Back again.

Posted on Tuesday August 23rd, 2022 @ 6:14pm by Lieutenant Commander Niali Deval Dr & Lieutenant Finchley Kerr & Lieutenant Steven Edgeware & Lieutenant JG Talerian Maxx & Lieutenant JG Luna Winters
Edited on on Tuesday August 23rd, 2022 @ 6:25pm

Mission: New Worlds
Location: USS Oberon
Timeline: Current.

Finchley entered the brig, and as he came in the Security officer on duty met him at the door.

"Welcome back Commander" she said.

"Thank you Lieutenant" Finchley relied "Is Lieutenant Korial still here?"

"Yes Sir, she's questioning the prisoner with Doctor Edgeware" the Lieutenant replied.

"Very good, thank you Lieutenant" Finchley said, moving into the brig. As he walked around the inner cells, he saw Niali and said "How's it going Lieutenant?"

Niali smiled and limped towards him. “It’s good to see you Commander but surely the talks are not yet over, has something happened?”

"No, the talks have been moved here to the Oberon" Finchley replied "It's a little bit more complicated than that, but basically it boils down to First Ministers Ara's safety from her own Security Minister. How's your situation with the prisoner?"

"The doctor and I have just been interrogating Tor. In approximately 30 minutes our shields will go down and his group will beam directly onto the bridge. They need the Oberon’s sensors to find the geneticists ship. They want to be changed back into ‘normal’ people so they can return to society. The ship moves every few months and is somewhere in the deserts of the southern continent.”

"Very well, we'll have a welcoming committee waiting for them, they won't be taking anything over except a few more of the cells here in the brig" Finchley said "Our Second Away Team are currently searching for the freighter in that area."

Niali nodded. “Maybe we can work with these enhanced soldiers. I for one would like to know who these geneticists are and..shall I say persuade them that this is not the course their work should take. In fact if the are from a Federation world they deserve to be in a Penal colony for a very long time. On another note I believe Arle is in on this whole thing.” She put her hand on Finchley’s sleeve. “I am glad to see you safe.” She whispered.

"I rerlise Arle's your sister Niali, but if she's involved with this attempted take over of the ship, she'll be arrested along with those who come on board" Finchley said, then on a softer note, and placing his hand on hers he added "I'm glad to be back to be honest, but we're not out the woods just yet."

“I completely understand and agree Commander. I was on my way to see her now and also ask the doctor to look in on her. Tor is still recovering but with his ‘friends’ we may have a better chance of finding these criminals. They are ultimately responsible for everything and we must not allow them to continue this elsewhere.

"I don't know that I trust them Lieutenant" Finchley replied "They're willing to try and take this ship, something that's foolhardy and an act of war. To a degree I can sympathise with them, however, they could have come to us in peace and tried to gain our help that way, instead, they're willing to provoke violence, perhaps they were even willing to kill to achieve their goal. Whilst I agree that the geneticists need to be stopped and whatever they've done to these soldiers reversed, ultimately, Tor and his followers have to answer for their crimes."

“And I don’t expect them to get away with anything, however it is our mission to hopefully bring this world into the Federation fold and if we can use these soldiers who desperately want to find these butchers then I do not think that is wrong.” Niali bent double in pain and grabbed him. “I am sorry Commander, I am not fully healed and the doctor gave me a hypo several hours ago. It must be wearing off..”

Finchley caught Niali and she grabbed him, his concern for her now a main concern "You need to go directly to Sickbay Niali, whatever's happening here, you don't need to carry on till you're fully fit. It was a mistake for me to set you the task of seeing to Tor, I'm sorry."

Niali kept hold of Finchley for a moment then straightened. She gave him a wan smile, “Steven told me I would not be fully fit for a while but as Captain Trensu is also unavailable the circumstances dictate I remain on duty as part of this ongoing investigation and, of course the upcoming talks. I just need to get a pain hypo from the good doctor.” She smiled at him glad for his concern and looked around to make sure no one was near enough to hear and then turned back. “Thank you Finchley.”

"You're welcome Niali" Finchley replied "Remember though, at the moment I'm acting Captain, so it'll be on my say so. If I think it's getting to much for you and I say again that you need to go to Sickbay, then that's where you'll go. The mission is important, but the crew are more important. Right, go and see your sister, find out what's happening with her."

“Aye aye Captain” said Niali saluting, “do you want me on the bridge when Tor’s ‘friends’ beam in?” She asked.

"If your sister's fine, then yes, but be armed" Finchley replied "We must ensure that these rebels, and that's what they are for the time being to me, surrender without there being any phasers fired, but if they won't come quietly, then they'll be taken by force."

Niali nodded and made her way to sickbay bypassing Arle’s quarters, she would see her later.

GUEST QUARTERS]

Arle lay on the daybed trying to read. Giving up she threw the PaDD on the floor and wondered for the fifth time that minute what was happening. She had tried to get to see Tor several times since she had been allowed out of sickbay all to no avail nor had she been able to contact Niali. The baby had been turning somersaults for hours now and she knew she would give birth in the next few days. Tor had told her his plan and had promised her no one would get hurt but as she saw Niali brought into sickbay near death she knew he had lied to her. She stood and withdrew the small but lethal weapon from her skirts, it was not long before she had to make her way to the bridge to help the mission but the conflict that played within her was growing. The crew of the Oberon including the wonderful doctor had been nothing but welcoming to her and seeing Niali had been an extra joy. She was loath to do anything to hurt them however much she loved Tor. She threw the phaser onto the floor in disgust.

[SICKBAY]

Steven sat looking into his mug of coffee. He was feeling guilty at the way they had got Tor to cooperate. He wondered what Commander Finchley would say. Once he found out how they had made Tor talk. Getting up Steven left his office. It was time to check on the Captain.

Niali entered a busy sickbay and saw Dr Edgeware moving from his office towards the Captain’s biobed. Before he reached him she interrupted holding her abdomen. “Doctor, I am experiencing a great deal of pain once again and I am hoping you can give me another hypo. I have to be on the bridge shortly.” She looked towards the Captain, “how is he?” she asked.

Taking a probe he ran it over her mid section.

“ Even in this day and age. The brain is still a mystery to us. He’s in a coma and for how long it will continue. I am stumped, but his vitals are strong. However this is a worry. Abdominal pains…..how are bad have they been? Like a dull ache or sharp pain?” Steven asked

“Sharp, very sharp Doctor and they radiate downwards.” Niali said.

Steven tapped a few controls on a hypo and pressed it against her stomach.

“ It’s a residual from the attack I am afraid. Like arms and legs it’s surprising how much our abdominal muscles move. That should help for now. But when off duty you’re to rest. Also an ice pack over your stomach for twenty minutes every two hours while off duty will help.” Steven advised.

“Thank you Doctor” Niali said as the hypo began to take effect. “I would appreciate you evaluating our prisoner and making him as comfortable as you can. I also note that you do not seem very happy, I have some small empathic ability and feel you are in some mental discomfort?”

“ Having to sink to Tor’s level. It’s left a bad taste in my mouth.” Steven said

“I understand what you say, maybe it would help if, once this is over we get together and talk about this, do you think it might help?”

“ Yes please.Although……. I have a bad feeling about all this. I hope it does not come back to bite us.”Steven said

Meanwhile in another room Nurse Ensign Alara Kitan was treating an Ensign engineer who managed to get a plasma burn while doing his routine maintenance. Ironically it was also the same Ensign that was hitting on her early as she was just starting out. Since he was so obsessed with trying to win her over he failed to realize she was not interested in him. So as she was treating him she was neglecting her bedside manner and had to refrain from giggling as the Ensign winced in pain during his treatment. She tried to keep a straight face as the engineer was not as tough as he claimed to be. Once she was done with her treatment she dismissed the Ensign and told him he needed to take the day off after reporting to his CO. Then she turned her back to him as she began making her report. The sad engineer slowly left as he kept looking back at her to see if she would look back at him as he was leaving. It was then that he realized he was barking up the wrong tree again, but that is a different story. So as Nurse Kitan made her report she wondered if there were anymore patients left.

Before she left Niali spotted Nurse Kitan and made her way over to her. “Nurse would you please check on my sister in her quarters and update me on her condition. I was about to visit her but I am needed on the bridge?”

Nurse Kitan nodded at Niali and she smiled. She replied, "Sure thing. I'll keep Dr Edgeware informed of any changes. Then Nurse Kitan asked the computer to locate Arle and her current status.

Niali took a deep breath feeling better and headed for the bridge. Straightening her uniform she exited the turbolift into the relative peace of the bridge. She noted Finchley there and walked over to him. “I have been checked out by the CMO and he has passed me as fit for duty. Anything happening yet Commander?”

Finchley turned to Niali as she spoke to him "Nothing yet Lieutenant, I've dispersed our crew around the bridge and their armed at all turbolift exits. I'm glad the Doctor has passed you fit for duty, if you'll take your place at the Science station please."

Niali nodded, stepped up and took over the science station. She ran her fingers over the console checking its status. She checked the phaser on her hip was set to stun and hoped she did not have to use it. Time ticked by. “Nothing unusual with our shields they are 100 percent, no, wait, there seems to be an unusual fluctuation……….”

"This could be it everyone, get to your places, be ready!" Finchley called out, drawing his phaser and setting it on heavy stun.

"Shields are down Commander!" Patterson called from the CON.

"Right, we're definitely on, everyone make their shots count if it comes to it" Finchley said.

Have rushed to the CON and entered the Command code to reset the shields, and the computer responded almost instantly, putting them back up again. Merely seconds later Patterson said "Shields collapsing, beam in detected!"

Suddenly there were a dozen or so people materializing around the bridge, and all hell broke loose.

“Weapons, they have weapons!” Niali shouted as a firefight developed. Stun first, talk later she thought as she took two of them down. “FIRM UP THOSE SHIELDS!” she shouted, not wanting any more to beam in.

As Nurse Kitan was walking to find Arle she saw lights appearing up a head which looking like someone beaming on the ship. She was not dumb enough to hand around and see as she activated the intruder alarm and ran to open and enter a maintenance shaft before she was spotted by the nearby intruder. The loud alarm rang through the ship as the intruders were beaming in. Alara was scared but knew she needed to get help without being shot at since she was mainly trained in treating phaser shots instead of giving them.

[Sickbay]

Steven had just finished giving a member of the crew a physical. When the sickbay doors opened and an unconscious security officer fell through. Edgeware hurried over and scanned the fallen officer.

“ Computer emergency security lockdown on all doors leading into sickbay. Code Edgeware mother McShane apple pie.” He said.

“All Sickbay doors are now locked.” The computer replied. Just as a loud thump could be heard outside the door.

“ Edgeware to Bridge come in please.” Steven said taping his com badge.

Niali heard the call from sickbay, “we’re a little busy up here doc, we have an infiltration of Tor’s super soldiers, the shields are now up again but any ideas you might have.” She felled another insurgent, “would be helpful?”

“ What about what we did to Tor. I can site to site some dart guns filled with that solution.” Steven suggested.

“Wonderful idea Doctor, whatever you can do will help but keep yourself and sickbay safe. Shields are now up again but we are unsure how many are on board.” She ducked as a shot strafed over her head.” We thought they would appear on the bridge only but, obviously they were wrong. We nearly have control up here and, when we do we will begin to sweep deck by deck.”

“ Ok. I’ll beam some dart guns to you now. Edgeware out.” Steven said

After completing the task. He picked one up and tossed a few to some medics.

“ There’s going to be wounded. We can’t have these doors locked. Once I tell the computer to unlock the doors. If anything not wearing one of our uniforms comes through that door. Fire one of these at them. It won’t kill. Just make them feel weak for a while.” He said

With that Steven unlocked the sickbay doors. For now no attackers came through the doors.

Finchley stood in the middle of the bridge, now involved in hand to hand, his phaser having given out. As one of the soldiers lifted his arm to fire, he kicked the weapon out of their hand, grabbed them by the hair and smashed their head off of the navigators console. The soldier gave a grunt as they fell to the deck, out cold. Finchley had no time to look though as the next soldier charged him and slammed him in his midriff, taking the both down onto the deck. Instinctively, Finchley brought up his arm and smashed his elbow into the soldiers face and he heard the sound of gristle displacement and bone breaking in his nose. The soldier screamed and put their hands to their face, so Finchley knelt and punched them several times till they blacked out.

Niali had taken a shot to her shoulder. It seemed to have been some kind of old projectile weapon and there was something lodged in her. The good thing was that there was very little bleeding and the hypo that the doctor had given her was still helping her pain level. The bridge was clearing of opponents and Niali checked that the bridge crew were all right. She took aim and downed the last one who was female and she felt bad for doing so. “Commander are you hurt?” She shouted to Finchley.

Finchley sat with his resting on the Command chair, facing away from Niali. Standing up slowly he made his way towards the turbolift and without turning said "You have the bridge Number One" and walked into the 'lift when the doors opened.

"Deck two" he said as the doors closed behind him.

Niali stood looking at the turbolift doors closing wanting nothing else other than to run after him but he had left her the bridge and she had much to do. “Security remand these men to the brig and have Doctor Edgeware look them over.” She sat in the chair just vacated by Finchley and wondered why he would not look at her, he had also not mentioned that she should seek medical help for her wound and, that in itself had given her cause to worry. But, for the moment the ship was still in uproar with some of Tor’s men undoubtedly loose on board, that was her priority, and her duty.

=/\= Security to the bridge =/\=

The comm call made her jump. “This is Lieutenant Korial” she answered.

=/\= we thought the Commander was on the bridge=/\=

“He was, now he is not” Niali answered acerbically wondering where this was going.

=/\= only we called him and he did not answer his comm=/\=

Niali’s brows furrowed and she nodded to Ensign Patterson who immediately tried to find the Commander.

“What is the problem?” Niali asked beginning to loose her temper.

=/\= The prisoner Tor, he escaped =/\=

Niali went cold, “any idea how, or how long ago?”

=/\= about thirty minutes ago, during the firefight. The shields must have gone down which effected the brig.=/\=

“Very well take a team and first check sickbay then The First Minister’s quarters and my sisters. Use heavy stun if able. Are the other prisoners situated safely?”

=/\= Yes sir=/\=

Niali looked over to Ensign Patterson, “any sign of the Commander yet?”

Ensign Patterson looked at Niali and replied "I tried hailing his COMM badge Sir, but there's no reply."

She stood, blood beginning to dribble from her wound. “Locate his comm please…now.”

It took him only a few seconds, “The Commanders Comm is on deck two Sir”.

“The bridge is quiet now you have the Comm Ensign Patterson, lock the bridge down only myself, Dr Edgeware or Commander Kerr to have access to the bridge.

She tagged her comm =/\= Lt Korial to Dr Edgeware meet me on deck two and bring your emergency med kit=/\=

“ On my way!” Steven said.

Grabbing an emergency med kit. Steven almost ran out of the doors. But stopped himself and grabbed a dart gun. Making sure it was loaded and he had some spares. He slowly tiptoed out the sickbay doors. Apart from a large dent in the doors outer coating and some burn marks on the walls. The outer corridor seemed empty. He hurried to the nearest turbo lift.

“ Deck two.” He said once inside.

Niali left the bridge and entered the turbolift. “Deck two” she ordered. Looking down as she began to feel dizzy she noted blood drying on the floor.

[First Minister Ara’s quarters]

Sounds of running and some kind of weapons fire could be heard outside her quarters. Her security guards had left a while ago and she felt helpless, as though she should be doing something but she reasoned she had no weapon. She looked out of her window at her world below and wished she was there. She wondered if Security Minister Valev was thinking the same as she sat down behind her couch.

[Arle’s guest quarters ]

Although Arle had decided not to participate in her husbands intended takeover of the ship she was desperate to see him. She picked up the discarded weapon and decided to try to find the brig. She waited until it seemed quiet outside and stepped into the corridor first making sure her weapon was set to heavy stun, she did not want to be responsible for any deaths today. She had only moved a few yards when a pain ripped through her abdomen which brought her to her knees. After a few seconds it seemed to lessen off and she stood. She placed her hand on the bulkhead panel. “Computer show me the way to the brig?” The answer came back immediately. “That function is not currently available.” Arle cursed in Trill the only place she knew how to find was sickbay. She turned and moved on along the corridor until it rounded a corner that split into two. Taking the first one she moved slowly as another pain ripped through her, just then she heard the sounds of footsteps approaching and in her panic she pressed the chime of the nearest door. It swished open and she moved in as it closed behind her. The footsteps ran on past and she sighed with relief. Then someone stood from behind the couch, a tall woman. “Who are you?” Asked Arle pointing her phaser at her. The woman stepped from behind the couch.

“My name is Ara, who are you?" the woman replied.

Another slice of pain ripped through Arle which made her drop the weapon. “My…my name is..…Arle” she gasped as a explosion of liquid cascaded from her.

Concern written on her face Ara moved to help her into a chair, “Well Arle have you ever had a baby before?”

Arle tried to breathe but the agony was too much so she just shook her head in the negative.

“Well my dear you are now.” Ara said. “I do not think we can get to sickbay at the moment but, I will help you.

The turbolift doors opened, and Finchley looked out at the corridor. Taking his COMM badge from his chest, he rubbed it lovingly between his thumb and forefinger for a few moments, then tossed it out onto the deck as the doors closed.

[Security Minister Valev’s quarters]

Valev could not stop pacing, he had tried to leave at least to see what was happening but the Oberon’s security had stopped him. Now as he looked out there was no one there. A phaser lay in front of him dropped obviously by one of his guards. He picked it up gleefully and realized that he now had the means to assassinate Ara. She had been a thorn in his side for too many years now and there was someone else that could be blamed for her death. The quorum would never know and he would paint so dreadful a picture of the Federation the Oberon would be sent back with its tail between its legs. Then he would be free to recruit as many of the super soldiers as he wanted. All he had to do was find her quarters and do the deed, in fact he was looking forward to seeing her eyes die as she looked at him knowing he had won. Smiling he slipped out into the corridor.

Karadis made her way out from the transporter room, Elliot and Max were well capable of taking care of the prisoners and the geneticists, they didn't need her. Her instinct told her where she was going, so she made her way slowly to the turbolift, her side was aching badly and her breathing was still not good. Making her way into the 'lift, she said "Deck two."

Within moments, the doors opened again and Karadis walked out, seeing exactly what she was looking for, Kerr's COMM badge. With some difficulty, she bent down and picked it up and the minute she did and it was in her hand, her badge linked to his and hers chirruped. A familiar voice spoke "Karadis, 'Omega', you know where to come to" was the simple message.

Karadis gave an actual genuine smile, Kerr's sense of humour to the last. She made her way to her quarters and collected what she needed, left her COMM badge on a table and made her way out to meet him. Several minutes later, the doors to the Primary Life Support room opened and she walked in. She saw him sitting on the ground a meters in front of her and she walked slowly over and as she arrived beside him, she cursed as she sat down beside him.

She handed him a bottle and kept one for herself. They both unscrewed the tops and threw them away and took two almighty draughts from their respective bottles. "Omega" Karadis said, holding out her bottle.

"Omega" Finchley replied, clinking her bottle with his. He looked at her, and saw the pain in her face "So, what's yours?" he asked.

"Percussion grenade, damaged artery's, internal bleeding, yours?" Karadis relied.

Finchley looked down at his chest "A new piece of jewellery, I don't think it'll catch on though" he laughed, coughing up some blood, nodding to the knife sticking out of his chest by his heart.

"Omega" Finchley said, holding his bottle up again.

"Omega" Karadis said, clinking his bottle and then laying her head gently on his shoulder.