Ship Ahoy (Part III)

Posted on Thursday July 14th, 2022 @ 6:48pm by Lieutenant Finchley Kerr & Lieutenant Commander Niali Deval Dr & Lieutenant Steven Edgeware & Lieutenant JG Talerian Maxx & Lieutenant JG Luna Winters

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

[Continuing...]

[Sickbay]

Finchley, now awake, opened his eyes a little, swiveling them to the left and then right. On his right, Karadis sat deep in thought, looking at the PADD in her hand. He attempted to move his hands but found they were restrained by what looked like cuffs and as he attempted to move his legs, they were the same.

Quietly he whispered "Karadis..."

At first there was no reaction, so he tried again, only slightly louder this time "Karadis!"

"Mmmmmm?" Karadis replied, coming out of her deep thinking and back to Sickbay. When she saw who it was who had whispered her name, she stood up and punched him in the solar plexus.

"Owwwwww, what the fu..." Finchley began to complain.

"Bastard! That's what you get for elbowing me in the back of the head, I've got a bloody great egg there now" Karadis said crossly.

Finchley decided on giving that a miss as he said "Let me out, we need to get out of here!"

"Your not going anywhere sunbeam" Karadis replied.

"What are you talking about Karadis, it's me, Kerr, your Company leader, let me out, now!" he said louder, pulling and kicking at the restraints.

"You're here for a reason Commander, you're not going anywhere" Karadis reiterated.

Finchley's facial expression changed "You're one of his now aren't you...bought and sold... you're one of Branx lot...you traitor, I'll see you swing for this!"

Karadis sighed, then slapped Finchley across the face "Listen to me, Branx is gone, he has been for the last three years. This isn't Thessus, you're not in a Dominion cell, you're on the USS Oberon, in Sickbay to be precise."

"Whatever you say, traitor..." Finchley replied, turning his head away "I hope you're thirty pieces of Silver is worth it in the end."

Karadis tapped her COMM badge and said "CWO Karadis to Lieutenant Korial, please report to Sickbay, Commander Kerr has regained consciousness."

"Calling another one of your traitors?" Finchley asked spitefully.

Nurse Alara Kitan was alarmed by the hostile argument in the other room while she was treating a patient with plasma burn. She was about to call for security till she heard someone else do that for her. She sighed as she heard the conversation and went back to work on her patient.

Niall had just sat down again when Karadis familiar voice came over the COMM. “On my way” she jumped up and was nearly off the bridge when she remembered she had not instructed anyone to take the station. She slowed, took a deep breath, and turned, “Lieutenant Estan” you have the bridge. “The Bolian nodded, “Sir,” he said and took the chair. Niali raced through the corridors all sorts of scenarios going through her head. She burst into sickbay and rushed over to Karadis…” how is he?” She asked looking down at him. “Finchley it’s me Niall, how are you feeling?”

Finchley looked at the new arrival who had just rushed into the room. He had no idea how she knew his first name, she wasn't immediately recognizable to him, but then, some of the Company were new.

"So, tell me...whoever you are" Finchley answered Niali "what part in this charade are you taking up on this...what did you call traitor...Oblong?" he asked both Niali and Karadis.

I am your partner Niali,” she leaned down and whispered in his ear, “don’t you remember tying me up and making love to me? I love you Finchley, come back to us.”

Finchley looked at the woman whispering in his ear. A slight smile spread across his face as he said "That sounds like a lovely situation my dear, and I'm sure I'd remember it if it had happened. I'll tell you what though, untie me just now and find us a place we can go and I'd very happily do that with you now. Or, seeing as I'm a little tied up right now, you could always take advantage of me?"

Niali looked at him and smiled, “you and I have taken advantage of each other quite a few times in the last few weeks, don’t you remember our Klingon adventure in the holodeck, think Finchley, deep in your mind you must have some memories of us?”

Finchley looked at the woman with a blank stare. He had no memory of what she'd just mentioned about a Klingon adventure, but, when she mentioned the holodeck, a faint spark ignited "A dark hallway..." he said.

"I'm really gonna slap you hard you arrogant oaf!" Karadis answered, her fists opening and closing several times "and the ship's name is Oberon, not Oblong!"

Turning to Niali, Karadis said, "He really does believe that we're back on Thessus, Niali, this was never meant to be able to happen to him."

“Doctor Edgeware can help, he helped bring me back, I am positive he can help Finchley. If not I will go straight to Starfleet medical on Earth. I will not let him down Karadis.”

“ That was not actually me Niali it was your inner strength that won the day. But yes we have just the same high level sickbay tech that Starfleet Medical has if not more. Leave Mr. Finchley with us.” Steven explained.

"In case you're unaware, it's Mr. Kerr" Finchley said, listening into the conversation "and what exactly am I to get left to you to do?"

“ Your neural blocker has stopped working and you have suffered some after-effects. The main problem is your Neurons are miss firing and causing chaotic brain activity. We need to stabilize you now.” Steven said and before Finchley could react Steven placed a device on his forehead. It gave a hiss and began to bleep.

“ That should offer a temporary fix,” Edgware explained.

Finchley's eyes closed and after a few seconds, they opened again. Confusion was etched on his face as he tried to get up from lying down, and found he was restrained. He turned and saw Niali standing there "Niali, what's happening, why am I in Sickbay, and why am I restrained?"

Niali felt as though she could breathe once again. “It’s a bit of a story Finchley, you had some kind of ‘brain episode’ and went mad for a while. Karadis found you and the doctor is helping you.” Niali looked at Karadis, not knowing what to tell him now she knew about Thessus. Then she could not help herself and threw her arms around him kissing him soundly. “I thought I had lost you.” She whispered. “You are restrained because you need more help. I am sorry I wish I could free you.”

"If thought you loved me, and if that was the case, then you'd have me freed Nilai, we're in Sickbay" Finchley replied "It would appear I'm mistaken in that assumption, leave me be."

“No Finchley, I will not leave you be, you are still not well, the doctor has only stabilized you. If it were just you and I then yes I would free you.” She caressed his cheek, “but I have a duty to the ship, to our crew to keep them safe. It is your duty I carry for you until you are able to take it back and you would do the same.” She looked at Karadis, “stay with him Karadis, protect him.”

"Would I?" Finchley said sarcastically.

"Don't worry Niali, if he starts with any nonsense, he'll get more of this" Karadis said, punching Finchley in the Solar Plexus again.

"Oooooooooooooof!" Finchley said as the wind was knocked out of him "What the fuck was that for?" he shouted at Karadis.

Karadis just looked at him and replied "I enjoy inflicting pain, deal with it."

“Dr. Edgeware we need Commander Finchley back as soon as possible, how long will this take?”

“ His bio readings are quite good and I don’t see any reason not to fit a new neural emitter now. So give me a few minutes to fit it and he should be up and about in no time.” Steven said

With that he began his work. Then after pressing the activation button. Steven took a step back.

“ Commander? Can you hear me?” Steven asked.

Finchley's eyelids fluttered and he slowly opened his eyes. It took a moment for him to gain focus, but when he did he looked round at the CMO "Yes, Doctor, I can hear you" he replied.

Steven ran his eyes over the bio bed readings. They were looking quite good.

“ How are you feeling?” Steven asked

"I'm feeling fine Doctor" Finchley replied "Do you think I can be released from these restraints now so I can get back on duty?" he asked.

With one final glance at the monitor.” Yes Commander Kerr you are cleared for duty.” Steven said

"Thank you very much Doctor, I'm so happy to hear that" Finchley replied.

Niali was watching and waiting for Finchley to return to his normal self barely hearing her sister.

“Niali?” A weak voice reached out to her. She turned to see Arle sitting up. “What is happening, where is Tor, where is my husband?”

Niali smiled and walked over to where her sister sat on the biobed. “You need to relax Arle, last I knew Tor was looking around the ship. The doctor says you need rest and nourishment for both you and the baby.” Niali looked at Arle, how did you and Tor meet?”

Her sister looked troubled, “to tell you the truth No, I cannot remember. I know I was traveling home and then…..we were on this planet, he was my husband and I was pregnant, I love him but there is this part of him I cannot reach. He kept talking about the fighting he was involved on his homeworld and then he had a plan. Then we were in our ship.” She thought for a moment. “I REMEMBER” he kept talking to someone, told me it was my imagination but then I saw him with…it looked like a communications device of some kind.” Niali held her hand up and tapped her comm.

=/\= Lieutenant Korial to security, apprehend Tor and take him to his quarters. We are looking for some kind of communications device. Keep me informed, Korial out.

=/\= understood=/\=

[Tag] Winters

Naili then tapped her comm once more. =/\= Lieutenant Korial to Captain Trensu I have issued orders to apprehend Tor and keep him in his quarters. It appears what we feared is true. It is possible he has been communicating with someone, possibly from this ship, and has a communications device on him.=/\=

[Bridge]

=/\= Understand good work Number One, Trensu out =/\=

Trensu looked back at the Security station and thought if Tor is lose, that makes him an intruder. "Security, Intruder alert" ordered Trensu in a calm steady voice. The alarm sounded. and the red lights flashed.

Trensu tapping his com badge as the shipwide com system 1MC opened =/\= This is the Captain speaking Intruder alert, Tor is to be apprehended and put in the brig he could be dangerous weapons on heavy stun, Captain Trensu out.

Luna hear the general call ' you have got to be kidding me' Luna thought as she quickly started issuing orders for a standard sweep of the ship.

Niali went back to Finchley. “How are you feeling now?” She asked smiling at him.

"I'm good, I feel fine, I'm just slightly hazy on what's been happening" he replied "I'm sure a cup of coffee will see me right as rain and raring to go again."

“As soon as the good doc clears you and removes the restraints I will get you the best mug of coffee you have ever had. I am anxious to hand back the XO position to you. I don't know how you do it Finchley, retain all this information and keep a finger on everything that is happening.”

"That would be lovely Niali, thank you" Finchley replied "in answer to how I do the XO duty, I've had some excellent Senior Officers to learn from, and I'm grateful to all of them for helping me learn and then put it into practice. It'll come with you as well, you just need a little time and experience at the role."

Finchley do you have any idea why you ended up in sickbay in restraints?” Niali looked at Karadis as though to say ‘I had to ask’

Karadis looked despairingly at Niali, she surely wasn't going to say anything about Thessus, surely?

"I've no idea why I've ended up here like this" Finchley said, holding up the restraints on his arms "The last thing I remember is meeting you in my office so I could tell you about your promotion."

“Something happened inside your brain, you didn’t recognize me at all, you became confused and combative. I took over as XO. Tor is missing, he was asking questions about the bridge and engineering and when we became suspicious he disappeared. Security is searching for him however. Arle tells me that he was heavily involved in the fighting on his world and that he said he had a plan, she also noted he has some sort of ‘object’ she says she thought it was a communicator. I informed Captain Trensu.” She took Finchley’s hand, “I don not care if it against protocol.” She kissed him on the lips, turned and did the same to Karadis.

Karadis was pleasantly pleased, if not surprised, at being kissed by Niali.

“Dr. Edgeware can Commander Kerr return to duty and, if so please release his restraints so I can give him his coffee?” Niali smiled.

“ It’s already done.” Steven replied

“Thank you Doctor,” Niall replied handing Finchley his much wanted coffee. She tapped her comm =/\= Lt Korial to Captain Trensu you will be glad to hear Commander Kerr is cleared to return to duty as your XO. I have updated him on the situation Korial out=/\=

Finchley was delighted to be up and around and back on duty, though slightly confused at why he'd become combative, this was something he'd need to know about, but not just now.

"Karadis, I need you to get in touch with Blue Two, find out what you can with the situation is with their ships and any battles they've had in the Expanse" Finchley said as both he and Karadis left Sickbay.

"Yes Commander, I'll get right on it" Karadis replied.

(Lt Korial’s quarters)

“I am going to my quarters to feed Brutus,” Naili said looking at Finchley so glad he was back on his feet. She turned and left tired her mind churning with everything going on. She knew that she and Arle would have to have a’ conversation’ about Tor and it would not be a good one. She sighed as the door to her quarters swished open. Immediately she knew something was wrong. Brutus was standing, his hair upright and his claws out. The door closed behind her and she was grabbed around the neck in a choke hold. Tor’s hand reached to her chest and ripped off her communicator pushing her to the floor. “I knew it was you Tor, security is looking for you.” She heard a swish as he drew his foot back and when it connected with her head she knew she was going to pass out, her blood was slippery on the floor, “Please Tor, think of Arle and your baby” she said thickly as she slipped into unconsciousness.

She felt as though she had been asleep for years as she woke, the pain of her broken jaw sawing through her consciousness. She could feel her wrists tied behind her and her ankles bound tight. She opened her eyes to see Tor smiling at her.

“Tell me your command codes?” He asked simply.

She shook her head not wanting to try talking in case the pain in her jaw increased. He brought his hand up and hit her hard across the face. She felt Korial groan within her.

“Your command codes Niali I won’t ask nicely much longer.”

She laughed, coughing as blood flecked her uniform. She shook her head and waited.

Tor brought his fist back and slammed it into her solar plexus knocking every bit of breath from her and she took a gasp inwards as pain racked through her face and her body. Her eyes had begun to swell and she found her vision impaired. Her eyes flicked to Brutus checking on him and realized that had been a bad move, Tor had seen her and she knew now he had obtained the upper hand. Brutus fought hard spitting and raking Tor’s hands with his razor sharp claws. “I will kill your animal.” Tor said and tightened his grip on Brutus holding his head, “I will break his neck, now give me your codes? This is the last time I will ask Niali.” She nodded in submission and Tor dropped Brutus who slunk away spitting wildly.

“Shield code” she whispered thickly knowing that she was slipping back into unconsciousness.

Tor nodded, “now I need to make sure you cannot tell anyone.”

Niali was thankfully already unconscious as he stood on her right thigh and fractured it. He cleaned the floor of any evidence of his attack, pulled out the wall panel and climbed in dragging Niali after him. He replaced the panel and began his journey to the remote location he had already found.

(Somewhere deep in the ship)

At last he climbed out of the bulkhead into the small dark space he had left her in. Tor had played with the idea of killing her as his plan did not involve her waking and making trouble. However he needed her for his plan to work. He scratched his hand and placed the open area on blood slipping from Niali. After a few minutes he moaned as his body began to change, organs shifted within him and skin lightened and hair grew. He fell to his knees as his frame shortened and he developed Niali’s physique covered by her uniform. Eventually he stood, a perfect copy of Niali.

(Main Engineering)

Moving towards engineering he/Niali nodded as he was greeted by crew. He made sure he/Niali was seen by as many crew as possible as he/she entered the command codes he had been given. Entering the shield code he placed another underneath it disguised as a diagnostic one. Thus when his manipulation of the code was found no one would suspect the other one now buried deep. “Ensign” he/she acknowledged as the Ensign looked towards Niali/Tor.

(Guest quarters)

As Tor removed the panel in his quarters he pulled himself back into them replacing it. He fell to the floor squirming in agony as his body began to change once again, as Tor took hold once again and he became himself. He felt dirty having been inside her body so he showered and put fresh clothes he had been given on, sat and began to read one of the books he had found on a shelf.

A short time later a security team lead by luna entered Tor's quarters. " You’re under arrest, put the book down and come Quietly" Luna growled as she stepped into the room two officers coming in a flanking her. Her stance was low and she has her phased trained on him. " Now I won't be nice for much longer" She added.

“Why are you doing this?” Tor asked. “I am just here with my wife until she improves then we expect to leave and live on Trill. I demand to see the Captain.”

(Deep in the ship)
Niali regained consciousness in the dark, “he..lp meee” she whispered as the fires in her mandible and femur began to grow to unbearable levels, her brain kindly gave in to her as she slipped once again into the dark.

Finchley wanted to check in on Niali and had found out she wasn't on the bridge, so the next logical place was to try her quarters. Making his way there, he arrived and pressed the chime on her door. When there was no answer, he tried again and after another wait, there was still no anwer.

"Computer, track the COMM signature of Lieutenant Korial" he said.

==^==Lieutenant Korial's COMM signature has been traced to her quarters==^== the reply came back.

Something was definitely wrong, so Finchley used his Command override code to gain access to Niali's quarters. As he entered, he called out "NIALI, ARE YOU HERE?", but there was no reply. Not wasting time, he checked the rooms, but she wasn't there. As he turned to leave, he saw her COMM badge on the floor.

"Computer, trace for Trill medical signature, NOW!" Finchley said, now worried about Niali's safety.

After a few seconds, the computer replied ==^==Trill medical signature located on deck sixteen, Lower Phaser Array==^==

Niali woke again. It seemed even darker and then she realized her eyes would not open. She knew then that she was dying, it was just a matter of time if she was not found. She fell into unconsciousness once again glad that the pain would end.

Finchley sprinted out Niali's quarters and within minutes was on deck sixteen and in the Lower Phaser Array, and there he saw Niali, bound ahand and foot, but she'd been beaten as well.

"Computer, emergency transport, two to beam directly to Sickbay!" he said.

The blue hue enveloped them both and took them to Sickbay. As soon as they were there, a medical team immediately took charge of the situation and Finchley was told to stand back.

"See to it that Lieutenant Korial get's your full attention!" Finchley said, not getting in the way but allowing the team to go about their duty.

[Bridge, USS Oberon]

"Arrival at planet Vein II in two minutes" Ensign Patterson at CON reported .

Mission TBC............