ST:SoD323 | "Siren's Song"

Stardate 100900.2

The Venator is finally ready to complete their mission as the Diteans agree to return the Guan Yu and her crew, but there is one final complication...

---

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Keliaya@anncaris | We open on the Venator and Yorktown in orbit above a Class M looking planet, with three glowing Ditean ships like stars nearby

Keliaya@anncaris | The camera moves into the Venator and settles in one of the transporter rooms, where Kelly materializes with Rianni waiting for her off the pad

Keliaya@anncaris steps off the transporter, "Good news. The local Ditean leadership believes our story. Well, maybe “believes” is a strong word, but most of them think it's plausible and are willing to give us the benefit of the doubt."

Rianni@crystyl smiles, "A fruitful trip then"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles back and nods, "Well worth the getting stuck in another universe detour, I'd say."

Rianni@crystyl:"That would be a welcome turn of events. So what happens now?"

Keliaya@anncaris leads the way out from the transporter, "They're ordering a stop to all aggressive actions against the Coalition for the time being. There's going to be official peace talks with the Coalition, which Kestra and the Yorktown will be helping set up."

Rianni@crystyl:"That's great! What about our original mission and the missing officers, do we have any scope for getting them back yet?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"That's exactly what we'll be doing while Yorktown sets up the peace negotiations. They've given us the location of the colony where the Guan Yu and her crew are being held."

Rianni@crystyl:"Then there's no time to waste"

Keliaya@anncaris steps into the turbolift, "There is one caveat, though..."

Rianni@crystyl:"Of course there is..."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Bridge," she looks back to Rianni. "Everyone being held as a prisoner of war will be released to us. Anyone not being held prisoner but willing to go of their own volition is also allowed to -

Keliaya@anncaris:- leave. Well, technically, everyone is /allowed/ to leave, as they put it. But they ask that we respect the wishes of anyone who wants to stay with the Diteans. Anyone who wants to stay are not to -

Keliaya@anncaris:- taken back and court martialled for going AWOL. If they choose to stay, the Diteans consider them citizens by their customs, and they're to be treated as foreign citizens."

Rianni@crystyl hrms, "In other words, they're confident that they've won everyone over and none will want to return now"

Keliaya@anncaris:"From the way they said it, I think there's a few who they can't win over, and if they still can't manage it at this point, they probably won't ever, so they might as well give them back. But I have a feeling there's a fair number of the crew who they /have/ won over."

Rianni@crystyl:"I wish we knew more about how they corrupt people exactly"

Keliaya@anncaris:"From what we've been able to tell, it's more than one method, unlike the Horde. Sometimes they use psionics, but other times it's just plain old manipulation and seduction. That's why our implants -

Keliaya@anncaris:- aren't a foolproof form of protection. It makes it harder when they can't know our thoughts and feelings through telepathy, but there's other ways to read people beyond psionics. And unfortunately, the Diteans are good at them too."

Rianni@crystyl:"Seems we'll have our work cut out convincing our people to come home"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "It's definitely going to be more than a simple pickup..."

Keliaya@anncaris steps out onto the bridge as the doors open, "The good news is, everyone we didn't pick up from the Faraday should be at the colony too. So as long as we get everyone out, we'll successfully complete our original mission."

Rianni@crystyl:"Everyone willing at least"

Keliaya@anncaris nods and steps over to the helm, passing Azevedo a chip, "Here's the coordinates we'll be heading to next."

Keliaya@anncaris | Azevedo nods and taps on his console, "Setting a course now, Commander."

Rianni@crystyl meanwhile takes her seat

Keliaya@anncaris makes her way to the captain's chair and sits down as well, "There's another bit of good news. Or at least I /think/ it's good."

Rianni@crystyl:"Oh?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"The Guan Yu was damaged when it was captured by the Diteans. As a gesture of good faith, they're returning it to us with all the repairs and refits they've done. They were planning to use the ship -

Keliaya@anncaris:- as an auxiliary vessel to support the war effort, and they claim they've only improved the ship. I'm still going to have a team look over it and make sure they haven't left any surprises for us, just in case."

Rianni@crystyl:"I would be more surprised if they haven't done anything"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "I would check it out for myself, but I should probably head down to the planet once we arrive and see who I can convince to come back with us. How would you like to lead the team to check -

Keliaya@anncaris - out the Guan Yu? You're pretty familiar with more tactical-orientated ship classes, and you usually have a good eye for traps and the like. Don't worry, I'll send Farhalla with you for the more technical business."

Rianni@crystyl:"Sounds good to me"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Azevedo, is our course ready?

Keliaya@anncaris | Azevedo: "Aye Commander."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Take us out, Warp 8."

Keliaya@anncaris | The Venator turns away from the planet before jumping to warp, the view on the viewscreen turning to starstreaks

Keliaya@anncaris:"ETA?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Azevedo: "If we maintain current speed, six days."

Keliaya@anncaris smiles at Rianni, "Plenty of time to read up on the Guan Yu's systems then, or what they're /supposed/ to be like, at least."

Rianni@crystyl:"And for you to figure a way to break their enchantment. I think I actually got off relatively easy for once" she chuckles

Keliaya@anncaris | Azevedo: "Don't jinx it Lieutenant..."

Rianni@crystyl:"That's why I said relatively!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Well now that the Diteans aren't shooting at us, let's hope the hardest part of this mission is behind us, and this is all relatively easy..."

Rianni@crystyl:"Now who's jinxing it..."

Keliaya@anncaris:"I guess there still are the infiltrators to deal with. But with the Diteans on our side and all the developments we've made since first encountering them, hopefully we should be prepared if they show up again."

Keliaya@anncaris | Azevedo: "Let's just not face them in subspace again."

Rianni@crystyl:"Yes, we can certainly do without that"

—

Keliaya@anncaris | Six days later, as the Venator begins to reach their destination, Kelly steps out of the turbolift and onto the bridge

Rianni@crystyl looks over, "Good timing as always. we're just coming into sensor range now"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva grins while Kelly heads over to her seat, "Well when I'm on the bridge, she kind of has a little cheat code when it comes to timing."

Rianni@crystyl chuckles, "That's why I'm not surprised anymore!"

Keliaya@anncaris chuckles, "Hey I can still be late sometimes, when both Eva and I are distracted."

Rianni@crystyl:"I'll try to remember that!"

Keliaya@anncaris looks over to the science console, "Anything on sensors?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Indrix nods, "The Class M planet is where it should be. I'm picking up three active Ditean vessels, one around the star and two by the planet. Multiple other ships of various origins and -

Keliaya@anncaris - designs. Cargo ships, small patrol craft, and a few warships from different Rimward species."

Rianni@crystyl:"And our wayward ship?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Indrix: "Checking now. I think I see it. It's not fully powered up, so it's got a lower profile. But it's in a drydock in orbit."

Rianni@crystyl:"So far so good at least"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "The colony's given us transport coordinates. And the shipyard is giving us permission to board and take the Guan Yu over from them whenever we're ready."

Rianni@crystyl looks to Kelly, "Do you want to confirm things on your end first before we look to the ship or shall we head straight out too?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Let's get a look at the ship first from in here. Make sure there's no obvious traps on board for you. Figure out just how insincere they are about this whole business so we know how to proceed with things."

Rianni@crystyl nods, "Let's get into range and begin a thorough scan then"

Keliaya@anncaris | Azevedo: "Aye, moving us in now."

Keliaya@anncaris | On the viewscreen, the dock begins coming into view. Even though the one the Venator visited previously was destroyed by the Survivors, it is still obvious that this shipyard facility is quite -

Keliaya@anncaris - bit smaller. On the far left of the screen, they can see many orbital structures still under construction

Keliaya@anncaris:"They must be expanding this shipyard to compensate for the one that was destroyed."

Rianni@crystyl:"Stands to reason"

Keliaya@anncaris | As they move in, they can see several more inactive Ditean ships in the various drydocks, being repaired for damage. A few non-Ditean designs can be seen as well. The Venator heads towards the only Starfleet vessel in the mix...

Keliaya@anncaris FX | https://i.imgur.com/TLMZCD8.jpeg

Keliaya@anncaris:"Well, she certainly looks a little different..."

Rianni@crystyl:"Makes our Venator look positively Starfleet by comparison"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Analysis, Farhalla?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Farhalla speaks up from the Engineering console, having taken the bridge shift specifically for this rather than being in Main Engineering, "Many of the internal systems are still the same. -

Keliaya@anncaris - I see no change in the warp core or deflector dish. Nacelles seem more or less the same, the entire warp drive system is the same. There's been some tweaks to the impulse engines, but nothing drastic. The hull and weapons hardpoints, though..."

Keliaya@anncaris looks to Rianni, "That's your speciality. Want to take a look?"

Rianni@crystyl nods and heads around to the tactical console to make a full assessment

Rianni@crystyl:"Alright, let's see... 13, 14, 15 torpedo launchers all present and correct. And... *mumble counts* 8 phaser cannons, that looks right. But... where are the phaser arrays? Huh"

Keliaya@anncaris | Farhalla: "That's because the entire hull /is/ the new phaser array. They've added the Ditean ships' ability to channel energy anywhere around their ship to the Guan Yu. The entire hull is one large shield emitter and phaser strip."

Rianni@crystyl:"Oh right, I see it now. Wow, this will warrant some further study"

Keliaya@anncaris | Farhalla: "It's certainly quite a modification. A little more than I expected when Kelly told me about Ditean improvements..."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Any sign of traps or tricks in these improvements?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Farhalla shakes her head, "Not that I can see from these scans."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Settle us in orbit around here, then," she stands from her chair. "Take some more time to study the Guan Yu from here while I meet with them on the surface."

Rianni@crystyl:"With pleasure. We'll head over once we've exhausted things here"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Ensign Ralde, you're with me."

Rianni@crystyl | Emma nods and heads over to join Kelly

Keliaya@anncaris steps into the lift with Emma

—

Keliaya@anncaris:, Emma and Jatila materialize on the surface of the colony. To their surprise, they see a grinning Vrolmacht dressed in an ancient Greek-style robe greeting them

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "Welcome to Edemos! It is good to see you all again!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Oh Goddess... it's a good reason you sent Rianni to the ship instead"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "Rianni is here as well? She would love this place, you should invite her down later!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"No big guy, she really wouldn't. Even more than that, she would despair to see you like this too"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "What do you mean? This planet is perfect for human habitation!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Yes, that's probably why the Diteans took you here..."

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "Exactly!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Humans maybe" she makes an exaggerated point of looking around, "But where are all the kegs of bloodwine, and the ancient warriors of your singing tales of your great deeds?"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "Well they don't do that out in the open here, but in private, they can be as wild as any Klingon," he smirks

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Eugh..."

Keliaya@anncaris:| Jatila: "They attacked your ship, Captain. Are you really just willing to make nice with them like this?"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "That was all a misunderstanding, right? And you've already cleared that up with the Diteans."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Where's the honour in jumping into bed with the enemy? Not only that but you lost your /first/ command! Finding honour? You'll be lucky to evade the shame, you're a disgrace to your heritage. And I always thought that was your one true love in life"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "But they're not the enemy! The Coalition's already working on making peace with them. And the Guan Yu isn't lost. Just a little scratched up, but the DIteans have even restored it to full working order!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:raises a finger, "That may be so now. But it wasn't when you faced them. We're on good terms with the Borg now too, do you think that eases the souls of all those proud warriors who died at their -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- hands over the years? Of course not! Kahless judges their actions on the time and place they are taken, not in the ever after! And what of your crew who were lost while you were busy handing your -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- command over to the enemy? Those brave warriors who died honourably defending what was theirs, and now here you are looking an Orion harlet!" she looks at him with disgust and spits -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- out, "HoS lI' Dalo'Ha'chu'!" (You are a total waste of energy!) hoping to finally snap him out of it

Emma Ralde@crystyl:turns away, folding her arms too, for good measure

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "They didn't kill any of my crew! They took us all back here, alive and well!"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Jatila: "Isn't being taken prisoner /worse/ for a Klingon warrior?"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"It is the ultimate falling of a warrior"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "Well...yes, I certainly wasn't pleased about it. But I'm also a Starfleet Captain, and I could see something wasn't quite right about the situation. So I talked with them, because -

Keliaya@anncaris:- what else could I do? I tried to convince them that Starfleet wasn't behind the attack on their shipyard, just like all of you were doing!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:glances back over her shoulder, "And now here we are with a resolution, while you are here living comfortably all this time that we've continued to fight in your name. Pfft!"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "The Diteans asked me to fight for them, but I didn't accept. I wasn't going to fight against fellow Starfleet. This is all just one big misunderstanding. The Diteans aren't our enemy, -

Keliaya@anncaris:- you know this. You're making peace with them already!"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We're making peace with them because neither side wants this war and there's no reason to keep throwing away lives on both sides. That doesn't mean the Diteans aren't dangerous."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"And why are you even talking like you're still a Starfleet officer anyway?"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "Well I'm not a Ditean auxiliary."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:looks him up and down, and looks at everyone around them, "Really? Sure about that, are you?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"It's not too late. Like you said, your ship is intact and your crew alive. Come back with us, you and everyone else. We can put this all behind us."

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "Why not both? The Diteans aren't a warlike people, they'd make excellent members of the Coalition."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"I'm sure everything will be discussed by the grown ups. For now though, your ship is getting ready to depart and it needs it's captain. Of course, I hear Rianni is heading over there and since -

Emma Ralde@crystyl:- she's well adept at picking up the pieces you abandon now, I'm sure she will be perfect to take that from you too"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "What? Hey, wait..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:turns away with a slight, 'gotcha' smirk, "Hm? Oh no, you've made yourself quite clear here in your little soft and lavish life with your cute little toga. No more Starfleet, no more Guan Yu, no more honour"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "My life here is not soft! The Diteans may not be a warrior people, but those of them who do dedicate their lives to war are /good/. Much better than anyone in Starfleet, except maybe -

Keliaya@anncaris:- Rianni. Better than many Klingons even! And they're a fair and honourable people."

Keliaya@anncaris:| Jatila: "What they did to you and your crew hardly seems honourable to me..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"And what do you care anyway? If what you say is true then why don't you like the idea of her picking up your pieces again?"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht sighs, "I suppose you have a point..."

Keliaya@anncaris:"What about the rest of your crew, and the people from the Faraday? The Diteans told us there were some who don't want to say."

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "Come with me. I'll take you to them. And maybe you can see why this place is so nice in the meantime."

Keliaya@anncaris:glances to Emma and Jatila, "In other words, be careful and don't get seduced. Keep a tricorder open too, for any pheromones or potentially mind-altering substances."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"I'm all over it"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Lead on, then."

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "This way!"

Keliaya@anncaris:| The camera pans out as Vrolmacht leads the three further into an idyllic looking city, which seems to strike a perfect middle ground between impressive modern architecture and natural gardens and greenery, as well as waterways and water features

Keliaya@anncaris:FX | https://res.cloudinary.com/jerrick/image/upload/c_scale,f_jpg,q_auto/ab5akk5xucfcmg3slcs5.jpg

—

NPC@annpc#557 | Meanwhile back on the Venator...

NPC@annpc#557 | Farhalla: "No additional conclusions, Lieutenant. At least from here, it looks like all the changes were legitimate repairs and refits. No traps, intentionally flawed systems or backdoor weak points."

Rianni@crystyl:"I suppose that's reassuring. Any other oddities that don't stand out as something untowards?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Farhalla highlights a few points on the schematics built up from their scans, "There's a few things. I'm not surprised given how different Ditean technology is, but there's no way to tell what -

NPC@annpc#557 - they are without taking a closer look. They don't seem to be malicious from what I can tell, but it's better to have a look on board, boot up some systems and see how it all interacts."

Rianni@crystyl:"Alright, sounds good to me. We'll prioritize any points of interest you want to highlight"

NPC@annpc#557 | Indrix: "There's still a few lifesigns aboard. Some Ditean, but some Federation species as well."

Rianni@crystyl looks over, "Are they concentrated or spread around?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Indrix: "Most of them are in or around Main Engineering. Probably maintenance crew, some of Guan Yu's own along with Diteans, perhaps."

Rianni@crystyl:"A distinct possibility. Still, I don't feel right about just barging in and taking control while they are still there"

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva: "I can send them a message, let them know you're coming."

Rianni@crystyl:"Perfect, maybe frame it as a request to proceed since we've noticed they are still working over there"

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva: "On it," she taps on her console

Rianni@crystyl meanwhile looks back to Farhalla, "I'm guessing we'd be wanting to take a heavy look at main engineering anyway. But if they're doing last minute work there, all the more reason I'd say"

NPC@annpc#557 | Farhalla nods, "Agreed. That's likely where we'll proceed first."

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva: "They're acknowledged and are giving us the go-ahead to proceed."

Rianni@crystyl:"Thank you Eva. Let them know we're on our way and we'll tie up with their work detail for a handover"

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva taps her console, "All done."

NPC@annpc#557 | Farhalla: "Think it's worth bringing a security escort along, or best not to scare them and just go with myself and the engineers?"

Rianni@crystyl:"We'll take some security, given the situation the Guan Yu can not be considered a friendly vessel yet. We must regard it as unknown and potentially hostile until we determine otherwise. Each -

Rianni@crystyl:- engineering crew will have a security escort and we'll follow full boarding protocols for the assumed circumstance"

NPC@annpc#557 | Rylliss: "I'll come along with a security escort, then."

Rianni@crystyl smiles, "Wouldn't have it any other way!" she looks around, "Alright, you guys ready for a change of scenery?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Farhalla nods, "I have my Engineering team standing by in Transporter Room 1."

Rianni@crystyl makes her way to the turbolift, "To the transporter room then. Eva, the Venator's all yours"

—

NPC@annpc#557 | Rianni, Farhalla and Rylliss materialize on a transporter pad along with some engineers and a Security crewman. The room they appear in looks like a standard Starfleet transporter room, with a human man in a Starfleet uniform on the console

NPC@annpc#557 | Rylliss looks around, "Not much of a change of scenary..."

NPC@annpc#557 | The human steps out from behind the console, "Welcome to the Guan Yu. I'm Lieutenant Commander Barathan, Chief Engineer."

Rianni@crystyl steps down and smiles, "Lieutenant Tierno, XO of the Venator. I have to say Chief, it's quite a surprise to have you here as the welcoming committee. Especially since we saw so much activity in engineering bay"

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan: "Oh I was down there, but when I heard you were coming over, I thought I'd head up to greet you! All the repairs are done, we're just making sure everything is ready to go when we launch."

Rianni@crystyl:"Right, makes sense. Well, this is Farhalla our Chief. I'm sure you two have a lot of ground to cover that frankly will go over my head"

NPC@annpc#557 | Farhalla offers her hand and Barathan shakes it

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan: "Pleased to meet you, Chief Farhalla. I'll show you the way to Main Engineering."

NPC@annpc#557 | Farhalla: "I'm surprised the Diteans let you work on your ship after capturing it from you."

Rianni@crystyl looks to Ryllis with a silent nod of understanding that they'll follow along quietly for now

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan: "You and me both. But they don't know this ship like we do. And don't take this to mean we're siding with them or anything! Well, okay, I'm pretty sure a few of my engineers are -

NPC@annpc#557 - sleeping with them. But me, I'm not going to let them touch my ship without me being around."

Rianni@crystyl:"I'm actually a little surprised you let them at all. I know what you engineers are like, even as Captain's you find it hard to let go of your engine rooms" she teases lightheartedly

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan: "Trust me, I didn't like it at first either. But they didn't have the components needed to restore the Guan Yu to pristine Starfleet condition with the war going on, especially the -

NPC@annpc#557 - attack on their production facilities that started it all. It was either this or leave the Diteans to try and fix it up on their own with free reign on what to do. Better I come to help out -

NPC@annpc#557 - with it. Plus, nice as that resort where they keep us locked up in is, I still prefer to be doing work than lounging away all day. Would've applied for a job at Risa rather than Starfleet if that was the life I wanted."

Rianni@crystyl chuckles, "So, besides the obvious we've seen from outside already. What have they been doing to your ship?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan: "Most of the damage was to the hull, specifically the weapon nodes, so what you've seen from outside are most of the changes. Inside, we've had to make a few changes to the ship's -

NPC@annpc#557 - systems to accommodate the more drastic of the external changes, of course. But as you can see, inside, she's still pretty much the same as she ever was."

Rianni@crystyl looks to Farhalla, letting the pro push the technical side of things

NPC@annpc#557 | Farhalla: "That does match with what we're seeing on scans so far. I hope you don't mind that we're playing it safe, since we've been fighting the Diteans lately, we can't fully trust them yet even if we are working towards peace."

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan: "Believe me, I understand. I triple-checked everything they did, but I don't blame you for wanting to see for yourself." He leads the way into a turbolift

Rianni@crystyl:"Since we don't currently know the status of your whole crew, we have to prepare to take command of the Guan Yu in order to return it and it's crew to base"

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan nods, "Some of us are still down in that resort I told you about, those of us who won't fall to their wiles at least. Not just our crew either, but crew from the Faraday too. The -

NPC@annpc#557 - Diteans have promised to release them and they'll help man the Guan Yu. I might be able to talk some of my engineers who have been falling for the Diteans to come along too, but we might still be under full complement."

Rianni@crystyl nods, "And that's why we're here. At least until we can determine the situation with the rest of your senior staff. The Captain is down on the surface now looking into things there"

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan: "I hope she manages to talk some sense into them. Some might take more convincing than others."

Rianni@crystyl smiles, "She just needs to find your Captain. Once that old lummox sees that we've got this, he'll have your stragglers turned around in no time!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan leads the way out of the lift, "They gave our Captain, uhh...special treatment."

Rianni@crystyl:"Oh I've no doubt, I bet they must have been pulling their perfect hair out trying to crack that nut!" she chuckles at the thought

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan: "At first, yeah. But they're devious. I'm pretty sure this whole getting me to work with them on the ship was part of a scheme to win me over, too."

Rianni@crystyl:"Quite possibly. But... what do you mean by 'at first'?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan: "Well, they brought in someone who was their star captain of sorts. A tactical genius, an unmatched personal combat specialist, all that."

NPC@annpc#557 | Rylliss chuckles, "Sounds like you, Tierno."

Rianni@crystyl:"I wouldn't say I'm unmatched... so what, they brought this person in to get Vrolmacht to fight? I'll admit, that's a good way to win him over... but it hardly seems like something that would win him over. If anything, he'd surely just get more fired up!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan: "I don't know what they did in private, but whatever it was seemed to work."

Rianni@crystyl pauses, "You're not seriously expecting me to believe that they corrupted him of all people? Even the Horde struggled there!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Barathan: "I wouldn't say /corrupted/. They didn't get him to come here and captain the Guan Yu into luring more Starfleet ships like they did with some of the Faraday crew. But he's still, -

NPC@annpc#557 - well, not quite himself, and more than a little bit infatuated with the Diteans."

Rianni@crystyl:"I'm sure he's just... putting on a front to get close to them or something. Yeah, that must be it..."

—

Keliaya@anncaris:| Meanwhile down on the colony, Vrolmacht leads the team into a large building, entering what seems to be a luxury hotel lobby

Keliaya@anncaris:"And they say Federation prisons are too comfy..."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Most Federation resorts aren't up to this standard"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Jatila: "I suppose that's how the Diteans win so many people over. Especially out here. Imagine your species having to leave their entire civilization behind to the Horde, and after generations -

Keliaya@anncaris:- scraping a living, you find a species that offers you a life in a place like this."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:nods, "It makes for one hell of a sales pitch alright"

Keliaya@anncaris:looks to Vrolmacht as they step into a bar area, "The question is, how did they win /you/ over? I know you've been in the Federation for a while, but luxury resorts still isn't exactly a Klingon thing..."

Keliaya@anncaris:| A male voice sounds from the side, "I can answer that for you, Commander."

Keliaya@anncaris:| Looking over, they see a Vulcan approaching them from a table. He is still wearing his Starfleet uniform, despite the environment. A few other Federation species can be see in the bar area too, though they are all out of uniform

Keliaya@anncaris:| Vrolmacht: "Sebek! Still being your disciplined Vulcan self, I see!"

Emma Ralde@crystyl:looks over, "Oh finally. You can always trust a Vulcan to keep their head straight"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Sebek: "As much as I would like to attribute this to Vulcan emotional control, the data speaks otherwise. The Diteans have won over Lieutenant T'Mori, Ensigns Siakon and V'Nin and Chief Todac of -

Keliaya@anncaris:- the Faraday, all Vulcans. In fact, V'Nin was one of the first of our crew to succumb to their seduction."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:hrms, "So it's not a matter of discipline... then the only logical conclusion is that you already hold a deeper love for someone. That's the surest thing we've seen to resist them"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Sebek: "My conclusion precisely, Ensign. If anything, Vulcan ways seem to leave one more susceptible to Ditean influence."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Huh. Didn't see that one coming, good to know"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Jatila: "Is it because once they break through your emotional control, it all comes out?"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Sebek: "Partly. But perhaps more importantly is the Vulcan tradition of arranging marriages between families. Of course, an arranged marriage can often lead to a very strong attachment still, but -

Keliaya@anncaris:- combined with service to Starfleet, it means many of us do not spend enough time with spouses or betrothed to form these bonds."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Not you though, I take it"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Sebek nods, "My marriage was not arranged, and my family all serve with me now in Starfleet, so our bonds are strong. That is the case with many of us here who resisted their advances."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"So it is as we have found too. Unfortunately that doesn't yet translate into a way to help everyone else snap out of it"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Sebek watches as Vrolmacht steps off to socialize with some of his crew happily, "I believe the first step is getting the Captain out of it. Much of the crew resisted until they managed to break -

Keliaya@anncaris:- him. Then, most of the ones they won over followed rapidly, with the rest of us holding out up to now."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"I guess him being a source of strength makes a difference then. But honestly..." she glances over, "...I'm not sure anything can snap him back now. We tried everything before!"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Sebek: "As did the Diteans, before they finally won him over. Perhaps knowing how they managed that would be beneficial."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Is he even capable of giving a straight answer to anything now?"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Sebek: "If one asks the right questions. I have learned that the Diteans exhausted all their options until they brought in a particular individual. A captain of one of their vessels like -

Keliaya@anncaris:- Vrolmacht, and their foremost tactical and combat expert. She was able to win him over, though I do not know precisely what was done."

Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Ah yes, he did tell us this much. But again, we couldn't get a straight answer as to how exactly"

Keliaya@anncaris:"I think I have a suspicion on what happened. Do you know who this captain that seduced him is?"

Keliaya@anncaris:| Sebek nods, "I have encountered her a few times with Captain Vrolmacht. She introduced herself as Asteriarch Syrene."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Of course. Who else could it be..."

—

NPC@annpc#557 | Back on the Guan Yu, Farhalla and her engineering team is working with the Guan Yu and Ditean engineers while Rylliss and his security escort observes idly. The Security Chief makes his way up to Rianni

NPC@annpc#557 | Rylliss: "Maybe the Diteans are sincere about this handover. Seems to be going pretty smoothly with no sign of any tricks..."

Rianni@crystyl winces, "Please don't say things like that..."

NPC@annpc#557 | Farhalla glances over her shoulder, "He's right. The Diteans do seem completely genuine, at least as far as the Guan Yu handover is concerned. The crew might be a different story, though..."

Rianni@crystyl hrms, "From what we've seen of them, I think their main interest is in people over assets. Maybe they're content to extend this olive branch because they've already corrupted so many crew"

NPC@annpc#557 | Farhalla nods, "My thoughts exactly. And from the sounds of things, they've got Captain Vrolmacht which led to them getting quite a bit of the crew."

Rianni@crystyl:"I still can't get my head around that. I mean of all the people..."

NPC@annpc#557 | Rianni's combadge chimes

Rianni@crystyl taps, "Tierno"

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva's voice comes through the comm, "How's it going over there? Any sign of Ditean tricks?"

Rianni@crystyl:"Nothing so far. In fact, we were just surmising how utterly sincere this whole setup appears to be. Save for the situation with the crews, of course"

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva: "There has been a bit of a development on that end. The Guan Yu seems completely safe for now?"

Rianni@crystyl:"Best as we can tell, yes. Why, what's happened?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva: "Well for one, Vrolmacht's apparently been swayed by the Diteans."

Rianni@crystyl:"So it's true then?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva: "You've heard it as well from the crew on the Guan Yu, I assume? Yes, unfortunately it's true."

Rianni@crystyl:"That certainly doesn't bode well"

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva: "There's a little more, too. Apparently, the one who won him over was none other than Asteriarch Syrene."

Rianni@crystyl:"Syrene? As in, the same Syrene I'm picturing, I assume"

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva: "Exactly the same. I've contacted her ship through the Ditean comm system. She's their tactical prodigy and with the ceasefire in place, she's not really needed anywhere urgently, so she's agreed to come by."

Rianni@crystyl:"She's coming to the Venator?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva: "Oh not alone. The Drakos will be arriving...anytime now. Hard to say with ETAs given their subspace tunnelling. Kelly's on her way back now."

Rianni@crystyl:"Does she want us back to or are we to remain here for now?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva: "If it looks like everything's safe on the Guan Yu, Farhalla and the engineers can stay behind and continue preparing the Guan Yu for launch. We'll send some more skeletal crew over, in -

NPC@annpc#557 - case we can't get the rest of the Guan Yu's crew to leave with us. But Kelly still wants to try and see if we can get Vrolmacht back before we have you take over command there."

Rianni@crystyl:"Understood. We'll make preparations to return at once"

NPC@annpc#557 | Eva: "We'll see you back here, Lieutenant."

—

Keliaya@anncaris | After returning to the Venator, Rianni arrives on the bridge to see a Ditean ship on the viewscreen and Kelly and Emma already back and at their stations

Keliaya@anncaris glances back, "Perfect timing."

Rianni@crystyl glances at the screen, "The Drakos I assume. Have they made contact yet?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"They've only just arrived. Eva's hailing now."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene appears on the viewscreen, dressed in her golden armour as usual, "Captain Keliaya."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Asteriarch Syrene. I suspect you know exactly why we called you here."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene nods, "I have a fairly good suspicion."

Keliaya@anncaris:"You never mentioned you were personally acquainted with the Guan Yu's crew."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "I did say I performed my research on your people before confronting you in battle."

Keliaya@anncaris:"You could've been a little more specific."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "It didn't seem relevant at the time. Besides, that information was hardly conducive to our goal of achieving a peaceful resolution, is it?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"I suppose not. Well, what's done is done. How do we undo it?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "Undoing it is not exactly a process we've had any reason to work out."

Keliaya@anncaris:"It's never that easy, is it...well, why don't you come over and explain exactly what you did, and we can figure out how to undo it together. For the interests of peace, of course."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene nods, "Very well. For the interests of peace."

—

Keliaya@anncaris | Kelly and Rianni await in the transporter room as Asteriarch Syrene materializes on the pad

Keliaya@anncaris:"Welcome back to the Venator, Asteriarch."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "A pleasure to be back. I apologize for concealing this information from you earlier. I thought it wouldn't be wise to share it at such a crucial stage in achieving peace between us."

Keliaya@anncaris:"I understand the reasoning, even if I don't fully agree with it," she glances over her shoulder to see the transporter operator signalling to her, then turns back to Rianni. "Lieutenant, if you -

Keliaya@anncaris:- could escort the Asteriarch to the conference room. I'll be right with you."

Rianni@crystyl nods, "Of course. If you'll follow me" she turns to lead the way out

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene follows Rianni out while Kelly speaks with the transport operator

Rianni@crystyl quietly and dutifully leads the way to the nearest turbolift, trying to size Syrene up as they go and less thinking about her duties as a host

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene eyes Rianni curiously, "You seem more tense than last time we met."

Rianni@crystyl:"Hm? Sorry, I was just trying to figure out how you did it"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "How I...convinced Vrolmacht to stay?"

Rianni@crystyl nods

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "We are a peaceful people, and beings who emphasize prowess in war has always been difficult for us. But not impossible. That is one of the reasons some of us have dedicated our lives -

Keliaya@anncaris - to the other Teachers, such as Thena and Ar'Rhys. Every society needs defenders of course, that is the other reason. But having members dedicated to the art of war also means we can connect better with cultures who have a focus on such things."

Rianni@crystyl:"I understand that they had to lean on you and your knowledge to win him over. I just can't imagine what would make him betray his beliefs so heavily"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "He hasn't. He didn't agree to work on his ship for us and refuses to fight against his own people. He holds no loyalty to us as a people or a society. I've made him see the upsides of -

Keliaya@anncaris - Ditean culture, but he's not willing to work for us in any way. Most of his connection is with me in particular."

Rianni@crystyl:"But that's just my point. His culture and heritage is more important to him than anything. If it was simply betraying Starfleet, that would almost be more understandable. But he has betrayed who he-

Rianni@crystyl:- is at is very core, and that's what I can't understand you or anyone achieving"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "Well in short, I showed him that we would respect his culture, and that we were good at the things his culture valued. It's a lot more complex than that, an entire process which we rarely have the need to use. Vrolmacht was a special case."

Keliaya@anncaris | The lift doors slide open to the bridge

Rianni@crystyl:"Well, I guess we'll hear all about this special process now then" she leads the way out

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene follows along again, "I believe that's why your Commander invited me here."

Rianni@crystyl enters the conference room, "Here we are. Please, take a seat. The Captain will catch up soon"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene takes a seat and half a minute later, the door slides open. Kelly steps inside with Jatila

Keliaya@anncaris takes her usual seat, with Jatila taking the one across from Rianni

Keliaya@anncaris:"So, we have no idea how to reverse what you did to Vrolmacht."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "There are no refined and proven processes, but that is only because it has never been in our interest to develop anything like that. Especially since the process itself is so rarely employed."

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Tell us about the process, then."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "In how much detail?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"All of it. Denobulans aren't as shy as Klingons when it comes to personal affairs," she looks to Rianni. "Sorry, I probably should've called Emma for this..."

Rianni@crystyl:"It is fine, the more I know the better I can understand and help my friends"

Keliaya@anncaris nods for Syrene to proceed

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "We call it Apalocheira. The idea of the process is to integrate an individual with a culture largely incompatible with our own. The basis of it revolves around demonstrating to them -

Keliaya@anncaris - the similarities that do exist between our cultures, and then pairing them with a partner which reinforces this notion, like myself for Vrolmacht's case. In essence, giving them their own little piece of home."

Keliaya@anncaris | Jatila: "And using that to slowly manipulate them into being more amenable to Ditean culture."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "To gently ease them into our society."

Rianni@crystyl:"Perhaps rather than this specific process, we need to understand more about the Diteans basic capability to influence people"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "We don't influence people in any conventional sense. We make them like us, and when you like someone more, you're more willing to listen to them and give their opinions more credence."

Rianni@crystyl:"Given the evidence we've observed, it is hard to buy it as something so pedestrian"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "You may call it manipulation, but it occurs naturally to us. Just like how you may present yourself to look larger and more threatening when trying to scare off a potential attacker, -

Keliaya@anncaris - or appear smaller and more subservient when dealing with someone with greater authority than yourself. We tailor our behaviour and personalities to what we detect as most preferable to a given -

Keliaya@anncaris - person, or in a given situation. It takes effort to /stop/ doing that, because it's a subconscious part of our behaviour."

Keliaya@anncaris | Jatila nods, "What we call empathic metamorphosis. It's a very rare trait among Children species, but it seems like all Diteans have it by default."

Rianni@crystyl:"Yes, that. I wouldn't strictly call it manipulation since that tends to be more predetermined in nature. Whereas this - as you just said - is a natural instinct. The one clear difference in how -

Rianni@crystyl:- other Children species succumb to it - or not - is a clear cut distinction of those with deep romantic connections already. Surely, understanding the biology of this metamorphosis must be key to -

Rianni@crystyl:- undoing its effects, regardless of the process by which it is applied"

Keliaya@anncaris | Jatila: "It would help, but this ability isn't what won Vrolmacht over, is it? All Diteans are capable of it, which means if behaving like a Klingon was all it took to sway him over, any of you could've done it."

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "That's correct."

Keliaya@anncaris | Jatila: "Why did it take you in particular to do this, then?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "Because we can adopt the behaviours and mannerisms of other cultures, but not the skills that come along with it. I am one of the few in our society who specializes in war and battlefield tactics."

Keliaya@anncaris | Jatila: "So you succeeded because you can not only take on the right personality, but back it up with the right skills."

Rianni@crystyl:"Which still comes back to their natural ability serving as a catalyst"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "A catalyst for certain, but I believe the key to my success where other Diteans have failed was that I showed Vrolmacht we could be just as good in war as the Klingons, and better -

Keliaya@anncaris - than the Federation. And since he was already serving the Federation, an otherwise peaceful society like our own, building affinity towards us was not so difficult once I was able to get him to see us, or specifically me, in a similar light."

Rianni@crystyl:"Granted. But since all of those elements are subjective, and the physiological responses to your abilities are not. Then I believe they represent the key to resolving this, not unlike when -

Rianni@crystyl:- pheromonal controls started being used around Orions in similar situations"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "From what we understand, the ability stems from a combination of talents for reading people and imitating behaviour, but we lack details on the specifics. All we've had to work with were -

Keliaya@anncaris - scans of the prisoners we had and our conversations with them, for the most part. Would it be too much to ask for your ship's data on your empathic metamorphosis ability?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Syrene: "It is no secret. I'll provide you the information you require."

Keliaya@anncaris:"Thank you," she looks to Jatila. "Work with Dr. Qrehl to see if you can find some way to bring Vrolmacht back to his senses once we get the data."

Keliaya@anncaris | Jatila nods, "I'll get on it as soon as we can."

Keliaya@anncaris:"You two, dismissed. Asteriarch, another word please."

Rianni@crystyl stands, glancing between the pair briefly before heading out

Keliaya@anncaris | As she heads out, she hears Kelly say, "So, on the subject of keeping secrets for good reasons..."

Keliaya@anncaris | The door slides closed before Rianni hears any more

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva looks over as Rianni steps out onto the bridge with Jatila, "Farhalla reports the Guan Yu is ready to go, but it would be nice to do some trial flights and system tests with her first, just to be safe."

Rianni@crystyl takes her seat, "Sounds good to me"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "We've also got the Guan Yu's Chief Engineer aboard, and her Chief Science Officer standing by to return on the surface. Do you think we should keep Farhalla in temporary command just on -

Keliaya@anncaris - off chance one of them is secretly compromised, or give command of the Guan Yu to one of her crew?"

Rianni@crystyl hrms, "Is Farhalla comfortable with command?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Jatila: "She has command training like all department heads, but she's still relatively new as a department head. She only started in such a senior role back on the Loki after all, and she's -

Keliaya@anncaris - still acclimating to it. That said, so were you when you were thrust into command several times previously."

Rianni@crystyl chuckles, "I think I was still wearing a cadet uniform the first time! It would arguably be good for her, but I'm not sure now is the time. After all, if someone does come back compromised it's -

Rianni@crystyl - going to be less about command about crisis aversion. We'll wait for the Captain to get back and confirm, but I'd like to go over there and join her. We'll have the highest ranking Guan Yu -

Rianni@crystyl - officer take command on their return, with my support as XO and Farhalla free to monitor the ship from within"

Keliaya@anncaris | Eva: "Sounds good to me," She grins. "And Kelly too. Don't need her to get back to confirm when you're talking to me!"

Rianni@crystyl smiles and stands, "Thanks Eva. Please let Farhalla know I'm on way to rejoin her for the trials"

—

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 | A few hours later, Rianni awaits in the Guan Yu's transporter room to receive the temporary CO coming aboard

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 | Six transporter beams appear on the pad. Commander Sebek materializes at the front, along with four other members of the Guan Yu crew, though the others aren't in uniform yet. The sixth person transporting aboard, and the only other in uniform, is Jatila

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 steps off the pad, gesturing to the Vulcan, "This is Commander Sebek, Chief Science Officer of the Guan Yu. He'll be taking command for the time being."

Rianni@crystyl nods, "I wish we were meeting under better circumstances Commander. I assume you've been briefed already?"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 | Sebek: "That is correct. However, there is something we must now brief you on."

Rianni@crystyl:"And that is?"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557:"Come. Let's get settled in the ready room first."

Rianni@crystyl:"Ok..." she eyes the pair with skepticism as they head out

—

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 | The three steps into the ready room and Jatila looks to the others, "Can I get you any drinks?"

Rianni@crystyl shakes her head, "I'm fine thank you"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 nods and heads over to take a seat on the sofas, with Sebek following her over

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 | Sebek: "Lieutenant, you had originally intended to remain here as temporary First Officer, correct?"

Rianni@crystyl follows, standing before them, "Correct. And to my knowledge, our plan has not changed so that is still what is happening"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557:"Not officially yet, but there is something we might need your skills for. That's what I came over to discuss with you."

Rianni@crystyl looks between the two again, "So what is this about exactly?"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557:"I think I have a way to break Vrolmacht free of this state that Syrene has got him in."

Rianni@crystyl:"That would be great! What are we waiting for then, let's get the old lump back to normal"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557:"Well, we need your help for it."

Rianni@crystyl:"I figured as much since we're here discussing it. Just tell me what I need to do!"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557:"Since the Diteans had to go out of their way to get Syrene, her tactical prowess plays a key role in how the process worked. Eva can counter the psionics, and I believe Emma was onto something -

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557:- when she acted all Klingon with him when we were on the surface. But neither of that would be enough, just like the Diteans' own original attempts weren't enough. We have to undo everything they -

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557:- did, and I believe the key is to show Vrolmacht that Starfleet can offer what he desires better than the Diteans can."

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 | Sebek: "In short, you must best Syrene in a contest of tactics."

Rianni@crystyl:"Alright then! I-... wait, what now?"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557:"Not an actual battle. A simulation. Like a tactical game."

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 | Sebek: "Or a holodeck simulation."

Rianni@crystyl hrms, "I guess... but, if it's all staged like that won't he just through it as a performance? You know what Klingons are like"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557:"That's why it has to be you. Anyone can set up a performance and pretend to beat Syrene, and Vrolmacht'll easily see through it. He was a tactical officer himself after all. It has to be genuine. -

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557:- The fighting doesn't have to be real, but the use of tactics does. It's not bloodshed and violence that Syrene used when she won him over. It was the intellectual side of war."

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 | Sebek: "And Commander Keliaya believes the only one who has a chance at genuinely besting Syrene is you, Lieutenant Tierno."

Rianni@crystyl:"Well it's certainly worth a shot, and getting his Klingon blood boiling was something we played with earlier too" she hrms, "Maybe... tell me, were you with the Captain and Emma when he met them on the surface?"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 nods, "We both were, yes. Although Commander Sebek joined us a little later, when he led us to where the Diteans were keeping the crew."

Rianni@crystyl:"Right. Well Emma told me about that and how she almost got a rise out of him, do you recall?"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557:"I do, yes."

Rianni@crystyl:"So I'm thinking we move that along and build on what she started there. Consider it more advanced tactics to our approach; we know that his Klingon heritage is at the heart of it all. So we don't -

Rianni@crystyl:- just stage a contest, but we let one play out in a controlled fashion and in line with something relatable to a Klingon"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 | Sebek: "And what sort of controlled contest would this be?"

Rianni@crystyl turns to Sebek, "Emma got a rise out of your Klingon Captain earlier by playing on our history. For context; I took over his post on the Valley Forge as CTO when he took this command. She pushed -

Rianni@crystyl:- his buttons by implying that I would take command of the Guan Yu now as well, and painted it is a scenario where I was once again picking up his mess. If that got a rise out of him before, seeing -

Rianni@crystyl:- it should be enough to get his blood boiling. So; I suggest we let him see me in full command of his bridge, with Syrene at his side. I can play on Emma's story by insulting him, to the point -

Rianni@crystyl:- where Syrene can step in with her newfound Klingon knowledge and challenge me for command, as is Klingon tradition when a CO is deemed unfit. Then we have a stage set, and he is unknowingly already pumped up for it by his own heritage"

Jatila Kivar@annpc#557 smiles, "That's a very good proposal, Lieutenant. In that case, you should probably remain here for now. I'll bring your idea to Kelly and Syrene and see what they think."

—

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | A short while later, Rianni and Sebek are on the bridge of the Guan Yu setting things up and making preparations for launch

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The turbolift door slides open and Eva steps in with Emma behind her

Rianni@crystyl turns and smiles, "Ladies"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles back, "Good news, Kelly and Syrene are on board with your plan. She's just gone down to the planet to grab Vrolmacht."

Rianni@crystyl:"Then the show is on, I guess. Are they planning to bring him here and do this in person or should we prepare for faux-farewell comm call?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"They're coming here. It'll be more impactful in person."

Rianni@crystyl:"Makes sense. And who knows, if we're lucky maybe I'll provoke him into challenging me himself!"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Maybe! How are the launch preparations going?"

Rianni@crystyl looks to Sebek, "Commander?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Sebek: "Engineering reports all systems are operational."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Perfect. Syrene and Vrolmacht should be here soon."

Rianni@crystyl:"Then we should take our positions"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods and looks to Emma, "You want to take Ops, or try your hand at something else?"

Rianni@crystyl | Emma waves her hands, "Hey, I'm good wherever. This isn't our ship and has at least some of its own crew back-" she looks to Sebek, "-just tell me where you want me!"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Sebek: "As most of the engineers are occupied in Main Engineering or across the ship monitoring the changed systems, we could use someone on the Engineering station."

Rianni@crystyl | Emma nods, "On it!" and heads to her station

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 steps over and takes the Ops station in the meantime

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 announces after a few minutes, "Vrolmacht and Syrene are beaming on board."

Rianni@crystyl steps around to the centre and looks to Sebek, "We'll try to resolve this quickly Commander"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Sebek nods and stands, "The command chair is yours for the show, Lieutenant."

Rianni@crystyl nods and takes the seat

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | A few moments later, the turbolift door slides open and Vrolmacht steps out with Syrene

Rianni@crystyl glances over and gives a weary sigh before looking away in disgust, "And by what illusion do you think you are welcome on my bridge now? What, you haven't dishonoured your crew enough now you have -

Rianni@crystyl - to come here and flaunt your betrayal like... like a Romulan?!"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht frowns, "I have not betrayed anyone. The Guan Yu has been repaired for some weeks now. I recommended that it be kept here, rather than going back out with my ship in service to the Diteans!"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Syrene: "He speaks the truth. We asked him to aid us in the war, and he refused to fight against Starfleet. His honour is intact."

Rianni@crystyl:"Well I'm sure that served you nicely while you enjoyed being pampered like a Risian harlot. But if you don't mind, your presence is disruptive to my crew. And lest you forget, I have had to come here to pick up your mess. Again"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "But it was Kelly who invited me to see the ship before you took it back to the Heart."

Rianni@crystyl stands and faces him, "A weakness on her part. Anyone with sense would know that you standing here in front of your former crew looking like... that, is just an insult to your former crew. And to -

Rianni@crystyl:- dare come and stand here on my bridge knowing you're nothing but a disruptive element to a crew I'm trying to put back together after you abandoned them is an insult!"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Syrene: "Abandoned? He refused to retake command only because it would mean leading the crew against you and the rest of Starfleet!"

Rianni@crystyl points to the chair, "Are you really so naive as to believe your own lies?! This was meant to be his! These people all trusted him; they followed him into glorious battle and expected him to lead -

Rianni@crystyl:- them safely home. But instead he leads this ship into the hands of the - then - enemy, and now stands here brazenly in front of them all flaunting his own failure as a Captain while they prepare -

Rianni@crystyl:- to limp home without him, heads hanging in shame and dishonour!" She glares at Vrolmacht, "/This/ is the mess you have left me to clean up! I should be thankful for one thing only, and that is -

Rianni@crystyl:- with you turning your back on Starfleet and everyone who placed their faith in you... at least you'll be in no position anymore to get in my way by making more mess for me to clear up!"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "What will you have me do? Take command of the ship again? You would still insult my honour for everything that has already happened so far!"

Rianni@crystyl:"Of course I would! You've already done your damage, I just expected a man of honour to at least not sink so low as to flaunt that betrayal in the face of those he let down. Now if you are done with-

Rianni@crystyl:- this farce, I have a ship to take home" she sits back down, turning her back on them

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Syrene: "That's enough! I cannot let you insult my chosen mate any further. By Klingon tradition, I invoke the right to challenge you for command of this vessel. It was our shipyards that -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - repaired the Guan Yu, with our technology integrated into it. The ship belong as much to us as it does to you!"

Rianni@crystyl slowly stands and turns to Syrene, "So that's what this is all about. You think you've got the taste of a true warrior... from him?!" she scoffs, "I am a Lupan pack hunter. I bested the leader of -

Rianni@crystyl:- the augments in unarmed combat, and I even felled your Olympian God of War on the field of battle. You think /you/ have a right to challenge me?! You had better at least provide me with some entertainment before I send you to the afterlife then!"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Syrene: "Is it not the Klingon way to challenge someone for command? There is no rule about who can do it, as long as they believe they can do better than the present commander."

Rianni@crystyl:"This is not a Klingon ship, and we are not Klingons. But if it gives me an excuse to put you in your place, I welcome it!"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Syrene: "You're right, this is not a Klingon ship, and a fight to the death would not be appropriate in any case. Besides, your species aren't exactly known for your physical prowess. How about a challenge in something we both specialize in?"

Rianni@crystyl hrms, "Sounds reasonable. What do you propose?"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Syrene: "A tactical battle simulation."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "Now that wouldn't be fair either. If we simulate different ships, the victory could be the result of tactical differences between the vessel designs rather than your own skill. And -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - if we simulate the same ship, then one of you will be more familiar with its tactics than the other, if we use either a Ditean or a Starfleet ship."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"There miiiight be an easy solution to that."

Rianni@crystyl:"This is a personal challenge and so should be between the two of us, no others" she looks to Eva

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"No others, but we can easily arrange a simulation of two ships in combat with the rest of the bridge crews being the same holodeck programs with the same AIs. No advantage for either side there. As for a fair ship to use, well...we're standing in it."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Syrene nods, "The Guan Yu is a combination of Ditean and Starfleet technologies now. Equally familiar and unfamiliar to the both of us. It will do."

Rianni@crystyl:"If that is how you want me to beat you, fine"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Syrene: "You speak as if your victory was assured. You may be more familiar with this class of ship, but I am quite familiar with this refit version. Not to mention the years I have dedicated to the teachings of Thena."

Rianni@crystyl:"Enough talk then, show me what makes these teachings so great"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Give us a few minutes to set up the simulation, and then you'll be all set to do this...ship duel? Tactical competition."

—

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | After everything is set up, Rianni, Syrene and Vrolmacht proceed down to the holodecks, where Eva and Farhalla are awaiting them

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Farhalla: "Everything's set. Fortunately as part of the refits, likely to run simulations of how the refits would integrate with the rest of the system, the holodeck has already been updated -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - with the latest alterations to the Guan Yu. All we had to do was set up two different instances of the ship and link them together into one program running on two holodecks."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"One of you will be in Holodeck One, while the other will take Two."

Rianni@crystyl:"Straightforward enough"

Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Vrolmacht, you can observe in Rianni's holodeck. Since you have no interest in her winning, we don't have to be worried about cheating and you'll just be there to watch."

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 looks to Rianni, "As long as that's fine with you?"

Rianni@crystyl looks up at Vrolmacht, "Just stay out of the way" and heads in

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht nods and follows in. As the holodeck doors close behind them, the simulation flickers to life and they find themselves back on the same bridge they had just come down from. However, -

Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - the bridge officers have been replaced by random Starfleet officers

Rianni@crystyl takes her place in the captain's chair, "Let's get this over with..."

NPC@annpc#557 | Computer: "Program initiating in five seconds. Five. Four. Three. Two. One."

NPC@annpc#557 | The viewscreen displays a tactical map of a ringed gas giant with a dozen moons in orbit. The USS Guan Yu is by one of the moons. On the other side of the same moon is the sole other ping on the display, the Ditean auxiliary ship DAS Guan Yu

Rianni@crystyl:"Red alert, all hands to battle stations. Helm, take us into a geosynchronous orbit over the moon's pole before they detect us"

NPC@annpc#557 | Helm Officer: "Aye Captain. Moving us into orbit now."

NPC@annpc#557 | As the Guan Yu settles into orbit, the enemy Guan Yu begins circling around the moon

Rianni@crystyl:"Ops; get me an updated flight readiness report for everything in the hangar"

NPC@annpc#557 | Ops Officer: "On it." She taps on her console. "All shuttlecraft are ready for deployment, Captain."

Rianni@crystyl checks her screen to see what the shuttle complement is that has loaded into the sim

NPC@annpc#557 | The sim seems to have the same complement as the Guan Yu has had since departing the Heart- six Type 8s, two Type 9s and two Type 11s. Unfortunately, as the Guan Yu was refit for DSEC use, it -

NPC@annpc#557 - doesn't have as much of a tactically geared small craft complement as either the original Akiras or their more modern variants

Rianni@crystyl sighs softly, "I suppose the Forge's Nuhar wing was a bit much to hope for..."

NPC@annpc#557 | Science Officer: "The enemy is changing course. They must have detected us."

Rianni@crystyl:"The pole was never going to fool them forever, but still bought us longer than I expected so I won't complain. Helm; set an evasive course and bring us down to the moon's surface"

NPC@annpc#557 | Helm Officer: "Down as in landing, or just low towards the surface?"

Rianni@crystyl:"Just as low as we can without dropping speed"

NPC@annpc#557 | The Helm Officer nods and the Guan Yu begins to descend

Rianni@crystyl:"Ops; have the Type 9's primed to deploy and set down on the surface as we pass"

NPC@annpc#557 | Ops Officer: "Aye, preparing them for launch now."

NPC@annpc#557 | Science Officer: "The enemy ship looks like it's trying to come in from behind and flank us, but they're holding a higher altitude in orbit."

Rianni@crystyl:"As well they should. Let them flank"

NPC@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "Should I boost power to aft shields, or?"

Rianni@crystyl:"Not yet, let them chase while we descend. I want to see how they respond"

NPC@annpc#557 | Science Officer: "They are moving in. I am detecting a spike in energy indicating they are channelling their power through the hull, likely preparing for an attack with the new refit hull phaser."

Rianni@crystyl:"Helm, are we at the target altitude yet?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Helm Officer: "Aye Captain."

Rianni@crystyl:"Deploy the shuttles and have them power down immediately to avoid detection. As soon as they are clear, cycle shield power and route auxiliary to the rear emitters. That should mask our brief drop of them as a power reroute"

NPC@annpc#557 | Ops Officer: "On it. Shuttles are away and power rerouted at the same time."

NPC@annpc#557 | The tactical map now displays the two shuttles, though with an indicator that they are running dark and powered down

Rianni@crystyl:"Continue our present course until the enemy attacks"

NPC@annpc#557 | The Guan Yu continues her present course for a short while, with the enemy Guan Yu closing the distance and dropping altitude as well, but moving past the shuttles and completely overlooking -

NPC@annpc#557 - their presence. Soon, the Science Officer announces, "They are entering weapons range."

NPC@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "They're definitely charging weapons now."

Rianni@crystyl:"Prepare to bring us about once they fire"

NPC@annpc#557 | The enemy Guan Yu fires a continuous phaser beam. The helm officer taps his console and the USS Guan Yu evades the initial hit, but the beam travels across the enemy's hull, trailing after the -

NPC@annpc#557 - USS Guan Yu. It swipes across the rear of the ship like a Borg cutting beam, causing the shields to flare up

NPC@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "Aft shields at 70%."

NPC@annpc#557 | Helm Officer: "Bringing us about now."

Rianni@crystyl:"Divert auxiliary to forward weapon arrays and open fire on these positions" she sends targeting data to the tactical to pinpoint weakest shield segments

NPC@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "Firing now."

NPC@annpc#557 | The DAS Guan Yu goes into evasive, but a few of the hits land on their target segments

Rianni@crystyl:"Stay on them and press the attack. Slow axis rotation and cycle ventral and dorsal phaser emitters through targeting"

Rianni@crystyl mutters, "Come on Syrene, show me what this reputation of yours is all about"

NPC@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "Captain, the entire hull is all one large emitter now."

NPC@annpc#557 | Science Officer: "They're locking tractor beam on us!"

Rianni@crystyl:"Oh right, we have that upgrade too. Still, it is good to never show a single face to your enemy; lest you give them the opportunity to focus fire and weaken one arc. This Ditean tech is all well -

Rianni@crystyl:- and good, but technology of convenience inevitably leads to complacency. The order stands"

NPC@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "Understood."

NPC@annpc#557 | As the USS Guan Yu focuses fire with multiple smaller shots, the DAS Guan Yu activates a tractor beam from the rear and locks them in place

NPC@annpc#557 | Science Officer: "I'm seeing a buildup of energy around the nacelle pointing directly at us."

Rianni@crystyl smirks, "You're almost making this too easy. Continue cycling fire on their facing arc and reverse thrust; we can play the flailing catch" she checks her readout, "Release safety locks on cargo -

Rianni@crystyl:- bay... 4, and prepare for emergency venting. Engineering, reroute all power through the portside power relays - and yes, I know that will cause overloads, that is the idea. Stand by to vent plasma from the port nacelle too"

NPC@annpc#557 | Helm Officer: "Reversing thrust now."

NPC@annpc#557 | A concentrated beam fires, not from the main hull of the DAS Guan Yu, but directly from the nacelle pointed at them. It impacts the front of the USS Guan Yu hard, but a wave of plasma seems to wash over the shielding around the entire ship as well

NPC@annpc#557 | Engineering Officer: "They just hit us with some kind of warp plasma charged beam!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "Forward shields are down to 20%. All shield facings have dropped by 15%."

Rianni@crystyl braces with the hit, "Now! Overload relays, and begin venting. Ops, blow the cargo bay door. Helm, release latitude control - let us drift"

NPC@annpc#557 | Engineering Officer: "On it!" Warnings begin to flash on the Engineering console as relays overload

NPC@annpc#557 | The USS Guan Yu goes spinning, one nacelle venting plasma. The plasma from the charged shot still clings to the shields, giving the impression that the entire ship is on fire, selling the damaged effect very well

NPC@annpc#557 | Operations Officer: "We're...being hailed, Captain."

Rianni@crystyl looks around and hrms, "Dim lights to 30% and... do you think you can create some interference on the comm frequency?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Operations Officer: "Easy enough, Captain."

Rianni@crystyl:"Thank you" she stands, pulling a phaser out from the emergency arms locker beside her chair

Rianni@crystyl taps a little to increase its power, then turns and fires several times at the rear of the bridge, shattering the many workstations there

Rianni@crystyl spins back around and twists her lip in thought before glancing up and grinning. With one arm raised to shield her eyes she fires a final shot into the ceiling light to shatter that and rain sparks-

Rianni@crystyl:- debris down on the middle of the bridge before taking a relaxed sit back down and avoiding the temptation to gauge Vrolmacht's reaction

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht observes curiously and narrows his eyes at Rianni, knowing what she's playing at but unsure of her final goal with it

Rianni@crystyl looks around at the carnage she just caused and gives a satisfied sigh, "There. Now we will accept the hail"

NPC@annpc#557 | The Operations Officer nods and opens the channel. Syrene appears on the other end, her bridge still largely pristine

NPC@annpc#557 | Syrene: "Your Guan Yu is not doing so well. Will you yield, or do you prefer to fight to the last?"

Rianni@crystyl sits upright; proud and arrogant, "Yield? A true warrior /never/ backs down from a fight! This ship will stand it's ground even if I have to don an EV suit and go outside with a rifle to shoot you out of the sky!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "A true warrior? These are not the tactics of a true warrior!"

Rianni@crystyl snarls back over her shoulder, "What would you know about it?! Now shut up, you're supposed to be staying out of this!"

Rianni@crystyl grimaces to herself as she turns back, hating herself for talking to her old friend and mentor like this

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "I certainly would not use tactics such as this. But very well, let's see what other dishonourable methods you use..."

NPC@annpc#557 | Syrene: "So you would continue the battle, then?"

Rianni@crystyl raises a hand, signalling the tactical officer to fire another shot

NPC@annpc#557 | The tactical officer nods and fires. Syrene's bridge shakes slightly on the other end of the comm

NPC@annpc#557 | Syrene: "Very well."

NPC@annpc#557 | The comm ends

Rianni@crystyl jumps up and rushes around to what's left of engineering

NPC@annpc#557 | Science Officer: "They're charging up for another hit, from the main saucer this time."

Rianni@crystyl:"Alright, on my signal; cancel out the venting and redirect all non-tactical power to the main deflector - and yes, that means life support too"

Rianni@crystyl looks over to tactical, "when we power back up, you're to open hit them with everything we have on continuous fire. I don't want to see a single torpedo left in storage!"

NPC@annpc#557 | The engineering officer nods, "Understood."

NPC@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "All torpedo tubes standing by, ready to channel all energy into the hull emitters."

Rianni@crystyl heads down to the helm, "Now, I need your finesse and timing"

NPC@annpc#557 | The Helm Officer nods, "I'm ready to do what's needed, Captain."

Rianni@crystyl taps on his display to focus on the tactical map, "Use the maneuvering thrusters in small discrete bursts to our spin so that when we power back up, we have them dead in our sights" she traces a -

Rianni@crystyl:- finger across his display, "They should begin to close in for the kill any time now. I need you to have us in position when they reach this spot"

Rianni@crystyl taps on a region right above where the shuttles landed, then turns to the science officer, "When they hit this marker, activate the tractor beam. It may not be enough to halt them even with the -

Rianni@crystyl:- extra power, but that's fine. We just need to slow them down"

NPC@annpc#557 | Helm Officer: "Got it."

NPC@annpc#557 | On the viewscreen, the DAS Guan Yu turns around and indeed begins to close for the kill...

Rianni@crystyl retakes her seat, "All stations, stand by to act. Ops, make sure the shuttles are primed and ready"

NPC@annpc#557 | Operation Officer: "The shuttles are reporting ready, Captain."

Rianni@crystyl watches on the now again fully functional viewscreen as the DAS Guan Yu approaches, waiting for it to hit the target region

NPC@annpc#557 | As the DAS Guan Yu looms closer, the helm officer discreetly turns the USS Guan Yu so their sights are slowly turning while still looking like an uncontrolled spin. Soon, the enemy Guan Yu enters the target region...

Rianni@crystyl slowly raises her fist, "Wait for it..." and clenches it, "...Mark!"

NPC@annpc#557 | The tractor beam activates. As predicted, it doesn't stop the DAS Guan Yu, but it does slow them down

Rianni@crystyl:"Fire all weapons! Ops, launch the shuttles. They are to coast at low speed through the enemy shield arc, take position between her nacelles... and self destruct"

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "Self destruct? You would sacrifice your shuttle pilots so readily?"

Rianni@crystyl:"Damned right. Victory at any cost"

NPC@annpc#557 | The ops officer gives her an incredulous look but does as ordered. All the USS Guan Yu's weapons light up with a volley of torpedoes and multiple phaser bolts. The DAS Guan Yu predictably -

NPC@annpc#557 - shifts their attention to the oncoming fire, evading, shooting down torpedoes and shifting shield power to the front and overlooking the shuttles as they sneak into position...

NPC@annpc#557 | The DAS Guan Yu returns fire, causing the bridge to shake and a few consoles to actually explode from damage now. However, as the two ships exchange fire, the shuttles self destruct. Two -

NPC@annpc#557 - explosions go off by each of the DAS Guan Yu's nacelles, causing both to start flickering erratically and leaking plasma

Rianni@crystyl:"Now. Focus fire on the struts"

NPC@annpc#557 | The tactical officer focuses fire the most convenient facing of one of the DAS Guan Yu's nacelle struts. With its shields badly damaged, the hits penetrate through to the hull. A series of -

NPC@annpc#557 - torpedo explosions severs the starboard nacelle from the rest of the ship. However, the DAS Guan Yu also unloads everything it can. Several torpedoes strike the front of the USS Guan Yu, as -

NPC@annpc#557 - well as a highly concentrated phaser beam which punches through what remains of the shields and into the hull

NPC@annpc#557 | Engineering Officer: "Hull breaches on Decks 1 through 5!"

Rianni@crystyl:" Helm, roll us over to protect the weakened sections. Continue the offensive; they'll be lucky if they're not already heading for a breach after that"

NPC@annpc#557 | Helm Officer: "On it!"

NPC@annpc#557 | As they continue on the offensive, the Science Officer reports, "Enemy ship is losing power rapidly, but they still have impulse power and are trying to close in on us."

Rianni@crystyl:"Tactical, what is our torpedo complement down to?"

NPC@annpc#557 | Engineering Officer: "Their core energy levels are starting to spike. I think they're going to try to ram us!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Tactical Officer: "I can still get us a volley, Captain."

Rianni@crystyl:"Do it. Helm, get us out of their way. Science, reconfigure the tractor beam to repel and push them clear. No need to halt them, just redirect"

NPC@annpc#557 | Science Officer: "Reconfiguring now."

NPC@annpc#557 | The USS Guan Yu moves out of the way as the tractor beam pushes the DAS Guan Yu aside at the same time. As another volley of torpedoes hits, the enemy Guan Yu detonates. The USS Guan Yu isn't -

NPC@annpc#557 - completely clear of the blast radius as the explosion shakes the bridge violently, shattering more consoles and causing the viewscreen to crack. But as things settle, the computer voice sounds..

NPC@annpc#557 | Computer: "Simulation complete. USS Guan Yu is victorious with 32% remaining hull integrity."

Rianni@crystyl:"There. Now we can get on with our real mission"

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "Playing dead, sneaking your shuttles in and sacrificing your own pilots, that was hardly an honourable victory!"

Rianni@crystyl:"It got the job done"

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "The terms of the contest may have been fair, but the way you fought certainly was not!"

Rianni@crystyl stands and spins around, "And what is it to you?! Syrene's pointless contest is done, the matter is settled. And the Guan Yu is mine"

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "I do not accept this victory. The Guan Yu was mine long before it was yours. It is me you must defeat to have the right of commanding her!"

Rianni@crystyl grins, "Alright then. Computer, reset simulation; Klingon duelling arena"

NPC@annpc#557 | The holodeck flickers to a Klingon dueling ring instead, with two shelves of traditional Klingon melee weapons on either side. Vrolmacht immediately steps over and grabs a bat'leth

Rianni@crystyl heads to the opposite side and retrieves one as well

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht steps into the ring, giving his bat'leth a spin before adopting a ready stance

Rianni@crystyl twirls her own around, feeling it's balance before adopting a similar stance, "Come on then old man, show me there's still some Klingon blood pumping behind those soft Ditean robes!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "It won't be Klingon blood that's spilled here!" He charges in with a double swing of both ends of the bat'leth

Rianni@crystyl parries the strikes, backstepping with each and looking for an opening to counter

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht attacks quickly and aggressively. Rianni can spot some openings, but using them to counterattack will likely mean taking some hits herself as well, so she needs to be careful about which opportunity to take and which to pass up

Rianni@crystyl chooses to make some poor choices so that he gains the upper hand, ultimately aiming to throw the fight and expecting to get a few cuts and bruises along the way

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht gets a few hits in, but instead of taking an opportunity to finish the duel, he simply pushes his bat'leth hard against hers, knocking her back onto the ground, "You can do better that, Tierno! I have not grown soft! Now, actually try to fight!"

Rianni@crystyl smirks, dropping and slipping between his legs to spin around gain the upper hand, "That was always your problem; you can't see more than one step in front of you!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht promptly moves his bat'leth behind himself to catch a strike from behind before twisting around, the weapon held facing Rianni the whole time, "Nicely done, but you will have to do -

NPC@annpc#557 - better than that if you want command of my ship!" He resumes his relentless aggressive flurry once again

Rianni@crystyl once again focuses on parrying and backpeddling, "And you'll... have to try harder if... you really deserve it!" she swipes the last parry into a counter, aiming to nick his cheek with the tip

NPC@annpc#557 | Rianni manages to nick his cheek and Vrolmacht growls, immediately launching a counterattack of his own aimed for Rianni's legs

Rianni@crystyl tries to evade but gets thrown off balance by the sweep and staggers backwards

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht immediately follows through with a full strength swing which slashes across Rianni's chest and sends her onto the floor. The simulation announces in a typical rough Klingon voice

NPC@annpc#557 | Announcer: "Match over. The victory goes to Captain Vrolmacht. Qapla'!"

NPC@annpc#557 | All the 'injuries' caused by the bat'leth flickers away as the simulation finishes

Rianni@crystyl sits, panting. She leans back on her palms and looks up at him with a smile, "There's the warrior I remember. Now declare your victory and howl so even the honoured dead tremble!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht raises his bat'leth and howls in victory before lowering his arms, "I...have not had my blood pumping like that in some time. Some of these Diteans can be fine fighters, but they -

NPC@annpc#557 - lack true aggression. They are soft, their fighting is like a dance, rather than the raw visceral passion of a Klingon warrior. Something that resides even within a human, though most of you don't like to show it."

Rianni@crystyl joins in his howling, then looks back with a more familiar warm smile, "It's about time you remembered that. You can be real stubborn you know, making me go through all that to push your buttons -

Rianni@crystyl:- enough to rile you up so much you'd raise a bat'leth against me in true anger! Now, are you just going to stand there, or help a girl back to her feet? I think it's about time the Guan Yu had it's Captain back, don't you?" she extends a hand

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht smiles back, "Aye, it's about time." He offers Rianni a hand. "I am sorry the Diteans were able to get so deep into my mind."

Rianni@crystyl squeaks as he yanks her back to her feet, dusting herself off, "Well, you sure made them work for it by all accounts. But they really did set their sights on you! I guess they figured that you were key to converting many more of the crew"

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "I hope the reverse is just as true. Now, I must get the rest of my crew back from this colony."

Rianni@crystyl gives a firm nod, "We're with you!"

NPC@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "Let's get to work, then!"

—

Keliaya@anncaris | Two days after finally returning Vrolmacht to his old self, the Guan Yu crew has now been completely filled without needing any temporary transfers from the Venator's personnel, and Vrolmacht -

Keliaya@anncaris - transports over to the Venator. He materializes in the transporter room, now back in his Starfleet captain's uniform

Rianni@crystyl smiles at the sight, "Now that's a bit more like it"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht smiles and steps off the pad, "It is good to be back. I hope I didn't put you through /too/ much trouble?"

Rianni@crystyl plays coy, "Weeell... I was rather looking forward to my own command..." she looks back and giggles some, "But you know there is no such thing as too much trouble for you. I just hope you can -

Rianni@crystyl - forgive my abhorrent behaviour I had to stoop to in order to get a rise out of you"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "You did what you had to, and you did well. You've got a talent for mimicking the mannerisms of other cultures. I'm not sure another officer would've managed to bring out the -

Keliaya@anncaris - Klingon in me back out quite as effectively. Maybe that's why the Junayd picked you as the template for their observers."

Rianni@crystyl chuckles, "I'm pretty sure that was a matter of convenience and the skills you praise are hers. Still, I feel horrible for the things I said - to you and Syrene!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht chuckles, "You did the right thing. And I am sure Syrene understands as well. I just hope you won't self-destruct your manned shuttles in an /actual/ battle."

Rianni@crystyl gasps, "Heavens no! I had to assume she had at least some insight into Starfleet tactics from you, Klingon too. So in order to attain victory in an even match I had to usurp expectations, and doing-

Rianni@crystyl - so in such a dishonourable move was part of the plan to provoke you too"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "Good, I thought as much. Just had to make sure you weren't a secret Terran impostor, given the ship you are on!" he laughs as he clasps a hand on Rianni's shoulder. "Not to mention -

Keliaya@anncaris - your tendency for self-duplication..."

Rianni@crystyl:"Hey, I am not responsible for all the other me's! Besides, the Terran one has a real attitude problem. Honestly, she's more like Sin than me!"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "Yes, I suppose that version of you might be easy to distinguish. Come now, let's not keep Kelly waiting."

Rianni@crystyl nods and starts leading the way out, "So how is your crew doing now? I only got to work briefly with that Vulcan XO of yours, but he seems to have a sharp intellect. I would have liked to have worked more with him"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "He is an excellent officer. It is always good to have a Vulcan around. As annoying as their logic can sometimes be, their analytical skills are unmatched."

Rianni@crystyl:"No arguments here! But I got the sense there was a bit more to him. After all, he resisted the Ditean's lure the same way Emma and I did by all accounts, and that's something they seldom discuss"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "I think that has to do with his strong connection to his family. It's a factor most of the crew who resisted the Diteans until now have in common."

Rianni@crystyl:"Yeah, and I still think there's something in that we can use. But regardless, we've made it this far! So let's catch up with the Captain"

—

Rianni@crystyl chimes the ready room door as they approach

Keliaya@anncaris:"Come in."

Rianni@crystyl steps in, "Sorry if we kept you, but it was our first chance to catch up properly in so long!"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "No need to apologize. Come, have a seat."

Rianni@crystyl takes a seat

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht sits down as well, "Guan Yu is fully crewed now. I've got 97% of my crew back, and the crew of the Faraday who didn't submit to the Diteans can easily fill the few roles we need. The problem is, there's still /some/ who refuse to leave."

Keliaya@anncaris:"And at this stage, do you believe they're a lost cause?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "I do not like to say any cause is lost until it is done and over with. But I do not believe there is anything more I or my crew are able to do to sway them."

Keliaya@anncaris sighs, "And there's probably nothing more we can try, either." She looks to Rianni, "What're your thoughts on this?"

Rianni@crystyl hrms, "Like Vrolmacht, I have to believe that anything is possible. But if they are so far gone at this point, it would likely take an equally taillored and personalized effort to bring them back. -

Rianni@crystyl - We were fortunate enough that we are the ones who are here and we share enough history with him, that I share enough history with him, we were able to make such a connection. For other members of-

Rianni@crystyl - Guan Yu crew it is highly unlikely that there will be the same level of personal connection available here to reach them on that same level right now"

Keliaya@anncaris nods, "I agree. Our arrangement with the Diteans is to only take people who are willing to go of their own free will. We're already fortunate Syrene was willing to cooperate with us to get -

Keliaya@anncaris - Vrolmacht back, which in turn got us a lot more of the Guan Yu's crew already.

Rianni@crystyl:"So what is our next move from here now? This concludes our mission does it not, so are we to escort the Guan Yu back to the Heart?"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "Exactly what I wanted to bring up next. Our mission is the search and rescue of the Guan Yu and Faraday and their crews. The Faraday's back, and now that the Guan Yu, her crew and some -

Keliaya@anncaris - of the remaining unaccounted Faraday crew are here, getting them back to the Heart safely is our mission priority. But..."

Rianni@crystyl:"But...?"

Keliaya@anncaris:"We know it's not the Guan Yu and Faraday that the infiltrators are after. They just happened to be caught in the middle of it all when the war with the Diteans broke out. And right now peace -

Keliaya@anncaris:- hasn't been officially established yet, just a ceasefire while the negotiations happen. If something could go wrong, it's much more likely to be at the negotiations than the Guan Yu."

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht nods, "We are a Starfleet crew, with a ship fully repaired and upgraded by the Diteans now. We can handle ourselves on a simple journey back."

Rianni@crystyl:"True. And we did set this in motion by agreeing with Syrene to get to the bottom of the attack on them that started all of this. While she has seen enough to doubt her previous facts, we have yet to conclusively prove what happened"

Keliaya@anncaris:"I am still concerned about those Ditean upgrades though. I know both Farhalla and your Chief has put the Guan Yu through her paces over the last few days and I've looked over the specs myself and -

Keliaya@anncaris:- not seen anything glaring. But sometimes these problems don't surface until after a while. Scavengers and pirates won't be a threat to you, but the biggest danger right now could be your own ship."

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "It would not be the first time a Starfleet vessel has had an engineering situation. I am sure my people will be able to handle it if such issues do arise."

Rianni@crystyl:"And given the situation as you just highlighted, we still can not fully rule out the possibility of betrayal by the Diteans and that a returnee could in fact be a mole"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "That...is a prudent concern."

Rianni@crystyl:"And one I hate to raise, but given that deception and subversion are their primary weapons it would be foolish of us to write off such a possibility at this early stage. To that end, it would actually be unwise to even send the Guan Yu back yet"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "Where would we go, then? I doubt Starfleet will allow us to continue our mission without a thorough debriefing and examination and cataloguing of the new upgrades. They may not even let me keep the Guan Yu."

Rianni@crystyl:"That would be a foolhardy reaction from the Admiral in my opinion, and I would be first in line to tell her so" she looks to Kelly, "Given that we are still progressing a joint operation to -

Rianni@crystyl:- investigate the first attack here, would it not arguably be the most prudent to include the Guan Yu - and it's Ditean upgrades - in that joint operation?"

Keliaya@anncaris smiles, "A very good suggestion. We could ensure the peace negotiations go smoothly, and bring the Guan Yu along for it. That could be the perfect opportunity to see where everyone's true -

Keliaya@anncaris - loyalties lie, and having an extra ship would be beneficial if either the Diteans or the infiltrators try anything."

Rianni@crystyl:"And having the Guan Yu back under Vrolmacht's command play a pivotal role in stabilizing the region should go a long way to cementing the crews rehabilitation too"

Keliaya@anncaris:"Exactly. What do you think, Vrolmacht?"

Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "After being cooped up in that Ditean resort for so long, I won't say no to a little more time in the field before we return to the Heart."

Keliaya@anncaris:"It's settled, then. Let's get formed up and rejoin the Yorktown."