Vacation a la Shan - part 2

Posted on Tue Dec 21st, 2021 @ 3:44pm by

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Timeline: 4 months before she joined the crew
1104 words - 2.2 OF Standard Post Measure

10 hours later it was done, and the sun was rising. The Hathawy had arrived, and forcibly escorted the Orions from the planet. Shan noted with some curiosity that Glade had not been around when the officers from the Hathaway beamed down. But she shrugged it off. Not everyone liked Starfleet. And even here, Shan didn’t use her rank and never wore her uniform, choosing instead to wear loose fitting garments that breathed in the heat and allowed for movement.

She sat on a rock watching as the shuttle was tractored off the planet while it's crew were beamed to the Hathaway in chains.

“They will be back” a calm voice came from behind her. Tallis and Glade stood there. Shan studied them.

“How can you be sure?”

“Because the Orion's claim this planet as theirs, though it has been disproved by numerous people. They just want the rights to dig here and salvage and sell things.” Tallis Varis replied. “We have not heard the last of them.’

Glade nodded. “I will set out those sensors the Federation left, along with those additions we mentioned.”

“Good idea” Tallis smiled at the El-Aurian. “And with the beacon in orbit, we should hopefully have more warning next time.”

Glade nodded and headed off into the early dawn.

Shan watched her go. “Will she be ok?”

Tallis nodded “Yes.” she said softly. “Glade will be fine. She is more than capable.”

“What is her last name?” Shan was very curious.

“Hollidae”

“As in the Author?”

Varis smiled and nodded. “Yes”

Shan stared after the retreating figure. ”Wow. I loved her books when I was growing up.”

“A number of people here would have read them as well. Keep it under your hat Shanyrria. Do not spread it around.”

The Ensign nodded. “Of course.” She promised.

The next few weeks passed quietly. It was two months into the dig when Shan was roughly shaken awake by her tent mate Rigel. “Wh-hat?” she got out groggily.

“Up Shan. Now. we have incoming and it's more than a shuttle this time.” He was dressed and he shoved her clothes at her.

Shan sighed and got up and dressed in silence.

When she joined the group outside, she froze. All around them, outside the protective shield Glade had erected, hovered 5 shuttles bristling with weaponry. “Well this is not good” She muttered.

Glade came out of the communications Tent. “Jamming us” she reported.

Tallis was pale at that news but she still straightened her shoulders.

Shan watched those around her. They, had grown complacent And she knew that, this time it was dire.

Glade walked to a crate and opened it. “Varis?” she asked

“Do it.” Came the reply.

Glade began handing out phaser rifles.

Shan took hers and when Glad looked at her and asked “can you use it?”

“I am a Starfleet officer, I can use it.” Came the reply almost by rote. “Not my favourite thing though.”

“where are you stationed?” Glade asked curiously.

“Well I was on the USS Tesla but it went kaboom!”

Glade stared at her. “What?!?”

Shan nodded. “yeah temporary CO got into a fight with an alien being and ship. Had to destroy the Ship to get free. Now I am being transferred to the USS Elysium.”

Glade kept her gaze on the woman. “ok..” she said softly. “Well that’s a combat situation. Go with Miles and take the south entrance point”

Shan nodded and headed off and missed the mutter that was made as Glade moved off in the other direction.

The shield overloaded 20 minutes later and Shan found herself standing in the middle of one of the trenches firing at two oncoming Orion's. She was, it should be noted a very bad shot, but she tried her best. Still the last thing she really remembered was the butt of a rifle coming down on her head after she had been kicked in the chest.

It might have been hours, or mere minutes but when she woke she was still laying in the trench, and it was cold. No noise was around her. She lay still, waiting to hear, listening with her ears. Nothing not a sound. Slowly, she went to roll over and a hand clamped down on her mouth. Eyes wide she looked up and into the face of Glade, who had blood down her face and her hair was in total disarray. Glade held a finger to her lips and raised an eyebrow.

Shan nodded.

The hand was removed, and Glade motioned for Shan to follow her. Shan slowly rolled over onto her stomach and followed by commando crawl.

When Glade finally rose to stand, they were back behind the camp, near the low ridge of hills that had formed the northern boarder of the camp. There gathered in the hollow were 10 other people, all in different stages of shock and several were wounded. Varis was among them.

Shan sat down silently rubbing at her head which ached. She looked at Varis. “Now what?” she asked in a whisper.

Tallis looked at Glade. Who gave a shrug back. Glade sat down beside Tallis. “I told you we needed more security.”

Tallis rolled her eyes.

“A-are they still here?” asked one of the others

Glade nodded. “They have the others in the mess Tent. They are not talking. Just standing guard. Waiting I think, waiting for something or someone else.”

12 out of their 25 compliment were here and Shan had a really bad feeling about the situation.

Glade sighed. “We do not have much choice. Its surrender or its wait for them to find us.”

"What about fighting back?" Asked another archaeologist from further down the small hallow.

Glade ignored that deeming it too stupid for words. Shan however chose to respond. "And we did so well defending the camp, what makes you think that it will change if we try to take it back?"

He, a Bolian, looked abashed. "No one asked you Vulcan."

Shan snarled "I am Varlarian. Not Vulcan!" She wanted to slug him but she didn't.

"Enough" Tallis said wearily. "We need to work together. Glade thoughts?”

Glade studied the group and then slowly peaked over the low rise. She frowned. “I wish I did. But we are very out numbered and lets be honest, we are archaeologists not security or marine officers.”

Shan frowned slightly. “No you are right but we are smarter then they are.”

Glade turned. “What are you thinking?”

“Tricks, pranks that sort of thing, lure them out, take them out one by one and then, rescue the others.” Shan said softly.

TBC...