ST:SoD318 | "Forgotten Pasts Pt. II"

Stardate 2M 61681.7

In the distant future of an unfamiliar reality, the crew of the Latenter must recover their captain, their ship and their memories to escape the dystopian nightmare...

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NPC@annpc#557 FX | https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/starwars/images/d/de/YToub_system.png/revision/latest?cb=20151004043553

NPC@annpc#557 | This time, the camera zooms in to the larger planet beyond the moon, which is lifeless, with patches of ice across dull rock

NPC@annpc#557 | As we pan across the surface, we see a single structure amidst the barren landscape

NPC@annpc#557 FX | https://i.pinimg.com/736x/23/5e/87/235e871c02e9af28b92e2fb1dd4ffcfe.jpg

NPC@annpc#557 | The camera moves into the structure, showing a large prison-like facility. As we move through rows upon rows of cells, we see hovering defense drones like those in the Security Tower on the -

NPC@annpc#557 - moon, along with more of the Borg drone guards

NPC@annpc#557 | The camera settles on a pair of Lupan lumbering through the halls as they walk past a door guarded by two UGS Borg

NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan 1: "What's so special about this prisoner?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan 2: "Don't know. Not our business."

NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan 1: "I heard it has something to do with that unknown ship that showed up out of nowhere."

NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan 2: "I heard it would be wise to keep your snout away from that. We do what we're told. The Inquisitor will sort this out."

NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan 1: "As you say, brother. Here we are."

NPC@annpc#557 | The two Lupan stop at a cell. Inside sits Mischa...

NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan 2: "No sudden moves, prisoner. You're coming with us."

Mischa@crystyl stands and stretches, "So what is it today? A nice moonlit stroll around the ice fields? A jaunt through meadows perhaps?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan 1: "Someone wants to talk with you. Stay in between us. Try anything and the whole facility will be on you."

NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan 2: "You've seen what kind of defenses we have. Even if you get past us, you'll never break out on your own."

NPC@annpc#557 | The first Lupan deactivates the force field for Mischa to exit

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "So, just the usual then. So be it" she strolls out and walks exactly as instructed

NPC@annpc#557 | The Lupan guards escort her through the facility. Mischa sees several familiar faces in the other cells- T'Fel and T'Bee, Sabina, Alyssa and...Orianni? She wasn't here before...

Mischa@crystyl takes note, especially since she's not even psionic

NPC@annpc#557 | The Lupans don't appear to think anything of the new prisoner, if they even notice she's new at all. They continue leading the way through the cells, then into a hallway before veering off. -

NPC@annpc#557 - Eventually, they arrive at an interrogation room, one Mischa has been to previously when questioned by the local Warden as well as a few other individuals

NPC@annpc#557 | Lupan 2: "Have a seat in the restraining chair."

Mischa@crystyl looks between the two, "More of this then? How droll" and takes a seat

NPC@annpc#557 | The Lupan secure her arms on the chair, then clamp the neck restraint on the back of the chair in place, which Mischa knows also serves as a psionic nullifier. It has no effect on Leona, of -

NPC@annpc#557 - course, since the psionics isn't being used from Mischa's brain, but they didn't have to know about that

NPC@annpc#557 | Once the Lupan finish securing Mischa, they turn and head outside

Mischa@crystyl sits there contentedly humming to herself with her eyes closed

NPC@annpc#557 | A few minutes pass and the door slides open...

Mischa@crystyl doesn't open her eyes to greet, "So what is on today's agenda? The same questions as last time, and every time before that? Because you know variety is the spice of life"

NPC@annpc#557 | Mischa sees that the individual who walked in is nothing like any of the ones she had spoken to before. Her features show a dramatic level of hybridization which makes it impossible to pin -

NPC@annpc#557 - down a species, though Mischa can make out what look vaguely like Romulan ridges, Bajoran-like nose ridges and slightly pointed ears. Her skin is red like a Regulator's and her hair and -

NPC@annpc#557 - pointed brows are ashen white. Her uniform, if it is even a uniform and not just a fancy outfit, has also never been seen before, black with gold trim

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "Ah another new face. You spoil me"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "You spoil us. It has been some time since we've had a catch as powerful as what you've brought. You are from another alternate reality, aren't you?"

Mischa@crystyl sighs softly, "I know you're new to my little sessions here, but you must have shared notes with your predecessors. You already know everything"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "You have me there." She takes a seat opposite Mischa. "I have everything you've shared with us already, at least. I have a feeling that's not quite /everything/ though, is it?"

Mischa@crystyl:"That depends how pessimistic you are. I've given answers to all of the questions from the other Inquisitors. Therefore, it is everything as there are no unanswered questions"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "Perhaps they haven't been asking the right questions, then. The UGS gives away the title of Inquisitor far too readily these days, in my opinion. Any old investigator or -

NPC@annpc#557 - interrogator can receive the rank, as long as they haven't made some serious error of judgement. Unlike my counterparts in this region, I possess talents they do not." She stretches out an arm -

NPC@annpc#557 - and her eyes light up with the signature psionic glow. Mischa's neck restraint snaps open. "I am not one of those fools who thinks that has any use on you."

Mischa@crystyl:"So, we're finally getting somewhere with understanding that I am not psionic. Well it's about time, just sorry a distinguished professional such as yourself had to get roped in to sorting this out"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "I can sense that you are no psionic, but you host a powerful entity. That entity could be of great value to us, but I suspect it would be difficult to separate from you by force. -

NPC@annpc#557 - And we cannot simply alter your memories to make you cooperative while it is protecting you, as I am told."

Mischa@crystyl:"So, nothing else but to shake hands and part ways. It has been fun, but I would like to get my daily dose of a holodeck again"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "Not quite. There is another option. I can see that you are an intelligent and capable woman. Not all those with psionic talents are untrustworthy and only suitable for use in -

NPC@annpc#557 - sustaining the Great Barrier. For the strongest of psionics, the brute force of the Lupan or the sheer numbers of drones aren't often enough to subdue them. That is why people like me exist."

Mischa@crystyl:"So we're still on this whole 'subdue and abuse' thing" she sighs, shaking her head with disappointment

NPC@annpc#557 | The Inquisitor sighs as well, "My predecessors didn't tell you /why/ these measures were necessary, did they?"

Mischa@crystyl:"They weren't particularly familiar with the etiquette of conversation, no. So please, enlighten me"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "My reports indicate that one of your colleagues is familiar with the Darkness, so I assume I do not have to explain that to you."

Mischa@crystyl:"You do not"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "Everyone in the United Galactic Society plays a role. Psionics do as well. Not all psionics are kept in captivity here. You've merely seen the worst side of it. At first, in the -

NPC@annpc#557 - early days when the galaxy was divided between many different factions, the precursor to the UGS, a coalition of these disjointed political powers, devised the means to shield our galaxy from -

NPC@annpc#557 - the Darkness. The history of the time before the Psionic Rebellions is fragmentary, but it is known that during this time, the psionics volunteered to power the Barrier and keep the Darkness -

NPC@annpc#557 - from encroaching."

Mischa@crystyl:"A... coalition, you say. Fascinating. So what sparked the change that led away from volunteers?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "That is where you are mistaken. There are many who still go willingly. All are still contained, with limited exceptions such as myself, because the Psionic Rebellions showed just -

NPC@annpc#557 - how dangerous psionics could be. Unlike what some today believe, the Rebellions was not one coherent organized effort by psionics across the galaxy, but a series of incidents. Regardless, the -

NPC@annpc#557 - outcome nearly destroyed the galaxy. Without the UGS imposing order upon the chaos with stricter means, the entire galaxy would have been consumed."

Mischa@crystyl:"You'll forgive me if I fail to see the benevolence of it all given my experiences to date. As distant travellers we weren't exactly welcomed with open arms"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "You were an unknown, and unknown variables like that frequently cause danger. Just between you and me though, the commanders of the fleet here probably also had an eye on your -

NPC@annpc#557 - dilithium. I doubt they've ever seen a ship with a stock like yours in their life."

Mischa@crystyl:"Really? We're geared for long duration missions. But still, it's nothing like a typical deep space explorer or a haulage freighter"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "In your universe, perhaps. We have long since depleted most sources of dilithium. If we truly were malevolent, we would have invaded another universe such as your own for its -

NPC@annpc#557 - resources. But that is not our way."

Mischa@crystyl:"That just means you've evolved alternate means and no longer require it in such volumes"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "We've managed without, but it would make day to day space travel far more convenient. For example, the reason you have not been transported to the Galactic Heart yet. This system -

NPC@annpc#557 - does not have a gateway, and subspace tunnelling to the nearest gateway with a ship full of psionic prisoners is dangerous. They must wait for the Heart to send a ship to collect you. I have -

NPC@annpc#557 - come with such a ship, but with an individual as unique as you, I thought I would offer you a different form of service first. An offer to pledge your loyalty to the UGS and serve as an -

NPC@annpc#557 - Inquisitor, as I do."

Mischa@crystyl:"An intriguing and flattering proposition. But you are no doubt already aware that my loyalty above all is to my ship and crew. All negotiations are off until I have every one of them accounted for"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "And what do you plan to do once you have them? Stage an escape on your own ship?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Only if given a reason to escape. We came here to learn after all, and that has not changed"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "I will see what I can do. Your crew on the moon, I can procure with little incident. But letting your psionic crew go free, that might prove...problematic. Think on my offer for -

NPC@annpc#557 - now. Perhaps I may be able to negotiate something for all your psionics to serve us as a whole crew. Until then, I am afraid you will have to remain here within a cell."

—

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | A few hours later, Mischa is back in her cell...

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Everything is quiet as usual and she is getting some rest on her bed when she is woken up by the blaring of an alarm klaxon

Mischa@crystyl peeks one eye open first before getting up and moving to try and get a better view

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Outside, the lighting has turned to red, surprisingly reminiscent of red alert on a Starfleet ship or facility

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | After a few seconds, she sees flashes of red which weren't there before and don't seem to be part of the alarm system. Several seconds later, the source of these flashes become clear as two of -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - the UGS Borg march past her cell, firing the antiproton weapons on their arms. One is hit and falls down, but continues crawling forward. The other takes a hit but seems to have adapted to -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - the damage as a shield absorbs the hit, which is a green bolt

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The drone continues to return fire, but is knocked to the ground in a blur of motion. Mischa sees a Lupan upon the drone, mauling and tearing it apart

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | As the Lupan destroys the drone, the damaged drone gets back on its feet and shoots it in the back. The Lupan goes limp and collapses upon the drone he's now destroyed, but a second Lupan -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - grabs the drone from behind, slamming it against the force field of the cell opposite Mischa

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The drone struggles but the Lupan overpowers it, tearing off its weapon arm and hurling it down the hall before finally finishing it off by ripping off the drone's head with its jaws

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The Lupan turns down the hall at something else, but is shot down by orange phaser bolts

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Two more Lupan advance into view, opening fire with their disruptor rifles. The phaser bolts take another down and the last begins a wild frenzied charge at whoever is attacking

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | However, a much smaller figure seems to charge at the Lupan, moving faster and more gracefully than a Borg drone ever could. The Lupan swipes a clawed hand at it, but the figure ducks low and -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - slides beneath the Lupan's legs, slashing at his knee joints. The Lupan drops to his knees with a growl of pain as his charge is cut short. Meanwhile, the figure wastes no time, spinning -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - around and leaping on the back of the kneeling Lupan, plunging a knife into its neck and finishing it before hopping off its back and landing in a crouch by Mischa's cell

Mischa@crystyl watches with an entertained expression, "Having fun are we?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | A second figure with blonde hair, a long jacket and two pistols walks into view. Mischa recognizes her immediately as T'Lana. Lana moves to cover the first figure, firing a few shots down the -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - hall while the knife-wielding figure who Mischa can now see as Yuzuki begins tapping away at her cell controls

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Now that you've gotten a taste of being stuck in a cell, tell me you wouldn't like stretching your legs a little."

Mischa@crystyl:"Yes, the irony of this turnabout is not lost on me"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"I'd love to savour it a little more, but unfortunately we have to make this quick before we all get locked up in here."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris lowers the force field and tosses Mischa a pistol

Mischa@crystyl snatches it out of the air and gives it a quick check to ready herself, "What about the others here?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"I'll get them out. Just keep the Lupan away while I do."

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Fair enough"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | From the other direction the Lupan were coming from, two more drones begin marching down the hall

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "The drones are on our side for now."

Mischa@crystyl:"How temporary is that? Are they liable to turn at any time?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "There is a roughly 30% chance of that occurring, so it may be prudent to keep an eye on them."

Mischa@crystyl:"Got it. Let's move quickly"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris picks up some pistols from the dead Lupan on the way to T'Bee and T'Fel's cells. She frees the Vulcan sisters, handing them a pistol each, "They're a little oversized, but you could use them as -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - rifles. Have to make do with what we've got here."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | As the Vulcan sisters join in, a group of five Lupan begin charging down the opposite end of the hall from the drones. The drones, as Borg drones do, simply march their way past T'Lana, making -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - no effort to be tactical as they advance and fire. The Lupan move into empty cells and take cover. The drones tank the return fire for the Latenter crew and one of them goes down while the -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - other adapts to the frequency

Mischa@crystyl tries to work her way around the chaos to reactivate those cells and trap the Lupan inside

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Mischa manages to reactivate two cells and trap the Lupan. One of them charges out at her and tries to ambush her while she does, but T'Lana takes him down before he gets close. The others -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - continue to exchange fire. T'Fel downs one of them and the other is staggered by a shot from the drone, making him an easy target for T'Bee

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris meanwhile opens Ori's cell, "Told you we'd get you back out."

Mischa@crystyl | Ori rushes out and joins the frey, "Thankfully before they started poking around in my head!"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris nods, "Do you know how to open these cells? They gave you some knowledge of local tech for your factory work, right?"

Mischa@crystyl | Ori takes a moment to study one before nodding, "I think so, yeah"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Good. Help me get everyone else out."

Mischa@crystyl | Ori nods again and gets to work

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris makes her way across the hall to Alyssa's cell when a massive storm of bolts comes down the hall, forcing her to dive into cover along with everyone else. The remaining drone, which doesn't go -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - into cover, is torn apart by the attack. Down the hall, a huge Gorn in a suit of powered armour steps around the corner, supported by a squad of five Gaton in their signature colour-coded -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - armour, though the design is of course different from anything seen on 25th century Gaton

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana lands a few shots on the Gorn, but its armour possesses shielding which absorb the shots

Mischa@crystyl:"This could be problematic. I hope your evac plan includes dealing with them"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "We were not expecting their presence. I am unsure if the weapons we possess are sufficient. How long until we can free everyone?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Not many left now! Between Ori and I we'll get them open in no time."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "I suggest focusing on the Gaton. The Gorn we may have to deal with shuttle weaponry, if it pursues us to the shuttlebay."

Mischa@crystyl nods, "You all heard that. Focus on the Gaton" and gets to work

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The Gaton seem to have energy shielding as well, but significantly less than the Gorn. Mischa lands a few shots before noticing a flicker and sparks as the shields of one Gaton drop from a -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - shot from T'Bee's Lupan pistol

Mischa@crystyl quickly switches targets to take one out of the equation

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The Gaton drops from Mischa's precision shot. A second later, another one is taken out by combined shots from T'Lana and T'Fel, but the rest keep coming

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Fel: "Cover me."

Mischa@crystyl focuses on covering T'Fel

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Fel tampers with her pistol and as everyone else keeps her covered, slides the Lupan weapon down the hall. It detonates in a large green explosion, sending the enemies, even the Gorn, flying -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - back. The Gaton all lose their remaining shields, allowing them to be finished off

Mischa@crystyl does her part to thin the crowd

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana and T'Bee take down the other two Gaton, leaving just the Gorn. There is a moment of respite as it gets back onto its feet which Yuzuki takes advantage of, dashing over to a panel by a -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - door further down the hall, shooting it open and tampering with the systems within. The door snaps shut just as the Gorn returns to his feet and begins firing again

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris runs back, freeing Alyssa while Ori gets several other lower decks psionic crew out

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"I think that's everyone, but you two are more up to date with the current crew roster than I am."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Mischa sees that is indeed every psionic crewmember as Mattis steps out of the last cell opened by Ori

Mischa@crystyl:"I've been keeping track of everyone I've seen while going to and from my interrogations. That is everyone I know of"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The shut door begins to bang as the Gorn tries to smash through with brute force

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "Let us make our way back to the shuttlebay, then."

Mischa@crystyl:"Lead the way"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana nods and leads the way. T'Fel grabs another weapon from a fallen Lupan as they fall back, while Yuzuki gets to work on one of the downed Borg before joining the rear of the group

—

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris steps up to Ori as they move through the halls, holding a weapon arm she removed from the downed drone earlier, "Here. I got another of your favourite toy."

Mischa@crystyl | Ori's eyes light up, "Ooh, that will be handy! I mean... if we find any more of those guards it will, otherwise it's just a creepy souvenir"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris chuckles, "I doubt we're out of this yet. And even if we are, we still have to reclaim the Latenter, so more weapons'll definitely do us good."

Mischa@crystyl | Ori, "Makes sense. I kept thinking on that while I was sat in there with nothing to do. You keep talking about this Latenter and that you lost it, but... I mean, how exactly do you lose something-

Mischa@crystyl - like that anyway?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "They hit us with multiple drains, similar to the ones Goto's people use. They were surprisingly less advanced, but the number of vessels allowed the drains to overwhelm our adaptation -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - mechanism and drained all our power. Then they pumped anaesthetic gas into the ship. Only a few of us managed to isolate ourselves or grab suits and masks in time, and we were subdued by the -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - volume of boarders."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Fel: "The technology they possess is surprisingly not much more advanced than our own. But they had superior numbers, and the Latenter was never built to serve as a warship in the first place.

Mischa@crystyl frowns, "It was an unforgivable failing on our part. The only redeeming factor is that they have been unable to access any of our computers so far"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "Usually, our speciality is moving undetected. Q threw us into the midst of their fleet without a chance to cloak. The odds were heavily against our favour, and I suspect he intended -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - us to be captured."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Mattis: "Yeah, the Q do that."

Mischa@crystyl:"I have no doubt of that, and will be having serious words with our quirky friend when I next see him. Now we just have to get it back before they crack our computers and it becomes too late"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"We assumed that once we got you and everyone else out from here, it'll be hard to keep under the radar. So everyone else back in our hideout is prepared to join in retaking the ship as soon as -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:- we get off this planet. The ones we didn't extract yet from the moon, we should be able to locate them on sensors by scanning for people with the anti-Horde implants."

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Good. Do we have eyes on the Latenter?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "We do. It is being held in a refueling dock in orbit of the moon. There is some local security on board, but just Klingbloods. The Lupan seem to be reserved for hunting and guarding psionics."

Mischa@crystyl:"I don't suppose we know how hard they've hit it trying to strip out our dilithium?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "From the intel we have been able to gather, the vessel is undamaged, at least on the outside. All major systems appear to be intact-"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana ducks into cover as more Lupan appear in the hall ahead

Mischa@crystyl ducks down with the others

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | They move into cover just in time as a storm of disruptor fire comes down the hall. This time, a much larger group of eight Lupan appears, but there is a doorway between them and where Mischa -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - and the others are

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Fel: "Use the door as a bottleneck. They can't all advance through at once."

Mischa@crystyl nods, "A sound strategy. We'll draw them in, then Ori you clean up with your new toy"

Mischa@crystyl | Ori grasps her arm-gun and nods

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The rest of the team peeks out of cover and returns fire. One of the Lupan take a hit and the rest try to advance, but are only able to go through the doorway two at a time

Mischa@crystyl | Ori lets them bottleneck, then fires

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Ori takes out four of the Lupan in the bottleneck, and the remaining ones begin to fall back

Mischa@crystyl:"Good, now let's not lose the advantage"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The group presses forward, taking out two of the retreating Lupan, including the one who was wounded. The other two run into a pair of drones and are quickly finished off in the crossfire

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The drones continue forward, making their way past the group, where they raise their weapons and begin firing again. It soon becomes clear what they are shooting as the huge power armoured -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - Gorn emerges around the corner. The Gorn cuts down one drone with its minigun, but the other adapts and continues to advance, causing the Gorn to charge it

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Sabina rushes to the front of the group, "Gorn's back. Time to go."

Mischa@crystyl makes sure to usher everyone along

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The team moves along and soon comes upon the shuttlebay. Several destroyed drones are lying on the ground, as well as a number of dead Lupan. A pair of intact drones are still standing, though -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - one is visibly damaged

Mischa@crystyl looks around, "Which is our ride then?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Emma should have them all prepared for us now. We won't all fit in one, we can squeeze into two but we might as well take three just in case we need additional firepower."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Sabina: "I should be able to fly one."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"I'll take the third, then, and Emma'll stick with the original one."

Mischa@crystyl:"Alright, everyone load up"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | As everyone files into one of the three shuttles, the Gorn's minigun fire can be heard again as the drones engage outside

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Just as the shuttle hatches close, the Gorn enter the room and opens fire. Fortunately, the shields of the shuttles are now active, protecting them against the minigun

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris swings her shuttle around and opens fire. The shuttle-mounted antiproton turrets punch through the Gorn's shields and armour, finally taking down the large enemy

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | With the Gorn dealt with, the shuttles take off from the facility...

—

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | At T'Lana's direction, Mischa has boarded the shuttle piloted by Yuzuki, while she herself is in the one piloted by Emma and the Vulcan sisters have taken Sabina’s, in order to spread out -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - command personnel should one shuttle be lost. As the shuttle takes out the Gorn, it immediately lifts off from the facility and makes for the orbit of the barren rocky planet

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Don't worry, I won't kidnap you to some other ship. Besides, I'm sure Lana directed you to this shuttle precisely because she knows you'll stop me if I tried anything."

Mischa@crystyl:"That would be a logical choice for her to make"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"And to not put all our apples in one basket and all that."

Mischa@crystyl:"So where are we going from here exactly? Is it straight to retake the ship while they're still off balance, or regroup and reinforce?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Straight to the ship. That's what T'Lana planned. If we regroup, we'll give them time to do the same. We're sending a signal now so all the shuttles and personnel we've managed to gather from the -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:- moon will launch too. We'll spearhead the effort since these shuttles are armed, unlike the cargo shuttles."

Mischa@crystyl:"Sounds good"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Mattis: "How did you manage to get those Borg on side, anyways?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"You have Root to thank for that. After Ori's capture led us to where you were being held, we also managed to learn they had integrated Root into their drones here. We managed to get to him and -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:- the alternate universe Ralde was able to restore him but still keep him connected to the local network. From there, he was able to infiltrate the network from the inside and seize control of the -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - drones. It's not just your psionic prison, it's every high security facility, which is why this is the perfect chance for us to take the Latenter back while they're preoccupied."

Mischa@crystyl:"What about everyone else in the factories?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Fortunately the moon doesn't have any planetary shielding. As I said before, we can identify the remaining crew once we're on the Latenter by scanning for the anti-Horde implants, and once we've -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:- identified everyone, there should be no barrier to just transporting them out without shields in our way."

Mischa@crystyl:"They all have altered memories still right? So there probably wouldn't be value in bringing them out sooner to help"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Exactly. T'Lana and Emma have extracted and convinced everyone they can, but the process takes time."

Mischa@crystyl:"Right. So it's just our small team then. That works"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Plus the people we've gathered from the moon. They're not as effective as they would be with all their memories, but most of their combat skill seems to be intact."

Mischa@crystyl:"So I saw with Ori. Unless you're telling me her polished genes made her resist..."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"It doesn't. If anything T'Lana thinks the process was more effective on her because she's still human at her core, and the process is more refined for Children species closer to the Progenitor baseline."

Mischa@crystyl:"Huh, so she's literally too perfect" she grins

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris chuckles, "That's a good way of putting it."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris looks to the side as a console flashes a warning, "Looks like they're sending fighters after us. Might need you on the weapons so I don't have to shoot and fly at the same time."

Mischa@crystyl:"I'm on it" she hops into a seat and starts arming up

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Mischa finds that the Zeta-class shuttles are armed with two phaser emitters providing full coverage on all sides of the shuttle, two point-defense turrets which automatically targets -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - projectiles and debris that comes too close, as well as a pair of micro-torpedo launchers, one pointed forward and one pointed aft

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | A quick scan of the incoming fighters reveals they possess stronger armaments, but are configured far more aggressively. The fighters have two antiproton cannons, but they are both facing -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - forward, along with both its micro-torpedo launchers as well. Its aft defenses consist solely of a pair of turrets. Five fighters are closing in formation from the front, but while the -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - fighters are more formidable, if their formation is disrupted, their weakness can be exploited if the shuttles can maneuver behind them

Mischa@crystyl:"Are you seeing these scans? It would be helpful if you could split them up some and get behind them"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris nods, "Getting behind them could be difficult. They're fighters designed for combat maneuvers and we're in shuttles. We...could split them up though. I'll let them get close. Then we can hit -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - the centre of that formation with the good old torpedo-phaser combination. Shooting and detonating a micro-torpedo straight in the middle of their formation should throw them in disarray, and -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - we could take the chance to pick some of them off."

Mischa@crystyl:"That will work. Just rack them up and I'll knock them down"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris continues on a forward course as the fighters approach. The other two shuttles break away but Yuzuki makes a straight run for them. They open fire and she swerves and rolls, avoiding all except -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - one shot which rocks the shuttle. The shields hold, and they are soon in range for the torpedo and phaser combination...

Mischa@crystyl fires the combo

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The torpedo detonates precisely in the midst of the fighter squadron. The shockwave only damages the shields and is prevented from reaching the hulls of the fighters, but it launches them in -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - all directions, scattering the formation. Yuzuki immediately swoops in behind one, giving Mischa the chance to fire and take it out

Mischa@crystyl doesn't need telling to take the shot and promptly does so

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Mischa's shot punches through the shields of one of the fighters, shattering it into pieces of debris. The other two shuttles seize the chance and close in, picking their targets and taking -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - down two other fighters. The remaining two that weren't targeted manage to get their bearings but pull a retreat, which puts their less armed aft sides facing them

Mischa@crystyl fires microtorps on each of them

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The fighter turrets light up, but one of the microtorps make it through, blasting apart what remained of the fighter's shields and then the hull itself

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | As the turrets were preoccupied with point defense, Sabina's shuttle moves in and fires on the last fighter with several shots of its phaser beam. The fighter loses its shields to the first -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - hit and goes evasive, managing to dodge the second, but the third slices one of its wings off and it goes spinning out of control

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Glad to see your time locked up hasn't thrown off your aim."

Mischa@crystyl:"It would take much more than a brief vacation for that"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris <C - T'Lana> "We are coming up on the refueling dock now. They have placed a few hovering turrets around it to guard the Latenter. If we focus on one turret at a time, we will be able to punch a -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - hole through, after which the cargo shuttles from the surface can join us in retaking the ship."

Mischa@crystyl:"Got it. We'll follow your targeting pattern then"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Soon, they begin coming up on the Latenter, with the drydock visible in the distance and the dark silhouette of the intel cruiser just able to be made out within. Mischa's sensors read no -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - damage to the Latenter, nor does anything seem to have been obviously removed

Mischa@crystyl breathes a sigh of relief at that, albeit a somewhat surprised one

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Soon, little dots come into view around the drydock which they recognize to be the phaser turrets. As they get even closer, Mischa's tactical sensors register Emma's shuttle locking on to one -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - of them with weapons

Mischa@crystyl:"I've got a target lock"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris <C - T'Lana> "All shuttles, fire on my lead."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | A moment later, Emma's shuttle opens fire on the targeted turret

Mischa@crystyl follows suit and fires on the chosen target

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The turret returns fire, but Emma is ready, jerking the shuttle to the side. Sabina's shuttle follows suit as well and the turret's meager shielding is unable to withstand the concentrated -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - quickly shattering. T'Lana quickly begins repeating the process, moving just into range of another turret and opening fire. Slowly, the turrets begin going down one by one

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | As they pick off the turrets, Mischa registers another squadron of fighters incoming...

Mischa@crystyl:"Dammit, we've got another squadron inbound"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"That's not good. We have the opening to get inside, but that's just going to trap us inside the area enclosed by the turrets. And taking on the fighters will be difficult with the cargo shuttles -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:- coming in. They're much more vulnerable targets..."

Mischa@crystyl does a quick scan of the Latenter to check for lifeforms

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | There are lifeforms on board, but the sensors are unable to pin down their species. Most likely some of the highly hybridized Klingbloods

Mischa@crystyl:"If I can get on board with a small team, we can beam straight in to auxiliary control and bring the weapons online while the rest of you cover the cargo shuttles"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris nods, "Good idea," she taps her console. "We're going to make a run for the Latenter to bring the weapons online. Everyone else cover the cargo shuttles."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris <C - T'Lana> "On it."

Mischa@crystyl taps the comm as well, "Ori, Sabina, if you two are too preoccupied playing starfighter I could use you down there"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris <C - Sabina> "We're on our way too."

Mischa@crystyl:"Afraid you'll have to handle your own guns for a while, but I'm sure you can manage" she gets up and moves to the transporter

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Don't worry, I'll handle the fighters. Good luck, Mischa."

Mischa@crystyl nods, taking her position and readying her weapon, "Energizing"

—

NPC@annpc#557 | Mischa materializes into auxiliary control. Two Klingbloods are standing guard within and upon seeing her, immediately raise their weapons

Mischa@crystyl arriving with her weapon already drawn and primed, quickly opens fire on the pair while they react

NPC@annpc#557 | The two Klingblood are hit by the prepared Mischa and drop. A moment later, Sabina and Ori materialize as well

NPC@annpc#557 | Sabina looks to the downed Klingbloods, "And here I thought you were going to need our help..."

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "I promise I'll try and leave the rest to the two of you. Now come on, I need to get weapons online so we can get the cargo shuttles boarded"

NPC@annpc#557 | Sabina and Ori move to guard the door as Mischa gets to work. Upon arriving at a console though, Mischa finds that to her surprise, the weapons systems has already been powered up and is ready -

NPC@annpc#557 - to acquire targets and fire

NPC@annpc#557 | Computer: "Welcome back, Captain."

Mischa@crystyl hesitates for a moment, "...Acey?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Computer: "Affirmative. I have transferred myself into the Latenter's systems to bolster its defenses against intrusion in your absence. I hope you do not mind. I have not taken full control -

NPC@annpc#557 - of the vessel to leave the Latenter's computer intact, but utilized the more subtle infiltration I practiced when we travelled back to the Gainsborough."

Mischa@crystyl laughs, "Mind? Acey I could kiss you! I see you've got weapons already online so I assume you have been watching out there and know what we need to do. Can you handle targeting or can I help you?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Acey: "I will require you to do the targeting. If I were to infect the weapons systems, I would erase all current targeting settings and calibrations, rendering future operation of the weapons -

NPC@annpc#557 - systems by organic crew problematic. However, I can open the shuttlebay doors to allow the shuttle's entry."

Mischa@crystyl:"That's plenty enough. You do that and leave the weapons to me"

NPC@annpc#557 | Acey: "On it. There are also more local intruders inbound."

Mischa@crystyl:"Sabina and Ori will be glad to hear it"

Mischa@crystyl | Ori gives a fearful glance, mostly at the implication of the type of person she used to be

Mischa@crystyl:"Well... Sabina will"

NPC@annpc#557 | Sabina: "Don't worry, we got this."

Mischa@crystyl | Ori tightens her grip on her Borg arm-gun and nods, "Sorry, it's just... this place is so surreal. Nothing like the factories at all"

NPC@annpc#557 | Sabina: "This is where you come from. I haven't been to the factories myself, but I'm pretty sure a Starfleet ship's much better."

NPC@annpc#557 | A group of three Klingbloods and an Andorian comes into view down one end of the hall

Mischa@crystyl | Ori looks to Sabina for the expertise on when to attack

NPC@annpc#557 | Sabina: "You're the one with the gun. Take them out, I'll deal with any that get too close."

Mischa@crystyl | Ori, "Right!" she takes aim and tries to sweep her fire across all of them

NPC@annpc#557 | Ori takes out two of the Klingbloods. The Andorian and remaining Klingblood duck into cover before returning fire with their rifles

NPC@annpc#557 | Meanwhile, as the shuttles begin coming in to land, the fighter squadron chases them into the turret perimeter....

Mischa@crystyl gets to work on manual targeting of the weapons

NPC@annpc#557 | The fighters were clearly not expecting the Latenter's weapons to be active. Mischa is able to down two of the fighters before the rest go evasive

NPC@annpc#557 | Acey: "More intruders coming down the other hall."

NPC@annpc#557 | Sabina: "Keep these ones busy. I'll take care of the other group."

Mischa@crystyl | Ori looks around, "I've never heard a computer announcement actually be useful before. I think I could get used to this!" and keeps firing to suppress the remainders on her side

NPC@annpc#557 | Acey: "I will endeavour to continue presenting a positive image for all computer-kind, then."

NPC@annpc#557 | Sabina slips out into the hall as Ori keeps them busy, waiting by the other end of the hall. A moment later, another four UGS guards turn the corner only to get ambushed by the waiting -

NPC@annpc#557 - augment, whose speed is too much for them to handle. She moves between them in a blur and in a moment the four guards are down

NPC@annpc#557 | Meanwhile, Mischa manages to down two more of the evading fighters using the Latenter's weaponry, and the lone survivor pulls away and retreats

Mischa@crystyl keeps the weapons charged and scans for additional threats or obstacles to their escape

NPC@annpc#557 | Sabina picks up a rifle from one of the guards she downed, using it to keep up the pressure on the other two guards. One of them quickly makes a mistake and is downed by a shot from Ori's Borg -

NPC@annpc#557 - arm, and the last Klingblood starts pulling a retreat

NPC@annpc#557 | Sabina: "Is he running back towards reinforcements, or just running for it?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Acey: "I do not see any other squads incoming at the moment."

Mischa@crystyl | Ori tries to take a shot and end him

NPC@annpc#557 | Ori catches him with a shot as he backs away

NPC@annpc#557 | Acey: "All shuttles have landed."

Mischa@crystyl:"I assume Acey, that you can identify where all the remaining boarders are?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Acey: "Affirmative. I can direct you towards them. I would recommend you reacquire your combadges for ease of communication first."

Mischa@crystyl:"We can replicate some more" she concurs

NPC@annpc#557 | Acey: "I will point you towards the remaining boarders over comms. Once the ship is clear, I recommend proceeding to the bridge. I will assist where able with the operation of the vessel with -

NPC@annpc#557 - limited personnel, but bridge crew input will still be required if I am to refrain from infecting major systems of the ship."

Mischa@crystyl nods, "No time to waste then"

—

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | Once the ship is cleared of hostiles, Acey informs Mischa and she proceeds to the bridge

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | As the lift doors open, Mischa steps out to a bridge with several dead UGS guards laying around. Yuzuki leans casually on a console, "It's good to be back. Well, for you, at least. I'm -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - probably just going to end up in a cell again, but hey, I'll enjoy the fresh air while I can. Assuming you don't want me to report to the brig /just/ yet, seeing you're a little short on staff and all."

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "Even I am not that callous. I think it is fair to say that you have earned a respite from those accommodations"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris smiles back, "A little more sympathetic after your own incarceration too, maybe?"

Mischa@crystyl:"I wouldn't go that far. Simply you have worked with us on this escape, so it would be improper to reward that with incarceration. And as you said, we are a little short staffed too"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"I can take the helm. I don't think any of our pilots have their memories intact, and now might not be a good time to test just how much skill they've retained by instinct. I'm no Nethay, but I've -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:- handled a few cargo freighters on undercover missions and I think I can manage something more than a shuttle."

Mischa@crystyl pitches up at Ops and aligns tactical, "Way to sound reassuring"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris chuckles as she makes her way over to the helm, "I did also fly a bird-of-prey one time, but I thought cargo freighters might be the more relevant experience. No offence to the Latenter, of -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - course. She's a fine ship, but even Captain Se'Lai can't make a Starfleet cruiser fly like a Klingon raider."

Mischa@crystyl:"Clearly you haven't seen what Carter can make that old boat do"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Carter? Oh right, the Forge's helmswoman. I'm used to her going by a different surname in the Survivors' history files."

Mischa@crystyl:"That so. Well, she's done some pretty impossible things with that ship. Not quite up there with Lexi Vix and her hairbrained battle maneuvers, but still equally impressive for a cruiser like that"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"That woman has a whole host of different names depending on the universe from our experience. Did you know she goes by Leveson-Scott in the Mirror Universe? I only heard about that recently."

Mischa@crystyl turns, "Wait, what? Are we talking about Vix now or Carter?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Carter. Though I wouldn't be surprised to learn that about Vix too, given her colourful history and personality."

Mischa@crystyl:"Huh... I wonder what brought that about..." she shakes the thought from her mind, "Later. We've still got work to do here"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris:"Yes, that's a story for another time..."

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | The lift doors open and T'Lana steps out with T'Fel and T'Bee

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "Captain. The ship is secure, but there is another problem."

Mischa@crystyl:"I'd be surprised if it's the only one. What have we got?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "As far as I can tell, the Latenter is undamaged and Acey successfully safeguarded our computer systems. However, our dilithium stores have been emptied. The fusion reactors are still -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - fueled and functional, and we have a store of power remaining in the systems. By my calculations, we should have enough to extract the remaining crew via transporters and fend off enemy -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - attacks with our weapons systems, but we are unlikely to be travelling far at warp."

Mischa@crystyl:"I knew they'd raid us for something, figures it would be that. Well, let's get on those sensors and find out dilithium then"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana and T'Bee step over to the science console and begins searching

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "I do not believe they are keeping our dilithium stored nearby, or at least somewhere our sensors can detect. However, I may have something else."

Mischa@crystyl:"Oh?"

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris | T'Lana: "There is only one other large starship in the area. The transponders name it as USS Faithful Guardian, USS standing for United Society Ship, that is. It possesses a small store of -

Goto Yuzuki@anncaris - dilithium, far too low to be the entirety of what was taken from us, but of perhaps even greater interest, it is equipped with an Iconian gateway generator."

Mischa@crystyl:"Which we can use to reach wherever the dilithium is being held"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Precisely. Or at least allow us to travel somewhere further than what we can reach with our currently limited warp capability."

Mischa@crystyl:"From what I've learned from my interrogators, leaving our dilithium reserves behind may prove troublesome later one"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Agreed. Recovering our dilithium should be our priority, but we may be able to utilize the gateway generator for other purposes as well."

Mischa@crystyl:"Well it shouldn't be long before we have everyone back on board now. We need to be ready to do something"

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey's hologram forms on the bridge, "I did not take full control of the Latenter to prevent the process from overwriting the computer systems here. I will have no such restraints for the enemy vessel."

Mischa@crystyl looks over, "Eager to get your virus act on a bit after showing restraint all this time?" she chuckles

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey: "It is the most logical solution. I understand from my observation of the crew so far that many do not have their memories intact. Crewing one vessel will be difficult, let alone two."

Mischa@crystyl:"Alright then, just don't go getting yourself stranded in their systems or anything. Last thing we need today is more rescuing"

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey: "i will be careful. However, I'll need assistance to actually reach their vessel. A comm should be sufficient."

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki: "What do you know, they're actually moving towards us right now. Probably hoping to stop our escape."

Mischa@crystyl:"No doubt" she looks to the twins, "Ladies, can you assist Acey?"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee nods, "Of course. They may not accept a hail directly from us, but I can pounce a comm signal off the facility we just escaped from. They will believe it is the facility contacting them, -

T'Lana@anncaris - allowing Acey to enter their systems."

Mischa@crystyl:"Perfect"

T'Lana@anncaris | The two begin tapping on their console. After a moment, T'Fel announces, "The channel is ready."

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey: "I am prepared for transmission."

Mischa@crystyl:"Good luck Acey, it's your show now"

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey: "Thank you Captain."

T'Lana@anncaris | Acey's hologram flickers away

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki: "I hope the security on that ship is as bad as the rest of this UGS..."

Mischa@crystyl:"Even if it's better, I am confident that it will be nothing to Acey"

T'Lana@anncaris turns as a message flashes up on her console, "We are receiving an encrypted communication from the ship. Judging from the encryption, I believe it is Acey."

T'Lana@anncaris:<C - Acey> "Captain. I am in their systems. However, I may require some additional assistance."

Mischa@crystyl:"What do you need?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "This vessel does not appear to possess anything in the way of automated defenses. I will attempt to eliminate as much of the crew as I can using airlocks and ventilation systems, but -

T'Lana@anncaris - a boarding action will likely be required to completely secure the ship."

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki: "Sounds like a good chance to repay them for what they did to us."

Mischa@crystyl:"What about environmental systems, can you incapacitate them that way?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "Some, yes, but it seems they have engineered a hard cap to the temperature and gravity settings. It is impossible to simply incapacitate the crew with high gravity. The transporter -

T'Lana@anncaris - controls also appear to be separate from the main ship systems."

Mischa@crystyl:"Alright, well do what you can. We'll get some support over there to assist as needed"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "I will have their shields lowered and weapons down, so the vessel will put up no resistance. As for the crew, I will assist where I can as we have with similar boarding actions in -

T'Lana@anncaris - the past. The ones I cannot incapacitate, I should be able to separate or seal in with force fields."

Mischa@crystyl:"We can make that work"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Shall I prepare a boarding party, or do you wish to select them yourself and accompany them in person?"

Mischa@crystyl:"I think I'd best stay here while we're so thin on the ground"

T'Lana@anncaris:"I can lead the away mission, then."

Mischa@crystyl:"Take whoever you feel will be best to support"

—

T'Lana@anncaris materializes with Sabina, Ori and Hassan in one of the transporter rooms of the Faithful Guardian

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "Your first target is in the mess hall, down the hall to the left."

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "On our way."

T'Lana@anncaris has her usual pistols in hand now, which she unholsters as she begins to proceed

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina: "Hope you don't mind us stringing you along. Even without your memories, you're still some of our best fighters."

Rianni@crystyl shrugs, "I'm in up to my neck already. Besides, that ship of yours is scary"

T'Lana@anncaris raises a brow as she looks back at Ori, "The Latenter is...scary?"

Rianni@crystyl nods, "Yeah, everything looks so fancy! Every minute I was there I was scared to touch anything"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Ah, I see." She glances around at the significantly more industrial interior of this ship. "You should not have this issue here, fortunately."

Rianni@crystyl:"Yes this is much more familiar. And working in the factories, I know this stuff better too so I don't have to live in fear of touching the wrong button and ending the world or something"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Excellent. Perhaps you and Hassan will have knowledge in operating this vessel as well. More than you can assist on the Latenter without your previous memories, at least."

Rianni@crystyl:"Here's hoping"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "You have six targets inside. All of them armoured, but they are not in cover yet."

T'Lana@anncaris:"Their armour seems to come with energy shielding, so focus fire on my target. Let's take out as many as we can before they get into cover."

Rianni@crystyl nods, "Got it"

T'Lana@anncaris | The door slides open as they approach. T'Lana picks the nearest exposed target and fires with both her pistols

Rianni@crystyl joins right in, following her targeting

T'Lana@anncaris | The concentrated fire soon strips the suit's shields and tears through the armour, downing the Gaton wearing it. T'Lana switches targets to a second one as soon as he goes down, who is also -

T'Lana@anncaris - taken out before he can get into cover. The remainder duck behind counters and overturned tables to return fire

T'Lana@anncaris:"Interesting. So this is where the Gaton were coming from. Why were they in the prison facility, I wonder."

Rianni@crystyl:"Maybe you can ask them to stop shooting at us so you can ask them"

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina: "Somehow I doubt that will work. Acey, can you take out the lights in the mess hall?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "Of course."

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina: "Keep up the fire. I'll sneak in through the back once the lights go out and take them down when they're focused on you."

Rianni@crystyl:"I don't think keeping them focused on us will be a problem" she notes in between firing and ducking, "Just be careful not to get hit yourself"

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina: "Don't worry, it'll take more than covering fire to hit me."

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina moves around to the other entrance at the lights to the mess hall suddenly go out, leaving the defenders in darkness

Rianni@crystyl tries to keep up the pressure through the confusion

T'Lana@anncaris | As the rest of the team keeps up the pressure, Ori notices one source of enemy fire go down, followed by another. One of the remaining two notices something is wrong and starts searching for -

T'Lana@anncaris - the concealed attacker. He moves out of his cover to get behind an overturned table, which proves to be a mistake as the table isn't tough enough to withstand Hassan's mining phaser. The -

T'Lana@anncaris - focused beam cuts the table into two before finding its target. Before he can rush to a different cover, the beam melts through his shields, sending him staggering to the ground

T'Lana@anncaris finishes the fallen Gaton off with two shots to the head while the final one begins to fire wildly while trying to back out of the other door. Sabina appears behind her and quickly snaps her neck

T'Lana@anncaris:"All clear."

T'Lana@anncaris | The mess hall lights turn back on

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "Excellent work. There is another group one deck above you, in one of the engineering rooms."

Rianni@crystyl:"Up we go then?"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "This way."

T'Lana@anncaris makes her way to a lift after backtracking slightly. Inside is the body of an unarmoured crewmember of the ship

T'Lana@anncaris | Hassan: "What happened to him? Did you suffocate him in the lift?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "Negative. While there was a physical restriction on how high I could turn the gravity, there was none on how low I could turn it down. So I turned off the gravity in this lift shaft -

T'Lana@anncaris - and then moved the lift while he was hovering in low gravity. The blunt force trauma killed him after ascending and descending."

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina: "I don't know if I should be impressed or scared with how creative you're getting..."

Rianni@crystyl:"Not just me then"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "The Captain did instruct me to neutralize as much of the crew as possible with the tools I had at my disposal."

Rianni@crystyl:"That is true..."

T'Lana@anncaris | The lift doors open at the next deck...

—

T'Lana@anncaris | After clearing out a few more groups, the team continues to make their way through the ship

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "I believe I may have an explanation on why the troops on this ship may have been in that prison facility."

T'Lana@anncaris:"What have you found, Acey?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "It seems this vessel is commanded by an Inquisitor who came from the Galactic Heart- most likely their version of the Heart of Unity from the description in their files. This vessel -

T'Lana@anncaris - was here to recover the psionics that have been collected in the sector to transport back to the Heart."

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina: "It's like that last universe we were at all over again..."

Rianni@crystyl:"Didn't your Captain say something about interrogations? I did see her being escorted through the prison that one time. Maybe this Inquisitor is the helpful one who she learned stuff from!"

T'Lana@anncaris:"It may be prudent to capture her alive for more intel."

Rianni@crystyl:"That sounds as advantageous as it does risky"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "Indeed. The files suggest that the Inquisitor is also psionic. Simply neutralizing her could be difficult."

T'Lana@anncaris:"We should make her a priority target. If she's their leader, she's most likely to be trying to retake the ship."

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "Scanning for matching lifesigns now."

T'Lana@anncaris | Hassan: "If she's a psionic, we should have a plan on how to deal with her, too. She's going to be tougher than the others, especially if she's got friends with her."

Rianni@crystyl:"Beats going in blind, but how do we take someone like that?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Psionics can be dangerous, but not invincible. They simply have another tool in their arsenal, not unlike yourself with your enhanced physiology. They are still people who can make mistakes or lose focus."

Rianni@crystyl:"Sure, or just explode our brains with their mind"

T'Lana@anncaris:<C - Acey> "I have located the Inquisitor. She is with two others in the secondary engineering centre of the ship."

T'Lana@anncaris | Hassan: "Probably trying to find some way to get control over it. Prioritizing her definitely seems to be a good idea."

T'Lana@anncaris:"Do you have any data on what she is able to do with her psionics?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "Unfortunately, the file does not detail her abilities."

T'Lana@anncaris:"I thought not. We will simply have to hope that she is not the sort to explode our brains with her mind. Direct us there, Acey."

T'Lana@anncaris | Before long, the team reaches a sealed door into the secondary engineering room

T'Lana@anncaris:"is there a secondary passage into the area?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "There is a maintenance tunnel leading to the upper floor."

Rianni@crystyl:"That feels like a smart play. Or... maybe both?"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Go with Sabina. Your speed gives you the best chance of surprising the enemy and taking advantage of that surprise. Let us know when you are in position. Hassan and I will engage from -

T'Lana@anncaris - here and try to take out the others. Incapacitate the Inquisitor if possible, but kill her if it is necessary. It is better to have her out of the way than taking any unnecessary risk to -

T'Lana@anncaris - capture her alive."

Rianni@crystyl:"That should give us a good opening to take her by surprise" she nods, looking to Sabina, "Let's go then"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "There is an access to the maintenance tunnel system further down and to your left."

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina nods and heads over for the access hatch

Rianni@crystyl follows closely

T'Lana@anncaris | Pulling open the hatch, Sabina squeezes inside and begins making her way through, "So, what exactly did they have you doing in that factory? I assume navigating maintenance spaces like this -

T'Lana@anncaris - isn't something too unusual for you?"

Rianni@crystyl:"I've pulled my share of maintenance duties, yeah. Mostly just an operator though"

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina: "Not so much fighting and ambushing enemies though, I imagine."

Rianni@crystyl:"No, there was decidedly less of that until your Commander grabbed me"

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina: "I had a feeling. Don't worry, not every day with the Latenter is this intense. This is one of our more exciting moments. But there are quieter times too, trust me."

Rianni@crystyl:"That sounds good to me"

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina and Ori arrive at the exit to the second level, where she taps the combadge she replicated to inform T'Lana, "We're in position."

T'Lana@anncaris:<C> "Acey, open the door. We are engaging now."

T'Lana@anncaris and Hassan peer in through the door as it slides open and fires. One of the guards by the Inquisitor is taken out by their fire, but before they can target the second, the Inquisitor stretches -

T'Lana@anncaris - out her arm and telekinetically yanks their weapons away. She raises her other hand and grabs onto T'Lana, pulling her into the room

T'Lana@anncaris | As the second guard turns his rifle to shoot at the immobilized T'Lana, Sabina leaps out from the maintenance tunnel and fires, taking out the other guard. This reveals her presence to the -

T'Lana@anncaris - Inquisitor however, who promptly uses her telekinesis to pull her weapon away as well. Before Sabina can move to engage, the railing on the second floor suddenly warps and pulls itself loose, -

T'Lana@anncaris - wrapping around Sabina and restraining her

T'Lana@anncaris | This diversion frees T'Lana who tackles the Inquisitor, but she soon returns her focus and pushes T'Lana off herself, sending her slamming into a console. Hassan charges in to assist and -

T'Lana@anncaris - manages to reach the Inquisitor in time, but without a weapon he has to confront her in hand to hand. Unfortunately, the hand to hand fighting makes it difficult for Ori to hit the Inquisitor -

T'Lana@anncaris - without hitting Hassan, but fortunately the Inquisitor doesn't seem aware of her presence yet

Rianni@crystyl sighs to herself, "Wasted opportunity... may as well have stormed in the front door with the others..." and carefully eases herself into a position of oversight where she can take a shot"

T'Lana@anncaris | Fortunately, the Inquisitor is clearly not as strong or skilled as Hassan at close quarters, forcing her to use her abilities to send Hassan flying across the room too. This clears up the -

T'Lana@anncaris - area for Ori to take a shot. Given the Inquisitor isn't as powerful in hand to hand as Hassan, it may be possible for Ori to wound her and then subdue her, but it would be much safer to go for -

T'Lana@anncaris - a shot to just finish her off

Rianni@crystyl tries to aim for wounding and subduing

T'Lana@anncaris | Ori lands a shot on the Inquisitor's leg, sending her toppling to the ground. However, she manages to hold on to her consciousness, reaching out a hand and grabbing her telekinetically. She -

T'Lana@anncaris - pulls Ori down towards her, yanking her weapon away at the same time. T'Lana meanwhile recovers after being slammed into the console, grabbing the wounded Inquisitor from behind and trying to -

T'Lana@anncaris - put her in a chokehold. The distraction causes her to release Ori, who is fortunately close enough to the ground of the first floor to land safely

Rianni@crystyl scrambles to recover her weapon and land another shot

Rianni@crystyl:rolls 96 (1-100)

T'Lana@anncaris | The Inquisitor tries to telekinetically grab the Borg weapon arm, but Ori catches it as it hovers past her in the air and fires a shot to the side which wouldn't risk hitting T'Lana as well

T'Lana@anncaris | The bolt lands on the Inquisitor's left arm, severing it at the elbow. Combined with the chokehold, the Inquisitor loses consciousness

T'Lana@anncaris checks as she lets go, "She's still alive. Nicely done, Ori."

Rianni@crystyl flops back onto the ground, "Just don't ask me to do that again. I'm pretty sure that was more luck than judgement"

T'Lana@anncaris:"I do not have any plans of taking the rest of them prisoner."

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina leaps down from the second floor, having forced herself free of the railing restraint using her augment strength, "Give yourself some credit, Ori. You're pretty good at this!"

Rianni@crystyl:"Thanks" she gets back to her feet, "But it's still more luck at the moment so don't go relying on shots like that just yet"

T'Lana@anncaris gets back to her feet as well, "It may be more instinct than you think, but I do not anticipate needing to ask such precision from you. Let us take the subdued target to their sickbay and clear -

T'Lana@anncaris - up the rest of this ship."

Rianni@crystyl nods, "Good idea"

—

T'Lana@anncaris | Taking the unconscious Inquisitor into the sickbay, they set her down on one of the medical beds

T'Lana@anncaris:"Acey, do you have control over the biobeds?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "Affirmative."

T'Lana@anncaris:"Good. You can use your assimilated EMH knowledge to stabilize her, then."

T'Lana@anncaris | As T'Lana converses with Acey, Ori notices a bed sitting apart on the side which looks distinctly different from the others, one with a headpiece and restraints. Although she can't recall -

T'Lana@anncaris - exactly where, the design of the bed definitely seems familiar to her...

Rianni@crystyl drifts absently towards it, curious about the strange feeling

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina follows over, "Something catch your eye?"

Rianni@crystyl:"I'm not sure. There's just something... oddly familiar about this"

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina steps over, examining the bed. As she checks its interface and text starts popping up on it, Ori realizes why it feels familiar. These are the beds used to wipe memories and implant false ones

Rianni@crystyl:"Wait... this...?" she rubs her brow, "I've been here!"

T'Lana@anncaris steps over as well, "Not here precisely, but I believe you are partly correct. This is the exact same design as the beds that were used on those of us who had no detectable psionic potential."

Rianni@crystyl:"This is what they used to mess with our heads?"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "From the appearance, I believe it is an identical model, or at least an identical series. By studying this, we may find a way to reverse the procedure."

Rianni@crystyl:"That sounds promising"

T'Lana@anncaris:"An unexpected but welcome benefit of taking this vessel. Let us ensure the rest of the ship is under our control first."

T'Lana@anncaris:<C - Acey> "I'll begin analyzing this technology in the meantime."

Rianni@crystyl:"What's next then?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "Since you are in the sickbay, the closest pocket of resistance would be two groups sealed up in the barracks nearby."

T'Lana@anncaris:"Show us the way."

—

T'Lana@anncaris | The team steps out from one of the rooms beside the bridge onto the bridge of the ship itself

T'Lana@anncaris:"That should be the last of them, correct?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "Affirmative."

T'Lana@anncaris:"Do you need our assistance in manning the vessel?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "No, I have full control of ship systems. It was merely due to the lack of internal automated defenses that I required your assistance in commandeering the ship."

T'Lana@anncaris:"Is the Inquisitor still alive?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "Yes. She has been stabilized, but I still do not have access to the transporter systems to beam her into the brig, as they are separate from most ship functions."

T'Lana@anncaris:"Strange design, but it does seem like transporter technology has become less common in this future. They are virtually unheard of outside what seem to be security or military vessels."

Rianni@crystyl:"I think that's because of the power requirement for them. Since dilithium is so hard to come by, high drain systems like that aren't really used everyday"

T'Lana@anncaris:"A logical choice. Let us return to the Sickbay to tag the Inquisitor for transport to a brig, then."

Rianni@crystyl nods, "Right"

T'Lana@anncaris | Arriving at Sickbay, they find that everything is still the same, with the wounded Inquisitor unconscious on a bed

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "There is something else we may wish to try while we are here."

T'Lana@anncaris:"Have you learned something about the memory wipe device?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "I was able to access the data within the device as well as information in the ship computers concerning it. The technology does not truly wipe memories, but simply suppresses them -

T'Lana@anncaris - with new implanted memories at the forefront. As long as the procedure is not performed again, which would cause an information flood that overwrites the original memories, the old memories -

T'Lana@anncaris - could be recovered by removing the implanted ones."

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "That would explain why the species for which the process is less effective can still access fragments of their original memories."

T'Lana@anncaris | Sabina: "And why no skills are lost, like Ori's fighting abilities."

Rianni@crystyl looks between the two and groans, "Why do I get the feeling I know where this is going..."

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "You and Hassan both require recovering your memories, and you are already here."

T'Lana@anncaris | Hassan: "So, I guess it's which one of us volunteers to be the test subject first."

Rianni@crystyl:"I'll do it. Kind of at that point I just want the uncertainty out of the way now and this will do that one way or the other" she heads over to the bed

T'Lana@anncaris follows over, "Will this erase all her recent memories as well, or only the false implanted memories?"

T'Lana@anncaris <C - Acey> "If all proceeds as expected, only the implanted memories. She will still retain naturally acquired memories following the initial procedure."

T'Lana@anncaris:"An ideal outcome, assuming the procedure works as expected. I presume you are set on volunteering, Ori?"

Rianni@crystyl:"Like I said, I just want it over at this point. So do I just hop on up there or...?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"I believe so. That was what they did when they attempted the process on me."

Rianni@crystyl:"Alright then!" she climbs up and settles on the bed

T'Lana@anncaris steps over, sliding the headpiece over Rianni's head, "I will need your direction from here on, Acey."

T'Lana@anncaris:<C - Acey> "I can access the device settings, but I will require you to apply a T75 sedative hypospray first to place her brain into NREM sleep."

T'Lana@anncaris nods, searching a nearby shelf and locating a hypo before making her way over to Ori, applying it to her neck

T'Lana@anncaris | Slowly, Ori drifts off into unconsciousness...

—

T'Lana@anncaris | When Ori comes to, she realizes that her memories have returned, though T'Lana is no longer beside her

Rianni@crystyl slowly sits up, looking around, "Commander?"

T'Lana@anncaris steps over, "You have not addressed me as Commander recently. I take it your memories have been recovered?"

Rianni@crystyl nods, "I believe so, yes. It is a little disorientating, but... I think I'm me again? And me me at that, not any other me"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Welcome back, Ensign. Do you recall what has occurred in the last few days as well?"

Rianni@crystyl:"Yes, I think so. Though if I have forgotten anything, I don't remember forgetting it"

T'Lana@anncaris:"That is true. But you remember your extraction from the factory, our rescue operations for Goto and the Captain, and the retaking of the Latenter?"

Rianni@crystyl:"Yes, that all sounds familiar"

T'Lana@anncaris:"And you are familiar with your identity as Ensign Orianni and the Observer before that?"

Rianni@crystyl:"Yes, I remember all of that now"

T'Lana@anncaris:"I do not believe there is anything I need to fill you in on, then. Let us check to ensure your motor functions are still intact as well."

Rianni@crystyl hops off the bed, "Makes sense. What did you have in mind?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Do not worry, I don't intend to test you with another combat session. Just walk around the Sickbay and let me know if you feel any issue with your balance."

Rianni@crystyl takes a little stroll, testing herself out and returns, "I believe everything is in good working order"

T'Lana@anncaris:"One more test."

T'Lana@anncaris tosses Ori a hypo

Rianni@crystyl snatches it out of the air and gives it a look, "Do I need to do something with this?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"No, I simply wished to test if your reactions and hand-eye coordination was intact. I am glad to see that your brain functions are undamaged. Everything does indeed seem to be in order."

Rianni@crystyl:"That's a relief" she looks to Hassan, "Your turn then"

T'Lana@anncaris | Hassan steps up to the bed, "Thanks for testing it out for me first."

T'Lana@anncaris:"I should report back to the Captain. All you will need to do is move the headpiece into place and administer the hypo I gave you. Acey will take care of the rest."

Rianni@crystyl:"Got it"

—

T'Lana@anncaris | Back on the Latenter...

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "Captain, Commander T'Lana is reporting back in."

Mischa@crystyl looks over, "That's good to hear. Anything pressing?"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "Nothing urgent, though they have apparently acquired a prisoner to transfer into the brig."

Mischa@crystyl:"A prisoner? Curious"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "I will let her fill you in on the details. All I have is that she is an Inquisitor."

Mischa@crystyl:"An inquisitor? Could it be...? Well that will have to wait, we are still vulnerable here"

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "I shall put T'Lana through to report on the more relevant details, then."

Mischa@crystyl:"Thank you"

T'Lana@anncaris appears on the viewscreen, "Captain. I have good news and bad. I would say it is primarily positive, however."

Mischa@crystyl:"Sounds like an eventful trip"

T'Lana@anncaris:"It was quite eventful, though fortunately neutralizing the crew was relatively straightforward thanks to Acey. Aside from the one confrontation with the Inquisitor."

Mischa@crystyl:"Right, T'Fel mentioned that you managed to capture this inquisitor. And so you felt value in that. I look forward to learning more when we're in a better position"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Given what I have heard of them, they possess some of the highest security clearance in the UGS, far higher than any other target present in this system at the moment."

Mischa@crystyl:"Which may well come in handy" she nods

T'Lana@anncaris:"As for the other positive news, we have fully secured the vessel. Acey has control over the Iconian gateway generator, and we have also discovered another beneficial piece of technology."

Mischa@crystyl:"Sounds very positive indeed. Almost makes me afraid to ask what the bad news is now"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Do you wish to hear about the other good news first, or the bad?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Lets hear the bad news, get it over with"

T'Lana@anncaris:"According to the reports on this ship, the dilithium they took from the Latenter has already been divided up among the sector fleet here. Unless we hunt them down one by one, which would be -

T'Lana@anncaris:- inadvisable given the power we currently have at our disposal, we will have to make do with the smaller stockpile on board this captured vessel."

Mischa@crystyl sighs, "That is indeed bad news, but it is what it is now"

T'Lana@anncaris:"The other positive development is that this vessel is equipped with the technology they utilized to alter the memories of our crew. We have managed to use it to successfully reverse the process on Ensign Orianni."

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "Well that is very good to hear. For now then we need to put some distance between us and this place before they get around to countering our escape"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Agreed. The sector fleet has already been alerted. Fortunately, as they do not possess gateway generators, they must proceed here at warp speeds. The dilithium currently onboard this vessel is -

T'Lana@anncaris:- sufficient for three brief gateway openings. Acey and I have located a suitable system within their starcharts to take cover in while we decide our next move."

Mischa@crystyl:"Then lets not dally and get ourselves out there"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "I will have Acey fire up the gateway generator."

Mischa@crystyl:"We're ready over here"

T'Lana@anncaris disappears from the viewscreen, replaced by a view of the USS Faithful Guardian as it cruises into position over and in front of the Latenter...

T'Lana@anncaris FX | https://pwimages-a.akamaihd.net/arc/56/67/5667f66b1eb3f186db0bb5b84a96f61f1691141935.jpg

T'Lana@anncaris | As the ship comes to a stop, the hovering nacelles reposition themselves around the saucer until they point forwards. Then, a stream of energy forms between the nacelles, shooting ahead to -

T'Lana@anncaris - form an Iconian gateway

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki: "All set to take us through."

Mischa@crystyl:"Alright, let's get this boat free again"

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki taps her console and the Latenter moves towards the gateway. A few moments later and they are through, finding themselves surrounded by the gasses of a nebula

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Bee: "Of course. A nebula. A logical place to lay low."

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "We're at the logical mercy of T'Lana and Acey together, do you expect anything less?"

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki chuckles, "A good point."

T'Lana@anncaris | The Faithful Guardian appears not far behind them, with the gateway immediately closing once they are through. The nacelles of the ship slowly return to their resting position

T'Lana@anncaris | T'Fel: "The Faithful Guardian is hailing us."

Mischa@crystyl:"On screen"

T'Lana@anncaris appears on the viewscreen again, "We will be safe in here. Even if they possess some means of tracing our gateway, it is unlikely for them to find our exact location within the nebula. That -

T'Lana@anncaris - means it is highly improbable for them to locate where we open the next gateway, masking our presence entirely once we have determined our next destination."

Mischa@crystyl:"Alright, that should give us some time to collect ourselves. Let's start getting the senior staff over there and fixed"

T'Lana@anncaris:"My thoughts precisely. I have just been informed that the procedure is successful on Hassan as well. I suggest moving deeper into the nebula first to venture away from where we entered, in the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- off chance that they can trace the gateway and find some means of reopening it. Then, we can dock the Latenter and the Faithful Guardian to save transporter energy."

Mischa@crystyl:"Sounds good to me"

T'Lana@anncaris:"I would also recommend against cloaking to save on power costs. It is likely unnecessary with the interference deep within the nebula, even if we are somehow followed."

Mischa@crystyl:"Agreed"

T'Lana@anncaris:"I will see you when we dock, then."

—

T'Lana@anncaris | A few hours later, Mischa is working in the ready room when the doorbell rings

Mischa@crystyl:"Come in"

T'Lana@anncaris steps in, now dressed back in her uniform, "The senior staff's memories have all been recovered. We are slowly working through the rest of the crew now."

Mischa@crystyl:"I've been waiting a long time to hear that, thank you"

T'Lana@anncaris takes a seat, "Buena and Root are working on modifying our own medical beds to be able to perform the same procedure in order to speed up the process, and not be reliant on the technology aboard -

T'Lana@anncaris - the captive vessel."

Mischa@crystyl:"That's good thinking. Hopefully they can find a way so we are at least a little bit less tethered to that ship"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed. We will still need the Iconian gateway generator, however. That system will take significant retrofitting to be installed onto the Latenter, if it is even compatible."

Mischa@crystyl sighs, "With our fuel reserve looking so dire now, maybe we should consider it. That, or we may have to face the possibility of abandoning the Latenter altogether"

T'Lana@anncaris:"For the Faithful Guardian?"

Mischa@crystyl:"If it comes to it. Trust me, I do /not/ care for the idea one little bit. But if we can't resolve our fuel problem then we may be left with no choice"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed. We have been searching the Guardian's databanks and starcharts. It seems that if we wish to obtain more dilithium, we will likely have to raid the UGS for them. There are a few other -

T'Lana@anncaris:- interesting details we have learned from the computers, however. The Inquisitor kept a separate computer core from the one which manages ship functions, so it was fortunately unaffected by Acey's takeover."

Mischa@crystyl:"I imagine she had some interesting notes in there"

T'Lana@anncaris:"That she did. Even the UGS does not have clear records of their early history. Apparently much information was lost in the Psionic Rebellions as it led to a near collapse of spacefaring -

T'Lana@anncaris:- civilizations at the time. However, the Inquisitor appears to be something of an archaeology enthusiast and has been piecing together much of their lost data. From her notes, it seems that the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- UGS is a continuation of the Coalition in this universe, with the Federation playing a key role, hence the USS prefix on their military vessels."

Mischa@crystyl:"I had a feeling" she nods, "Hard as it is to imagine the Coalition we know potentially evolving into something like this"

T'Lana@anncaris:"It would seem that the Darkness was the catalyst for that change. The Coalition found a means to recreate the galactic barrier using psionics, not unlike the universe we last visited with the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Dominion-run galaxy. At first, this process seems to have been volunteer only, but for some reason, psionics began revolting across the galaxy. The Inquisitor suspects several of the Coalition -

T'Lana@anncaris:- powers likely began using less ethical means to acquire psionics in order to keep the barrier strong enough, sparking the initial rebellions."

Mischa@crystyl:"That seems plausible, and in line with what I learned during my incarceration"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Here is where the history becomes more documented and less speculative. The people who remained in control of the Heart reformed into a single faction calling themselves the United Coalition. -

T'Lana@anncaris - They were led by figures seen now as the founders of the UGS, some of whom you may find interesting."

Mischa@crystyl:"Is that so?"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Governor Merra-Orion'Arshai'Denobulan, posthumously declared the first Galactic Governor. Admiral Amir Omar, posthumously declared the first Lord High Admiral. High Inquisitor -

T'Lana@anncaris - and Dahar Master Ezdran Vix. General of the Construct Armies, T'Mer of the Heart. General of the United Army, Melchor of House Diacon. Chief Technology Officer Okasei, posthumously declared -

T'Lana@anncaris - the first High Technician. And the Seventh Founder, whose name has been lost to history, but is credited with the formation of the UGS intelligence branch called the Galactic Scrying Network."

Mischa@crystyl hrms, "One or two familiar names and references there"

T'Lana@anncaris:"The connections to our Coalition are quite visible through some of these names. Under the direction of these individuals, the United Coalition spread out across the Iconian Gateway Network, -

T'Lana@anncaris:- pacifying psionic-led factions while rallying other minor factions to their side. This was when psionics began being captured to keep the Darkness at bay. Due to the widespread destruction caused -

T'Lana@anncaris:- by psionic rebels turned warlords combined with the devastation of the Darkness, which had broken through at several points due to the weakened barrier, the factions which sided with the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Coalition had no qualms about such treatment of psionics. After a campaign which lasted two centuries, the Coalition had, in their words, returned order to the galaxy. That was when it rebranded -

T'Lana@anncaris:- itself as the United Galactic Society, and remains the dominant power in this universe to this day."

Mischa@crystyl:"Hearing it play out like that, it does become more feasible to see how these groups and individuals became shaped by circumstance"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Since then, their morality has only declined further. Now, they aggressively respond to all rebellions, regardless of whether it is psionic in nature or not. They enforce policies on the entire -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Milky Way galaxy, for the survival of the galaxy or so they claim."

Mischa@crystyl nods, "As so often with totalitarian societies like this, they have become victims of their own propaganda"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Indeed. Many of them, including this Inquisitor, believe they are doing the right thing still, as they keep the barrier active and the Darkness at bay. With the history of the Coalition as it -

T'Lana@anncaris:- once was lost to time, they seem to know of no other way, and do not realize how far they have deteriorated."

Mischa@crystyl:"An unfortunate commentary, but one that we're seeing more and more on this journey. It feels now that our focus is becoming as much about choosing the right approach to avoid these futures as it is-

Mischa@crystyl:- to actually find a functional solution in the first place"

T'Lana@anncaris:"That certainly seems to be the-"

T'Lana@anncaris is interrupted as her combadge chimes. She gives it a tap, "T'Lana here."

T'Lana@anncaris:<C - Buena> "We did it. We've found a way to reverse the memory implantation using our own biobeds. We have a successful run of the process on Ensign Chan."

T'Lana@anncaris:"Excellent news. Begin scheduling the reversal process in our own sickbay as well."

T'Lana@anncaris:<C - Buena> "On it, Commander."

Mischa@crystyl:"This is indeed a very positive step"

T'Lana@anncaris:"It is ironic that missing information of the past may be a significant contributor to the decline of the UGS, yet they sought to erase our memories of the history and culture they have lost." She -

T'Lana@anncaris - pauses. "Perhaps..."

Mischa@crystyl:"Perhaps...?"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Given the Inquisitor's interest in history and archaeology, she may be interested in the information from the Coalition of our time, which is likely similar if not identical to their past. I am -

T'Lana@anncaris:- unsure whether one individual would be enough to make a difference, but Inquisitors do seem to have significant influence and authority in the UGS. James Kirk managed to affect change with the -

T'Lana@anncaris:- Spock of the Terran universe. Short-lived change, but we will have no reason to keep the Inquisitor prisoner once we find a way out of this universe, in any case."

Mischa@crystyl:"A possibility maybe, and if getting her more on side might open up doors to us here it could be worth pursuing"

T'Lana@anncaris nods, "Shall I compile some information to present to her, then?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Please"

T'Lana@anncaris stands, "I shall get on it while the crew recover their memories, then."

Mischa@crystyl:"Thank you, I will prepare some notes as well"

—

T'Lana@anncaris | A short while later, Mischa is overseeing the bridge, with Yuzuki still on the helm. The lift doors open and T'Lana steps out, followed by Nethay

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki: "Looks like your regular pilot is up again. Does that mean it's back to the brig with me?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Well I mean, if you really want to I suppose... however since we are still at that ass-end of space and time where neither of us wants to be I imagine it is still in your own interests to make -

Mischa@crystyl:- yourself more useful still"

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki smiles, "Thanks, Mischa. I won't stab you in the back. Don't even have the d'k tahgs on me, see!" She gives her sides a mock pat down

Mischa@crystyl:"Let's not forget that you have already done so. But now is obviously not the time for you to twist the knife just yet"

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki: "I'll play nice from here on out, don't worry." She moves over to a console

Mischa@crystyl hrms, looking back to TL and Nethay, "Good to have you back to your old self Mr. Nethay"

T'Lana@anncaris | Nethay: "Good to be back and with my proper memories. Flying a starship's a lot more interesting than factory work, I'll tell you that!"

T'Lana@anncaris steps up to Mischa, "I have presented our prisoner with the data. She is quite fascinated by it, and surprised by much of the information she is learning about the Coalition as well. I have -

T'Lana@anncaris - refrained from directly convincing her that the UGS has lost its way, merely nudged her towards the right direction. This will be far more impactful if she draws her own conclusions."

Mischa@crystyl:"Now we're getting people back where they belong, I should speak with her myself. It feels long overdue at this point"

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki glances back from her console, "Wait, you're trying to influence the new prisoner into changing the way the UGS operates? And you paint us as villains for trying to direct the course of your timeline..."

Mischa@crystyl:"The difference is that we've gathered evidence showing that they have lost their way from their founding. We are simply filling in the blanks from our own time which they now lack and allowing her -

Mischa@crystyl:- to draw her own conclusions. We are a far cry from presidential assassinations here"

T'Lana@anncaris:"Or any assassinations."

Mischa@crystyl:"Quite"

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki: "We did kill a few guards...but I get your point. Still, we're not quite as different as you think we are. Especially once you've gone through enough universes trying to find a -

T'Lana@anncaris - solution. Back in the one my ancestors came from, you were trying to avoid getting too involved and changing the timeline. And look at you now, freeing Prophets from Dominion captivity or so -

T'Lana@anncaris - Lana tells me, and influencing local figures of authority to enact changes for what you deem to be a better society for them. Next thing you know, you might just be taking out some local -

T'Lana@anncaris - leaders whose actions threaten to undermine all your hard work."

Mischa@crystyl:"We've discussed this before and I know there are great similarities. I even acknowledged that under the right circumstances and approach I may well have supported your people's efforts. But do not-

Mischa@crystyl:- presume to sow seeds of doubt here, I am well aware of the lines and how closely I skirt to them. Or over them at times"

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki: "You skirt them better than most. Trust me, even we Survivors struggle with it, as you've seen with the...disagreement between Aka and myself. To think there was a time when first -

T'Lana@anncaris - contact with local civilizations and matters of their tech level was the biggest headaches Starfleet had."

Mischa@crystyl:"Exactly why it is so dangerous for the likes of us to be permitted to operate autonomously for any length of time. We will invariably reach the point where we lose our way like your people did, and-

Mischa@crystyl:- like this UGS have. It may come to nothing, and it serves us no purpose which is why we won't put any big focus on it. But if sharing a little common history with our guest helps these people find-

Mischa@crystyl:- their way back to their originally intended path, all the better"

T'Lana@anncaris | Yuzuki nods, "Well, I'm certainly not one to speak against this plan. For obvious reasons. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. The Survivors might have strayed from what your -

T'Lana@anncaris - Starfleet's like, but even I don't want to see a galaxy like the one ruled over by this UGS."

—

NPC@annpc#557 | Heading down to the brig, Mischa finds the Inquisitor in a cell, her left arm still missing below the elbow. She has a collar on her neck, a device to weaken her psionics retrieved from her own ship

Mischa@crystyl approaches, "Hello again. I had a feeling it was you"

NPC@annpc#557 | The Inquisitor looks over, setting down a PADD she is reading from in her remaining hand, "It seems our position has been reversed."

Mischa@crystyl:"And then some" she notes the arm, "What happened? You weren't missing an appendage when I last saw you"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "It was lost in the struggle with your boarding party. A flesh wound, nothing that cannot be repaired. We Inquisitors frequently take such injuries in our line of work. We have one -

NPC@annpc#557 - of the most dangerous positions in the UGS after all. I've worked with a Klingon Inquisitor who was more machine than meat."

Mischa@crystyl:"Wow. Well, nonetheless I am sorry that you were injured to this degree at the hands of my crew. We normally make a point of using less aggressive means, but I know they were having to improvise -

Mischa@crystyl:- some-... oh wait, Ori of course. It had to be her and that damned Borg arm she was clinging to..." she sighs

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "Yes, it was the Borg arm... I am surprised you were able to take control of the drones so easily. It must have something to do with that drone of yours which was implemented into -

NPC@annpc#557 - system, I imagine."

Mischa@crystyl:"He was certainly instrumental. But yes, you have my apologies for all of this - not just the arm - but I'm afraid staying here incarcerated just really does not align with our mission parameters. I-

Mischa@crystyl:- can't do much about that, but if we can do anything to help with your arm or just make you more comfortable then please ask"

NPC@annpc#557 | The Inquisitor raises the datapad in her right hand, "Your second-in-command was kind enough to provide me with some reading material already. You do treat your prisoners surprisingly well, -

NPC@annpc#557 - though from what I am reading on here, it seems to be in line with the rest of your ideology."

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "Yes, we thought you might find that interesting. And it seemed only fair to clue you in on who we actually are after inconveniencing you like this"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "I am glad to see that the evidence appears to support my theory of our society's origins. Though the society that preceded it was quite different from what I would have expected."

Mischa@crystyl:"I thought you might find that the case which is why I thought I would come down here in case you wished to actually talk about it at all, not just read datafiles"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "Yes, you come from a universe where this is still the predominant society, do you not?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Yes, we come from the early founding of the Coalition"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "And the psionic awakening is still recent for you, is it not?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Very much so, yes. When we left the Heart people were still arriving who had recently awakened and needed guidance"

NPC@annpc#557 | The Inquisitor nods, "That explains why your society is so tolerant still. It is interesting to see such detailed records of the early days, even if they were not exactly the same between our -

NPC@annpc#557 - universes. It makes me wonder, if we had trained and guided our psionics better, could we have prevented the rebellions in the first place?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Perhaps, and perhaps the history is not even so different from the one you lost. You see I've been doing some reading too, and there is a lot of commonality in your records that tie in to all of -

Mischa@crystyl:- this. Most notably being the named founders"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "Yes, there are a few similarities to people and institutions of your time. I do see that your Klingons already possess an Inquisition, the beginnings of our organization. Perhaps -

NPC@annpc#557 - our history is not so different indeed. Perhaps our society here is a possible future branching off from your very own timeline, even."

Mischa@crystyl:"It is an eventuality that I too have considered, not least given my own implication in things once again"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "Perhaps, now that you have seen our Society, you may find some way to prevent the rebellions."

Mischa@crystyl nods, "Indeed. This is not the only future I now concern myself with the matter of avoiding, but that is my burden to bear"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "Is that why you travel to our universe? To learn about the future, and avoid the mistakes of other universes?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Well, our mission has become a little more convoluted in that sense. We set out to investigate one particular future where our descendants had taken it upon themselves to try and alter their past -

Mischa@crystyl:- in our present, but - not unlike your UGS it seems - they lost their way. However our journey has deviated a lot since then and has evolved a secondary objective in understanding the Darkness and -

Mischa@crystyl:- finding a means to keep it at bay before it consumes the galaxy in our reality"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "Well, that part you have found. You have your own Galactic Heart, do you not?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Yes, and I have long suspected that using it to reinstate the galactic barrier would be the answer. The question remains in how to deliver on that without inviting the rebellions of your history, since

Mischa@crystyl:- the Q Continuum won't step in and just put it back like they had in the first place"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "A challenging prospect indeed. Perhaps the data on my ship could benefit you, or what I have pieced together of the rebellions' history, at least. Speaking of which, I don't -

NPC@annpc#557 - suppose you would be willing to return my ship, once you are done here?"

Mischa@crystyl:"Assuming we are in a position to do so, of course. We have no purpose for it once we depart this reality, however we are in something of a pickle right now since your people strip-mined our fuel -

Mischa@crystyl:- reserves. So unless we can recover enough dilithium to get the Latenter home, we may be left with no choice but to commandeer your ship now"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "Obtaining dilithium will be difficult. Any large reserves or mining operations are very closely guarded. Even with your ship and mine operating at full capacity, raiding them will -

NPC@annpc#557 - be next to impossible. And raiding individual ships for their stocks won't be worth the effort. My ship has a larger volume of dilithium than most, and even then, it's much less than what was -

NPC@annpc#557 - taken from you, as you can see."

Mischa@crystyl:"You can see my dilemma"

NPC@annpc#557 | The Inquisitor nods, "Indeed. Your best chance may be to cut deals with smugglers or illegal traders. Which will likely involve trading them technology from either my ship or yours. Not great -

NPC@annpc#557 - for my departure from this place, but I suppose if I help you in finding a way to another universe, you may at least give me one of the shuttles you've stolen and drop me off near a UGS system."

Mischa@crystyl:"I would prefer to find a way to take the Latenter with us, and leave you behind with your ship. But that's not likely to happen without your cooperation, is it?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "You want me to use my authority and request you dilithium from a stockpile?"

Mischa@crystyl:"That would certainly make this whole process a lot simpler"

NPC@annpc#557 | Inquisitor: "Very well. I suppose it would be only fair, considering we took the dilithium from you to begin with. The UGS still breaks even, with your dilithium in circulation."

Mischa@crystyl:"That is most gracious of you, or perhaps it is simply logical as my XO would surmise. But either way, you are not obliged to help us at all here, so I do appreciate you taking such a stance with -

Mischa@crystyl:- view to the bigger picture. I don't have much to offer in gratitude, but..." she eyes the PADD, "There are plenty more where that came from if more missing history is appealing"

NPC@annpc#557 | The Inquisitor gives a faint smile, "That would be more than adequate compensation. And the return of my ship, when the dilithium is acquired."

Mischa@crystyl smiles, "Of course"