ST:TTV229 | "...Comes Around Pt. I"

Stardate 94726.5

Having successfully tracked the pirate vessel - believed to have intercepted the shuttle carrying LCDR's Keliaya & Lendaria - to the Rigel System and the heart of the Syndicate, the Valley Forge now moves to rendezvous with an old friend and ally before venturing into the belly of the beast....

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Keelah@crystyll FX | The VF hangs motionless in low orbit around a rogue moon in an uncharted system Keelah@crystyll taps her armest idly Keelah@crystyll: "Captain's Log: stardate 94723.1..." Keelah@crystyll: "After receiving the disturbing news about LCDR's Keliaya and Lendaria, we proceeded under advisement to rendezvous with the SNV Thana Vaneri before encroaching into Syndicate territory" Keelah@crystyll: "En route we detected the MacAlpine on long range sensors and - knowing that CAPT Skye carries a better prepared ground team - we made contact to request assistance" Keelah@crystyll: "Our timetable afforded us a comfortable detour to make the RV and we now have CAPT Skye and one of her elite ground teams on board ready to assist once we reach Rigel" Keelah@crystyll pauses, "...Much to her objection I might add, but I can not in good faith see two starships risked in this rescue operation" Keelah@crystyll: "We still made the RV with time to spare and now I can... feel the anxiety in the air as we await the Orions arrival..." Keelah@crystyll taps to end the log Keelah@crystyll leans back, stretching her legs out and giving a light stretch as she looks about the bridge Mana@anncarise looks to Keelah from her science console, "How long does Valley Forge have to wait?" Keelah@crystyll checks her chrono, "They're still a couple of hours out..." Fiona@falconecoose exits the turbo lift as she glances about quickly, before she offers a nod to Keelah "Captain." Mana@anncarise examines Fi as she walks across the bridge. Keelah@crystyll smiles lightly, "Captain, how are you peolpe doing?" Fiona@falconecoose nods slightly "They are kitted up and waiting for the go order." Charlie@drcrippler walks onto the bridge and takes his assigned seat. Keelah@crystyll: "Is it naive of me to hope that their expertise may still not be needed..." Fiona@falconecoose: "Always prepare for the worst, then when the worst happens it may be unplessant but it is never a suprise." Keelah@crystyll smiles, "Hope for the best; prepare for the worst. A fine balance of logic and irrational optimism" Mana@anncarise: "Valley Forge is preparing for a potential person on person combat scenario, yes?" Keelah@crystyll: "Indeed we are, Mana" Charlie@drcrippler taps away at his screen, trying to not listen to the incessent attempts of T'Quila to engage in conversation. Mana@anncarise: "Does Keelah believe Sayu may be of assistance? Sayu is primarily programmed for protecting Mana, but Sayu may be able to help protect Kelly and Lennie once located." Keelah@crystyll: "It is certainly a possibility Mana. Though I defer all judgement regarding any potential ground team composition to Capt. Skye and her team" Mana@anncarise nods and looks to Fi, "Is Captain Skye a ground tactic specialist?" Fiona@falconecoose shrugs sightly "I have had experience and have a team of MACOs attached to my command." Charlie@drcrippler opens a new tab and quickly downloads the Intel database on Captain Skye Mana@anncarise: "Ahh, MACOs are the ground specialists, yes?" Fiona@falconecoose: "They are yes." Keelah@crystyll: "Speaking of, we should be prepared..." Keelah@crystyll: "Ensign" Charlie@drcrippler turns. "Captain, how may I be of assistance?" Keelah@crystyll: "You can dig up something useful from your archives" she smiles, "SFI /must/ have something on the Syndicate in the Rigel System" Charlie@drcrippler: "I will browse through everything I have clearence to access and inform you right away Captain," he turns and begins work Keelah@crystyll nods, "Thank you Ensign" Keelah@crystyll joins Fi, leaning against the railing, "What are your thoughts on our approach, Captain?" Fiona@falconecoose glances over at Keelah "I think we are about to find our self in a fight with one hand tied behind our back." Keelah@crystyll: "It is certainly not a favourable position... that is why of course I couldn't let both our ships enter this frey. It is enough that the MacAlpine is standing by to warp in if needed" Fiona@falconecoose nods slightly "I still have a bad feeling about this whole thing..." Keelah@crystyll rolls her eyes a little, "I really hate when you say that..." she chuckles Keelah@crystyll: "But this is why we need a plan..." Fiona@falconecoose: "Aye that we do...do we know why they took them hostage yet? Or what they want?" Mana@anncarise: "Mana and Mia had some theories...but those are only estimates." Keelah@crystyll glances over, "Now's not the time to be shy Mana. You got an idea; you speak up" Keelah@crystyll: "Negative" she replies to Fi Fiona@falconecoose glances over her shoulder "Aye, everything my people know for going in is less time they have to spend figuring the situation out." Mana@anncarise: "Well, on the runabout Kelly and Lennie was taken from, the fake information was pointing to the Branded Lady." Keelah@crystyll: "Which we soon managed to rule out" Mana@anncarise: "Especially with the Branded Lady's recent peace offering and the Valley Forge's relationship with the group, Mana believes this may be an attempt to continue the conflict between Starfleet and the - Mana@anncarise - Branded Lady." Fiona@falconecoose: "So we know someone is wanting us to think it is the Branded Lady...so would benefit from that? Or a better question who would lose out if we continued that conflict?" Mana@anncarise: "However, Tabadi Mysti of the OSN also said this was a personal attack as Lennie is the Tabadi's daughter, which is also a feasible explanation." Keelah@crystyll: "We already know that much, and our best source is the Tabadi who is en route to join us" Keelah@crystyll: "The warp trail led towards the Rigel system - a known hotbed of Syndicate activity. I concur with the Tabadi's deduction" Charlie@drcrippler: "I have some data that I can share with the crew, Captain, if I may," he spins around Keelah@crystyll turns to Charlie, "Please, Ensign; what did you discover?" Charlie@drcrippler: "All evidence points to Rigel IX as the most likely location for the holding of our officers. This is only reinforced by the fact that Lt Lendaria was held here before her tenure in Starfleet. + Charlie@drcrippler: "It seems that the Syndicate had also captured several officers of the USS Cairo. The subsequent rescue effort by the MACO was, what can only be described as a massacre. I believe that this is where + Charlie@drcrippler: "It seems that the Syndicate had also captured several officers of the USS Cairo. The subsequent rescue effort by the MACO was, what can only be described as a massacre. I believe that this is where + Charlie@drcrippler: we will find our officers, though I recommend caution," Keelah@crystyll: "Good work. Keep digging into that previous encounter; I want to know exactly what went wrong for it become a 'massacre'. Maybe we can avoid the same..." Charlie@drcrippler nods. "Yes captain," gets back to work. Keelah@crystyll turns to Fi, "Well that opens up a whole can of worms... Mana, do we have any current record of ground conditions on Rigel IX?" Mana@anncarise doesn't even look back to the console as she recounts the information, most likely not from her memory but reading from her visor instead. Mana@anncarise: "Rigel IX. M-Class. Heavily urbanized. Polluted atmosphere. Overpopulation and crime rate issues." Keelah@crystyll hrms, "Thoughts, Captain?" Mana@anncarise: "If Mana understands the term 'massacre' properly, the population density of the planet could be a cause in unnecessary casualties." Keelah@crystyll nods solemnly in concurrence Fiona@falconecoose ponders it for a moment "I reckon we give them one chance to hand over our people peacefully while the MACOs move into postion and if they refuse we let the MACOs go to work..." Keelah@crystyll: "A fine strategy, and one they will no doubt be anticipating" Fiona@falconecoose: "Exactly, they may be anticipating that we do and that we will anticipate their anticpation and therefore it is still a sound plan." Mana@anncarise: "Does Starfleet have any information on how the last rescue was attempted?" Keelah@crystyll smirks a little, tilting her head with a furrowed brow to look at Fi's ear Charlie@drcrippler: "If I may, having looked into the data, I find that it was the MACOs storming into the auctioneering place where the captives were being held directly lead to the massacre," Keelah@crystyll: "Are you sure they shouldn't be more pointed..." Keelah@crystyll: "Oh?" she looks back to Charlie Mana@anncarise: "Perhaps the auction should not be the primary target of this operation," she suggests. Charlie@drcrippler: "It was a surprise assault and though the Sydicate was taken unawares, the cross fire between the two forces lead to the deaths of innocents in the area who were trying to flee. I do not believe the + Keelah@crystyll: "I suppose that depends where they are being held exactly, Mana" Charlie@drcrippler: MACO were very lenient with who they shot at," Mana@anncarise: "Any holding facility will no doubt have defences against transporters." Keelah@crystyll looks to Fi, "What about inserting the ground team incognito?" Charlie@drcrippler: "Perhaps an infiltration team to gather intel would aid us," Mana@anncarise: "But simply attacking a holding facility will often result in such casualties, sometimes even the captives." Keelah@crystyll nods to Mana, "We need to be smart in this. Swift and decisive" Mana@anncarise raises her left biosynthetic arm, "That is how Mana's organic arm was damaged." Fiona@falconecoose: "We could go in queitly, but even doing that will result in civilian losses...though at the moment I do not see any way of avoiding civilian losses." Mana@anncarise: "Mana believes the most sensible approach may be to not target what is expected to be the primary target." Keelah@crystyll: "Kelly would be the first to object to any civilian losses on her account. I'm sure the same could be said of LCDR Lendaria as well" Fiona@falconecoose: "The harder and faster we hit the compound and get our people out with the least amount of time from the first shot to the final shot is the best way to avoid civilian losses." Charlie@drcrippler: "Perhaps if we create a diversion, a small team would be able to sneak through and free our captives," Mana@anncarise: "Power sources must exist to keep any transporter blocks online." Mana@anncarise: "If these power sources can be located and disabled, the Valley Forge will simply be able to beam out Kelly and Lennie." Keelah@crystyll: "Assuming we could establish a lock. Whilst Kelly may be relatively easy to identify, Lendaria is an Orion on a planet full of Orions" Fiona@falconecoose glances over at Mana "And if these syndicates are like most pirates they will have tied them into the civilian power grid." Mana@anncarise: "That is true." Charlie@drcrippler: "Taking out civilian power is much more acceptable than taking out civilian lives," Keelah@crystyll nods, "A coordinated strike team could disable the civilian power grid. It would plunge them into chaos and put them on alert, but could ultimately seem like a disassociated factor" Fiona@falconecoose: "And can you tell me that in taking out their power we will not damn a number of them to death? Either when we take out the power grid or in the aftermath?" Keelah@crystyll: "If not for them seeing us arrive..." Charlie@drcrippler: "Perhaps beaming down a team to...actually participate in the auction could be prudent?" Keelah@crystyll: "Let us not forget that we have the OSN flagship arriving at our sides there. That alone will set off every alarm bell on the planet, and that's assuming they don't attack on sight" Fiona@falconecoose: "Sowe need to find a way to find our people, get the rescue team on the planet without raising the alram and mimise civilian casualties. Correct? Just those 3 simple things for the plan?" Keelah@crystyll: "All without raising suspicion upon arrival" Charlie@drcrippler: "I have trained for these exact instances at the academy, I do believe I would be a logical choice to participate in such a mission," Keelah@crystyll: "Agreed. Mana - if you're willing - your expertise may prove beneficial as well in overriding any security systems they encounter" Keelah@crystyll looks back to Fi, "At the Captain's discretion, of course" Fiona@falconecoose: "As long as you know how to follow orders and duck when told to I don't think their will be a problem." Mana@anncarise nods, "Mana will not question Captain Skye's orders." Keelah@crystyll FX | The ship is suddenly rocked by a wave or turbulence. Lights dimming as they go to red alert Mana@anncarise: "But Mana believes Sayu may be of assistance as well if Mana can bring Mana's drone." Fiona@falconecoose grabs the banister as she rocks "Nothing is ever easy is it with this ship..." Keelah@crystyll braces against the railing at the unexpected move, "What was that?" Keelah@crystyll shoots Fi a look before returning to her chair Charlie@drcrippler glances at Captain Skye with a calculating look before turning to the front. Mana@anncarise: "Mana is detecting a seismic charge detonation nearby!" Keelah@crystyll FX | Another one shakes the ship, more violently Mana@anncarise: "The detonations are moving closer to the ship!" Mana@anncarise turns to the console and taps, trying to locate the source. Mana@anncarise: "Mana cannot determine what is causing the detonations, but Mana is detecting an Orion scout ship on long range sensors." Keelah@crystyll FX | A third, very close! Mana@anncarise: "Does the Valley Forge have shield systems online?" Keelah@crystyll | Vrolmacht: "Shields holding, but a direct impact will likely penetrate" Charlie@drcrippler: "Perhaps we should drop back to a safer location?" Keelah@crystyll: "This /was/ our safe location. It would seem however that the Syndicate are wise to such places and attempting to flush us out..." Charlie@drcrippler doesn't think this is a very safe location Keelah@crystyll sighs, "Out of the frying pan..." Mana@anncarise: "If Valley Forge does not wait here, then meeting with the Tabadi may be difficult and require further coordination..." Keelah@crystyll: "Mr. Chag; move us out from the moon's cover" Vrolmacht... charge phasers..." Keelah@crystyll: "We have little choice Mana, if we remain; we may be out of the fight before it starts" Mana@anncarise nods in agreement. Keelah@crystyll FX | VF creeps out of the sensor blind spot and banks up & around towards the scout ship as 2 more charges detonate almost right on top of where they were Charlie@drcrippler: "That would indicate that the Syndicate know of our presence and might be able to infer of our plans to rescue our officers which places our plan to silently infiltrate in jeopardy," Fiona@falconecoose: "And if Plan A is comprimissed we might have to go to Plan B..." Keelah@crystyll: "Indeed..." she looks to Vrolmacht, "Get a tractor beam on th-..." Keelah@crystyll FX | Before VF can get in range, the scout seems to spot them and jumps to warp! Keelah@crystyll: "We can't let them get back and warn the Syndicate! Chag, pursuit course; maximum warp!" Charlie@drcrippler attempts to hack into the scout ship to shut it down, or stop it from warping, or...block communications Keelah@crystyll FX | They sadly make the jump to warp before Charlie can make any inroads Mana@anncarise: "According to Mana's readings, the scout ship should not be capable of going much further than warp 5 on the Federation scale." Keelah@crystyll clences her fist, leaning forward, "We can outrun them..." Keelah@crystyll: "And we know where they're heading! Mr. Chag, give it everything she's got. I have an idea..." Keelah@crystyll approaches the helm as the VF gently vibrates through the exceeded high warp limit Keelah@crystyll leans in beside Chag, speaking softly, "Mr. Chag, Mr. Fisher... how do two feel about pulling an emergency drop from warp on a pinhead..." Keelah@crystyll FX | The pair turn to give Keelah a curious look as she taps on the navigation console, showing them something Charlie@drcrippler 's tapping away at his console, using this time in the high stakes warp pursuit to download plans of the planet, using the Cairo's database on suspected Syndicate auction sites, known power grids, + Charlie@drcrippler: bases etc... you know... doing intel stuff Keelah@crystyll: "Well... can you do it?" Keelah@crystyll Chag and Fisher study the flight plan hesitantly before sharing a look and nodding back to Keelah, "We can do it Captain!" Keelah@crystyll smiles, resting a hand on each of their shoulders, "Alright gents. Coordinate with engineering as needed" Keelah@crystyll turns back to Fi who is totally still there... Keelah@crystyll: "Captain Skye; assemble your teams in the hangar bays. I recommend they split between port and starboard, with specialists split accordingly. We're going in hot..." Keelah@crystyll: "Ensign, Mana, report with them. We don't have much time" Mana@anncarise nods and moves for the turbolift. Charlie@drcrippler nods at what Keelah said and heads to the turbolift Keelah@crystyll FX | the VF continues to push to it's limits as it races to beat the scout ship to Rigel Keelah@crystyll | Fisher: "Coming up on decelleration point. On my mark..." Keelah@crystyll: <C> Bridge to hangar bays; prepare to launch Keelah@crystyll: <C: Intercom> All hands, this is the Captain. Brace for turbulence" Keelah@crystyll FX | The interior lighting shifts to a dimmed alert status... blue Keelah@crystyll looks to the viewscreen, "Well this should be different..." Keelah@crystyll | Fisher: "Mark!" Keelah@crystyll FX | Everyone on the bridge lurches forwards as the ship suddenly drops from warp and is instantly being fiercely rocked around by atmospheric turbulence Keelah@crystyll FX | Chag and Fisher fight furiously with the controls, as the ship now plummets belly first through the lower atmosphere of Rigel IX! Keelah@crystyll FX | As the ship plummets through a blaze of fire, both hangar doors open allowing the shuttle teams to split off below the orbital detection grid Keelah@crystyll | Vrolmacht: "Shuttles... clear... Captain..." Keelah@crystyll: "Mr. Chag!" Keelah@crystyll | Chag works his controls and moments after the shuttle clear the nacelles, VF accelerates hard and jumps back to warp" Keelah@crystyll breathes a heavy sigh of relief as the turbulence finally settles, "Lets not do that again shall we... damage report, all decks!" Keelah@crystyll FX| VF plunges through the Rigel IX atmosphere. Flames enveloping the ship as the hangar doors slide open. Shuttle pilots have to punch top speed right off the launch to avoid impacting the nacelles but do so expertly Mana plugs into a console to interface with the shuttle's systems directly, using the increased processing time to try and help manage its systems. Charlie taps away at the screen, busy trying to gather as much intel as possible Fiona glances steadies her self as she holds onto one of the hand holds along the roof of the shuttle as it launches from the VF and starts to make it's way towards the planet Charlie@drcrippler: "Captain, shall we begin to scan the planet?" he asks Fiona@falconecoose "Aye Ensign begin the scans but keep them passive, don't want to fully tip them off now do we..." Charlie@drcrippler: "Of course, I do believe I have a few tricks that I learnt from Intelligence to help me do just that. Perhaps..." he glances at Mana. "I apologise, but my I inquire as to your name?" Mana@anncarise "Mana-Arshai Dos Sndoi'Ihaie'Vaie Nos Indoi-Ihai. This one may simply use Mana." Charlie@drcrippler: "Thank you. As I was saying, perhaps Mana could assist me in the scans. If I am not mistaken, you are an AI specialist?" Mana@anncarise nods, "Mana is indeed. Mana is also familiar with basic programs and should be able to assist with computer functions such as accessing databases or bypassing locks." Pilot: "We ought to find somewhere to put down before we /do/ draw any attention..." Mana@anncarise: "Perhaps scanning Denobulan lifesigns will be able to locate Kelly and determine where to go?" Charlie@drcrippler: "I believe that with the data I have got from Intel, we will only need to scan infrequently to build a picture of what we have here," he begins to build a map of Rigel IX using the intel data Fiona@falconecoose nods slightly "See what you can cross reference then and get us as close as is safe without drawing attention." Charlie@drcrippler glances across to Mana "If you do detect Denobulan lifesigns, I can add it to the map and we can build a picture around that area, so that we make efficient use of our scans," Mana@anncarise: "Mana does not detect any Denobulan lifesigns, but Mana has located an area encompassing three city square blocks that is protected by a sensor dampening field." Charlie@drcrippler adds the area to his map and sees if there are any known Syndicate holdings in the area Charlie@drcrippler: "I do not see any indication that this is a specific holding, though if there are no Denobulan lifesigns in the area, it is logical to assume that they must be underneath the dampening field," Pilot: “Everything looks pretty tight down there, but I... think I can find some place secluded enough among all that mess…” Mana@anncarise: "That or Kelly is not on this world, though all evidence points to the assumption that the field is hiding lifesigns. " Charlie@drcrippler: "Indeed, whether or not those lifesigns are our missing officers is unknown. However, I do believe that the dampening field is in the exact location of where the officers of the USS Cairo and LCDR Lendaria were held in 2393. The correlation could be indicative of the location of our officers," Fiona@falconecoose: "That sounds plausible to me. Pilot, bring us in for a landing as close as you can." The pilot nods Pilot: Aye Captain! I see a spot. Just... breath in, yeah… Charlie@drcrippler: "I believe that it would be useful if we scout the area after we land. It could be that we need MACO assistance after all," Charlie@drcrippler: looks at the pilot "I do not understand how us breathing in will allow for the shuttle to land?" PIlot laughs, shaking his, "Vulcans..." Charlie@drcrippler: looks around, wondering if he missed something in translation Pilot: "Alright, taking us down. Orders for shuttle 2, Captain?" Fiona@falconecoose: "Get them to land nearby and hold for now." Pilot: "Understood" Pilot: He taps away, relaying the orders to the second shuttle Mana@anncarise: "What is the plan after landing?" Fiona@falconecoose: "We need to gather more information first, so recon is priority one." Mana@anncarise: "Mana presumes effort should be focused on locating captives and power sources?" Charlie@drcrippler: "I have some data of the local area. The replicator could replicate us some outfits so that we can blend in. I can also download cover stories and data, if needed," Mana@anncarise: "The only other Arshai the Syndicate is likely aware of is the Branded Lady. Blending in may not be simple for Mana." Mana@anncarise: "However given the secretive nature of this Branded Lady most are not likely to recognize Mana's species." Charlie@drcrippler looks at Fi "I believe it is up to the Captain to decide whether that is a risk needed. I can come up with a species profile to match your look if needed. If not, we will also need someone to collect and distribute data from within the shuttle. With your abilities, I believe you could be well suited in that regard," he says to Mana Mana@anncarise: "Mana can certainly operate the shuttle's sensor systems and also maintain communication with the away team to notify of any relevant developments." Fiona@falconecoose nods slightly "I think that may be best to have you stay with the shuttle." Mana@anncarise: "Mana will do so, Captain." Pilot: "Alright, making our final approach now" FX | The shuttle slow to a virtual stop as it coasts gently between the decrepit buildings. The close proximity either side is clearly visible through the windows, if not for all the proximity alarms wailing around the cockpit Charlie@drcrippler transfers his data to a PADD and hands it to Fi. “I have your cover story and clothes requisition program here Captain," Fiona@falconecoose nods slightly as she glances over the info on the PADD as she gets her clothes from the replicator "Good work ensign." Charlie@drcrippler: "I believe your background allows you to carry a weapon, for safety," he suggests as he stands to replicate his own clothing FX | The shuttle touches down with a gentle thud just as Charlie gets to his feet. The pilot breathes a sigh of relief as he powers everything down Charlie@drcrippler: "Careful in exhaling," he says to the pilot. "The shuttle might get wider and then we shall be stuck," Mana@anncarise now wonders if that's how Starfleet shuttles are controlled… The pilot turns with a smirk, "There's hope for you yet Mr. Vulcan" Charlie@drcrippler: "One would hope not," he heads to the back to get changed Mana@anncarise keeps her biosynthetic arm plugged into the shuttle as she tries to determine what is powering the dampening field if possible. Charlie@drcrippler returns wearing what looks like the gear of a people smuggler. It is not fancy, indicating that he is not at all well known, possibly a crewman on a bigger vessel. FX | Mana's search may take some time to passively bypass local security… To Be Concluded...