?" Mischa@crystyl:"A reasonable assumption" she nods NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "And more recently, the Aethon reports shows one of the future ships has the quantum signature of the alternate universe you, T'Lana and Ori visited. Even before then we've suspected - NPC@annpc#557 - that they might belong to a future version of the Coalition from the technology they possess. If we assume they are from the Coalition of that reality, then they would contain Federation - NPC@annpc#557 - species. They'd have a different quantum signature, but...would their children born in this universe have it? Especially if they start mixing with the local population here, it might become - NPC@annpc#557 - impossible to tell them apart from the people native to our universe." Mischa@crystyl:"Your theory is sound. But without proof it is just that; a theory" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril nods, "I was just thinking that maybe these replacements /aren't/ infiltrators. Maybe the original Federation species they replaced are the infiltrators, and that explains why people - NPC@annpc#557 - are being planted as ex-Starfleet rather than current Starfleet officers. This might not be an infiltration we're looking at- it could be a cover-up /for/ an infiltration." Mischa@crystyl:"That is certainly... imaginative. But what would be their motivation to cover up such a thing, and who are the real infiltrators?" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "I...hadn't gotten to that part of the theory yet," he chuckles. "I mean, why wouldn't the real infiltrators just retire and save all this covering up? Maybe they have different - NPC@annpc#557 - missions to be sent on? I know many of the people we suspected to have been replaced actually retired fairly early, before the usual retirement ages, but it's also not unheard of for people to - NPC@annpc#557 - join the fleet looking for experience and excitement in their youth and then quit after a single tour for a different career..." NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "So that on their own is certainly not cause for suspicion." Mischa@crystyl:"So as usual, an answer just leads to more questions" she smiles, "It is the undying allure of our trade, after all. So where can we steer this investigation from here?" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "We could grab the Halls, confront them directly. It'll tip them off that we're onto their operations, so it's risky. But on the other hand, they know the Coalition's onto them by now. - NPC@annpc#557 - They might not know specifically that we're onto these replacements, but after what Hall did, it probably wouldn't surprise them if someone went after her parents for answers." Mischa@crystyl:"It is certainly a consideration, but I would prefer not to run such a delicate operation through proxies, and our attention is required here for the moment" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril nods, "A more passive approach would be to keep watching, see if anyone comes to contact them or anything. But that may or may not yield any results, especially if they're part - NPC@annpc#557 - of the cover-up and not field operatives. They haven't come into contact with anyone interesting yet, at least, other than the expected Starfleet Security investigation into their daughter's - NPC@annpc#557 - actions." Mischa@crystyl:"Then that is what we shall do. For now. Once matters are in hand here, we can look to taking them on more directly" NPC@annpc#557 | Eirril: "I'll keep them under observation for now, and keep you informed if anything else interesting comes up." Mischa@crystyl nods, "Keep up the good work” --- Romulan@annpc#557 | On the bridge of the Kaishaasi, the crew monitors the planet carefully, but is unable to do much as contact is quickly lost with the away team as they travel deeper into the base. They wait - Romulan@annpc#557 - for what seems to be a long while for any updates, then... Romulan@annpc#557 | Comm Officer: "Admiral, we have communications from the base." Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "From the base itself, not the landing team's own communicators?" Nikki@crystyl:"Perhaps they have secured things already" Romulan@annpc#557 | The comm officer nods, "It's coming from the same area we targeted our communications towards by Haelhen's instruction, which I presume is where the base's comm array is hidden." Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella nods at Nikki's comment, "Most likely they've commandeered the base's comm system and are checking in. Put them through." Romulan@annpc#557 | The comm officer taps her console. A second later, four figures appear on the viewscreen. One of them is unmistakably Serenity and the other three resemble Romulans, but with glowing green, - Romulan@annpc#557 - almost translucent skin Nikki@crystyl leans forward, tensing at the sight for fear of what it means to see only Serenity and the strange beings Romulan@annpc#557 | The central figure, who appears roughly feminine, speaks, "I am Ambition. These are my...brothers, Deception and Curiosity." Nikki@crystyl | Serenity: "And I am Serenity" following suit Nikki@crystyl eyerolls a little at her Romulan@annpc#557 | Deception: "We have brought her here to show you that your people remain unharmed." Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "We have not harmed them, at least. One of your soldiers fell to the ferals. Unfortunate, but at least we were able to preserve the others." Nikki@crystyl:"I'm sorry, the 'ferals'?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "Those of us who have just been imprinted on and not yet gained the more coherent minds we possess." Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "They should all be secured now, and we will not open another rift at this moment." Nikki@crystyl | Serenity whispers to the viewscreen using the back of her hand to shield her mouth from the side visible to the aliens, "Those are the blue ones" Nikki@crystyl gives an equally unsubtle nod and wink of gratitude to Serenity for the 'discrete' heads-up Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "You are the Empress this one spoke of, I presume?" Nikki@crystyl nods, "I am she. What is it that you want exactly?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "We seek to extend you an offer." Nikki@crystyl:"Funny, because this reads much more like a hostage taker set up to make demands. But by all means, let us hear this offer" Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "We have captured your people, yes, but only to ensure our own safety." Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "We seek to leave this place and build an empire of our own. Away from yours, of course. To do so, we require transportation, starships. We also know that you are in the midst of a - Romulan@annpc#557 - conflict." Nikki@crystyl:"I am yet to hear the offer in all of this" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "We will aid you in your conflict. Once you have emerged victorious, you will grant us ships. I do not ask for your warbirds, merely freighters and transports so we may travel - Romulan@annpc#557 - elsewhere in the galaxy, where we will not disturb the Romulan people. This is an arrangement we will both benefit from." Nikki@crystyl:"And exactly how will you sustain this new empire of yours with just the few of you?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "There are more than three of us. Enough at the moment to assist you in your conflict. Not enough to rule an empire yet, of course, but we shall open new rifts when we have - Romulan@annpc#557 - additional space, to bring more of our kind through to experience this universe." Nikki@crystyl:"And what happens when your newly chosen territory grows boring to you, or when you bring through so many that its borders are no longer sufficient? Even if you are far away enough not to impede on- Nikki@crystyl:- our territory, what of that of our allies around the galaxy? Your plan is short sighted at best" Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "And what would you suggest?" Nikki@crystyl:"At the moment, I would suggest less rash thinking on your part. These are rudimentary political machinations that any species active in this galaxy must contend with, and you have clearly not even - Nikki@crystyl:- considered them yet. So I suggest thinking about how you plan to coexist alongside the rest of the galactic community, because your current methods will not suffice to overpower all in your path" Nikki@crystyl | Serenity chimes in, "Ambition, if I may add something?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition nods, "Go on." Nikki@crystyl | Serenity looks to the screen: "There is more to these beings' existence, my Empress. As tetryon based life, they naturally destabilize over time here. Currently they are offsetting this by - Nikki@crystyl:- periodically summoning and consuming more of the ferals - the blue ones. I don't understand the science of it all, but the researchers here know this stuff better than anyone according to - Nikki@crystyl:- themselves, at least. Before looking at long term settlement arrangements with these beings, I think helping find a way to stabilize their existence here first would be a more measured - Nikki@crystyl:- compensation for their services to the Empire" Nikki@crystyl considers, looking back to Ambition, "Is what she says accurate?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "More or less," she looks to Curiosity to elaborate Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "We are not 'consuming' the ferals, but converting them to more like us. We are, however, drawing the additional tetryon particles that come through during each rift opening in - Romulan@annpc#557 - order to sustain ourselves. All things need new energy to survive. You require air, water and food. Your technology requires power, whether from artificial singularities or matter-antimatter - Romulan@annpc#557 - reactions. We may be very different from anything in your universe, but we are not exempt to this basic rule of existence." Nikki@crystyl:"I understand. But in essence it would seem Serenity is correct; in order to sustain yourselves, you need to keep drawing more of your kind through the rift?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "Not necessarily. We must keep /opening/ rifts. We are drawn to the neural energies of your kind because they are unlike anything we have ever seen before. If there are any of your - Romulan@annpc#557 - kind present when we open a rift, more of us will inevitably come through, like moths to a flame." Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "That is why one came on board your ship." Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "But should we open a rift where you are not present, we can obtain sustenance without drawing more through. But to do so, we also require starships." Romulan@annpc#557 | Deception: "Or to eliminate an area of life with significant enough neural energy. Which I assume is not preferable." Nikki@crystyl:"I believe I understand more now, thank you for clarifying. It is still an interesting situation, and I can't help but believe that the allure of drawing more of your kind over to grow your empire - Nikki@crystyl:- one day would prevail. Which brings us back to my earlier considerations" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition nods, "I am Ambition. It is my nature." Nikki@crystyl:"I have heard your request and will take the matter under advisement. We will be in touch again shortly once a decision has been made" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "We have sufficient energy not to require another rift opening for some time. We shall wait." Nikki@crystyl nods to the comm officer to close the channel before turning to the Admiral, "Well..." Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "We could use more forces against Vitellius. They may not have starships, but they are formidable in boarding situations, especially against unprepared enemies who rely on their - Romulan@annpc#557 - energy weaponry. Though I am not blind to the dangers of releasing such beings into the galaxy after the war. That is, assuming they keep their word and do not simply betray us in the midst of - Romulan@annpc#557 - battle to pursue their own goals." Nikki@crystyl:"Which I think is all too likely" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "We need some method to ensure their loyalty, at least when they're on board our ships. A failsafe that can target them. Perhaps the scientists will know more. I suggest negotiating - Romulan@annpc#557 - for the release of the scientists first as a token of their good will. They can keep our team as insurance. We will see what the scientists know and work from there." Nikki@crystyl:"Perhaps Serenity's thought about destabilizing tetryons could be of use there. Sometimes I can't help but wonder if she's actually a lot more astute than she lets on you know..." Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "Perhaps..." She turns to the science officer, "Could we use that to our advantage?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Science Officer: "I believe so. Stabilized tetryons can be destabilized again by exposing them to a subspace field of a specific harmonic, but we need to know exactly what subspace harmonic to - Romulan@annpc#557 - use to target these beings." Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "Which is something the researchers in the base might know." Nikki@crystyl nods Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "We can get the scientists back, set up the failsafe and agree to their deal, using this subspace field as leverage to hold them to their word. As for what happens after the war is - Romulan@annpc#557 - over...well, we probably have some time to figure that out. The only other option is wiping them out here and now, but that probably means sacrificing our ground team and losing a potential - Romulan@annpc#557 - army. Not exactly an ideal solution." Nikki@crystyl:"I'm not willing to make false promises on this scale as it could end up drawing an even greater war upon our people once Vitellius is dealt with. But perhaps they would be open to a counter - Nikki@crystyl:- proposal..." Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "And that is?" Nikki@crystyl:"A consideration to disarm and handover any remaining Zauger vessels once the conflict is over. Further to that, rather than setting them loose on the galaxy unchecked we adopt them into the new - Nikki@crystyl:- regime here with their own territory to do with as they see fit" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella nods, "So we can keep an eye on them. I like it. Let's see if they're amenable to it." Nikki@crystyl looks over to the comm officer again, "Reopen the channel" Romulan@annpc#557 | The comm officer nods and taps on the console. The three beings and Serenity reappear on the viewscreen Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "What is your decision, Empress?" Nikki@crystyl:"I am not willing to simply hand over a number of starships to a species new to this galaxy to then send you on your way without a further thought. That said, you are - to some extent at - Nikki@crystyl:- least - as Romulan as we are, so I would not turn my back on you any more than I would one born on Romulus itself. It is already clear that your lack of understanding when it comes to rudimentary - Nikki@crystyl:- inter-species interactions will inevitably result in conflict which - even if not directly with us - will still harm a great many, including yourselves. So I have an alternative proposal for you, - Nikki@crystyl:- if you will hear it" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "We are still very new to your realm of existence. What little we have learned, we have gained from touching the minds of the researchers here." Romulan@annpc#557 | Curiosity: "Who are quite knowledgeable, just not quite in the area of political nuances." Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "Tell us your alternative proposal." Nikki@crystyl:"Join us fully - not just for the conflict - but become a part of the new Romulan Empire. We are rebuilding it from nothing, so it is not like you would simply be absorbed into a larger entity, but - Nikki@crystyl:- rather be a part of that new entity from it's origin. The old territory is vast - far more so than our numbers can ever hope to fill, and we continue to colonize more distant worlds anyway. So you- Nikki@crystyl:- can still create your own sovereign state within the old Romulan territories as your own. In return, we will always be with you - to help and guide as you continue to explore this realm, hopefully- Nikki@crystyl:- collaborate as well. Our scientists will work to optimize your stabilization here, and as for ships; our enemy in this conflict has recruited a third party who do not belong here - the Zauger. - Nikki@crystyl:- When the conflict is resolved to our satisfaction, we will consider disarming and handing over those Zauger vessels to furbish your growing presence" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition considers for a moment, then nods, "That is acceptable, so long as you shall provide us enough room to grow within your territories." Nikki@crystyl:"Naturally the details will need to be refined as we approach that time and are able to assess things more thoroughly. But know that as long as you remain a loyal state within the new empire, then - Nikki@crystyl:- your existence will not be confined to those borders and you will - in time - be able to explore and even colonize the rest of the galaxy alongside your Romulan brethren" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition nods, "We accept. How shall we proceed with departing this facility?" Nikki@crystyl:"If you would first release the researchers native to the facility back to our ship, they can bring everyone else up to speed on any specifics required. Our team who recently arrived can remain with- Nikki@crystyl:- you for the moment, so you have some insurance that this is not a deception to quickly win you over. We may have to wait for an additional vessel to arrive to take you on board, depending on what - Nikki@crystyl:- the researchers say" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "Very well. We shall release the researchers." She gestures to Curiosity, who steps offscreen Nikki@crystyl smiles, "Thank you, though your start in this realm may not have been the easiest, I am increasingly confident of a bright future for us. One more thing though... what should we call you, besides - Nikki@crystyl:- your individual stated names I mean?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "You refer to...our species, as you would call them?" Nikki@crystyl:"Yes, and if you have any further method of identity beyond those given names. Perhaps more a point of curiosity to us at this stage, but if such elements are already present then we would prefer to- Nikki@crystyl:- learn now and get them right, than to make the mistake of not knowing them when it could offend our new friends" she smiles Romulan@annpc#557 | Ambition: "Such concepts are alien to us in our natural state of existence, and we have only begun to explore them here. However, the researchers in this facility were comparing us to another - Romulan@annpc#557 - type of subspace life they are familiar with, which they call the Solanae due to the fact that they are based on a molecule called Solanogen. The presence of tetryon is not unique to us, but - Romulan@annpc#557 - the presence of the substance you know as Istvaenen apparently is. The researchers have taken to calling us 'Istvaennsu.' I believe that will make for a suitable name." Nikki@crystyl smiles again, "It has a suitably Romulan ring to it as well. Very good then, Istvaennsu it is" Romulan@annpc#557 | Ops Officer: "We are receiving transporter beams from the base." Romulan@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "Shall I lower shields?" Nikki@crystyl nods, "We'll have to if we're to let them make this show of faith after inviting it. Just remain on high alert and be prepared to react on any deceptions" Romulan@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "Understood. Lowering a window in the shields to allow the transport through." Romulan@annpc#557 | The Ops Officer taps on his console, "Transporter Room Two has received several Romulans. They are in Tal Shiar uniforms and believed to be researchers from the base. More are continuing to - Romulan@annpc#557 - arrive." Nikki@crystyl:"Very good" she looks to Imaella, "You've been awfully quiet in all of this Admiral. I suppose now is the time for you to warn me about the unnecessary risk of all this?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "Well, diplomacy is your game," she smiles. "It's risky, but I have to admit it might be necessary. Vitellius has us outgunned, and while we're not getting any new ships out of this, - Romulan@annpc#557 - these Istvaennsu could be able to seize control of enemy ships and possibly turn the odds of any confrontation with Vitellius' forces." Nikki@crystyl:"Hopefully the researchers will have more detail on how they came to be - specifically these three leaders. If we can learn more about how their imprinting works, perhaps we can work with them to - Nikki@crystyl:- more effectively guide it as needed. In the short term, I think they could be just what we need to undermine the fleet bearing down on us. We get them in there, and not only can they decimate the- Nikki@crystyl:- forces on board, but leave the ships intact to be repatriated" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella nods, "I agree. I'll have Faedani debrief the scientists." Nikki@crystyl:"Thank you Admiral, let's do all we can to expedite things here. The sooner we're under way, the sooner we can intercept that fleet" --- Romulan@annpc#557 | A short while later, Imaella calls Nikki down to the intel room Nikki@crystyl joins them there shortly after, "Ladies" she greets Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella greets her with a bow, "Empress. It's as I hoped. The scientists were able to provide us with enough data to set up a failsafe, in case the Istvaennsu attempt to betray us. We can - Romulan@annpc#557 - form a subspace field around the ship that will destabilize their tetryons." Romulan@annpc#557 | Faedani: "And without studying them up close and in-depth, the Zauger won't know the specific harmonic to target, so as long as we make sure this data doesn't leak out, they'll be very - Romulan@annpc#557 - effective in boarding enemy vessels. We saw the damage just a single one was capable of doing to an unprepared crew." Nikki@crystyl:"Exactly what I was hoping to hear, this is good news all around" Romulan@annpc#557 | Faedani: "There is one...quirk, though." Nikki@crystyl:"Oh...?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Faedani: "The fact that they interfere with our sensors and energy weapons also means it's impossible for them to travel using our transporters. The way that one boarded us before was simply by - Romulan@annpc#557 - jumping out an airlock and crossing the void of space. They don't need an atmosphere to survive. I've asked the researchers to work on a way to transport them. It doesn't ruin our boarding - Romulan@annpc#557 - plans entirely, since we can have light warbirds make close passes at enemy ships and launch them out of the airlocks, but it would be good to have transporting them to an enemy ship whose - Romulan@annpc#557 - shields are down as an option." Nikki@crystyl:"Would our transports still not be detected?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Faedani: "If our ships are cloaked, yes. Launching them from airlocks will also be undetected, since they don't show up on sensors. The only way to track them is through the Istvaenen in their - Romulan@annpc#557 - bodies, but even if the Zauger know that, their external sensors aren't fine enough to detect the level of Istvaenen in a single individual moving through space." Nikki@crystyl:"Then it sounds like airlock release is still the preferred option" Romulan@annpc#557 | Faedani nods, "Should we still continue the transporter research, just for transportation convenience? Right now, we're going to have to bring them on board using multiple shuttle runs." Nikki@crystyl nods, "Yes, please continue" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "On the subject of bringing them on board, the scientists believe there's between one to two hundred Istvaennsu in the base now. Easily within our capacity to carry even on top of the - Romulan@annpc#557 - scientists themselves. It would be better to have them all on a single ship at least for now. If they do betray us, we only have to make sure to use the failsafe measure on one ship." Nikki@crystyl:"Your recommendation?" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella: "We carry them on the Kaishaasi back to the fleet for now, and keep them on here until the battle. We can prepare the light warbirds they'll be launching with beforehand with the - Romulan@annpc#557 - failsafe just in case, and maybe have them meet the Istvaennsu as well to get used to their presence." Nikki@crystyl:"Alright, let's make preparations accordingly then" Romulan@annpc#557 | Imaella nods, "I'll have the shuttles dispatched to start picking them up immediately." Romulan@annpc#557 | Faedani: "As for how their leaders became who they are now, I've received some fairly detailed accounts from the researchers..." Nikki@crystyl:"I want all the facts. When I ask them to explain, it will be useful to be able to tell when they are lying or holding back" Romulan@annpc#557 | Faedani: "That's the spirit. I'm glad you're someone with intel experience, Empress." She smiles --- Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Back outside the Tal Shiar research base, the last few Istvaennsu are leaving on the final shuttle run. As there is extra space, the away team hitches a ride as well, now returning to the ship - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - with no need to stay as insurance. Yuzuki follows Serenity into one of the shuttles Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Good work talking with them while we were locked up, Serenity. The Empress did all the formal negotiating, but I think your dialogue with them certainly helped." Serenity@crystyl:"I would be honoured to have aided the Empress in such a manner" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris smiles, "I think you've been of great assistance. First impressions are important, and you didn't alienate them. Your conversation with them was what made them amenable to negotiating and - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - allowed all this to be possible to begin with." Serenity@crystyl:"This is why my order is always forthright" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Your order would be very useful for diplomatic roles like this. Deception and knowing what to reveal and what to keep to yourself can be an important part of politics as well, but there are some - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - situations where everything would be easier if everyone just laid their cards on the table for everyone else to see." Serenity@crystyl:"And those situations when deception and withholding things are not so good a match I suspect" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"True. Does your order play any role outside the, well, serving others on the impossible tasks thing you do?" Serenity@crystyl:"Not outside of the immediate community" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"You help out with the immediate community around where your...what did you call it, sanctuary?" Serenity@crystyl nods, "Yes, we do what we can to aid the local community - share our agricultural provisions, provide aid where needed. That sort of thing" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"I see. Very helpful, but not quite as exciting as the missions you go on, so your order is better known for those." Serenity@crystyl:"That. And said missions take us off world and into the attention of others" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris nods, "While only the local community would be aware of what you're doing there, so it's not quite as widely known." Serenity@crystyl:"Exactly" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Perhaps the use of your honesty in negotiations like this might gather more attention now that you're working for the Empress. Not quite the role you came here to serve, but it's certainly very - Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - beneficial to our cause," she smiles Serenity@crystyl:"For the moment, I suppose you are right. I should try to learn more of the process to better prepare myself. As she grows in power and dominance, my services will call me back to her side more - Serenity@crystyl:- regularly I feel" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris nods, "That might be a good idea. The Kaishaasi should have plenty of data for you, on formal negotiations and diplomacy details. It was built to be a flagship, after all." Serenity@crystyl:"True enough. What about you then; you seem to have a pretty solid concept of all this stuff so you must have dabbled with it in the past yourself" Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Here and there. Though I'm usually better at the kind of diplomacy that involves hiding your cards," she smirks. "With us both at her side, I'm sure the Empress will be in good hands." Serenity@crystyl smiles, "I am reminded of a fairytale I got told by an old human diplomat who once visited the sanctuary. He spoke of a person's inner conscience manifesting as two small individuals on each - Serenity@crystyl:- shoulder. One, a righteous angelic figure encouraging the person to do the right thing. The other, a devilish imp pushing to twist and manipulate everything" Serenity@crystyl:"But then... that would make you the devilish imp, wouldn't it..." Goto Yuzuki@anncaris laughs, "Hey, for most Imperial Romulans, I think that's probably a compliment!" Serenity@crystyl smiles back, "Well then, all is as it should be"