Here is where the Fun begins

Posted on Thu Apr 28th, 2022 @ 7:06am by Lieutenant Sapphire Morgan [Lalor] & Lieutenant JG Nerinath zh'Rhilror [Lalor] & Lieutenant Samaire MacBride-Reece [Lalor] & Cadet Sophomore Grade Triston Montgomery [Lalor] & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Avalon [ADMIN NPC] & Lieutenant Clara Lawson & Samantha Prescott [ADMIN NPC] & Tristi Richardson & Captain Garrett Lovejoy [ Taylor] & Captain Gary Taylor & Commander Sthilg & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Lieutenant Etrara Khalten & Lieutenant Commander Rin & Lieutenant Myne Redal & Lieutenant JG Miraj Derani & Captain David Tonelly [Reece] & Commander Kyle Reece & Lieutenant Scott Gregory [Taylor] & Captain George Charles [Reece] & Lieutenant Alice Jordan ( Barclay de Tolly ) & Lieutenant JG Jason Danvers [Taylor] & Lieutenant JG T'Kek [Naxea] & Lieutenant JG Heather De La Rosa {Kelea-Salik} & Chief Warrant Officer Man'darr [Naxea] & Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor] & Senior Chief Petty Officer Emily Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Gunnery Sergeant Luxa Gami [Naxea] & Staff Sergeant Leilani Charles {Kelea-Salik} & Staff Sergeant Liam "Swede" Reece [Reece] & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor] & 1st Lieutenant Joshua Young [Taylor] & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece] & Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Gavin Lovejoy & Ebi [Rin] & Lieutenant JG Joral Bin. ( Barclay de Tolly ) & Lieutenant JG Marcellus Sattine an Dasa ( Barclay de Tolly ) & Lieutenant JG Tarr Zell ( Barclay de Tolly )

Mission: Season 5: Interlude: Darkness Abounds
Location: Various
Timeline: MD6 - 05h00
4199 words - 8.4 OF Standard Post Measure

=BRIDGE=

Lily refused to sit. It felt wrong at that time to do so. As she kept her gaze on the view screen, she knew people were watching her.

On a smaller image, the counter was nearing 0.

She pressed the comm on the command chair. "All hands, stand ready. We are about to make contact."

Myne looked up from her console and spoke. "Ma'am, we've got incoming. Should be arriving any second now."

From the tactical station, Jax looked over at Lily. "All systems ready, Ma'am." His tone was quiet, yet professional. He would do everything in his power to keep everyone safe.

Lily shot him a grateful look. She was glad he was on the bridge with her at that time.

=CARGO BAY=

[["All hands, stand ready. We are about to make contact."]]

Heather looked towards Fernando as she sat cradling their son Cody. The only reason she hadn’t left the ship with the others was because Cody needed to be near medical facilities. “I’m not afraid to say I’m scared.”

Fernando squeezed Heather's hand as they sat together. "I am scared as well Heather but I will protect you and Cody along with the others. I promise you that. You watch over Cody and I will watch over you. Deal?" He said flashing a smile he didn't feel but not wanting heather to worry needlessly.

“Deal” Heather smiled and nodded. She could sense that Fernando was being brave for her but she didn’t say anything.

Sthilg eyes shot open as he stood up from where he'd be laying down. Looking over he saw that Khalten was still asleep. Hopefully she'd be okay when she woke up. His throat was dry so when feeling returned to his legs he walked over to the water container and drew himself a long draft of water. He'd need to be on his feet today.

Naxea stood up from the crate she had been sitting on. Normally she wouldn't be nervous but that was before she found out she was pregnant. The idea of having another life to be responsible for inside her, was quite scary. She was glad she had chosen not to let S'hib know--he'd likely be an emotional wreck. She was just happy not to dealing with a bout of sneezing at the moment.

Emily was lying awake on her bunk simply staring into nothingness when the announcement came. Getting up she walked across to her brother. “Promise me something George, no matter what happens you won’t get yourself hurt. You have a pregnant wife, and a son that need you.”

George looked at his sister and nodded. Giving her a slight grin, he replied. "Of course, Emm. Same goes for you. My kids need their auntie."

Emily nodded. “I’m just a nurse, here to watch my patients.” She motioned to Heather and Cody. “What harm could I do?” She smiled.

From his corner, David sat up and started to mentally prepare himself. He wished he could be with Baeryn during this encounter, however, he understood the need for all the deception.

Kay'vek waited for the trap to be sprung. He waited, motionless, disciplined.

Tag Cargo bay

=MEDICAL=

[["All hands, stand ready. We are about to make contact."]]

Kara had a sudden case of butterflies, as Lily had instructed she made sure Sickbay was secure. Hopefully her services wouldn’t be required.


=ENGINEERING=

[["All hands, stand ready. We are about to make contact."]]

Gami stood straight from leaning against the bulkhead. She had hated the waiting--something she had never been good at as she readied her pulse rifle to play her part as one of the mutineers.

Ensign Tarr Zell, the Ingavi Engineer walked with Gami. He also had a pulse rifle.


=BRIDGE=

The Vessel that exited warp was sleek yet Starfleet issue. A Sabre Class.

Tapping on the console, Myne looked back at Lily, doing her best to keep her tension out of her voice. "We're being hailed ma'am."

"On screen" Lily said softly. "And transmit through the ship."

"Yes ma'am." With a few more taps, Myne brought the transmission on the screen of the bridge, then opened a channel to have the following conversation play out through the entire ship.

The screen cleared and an elderly man appeared on the screen. Admiral Matthew Highlaw studied the group on the screen. The sight of Captain Lovejoy and Commander Taylor on their knees and bound made him smile. "Ah Ms Kass I presume. You did as you said you would I see."

"Yes" The Bajoran replied. "The USS Elysium, and crew for you. For the right price of course."

Highlaw smirked. "All about the credits right Ms Kass."

"My crew needs to eat and my ship needs repairs so yes, all about the credits."

"I have a team ready to beam over, may we come aboard?"

Lily inclined her head. "Yes, of course."

The admiral nodded and the screen went blank. Once it was clear, Lily said "Positions everyone!"

Alicia was sitting in her seat, she could fill in at Ops if needed but for now she remained where she was. Her job would be more to act as Liaison between the bridge and the so called prisoners in the cargo bay.

T'las maintained her rigid stance near the turbolift doors to act as a bodyguard. She still found the whole scenario amusing--if only her people knew of such dissention within Starfleet. It would be a matter she would likely report during her next conference call with her government.

Jax worked his controls while he kept the weapons in standby mode, he ensured that they could and would be brought to full power the instant Lily gave the word.

All over the ship, transporter signals appeared. Several outside Medical, Engineering and three on the bridge.

=CARGO BAY=

[[After the Comm Call has ended]]

David got up and nonchalantly moved towards the hidden weapons locker that contained his gear. Even if all he could use was his trusted tomahawk, he would put down any enemy trooper in his way.

Opening the crate she had been sitting on, Naxea pulled out a pulse rifle. She would feel better with her full combat kit, especially with her condition but she was wiling to fight nonetheless as she activated the rifle and double checking the energy cell level to ensure it was full. She pulled the K-bar and strapped it to her waist where it was easiest with her duty belt already there.


Tag Cargo bay (get your weapons, the fight is about to begin)

Etrara woke slowly wondering where and who she was. She had a vague idea her name was Emily but she wasn’t sure. She sat up and looked around taking in the scene noting a case which contained weapons. She helped herself to a phaser and a curved blade and shut the lid. She walked towards the door wondering who these people were. Her mind was full of remembered scenes of her childhood, scenes of terror and abuse, she began to tremble her finger on the trigger of her weapon. Were these people here friends, or enemies?

" Etrara you ssshouldn't be up." Sthilg said walking over to the tactical department head.

She looked at him her hand moulding to her blade. My name is Emily, who are these people, if you need a warrior then I am ready to kill and die?” Her brain was full of confused pictures, Klingon and human fusing together but overwritten by someone else. Adrenaline spiked and ran through her body confusing her further. “I am needed on the bridge” she growled.

" No your name is Etrara and you need to lay down. " The gorn said firmly in his familiar doctor tone.

The doors to the cargobay opened and Avalon appeared. "Several patrols of unfriendlies are throughout the ship. Medical and Engineering are being taken." She announced to the 'prisoners'. "Care to take our ship back?"

Kay'vek walked to one of the hidden weapons lockers and began to arm himself. "They believe they are in control. Let us allow them to believe that delusion until it is too late. I suggest we set up ambush points using the jefferies tubes and the corridors. It is a common tactic used by my people. We cut them off from both forward and rear, and force their surrender. My people's bird of preys have often used that tactic." The Klingon pilot suggested. "What do you think, Marines?"

"An excellent sssuggestion Kay'vek." Sthilg responded as he clipped his arm back on having retrieved it from the hidden catch. " Let'ss take back our ssship."

Emily looked towards Fernando as she headed to get herself and Heather a phaser. “Go .. I’ll stay here and help protect Cody.” She looked towards George. “You too George, we’ll be okay.”

Fernando moved to and quickly kissed Heather. "You and Emily watch over each other and the others. Don't be a hero. I'll be back as soon as i can."

Heather nodded as she gave her husband a quick hug. “We’ll be fine, just be careful Fernando!”

George nodded, as he started to open his mind to the area around him. He started to feel the minds of his ship mates and the attackers. Slowly, he started to focus in on the minds of the enemies. One by one, he reached out and started to plant images of fear and torment.

"Good suggestion, Kay'vek," Naxea complimented. "You,
Tonelly, and De La Rosa and a few others go on the flanking maneuver. Myself, Sthilg, Man'darr, and any who want to join will head them off directly.

Etrara/Emily edged her way forward until she was behind the reptilian and gripped the blade with ease. It seemed to belong there somehow.

David nodded as he reached into the arms case and pulled out his phaser and trusty tomahawk. He was ready for war.

Sthilg brought up his arms shield mode. Perfect for blocking shots. " Keep behind me colonel I do not want to have that talk with your husssband." he said drawing a gorn sized phaser the standard issue ones being like a toy in his hand.

"I'll be fine Sthilg. I'm not going to be coddled when the ship is in danger Sthilg--pregnant or not," she replied. She knew there were risks--there had always been risks, though she was still trying to comprehend the fact that she was now caring for another lifeform.

With a cry of something akin to pain and rage Etrara/Emily pushed through the opening cargo bay door and out into the corridor. A man with a rifle of some sort stood in front of her and raised it to fire. She ducked and charged using her velocity to knock him off his feet. Her knife dug deep into his chest pulling up and twisting down as she disembowelled him. He sunk against her, his eyes opened in shock as he died. Who was she, where was she? Her mind told her to run and she did.

"Get back here before you get yourself killed!" Naxea ordered at Etara as she heard phaser fire start to be exchanged. "Dammit. Move!" she ordered the others for go on the plan of attack--if Etara didn't screw it up too much and/or get herself killed.

=MEDICAL=

[[After the Comm Call has ended]]

Kara looked around medical, without the rest of the medical staff it seemed eerily quiet. She was starting to wish she was with Malakai and Mattias right now.

Outside the Medical bay, the sound of a group beaming in was clearly heard.
The doors opened and a squad of men and women entered, rifles at the ready.

Inside Medical Kara had heard the beam in, not wanting to put herself at risk she quickly hid pulling out a phaser and keeping it at the ready incase she had to defend herself.

In Sickbay, an access panel creaked opened in the ceiling and Malakai popped his head out, he looked around didn't see any bad guy's only Kara hiding behind a cabinet. A smile split his face as he exited the panel. "Hi sweetie, thought I'd come and check on you as Mattias is watching Lily on the bridge."

Kara breathed a sigh of relief keeping her voice low. “I am so happy to see you! I was worried I’d end up being caught.”

"The only one catching you is me, Kara. No one else." Malakai told her.
Now, is there any better place to hide, protect ourselves? Because sooner or later someone is going to come in here."

Kara nodded. “We should be able to loop around behind them from here, but not before they’ve checked this room unfortunately. There is that ...” she pointed to a Jeffries tube hatch at floor level. “We could hide in there and hope they don’t check it.”

Malakai looked around didn't see any other hiding places and made a decision. "Alright, get into the Jeffries tube, make sure your phaser is on stun. I'll be right behind you. Go up the tube a good way. That way if they give it a casual glance, they won't see anyone."

Kara nodded. “It’s a good job I’m not any further into this pregnancy or I wouldn’t be crawling through anything!” Opening up the hatch she crawled inside and made her way along looking back long enough to wait for Malakai.

Malakai gave a look around before climbing into the tube behind Kara. He pulled the hatch closed and dogged it shut before climbing further up the shaft to Kara.

“You know any other time and this could have been fun!” Kara grinned a wry grin.

Malakai gave her a quick kiss. "We'll just have to remember this when this is over." He assured Kara.

Kara smiled as she returned his kiss. “Ohh I’ll remember.”

Moments later the hatch popped open, and something was flung inside.

“OHH SHIT!!!” Kara scrambled as fast as her legs could go in the crawl space as the Jeffries tube started to fill with gas.

"Up!" Malakai shouted as he went down picked up the gas grenade and holding his breath opened the hatch and tossed it back out into the lab. Letting a breath out he closed the hatch and dogged it shut and climbed rapidly up the shaft. "Go Kara!" He gasped. "Get to the next cross section."

“I’m... trying!” Kara moved as fast as she could, it wasn’t easy trying to hold her breath and climb up to the next junction at the same time. She coughed as she climbed grateful for the rest when they reached the junction. “Need to... stop!” She settled down for a rest.

"Okay Kara, just a breather." Malakai coughed as he crawled up behind her, looking to see if there was any pursuit and saw no one was coming up after them.

Kara nodded. “They know where we are now” She sat trying to wake herself up a bit, the inhaled gas making her feel tired. “We need to...” She stifled a yawn. “Get somewhere safe!”

"Kara, stay awake!" Malakai urged. "We'll get to somewhere safe." He assured his wife. We just need to keep moving. Are you ready?"

Kara nodded. “Where to? You know where to go better than I do.”

"Go to the next cross section and then go right Kara." Malakai told his wife. As he followed behind her, yet continuously looked behind them to see if they were being followed. So far, they were in the clear.

Kara kept moving hoping they would soon be out of the Jeffries tube. As they got to the cross section she turned as Malakai had told her. “How far until we’re out of here Imzadi?”

=ENGINEERING=

[[After the Comm Call has ended]]

Tarr Zell along with others including Joral and Marcellus were ready.

The doors opened and a squad of men and women entered, rifles at the ready.

"Easy there," Gami called. "I'm with Lilly Kass who is on the Bridge. I mutinied with her to take over the ship," she explained, grinning. "We've secured this section for you but feel free to check for yourselves," she hoped to put the officers off guard.

Tarr who was briefed decided to play along. “I have no choice but to comply.”

"Lay down your weapons until we confirm the orders!" one infiltrator ordered, casing Gami to produce a lopsided grin as her eyes bored into the infiltrator.

Her betazoid mind and training went into full offensive mode, recalling the invasive techniques during the Dominion Occupation that her people had once banned long ago only to learn in order to aid in driving the Dominion off their world by war's end. Her mind entered his, igniting all of the pain receptors in his brain at once.

The man emitted a nearly inhuman scream at the top of his lungs, dropping his rifle and grabbing his head. Gami opened fire at the other guards who were now distracted by their comrade's screams.

=BRIDGE=

Covered in the blood of those who fought her and her own wounds Etrara/Emily had discovered that Jeffries tubes were the quickest way to the bridge, although she did not know why she was heading there some imperative drove her on as though she had to be there. The memories of Emily that had overwritten her own had no idea why and all she could see was the traumatic life of another that had combined with her own trauma. Memories of her own life subsumed by Emily’s flickered through her brain like old silent movies. She lay there breathing heavily listening to the conversations on the bridge, her phaser and knife wedged tightly in her stiffened hands. She tried to call out to her brother telepathically but of course not being a telepath her calls went unanswered. She felt so tired dealing with all this pain and trying to conceive why she should be where she currently was. She moved around trying to gain a foothold so she could burst through the panel but she slipped and rapped the side of the tube. As she did her consciousness left her once again and she slept.

Lily turned to the transporter padd at the back of the bridge. Three figures appeared there.

Admiral Highlaw was there with two security officers. His lips were curved in a smirk as he walked down to the main centre of the bridge and looked down on the two bound officers. "Why did you keep them alive?" he asked as his bodyguards flanked him.

"Killing them would have been too easy." Came Lily's reply.

Highlaw merely shrugged and looked at his bodyguard. "Kill them." he waved to Taylor and Lovejoy.

The guard moved to do so, only to collapse, a needle sharp hairpin dagger protruding from his throat. The man's gurgles as he died on the bridge filled the silence.

"They are still my prisoners Admiral." Lily Kass said as he spun to face her. "And until payment is received they remain that way."

"You don't deal in slaves!" He snapped at her.

"No, but I do deal in ransom" Came her cold reply. "And lets be honest here, Admiral, this is a business transaction. They will fetch a nice ransom from Starfleet. And dead bodies do not."

"You killed my man."

"And?" came her response. Lily was not flinching as Highlaw all but stalked towards her.

His glare was like being mauled by a worm, Lily thought. "Admiral, you seem to be labouring under the impression that I signed up to work for you because I am some sort of true believer. I am here for the money and my team and I expect to be paid well. Killing Starfleet Officers just because is not part of the deal."

She walked around him, made sure she faced him as she pulled the hairpin from his man's throat. Wiping it on the dead man's uniform she slid it up her sleeve. Then she moved to stand behind Lovejoy and Taylor. "Also Admiral, thank you for coming here personally."

Highlaw raised an eyebrow at her. "That was the agreement. This ship is to be my new flagship."

"Ah see thats where things go off the rails. Elysium already has a captain. And its not you." Lily said. "Lieutenant Redal, Lock the ship's transporters down. No one on or off this ship"

Myne was waiting for this command, and with a innocent smile she simply tapped once in the corner of her console. Her previous work already in play as transporter control was rerouted to her exclusive control while several systems aboard the Elysium began transmitting nasty little viruses towards the enemy ship systems. "All done ma'am!" She chirped cheerfully.

Then she tapped the cuffs Garratt and Gary were 'bound' with and they fell to the floor.

Garrett rose fluidly, "Thank you Ms. Kass." He replied not revealing her true identity, he would leave that surprise for her.

Gary rose quickly, grabbing two phasers from a secret panel and handed one to Garrett. "Surprise." He said simply giving Highlaw an icy stare.

Highlaw barked at his other man to kill them all.

The other man couldn't respond, T'Kara had already moved from Myne's side during Lily's distraction and the Vulcan science officer had her hand on the second guards neck. A classic Vulcan nerve pinch. The science officer turned to Highlaw. "It would be most illogical to continue this course of action, Admiral."

Alicia had grabbed herself a phaser from its hiding place and moved to stand alongside Gary. She could only hope everything was going to plan throughout the ship.

T'las had her sword drawn in one hand and a phaser in the other. The Starfleet officers had acted impressively. She would make a note to study those officers closer.

Seeing Highlaw start to reach for a weapon, Jax sprung into action. He vaulted over his console and closed the distance between himself and the Admiral. In one fluid movement, he collided with the older man, lifted him up off the deck and bodyslammed him hard back down.

Myne flinched from T'Kara's sudden move and easy takedown of the extra bodyguard. She took a moment to stare up at T'Kara with quite some admiration, before turning away to stare at her console. "Ma'am?! Do you want me to try and take over the enemy ship? I already piggy rode?! back on the initial transporter beams. I have some self-replicating viruses in their system and I can attempt to cut off control from their bridge and engineering."

T'Kara approached Highlaw and gave him a good stare. She picked him up and put her hand to his face "Your command codes for your ship, Admiral. Or i will take them through a meld. And I will not be subtle. I assure you my logic is being tested by how reprehensible you are."

Rin coolly watched things unfold. This felt...too easy. Things seemed well under others' control for the moment, so she kept herself distant, watching Highlaw's face for any indication of a back up plan, and checking sensors for any surprises that might arrive from outside the ship.

And, perhaps most importantly, she continued to look neutral, just in case the ruse later proved to be necessary. Right now, she was just someone looking for a quick payday and protection from Starfleet, waiting out the standoff to see who came out ahead.

Highlaw scowled and his gaze shifted between the blond bajoran and the Vulcan. "You will not get my command Codes" he replied. "And my men are already taking over this ship. "

"Doubtful" Came Kass's reply. "The crew are not allowing that to happen"

Highlaw all but spat as he replied. "Will they fight for you if they know your truth Ms Kass?"

"You ordered the death of my captain. Put a bounty on Starfleet officers." T'Kara pressed her fingers against his face. Entering his mind forcibly. "You have lost my pity."

Miraj slipped the external inertial dampener off, fully expecting everything to turn nasty in a split second. She didn't like this at all. Highlaw seemed far too calm for someone who's plan was apparently going to shit in a seachest. It wouldn't be this simple. Not to mention a Starfleet officer had just threatened to mind-rape a prisoner. Everything about the whole situation tasted off. She double checked her panel to see if the sabre class vessel hanging just of their bow was twitching wrong.

Lily grabbed T'Kara and pulled her off the Admiral with a sharp "Stop!" She all but threw the Vulcan at Gary. "Control your officers Commander" She snapped, the bajoran accent at the fore. She then turned to the Admiral who was staggering on his feet.

Highlaw snarled out "Aki! Now"

Lily dove for him yelling "Avalon! Shields up!"

The Computer replied with "Acknowledged" as Lily Kass tackled the Admiral to the floor.

The ship sensors began to blare and three ships dropped out of warp around them.

TBC

 

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