ST:TTV504 | "Sinners & Saints"

Stardate 97047.8

When the Valley Forge responds to an innocent distress signal, the crew find themselves dealing with an unexpected kidnapping. But as with so many things on this mission, things are never quite what they first seem...

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Keelah@crystyll FX | The Valley Forge is cruising along at low warp through deep space Keelah@crystyll absently reviews status reports on her armrest panel Keliaya@anncarise taps away on her console, monitoring the ship's status. Keelah@crystyll | Lennie enters from the turbolift and moves to take her station for the duty shift, pausing at TQ's side and brushing off her shoulder with her hand Keelah@crystyll | TQ gives Lennie a confused look Keelah@crystyll | Lennie smirks and presents a tuft of white fur that was stuck to her collar Keelah@crystyll | TQ flushes a deeper green, snatching it away and hoping nobody noticed Keelah@crystyll | Lennie chuckles and relieves the junior officer at Sci Keliaya@anncarise gives Lennie a smile and nod of greetings as she takes over the sci station. Keelah@crystyll | Lennie looks over to Kelly, "Hey Kel, any fun developments on tha' new shieldin' program?" Keliaya@anncarise: "The one that stops the Regulators' tachyon transporters?" Keelah@crystyll | Lennie nods, "Yeah" Keliaya@anncarise: "Well...yes and no. Our shields work by generating graviton distortions which prevent the passage of matter and energy. The Regulator transporters bypass those by going through subspace. The - Keliaya@anncarise: - technology isn't as simple as transforming matter in tachyons, but they also pass through a different layer of the universe. Like how the Tiah are able to appear and disappear, actually." Keliaya@anncarise: "Theoretically, we could block it by creating a tetryon based distortion which will act the same way as a graviton distortion in real-space, but for subspace matter and energy." Keliaya@anncarise: "The problem is, it'll take an incredible amount of energy to maintain that above our normal shields...and the Regulators can just use a different phase to get through." Keelah@crystyll | Lennie nods, "Right. See, me an' Kaz were talkin' on it an' got t'thinkin' on metaphasic shields. Y'know, th'ones wha' let a ship fly into a star?" Keliaya@anncarise: "That's what I was thinking too, but there is a simpler solution we can use right away." Keelah@crystyll | Lennie: "Oh? An' here I were all set t'promote a fancy new idea of interphasic shields based on tha' old system!" she chuckles Keliaya@anncarise chuckles, "Oh we were going down the same path until I talked to Katie about it one night. Physical obstacles of transporting somewhere is only one barrier to transporter technology." Keelah@crystyll | Lennie: "True enough. So wha's ya simple solution?" Keliaya@anncarise: "The other's actually being able to see where your going. It doesn't matter how fancy your transporters are, if we can scramble their sensors or make ourselves unscannable...chances are someone - Keliaya@anncarise: - trying to beam onto our ship is going to end up fused in a bulkhead somewhere." Keliaya@anncarise: "That's probably why Regulator ships are unscannable; partly to protect their tech, and partly so no one can board them." Keelah@crystyll | Lennie nods thoughtfully, "S'tha' even possible wit' Starfleet tech? I know we'se faced enemies like tha' before, but never known Starfleet t'pull it off" Keliaya@anncarise: "It's not something we've tended to focus on in the past. But now that we have Romulan allies, I think it's the direction we should focus in." Keliaya@anncarise: "That's not to say we don't want to improve our shields, but it's always good to have multiple lines of defense, and not all of them have to be a physical barrier." Keelah@crystyll | Lennie: "So Romulan tech is th'key ya think? S'tha' mean our resident Rom's gettin' roped in?" Keliaya@anncarise chuckles, "If she's willing to share her expertise. The Romulans have always been one of the leaders in stealth and concealment technology." Keliaya@anncarise: "Which...happens to mean they're not usually keen on sharing. Big surprise, I know..." Keelah@crystyll | Lennie chuckles, "Sounds worth an ask at least" Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "Captain, I'm picking up a distress signal. Heavy interference, trying to clear it up..." Keelah@crystyll looks up from her not-eavesdropping work Keliaya@anncarise looks over to TQ as she mentions a distress signal. Keelah@crystyll | TQ nods as she works: "Sounds like a freighter. Systems failure, maybe... Trying to send a response but getting no acknowledgement" Keelah@crystyll | Lennie: "Their comms systems might b'down if they'se got problems" Keelah@crystyll: "Can we track the source on long range sensors?" Keliaya@anncarise nods, tapping away at her console, "I'm on it." Keliaya@anncarise says after a few moment, "I have a trace on it. Should I forward the data to helm?" Keelah@crystyll nods and looks to the front, "Engage at warp 8 when ready" Keliaya@anncarise sends the data with another tap of her console. Keelah@crystyll | Fisher taps away and they alter course, "eta 14 minutes, Captain" Keelah@crystyll: "Tee, keep trying the freighter. They may not be able to respond but that doesn't mean they aren't receiving" Keelah@crystyll: "Let's have DC and medical teams on standby, and continue probing long range sensors for more information" Keelah@crystyll | Vrolmacht: "I recommend yellow alert, Captain. We do not yet know the circumstances and the vessel could be under attack" Keelah@crystyll nods Keliaya@anncarise monitors sensors for the ship and any others in its vicinity. Keliaya@anncarise: "It appears to be adrift, just inside of an asteroid field." Keelah@crystyll: "What is their status?" Keliaya@anncarise: "Their matter-antimatter core is starting to show signs of deterioration. Given enough time, it'll go critical, but right now they've already lost warp function." Keelah@crystyll: "Continue monitoring, see if you can discern a cause. Tee, any joy getting through yet?" Keelah@crystyll | TQ shakes her head Keliaya@anncarise checks for any sign of damage or potential systems failure that might've caused the ship to go adrift. Keelah@crystyll: "Helm, take us to the border of the field" Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm not seeing any signs of damage. No idea what's caused the ship to be in this state yet." Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "I'm getting something, Captain. Audio only" Keelah@crystyll: <C> "...-ello? Repeat, can you he-..." Keelah@crystyll looks to TQ, "Can you clear it up at all?" Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "I will attempt to do so" Keelah@crystyll: "This is the Federation starship Valley Forge responding to your distress call. Do you read us?" Keliaya@anncarise continues trying to diagnose the ship's issues while Keelah responds. Keelah@crystyll: <C> "Feder-what-now? Whatever! Yes, I hear you! Please, you have to help us! Engines are shot to hell and back and we're getting battered in here" Keelah@crystyll: "Do you have any control left at all?" Keelah@crystyll: <C> "Not even manouvering thrusters. We're just bouncing from 'roid to 'roid now" Keelah@crystyll: <C> "Please, you have to help us! I've got injured people over here!" Keelah@crystyll: "What happened to your people? We have medical teams standing by, but more information will help" Keelah@crystyll: <C> "Radiation leak from the core. Plasma relays overloaded and flooded that compartment" Keliaya@anncarise: "That makes sense, given the condition the ship's already in..." Keliaya@anncarise tries to detect the radiation through sensors to check how bad the radiation is and if suits will be enough protection to go in. Keelah@crystyll nods to Kelly's confirmation and continues, "Don't worry, we'll have you out of there in no time. Standby transporters" Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "Captain, transporter room reports too much interference to establish pattern lock" Keliaya@anncarise: "We can probably hold the ship with a tractor and dispatch shuttles or runabouts for evac." Keelah@crystyll: "If we can get a tractor beam on them, can we pull them clear enough to enable transport?" Keliaya@anncarise taps on her console and nods, "We can, that'll definitely be easier than sending shuttles." Keelah@crystyll: "Have the shuttle crews stand by in case we still need to launch then" Keelah@crystyll looks to TQ to unmute comms Keelah@crystyll: "We are going to have to pull you clear with a tractor beam first. Brace for turbulence and standby for transport" Keelah@crystyll: <C> "Understood Federation. We'll just... sit here. And wait..." Keelah@crystyll: "Kelly... initiate tractor beam" Keliaya@anncarise nods and tries to catch the ship in a tractor beam. Keelah@crystyll FX | It is a slow and calculated manouver but the freighter is steadily pulling free from the asteroid field Keliaya@anncarise: "Captain, the stress of pulling the ship is causing their core containment to deteriorate faster. It's already starting to go critical." Keelah@crystyll leans forward, watching intently, "Transporters?" Keliaya@anncarise: "In range now! Chief Oliver is starting evacuation." Keelah@crystyll FX | As if on cue, the freighter's core goes critical with a brilliant white flash. The shockwave shakes the VF due to close proximity and lack of shields from transporting Keliaya@anncarise checks to see if the explosion caused any damage to the VF. Keelah@crystyll looks around, "Status?" Keliaya@anncarise: "We've got a few system overloads, but no major damage." Keelah@crystyll: "The freighter crew?" Keliaya@anncarise comms the transporter room, <C> "Chief, how many survivors did we get?" Keelah@crystyll FX | No response from Katie Keliaya@anncarise: <C> "Chief Oliver, are you there?" Keelah@crystyll FX | Still no response from Katie Keliaya@anncarise checks internal sensors on what's happening in the transporter room. Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm only reading Chief Oliver in the transporter room, but she's not responding." Keelah@crystyll looks to Silvestrie who nods in response, "On our way, Captain" Keelah@crystyll | Silvestrie disappears into the turbolift, summoning security personnel as he moves Keliaya@anncarise runs a more thorough internal sensor check for anyone who wasn't on the ship previously. Keliaya@anncarise: "It doesn't look like we got any survivors, but the sensors are registering two missing personnel..." Keelah@crystyll looks around sharply, "Missing? Who?" Keliaya@anncarise: "Ensign Sin and Luthril, the Chlasi Esoteric." Keelah@crystyll perks a brow, "Computer, what is the location of Ensign Sin?" Keelah@crystyll | Computer: "Ensign Sin is not on board the Valley Forge" Keelah@crystyll: "Expand the search, find out where they've gone!" Keliaya@anncarise tries to locate them with external scans. Keelah@crystyll | <C-Silvestrie> "Silvestrie to bridge. Captain, Chief Oliver is here but unconscious. There's a device on the pad, looks like a flash detonator. We're taking the Chief to sickbay now" Keelah@crystyll: <C> "Understood. Secure that device and lockdown all decks, we have missing personnel" Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm not detecting any lifesigns outside the ship, but there is an ion trail leading out of the asteroid field." Keliaya@anncarise checks the sensor logs for transporter signals. Keelah@crystyll: "What? Another vessel? Could they have been taken?" Keliaya@anncarise: "Seems like it. Our sensors don't recognize it as transporter signals, but manually looking through the data, it looks like three beam ins and five beam outs near Sin's quarters." Keelah@crystyll: "Helm, lay in a pursuit course on that ion trail and engage at warp 9" Keelah@crystyll FX | The Valley Forge turns away from the asteroid field and the shimmering debris of the freighter before disappearing into a warp flash --- Sin@crystyll FX | Unaware of the unfolding situation, Sin & Luthril were quietly working on focusing exercises in Sin's quarters when they suddenly found themselves blinded by a flash and smoke. Vision clearing,+ Sin@crystyll: + they find themselves in an unfamiliar place that looks like a holding cell of some sort, but the ship is clearly not the VF NPC@annpc#5570 looks around, blinking with her aged but still rather large eyes compared to most species, "What just happened?" Sin@crystyll looks around and frowns, "Oh crap... If I had to guess, I'd say that a stun grenade was beamed in before we got beamed out" NPC@annpc#5570 nods, "So we were taken by someone...but who?" Sin@crystyll: "Someone who should really know better if my feeling is right..." NPC@annpc#5570 looks around, trying to find any hints from their surroundings. Sin@crystyll FX | It appears like a fairly unremarkable ship interior NPC@annpc#5570: "Why would they target us, of all the people on the ship?" she turns to Sin, "You no doubt have enemies from your past, but you come from a place far from here." Sin@crystyll fidgets awkwardly, "Yeah... so about that..." NPC@annpc#5570: "You think you may have an idea who is responsible?" Sin@crystyll FX | They are interrupted by the arrival of a newcomer through the opposite door. A tall male Bajoran wearing rogueish leathers NPC@annpc#5570 turns as someone enters, "Ah, finally. Someone to provide some answers." Sin@crystyll sighs, "I knew it. Tanroos, what the hell are you doing?!" NPC@annpc#5570 | Bajoran: "I'm not here to answer your questions, old lady," he looks to Sin. "Rescuing you, of course! What else would I be doing?" NPC@annpc#5570 frowns, "...rescuing her?" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "From you and your Starfleet." NPC@annpc#5570: "I'm not with Starfleet." Sin@crystyll facepalms, "Yeah, the uniform's the first clue..." Sin@crystyll points between herself and Luthril to emphasise the point NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "Come on, only Starfleet has so many different people in a crew. What's she doing on the ship if she's /not/ a part of the crew, anyways?" Sin@crystyll scowls, stomping closer, "She is with /me/. Now what the hell made you think it was a good idea to just pull me off the ship without so much as a word?!" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "You were out of contact for so long, how was I supposed to know?! We figured you'd been captured, or killed, or...or worse!" Sin@crystyll is not impressed. Sin@crystyll frowns, "...'worse'?" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "Brainwashed!" NPC@annpc#5570: "I'm...fairly sure Starfleet doesn't do brainwashing." NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "Of course they do! You're just saying it because...because you've probably already been brainwashed!" Sin@crystyll: "Are you really so stupid?! Starfleet don't brainwash, that's the Romulans!" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "Not that kind of brainwashing! They come along and they...play all nice and then make you a part of them!" Sin@crystyll: "All this time and you're still that same old obsessive resistance cell fighter aren't you..." NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "Well can you blame me? The Federation comes along and is all helpful and next thing you know we're suddenly absorbed into them! And don't tell me they helped against the Cardassians, - NPC@annpc#5570: - we pushed them out on our own and they just came in when it was convenient for them." Sin@crystyll sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose, "You don't understand Tanroos, things are... different now. I don't mean back home, I mean here on the Valley Forge. I mean me" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "What do you mean? You...haven't been brainwashed, have you?" NPC@annpc#5570 sighs, "You really like this brainwashing idea, don't you..." NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "Well it's true!" Sin@crystyll: "Of course not! But the situation is complicated. The things we've learned from coming out here, this ship... it's important, and they need my help" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "They need your help?! That wasn't the job! They don't even pay their crew, do they?" Sin@crystyll: "It's not about the paycheck. It's about what is right. What is necessary" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "Listen to yourself! They've clearly brainwashed you." Sin@crystyll groans, "No Tanroos! But I have changed, I've grown up. Now let us out of here!" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "Grown up? You've just listened to their...their rhetoric! Everyone's convinced they're doing the right thing, but Starfleet's no better than any other." NPC@annpc#5570: "This is bigger than your personal grudges against Starfleet." Sin@crystyll nods, "Exactly, you have no idea what we're dealing with here" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "What /are/ you dealing with? What exactly did they say to get you on board with all their ideals?" Sin@crystyll: "It's not about them saying the right things. It's what we've seen. What /I've/ seen since being on this crew. Tanroos, there's a threat out here far greater than the Borg or Iconians ever were" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "And you think Starfleet can what, save the galaxy? C'mon, the Federation almost got wiped out by the Borg! And they were getting their asses kicked by the Dominion until the Klingons - NPC@annpc#5570: - and Romulans stepped in. And let's not even /talk/ about the Iconians." NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "If there's a big threat out there, the smart thing for us to do would be to run to the other side of the galaxy and wait it out. Someone'll deal with it." Sin@crystyll shakes her head, "No they can't, but this ship is out here doing that 'Starfleet thing' and bringing everyone together. Only through that will enough of a force combine to stop this threat" Sin@crystyll: "And if you want to run and hide, then go. But my life's too short to waste, so I'm going to help them" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos sighs, "They've really gotten to you, haven't they..." Sin@crystyll: "For the love of..." sighs, "...Luthril, how do I explain this to him?" NPC@annpc#5570: "I suppose he'll have to see it to believe it..." Sin@crystyll: "You have something in mind?" NPC@annpc#5570 nods, "You said he was an old resistance fighter?" Sin@crystyll: "Yes. The Bajoran resistance against the Cardassian occupation of their homeworld" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "I can still hear you, you know..." Sin@crystyll turns back with an unimpressed dagger stare, "Ssh! Grown up are talking" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "I'm older than you! By a lot." NPC@annpc#5570 steps over towards the field, "This Cardassian occupation...I assume it wasn't very nice, otherwise you wouldn't have fought against it." NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "Are you kidding?" NPC@annpc#5570: "Forgive my ignorance. I've never met your people before. What was this occupation like?" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "Everything terrible about being taken over by another civilization. Having your culture oppressed, your people forced to do anything they want you to, and killed if you didn't. Or - NPC@annpc#5570: - sometimes just killed on a whim." NPC@annpc#5570 nods, "But you fought back." NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "We used to be peaceful, but what can you do against that kind of enemy?" NPC@annpc#5570: "The question is...what can you do against /this/ kind of enemy." NPC@annpc#5570 extends one long, slender arm towards Tanroos, her fingers brushing against the force field. NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "What do you..." NPC@annpc#5570 | He trails off and steps over to the cell's console and taps a button, opening it. Luthril strides out calmly, in the usual, serene Chlasi manner. NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "What the- Why did I do that?!" Sin@crystyll follows, letting Luthril continue her teaching for now NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos notices that Luthril is now outside the cell, "You! Get back inside!" NPC@annpc#5570 smiles, "My people are usually peaceful as well. I mean you no harm, merely to demonstrate what enemy you are up against." NPC@annpc#5570 | The Bajoran draws a small sidearm from his belt and points it at Luthril as she continues her stride forward, "You...you don't come any closer!" NPC@annpc#5570 continues smiling, "You don't want to do that." NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos' hands begin to shake, "Damn it...I can't!" Sin@crystyll narrows her eyes on him before making a swiping motion with her hand. The sidearm is yanked away to one side and goes clattering across the deck NPC@annpc#5570: "This enemy she speaks of- you can't fight back. They don't just take your freedom and your culture. They take your soul." NPC@annpc#5570: "They're a thousand times more powerful than I am. If you can't resist me, you don't stand a chance against them. If you ignore this, one day, your people will be occupied again. Except this time, there will be no resistance." NPC@annpc#5570 steps right up to Tanroos and lifts his cheek with two of her fingers, "So tell me, do you wish to abandon your people to such a fate, one who has fought so hard to free them in the past?" Sin@crystyll: "But it's more than that. You're people will be truly brainwashed and fighting alongside other brainwashed people to occupy other worlds" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "You...you said there's no chance of fighting back!" NPC@annpc#5570 shakes her head, "Not in the way you're used to. But there's always a chance, if we try." Sin@crystyll: "That's why I have to stay with the Starfleet ship. You see, my abilities are developing. That's why Luthril is on board too, to help me in that evolution" NPC@annpc#5570 removes her fingers and Tanroos nods slowly, "So...you two can fight this?" Sin@crystyll: "Nobody truly knows, but from what we've learned so far, mental abilities like telepathy present the best defense" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "Since when did you have these abilities?" Sin@crystyll: "I told you, I've grown up. I am still just beginning to develop, but we know that the Ocampa are capable of immeasurable power. Luthril is helping me develop with control" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "Okay. Fine. I'll take you back. Just...don't brainwash me again." NPC@annpc#5570: "I have no intention of doing so. You simply needed to see the magnitude of the threat we are trying to quell." Sin@crystyll: "Now, that's the easy part. Thanks to your idiocy with this 'rescue' plan, I've now to-..." Sin@crystyll: -/\- Interlude -/\- Keelah@crystyll FX | The Valley Forge sets off in pursuit of the mysterious vessel Keliaya@anncarise taps away at her console, trying to detect the vessel on sensors after following its ion trail. Keliaya@anncarise: rolls 96 (1-100) Keliaya@anncarise: "We have the ship creating the ion trail on sensors." Keelah@crystyll | Fisher: They are holding at warp 8.3. Looks like they're at their max" Keelah@crystyll: "Take us to 8.5 Mr. Fisher and get us into range" Keliaya@anncarise checks the sensor readings for more detail as they draw closer. Keliaya@anncarise: "Our database is IDing it as a Bajoran design, but heavily modified. What's a Bajoran ship doing out here?" Keelah@crystyll looks around, "Bajoran? Are you certain?" Keliaya@anncarise: "It has a lot in common with Bajoran vessels. It could be an example of parallel cultural evolution, stranger things have happened." Keliaya@anncarise: "With that level of modification, I'd normally suspect a Colonial Fleet repurposed ship, but it doesn't have a Colonial Fleet transponder. Maybe a remnant of their raiding fleet?" Keelah@crystyll: "Possible. What sort of modification are we dealing with here? I want an explanation of how they pulled this off" Keliaya@anncarise: "There's barely any original systems left. They have a cloak and transporter systems we've never seen before. They must've been hiding in the asteroid field and took advantage of the core breach to - Keliaya@anncarise: - use their transporters so we wouldn't notice, not until they've already gone at least." Keliaya@anncarise: "Maybe they even disabled the ship to lure us in, but I don't know why they took the Ensign and the Chlasi and no one else." Keelah@crystyll: "That is indeed a conundrum. The most logical supposition would be that they wanted the Chlasi. I imagine a powerful esoteric making an appealing target for unscrupulous parties" Keliaya@anncarise: "But it can't be common knowledge that she's on board..." Keelah@crystyll: "True, but that doesn't rule the possibility out. We've dealt enough with espionage agencies to know their capability" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Indeed...I suspect we'll have our answer once we catch up with the ship." Keelah@crystyll: "We still need a plan of action for when we get there. Recommendations?" she looks around the room Keliaya@anncarise: "A graviton pulse should be able to force them out of warp. I don't see anything in their modifications that counters such a tactic." Keelah@crystyll: "Risk of damage to the ship by doing that?" Keliaya@anncarise: "I don't see any sign of stellar bodies or anomalies that'll interfere with the pulse, so the results should be safe and predictable." Keelah@crystyll: "Very well... red alert. Stand by to initiate the pulse" Keliaya@anncarise nods and prepares the deflector to emit the pulse. Keelah@crystyll | Fisher: "Closing on the vessel now, Captain" Keliaya@anncarise: "The pulse is ready on your command." Keelah@crystyll: "On screen. Fire the pulse as soon as we're in range" Keliaya@anncarise emits the pulse once they are close enough. Keelah@crystyll FX | Sure enough, it disrupts the ship's warp field and they drop to impulse Keelah@crystyll: "Lock on their engines and fire phasers. Low yield, we just want to disable them" Keelah@crystyll | Vrolmacht fires a short blast from the forward array and makes light work of disabling the ship --- Sin@crystyll: "Now, that's the easy part. Thanks to your idiocy with this 'rescue' plan, I've now to-..." Sin@crystyll FX | The ship rocks violently without warning as it's suddenly knocked out of warp by the pursuing VF NPC@annpc#5570: "I have a feeling our ship's found us..." Sin@crystyll | A female voice comes over the intercom, "Tan, you there? The Feds caught up already and hit us with some sort of pulse that disrupted our warp field" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos rushes over and presses the intercom, "We're not match for that ship, but they won't destroy us with Sin and the old lady on board." Sin@crystyll FX | Another rumble throughout the bulkheads as the phaser hit takes out the engines NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos: "But don't shoot them or give us a reason to blow us up! You didn't shoot them already, did you Logan?" Sin@crystyll: | Logan: "No, that was /them/ shooting /us/! We've lost engines, we're drifting Tan! What are we doing here?" Sin@crystyll: "Just give it up Tan. Open a comm to them and send us back. Then... go home" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos sighs and nods, "Tell them we're giving them back their people." NPC@annpc#5570 | He looks back to Sin, "You better make sure they don't blow us up once you get back to them." Sin@crystyll: "That's not their way, Tan. You'll be fine" Sin@crystyll steps closer and hugs him, "I'm sorry the job didn't work out as planned, Tan. Please... look after the crew, ok?" NPC@annpc#5570 | He hugs her back, "I will. You do your best to stay alive too. These enemies you're going up against sound like serious business." Sin@crystyll: "They are. And if you ever decide to fight because it's right, not just profitable. Drop me a line, we could use all the help we can get" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos nods, "Same for you, if you get tired of the Feds after this is done and want to run a few jobs." Sin@crystyll smiles, stepping back to Luthril's side, "I'll keep it in mind. So long, Tan" Sin@crystyll taps her combadge, "Valley Forge... two to beam back" NPC@annpc#5570 | Tanroos smiles back, "Hopefully we'll see each other again." Keelah@crystyll FX | After returning safely to the VF, Luthril & Sin are directed to Keelah's ready room for a debrief NPC@annpc#5570 strides into the ready room with her usual elegant Chlasi gait. Keelah@crystyll looks up to the pair with a smile, "Welcome back ladies. Please, sit" she gestures, "refreshment?" NPC@annpc#5570 takes a seat, "Some tea would be nice." Keelah@crystyll stands, looking to Sin as she moves to get the drinks Keelah@crystyll | Sin timidly shakes her head Keelah@crystyll: "I trust you are both unscathed?" NPC@annpc#5570 nods, "Thank you for your concern. We are well." Keelah@crystyll returns, presenting the tea, "I can only apologize for what has occurred. Rest assured, we will be detaining those responsible and thoroughly interrogating them to determine who was responsible" NPC@annpc#5570: "Their ship is being restrained here, then?" Keelah@crystyll nods, "Don't worry, we will get to the bottom of this. It is our working theory that we're dealing with a mercenary group which means someone else is after you" NPC@annpc#5570: "After me?" Keelah@crystyll: "That is the logical deduction, yes" Keelah@crystyll | Sin shifts in her seat, "Actually Captain..." Keelah@crystyll: "Ensign?" NPC@annpc#5570 looks at Sin with an expectant gaze. Keelah@crystyll: | Sin: "This is not easy to explain, but... I was the one they were after. Not Luthril" Keelah@crystyll perks a brow, looking between the pair, "Oh?" NPC@annpc#5570 nods, "It is true. I believe it is best for her to explain." Keelah@crystyll: | Sin: "I know these mercs, Captain. I... was their Captain, before coming here" Keelah@crystyll: "Before joining Starfleet?" she asks with considerable doubt, knowing Sin's age Keelah@crystyll: | Sin: "No, before coming here, to the Valley Forge. I... am not a Starfleet officer, never have been..." Keelah@crystyll leans back, folding her arms with an expectant gaze held on Sin NPC@annpc#5570 quietly takes a sip of tea, her face unreadable as she observes Sin confessing. Keelah@crystyll: | Sin, "I infiltrated your crew in order to complete a job. But after everything we learned, everything I've learned. Well, I... I realised I had to do more and gave all that up" Keelah@crystyll: "What was this job?" Keelah@crystyll: | Sin, "An assassination. Don't worry, I never got close to attempting it. And my crew will turn back if you let them go now" Keelah@crystyll 's eyes widen a little with the revelation. She takes a deep breath, "So. You are a hired gun. You infiltrated my ship, befriended my crew... my daughter. All to earn a quick paycheck. And now, + Keelah@crystyll: + what? You grew a conscience and decided to redeem yourself by... continuing to impersonate a Starfleet officer?" Keelah@crystyll | Sin shies away, "I can not undo what is done. I have wanted to tell you ever since making the decision to stay here and help you against the Primevals, ever since T'Pia... connected to me" Keelah@crystyll: "Nor can I simply ignore it" she taps her intercom, "Mr. Silvestrie, please join us a moment" Keelah@crystyll | Silvestrie walks in, looking to Keelah Keelah@crystyll: "Take Ensign Sin to the brig and remove her security priveleges. I want a team scrutinizing all of her personal correspondance and files while we determine what we are to do with her" Keelah@crystyll | Silvestrie gives a surprised look to Sin but obliges and takes her arm as she stands, walking her out Keelah@crystyll | Sin pauses just short of the door, holding back from him, "Captain, I know it probably doesn't mean much. But I am sorry for deceiving you" Keelah@crystyll doesn't respond, looking away then back to Luthril once the door closes, "Did you know?" NPC@annpc#5570 nods, "It was not my secret to tell. My people value individualism, including not revealing details of one person to others unless they desire it, or if there is a great need to." NPC@annpc#5570: "If I thought she posed any threat to you or your people, I would have told you. But I do not believe she does." Keelah@crystyll sighs, rubbing the bridge of her nose, "I do not blame you, and I do understand your values in this" Keelah@crystyll: "But she has placed me in a difficult position here. You are closer to her than anyone else on board, in more than one sense. I would welcome your insights here" NPC@annpc#5570 sips her tea again, "I think her stated intentions are sincere. As I said, she is not a danger to you. But I too understand if you would feel more peace of mind to keep her confined." NPC@annpc#5570: "Restrain her in a cell or a room if you must, but the Lonesome One intended her to be on this vessel for a reason. She does not need to continue working as one of your crew if you cannot trust her, - NPC@annpc#5570: - but do not send her away. Her abilities may prove vital in the days to come." Keelah@crystyll: "If we were in Federation space, she would be shipped off to the nearest starbase to face charges..." Keelah@crystyll purses her lips, "But we are not, and long term confinement is more of a drain on ship resources than is desirable. I also don't believe it will do anything to help the situation" Keelah@crystyll: "I am a believer in rehabilitation, and if what you say is true then she is already on the way" NPC@annpc#5570 nods, "You may still take away her privileges, make her earn them back." NPC@annpc#5570: "I suspect she will have a chance to prove herself before this journey is over." Keelah@crystyll: "She will have to be stripped of her uniform. There are young persons on board right now who are working hard to earn the right to wear that" NPC@annpc#5570: "Understandable. As for her ship, they believed she was in trouble after not reporting back for so long and came thinking they were rescuing her. Now that she has convinced them she intends to stay, - NPC@annpc#5570: - they will not pose a threat to you. I am confident it will be safe to allow them to continue on their way." Keelah@crystyll grumbles, "They assaulted a Federation starship. And that's not accounting for the fate of the freighter and it's crew" NPC@annpc#5570 nods, "Perhaps not safer for others, yes. But from what I understand of your people, executing prisoners is not your way, and you do not have the means to confine them all." Keelah@crystyll: "But... we are not here to police the galaxy. Were we back home, this would again play differently I feel. But out here, my feeling is that any pursuit of rigid law enforcement against this people + Keelah@crystyll: + will only resuilt in increased problems for us" Keelah@crystyll nods after a moment's thought, "They will be released once the ship has been thoroughly searched and any contraband on board is confiscated" NPC@annpc#5570 smiles and takes a sip of tea, "This region does not have a central authority responsible for enforcing rules, does it? If you begun doing so, you will be here forever. And we have more pressing - NPC@annpc#5570: - matters to attend to." Keelah@crystyll: "As for Ensi-... for Ms. Sin. She will be released and initially confined to quarters. She will be permitted to civilian rights on board, but only allowed out of her quarters if in your company" Keelah@crystyll: "I still do not wish to impede your work with her after all" NPC@annpc#5570 smiles again, "Thank you. I was hoping her training would not be interrupted by this." Keelah@crystyll: "As I said, I believe in rehabilitation even for the worst of offenders. But she has betrayed a fundamental thing on board this ship, and can't be allowed to continue. It will be difficult for her, + Keelah@crystyll: + likely moreso than leaving. But if she can perservere through this fight, then maybe there is a chance for her" NPC@annpc#5570: "Indeed. Your precautions are sensible. A Gaton captain would surely have exiled her." Keelah@crystyll: "If not for our circumstances here, and her potential associated with them, then I would seriously consider shipping her off with that mercenary crew as well" NPC@annpc#5570 nods, "I am glad you have decided to allow her to remain and grant her a chance at rehabilitation. It is not an easy choice to make, after what she has kept from you." Keelah@crystyll: "That is why it will be so difficult for her going forwards. Earning the trust and companionship of an isolated crew is a challenge at the best of times, to earn it back after betraying it... that + Keelah@crystyll: + will take a strength of character seldom few possess" NPC@annpc#5570: "I will do what I can to assist the process, but ultimately it is her test, as it should be." Keelah@crystyll nods, "Well then, don't let me keep you any further. You are free to visit Sin in the brig if you wish to speak with her, else she will be released tomorrow" NPC@annpc#5570 finishes her tea and stands, "Thank you again for allowing her to remain." Keelah@crystyll: "And thank you for standing by her. She will need that support, now more than ever" NPC@annpc#5570 nods, "More trying times are ahead of us, I fear." Keelah@crystyll: "Indeed..."

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AFTER ACTION REPORT STARFLEET SECURITY CLEARANCE LEVEL 2 | Confidential

FILED BY

CAPT Se'Lai

ON STARDATE

97047.8

LOCATION

KEY PERSONNEL

Sectors V-012

CAPT Se'Lai

LCDR Keliaya

LCDR Lendaria

LCDR Vrolmacht

LT Fisher

CPO T'Quila

Luthril

ENS Sin

MISSION PARAMETERSOUTCOME SUMMARYResponse to distress signal received from freighter. Signal found to be a decoy targeting Valley Forge as ruse to extract Sin.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Former Ensign Sin will be detained on board under house arrest. Her free movement will be restricted to direct supervision of Luthril, otherwise she will remain confined to quarters until further notice. Captain Vix of the QanwI' will be granted access for questioning once she is sufficiently calmed as to not pose a risk.

NARRATIVE

The Valley Forge diverted course in response to a distress signal received from an independent freighter. The vessel was found to be drifting within an isolated asteroid field with systematic power failures and verging on a core breach. With interference from the on board radiation preventing transporter use, we determined the best course of action being the use of tractor beams to draw the vessel out of the field first. Upon clearing the field, a non-lethal explosive was beamed to our transporter pad instead of the crew we believed were on board. This resulted in the Chief being incapacitated (no sustained injury). Timed with this was the breach of the freighters warp core which - due to it's proximity - temporarily blinded our sensors and disrupted shipboard systems. In the process of recovering from these we learned that Sin & Luthril were missing.

Further investigation provided evidence that suggested transporter use in their last known location, though not from a technology recognized in the Starfleet database. This led us to conduct a detailed search of our surroundings at which point we found trace elements of an ion trail leading away from the area. We engaged a pursuit and quickly caught up to what appeared to be a heavily modified vessel of Bajoran origin. Whilst advanced in comparison to it's base schematics, the vessel was not capable of outrunning the Valley Forge and so we were soon able to catch up and disrupt their warp field with a graviton beam. Once forced back to sublight, the vessel was easy to subdue and detain. At this point we received confirmation that they had both Sin and Luthril on board and that they would be promptly returned.

With both recovered persons called in for a debrief, it came to my attention that this mercenary group was made up of former associates of Sin who were attempting to 'rescue' her from a presumed incarceration on the Valley Forge. This was explained by the fact that Sin is not the young officer portrayed in her (falsified) Starfleet record, but an active member of this mercenary group who infiltrated this crew during our bulk personnel movements prior to departing on this mission. She openly revealed this along with the purpose of her infiltration being to gain access to Captain Vix for an assassination attempt, though also insisted that she never progressed this objective and since joining the crew here has undergone something of a redemption and turned away from that former life in favour of serving a greater purpose as eluded to by her time with the Chlasi Ascended (a statement which I am inclined to believe given the positive shift in her demeanor since that event).