ST:TTV606 | "Anarchy"

Stardate 97796.5

The crew of the Valley Forge prove their prowess in handling this unpredictable region of space when calling out a fake a distress signal. Kelly and Eva have less success when attempting to refine LT Dra's recently discovered ability with unexpected results...

---

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Evanne Dra@annpc#557 FX | It has been three days since the Valley Forge has left the Iconian ruin behind in the hands of the Guardian Rangers. The ship heads back towards Terminu, while Kelly accompanies Eva to her -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - second training session with the Architect.


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"The Architect said to bring someone else along this time. To practice with that is, and you seemed a natural option."


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly smiles, "Not sure what exactly I can do, but you know I'm happy to help"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 chuckles, "I'm fairly sure you're more just to practice /on/."


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly chuckles, "That's oddly reassuring"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"That made you sound like a lab rat, didn't it..." she laughs. "I just meant you probably don't have to do anything. It's just needing another person to work with."


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly: "If nothing else, it must mean you're doing well to be at this point!"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I may not be my parents, but I've still had plenty of training- years more than Sin had when she began with Luthril, so I'm off to a much better starting point."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 chuckles, "Actually still years more than Sin has now, but she learns quickly."


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly: "Sin's lifespan and learning rate are just cheating with this stuff anyway" she chuckles


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Yes she certainly is..."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The two stop at a door and Eva rings the doorbell. The Architect's voice sounds from inside, "Come."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | They step in to one of the Counselling offices, which the Architect has taken over for their sessions. The Architect sits behind the desk, dressed in a loose fitting grey robe. He stands as -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- they enter, smiling gently, "Commander Keliaya. I thought she would bring you."


Keelah@crystyl:"I'll do whatever's necessary to help Eva" she smiles, spoken with a little more conviction


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Architect motions over to the nearby sofa, "Please, have a seat."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 steps over and sits down.


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly follows and sits beside Eva


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "Before we begin, I have a subject of curiosity. I was hoping to bring it up with the Captain or one of your senior officers when I next encountered them, and now that you are here..."


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly smirks to Eva, "If you're paying by the hour, you'd best push for a refund on this one..."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smirks back, "Fortunately, the Architect doesn't charge anything. Except questions like this, on occasion."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Architect smiles, "This will not take long, I assure you. You brought a number of the Iconian defense probes and energy projectors on board for study and potential future use, did you not?"


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly nods, "You are well informed as always"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "I was recently traversing the ship when I sensed something of incredible power within one of your locked cargo areas. Power you are not yet capable of harnessing within such a small -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- space. Would this happen to be another such item you have brought on board during your travels?"


Keelah@crystyl | Kellye hrms, "It is possible. We have recovered numerous relics and resources during our travels. Could you show me where you were when you sensed this?"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Architect picks up a PADD from the table, bringing up an MSD and zooming in to the area of the ship before handing it to Kelly.


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly looks and nods, "Here? You sensed this immense power here?"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Architect nods back.


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly shows Eva and nods, "This is near the vault"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "The vault?"


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly nods, "It's a highly secure storage area we converted from an armoury within the heart of the ship. Ever since we became aware of the increasing threat of boardings out here, as well as the +


Keelah@crystyl:+ previously mentioned high value cargo; we decided to take extra precautions for them. Hence the vault"


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly: "It is locked down to the same requirements as the self destruct protocol and reinforced as strong as the main sickbay. In other words, if the ship were lost; that room would survive"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Architect nods, "I see. This item you are storing is quite powerful, and valuable indeed. Thank you for indulging my curiosity."


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly: "I am equally curious about your sensing it, but that is not why we are here now. I suggest consulting with the Captain to get the full version of things"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "That I shall. Let us begin, then. The two of you share a bond, if I am not mistaken?"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "We do.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "This should make things smoother, then."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "Try to touch her mind as you usually do, Eva. Now close your eyes, both of you."


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly closes her eyes


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 closes her eyes as well.


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "Once you can feel her mind, do as we practiced until you can sense not only her thoughts and her emotions, but everything else."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I already can without using the Failsafe, through our bond."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "Can you find the Failsafe?"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 says "Yes," but Kelly finds the words coming out of her mouth as well, with the two speaking in unison.


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "Yes. Good. Now try to go further. See if you can move her arm, but not yours."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Meanwhile, the voices around her begin to fade as Kelly feels herself almost slipping out of consciousness...


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 speaks in unison with Kelly again, "Wait, something's happening..."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "Sever the connection. Now!"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The last thing Kelly hears before completely passing out is her own voice saying "I can't..."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Slowly, she feels herself coming to again...


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | As her senses begin to return, she hears her voice speaking with the Architect, but she's not moving it nor feels it moving...


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kelly: "...sense her through the bond, but not stretch out to touch her mind.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "But she can.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kelly: "She doesn't know how to use it, though.”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly looks around, getting the world back into focus


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | She finds everything looking as she remembers it, still being in the Counselor's office with the Architect in front of her...until she glances left and sees herself sitting beside her.


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "She can learn."


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly, "Um... what's going on...?"


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly looks down herself in confusion


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | She finds herself speaking in Eva's voice, and looks down to see the same uniform, but a recognizable difference in body shape. She seems to be looking at Eva's body and through Eva's eyes. For -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kelly's voice sounds beside her, "Kelly! You're awake!"


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly, "Yes, I... was a bit disorientated for a moment. But all is good now" she smiles


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | She still finds herself speaking with Eva's voice...


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The sudden relief passes by as well.


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly frowns, "Only..." shakes her head, "I'm you? And you're me?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Eva-Kelly: "It seems so…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "The bond may have made things a little /too/ smooth.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Eva-Kelly: "I'm still trying to figure out what happened…”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly looks to the Architect, "Consciousness transferral?! This is not good…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Architect nods, explaining calmly, "Normally, the Failsafe allows one to control and overwrite the actions of other Children. Your physical self is taken over by the one using the Failsafe, -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- and your consciousness is imprisoned within your own body. Although you do not normally possess the telepathic capability to touch others' minds, the bond works both ways, bridging the gap between -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- the two of you. When Eva used the Failsafe to control your movements, your consciousness naturally tried to regain control, resulting in it slithering through the connection and switching places.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "I did not anticipate this. I have never seen the Failsafe used between two as close as you before.”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly: "So... what happens now? We attempt it again to reverse the process?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Eva-Kelly: "Can't you do what you did with me when you transferred me to the new body?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "Even with transferring only your consciousness, I believe some of my knowledge may have accidentally latched on to you, which is why you have your proficiency with controlling the -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- Failsafe during the Horde incident despite having no prior training. If I act as a medium for both of you, it will be far more difficult and dangerous. We could merge and unmerge, and the -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- resulting people would be neither of our original consciousness, but elements of all three.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The Architect nods over to Kelly-Eva, "Our best option is to reverse the process exactly as it was done, by having you use Eva's abilities to activate the Failsafe and retake your own body.”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly: "Wait..." looks to Eva-Kelly, "While you're in my body you don't have your abilities. Which means... I do?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Eva-Kelly nods, "I've tried. I can sense your thoughts and feelings through our bond, but I don't have my abilities. I can still regulate our bond so you don't feel everything I do /all/ the -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- time, but I can't access the Failsafe without proper telepathy.”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly nods, "Just tell me what to do”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Eva-Kelly: "Close your eyes. You should be able to sense what I'm feeling now. And the Architect. It may feel like strange sudden emotions and thoughts, but you should be able to tell that -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- they're not yours. Just clear your own mind, and see what you sense.”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly takes a deep breath, slowly closing her eyes as she focuses on the instruction.


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | She has a sense of concern, which she is able to discern is coming from beside her, likely from Eva, and another feeling of fascination, probably from the Architect.


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "What do you feel?”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly: "I sense... your fascination. And Eva's concern, which I share" she turns a little, smiling with her eyes still closed while reaching for her hand


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Eva-Kelly smiles back and takes her hand.


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "Now focus on her. Try to ignore my mind, like tuning out a conversation in the background of a busy city.”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly nods and focuses


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | She 'hears' Eva in her proper voice, though with an echo-like quality, "Can you hear the words I am thinking now?”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly: "I do”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Eva: "Good.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "Purge your mind of all thought, all feeling, all senses. Focus solely on Eva, and try to raise your hand.”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly concentrates and tries to do as instructed


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | A few seconds pass before she hears the Architect's voice again, "It is as I suspected. Eva's ability to use the Failsafe is not simply because I have used it on her before, but due to -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- something she subconsciously picked up from me during the transfer. You may open your eyes now.”


Keelah@crystyl | Slowly opens her eyes and looks around


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kelly finds herself in Eva's body still, with Eva's hand being raised.


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly: "It didn't work?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "I will have to teach you in a more conventional manner. I can impart some of the knowledge to you telepathically, but you will have to practice with it before you are ready.”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly; "This is a more permanent arrangement then...?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "Not permanent, no. If I use a combination of telepathy, teaching and practice, I can have you prepared in one or two of your weeks. But you will have to remain as you are until then.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Eva-Kelly smiles slightly, "It could be worse. At least you know my body well already.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Eva-Kelly: "And now I think I'm starting to talk like you as well…”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly-Eva smiles, "I think we can make the most of this. Though I'm not so looking forward to explaining this to the Captain as we race towards a critical situation..."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Eva-Kelly: "Oh, right. We'll have to let her know if this is going to last a few days..."


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "I should be able to prepare you before we reach Terminu. But it will be at least a few days."


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly-Eva: "You were planning on speaking with her anyway right? Perhaps we should leave it here today while we adjust to these circumstances... and you can speak to the Captain"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect nods, "I will let her know. And I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you."


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly-Eva: "I expect it will more confusing for our colleagues seeing us at each others stations for a while”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Architect: "Indeed. It should be less strange for you given your closeness. I will speak to the Captain and leave you to yourselves.”


Keelah@crystyl | Kelly-Eva stands, "We'll take some time to get... acclimated before our next duty shifts”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Eva-Kelly stands as well, while the Architect steps out of the office.


---


The Architect@anncaris finds Keelah using the ship's computer and heads to her quarters, ringing the doorbell.


Keelah@crystyl:"Come in, it's open"


The Architect@anncaris steps inside, "Captain Se'Lai."


Keelah@crystyl sits casually, reading and enjoying a glass of clear liquid, "Architect. This is an unexpected surprise. Please, come in, make yourself comfortable"


The Architect@anncaris steps over and takes a seat on the couch, "There has been a...incident. Nothing serious, but something you should know."


Keelah@crystyl sips her drink once more before setting it down, holding eyes on him, "Why do I get the feeling I am not going to like this"


The Architect@anncaris:"I...do not think you will, and I apologize for my failure to foresee it. I am certain it can be undone in time, and it has provided me with some answers we sought.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Ok..."


The Architect@anncaris:"As you know, I have been training Eva- Lieutenant Dra, to see if she is indeed able to make use of the Failsafe. I requested that she bring another along today, and she brought Commander Keliaya.”


Keelah@crystyl:"A sensible next step given their natural connection”


The Architect@anncaris nods, "I thought so as well. However, the Failsafe normally allows only for one-way control. Due to the bond however, the connection inadvertantly opened both ways. Eva accidentally trapped -


The Architect@anncaris:- herself in Kelly's body, while Kelly transferred over to Eva's. The process can be repeated and reversed, but as I hypothesized, Eva's ability to use the Failsafe comes from what she picked up -


The Architect@anncaris:- when I transferred her consciousness to the new body. I will have to show Kelly how to do the same.”


Keelah@crystyl leans back, crossing her legs as she leans slightly to one side, "Are you telling me they have... switched bodies?"


The Architect@anncaris nods, "Yes. That is essentially what has occurred. They are both still perfectly well and able to carry out their duties, but they will have to remain in one another's bodies until Kelly is -


The Architect@anncaris:- prepared to recreate what Eva has done.”


Keelah@crystyl perks a brow, "Fascinating... If it weren't so inconvenient, it would almost be entertaining”


The Architect@anncaris:"They should be able to continue their work, but as Kelly has pointed out, it may lead to some confusion with the rest of the crew. But this is a poor time to put your Chief Engineer on medical leave”


Keelah@crystyl nods, "Indeed, we can't afford to lose either of them right now if we can avoid it. It will be... unusual for the crew, but they will adapt. Thank you for informing me”


The Architect@anncaris nods back, "I apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. I have never seen the Failsafe used between two with such a bond, and did not expect this result.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Exploring the unknown is part of what of draws us out here. It is a part of life in Starfleet" she smiles, "As long as no permanent damage is done to the pair, they will be fine”


The Architect@anncaris:"There should not be any permanent damage, but it may be some time before I can prepare Kelly to reverse the process. I will try to teach her everything before we reach Terminu.”


Keelah@crystyl:"I appreciate your efforts, but I'd rather we don't rush and risk hurting either of them”


The Architect@anncaris nods, "I'll take my time with them, then. There is one more thing I came to ask. I sensed an object of significant power on board, inside what Kelly identified as the vault.”


Keelah@crystyl retrieves her drink for another sip, "Is that so? What exactly did you sense?”


The Architect@anncaris:"Something capable of harnessing more power in a smaller space than your technology is currently capable of. I suspect I know from whence it came, or at least the hands of its creators.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Then please; satisfy my curiosity and tell me what your interpretation of this is. Drink?" she offers casually, refilling her own


The Architect@anncaris takes a glass of his own, "Thank you. I believe it to be one of the creations of another one of the Children, one who was too much like ourselves.”


Keelah@crystyl:"More Children?" she hrms, "Not something I can considered based on our interactions but certanily within the realm of possibility. What else?”


The Architect@anncaris:"Like the Iconians and the Nuhar, they awoke much earlier than you, and developed much further. But at their core, they were Children, with the same strengths and weaknesses we all share.”


Keelah@crystyl nods, "That certainly fits in the psychological profile we have. Though it is hardly a conclusive analysis given the limited number of encounters”


The Architect@anncaris:"Do you know what became of them?”


Keelah@crystyl:"Whether by your design, or their own evolution thereafter; they succumbed to their own base needs and were driven to darkest regions of space to disappear quietly”


The Architect@anncaris nods, "As I feared, then. Perhaps what remains of their technology may still assist us. Would it be possible for me to analyze what you have retrieved?”


The Architect@anncaris:"I am unsure whether it will be of any use to my research, but something of its capacity may have potential.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Of course, though we must take precautions with it”


Keelah@crystyl:"When we first found it, it was large enough to penetrate several decks of this ship. We can't risk it activating in the same manner, as you can imagine”


The Architect@anncaris nods, "I will take all necessary measures should I attempt to use it. For now, I only seek to gauge its capability and purpose.”


Keelah@crystyl:"And you are better suited than anyone to be able to achieve that”


The Architect@anncaris:"I will see what I may learn from it, then. And I will be certain not to cause another incident. One with this technology will no doubt be far more severe.”


Keelah@crystyl:"That it will. This species - for whom we don't even have a name - spent countless millenia lording over other Children species as deities. I believe they even grew to genuininely believe this state”


Keelah@crystyl:"Any technology which accompanies such an evolution is extremely dangerous”


The Architect@anncaris:"Indeed. I will be careful with it."


The Architect@anncaris finishes his drink, "That is all I wished to speak of. When I have more developments on the research or the situation with Eva and Kelly, I will inform you."


Keelah@crystyl smiles, "Always a pleasure. I look forward to seeing what you make of the relic"


---


Keliaya@anncaris FX | It is a normal quiet time on the bridge, with TQ at the comms station and Lennie at science.


Keliaya@anncaris steps out as the turbolift doors open, nodding to Lennie and TQ.


Lendaria@crystyl looks back with a smile, "Heya Kel- I mean. Eva... right?


Keliaya@anncaris chuckles and nods, "Yes, it's me." She points to the LTJG pips on her collar now, "It does get a little confusing for everyone, doesn't it…”


Lendaria@crystyl:"Not s'much as f'youse guys I'm-a bettin'. How're ya holdin' wit' all this?”


Keliaya@anncaris steps over to Lennie, "I mean, it does feel very different. Even just the differences in our body shape sometimes throw me off, but it could be worse. I'm not a Tellarite or a Breen, at least.”


Lendaria@crystyl laughs, "Yeah, lucked out there!”


Keliaya@anncaris laughs as well before saying more seriously, "I think it's mostly the lack of the usual telepathic senses though. I know that sounds strange, since I've always wanted to be more than my 


Keliaya@anncaris:- natural talent at telepathy, but I'm just used to being able to sense everyone's emotions instead of reading them.”


Keliaya@anncaris:"It's like if you suddenly didn't have sight, or smell, or hearing.”


Lendaria@crystyl nods, "Yeah, I get it. I mean... well, no I don't exactly what wit' not bein' telepathic mahself an' all. But I would liken it t'the same as losin' any other sense we always had”


Lendaria@crystyl | TQ turns and joins them, "You suppose that's the same extent for Kelly being without her libido?”


Lendaria@crystyl snickers, mostly at the deadpan delivery from TQ


Keliaya@anncaris laughs, "My libido isn't /bad/, you know. It's just...not like hers.”


Lendaria@crystyl:"I bet it's quite th'interestin' experience though. I can certainly see th'appeal in walkin' someone elses shoes for a while - I mean - just imagine the xeno-anthrapologic potential!”


Keliaya@anncaris:"It is certainly very...different. And there's plenty of benefits too. I have a lot more energy than I usually do. And I don't just mean libido," she chuckles.


Lendaria@crystyl | TQ giggles


Lendaria@crystyl:"Right, tha' sleep cycle!”


Lendaria@crystyl:"Poor Kelly, havin' t'sleep e'every day like th'rest of us" she snickers


Keliaya@anncaris grins, "And she has to keep up with my libido now too."


Keliaya@anncaris:"I'm not sure if it would work for xeno-anthropology though, as much potential as it would have. From what we know, our bond is what enabled this in the first place.”


Keliaya@anncaris:"But it's a good thing it's just us, so it isn't as awkward as it might be otherwise..."


Lendaria@crystyl:"True... well if there's anythin' we can do t'help you'se guys, just say th'word!" she chirps


Lendaria@crystyl | TQ nods, "Yeah, we're here for you both as always”


Keliaya@anncaris:"Thank you," she smirks slightly. "Maybe you should ask Kelly if she's having trouble keeping up with me.”


Keliaya@anncaris laughs again, "I'm even starting to sound like Kelly sometimes now. Good thing I learned how to manage her libido through our bond thanks to you Tee." She smiles..


Keliaya@anncaris:"Maybe there's a reason this only works with a bond. It would be much more difficult to adjust to otherwise.”


Lendaria@crystyl smirks, "Hey Tee, Tiah's strongly telepathic right? Ya could end up swappin' wit' her! ...I could jus' imagine ya wit' a tail, or nine!”


Lendaria@crystyl | TQ flushes deeply, instinctively grabbing the base of her spine before blurting out a laugh as well


Keliaya@anncaris laughs, "Now /that/ would be an interesting experience…”


Lendaria@crystyl | TQ: "Yeah... or maybe we can just leave the whole body swapping madness to you two!”


Keliaya@anncaris:"Don't worry, I promise not to teach Tiah anything! I imagine Kelly's experience isn't too different from if you had Tiah's body though.”


Keliaya@anncaris:"You have to get used to the tails, and Kelly has to get used to the telepathy.”


Lendaria@crystyl:"It'll sure make an interestin' study either way. You'se guys should put together a paper on the phenomena when ya back to ya old selves”


Keliaya@anncaris:"That's a good idea, actually. I've got plenty of time to take notes as I don't have to sleep.”


Lendaria@crystyl:"Well, I should get back to it f'now. Just gimme a shout if ya need anythin'!”


Lendaria@crystyl smiles and turns back to her station before Vrolmacht shouts at her


Keliaya@anncaris nods and looks over to TQ, "I can take over comms for you now. It's about the end of your shift anyways.”


Lendaria@crystyl | TQ smiles and nods, giving a light stretch, "Have fun!" with a little wave she heads off


Keliaya@anncaris smiles and waves back as she steps over to take over comms.


Keliaya@anncaris | Another quiet hour passes by on the bridge. Eva-Kelly glances back to Lennie again as she finishes up a task on her console, "I think it might take getting some used to for everyone to see -


Keliaya@anncaris:- Kelly standing at this station…”


Lendaria@crystyl glances back, "O'course it will. But don't worry, I'm-a sure we'll have ya both back to ya old selves in no time”


Keliaya@anncaris:"It's not too bad. Just noticing quite a few people looking twice at me when they notice me here," she chuckles. "Or maybe it's just how popular Kelly is on the ship…”


Lendaria@crystyl chuckles, "Maybe a lil' of both”


Keliaya@anncaris:"I can get used to the attention, I think. I did have a bit of experience back in my school days," she smirks


Lendaria@crystyl:"Now all we need is t'paint ya green" she grin


Keliaya@anncaris:"Or maybe we can get Kelly to switch bodies with you," she grins back


Keliaya@anncaris FX | Lennie's console picks up three ships on the edge of long-range scans”


Lendaria@crystyl checks her screen and calls over, "Commander, I got three ships jus' appeared on long range sensors”


Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "Any course and heading?”


Lendaria@crystyl:"Verifyin'..."


Lendaria@crystyl:"Looks like Guardian vessels. No movement f'now”


Keliaya@anncaris:"That's unusual. Weren't the Guardian vessels stationed in set positions to conduct hit-and-runs on the Horde armada, and then make their way to Terminu?”


Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht nods, "Indeed. This is not one of their ambush points.”


Lendaria@crystyl:"Maybe try hailin' 'em? See if they need assistance?”


Keliaya@anncaris nods and taps her console, "They're responding. They say they don't need our assistance.”


Keliaya@anncaris:"They've sent a second message with more details. They'll take care of their own repairs and they want us to keep heading towards Terminu.”


Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "If they are repairing after an ambush, why are they so far from any ambush points?”


Lendaria@crystyl rechecks the scan for any other signs of activity that might shed light on the situation


Keliaya@anncaris | Long range scans show signs of ship debris not far from where the Guardian ships are, though the debris can't be identified at this range.


Lendaria@crystyl:"Does look like they had a fight or somethin'. I can see debris, but no way to ID it at this range”


Keliaya@anncaris:"Should I send another message to ask what happened?”


Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht nods and Eva-Kelly types on her console again.


Keliaya@anncaris:"They say they were attacked by something called Anarchists before they had a chance to ambush the Horde, and had to pull back.”


Lendaria@crystyl:"Anarchists?" she asks, turning with a puzzle look, "Wha's tha', some kind o'pirates or somethin'?”


Keliaya@anncaris:"I think I remember it being mentioned in a communication somewhere..." she taps her console again. "There. When the QanwI' found the Guardian ship with the Klingon Guardians, they were taking care -


Keliaya@anncaris:- of some Anarchists. Apparently it's the word they use for people working under the Horde's influence but not fully controlled by them.”


Lendaria@crystyl:"Folks voluntarily helpin' th'Horde? Damn..." shakes her head


Keliaya@anncaris:"I don't think it's voluntary. It's like Vora and her people back at the New World. They've probably been planted with suggestions that working with the Horde is good, or just given a -


Keliaya@anncaris:- motivation that helps the Horde in the end, but they might not even know it.”


Lendaria@crystyl:"Right"


Keliaya@anncaris:"The Guardians are warning us to be careful of them, but they don't detect any in the immediate area and they should be fine on their own.”


Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht nods, "We'll hold our present course then.”


Keliaya@anncaris smiles slightly at Lennie as activity on the bridge loosens up, "Kelly's first successful communication. At least, I don't think she's worked comms before…”


Lendaria@crystyl chuckles, "Technically she still hasn't”


Keliaya@anncaris:"But maybe after a week or two of this, the crew will get as used to seeing Kelly on communications as they are with you.”


Lendaria@crystyl:"No doubt about it!"


---


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Emma is walking through the halls of the ship on her way off her duty shift...


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | ...when suddenly Kelly-Eva tumbles out of a nearby Jefferies tube.


Emma Ralde@crystyl jumps, "Woah! Wait... Eva? What are you doing crawling around a jefferies tube?" she laughs, moving to help her up


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 chuckles as she gets up with Emma's help, rubbing her shoulder, "Actually, I'm Kelly...and Eva isn't as good at climbing as I'm used to be…”


Emma Ralde@crystyl tilts her head, "No... I'm pretty sure you're Eva. Are you... feeling alright? Oh Goddess don't tell me it's me. It is isn't it - my age is finally catching up to me and I'm having a stroke”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 chuckles, "It's not you, it's...complicated. Where were you headed, by the way?”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Me? Hmm... nowhere really. Just kind of... wandering…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I think I can use some more coffee...want to come to the lounge? I can explain it there."


Emma Ralde@crystyl smiles, closing up the hatch, "Sure why not!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 leads the way to the lounge, stepping inside and over to a replicator, "Coffee, two milks, one sugar and a sprinkle of Tellurian spice.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl watches suspiciously, "Well that's certainly a Kelly drink..." addressing the replicator after, "And one Orion wine circa 2294”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 takes the coffee and the wine, handing the latter over to Emma, "Let's get a seat and I'll explain. As best as I can, at least…”


Emma Ralde@crystyl looks at her drink, "This better be strong enough for this…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 steps over and chooses a table by the window, sitting down and warming her hands with the coffee first, "So...you've heard about what Eva did at the Iconian ruins, and how she's training with the -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- Architect recently after that?”


Emma Ralde@crystyl nods, "Lennie mentioned something about at dinner the other night. Said you possessed a bunch of thralls or something?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I suppose that's me now...I should probably stay away from the Horde if we run into them, shouldn't I?”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"So what's all this business about you 'being' Kelly then?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Well, she's been training with the Architect to see if she could control this ability, and the Architect wanted someone else along for her to practice on. I went with her, but apparently our bond -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- allowed me to reverse the connection accidentally. So now I'm Eva, and Eva is me.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Or to put it simply, we accidentally transferred our consciousnesses into one another's bodies.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl leans in, "Wait, you're being serious aren't you..." tilts her head left and right, eyes fixed on Eva-Kelly's like she's trying to see Kelly's eyes behind them, "Damn…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 chuckles slightly, "I don't think you can see me, I'm all Eva now, at least physically.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 takes a sip of her coffee, "And I think I know why people love this drink so much now…”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"So does this mean you suddenly have all Eva's likes and tastes and stuff?”


Emma Ralde@crystyl asks nodding to the coffee


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "I do, but I spiced it up a little for her as well." She smirks and looks down to the coffee. "Mostly it's because I have to sleep much more now…”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Ooh yea. Daily sleep cycle must be a bummer for you now, right?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I'm not used to having to spend so much time on it! I have so much less time for everything else…”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Wait a second…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 takes another sip and stares at Emma, "Hm?”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"If you're in Eva's body now and you have her biology - tastes and all - does that mean you have her extra senses too?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "That's why we can't reverse the switch right away. /I/ have to be the one that does it now, and I don't know how.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Wow yeah, you've got to learn how to use a natural ability you've never had before!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I have the Architect's help, but it's still not easy. Sometimes it's difficult just filtering out everyone's thoughts around me still…”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Well at least it's your mind in Eva's body, not Eva's abilities in your usual body. Because then I might have my guard down around you!”


Emma Ralde@crystyl stammers, quickly sipping her drink, "NOT that I normally keep a mental guard up around you- I mean Eva... grrr you know what I mean!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 laughs, "Nothing wrong with keeping a guard up. But Eva's a Betazoid, so she wouldn't misuse her telepathy on you either, so you shouldn't have anything to worry about.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"No of course not, but she still frustratingly perceptive of emotions even with direct reading”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "It's a natural thing that happens. I can just...feel what people around me are feeling now, even when I'm not actively trying to read anyone. It's like walking into the lounge on a busy -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- night. Even when you're not trying to listen to other conversations, you still catch parts of things in the background. And if someone starts laughing or yelling, you automatically know they're -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- happy or upset.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I can shut it out completely, but it's like covering your ears- it's an active thing I have to do. If I don't keep it up, I always pick up something in the background.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Makes sense" she sips some more, "Goddess, I can't even imagine how difficult it must be to try and learn to master something like that…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Actually, didn't Sin only recently get her telepathic and telekinetic abilities?”


Emma Ralde@crystyl hrms, "She had them before I knew her. But I think they only really surfaced to their full potential since Belyia”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Maybe I should talk to her about this sometime.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Couldn't hurt! If nothing else, she has experience of quickly learning to master powerful mental abilities”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 takes another sip of coffee, "That's what I was thinking. And that reminds me, have you ever seen anything like what happened with Eva and I before, Emma?”


Emma Ralde@crystyl shakes her head, "Nothing like this exactly. Back in my early years there were some crazy goings on with the mycellial network. But not exactly switching bodies as I recall”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"There was that one incident with the Enterprise. Which one was it now... Late 23rd century I think, yeah!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Oh? What do you know about it?"


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Not much. Only that the Captain was exposed to a similar experience through the means of some alien technology of unknown origin. There may be more in the archives, but I just remember 'yet another +


Emma Ralde@crystyl:+ wild and reckless adventure from the flagship'" she chuckles


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 chuckles, "I thought you would've heard of something at least remotely similar in your long career. Which Captain was this, Pike, Kirk, Spock or Harriman? No wait, Pike was more mid-23rd century, -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- wasn't he?”


Emma Ralde@crystyl nods, "He was much more straight laced too. Must have been Kirk, only he was crazy enough to get into those kind of adventures!”


Emma Ralde@crystyl flushes a deep green, "Umm... no offense. Sorry!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 laughs, "Hey, being compared to Kirk is usually a good thing.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Depends on the context. During my debriefs at SFIHQ I recall his name being cursed in a whole plethora of different languages”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"True, I imagine his adventures must've caused quite a lot of trouble for some people..."


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Yeah... but it always made me laugh, so it's all good there!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Must've been a very interesting time to be around SFIHQ. I'll see if I can find that particular crazy adventure in the archives," she smiles. "Thank you for letting me know about it.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Not sure how much help it'll be, but sure! Anything I can do to help you guys out after all. Not like I have anything keeping me busy these days anyway”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles, "We'll get Rianni back as soon as we can. Now that we're headed back towards Terminu, I think we'll be getting closer to wherever that ship is at now.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl sighs, "I wish I could be so optimistic. But they could be anywhere by now…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I doubt they'd go head-first into Horde space, at least…”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"If I were their Captain, I'd have high tailed as far away from here as possible. Skirt around the Beta quadrant and pitch up far from the Federation or the Horde”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I'm pretty sure they don't think like us though. More like a combination of the stereotypical Romulans and Klingons.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Exactly; they are conquerors. And they know the Horde is ahead of them, and the Federation behind them. So where else to go build a new Empire than to the side”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"True. Well, they couldn't have gone /too/ far yet, even if that is their intention.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Have you visited the other Rianni at all? You know, the one in the brig


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 shakes her head, "No. Well, Eva has, back when she was in her own body, but I've never actually met her. I've heard a little about her from Eva though.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Do you know... I mean, what's she like? Is she anything like our- like my Rianni?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Not from what I've heard. I think there's some similarities, beyond the appearance that is, but they feel like two different people.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"That's what I thought..." she sounds resided, but still disappointed


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I have a feeling you probably won't like this one..." she gives a reassuring smile, "But I promise you, we'll do everything we can to find your Rianni.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Yeah... I know" she smiles, "Doesn't stop me worrying about her though”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "It's natural to worry. I'd feel the same in your situation.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Yeah, it's why I'm happy for little distractions like this! And why Tee and Lennie keep pulling me back and forth off duty”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles, "They're being helpful as always. Well, I'll see if I can provide any more little distractions," she chuckles slightly


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Unfortunately I can't switch bodies with you for a day or anything. Even if I figure out how to do this, apparently it only works because of our bond.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Figures. Not that I'm particularly keen to spend a day in someone else's body. Would still be carrying all my emotional baggage after all" she chuckles


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Well when you're trying to adjust to someone else's body, you might forget about your troubles for a while," she grins. "But the downside is you'd have to adjust to someone else's body.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl laughs, "Quite the double-edged blade, isn't it”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 laughs, "Yes it is. It does have some benefits though.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smirks, "Certainly makes things interesting for Eva and I. It's a good thing it's just us and not two strangers.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Yeah, that's got to make it easier" she smirks, "I've no doubt you two are making the most of it”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 grins, "That we definitely are.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"See. Always a silver lining!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"So, you hadn't heard about this before now? Most of the bridge crew knew what was going on, though needless to say there was still a bit of confusion sometimes.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl shakes her head, "I haven't done a bridge shift lately. Been helping out elsewhere on the ship”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"That might be why. I've only informed the Engineering department, and I think the Captain's told the bridge officers.”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Yeah, things tend to filter out on their own along with the change of duty shifts. Takes a few days to disseminate throughout the crew, but gets there in the end”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Hopefully I won't have to explain this too many times until then!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 finishes her coffee, "Anyways, I should get back to Secondary Engineering. Let me know if you need some more little distractions, Emma!”


Emma Ralde@crystyl:"Likewise!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"And thanks again for telling me where to do my research," she smiles and picks up the empty cup to return to the replicator.


---


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The day after Kelly-Eva spoke with Emma, she makes her way over to Sin's quarters, ringing the doorbell.


Sin@crystyl | The door opens to reveal a room with dimmed but colourful lights


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 steps inside, looking around for Sin.


Sin@crystyl levitates cross legged by the window, facing out to the stars, "Hello Kelly"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles, "Hello Sin. Good to see you know who's who, so I don't have to explain everything again."


Sin@crystyl gently drops to her feet, turning, "I could sense the confusion in your mind before you even got off the turbolift" looking her up and down, "And now I see why" she smirks some, seeing the obvious


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smirks back, "Not exactly hard to guess why I'm here, is it?"


Sin@crystyl smiles, shaking her head and gesturing to the sofa, "I'm not quite sure if I can do anything to help. But I can understand why you'd seek me out”


Sin@crystyl moves to the replicator, "Eva's tastebuds or Kelly's?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Eva's will do. This is her body, after all." She moves to take a seat on the sofa


Sin@crystyl calls up a familiar drink for Eva and a purple coloured frothy drink for herself. Returning and passing it over as she sits


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 takes the drink with a smile, "Thank you.”


Sin@crystyl:"So what's it like? Seeing through another’s eyes, speaking with their mouth, seeing their reflection in the mirror?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"It takes getting used to, as you can probably imagine," she chuckles. "I keep expecting myself still. Even occasionally bumping into a few things, and I won't even talk about trying to climb -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- through Jefferies tubes…”


Sin@crystyl snickers, "Betazoids aren't exactly built like Denobulans. No climbing the bulkheads for you now!"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I almost forgot about that once or twice," she laughs. "It's an interesting experience. A little problematic at times, but not all bad.”


Sin@crystyl:"But you didn't come here to talk about gymnastics did you…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, taking a sip of her drink, "You can probably guess what I'm coming to you for. Your abilities, they only manifested rather recently, didn't they?”


Sin@crystyl:"Relatively. I think they started before I came out here, but I never really thought enough on it to let them develop at all. The first real time I knew it was going on was after I started getting +


Sin@crystyl:+ comfortable here”


Sin@crystyl:"Unless you mean full potential of course, in which case that was /very/ recent!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I just mean the very basics. What was it like for you, first starting to manifest them?”


Sin@crystyl:"Well back in my merc days, it meant nothing more than an unwelcome distraction that I was approaching middle-age" she scoffs


Sin@crystyl:"So I ignored the subtle signs back then, but here... I think the first real time was when we had that random power failure. Remember when we suddenly lsot all systems without warning and got dumped +


Sin@crystyl:+ out of warp and it turned out to be a duff sensor in engineering or something?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "How can I forget that…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smirks, "I might not look it, but I am the Chief Engineer.”


Sin@crystyl:"Of course" she chuckles, "Sorry! Anyway, I was in a turbolift with T'Pia and with the first impact she hit her head hard on the wall and was badly concussed”


Sin@crystyl:"After spending that whole time sat with her, I felt an undeniable connection with her. A bond like I'd never know as I had formed an empathic connection with her”


Sin@crystyl:"And it scared the living crap out of me…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"And what happened after that?”


Sin@crystyl:"I secluded into a state of denial, trying to repress it because I didn't want the added complication. I didn't want to be vulnerable while on assignment aboard a target vessel, having to potentially+


Sin@crystyl:+ rely on my marks for help with something like that. But the more I fought it, the more my feelings got bottled up. The more they got bottled up, the more prone I got to uncontrolled outbursts of my+


Sin@crystyl:+ growing abilities”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "Holding in is rarely healthy for you. When did you start accepting these abilities?”


Sin@crystyl:"After we met the Trinity Alliance and I got 'summoned' by the top-dog. Nothing was ever the same after that, and Luthril joined us as my mentor”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"What was it like for you, having to adjust to all this and having to train these new abilities? And sorry if I'm asking a lot of questions," she chuckles. "It's just that I didn't have Eva's -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- abilities until this happened, and I thought your experience is probably the closest thing to it out of anyone I know.”


Sin@crystyl smiles, shaking her head, "Don't sweat it. I'm fully adjusted these days. Honestly though? I think the whole 'blossoming ability' thing was kind of overshadowed for me by the implications of the +


Sin@crystyl:+ vision I received with the Trinity. I think that was the moment I consciously chose to stay here and regretted my initial deception in getting here”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles back, "Well, I'm glad it worked out in the end for you.”


Sin@crystyl:"That probably doesn't help you as much as you'd like, does it?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Still, you must have /some/ tips on how to adjust to suddenly having these abilities? I don't mean techniques to control them, I have the Architect helping me with that like you have Luthril, but -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- just...general tips."


Sin@crystyl hrms, "I suppose based on my negative experiences... I'd say use them, don't hide from them like I did”


Sin@crystyl:"The more you explore your own senses, the more comfortable and confident you will become with them. That will help you grow in control and ability”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles, "Thank you. I'll keep that in mind and try to use them more.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I'm not /trying/ to hide them, but I'm not exactly used to using them either yet.”


Sin@crystyl:"Eva's... /your/ abilities... they mostly sit around direct telepathic connection, yes?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "She was able to telekinetically seal the door down at the Iconian ruins, but it could be because she was tapping into the Horde's power at the same time. Normally, it's just telepathy -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- reading emotions and thoughts, and communicating directly with the mind.”


Sin@crystyl:"Although the Architect may be well positioned to help train you for your task, Luthril may be able to help you focus and hone your senses more generally”


Sin@crystyl:"And... if you desire a safe place to practice without fear of reprisal or going to far with such an intimate ability, I am happy to volunteer and practice with you”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles, "Thank you. I'll probably take you up on your offer, and seek Luthril out as well.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Do you mind if I try to read you now? I know it's not polite to do it on just anyone I want to.”


Sin@crystyl smiles, shaking her head, "Of course not. Go right ahead" she sips her drink and sets it down, turning slightly to face her


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles back, taking another sip and setting her own drink down as well before setting her hands on her lap and closing her eyes, trying to read Sin...


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:rolls 94 (1-100)


Sin@crystyl FX | As she focuses, Eva-Kelly quickly picks up on Sin's strong sense of intrigue regarding her current predicament. An undeniable feeling of satisfied entertainment from it


Sin@crystyl FX | Looking deeper, she would get a glimpse of Sin's volatile personality; floods of emotions bouncing from one extreme to the next like a cacophony from an orchestra. Not all current, but buried +


Sin@crystyl:+ deep beneath a layer of mental control


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles slightly, "You're enjoying this, aren't you?”


Sin@crystyl grins, "Never laid claim to the contrary”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I'm also sensing...all kinds of emotions, all over the place. But you're keeping yourself disciplined and not expressing them all openly?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 opens her eyes, "I didn't get too personal, did I?”


Sin@crystyl:"It's fine. I can flex my mental control as you would a muscle. Nothing goes on display that I don't want there”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Right. That's how it's supposed to be, isn't it? For an experienced telepath, I mean.”


Sin@crystyl nods, "It's kind of a package deal. Mastering your mind and learning to put up mental blocks kind of go hand in hand”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "That makes sense," she looks over to Sin, "What happened to not keeping everything suppressed though?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I suppose I can see why you don't want to express /all/ that emotion, but it doesn't hurt to let a little out sometimes…”


Sin@crystyl:"We all have skeletons in our proverbial closets. I'm aware now that I am the sum of my experiences, and that is the unstable wreck who first snuck aboard this ship. It is less about what I do or +


Sin@crystyl:+ don't want others to see of me. More... what I want to see in myself now”


Sin@crystyl goes wide eyed briefly and reaches for her drink, "Crap, I really have grown up now haven't I…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 chuckles, "You're starting to sound as wise as Luthril. But I think I know what you mean. The Captain's made you a proper member of the crew, and you want to live up to that, not be the person -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- you were when you came on board.”


Sin@crystyl nods, "Yeah... something like that”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smirks, "I could get used to this. I might even make a decent counselor with these abilities.”


Sin@crystyl:"Betazoids are rather predisposed to it, aren't they”


Sin@crystyl:"I'm curious... have you tried reading Eva's thoughts since you switched?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "Actually, I could do that before the switch. Not quite the same, but our bond allows us to share thoughts and feelings and communicate over a limited distance. Why do you ask?”


Sin@crystyl:"Just curious. I mean sure, you had this sharing. But as we just saw here, you are now capable of probing much more deeply into someone's mind. Couple with that Eva's loss of ability to put up mental+


Sin@crystyl:+ blocks, it would be quite the experience for her too. Maybe a little too unpleasant to try even”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I haven't probed quite as deep yet. I could ask her about it. We already share quite a lot, so it shouldn't be too unpleasant…”


Sin@crystyl:"I would imagine it to be more approachable coming from you, but still... doing so would expose in her a vulnerability she has never before known and likely fears now on a subconscious level”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"True. I'll talk to her about it and see what she thinks. I would be up for trying if she is, but I don't particularly need to delve so deep with her either.”


Sin@crystyl:"That's why I offer myself for practicing with. Since I can exercise complete control now it is not a concern for me" she smiles, "What about other abilities? You mentioned telekinesis?"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Eva was able to force the entrance into the ruins closed, but she says she's never been able to do that before, and still can't do it now. Which is why we think it might have something to do with -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- her having taken control of the nearby Horde thralls in that moment.”


Sin@crystyl:"Maybe. But it means the capacity for it is within her physiology”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "That's why she's been practicing with the Architect. She hasn't been able to move anything with her abilities yet, and me, well...I can barely control the telepathic part yet," she chuckles.


Sin@crystyl smiles, leaning back some, "You remember back on Belyia how everyone got sort of upgraded like that?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I certainly do. You think something like that could have happened at the ruins?”


Sin@crystyl shrugs, "Maybe. I just remember what I learned in the end from the wisps; how everything we experienced there in that sense wasn't anything new. 'nothing given, nothing taken' - that's what they +


Sin@crystyl:+ said. Like... all that ability each of us experienced is within us all now as untapped potential. That stuck with me after my experience down there; I /liked/ what I became, I... miss it; want it +


Sin@crystyl:+ back…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Maybe with enough practice, you can have it back again. You have been improving your abilities very quickly this far, after all.”


Sin@crystyl grins, willing the glass from the table to her waiting hand, "I've a long way to go to get back to that, but yes... I have undoubtedly retained at least some of the enhanced ability I picked up”


Sin@crystyl:"The point is that there is no technical reason that you can not do the same with Eva's body. It is quite literally a case of mind of matter!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 stretches out her hand and closes her eyes. Nothing happens and she leans forward, picking up the glass the old fashioned way with a chuckle, "Well I'm certainly still quite some ways off still.”


Sin@crystyl:"No doubt. But keep it in mind; this thing with Eva could be similar to the conditioning of my own people you know”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"What do you mean?”


Sin@crystyl:"Think about it! Historically, the Ocampa were a simple short lived species; nothing about mental abilities of any kind. But all it comes down to is our own conditioning and evolved predisposition to+


Sin@crystyl:+ that state. It was only when the first began to venture beyond the homeworld and push beyond that conditioning that such abilities came to surface”


Sin@crystyl:"Now think about Eva's previous lack of telekenetics; there's no reason in her physiology for her not to have such ability, only predisposition and cultural conditioning because straightforward +


Sin@crystyl:+ telepathy is all the Betazoid people believe they can achieve”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"That's a good point. Maybe if she...or I, believe that the telekinesis isn't just something unique that occurred in the situation…”


Sin@crystyl:"Exactly, this is where you have the advantage now. You have not grown up with this ability from birth, you have not had a lifetime of predisposition to capacity and limitations and rules and all +


Sin@crystyl:+ that dull stuff. You are a fresh unhindered mind with untapped potential now in your grasp. You may have a better chance of breaking through that barrier than Eva herself!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I've never thought of it that way. I've just been thinking that Eva would be better at using her own abilities, since she actually has training and experience with them.”


Sin@crystyl smiles, "Well maybe that's something to think about”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles back and nods, "I'll try to train even harder with the Architect, then. Do you think if I manage to...break the barrier as you put it, that Eva would be able to use these abilities as well -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- once we switch back? She'd know she has the potential to do this if I manage it while in her body…”


Sin@crystyl:"I see no reason why not. It's all down to her own mental state, I mean before Belyia I knew I had strong abilities and the potential for so much more. But even then I never imagined being able to do”


Sin@crystyl:+ this!" she smiles, snapping her fingers and sparking a flame that flickers like a candle on her fingertip


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Well, I've got plenty of work to do trying to learn /how/ to switch back, but I'll see what I can do while I'm at it. Maybe I'll be able to do something Eva wasn't in the process.”


Sin@crystyl:"And that's my point. It's all one and the same when you cut through it, just mental prowess. All will add up to your training and discipline to help with your goal”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles, "Thank you for the fresh perspective, Sin. I'm glad I came to you today." She finishes her drink and stands, "And thank you for the refreshments as well.”


Sin@crystyl smiles, "Happy to help! Drop by any time if there's anything else I can do”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "I'll be sure to! Probably will want to stop by for some practice once in a while.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 waves as she heads out, "I'll see you around, Ensign."


----


Keliaya@anncaris | The Valley Forge travels at warp, a little under a week away from Terminu. Eva-Kelly is on shift at the comms station again while Lennie works on Science.


Keliaya@anncaris | It has been several days since the switch, and the crew have gotten more used to the change, at least on the bridge.


Keliaya@anncaris:"So, you sound like you want to join us for the old Betazoid drama on the holodeck."


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Really? After duty today?”


Keliaya@anncaris:"I've got plenty of time without having to sleep so much.”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "I thought you weren't interested.”


Keliaya@anncaris smirks, "Apparently Kelly is.”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "When you say you have Kelly's tastes now, you really mean /all/ her tastes, don't you…”


Keliaya@anncaris:"It seems so. Trust me, I'm still getting used to it…”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher laughs, "I can only imagine.”


Keliaya@anncaris:"So, are you in or out?”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Are you sure Kelly would be okay with it?”


Keliaya@anncaris grins, "She's Kelly. What do you think?"


Keelah@crystyl | Lennie looks up, "Hey, hate to break this up. But I got a ship on sensors - zero bearin' at low warp”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher turns back to his console quickly, "I see it. Doesn't look like it's on an intercept course.”


Keelah@crystyl | Lennie: "Still wotkin' on an ID”


Keliaya@anncaris taps her console as well, "I'm picking up something as well. It's a general distress signal. Identifier USDF…”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "These refugee fleet people we encountered?"


Keelah@crystyl | Lennie nods: "Warp signature confirmed as USDF"


Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "Fisher, alter course towards that ship. Lieutenant Dra, let them know we are on our way to assist and inform the Captain.”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Altering course now, Commander.”


Keliaya@anncaris taps her console, <C> "Bridge to Captain Se'Lai.”


Keelah@crystyl:<C> "Go ahead”


Keliaya@anncaris:<C> "We've picked up a distress call from a USDF vessel. We're on our way towards it now.”


Keelah@crystyl:<C> “Acknowledged. I'm on my way”


Keelah@crystyl walks onto the bridge a few minutes later, "What is the situation with the USDF ship?"


Keelah@crystyl | Lennie: "Long range sensors show no sign o'damage or technical difficulties”


Keelah@crystyl frowns a little, "Have we been able to establish direct contact?”


Keliaya@anncaris nods, "I've gotten a comm through to let them know we're on our way and they've sent an acknowledgement. They haven't detailed the problem, though.”


Keelah@crystyl leans back in contemplation, "If I had sent a distress signal and got a response, I would be inclined to pre-emptively tell my rescuers what the problem was…”


Keelah@crystyl:"What is our eta?”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Fifteen minutes, Captain.”


Keelah@crystyl nods, "...hail them”


Keliaya@anncaris nods and taps her console. A few seconds later, she announces, "Channel open.”


Keliaya@anncaris | A female in a USDF captain's uniform appears on the viewscreen, with officers of various ranks visible behind her working on a bridge.


Keelah@crystyl smiles faintly as she stands, "Greetings Captain, I am Captain Keelah of the Valley Forge. What is the situation there?”


Keliaya@anncaris | USDF Captain: "I'm Captain Canne El’Vierna of the USDF Liberty. Are you able to lend assistance?”


Keelah@crystyl:"I certainly hope so. But that entirely depends on the nature of the assistance you require”


Keliaya@anncaris | Captain Vierna: "We're running out of fuel for our ships. Our last two prospective mining operations didn't work out. We have limited dilithium across our ships and the Liberty has the most -


Keliaya@anncaris:- efficient core design, so we're trying to find assistance. We've got ten civilian ships filled with people who are going to suffocate if we run out of power in the middle of nowhere.”


Keelah@crystyl looks to Lennie for confirmation on the presence of the other ships.


Keelah@crystyl | Lennie shakes her head


Keelah@crystyl turns back, "I assume these other vessels are waiting for you nearby somewhere?”


Keliaya@anncaris | Captain Vierna: "They're staying put to conserve as much power as they can. We've travelled over two days looking for help.”


Keelah@crystyl:"And exactly what kind of help do you hope that we can provide in this situation?”


Keliaya@anncaris | Captain Vierna: "We don't have much to trade, but we'll give you anything you want. I'll give you the coordinates of the civilian ships, just get to them as quickly as you can.”


Keelah@crystyl smiles a little, "I didn't ask what you offer in exchange for aid, what is it that you hope to gain from your request for assistance?”


Keliaya@anncaris | Captain Vierna: "Anything. It would be best if you could supply us with enough dilithium to survive or get to another mining location. If you can't save all the ships, at least save some of -


Keliaya@anncaris:- them, or take whoever you can take onto your own ship. I don't care if you drop them off at the nearest inhabitable planet or sell them off as slaves, without you they're already dead. Please, -


Keliaya@anncaris:- their lives are in your hands.”


Keelah@crystyl raises a hand, "There is no need for that, Captain. It was not my intention to push you at all, I am just a little... concerned - for you and your people - by your approach to this problem. You are +


Keelah@crystyl:+ surely aware that your signal is just as likely to draw attention from those less inclinced to be charitable. And to offer the coordinates to your helpless fleet...?”


Keliaya@anncaris | Captain Vierna: "You have nothing to gain from travelling such a distance just to waste your own energy on destroying my people. If you do go there, you must want something from us, even if -


Keliaya@anncaris:- it's our very people. Our ships aren't very advanced compared to what you have and I've already told you we're out of resources. The only thing we can provide is our people, and if that's what it -


Keliaya@anncaris:- takes for us to live on, well, we're out of options.”


Keelah@crystyl shakes her head, "As I said, we have no such intentions. It was simply my concern that you draw the attention of those that would do. We will be alongside you shortly and can speak more then”


Keliaya@anncaris | Captain Vierna smiles, "Thank you, Captain. I was hoping to find more...amenable than the sorts we've mostly been dealing with so far.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Hold position Captain, we'll see you in a few minutes" she smiles, turning as the comm closes to retake her seat


Keliaya@anncaris FX | Several minutes later, Fisher announces, "Arriving at their position in thirty seconds, Captain."


Keelah@crystyl:"Bring us alongside" she stands, "Eva, inform Captain Vierna to standby for transport and request she prepares with full technical specifications for their power systems"


Keelah@crystyl:"And have Kelly meet me in the transporter room"


Keliaya@anncaris nods, tapping her console, "Yes Captain."


---


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 steps into the transporter room shortly after Keelah arrives, "Captain. Eva's filled me in on everything. Two days away from us at the Liberty's speed is only a few hours for us at maximum warp, -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - but it's still going to be quite a detour. We'll be lucky if we make it to Terminu in just behind the Horde as is."


Keelah@crystyl:"I understand, that is why I wanted you here. I have asked for them to bring details of their technology to see if we can provide sufficient aid through information and resources and avoid that delay”


Keelah@crystyl:"A few refinements might be all they need to limp their fleet to Vue En and the rest of the refugees”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "Good thinking. I'll see what I can do.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Katie: "They're ready to beam over now, Captain.”


Keelah@crystyl smiles, "It wouldn't be bad practice for you to get a read on these people either, given their... apparent desperation" and nods to Katie, "Energize”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Katie nods and a few seconds later, Captain Vierna and two other USDF officers materialize on the transporter pad


Keelah@crystyl looks to Vierna, "Welcome to the Valley Forge" glancing back to Katie, "All clear?”


Keelah@crystyl asked with discrete reference to signs of Horde influence from the pattern buffer


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Katie gives a shake of her head


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I sense something...off about them too, Captain. All three of them.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "What's the problem?"


Keelah@crystyl moves around to Katie's side, viewing the console for herself while answering, "Just a little environmental compatability. Fear not, we just need to keep the barrier up around the transporter pad +


Keelah@crystyl:+ there briefly while my physician comes to resolve it”


Keelah@crystyl taps, sending a predetermined signal to Kazra


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna crosses her arms, waiting impatiently.


Keelah@crystyl looks back up with a sympathetic smile, "Apologies, but the last thing we would want to do is expose you to our atmosphere if there's a risk of contaminants which may affect your biology”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Of course. We come from different worlds, after all.”


Keelah@crystyl steps up to the forcefield with a well rehearsed diplomatic smile, "The difficulties we face through exploration of the galaxy. Though we both know they are far from the most troublesome”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Indeed. We've come across a lot worse on our journey here.”


Keelah@crystyl:"The Horde..." she ventures as an educated guess rather than asking


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna nods, "The whole reason we're out here in the first place. We had exploration ships out and about before, but only one has come as far as this.”


Keelah@crystyl:"We may know them. Yours is not the first vessel of your people that we have encountered”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Really? More of our people made it?"


Keelah@crystyl smiles and nods, "You should not be so surprised. Life has a tendency to find a way, even in the most trying of circumstances"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kazra steps into the transporter room, giving Keelah and Kelly-Eva a nod as she steps over to the console and examines the scan results.


Keelah@crystyl:"Ah, there we go. This is my Chief Medical Officer, we'll have this settled in no time. Thank you again for your patience Captain”


Keelah@crystyl returns, leaning over the console to consult with Kazra as she reviews the data


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 steps over as well.


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kazra speaks quietly to Keelah and Kelly-Eva, "They're definitely under influence, more than the USDF personnel we treated before but not quite as bad as the worst of Vora's expedition. I can -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 - treat it without any side effects.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I think they're not being entirely honest about everything either. The influence is driving their actions and they're concealing something from us. I can dig deeper if you want, Captain.”


Keelah@crystyl nods, "Good. We'll transfer to medical briefly then"


Keelah@crystyl gives a silent nod of approval to Kelly as she turns back to their visitor


Keelah@crystyl:"Captain, my doctor has confirmed our scans and there is indeed an... inconsistency. However the good news is that she can easily remedy it and enable you to walk among us, we are just going to +


Keelah@crystyl:+ transfer you to our medical bay so she can inoculate you”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Can't our own doctors handle this?”


Keelah@crystyl:"Once we have successfully inoculated your party, yes, of course”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Hang on, you can't just inoculate us against our will.”


Keelah@crystyl:"It is an unfortunate necessity to enable us to properly interact and provide you the aid you sought. Considering your willingness - borderline eagerness - to sell your people to slavery if it meant+


Keelah@crystyl:+ a chance to survive, a small inoculation is a small price to pay by comparison”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "I-" she pauses for a moment, thinking before she nods, "Alright. Very well.”


Keelah@crystyl offers a more sympathetic smile, "Don't worry, this won't take a moment and I'll be right there with you ready to talk about helping your people while the doctor works”


Keelah@crystyl turns and nods to Katie, "Energize”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Katie nods and beams them into sickbay


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kazra: "It'll take...a little longer than that. Closer to the treatment for Vora.”


Keelah@crystyl:"I expected as much. Don't worry Kazra, I'm sure you can be... creative in your exposition" she smiles a little


Keelah@crystyl:"Chief, hold them in the buffer until we have the bay secured and security fields in place”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kazra nods, "I'll do my best. Hopefully they'll be more cooperative once the influence is cleansed.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Katie: "Got it, Captain.”


Keelah@crystyl nods, already stepping out, "I'm counting on it. We can't afford any unneccessary delays here. Kelly, what did you get from them?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 and Kazra follows Keelah out


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"There's no civilian ships at danger, Captain. They're pirates.”


Keelah@crystyl:"The Guardians 'anarchists'?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I suspect so. They're working with a number of other ships from a variety of different species. The plans seems to be using their weakest ship, the Liberty, to draw their victims in and bring their -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- guard down. The coordinates their civilians are supposedly at is where they'll spring their ambush.”


Keelah@crystyl gives Kelly an impressed look, "Nicely done. You're becoming adept with Eva's talents”


Keelah@crystyl taps her combadge as they walk and talk, "Bridge”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:<C - Vrolmacht> "Bridge here, Captain.”


Keelah@crystyl:<C> Commander, take us to a discrete tactical alert. Nothing to alert the USDF ship, understand. Keep a finger on the tractor beam and lock on that ship the moment it makes any hint of an unexpected +


Keelah@crystyl:+ move. We have confirmed influence in them"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:<C - Vrolmacht> "Understood.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kazra: "If these are the Anarchists, it's likely the entire ship, and the other pirate vessels, are all under the Horde's influence.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Agreed. This is... problematic. We can't in good consciousness ignore the threat they pose to others, but nor can we afford to divert from our mission”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"We might be able to treat the Liberty's crew if we tractor the ship along and envelop it in our own warp bubble, but that will slow us down. The others...we'll have to travel out of our way and -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- probably intentionally fly into an ambush point.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Indeed..." she enters the sickbay, still clearly conflicted about the way forward


Keelah@crystyl looks to Kazra, "This is your show, doctor”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kazra steps up to the security fields, "Now, this innoculation is complicated, which is why we need our technology to do it. We'll have to briefly anesthetize you, but I promise you there is no 


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- risk in the procedure.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "How do we know you won't just do whatever you like with our bodies when you knock us out?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 steps forward, "You were the ones who saw fit to trust us with your people's lives.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "I didn't expect to be operated on when I came over here!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kazra: "We're not going to harm you. This will be for your own good.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"You've already agreed to beam onto our ship. Your people don't have transporter technology, so they can't bring you back even if they wanted to, and your weapons won't make a dent on our shields, -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- let alone our other defenses. If we wanted to harm you, do you really think we would go through an elaborate process of tricking you into agreeing?”


Keelah@crystyl perks a brow and smiles, "Your logical reasoning is flawless. Impressive”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles back, "Thank you, Captain.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Fine...you make a good point.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "I don't like this, but I suppose I've put myself at your mercy already. Do what you have to.”


Keelah@crystyl:"If you like - to make up for the inconvenience - I am happy to take your ship in tow so we can get underway to... help you people. Save any unnecessary delays. But at your discretion, Captain”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna thinks for another moment before nodding, "Yes, please.”


Keelah@crystyl smiles, tapping her combadge, "Se'Lai to Dra”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 <C - Eva-Kelly> "Dra here.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Meanwhile, Kazra moves to anesthetize the three USDF officers


Keelah@crystyl:<C> Eva, please patch me through to the USDF ship. Their Captain has an update for them


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:<C - Eva-Kelly> "Yes Captain." After a brief pause, she says, "The line is open now.”


Keelah@crystyl nods to Vierna, "You're on Captain, I wouldn't feel right just proceeding without your crew prepared for the ride" she smiles


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna nods, "Vierna to Liberty. The Valley Forge will be towing us along to the coordinates. We'll be remaining on board their ship for a little longer due to a mandatory innoculation 


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- procedure. We should be there soon with their engine's speeds.”


Keelah@crystyl:<C> Thank you Eva. That will be all


Keelah@crystyl looks back to Vierna, "At least now your ship can save a little more energy while we do the heavy lifting. Now you just relax and this will be all cleared up before you know it”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vierna nods to Keelah, and then over to Kazra as she comes to anesthetize her


Keelah@crystyl watches Vierna go under before looking to Kazra, "How long do you estimate?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kazra: "Somewhere between sixteen to twenty-five hours. The Captain is more heavily influenced than the others, so she'll probably be on the longer side of the spectrum."


Keelah@crystyl:"Make her a priority and let me know as soon as she is lucid”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"What about the rest of the ship? Should we wait until the Captain is up so we can explain the situation and have her order the rest of the crew to comply?”


Keelah@crystyl turns, tapping her combadge, "Bridge. Commander Vrolmacht, take the USDF in tow and set course for their fleet coordinates... warp 1”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:<C - Vrolmacht> "Captain, did you say warp /one/?”


Keelah@crystyl:<C> I did, Commander. I will explain shortly, gather the senior staff. We have a decision to make


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:<C - Vrolmacht> "Yes Captain.”


Keelah@crystyl looks back to Kelly, "That's what we need to figure out. Come on, let's get everyone up to speed  and determine our way forward"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Several minutes later, the senior staff gathers in one of the conference rooms.


Keelah@crystyl looks around, "Alright, well as I'm sure many of you already suspected from the start; our guests are not all they appear to be on the surface. We have confirmed Horde influence and believe them to +


Keelah@crystyl:+ be attached to the anarchist group we have been told of. The coordinates we are now travelling to are a trap where their stronger vessels wait to ambush unsuspected ships lured in by their call for+


Keelah@crystyl:+ aid”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "Do we know what to expect once we reach the ambush point?”


Keelah@crystyl shakes her head, "They have not revealed anything directly yet, it is only through Kelly's application of Eva's senses that we know this much”


Keelah@crystyl:"Kazra is currently treating them for the influence and we hope to get more information once they are free. But right now the dilemma is if we can justify even going there”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Silvestrie nods, "Assuming we can turn the ambush around and disable the Anarchists, it'll take precious time off our journey to Terminu. And if they're all under Horde influence and we have to -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- free them, whatever happens at Terminu will be long over by the time we get there.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "But despite our combat capabilities, we are only two ships. We will not make the greatest impact on the outcome at Terminu.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"But we could evacuate some of the people still left on the planet, if we need to fall back.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Also a factor. The coalition directed us away from Terminu knowing that the pursuit of our mission could take us away from any potential defense”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "Ev- Kelly is right. The defense at Terminu will likely be little more than an effort to buy time while as much of the planet is evacuated as possible. The chances of Coalition -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- forces stopping or driving back the Horde is slim to none. Our evac capacity may be more important than our tactical prowess.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "We have an evac capacity of 2500. I think it comes down to how many ships and people are involved in that ambush. Whether we can survive the attack in the first place, and whether we'll be -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- saving more people here or at Terminu. I don't see a way for us to do both.”


Keelah@crystyl nods thoughtfully, "We know Terminu is a negligible impact from our presence. The ambush... may or may not be, depending on the circumstances”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"And if we don't deal with the Anarchists, it might not just be their lives but any others they lure into their trap…”


Keelah@crystyl leans back, looking around, "Very well then. We... will pursue the ambush for now - at low warp - until the USDF Captain is awake. Once she is, we will reassess based on the knowledge she imparts”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "I'll prepare the warp cores and engines, in case we need to push them to make up for lost time.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Until then, keep an eye on that ship we have in tow. If the influenced crew do grow suspicious they may suddenly create a problem”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vrolmacht: "We will be cautious, Captain.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Alright everyone, that will be all for now. Let's get back to it"


---


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | After nearly a day of towing the USDF Liberty at warp, Kazra finally informs Keelah that Captain Vierna has awoken, and she proceeds to sickbay with Kelly-Eva.


Keelah@crystyl:"Thank you for joining me Kelly. I am sorry to pull you from your duties to provide Eva's... unique perspective on things here”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 shakes her head, "Thorkildsen can handle things in Engineering without me, especially at Warp 1. And this isn't anywhere near as bad as the time I have to lose from sleeping…”


Keelah@crystyl chuckles, "I can imagine" she pauses at the door, "Well... moment of truth”


Keelah@crystyl steps into sickbay


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kazra awaits within, along with the 3 USDF officers who have woken up and are sitting on their beds.


Keelah@crystyl gives a brief glance to the visitors as she approaches Kazra, "Well doctor; how are they?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Kazra steps up to them with a nod, "Captain." She pauses briefly before addressing Kelly-Eva as "Commander," and looking back to Keelah, "They're all clear now, but I haven't explained the -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- situation to them yet, as the captain's just woken up. Should I tell them, or do you want to do it yourself?”


Keelah@crystyl shakes her head, "That's fine, you've done your job. Now I must do mine..." she draws a deep breath and gives Kazra a slightly raised brow look that says 'wish me luck' before turning.


Keelah@crystyl approaches the USDF Captain's bed with a soft smile, "Captain, good to see you up and about. How are you feeling?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna looks over to Keelah, "Captain Keelah. I...feel like I've just woken up from a long dream, but somehow my head's clearer than ever. What did you do?”


Keelah@crystyl:"That will require a little explanation. Would you care to join me? You look ready to stretch your legs a little”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna nods and stands, glancing over to her other two officers, "Do you want them to come as well, or stay here?”


Keelah@crystyl looks to the pair, "Do you both feel as your Captain describes?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The other two nods, one of them rubbing his eyes.


Keelah@crystyl smiles, "Then please, join me" stepping aside she gestures to the door, glancing back with a nod to Kazra.


Keelah@crystyl | Outside sickbay, they turn down the corridor while two security officers make no show of hiding that they fall into step behind the group.


Keelah@crystyl “I apologize for the inconvenience in your arrival here, but I am pleased to finally be able to welcome you on board”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Thank you. We're glad to be...wait. Why did we come here? We came here to...no…”


Keelah@crystyl gives her a sideways glance with a perked brow, "Still feeling a little fuzzy?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The three USDF officers glance at one another. The one dressed in a magenta-trimmed uniform looks at the Captain with an expression of horror, "What have we done?”


Keelah@crystyl opens the conference room door and ushers them inside before she can respond


Keelah@crystyl:"Please, take a seat”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The three officers step inside, glancing around the room before picking and taking their seats


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 takes a seat on the other side of the table.


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "I...I must tell you something, Captain.”


Keelah@crystyl:"That your civilian fleet it a rouse, and we are in fact heading right into a trap where a group of much stronger-armed vessels wait to ambush us”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "You...know?”


Keelah@crystyl nods, "We do”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "We...we were desperate. I know it does not excuse our actions. You've done nothing but offer us assistance. But we didn't know people like you before. We had to make less... -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- savoury friends to stay alive. The least we can do now is come clean with you. If you already know, you're not flying into the trap, are you?”


Keelah@crystyl:"Actually, we are”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "But if you know it's a trap...did you already destroy the other ships?”


Keelah@crystyl:"No. I did not want us to arrive until we had a chance to have this conversation”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "You want me to tell you how to defeat them, don't you?”


Keelah@crystyl leans back in her seat, "That's part of it. But first I want to properly understand the situation; so we can find a way to ensure nobody else gets lured into it”


Keelah@crystyl:"Secondly... I want to help /you/ understand your situation..." she lets it hang to invite the unasked question


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "If you seek to...punish us for our deception, take me but let my crew go. I led us into this pact. I met the other ships and agreed to work with them.”


Keelah@crystyl raises a hand, "Relax, Captain. If we were seeking to 'punish' you, we would not have spent so much time first helping you”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Then what do you mean by our situation?”


Keelah@crystyl:"Just now in sickbay, you described a feeling of disorientation. Could you elaborate on the sensation?" she looks across the group


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | The magenta-trimmed officer speaks again, "It was like the Captain described it. Before, it was like we weren't exactly ourselves, and now our head's suddenly clear. I don't know how, but -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- we were just going along. We were going against everything we stood for, and somehow we couldn't see that until now."


Keelah@crystyl nods, "Tell me, do you recognize this fellow?" she taps a control panel and the central table lights up emitting a holo of the Horde thrall they studied. Standing quietly, full scale and slowly +


Keelah@crystyl:+ rotating like a Skyrim loading screen in the middle of the table


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna nods, "We've only seen them in images like this. These are the long-time thralls of the Horde that destroyed our homes, aren't they?”


Keelah@crystyl:"Correct" she taps again, "Do you know much about them - how they come to be?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "All we know about them is that they have some way of controlling anyone who gets close to them. We had no way of fighting them. The Liberty was on an exploration expedition -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- when we received notice that Jaava had fallen, then Reylin. There was no defense, no battle. Any ships we sent, they just added to their own Horde. And moments after they arrive at a planet, the -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- whole planet just...turns. There was a USDF-wide order to evacuate as many civilians as possible and abandon the Systems.”


Keelah@crystyl nods, "Your information is solid. Now about that way they have to control people…”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Without a way to defend against it, there wasn't even a chance of putting up a defense. Running was the only thing we could do. We were on our way back, actually. To help with -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- the evacuation. Then we received a conflicting order from Command for all ships to rally and defend Elisian. That's when we knew Elisian had fallen, and there was no one left to save.”


Keelah@crystyl nods sympathetically as she listens, "Well... I hate to the bearer of bad news, but the Horde's control - or influence as we call it - is the reason for your haziness now, and for your out of +


Keelah@crystyl:+ character conduct all this time. You have all been under a subtle form of influence, which has been directing you to your pirate actions”


Keelah@crystyl:"It is always I feel I owe you an apology for our initial deception once you came on board. We suspected from our opening communication, but once you passed through our transporter buffers we had +


Keelah@crystyl:+ confirmation of your influenced state and had to isolate you”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "You mean...all this time, we've been unknowingly working for the Horde?”


Keelah@crystyl nods, "I am afraid so, yes”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "But you've...freed us from their control, or influence, now, right?”


Keelah@crystyl:"We have. Once we put you under in sickbay, our doctors performed a simple procedure to isolate the neural imbalance which held you in that state”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Does that mean you can help the rest of the United Sibellan Systems as well?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Yes and no.”


Keelah@crystyl:"The capacity to recover people from your level of influence does exist. However it is a timely process which has taken over a full day to perform just on the three of you”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"And once they're under the full control of the Horde, freeing them means completely wiping their mind.”


Keelah@crystyl:"As it stands, you three on the only ones from your ship who have been recovered. The rest of your crew faithfully await your orders as we continue to tow your vessel back to the trap”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna nods, "So you can help the rest of my crew, at least?”


Keelah@crystyl:"In time, perhaps. But that is one commodity we are desperately lacking at present”


Keelah@crystyl:"There is no time to recover the rest of your crew before we reach the ambush. Furthermore, we were racing back to the refugee colony of Terminu to help defend it against an unprecedented Horde +


Keelah@crystyl:+ armada which is en route there right now”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Terminu...we've heard about that place. But you want to deal with the ambush first? Surely the Horde poses more of a threat.”


Keelah@crystyl sighs, "Regrettably, Terminu is already a lost cause…”


Keelah@crystyl taps calling up a series of displays showing astrometrics data from the various skirmishes


Keelah@crystyl:"We have already engaged the Horde on a number of fronts, and after the last major battle at the Holy City, they took a small force and overran Terminu”


Keelah@crystyl:"Since then we have shut down their active fleet there and our coalition now contains them within orbit of Terminu, but the population had already been turned at that point”


Keelah@crystyl:"So now... the coalition are running a recovery effort to save all they can before evacuating and falling back. The Horde armada which approaches there is too vast even for all our numbers”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna nods, "But you can still deal with the ambush...the others we've been working with, they've been under the same influence, haven't they? That's why we were able to form our pact -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- so easily, despite our differences."


Keelah@crystyl nods, "That is what we suspect, yes. The 'anarchists' as the Guardians have been collectively referring to groups like yours, have been creating increasing difficulty for allied forces. It is not +


Keelah@crystyl:+ beyond the realm of belief that the Horde is using those under such minimal influence to distract coalition forces in this manner and whittle down those who would be inclined to stand against them”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna nods, "If they're working for the benefit of the Horde, we'll do what we can to help you stop them.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Good. On to the matter at hand then”


Keelah@crystyl:"First off, what can you tell us about the forces which lay in wait at the ambush?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "There are six ships. One of them is almost as large as you, and the other is about half your size. There's a third that's slightly larger than us, and three small and very -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- agile ships, dangerous on the offensive but without much defensive capability. Out of the three small ones, two have stealth cloaks, so they'll be closest to the bait, while the others are hiding -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- in the nearby gas giant on low power so your scans won't pick them up. As soon as they get the go-ahead from the stealthed ships, they'll power up and attack.”


Keelah@crystyl:"I don't suppose you have more information on the types of vessels there? What species they belong to or anything like that?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "We have scan data of all six on the Liberty. As for the species, the biggest ship is run by the Felmorans. Most of the others nickname them the Ice Giants. They're not really -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- giants, they're just bigger than most of the others, have blue skin and come from a cold planet not unlike Jaava. The ship about half your size is run by the Morving. Their people have also been -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- taken by the Horde, but that was several centuries ago. The two ships with the stealth devices belong to the Clenduro. Similar story too, there's a lot of them around these parts making a living -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- however they can. They're slippery amphibious people, usually prefer smaller ships and stealth capabilities. The other two ships are run by the Harcseen. Reptilian folk as big and tough as the -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- Felmoran. I don't think they know their own history. As far as the USDF has been aware of them, they've largely been pirates, scavengers and mercenaries."


Keelah@crystyl:"We're assuming that all of those who await us are under Horde influence, but it's entirely possible that at least some are not"


Keelah@crystyl:"That just leaves us one ship to worry about... the Liberty. Whilst you may be yourselves again, your crew still very much are not"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna nods, "They're not themselves, but they don't know they're working for the Horde either. I may be able to talk them into getting your treatment, but time could be a problem.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"We can treat your medical staff first and teach them how to carry out the procedure to speed up the process.”


Keelah@crystyl:"And that is only one possibility. From our experience, convincing those under Horde influence of their altered state can be... problematic”


Keelah@crystyl:"We must also consider the possibility that they may react adversely to anything untoward from you. In other words, if you show your hand they might mutiny on you for all we know”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "That's what I'm afraid of. I might be able to trick the medical team into this, but as long as most of the crew, especially the marines, are still under the Horde's influence, -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- they could very well mutiny.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Tell me... under normal circumstances in these ambushes, what role would the Liberty play after luring a ship in?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Not much. Our ship isn't powerful enough to stand up to most of our marks, or even fast enough to make it to the ambush point before they do. Occasionally we help secure the -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- cargo and sort through it, but between the Felmorans and the Harcseen they don't exactly need boarding support.”


Keelah@crystyl:"So it would be acceptably normal for you to order your crew to hold position at a safe distance once we arrive?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Yes, it would. Our weapons wouldn't add much to the fighting anyways, we'd just get in the way.”


Keelah@crystyl:"That makes things easier at least, you can simply conduct yourselves as normal until things are over. That just leaves us the rest of the ships to worry about as I would rather not simply destroy +


Keelah@crystyl:+ them if we can avoid it”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"There might be something we can do. It's not guaranteed to work, but there's no harm in trying either."


Keelah@crystyl perks a brow, leaning back towards the table, hands folded on it's surface, "Please, there are no bad ideas here"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"We might not be able to take on all six of these ships, but we might not need to. We've been looking at the probes we recovered from the ruins. They seem to be more combat-built versions of probes -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- we've encountered so far, but they still possess the base capabilities. We can load them with Nuhar viruses and unleash them on the ambushers. Rogue Nuhar have been such a threat in this region -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- because only the more organized and advanced groups such as the New World have countermeasures against them. Without our experience with the Gainsborough and Mana's expertise, we would've been -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- completely helpless when we encountered the Wanderer. A Starfleet task force from five years ago would've been wiped out by a single Construct. Half a Dominion fleet from back during the war /was/ -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- wiped out by one. We might be able to disable these pirates without any fight at all.”


Keelah@crystyl nods along as she listens, "You think you can have enough probes ready in time?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "There's a few tweaks to make, but we've already been preparing them for deployment against the Horde. They'll be ready, Captain.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I suspect the viruses'll work against at least some of the ships, enough to even the odds. And if they don't work, we can recall them or have them helping as interference and point defense."


Keelah@crystyl:"Do you think we can adjust the virus to override their environmental systems? If so we could put the hostile crews out cold and keep them out while queued for treatment”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I'll ask Mana to see what she can do.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Very good. We can transfer the viral probes to the QanwI' and deploy them as a pre-emptive first strike before we arrive"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "Good idea.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "There's one other thing.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Captain?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "There's three other bait ships on site- freighters and tankers we've previously raided. They're staffed by skeleton crews from the other ships and are mostly just there to -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- maintain sensor ghosts to make the impression of ten civilian ships that need help. They're not armed and have no combat capability, but their cores are set to explode so stay away from them.”


Keelah@crystyl nods, "Thank you for the information. We can have the probes disable them as a secondary priority”


Keelah@crystyl:"If there's nothing further, we should get to work”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "That's all the information I have. I'll keep the Liberty safely out of range, and try to make sure my crew doesn't know there's been a change of plan. We might have to run once -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- you foil the ambush, but at our speeds, I imagine you'll catch up to us without much trouble.”


Keelah@crystyl nods, "I expect you to do just that. We'll tag you with a sensor drone before releasing the tractor anyway. So even if the worst comes to pass and your crew catch on, we'll get you back out”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna nods, "Thank you, Captain. And good luck with your plan.”


Keelah@crystyl smiles as she stands, "We'll see you on the other side of this, Captain”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 | Vierna smiles and stands, followed by the other USDF officers, "I look forward to it.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 stands as well.


Keelah@crystyl looks around the group once more and nods, "Dismissed"


---


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 FX | Shortly after the meeting with the USDF officers, Kelly-Eva makes her way over to Jenni's quarters, ringing the doorbell.


Jenni@crystyl:"Come in!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 steps inside, giving Jenni a nod and a smile, "Hello Jenni.”


Jenni@crystyl 's voice rings out, muffled by something. Stepping inside, Kelly would see her sat at the table with what looks like a narrow paintbrush gripped in her teeth as she carefully works with a mess of +


Jenni@crystyl:+ small and fiddly components on the table


Jenni@crystyl peers around and smiles, still muffled, "Oh hey, come on in! I'll be just a sec…”


Jenni@crystyl leans in, concentrating. Both hands holding steady around whatever it is she's working on


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 tilts her head curiously, taking a few steps closer while being careful not to disrupt Jenni and hoping to get a better view of what's going on.


Jenni@crystyl:"Take a seat. I just need this to... set…”


Jenni@crystyl gingerly pulls one hand back to retrieve the brush from her teeth and use it to apply finishing touches to her work


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods and takes a seat nearby, being sure not to knock anything over, "Take your time!”


Jenni@crystyl grins, leaning back proudly to admire her handiwork, "There!" she looks down at the model Valley Forge she's been building


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 looks over the model with a smile, "Oh! That's what you've been working on!”


Jenni@crystyl:"Figured it was about time I found something constructive to occupy my free time with. Thought I'd build up a whole little fleet of my own!" she giggles, "Not bad, right?”


Jenni@crystyl asks, just as her freshly glued nacelle sags, then falls off


Jenni@crystyl scowls and pouts.


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"It looks pretty spot on. I'm sure you'll get everything to stay with a little more work.”


Jenni@crystyl:"Yeah, just need to get the right consistency in the bonding material I think”


Jenni@crystyl:"I came across the replicator patterns for these little trophy-model ships of yours. but that seemed like no fun”


Jenni@crystyl:"Hand built models like this were a staple of the Ancestors you know. They made a real artform out of it, some Forged cities still have specialists in it now!”


Jenni@crystyl:"So yeah! Figured I'd try and do something similar with what we have here. But... you didn't come here to talk model ships, I'm sure! What's up?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 chuckles, "They are interesting! I might try it myself sometime. Replicating is definitely not much of a pastime.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"As for why I'm here, well...there is something else I have to pass your time, at least for now.”


Jenni@crystyl:"Oh? Sounds curious”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"You know the probes we recovered from the ruins? We've been planning to use them as less risky deployments in place of our shuttles and runabouts in combat, but we're going to need them a little -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- sooner than expected.”


Jenni@crystyl:"Yeah, I've been reading up since we brought them on board. According to your computers those things can be quite nasty, or at least they were during your war with the Iconians”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "Indeed they were. We're hoping to use them to deploy a virus and circumvent fighting entirely, but I want to make sure their AI is good before we deploy them.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"We've run simulations, of course, but I think it's best to have an experienced pilot like you test it out as well.”


Jenni@crystyl:"Makes sense. Last thing you want is those things loose just to have them turn on you! Wait... pilot? I thought they were automated probes?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Oh the probes are automatic. I was hoping you'd help us test them in the holodeck, both how dangerous they are by having you go against the AI, and how effective they are by having you fly with them”


Jenni@crystyl hrms, "Do we have sufficient space in there for them to operate?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"I don't think so, but fortunately we don't need the entire probe," she smiles. "We've been running simulations so far by transferring the AI into a holodeck program.”


Jenni@crystyl:"I see... so we can tie them into the Eon training rig and run a coordinated flight simulation!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Exactly! You'll feel like you're in the Eon, and you'll be working with the actual AI the probes will use when they're deployed.”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"Everything will be as real as it can be.”


Jenni@crystyl:"Do the probe AI's know that too?”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:"The probe AIs aren't true AI. They're not self-aware, they just do as they're programmed to. We've adapted the code so it works in the holodeck, but it will function exactly like they will in real -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- combat. We haven't added any virus functions to the holodeck version either, as we're just testing its combat capabilities.”


Jenni@crystyl:"Well only you know if they are safe to let into your systems! You want me to fly, that's all I need to know" she grins


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles, "You don't have to worry about safety. The probe AI isn't that much more complicated than some of the better simulation AIs I've seen. It's still pretty far from becoming conscious like -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- Mia. And even if it does, it only controls the probe in the simulation and wouldn't be able to override holodeck safeties anyways.”


Jenni@crystyl:"True. I just never cease to be amazed by how quickly you people change and adapt. It wasn't that many years in ago old Earth history that the Federation was set to uphold a total ban on AI!”


Jenni@crystyl:"And yes, I've been doing my homework a lot since joining the crew here" she chuckles


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 smiles, "You've caught up well with our history. And the Federation still discourages the creation of true AI, as you never know how one may develop and a fledging AI is much more dangerous than -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- any other newborn. But we've learned to treat already existing AI as people and offer them all the rights of being a sentient lifeform.”


Jenni@crystyl:"Indeed. Well, if we have simulations to run we had best get to it. I've never trained a squadron of AI probes before, this should be interesting!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 chuckles, "Well, it's more testing than training. They can't actually learn from you directly, but if we do find an aspect where they're not performing up to par, we still have time to make some -


Evanne Dra@annpc#557:- tweaks to their programming before we need to deploy them.”


Jenni@crystyl:"Will Mia and the Nuhar drone be joining us to that end?"


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 nods, "They're the best people to make the tweaks. I'll call them to the holodeck as we head over.”


Jenni@crystyl stands, "Alright then, let's get over there shall we!”


Evanne Dra@annpc#557 stands as well, heading out for the holodeck.


---


NPK@annpc#557 | Some time later, the QanwI' and Valley Forge near the ambush site with six Iconian probes ready to deploy from the QanwI' to conduct the pre-emptive strike.


NPK@annpc#557 | Pilot: "We're nearing the system, Captain. Sensors picking up ten undefended civilian ships.”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "According to the Valley Forge's information, four of the ambush ships are hiding in the gas giant, and two will be cloaked by the bait.”


Lexi@crystyl:"Perhaps we will be lucky and the stealth ships won't be cloaked until they detect the Valley Forge approaching”


Lexi@crystyl:"And on that note... is our cloak at optimum?”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Aye Captain.”


NPK@annpc#557 | Merc: "Sensors aren't picking up any of the ambush ships at the moment. Looks like they're already in position. We can do a tachyon sweep, but then they'll know we're coming.”


Lexi@crystyl:"Good. Remember, despite their actions in combat these are civilians and thralls of the Horde not knowing their own mind”


Lexi@crystyl:"Our job is to disable, not destroy. So check your fire!”


Lexi@crystyl:"Comms; signal the Valley Forge that we are ready”


NPK@annpc#557 | The merc on comms nods and sends the signal.


Lexi@crystyl:"How are our pet Iconian balls?”


Lexi@crystyl asks mostly just killing time while waiting for the signal to launch


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "An'uk says they're good. Should work as combat support in addition to delivering those viruses.”


Lexi@crystyl:"Yeah... we'll see about that. Don't know about you, but I still have a few too many memories of going toe to toe with those slippery basterds during the last war”


Lexi@crystyl:"Keep an eye on 'em”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn nods, "Aye. That I will.”


NPK@annpc#557 | Comm: "We got the go-ahead, Captain.”


Lexi@crystyl grins, leaning forward, "Show time! Take us in”


NPK@annpc#557 | The pilot taps his console and the QanwI' sweeps in to the ambush site.


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Probes are ready to deploy.”


Lexi@crystyl:"Plot a course to sweep us around the ships that are visible. We'll get in tight and drop each probe before sweeping around to the gas giant”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Save four for the four ships in the gas giant, or spread them out evenly between the two groups? One probe should be able to deploy the virus more than just once.”


Lexi@crystyl:"Save them for now. We'll see how quickly they react”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Understood.”


NPK@annpc#557 | Pilot: "Moving into range in ten seconds.”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Deploying probes...now.”


NPK@annpc#557 FX | Two probes emerge one after the other, appearing out of seemingly nothing as the cloaked QanwI' flies around the visible ships. As anticipated, only three ships are actually visible, with -


NPK@annpc#557:- the other bait signals being sensor ghosts.


Lexi@crystyl:"Any reaction to the probes' presence?”


NPK@annpc#557 | A few seconds later, the merc on sensors announces, "Sensor ghosts are disappearing. Looks like the bait ships are shutting- two raiders, decloaking!”


Lexi@crystyl:"Activate the probes and bring us about! Throw another at the new arrivals”


NPK@annpc#557 | A third probe emerges towards the raiders.


NPK@annpc#557 | Merc: "The bait ships are completely disabled, but the virus appears to have no effect on the raiders.”


Lexi@crystyl:"Any movement from the gas giant?”


NPK@annpc#557 | The raiders open fire towards the probes, which begin evading in intricately programmed patterns.


NPK@annpc#557 | Merc: "All four ships in the gas giant are powering up. The largest cruiser is starting to ascend and emerge.”


Lexi@crystyl:"Unleash the last of the probes in their wake”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Aye. Deploying the last three now.”


Lexi@crystyl:"Now let's see how much this levels the playing field…”


NPK@annpc#557 | Three more probes emerge, and as the four ships surface above the gasses...they shut down one by one.


NPK@annpc#557 | Merc: "That got 'em! Only have the two raiders to deal with.”


NPK@annpc#557 | The viewscreen shifts to a different angle showing the two raiders as they chase the three probes.


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Hah! Two raiders! We can deal with this ourselves easily!”


Lexi@crystyl:"Almost takes the fun out of it..." she grins, "Bring us up behind them and charge the main cannons”


NPK@annpc#557 | Pilot: "Aye aye, Captain!”


NPK@annpc#557 | The QanwI' moves around behind the raiders, while the three probes not being chased conducts a similar maneuver to support the other three.


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Cannons ready, and looks like the Iconian balls want in on the fun as well!”


Lexi@crystyl leans in, clanching her fist and savouring the moment before slamming it into the armrest, "Fire!”


NPK@annpc#557 | The QanwI' unleashes its cannons on the closest raider, the shots ripping through its shields and taking out one of its impulse cannons, causing it to slow and veer away as a plume of smoke -


NPK@annpc#557:- trails behind it. The three probes moving to intercept quickly sweeps over the damaged ship, firing small but precise bolts of energy all across the ship.


NPK@annpc#557 | Merc: "Raider has lost engines, weapons, warp drive, raider is completely disabled save for life support! These little things are efficient…”


NPK@annpc#557 | The remaining raider tries to spin around at the newly revealed QanwI'.”


NPK@annpc#557 | Pilot: "Pathetic! I can outmaneuver them anyday with a hundred year old B'rel!”


Lexi@crystyl:"Job's not done yet. Target the second raider and fire”


NPK@annpc#557 | The pilot easily evade's the raider's attempt at a counterattack, its tachyon beams sweeping wide as the QanwI' swoops back down from the top of the raider, opening fire. Its shields collapse -


NPK@annpc#557:- and two cannon shots pepper its hull before the QanwI' pulls away at the last moment. Behind them, the three other probes that were being chased by the raiders previously now close in, finishing -


NPK@annpc#557:- the job and completely crippling its systems.


Lexi@crystyl:"Status of the field?”


NPK@annpc#557 | Merc: "All hostiles disabled!”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "It's good to have these things on our side for once.”


Lexi@crystyl:"Really? That's it...?" she sounds rather disappointed


NPK@annpc#557 | Merc: "No, wait...looks like the light cruiser and the escort is coming back online. They must've purged the virus.”


Lexi@crystyl:"What - how?! That virus was supposed to override their environmental systems and knock the crews out!”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Both of these belong to those reptilian people. Maybe they're more resilient than the Feds expected.”


Lexi@crystyl:"Alright, seems we get a little more fun after all. Let's make short work of this and target the EPS grid on the light cruiser first”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Aye, targeting their EPS grid.”


NPK@annpc#557 | QanwI' and the probes close in and open fire, but it appears the light cruiser's shields have already come back online as the shots flicker around the ship.


NPK@annpc#557 | The ship shakes slightly before coming to a halt, and the pilot announces, "They've got us in a tractor beam!”


Lexi@crystyl:"Give them everything!”


NPK@annpc#557 | The QanwI' fires a torpedo and another volley of cannon fire while the light cruiser returns fire and the bridge shakes again.


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Shields down to 75%, but their shields are failing!”


Lexi@crystyl:"Don't let up! Keep firing on that tractor emitter until there's nothing left of it!”


NPK@annpc#557 | The QanwI' continues to fire, taking down the light cruiser's shields and obliterating the tractor emitter, finally breaking free. The enemy escort swoops in behind them, evading shots from the -


NPK@annpc#557:- probes as it fires on the QanwI, rocking the bridge again.


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Shields down to 65%!”


Lexi@crystyl:"Push through the escort, string them along on the chase and stand by to lock trajectory”


NPK@annpc#557 | Pilot: "Aye! They're chasing us now, Captain!”


Lexi@crystyl:"Steady on your heading helm…”


NPK@annpc#557 | The pilot nods, tapping away at the console intently.


Lexi@crystyl:"Lock trajectory and fire the port burner!" She grins, "Here's something you can't do…”


Lexi@crystyl waits for them to swing back into the firing arc, "...fire!”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn opens fire as soon as the escort is in the firing arc, the shots bringing down its shields as the probes sweep in again to finish the job.


NPK@annpc#557 | Suddenly, the bridge rocks more violently this time.


Lexi@crystyl:"What the hell is it now?!”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Shields down to 40%! The light cruiser is targeting us again!”


Lexi@crystyl growls, "I tire of this gentle teasing! Evasive pattern Omega 6, flip us over and come about”


NPK@annpc#557 | The QanwI' flips over, three torpedoes from the light cruiser chasing it but promptly shot down by a probe each, which converges about the QanwI', ready to assist in the attack.


Lexi@crystyl:"Good boys..." she smiles, watching the probes, "Let's swarm this thing so many ways they don't know which way to shoot!”


NPK@annpc#557 | Before the QanwI' opens fire though, the Valley Forge drops out of warp behind them, dwarfing both the QanwI' and the light cruiser. The light cruiser immediately fires up engines and tries to -


NPK@annpc#557:- veer away and make an escape, but is ensnared by a tractor beam from the VF. Without any other option, it desperately tries to return fire on QanwI' and the probes, but doesn't stand a chance as -


NPK@annpc#557:- it is swarmed and promptly disabled.


NPK@annpc#557 | Merc: "/Now/ that's all of them!”


Lexi@crystyl chuckles, shaking her head, "Starfleet Captain's always have to play the cavalry don't they. Damned show off”


Lexi@crystyl says, knowing full well she's just as bad if not worse for showboating.


NPK@annpc#557 | Merc: "No sign of the remaining ships powering back up. I think they're down for good.”


Lexi@crystyl:"And the civilian freighters that were running the decoy”


NPK@annpc#557 | Merc: "They're down too. Lifesigns haven't moved so the skeleton crews are probably out. Virus' overriding their control anyways, so they won't be able to overload the cores on us.”


Lexi@crystyl:"Alright, stand down to yellow alert and send our congratulations to Keelah”


NPK@annpc#557 | K'Sarn: "Aye, standing down."


---


Keliaya@anncaris | Meanwhile on the bridge of the Valley Forge...


Keliaya@anncaris:"QanwI' reports all enemy ships are disabled, and the probes did their jobs well.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Excellent. Remind me to congratulate Kelly and her team for their deployment”


Keelah@crystyl:"All hostiles are accounted for?"


Keelah@crystyl | Lennie: "All as expected Cap'n. An' th'Liberty's rabbitin' as planned too”


Keelah@crystyl:"Alright, let's bring our new friends home then. Lay in a pursuit course and signal QanwI' to hold ground while we recover the Liberty”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Aye aye. Pursuit course set and ready to engage on your mark.”


Keliaya@anncaris:"Signal sent, Captain."


Keelah@crystyl:"Take us out Mr. Fisher”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher nods and the VF goes to warp towards the Liberty


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Time to intercept, twelve minutes.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Eva, hail the Liberty with a demand to shut down their engines and prepare to be taken into custody”


Keliaya@anncaris nods, "Signal sent. No response so far."


Keelah@crystyl:"As expected. But we must all play our part”


Keelah@crystyl | Lennie: "Y'say tha' Cap'n, but I'm-a seein' they'se at a all stop”


Keelah@crystyl glances back, "Indeed? Perhaps the Captain still holds sway over her crew after all. Time to intercept?”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Ten minutes.”


Keliaya@anncaris:"I've received a reply. They say they are standing down."


Keelah@crystyl:"Very good. It is so refreshing to see things going smoothly for on-...”


Keelah@crystyl | Lennie interjects: "Don't say it Cap'n! They says one thing, but they'se movin' again!”


Keelah@crystyl glances back with a slight frown, turning to Eva, "Hail them. Push for a direct channel”


Keliaya@anncaris:"They're not responding again…”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Nine minutes to intercept now.”


Keelah@crystyl:"I don't like it... Mr. Fisher, push her as hard as you can. Let's close that gap, time may well be of the essence now”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "Aye Captain.”


Keliaya@anncaris | About eight minutes later, Fisher announces, "Almost in range.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Any change from the Liberty?”


Keliaya@anncaris | Fisher: "They still look like they're holding their course at Warp 5…”


Keelah@crystyl:"They know they can not out run us. There is no logic to this course of action..."


Keelah@crystyl:"What is their trajectory; anything along their route?"


Keelah@crystyl | Lennie shakes her head, "Nothin' on long range sensors”


Keelah@crystyl:"Very well, continue monitoring. We'll just have to wait and see what they're planning”


Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "It looks like they're powering up weapons and dropping out of warp.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Red alert, bring us into range”


Keliaya@anncaris | The bridge switches to red alert lighting as the VF drops out of warp as well and moves towards the Liberty.


Keelah@crystyl:"Try hailing them again”


Keliaya@anncaris taps her console and shakes her head, "Still no response.”


Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "They are firing some form of antimatter warhead. Like less advanced photon torpedoes.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Point defense”


Keliaya@anncaris | A barrage of missiles fly towards the VF, but are promptly shot down by the point-defense turrets. Several energy blasts follow the missiles, but the bridge doesn't even shake slightly.


Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht double-checks his console before announcing, "Shields are holding...at full power, Captain.”


Keelah@crystyl:"This is embarrassing…”


Keelah@crystyl:"Can you calibrate a low yield sustained output from the phaser banks to cut through their shields?”


Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht nods and taps his console, "On it.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Stand by with the tractor beam. Lock on as soon as their shields are down"


Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "Ready to fire on your command.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Do it”


Keliaya@anncaris | The VF fires a low yield beam that quickly drains away the Liberty's shields before snaring it with a tractor beam.


Keliaya@anncaris | Vrolmacht: "They are powering down weapons.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Finally a smarter move. Now, let's try this again..." she looks to Eva, "Open a channel.


Keliaya@anncaris nods and taps her console. A slightly roughed up Captain Vierna appears on the viewscreen, "Captain Keelah. I tried to order my ship to stand down, but my XO decided to take matters into his own -


Keliaya@anncaris:- hands. He's realized we don't stand a chance now, so...allow me to formally surrender the Liberty. After that attempt, you should get no more resistance from us.”


Keelah@crystyl gives a slight nod, "I require you and your senior staff to report here to officially surrender your vessel and turn over your command codes while we take you back to the ambush site for processing +


Keelah@crystyl:+ alongside your cohorts there. Understood?”


Keliaya@anncaris | Captain Vierna nods back, "Understood. We'll stand ready for your...teleporters.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Please inform your crew that they will be confined to quarters once we establish control. We'll transport in 5 minutes”


Keliaya@anncaris | Captain Vierna: "I'll make sure the crew are in their assigned bunk areas.”


Keelah@crystyl:"That will be all then. Valley Forge out" she nods over to Eva


Keliaya@anncaris nods and closes the channel.


Keelah@crystyl stands, "Inform Kazra that we are a go with the senior staff. As soon as we have their command codes, remote into their computer at put the crew out cold before getting underway”


Keliaya@anncaris taps her console, sending the message to Kazra.


Keelah@crystyl:"Mr. Silvestrie, I want a welcome party ready in transporter 2" she notes, making her way to the turbolift”


Keliaya@anncaris | Silvestrie nods, "I'll have security ready there, Captain."


---


NPC@annpc#557 | Not long after in Sickbay, the Liberty senior staff, with the exception of the three already cleansed of influence, are unconscious and being treated.


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Thank you, Captain, for not damaging my ship. You were right, most of them wouldn't listen to reason when under Horde influence.”


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "It took you demonstrating just how underpowered we were before they realized we never had a chance in battle against you.”


Keelah@crystyl:"I am just thankful that was enough. More heavily influenced crews may be driven to self destruct rather than surrender under such circumstances”


Keelah@crystyl:"Also I apologize for taking such a harsh line with you on the comm, but we had to keep up appearances. Your crew should all be safely sedated now, and fear not; once we have things settled we will +


Keelah@crystyl:+ restore your command authorization so you can reset the codes anew”


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "As long as my ship and people are alright, you can be as harsh as you like. I don't mind.”


Keelah@crystyl smiles, looking around, "You will have enough harshness to contend with regardless of my input. Once they all wake up, they will all need to brought up to speed as you three first were”


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "I'll explain the situation to them. We'll have to figure out where to go next from here, too…”


Keelah@crystyl:"You'll have your work cut out for you before then. After this group we need to recover your medical personnel and train them to perform this recovery procedure on the others. There's quite a few +


Keelah@crystyl:+ ships out here who all need aid. As for afterwards... I can point you in the right direction”


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "That would be much appreciated, Captain.”


NPC@annpc#557 | Kazra joins them from one of the medical beds, "Quite a few ships indeed. It'll take a while just to finish up with the Liberty crew. What've you gotten us into this time, Keelah," she chuckles.


Keelah@crystyl:"Don't remind me. All we need to do is get the core Liberty team recovered and trained up. They can take point from there on the rest of the ships here before directing them to the Vue En escort zone”


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna nods, "Maybe one of them can give us a lift, too. It'll be hard for us to keep up with them, but plenty of them have engines closer to yours, and tractor beams as well."


Keelah@crystyl smiles, "After your efforts to restore them to their rightful minds, I'd imagine it to be the least they can do for you”


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "True. They'll definitely owe us a few favours.”


NPC@annpc#557 | Kazra: "How long do you think we should stay and assist the Liberty? It'll be a while before we can free /everyone/, and even if we won't make it to Terminu in time, we probably shouldn't stay -


NPC@annpc#557:- far from the Coalition for too long.”


Keelah@crystyl:"As I said, we just need to get their senior and medical staff recovered & trained. Then we can leave them to it”


NPC@annpc#557 | Kazra: "If any of the other crews wake up earlier than expected, the Liberty might have trouble dealing with them.”


Keelah@crystyl hrms, "Perhaps we can set one of the Iconian probes to remain behind and periodically renew the environmental overrides to keep the crews out”


NPC@annpc#557 | Kazra nods, "That could work.”


Keelah@crystyl:"I'll go see what Kelly can do. We should be able to have it respond to the Liberty and depart with them once they leave”


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Good idea. We'll focus on freeing the Ice Giants first once we get to work on the others. Their ship should be able to handle it if someone manages to get control back.”


Keelah@crystyl:"Good idea. And any additional medical personnel from the other ships would also make good priorities”


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "We'll keep that in mind. Thank you again for your assistance. We only wish we could've met people like you sooner.”


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Speaking of which, I recall you saying you were familiar with my people, didn't you? When I first arrived here.”


Keelah@crystyl nods, "Indeed. Kazra, mind if I borrow your office?”


NPC@annpc#557 | Kazra: "Go ahead.”


Keelah@crystyl smiles and nods, waving Vierna to follow.


NPC@annpc#557 | Vierna nods and follows along into the office.


Keelah@crystyl approaches Kazra's desk, spinning the console and tapping some to call up details of their previous encounter to the main wall display


Keelah@crystyl:"Look familiar?”


NPC@annpc#557 | Vierna nods, "Those are definitely USDF ships, and it looks like they've managed to get civilians out as well." She smiles, "This is great news.”


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "We know some others escaped the Sibellan Systems, but we had no idea how far they made it.”


Keelah@crystyl:"The last we saw of this fleet, it was heading to the same safe port we can direct you to. With luck, they will still be there assisting the Arshai with the increased numbers of refuges”


NPC@annpc#557 | Vierna smiles wider, "And with luck, we'll be reunited with our people soon. It's good to know we're not the last of our kind.”


Keelah@crystyl:"It is as I told you before; life finds a way" she smile


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "Indeed it does. Thank you for showing me this, Captain. It's not easy to have hope after what happened to the United Sibellan Systems. And ours was a small loss compared to 


NPC@annpc#557:- some others like the Clenduro or the Riders.”


Keelah@crystyl:"I understand. Regrettably we have little to offer for those others in your pirate fleet. But perhaps seeing your hope restored with news of your kin surviving will be sufficient to instill them with+


Keelah@crystyl:+ a little hope as well”


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna: "I hope so too. Thank you, Captain Keelah, for everything you've done for us. For the Liberty and the others of my people you've encountered.”


Keelah@crystyl dips her head a little, "It is our duty. Now, I've kept you from your people long enough. We have plenty of time to talk further should you wish it before we get underway”


NPC@annpc#557 | Captain Vierna nods, "I'll probably catch you and your people again before you leave to learn more about your previous encounter and the other survivors."


Keelah@crystyl smiles, "I look forward to it. For now, I'll leave you to see to your people. Captain" she offers in parting as she turns and exits

View AAR

AFTER ACTION REPORT STARFLEET SECURITY CLEARANCE LEVEL 1 | Open

FILED BY

CAPT Se'Lai

ON STARDATE

97796.5

LOCATION

Uncharted System

MISSION PARAMETERSOUTCOME SUMMARY Response to suspicious distress signal and countermand of 'Anarchist' group's pirate actions. Anarchist fleet disabled and now undergoing removal of Horde influence.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Upon completion of their task they have been directed to regroup with the other refugee vessels at the Vue En quarantine zone where their efforts will be verified before reintroducing them into society.

NARRATIVE

Whilst making our way back to rejoin the Coalition defense of Terminu, a distress signal was picked up from the USDF Liberty. Immediately upon moving to investigate our suspicions were roused by the elusive behavior of her CO when probed for information as to the nature of their emergency. We moved to intercept and pushed for the CO to be transported to the Valley Forge in order to properly lay down the details of their urgent requirements - having established their story thus far as being one of desperation to attract aid for their refugee fleet.

When the party arrived via transporter, our new security protocols confirmed an element of Horde influence and so they were immediately locked down to the pad while we convinced them of it being a simple environmental conflict that was being resolved for their own wellbeing. The situation was tense and distrustful for the most part, though we were eventually able to coerce them into agreeing to a diversion to our sickbay where they could be 'inoculated' for it. This allowed Dr. Meel and her team to apply the necessary neural countermeasures in order to release the officers from the Horde's influence. After reawakening they were predictably disorientated and taken for a debrief at which time I explained exactly what had transpired. Their confusion lasted, but they accepted the facts and quickly took to cooperation at which time they confirmed our suspicions about their refugee fleet being a trap where the bulk of their Anarchist allies lay in wait.

We devised a rouse to approach and shut down the pirate operation which utilized the QanwI' to distribute a number of our recently acquired Iconian Probes around the ambushing fleet. This worked to promptly disable the bulk of their numbers prior to engaging combat, and made a much more acceptable risk analysis for the Valley Forge and QanwI' to engage. As it transpired, the QanwI' had already completed most of the engagement prior to our arrival and the Anarchist fleet was promptly disabled. Environmental system overrides were set in place to render their crews unconscious while the freshly trained teams from the USDF Liberty strategically worked to restore key personnel from each vessel and begin the longer term process of recovering all of their comrades from Horde influence safely.