S1 - Mission 6 - Killer Cove

[Vem, son of Motag]

[Sickbay]

The large Klingon raised an eyebrow as Almar entered, instinctively picking up that something was wrong. He was a pacifist, but a realistic one. He knew violence was a natural part of life and was sometimes needed to preserve life. In his former career he had been a Klingon warrior, a title he had rid himself like a soiled pair of trousers.

Still, he slid in behind Almar. The large Klingon folded his arms and looked intimidating with his earthen facepaint. He wouldn't actually hurt someone but, if by his mere presence, he could prevent injury he was willing to pretend he was violent.

[Safefta Pardek]

Tritter was standing on the Transporter padd with a phaser rifle at the low ready, he would sling it on his back however, at least for now. He would than look towards Jett after they made that smart ass comment, although he bit his tongue and didn't respond, as he had more important things to worry about. He would answer the man's next comment, his intent gaze would than lock on Jett's, he would reply with the following "I won't babysit you, but I can assure you, I am not one to cross" He would than look towards the Transporter Officer, he than stated "Send us to the Tripoli"

The man would nod slightly and said "Aye Sir" His fingers danced across the transporter console. The team would than dematerialize and than re-materialize on the Tripoli. Tritter would than look to his team that came over with him, he would send one Security Officer with Pardek and another with Jett. He himself, he had an Engineer with him to go through the Engine Room. He would make his way towards that direction, although he found it curious that they left their ship unoccupied... They must have had something important that drew them away, truth be told, it made no sense to him. He would follow the Engineer to the engine room. The Chief would simply guard the man until he was done examining the Engines. Tritter grumbled quietly, the damn Freighter was meant for midgets, as this ship was cramped, even to the Gibson which he barely managed to navigate through without getting a concussion. The Ensign would proceed to flag over the Chief as he noticed something was not right.

[Transporter Pad --> Tripoli]

Any attempt at socialisation from Jett was ignored. His comments dismissed, his extended hand left to hover in mid-air. Safefta did not socialize with undisciplined men or women, and this... Tom Jett would be dealt with as little as possible under every circumstance. If she had to converge information with him, she would do so... but for now, she was grateful that Tritter had seen fit to cover the task of answering his asinine comments.

The cramped conditions did not go unnoticed-- though it was perfectly sized for Pardek's 4'8" frame, she found it odd that a ship would be so cramped... even for a civilian craft. She pulled out her tricorder preemptively, and informed Tritter that she intended to start by inspecting the damage done to the inertial dampers before she began poking at the logs. Though she didn't trust Jett to do a thorough job examining said logs, two people on one task like that could be too many, and begrudgingly she had to admit that a civilian captain could verify the events contained in the logs better than she could.

She nodded to her security officer, and made to follow the plasma lines to the source of the damage. 

[Hust Kinun]

[Bridge]

After leaving the sickbay, Hust had meandered his way up to the Bridge. While he had a bad feeling about the visitors, others had their own reasons about things and it was not Hust's place to question.

He apparently had just missed Jett, which he didn't feel too bad about. The air of egotism still rang in the air as he entered the bridge area. He moved off to the side and observed, hoping to both find something to do and remain unnoticed at the same time. At least one of those would probably not come to fruition.

From what he did know, however, the sickbay was becoming packed. It was uncomfortable down there due to the sheer number of people, not to mention the Klingon warrior-who-was-not-a-warrior in the sickbay, a rather imposing presence.

[Non-Playing Character 2]

[Sickbay]

Mevan sat up on the biobed, steadying herself with two arms. She slid her boots to the ground and then swayed, as if dizzy, and steadied herself against the biobed.

"You should be resting--" a young female human nurse said, moving in closer to help her.

[Sickbay]
Moments later he arrived at the cramp sickbay and moved in, zeroing in on one of the ship's 'guests'.  He dodged around other members of the crew and made his way to his target. They were engaged in conversation with a medical officer, but Almar was sure both weren't needed.

"Excuse me," he said boldly, interrupting the flow of their chat. "I've noticed a strange signal coming from your ship." He produced a PADD with its features. "Identify it, please?"

Mevan silently thanked the newcomer for the distraction. She seized the nurse around the throat with a vicious strength that belied her small size. When the woman struggled, Mevan tightened her grip. The prominence of cartilage in the neck cracked with the crisp sound of vegetables breaking. Mevan shoved the corpse away from her in disgust.

Kex already had his weapon drawn, a slick looking disruptor that he had produced from a pocket. It was a slim, compact weapon, clearly Romulan in origin. "No one move!"

Mevan smiled and shook her long blonde hair. Her own disruptor was produced from a pocket, and she aimed it square at Almar at an angle that could send the better part of his torso splattering against the bulkhead.

"Drop the PADD. Raise your hands above your head or I will destroy you like your friend here."

She indifferently poked at the still twitching corpse of the medical crewman she'd slain.

CMO's Office

Katheryn returned his smile and watched him leave before going over to the desk, she sat down and immediately started to type a message to the Bridge not wanting to delay any further especially where it concerned their guests.

Bridge, This is Carter waiting to speak to the Freighter crew, however needed to alert you as they are exhibiting signs of extreme deception, please advise.

Katheryn knew it was only short but at least she had sent the message without any interruptions and all she could do now was wait for a reply and for the medics to finish treating the pair from the Tripoli.

[Sickbay]

"And you, in the office!" Kex said, making sure his voice carried. The disruptor was strong and sure in his hands, and neither his voice or its aim wavered for an instant. "Come with us. We're going to see the captain."

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

CMO's Office

Katheryn returned his smile and watched him leave before going over to the desk, she sat down and immediately started to type a message to the Bridge not wanting to delay any further especially where it concerned their guests.

Bridge, This is Carter waiting to speak to the Freighter crew, however needed to alert you as they are exhibiting signs of extreme deception, please advise.

Katheryn knew it was only short but at least she had sent the message without any interruptions and all she could do now was wait for a reply and for the medics to finish treating the pair from the Tripoli.

[Bridge]

Stafford had been wanting to disappear into his ready room, to put all of the deception of this mission behind him. He wanted to sit and stare at the data chip that Starfleet Command considered worth so many lives. But Carter's call interrupted him.

"=/\=Acknowledged, Carter." His tone was distracted and distant. "=/\=Deception how? Explain. We have a team on the freighter Tripoli now."

When no response came, Stafford rose a pair of graying black eyebrows.

"=/\=Sickbay, report!=/\="

[Katheryn Brighton]

[Sickbay]

"And you, in the office!" Kex said, making sure his voice carried. The disruptor was strong and sure in his hands, and neither his voice or its aim wavered for an instant. "Come with us. We're going to see the captain."

[Bridge]

Stafford had been wanting to disappear into his ready room, to put all of the deception of this mission behind him. He wanted to sit and stare at the data chip that Starfleet Command considered worth so many lives. But Carter's call interrupted him.

"=/\=Acknowledged, Carter." His tone was distracted and distant. "=/\=Deception how? Explain. We have a team on the freighter Tripoli now."

When no response came, Stafford rose a pair of graying black eyebrows.

"=/\=Sickbay, report!=/\="

Sickbay

Katheryn stood up when she heard the commotion outside of the office but before she could do or say anything she was told to come out so they could go see the Captain. She knew she wouldn't be able to stay where she was or ignore their demands without it causing problems for those around them and she wasn't going to be the one to be responsible for any more casualties. No it was better if she went along with whatever they wanted and if an opportunity arose where she could stop them then she would.

As she reached the door she heard the Captain's reply but knew she wouldn't be able to go back and respond so quietly carried on until she was in the main area. Looking around she saw what they had done and that she wasn't the only hostage. She then raised her arms above her head and stood still.

[Thomas Jett]

[Transporter Room]

[Transporter Pad --> Tripoli]

Any attempt at socialisation from Jett was ignored. His comments dismissed, his extended hand left to hover in mid-air. Safefta did not socialize with undisciplined men or women, and this... Tom Jett would be dealt with as little as possible under every circumstance. If she had to converge information with him, she would do so... but for now, she was grateful that Tritter had seen fit to cover the task of answering his asinine comments.

Jett extended his hand and noticed that she did not reciprocate.  He looked at the lady and said "Silent treatment huh?"  Jett commented.

He looked at his hand and said "Subtle takeback" and quickly moved his hand into his hip area.  Where he rested it.  As the interaction with the young lady was finished his eyes turned to Mike who responded.

Tritter was standing on the Transporter padd with a phaser rifle at the low ready, he would sling it on his back however, at least for now. He would than look towards Jett after they made that smart ass comment, although he bit his tongue and didn't respond, as he had more important things to worry about. He would answer the man's next comment, his intent gaze would than lock on Jett's, he would reply with the following "I won't babysit you, but I can assure you, I am not one to cross" He would than look towards the Transporter Officer, he than stated "Send us to the Tripoli"

Jett heard the comment from the big man.  He could not help but shrug it off.  "Someone here is not to happy to be here with her , probably too much testosterone" he muttered to himself.
"Rough Crowd...with you two I figured I should run for Mr. Congeniality for the Starbase"  Tom said

As he heard the order to engage, he felt his vision slowly dematerialize.

[Tripoli]

After a couple of second his vision began materializing and noticed the surrounding.  The area felt a little small and the hallways were very narrow.  The first thing Jett did was to follow his Starfleet training and scan the immediate area for any possible dangers.

The ship looked like a regular civilian freighter, the hallways were smaller and everything seemed more barren than a Federation ship.  He looked around and noticed that Safefta was already leaving the area.  Jett figured that the ship logs would be at the Captain's Ready Room, Quarters or Office, depending on the size of the ship.  The Bridge was also a logical choice to look at.

He made eyes contact with Mike and nooded as he began walking into the forward area of the ship.  Not knowing what to expect, he pulled his pulse pistol and began walking slowly.  As he entered an additional room, he would make a visual inspection for any surprises and move on.

Tom knew that if Mike was watching him he would figure that he has gotten some training, the manner he was walking slowly in the hallway, but his safety was more important than keeping appearances.  His face turned serious as he was focused on the task at hand.

Jett continued his journey as he entered the bridge.  "Weird..." he commented.  He looked at the consoles and noticed a small detail, in his training he learned to always pay attention to details.  The Consoles were not locked, it was almost like they wanted them to know their cargo.  It was a little too easy.

Jett then picked his handheld communicator and said Jett to away team,  let's keep our guards up the consoles are unlocked...you normally lock your consoles, you don't know if the help or the aid is going to steal your cargo or your ship, so you always lock them out as a backup plan...seems kind of strange making my way into the Captain's ready room

To his surprise the ready room doors opened without a problem.  Another flag, the Captain usually locks the ready room doors, there is vital information, contacts, contracts, routes, shortcuts, times, all of this that a Freighter would want to keep hidden.

"Why are you not protecting yourself?"  Jett said to himself

He looked at the decoration of the room.  There were no pictures, just random decorations.  "Don't you have a life, hobbies?" He asked

Jett to away team, in the Captain's Ready room.  The room looks a little too barren.  It's like they don't have family or friends..no signs of hobbies...it's like they don't have a life. 

He turned on the Captain's console and notice he did not need a password to get in.  All his routes and shipping paints were highly organized.  It appeared like if someone wanted him to find the information. They were shipping logs for Months and highly detailed.

"What?"  Jett asked himself

"This doesn't make any sense...the routes, it's like they made them up.  It's impractical and they would be out of business"  Jett commented

He looked at the logs and his eyes  opened wide as he realized what was going on Jett to away team, these logs are forged...whomever forged them did not know shipping industries standards.  The way we work is that we move from point A to a distance point B that's your big contract you take something of value.  In between from Point A to Point B, you makes as many stops as possible to pick up small loads, so you double up you get paid two to three times more for the same space and time traveled...so Normally you have a multiple stopping points.  All of these logs are from a simple Point A to B and then B to C, he is not stopping in the middle...he also can't be smuggling you only smuggle if you have been in the area for a while.  You get to know the time, shift changes, scanners, their rates all of that before you smuggle something.   Took me months to get that info for Columbus, so they are not smugglers...this is fake, appears legit but does not make sense

With his communicator at hand he began thinking  and said What have you two found out? =/\

[Vem, son of Motag]

[Sickbay]

Mevan sat up on the biobed, steadying herself with two arms. She slid her boots to the ground and then swayed, as if dizzy, and steadied herself against the biobed.

"You should be resting--" a young female human nurse said, moving in closer to help her.

Mevan silently thanked the newcomer for the distraction. She seized the nurse around the throat with a vicious strength that belied her small size. When the woman struggled, Mevan tightened her grip. The prominence of cartilage in the neck cracked with the crisp sound of vegetables breaking. Mevan shoved the corpse away from her in disgust.

Kex already had his weapon drawn, a slick looking disruptor that he had produced from a pocket. It was a slim, compact weapon, clearly Romulan in origin. "No one move!"

Mevan smiled and shook her long blonde hair. Her own disruptor was produced from a pocket, and she aimed it square at Almar at an angle that could send the better part of his torso splattering against the bulkhead.

"Drop the PADD. Raise your hands above your head or I will destroy you like your friend here."

She indifferently poked at the still twitching corpse of the medical crewman she'd slain.

[Sickbay]

"And you, in the office!" Kex said, making sure his voice carried. The disruptor was strong and sure in his hands, and neither his voice or its aim wavered for an instant. "Come with us. We're going to see the captain."

[Sickbay]

Vem was, internally, appalled at the cruel action but externally betrayed nothing. He would do her soul justice later. For now, there was work to be done.

The holy man stepped forward and placed his hands on his head.

"We are complying. No one here will do ya' 'arm mon. You jus' go on yer' way and we've gonna' tend to this poor soul's spiritual needs. You've won yer' freedom. No need to cause more 'arm. Everyone here is going to take a knee and let you go." He rasped in his calm, spiritual, voice. It seemed casual, patient, and placate- they were in charge and needed to feel that way.

He was moving slowly towards the agent until the gun was against his chest, placing himself between Almar and the gun before he knelt. This put the disruptor in line with his head. He'd be a hostage if needed. No one else need die. He wouldn't allow it.

[Octavius Reo]

[Tripoli]

There was something almost freeing about using the Starfleet Transporters. The way their atoms were broken down and reassembled; a split second existing everywhere and no where at once. It was almost poetic to say the least. Still, Octavius did not let it distract him from his duty as he led the way to the engine room. He was as eager to explore it as the higher ups were to know what they would find.

The tight fight between consoles and other equipment was no problem for the young man. What was a problem was the way one of the consoles appeared jerryrigged together. Putting his weight into it, Tav attempted to move the paneling that was wedged into place but it would not budge. "Commander?" he called out. "Going to need a hand over here if you don't mind." There did not appear to be any screws holding the paneling in place, he just needed a bit more strength.

[Non-Playing Character 2]

Sickbay

Katheryn stood up when she heard the commotion outside of the office but before she could do or say anything she was told to come out so they could go see the Captain. She knew she wouldn't be able to stay where she was or ignore their demands without it causing problems for those around them and she wasn't going to be the one to be responsible for any more casualties. No it was better if she went along with whatever they wanted and if an opportunity arose where she could stop them then she would.

As she reached the door she heard the Captain's reply but knew she wouldn't be able to go back and respond so quietly carried on until she was in the main area. Looking around she saw what they had done and that she wasn't the only hostage. She then raised her arms above her head and stood still.

[Sickbay]

Vem was, internally, appalled at the cruel action but externally betrayed nothing. He would do her soul justice later. For now, there was work to be done.

The holy man stepped forward and placed his hands on his head.

"We are complying. No one here will do ya' 'arm mon. You jus' go on yer' way and we've gonna' tend to this poor soul's spiritual needs. You've won yer' freedom. No need to cause more 'arm. Everyone here is going to take a knee and let you go." He rasped in his calm, spiritual, voice. It seemed casual, patient, and placate- they were in charge and needed to feel that way.

He was moving slowly towards the agent until the gun was against his chest, placing himself between Almar and the gun before he knelt. This put the disruptor in line with his head He'd be a hostage if needed. No one else need die. He wouldn't allow it.

[Sickbay]

Mevan and Kex watched as the strange Klingon placed himself in the line of fire. They exchanged a tense, expressionless, but undeniably uneasy glance. Their training had not prepared them for a smelly chaplain putting a flower in the barrel of their weapons.

"Move out of the way," Kex said roughly. "We don't want freedom. We want the data you found on the planet. Make the captain give it to us, vacate our ship, and no one is going to get hurt."

[Vem, son of Motag]

[Sickbay]

Mevan and Kex watched as the strange Klingon placed himself in the line of fire. They exchanged a tense, expressionless, but undeniably uneasy glance. Their training had not prepared them for a smelly chaplain putting a flower in the barrel of their weapons.

"Move out of the way," Kex said roughly. "We don't want freedom. We want the data you found on the planet. Make the captain give it to us, vacate our ship, and no one is going to get hurt."

[Sickbay]

"Freedom is a state we all seek but cannot find until we 'ave the information necessary to achieve it." He replied as if Kex had just spoke some very profound wisdom he agreed with.

"However, I am not in control of my 'aptain, nor are you. Tus' me- he is his own man in the same way you are. If you need the ship and the information, the best way to go through a wall is not to use force to try to break it. If you do that, you'll break yer' hand. Go over the wall." He suggested sincerely. He knit his fingers behind his head to make it harder for him to do anything, a show of good faith.

"I will pass on your need to break you hand if you request it of me. However... I would be more happy to help you go over this wall."

[Alexander Wu]

[Sickbay]

Mevan and Kex watched as the strange Klingon placed himself in the line of fire. They exchanged a tense, expressionless, but undeniably uneasy glance. Their training had not prepared them for a smelly chaplain putting a flower in the barrel of their weapons.

"Move out of the way," Kex said roughly. "We don't want freedom. We want the data you found on the planet. Make the captain give it to us, vacate our ship, and no one is going to get hurt."

[Sickbay]

Shocked by the swift murder and change of events, Alex struggled to find his mental grounding again. Through narrowed eyes, he sized up their adversaries; Romulan disruptors, obviously well trained. That doesn't mean anything, you can buy those easily enough on the black market. Who are they? Why didn't the transporters detect and neutralize their weapons? Unlike the others in Sickbay, Alex knew at least two of them were armed; Hust and himself. But even with their superior numbers, people were going to die if they acted now. Plus, Hust was a lawyer, used to pointing a pen moreso than a phaser.

They know about the mission? There's no way we can let them get that data. We have to warn Luke. Suppressing his rage at the pointless death and keeping his disruptor holstered and hidden, Alex took a halfstep to the side, standing infront of Rosiuh. Unlike the others, he kept his hands by his side. "The Captain isn't onboard. If he was, we'd already be breaking orbit." He postulated reasonably. "I know where he went. I can either take you there on the surface, or to his ready room to wait, but seeing as how there's eight of us within spitting distance of the two of you, and a Klingon within arm's reach, I'd think real careful if I were you." Vem, shut up and look like a damn Klingon for once.

[Non-Playing Character 2]

[Sickbay]

"Freedom is a state we all seek but cannot find until we 'ave the information necessary to achieve it." He replied as if Kex had just spoke some very profound wisdom he agreed with.

"However, I am not in control of my 'aptain, nor are you. Tus' me- he is his own man in the same way you are. If you need the ship and the information, the best way to go through a wall is not to use force to try to break it. If you do that, you'll break yer' hand. Go over the wall." He suggested sincerely. He knit his fingers behind his head to make it harder for him to do anything, a show of good faith.

"I will pass on your need to break you hand if you request it of me. However... I would be more happy to help you go over this wall."

[Sickbay]

The two Romulans glanced at one another out of the corner of their eyes. This time it was good old fashioned confusion. The black haired male, Kex, muttered madman under his breath. Mevan was the first one to show her frustration. And her teeth.

"You stupid, crazy fool!" She spit out. "Stop stalling for time. Move out of the way and contact your captain, or more people will die. We want the data chip. Now."

[Sickbay]

Shocked by the swift murder and change of events, Alex struggled to find his mental grounding again. Through narrowed eyes, he sized up their adversaries; Romulan disruptors, obviously well trained. That doesn't mean anything, you can buy those easily enough on the black market. Who are they? Why didn't the transporters detect and neutralize their weapons? Unlike the others in Sickbay, Alex knew at least two of them were armed; Hust and himself. But even with their superior numbers, people were going to die if they acted now. Plus, Hust was a lawyer, used to pointing a pen moreso than a phaser.

They know about the mission? There's no way we can let them get that data. We have to warn Luke. Suppressing his rage at the pointless death and keeping his disruptor holstered and hidden, Alex took a halfstep to the side, standing infront of Rosiuh. Unlike the others, he kept his hands by his side. "The Captain isn't onboard. If he was, we'd already be breaking orbit." He postulated reasonably. "I know where he went. I can either take you there on the surface, or to his ready room to wait, but seeing as how there's eight of us within spitting distance of the two of you, and a Klingon within arm's reach, I'd think real careful if I were you." Vem, shut up and look like a damn Klingon for once.

[Sickbay]

Wu had struck a nerve with them, sensed their uncertainty and pounced on it. Mevan studied him with her surgically altered blue eyes.

"You're not talking your way out of this one, human." She said, for the first time dropping the phony Midwestern accent. The universal translator still rendered her words for all to hear, but her diction was more military, more staccato. "You had all better hope the captain is in his room with the data chip. You'll escort us and the hostages there. Get your hands above your head and move when I say."

"And you, crazy man," Kex said to Vem. "Get out of the way."

[Vem, son of Motag]

[Sickbay]

Be it genuine confusion or that the words of the Risan sutra he'd spoken were really a divine incantation- he saw his opportunity (he chose to believe the second).
Vem's forehead ridges were pressed against the disruptor and with one swift move he headbutted the gun to the side, rose to his knees, disarmed the agent and leveled it at the other.

"A broken hand can still be used to make signs of peace. A broken man can be used for nothing." He explained, his passive smile never broken. He genuinly cared if these two made it out alive. They were just on the spiritual path they had set themselves on and he was not one to judge them.

"The only choice you have left is if you plan to make a sign of peace of a futile gesture of violence. I recommend you now go over the wall I spoke of- to leave, to make absent your spirit from this place, and to go without further incident."

[Non-Playing Character 2]

[Sickbay]

Be it genuine confusion or that the words of the Risan sutra he'd spoken were really a divine incantation- he saw his opportunity (he chose to believe the second).
Vem's forehead ridges were pressed against the disruptor and with one swift move he headbutted the gun to the side, rose to his knees, disarmed the agent and leveled it at the other.

"A broken hand can still be used to make signs of peace. A broken man can be used for nothing." He explained, his passive smile never broken. He genuinly cared if these two made it out alive. They were just on the spiritual path they had set themselves on and he was not one to judge them.

"The only choice you have left is if you plan to make a sign of peace of a futile gesture of violence. I recommend you now go over the wall I spoke of- to leave, to make absent your spirit from this place, and to go without further incident."

[Sickbay]

The quick turnaround and the explosion of movement from a man they had considered a loon took its toll visibly on the Romulans. With Mevan weaponless and Kex's advantage taken away, his disruptor wavered uncertainly.

"You people." Mevan said. She saw there was no use at any more subterfuge. "You will never use the data to defeat the Empire."

"Centurion?" Kex asked, locking eyes with her.

Mevan only nodded, felt a slab of pride slide over the lump her throat, and closed her eyes.

The disruptor blast completely incinerated her, a fiery outline eating its way from out of the middle of her chest and reducing her to a puff of smoke and ashes. If it had been aimed at the bulkhead half of the deck would have been gone.

Before anyone could react, Kex tapped the heavy bracelet he had been wearing on his wrist. He glanced up at them and nodded, a gesture of respect to an enemy, before turning the disruptor on himself.

All that remained of Uhlan Kex and Centurion Mevan was one disruptor and a pile of ashes.