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[Gero Pridiik - In Delirium]

What happened after he went down was but a blur. The wound inflicted onto him seemed to have hit his Brachial Artery. The heat of the blast only partially cauterising the large gash torn into his cardiovescular system. Red blood staining his clothes, painting his cloths the color his uniform should have had. The irony given the secrecy of their approach springing to his mind for a second before his thoughts drifted on again.

Not fully loosing consciousness but not able to fully holding onto his memories he experienced their extraction as a series of still frames burning into his mind.

At some point he stopped bleeding. A faint glow caught in his eyes, maybe a regenerator.

The sound of a shuttles engine in atmosphere engaging.

Communication over encrypted comm channels, he could not make out the words, but he didn't have to guess long as to their contents.

His body loosing its shape, atoms dissolving in a feeling similar to the experience of lowering one into warm water. Pain washing away for an instance, agitated muscles relaxing as the weight of his body was lifted into the strange in-between reality of the transporter for an impossible second, only for it all to come back almost quicker than his brain was able to conceptualize.

Lifting his head in a contest against the pain radiating from his arm into every fibre of his being, he spotted the walls of a shuttle bay through the windows. Some distant corner of his mind realised the danger in such an operation. There was a reason shuttlecraft normally landed instead just being transported to their drop of points, if they had.... Not able to conclude this thought he let himself go into the pain once again.

His eyes fixing on the two security officers that had probably saved his life... and he had ruined their mission. Guilt was eating into his guts.

-

[USS Challenger | Sickbay]

A non-registered timeframe later he found himself in a bright white room. The air rich with the smell of sanitizers and an exotic mix of drugs. Memories of past visits making it quite obvious where he had ended up. A Sickbay.

Only a second later did he realise something was missing, something he would not be sad about loosing, the pain. Instead a light feeling was filling his head, probably a powerful pain killer.

Looking to the Doctor standing at his bed and looking at his arm, he could only find the heart to ask a single question:

"Will I be able to keep my arm?"

[Shiny Casino - Tonmak - Felnarik]

Felk screamed in the way that Ferengi did when scared and ran. The Nausicaans had barely enough intelligence to figure they could track Felk down later, turned their attention to the three undercover Starfleet officers.

Blackfeather was a big man and not afraid to go hands on with a larger opponent. His foot lashed out faster than the eye could follow to kick the knife out of No-Neck's hand. The Nausicaan roared and the two were then engulfed in hand to hand combat.

Zanut, who, as an El Aurian, had hundreds of years of life experience that included too many fights to count, chose a different path. He drew his disruptor and fired point blank into Guido's chest. Nausicaans were a hearty species, bred from birth to fight, but not even a powerful male like Guido could take a full power blast from a distruptor at point blank range and shrug it off. The Nausicaan looked confused and then crumpled to the floor.

Rage at this point realized things were not going to his advantage and after a moment of open mouthed shock, moved to leap over the back of the booth and flee, his entourage of females having already done so...

[Tonmak | Feknarik Capital City | Shiny Casino]

With everything devolving into a blur around him, instincts kicked in. Fists emerged from his memories, striking him into his guts, bludgoning his head and kicks leavning him falling to the ground. Pain long vanishing into deep phantoms forcing his body to remember injuries long healed by the wonders of modern medicine. None of it mattered.

The adrenaline was flattening his thoughts into a thin line.

His vision blurring into a narrow tunnel focused only on the Human before him.

They were holding ugly blades, cut from jagged metal and inscribed with a script he couldn't read, even if he had focused on it. The sharp edges and the uneven depth aiding in their martial and monstrous look.

Two of the large attackers jumped at his comrades. He could not look at them. He could not reach them in time. One of them went down in a discharge, the air growing to bear the taste of burning flesh and evaporated metals.

He couldn't see if the Nausicaan was dead or just hurt. It mattered not in this second.

The other was engaging black feather. He had to trust the security officer. His training was superior to his own anyway.

One left. One now turning to the exit. One turning to another room filled with potential weapons, filled with potential backup. Filled with more danger for them and their team. Potential death. It could not be allowed.

Starfleet always strode to minimize harm. But they would not surrender their lives unless the prime directive itself was at play. And the inhabitants dwellinghere were very much able to breach the light barrier, often to the Quadrants dismay.

His mind almost dissociating from his actions he felt as if observing himself from atop. Muscles in the legs of the body with his face tensed, before releasing like a spring, catapulting him along a vector directly into the back of the running Human.

Extending his arms before him, fist formed into his fists, he found himself resembling almost the pose of a hero emerging from stories of earth past. He fists connecting with the armoured back of his target sending them both to the ground, he above the alien.

All illusions about memories of invulnerable fantasies were punched out of him the very second he landed. His fists had connected with jagged armour under Rages cloths, tearing open the skin on his fingers. The air being pressed out of his lungs as the full force of his jump being transferred back into him by the mercilessness of physics.

A low groan escaped his mouth. Pain twisting his face.

The moment of disorientation vanishing quickly as the one lying below him twisted to reach for something in his belt. If phaser, if disruptor, if knife or panic button. He knew not. He cared not.

Performing a roll across the still extended other arm of his target, he rolled free, bringing distance between the two of them. Using the momentum to pull at his own hidden weapon, he spun up, only to face a disruptor already drawn and pointed in his general direction. He noticed also the assailants other arm. Twisted in an awkward angle. It seemed his exit over the extremity had done more damage than he had anticipiated. Nothing a bone mend wouldn't be able to fix later. Probably increadibly hurtful for now.

Rages face was twisted with a mixture of outrage and overflowing hate, the pain only adding fuel to the outrage the other felt to having been so mistreated.

The shot that followed left him with a strange feeling. Time slowed around him. His mouth went dry and thought vanished from his mind. The only thing he could see before him, a scene from his childhood now.

A much smaller Gero dressed in his work cloths, needles and yarn still filling his pockets. Climping over collapsed beams of dried wood and lifting broken cabinet doors, finding little treasures underneath. Treasures to bring home and add to his slowly growing collection of shiny and sometimes forbidden things.
Until one day he found the book, the one with the stars inside, the one the Archons had left them. The one that changed his life. A life he not yet wanted to see ended.

Not having the time to fully escape the blast, he twisted around his own axis. The energy discharge making contact with his left arm, manifesting searing flames all throughout his nervous systems. The smell of frying flesh once again filling his air. This time his own.

Levereging the willpower he still head the raised his own weapons, set to stun, and shot Rage, the collapsing figure of the other Human mirroring his own downfall as the pain weakened his muscles.

Turning to the two Security Officers by his side, he wondered if they would judge him for his failure to avoid the weapon.

"Sorry guys.."

[Tonmak - Feknarik Capital City]

The three Starfleet officers arrived as the sun was setting. Ensign Zanut had the group take a break inside the edge of the forest they'd been traversing for hours. Grabbing a quick meal from their hated emergency rations they waited an hour until it was full dark before slipping into the city.

In comparison to the cities of the core cities of the Federation, even the best parts of Tonmak could only be called provincial. Poverty was clearly endemic here and it was easy to see how smugglers would thrive among so many desperate people.

Working their way to the poorest side of town, Zanut stopped to figure out where to start among the run down bars that were everywhere, when the taciturn Blackfeather spoke up.

"That casino. Look at it. It's the only place we've seen in the last five blocks that doesn't look like a dump. That tells me money is there and since this planet doesn't have any, it's got to be from off planet."

"Sounds good to me, you ready to meet the locals flyboy?"

Zanut quipped as he moved beside the Master Chief who was striding confidently to the flashy casino.

"Keep up son."

Blackfeather growled over his shoulder.

[Tonmak | Plains]

Doing his best to keep pace, he first stumbled over loose rocks and through thick bushes covering the ground. The sun casting their light in a hue looking slightly off to Gero. He was mostly used to working in the confines of a space ship, or a shuttle, or a barge. Anything flying really.

Trekking around planets was still new to him. Much less trekking through hostile territory.

-
[Tonmak | Feknarik Capital City]

Walking through the poorer parts of the city reminded him a lot of his own childhood. Pushed into despair by forces beyond their control, deprived of many of the amenities commonplace in the Federation. The whole thing wasn't fair. If they joined the Federation, their lives could be improved, undoubtedly.

Arriving in the city centre, the surrounding outlook was not getting any better. Although more outsiders were massing in makeshift pubs and avenues, the overall standard of living was still below the average.

"I am right behind you."

[Tonmak Casino - Felnarik]

Gero, Zanut, and Blackfeather entered the casino to a cacophony of lights and sounds. No one reacted to their presence initially, but this quickly changed when an especially smarmy Ferengi in an impossibility loudly colored suit.

"Welcome, welcome, welcome travelers! I see you are new to Club Shiny.  I am Felk, I can help you find what you need, for a small consideration of course. What is it you desire?

[Club Shiny - Tonmak - Felnarik]

The group shared a glance and Zanut spoke up guardedly.

"If you know as much as you say you do, I'll be blunt. I captain a freighter, word is Tonmak is where you go to find cargo. We're new to this sector and not picky about what we haul. So, Felk, can you help with that?"

The Ferengi pondered for a bit before he replied with a huge smile.

"Straight to the point, that's actually refreshing. Yes, yes, brokering deals is what I do. I believe you hyoomons call me a 'middle man'. It just so happens I know someone in let's call it the 'import/export' business that is always looking to move merchandise. If you follow me, I can lead you to one of his colleagues."

Blackfeather leaded forward, using his impressive height to add to the venom in his voice.

"My friend here may have mentioned we were new in this sector, but new doesn't mean stupid. You cross us and I promise, I will make you bleed."

Felk gulped and nodded.

"No, no, no, double crossing a client before the deal is made is bad for business. Please, let's go meet my contact."

The group shared another glance, nodded and Zanut spoke up.

"Then lead on my friend, and in my world, double crossers are the first to die, so you just remember that if your plan is to do so after the deal is made."

Felk gulped again and nodded.

"I understand, this way gentlemen."

Felk then let the three deeper into the casino. As they followed, Zanut and Blackfeather had their hands on their disruptors ready to act should their new friend choose to betray them.

[Tonmak | Feknarik Capital City | Club Shiny]

They had talked about their cover story. Made sure the details would match. Coordinated strategies. Gero hoped he remembered everything.

Mirroring the Officers, he placed his hand on his weapon as well. Doing his best to appear as threatening as possible, he thought about ways to heighten their image as dangerous in the eyes of the Ferengi posing as their middle man.

"Remember theses Nausicaans Captain? Tried to trick us! Where did they end up again?"

His Word accompanying their crossing from the clubs main room, polished with cheap plastic gemstones, lending the establishment its name, the lights refracting in a thousand facets of cheap stones.

Through a curtain of mirror strands, they passed into a much darker backroom. The light creating a myriad of spaces not visible, perfect for hiding muscle or conceal hidden exits.

[USS Onizuka | Cockpit | Co Pilot Seat]

The probe emitting the false signals pinged on their screens. A new freighter appearing from mid space on a course perpendicular to their own flightpath. Steadying their engine output he checked again their automatic beacon and com systems were offline. If the computer tried to ping the probe, not only might it disrupt their shroud, by the delay in response their exact position could be triangulated.

Checking the systems double was extra work but he felt awfully vulnerable in the shuttlecraft, not wanting to test their powered down defensive systems, the effort was well worth it.

As they approached the planetary airspace and the surrounding satellite systems they shut down even the last powered systems. With even the lights turned off and life support diminished to minimal power, the temperature began to rise in the cabin as each of their heart frequencies accelerated.

Some minor satellites hanging in orbit bathed the space around them in scanning rays. Some of them were so unstable that they probably served more neferious goals. None of them should pierce through their shroud tough. Making an efffort to highlight them on the orbital maps in the computer, Gero noted them so in their ascend they could avoid their scans.

[Onizuka - Felnarik]

Lieutenant Ozoim slowed to thrusters only as the shuttle approached the planet. There was some traffic near the planet, but most of that was in the equatorial region, so to reduce chance of being detected to the absolute minimum, Ozoim chose to do an insertion from the planet's southern pole.

Once they were in atmosphere, she dropped the Onizuka to just 20 meters and kept her speed well below that of the sound barrier. Taking advantage of the planet's extensive foliage, she flew in what was once called 'Nap of Earth' using the forests and mountains to get as close to the capital city of Tonmak. The rest of the settlements on the planet could, at best, only be called villages. If there was a smuggling operation on this planet, it would have to be in Tonmak.

Ozoim settled the shuttle into a canyon and shut power down to minimum, leaving the mask running. Once down, she turned to the others.

"I'm sorry everyone, but 26 klicks is as close as I could get. Terrain starts off rough, but after five klicks, it levels out and should be easy going. I obviously have to stay with the shuttle. Zanut and Master Chief, this is your show. Priidik, you are welcome to stay or go, up to Lieutenant Zanut."

Both Zanut and Blackfeather looked at Priidik with skepticism.

"You think you are up for this?"

Blackfeather growled and waited for a reply.

A clod was forming in his throught. Combat was not his strenght but he didn't want to appeare weak before his crewmates.

"Sure, give me a phaser and I will follow you."

He would not leave this shuttle without a weapon he promised his mind there. Some means of defending himself and his comrades, if it came to that.

A short couple of minutes later they left the shuttle behind them. Neatly parked in between two large rocks at the canyons ground. Each of them carrying only basic gear under quickly donned garbs. Gero himself wearing some of his old civilian cloths and a large poncho hiding his meagre kit and protecting him against the winds rushing through the scar in the continental crust.

A long way was before them.

["What have we got Evan?"]

[Main Shuttlebay - USS Challenger]

After the addition of the Motor Protection Circuit Breakers, the final piece of the masking puzzle was in place, the mission to enter Toren Autonomy space was now ready. The assigned crews boarded the Onizuka, the White, and the Cutty Sark, the crews made their final checks and launched in sequence.

Once they reached the border, Ian give the order for Challenger to follow. The group crossed the border at one half impulse and halted 1,000,000 kilometers inside Toren space.

"What have we got Evan?"

"All systems nominal Captain. Mask is working as per our shuttle test."

"Good work Lieutenant. Ops, signal the squadron, Warp three. We'll hold at this speed and if all goes well, we'll take it up ta warp 5."

The three shuttles and the Challenger flickered with pseudo-motion and were enveloped in their individual warp bubbles that took them out of Einsteinian space and into the realm of faster than light travel.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[Bridge - TAS Dominator]

Captain Halak Scornar sat on his throne-like chair and observed his minions. They worked diligently because they knew the consequences of failing to perform their duty at that level.

"Amazing thing the pain stick. It's probably the only worthwhile contribution the Klingon species will ever make to society."

He thought with a feral grin.

"Observer, report!"

"No observed anomalies Great Leader."

"Acceptable Lesser Minion. Steerage, change course to coreward plus ten degrees, we must make a demonstration over Felnarik."

"As you demand, Great Leader."

The Dominator turned onto the designated course, that coincidentally, put her on an intercept course with the Challenger.

[USS Challenger - Inside Toren Autonomy Space]

The Challenger was moving at warp five in formation with the Cutty Sark and the White, as the Onizuka cruised alone 500,000 kilometers ahead of the others ships.

With the lateral sensors committed exclusively to emitting frequencies 180 degrees out of phase with Toren sensors, Lieutenant Randall was limited to using the primary sensor array. Because active mode would make the ship stand out like a beacon in the night, he could only use passive mode.

Despite these limitations, Starfleet sensors were three generations ahead of anything the Toren Autonomy fielded. That fact did nothing to reduce the tension on the bridge. Thus, when Randall picked up a external sensor sweep, he immediately called out.

"Toren sensors, bearing 142 mark 20!"

"Bollicks! Signal Cutty Sark and the White, all stop! Go dark! Prepare a Class-3 probe, programmed to a course 83 mark 45 and configured to broadcast the signature of a Lissepian freighter.. Tell the Onizuka to drop to warp two, but stay on course!"

As the Challenger slowed to a halt and went to minimum power, the tension ratcheted up several levels as the crew waited to see if their "mask" would hold.

[USS Onizuka | Cockpit | Co Pilot Seat]

Their cruise so far had been pretty smooth. The fixes for the shroud around the shuttle were holding so far, its power draw not meaningful impacting their capabilities. Not that they could use their full power, given their limited speed and the fact the most major systems like active sensors, weapons and shields were powered down to prevent any leaking energy signatures.

The security officers in his back, cramped into the seating of the shuttle, first made him nervous. Their presence an constant reminder that what they were doing here was dangerous, really dangerous. If they got brought up by a cruiser, they would be toast. Even a decently old weapon system, with enough power behind it, would be able to tear apart their hull.

Focusing on the instruments in front of him helped. Their limited speed and precalculated course made the actual flying easier. Still, the passive sensors were less capable than the active once, and they had to run constant course corrections. Passing minor rocks in space and avoiding disturbing cosmic gas clouds, in which they would have left a trail an attentive observer could recognise as unnatural.

As the steady beeping of the instruments and the sameness of the motion began to induce what past generations of humans might have called Highway Coma, a low frequency communiqué arrived from the Challenger.

"We have been ordered to reduce speed and enter a different slightly different course. There seems to be patrol up ahead. With the receiver array only on minimal power, some parts of the message have been lost."

Lowering the speed of the Shuttle Warp 2, he focused the minimal sensor bandwidth they had on the original flight path. Manifesting first as a shadow, a vessel was becoming manifest. This could have been a close call if they hadn't dodged it. Adjusting their course to 83 mark 48, they resumed their course, alone through the depths of space.

Congratulations on winning!

["Looks like I'm buggered on options with Ardy off the ship. I'll keep Ozoim and Priidik on the Onizuka. I'll add Lieutenant jg Zanut and the Master Chief ta give them some punch should things go pear shaped..."]

[USS Challenger]

Working with the team in Engineering was a novel experience for Gero. The exact details of how the technology worked that was to hide them from enemy sensors and how it didn't violate the Treaty of Algeron was beyond him, but also not for him to worry about. His just would just be to pilot the ship this thing would be installed on.

Guiding the others through the minor modifications he had made to the energy systems and their controls while on the Test flight proved easy enough and he really hoped he at least aided them a little bit in working out the bugs of the prototype by doing so.

[...]
[Bridge - USS Challenger]

As the work party made adjustments and wondered idly who would be piloting the shuttles, Ian sat with a PADD on each arm of the command chair trying to answer that same question in earnest.

"Looks like I'm buggered on options with Ardy off the ship. I'll keep Ozoim and Priidik on the Onizuka. I'll add Lieutenant jg Zanut and the Master Chief ta give them some punch should things go pear shaped..."

He paused for a moment work a kink out of his neck and continued.

"I will have Ensign Norann and Petty Officer 2 Rinix pilot White, while Ensign Schlemann and Petty Officer 1 Kelsey take Cutty Sark. Entering Autonomy space will be a true test of these pilots, hopefully, they are flyers, Bloody hell I wish I had time ta take them all through the Flyin' Tigers program, that would truly answer my questions."

The Toren Autonomy consisted of four planets and three moons in three star systems. The one that mattered most was Felnarik based on the lead they'd gotten from the Ferengi smuggler. Challenger was still at station keeping 500,000 kilometers from the Toren border. Ian had yet to finalize the exact approach method to maximize their odds of success. He looked up at the Andorian woman covering for Randall who was still in the main shuttlebay.

"Lieutenant Sh'vhaorhath, based on our current positions, how far are we from Felnarik?"

"We are .92 of a lightyear from the planet at the moment Sir."

"If'n we creep ahead at warp 5, assumin' the boffins are havin' a good day, we should be able ta close until we are .46 of a lightyear from the planet and remain undetected. Let's see, a Type-9 is capable of cruising at Warp 5 and can sprint at Warp 6 for 12 hours. That's..."

Ian did some calculations and continued.

"Eighteen point five ta reach the planet. If'n they get in trouble, at maximum warp of 9.88, we can cover that distance in one point four hours. That's a long time ta hang on if'n they get in trouble before we can arrive ta save the day, but I don't see any other options. The Onizuka is goin' ta have ta go it alone with us as distant cover."

Ian then issued the orders to those chosen for the mission and hoped he wouldn't have any letters to write.

[USS Challenger | Deck 20 | Shuttlebay]

Getting barely enough of a break to damp a bit of water onto his face to remove the unclean feeling his sweet from the work in Impulse thruster control had left him with, he already received the next set of orders. Another flight.

Given he had been part of the test flight, it seemed logical that the Captain would send him on the next trip too. At least he knew the basics of how it operated in flight.

As he prepared the shuttle and went through the pre-flight check list for dangerous missions, multiple Officers arrived at the shuttle and took their places in the seating area, behind the seats reserved for the pilots. Their golden uniforms, a stark contrast to the grey panels of the surrounding walls.

Finishing the last of the pre-flight checks, they started up the engines and left the shuttlebay through the main door, the passing forcefield leaving a slight tingle at Geros Neck. Then they were out into open space and activated the shroud.

[Two Hours prior]
[Onboard the Shuttle]

Their flight went without too many problems. As copilot his task was not the main piloting but the control and monitoring of the other instruments, including the new modified shroud technology.

"All levels are normal. Exhaust is steady, passive sensor feedback is nominal, active sensors are deactivated as to not pierce the shroud. Link to Challenger steady but reduced to a mini... wait a second."

As he spoke, the energy levels started to drift into the red zones. Something about the energy intermix.
Quickly adjusting the intermix in the reactor and balancing the power to the engines to compensate for the change in available load, he fixed the problem.

"There was something wrong with the energy flow, but I took care of it, we should be fine to continue the test. No need to abort."

[Edge of Toren Autonomy Space - USS Challenger]

The crew that had worked on the shuttle masking modifications had to wait in excruciating additional 45 minutes as the Onizuka made small movements and passive sensor scans to test how well her new camouflage would work along with the flight time back to the shuttlebay and docked.

When Azsayak spoke, Randall looked at her with a bit of curiosity. He knew most of what he knew about Gorns were stereotypes from initial contact with the species of reptilian warriors that had not gone well. Now, nearly a 150 years later, here was one of them, in Starfleet uniform no less, standing only a couple of meters away and complementing him.

"The Universe is a strange place."

He thought before replying.

"Thank you Ensign, but this project would have never worked without your input and effort. Now for the bigger test. We all figured it would be relatively easy to slip a shuttle sized object past the Autonomy's primitive sensors. The real test is if our modifications will work on something the size of Challenger. Let's get the White and the Cutty Sark ready so we can test to see if our theory will work on a three million ton starship."

[In the present]
[USS Challenger | Deck 20 | Shuttle Bay]

Disembarking from the Shuttle he made sure to download the results of their test into the Ship main computer. Any hints they had gathered from the test could be instrumental in their adoption of the shroud for the USS Challenger in its entirety.

Heading over to the group in charge of the Experiment he informed them about their experiences.

"Out test mostly worked great. The shroud showed no major impact on the other primary sytems of the craft. But there was a strange energy drop, something related to the intermix reaction in the reactor. I applied some temporary fixes that managed to stabilize the process but we should take a look at this before we activate the system on the ship."

[Main Shuttlebay - USS Challenger]

There were three shuttles staged for takeoff in the center of the bay when Gero arrived. Staged around the shuttles were some two dozen crew in all the Starfleet colors including a Gorn in the mustard tone of Engineering or Operations. A human of average height and sandy brown hair noted Gero's arrival and broke off from the others. The man was in the teal of the Science department and he seemed friendly enough.

"Crewman Pridiik? I'm Lieutenant Randall, Chief Sciences. Have you met Lieutenant Ozoim? She's from Flight and will be the lead pilot for this mission. What we have are shuttles optimized to be as stealthy as possible short of having an actual cloak. They won't be invisible, but the modifications we've made scatter sensors in such away that makes them extremely difficult to detect.

"The reason we have done this is, to enter the territory of the Toren Autonomy. This is a small independent power that is unfortunately, xenophobic and especially hostile to the Federation. They are believed to be acting as the hub of a large and sophisticated smuggling ring operating in this sector. We need to enter Toren space, attempt to find where this ring is specifically operating from and shut them down.

"You and Lieutenant Ozoim are to test the modifications under field conditions for the first time. As the main goal is to scale up the technology we've devised to mask Challenger herself so that she can penetrate Toren space undetected to support the Onizuka. We are ready on our end, so unless you have any questions, the test will start immediately."

[USS Challenger | Deck 20 | Main Shuttlebay]

Of course, they would. This was just so Star Fleet. Going places where they were not supposed to be allowed in. From his past life as a civilian pilot, he remembered zones in space like this. Controlled by gangs, syndicates or rouge states, they always balanced on the razor edge of collapsing spectacularly. If a Ship as formidable as the Challenger entered the Zone, who knows what actions the local Warlords might deem necessary to ensure their own power. But piloting a lone shuttle. That would prove an interesting challenge.

"Actually I do. Does this cloaking tech have any effects on the propulsion systems. Last thing we would want is having to dodge some patrol vessel and our shroud suddenly being ripped apart."

-

After getting his response he went for a short trip around the shuttle to inspect the modifications they made. He didn't suspect they would be flying into any atmospheres but if their center of mass had shifted, he needed to know.

Satisfied with what he found, no major changes to the shuttles superstructure the systems couldn't compesate for, he turned back to Lieutenant Ozoim.

"Pleasure to be flying with you Sir. I checked the superstructure, we should be flight worthy."

["Lieutenant Ozoim and Crewman Gero Priidik, report ta the main shuttlebay and Lieutenant Randall for special mission."]

[USS Challenger | Deck 5 | Impulse Engine Controll]

The air was cooking inside the small room that housed the instruments regulating particle flow and energy mixture for the impulse engines. The Engine itself more shaped like a large tube covered in sensors and tubes, tied into the ships main energy grid, it might just as well have been an air fryer.

For the past nearly 3 hours, Gero had worked to check every sensor attached to it, making sure their alignment were within standard specifications. Given the ship needed to perform tight manoeuvres in cases of emergency, the computer relied on feedback sensors from the engines rather than passive measurements to collect data on exhaust status and turn rates, which was much slower, and such a lag in information could hinder effective navigation.

The Heat in the room meant no person could be set to duty for longer than 3 Hours at a time inside. At least while the ship was not powered down and docked. Having nearly completed his shift, images of cool glasses of water were drifting through his head. Sweat pearling on his forehead. He was locking forward to the end of his duty shift.

[Edge of Federation/Toren Autonomy Space]
[...]

"Lieutenant Ozoim and Crewman Gero Priidik, report ta the main shuttlebay and Lieutenant Randall for special mission."

[...]

"Acknowledged, on my way" 

A call from the Bridge personally. He dared not guess why he had been picked but guessing since he came from one of the worst shifts on the ship, there was something he had to done wrong. Doing his best trying to remember if by any chance he had bumped into any high ranking Officer the wrong way the last couple days, he came up empty.

There always was the chance that this was just the best timing imaginable, but how probably was that?

Noting the unfinished state of his sensor calibration and logging the time he had to finish, he put the PADD in the upload slot on the wall, next to the control consoles, and made for the exit. Already dreading having to return later to finish the job after whatever they needed him for.

[USS Challenger | Deck 20 | Shuttle Bay]

Luckily, the Turbolift connected right next to the Impulse control room, shortening his travel time significantly. Arriving in the Shuttle Bay, he looked around. He never meet a Lieutenant Randall so he was unsure who he was looking for.

Spotting a gathering group though, he guessed this was where he was needed. And went with large steps in their direction. The sweat on his forehead not yet fully evaporated.

"Crewman Gero Pridiik, as ordered. How can I be of service?"

[USS Challenger | Jeffries Tubes]

The space in the tubes was claustrophobic. The air filled with the distinct smell of ozone and only sparsely illuminated by the occasional light strip placed on the ceiling.

As he continued to crawl on, the metal grid of the panels forming the only separation between his skin and the plasma conduits left marks in his hands, leading him to having to stop occasionally to massage his increasingly strained wrists.

At several times, he imagined hearing voices in the distance and what sounded like ongoing fights. They were so distorted when they arrived that he was unable to discern if they were Ferengi crawling the Ship to find any Star Fleet Personnel they had missed, or if they were part of the very same personnel that had been missed setting up traps for the pursuing attackers. Fearing it might actually be Ferengi he decided against calling out to them. Remaining free and able to act being the wiser choice if he was to achieve anything meaningful.

Arriving at one of the central ladders, he began his ascent to Deck 13 towards Main Engineering. Taking short rests at each deck to ensure no Ferengi was coming down from above or below, so he wouldn't be spotted. The last thing he wanted was being drawn into a fire fight in the small confined spaces of the Tubes. Suddenly his Combadge sprang back to life.

There were no Nausicans at the bridge, just a few Starfleet lower decks crewmen, who probably had been under gun point helping the Ferengi get control of the ship, and the Ferengi themselves, incapacitated near the Captain's chair, and even as lieutenant Neva took the Command position, Autumn approached the three Ferengi and one by one, nerve pinched them into obliviousness. They had to incapacitate the invaders, but there was no need for them to suffer needlessly. She then proceeded to the science station, and selectively muted the bridge's internal comm speakers.

"Crewman," she said, speaking to a young Vulcan male in a blue uniform. Although she was only an ensign, she still outranked lower enlisted personnel, and as a junior officer, she was his direct superior,  "take a phase pistol, immobilize every Ferengi you encounter in this deck. Get help if you can."

The Vulcan nodded and left. Lieutenant Neva tried to get a hold of the ship's astrometrics specialist. .Autumn then turned to the Romulan Jei'Jendak

"Jei'jendak, is it possible to organize a secure containement area for the Ferengi on cargo bay three? We don't know how long it will take to regain control of the computer. "

"Signal sent to all decks, lieutenant. If there are other members of the crew on board, they should be contacting us at any minute now," she said, then tried to access the sensors. "The ship's sensors are locked out, I do not have the means to know how many of the crew are no longer on board or where they were taken."

The signal was short and coded, but he still understood. Someone was on the ship and had taken the Bridge. The most important control station of the ship. And they needed help. Looking up the many floors still lying above him, he sighed once deeply, put away his decoupler, latching it onto the magnets in his belt, and began to ascend. Now speed was more of need than subtlety. Taking the Bridge must have been noticed by someone, and he doubted he was the only one now rushing towards it.

[USS Challenger | Deck 1 | Briefing Room | cleaning Supply Closet]

A couple of minutes later he was out of breath and his arms were burning as if the muscles were peeled from their skeletal frames. But he had managed it. He was behind an auxiliary access hatch, behind what was labelled as: Deck 1, Briefing Room, Cleaning Supplies.

Maybe the Mop had somehow cursed him.

Crawling out from what was a hidden compartment in the walls panels, filled with various substances for keeping everything shiny and smelling fresh, he emerged somewhat sweaty and in need of a cleaning shower himself. Still he grabbed his decoupler and headed for the Bridge.

There he found multiple people in Star Fleet Uniforms. Not sure who was in charge he clearly stated:

"Crewman Gero, reporting in."

[USS Challenger | Deck 19 | Shuttle Maintenance Hangar]

Gero only had a few seconds to react. Whatever was going on, it wasn't good and it certainly wasn't planned. He had received basic emergency training but not been briefed on Challengers specific orders and structures yet.

He knew though that every ship had emergency kits in every major section of the ship. Most held medkits but there should be some strategically placed weapons in key areas too. Given the Computer was on lockdown and he had no access codes to any nearby armoury, finding one of these by accident was his best hope. But it was fleetingly slim. Too slim if he was honest.

His eyes darted through the room. Neatly stacked boxes held spare parts and tool cabinets held various instruments, meant to work the parts into the respective shuttle craft.

Opening the nearest locker he grabbed a decoupler and went for the exit of the maintenance area. The tool would make for a poor improvised weapon but it might buy him a second or two if he could surprise the attackers.

Just as he wanted to exit into the corridor he saw two shapes turning around the corner in front of him. Two Ferengi, sporting large Phaser Rifles and wearing what he interpreted as their take on body armour. Their faces masked in grim expressions.

Turning around quickly he pressed against the wall, allowing them to pass while holding his breath.

Convinced by the closeness of this encounter he planned a change of course. He would need to silently move forward as the main corridors seemed to be patrolled. If that was because they wanted something close or just bad luck was something he wanted to learn for himself anytime soon.

Taking a cover from the nearest Jeffries Tube he covered in the crawl space and closed the hatch behind him. It seemed the ship had been taken over and the computer deactivated. Given its importance for the operation of the ship, probably not by choice of the invaders. If he wanted any chance in getting of this boat or getting it back under control, he would need to slow down their way to whatever destination they were heading towards. His best shot for this was Engineering. If he could somehow sabotage the warp core, the rest of the Federation might be able to help him.

Determined he headed deeper into the tubes, his sights now set for the Main Engineering Area.

[ACCESS DENIED! Access to Command Functions has been disabled!]

[USS Challenger | Deck 19 | Shuttle Maintenance Hangar]

After storing his mop and the other cleaning tools in the nearest designated storage cabinet, he was somewhat lost. Standing between more state-of-the-art ships onboard a giant Cruiser he could only dream of even being onboard just a couple of years ago, he didn't know where to go from here.

The other crewman had deposited their cleaning implements as well and left the room, leaving him standing just there between the shuttles. The majestic hull of the MJÖLNIR looming over him, casting a faint shadow on his face against the harsh lighting emanating from the light strips in the ceiling.

Returning and setting up his shared quarters was a daunting thought. On his previous Ship they hadn't had much, but they at least had their own little heavens each.

Also, since he had come onboard he had spent many hours cleaning, and none actually flying anything. Not even preparing to get anywhere close to a helm console, in fact. A state highly unsatisfying to him.

And now he was alone in the maintenance bay. With some top-notch shuttle craft. Unguarded. Surely no one could object if he took a peak.

The Hatch to the MJÖLNIR was still unsealed, he had to clean the seats and mop the floor in the storage room of the small ship after all. What he hadn't accessed was the Cockpit. It was of-limits to all unauthorized personnel, so whatever brass they paraded through the ship would not have been allowed to see it anyway. So his own curiosity got the better of him.

The tier cockpit allowed simultaneous control for 4 people with the main console being located in front of the large slopped screen, now deactivated to save energy, its outlines shimmering in a faint blue hue, separating it from the rest of the hull.

He let his hands wander over the controls. The pilot seat featured some actual haptic controls, while the 3 other stations were sole Computer terminals. He loved haptic controls. It just gave a different feeling for how the ship he steered was doing at the moment and even if the computer allowed for greater control this element of intuition could get lost all too easily.

Checking his PADD again for new Orders he still found it empty and bleeping with a strange error. Taking seat in the pilots seat he placed it in front of him and tried to get rid of it.

He could still access his personel files and some basic info like the current time and the room temperature. Everything else seemed offine. When he tried to access the Crew assignments for the current shifts to see if he had been placed on a new station he only received an error:

ACCESS DENIED! Access to Command Functions has been disabled!

This was strange. For a second he considered if someone in Ops had messed up and forgotten to install his personel access codes. Fully aware that as the new Crewmate he hardly would be able to access most of the ships advanced systems he should at least have access to his own duty assignment. And he could have sworn that he had had the very same access early that day. He had been sent down here after all. Something must be wrong then.

"Computer, Status Report." 

"Access Denied. Access to Command Functions has been disabled!" 

Same response, still no sense behind it. Whatever was going on, it made him feel uneasy. At the Academy on Mars they never had their computer fail on them and he hardly suspected it would be allowed to happen on this ship. What was happening then?

That was the moment he heard phaser fire and people screaming in the distance.

Congrats, very nicely written!

Welcome On Board!