ST:TTV228 | "What Goes Around..."
Updated: Mar 18
Stardate 94723.1
Finding themselves within rare reach of the heart of the Federation after returning the USS Brisbane to drydock; many members of the crew take the opportunity to request shore leave so they may catch up with friends and family. Or in the case of LCDR Keliaya; join a fellow officer from DS13 who's runabout was passing, en route to a conference at the Daystrom Institute.
For CAPT Se'Lai and those remaining on board, it is an ample time to enjoy some downtime and catch up on system diagnostics while they await the return of their departed...
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Mana@anncarise replicates a bowl of ice. Keelah@crystyll sits reading from a PADD as she occassionally sips at her raktajino Eunha@turtles#8407 Places a PADD and a travel mug next to her on the small Table and yawns loudly Keelah@crystyll looks up with a smirk, "Keeping you, Eunha?" Eunha@turtles#8407: "mmm I shoudl've put in for shore leave like the majority of the crew." Keelah@crystyll: "And visited Earth again so soon?" Mana@anncarise pops an ice cube into her mouth and looks around, spotting Keelah and Eunha by the couches. Eunha@turtles#8407: "Oh no just to have some time off." Chuckles "I'm kidding of course I've had my fair share of time off." Eunha@turtles#8407: "And besides you needed at least one senior staff member around to keep you sane." Mana@anncarise: "Hello Captain Keelah and Commander Eunbi." Keelah@crystyll: "Yes but you don't need me to tell you that R&R is a very different thing... oh hello Mana" Eunha@turtles#8407: "Hi Mana." Mana@anncarise looks to Eunha, "Mana has not seen Eunha around the ship for some time." Keelah@crystyll: "I could say teh same for you, Mana" she smiles over a sip of her drink Eunha@turtles#8407: "I've been rather busy." she sips her coffee Mana@anncarise: "Mana has been busy as well analyzing the information from the Brisbane." Mana@anncarise: "Is what people are saying about this Branded Lady true?" Keelah@crystyll: "That depends what they are saying, Mana" she smiles, gesturing for her to take a seat with them Mana@anncarise: "Mana has heard that the Branded Lady is an Arshai exile like Mana." Keelah@crystyll: "That is not entirely accurate, from what I have seen..." Mana@anncarise: "Are people mistaking another similar-looking species for Arshai,?" Keelah@crystyll: "Not exactly. I believe the Branded Lady does bare distinct Arshai features" Keelah@crystyll: "However, she also possesses those akin to Orions. So I would surmise that she is partly each" Mana@anncarise: "Oh, an Arshai hybrid? Mana did not know such a thing was possible, though Mana does not think such a thing has been attempted in the first place before." Keelah@crystyll: "Well apparently it has, though I am unable to provide any details on where and when. To our prior knowledge, you were the first of your kind you to find their way this far out" Mana@anncarise: "Mana is aware that other Arshai have left the EereE Order for varying reasons, but Mana thought none survived as the Federation is very large but has not encountered any others." Keelah@crystyll: "Indeed. I can imagine this raises more questions for you than it answers Mana, though fear I am not the best qualified to advise on such matters..." she glances towards Eunha Eunha@turtles#8407: "I could try my best if you have any questions." Mana@anncarise: "Does Eunha believe talking to the Branded Lady would be wise? This particular individual may have good information but may also be dangerous and untrustworthy from what Mana knows." Eunha@turtles#8407: "Perhaps it could give you more insight, but I don't know if we are able to speak again." she glances to Keelah Keelah@crystyll: "It is difficult to predict... presently, I would say not. However, if the rumored alliance between her and the OSN gains strength; then it may be a possibility in due course" Keelah@crystyll: "I should tell you Mana; she did express interest in speaking with you should circumstances permit" Mana@anncarise: "Oh?" Keelah@crystyll nods, "Yes, though as to her motives I could not say. I also made no promises of course, only that I would make you aware of things that you can reach your own decision" Mana@anncarise: "Mana thanks Keelah for the information. Mana will reflect on what Mana knows." Keelah@crystyll: "I am sure Eunha and her team will be more than happy to lend an ear if you feel it may help you work things out" she smiles Mana@anncarise nods, "Mana will seek Eunha out if Mana has further doubts." Eunha@turtles#8407: "I'll try my best." Mana@anncarise: "Oh, and Mana has compiled a more detailed analysis of the EereE technology on the Brisbane, but Mana could not find Kelly to discuss the information." Mana@anncarise: "Has Kelly returned to the Valley Forge yet?" Keelah@crystyll shakes her head Mana@anncarise: "According to the engineering roster schedule Kelly should be back now...but the computer also cannot locate Kelly or the shuttle." Keelah@crystyll: "An excellent point Mana, that shuttle is definitely overdue..." taps her combadge Eunha@turtles#8407: "Not like her to run late." Keelah@crystyll: <C> Bridge; status update on the shore leave shuttles Keelah@crystyll: <C: T'Quila> Captain, all shuttles have docked except for LCDR Keliaya's Runabout Keelah@crystyll: <C> They are overdue now if I'm not mistaken, Tee? Keelah@crystyll: <C: T'Quila> *tapping* ...affirmative, Captain; 5 hours and 47 mintues" Keelah@crystyll looks to the others, clearly not liking the sounds of the comms Eunha@turtles#8407: "Lets head to the bridge and we can bring up her flight plan." Keelah@crystyll: <C> Tee, contact the colony and confirm their departure. I'm on my way up Mana@anncarise nods at Eunha, "Can Mana come to observe as well?" Keelah@crystyll takes a last sip of her drink as she stands, "Duty calls. Mana, in Kelly's absence your scientific knowledge would be most welcome" Mana@anncarise: "Mana will be right there!" Keelah@crystyll: "Hopefully not required, but I would prefer to have and not need, than to need and not have" Eunha@turtles#8407: "Lets gooooo." she looks round the corner "Yoona can you look after my stuff." she gives a thumbs up to the other counsellor as she head out Mana@anncarise takes another cube of ice and slides the rest back to the replicator before going for the lift. Keelah@crystyll steps off the turbolift and looks straight to Tee, "What's our status Tee?" Eunha@turtles#8407 sits in a bridge officer chair. Mana@anncarise takes one of the science consoles. Eunha@turtles#8407 Takes up Ops next to T'quila Eunha@turtles#8407 Starts to bring up Kelly's flight plan on screen Keelah@crystyll | T'Quila: "Colony confirms, Captain; Runabout departed on schedule" Keelah@crystyll drums her fingers on the armrest as she studies the map on screen Mana@anncarise: "Maybe Valley Forge can retrace the flight plan and see if the ship can catch Kelly mid-way." Eunha@turtles#8407 Starts to scan the path for any anamolies along the route Mana@anncarise: "The runabout may have run into some issues." Keelah@crystyll: "That is my thinking as well, Mana. Chag; plot a course and engage. Let's go find our girl" Eunha@turtles#8407: "I've got something." Mana@anncarise | Chag: "Aye aye, captain, course set and engaging warp drive." Keelah@crystyll leans forward slightly Keelah@crystyll: "What is it Eunha?" Eunha@turtles#8407: "An object, it could easily be a shuttle I think." Keelah@crystyll: "Tee, any thing on comms?" Keelah@crystyll TQ | glances back, shaking her head despondently Keelah@crystyll: "Alright, Chag bring us into range. Let's get a closer look" Keelah@crystyll FX | Sure enough, as they close on the sensor reading; it becomes clearly visible as a Starfleet Runabout Eunha@turtles#8407 starts scanning the shuttle for liffe and also uses her brain sensor Keelah@crystyll | Silvestrie: "Registry matches, Captain. that's Kelly's ride alright" Mana@anncarise taps the console to scan as well, "Sensor readings match Runabout Ouse, which Kelly took to the conference." Eunha@turtles#8407: "I can't sense her and scans are showing no life signs." Keelah@crystyll studies the image on screen, "She looks in pretty bad shape. Mana, can you get a status on the shuttle?" Eunha@turtles#8407 Starts to scan the shuttle for organic material just in case the worse may have happened Eunha@turtles#8407: "I'm not getting anything organic so she is definitley not on board." Keelah@crystyll | Vrolmacht, "I do not like how this looks. Captain, this may be a trap. Suggest raising alert status" Keelah@crystyll holds up a hand to Vrolmacht, "Not yet. Not yet..." Mana@anncarise: "The runabout shows superficial signs of phaser burns on the hull but no significant structural damage." Mana@anncarise: "Shields are disabled but life support is still running." Keelah@crystyll: "No apparent reason from scans for the shuttle to be abandoned?" she asks looking back to Mana Mana@anncarise: "The shuttle can still be flown, yes." Keelah@crystyll: "Alright, tractor into the port hangar. We'll figure this out the hard way then..." Mana@anncarise: "Mana is fairly sure there are no dangers with the shuttle, so retrieving the craft should be safe." Keelah@crystyll nods as Silvestrie and Chag start to work in unison, positioning the Forge and tractoring the derelict shuttle Keelah@crystyll taps her comm panel, "Thorkildsen, Se'Lai. Prepare an analytics team and meet me in the port hangar" Eunha@turtles#8407: "I'll keep things running up here on the bridge." Keelah@crystyll nods, "Very well, continue to survey long range for signs of recent traffic and be prepared for an imminent departure" Eunha@turtles#8407: "Will do." Keelah@crystyll: "Let's move poeple. Until we know better, we are against the clock" Mana@anncarise: <C: Thorkildsen> "On it, captain." Eunha@turtles#8407: "Continue following the flight plan... and long range scnas." Eunha@turtles#8407 Taps the arm consoles and pretends to be a good captain Patsy@turtles#8407 Comes aboard the shuttle with her Medkit and glances around Keelah@crystyll marches straight on board with the others, "Initial findings, Lietuenant?" Mana@anncarise FX | There is a curious canister in the middle of the shuttle. Patsy@turtles#8407 Takes out her tricorder and starts to scan the canister Mana@anncarise | Thorkildsen: "Captain, according to the sensor logs here, the Runabout was waylaid by an Orion cruiser. A canister of stun gas was beamed on board, but that was not enough to incapicate the - Patsy@turtles#8407: "This is the canister." she walks over to a console to analyse the gas in ventilation Mana@anncarise - crew. Judging from the fact that rebreather masks and phasers were released, the crew must've resisted the gas." Mana@anncarise | Thorkildsen: "A team then beamed over from the Orion ship, several Orions and Nausicaans by the looks of it, and a shootout ensued." Mana@anncarise | Thorkildsen: "The internal sensors read...no survivors from the Starfleet crew..." Keelah@crystyll: "Stars..." she clasps a hand over her mouth, looking about the interior as she pictures said events Mana@anncarise takes off her left glove and connects with a console via her cybernetic port. Keelah@crystyll frowns, "Wait... no survivors? But... that makes no sense..." Keelah@crystyll: "If they did not survive a shootout with boarders, why are there no bodies?" Patsy@turtles#8407 while she waits for her analysis of the gas to finsh she looks around for any residue of anyone who could've been vaporised Keelah@crystyll sets a hand on his shoulder, "Keep digging. Something just doesn't sit right with all this" Mana@anncarise: "Captain Keelah, there are signs of an EereE deflector outfitted to that Orion ship..." Patsy@turtles#8407: "My tricorder is showing there are tiny organc traces which correspond with vaporisation, however the amount is only consistent with one person, but I suppose the ventalistion could've taken the Keelah@crystyll: "Like the Branded Lady ships?" Patsy@turtles#8407: organic particles out, as there were 3 officers on board." Keelah@crystyll sighs at the confirmed loss of at least one soul, and not knowing who... Mana@anncarise nods, "Exactly like the Branded Lady ships." Patsy@turtles#8407 starts to scan around too try and find some of the organic residue Patsy@turtles#8407 scan Patsy@turtles#8407 scans the environment with a tricorder. Keelah@crystyll: "Good work Nurse, continue your analysis - send samples to the lab if needed to try and help determine who... who they were..." Patsy@turtles#8407 scans the environment with a tricorder. Keelah@crystyll: "I'm going to cross check the drive system flow modulation for any inconsistences with the sensor log data" Patsy@turtles#8407: "If I find a sample I should be able to analyse it here with my medical tricorder." Patsy@turtles#8407: "There is one." she scrapes up the sample and scans it "Tellarite." Patsy@turtles#8407: "I don't know who it is as i'l-..." she cuts off as she spots something and bends down to pick it up Keelah@crystyll: "Hm?" she turns Patsy@turtles#8407 She stands back up "An active tricorder was under this seat captain." she reaches out to give it to Keelah Keelah@crystyll: "A tricorder...?" she opens it up and views the active data Keelah@crystyll can't get the tricorder working! Patsy@turtles#8407: "It appears to have been recording for six hours on my first inspection." Patsy@turtles#8407: "It still is I believe." Mana@anncarise FX | Most of the recording is just white noise, but winding down to the very beginning there is a segment with actual voices... Keelah@crystyll sets it down on the console to playback Mana@anncarise | Playback: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H37IDpJsjC1uyF9rWDTbp_xiMcj_E8h0aq7lsr8Hrgw/edit?usp=sharing Keelah@crystyll: "That's LT Lendaria's voice... and that one's Kelly for sure, the others sound like the boarders..." Patsy@turtles#8407: "The ensign must have been killed quite quickly then. I'll send this sample down so we know who it is." Keelah@crystyll nods as she continues to listen Mana@anncarise: "The shuttle manifest lists Kelly, an Orion Lieutenant Commander Lendaria and a Tellarite Ensign Zhev." Mana@anncarise disconnects from the console and comes to listen as well. Patsy@turtles#8407: "I'll better get to writing up the Ensigns death certificate then." Keelah@crystyll looks over to Thorkildsen after playback finishes, "LT, rescan the core for any telltale signs of data manipulation" Keelah@crystyll snaps the tricorder shut and clips it to her belt for safekeeping Mana@anncarise | Thorkildsen: "Aye captain." Mana@anncarise: "So this was not the Branded Lady then?" Keelah@crystyll looks to Mana, "It would appear not. They sounded like Nausicaan's, but that doesn't tell us much. Most likely freelance mercs working for the highest bidder" Mana@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "But why not destroy the shuttle and eliminate all evidence? That's the most reasonable step to take." Keelah@crystyll: "Clearly they wanted us to find the shuttle - and this falsified evidence" Keelah@crystyll: "Whoever took our people, they clearly have a vendetta against the Branded Lady as well, though I highly doubt they targeted a random Starfleet transport just for that purpose" Mana@anncarise: "Perhaps they targeted Valley Forge's shuttle because Valley Forge has a history of conflict with the Branded Lady?" Keelah@crystyll: "A logical deduction, Mana" she smiles, "We above all would be most easily swayed by evidence incriminating her" Keelah@crystyll: "But this does not help us track our people. Lieutenant...?" she looks to Thorkildsen for an update Mana@anncarise | Thorkildsen: "There does appear to be a core strain consistent with a sudden turn that isn't registered in the logs." Mana@anncarise | Thorkildsen: "It's not impossible for sudden spikes like this to be missed by automatic computer logs, but that's the only sign of potential tampering I can find." Keelah@crystyll: "Figures... Mana, I have need of your direct assistance; if you would be so kind" she gestures to the door Mana@anncarise steps to the door, then looks to Keelah for confirmation that she wants her outside the shuttle. Keelah@crystyll steps outside with Mana and leads her around to the nose of the Runabout where she gets down underneath and pops off a series of panels Keelah@crystyll starts switching iso chips around as she speaks, "Mana, do you think you directly interface with that relay?" she points Mana@anncarise nods, "If a port or interface exists, Mana certainly can." Keelah@crystyll: "That is the forward sensor array maintenance panel. If you could access the raw data, there may be enough for us to reconstruct the actual logs" Mana@anncarise crawls underneath as well, looks for a maintenance access port and begins to connect with it. Keelah@crystyll points her in the right direction Mana@anncarise nods and interfaces with the maintenance panel. Keelah@crystyll: "Return when you are done..." she says, crawling back out, "...and we will see what we can learn" Keelah@crystyll reenters the shuttle interior, "How are things progressing in here people?" Patsy@turtles#8407: "Well I can definitley can confirm it is only the ensign who perished." Keelah@crystyll sighs softly, "Is it selfish of me to feel moderately relieved at that...?" Patsy@turtles#8407: "Maybe you should ask someone who has a better skill set with questions like that." Keelah@crystyll chuckles, "I'll be sure to run it past Eunha when this is done" Mana@anncarise steps back into the shuttle, "Mana has information!" Keelah@crystyll: "What did you find, Mana?" Mana@anncarise: "All the raw data from the attack has been wiped with the processed information, but the sensors recorded something that was prevented from feeding into the logs after the wipe." Keelah@crystyll: "Oh?" Mana@anncarise: "Mana cannot make sense of this raw Starfleet sensor data but Mana can upload the information to a console." Keelah@crystyll gestures to the console, "Please, run it through the computer and we'll see it shows" Mana@anncarise reaches out her hand and the port in her finger interfaces with the console in front of Patsy, uploading the data. Mana@anncarise taps a few buttons and the console begins to process the information... Mana@anncarise FX | The data only contains a short bit of relevant information, a ship giving off Tholian readings heading off to warp... Keelah@crystyll slaps her hand triumphantly on the console, "That's it! Mana, we are in your debt!" Keelah@crystyll activates her combadge. Keelah@crystyll: "Se'Lai to Bridge. Eunha, refocus scans for a Tholian warp trail. 180-degree arc centered on bearing..." Keelah@crystyll leans over the console to analyze the relative reading, "...0-5-9 mark 2" Patsy@turtles#8407: <C> Eunha: "On it." Keelah@crystyll: <C> I'm on my way back. Engage at maximum warp as soon as you have a heading. Se'Lai out" Keelah@crystyll: "Thorkildsen, continue your investigation here; I want this ship stripped to every last stembolt if needed before we find answers!" Patsy@turtles#8407: <C> Eunha: "We're heading to the Rigel system." Keelah@crystyll: "Rigel..." her eyes widen slightly with a realisation as she looks to the others, "Ladies, we have work to do" Keelah@crystyll: "Turns and heads out Patsy@turtles#8407 Goes back to sickbay Mana@anncarise follows Keelah out. Eunha@turtles#8407 Taps on the arm consoles "Time to arrival Chagg?" Keelah@crystyll steps off the turbolift and heads straight to TQ, "Tee, get me a secure channel on this frequency" she asks softly, with a knowing nod Eunha@turtles#8407 Stands "Just keeping it warm." Keelah@crystyll: "Good working tracking that warp trail, Eunha" she smiles, also looking to Chag for the eta Mana@anncarise returns to the science console Eunha@turtles#8407: "I was about to suggest going to red alert before you came to the bridge Captain." Keelah@crystyll: "I hope it will not come to that Eunha..." she pauses, looking to Vrolmacht, "But prudence is always an advisable course. Yellow alert once we hit the Rigel system" Mana@anncarise | Chag: "Current ETA is 4 hours and sixteen minutes to the outskirts of the system." Keelah@crystyll: "Thank you LT. Hold a steady course" Keelah@crystyll: :| TQ: "Channel open, Captain - as requested" Mana@anncarise looks away from her console to observe the comm. Keelah@crystyll performs the Picard Maneuver. Keelah@crystyll stands, straightening her tunic before responding, "On screen" Mana@anncarise FX | The fancy interior of the High Orion-build Thana Vaneri appears on screen, with Tabadi Mysti of the OSN at the centre. Keelah@crystyll: "Honoured Tabadi" she dips her head with open arms as she has learned from the Orions as a formal greeting Keelah@crystyll bows. Mana@anncarise | Tabadi Mysti bows in return, "Captain Keelah Se'Lai." Mana@anncarise | Mysti: "Is this about the gift you received from the Branded Lady?" Keelah@crystyll shakes her head, "Mysti, I... wish it were more favorable circumstances which see me contacting you today, but I find myself in dire need of your expertise" Mana@anncarise | Mysti: "What can I do for you, Captain?" Keelah@crystyll: "We have just learned that two of our officers have been abducted from their transport and are currently pursuing the warp trail of the suspect vessel" Keelah@crystyll: "Pursuing it... to the Rigel System" Mana@anncarise | Mysti: "That...can only mean one thing." Keelah@crystyll nods, "I had a feeling you would reach the same conclusion as I. Tabadi I know this is far from your home now, but have to believe your knowledge of the local arrangements here is superior to ours. + Keelah@crystyll: + Anything you can tell us ahead of our arrival will surely help to retrieving these officers" Mana@anncarise | Mysti: "We'll send you everything we have on the system. Some information might be a bit dated, but combined with what Starfleet has it should give you an idea of where to look." Keelah@crystyll dips her head gratefully, "You have my gratitude Tabadi. And there is one more thing I feel I must tell you..." Mana@anncarise | Mysti: "Why does it sound like I'm not going to like this..." Keelah@crystyll: "One of the missing officers... well, it's..." she sighs, "It's LT Lendaria..." Mana@anncarise | Mysti: "Goddess..." Keelah@crystyll clasps her hands together, "I am so sorry to be the bearer of this news, Tabadi. We have not long learned this ourselves. Rest assured we will do whatever is necesary to retrieve your daughter" Mana@anncarise | Mysti: "Forget the data. There's a system a few light years off that we use as a discreet meeting point. I'll send you the coordinates and be there right away." Keelah@crystyll: "Tabadi? Our comms relay suggests you are a long way out..." Mana@anncarise | Mysti: "You know as well as I do that if they captured my daughter they must be trying to lure me out. Your presence on Rigel before mine will only seek to drive them away or worse." Keelah@crystyll: "Very well... we will see you at the rendezvous, Tabadi. Godspeed" Mana@anncarise | Mysti: "The time delay won't be crucial, Captain. I'm familiar with the process from capture to auctioning. We'll get them in time." Mana@anncarise | Mysti: "I'll see you there." Keelah@crystyll FX | The comm visual cuts Keelah@crystyll | Fisher: "Coordinates received Captain" Keelah@crystyll purses her lips, slowly returning to her chair before responding Keelah@crystyll: "Mr. Fisher... alter course to the new rendezvous. Chag, drop speed to suit. No sense racing there just to sit and wait" Keelah@crystyll FX | The VF eases down to a slow cruise as she turns gracefully through the stars Keelah@crystyll: --- To Be Concluded... ---
View Bonus Content - The Shuttle Trip
Keliaya FX | The shuttle trots along at warp with Tellarite Ensign Zhev at the helm.
Keliaya types on a console, reviewing the notes she took at the conference.
Lendaria sits back with her legs outstretched, just watching the stars
Keliaya finishes annotating her notes and steps out of her seat, approaching Lennie's.
Lendaria glances back with a smile, "Never gets old does it..."
Keliaya smiles, "They're very pretty."
Keliaya: "Though I've always been of the mind that space is filled with dangers, but so is a lot of lush beautiful planets."
Lendaria nods, "Ain't tha' th'truth!"
Keliaya: "Dangerous and beautiful don't have to be mutually exclusive after all!"
Lendaria: "Yeah... still kinda envy ya though; part 'o me misses servin' on a ship at times. Th'excitement, th'thrill..."
Keliaya nods, "I know what you mean. I served on a station for a bit myself when I was fresh out of the Academy."
Lendaria turns back to face her, "Oh yeah?"
Keliaya: "Only went there because my husband got his first posting there, stations aren't quite like ships."
Keliaya: "You're...a researcher, right?"
Lendaria nods, "Among other things. Exobiology is mah field, an' at least I get t'focus research on tha' at th'station"
Lendaria: "When I did serve on a ship, often ended up playin' linguist more than not!"
Keliaya: "Yeah, stations are good for research-based science officers. More people, more facilities, easier contact with the rest of the field."
Lendaria nods, "An' a lot more labs t'lose yaself in!"
Keliaya chuckles, "I know the feeling."
Keliaya: "Serving on a ship has its upsides, like being able to encounter new phenomena or new lifeforms more often."
Keliaya: "But it's definitely for an engineer where the difference jumps out."
Lendaria smiles, "Yeah, livin' th'dream... y'all had many first contacts? An' I don't mean like other bipedal species, but like... /really/ different kinda intelligent life?"
Keliaya: "Oh yes. Everything from aquatic aliens using cosmozoans as ships to non-corporeal beings and everything in between."
Lendaria gives an impressed whistle, "Cosmozoans, eh? Woulda loved to 'a seen tha'!"
Keliaya: "They're still about, but it was a looot of work convincing them to trust us, and I think they'd rather not make contact with other species if they can avoid it..."
Keliaya: "But there's plenty of opportunities out there!"
Lendaria: "Yeah... but I dunno, I think I kinda found mah place on th'station, y'know?"
Lendaria: "Got mah lab, my nice home, an' course mah vijra" she smiles
Keliaya: "Hm?"
Lendaria: "Oh, sorry! Vijra is... well it's kinda like... hrmm... well I guess ya could like ya husband, but not..."
Keliaya: "Like a significant other?"
Lendaria: "Somethin' like tha', yeah. Is kinda hard t'do th'translation justice without diminishin' it's meanin'..."
Lendaria: "I guess ya could think of it like more a spiritual thing?"
Keliaya: "Ahh. What language is it from?"
Lendaria: "Orion, o'course" she chuckles
Keliaya chuckles, "Right. Well you did say you were a linguist, so could've been all manner of different languages!"
Keliaya: "Orions do monogamous relationships, right? Or does it depend on the specific subculture?"
Keliaya: "I've found there's a lot more stereotype surrounding Orions than solid fact."
Lendaria: "True enough" she smiles, "an' yeah, at least th'part of it I know. We share a similar connection to a vijra with our ruri - our sisters, if ya like - but a vijra is a much deeper connection, an' one
Lendaria: many of us view ith reverence"
Lendaria: "An' ya don't wanna get me started on Orion stereotypes!" she laughs
Keliaya chuckles, "Yeah, that will be a looong discussion."
Keliaya: "Still, your people seem very interesting from what I have learned. Maybe I can learn more over some drinks someday."
Lendaria smiles thoughtfully, "Well I mean, I'm-a always happy t'share wha' I learned in recent years. 'Specially when drinks are involved!"
Keliaya: "In recent years?"
Lendaria nods, "Oh yeah, was pretty numb to th'whole thing maself for th'longest time; growin' up on a Starfleet ship wit' a Human momma will do tha', ya know!"
Lendaria: "But a whiles back... well, suffice t'say I got in touch wit' mah heritage an' it's been a big part 'o mah life since"
Keliaya: "Oh, you grew up independently from your people!"
Lendaria nods, "Yeah... didn't start tha' way, but ended up so for almost long as I can remember back"
Keliaya: "How'd you end up with the Federation? A refugee?"
Lendaria: "Short version... yeah, refugee... But wha'bout you? Ya mentioned a husband; ya got family on ya ship, or th'station?"
Keliaya shakes her head, "Most of my family's gone. There's still Ved, he...well she's a Trill, married into my family but changed hosts a while ago. Still probably the closest family member I have, though
Keliaya: - There's a few more distant relatives, but we don't know each other very well and don't have any kind of regular contact."
Keliaya: "They've mostly moved on from any connections they had with my family, remarried and all."
Keliaya: "Or well, you'd call it remarrying but for us it's just another marriage. You know, Denobulan families."
Lendaria: "Aww, sorry t'hear tha' hun. An' yeah..." she chuckles, "...we ain't th'only ones shrouded in stereotypes, right!"
Keliaya chuckles, "Well in our case it's mostly true. I mean, some Denobulans have assimilated to other cultures or adapted a monogamous or non-familial lifestyle like myself, but they are accurate for -
Keliaya - majority of Denobulan culture."
Lendaria smirks, "Y'know, they also say tha' if there's one race whose females can do more wit' their tongue than an Orion; it's a Denobulan"
Keliaya smirks back, "Well, we do have /very/ long tongues..."
Lendaria: "Oh stop makin' me jealous already!" she laughs
Keliaya laughs, "Sorry! I'm sure you're great, and that's not just because of stereotypes!"
Lendaria: "Oh, ya can believe it hun! Some stereotypes - even Orion ones - have a foundin' in fact!"
Keliaya grins, "Oh I know, I'm not exactly unfamiliar with Orions..."
Keliaya: "Just don't always get the best insight into your culture!"
Lendaria sighs softly, "Yeah... sad thing is, ya probably got better insight to it than most Orion's these days..."
Keliaya: "You mean our ship's cooperation with the Orion Space Navy and all?"
Lendaria blinks, "Wait... tha' was /y'all/?"
Keliaya nods, "We had Mana on board the Valley Forge ever since the Gainsborough was lost, and they wanted her along to check out some EereE tech the Branded Lady's people use."
Lendaria: "Right, momma told me 'bout tha', yeah!"
Lendaria hesitates slightly, "...Mana is th'funny talkin' pink thing, 'aight?"
Keliaya: "Mhmm! The one with the tattoos all over her body."
Keliaya: "And by momma do you mean your human mother?"
Lendaria shakes her head, "Nah, my real momma! She's a Tabadi wit' th'OSN! Always tellin' me 'bout her Starfleet friends; th'cute little Vulcan captain an' her crew!"
Keliaya: "Oh, that's us all right!" she laughs.
Keliaya: "You mean your mother is-"
Keliaya FX | The shuttle suddenly shakes and warnings flash up over the consoles.
Lendaria braces against the console before she can reply and looks to the pilot, "Ensign? Wha' was tha'?!"
Keliaya leans over Lennie and reads from the display, "Ensign, drop us out of warp!"
Keliaya | Ensign Zhev: "I can keep her steady sir!"
Keliaya: "No you can't, that's a graviton burst! It's degrading our warp field, we need to drop to impulse!"
Keliaya | Ensign Zhev: "On it sir! Lowering to impulse..."
Lendaria: "Checkin' sensors for th'source..." she taps away frantically
Keliaya FX | The shuttle shakes with turbulence as it drops to impulse roughly.
Lendaria: "Tha's... Tholian?" she says in disbelief, "Possibly a Recluse; at our stern"
Keliaya: "We're nowhere near Tholian space..."
Keliaya FX | The Tholian vessel drops out of warp behind the shuttle; it's only an orb weaver, but still more than a match for the shuttlecraft.
Keliaya: "Try to evade them at impulse!"
Lendaria: "Tholian confirmed! Wha'd they want wit' us...?"
Keliaya | Ensign Zhev: "Performing evasive maneuvers...shields are dropping to 75, 50...that is one accurate gunner!"
Keliaya: "Well the Tholians are a precise people. Turn us about, maneuver...Sisko-Nu I believe it was."
Keliaya | Ensign Zhev: "I know the one, Sisko-/Mu/. Executing now!"
Keliaya FX | The shuttle suddenly spins around, and the Tholian ship, not expecting the unorthodox maneuver, misses its shot.
Lendaria: opens a comms channel, "This is th'Runabout Ouse to any Starfleet vessel in range. We'se under attack from Tholians an' in need of immediate assistance"
Keliaya FX | The shuttle now makes straight for the underside of the much larger Tholian vessel...
Keliaya FX | Comms are being jammed.
Keliaya: "As for what they want with us, I have no idea, but let's not stick around to find out..."
Lendaria: "Gah!" she slaps the console causing it's display to flicker
Lendaria: "Can ya get us back t'warp?"
Keliaya | Ensign Zhev: "Yes I can! Engaging warp- bawey!"
Keliaya FX | The Tholian ship doesn't move out of the shuttle's way, but performs a rapid zig-zag maneuver that draws a glowing triangle right in the shuttlecraft's way, forcing the Ensign to take it to -
Keliaya - a complete stop, and he manages just short of hitting the field.
Keliaya: "Back us out, quickly!"
Keliaya FX | The Ensign isn't fast enough as a beam scores a direct hit on the nose of the shuttle and the shields flicker and disappear.
Lendaria: "So much f'tha' idea..."
Keliaya | Ensign Zhev: "The shields are down and they've got us in a tractor hold!"
Keliaya FX | The Tholian ship flies out of view, the tractor still locked on tight to the shuttle.
Keliaya rushes to her own console and taps, "Polarizing the hull should get us out of the tractor beam, you'll have to turn quickly and move us to warp immediately when that happens Ensign."
Keliaya FX | A few seconds later, the shuttle shakes as it breaks free of the tractor's grasp.
Lendaria: "Punch it man!"
Keliaya FX | The viewscreen turns as the Tellarite Ensign tries to find an angle to escape, but everywhere he looks their view of the stars is obscured by glowing, zig-zag lines...
Lendaria: "Goddess, no... They'se got us snared in one 'o them webs!"
Keliaya: "They need two ships to close a web, they're just circling it whichever direction we're turning. Try to outturn them!"
Keliaya FX | Before they can find the opening they need, a small cylinder materializes in the middle of the shuttle...
Keliaya grabs her tricorder and points it in the direction of the cylinder before it is even fully materialized.
Keliaya: "Stun gas, everyone grab a rebreather!"
Keliaya taps her console and rebreathers and phasers pop up beneath all the consoles on the shuttle.
Keliaya takes hers and quickly presses it against her mouth as the gas starts to seep out from the canister...
Lendaria scrambles for the emergency locker at her side and grabs one, along with the phaser
Lendaria resumes her station, "Attempting to cycle the environmental systems..."
Keliaya | Ensign Zhev grabs a rebreather as well as a phaser, putting his on with the rapid response of a pilot.
Keliaya FX | He is fast enough to spot four more transporter beams appearing at the back of the shuttle and opens fire, knocking one of the assailants to the ground as soon as he materializes!
Keliaya FX | However he is outnumbered, and one of the other attackers fires back, vapourizing the Ensign...
Keliaya FX | The boarding party point their weapons at Kelly and Lennie. It is comprised of three Nausicaans, one of them unconscious now, as well as a Gorn.
Lendaria turns using her seat for cover and looks to return fire before assessing the situation and seeing it's hopelessness in these close quarters
Keliaya | Nausicaan 1: "You zunda! I said set your weapon to FRAKKING STUN!"
Keliaya | Nausicaan 1: "You don't vapourize the merchandice!"
Keliaya | Nausicaan 2: "I must've taken the wrong gun, boss..."
Lendaria: "Y'all made a big mistake in attackin' this ship! This is a Starfleet vessel an' y'all gonna feel tha' burn when they comes for ya!"
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "Oh we won't be the ones feeling it. Now drop everything you're holding before my trigger happy brainless friend shoots one of you!"
Keliaya discreetly taps her tricorder before dropping it under a console.
Lendaria glances to Kelly, "Not before I got some guarantee of mah friends safety! Y'all may got numbers t'overwhelm us, but I can still make 'least you vanish 'fore ya friends can act... 'boss'!"
Keliaya | The Nausicaan Boss looks to the other Nausicaan: "You're lucky I need ya alive. Go do your thing!"
Keliaya | He turns his attention back to Lennie, "Oh I don't think so. Even if you think you can press some buttons faster than my real honed trigger finger, my ship's gonna blow your little shuttle to -
Keliaya - smithereens. So I suggest ya step away from the console, and we don't vapourize anybody else."
Keliaya glances to Lennie, "I don't think taking out four...pirates? Well, four of them wouldn’t be worth getting blown up."
Lendaria: "Hey, y'all's the ones what started th'vaporizin'!"
Lendaria turns to Kelly, "That slime vaporized th'Ensign! Ya think his family'll feel comforted 'cos numbnuts over there picked up th'wrong gun?!"
Lendaria clearly directs most of that statement towards the pirates
Keliaya: "No, but I don't think your mother would want you giving up your life to kill four pirates..."
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "See? Ya friend's smart. Now you better do what we say if you don't wanna end up like pig-face there."
Lendaria sighs and looks back towards the Nausicaan's, "Y'all guarantee mah friends safety, then... then ya get mah weapon..."
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "You got it. We ain't gonna kill ya, we've just got a job to do."
Keliaya hasn't even grabbed a phaser yet, so she simply holds her hands up.
Lendaria pauses a moment to focus herself before sliding the phaser out and slowly standing, "Fine..."
Keliaya | The second Nausicaan steps up to Lennie and reaches out a hand to take the phaser. It seems to be a rough prosthetic replacement where the cybernetics are clearly visible- black market quality.
Lendaria glances to the leader as that one moves, "One thing though..."
Lendaria stamps on shooty Nausicaan's hand and swings her fist across his jaw, spitting on him as he reacts before stepping back calmly
Lendaria: "Tha's for th'Ensign" she hisses venemously
Keliaya | Nausicaan Cyborg: "Hey!"
Keliaya | As the Nausicaan cyborg examines his hand, his boss turns one of his pistols on him and shoots a hole straight through the cybernetics, causing him to yelp and jump back.
Lendaria glares at him through unblinking eyes, "Come find me again when y'ain't got ya big Gorn friend t'protect ya..."
Keliaya | Nausicaan Cyborg: "But but but...that cost me a whole bar of latinum!"
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "Exactly. That's where your cut of this job is going."
Lendaria winks at the Gorn, "An' ya come find me anytime ya like big guy" she purrs
Lendaria winks.
Keliaya | The Gorn looks to the Nausicaan Boss.
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "We got a job to do. Cuff 'em."
Lendaria glances to Kelly with a light shrug of 'was worth a try'
Lendaria backs against the wall some, "Woah now, woahwoahwoah... cuffs? Nononono... y'all never said nothin'bout restraints..."
Keliaya | The Nausicaan Cyborg takes out a pair of magnetic cuffs from his toolpack with his good hand.
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "It ain't gonna hurt. Just make sure you don't try anything funny."
Lendaria winces fearfully, clasping her hands behind her back against the wall; shaking her head frantically, "Nononono... not again, no more no more..."
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "What, you think we're gonna hold guns on you all day? C'mon, our arms need a rest."
Lendaria 's eyes remain tightly shut, so much that tears streak from them as she keeps shaking her head - almost trembling - as she mumbles under her breath
Keliaya | Gorn: "Maybe we jussst beam them right to the brig..."
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "Fine. Wrap up in here, wipe the shuttle logs and sensor records and plant those scans of that Branded Lady ship."
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "Just in case /somebody/ forgot what they're supposed to be doing again!"
Keliaya: "Wait, you're not with the Branded Lady?"
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "Do I look like I'm the type to frame my own boss?"
Keliaya: "It's hard to tell in this situation, really..."
Lendaria seems to regained an element of self control as she looks back up to them, "Ask a silly question..."
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "Well, it's none of your concern. Plant the evidence and..." he taps his wrist communicator, "beam the two prisoners out of there."
Keliaya FX | Kelly and Lennie are caught in transporter beams...
Keliaya FX | They are transported to a makeshift brig cell in a Tholian ship. It seems to be a converted airlock port with decent space, but not so big that it is a full room.
Keliaya FX | Their combadges are filtered out in the transportation.
Lendaria quickly surveys their new surroundings, "Ohhh nonono, this is not good. Not good at all..."
Lendaria paces the perimeter of the small room, feeling around it's edges it vain; almost clawing at the walls
Keliaya: "Commander, stay calm. If we're careful we might be able to find a way out, but if you panic you'll just attract more attention and more security precautions."
Lendaria pauses, taking a few deep breaths to steady herself, head still shaking lightly, "I can't do this... not again, I... I..." she slumps the floor, pulling her knees tight to her chest
Lendaria sits down.
Keliaya kneels down beside Lennie, "You've been captured before?"
Lendaria nods her head as it's buried against her raised knees; her whole body visibly trembling
Keliaya: "Okay, try not to think about it. Just focus on me, don't think about where you are."
Keliaya: "Don't look at the walls."
Lendaria nods her head again, sounding like she is fighting to take deep controlling breaths
Keliaya: "That's it, breathe. Focus on your breathing. Try to get them more regular."
Lendaria slowly looks up with teary eyes, straight past Kelly and to the ceiling, "I... I was raised in cells like this..."
Keliaya: "Oh. Try not to think about your childhood. Try thinking of something similar, like...a sonic shower or a decontamination chamber."
Keliaya: "You've been in those right?"
Lendaria scoffs, "I hate those too! I have acute claustrophobia... any enclosed space is... well it's not good..."
Keliaya: "Well...nevermind that then. Uhh...just don't think about the walls, focus on me."
Lendaria FX | Their attention is drawn by a deep and sinister sounding laugh from outside the cell, "Well well well, little Lendaria all grown up... I told you I would have you for myself didn't I!"
Keliaya: "That's not good..."
Lendaria 's eyes widen as she slowly looks to the familiar - albeit much older - face of a bulky Orion male
http://falsebill.adastrafanfic.net/files/2013/10/borderland_291.jpg
Lendaria tenses as she hisses at the new arrival, "bhar, gisjacheh uktas bo urndo korgasant! j'hordak am koledru venari, morakos vyun-pashan!" launching herself at the door/forcefield in a fit of fury
Keliaya: "Commander, don't hurt yourself!"
Keliaya springs to her feet.
Lendaria FX | Despite the barrier, the Orion still recoils slightly at the sudden move before grinning wickedly; electrifying their cell as causing Lennie to scream out and recoil herself
Keliaya tries to catch Lennie and hold her back.
Lendaria slowly turns a gaze - trembling now with focused anger - back to the Orion, "How... you should be dead!"
Lendaria | Orion: "You. You think you're so clever don't you with your pretty little uniform and your pretty little F'deraxt'la ships"
Keliaya: "Did you come specifically for Commander Lendaria?"
Lendaria FX | He steps closer and looms in front of them, "So clever indeed... you think you're /better/ than us? Dress up however you like little Lendaria, but you are what you always were - a SLAVE!"
Lendaria | Orion turns his attention to Kelly, "You think an operation of this cost would be worth it for a nothing Denobulan? Your kind are too slippery, we'll be lucky if we break even on expenses for you!"
Lendaria slowly stands, holding tight to Kelly's side as she looks to the Orion
Lendaria: "Why... after all this time, why?"
Keliaya: "Exactly. Certainly you don't chase after everyone who escapes your grasp."
Keliaya: "A Tholian ship? That can't be cheap to get your hands on, even if it's just a loan."
Lendaria | Orion: leans in, speaking slowly, "Because you are not the only one of your fesin who thinks she knows better than the Syndicate. Not the only one of your blood"
Keliaya looks to Lennie for further clarification.
Lendaria: "...mother?"
Lendaria | Orion: grins wickedly, " 'Tabadi' Mysti as she fondly calls herself has gone too far in her little revolution. It ends. Now"
Keliaya: "So that's what this is about..."
Lendaria gives a guttoral roar as she jumps at the barrier between them once more. Knowing it will achieve no gain, but grinning with satisfaction at seeing him recoil further
Lendaria holds back safely from it this time as she glares at him
Keliaya is surprised by Lennie's sudden jump but tries to grab her as she holds back from the barrier, making sure she won't get hurt against it again.
Lendaria: "bhar, gisjacheh! So brave behind the safety of this cage, almost as brave as when you tormented little girls with your painsticks! Open this cell right now and show your pirate friends how brave you
Lendaria: really are!"
Lendaria | Orion: snarls, "We can soon return you to the painsticks and collars if you want to continue like this, little Lendaria"
Keliaya: "That's not a good idea Commander, we don't have weapons and I don't think we can take him at close quarters..."
Lendaria: "Please, I could have taken him when I was a child; now he's older and fatter than ever!"
Keliaya FX | In the background, the Nausicaan Boss approaches the cell, now rid of the bulkier parts of his armour and with both pistols inside holsters on his hip.
Lendaria: "Go ahead; kohl'ash - hide behind your thugs! We all know you have no real flars!"
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "You got the one you're looking for?"
Lendaria | Orion: glares a moment longer at Lennie before turning with an affirmative grunt
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "Alright. They're all yours. We'll set course for the Rigel system before anybody catches us in the act."
Lendaria - meanwhile - eases back to Kelly's side, sharing a cursory glance to reassure her friend
Keliaya gives Lennie a weak smile and gently wraps a hand around her shoulder to comfort her.
Lendaria | Orion: "Let's get this over with. The sooner things are done, the sooner we can be rid of this baggage and you can take them to auction"
Keliaya | Nausicaan Boss: "Agreed. Best not to carry Starfleet officers for too long. The fake records'll fool them, but that's mainly for getting that Branded Lady and the OSN at each other's -
Keliaya - throats again, or so I'm told. Starfleet's definitely gonna scour everywhere for them, and I don't like taking chances when it comes to Starfleet."
Lendaria | Orion: nods and looks back to the cell, "Don't go running off now, little Lendaria. We've got /lots/ of fun ahead for you to look forward to"
Lendaria FX | He slowly forms another wicked grin before turning to leave
Keliaya | The Nausicaan leaves with him, a neutral expression on his face as he taps his wristcomm to presumably give orders to his crew.
Lendaria looks to Kelly, "Don't worry; I won't let them lay a finger on you!"
Keliaya: "I'll be fine. We'll get out of this. Just...try to stay calm and don't think on the past too much, okay?"
Lendaria: "Easier said than done when it's stood in front of me like that..."
Keliaya: "You have the whole fleet at your back now, and you heard their dialogue, they're scared of Starfleet."
Lendaria: "And rightly so! It's only a matter of time before they realise we're missing and come find us"
Keliaya nods, "These pirates might have fancy toys, but their fake data won't fool Starfleet Intelligence."
Keliaya: "We might not have the biggest information network, but I know our intelligence officers, and they can crack code and spot false intel from real ones."
Lendaria: "Exactly. We just need to hold out in the mean time; make them drag out this plan 'o theirs however we can"
Lendaria: "An' in tha' time, maybe we can spot some weaknesse in their game; exploits we can turn so we can get out of here"
Keliaya: "I'm sure we can."
Lendaria: "I know it" she nods firmly, turning to study the room beyond their cell
View Bonus Content - Incarcerated
Keliaya looks to Lennie as they sit in the airlock-brig, a few hours or so having passed, "Hey, you doing alright?"
Lendaria: "I've-a been better..."
Keliaya nods, "That makes two of us..."
Keliaya: "So, uhh...I hate to bring up any bad memories of your past, but...what do you think'll happen once we reach our destination?"
Lendaria: "Well I gots th'impression tha' they holdin' onto me..."
Lendaria: "But th'norm'd be t'process through t'auction quick as possible~"
Keliaya: "How does that usually go? And how quickly?"
Lendaria: "Depends when th'next auction is. First they'll process us; fit us wit' collars, assess clientele based on age, race, gender an' such"
Lendaria: "Then we'll be pushed through to th'relevant auction group"
Keliaya: "Where'd they hold people before the auction?"
Lendaria: "First it'll be their own secure pens. Then once ya get allocated t'a auction, ya'll be moved to th'public pens so buyers can size ya up"
Keliaya: "They keep a record of the auction sales, right? Or is it completely anonymous?"
Lendaria scoffs, "Tha' depends if folks are willin' t'pay for discretion..."
Keliaya: "Right...well hopefully we'll be found before any of that."
Lendaria: "I'm-a sorry y'all got caught up in this..."
Keliaya: "It's not your fault. I'm sorry you had to...grow up in situations like this."
Keliaya: "And that apparently these people still won't let you go."
Lendaria looks around them a little before pulling her knees up to her chest and wrapping her arms around them, "These cells used t'feel a lot bigger. An' they weren't exactly comfortable then..."
Keliaya: "I'm guessing the living spaces after the auction would depend on who buys you?"
Lendaria nods
Keliaya: "I guess those are designed to be temporary..."
Lendaria: "Wha', th'collars?"
Keliaya: "Cells, I mean. The collars...does that depend on the buyer too?"
Lendaria: "Oh right, yeah... though th'auction pens are pretty fixed as I recall"
Keliaya: "You grew up in the private pens, right?"
Lendaria: "Up 'til I were around 9 year old, yeah"
Keliaya: "Nine years...I can only imagine what that was like..."
Keliaya: "Did you just sleep in it, or were you not allowed out at all?"
Lendaria laughs lightly, looking around through watery eyes, "Y'all really don't wanna be imaginin' stuff like tha' hun"
Lendaria: "They took us out f'trainin', not much else"
Keliaya nods, "Sorry if I brought up any memories. Just...trying to get an idea of where we're headed."
Lendaria shakes her head, "Nah, you'se ain't brought nothin' up. Bein' here's done plenty o' tha'!"
Keliaya: "That big Orion...can I ask about him?"
Lendaria shudders, "I still can't believe he's even alive..."
Keliaya: "He doesn't look like he has a lot of cybernetic replacements. Not more than other Syndicate members I've seen, anyways."
Keliaya: "Did you see him die, or just presumed he wouldn't have survived?"
Lendaria: "Presumed... hoped..." she shrugs
Lendaria: "He used t'be an auction guard for th'fesin I grew up at"
Keliaya: "Seems like he's more than a guard now."
Lendaria: "Not a comfortin' thought... but yeah, he does"
Keliaya: "Let's hope he doesn't just keep coming for you..."
Lendaria: "I wouldn't be surprised... He spent years tormentin' me as a kid. Sayin' he'd take me for miself an' all..."
Keliaya: "Wow. Just you, or is he just sadistic to everyone?"
Lendaria: "Oh he was an all-round ass. But I were his favourite, f'sure"
Keliaya: "That's...disturbing."
Lendaria: "Tell me about it..."
Keliaya: "I'm hoping he doesn't survive this time...though I don't want everything to devolve into a fight either."
Keliaya: "Something tells me they won't give us up any other way though..."
Lendaria: "S'most likely. Tha's how I ended up gettin' out th'first time, an' tha' was messy..."
Lendaria looks back to Kelly, "Tha' sounds almost like th'voice 'o experience..."
Keliaya: "I've seen varying degrees of trouble shipboard."
Keliaya: "Worst one was when the Klingons boarded the Radiant. Little Defiant-class, and warriors with bat'leths were charging all through the halls."
Keliaya shakes her head, "That was not a good experience."
Lendaria: "Goddess..."
Keliaya: "We lost almost a fourth of the crew. Pretty much everyone was hurt in one way or another. They took the captain, later got news that she was executed."
Lendaria: "Sounds even worse than th'last time I were around this bunch..."
Keliaya: "It was the Klingon War. It wasn't pretty. We all did things we aren't proud of, not just the Klingons."
Lendaria: "Sure. But still, don't make it no nicer t'live through does it"
Keliaya: "Not at all."
Keliaya: "Our defenses weren't stopping them, so Hana actually had to use her mind to assault them, keep them at bay while Basu and I got the transporters back online.
Keliaya: "When we did, we found out the Klingons had their shields up so we couldn't just beam them back.
Lendaria: "Figures..."
Keliaya: "Had to scatter-beam them into space. It was a painless end, but still..."
Keliaya: "If you try to look at it like a Klingon, not exactly the most honourable way to go."
Lendaria: "Like ya said; wartimes is rough for all"
Keliaya nods, "Mmm."
Keliaya looks around her, "But peacetime isn't always safe either..."
Lendaria: "Make no mistake hun', maybe we ain't at war wit' these guys. But th'OSN is. An' tha's-a wha' it all comes down to"
Keliaya: "I guess even when the Federation's at peace, there's always some war going on somewhere."
Lendaria: "Ya know it"
Keliaya: "Do you hear that?"
Keliaya FX | Silence.
Lendaria looks around some, shaking her head as she returns her gaze to Kelly
Keliaya: "The hum is gone. I might just be more attuned to those things from years spent in main engineering..."
Keliaya: "But the ship's either trying to stay quiet and unnoticed, or it's shut down power because it's docked.
Keliaya: "Either way, I think we're about to be moving."
Lendaria takes a deep breath, "Alright hun, wha'ever happens... stay behind me, yeah"
Keliaya nods, "Don't try anything too crazy..."
Lendaria: "I just don't wanna see ya get hurt if he tries anythin' wit' me is all"
Keliaya FX | The two are enveloped in transporter beams...
Keliaya FX | aaaand totally reappears inside the Syndicate cell
Lendaria sits down.
Lendaria looks around at their new surroundings
Keliaya does the same, "Well...that must have been docking then."
Lendaria: "Seems so. Guess they ain't takin' no risk with us"
Keliaya FX | They're in a well secured private cell somewhere. Nothing much is in view except for two unfamiliar Orions examining the cell briefly before moving on.
Keliaya looks to Lennie, "I know there's not much I can do right now, but are you sure you don't want me to try and help if..."
Lendaria shakes her head, "It'll just get ya hurt hun. Is just... easier if I let 'em get on wit' it..."
Keliaya nods and gives Lennie a weak smile, "Just let me know if you need anything, okay?"
Keliaya: "We might be here for a while, so you can try and get some rest if you want and I can keep an eye out for you, let you know if anything's going on."
Lendaria offiers a weak smile in return, "S'alright hun, not exactly in th'sleepin' mood at th'moment..."
Keliaya: "I thought not...just might be a good idea to rest while you can."
Keliaya: "If you need anything else, just ask, and I'll try to help if I can."
Lendaria: "We'll see..." she looks around, "I don't like this... this ain't no auction pen"
Keliaya: "One of those private pens you talked about, then?"
Lendaria: "If I had t'guess... I'd say this is a secure holdin' pen. Not f'auction, not yet at least"
Lendaria: "They'se keepin' us far outta sight"
Keliaya looks down at herself, "I presume they'll want to get us out of our uniforms before we go into view."
Keliaya: "Even without badges they are rather distinctive."
Lendaria: "They can try"
Keliaya: "You said they were likely going to separate us and move just me to the auction?"
Lendaria: "I gotta figure tha's th'plan. Likely f'both of us in time, but I'm-a th'one they'se want t'get at my mother, not you'se"
Keliaya: "The former guard you knew did say he didn't really care for me."
Keliaya: "I guess I should be glad they didn't vapourize me right away like the Ensign..."
Lendaria scoffs, "Ain't no sense in vaporizin' profit"
Keliaya: "Still, being alive now means we got a chance of getting out of this. Which is good."
Lendaria: "Hey, there's always a chance no matter how things get!"
Lendaria: "They clearly needs us f'somethin' important, else we'd be straight t'auction. Tha' means we got time"
Keliaya: "I don't presume there's any way to sneak out of these pens?"
Lendaria: "Not tha' I can see. This is like a high security cell compared to th'old auction pens I remember..."
Keliaya: "But the auction pens would probably be watched, right? Not much of a chance of escaping them?"
Lendaria chuckles, "Tha's why they don't gotta be so highly secured"
Keliaya: "Figured as much...any way to sneak out in between? Well, not if they keep beaming us from place to place I guess."
Lendaria: "Hard t'say hun, this's all new t'me now. I never seen any holdin' like this before"
Keliaya: "Maybe they've upgraded their security. Or like you said, they have something special planned for us."
Lendaria: "Yeah, wit' what we know already I gotta figure they're up to somethin' more than just slave sellin' wit' us"
Keliaya: "I guess we'll find out in due time. Or preferably not have to find out and get busted out of here before that."
Lendaria: "We should stay sharp t'learn all we can in th'mean time. Maybe find some way t'exploit things for an advantage"
Keliaya: "Exactly what I was thinking."
Keliaya holds out a hand to Lennie, "We'll get through this."
Lendaria smiles faintly, taking her hand with a firm squeeze, "Tha' we will hun. I promise ya, I'll find us a way"
Keliaya smiles back, "Remember, you're not in this alone this time, and I'll do everything I can to help."
Lendaria: "Well then, time t'start thinkin' our way outta this. You'se an engineer right? How's about we try 'n crack open some 'o these wall panels an' see wha' we can learn?"
Keliaya nods and moves over to one of the wall panels.
Keliaya feels it around before getting to work in seeing if she can remove it...