Ship Ahoy (Part II)

Posted on Tuesday July 5th, 2022 @ 6:15pm by Lieutenant Finchley Kerr & Lieutenant Commander Niali Deval Dr & Lieutenant Steven Edgeware & Lieutenant Jordan Chase & Lieutenant JG Talerian Maxx & Lieutenant JG Luna Winters

Mission: New Worlds
Location: USS Oberon, Shackleton Expanse.
Timeline: Current

[Continuing...]

Steven rushed towards her brandishing his medical tricorder.

“ It’s ok my dear we’ve got you. We need to get to sickbay now. With Arle in this weakened state I dare not use the emergency transporters.” He warned.

Tor leant forward and picked his wife up as though she weighed nothing. “We have not been able to eat well Doctor, we live off roots, berries and leaves. Lead the way and I will follow.”

Niali stood next to them, I will not leave her until she is safe in sickbay. Lieutenant Chase, please accompany us to sickbay, This way Tor.” They left the shuttle bay led by the Doctor.

Jordan nodded as she followed the group through the corridors. A sense of unease filled her and she wasn't certain where it originated.

Destrek followed as well he kept back some watching the group walk in front of him. A lot of questions were running through his mind about this situation. Everything he had read so far on the Akaru and Vein II this did not add up with everything here. Destrek would have to wait and see how things turned out.

Finchley was about to make his move when he was suddenly pushed to the ground. He turned over to see Karadis standing over him "Commander, whatever it is you think is happening...it isn't...you're on the Oberon, do you understand?"

In Finchley's mind, a Dominion soldier was standing over him and uttering words in a guttural language he didn't understand. Kicking out, he took the soldier's feet from out under them and they crashed to the floor. Finchley was up in a second and over the top of them, turning them over onto their stomach and bringing his elbow down on the back of their head, knocking them out, he couldn't risk them being able to give the alert.

He watched as the rest of the 'soldiers' left the bay, leaving just two by the vessel. Working his way around the bay to get close to them, he suddenly sprang out, grabbed a phaser from one, stunned him then stunned the other. Quickly he entered the vessel, closed the hatch, and sat at the controls. He didn't understand the symbols, but the pattern of the layout seemed fairly regular to other small ships he'd been in. He finally managed to set up the pre-launch sequence, initiated it and using the communications relay, interfaced it with the bay doors force wall sequence. His addled mind didn't seem to appreciate it that he was doing so using his Command codes for the Oberon, it was just automatic for him to do so.

Opening the bay doors, he slowly brought the small vessel about and guided it out the bay and into open space. It was time to get away from that place and back to safety.

[Oberon bridge]

Maxx was sipping his coffee in the Science chair when suddenly one of the Ensigns gave him a report to read. Maxx replied, "Thank you Ensign. After the Ensign left Maxx began to read the report as he wondered if the others were doing well with their investigation.

Niali had returned to the bridge and was considering where Finchley might have gone. So far a concerted search of the ship had not recovered him. She sat for a moment deep in thought.

"Someone's launched the vessel we've just brought on board!" Ensign Patterson at CON called out.

She looked up, “Tractor the vessel back into the bay Ensign and have a security team meet me there. Lieutenant Max you have the bridge.

Maxx almost choked on his coffee when he heard the order that he was in command for now. He replied, "Aye Sir" before he stood up from his science chair console and sat in the Captain's chair. He then looked around and simply sipped his coffee as he waited for more information. It was the first time he was in command but he had enough wisdom to remain calm and make wise decisions. He spoke up as he gave the order, "Track and neutralize that ship with the tractor beam. Do not loose it!" The Ensign at the console relied, "Aye Sir!"

[Shuttle bay 2]

Reaching the shuttle bay she noted the downed security, checked they were just stunned, and then found Karadis getting to her feet swearing roundly in Klingon. Niali tapped her comm =/\= Lieutenant Korial to sickbay and Captain Trensu we have three security guards stunned in the shuttle bay, Commander Finchley has attempted to steal Arle’s ship but we tractored him back, we need medical attention here and another security team to help retrieve the Commander =/\=

=/\= I’ll send a medical team.=/\= Steven replied

Trensu stop and turned around to head back to the shuttle bay. He had to get to Finchley or be there to make sure things didn't get out of hand.

She helped Karadis to her feet glad that the Klingon was not injured. The door to the ship remained closed. “What next Karadis?” Niali asked as the new security team arrived.

"I swear I will fucking kill him with my bare hands!" Karadis said of Finchley, angry at what had happened.

“Let’s just get him to sickbay Karadis and do the killing later.”

Trensu walked into the shuttle bay seeing Karadis. He thought she might blow a fuse.

[Sickbay]

As soon as sickbay was reached Tor gently placed the unconscious woman on a bio bed. “Please Doctor help her, she is my life.” He pleaded.

Picking up a hypo. Steven’s fingers ran over the controls. He then pressed it against her arm.

“ She’s a little too weak for my liking. But don’t worry we’ll dose her up and in a day or two, she’ll be good as new. The great thing is the Foetus is growing well despite everything which is a great sign. Saying that when was the last time you have eaten?” He asked.

“About a week ago,” Tor said, “We ate the last of our food and dare not set down anywhere.”

“ I see. Well, we are going to have to do something about that now. Thankfully there is a good old fashioned thick and chunky vegetable soup on the replicator menu. That is just the thing for you. No arguments Tor. You want to give her extra worries seeing you collapse do you?” Steven replied.

Ensign Alara Kitan who was a young Orion Nurse assisted Lieutenant Steven Edgeware who was the Chief Medical Officer above her. She was grateful for the opportunity to get some real hands on experience without having to be hit on all the time. Being an Orion girl somehow gave others the impression she was of loose morals. Sadly she used that to tease and prank those who harassed her and ended up with some bad marks on her record which kept her out of medical school to become a doctor. So now she was hoping to achieve her goal with experience and enter medical school, later on, to make it easier to pass. She did her routine tasks of sterilizing medical equipment, attending to patients, watching the doctor work, and studying her medical videos and books. Alara was curious who the new patients were.

[Hanger Bay]
The small vessel once again passed through the force field and into the hanger bay. As it gently touched down, an irate Finchley inside it waited on the doors opening, they weren't going to get him without a fight. He knelt down, keeping a low center of gravity and ensuring he was a small target to aim at. The doors opened, and he saw that a small squad of four soldiers was waiting on him, set out a typical 'box in' pattern, he knew he'd never get past them, but he'd take some of them down trying.

As a lover of old historical earth movies, he actually managed to laugh at himself as he said "Now I know how Butch and Sundance felt when the Bolivian army surrounded them."

"Well, let's get this over with!" he shouted as he stood up and ran out the vessel. Immediately he did, he began firing left and right, trying to keep the soldier's heads down, making it hard for them to aim at him. He got as far as the first soldier and drop kicked him in the chest, sending him sprawling, and as he slid along the floor, he aimed at the second one and took him out with one well aimed shot. The third was on him instantly and Finchley managed to get to his feet, turn, duck a punch, rise and punch him in the solar plexus.

That's as far as he got though, the fourth soldier was no more than six or seven meters from him and shot him in the back. The impact knocked Finchley down and as he hit the deck, and began fading out, he thought to himself "I'll be seeing the old squad soon..."

Seeing Finchley was in custody he felt some relief. He just stepped back as they walked by him. Trensu saw the look in Finchley's eyes a look he had seen many times in battle hardened officers. Trensu made a note of it and then turned to follow the others. Trensu thought for a moment He needs to get to the bottom of this and fast.

[Bridge]

Niali had returned to the bridge as there was nothing she could do in sickbay. The diplomatic people would do their bit and Arle was still unconscious. Finchley had been found but had had to be stunned and was also lying in sickbay under sedation and restraints, Karadis not leaving his side. Niali had moved out of his quarters and returned to her own with Brutus as she was unsure as to their relationship. It felt like she was losing him which felt like a knife to her heart for she knew she loved him. So, for now, she would concentrate on trying to manage her new position on the bridge and her counseling.

Maxx saw Niali return to the bridge as he sipped his coffee and was relieved that the Ensigns were able to recover the ship. If he failed he would have to hear it from the Captain and that would be bad for his career. Seeing as he was in charge for a while he had an Ensign fetch him a coffee while he was almost done with his coffee. He needed to be alert for this and was not sure what other surprises were going to pop up on this mission.

A while later she tapped her comm =/\= Lieutenant Korial to Dr Edgeware is Arle awake yet? She said she had some important information for the Captain? =/\=

=/\= I would prefer you left her alone for a day. But if it is urgent you can speak to her here in sickbay now.=/\= Steven replied

Once Tor had eaten his soup he began to wander around the sickbay looking at the various instruments and scientific and medical paraphernalia around the department. He saw someone who looked like a nurse a beautiful girl of green color and asked “excuse me how do I get to the bridge from here, I would like to see it?”


[Bridge]

Niali felt even more sure there was something not quite right about Tor, she turned to Lieutenant Winters, “Lieutenant please have a security detail stay with our new guest Tor wherever he goes, I have a bad feeling about him.”

Luna was currently glaring at her data pad. Some reports of the earlier insanity had come in and she was not happy. She looked up at Niali. " Of course, we have had enough nonsense happen for one day I would not have any more of my team injured today," She said. She was polite on the surface but her tone and casual expression told a different story.

She out her seat pad away and approached Tor. " Hello, are you Tor? I'm Ensign Luna. For the safety of everyone including you, you will need a security escort at all times. For now, that will be me" Luna said in a much calmer and more measured tone.

Tor did not miss a beat and bowed slightly. “Thank you Ensign, that is very kind of you I just wanted to take a turn around the ship to see the engineering and the bridge.

'Well, that's a red flag' luna thought. As she carefully studied the man. "we are a Starfleet vessel there are areas that are off-limits to non-Starfleet personnel. The bring and engineering are the biggest ones. For safety reasons, we can not have untrained individuals getting in the way or hurt. But I would be glad to show you the areas of the ship that you are allowed in" Luna said. She was trying to be tactful.

Niali was not the only person feeling uneasy about Tor. Destrek could feel tor was hiding something but had no idea what. The Betazoid in him made him feel something was off about Tor. But he would hold that to himself for now.

"The Ensign is right about what she told you even I must ask before going to certain areas on this ship," said Destrek walking closer he seemed to show up but had to be there the whole time. Tor I thought you would want to rest and stick around your wife until she recovered? asked Destrek.

Tor looked a little mystified, “I do not need much rest Ambassador and I am assured my wife is in the best place possible. I am sure I will be informed when she wakes up. I would like to talk to her sister, the woman Niali, is that correct?”

Destrek gave a polite smile thinking Tor change the subject fast. Destrek could feel the need for the ship from Tor. "Yes Tor, that could be arranged. So, Tor what interest do you have in engineering? Maybe I can get you in to take a look?" Destrek asked.

Luna gave Destrek a worning glance. She did not like the idea of a non star-fleet person in engineering. There was also something that was just off about this guy.

Tor looked at the pair. He knew Destrek was trying to see what was in his mind and he attempted to raise blocks although he knew that even this would encourage Destrek to probe more. He began to realise that his plan would have to be put into motion earlier and determined he needed to get to the shuttle to retrieve his communication device. He smiled disarmingly at Luna, “you are very beautiful my dear” he said.

Luna smiled " thank you if you will Excuse me for a moment" She said be for stepping away. She did not go far enough to not be heard but she was still able to keep an eye on there geast. Not even on the ship for two hours and things were going to hell.

She took her data pad out and quality began setting up some new security promotions. Increasing the number of patrols and placing guards in all sensitive areas of the ship. Once the new rotations had been set up and ordered sent out she returned to Tor and Destrek. " Sorry about that I needed to take care of sumthig." She said sweetly. Under the surface she wanted to rip her hair out of her head but for now she needed to be tactful. " has our geast been assigned Quarters yet" she asked Destrek.


Trensu had left Sickbay and made his way to the bridge He walked out of the turbo lift Niali announced "Captain on the bridge." Trensu gave a nod to her. Walking to the Captain's chair he sat. Trensu looked at the statute of the ship on his chair viewer. "Open a shipwide channel." waiting for the chime from the computer "Crew of the USS Oberon, with Lieutenant Commander Finchley Kerr in sick bay for an unknown period of time. Lieutenant Niali Korial is being promoted to XO. I have full confidence in her ability to lead and execute the Duties of XO. Captain out." informed Trensu.


Niali nodded sitting in Finchley’s chair, she wanted to cry, just wanted him to return to his seat and to her.

"Helm are we back on course to Vein II and ETA?" asked the Captain. The officer at the helm turned to Trensu 'Sir on course and still 24 hours away sir." answered the helm.

" Niali this should be no surprise to you. I will see great things from you I am sure." said Trensu turning to Niali. "I know Finchley will be ok we have some of the best medical staff. don't think I have not seen you together and your face when he was taken to sickbay." Trensu said almost in a whisper. "Just keep me up to date when you see him," asked Trensu.

“Thank you, Sir,” Niali said “I will do my best for you, the crew, and Commander Kerr but I wanted to speak to you about our guest Tor. Do you have a moment now, privately sir?”

Trensu looked around the bridge and then back at Niali "You always can let's go to the ready room." Trensu stood and gets a grin on his face like he enjoyed watching Maxx's reaction. "Mr. Maxx looks like you are getting a lot of chair time. You have the bridge. Number one and I will be in the ready room.

Maxx nodded at Trensu and replied, “Aye sir!” Then he sipped his coffee and as for a stays report every hour on their progress. He received a few data padds and looked them over before signing off on them.

They entered the ready room and Niali did not wait. “Captain it’s Tor, I would love to think he was who he says he is. I am overjoyed that Arle is returned but she was always, shall I say a pushover. She would believe anything a man told her. I do not buy his story, it is actioned by his movements around the ship asking to see delicate areas of the ship. I would also like their shuttle to be torn apart looking for alien tech and, Tor himself I would like medical to give him a thorough examination. I know it is a ‘first contact’ situation but he is not who he says he is and he definitely has an ulterior motive. On an aside thank you for your kind words regarding myself and Finchley. Yes, your Executive Officer and I have been in a committed relationship for a while now and my heart bleeds to see him like this. Whenever I am not required on the Bridge I will be at his side in sickbay. Thank you, Captain, that is all.” Niali waited for him to say something.

Sitting at his desk Trensu listened to Niali." There are others that feel the same way on the ship. I would like you to put security stationed in sensitive areas. Get engineering not to tear apart the shuttle. but go over with a fine comb. If Tor is found in a restricted area without permission from me or you throw Tor in the brig." Trensu instructed.

Niali nodded, “yes Captain” she answered and decamped to the bridge. “Ensign Luna please put a security detail on sensitive areas of the ship, engineering, sickbay, shuttle bays and have a detail here on the bridge.”

" I'm on it" came luna's agitated reply.

Niali turned to Talerian, “Lieutenant Maxx I know the shuttle is not Federation but I would like you to examine it, take it apart if needs be, check it with Trill records, try to see if you can find anything …..untoward, anything that might be of use to a saboteur? report back to myself or Captain Trensu.”

Maxx nodded as he returned command to the CO and XO before he picked picked up a fresh coffee and his tools from his lab and some helpers. He then made his way to the hanger bay to begin his examination of the ship in question. He began with a full scan which was very time consuming. As the scan progressed he was seeing the formation of a holographic 3D model form. On his video emitter. He sipped his coffee as he waited for more results.


=================
Lieutenant Commander Ahkhsu Trensu
Commanding Officer
USS Oberon

&

Lieutenant Commander Finchley Kerr
Executive Officer
USS Oberon

&

Lieutenant Niali Korial
Acting XO. Chief Counsellor
USS Oberon

&

Lieutenant JG Maxx
Chief Science Officer
USS Oberon

&

Lieutenant Dr Steven Edgware
Chief Medical Officer
USS Oberon

&

Ensign Luna Winters
Security/Tactical Chief
USS Oberon

&

Chief Warrant Officer Shr’Nesh Karadis
(Lt Cmdr Finchley Kerr.)

&

Ambassador Eiban Destrek
(Captain Ahkhsu Trensu)

&

Lieutenant Jason Elliot
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Oberon

&

Lieutenant Jordan Chase
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Oberon