ST:SoD319 | "The Sanctuary Meeting"

Stardate 100732.8

With the help of the newly repaired Yorktown, the Venator sets up a surprise meeting with the Diteans in an attempt to end the conflict...

---

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Keliaya@anncaris FX | The Venator is stationary in the middle of a star system. The star is visible off in the distance, its light reflecting off the surface of the ship. Strangely though, the Venator isn't -

Keliaya@anncaris - in orbit or even next to a planet or moon, simply waiting in the middle of nowhere in the midst of the system

Keliaya@anncaris | The camera zooms into the bridge, where Kelly is seated in the command chair with most of the main bridge crew on duty on various consoles around her. The lift doors slide open and Rianni and Emma arrive

Rianni@crystyl | Emma heads to her station while Rianni steps down and sits next to Kelly, "What news?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Indrix: "Ah, you're just in time. Reading a gateway opening bearing 025-mark-111."

Rianni@crystyl:"A gateway? From the Heart?"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "That's right. We're meeting back up with an old friend who's bringing us a new lead."

Keliaya@anncaris | Azevedo: "Only two hundred thousand kilometres? Damn, I was close to getting us a good view. Taking us there now."

Rianni@crystyl turns to Kelly, "Old friends, new leads? Sounds like an intel thing..."

Keliaya@anncaris smirks, "Surprisingly in this case, it actually isn't. I mean SFI was involved no doubt, but they weren't the ones who found this lead."

Keliaya@anncaris | On the viewscreen, the Venator turns and heads towards the gateway

Rianni@crystyl chuckles, "Someone beat them at their own game? I bet that went down well"

Keliaya@anncaris | Rylliss: "According to the reports I have, it was accidentally discovered by an Iconian and Romulan cadet."

Rianni@crystyl:"A pair of cadets? Huh... Sounds like there's a story in that if ever there was one"

Keliaya@anncaris | Rylliss: "It is quite a story. I'll forward you the reports for you to read over."

Rianni@crystyl:"Thanks! Sounds interesting if nothing else. And if this is anything to go by, maybe I should make a point of reading up on reports from that annex..."

Keliaya@anncaris | As they approach where the gateway opened, a ship appears on the viewscreen, which promptly magnifies in...

Keliaya@anncaris FX | https://i.imgur.com/BiVDCgC.jpg

Keliaya@anncaris:"The USS Yorktown, repaired and improved after her last run-in with the Diteans."

Rianni@crystyl:"Always a welcome sight, that"

Keliaya@anncaris | Captain Kestra Troi-Riker appears on the viewscreen, with a now quite different-looking bridge behind her

Keliaya@anncaris FX | https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0VlGXL_ZP2E/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEhCK4FEIIDSFryq4qpAxMIARUAAAAAGAElAADIQj0AgKJD&rs=AOn4CLBDwF9BLaiuLE8375e1HyNOkSXdww

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "Good to have you back in the fight, Yorktown. How's the Terran tech treating you?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "You should know better than anyone, Kelly. Terran equipment is built tough and sturdy. Besides, most of the Terran components we used are largely cosmetic, so the Yorktown still looks -

Keliaya@anncaris - like a Starfleet cruiser. We probably have more Coalition tech than anything else, now."

Keliaya@anncaris:"I thought the paintjob looked a little familiar."

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "Faraday's getting it too, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Guan Yu sporting it once we finally recover her. Guess it's going to be the new DSEC look going forward."

Keliaya@anncaris:"What about the AI core? No problems with that, I hope?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "It's been serving us well so far, in no small part thanks to your old friend."

Keliaya@anncaris | Mana steps into view of the screen, "Hello Commander! And hello Rianni!"

Rianni@crystyl 's eyes widen, "Mana!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Mana: "Mana is here to supervise on the Yorktown's first tour with Journey. That is the new name of the AI Kelly and Rianni recovered from the Gainsborough wreckage which was installed here."

Rianni@crystyl:"Ooh, so that's on the Yorktown now? I'm so glad it survived!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Mana: "Yes, Journey wanted to be installed on an Odyssey-class cruiser or a variant, and since Yorktown was undergoing a major refit, this was a perfect choice. Not to mention that unlike some -

Keliaya@anncaris - people in the Federation, Captain Troi-Riker has a very positive experience with synthetic lifeforms."

Rianni@crystyl:"Well please tell Journey it's great to see them back in action!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Mana: "Mana will!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "Mana's also here as a representative of the Coalition shipbuilding project. The refit we received is quite different from the one the Valley Forge had, and the shipbuilding project's -

Keliaya@anncaris - using us as a bit of a testbed to see how nicely certain Coalition technologies play with one another."

Rianni@crystyl ooh's, figuring this is more Kelly's field

Keliaya@anncaris:"I had a feeling they'd take advantage of the opportunity. I'll have to come over and take a look sometime."

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "You can take a look now. Not only is the contact scheduled to meet with our prisoner on Sanctuary, but she's someone you've met and negotiated with before."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Really? That part wasn't in the report."

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra nods, "Asteriarch Syrene."

Keliaya@anncaris:"The one we were trying to negotiate with before the No'Rad came in and attacked them."

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "We have the prisoner and a nondescript transport to get onto Sanctuary without drawing any attention, but I thought you might want to take point on this one."

Keliaya@anncaris:"I'll come on over, then," she stands. "Sin, Ralde, with me."

Rianni@crystyl | The two leave their stations to join Kelly at the turbolift

Keliaya@anncaris:"You have the bridge, Tierno."

Rianni@crystyl nods and smiles, "Try not to have too much fun over there now"

Keliaya@anncaris:"And you make sure Azevedo doesn't get too crazy while I'm gone. Lots of things to scratch the paint in that debris field around Sanctuary station."

Rianni@crystyl:"Duly noted"

—

Keliaya@anncaris | On the Yorktown, Kelly, Emma and Sin step out of the turbolift onto the new bridge of the ship...

Keliaya@anncaris:"Is it just me, or did they make the bridge smaller?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl looks around, "It seems a little more... comfortable"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "No dungeon"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra smiles and stands, "It was a better balance of impressiveness and practicality. Not every Odyssey-class has the benefit of a psionic being able to relay orders telepathically across the -

Keliaya@anncaris - bridge, and yelling gets tiring," she gives Emma a nod. "It does, doesn't it? Geordi swung by during the refit, suggested a more homely look like they have on the Galaxy classes."

Emma Ralde@crystyl snaps her fingers, "That's what it reminds me of!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "You're familiar with the old Galaxies? Must be quite an Engineering or history enthusiast, then."

Emma Ralde@crystyl chuckles nervously, "Y- yeah... history enthusiast"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra steps over to Sin, "And you must be Ensign Sin, the psionic who took on the Architect."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin nods, "The one and only"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra's gaze lingers on Sin for a moment before she looks back to Kelly, "Feel free to look around the ship, check out all the new upgrades."

Keliaya@anncaris steps over to a console, "I'll check out the new specs first before I start disturbing your engineers," she chuckles

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"I should probably keep an eye on 'the one and only'..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "To the bar then!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl groans, "You're on duty, you know..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "I didn't say what I'd do there..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl sighs

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "Head to Deck 13. I have a feeling you'd get along with our guest, and it could be handy to build a rapport before the mission."

Emma Ralde@crystyl nods, "Thank you Captain, we'll do that" she pinches Sin by the tip of her ear, "Come on your one and only-ness" and drags her back into the turbolift

—

Keliaya@anncaris | As they arrive on Deck 13, the computer voice says, "Your destination is down the hall, fourth door to the right."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | The two look around briefly

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "DId it know specifically where we were going?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Journey is an evolved AI after all"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "And an eavesdropper, apparently..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Yes, go on and insult the AI running the ship you're standing on. And - you know - all those important systems like the environment and airlocks..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin gives a smug grin, "Bah, like I need to worry about such trifling things"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Oh what, so breathing is beneath you now too?" she mocks

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "It is a hassle, but one I have resolved to suffer for the time being"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Riiiight... can't just say sorry, can you"

Keliaya@anncaris | The pair reach the door in question, which has a Nuhar defense drone hovering outside the door. The drone moves aside as they approach

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Thank you" she acknowledges the drones before approaching and chiming the door

Keliaya@anncaris | A voice answers, "Come in."

Emma Ralde@crystyl steps in first, "Hello there, not intruding are we?"

Keliaya@anncaris | They step in to a suite of guest quarters, where a heavily cybernetically augmented man is seated on the couch

Keliaya@anncaris FX | https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7a/bb/20/7abb207854e6b2b2b377cce46b3eac70.png

Keliaya@anncaris | Thief: "No, not at all. There's not much for me to do in here anyways, so I welcome these visits. You're not one of the ones I've seen, though."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"We're from the Venator, the ship that was out here already. I'm Emma and this is Sin"

Keliaya@anncaris | Thief: "Ikuryn, freelance acquisitions specialist."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"That's... quite the title"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "I'll have to stea- I mean, 'acquire' that!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn chuckles, "The Corpses prefer it to just calling me a thief or a spy. And I'm not exactly a Corporate espionage agent since I don't hold loyalty to any particular Corporation."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"And now here you are"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "A Ditean hired me to acquire a collection of cultural close-quarters weaponry from as many Coalition cultures as possible. Looking back onto it, I'm pretty sure she used her charm to -

Keliaya@anncaris - talk me into the job because it was a pretty risky ask. Still, I did pretty well, until a pair of cadets started getting on my tail after I stole one of their swords."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin snickers

Emma Ralde@crystyl clips her around the back of her head, "Yes. We heard the cadets were involved, quite the curious sounding tale. But no more than why this Ditean would want these things to begin with"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "I know as much about that as you do. I was just hired to do a job. Why the client wants it done isn't my business, and people who ask too many questions in my line of work don't -

Keliaya@anncaris - usually make it far."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin nods, "You get paid to do a job, not to ask questions about it"

Emma Ralde@crystyl sideglances at Sin, suddenly being civilized just because she gets it

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Exactly. You seem to understand the business a lot better than most of these Starfleet types."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "That's because I worked it for longer than I wore this uniform"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Really? You were a freelancer yourself?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin nods with a smug grin, "Yeah, don't mean to brag but I ran quite the infamous crew back in the day"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"But you don't mean to brag..."

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "How did you end up in a uniform?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin sighs, "Took a hit job that meant wearing it to go undercover to find my target. Ended up getting embroiled in that whole Horde war thing, and before I knew it was an honorary member of the -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- family and responsible for defeating the ancient evil genius behind it all to save the galaxy"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"...but you don't mean to brag"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Interesting story. So if I help you defeat these Sirens, I might go free, too?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin shrugs, "Not my place to say, don't know this Captain like the one I wrapped around my fing- ow! Stop that!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl clipped her around the back of the head again, "What she means to say is that we can't speak for the Captain of this ship, but from Sin's experience it is clearly a possibility"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Good. Hate to think I'm doing all this for nothing. They promise me they'll take my cooperation into consideration, so I figured it was better to cooperate. But I wasn't sure if that -

Keliaya@anncaris - could mean full freedom or just a few years off a sentence."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Cadets were involved in what happened, right? So this was at the Heart?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn nods, "The client wanted traditional weapons from all sorts of Coalition cultures. The best place to acquire them was the Heart, where you're all congregated. It would take years to -

Keliaya@anncaris - build up a collection like that otherwise, so the Heart was the only real option."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Then I think you're in the best place to find an agreeable way forwards. Were you in the middle of Federation territory, they'd probably just ship you off to prison and let you rot. But at the-

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- Heart... well, everything's new and unestablished. Everyone's still on tenterhooks, so eager to put the effort in to play nicely all the time. Show a little willing there, and I'm sure it will go a long way"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Yes, I learned quite a bit about your culture...cultures during my time there. Quite an unprecedented thing you have going on. I know your Federation is already a big collection of -

Keliaya@anncaris - cultures, but something like the Coalition is just quite another step forward."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"It is quite unprecedented. That's why I honestly believe you're in a good place. Goddess, you're here in quarters ready to help, so that's a good sign"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Better than I got at first..."

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Oh, I was thrown into a brig at first too. Since I was cooperative, they let me have nicer accommodations here. Besides, I'd be an idiot to try and break out with that AI of theirs. -

Keliaya@anncaris - I'm good at getting through doors, but to go against an AI? No amount of modification would give me enough of an edge."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin, "Yeah I noticed you're sporting more than a little chrome. And I don't see any green skin-" she flinches, expecting another swipe, then gives Emma a dubious look

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"What? He's a male, it's their thing"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin relaxes, "Oh... well yeah, so what's your deal, ex-Borg or something?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "I'm Hyrokee. It's common practice among our culture to enhance ourselves with cybernetics. Usually the more we have, the better off we are. It's as much a status symbol as it is -

Keliaya@anncaris - for practical use today. There are different fashion trends among males and females sometimes, but it's common practice for both to self-modify."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Ooh so like the Olelians"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Not sure I'm familiar with that culture yet. Name sounds somewhat familiar."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"They are quite a ways coreward from here, so I'm not surprised. They're generally smaller built - like Sin"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Hey!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"- but easier on the eyes-"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "HEY!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"-you can't miss them for deep pink hue to their skin. They share your approach to cybernetics with a strong sense of fashion and trend to it, not like the males of my own people. The only real -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- difference I think is that the Olelians do a lot more of their stuff with nanotech"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin simmers and glares at Emma, "You might not be able to die, but I can still boil your blood you know"

Emma Ralde@crystyl smiles and hugs her, "Love you too Sin"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "You two have quite an...interesting dynamic."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin sighs, "Yeah..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Oh stop pouting!" she chuckles, "What can I say? We've been on a crew together for years now and we've been through a lot in that time. Tends to bring people together like a family, you know? -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- Bratty little sisters notwithstanding"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn smiles, "That it does. I mostly work alone these days, with exceptions for jobs like this one. But I used to be part of a crew, back in the day."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"What made you change to a solo act?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "We lost people as time went on. Back in those days, I didn't exclusively steal things. I was our stealth specialist, but we took on all sorts of jobs. Some of them very dangerous. We -

Keliaya@anncaris - had new recruits to replace the ones who died, but there was one job that went wrong, badly. Most of us didn't make it out, and those of us who did, we just...broke up after that. Went our -

Keliaya@anncaris - separate ways. I had already worked up a reputation of being able to quietly acquire what people wanted, so I focused on that. And it was usually easier to go about that on my own."

Emma Ralde@crystyl nods, "I get that, yeah. Been there more than a few times"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn narrows his eyes, "More than a few times? I don't recall my research indicating Orions aging like the Ice Giants. You have a decently long life, but you still look pretty fresh."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"That's a, uh... secret family technique... yeah"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Trust me, it's better to just roll with her on this one"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Right. One of those secret life-extending technologies for the corporate elites, then. Or something equivalent in your culture."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"It's not really a cultural thing. It's... personal, and not something I like to discuss"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Very well. I have little interest in looking youthful anyways. If I'm doing my job right, I shouldn't be seen at all."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"So is it your professional skills that bring you here now?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Not quite for this particular job. My role is to show up at the deal with some of the weapons I was allowed to keep. Get Syrene at the table so your people can negotiate with her, or -

Keliaya@anncaris - capture her, whichever you end up doing."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin, "She's the Ditean?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn nods, "The one who hired me for the job. Apparently your people are familiar with her and she seems to be a relatively big shot among the Diteans."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Interesting. I wonder what they plan to do"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "What your people plan to do, or what Syrene wanted with all those cultural weapons?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Well... both, really"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Not sure I can speak to either, myself."

Emma Ralde@crystyl smiles, "I know, just voicing my curiosity"

Keliaya@anncaris | The doorbell rings again

Emma Ralde@crystyl & Sin turn

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn gives them a curious look, "Expecting friends to join us?" He turns to the door, "Come inside."

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra steps into the room, "Are we all building a nice rapport here?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Well nobody has spontaneously combusted, so I take that as a good sign"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Puh-lease, I almost never do that to people out of boredom now!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "Right...so, you said you wanted to see what we had on offer in our lounge?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin grins, "Always!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra smiles, "Come with me then, Ensign. You're welcome to come along too, Ensign Ralde."

—

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra leads Sin and Emma into the main lounge of the Yorktown

Keliaya@anncaris FX | https://i.imgur.com/8e4hPaU.jpg

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "We've just stocked up at the Heart, so we have quite a selection to choose from. Non-alcoholics only of course, since you're still on duty. But we still have some good choices among -

Keliaya@anncaris - those," she smiles as she approaches the bar

Sin@crystyl:"This is exactly why everyone says Starfleet is no fun. Just saying"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "You can still drink when you're off-duty, you know."

Sin@crystyl:"My point exactly. Drinking off duty, all you're doing is drowning the sorrow of having already done a long shift. But drinking on duty, then the whole shift is something to enjoy!"

Sin@crystyl | Emma sighs, "I must apologize for her Captain. It's best to think of her like a visit from the Q that just won't have the courtesy of ending..."

Sin@crystyl beams proudly

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "Must be quite an experience having her on your crew, then."

Sin@crystyl | Emma, "An experience... yes"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra smiles and looks to Sin, "Tell you what. I'll get you something /somewhat/ alcoholic. Captain's prerogative."

Sin@crystyl smiles, "Why thank you Captain. When I rule all of creation I will remember this"

Sin@crystyl | Emma facepalms, "Why do we let her out in public again...?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra chuckles and moves behind the bar, taking out a bottle and some glasses before gesturing for Sin to follow

Sin@crystyl & Emma join her

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra sits down, pouring out the drink and sliding the glasses across to Emma and Sin, "So, I'm guessing with powers like yours, you can just purge alcohol from your blood if you needed to."

Sin@crystyl sips, "Probably, but where would the fun be in that?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra pours some into her own glass, taking a sip, "You usually enjoy showing off your powers, don't you?"

Sin@crystyl | Emma: "Not just her powers. She just likes being the centre of attention in general"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "But for all that, there is something about your powers you're conflicted about, isn't there?"

Sin@crystyl 's eyes narrow slightly, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra smiles and her eyes briefly give off the distinct glow of a powerful psionic, "You're not the only one with talents, Sin. I've met many unusual individuals in my time, but never someone -

Keliaya@anncaris - quite like you. You enjoy your power, take pride in it. But it scares you too. More than you like to admit."

Sin@crystyl smiles a little, "I get it, so you got some sight too. What then, you can sense others' power?"

Sin@crystyl | Emma leans back, sipping her drink and watching with quiet intrigue at the rare sight of Sin being on the ropes

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "That's one of the things I can do, yes. Power, and emotions, and you have quite a bit of both."

Sin@crystyl | Emma: "Of course, you're part Betazoid"

Sin@crystyl looks between the two, "Really? Oh now that's just cheating!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra chuckles, "Much of my own power comes from the psionic awakening, which if I remember right, you played a role in unleashing. So if anything, I have you to thank for 'cheating.'"

Sin@crystyl:"Damn you Captains... always the same, always know how to have the last word don't you?"

Sin@crystyl | Emma chuckles, "I think that means she likes you, Captain. Or at least... you've gone up a rank in her view, if she's comparing you to our old CO"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra smiles, "I'm glad to hear it. And, while I wouldn't want to steal a patient from your ship's counselor, I'll be happy to help if you ever want to talk about developing powers. I know -

Keliaya@anncaris - it can be quite an ordeal, and not everyone deals with it the same way."

Sin@crystyl:"I'm good, thanks"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "Well, the offer stands if you decide to take me up on it. Until then, I won't divulge anything too personal in public. Because I can tell your friend's just waiting to grab on to -

Keliaya@anncaris - every word and knock you over the head with it," she gives a smirk in Emma's direction

Sin@crystyl:"Yeah, she likes to do that...."

Sin@crystyl | Emma smiles innocently, "Only when you step out of line"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra chuckles and stands, "You two enjoy your drinks! And if you drink too much, I'll be expecting an alcohol purge from you, Ensign."

Sin@crystyl:"Fair's fair"

Sin@crystyl | Emma, "Thank you Captain"

—

Keliaya@anncaris | Some time later, both Emma and Sin are called to the rearmost part of the ship

Emma Ralde@crystyl wanders along, looking around, "I think this is the right section..."

Keliaya@anncaris | Emma turns a corner to find Kelly and Kestra conversing outside a large airlock door

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Told you it was the right way!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl frowns, "Actually I told you that when you wanted to go left back there..."

Keliaya@anncaris turns and chuckles, "In retrospect, maybe I should've found you two and led you here. I don't think either of you have served on an Odyssey-class before, have you?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | They both shake their heads

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "I thought you'd be familiar with Starfleet ships Emma, but I realized the Odyssey's a bit on the new side for you." She gestures to the airlock, "Well, this is usually where the Aquarius -

Keliaya@anncaris - is docked. That's a small escort which serves as an auxiliary craft on Odyssey variants."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"You said usually. So what's different now?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "One of our refits was altering the docking port to be compatible with a wide variety of similarly sized vessels. For this operation, our Aquarius has been replaced with a Hyrokee -

Keliaya@anncaris - Corporate patrol craft modified as a blockade runner. We've just arrived in the system, but you'll be approaching Sanctuary station on the blockade runner so the Diteans won't see a -

Keliaya@anncaris - Starfleet presence and decide to either run or attack."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Smart move"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "I had a feeling you'd approve."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"So what's the plan from here exactly?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "Ikuryn's already sent word to the Diteans. Once you're at the station, he'll head to the agreed spot to meet Syrene with the weapons she requested, some legitimate and some replicas. -

Keliaya@anncaris - When you confirm Syrene is there, you'll try to pick up on the negotiations that was cut off the last time you met."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"So we're to monitor and then step in, or join him from the start?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Since the Diteans possess a level of psionics, you'll be staying with him to keep an eye on him. You and Rianni have also shown yourself resistant to Diteans, or at least resistant enough that -

Keliaya@anncaris:- they preferred to attack instead of manipulate. Sin will be staying with me to approach when Syrene is confirmed, in case we can't negotiate and have to subdue her."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Fair enough. Civvies then? I'm guessing we don't want uniforms giving things away"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "There'll be a replicator on board to make us some."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Perfect. Sounds like we're all set then"

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra: "Good luck out there."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Thank you Captain"

Keliaya@anncaris opens the airlock door and steps inside. They arrive inside a small cargo bay with several cells that clearly don't originally belong fitted in. The cells appear to have previously been Terran -

Keliaya@anncaris - agonizer booths by their design. In addition to the cells are two anti-grav trolleys with long crates atop them, and some miscellaneous other crates and barrels

Keliaya@anncaris:"Don't worry, as with the repurposed pistols we have on board, the agonizer technology's been stripped out of these. They're just convenient portable cells, in case we end up taking prisoners."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Right... hey Kelly, remember when we thought we'd disconnected those things too"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Don't remind me...fortunately, this wasn't previously a Terran ship, so there shouldn't be any surprises like that. Only the booths themselves are Terran, and it's easier to check that than a whole ship."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Fair enough. Shouldn't be anything to worry about then"

Keliaya@anncaris leads the way out of the cargo bay and into a hall. They pass by doors into bunk rooms, one of which is guarded by two security personnel bearing the Yorktown patch

Keliaya@anncaris:"Kestra assigned some Security, just in case our thief tries anything, or if we need backup on Sanctuary."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"If anything, I suspect they'll be needed for backup"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "I'm told he's been pretty cooperative so far. Should make this easier." She turns and enters a room which seems to be an armoury, with two large replicators along one wall

Keliaya@anncaris:"You can replicate some clothes here and change in the bunks."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"I'll see if I can't come up with something convincing"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Your look'll be the most important as you'll be going with Ikuryn. It might be a good idea to escort him to the meeting point and keep slightly out of view, but the Diteans are more likely to see -

Keliaya@anncaris:- you before the ruse is up. When Sin and I arrive, they'll know what the meeting is really about, or soon about to find out, anyways."

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "But, I'm sure someone as experienced as you can easily find something to blend in."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"I think I can manage it" she chuckles

Keliaya@anncaris:"I'll see you on the bridge when we're all changed, then. On a tiny ship like this, even you shouldn't have trouble finding it," she smirks as she turns to head off, not specifying whether she -

Keliaya@anncaris:- meant Sin or Emma by that last comment

Emma Ralde@crystyl | The two share a glance, each assuming the other was the intended target of the smirk

—

Keliaya@anncaris | As the blockade runner arrives at Sanctuary station, Ikuryn readies two of the anti-gravity lifts

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "So, you been here before?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Once, yes. Not the most enjoyable of experiences though"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Met some rough types on the station?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"It was our first encounter with the Diteans proper. They appeared to my vijra and I as, well, my vijra and I. Then we got to experience their whole shape shifting arm-blade thing"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Wait, you mean they attacked you?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl nods, "Mhmm. Quite the first contact"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Doesn't sound like what I've heard of the Diteans. Aren't they supposed to be seductive and all?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Oh they tried that, sure. They saw two of us coming and assumed forms based on what they read from our minds as one we would trust. What they didn't bank on was that we were together. So instead of-

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- seducing us into a quiet corner to dispose of us and take our places, things got messy"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "What does you being together have to do with...wait, don't tell me. The ones you would trust were each other?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Exactly! So we walked around the corner to see us walking around the corner towards us!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Almost sounds comical if they weren't trying to assassinate you..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"I know right?! Like something out of one of those sitcom holos!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn chuckles, "Just a /little/ bit more high-stakes."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Hopefully we won't have anything like that this time though"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn taps the lifts and they begin to follow him as he heads out the cargo bay, "Well they're expecting my delivery, so I'm sure we should be fine. Not sure how they'll react to when your -

Keliaya@anncaris - friends show up, but they don't usually come here in large numbers. It's more of an undercover thing, so worst case scenario we'll still be able to get away."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"I hope this proves to be more fruitful though"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "You and me both. I'm sure you'll factor my cooperation into account either way, but the better this goes for you, the better it reflects on me too."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"You really are counting on setting up a future with the Coalition, aren't you?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Well, I'd rather not sit in a prison for a few years, and I saw during my time at the Heart that plenty of Hyrokee, Corporate and freelancer alike are finding good employment with the Coalition."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Still, surprised there's not more temptation to try and cut loose while on Sanctuary"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn smirks, "Oh there is. But if I do that, I'll probably have both you and the Diteans on my rear. Over half the goods here are replicas so they won't be pleased with the job, and -

Keliaya@anncaris - if I call them here for nothing and bail on the meeting, I doubt they'll be any happier. Could I slip away from you both here? Definitely. But then I'd annoy two potential employers at once. -

Keliaya@anncaris - War can be good for my line of work, but not if you antagonize both sides."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"It's a delicate balance, no doubt. But your point does make a certain business sense"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "If everything went according to plan, I'd have antagonized no side. Delivered the weapons to the Diteans without you ever knowing, and I'll still be able to get jobs from either side -

Keliaya@anncaris - going forward. But of course that didn't happen, so I gotta make the best of my situation."

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "And luckily for you, the best means cooperating."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"All the more reason for us to make sure this pays off then!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn nods, "Meeting point should be coming up soon."

—

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn steps into a small room with several tables spread throughout it. At one of the tables sit two individuals whose too perfect look indicates at being Diteans

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn steps over towards the table, "You don't look like the one I dealt with last time, but then again, you people are shapeshifters, aren't you?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ditean 1: "The Shield-Maiden is preoccupied with the current conflict, but we're here with the rest of the payment. I see you have the goods with you."

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn gives Emma a glance

Emma Ralde@crystyl reaches into her jacket, discretely opening a comm signal to Kelly while pulling out a PADD she offers to the Diteans, "The full manifest"

Keliaya@anncaris | The second Ditean stands, taking the PADD and scrolling through it slowly

Emma Ralde@crystyl looks to Ikuryn, "The Shield-Maiden never said anything to you about using proxies?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn shakes his head, "No, she didn't. I mean, she didn't exactly promise to be here herself when setting up the meet, but I assumed she would, since she came here last time."

Keliaya@anncaris | Ditean 1: "The scale of the conflict with the Coalition has escalated since you were commissioned for this job, and the Defender of the Tydian Worlds is needed elsewhere. We apologize for any -

Keliaya@anncaris - inconvenience this causes, but we were dispatched as her representatives and possess the payment that was promised."

Emma Ralde@crystyl hrms, making a show of displaying misgivings at the whole setup for Ikuryn to lever if desired

Emma Ralde@crystyl is not impressed

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Could we at least speak to her through comms, to make sure I'm delivering the goods to the right person?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ditean 2: "We have the payment. Does it matter?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"It does if this shipment ends up in the wrong hands. Could lead back to him-" she side nods at Ikuryn, "- or worse, me"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "Well I have a reputation to maintain. Wouldn't do good for future jobs if I deliver to the wrong client now, would it?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Ditean 1: "Very well. We do have a means to contact the Asteriarch. Please give us a moment while we do so."

Keliaya@anncaris | The Ditean takes out a holoprojector, setting it on the table. A holoconsole displays above the projector, which she taps at

Keliaya@anncaris | About two minutes pass before the hologram of a Ditean replaces the console. She is dressed in the same ceremonial-looking armour the Venator crew saw Syrene in when they communicated with her -

Keliaya@anncaris - during their brief contact

Keliaya@anncaris | Ditean 1: "Asteriarch. Pardon the interruption, but the freelancer you hired to acquire cultural weapons wishes to speak with you directly to confirm that he is delivering to the right person."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "Is that so?" The hologram turns to face Ikuryn and Emma, "Well, you are quite the responsible one, I see. Or responsible ones. It seems you've acquired some help since our last meeting."

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "It's a lot of weapons to haul by myself. I needed a good smuggler to get them to you, and here she is."

Keliaya@anncaris | The door slides open and Kelly and Sin step into the room. The second Ditean immediately springs to his feet

Keliaya@anncaris | Ditean 2: "Private meeting here."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin raises a hand, creating a subtle gravity field around the Diteans to hold them in place. But not so heavy that it forces them to the ground or anything, "As you were"

Keliaya@anncaris | The two Diteans are held in place just in time as the first Ditean moves to tap the holoprojector, but is unable to move enough to reach it

Keliaya@anncaris makes her way over to the projector, "I know. I'm the one who set up this meeting. We need to talk, Asteriarch."

Keliaya@anncaris | Ditean 1: "What...is...the meaning of this?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "I recognize you. You were the one who lured us into a No'rad trap on the false premise of a negotiation."

Keliaya@anncaris:"We had every intention to negotiate. It's true that the No'rad vessel was our ally, I think we got as close to being friends with him as their species allow. But we didn't ask him to attack you."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "All I have is your word and the events of that day. The events are fairly damning, and I have no reason to trust you, a known enemy of our people."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"By your own peoples definition, not ours. We never sought conflict"

Keliaya@anncaris:"You're not physically here right now. I can't spring an ambush even if I wanted to. What harm is there in talking it out and hearing our perspective?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "My representatives are still present."

Keliaya@anncaris:"And if we wanted to attack them, we would have already. Whether or not you disconnect from this call makes no difference to the safety of your people here. If anything, talking to us gives them -

Keliaya@anncaris:- better chances. If our intentions are hostile, at least you have a chance to talk us down."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "And if the boss-lady gets her talk with you, we've no reason to hold on to your people. But if you cut us off, as an enemy it would be our best move to take them, wouldn't it?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "...very well. It is curious that you continue to insist you did not seek conflict, while our information indicates that you were the ones who started it. Either this is some strange -

Keliaya@anncaris - psychological tactic, or you are being deceived by your own people."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Or your information is wrong."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin winces, expecting a heavy recoil from that one

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "We have evidence of-"

Keliaya@anncaris raises a hand, "I've heard that many times already. I've seen your evidence, even visited the site of the attack on your shipyards."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "Then how can you deny your people's responsibility in starting this conflict?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Our technology was used in the attack, yes. But they weren't our ships or our people. You've captured our actual ships and people, that's why we're out here. Don't you find it strange that none of -

Keliaya@anncaris - the crews of these ships knew anything about the attack and the ships held no data on the operation? And I know you've cracked enough of our database to be aware that this level of secrecy and -

Keliaya@anncaris - compartmentalization is far from standard in Starfleet."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "It is strange, yes. But the evidence which points towards your people being responsible is more compelling."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"To our ships, not our people. Or to be more specific, the remains of our ships"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Which could very well have fallen into enemy hands. Do your people have the concept of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the guilty party is in fact guilty?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "I am familiar with the concept, yes."

Keliaya@anncaris:"And between our lack of knowledge on these supposed attacks and the fact that our ships could be commandeered by someone else, wouldn't you say there's reasonable doubt that someone else could -

Keliaya@anncaris:- have been responsible? Yes, the Coalition being the ones behind the attack is the simple explanation, but the obvious, straightforward answer isn't necessarily the correct one. If there's -

Keliaya@anncaris:- a shred of reason to doubt, shouldn't you at least consider that maybe, you're waging war against the wrong people?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Surely as well if there's even a chance that we're right in this, wouldn't you want to investigate the possibility that some other third party is in fact pitting our respective peoples against each-

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- other? Because conflict doesn't just hurt one side, it hurts both. So if someone has seen fit to send us into conflict with each other, that means there is in fact a common enemy working against -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- us both. And what do you suppose such a common enemy would do once one of their targets has been taken out by the other, hm?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene considers, "You make...valid points. Do you have any idea of who this enemy may be which you claim to have set you up?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl raises a finger, "Point of clarity; set /us/ up, you and we both"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "I am unaware of an enemy that would benefit from the destruction of both my people and your Coalition, save perhaps the Horde. But you have already eradicated that threat, have you not?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We have. This is a different enemy, but the details would only complicate matters right now. To give you an idea, it has something to do with time travelling infiltrators from the future of a -

Keliaya@anncaris:- different quantum reality trying to manipulate the events of history here to their ends."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene's hologram tilts her head

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "It sounds crazy, I know. But look at it this way; if she wanted to make up a patsy she could do a much better job than that"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "I...suppose that is true, yes."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"And we honestly don't know much about them yet ourselves, they're that elusive. But we have caught them meddling in the affairs of multiple civilizations around the galaxy - and not just Coalition -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- aligned, either. Pitting factions at each in conflict is a known part of their MO"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "And I presume you have evidence on this mutual enemy's existence, as well as something to prove that you were not in control of the vessels that attacked our shipyard, but they were?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Actually, you have the evidence of that yourself"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "Is that so?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"You've got the data you've pulled from our computers, right? That must include starship registries. Cross check that against your own scans of supposedly corresponding ships from the attack on your-

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- shipyards. You will see that the vessels do not align, furthermore if you have full records you will see that most - if not all - were confirmed destroyed, disabled or lost"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"It might not be proof of the infiltrators’ hand yet, but it is proof that things do not add up at least. And proof at that which you can be confident in because it is all in your own hands, not -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- potentially doctored information that we can offer"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene nods, "Very well. We shall review the information you suggest and meet before a trial of my people to determine your innocence in this matter formally."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Now it's my turn to ask- how do we know you aren't luring /us/ into a trap? A trial sounds fair, but we do it on neutral ground. As much as I want peace to work, we are still at war. And you have -

Keliaya@anncaris:- a record of setting traps for our ships."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Perhaps a trial is... well, not wrong exactly, but maybe we can do better?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "What do you suggest?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Look, we get your perspective here, we do. So we're not looking for any miracle overnight peace treaty or anything. Just... review the data, see for yourself. If after that you've got even the -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- /slightest/ inkling that something is afoot as we suggest, then... maybe an armistice? A small and local agreement to work together to get to the truth of things. When enough information is -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- then obtained, it can be jointly presented to both governments to press for an end to hostilities. But that's the endgame, and it wouldn't be fair to ask that of you now. Just... the first step, -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- to see for yourself and move forwards from there with us. Nobody needs to stand on trial for that and raise tensions further, right?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene considers and nods, "Yes, but it would be ideal to have an arbitrator. Both our perspectives are, under the circumstances, biased."

Keliaya@anncaris:"An arbitrator implies neutrality. Someone from neither your people nor ours."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "But someone we both trust, to an extent. Not the thief."

Keliaya@anncaris | Ikuryn: "I wasn't about to volunteer, anyways."

Emma Ralde@crystyl pats Ikuryn on the shoulder, "You would have got my vote anyway" she smiles in consolation

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Who then? Not exactly a long list of people we know who also know them and can be considered impartial"

Keliaya@anncaris:"What about Hades? Or what do you call him...Ha'at? Ha'ad?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "The Lord of Death?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"The Silverblood copy of him, at least. Who better to arbitrate this than the judge of the dead himself?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin bounces excitedly, "My bestie-for-restie!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "An interesting proposal. You are more familiar with our culture than I would have expected."

Keliaya@anncaris:"We're explorers. Learning foreign cultures is a specialty of ours."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "The Kratt will allow entry?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "And would he even be willing to do such a thing? Seems kind of beneath him..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl glares at Sin

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "I mean, from his perspective!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"I'm sure he would be willing to assist, with our history. And we happen to have protected the Kratt against these very same infiltrators. Let us go first and speak with Hades. I'm -

Keliaya@anncaris:- confident we can secure you safe passage to Ha'at. Maybe you can even learn more about our mutual enemy when we're there."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "We will trust you this time, but it will be our last. If anything should happen to my ship, you will not have another chance at negotiation again."

Keliaya@anncaris:"It won't be a trap. And Hades has the means to let us make the Kratt friendly to you."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "Take the communication device, then. Send a subspace signal along the frequency it is tuned to when you have secured us passage into Kratt space. I will await further contact."

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "We'll see you there."

Keliaya@anncaris | The comm ends and Kelly reaches out, taking the device, "I hope you two don't need this to call for pickup or anything."

Keliaya@anncaris | Ditean 1: "We have our means of returning to the ship, but thank you for your concern."

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "You're welcome to go. As I said, we aren't here to harm you. Oh and you can take the delivery, too," she gestures to the grav carts. "Some of them are just replicated to make it -

Keliaya@anncaris - convincing so your Asteriarch would show up to this meeting, but there are still a few authentic items in there which Ikuryn acquired legally for you through trade. They're all yours to keep, -

Keliaya@anncaris - as a gesture of goodwill for luring you here under other pretenses. Only so much we could do when you weren't responding to official channels."

Keliaya@anncaris | Ditean 2: "Thank you. We will deliver it to the Asteriarch. I am sure she will be able to tell the authentic ones from the replicas."

Keliaya@anncaris | The two Diteans walk over to tap on the grav lifts, which begin to follow them as they head out

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Sorry, but I've got to ask... why did she want all of this stuff anyway?"

Keliaya@anncaris | The first Ditean pauses and turns back to Emma, "To understand you. She is a Champion of Thena."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Huh..." she turns to Kelly, "Is it bad that actually makes some sense to me...?"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "It means you're good at making sense of other cultures. Which makes you a good explorer and an excellent Starfleet officer."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Nah, she's just fiiiinally getting all matriarchal on us. About time too!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl 's eyes narrow, "Don't make me yank your ears again..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin pokes her tongue in response

—

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Back on the Venator, Rianni is watching over the bridge while Kelly and co. are away

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Rylliss: "So, you think the Diteans'll play ball? With the negotiations, I mean."

Rianni@crystyl:"I think if anyone can swing them around to it, it's the Captain and Emma"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Azevedo: "We were doing pretty well last time, before that antisocial guy and his battleship barged in."

Rianni@crystyl:"Then we just need to make sure nobody else barges in on them this time"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Rylliss: "I sure hope-"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Aaaand you've jinxed it. We need to cloak. Now."

Rianni@crystyl looks over to Rylliss, "Do we?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Rylliss: "I don't see anything on sensors...wait, I've just lost the Yorktown."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"They've cloaked too. Captain Troi-Riker senses it as well."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Nqakula: "They cloak now?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"One of the new additions from their refit, it seems."

Rianni@crystyl:"Questions after. Cloak first and yellow alert"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The bridge lighting switches to yellow alert as the Venator shimmers and disappears

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Rylliss: "Cloak's active, Lieutenant."

Rianni@crystyl looks back to Eva, "Both you and Captain Troi-Riker sense something?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "A psionic presence searching for us. I think it's the infiltrators."

Rianni@crystyl:"Searching specifically for us? Of all the times..."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I don't think it's a coincidence. We might have gotten rid of the infiltrators inside the Heart, but they still could be intercepting our communications. Which means they know about our plans for -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- peace negotiations here."

Rianni@crystyl:"Perhaps. Or perhaps they monitored the Yorktowns arrival and have been pursuing to investigate. Regardless, we have a game of cat and mouse on our hands. And I don't like playing the mouse. So we -

Rianni@crystyl:- need options to turn this game around"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Their psionic is actively searching for Starfleet ships, but Captain Troi-Riker and I are delaying him for as long as we can. I might be able to trace the scanning back to a source, though..."

Rianni@crystyl:"Can you really get such a distinct psionic sense of someone to pinpoint their location in deep space?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Not precise enough to target them with weapons, but enough to get a general sense of direction. The closer we get, the more accurate I can trace them, and once we're in weapons range, I should be -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- able to get their exact location."

Rianni@crystyl turns to Rylliss, "I know that odds are they are in one of their fancy ships, so probably beyond our detection. But see what you can do, anything to bolster Eva's efforts"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Rylliss nods, "On it."

Rianni@crystyl:"Still, circling ghosts like this is never favourable... dammit, if Sin was here maybe we could..." she frowns, trying to puzzle it out

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 eyes light up with a psionic glow as she announces, "Somewhere in the direction of...324-mark-9."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Azevedo: "Turning us about now."

Rianni@crystyl steps up to the front with Azavedo, "What's out there...?" she peers at his nav data

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Rylliss: "Just part of the debris field around Sanctuary station. Even if a ship didn't have cloak, it would still be almost impossible to find them in there if they just ran silent."

Rianni@crystyl:"My thoughts exactly. That's why I'm looking for something we can use"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Nqakula: "Something we can use, as in...something that's part of the debris field that can help us?"

Rianni@crystyl:"If it was just a matter of tech signatures, it would be simple. But if they're searching with psionics, I don't know if there's even a way..."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Azevedo: "Fortunately for us, we've got psionics of our own."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"012-mark-49. And the Yorktown is offering to unleash a deflector burst to disable their cloak once we get a close enough read on their location."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Nqakula: "Wait. That's it!"

Rianni@crystyl turns to Nqakula, "What's it?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Nqakula: "The infiltrators use phase cloaks, not regular cloaks. And they're hiding in a debris field. Once Commander Dra pinpoints their location, we can tractor debris and launch it at them. -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - If the Yorktown fires the pulse to disable their cloak at the same time, it'll force them to phase back, right into pieces of debris. It'll cause some serious damage, and if we're lucky, -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - completely disable or destroy the ship without a fight."

Rianni@crystyl:"Could we go a step further and destabilize the whole area around them with microgravity wells?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Nqakula: "Maybe, but given what happened the last time we mixed gravity wells with infiltrator tech...there might be a risk of us ending up in the Gamma Quadrant again."

Rianni@crystyl:"Fair point. Rylliss, lets start pretargeting some more significant chunks of debris. When the show starts, we can land some precision hits to shake the field up a bit. The more chaos we catch them in, the better"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Rylliss nods, "Identifying some good debris now."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"006-mark-16. We're getting close."

Rianni@crystyl retakes her seat and looks to Eva, "You're doing great Eva. Is the Yorktown aware of our intention as well?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "I've been coordinating my efforts with them. Without Captain Troi-Riker's assistance, this would be quite a bit harder."

Rianni@crystyl:"Alright, we're on your lead now. Red alert, and stand by with tractor targets"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The lighting on the bridge switches to red alert

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Rylliss: "Tractor beams standing by, Lieutenant."

Rianni@crystyl:"Now, we wait..." she leans forward, watching the viewscreen and waiting for Eva's updates

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Keep on ahead in the same direction. Just a little bit more..."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Azevedo: "Should I slow to quarter impulse?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Might be a good idea."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Azevedo nods, tapping his console, "Slowing to quarter impulse."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I have them. Sending the coordinates to Tactical now."

Rianni@crystyl:"Nqakula, ready on that tractor beam. Rylliss, you've got eyes on the target. Initiate attack pattern when ready"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Yorktown's just moving into position now...and they're reporting ready too."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Rylliss: "Initiating attack pattern...now."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Tractor beams light up from the Venator's emitters, grabbing various pieces of debris and sending it towards the target coordinates immediately as the ship ripples out of cloak. On the -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - viewscreen, they can see the Yorktown decloaking as well, her deflector lighting up as it sends a pulse towards the same location

Rianni@crystyl:"Nicely done. Now let's sew some more chaos, begin firing solution on the choice debris"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The debris splits apart into many fragments as they are hit, just as one of the future ships appears, its own cloak failing. Phasing into the same reality as the debris, multiple shards are -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - embedded all throughout the Survivor vessel. Its lights begin flickering erratically; its impulse engines light up, propelling it forwards briefly before they too flicker and fail. Its inertia -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - causes the vessel to plow straight into several other pieces of debris as it goes adrift, its hull now a mess with jagged pieces of metal sticking out of it

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Azevedo: "Well...that's gotta be a first for the history books."

Rianni@crystyl:"And that's why we don't use phase-cloaks. But lets not let our guards down just yet" she looks to Eva

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"We're...being hailed."

Rianni@crystyl:"Ok. Definitely a first for the history books... and they are hailing us, not the Yorktown?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Looks like they're hailing both of us. Should I put it onscreen?"

Rianni@crystyl:"Alright, but the Yorktown is the flag here so we let them take point"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, tapping her console. Kestra appears on one half of the viewscreen with the pristine, newly refit Yorktown bridge behind her. On the other half of the screen is V'Dena, Watson's former -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - First Officer now wearing a Survivor uniform with CO colours. The bridge behind her is a mess, with a pieces of debris jutting through the ceiling, flashing consoles, burst lights and sparks raining down

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | V'Dena: "You are making a serious mistake."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kestra: "From where I'm sitting, it looks like you're the ones who made a mistake coming here."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | V'Dena: "I do not refer to your attack on us. I am referring to the Diteans."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kestra: "Because you provoked the Diteans into attacking us, and you want the conflict to continue."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | V'Dena: "That is correct, but not for the reasons you likely believe."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kestra: "I'm sure you have some self-serving reason for starting this war, but we're ending it our way."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | V'Dena: "And that is precisely why the conflict must continue. In all universes where we have attempted a more direct warning on the nature of the Diteans, Starfleet has been unwilling to take -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - the necessary action. The very concept of starting a conflict and rejecting a diplomatic approach is anathema to the ideals of Starfleet, yet it is the only way to effectively counter the -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - Diteans. Since you are unable to take this first step, the only logical solution was for us to take it for you."

Rianni@crystyl tries to bite her tongue, but has to chime in, "If it were that simple, then your job was long done. That does not explain why you were hiding out here and trying to hunt us down"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | V'Dena: "To prevent you from ending this conflict prematurely, which would make all our efforts so far for nothing."

Rianni@crystyl:"So it's not enough that you start a war, but it has to go on for a predetermined amount of time. And who decides when enough conflict is enough? You? Because as advanced as your technology may be, -

Rianni@crystyl:- I see nothing there to suggest that you have anywhere near the capability to calculate all permutations of the future with adjustments for current events. Even the Krenim would struggle with this"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kestra: "Exactly. You speak as if our future is already written, that no matter what we do the Diteans are going to be a threat to the Federation. But you don't know that. Maybe you've seen a -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - universes where it's been the case, but that doesn't mean it's always going to be the case. Even if it's the case most of the time, we could still be an outlier. You don't know for sure that -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - we can't peacefully co-exist with the Diteans, and that you've caused all this death and destruction for a possibility that won't even happen."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | V'Dena: "It is a risk we are willing to take. The possibility is high enough that intervention is the logical option."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kestra: "It's all numbers to you, isn't it? You don't care about the people who die as a result of your actions, because this isn't your universe. This is all just some experiment."

Rianni@crystyl:"But as I said, that intervention has already occurred now. You have created your war, but you seem determined that it is still not enough. So what are we missing that makes this prolonged conflict -

Rianni@crystyl:- logical? How many must die before your objective is complete? Because the way you are framing this currently, there is an exact goal to be met which is not yet achieved so I want to know it"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | V'Dena: "The Diteans must lose the Tydian Worlds. Do not speak as if our blood is not being spilled to ensure your future as well. Operation Alpha Strike required the sacrifice of sixty-six -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - personnel, not to mention the thirty-four casualties your maneuver has just caused. We are as invested in your future as you are."

Rianni@crystyl:"Operation... Alpha Strike? I'm not... oh! That must be your name for when you faked the attack on the Diteans that started all this right?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | V'Dena: "That is correct. We could not rely entirely on artificial intelligence systems to ensure it was carried out precisely as planned. There were Survivor personnel on board those ships -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - who laid down their lives to achieve this outcome."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kestra: "That's just it. Our lives, Ditean lives, even your own people's lives. It's all just a means to an end for you, tools to create some future that you deem ideal for us, a future we -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - aren't even asking for. What gives you the right to determine what's best for us?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | V'Dena: "Because we are all too familiar with the alternatives."

Rianni@crystyl:"The alternatives from before you set out, perhaps. But the level of change you have already influenced here can no longer be taken as a given. You mentioned Tydian Worlds, what is their -

Rianni@crystyl:- significance in all of this?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | V'Dena: "They are the Diteans' closest holdings to the Coalition and the resettlement area. Once they have been lost, there is a 96.71% chance that they will avoid Coalition powers and -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - territories in the future. In every universe where some version of the Coalition or Starfleet takes the Tydian Worlds by force, the Diteans have always permanently given up on expanding into your territories."

Rianni@crystyl:"So that is your objective, ok. Thank you for finally sharing"

Rianni@crystyl looks to Kestra's image, "I apologize for interrupting, Captain"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kestra: "No apologies needed, Lieutenant. She hailed both of us. I might have the higher rank, but you had as much of a right to join the conversation as I do."

Rianni@crystyl:"Still, I interjected. But have nothing further to add at this time"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | A voice behind Kestra announces, "Captain, the infiltrator ship is trying to power up a gateway generator."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kestra: "Calling for reinforcements, or trying to high tail it out of here?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | V'Dena: "I have no intention of destroying you. I merely seek to take the rest of my crew to safety before this vessel deteriorates further."

Rianni@crystyl looks to Kestra again, "We do not have your capacity over here, but if you wish it we stand by to assist in recovery and emergency aid to the Survivors"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kestra: "Yorktown will give them an energy transfer so they can complete the gateway. Venator can guide them through with tractors since their engines are damaged. Reinforce the SIF as -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - necessary if the integrity starts falling too low."

Rianni@crystyl glances back to Nqakula, "Begin calculations and SIF assessment"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Nqakula nods and taps her console, "SIF seems to be holding at 52%. Looks like their hull is trying to regenerate but unable to with the debris embedded in it."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | A deflector beam emits from the Yorktown, connecting with the Survivor ship as the energy transfer begins. A few seconds later, a beam shoots out from the Survivor vessel as well, forming the -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - gateway ahead of it, although the process is visibly slower than seen with other Survivor ships before

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Indrix: "Gateway is active and stable."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Rylliss: "Tractor beams locked on and ready."

Rianni@crystyl:"Lets get them on their way. Keep a watch on their SIF and reinforce as needed"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Tractor beams from the Venator lock onto the Survivor ship, maneuvering it towards the gateway it generated

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Nqakula: "The movement is causing some disruption to the SIF. I'm reinforcing now."

Rianni@crystyl nods, "Don't let it dip now, if it does we must abort or that gateway could crush them"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Nqakula: "We're keeping it stable between our reinforcement and its own regenerative capabilities. Back up to 50% and holding."

Rianni@crystyl looks back to the screen, "I trust that will be sufficient since you're not hitting the brakes on this. And I hope you'll remember this and consider that we now know what the tipping point is that -

Rianni@crystyl:- you're aiming for, maybe factor that into your calculations before interfering again"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | V'Dena bows her head slightly, "I thank you for your assistance."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kestra: "Unlike you, we don't treat lives as expendable. Our own or any others."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The comm ends as the Survivor ship disappears into the gateway, which promptly shuts behind it

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kestra: "Good work, Lieutenant."

Rianni@crystyl deflates as she lets a long sigh, "It was the first chance we've had to actually get them talking like that, I'm just glad it paid off. Because now not only do we have a confession on record about -

Rianni@crystyl:- the attack that could help prove this to the Diteans, but we know what the Survivors aim is now. If the Captain is successful in getting them to talks, this gives us an agenda"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kestra: "The record of that comm will certainly be useful towards convincing the Diteans that we didn't start this war."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Speaking of the Captain, Kelly and her team are finished on the station, too. We should pick them up and get out of here in case they send more ships. Her superiors might not be as -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- forgiving as she was."

Rianni@crystyl:"Hopefully she has good news as well. Helm, form up with the Yorktown, let's get our Captain back"

—

Keliaya@anncaris | A short while later on the Venator bridge, Eva reports, "Yorktown has the blockade runner back. We're to follow them and warp out towards the system we made the original rendezvous in."

Rianni@crystyl nods, "Thank you Eva. Helm, form up with the Yorktown"

Keliaya@anncaris | Azevedo nods, "Forming up now."

Keliaya@anncaris | The Venator cruises up alongside the Yorktown...

Keliaya@anncaris FX | https://i.imgur.com/wD900ZL.jpg

Keliaya@anncaris | As the two ships form up, they both jump off to warp

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "I have the Yorktown on comms."

Rianni@crystyl:"On screen"

Keliaya@anncaris | The Yorktown bridge appears on the viewscreen, with Kestra in the command chair and Kelly standing nearby wearing her civilian clothes from the mission to Sanctuary

Keliaya@anncaris:"Good work with that infiltrator ship. I'll be back with you soon, we're just making some distance between ourselves and Sanctuary in case they come back."

Rianni@crystyl:"Thank you Captain, I hope your trip was productive?"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "It certainly was. We managed to convince Syrene to give the idea that Starfleet isn't behind the attack a chance, and she's going to look further into it now."

Rianni@crystyl:"Sounds like a real step forwards"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We're hoping it is. Once she's ready, we've agreed to meet on neutral ground. Ha'at, to be specific."

Rianni@crystyl:"Ha'at? Seems a rather random location. Wait... is this Sin's idea, has she got designs on trying to dupe Hades into teaching more new tricks...?"

Keliaya@anncaris chuckles, "It was my idea actually, but Sin /was/ pretty excited about it..."

Rianni@crystyl:"Of course she was..." she chuckles, "Well I look forward to hearing all about it then!"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "I'll be back on board to tell you all about it once we're out of warp. For the time being, the plan is to head to the system we met up with the Yorktown in to get another comm to the -

Keliaya@anncaris - Coalition for a gateway. We don't know how long Syrene is going to take investigating, but apparently the Kratt don't currently allow them access into their territory. We have to adjust the -

Keliaya@anncaris - Kratt control device again to set an exception for the Diteans, and it'll be better to do that as soon as possible in case she finishes her investigation quickly."

Rianni@crystyl:"So that's our next objective"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We never fully set Starfleet or the Coalition as an exception, though, because the infiltrators might be able to take advantage of that. We're going to have to repeat the whole process again, -

Keliaya@anncaris:- of sneaking down and adjusting the device, which means we need to pay the silverblood a visit first for his cloak. Probably best to talk over the plan with him first, anyways."

Rianni@crystyl:"Fun times ahead then"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We've done it before with the infiltrators working against us. I'm sure we can manage it again now."

Keliaya@anncaris | Indrix: "Speaking of infiltrators...it's possible they knew where to find us because they were intercepting our comms, as Dra pointed out. Contacting the Coalition for another gateway could -

Keliaya@anncaris - tip them off to our next destination. And that may draw further interference."

Keliaya@anncaris | Kestra smiles, "A reasonable concern, but no need to worry. We have that in hand. The comms won't reveal where we're going, only that we're going somewhere."

—

Mana@anncaris | After returning to the system where they first met with the Yorktown, Kelly, Emma and Sin head towards the transporter room to beam back to the Venator

Mana@anncaris | As the three exit a lift and begin walking towards the transporter, they find Mana walking down the hall towards them

Emma Ralde@crystyl smiles and waves, "Hey Mana!"

Mana@anncaris:"Hello Emma! Going back to the Venator already?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Yes, it is time we go our separate ways already"

Mana@anncaris:"There is something to see first! Something Emma and Kelly especially will be interested in! Won't take more than a few minutes!"

Mana@anncaris | Kelly: "Well, we're not in any particular rush, so go ahead, Mana."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Ooh, such a tease now Mana!"

Mana@anncaris:"Mana could explain the details first, but Mana thinks seeing first and then explaining would be better. Come on!" She turns and leads the way

Emma Ralde@crystyl shares a curious glance with the others as they divert to follow Mana

Mana@anncaris leads the way to the Yorktown's main lounge which Kestra had brought Emma and Sin to earlier. The lounge is a bit emptier than it was before, likely due to the main shift of the crew being on -

Mana@anncaris - duty at the moment, though it is still populated with some personnel who are not currently on duty

Mana@anncaris heads over towards the window, where they can see the blockade runner they used to board Sanctuary launched again in front of the Yorktown

Mana@anncaris:"Almost time now. The Corporate ship has already been launched."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Time? Time for what?"

Mana@anncaris | A gateway snaps open in front of the blockade runner, which promptly disappears through

Mana@anncaris:"Time for the gateway!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"I don't understand, where is the ship going? And who is going?"

Mana@anncaris:"The blockade runner is going back to the Heart. The ship isn't useful anymore now that going unseen to the station isn't needed. The crew are some engineering personnel who stayed to evaluate the -

Mana@anncaris:- Yorktown's field performance after the refit, not part of the regular ship crew. The thief is also on board to be taken back to the Coalition."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"And now they can deliver a report back to the Heart without risk of the infiltrators picking up comms, nice"

Mana@anncaris:"That, and..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl turns to Mana, "And...?"

Mana@anncaris | The gateway doesn't close once the blockade runner fully disappears. Instead, it remains open

Mana@anncaris | Another ship emerges from the gateway, which then closes behind it. The vessel appears to be an Iconian raider, but there are minor differences in design, most notably a far more Nuhar-looking hull plating

Mana@anncaris FX | https://i.imgur.com/fVSvHdL.jpg

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Woah..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Reinforcements?"

Mana@anncaris smiles, "Mana thought Emma would like!" she looks to Sin. "Not quite."

Mana@anncaris | Kelly: "I think I know what this is for. You remember when I told you the blockade runner was docked in place of the Aquarius?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Yeah..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Wait, you're not saying /that's/ the new Aquarius?!"

Mana@anncaris | Kelly: "No, the Aquarius is actually undergoing its own refit. But with the modifications to the docking port to allow docking with a variety of small ship designs, the Aquarius is almost like -

Mana@anncaris - a mission pod for the Yorktown, now. Something that can be switched out depending on the specific mission the ship is being deployed on."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"So what's the deal with this new arrival then? It doesn't quite look Iconian or Nuhar"

Mana@anncaris:"That is because the ship is both! The design is mostly Iconian, but produced in a Nuhar Foundry in the Heart. This is another one of the side projects that the Coalition shipbuilding project has -

Mana@anncaris:- been working on. Mana has not been personally involved with this one since there is no Nuhar AI, but Mana has seen the design proposal and schematics still. The inspiration actually came from the -

Mana@anncaris:- raider attached to the very ship Yorktown and Venator just fought. The one stolen by the ship's former rogue commander and briefly captured by Starfleet."

Mana@anncaris | Kelly: "Before its owners stole it back and accidentally sent us to the Gamma Quadrant."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Ah yes, fun times all around"

Mana@anncaris:"Some elements of the original Iconian design have been modified to be compatible with storage on a number of ships like the Yorktown and many Colonial Fleet and new OSN and Romulan designs. The -

Mana@anncaris:- purpose is basically a mobile gateway generator, since the shipbuilding project has so far found it much simpler to create an auxiliary craft attached to a main ship for this purpose than trying -

Mana@anncaris:- to implement Iconian gateway technology with other Coalition technologies."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"An impressive innovation"

Mana@anncaris nods, "Mana thinks so as well, which is why Mana wished to show! The ideal position to attach the raider is the front of the ship, but since the Yorktown has already been designed with the -

Mana@anncaris - Aquarius in the back, the configuration is not the best. Newer classes being built with this in mind will have better configurations. For now, Yorktown will either have to generate the gateway -

Mana@anncaris - on the aft and back into it, or have the ship detached to generate the gateway in front."

Mana@anncaris | Kelly: "Not ideal, but it still works. And it's good to have a tool like this."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Now we just need one for the Venator!"

Mana@anncaris | Kelly chuckles, "Venator might be a little small to have a raider attachment. We do have the aeroshuttle, but I don't imagine that spot will fit something large enough to house a gateway -

Mana@anncaris - generator for a ship."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Sounds like a challenge for an engineering captain if ever I heard one" she winks

Mana@anncaris | Kelly: "And now I'm going to have to figure it out. Given our purpose as a reconnaissance focused ship, it would be helpful to have the ability to generate a gateway without having to call -

Mana@anncaris - back to the Heart for one, intercepted comm signals and all. Maybe, if we could get the Junayd to provide something like the Observer's shuttle. That's significantly smaller than an Iconian raider..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"See! You've got figured already"

Mana@anncaris | Kelly: "The difficulty is getting the Junayd to trust us with a ship. They occasionally dispatch their ships to generate wormholes and help out the Coalition, but attaching their technology to -

Mana@anncaris - the Venator as a permanent part of our auxiliary craft roster is going to take some convincing..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Pfft, that's easy! Just tell them to make another Rianni and send her with us!"

Mana@anncaris | Kelly: "I have a feeling Rianni might have a thing or two to say about that..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"I can see the upside though..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl | Sin: "Eww..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Hey!"

—

Keliaya@anncaris | After the team returns to the Venator, Kelly steps out of the lift and onto the bridge

Rianni@crystyl stands, "Welcome back"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Good work taking care of the ship while I was away."

Rianni@crystyl:"We were lucky the Yorktown was with us. Might have had a few more scratches in the paint had we been alone"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Even with the new refit, Yorktown would've had a difficult time against an infiltrator ship. You saw what one of those did to the Valley Forge, Lexington and a whole fleet of mercenary ships. I -

Keliaya@anncaris:- think this might be our smoothest victory yet against such a ship, so you've all done very well."

Rianni@crystyl looks around and smiles, "It was thanks to some quick thinking from some very bright officers!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Yes, Eva told me it was Nqakula's plan, wasn't it? Very good thinking, Ensign."

Keliaya@anncaris | Nqakula turns and smiles, "Thank you, Commander. It just suddenly occurred to me, after everything we saw of those ships on the Forge and all."

Keliaya@anncaris:"It was much more preferable than getting into a fight with them, so I'm glad we were able to implement such a tactic."

Rianni@crystyl:"It definitely paid off, I assume Eva's already filled you in on the conversation we managed to get out of them?"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Let's speak more of it in the ready room. But first, on the topic of the Valley Forge...the raider needs some time to recharge before it can generate a gateway large enough for us all to -

Keliaya@anncaris - go through. Let's take that time to apply the shield modification used by the Valley Forge to approach orbit of Ha'at without being affected by the radiation."

Keliaya@anncaris | Nqakula: "We'll get right on it!"

Keliaya@anncaris beckons for Rianni to follow as she heads into the ready room

Rianni@crystyl turns and follows

Keliaya@anncaris takes a seat, "So, the infiltrators claimed they need this conflict going until we drive the Diteans out of the Tydian Worlds."

Rianni@crystyl:"That would be how it seems on the surface. But reading between the lines of her actual wording, I think the key point is that the Diteans cease to occupy those worlds, it doesn't have to be a -

Rianni@crystyl:- matter of conflict. Just by them not being there, apparently the border becomes sufficient that they are able to move forwards without tripping over the rest of the galaxy"

Keliaya@anncaris taps on her console, "That could be a possibility. Remember that meeting when Yala from the alternate Valley Forge's future came here under the guise of Vora? She mentioned something about -

Keliaya@anncaris - needing the Diteans gone from the Tydian Worlds as well."

Rianni@crystyl:"Right, that's why it sounded familiar! Of course, that doesn't get us any closer to actually achieving it. But... I don't know, maybe if we can get these talks going forwards then it could be the -

Rianni@crystyl:- subject of a new neutral zone or something"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "It's something to keep in mind for these talks. But there's a third place where I've heard that name before. It was brought up just earlier on Sanctuary...ah, here."

Rianni@crystyl tilts her head a little

Keliaya@anncaris turns the console around to show a recording from the Venator's viewscreen of Asteriarch Syrene

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "I am Asteriarch Syrene, Champion of the Teachings of Thena, Shield-Maiden of the Tydian Worlds and Commander of the starship Drakos."

Rianni@crystyl:"She's the one you're setting up the talks with?"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Or at least the one we've talked into giving us a chance to prove our innocence."

Rianni@crystyl:"That could certainly prove fruitful to learn more about them. But... if she finds out there's an agenda to give up her worlds specifically, that could also destabilize things"

Keliaya@anncaris:"That's my concern too. You think we should keep her in the dark about this particular detail and focus on getting her on side first?"

Rianni@crystyl:"I don't know about outright deception, but I see no reason to offer the detail earlier than it is needed"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Yes, there's no reason to mention it until we need to actually formalize a treaty or something. But I don't plan on lying either if she directly asks what the infiltrators seek. Especially with -

Keliaya@anncaris:- how well these Diteans seem to be able to read people, even without psionics."

Rianni@crystyl:"Agreed. And if it comes to that, we have the recording of our interaction with them today so she can hear it from the horse's mouth too. Oh, that includes a confession about the attack they carried -

Rianni@crystyl:- out on the Diteans too. The downside though is still getting them to differentiate between us and the infiltrators"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Exactly why I didn't go into too much detail about the culprits who are responsible for the attack with Syrene today. Perhaps once she gets to know us better and is convinced that we aren't behind -

Keliaya@anncaris:- the attack, it'll be easier to explain the differences between the real Starfleet and the infiltrators among us."

Rianni@crystyl:"And on the other front, I don't know if it will help or not but I hope that our decision to help this ship make it's exit will go some way to easing things on that front too"

Keliaya@anncaris:"I hope so too. For once it was a good thing these infiltrator ships are so resilient and didn't lose its SIF from the damage."

Rianni@crystyl:"I guess only time will tell on that front now. Anything else come out of your trip to Sanctuary?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"There was one other detail. Apparently Syrene hired the thief to steal all those close-quarters weapons to understand us better."

Rianni@crystyl:"So she was the one behind it all. Do we know why?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"The Diteans didn't give a detailed explanation, but from the criteria of traditional weapons with cultural significance and the fact that the Diteans are in a war with us...I suspect she's trying -

Keliaya@anncaris:- to gain some sort of insight into how Coalition cultures approach war."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Emma seemed to get it pretty quickly. Maybe she'll be able to explain better than I can."

Rianni@crystyl:"Insight through the art of close combat? That does sound familiar actually"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "I thought a tactical specialist like you might see the rationale in it, too. I'll bring you along the next time we speak with Syrene. From her titles, I have a feeling you might have -

Keliaya@anncaris - a few things in common."

Rianni@crystyl:"I will do some research on the Olympians and what we know of the Diteans too, see if I can't glean some insight into her mindset"

Rianni@crystyl:"Oh, that's it! Know your enemy and know yourself, of course!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Is that another quote from your ancient Earth text?"

Rianni@crystyl nods, "Sun Tzu's Art of War; If you know the enemy and you know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you -

Rianni@crystyl:-will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle"

Keliaya@anncaris:"It sounds like Syrene might practice a Ditean version of that. Researching the Olympians will definitely go some way towards knowing the enemy, with how important they are to Ditean culture."

Rianni@crystyl:"Exactly, I may even revisit that ancient text as well just to get more inspiration as to how one goes about this"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Good plan. I'll prepare for the meeting with Hades in the meantime, too."

—

Keliaya@anncaris | Some time later, the Yorktown and Venator warp into the Ha'at system, setting in orbit around the Demon World

Keliaya@anncaris | On the surface, Kelly and Sin materialize wearing EV suits

Keliaya@anncaris:"Happy to be visiting your old friend again, Sin?"

Sin@crystyl:"Would be even better if you didn't insist on my wearing this suit. You know how long it takes to get my hair right again after one of these?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"I know Ketkolep taught you to use your powers to survive here, but better to play it safe and have a suit just in case. And also, you're not the only one with hair."

Sin@crystyl:"Fair point. And it wouldn't hurt to save my energy for whatever new tricks he's got for me this time"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Exactly. No reason to expend yourself too much."

Keliaya@anncaris | The two make their way through the tunnels, soon arriving at the central artifact storage chamber

Keliaya@anncaris:"And here we are. Hades?"

Keliaya@anncaris | One of the silverblood pools begins to stir, slowly forming the figure of Hades with his bident as the figure parts ways from the rest of the liquid

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "You visit again sooner than I would have expected. Has something happened with the Kratt once more?"

Sin@crystyl:"Woah, woah. Sooner than expected? So that means you're anticipating another visit still to come"

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "It is only a suspicion. Unlike our mutual friend Ketkolep, I cannot gaze beyond my place in space-time. But there are more relics of the Olympians scattered across the stars, as well -

Keliaya@anncaris - as other artifacts of great power and potential danger. I expected you may wish to deliver something to Hades' collection for safekeeping sooner or later."

Sin@crystyl:"Right, makes sense. Well, hate to disappoint but we've got no more loot for you this time"

Keliaya@anncaris:"The Kratt are safe as well. But they are related to the reason we've come to visit you again."

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "And that reason is?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We need to broker a peace with the Diteans. And you're the best neutral arbitrator which both parties trust."

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "You are in conflict with the Diteans?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We were set up to look like we carried out an attack on them. By the same people who were altering the Kratt's controls."

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "Ahh. That makes more sense. The Diteans do not like to expand with violence, and you are not a warlike people either. I would not have thought that war would arise between you."

Sin@crystyl:"Those meddling infiltrators have gotten pretty focused on them. Seems they see the Diteans as the greatest threat to their future which is why they keep going back in different realities to start this conflict"

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "Is that so? Very interesting..."

Keliaya@anncaris:"We're seeking to put an end to this conflict they've sparked. But apparently, the Kratt don't allow the Diteans into their territory."

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "And they require safe passage in order to come to me for arbitration."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Precisely."

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "The original Hades programmed the Kratt to be hostile to the Diteans for good reason. While I do not desire for you to be locked in a conflict you do not wish to partake in, permitting -

Keliaya@anncaris - the Diteans to pass through Kratt territory could be unwise."

Sin@crystyl:"Why did he make the Kratt to be hostile towards them? What did he know?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "Tell me first- what have you learned of the Diteans?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"A few things, but to sum it up, they're a species created by one of Hades' people, Dite. They're known for their ability to influence and seduce other species, which they use to reproduce with -

Keliaya@anncaris:- them and essentially assimilate their genetics."

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "Causing the extinction of the other species over time."

Sin@crystyl:"That's why the first Hades made the Kratt hostile towards them? So they'd fight them off rather than be absorbed into the Diteans"

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "No, the Kratt are not susceptible to the Diteans. They are biological automatons designed for war, unable to feel the higher emotions which the Diteans prey upon. He made the Kratt -

Keliaya@anncaris - hostile towards them so they would be unable to pass through Kratt territory and limit their expansion."

Sin@crystyl:"Shame then that the Kratt territory doesn't expand far enough along their border"

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "It is not an attempt to contain them. But since he was adjusting the parameters for the Kratt, he did what he could to keep back the spread of his fellow Olympian's wayward creations."

Sin@crystyl:"Sure, I get that. Just saying is all"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Sin makes a good point. It doesn't seem like allowing the Diteans through will make that much of an impact in any case. Especially with their subspace tunnelling technology. If they really wanted -

Keliaya@anncaris:- to, they can easily bypass Kratt space in a number of ways."

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "That is true, and I will not prevent you from altering the Kratt's parameters to allow the Diteans entry."

Keliaya@anncaris:"There's a but in there, isn't it?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "You know that one of the Olympians was responsible for the creation of the Diteans. But given your current predicament it would be remiss of me not to inform you /why/."

Keliaya@anncaris:"And why did Dite create them?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "As you are no doubt aware, Dite's focus was upon beauty and love. But the young Dite I travelled with was far different than the old Dite who settled upon Gaia to design the Diteans. -

Keliaya@anncaris - By the end of her days, Dite was...weary. Disappointed. Melancholic. Through her travels, all the Children species we came across were flawed, imperfect, beautiful in their own ways, but none -

Keliaya@anncaris - of them achieving the ideal that she had desired to find. And while they loved and worshipped us at first, their reverence would always eventually wane."

Keliaya@anncaris:"So she designed her own people."

Sin@crystyl:"And from the way they bang on, I can't imagine she ever went wanting for reverence"

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades nods, "But unlike what she believed, the Olympians were not gods. Dite understood that beauty lay in the eye of the beholder, so she formed a malleable race who could adjust themselves -

Keliaya@anncaris - to the desires of others. The Diteans would have sustained Dite forever with their worship, but unfortunately, it required all of her power to create them. She sacrificed the last of her power -

Keliaya@anncaris - to bring them into this universe as her legacy. What she sought was not worship or eternal life. She wanted one final masterpiece. However, she also knew, to some extent, that she herself was -

Keliaya@anncaris - flawed. And so to ensure the perfection of her people, she gave them the ability to improve themselves by reproducing with any Children species, taking the desirable attributes of that species -

Keliaya@anncaris - unto themselves. Alas, her attempt to correct her imperfection was in itself, the most dangerous mistake of her work."

Keliaya@anncaris:"And that's why Hades wanted to do what he could to limit their spread."

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades nods, "Dite did not live to realize her error, and by then all the Olympians were too weak to rectify it. What she unleashed upon the galaxy was not the ultimate expression of beauty and -

Keliaya@anncaris - love, but a virus in the form of a civilization. A people which took advantage of higher beings' capacity for love and appreciation of beauty to improve themselves at the expense of others. -

Keliaya@anncaris - Hades did what he could to slow their spread, and that is why the Kratt were set to be hostile towards them."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Have you told this to the Diteans?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "Me, no. The original Hades did, but it was of no avail. The Diteans are no Lupan. Their ways do not stem from a misunderstanding of poorly preserved records. No, it is far deeper than -

Keliaya@anncaris - that. The flaw is in their blood. They cannot help but seek out new life to breed with, new civilizations with different art and culture to study. They are, in many ways, very much like you. -

Keliaya@anncaris - Except unlike you, they cannot control themselves. And when they are finished, nothing remains."

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "They know exactly what they are, but they cannot help but be what their flawed creator made them to be."

Keliaya@anncaris:"What do you expect us to do with this information, if telling the Diteans is useless? You know it's not our way to continue warring against them."

Keliaya@anncaris | Hades: "What you do with it is up to you. I am not your god. I am merely a being with knowledge you may find relevant to your current predicament. I will lend you the helm once again to adjust -

Keliaya@anncaris - the Kratt device as you see fit. How you handle the Diteans is your concern. They do not, will not, and cannot threaten me."

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Thank you. I'll be sure to take this new information into consideration."