Messages

Character(s) affected: Rhymus Cleroux
Assigned ship(s): Challenger
Period of time absent: 3 weeks
Date of last period of activity: 10/05/2021
Date returning: 11/07/2021

Any relevant comments: Just had an 18 karat run of bad luck, to put things mildly. I can't find it in me to write for the time being.

Character(s) affected:Rhymus Cleroux
Assigned ship(s): Challenger
Period of time absent: 7 days
Date of last period of activity: 10/05/2021
Date returning: 10/13/2021

Any relevant comments: Getting dental surgery on the 6th, will need some time for R&R.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Just as Lieutenant Randell had predicted, fourteen hours after he'd detected the impending collision, Epsilon Thelonis-A and Epsilon Thelonis-B reached the point of no return as their gravity wells became intertwined and unstoppable. Ian literally sat on the edge of his seat as the two stars catastrophically merged. The impact resulted in a Level 12 shockwave which spread out in a furious display of power that destroyed virtually everything in the system. The Challenger was ready for this and though it resulted in a few seconds of extreme turbulence that Malik struggled to compensate with, it did no damage.

Unfortunately, the collision also created an unforeseen subspace effect. The massive amounts of gravimetric sheer somehow ruptured the very fabric of space in and around the system, moving faster than light. Later, Randell would measure the speed at warp 9.99999, but the speed was immaterial next to it's effect on the Challenger. First, the unclassified composition of the wave immediately drained the ship's shields roughly four milliseconds before it penetrated the hull with devastating consequences.

[U.S.S. Challenger, Deck 09, Armory]

Rhymus pushed himself up from the ground, the ringing in his head from the impact almost loud enough to drown out the cascading alarms. Finally on his knees, Rhymus put a hand to his head and felt the warm sticky sensation of blood where he had impacted the wall. His nose similarly leaked freely his life essence onto his mustache and beard, his uniform, and the floor.

Slowly rising to his feet, the ringing in his head subsiding, for now, Rhymus surveyed his surroundings. The armory was a mess. Secure lockers had been broken open by the force of the impact and arms were scattered about.

"Computer, what is the ship's status?" He asked groggily, wiping blood from around his mouth. He was met only with silence and the alarms.

"Computer?" He tried again but to no avail.

Disconnected from the local system, Rhymus made his way to the door only to find the console control dark and inactive. He cursed as he jammed his fingers into the seam of the door and slowly pried it open. Just enough to make his escape.

The corridor outside was in just as much chaos as the armory. Panels had been blasted open, fires smoldered in ruins circuits. It was as if the Challenger was under attack. In fact, it probably was.

Without the use of wider communication technology, Rhymus resorted to his last took, his voice. He yelled down the corridors, his voice echoing above the din of the red alert klaxon.

"RUNNER!"

Humanoid-borne communications were slow and often bereft of wider context as to their meaning. But if the options are inaccurate communications or no communications, Rhymus knew which he preferred.

Two crewmen came sprinting down the halls, they were just as ruffled as Rhymus but a strong force of will and a loud enough voice could set most people straight.

"You," Rhymus pointed to one of the crewmen. "Get up to the bridge and figure out what is going on. We can't fight without information traveling down. And you," He pointed towards the other crewman. "Start moving down the decks and spread the word. We're moving to battle stations, prepare for boarding parties at likely breaching points. Both of you, use the Jeffries Tubes. If the turbolift is down it's your only option. And if it does work they'll be using it to run wounded to Sickbay. Any messages you receive, bring them back here as quickly as you can. It might be our only hope."

With the crewmen runners sent out, Rhymus turned back to the door behind him, as he waited he opened the door further to allow easier travel and began distributing rifles to passing Security/Tactical forces. They'd be better used out in the field than on the floor.

Lagar and I had a good at length discussion with regards to this topic. I felt it decent of me to add my voice for the record.

I do not believe there needs to be any codified information on the existence or use of personal shields. In my mind, they represent an incredibly minor plot point that changes nothing about what our characters are doing or how they do it. I feel that if someone wants to write about their character using a personal shield, they are just as free to do so as someone writing without using a personal shield. This is how it's been on Challenger and, in my mind, it seems to be working out fine.

However, if it is decided that personal shields should be codified as a piece of equipment available to Starfleet crews for their use. I have devised a practical way of their using.

In my mind, for away-teams it's a belt item, like two cellphones with some cabling attached, one on your front and one on your back. And works as an Active Protection System. When it detects an attack near you of sufficient energy or velocity, it will automagically project a frontal or rear aspect forcefield a few feet from you to take the hit. Limited use with a small replaceable battery charge, I would imagine two uses per side is suitable. It would be possible to bypass the shield by being close enough to the target, there's no point activating the shield if it wouldn't do anything to stop it.

For Katra station or shipboard use, I imagine you could use security emitters to project a stronger bubble centered on your commbadge. Limited to defensive actions only, but much stronger and a semi-permanent shield.

I feel like I'm starting to turn into the No Fun Police when I say I'm not in favor of the idea, on two grounds off the top of my head.

1. Shadowfleet's crew are already heroes, or at least of a heroic sort. I did not join SF to play Janitorial Technician 3rd Class for Deck 07. I came to play a heroic Security/Tactical crewman who fights bad guys and saves the day. If I wanted to play someone not heroic, I'd just be an NPC.

It's like an old saying about the Soviet Union. 'We are all equal, just some of us are more equal than others.' I do not feel comfortable saying one hero is more heroic than another on grounds they have no power over.

2. Considering the amount of work already piled on our CLOs, adding another duty that has no effect on anything anywhere seems unessential. The CLOs are already pulling double duty as community administrators and Gamemasters, both of which are often significant tasks in their own right. Asking them to also keep an ear and eye out for certain requisites for awarding medals on top of keeping the flow of missions and making sure everyone stays civilized seems in poor sport to me.

Not to mention awarding one person over another is often the fastest way to turn civilized people, uncivilized.

In my mind, these types of awards are best left to the plot need. The CLO can always ask a player what heroic things have they done and come up with some medals if they are needed. But beyond that I do not think we need to add another layer to what we do here.

[Inside Freighter - Unnamed Planet - Noringglan System]

Blackfeather bounded forward and advanced to the next intersection, but when he got there, he blundered directly into one of the local soldiers. It was difficult to tell in that instant while bathed in the dim blue lighting, who was more surprised. However, the training of Starfleet security forces are second to none and Blackfeather reacted first and delivered a powerful one-two combination to the alien's midsection, doubling him over and driving him back. As Blackfeather closed to finish off his opponent, the soldier fumbled a pistol of some sort from its holster. This forced Blackfeather to change his attack to a trapping maneuver to prevent the soldier from using his weapon. Unfortunately, while Blackfeather did pin the soldier's arm, he was unable to pin the soldier's trigger finger and the corridor thundered as the weapon fired. While the shot missed, the greater issue was the noise generated by the firearm and throughout the ship cries of alarm began to sound.

Afterward, as Derek made his way toward engineering, he had just reached his goal when he could hear a loud bang in the distance. As, with most beings of the 24th Century, he didn't recognize the sound, but that became immaterial as two of the locals came boiling out of the closed hatched Derek had figured led to engineering. Just like when Blackfeather encountered one of the locals, both sides were surprised to find the other. Unfortunately for Derek, he now found himself outnumbered two to one in very close quarters.

Jettis, Rhymus, and Lagar had entered the ship only to hear the approaching footfalls of at least two people advancing. That was before the soldier's weapon discharge and the two individual's sounds of walking became the sounds of two people running. Given the size of the airlock, it was obvious the three Starfleet officers would not be able to hide in the small compartment.

[Noringglan System, Unnamed Planet, Grankite Freighter, Airlock]

The hairs on the back of Rhymus's neck immediately stood on end as the thunderclap of gunfire echoed throughout the ship. The element of surprise had been lost, and decisive action would be needed to regain the initiative. As the sounds of movement to his front grew more hurried and closer, Rhymus turned back to his tactical training.

When in doubt, counterattack.

Pushing the two senior officers into the hideaway of the airlock, Rhymus ran forward towards the sound of the running footfalls. If he was fast enough and lucky enough, and if the room was dark enough, he might be able to tackle down the two opponents, bowl them over onto the ground, and get the better of them from a position of greater advantage. Outnumbered, outgunned, Rhymus charged ahead like cavalry at Balaklava.

Lieutenant Lagar
[Unnamed Planet - Noringglan System]

At the discovery of the putrefied corpse, the Phylosian slowed, his arced limbs that bore his central body forward stepping down in their tentacular pace. The robotic voice issued forth from the bent, black-colored thing on the ground near Rhymus. "Perfect. This is perfect, Chief, outstanding work finding this one." Allowing the Chief to retrieve  the equipment, Lagar focused his tricorder on the body.

It was a miserable thing to observe, but for a man... thing of medical science, there was a ripe supply of data to be gathered. The body's decomposition suggested that decomposing factors still remained on this planet; some bacterial life perhaps, or the arthropods which so often survived nuclear conditions while other beings died out. It was possible that this world, this Noringglan wasteland, would someday be ruled by an intelligent race of arthropod descendants after the animal kingdom successfully annihilated itself.

The decomposition might mean a pungent stink, but this meant nothing to the plant-creature with no olfactory senses. There were times when the lack of a sense of scent was a detriment; some diseases had olfactory clues, for instance, and the smell of a date's perfume could not be commented on with any accuracy. In this present case, however, the lack was a boon, as any possible reek from the long-deceased native did not deter the doctor from his work. The state of the body also meant that several biological factors were more apparent to be carefully analyzed. There was... to put it delicately... less skin getting in the way.

So, what was he looking for? Lagar sought details on their senses, first. Clarity of eyesight, advanced or simple auditory ability, any sensitivities... Lagar wondered if his scan might reveal susceptibility to the Vulcan nerve pinch, that might be useful information to know. He also looked for other physiological vulnerabilities; weaknesses to any compounds. It was likely he would need a full laboratory to do more advanced work, but he could at least see what he could see.

Limiting his analysis to a mere two minutes, Lagar then trained his tricorder on the horizon, hoping this new position would allow them to more accurately identify the location of non-Noringglan biosigns that had been detected earlier. They had to find the Grankites, if there was any desire to try to rescue them from their unintentional corruption of this planet.

[Noringglan System, Unnamed Planet, Cratered Landscape]

Rhymus picked up the short rifle the soldier carried, examining its haphazard manufacturing in a mixture of apprehension and awe. Centuries ago, humanity had created arms just like this from hardwoods and soft metals and warred for an era with them. Here the materials were half-recycled polymers and scavenged piping. Examining the fallen warrior for munitions, Rhymus then stood to look over the edge of the crater, once again examining their surroundings.

"We've had our fun, Lieutenant. Let's return to the Lieutenant Commander."

As Rhymus vaulted the lip of the crater, he paid one last look to the fallen. Offering them a short nod and a small salute, he began crawling his way back to Lieutenant Commander Jyur's position.

[un]

Lieutenant Lagar
[Unnamed Planet - Noringglan System]

With Lieutenant Commander Jyur and Chief Cleroux, Lagar revealed his findings. "There are a variety of bodies I might attempt to analyze, as well as equipment." he said, his voder projecting in low tones as before. His body was still as black as anything, and perhaps hard to focus on even as the night gradually moved toward morning. "But any such retrieval would require moving out into the open, however briefly."

He turned his ovoid, spine-topped head to gaze into the distance toward the battle lines. "I have detected multiple Grankite biosigns outside of the ship, as well. I cannot get a specific number at this time, but it is more than one." The head swiveled oddly, turning at a greater degree of rotation than most humanoid necks would allow. "We could engage in any of these activities perhaps, or split up and attempt several of them at once. It is notable, Commander, Chief, that the projectile weapons in use on this planet are slightly less lethal to me, than to either of you. I have no organs to rupture or vital fluids to halt with the penetration or impact of projectiles. I... would still be greatly harmed by them, of course." he added, not wanting anyone to think he was eager to have holes driven in his body. He had had to pluck foreign objects out of himself before, and it was never pleasant. "But I am relatively more unlikely to die from a single penetrative projectile, even if it hit me in the head."

He halted there, wanting to lay the data and some possible options before his colleagues for their consideration, as they deliberated their next action.

[Noringglan System, Unnamed Planet, Cratered Landscape]

"Never underestimate the robustness of the human body, Lieutenant. We have evolved solely to endure. And endure we shall. I know not why you wish to study these people so closely. They are, speaking plainly, beneath our notice for the foreseeable future. However, if you are insistent on your examinations, and the Lieutenant Commander allows, I will accompany you."

Rhymus then turned to Lieutenant Commander Jyur for affirmation.

[ Unnamed Planet - Planetside ]

Jettis nodded to the two, lightly brushing the dirt off of his hands from kneeling. "Very good. We'll just have to get closer once everyone gathers. Keep an eye on your scanner, Lagar, and it can help us navigate the field."

They didn't have to wait long for the soldiers to disperse. Whether it was mealtime, or some other ritual they performed, but it allowed the three to sneak past the defensive line, and towards the ammunition pile. The ground was littered with mines, but with Lagars guidance they avoided setting any off. When they would reach the pile, Jettis moved to let Rhymus take the lead, seeing as he was the expert in munitions. Jettis followed, with a silent offer to help extended to the man, as he moved to a crouch to avoid being sighted. Should someone exit the tent suddenly, there were enough pile to be at least partially concealed.

[Noringglan System, Unknown World, On approach to enemy fortifications]

Looking out over the dead landscape before them, deep into the fog where even more fortifications sat unseen, Rhymus began thinking aloud.

"Lieutenant Commander, this is quite a distance to cover under stealth. Not to mention doing so would wholly isolate us from the infiltration team. While detonating a munitions dump would certainly garner the attention we seek, it may prove more prudent to seek a smaller goal. An isolated patrol would provide us the munitions to provide a more localized distraction, as well as meet with Lieutenant Lagar's request for unconscious captives."

Rhymus threw himself from one crater into another, sliding down into the puddle sitting murky at the bottom. He then began his process again, climb up, observe, vault over, slide down.

"If you still prefer the munitions detonation method, I should warn you. We will not be able to travel back the way we have come. It would endanger the infiltration team significantly. The preferable method would be to split up, and escape and evade back to an agreed-upon point. Such as the ridgeline. However, this environment is deadly even for well-prepared teams. And the stench of death this battle brings has most likely lured in whatever predators still inhabit this planet. If I may speak freely, I do not wish to meet any such predators that can live here."

Rhymus then continued onward, climb up, observe, vault over, slide down.

[Mission Title]

Mission Title: Art is Life

Synopsis: A famous artist takes temporary residence aboard the SIMM to find new inspiration on the frontier of space. As the SIMM travels to their next destination, however, the struggling painter's abandoned projects come to life and attack the ship and the crew. The crew must find a way to stop these artistic abominations before they draw their last breath.

Starting Point: The crew is introduced, or otherwise meet, a famous artist. They have requested to stay aboard the SIMM for a time to see the frontier and gain inspiration for a new piece.

End Goal: Either by discovering the source of the art abominations' power, or fighting them directly, the crew defeats the monsters and foes the painter had inadvertently created.

Story points that must be passed?:

1.   The SIMM comes under attack from strange monsters, enemy warships, stellar phenomena, or other dangers of random design.

2.   The SIMM begins noticing strange aspects or patterns in these attacks. Perhaps each art piece has a similar energy signature. Or they all look painted.

3.   The SIMM, through wit, cunning, and determination, must hold the myriad enemies back while simultaneously learning how to stop their foes.

4.   Having learned how to successfully defeat the art-based enemies, the crew must enact their plan before the ship and crew are destroyed.

Departments: (To make sure everyone has something to do.)

- Flight: With stellar phenomena and enemy warships a constant threat during this mission, flight crews must carefully guide the SIMM ship, and perhaps also the shuttlecraft, through these dangers.

- Engineering: Monsters running around the ship tend to break things. A monster could also be inside some technology, requiring rerouting or isolation.

- Operations: It is possible computer records might hold answers to the question of spontaneous life given to the art. Or the tractor beam could be of use for outside the ship.

- Security and tactical: Fighting monsters, shooting globs of paint, protecting those who can not protect themselves.

- Medical: Monsters, warships, and phenomena have a way of hurting people.

- Science: Learning and understanding the paint monsters in order to defeat them or contain them.

[ Planetside - Unnamed Planet - Ship Wreckage ]

The moment Jettis opened the floor for ideas on how to proceed, the crew erupted into chatter, quiet as it was. Everyone had good ideas, and though there was some conflict, one thing was for certain. They needed to get moving, because the darkness was their cover, and it was fading by the minute.

"If we were to disguise ourselves as the Grankite, yes it would uphold the prime directive, but it would also no doubt inspire violence. We need to find a way in without risk of being sighted." Though T'Vas made a good point, Rhymus was correct - this wasn't a rescue mission. Not yet, anyhow so they couldn't treat it as such. Maybe later, if they could get some information, it would turn to that. But now, they needed action.

"We will split into two teams for the moment. Blackfeather, Rodwell, T'Vas, you will infiltrate the ship and relay any beneficial information. Lagar, you, me and Rhymus will create the distraction. If it is successful, it will allow us three to join the others within the ship."

"We must remember that though these people are intelligent, they are within a great war. It won't take much more than an unknown explosion to draw out the majority of their forces. If we can arrange a couple explosions, it would likely even draw out those in the ship to take arms." He nodded toward the group, though he did not have his goggles on to see what he was motioning toward.

"Keep Lagar's point in mind as well, if you can scan an incapacitated native, it may just give us invaluable information. You three remain here until the distraction is given, the make your move. Rhymus, Lagar, we need to move and find a way to cause an explosion."

[Noringglan System, Unknown Planet, On approach to enemy fortifications]

Rhymus nodded to the Lieutenant Commander's plan, pleased to have a direction.

"If Lieutenant Lagar's tricorder can detect explosive reactants or chemicals, in the right quantities, that should give us a straight shot towards the nearest munitions stockpile. From there I can begin finding ways to set it off. If it's a proper cache, it should direct the explosion away from any living areas in the fortifications. A nice loud bang with no casualties."

With that, Rhymus slid down from the ridgeline and began making his way, crater by crater, to towards the trenchlines.

Lieutenant Lagar
[Noringglan World, 1 Kilometer from Grankite Crash site]

On the topic of Rhymus' proposed tactical maneuvers, Lagar listened with polite silence. The Phylosian recalled his work on the Peacekeeper, years ago, when several of their missions involved clearing minefields both in space, on terrestrial landmasses, and even underwater in one unusual circumstance. Those efforts were his only direct experience with explosives outside of the Academy and his medical studies in healing those harmed by bombs. He felt he ought to express a concern, and did so when the opportunity arose. "The tactic of destroying munitions in order to distract their forces does have its appeal. I worry, and correct me if I am in err, Chief, that if we use our own technology to destroy their munitions, we could inadvertently leave some sign of our technological advancement... Signs an explosives expert among their number could identify. If we take a sabotage route, I recommend that we detonate their munitions with their own ordinances, in some way. Unless my worry has no foundation, of course, or if using their own technology was already something you planned to do." He recalled collaborating with explosives munitions experts on the Peacekeeper who had spoke of all the myriad ways to identify a detonated explosive after the fact; materials left behind, presence or absence of chemicals or radio waves, and even the range or point of impact could tell an expert much.

[Noringglan World, 1 Kilometer from Grankite Crashsite]

Rhymus nodded to the Phylosian.

"While I doubt these peoples have the technological wherewithal to detect the fine chemical residues enough to discern an alien explosive material, especially in a warzone, that is a fair assessment. Understanding their explosives may prove an obstacle, but there is no reason to contaminate their civilization further. We can do that."

[Noringglan System | Unnamed Planet | Freighter site]

"Indeed?"

T'Vas rubbed her knees briefly, as they were starting to get a little sore and adjusted her position slightly. Her mind had already flashed past the how, it was the what next. "The next problem as I see it is we have natives on the inside and outside. Even if we get in, there's still an unknown number of natives in the hull. We would have to remove them, whether stun them all then pitch them out the doors, seal the hull against more natives and to ensure spaceworthiness, make repairs before we can make repairs and lift off."

She looked up briefly then ducked back down: "What would be ideal is we could disguise ourselves as these Grankite affecting a rescue of their own freighter. The Prime Directive is already in tatters. These natives have already seen, heard and possibly read information to contaminate their scientific and technological processes for some time. If were a rescue party, it would limit Federation contamination to a minimum." She concluded with a mild grimace. "I also hate to add another wrinkle, where is the crew? Would they have been taken away for questioning? If they are not on the ship, we need to collect them, unless we want to expose the natives to transporter technology." Her grimace turned into a definite look of pain, wondering if that was the background radiation affecting her.

Rhymus slid down from his perch, rejoining the others below the crest of the ridge.

"The Prime Directive is not some outdated bylaw to be cast aside at first opportunity. It is the foundational principle upon which the Federation is based. If we dispose of it here, now, we are no better than the Indigenous Peoples down there, fighting and killing for their own benefit and base desire."

"Besides," Rhymus began after a moment's pause. "This isn't a rescue mission yet. We're only here to gather information. It will take far more than the six of us to save these people. Now, we need a decision made. The darkness we so covet is fast leaving us. And we can forget any chance of infiltration once dawn approaches."

[Noringglan System | Unnamed Planet | Freighter site]

"Chief-"

T'Vas started, then held herself in check. Those eyes held an inner hardness and one simply doesn't rise to Chief Petty Officer easily. Despite appearances, it really was the Chiefs that were the backbone of Starfleet. Although by default, as an Officer, she outranked him, she had to defer to his expertise and experience... Up to a limit.

"There are work parties inside. That freighter is about ten times the length of a Danube class runabout. There could be anywhere from ten to a hundred people inside there, all likely armed and with sentries inside. We have to assume anyone who gets past the perimeter will have to get into the hull, with ready fire teams and lines of defence set up. We would not make it past their trenches, but we would not make it inside without being cut down."

She paused, then thought. "What about resupply? They would probably have to have remove any loot and personnel. With this technological level, there would be wheeled vehicles. I think trucks in parlance. What if we snuck in using those trucks? We could get behind their lines and inside the ship before anyone could raise the alarm. It is still not an effective solution as we have too many unknowns." T'Vas scratched an itchy eyebrow as she peered ahead in the gloom. "I feel as if we are missing something."

[Noringglan World, 1 Kilometer from Grankite Crash site]

Rhymus shimmied back up the ridge, returning to his overwatch through the magnoculars.

"We have not seen any vehicle activity as of yet. Or even teams taking loot from the ship for that matter. No eyes on the crew either. The detachment here might simply be playing for time until reinforcements arrive to break the encirclement, or for their treasure convoy to reach their home base. We won't know until we have a closer look."

[Unnamed Planet - Noringglan System]

The away team materialized in the remnants of a forest, the trees were mostly shattered hulks, shorn of anything green. The landscape was heavily cratered and bore all the signs of very heavy fighting and it was cold, maybe five degrees with an even colder southerly wind blowing across the five humanoids and the one plant-like being deposited into the night.

They were just five kilometers from the wreck site, it was as close as they could be beamed down based on the lifeforms that ringed the crashed ship. In the distance, there were occasional flashes of light that ended in a deep 'crump' as something exploded. Even though it was 0200 ship time, there were scattered bursts of a staccato popping sound, unknown to the members of the away team, as the sound was from an earlier era long since past on each of their homeworlds and completely unknown on Phylosia.

The local day was 28 hours, so the away team had six more hours to reach their objective, find out the condition of the ship and her crew as well as how much cultural contamination had occurred.

[Unnamed Planet - Noringglan System]

As it was dark, the terrain was badly broken, and adding the need to remain unseen, it took an hour and a half to cover just four kilometers. Through their night vision goggles, they could see the wreck a kilometer away, but they had to stop because of the defensive lines of the locals were too heavily patrolled to get any closer.

The wreck itself seemed to be largely intact and possibly salvageable, but they would have to get aboard to confirm that. The ship was roughly 250 meters long, 180 wide, and 50 meters tall, it probably massed around 70,000 tonnes, but there was no telling how much cargo it was carrying, which could be as much as twice the weight of the ship itself. Jettis and Derek knew the Challenger's tractor could lift even a fully loaded ship if it turned out she couldn't do so on her own.

In the dark, it was difficult to tell, but there were clearly two sets of defenses with an open, no man's land between them. The locals were humanoid of average height, bald, and had a series of bumps that went from between their eyes and over the top of their heads. It was difficult to be certain, but in the ghostly view of the night vision, their skin color seemed to be a very dark yellow.

One side had clear control of the ship and locals could be seen going in and out of the stricken vessel, the other side had set up a containment perimeter and occasional skirmishes marked where they probed the defender's line for weak spots. The staccato sounds the away team heard during their approach were confirmed as some form of projectile weapons. The explosions were some type of light artillery.

How the away team would get closer, was a mystery.

[Noringglan World, 1 kilometer from Grankite Crashsite]

Rhymus overlooked the defensive lines of the indigenous peoples from a nearby ridgeline, lying prone on his belly, he just poked his eyes above the crest to analyze the situation through a pair of magnoculars. As if things could not get any worse, they were too late. Two opposing factions had already arrived at the ship, one besieging the other. Looking through the lenses, Rhymus saw the zig-zag cutouts of trenches, pits for light cannons, and dugouts ahead of the line for outposts. The staccato cracking they had heard on approach materialized into rifles and machine guns, the booms into grenade launchers and light artillery.

The scene of desolation reminded Rhymus of battles fought, long ago, near his boyhood home. The Somme. Verdun. Cambrai. Where thousands of men left trenches just like these, to fight over desolate landscapes just like this, to achieve so little. Just as they were now.

'My,' Rhymus thought to himself. 'How little war changes.'

[ Planetside - Unnamed Planet - Shipwreck ]

As the group trudged along, keeping out of sight with relatively little issue, the journey took significantly longer. With the terrain so rough, they had to take extra care not to fall, or get trapped in craters. Each step was careful not to make excessive noise, especially as they drew close enough to see the wreck. Halting aways away, Jettis turned to the others.
"We won't be able to get close enough unless we create a distraction. Any ideas?"

Rhymus slid down from his overwatch position, turning to the others once he was below the ridgeline.

"That will depend on how we wish to run this, Lieutenant Commander. Blackfeather and I could incapacitate a patrol, giving us an opening to crawl through the No Man's Land ahead to reach the ship. We'd have to pass over the trenches, true. But while our foes are many they can not be everywhere at once. We would have to watch out for minefields and raiding parties doing the exact same thing, however. And as quiet as such a tactic is, the cost in time is great. I estimate no less than Two Hours to cross the field at a crawl."

"However," Rhymus continued, bringing his Type-3 Rifle to his chest. "If time is of the essence, Blackfeather and I should be able to slink into the trench's reserve pits and place explosives on any munitions caches we find. The detonations would bring all available forces to face the threat, leaving openings for you to infiltrate the line at a quick pace. The issues there are just as many, however. If Blackfeather and I need to distract the besiegers, we won't be able to join you. It is wholly possible the besieged forces would counterattack along the same path you are using to enter. While a fight breaking out would hardly be noticed in the grand scheme of the operation, who can say how many you might face, if any?"

[Noringglan System | Unnamed Planet | Freighter site]

"An impossible task."

T'Vas knelt with the rest of the away team. For the sake of brevity, she dropped her speaking cadence and kept her voice low. "They are professional military, which means they will be alert for flanking attacks and infiltration of their lines. Further, were we to act out a distraction, they would send a party, but not weaken their lines long enough for us to sneak in the team." Her face clouded over in frustration.

"EW. Electronic Warfare. We could try and use our equipment to jam or spoof their signals. If we understood their protocols we can even pretend to be Higher Headquarters ordering a standdown, except we do not know their command codes. The only other possibility is offering them something of even greater value than the downed freighter?" T'Vas concluded with an arched eyebrow. She straightened up slightly but couldn't see anything that could help further.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Ensign." Rhymus said, bringing a hand up. "Anyone can dig a ditch or patrol a route. Given the situation here, I wouldn't peg these forces for more than conscripts. Besides, we aren't even sure they have electronics or are even using them."

[OOC: Temporary playing as Lieutenant Randell]

OOC: Temporary playing as Lieutenant Randell

[USS Challenger-A | Briefing Room]

"Pardon me, Chief?"

Lieutenant Randell leaned forward. Normally soft spoken, he had a hard edge to his tone. "Basic maritime rules: A ship in neutral territory belongs to the nation it is flagged for and internally obeys that nation's rules as an extension of its sovereign property. The Federation will be committing an unprovoked act of war against the Grankite, no matter how much apparently the ends justify the means."

[U.S.S. Challenger, Deck 01, Briefing Room]

"With all due respect, Lieutenant," Rhymus started, keeping an even tone. "I do not believe any civilization in this sector would accept maritime property law as a suitable reason for their planet being cracked in half by a stolen gravimetric torpedo. Regardless, it is a worst-case scenario decision. What matters is keeping the technology out of the hands of the indigenous population. We'll need officers on the ground to assess the damage to the craft and its crew. Perhaps, if we're lucky, we can make emergency repairs and pilot the craft somewhere safer while the crew is unconscious. Let them come to their own conclusions about what really happened. As for the indigenous population... I feel we can only hope they haven't come close enough to see the ship yet."