Task Force: Gamma

Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

The sight of Voss made Qech's skin crawl, and she clenched her jaw the moment he addressed Taj like they were old buddies. Her fists were tightened by her side as she looked sternly up at the viewscreen.

"Captain, we invite you, your son and every Trill aboard your vessel to be our guests. You have my personal word that none of you will come to harm."

Before she could respond, she heard Calodan behind her. When she turned to look she saw he had muted the transmission.

"I for one am not interested in his offer. Anyone else with me?"

Qech shook her head. "This isn't an invitation, it's an ultimatum. It's how these people work." She was shaking slightly as she spoke, clearly repressing the urge to hurl something at Voss's image on the screen. "But he should know better by now."

She looked down at Croft, who still looked white, but the painkillers seemed to be helping.

"Put us back on, Jim" she said, gesturing to the console. She then turned to face Voss.

"To set the record straight, inquisitor, I am not the Captain of this ship. But as Trill we collectively decline your invitation. Go find some other lab rat."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:53 pm Post subject:

Voss clicked his serpentine tongue and shook his head as he spoke again.

"Captain Qech, you never cease to amaze me with that razor sharp wit of yours... but then again, as you say you are not the commanding officer aboard this new and improved Hartington. Captain Croft, a well deserved promotion. I'll repeat my invitation to you, sir. For your sake and the sake of all aboard your vessel I hope you have better sense than one retired Starfleet Doctor."
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Aria · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 9:26 pm Post subject:

"Don't do it," Aria said, sitting up with a wince. Her head was killing her. But concern for her friends overrode it. "I, for one, am not willing to lose any of you. Besides, once he's got you, what's to stop him from opening fire on us again? After all, he's broken treaties. Why keep us around to testify to that fact?"

((OOC: PS: Thanks for the Elen Tes character tag to my posts. I think I"m thanking Qech, yes?))
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

((OOC: take a look in the "important in-game announcements" thread. They're new and improved super duper badges! With a prize inside!))

"Captain Qech, you never cease to amaze me with that razor sharp wit of yours... but then again, as you say you are not the commanding officer aboard this new and improved Hartington. Captain Croft, a well deserved promotion. I'll repeat my invitation to you, sir. For your sake and the sake of all aboard your vessel I hope you have better sense than one retired Starfleet Doctor."

Qech instinctively moved closer to Taj. She knew she couldn't block him from the creature's view, given he was heads taller than her, but the gesture definitely sent the 'protective mother' message.

She watched Croft before turning to Aria, who had tried to sit up all too suddenly. In her concern, the Trill doctor forgot all about her own pounding head.

"Don't do it. I, for one, am not willing to lose any of you. Besides, once he's got you, what's to stop him from opening fire on us again? After all, he's broken treaties. Why keep us around to testify to that fact?"

Qech knelt down, and gave her what was left of the painkillers she'd given Croft. Her voice was much softer than it had been when speaking to Voss.

"Sit back." But Aria, even in her limited exposure to the serpentine race, had hit the nail right on the head. They've never spoken a single word that Qech would believe.

You are right. She projected her thoughts to Aria. If there is one thing you can take back with you it's the knowledge that you should never trust his promises... They're the reason I left starfleet.
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Aria · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:47 pm Post subject:

((OOC: What does it say about me that I've never looked in the Important In-Game Announcements forum before? I didn't even know it was there.))
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Marek · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:58 pm Post subject:

OOC sorry folks, busy couple days

Croft's head was swimming, his arm was on fire after the last jolt, bringing back old memories of the worst pain in his life. The painkillers dulled the fire in his arm a bit, but made his head swim even worse. He watched the discussion, finally settling on Voss when he is addressed. Attempting to avoid the appearance of weakness, Croft slowly and carefully stood, his gaze locked with Voss's.

"I believe my crewmates have made their decision, I am willing to sacrifice my ship to defend that right if necessary. You'll have to find some other Trill to run your experiments on."

Croft wavered for a moment, looking like he might fall, then straightened again.
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Antonio Coelho · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:28 am Post subject:

Listening to his friends talking to Voss, every sentence brought Antonio a tiny moment of extra calmness. Every second they were talking was a second to re-route power around damaged conduits, re-initialize a sub-system, or mark a from the engineers struggling with the power systems. Every second counted.

"I believe my crewmates have made their decision, I am willing to sacrifice my ship to defend that right if necessary. You'll have to find some other Trill to run your experiments on."

"That does it," Coelho said quietly and glanced across the bridge to Croft. "Shields are restored. Not perfect, but they'll suffice."
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Science has two purposes, to enhance life and to protect it. I embrace the former, what do you choose?

Captain David Brennon · Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 11:58 pm Post subject:

Aboard the USS Hartington-A

The alien on the viewscreen shook its head as the Captain's words left his mouth. His voice was filled with genuine disappointment at Croft's defiant statement.

"I am truly saddened, Captain. I had hoped that we would be able to conclude this meeting without any further bloodshed... but as you've said the decision has been made and is no longer within our power to alter these events..."

He turned his head and the viewscreen went blank, showing the static filled starscape once more.

At least for a few moments.

"Captain!" cried the Tactical Officer, "I'm receiving reports from all over the ship. Crewmen are vanishing sir. Its... I think they're being beamed away!"

Before anyone had the opportunity to do anything further, Taj vanished from sight in a swirl of green light. Moments later Qech herself vanished as well. Finally, Calodan vanished from sight, leaving the rest of the crew to wonder just what the hell was going on...

***

Aboard the Tal'Harton vessel

Taj, Qech and Calodan all appeared within seconds of each other on the bridge of the Tal'Harton vessel. Over a dozen weapons were leveled at the trio, not to mention the malevolent gaze of Inquisitor Voss himself.

"My lord," spoke one of the bridge crew, "The transfer is completed. we have 12 Trill aboard, 10 register as unjoined while the two who are joined are with us here on the command deck."

"Perfect, thank you Brother." He turned his full attention onto the Starfleeters, giving his best approximation of a smile. "Not only do we reproduce your technology, we do it better than you can. Now... there is no need to struggle my friends, I will know what you know. I may not be able to read the minds of the two of you with that magnificent beast nestled inside your belly but I can take what I need from the boy -- or one of our other guests. Trust me when I say I will find your homeworld and when I do I will have what you hold dear for myself."

He paused for dramatic emphisis for several seconds before turning to one of his officers.

"Destroy it."

***

Elsewhere

Ray of emerald energy blasted forth from the Tal'Harton vessel, striking hard into the Hartington's hull. However, before either Lioy or Calodan had the opportunity to see the outcome of the battle, their world went quiet. Each must have blinked for their eyes were closed, though they did not remember shutting them. It was the hum of the deck plated beneath their feet that told them the difference, the look of the corridors (once they opened their eyes of course) Something deep within them screamed "I'm home!" They were together, side by side in an alcove near a turbolift, and looking to each other or in a nearby reflective com panel seemed to tell the truth of their instincts, neither looked a day older than they had been when the whole incident began. Perhaps it was true, perhaps they had come back to where they belonged. Only one way to find out...
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Aria · Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:25 pm Post subject:

Aria shook her head. "In every jump the Hartington's destroyed." She looked around, regarding her own reflection. "Can we really be back?" she asked Calodan, turning to him. "But we didn't change anything."

She hit her comm badge. "Lioy to Ops," she said. "Could you tell me where we are?"
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 9:26 pm Post subject:

Lieutenant Woods, the relief operations officer, called back to Lioy. Her voice sounded slightly confused as she spoke.

"You're standing outside turboshaft 3 with Mister Calodan. Deck 5, Section 13."
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 11:58 am Post subject:

Calodan was relieve to hear a familiar voice, but he had to be sure. He tapped his commbadge and joined the conversation in progress. "Lt. Woods, what is the stardate and who is in command?"
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 5:58 pm Post subject:

"Lt. Woods, what is the stardate and who is in command?"

There was a long pause before Woods replied, her voice carrying even more confusion than before.

"The Stardate is 55043.94. And Captain Brennon is still in command of the ship... Though if I may be Frank, Sir, I'm more than a little baffled that you're asking me these questions... Is everything alright?"

((OOC: For quick reference you are about 2 months in the future from the original incident with the Ion storm.))
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IAmTedSmith · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 10:25 pm Post subject:

SCPO Smith
USS Hartington
Security Office

"Security to XO(OOC: Executive Officer) - Lieutenant Calodan, do you read?"
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The only thing neccecary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke

ArjimCalodan · Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 10:34 pm Post subject:

Calodan heard the stardate and his shoulders slumped a little. So close to home, but not there yet. At least things seemed almost normal....until his commbadge chirped.

"Security to XO - Lieutenant Calodan, do you read?"

He looked at Aria. XO? Definitely not right..but at this point...he tapped his commbage. "Calodan here, what can I do for you Mr. Smith?"
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IAmTedSmith · Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 2:05 am Post subject:

SCPO Smith
USS Hartington
Security Office

"Calodan here, what can I do for you Mr. Smith?"

"Sir, I've finished the drill schedule we've been working on, and I'd like you to review it before I implement the changes discussed with Commander Qech..." Smith's voice trailed off, remembering that it had only been two weeks since the loss of the late Davynn Qech.

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The only thing neccecary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing - Edmund Burke