ST:TTV410 | "The Commander"

Stardate 96590.4

The Valley Forge encounters the Colonial Fleet for the first time within their own territories, but the circumstances of their meeting threatens the fragile peace that has recently been achieved.

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Keliaya@anncarise FX | Following the eventful first contact with the Ularens, the Valley Forge travels for over a week with little of note save for detecting a plutonium comet which puzzled the science department. Keliaya@anncarise | Theories are still floating around about how exactly that comet existed... Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "I might be a doctor, but even I know plutonium doesn't exist naturally." Keliaya@anncarise: "It's not been observed to exist naturally, but it's far from a first time where we've seen something we previously thought impossible." Keliaya@anncarise: "Plus, it's not technically impossible. Plutonium is made from uranium and trace amounts do get created under the right cirumstances. Just...not that much." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "Exactly. That comet has to already be very rich in uranium and somehow got it all converted. It's a very big coincidence." Keliaya@anncarise: "But not impossible. The universe has existed for a long time. Some very specific conditions have come to pass in that time. If that comet was intentionally refined by someone, why would it just be - Keliaya@anncarise: - there and not used up?" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "A science experiment, maybe? Not everything we do in our labs is practical..." Keliaya@anncarise looks to her console as something flashes, "Contact on sensors." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "I see it too. Definitely not a comet this time." Keliaya@anncarise: "Computer's identified its signature as similar to the Wanderer, but hard to tell from this distance." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "No sign of any lifeforms on board either. Could be another one of these AI ships." Keliaya@anncarise: "I'll notify the Captain." Keliaya@anncarise taps her console, "Keliaya to Captain Keelah." Keelah@crystyll: <C> Go ahead Kelly Keliaya@anncarise: <C> A ship just appeared on long-range sensors. We think it could be another Nuhar AI. Keelah@crystyll: <C> Take us to yellow alert, and have Mia standing by with Wanderer Keliaya@anncarise: <C> On it, ma'am. Keliaya@anncarise nods to Vrolmacht, "Yellow alert." Keliaya@anncarise taps her console again, "Keliaya to Mia. We have what might be another Nuhar AI ship and the Captain wants you and Wanderer ready." Keelah@crystyll: <C-Mia> Ooh, but of course Ms. Kelly! We will report to the cargo bay at once! Keliaya@anncarise: <C> Great! Hopefully this contact'll go smoother than the last one now that we know what we're dealing with. Keelah@crystyll: <C-Mia> Our greeting message is ready for Ms. Tee, but we are now standing ready with the Wanderer to adapt reactively! Keliaya@anncarise: <C> Thank you. We'll let you know if we need any additional assistance. Keliaya@anncarise looks to TQ to confirm the message is ready to go. Keelah@crystyll | Tee nods, "All set here, and comms relay isolation protocols are in effect. So we shouldn't be exposed to any more viral message attempts either" Keelah@crystyll emerges from the ready room, "What's the status of our contact?" Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Comin' at us, warp 8." Keelah@crystyll: "Time to intercept?" Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Seven minutes, Cap'n, assumin' we don't break course." Keliaya@anncarise: "We have Mia and Wanderer's message ready to broadcast." Keelah@crystyll: "Hold your course. Do we have confirmation on the Nuhar ID yet?" Keliaya@anncarise: "I can't be completely sure, but some of the hull composition and design elements match, as well as the main power signature." Keelah@crystyll: "Seems a little too close to discout, doesn't it. Very well then, Tee; send the greeting" Keliaya@anncarise: "This one seems a lot more heavily modified though, possibly even a different class from the Wanderer to begin with. No main antiproton beam, just a few of these deflector-weapons, seems they're - Keliaya@anncarise: - primarily using phaser arrays." Keelah@crystyll | TQ nods and broadcasts their Nuhar greeting Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "The ship just dropped out o' warp. Looks to be at full stop now." Keelah@crystyll: "Are we in range for a visual yet?" Keliaya@anncarise | TQ receives a reply in the same language: "How do you know this language?" Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Not yet. Should be there in 'bout three more minutes." Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "Captain, I have a response from the contact asking how we know this language" Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Hang on...I'm readin' three more contacts on sensors. No wait, five!" Keelah@crystyll heads over to see, "Promising" she nods, "Tell them we are allies travelling with one of their own on board. Provide the ident details as given by the Wanderer for confirmation" Keelah@crystyll looks up to Ann, "The same configuration?" Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "No, they've got transporters IDin' 'em as Colonial Fleet. Seem to be headin' right for the Nuhar ship at high warp." Keelah@crystyll: "Colonial Fleet? Open a channel" Keelah@crystyll | TQ nods and attempts to hail the incoming fleet Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "The Nuhar ship's gone back to warp, but it's changed course." Keelah@crystyll: "New heading?" Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "160-mark-10. Away from us an' the new arrivals." Keliaya@anncarise FX | TQ's hail connects and an Arshai female in a Colonial Fleet uniform appears on the viewscreen. Keelah@crystyll: "Alright, one problem at a time. Track it on long range sensors as long as you can" she looks to the viewscreen while returning to her station Keliaya@anncarise | Arshai: "This one must be Starfleet. This one is far from home." Keelah@crystyll: "You are well informed, and quite correct. I am Captain Keelah of the Valley Forge" Keliaya@anncarise | The Arshai sets a hand on her chest, "This one is Hanna-Faeshe Dos Take'Vaie'Haxe Nos Rosa-Vondorei Zona." Keliaya@anncarise FX | The bridge behind her appears unfamiliar and much less sterile compared to a Starfleet bridge, though far from the rough aesthetic of the interior of Syndicate or Nausicaan ships. Keliaya@anncarise: "One of the Colonial ships have fired a graviton pulse. It's forced the Nuhar ship out of warp, along with their entire task force." Keelah@crystyll looks to Kelly and back, "Hanna-Faeshe, would you care to enlighten us as to what is going on between your task force and the Nuhar vessel?" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "The machine-ship was going to attack the Valley Forge. The Colonial Fleet is here to take care of the situation." Keliaya@anncarise: "A Colonial ship is activating a tachyon beam and draining the Nuhar ship's shields." Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "The smaller Colonial Fleet vessels appear to be lining up for an attack run." Keelah@crystyll: "You seem awfully certain of this. We however saw no evidence of that intent and had infact initiated a dialogue with the vessel" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "These machine-ships are abominations and a threat to organic life in the area. The Colonial Fleet has been trying to track this one for over a hundred rotations." Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "They are beginning their attack run. The Nuhar ship is firing back with its phaser beams. One of the Colonial-modified Jem'Hadar attack ships have been hit." Keelah@crystyll: "Hanna, we are aware of their nature having already encountered one such vessel. However they are not inherently hostile. Please, give us the opportunity to open a mutual dialogue with this one" Keelah@crystyll: "See for yourself that it does not have to be an enemy. If it refuses to talk, then do as you must. Just... give it a chance" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "These machine-ships should not exist. Even if Hanna has reason to believe this one is not a threat, Hanna would be defying the Supreme Commander's directive if Hanna is to disengage." Keliaya@anncarise: "The adapted Nausicaan frigate has deployed energy siphon drones. The Nuhar ship's power levels are beginning to drop." Keelah@crystyll: "All I'm asking is for you to pause your action and allow us time to talk. Surely that is within remit of your orders, no?" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "Not if this endangers Colonial ships. If Starfleet wishes to talk, tell the machine-ship to disengage first, and then Hanna will order the Colonial Fleet to disengage." Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "The Nuhar ship is at half power but it is still returning fire." Keelah@crystyll snaps a glance to Tee, "Send the message. Make clear that this is a misunderstanding and it's attackers will stand down if it does" Keliaya@anncarise | The Nuhar ship replies that these vessels have been hunting it and it believes they are a geniune threat. Keelah@crystyll: "Reinforce that they will stand down if it does, and only if it does first" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "The Nuhar ship's shields are down. It will be destroyed soon if the attack persists." Keelah@crystyll looks back to the viewscreen, "There Hanna, it has stood down. Now cease fire" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna speaks inaudibly to her own crew. Keliaya@anncarise: "The Colonial Fleet ships are standing down." Keelah@crystyll nods, smiling gently, "Thank you. Now, perhaps we can start over" Keelah@crystyll: "Tee, can you patch the lead Colonial ship into conference with the Nuhar vessel?" Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "I shall attempt to do so now, Captain" Keliaya@anncarise FX | The Nuhar ship is patched in to the comm feed. Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "Look at the machine-ship's composition. The victims are incorporated into the ship to fuel this unnatural creation." Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "Observe, and say that this is not a monster." Keliaya@anncarise: "She is right, the makeup of this Nuhar ship suggests extensive modification using components from other ships. We can't be sure if they destroyed these ships or if it's just salvage, though." Keelah@crystyll: "These vessels are older than we can truly fathom Hanna, and they possess a philosophy of recycling. It is not inconceivable that this one has scavenged what it needed to survive" Keelah@crystyll: "Just as we have scavanged components from it's counterpart we met previously. That too started as a hostile encounter, but once we got through to it we reached an understanding" Keliaya@anncarise | The translated and mechanically vocabulated words of the Nuhar ship resonates throughout the bridge: "Why do you defend me, strangers? And how do you know our language?" Keelah@crystyll: "We defend you because we defend all innocent life. And we know your language from another of your kind; who now resides with us after his body failed him" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "The Valley Forge is holding one of these machine-ship's consciousness? Within the ship's computers?" Keelah@crystyll: "No, it is isolated from the Valley Forge's computer. It resides within a salvaged Jem'Hadar computer core awaiting such a time that we might find a suitable new home for it" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "That is more sensible, but Hanna would still not wish one of these machine-minds on board Hanna's ship." Keelah@crystyll addresses the Nuhar vessel, "This kin of yours - Wanderer, we call it - was the one who helped us develop the ability to communicate in your language, so we might avoid any further miscontrued + Keelah@crystyll: + hostilities on approach" Keliaya@anncarise | Nuhar AI: "I am not familiar with one by that designation, but there were once many of us. We have since been scattered across this region." Keelah@crystyll: "It is a new designation. Wanderer's function was once to patrol the nearby border of Nuhar territory. It's original designation was lost, and so this new one was applied when he joined us" Keliaya@anncarise | Nuhar AI: "I have gone beyond the border once recently, but it seems these ships have a presence there as well. Ever since they expanded into this region they have been hunting us down." Keelah@crystyll: "They likely perceive your kind as a threat, just as you stated you feared they were. The Colonial commander asked about your non-Nuhar modification, can you explain this to her?" Keliaya@anncarise | Nuhar AI: "The accusations are not without merit." Keelah@crystyll: "Please, elaborate" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "The machine knows this is true. Colonial ships have seen this machine-ship raiding innocents and attacking Colonial vessels." Keliaya@anncarise | Nuhar AI: "Our creators are gone. We do not have anyone to provide us with resources. I survived in the only way I can." Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "This one survived by preying on ships crewed by organics." Keliaya@anncarise | Nuhar AI: "I extracted resources where I could find them. But I cannot find all I need, and that which I found could not always be refined. I did what I must, just as organic predators hunt - Keliaya@anncarise: - organic prey. I hunted ships as prey." Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "An AI /and/ a pirate. A menace the Colonial Fleet cannot tolerate." Keelah@crystyll: "Hunting for survival is a base instinct shared by many lifeforms. Would you not hunt game if your very survival depended on it?" Keelah@crystyll: "And to be clear, I do not condone any loss of sentient life. I am simply trying to apply perspective to this entity's situation" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "Of course. The Arshai have hunted in the past, and those of the Haxash still hunt now. The Arshai have also fought many wars, and as a member of the Colonial Fleet, Hanna understands - Keliaya@anncarise: - the necessity to take life in order to preserve life. But this machine-ship's continued existence is a threat, to Colonial and other ships in this region." Keelah@crystyll: "Does it have to be a threat through? Now that we have the means to communicate with it, is there not another - more mutually beneficial - way to proceed?" Keliaya@anncarise | Nuhar AI: "All I have is existence." Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "And that is probably why this one has no regard for organic lives." Keliaya@anncarise looks to Keelah, "If someone were to provide it with resources and repairs, I suspect the Nuhar ship probably wouldn't have to raid anymore." Keelah@crystyll: "Exactly" she nods to Kelly, "Nuhar vessel, you imply that you hunt ships through the necessity of survival. What if those needs were met through other means?" Keliaya@anncarise | Nuhar AI: "Then I would not hunt. Once I was but a mining vessel. My task was to extract resources and send it to a refining facility, which would then send the materials to multiple factories - Keliaya@anncarise: - for stages of production. I could not do so alone, and many of the facilities were destroyed over time. I altered my mining beams so I could become a hunter, but that was not my original purpose." Keelah@crystyll: "What if you could revert to your primary function? I am sure the Colonial Fleet could benefit greatly from additional mineral resource processing, no?" she looks to Hanna Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "The Supreme Commander's directive states that all sufficiently advanced machine life should be destroyed regardless of crime. If this one is willing to cease attacks against Colonial - Keliaya@anncarise: - ships, Hanna is willing to bend the rules as to not antagonize Starfleet, which Hanna understands fields a significant fleet." Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "Accepting a machine-ship's services is far too radical however. The Supreme Commander will punish both Hanna and the machine." Keelah@crystyll: "Perhaps this is something we could discuss with the Supreme Commander?" Keelah@crystyll: "I would hate to put you in any awkward position after all" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "The Supreme Commander is on the New World at this moment. Hanna may attempt to contact the Fleet Commander to request to communicate with the Supreme Commander, but Vora is a very busy - Keliaya@anncarise: - and very important person." Keelah@crystyll smiles, "And an old friend to this crew. I am certain she would welcome news of our arrival in the region" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna nods, "Hanna will attempt to contact Vora then." Keliaya@anncarise FX | The communication with the Colonial ship mutes temporarily. Keliaya@anncarise | Nuhar AI: "You are bizarre. Most biologicals I have encountered either fear us or seek to take our technology." Keliaya@anncarise | Nuhar AI: "None have attempted to aid me once our creators were gone." Keelah@crystyll smiles, "I'll take that as a complement. The organization we represent has evolved to value life in all forms, you see. Seeking out said life is one of our core values and most cherished duties" Keliaya@anncarise | Nuhar AI: "Admirable. Do you not often come across life that seek to attack you? You mentioned the other Nuhar vessel you encountered was initially hostile." Keelah@crystyll: "Yes, it is an unfortunate nature of the universe. It is why - if you scanned us already - you will have seen considerable defenses in place. We must all serve to protect that which we cherish when + Keelah@crystyll: + the need arises, also" Keliaya@anncarise | Nuhar AI: "As would be expected of anyone should their existence be threatened." Keliaya@anncarise | The Colonial ship unmutes and Hanna speaks again: "The Fleet Commander has arranged an audience with the Supreme Commander, but the signal from the New World cannot be broadcast out here." Keelah@crystyll: "Then we must move within comms range?" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "The New World is far. Hanna's ship will accompany the Valley Forge to the nearby base if the Valley Forge still seeks to speak with Vora. While not much closer to the New World, a comm - Keliaya@anncarise: - line has been established between the planet and the base." Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "The remainder of the Colonial ships will remain to keep watch over the machine-ship until the situation is resolved." Keelah@crystyll: "Nuhar vessel, you understand what is being proposed?" Keliaya@anncarise | Nuhar AI: "That is acceptable." Keelah@crystyll: "Very well then, you remain here with the Colonial vessels. We will return soon with news" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "The journey will take a few rotations. The news can be relayed from the base to the Colonial vessels remaining here." Keelah@crystyll: "I understand, nonetheless I intend to return and speak more with the Nuhar vessel in the hopes of learning more of it's existence once we have reached an agreeable conclusion here" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "If that is what this one desires. Hanna's vessel will transmit the coordinates of the base to the Valley Forge and accompany the Valley Forge there." Keelah@crystyll: "I look forward to traveling with you, Hanna. It is too long since we enjoyed the company of the Arshai" Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna: "And Hanna is not very familiar with Starfleet or the species within. This vessel will set out whenever the Valley Forge is ready." Keelah@crystyll: "We have our course laid in and see no reason to delay. Helm, form up on the lead Colonial vessel and prepare to go to warp" Keliaya@anncarise | Ann: "Aye aye, Cap'n." Keliaya@anncarise | Hanna gives orders to her own crew and her ship jumps to warp. Keliaya@anncarise FX | The Valley Forge follows shortly after, heading towards the Colonial Fleet base...

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Stardate 96590.4 Following several uneventful days on board as we continued our journey, we entered sensor range of an unidentified vessel which bore comparable ID markers to the Wanderer vessel. Since Mia and the Wanderer have been working on preparing a sufficient greeting in Nuhar for such an occasion, we proceeded to allow it to intercept though airing on the side of caution with our defenses raised. Once in range, we successfully opened a dialogue with the vessel (which did indeed bare similarities to the Wanderer vessel, though also showed signs of extensive modification from non-Nuhar technology. The greeting message paid dividends and the vessel - which had set out on an intercept course - ceased it's approach and responded with a query as to how we knew it's language. Before we were able to continue the dialogue however, a Colonial Fleet task force entered sensor range and moved to engage the Nuhar vessel, forcing it to depart on an evasive course. After challenging the task force commander - one Hanna-Faeshe Dos Take'Vaie'Haxe Nos Rosa-Vondorei Zona - we came to learn that the Arshai know of the Nuhar vessels and deem them to be an 'abomination' and a threat, believing they were coming to our aid in their approach. Though completely sympathetic to their interpretation of these entities after our initial encounter, I felt that I could not stand by and allow them to destroy the vessel. And so I implored the Commander to stand down, and she begrudgingly did so once we convinced the Nuhar vessel to stand down first despite it being at the mercy of it's aggressors - a feat which I hold purely accountable to the fact that we had already proven to be something of an anomaly to it by communicating directly in it's own language. Once the three-way dialogue commenced, the Arshai Commander - Hanna - quickly came to view the Nuhar vessel in more balanced context, after learning of it's incredible age and instinctive survival hunting through necessity. Equally so, I was sympathetic with her position at being under strict orders from their Supreme Commander (our old friend Vora, or the 'Branded Lady'). I convinced Hanna to request an audience with the Supreme Commander with view to negotiating a truce between the Colonial Fleet and the Nuhar, or at least this specific one who had proven to be of sound mind. My proposal was based upon the premise that this vessel was original a mining platform, and though extensively modified towards it's survival hunting it still possessed both the capacity and willingness to return to it's primary function. It just had to be accommodated by a third party willing to engage in trade and service support in exchange for it's mining services. With the Supreme Commander contacted and amenable to hearing us out, or at least using it as an excuse to see us again and gauge our presence here, we have altered course towards a Colonial outpost where sufficiently strong communications can be maintained with the homeworld, and the Supreme Commander. Meanwhile the Nuhar mining vessel remains at it's last position under the guard - and protection - of Hanna's task force. I can not predict the outcome of this pending reunion with Vora, but knowing her capacity for seeing the benefit of salvaging her surroundings I am confident that we will reach an accord and will soon be returning to the Nuhar vessel with good news.