ST:TTV517 | "Desperate Times"
Updated: Mar 18
Stardate 97329.3
The problem with facing an enemy you know to be so subversive, is that you can begin to see it's shadows where there none to be seen. A lesson the crew of the Valley Forge is about to learn the hard way when they jump to the rescue of a fleet of refugees fleeing from the Horde..
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Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | In a small shuttle, a woman in a dress and a man in a uniform stands close to one another. They look mostly like humans save for the ears. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Man: "You have to go now, Eliana. They'll be upon us soon and the transports need every second we can buy them." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "Then let me stay with you." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Man: "You know I can't let you do that." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "Or come with me, Teagan! Do you have to go down with the ship?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Hey. We're not going down. Not if we can help it." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana scoffs, "Don't reassure me with lies. I deal with enough of that already." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan sighs, "I have a duty, to the ship and the fleet. You have a duty to the people." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "I'm just a figurehead. I just stand there and look pretty! They don't-" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "You're more than that. You give life to our hope. And that's something they need. Desperately." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "I know that as well as you do. But can't we keep some hope for ourselves? Can't we-" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | A chime sounds in the shuttle. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "We're out of time." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | He leans in and gives her a kiss before stepping out the shuttle and looking back, "I'll see you when we get back, Princess." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "That's Queen to you now." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | She gives him a slight smile, "I need my hope too. Try to come back in one piece, Captain Desdyn." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | The shuttle door closes and it lifts off as the camera pans back to reveal the now mostly empty hangar bay. Teagan sighs and makes his way out. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan steps onto the bridge of the ship, where many other officers are dressed in similar uniforms, but with different colours of trimming, ranging from reds to purples to blues. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | The viewscreen consists of three large monitors, currently displaying three different faces on three other bridges, one dark skinned woman with a gold-trimmed uniform, one pale man with red - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - hair and beard in a gold-trimmed uniform, and a third that bears an uncanny resemblance to Teagan but much older, wearing a white-trimmed uniform. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan takes a seat in his own command chair, "The Paladin reports all non-essential personnel are away." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Red-Bearded Captain: "Warden reports all non-essential personnel are away." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | White-Uniformed Man: "Good. Captain Mercius, does the Justice have the Queen?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | The female captain nods, "We do. Are you sure about this, Admiral?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Admiral: "Sure as I'll ever be." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "You'll need every last bit of firepower. I get sending the transports away, but the Justice is the most advanced ship we have left and-" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Admiral: "And that's exactly why you have to go. Justice has the only Warp 6 engine in the fleet." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "Still not fast enough." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Admiral: "No, but you've got a better chance than any other ship. I don't want to sit around and argue probabilities, Nalia." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "It's just...it feels like running away, sir." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Admiral: "It's an order, Captain." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius nods, "Yes sir." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | Captain Mercius disappears from the central viewscreen and it switches to show a dozen ships jumping to warp. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Red-Bearded Captain: "Sibellans. Still thinking of honour and glory. She's gonna survive. We're not. I'd be grateful for that." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Admiral: "It's not over yet. ETA to contact?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan looks behind him as an officer on his bridge responds "Two minutes," and the other COs seem to have their own officers giving the same report. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Admiral: "Alright. The moment they drop out of warp, we hit them with a full barrage of antimatter missiles. Invictus will try to keep the attention of their main ship. Paladin and Warden, - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - keep their destroyers busy. We'll buy the Justice and the transports as much time as we can." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Is there any chance we can win this, Admiral?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Admiral: "There's always a chance. But just in case we don't...you've done me proud, son. And Captain Vilmar Ja’Heivo, it's been an honour." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Heivo: "Likewise, Admiral Desdyn. Let's do this." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | All three viewscreens switch to show the view outside, currently of two other ships, one larger than the other. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | https://i.imgur.com/MPgCiR1.jpg Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | https://i.imgur.com/rH21TYg.jpg Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | A few seconds later, a Lupan pack ship escorted by two raiders drops out of warp... Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Lock antimatter missiles on the central ship and fire!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | A stream of missiles erupt from all three ships, slamming into the Lupan pack ship head on. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Purple Trimmed Officer: "Their deflector shielding is too advanced! We've barely scratched it!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Ready another barrage." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Blue-Trimmed Officer: "Their destroyers are advancing on the Invictus, Captain." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | The two Lupan raiders close in on the larger alien ship. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Target the destroyer closest to us and fire." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | A second stream of missiles hit one of the Lupan raiders, while the other smaller ship does the same to the second raider. The one hit by the Paladin turns and heads towards the viewscreen... Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Turn us about 90 degrees away from the Invictus and engage at maximum impulse." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | The Paladin turns away and the Lupan raider swiftly follows. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Open fire with plasma cannons. Make sure we keep their attention." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | Cannon fire hits the raider, who returns fire. The Paladin swerves to evade, but is clipped by two bolts. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Red-Trimmed Officer: "Our shields have failed!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Polarize the hull plating." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Red-Trimmed Officer: "We still can't take another hit from their weapons." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Then don't get us hit!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Weapons fire pepper the pitch black of space as the battle progresses. The Lupan pack ship moves towards the Invictus, firing forward beams and a torpedo, which the flagship, despite its size, - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - manages to evade. The torpedo chases after it, but is hit by what seem to be fairly low tech, point-defense projectile guns and detonates harmlessly away. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | However, evading the initial onslaught seems to be exactly what the Lupan ship wanted, as it turns to its side while the larger Invictus maneuvers, unleashing its powerful broadside barrage... Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Purple-Trimmed Officer: "The Invictus has lost shielding! Their structural integrity is failing!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Circle around! Try to shake that destroyer and take us back to their main ship!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Blue-Trimmed Officer: "Sir, that wasn't the plan." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Since when does a battle ever go to plan. Turn us around!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | The Paladin circles around to the central ship, and it seems the other smaller ship, the Warden, has gotten the same idea. However, neither arrive on time as the barrage tears through the - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - Invictus' hull and it is consumed in a flash of light. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "No! Fire everything on their main ship!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Purple-Trimmed Officer: "It won't make a dent in-" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "That's an order, Commander!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Purple-Trimmed Officer: "Aye aye, sir." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | Missiles, plasma cannons and gun turrets open fire on the Lupan pack ship, causing its shields to flicker but failing to get past them. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | Meanwhile, the Lupan ship fires a few bolts at the Paladin and Warden. Both ships evade, but Paladin is closer and is hit by one of the bolts, shearing one of its nacelles clean off. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Red-Trimmed Officer: "We've lost the starboard nacelle!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | One of the ceiling lights explodes in the bridge as consoles begin shorting out. Something blows in the wall, sending an officer with a blue-trimmed uniform flying across the room. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | As the screens flicker, the red-bearded Captain Heivo reappears on a side screen, his bridge looking slightly less damaged but also showing signs of battle. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Heivo: "Our weapons are useless against their shielding! We have to fall back!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Negative. We need to buy the transports as much time as we can. Our antimatter missiles might not do much, but our antimatter core..." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Helm, full impulse towards their main ship. Lieutenant, trigger our warp core to overload." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Heivo: "You're not thinking clearly, Captain. Your old man might be gone but he wouldn't want you to die too." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "He had the Paladin stay as part of his plan. He knew what he was doing." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Heivo: "You've still got people to live for! The Queen, she-" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "This is the only way she and any of our people have a chance to live. Take us back in." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Blue-Trimmed Officer: "Sir, there's another ship inbound." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Then hopefully this'll discourage them." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | The heavily damaged Paladin circles back into the fray, dodging the larger pack ship's broadside fire which soon begins to fly too wide to target them as they fly right at the side of the - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - much larger Lupan carrier. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | In the viewscreen of the Paladin, they see nothing but the side of the Lupan pack ship when suddenly it lurches away, its shields flaring brightly. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Purple-Trimmed Officer: "Their shields have dropped to 70%! 50%!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "How are we still here?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Red-Trimmed Officer: "It wasn't us, sir. I didn't trigger the core yet." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | Overhead the Paladin, the familiar shape of the Valley Forge, encased in generated ablative armour, soars past as a torpedo slams into the side of the Lupan pack ship. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "What in the inferno is that?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Blue-Trimmed Officer: "I don't know, but they seem to be on our side! They must've heard the call for help the old man put out earlier!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | The Lupan raiders close in on the Valley Forge, but their initial disruptor shots are easily absorbed by the armouring, and a burst of phaser fire discourages them from going any closer. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | The raiders break off as the pack ship pulls away from the fighting as well. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Red-Trimmed Officer: "We did it! They're retreat-" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | The officer suddenly disappears into a transporter beam, along with another, blue-trimmed officer on the bridge. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan jumps to his feet, "Ensign! Lieutenant! Where did they go?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Purple-Trimmed Officer: "I don't know, but I'm getting reports of disappearances from other decks as well. There was...some kind of energy reading coming from the main hostile ship." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Blue-Trimmed Officer: "Captain, we're being contacted by the new arrival." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Put them through." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Keelah appears on the Paladin's main viewscreen... Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjaejG-LDAQ&feature=emb_title Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Meanwhile on the Valley Forge bridge... Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Vrolmacht: "The Lupan have warped away, but they've transported several people from the most damaged alien ship." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Fisher: "I have the pursuit course laid in." Keelah@crystyll: "Stand by on that, these people may need further assistance. Tee, open a channel" Keelah@crystyll | TQ nods a moment later, "Putting it through now" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | Teagan appears on the viewscreen, with a very damaged bridge around him. Keelah@crystyll looks up, "This is Captain Se'Lai of the Federation starship Valley Forge, responding to your distress signal. What is your situation on board?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "This is Captain Teagan Rel’Desdyn of the USDF Paladin. Our ship is heavily damaged. We've suffered heavy casualties, and some of our people disappeared when the enemy was withdrawing." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "We think they were taken." Keelah@crystyll: "Yes, we detected the transporter signals as well. Do you need medical or engineering support before we pursue them? I have teams standing by to assist at your request" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "The Warden is already sending shuttles to assist us. Get our people back if you can." Keelah@crystyll gives a single curt nod, "We will return as soon as we can. Good luck Captain" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan nods back, "Thank you." Keelah@crystyll turns to Fisher as soon as the comm closes, "Engage pursuit course. Maximum warp" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Fisher nods, "Aye aye, Captain. We should be able to catch up with them in five minutes." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Vrolmacht: "You may have to adjust that estimate. The Lupan ships have just dropped out of warp." Keelah@crystyll: "More damaged than we thought?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Kelly: "No, they've only taken light damage." Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "Captain, we are being hailed... by the Lupan" Keelah@crystyll perks a brow, "Curious... alright, put them through then..." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | A grey-furred Lupan appears onscreen, "I presume these refugees asked you to help get their people back?" Keelah@crystyll: "A pleasure to meet you too... But yes, we registered your transporters and have come to retrieve the people you kidnapped" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Lupan: "You have beaten us already. There is nothing to be gained in testing our might against yours so soon. You will have them back, and we will hunt the refugees no more." Keelah@crystyll considers the Lupan a moment, "...Good. Hold position and lower your shields for transport. We will retrieve the refugees and be on our way" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Lupan: "We will await your arrival." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | The call ends. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Kelly: "That was...unexpected." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Fisher: "We're coming up on the Lupan's position." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Vrolmacht: "Their shields are down." Keelah@crystyll: "Maintain alert status. This is a little too convenient for the Lupan..." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Vrolmacht: "Aye Captain." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Kelly: "Transporters are ready to retrieve the prisoners." Keelah@crystyll: "Energize" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Kelly: "Chief Oliver reports they're safely on board. No tricks of any kind." Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "Another incoming hail from them, Captain" Keelah@crystyll gives a simple nod to confirm and looks to the viewscreen Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | The grey Lupan reappears on the viewscreen, "This is a fight we will remember, Tail-Severer. Perhaps we will meet again in another battle, as foes or as brothers." Keelah@crystyll gives another perked brow at the new name they seem to have inherited, "Brothers would be the preference" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | The Lupan gives a deep, growl-like chuckle, "Indeed. You are a tough opponent to fight. Until that day, Star-Blade!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | The call ends. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Vrolmacht: "The Lupan have gone back to warp." Keelah@crystyll: "Huh... quite the colourful penchant for nicknames, this one..." smiles, "Take us back to refugee vessels" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Fisher: "Aye Captain." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | The Valley Forge turns around and makes its way back towards the refugee vessels. Keelah@crystyll: "Tee, check in with Kazra; make sure these recovered refugess are in good shape Keelah@crystyll | TQ smiles, "Aye-aye... Star-Blade!" Keelah@crystyll facepalms Keelah@crystyll | Lennie: "Cap'n, I'm-a seein' a lotta more ships there now. An' more signatures inbound" Keelah@crystyll: "More Lupan?" Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "Medical reports minor injuries among the recovered refugees, but all are well" Keelah@crystyll | Lennie shakes her head, "Signatures're more consistent wit' th'other refugee vessels. Looks t'be more o'their fleet" Keelah@crystyll: "Very well, lets get these people home" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Fisher: "We're arriving back to the refugee ships, ma'am." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | The Valley Forge drops out of warp to 15 ships gathered in the spot of the battle earlier. Keelah@crystyll: "Open a channel to the lead ship" Keelah@crystyll | TQ nods and does her thing Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | The dark-skinned female captain appears onscreen, "This is Captain Nalia Si’Mercius of the USDF Justice. I'm told you're the ones responsible for saving the Paladin and Warden back there?" Keelah@crystyll nods, "I am only sorry we could not arrive sooner. We have recovered your people from the Lupan and stand by to return them to you" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "You have my deepest thanks. Take them back to the Paladin; they're damaged but their life support is stable. I'm sure Captain Desdyn will be glad to have his people back." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "Are these pursuers gone for good now?" Keelah@crystyll: "I do not believe this pack will return. But that should not give you license to lower your guard as there are many Lupan packs and they are not unified" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "What are they? Pirates? Slavers? Both?" Keelah@crystyll: "Both, and neither. Do you know why they were attacking you?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius shakes her head, "We did nothing to provoke them. They just started chasing us." Keelah@crystyll nods, "A sadly familiar story. What is the state of your fleet? We have additional personnel on standby if you require assistance with repairs or treating any wounded" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "I'd...hate to ask more of you, but we can't afford to leave the Paladin behind. We've already lost the Fortitude, Explorer and now the Invictus. It's not going to go to warp - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - anytime soon, but we want to restore its structural integrity at least high enough that Justice can tow it along." Keelah@crystyll smiles, "It is no trouble at all. We can have engineering crews at your disposal" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "As for wounded...we're doing what we can, but I have a feeling you have better medical equipment. This is all we have left of our people. We don't want to lose any more if it - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - can be helped." Keelah@crystyll: "We have the capacity to triage larger numbers. My Doctors can coordinate with your ship CO's to prioritize those in the most critical condition" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "Thank you again. We would pay you back for your help if we could, but as you can see...we don't have much to offer in our current state. Maybe if we ever manage to rebuild." Keelah@crystyll smiles, "Unlike some in this region of space, we are not out to extort remuneration from those in need of assistance. If you like, you are welcome to join us on board the Valley Forge while we + Keelah@crystyll: + assist your people. It seems like you have quite the tale behind your armada here, and as newcomers to this part of the galaxy we are always keen to learn more of those we meet" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius smiles, "It'll be our pleasure to join you." Keelah@crystyll: "Then I look forward to welcoming you and your representatives on board" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "I'll see you there." Keelah@crystyll dips her head in parting Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | Captain Mercius dips her head in return as the call ends. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Kelly: "Their technology is roughly equivalent of the Federation founding planets around the time of the Romulan War. Less in some areas. We'll have to work with a lot of old technology, but we - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - should be able to help with their repairs." Keelah@crystyll stands, "I'll be in the transporter room. Do what you can to assist them, usual technology rules apply" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Kelly: "Actually Captain...they're dispatching shuttles. I don't think they have transporter technology." Keelah@crystyll pauses at the turbolift, "...hangar bay. I'll be at the starboard hangar then..." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | A few moments after Keelah arrives, the first shuttle enters the hangar. Its hatch opens and Teagan steps out, "Captain. I wanted to come thank you in person for saving my skin back there." Keelah@crystyll smiles, "My pleasure, Captain. Welcome to the Valley Forge" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | He gives a gesture similar to a Chinese hand salute. Alien NPC@annpc#5570: (Like this: https://dynastyclothingstore.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/huo-yuan-jia-132135.jpg?w=485) Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "Thank you for having me on board." Keelah@crystyll offers a Vulcan salute in kind, "It is our greatest privilege to meet new peoples on friendly terms" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "If only it were under better circumstances. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | A second shuttle arrives and Captain Mercius steps out, followed by Eliana in an elegant dress and a man and a woman both wearing grey camo gear with tactical vests. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan turns at the new arrivals and smirks slightly, "Told you I'd make it back." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "Never doubted you for a second. I'm so sorry about what happened to your father, Teagan." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan nods, "I think we both wish he were still here. At least he went out exactly as he wanted to. Sacrificing his life in the line of duty for the people." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "And I'll make sure the people remember that." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "I don't think anyone's going to forget the old man anytime soon." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | She looks over to Keelah, "Thank you again, for helping us and having us on board." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 FX | A third shuttle arrives (luckily these are very very small shuttles). A red-bearded man with the same uniform as the Captains steps out, followed by two more guards wearing the same gear - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - as the ones who came with the second shuttle. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Red-Bearded Captain: "Nice place you have here." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "That is Captain Vilmar Ja’Heivo of the USDF Warden. You've already met Captain Teagan Rel’Desdyn of the Paladin." Keelah@crystyll dips her head, "It is no trouble, we have had our share of run-in's with the Lupan as well." looks to the newest arrival, "Thank you, Captain. It is a pleasure to welcome all of you on board" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Mercius steps aside for Eliana to introduce herself, and she does the same bow as Teagan, "I am Queen Eliana El’Sidran of Elisian. I offer gratitude on behalf of all our people. Without your - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - intervention, we may all be at the mercy of our pursuers." Keelah@crystyll: "Your Highness. Had I known we were expecting royalty as well, I would have arranged a more fitting welcome for you" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "Please, it is not as prestigious a position as it sounds. Besides, barely two years ago I was just a researcher, nineth in the line of succession." Keelah@crystyll: "I get the distinct impression your people have been through quite the ordeal. Please, join me for some refreshments and perhaps you can tell of your situation" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "It would be our pleasure." Keelah@crystyll gestures to the door, "Right this way" --- Ann Carter@anncarise FX | After rescuing the refugees from the Lupan, Jenni is called to one of the conference rooms... Jenni@crystyll walks in, looking around to see who is here Ann Carter@anncarise is the only one and is currently sitting on a relatively relaxed pose in one of the seats. She stands as she sees Jenni enter, "Lieutenant! Got called here too?" Jenni@crystyll nods, "You too then. Any idea what's going on?" she asks, taking a seat Ann Carter@anncarise sits back down, "Guessin' it's a pilot thing if we're here, but I don't see anybody else on the flight roster." Ann Carter@anncarise: "And we ain't usually late." Jenni@crystyll: "Yeah... pretty sure I made it here in good time. Must have something to do with this fleet circling us" Ann Carter@anncarise: "Maybe. We're on time, but wha'ever it is it should be startin' 'bout now. An' we can't be the only ones..." Jenni@crystyll: "Maybe others are late?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "Tha's the thing. We Starfleet shuttle pilots are known for our timeliness. Otherwise we mess up everybody else's schedules." Ann Carter@anncarise: "I heard these folks we met don't have transporter tech and still rely on shuttles to get between ships. Could be somethin' 'bout that?" Ann Carter@anncarise FX | The door slides open and Kelly walks in, "You could say that, Ensign. Though it's not directly related." Jenni@crystyll looks around, "Commander. What's going on?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly: "Well, it's the refugee fleet. Or specifically the Paladin, which is the name of the ship we're going to help them repair." Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly walks to the end of the table and takes a seat, "Like the Ensign said, their technology is much lower than ours. And I only have a few people in my department who specialize in - Ann Carter@anncarise: - comparatively retro tech." Jenni@crystyll leans back as she listens to the brief Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly looks over to Jenni as she settles in her seat, "Lieutenant, Forged Earth technology has advanced since your colony was first founded, and in some aspects like transportation technology - Ann Carter@anncarise: - you might've done even better than the Federation. But would you say your technology is still more like that of the Earth you left behind, and less like ours?" Jenni@crystyll hrms, "It's difficult to surmize. Our FTL program is well behind Starfleets as you know, but in other aspects we seem to have developed much more from the lack of broader cultural influences" Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly nods, "From what we know, the civilization this fleet came from seems to consist of one species. In many areas, especially transportation, they're far behind Forged Earth, but I think - Ann Carter@anncarise: - their technology is still much more similar to yours. More or less comparative with mid-22nd century Earth." Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly looks over to Ann, "Ensign, you've had a lot of experience working with older technologies too, if I'm not mistaken." Ann Carter@anncarise nods, "Well, more so junk. Some o' it is modern tech, just broken an' left behind, but there's also old stuff, and rigged machines tha' are closer to old tech." Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly: "I know you're not engineers, but you might be more familiar with some of this technology than we are. My teams are working from over 250 year old manuals." Jenni@crystyll: "I'm not sure how much transferable knowledge I can bring to the table, but if they have anything like Eon's systems then it's possible I can relate I guess" Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly: "From what I've seen it's much closer to Eon's systems than ours. Not identical, but I think it'll look more familiar to you." Jenni@crystyll: "Alright, well I'm happy to try and help of course" Ann Carter@anncarise: "I'll do wha' I can too. My work's usually a lot more patchwork, but I guess we're not workin' with a spacedock here." Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly nods, "Patchwork is the best we can do. We want to get the ship stable enough to be towed, and we need to make sure we don't give them an accidental upgrade while we do that." Ann Carter@anncarise: "We won't give 'em anything they don't already have." Ann Carter@anncarise | Kelly smiles, "I'll see you there, then." --- Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Meanwhile, Keelah leads the visitors to a different conference room... Keelah@crystyll walks in to be met by a collection of senior staff and cultural representatives, "Please enjoy our hospitality, my staff here can assist with providing from a broad culinary selection to find + Keelah@crystyll + something to your tastes" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Heivo: "This is a starship? More like a whole embassy on a warp engine!" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Marine 1: "An embassy with enough firepower to level a planet, at that. What don't these people have?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Marine 2: "Didn't the Major tell us to stay silent?" Keelah@crystyll smiles, "One of our primary functions is exploration, and this far away from home it is important that we are able to effectively represent our collective societies" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "Very impressive." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "You said you've come a long way too?" Keelah@crystyll: "Yes, we have been travelling for almost two standard years now in a straight line. Here" she taps a wall display a galaxy map showing Federation space and current location Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | The Captains and Queen walk over to observe. Keelah@crystyll: "Though as you've no doubt noticed, there are many species on board this ship; the majority hail from this region" she indicates the Federation core Keelah@crystyll: "Some of our representatives here are of species more local to this region like the Arshai and Chlasi" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "That's quite a distance. How are you able to keep so many varieties of fresh food stocked up?" Keelah@crystyll: "We have technology which negates the need for fresh supplies, though we try to utilize them as much as we can during our travels" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Heivo: "Impressive." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "You've come a lot further than we have in two years of travel." Keelah@crystyll: "You have mobile for that amount of time as well?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Mercius: "A little under two years, but I suppose our warp drives are much slower than yours, and we can only move as fast as the slowest ship in the fleet." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Captain Heivo: "We mostly have Warp 4 and 5 engines. Captain Mercius' ship is the only one that can go up to Warp 6." Keelah@crystyll: "Could you show me on here roughly where you come from?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan nods and steps up to the map, pointing out a spot further out near the galactic rim, probably just a handful of months of travel at cruising speed for the VF. Keelah@crystyll: "Quite a long journey..." she nods, "...dare I ask who you embark on such a journey?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "Out of necessity. We have ventured on scouting and exploration missions before, but never this far." Keelah@crystyll: "Must be quite the motivator to drive such a necessity. I am curious to know what drove you from your home, but understand if it is a sensetive topic" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "Not at all, but it is a long story. Perhaps we should sit and grab some food first?" Keelah@crystyll smiles and gestures to the table, "A fine idea your Grace" Keelah@crystyll takes a seat, enjoying just a light drink Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | The captains and Queen arrange themselves around the table. Eliana grabs a light drink as well, Teagan a slightly heavier drink, while Mercius and Heivo help themselves to the food. Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Mercius: "It began about three years ago, but we didn't know it then." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "If we're going to start with the Schism, we should provide some background to our hosts." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Mercius: "Probably a good idea." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "We come from the United Sibellan Systems. Sibella is the world where our people evolved. When we developed space travel, we expanded to the worlds of Elisian, Reylin and Jaava." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo: "You might've noticed the prefixes to our family names. Ja'Heivo, for Jaava, Si'Mercius for Sibella, El'Sidran for Elisian." Keelah@crystyll nods, "I wondered if there was a connection" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "And in my case, Rel'Desdyn to indicate mixed heritage. My father came from Reylin, and my mother from Elisian." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "Our colonies were founded by different nation-states of Sibella, and soon developed into full governments of their own, with different cultures from different parts of Sibella living - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - on while our home planet developed a more melded culture. That's why the royal line continues on Elisian, while Sibella has long stopped having kings and queens." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "As you can imagine, at first there was a lot of contention, and some skirmishes, between the systems, but eventually we came together to form the United Systems." Keelah@crystyll: "A familiar phasing of development from across many cultures" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo: "There's always some contention left, though. Life on Jaava and Reylin's much rougher than the more priviledged livestyle on Sibella and Elisian." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Mercius: "And that's what led to the Schism. Partly, at least." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "This was about three years ago. Vice Admiral Kaleva Ja'Ulko came back from an exploratory mission and began to rally the masses of Jaava and Reylin about how unfair their living - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - conditions were. And while there was certainly truth to his claims, rebellion was not the right way to go about it." Keelah@crystyll: "This is sounding rather familiar... but still, rebellion alone wouldn't drive a whole civilization across the stars..." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo: "The only thing his rebellion succeeded at was making everybody distrust Adrin and I for being loyalists." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "The rebellion was subdued. My father, then Commodore Adrin Re’Desdyn, captured Admiral Ulko and talked his people on Reylin into standing down. Jaava did the same pretty soon." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "At the time, we made first contact with a group not unlike yours, with advanced technology and comprised of a variety of races. They called themselves the Guardians and tried to warn - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - us that Ulko was merely a pawn controlled by some Great Horde. We didn't listen and insisted that it was an internal affair." Keelah@crystyll nods, "One of a multitude of names we have heard them be called" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Mercius: "I take it you know of them?" Keelah@crystyll: "Yes, we have learned of them through others like yourselves and now work to find a means to contain this threat" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Mercius: "Maybe with your tech it's possible." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "But even the Guardians didn't think they could be stopped. They wanted us to evacuate. We couldn't have known the scope of the danger we were in back then, but if only we had - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - accepted their help..." Keelah@crystyll: "We have heard mention of these Guardians as well. It is my hope to one day find them and enlist their help in containing this threat" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Mercius: "They're probably still near the region of our home. They've found some way to resist the Horde's influence, but they're outnumbered and outgunned." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo nods, "They still came to help in the end, just a few ships, but it wasn't enough." Keelah@crystyll: "We have also been developing the means to resist their influence. This is valuable information for us, thank you" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Mercius: "We don't know how they do it, just that they can. They kept the technology secret from us." Keelah@crystyll: "A mandate common among warp-capable species. The Federation also adherers to a strict charter with similar rules" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan: "I don't suppose you'll be willing to give us anything that can help our journey, then?" Keelah@crystyll leans back, "Understand that this is a difficult position for us. Rest assured that we will do all we can, but must work within our own mandates" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana smiles, "You've already done more than enough. Half of us here owe our lives directly to you. Perhaps our entire species." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Teagan nods, "We're all that's left of our people. The Horde came less than a year after the Schism. We had a few hours warning when our patrols went dark, but it wasn't anywhere near enough." Keelah@crystyll: "We may not be free to upgrade your technology with our own, but my people are creative and knowledgeable; they will make every effort to see that you get the most out of your vessels" Keelah@crystyll: "We also have knowledge of the regions which lay ahead of you. That is something we are all too happy to share in friendship" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Mercius: "We'd appreciate anything you have. We'll share what we learned along the way as well." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo: "Unfortunately we don't have much to offer about the Horde. Probably not more than what you already know. We never actually faced them." Keelah@crystyll: "Equally appreciated. You are coming into a densely populated part of this quadrant; we are in fact not far from the Arshai border. They are a good people and sympathetic to your plight having + Keelah@crystyll: + recently faced a very similar attempt at undermining their leadership. They have a representative on board this ship who I would be happy to introduce you to if you like" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo: "A representative? This really is a flying embassy." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "We've heard of the Arshai and their New World, and how they take in outcasts from other civilizations. That's why we were heading this way." Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "I would very much like to speak to this representative about seeking refuge in their territory." Keelah@crystyll: "Well, since they felt the Horde's influence they wanted to send someone along with us on our mission. Not as Embassy like as you might imagine as she used to be a part of our crew before joining her+ Keelah@crystyll: + people there. I am certain she would be able to point you in the right direction, though I can't speak for their capacity to take you in of course. But I am certain they can help, even guide you + Keelah@crystyll: + further into the quadrant if it comes to it" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Eliana: "I certainly hope so. Fortune seems finally to be smiling on us for you to find us." Keelah@crystyll smiles, "I am glad we were able to intervene" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Mercius: "And we're very thankful you were here to help." --- NPC@annpc#5570 FX | After welcoming the visitors from the refugee fleet on board and learning more of their situation, Keelah sees them off in the shuttlebay as their leaders return to coordinate the repair - NPC@annpc#5570: - efforts needed before the fleet can get underway again. NPC@annpc#5570 FX | As the last shuttle flies off, Keelah's combadge chirps. Keelah@crystyll activates her combadge. Keelah@crystyll: "Se'Lai" NPC@annpc#5570 | <C - Kazra> "Kazra here. I'm told you're all finished with the guests?" Keelah@crystyll: "Correct, Doctor. I am at your disposal if you need anything" NPC@annpc#5570 | <C - Kazra> "Come down to sickbay. I think there's something you'll want to see." Keelah@crystyll: "On my way" Keelah@crystyll turns and heads out, curious what Kazra wants her for Keelah@crystyll strolls in, "I hope this isn't just a ploy to coax me in here for my annual medical..." she smiles a little NPC@annpc#5570 | Sickbay is packed with patients from the refugee fleet in more critical condition, as well as much more doctors and nurses than usual. Kazra doesn't seem to be at the operating bed, instead- NPC@annpc#5570: - standing by one of the unconscious patients while a more junior doctors perform a surgery with two nurses. NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra: "I wish, but I think we have our hands too full to do any annual checkups right now." Keelah@crystyll joins her, "What is the situation?" NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra steps up to the overhead display at the end of the bed, tapping it, "Well I suspect we're about to get even busier." Keelah@crystyll: "Care to elaborate?" NPC@annpc#5570 | She points to a specific set of readings alongside what appears to be a brain scan, "I noticed this while we were assessing the patient for surgical procedures. It's the same thing we saw in - NPC@annpc#5570: - Vora and all the other Colonial Fleet members who were influenced by the Horde." NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra: "I've put him through the same procedure, along with other medical attention he's needed, and he's on his way to recovery now. But if they have one person who's been influenced, there - NPC@annpc#5570: - could be a lot more on their fleet." Keelah@crystyll hrms, "It is possible their entire population is compromised" NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra: "Definitely not their entire population. I had everyone else we're treating checked, and he's the only one here. There's definitely a number of them who aren't compromised, but it's hard - NPC@annpc#5570: - to say how many from the small sample size we have here. We're only treating their most critically wounded from the battle." Keelah@crystyll: "Either way, a complete census of the population will be the only way to say for certain" NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra: "That's what I was thinking. Their medical technology should be able to pick up signs of influence, but the treatment we're using, that requires techniques more advanced than theirs." NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra: "Which means they can help us with the census, but we're the only ones who can do anything about the people they find are influenced." Keelah@crystyll: "Assuming we work smart then and first clear their medical personnel, then enlist their assistance in screenings... how long are we looking at?" NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra: "I don't think many of their ships have advanced sickbays. Many of them are just freighters, tankers and mining ships. Each individual scan won't take particularly long, but accounting - NPC@annpc#5570: - for their lack of facilities, I'd say we need at least three to four days to make sure everyone is checked." NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra: "We can treat the ones being influenced as we find them, but how long it could take overall depends on how many we find." Keelah@crystyll: "Once treated, the recovery period is something that can be handled by their own people? Long term psychiatric care?" NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra: "The recovery period is just keeping them unconscious until the neural chemistry is rebalanced. From what I've seen of our Arshai patients, there's no long term psychiatric care needed." NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra: "In fact they don't seem to have any memory of those visions they got from contacting the Horde once the imbalance is fixed." Keelah@crystyll: "But surely, even the knowledge of being under such influence may prove troubling on top of cumulative trauma for these people, no?" NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra nods, "Oh yes. But after what these people have been through, I'd be surprised if their whole population didn't need long term psychiatric care. Losing your home, being forced to flee - NPC@annpc#5570: - across space crammed in old ships, some of them outdated even by their own measures, that's enough to leave scars on anyone." Keelah@crystyll: "Of course" she nods, "Do what you have to, Doctor. I will speak with their leadership and... try to explain all of this. Perhaps we can also use this time for the counselling team to assist their + Keelah@crystyll: + own people in managing the long term mental health of their fleet as well" NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra nods, "I'll have their medical personnel checked first. Then we can work together to conduct a complete census of the whole fleet's population." Keelah@crystyll: "Good work Doctor, keep me apprised of your progress" she glances around the crowded medical bay once more as she turns to leave NPC@annpc#5570 | Kazra: "I'll keep you informed, Captain." --- Ann Carter@anncarise FX | After arriving on the Paladin, Jenni finds that the systems do indeed bear similarities to Eon's and Forged Earth tech in general. From the demeanor of their personnel, their usage of - Ann Carter@anncarise: - specific terms and overall design of the ship, these people feel remarkably human with the exception of the appearance of their ears. Ann Carter@anncarise is meanwhile working on a panel with a toolkit beside her, with an engineering PO working nearby. Jenni@crystyll gives an impressed whistle as she inspects a section she is trying to repair, "Credit where it's due. They've done some mighty fine patchwork here over the years" Ann Carter@anncarise | One of the ship's engineers looks down the hall at where Jenni is working, "Thank you. We've made do with what we had. It's not been an easy trip, but we can be resourceful." Jenni@crystyll smiles back, "A trait my people deeply relate to and respect" Ann Carter@anncarise | The USDF engineer closes his panel and steps over, "So you got a different uniform, but you came with everybody else, right?" Jenni@crystyll nods, "Yes, despite our similar appearance I am actually of a different species to the other Humans on the ship. Well, we evolved from the same origin if you go back far enough but... yeah" Ann Carter@anncarise | USDF Engineer: "Interesting. Some of you seem pretty similar to each other, but then there's others. Like that cockroach engineer you got scurrying through the ship knocking us all over." Ann Carter@anncarise chuckles, "I take it he's met Essex, then..." Jenni@crystyll laughs, "I hope he hasn't spooked anyone too bad yet. He tends to get a bit carried away with his efficiency, but there really is nobody you more want to have crawling through your access tubes" Jenni@crystyll pauses, "That did not come out right..." Ann Carter@anncarise | The engineer laughs, "One of those meanings I like to envision a lot more than the other one." Jenni@crystyll: "You and me both..." she shudders at the thought Ann Carter@anncarise | USDF Engineer: "Anyways, I'm Chief Petty Officer Eldyn Re'Dareth." Jenni@crystyll: "Flight Lieutenant Baelai, but please - call me Jenni. So you're the one who keeps this bird in the air?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Well actually, I keep the Warden in the air, but the Paladin could use a hand or ten, so Captain Heivo sent us to help." Jenni@crystyll: "The Warden... which one is that again? I was standing by in my cockpit for most of the battle so didn't really get to see which ship is which..." Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "The Warden's Defender-class as well, same as the Paladin. Which is why our mechanics are better suited to helping out than the ones from the Justice." Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "You said you were in a cockpit, and you're a Flight Lieutenant? So what got you here on repair duty?" Jenni@crystyll: "Oh, well my people's technology is quite similar to yours - moreso than Starfleet's in many ways. So our Chief Engineer thought I may be able to assist, help our engineers learn your systems + Jenni@crystyll: + more easily and all" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "I heard you're an alliance of different races, right? So you all got different technologies?" Jenni@crystyll: "Yep! Though it's normally all a uniform standard on Starfleet cruisers from what I've seen. I think other Federation species might operate their own fleets still?" she looks to Ann Ann Carter@anncarise: "From wha' I know there's a couple species with their own defense fleets, but they're more like your FEPD. Y'know, law enforcements, search an' rescue, tha' sorta stuff." Ann Carter@anncarise: "Starfleet's responsible for defense against foreign threats an' these local fleets ain't really used in combat unless things get real desperate." Jenni@crystyll points across herself to Ann, "What she said, yeah" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Your FEPD? So you're from one of those local fleets, then?" Jenni@crystyll nods, "You could say that, yeah. Forged Earth isn't technically part of the Federation yet, but our people have a vested interest in our mission out here, not to mention the Valley Forge itself" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "That's your ship, right? The one that swooped in to save the day?" Jenni@crystyll beams proudly, "That's her!" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "She's a real beauty. Justice's our newest ship, well, one of the newest designs and the newest we got left. But we're still nowhere near your level." Jenni@crystyll chuckles, "My people are nowhere near that level, or yours in some ways even" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Well you seem to be doing a pretty good job with our systems here." Jenni@crystyll: "Honestly, better than I'd anticipated! I'm just glad to be useful in all of this. Not normally much call for my 'expertise'" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "So what is your expertise? Flying, I take it?" Jenni@crystyll chuckles, "The 'Flight Lieutenant' rank give me away?" Ann Carter@anncarise | In the background, the Starfleet PO packs up his toolcase and moves on to work on a diffeerent part of the ship. Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth chuckles, "Yes it did. We don't have a specific rank like that, but we do have pilots too. Kind of important for us, seeing as we can't teleport all over the place like you do." Jenni@crystyll: "Yeah, Ann here's a pilot too but Starfleet ranks don't list it like FEPD ones do" Jenni@crystyll: "You know it's kind of funny, you use ships because you don't have transporter tech; and my people developed transporters beyond Starfleet measures because we couldn't build FTL ships" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "I guess once you got one you end up having less need for the other." Jenni@crystyll: "Yeah, it sounds better than it is. Our transporters are still limited to the confines of our own star system. We can't use them to explore like Starfleet uses it's ships" Jenni@crystyll looks around some, "You know, I can imagine this place feeling a lot like a Starfleet ship; out cruising the great unknown and exploring and meeting new people and all. It makes me sad to see what + Jenni@crystyll: + has befallen your people" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Well, we were exploring space before all this happened. One of the ships we lost along the way was actually called the Explorer." Jenni@crystyll: "Do you think you'll one day find your way back to that life? Settle a new home and start over?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "I hope so. It won't be easy, but if my people can survive on Reylin, we can make it out here." Jenni@crystyll: "What was it like - Reylin?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "It was a harsh place. Breathable air, but not any plants there yet and the soil's not good for much growing. We mostly settled it for the resources, stuff like dilithium." Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "The early days were hard, when we didn't have many ships and had to make what we could from the soil. Got better once more shipments were moved through the systems, but the- " Ann Carter@anncarise FX | There is a distant rumble and the ground shakes slightly. Ann Carter@anncarise: "Wha' was tha'?" Jenni@crystyll looks around, then to Dareth Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth takes out a scanner, "Structural integrity failure. We're safe here but the hall beyond's gonna be exposed to vacuum in a minute or two." Ann Carter@anncarise | He sprints forward and shouts, "Everyone get out of there!" Jenni@crystyll follows without question Ann Carter@anncarise | A few seconds later, two more USDF crewmen emerge from the hall. Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Get behind me, we'll be safe in here." Jenni@crystyll does so, "What's going on?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Crewman: "There's a collapse. Taurice's still in there, he's stuck under some rubble and we can't get him out!" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "We don't have long before that whole hall gives way." Ann Carter@anncarise glances to Jenni, "Ya were only eyes in the air for SAR missions, or been on the ground too?" Jenni@crystyll: "I saw my share of ground action. If we can get to that crewman, the Valley Forge might be able to beam him out" Ann Carter@anncarise nods, "Let's go find him." Ann Carter@anncarise moves through the next hall and turns a corner to find a collapsed section with a man wearing a USDF uniform pinned underneath a fallen metal beam. Jenni@crystyll taps her combadge, "Baelai to Valley Forge, we need an emergency beamout to sickbay for an injured crewman. Lock on to my comm signal and energize" Jenni@crystyll unclips her badge and pins it to the crewman Ann Carter@anncarise | <C - Katie> "Chief Oliver here. I can see your signal but I can't lock on. Too much radiation outside the ship from where the nacelle used to be. You'll have to get him out of there first." Ann Carter@anncarise: "If I cut the ends o' the beam we might be able to lift it off o' him." Jenni@crystyll curses under her breath, "Acknowledged, standby on that beamout" Jenni@crystyll nods and turns to Ann, "Can you get some cutting equipment down here?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "The toolkit I brought should have a phaser. I'll be back.” Jenni@crystyll kneels next to the crewman, trying to assess his condition Ann Carter@anncarise | The crewman is unconscious but has a pulse and is still breathing. Jenni@crystyll mutters, "Just hang in there a little longer. We're getting you out, ok" Ann Carter@anncarise returns in a few seconds with a phaser in hand, "This'll just take a sec..." Ann Carter@anncarise adjusts the phaser's setting before cutting one end of the beam, then the other, attaching the weapon to her belt when she finishes, "Alright, we should be able to lift it together." Jenni@crystyll gets in position, "Alright on 3. 1... 2... 3!" and she lifts Ann Carter@anncarise lifts on Jenni's cue and they manage to move the beam far enough away from the crewman. Jenni@crystyll: "That's it! Now let's get him away from here" Ann Carter@anncarise | Jenni notices blood coming out of his leg. Something on the beam must have stabbed into him and the weight of the beam was keeping it there and stopping the bleeding, but it has resumed now - Ann Carter@anncarise: - the beam has been moved off! Jenni@crystyll kneels and tries to stem the bleeding, "We need a medic here!" Ann Carter@anncarise | One of the crewmen who had run out from the hall earlier peers back in, "Medics are on their way but the hull plating's gonna buckle in a minute or two!" Ann Carter@anncarise takes out her phaser again and taps at the settings, "We don't have time to wait for 'em. I'll have to cauterize it with the phaser." Jenni@crystyll nods, "Then we have to move him fast so we can beam him out" Ann Carter@anncarise sets the phaser on a low heating setting and applies a moment of heat on the wound before moving to his shoulders to lift him, "C'mon, tha' should stop the bleedin' long enough I think." Jenni@crystyll helps Ann lift him up and starts as quickly as they can away from the collapse Ann Carter@anncarise moves back towards the hall they came from with Jenni and the unconscious crewman. Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth peers out from the safety of the hall beyond, "Fifteen seconds and I'll have to drop the force field!" Ann Carter@anncarise: "We can make it!" Jenni@crystyll pushes on through the struggle Ann Carter@anncarise | As soon as they get into the next hallway, Dareth taps a panel beside it and a blue force field kicks in behind them. Barely a few seconds pass before the walls of the deck crumble and are - Ann Carter@anncarise: - sucked outwards into the vacuum of space along with everything inside the hall they had left behind. Jenni@crystyll taps her combadge on the injured crewman again, "Baelai to Valley Forge, can you get a lock on my signal now?" Ann Carter@anncarise | <C - Oliver> "I have a lock. Beaming them to sickbay now." Jenni@crystyll: "Thanks Katie" Ann Carter@anncarise FX | The crewman disappears into a transporter beam. Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Real handy, that teleporting tech of yours." Jenni@crystyll: "It has it's uses" Ann Carter@anncarise | He turns to look across at the visible sections of space beyond the force field, "Guess we'll have to fix that hall with suits and shuttlecraft now, though." Jenni@crystyll: "Has the collapse affected structural integrity elsewhere in this section?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "We'll have to reevaluate, but we should be safe here for the moment at least." Jenni@crystyll: "All the more reason to push on with structural repairs" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Yeah, we need to stabilize the structure before the whole thing falls apart." Ann Carter@anncarise makes her way back to the area she was working on, putting the phaser back into the open toolbox. Jenni@crystyll: "Just tell us where you need us" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Might be safer to evacuate this section too for now. I'll speak to the LT from Paladin, make sure everything else is stable after the collapse and figure out what to focus on." Jenni@crystyll: "Sounds like a plan" Ann Carter@anncarise looks up from her position on the ground, "Dareth, did ya see anybody take anythin' from the kit?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Just you when you ran back, why?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "Cause the macrotool an' iso-modulator ain't there anymore. An' I know the modulator was there cause I saw it when I came back for the phaser." Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Well I don't have it." Jenni@crystyll: "Could it've falled out in the commotion?" she looks around some Ann Carter@anncarise: "Maybe..." Ann Carter@anncarise takes out her tricorder and closes the tool before scanning around, "No...no sign o' any other equipment tha's ours here. She waves it over Dareth just in case. Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "I told you, I didn't take anything!" Ann Carter@anncarise: "I believe ya. Least the tricorder can't read our tech on you." Ann Carter@anncarise | Jenni sees a few tools, but they seem to be Dareth's, not Starfleet technology. Jenni@crystyll: "You should be able to detect the material of the missing tools on that thing, right? Can't have gotten far" Ann Carter@anncarise nods, "It's not in this hallway or any o' the adjacent rooms, at least. Lemme widen the search." Ann Carter@anncarise: "There! It's movin' away from us. Somebody must've taken it..." Ann Carter@anncarise grabs the toolkit and follows. Jenni@crystyll glances to Dareth, "Come on, let's get this straightened out so we can get back to work" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth follows behind them. Ann Carter@anncarise: "Where'd one o' the crewmen go, anyways? One came to warn us but I didn't see the other since I came back for the phaser." Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "She left the area. You think she could've taken the tools?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "Unless somebody else was in the hall..." Ann Carter@anncarise stops at a lift door and checks her tricorder, "Whoever it was they're takin' the lift away...an' gone outta scanner range." Jenni@crystyll: "What do we do now?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Maybe if we check where the lift stops, we can still get them." He taps the panel, "There. We just have to wait for the lift to get back..." Ann Carter@anncarise | A good 20 seconds later, the lift door finally opens. Jenni@crystyll steps inside, "Don't worry. I'm sure it's all just a little misunderstanding" Ann Carter@anncarise and Dareth steps inside too, the USDF engineer selecting their destination from another panel. Ann Carter@anncarise: "Well long as the Commander knows /I/ didn't take 'em. I got into trouble a few times for takin' tools back in the Academy..." Ann Carter@anncarise | A few seconds later, the lift door opens on another part of the ship. Ann Carter@anncarise checks her tricorder again and shakes her head, "We lost 'em." Jenni@crystyll: "Dammit. Well they can't have gone far, what's on this deck?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Mess hall, quarters, medical bay, armoury and an observation room. It's a condensed layout." Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "Three other lifts run through here though. They could've taken either one." Jenni@crystyll: "If it's a condensed layout then it shouldn't take long to confirm if they are still here, maybe we should split up to cover the key areas?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "Good idea." Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "What should I look for, searching for your tech?" Ann Carter@anncarise shows him her tricorder readings. Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth gives a nod. Ann Carter@anncarise looks to Jenni, "Ya got a tricorder, Lieutenant?" Jenni@crystyll nods, unclipping one from her belt pack and setting the readout to match Ann's Ann Carter@anncarise moves through the deck, splitting up from the others to comb it for readings. Jenni@crystyll continues in a different direction, scanning as she moves with haste Ann Carter@anncarise | After a minute of wandering, Jenni's tricorder gets a ping. Jenni@crystyll zeroes in on the signal source Ann Carter@anncarise | The reading leads her to what seems to be another lift. Jenni@crystyll moves to investigate Ann Carter@anncarise | The reading goes further away, as if moving with the lift. Jenni@crystyll calls out to Dareth & Ann, as she doesn't have a comm badge anymore Ann Carter@anncarise and Dareth comes over after a minute, "I see it too. Looks like they got into another lift." Jenni@crystyll: "Guess we'll have to keep following for now" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth steps over and taps the lift button. Jenni notices it seems to be getting closer now... Jenni@crystyll: "I think they might still be on the lift..." Ann Carter@anncarise: "Time to meet whoever it-" Ann Carter@anncarise FX | The lift opens and no one is on it...just a macrotool on the floor. Jenni@crystyll looks down, "Well... /it/ was still on the lift anyway..." Ann Carter@anncarise steps in and takes the tool before checking the tricorder again, "No sign o' the iso-modulator, though." Jenni@crystyll: "Can we tell where the lift last went?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth checks the panel, "Yeah. Deck...D. Where the hangar is, and there's a lotta traffic going back and forth right now with all the mechanics and supplies coming and going." Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "These lifts close slow enough for someone to select a destination and jump out too. So that could be a false lead." Jenni@crystyll: "Can you get it locked down, just in case?" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth: "I don't have the rank to give that kind of order, but I can comm the deck chief and inform them of the situation." Jenni@crystyll: "It may be wise at this point" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth nods and takes out a communicator to call the deck chief. Ann Carter@anncarise | After a minute, he closes the communicator and steps back, "Deck chief is consulting with the Captain, but they've already launched 3 shuttles in the last 5 minutes." Jenni@crystyll: "We may already be too late then..." Ann Carter@anncarise: "Yeah..." Ann Carter@anncarise: "Think we should update the Commander 'bout this?" Jenni@crystyll: "I think so, yeah. What could someone potentially do with that tool?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "An iso-modulator? It's used for structural repairs. Ya can't turn it into a weapon or a bomb. It does fix things more effectively than the tools they got, but they could just ask us to fix - Ann Carter@anncarise: - somethin' for 'em if tha's what they wanted." Jenni@crystyll: "How exactly does it effect structural repairs though. I know what it is meant for, but... well you saw that collapse before. What if... what if someone were to misuse the tool to create more?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "It could be used to mess with the SIF...but why would somebody try to sabotage the ship? Destroyin' one o' their last defense ships aren't gonna help 'em." Jenni@crystyll: "Why would someone steal a tool they only had to ask to use?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "When ya put it tha' way, sabotage's the only explanation..." Jenni@crystyll: "Inform the Commander. I know it is unlikely, and we have no reason to distrust anyone here. But we can't rule out the possibility until we know more" Jenni@crystyll turns to Dareth, "I am sorry, but you should update your command as well" Ann Carter@anncarise | Dareth nods and steps away to use his communicator again. Ann Carter@anncarise taps her own combadge, "Ensign Carter to Kelly." Ann Carter@anncarise: <C - Kelly> "Kelly here. Is everything alright? I heard about the crewman you and Lieutenant Baelai recovered." Ann Carter@anncarise: "The collapsed section's been sealed off for now, but I think somebody stole a few o' my tools. We got the macrotool back but we lost the trail before we could get the iso-modulator." Ann Carter@anncarise: <C - Kelly> "You're sure it was stolen?" Ann Carter@anncarise: "Yeah, we tracked it with tricorder readin's. They were actively movin' away from us, an' it looked like they dropped off the macrotool to throw us off from wherever they took the modulator." Ann Carter@anncarise: <C - Kelly> "That's...problematic. Thank you for letting me know, Ensign. We'll look further into it." Jenni@crystyll: "Commander, the situation may be more complicated. We tracked the suspect as far as the shuttle bay and at least 3 shuttles departed before we were able to confirm the destination and inform people+ Jenni@crystyll: + this end to shut it down" Ann Carter@anncarise: <C - Kelly> "We'll have to figure out where those shuttles went and search the ships they docked with as well. This...might require a bit of coordination with the refugee fleet COs." Jenni@crystyll: "That was why we called you, Commander. Only so much we can do from here" Ann Carter@anncarise: <C - Kelly> "I'll make sure we find that tool." Jenni@crystyll: "Do you have any new orders for us here?" Ann Carter@anncarise: <C - Kelly> "They still need our help. Keep doing what you're doing, just keep an eye on your tools. And let Security know if you do figure out who took it." Jenni@crystyll: "Understood Commander" Ann Carter@anncarise: <C - Kelly> "Be careful there. Kelly out." Ann Carter@anncarise: "Guess we get back to work for now..." Jenni@crystyll looks to the others, "Guess so" --- Keliaya@anncarise | On board the VF, Keelah's doorbell rings. Keelah@crystyll: "Come in" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra steps inside with a PADD in hand, "Hello Captain." Keelah@crystyll: "Aah Doctor, please come in" she smiles, "How goes the screening?" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra smiles back as she steps up to the desk and takes a seat, "Mostly good news so far. Only two of their medical personnel are affected, so we have the help of almost all their doctors. They - Keliaya@anncarise: - were aware of Horde influence among them, but they weren't sure what to look for, since most of the people influenced by the Horde were either too minimal to be noticed, or major enough that they - Keliaya@anncarise: - caused trouble...which all resulted in them dying in acts of sabotage or being taken down by Defense Force marines, so they had no live patients to examine." Keelah@crystyll: "So far so good then. Excellent work" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra nods, "From the results so far, there looks to be less than 1% of the population compromised, and all of them are fairly light cases. The major ones already had two years to act under on - Keliaya@anncarise: - the Horde's influence and probably have done so already. On the downside, less than 1% of thirty-six thousand people is still quite a few." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "Extrapolating from current data, we're expecting to have to treat somewhere between one to three hundred patients." Keelah@crystyll nods, "Whatever you need to see it through, just say the word" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra nods, "We should be able to handle the amount, especially as we're treating them as they come. Though some of the department is going to have to work some double shifts." Keelah@crystyll: "Do you need to pull in extra staff?" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "It would be nice to have more assistance. Maybe personnel with medical knowledge like Lieutenant Trenick, but not currently in my department. I'm even considering turning that EMH on, - Keliaya@anncarise: - if you can believe it..." Keelah@crystyll chuckles, "Needs must, Doctor. I will extend the support call out to all departments; any personnel with relevant experience to make this a priority" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra smiles, "Thank you, Captain. There's one other thing you should probably know." Keelah@crystyll: "What is that?" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "We tested their command staff right after the medical personnel, to make sure everyone was of sound mind to make decisions. All of them were cleared with the exception of Captain - Keliaya@anncarise: - Mercius. The influence on her is small, much less than Vora and Faenu and closer to the least severe cases among the Arshai scouting expedition." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "But to be safe, we had her undergoing treatment right away. She- " Keliaya@anncarise FX | The doorbell rings again. Keelah@crystyll looks up, "Hold that thought, Doctor. Come in" Keliaya@anncarise steps inside and pauses at seeing Kazra, "Oh, sorry. Am I interrupting?" Keelah@crystyll: "It is fine Kelly, what news?" Keliaya@anncarise: "I'm getting reports of missing equipment from my teams over on the Paladin. It's the odd tool here and datapad there, I checked with the quartermasters and the personnel who returned their kits - Keliaya@anncarise: - mostly just thought they misplaced them. But some of our people think they're being stolen." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "Now that you mention it, we couldn't find a tricorder and two of the hyposprays we took along..." Keelah@crystyll leans back, taking a deep inhale as she considers as she looks between the pair, "Petty theft of useful advanced technology is not uncommon among those in such a position as our refugees I suppose" Keliaya@anncarise: "It's not a big problem for us, the volume of tools missing is barely noticable and we can easily replace it. But these people are at least two centuries behind us, and we don't know how they'll use - Keliaya@anncarise: - the tools they're taking." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "And with people still under some Horde influence among them, it's the last thing we want them to have..." Keelah@crystyll nods, "Recommendations?" Keliaya@anncarise: "We're scanning all their ships for traces of our technology, but we haven't found anything so far. Either it's a coordinated effort and they're hiding it somewhere our scans can't see, or we just - Keliaya@anncarise: - haven't looked at the right ships closely enough yet. The Paladin already knows since most of the thefts happened there, but we haven't communicated with Justice or Warden yet." Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "We cleared all the command staff, with the exception of Mercius, but she's under treatment now. So it should be safe to coordinate with them. Assuming this is being done by someone - Keliaya@anncarise: - under Horde influence and not just isolated incidents." Keelah@crystyll: "I think with knowledge of Horde influence, it is a possibility we can't afford to ignore. I will liaise with the command staff and coordinate our efforts across the fleet" Keliaya@anncarise | Kazra: "The XO of the Justice has stepped up as Acting Captain while Mercius is under treatment, but Captain Heivo's taken command of the fleet. You'll probably want to communicate with him." Keelah@crystyll nods, "Thank you. If that is all, I have more uncomfortable conversations to have with these people..." Keliaya@anncarise nods and heads out, with Kazra standing and following after her. Keelah@crystyll waits for Kazra & Kelly to leave before asking Tee to get the refugee fleet commander on a secure comm channel, then moves to pour a fresh tea while she waits Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | A minute later, Captain Heivo appears on her console display. Keelah@crystyll smiles feintly, "Hello again Captain, I hope I am not disturbing you?" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo: "Not at all! Thank you for ensuring that we can finally weed out the Horde's influence among us. I hope Captain Mercius makes a swift recovery and can take over again soon." Keelah@crystyll: "As do I..." she sips her tea, "It is a not entirely unrelated matter that I wished to speak with you" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo: "You're going to teach us how to perform the treatment so we can do it ourselves too?" Keelah@crystyll: "My Doctors will do all they can to effectively arm you in protecting against this infestation" she nods, "But that is not the matter I wished to discuss" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo chuckles, "I thought not. So, how can I help you, Captain?" Keelah@crystyll: "We may have an undesirable situation brewing, Captain. And given the confirmed Horde influence among your people I don't believe we can afford to simply dismiss it" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | A look of concern crosses Heivo's face, "What's that? Our people didn't try to attack yours, did they?" Keelah@crystyll shakes her head, "Nothing so brash. We have simply logged an unusually high count of thefts; items of little to no consequence, but still Starfleet technology nonetheless" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo: "What things are those?" Keelah@crystyll: "Mostly hand tools; engineering and medical equipment, tricorders and the likes" Keelah@crystyll: "These are largely inconsequential and nothing more than simple tools in the proper hands, but as with any tool; they could be dangerous in untrained hands, even moreso in malicious ones" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo: "Well our fleet has been running on a low stock of tools and supplies for a long time now. We've had instances of civilians stealing USDF equipment for their own use. Though your people - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - haven't been visiting the transports, have they?" Keelah@crystyll: "No, they have been focusing on your primary vessels. You understand the potential threat this poses to you, Captain? If Horde influenced personnel are acting against you, they may be capitalizing on+ Keelah@crystyll: + the presence of our equipment to compromise your fleet. We have to find and recover it, and treat the people in question" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo nods, "I see what you mean. We'll look into it immediately." Keelah@crystyll: "Whilst I have no desire to impose ourselves on your sovereignty, I would encourage you to seek consultation with my security chief. He will be able to provide you wise counsel and assist with + Keelah@crystyll: + sensor resolutions & tracking data to aid your search" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo: "We'll take all the help we can get. I'll order the marines to sweep the ships as well, chances are if your people are getting stolen from on the Paladin, it's people from inside the - Alien NPC@annpc#5570: - Defense Force." Keelah@crystyll nods, "A reasonable deduction. My officer will be in touch shortly, in the mean time I suggest vigiliance and discretion" Alien NPC@annpc#5570 | Heivo nods, "We'll be careful, Captain. More sabotage is the last thing we want." Keelah@crystyll: "Good luck Captain" she smiles again before the call ends --- T'Emp@anncarise FX | Several hours pass with Keelah receiving little more than status updates from Engineering and Medical on the progress of the aid they are lending to the refugee fleet. T'Emp@anncarise | Security are working with the USDF marines and Medical on potential Horde-influenced suspects, but have reported no new leads so far. T'Emp@anncarise | Just as Keelah is finishing up her work to wrap up the current shift...she gets a comm from Silvestrie. Keelah@crystyll taps the comm panel, "Se'Lai" T'Emp@anncarise: <C - Silvestrie> "Silvestrie here. Is it okay if I transfer the call over to your computer? There's a development you probably want to see." Keelah@crystyll: "Of course, go right ahead" she spins her console around to face her properly T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie's visage appears on the console, though it's not very well focused and somewhat shakely, clearly being filmed using a tricorder camera rather than from a console on his end. Keelah@crystyll: "Lieutenant. What... where are you?" T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie: "Sorry, I'm...at where the evidence is. So a hour ago, Paladin's medical teams found an officer with signs of Horde influence. One Second Lieutenant Stanitus Si'Horinius." T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie: "Captain Heivo's got the USDF marines checking the quarters and property of every defense force personnel found to be under Horde influence. The marines sweeped his quarters and - T'Emp@anncarise: - well...bunk quarters, and we found this in his locker." T'Emp@anncarise | He turns the tricorder around to show a locker with a number of miscellaneous Starfleet technology inside, and a jury-rigged device on a tripod. Keelah@crystyll perks a brow, "Quite the collection" leaning in with a squint, "What is that - there on the tripod?" T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie: "It's a dampening field projector. Very makeshift. We think he created it to block our sensors from seeing the items he stole. We still don't know what he was planning to do with - T'Emp@anncarise: - them, and Kazra tells me after the treatment the patients don't always remember what the Horde has been putting in their heads. But the Lieutenant's in sickbay and our doctors are working on - T'Emp@anncarise: - restoring his brain back to normal now." Keelah@crystyll: "Does this account for all of the missing equipment?" T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie: "I don't know. It's quite a lot, as you can see. We're securing it and bringing it back to the Forge, where the quartermaster can do a proper inventory." T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie: "We don't know if he was acting alone, so I've advised the USDF to remain on alert, but almost all USDF personnel have been checked for Horde influence by now." Keelah@crystyll nods, "It sounds like we have this wrapped up nicely then" T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie: "Seems so. If there is an accomplice, we'll have them in sickbay within a few hours as well. I'll keep you updated, Captain." Keelah@crystyll: "Thank you Lieutenant. Excellent work over there" T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie nods and the feed cuts. Keelah@crystyll leans back with a contented smile T'Emp@anncarise FX | Keelah finally finishes her duties and returns to quarters, knowing the potential saboteurs are likely dealt with now... Keelah@crystyll wanders into her quarters later that day, rolling her neck lightly as she heads to the replicator T'Emp@anncarise | She notices a PADD on the couch and TP nowhere in the room. Keelah@crystyll takes her drink and sits, idly lifting the PADD to see what it is, as it certainly shouldn't be left on the touch. That untidy daughter... T'Emp@anncarise | It seems to be opened to a note which says, 'Hi mum, I'm down in one of the labs checking out the ships with Kelly. Feel free to join us! I won't be back too late, promise.' Keelah@crystyll smiles, forgiving the sofa mess now. She continues to relax a while longer and enjoy her tea before going to join them, never one to pass up quality time with TP Keelah@crystyll wanders into the lab, smiling as she joins TP with a slight hug and a kiss on her head, "There you are, having fun are we?" T'Emp@anncarise is in the lab alone with some scan data of ships from the refugee fleet projected on the large display in front of her. She hugs Keelah back and smiles, "Hi mum! Kelly just left to talk to the - T'Emp@anncarise: - quartermaster. So we finally caught the person stealing our stuff?" Keelah@crystyll: "I certainly hope so" T'Emp@anncarise: "Who was it? And how were they hiding the tools from us? If...it's things I'm allowed to know that is." Keelah@crystyll: "All we know for certain is that the missing equipment was found on one of the refugee ships and the person we believe responsible has been treated by Kazra now" T'Emp@anncarise: "On one of the refugee ships? I thought Kelly scanned them all and didn't find anything suspicious. I didn't see anything either, though I was more interested in the design and technology..." Keelah@crystyll: "Yes, we think they rigged up a localized dampening field to keep our sensors from reading the stowed equipment" T'Emp@anncarise: "A dampening field? Wait...which ship was the equipment found on?" Keelah@crystyll thinks a moment before tapping on the display to show TP where Silvestrie called in from T'Emp@anncarise: "A dampening field blocks us from seeing what's inside the field, but because it blocks energy readings in general, it would make an area void of readings that I'm sure Kelly would've noticed..." T'Emp@anncarise FX | As Keelah looks at the display, she can see that there is indeed no strange lack of reeding in the area that would suggest a dampening field, though Silvestrie has probably removed it by now. Keelah@crystyll hrms, "Well, everything has long been stripped down and brought back by now so I wouldn't expect to still see anything there" T'Emp@anncarise: "But this isn't live sensor feed...this is data taken from over two hours ago. There's no dampening field there or any sign of our equipment..." Keelah@crystyll: "You're right. Curious..." T'Emp@anncarise: "Which would suggest the equipment and dampening field were put there within the last two hours..." Keelah@crystyll: "A logical deduction" she smiles, "Which means our culprit may still be out there" T'Emp@anncarise: "Exactly! Which isn't good news..." T'Emp@anncarise FX | The door slides open and Kelly steps inside. T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly: "Captain. Off-duty now, I take it?" Keelah@crystyll looks around, "I was... but we may have found something" T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly: "I was hoping to run into you too. The tools that have been returned is barely half of what we're missing. A lot of it is still out there somewhere." Keelah@crystyll: "I suspected as much. It seems that our recovered 'haul' was a decoy" T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly: "It must be. How did you figure it out, Captain?" Keelah@crystyll: "I didn't..." she smiles, looking to TP T'Emp@anncarise: "Mum said they were using a dampening field, but I thought a dampening field was something we'd definitely have noticed! So I checked these scans we were looking at, taken a few hours ago, and no - T'Emp@anncarise: - dampening field!" Keelah@crystyll smiles proudly T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly smiles as well, "You're definitely showing the makings of a great Starfleet engineer." T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly steps up to the display, "There's only one place on these ships where they might be hiding the stolen tools. You've been studying them almost as long as I have now Pia. Where do you think - T'Emp@anncarise: - we should look?" T'Emp@anncarise pulls up the display of a very industrial-looking ship, "This one?" T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly smiles and nods, "It's a refinery vessel working with topaline, used for the life support systems of all their ships, but in amounts too small to affect sensors. The readings of this ship - T'Emp@anncarise: - though is completely scrambled. It took Pia and I a while to figure out what it did. If there's one place they could be hiding the tools, it has to be that ship." Keelah@crystyll: "Seems a good place to start. Alright, you update Silvestrie and I'll get the fleet command on the line to isolate that ship" T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly: "On it, Captain." Keelah@crystyll: "You did good there, Pia" she smiles proudly T'Emp@anncarise beams, "Happy to help!" Keelah@crystyll: "Afraid I will have to cut our time short now though as I have work to do" T'Emp@anncarise: "No worries! I'll be down here if you need more expertise on the refugee ships!" Keelah@crystyll smiles again and ruffles her hair, "That's my girl. I will see you later, ok" T'Emp@anncarise smiles back, "See you soon mum!" Keelah@crystyll turns with that, tapping her combadge, "Se'Lai to Silvestrie" T'Emp@anncarise: <C - Silvestrie> "Silvestrie here." Keelah@crystyll: "Lieutenant, there's been a development. The thief is still at large" T'Emp@anncarise: <C - Silvestrie> "I take it the equipment returned wasn't everything that went missing?" Keelah@crystyll: "Barely half of it. T'Pia and Kelly found a lead on a nondescript vessel within the fleet that has a natural aversion to our sensors. I'm on my way to contact fleet command to isolate the vessel" T'Emp@anncarise: <C - Silvestrie> "I'll have a team standing by to search that ship." Keelah@crystyll: "Acknowledged. I'll let you know as soon as you're clear to beam over" T'Emp@anncarise: <C - Silvestrie> "We'll be awaiting your go-ahead, Captain." Keelah@crystyll continues back to her ready room to talk with the fleet Keelah@crystyll asks TQ to raise the same Captain as before as she passes by her on the bridge T'Emp@anncarise | A few seconds later, Captain Heivo reappears on the screen. Keelah@crystyll: "Captain" T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo: "Captain Se'Lai! Got all your tools back now?" Keelah@crystyll: "Unfortunately no. The recovered equipment barely counted for half of what is missing" T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo: "Maybe he stored the other half elsewhere? We'll keep looking for it." Keelah@crystyll: "We suspect this vessel" she taps on her screen, sending the ID of the refinery, "It's naturally shielded from our sensors by the refining process on board" T'Emp@anncarise | A look of concern crosses Heivo's face, "Ah. The topaline refinery. It's the only one we have left. Very important ship." Keelah@crystyll: "I can well imagine. With your permission, we need to isolate and search that ship immediately as whoever is responsible clearly knows that we are on to them" T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo: "Knows we're onto them? I thought they were in your sickbay already." Keelah@crystyll: "We only have the connection between that officer and the equipment because of where it was found. With it being planted like that for us to find, it would be logical to surmise that whoever did so + Keelah@crystyll: + did not plant it in their own quarters" T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo nods, "The refinery is a very dangerous place to search. We need the topaline for our life support systems. If they know we're onto them already...well let's just say we only have one - T'Emp@anncarise: - refinery left because one of the Horde influenced people ended up blowing the other one to space dust." Keelah@crystyll: "All the more reason for us to act expediently. If you can see to the isolation, I have a team standing by to search the ship" T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo: "No. If they see you coming they might decide to blow this one too, and we can't afford to lose it. We have to continue on like everything's normal. The next supply delivery - T'Emp@anncarise: - from the refinery is in fifteen minutes. I can sneak my people in undercover on that shuttle." Keelah@crystyll: "Just long enough perhaps for my security detail to join you and inflitrate as part of your team" T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo: "Thank you for the offer, Captain, but my people can handle this. We don't want to risk anyone finding out a member of the team isn't one of us." Keelah@crystyll nods, "Alright Captain. I'll leave this in your hands for now, my team will remain on standby in case things turn sour" T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo dips his head, "Thank you, Captain. Just keep an eye on the ship, and if things go bad, do what you can to stop it from blowing." T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo: "We need that refinery intact if we're to make it to Arshai space." Keelah@crystyll: "Good luck to you Captain" she nods before the comm ends T'Emp@anncarise FX | After about fifteen minutes, the bridge informs Keelah that the refinery's shuttle has docked with the Justice and Heivo reports his team is getting aboard. Keelah@crystyll joins the duty bridge crew to monitor the situation as it unfolds T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly has returned to her station on the bridge and taps away at the engineering console, "Hard to get readings from the refinery ship, but everything looks to be going as usual still." T'Emp@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "The supply shuttle will return in three minutes." Keelah@crystyll: "Keep a close watch on that ship, I want to know at first sign of any change in readings from it" T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly nods, "Yes Captain." T'Emp@anncarise | A few seconds later, the turbolift doors open and Silvestrie steps out. "Captain." Keelah@crystyll: "Lieutenant, just in time to see things unfold" T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie looks over to Kelly, "Commander, you said the dampening device and the equipment must have been planted in the last two hours?" T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly nods, "That's right, why?" T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie: "Can you isolate from our sensor records exactly when it appeared?" T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly: "I should be able to. Let me check." T'Emp@anncarise | She taps on her console for a bit before saying, "Eighty-two minutes ago." Keelah@crystyll watches the pair, "On to something there?" T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie: "Captain, the only people who went in there between my arrival and when Lieutenant Horinius and the entire bunk room was tested for Horde influence is...Captain Heivo's marine team." T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie: "We can't trust the USDF marines." T'Emp@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "And they are on that shuttle..." Keelah@crystyll: "Dammit! Get Captain Heivo on the comm. What's the shuttles eta to the refinery?" T'Emp@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "ETA is one minute. We can still intercept it and catch it with a tractor beam." Keelah@crystyll: "Do it" T'Emp@anncarise | Vrolmacht nods, "Locking on with tractor beam...we have them." T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly: "They're not resisting. The shuttle doesn't even have shields. We can beam them directly to the brig." Keelah@crystyll: "Hold them for the moment, I don't want to take them without first speaking with their captain" Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "I have Captain Heivo on the line." Keelah@crystyll looks to the viewscreen, "Captain, we have news" T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo: "I noticed you're holding the resupply shuttle. What's wrong?" Keelah@crystyll: "It's your marine team, Captain. We refined the timings of when the decoy equipment was planted, and the logs show the only people who had access were your own marine team who are on that shuttle" T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo: "That's impossible. We've screened everyone in the Defense Force according to the exact instructions your doctors gave us. They're free of Horde influence." Keelah@crystyll: "That does not equate to innocence in this matter. We assumed a connection, but is not a necessity" T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo: "If there are Horde-influenced personnel on the refinery ship, they'll get suspicious if the resupply shuttle doesn't get back on time." Keelah@crystyll: "How do you wish to proceed here, Captain?" T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie: "Captain, I might be able to send my team over to the shuttle while we transfer the marines to the brig in the meantime." Keelah@crystyll glances back, "What do you say Captain?" T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo thinks for a second and nods, "Very well." Keelah@crystyll nods back to Silvestrie, "See to it" T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie taps his console to get his team beamed to the shuttle. T'Emp@anncarise | Kelly: "We have the marines in the brig." Keelah@crystyll: "We'll keep you apprised of the situation there Captain. In the mean time do you want to join us or have a representative join us to question the marines?" T'Emp@anncarise | Heivo nods, "I'll send someone over." T'Emp@anncarise | Silvestrie: "My team is on board." T'Emp@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Releasing tractor beam." Keelah@crystyll: "Then we will await their arrival and speak again as soon as there is news on either front. Valley Forge out" Keliaya@anncarise FX | A few tense minutes pass as everyone monitors the situation from the VF bridge... Keliaya@anncarise | Silvestrie: "The USDF representative is on board, but the marines still won't talk, Captain. They're saying they're under orders and aren't at liberty to say who gave them." Keelah@crystyll: "Of course they are..." shakes her head despondently, "Have the representative wait in conference 3, I will join them once the situation over there is in hand" Keliaya@anncarise | Silvestrie nods, "Yes Captain. Security team is progressing through the refinery ship. No sign of anything wrong so far." Keliaya@anncarise: "No sign of anything unstable with the vessel either." Keelah@crystyll: "Alright, we need answers. Let's go see what our representative knows" she nods to Silvestrie to join her, "Tee, have Kazra join us to test everyone as well" Keelah@crystyll & Silvestrie enter the conference room a few minutes later... Keliaya@anncarise | The representative, a female USDF officer with a blue stripe on her uniform, sits in the room. She rises as Keelah and Silvestrie enters, "Captain." Keelah@crystyll: "Thank you for joining us so promptly, I hope we can get to the bottom of this situation quickly with your assistance" Keliaya@anncarise | The officer nods, "These marines are very adamant about keeping quiet. Whoever gave them the orders must have a significant rank in the USDF." Keelah@crystyll: "These are your men; how do you wish to proceed?" Keliaya@anncarise | USDF Officer: "Well they are USDF personnel, but I'm an officer on the Justice. These marines deployed from our ship, but they're Captain Heivo's men from the Warden. He says he wanted his own - Keliaya@anncarise: - on this mission, people he knew he could trust." Keliaya@anncarise FX | Silvestrie's combadge sounds. Keelah@crystyll pauses and looks his way Keliaya@anncarise | Silvestrie: "Sorry. The team must have something to report." Keelah@crystyll gestures for him to proceed Keliaya@anncarise | He taps his combadge, "Silvestrie here." Keliaya@anncarise: <C - Delaan> "This is Petty Officer Delaan. We have found a...workshop of some description. The officers and personnel within surrendered without any struggle. Our equipment is here, being - Keliaya@anncarise: - disassembled and tinkered with." Keliaya@anncarise | Silvestrie: "Did you say officers?" Keliaya@anncarise: <C - Delaan> "Yes, sir. They are wearing the patch of the USDF Warden." Keliaya@anncarise | Silvestrie: "Captain Heivo's ship..." Keelah@crystyll listens, casting a slow glance towards their guest Keliaya@anncarise <C - Delaan> "That's correct to my understanding." Keliaya@anncarise | Silvestrie: "How many USDF personnel are there?" Keliaya@anncarise <C - Delaan> "Six." Keliaya@anncarise | Silvestrie: "They won't fit in the shuttle, and I don't know if we can beam them off with that ship's interference. Start collecting the equipment and keep an eye on them. Don't let them out of - Keliaya@anncarise: - whatever room you're keeping them in and make sure there's no critical ship systems nearby." Keliaya@anncarise: <C - Delaan> "Understood sir." Keliaya@anncarise | Silvestrie looks back to Keelah and the USDF officer as the comm ends, "It looks like all this is pointing back to one person..." Keelah@crystyll: "It would seem so..." also looks to their guest again, "My earlier question stands; how do you wish to proceed, given this latest revelation?" Keliaya@anncarise | USDF Officer: "Captain Heivo is in command of the fleet now. Technically, his orders, secret or not, are official fleet orders. But he's kept Commander Drator and likely Captain Desdyn in the - Keliaya@anncarise: - dark about this. That, or they're keeping very quiet about it either..." Keelah@crystyll: "Regardless, he is the commanding officer of the personnel we found so he is immediately accountable. What about the sovereignty of your Queen, how does she fit into this heirarchy?" Keliaya@anncarise | USDF Officer: "The Queen is largely a ceremonial role now, but...Queen Eliana has been using her power much more than any previous monarch has in generations." Keelah@crystyll: "Alright... It is time then to confront Captain Heivo. You might as well join me, this is going public anyway" Keliaya@anncarise | The officer nods, "What about the other fleet COs? Or would you rather confront Captain Heivo alone?" Keelah@crystyll: "Oh, they'll be in on the conversation as well. Everyone with an active comm channel will" she side nods towards the door as she turns to head out and back to the bridge Keelah@crystyll , Silvestrie and the USDF Officer return to the bridge. She indicates near the command station for the officer to wait while she consults her staff Keelah@crystyll , Silvestrie and the USDF Officer return to the bridge. She indicates near the command station for the officer to wait while she consults her staff Keelah@crystyll joins Kelly first, "Commander, we have a situation brewing and I need you to give me some viable options. How different is their propulsion technology from our own?" Keliaya@anncarise: "It uses the exact same principles. Matter-antimatter reactions to generate enough energy to create a warp bubble. Their warp cores and generators are just significantly less advanced than ours." Keelah@crystyll: "Good. So an inverse graviton pulse would still destabilize their warp fields and prevent any ships from leaving for a time, yes?" Keliaya@anncarise nods, "Yes, that will do the trick." Keelah@crystyll: "Good. Now what range can we emit an all-round pulse up to?" Keliaya@anncarise: "If we amplify the deflectors enough, we can send it across about 50,000 kilometres. If you're thinking of preventing the refugee fleet from warping off, we should be able to catch all 65 ships if - Keliaya@anncarise: - we remain around the centre of the fleet." Keelah@crystyll nods, "Make the necessary preparations" and moves over to Vrolmacht Keliaya@anncarise nods back, "On it, Captain." Keelah@crystyll: "Commander, we are preparing an inverse graviton burst to disable the fleet - Kelly is setting it up now. I need you to coordinate with the helm and keep us centrally located. If any start preparing + Keelah@crystyll: + a jump to warp speed, we may need to disable them" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "Understood, Captain. I will set our phasers to levels that should not risk damaging their ships too heavily." Keelah@crystyll: "And let us hope it does not come to that..." Keelah@crystyll returns to her chair, looking to TQ: "Tee, get me Captain Heivo on an open frequency" Keelah@crystyll TQ looks back, "Captain? You did say an /open/ frequency?" Keelah@crystyll nods Keelah@crystyll | TQ acknowledges and raises the Warden Keliaya@anncarise FX | Captain Heivo reappears on the viewscreen. Keelah@crystyll: "Captain, I have news of our investigation" Keliaya@anncarise | Heivo: "What did you find?" Keelah@crystyll: "Your officers working in seclusion to reverse engineer technology stolen from this ship. As their Commanding Officer I must ask you to report immediately to the Valley Forge to be held accountable + Keelah@crystyll: + for the actions of those under your command" Keliaya@anncarise | Heivo sighs, "I suppose there's no point in trying to hide it any more. Very well." Keliaya@anncarise | Heivo stands from his seat and straightens his uniform, "I claim full responsibility for the actions of the officers under my command. I would ask that you release them so they may resume their - Keliaya@anncarise: - duties. They were acting under my orders and my orders alone." Keelah@crystyll dips her head respectfully at the acknowledgement of responsibility, "Thank you, Captain. I do not wish for relations between our respective peoples to become soured after such a promising start" Keelah@crystyll | TQ: "Captain, I have the Paladin on the line" Keelah@crystyll glances over, "Patch them in" Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan appears on the other half of the screen, on the more damaged bridge of the Paladin, "You went behind all our backs to do this Heivo. Why?" Keliaya@anncarise | Heivo: "Because I knew you wouldn't agree." Keelah@crystyll leans back, content to let them talk it out in full view of their fleet for the moment Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan: "And you're damn right about that. These people have saved us and more. Why would you steal from them?" Keliaya@anncarise | Heivo: "We /need/ their technology. And all you and Mercius were willing to do was ask nicely." Keelah@crystyll | Lennie looks over to Keelah, "Cap'n, mind if I interject?" Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan: "They've done nothing but help us. We have no right to treat them with anything less than respect." Keelah@crystyll raises her hands a little, "Go right ahead" watching her with a little curiosity Keliaya@anncarise | Heivo: "This isn't about right. Your father didn't get us this far by doing everything according to your Elisian morality." Keelah@crystyll | Lenne steps around from her console to stand in front of Keelah, just to one side, "Gentleman, if I could say somethin'..." Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan: "My father kept you in check. He- Go on..." Keelah@crystyll | Lennie looks between the pair, "Now y'all don't know mah people, so I'se-a keep this simple for ya; I get where ya comin' from Cap'n Heivo, truly I do. Ya see, time was - centuries ago - Orion's + Keelah@crystyll: + were a proud race o' artisans. Highly cultured, an' revered around th'quadrant. But civil war tore our people apart an' turned th'Orion people t'refugees, like y'all. Our home were gone, an' we was+ Keelah@crystyll: + nothin' but scattered vagrants. An' cos so many turned t'such ways; lyin' an' stealin' an' cheatin' their way around th'quadrant, it destroyed our name in th'eyes of th'wider galaxy so bad tha' + Keelah@crystyll: + folks now generally don't even know we was ever anythin' better than tha'. It's taken generations f'us t'recover from th'sake of a few takin' them shortcuts an' screwin' over good folks who tried + Keelah@crystyll: + t'help 'em-" glancing back to Keelah with a small smile, "- I know ya situations bad now, but don't let yaselves devolve into tha' vagrancy. Y'all still got a chance t'recover wit'dignity, y'all + Keelah@crystyll: + may not see it, ya children may not see it; but maybe their children will. An' when tha' day comes, ya want 'em talkin' proudly o'ya actions durin' this pilgrimmage across th'stars, or wit' shame? + Keelah@crystyll: + Don't let yaselves become th'new Orions o'this quadrant. It ain't worth it..." Keelah@crystyll smiles at Lennie's heartfelt speech, making a mental note to let her do that more often. Though perhaps using her UT in the future... Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan: "She's right. Having their technology will help us survive, no doubt about it. But if they say no, we can't just take them. The last thing we need is more enemies." Keliaya@anncarise | Heivo: "We would've never survived without their ship and their weapons coming to our assistance. What do we do when they're not here to save us?" Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan: "Look out for ourselves, as we did under my father's leadership. Would you rather antagonize them and have them shooting at us as well?" Keelah@crystyll: "That is not Starfleet's way, but there are powers in this part of the galaxy who not think twice about destroying your ships under these circumstances" Keelah@crystyll: "This is why I gave you all that information regarding the area you are headed towards; friendly allied societies who will be able to help you - the right way" Keelah@crystyll: "But how can I let you proceed into the territory of our allies knowing that I'm sending in a thief to doublecross and steal from them?" Keelah@crystyll casually hammers the point home to remind the entire population how the Captain's actions may well have let them down so bad Keliaya@anncarise | Heivo: "Everything I've done, I did for the sake of our fleet. What's left of our people. But these actions are mine, and mine alone. Do what you will with me, Captain Se'Lai, but let my people - Keliaya@anncarise: - go. The most they're guilty of is being loyal men and following my orders, and that's just my own crew." Keelah@crystyll nods, "Your intentions are noble, even if the means leaves a lot to be desired, Captain. I have no desire to see your people suffer and so will not seek to remove our repairs and upgrades that were + Keelah@crystyll: + provided" looks to Teagan, "Captain, under purely internal circumstances, what would be the course of action taken here under your own rules and regulations?" Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan: "By our protocol, he'll be suspended from duty while a full investigation is conducted. The ultimate measures will depend on the charges that the investigators find." Keelah@crystyll: "And what will become of your fleet leadership if this were to be the case?" Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan: "By your doctor's estimates, Captain Mercius should be able to awake sometime today, at which point she'll lead the fleet again as the commanding officer of its current flagship. Until - Keliaya@anncarise: - then, I suppose I'll have to take command of the fleet as the only captain in active duty. Command of the Warden will pass to the XO for the time being, unless the investigation also finds her - Keliaya@anncarise: - culpable to some degree. If the entire command staff of the Warden ends up implicated, someone from the Justice or Paladin will take over as CO." Keelah@crystyll nods, "That is acceptable for us" Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan: "You want us to take it from here, then?" Keelah@crystyll: "Yes, it serves no purpose for either party for us to take direct action. Were we in the Federation core, things might be different. But we're a long way from home and my only option is long term + Keelah@crystyll: + incarceration in our brig..." shakes her head, "...that helps nobody, so yes; I am satisfied that you can handle the situation from here, Captain." Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan nods, "We'll make sure he answers properly for what he's done. As of this moment, I'm taking command of the fleet until Captain Mercius returns." Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan: "On behalf of the United Sibellan Systems and the USDF, I apologize for what was done to your equipment. Everything last item that belongs to your people will be returned to you." Keelah@crystyll: "My team will confiscate everything found in the secluded area that is either our technology, or information pertaining to it. Everything that was willingly provided to your fleet will remain in + Keelah@crystyll: + place" she smiles Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan nods and smiles back, "Thank you, Captain. I hope this series of events have not marred your view of our people too much. Captain Heivo's actions do not represent all of us, perhaps not - Keliaya@anncarise: - even himself in better days. But these times are desperate for our people, and sometimes people go too far when pushed." Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan: "I wish I could say this is the first time I've seen such things happen. Let's just hope it's one of the last times on this journey, shall we?" Keelah@crystyll: "I understand that desperate measures can drive us to do things we wouldn't ordinarily consider. I am just relieved that we were able to resolve this amicably, and hold nothing but well wishes to you+ Keelah@crystyll: + and your people" Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan: "And I for your people. Thank you again for coming to our rescue, and I apologize that we repaid you with thievery and deception." Keelah@crystyll: "Farewell Captain, live long and prosper" Keliaya@anncarise | Teagan: "Live long and prosper, Captain Se'Lai."
View AAR
AFTER ACTION REPORT STARFLEET SECURITY CLEARANCE LEVEL 2 | Confidential
FILED BY
CAPT Se'Lai
ON STARDATE
97329.3
LOCATION
KEY PERSONNEL
Sectors V-017
CAPT Se'Lai
Senior Staff
FLT Baelai
ENS Carter
MISSION PARAMETERSOUTCOME SUMMARY Investigate report of Lupan attack and render aid. Refugee fleet aided and directed towards the Arshai colony.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The refugee fleet was restored to the best of our abilities in the circumstances and able to continue at low warp towards Arshai territory. Key personnel there have been cleansed of Horde influence and trained in the detection of - and remedial action for - it among their wider population. The unfortunate matter of attempted theft of advanced technology was resolved amicably and the refugee fleet leadership changed hands as a result. Though a full breakdown of our experience with them was also forwarded to the Arshai in the vain of full disclosure given that they would likely see this fleet themselves soon.
NARRATIVE
The Valley Forge received a general distress signal from a vessel claiming to be under attack while escorting a refugee fleet. We moved to intercept and found Lupan raiders to be attacking a number of what appeared to be capable starships, albeit of less technological development than Starfleet or the Lupan. After deterring the Lupan attack and recovering kidnapped refugees from their flagship we reconvened with the attacked vessels to find a large number of civilian vessels had returned to their side. Medical triage was provided for their wounded while engineering teams began work to repair damage to their fleet. As they were found to be of a lesser technology than Starfleet, care was taken to ensure no inadvertent handover of advanced technology. To this end, ENS Carter & FLT Baelai were assigned to work with the repair crews as they both possess superior knowledge of such technologies; ENS Carter from her upbringing on Nimbus & FLT Baelai from her own FE technology which - in terms of FTL travel - is much more comparable to that of the refugee fleet.
Whilst repairs ensued, our medical analysis confirmed the presence of Horde influence through the same neurological markers as found in the Arshai we recently treated. These findings were presented to the refugee fleet leadership who were not surprised by the revelation as they were fleeing from the Horde itself. A strategy was formulated to cleanse the population of the fleet by first clearing their medical and leadership personnel who would then be trained in method only (consistent with their level of development) in order to treat their wider population. As this was set to take approximately 3 days to complete, we settled in and continued to assist where able while engaging in promising cultural exchanges which included more valuable intelligence on the Horde's (relatively) recent movement.
However we received news of opportunistic thefts occurring at an alarming rate, from the repair teams around the fleet. ENS Carter & FLT Baelai first encountered such a theft with suspicion of more than innocent mishandling after equipment was taken from their repair kit during an emergency response to a collapsed structure on board one of the refugee fleet flagships. They tracked the missing technology and found evidence consistent with a thief attempting to elude them. Further investigation raised awareness to how widespread the thefts were, and given our current position of cleansing the fleet from Horde influence it was deemed highly likely that influenced personnel were attempting to use the stolen technology for sabotage (an act proven to be within their remit on more than one historical occasion as we learned).
We investigated thoroughly until finding a suspected stockpile. While the person believed responsible was tracked down however, security teams confirmed that the find was not consistent with the amount of stolen technology which indicated the thief's knowledge of our investigation and an attempt to deflect us from the truth. Further scrutiny led our investigation to a fuel refinery vessel within the fleet; naturally shielded from our sensors by it's refining processes, it made a natural hiding spot. Given the extremely sensitive nature of this vessel - as the last of it's kind within the fleet - we yielded to the fleets own governance in the matter and allowed them to conduct the investigation. However, we learned of further inconsistencies which indicated the involvement of the very strike team now moving to search the refinery ship and so they were detained while we investigated.
Taking over the refinery vessel search, our security detail soon found an isolated chamber where uniformed officers from the fleet flagship were working to disassemble and reverse-engineer our stolen technology. From here we were soon able to surmise that the fleet commander was in some way responsible, although he had already been cleared of Horde influence. This led to the regrettable revelation that it was conscious action to take advantage of the situation, and our presence. So I confronted him over an open communication channel, allowing their entire fleet to observe the accusation, after forming a strategy to demobilize the fleet should it transpire to be a collective effort and if they needed to be detained. The fleet commander was surprisingly forthcoming in his admission of guilt however, and accepted full responsibility for his conduct and that of his officers. Once this became public knowledge among the refugee fleet, the other flagship captain's were quick to interject and challenge his decision. Great deliberation ensued and ultimately, circumstances prevailed as it was neither practical or fruitful for us to detain him as we perhaps would in Federation territory. Instead, command of the fleet was transferred to the captain who challenged this action (pending the recovery of a more senior CO) whilst an internal court martial-like proceeding would determine the fate of the former commanding officer. Satisfied that the matter was closed and relationships held intact, we parted ways with the refugee fleet.