The Nightmare of the Stormbringer

Posted on Thu Oct 13th, 2022 @ 10:25am by Consul Josephine Carlyle-Cragen & Avalon [ADMIN NPC] & Commander Sthilg & Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Captain Garrett Lovejoy [ Taylor] & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor] & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor] & Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Legate Imik S'Niohun [Lia Taylor] & Michael Bishop

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: ANS Anara
1340 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Arrianna beamed aboard the Anara with Alicia, Savar and Sthilg. The ship was incredible, Impressive for a race as Cerebral as the Alindar. They were not the most physically strong people, but where the Alindari lacked in strength, they made up for with intelligence. She ship was impressive, advanced. Consoles with Holographic screens. However the gravity was half Earth gravity.

It took a few minutes for Alicia to get used to the change of gravity aboard the Alindar ship, being half that of Earth was an usual sensation to say the least.

Having been born in space, Imik adapted quickly to the change in gravity. "It has been some time since last I felt this sensation, but how I have missed the freedom it gives."

Arri spoke. "This vessel is the flagship of the Alindari Defense Force. Its name is the ANS Anara. Named after the Empress whose quick action and thinking spared us from certain antihalation by the Borg. We developed our Tirielle class escorts and the Anara Class Advanced cruiser side-by-side with the Federation's new Inquiry Class Starships, using lessons learned from the Elysium's Quantum Slipstream Drive to properly calibrate the slipstream in both classes. Our goal, even when Sena Alindar is far in the Typhon expanse. is for our Alindari Defense Fleet to reach any planet in the Federation within one day, and still be ready for battle to assist Starfleet and their allies." Arrianna lead the way to the bridge. "We also combat criminal elements in the Typhon Expanse. Many times, we have kept the Orions out of the expanse." Arri lead the way to the bridge. The atmosphere with the Alindari crew was one of calm serenity. They barely spoke to one another, but they understood each other perfectly.

They entered the bridge and it was a holographic environment showing a massive holographic screen of what was around the Anara. Arrianna hailed Kara and Malakai. "Kara are you ready?"

Back aboard the Elysium Kara had been waiting for Arri to call, a PADD sat in-front of her at the ready. “I’m ready Arri.”

Malakai was next to Kara, ready to intervene at the first sign of danger.

"Activate the PADD."

Arrianna paced as she waited for the communications station to interdict the signal. "My lady. We have the signal."

"Upload the malware to the Stormbringer." Arrianna commanded.

"We have a response, my lady." The tactical officer noted. "Triangulating."

"Helm, Prepare to slipstream. I want to be right on top of Bishop when we emerge from the slipstream." Arrianna noted.

Savar stood silently on the bridge as his gaze swept over it. "Impressive." He finally uttered, "Most impressive. Your engineers and builders are to be commended.''

--

Bishop had received word that a signal from one of Cragen's devices had been detected. He smiled at the news, "So, the game has begun." He said to himself. He had anticipated that someone would find and activate one of Cragen's devices in an attempt to find him and his special cargo, Well, whoever they were they would be in for a surprise. King's Gambit wasn't where they thought. They had redirected their transponders so their location was a mystery. The ship was sufficiently far enough away that their detection was impossible.

The Anara exited slipspace the King's Gambit was not in sight..

Arrianna paced. "Scan the area, They might have redirected the transponder.. They can't be far."

Bishop would see the large cruiser emerge from Slipspace. There were rumors on the Alindari Anara Class Advanced Cruiser. And now and it was scanning the area rigorously. He knew who it was, she was going to be relentless.

A voice cut through space. "Flossie? Is that you?" The voice is Bishop's it is curious, pleasant even. "I knew you would come." He was confident in his ship's abilities and to avoid detection.

Arri spoke. "Open a channel." Arri spoke. "I believe you have me confused for someone else. I am Countess Arrianna Salannis an Vantar. Commander in the Federation Starfleet. Cousin to Empress Alena IV Althir. Second Officer of the USS Elysium.. And I am here for my mate.. This will end two ways." Arrianna noted. "You will return Josephine unharmed, Or I will find you, and I will find you, but when I do I will board your ship, and then you will return Josephine to me regardless, and I will ensure you live long enough to be put in a cell next to Kyle Cragen."

Silence, several moments of silence before a soft chuckle comes from the speakers. No, I don't believe I have you confused at all by whatever name you wish to go by, be it Flossie or Arri or Countess. I know who you are and what you are after. I should tell you that Josephine is fine and in good health. She obviously cannot come to the com but I would not lie to you about that. Notice I said Josephine and not Sephine. For I broke Mr. Cragen's conditioning and she is once again the Josephine you know and love."

" And we ssshould trussst you becaussse?" Sthilg hissed feeling it best to leave out that Bishops mother was a whore of the dark one.

"I'm sorry. I don't know that voice, you are? And in answer to your question. Arri knows me, I don't lie about what I did to her or Josephine nor Josephine's health."

" A friend of Arri'sss. Return Josssephine, then power down your ssship." Sthilg replied.

"Well friend of Arri, you have a sense of humor. if not sense. By the way are you Gorn?"

Arri responded. "Bishop. Return Josephine to me. She is no longer involved in this, and when Mas.... he possessed her, his mind became even more unstable. You know what I speak. All those centuries obsessing over a woman. Obsessing over my humiliartion. My degredation. You knew he was going to kill you, kill Clara even." Arrianna waved to her tac officer to continue carefully tracing the signal. "He was even going to kill Sephine. For the slightest, insignificant slight, and he would have escalated.. To you.. To Clara.. or everyone else that may have been in his employ, and It is no secret you believe that Cragen is losing his mind. Wake up, Bishop. His madness got you into this situation, and now you need a way out, and his enemies are all around you. He's no longer the immaculate and near impeccable man you once knew. He was mad and he was out to get you and Clara dead. And you know it." Arrianna noted. "Help me, andf I'll help Clara. I'll undo what I did to her. Or we can play this game and see who wins."

"It is not that simple Arri and you know that. Mr. Cragen was showing signs of um unpredictability however he is out of the equation now. However as far as you helping me, I do not see how you could realistically do that. I have many enemies from my association with Cragen. Enemies who would see me dead on sight. Oh, stop your scanning you won't find me at least not today." He paused for a moment, "I would be grateful if you could help Clara. I will send a shuttle to your location."

Wow, you are one of the worst people in the galaxy and know your owner is in prison everyone wants you dead. Who could have seen this coming? Sthilg sarcastically thought to himself as he looked over at Arri. " Sssurley we can't trussst him." he said softly so only she could here.

Arrianna spoke. "Give her back to me you son of a BITCH!!!!"

Silence, then through the speakers came a deep rumbling laugh. it filled the bridge and it continued for what seemed forever. When it finally stopped, Bishop's voice could be heard, "Oh no Arri.That would be too easy. The game would be over and it's just getting interesting. You want Josie? Catch me if you can."