S4: E10 - Backwater

[Kyle Briggs]

[Abandoned Administration Center - Arak]

As Ruth stepped up to tend to the Klingon woman's injuries, Kyle singled for the rest of the security officers to fan out. He walked over to the console that she had used to send her spotty message. It was crudely cobbled together but it was done expertly. She definitely had some skills. As he studied her work, he could hear Ruth and T'Keng continuing to administer first aid. It didn't take long for the Klingon woman to regain consciousness and explain what had happened and to inform them about her father.

"Sir. The rest of this level is clear." reported the security detail as they returned.

"Good. Hopefully we won't be here much longer. It seems we need to go speak with Miss Valkra's father." he answered before facing the now standing woman. "But you do know that we can not force him to leave, right?" he asked her. "He has to be able to see what's happening here and if he decides to stay, there's nothing we can do."

[Derek Rodwell]

Engineering

Derek could hear the malice in the Captain's voice and it mirrored his own. They had people down on that damn planet and no way to keep an eye on them.

"You heard him people. Let's find a way to bypass all the bs and get those sensors back up now. I be damn if I'm taking his boot in my ass without some of you being there to join in the fun." he called out over the room. People began scrambling all over and brainstorming ideas. 

[Jettis Jyur]

[USS Challenger - Bridge]

Almost as soon as Jettis had taken his station and begun monitoring the planet, every scan shut down, and his console on the fritz. A deep frown creased his face, before he realized it wasn't only him. Every station on the bridge was scrambling, and fiddling with their console, only to be informed it would be up shortly.

And shortly it was, as his console lit up and chirped happily. Suppressing an eyeroll, he proceeded to schedule a scan of the planets conditions - the Away team would need to be warned of any potential hazards such as radiation or storms. Quickly though, his efforts grinded to another shuddering halt. His screen flashed another error code, tracing back to a sensor chip issue, before darkening.

Eyes snapping to the front of the bridge at the Captain's angered outburst.

Bridge. The chips aren't holding up. We have to take the sensors offline again and traced the problem. There's no other choice, Captain. We'll get them back as son as possible. 

If he hadn't heard the commbadge itself, everyone sure as hell heard the response. Pressing his lips together, he skillfully repressed a smirk. As dire as the situation was, he had to laugh at that poor Ensign's luck. He knew the feeling of everything going wrong on your watch, but it was much different watching from the other side.
Regardless, his work had come to a stop, as he glanced over at the Operations officer. Ch'Verret was it? Something of the like. He gave a small, absent nod, to show he was indeed listening, although he had been running different scans. He didn't bother opening his mouth to offer his services though - the Captain knew he was there and would call on him when he needed him. No use in poking the very angry - rightly so - bear.

[Ian Galloway]

[Abandoned Administration Center - Arak]

As Ruth stepped up to tend to the Klingon woman's injuries, Kyle singled for the rest of the security officers to fan out. He walked over to the console that she had used to send her spotty message. It was crudely cobbled together but it was done expertly. She definitely had some skills. As he studied her work, he could hear Ruth and T'Keng continuing to administer first aid. It didn't take long for the Klingon woman to regain consciousness and explain what had happened and to inform them about her father.

"Sir. The rest of this level is clear." reported the security detail as they returned.

"Good. Hopefully we won't be here much longer. It seems we need to go speak with Miss Valkra's father." he answered before facing the now standing woman. "But you do know that we can not force him to leave, right?" he asked her. "He has to be able to see what's happening here and if he decides to stay, there's nothing we can do."

[Abandoned Administration Center - Arak]

Valkra's head canted as she listened to Kyle with some confusion.

"What do you mean you can't force him? Of course you can! Or are Earthers even softer than I've been told?"

She didn't wait for a response and stormed out of the communications room and shouted over her shoulder. "Follow me."

Valkra exited the building and headed for an armored hover car parked next to the building, pausing only long enough to shout.

"What are you waiting for? Get in!"

Once everyone was aboard, she drove for twenty minutes at an alarming rate of speed, so fast that it was nearly impossible to get an idea of the landscape beyond the rolling wall of trees to either side. The passed through a barrier fence of brambles, thorny trees, wooden stakes, and barbed wire before pulling up to a bunker like building. This is where Valkra parked and climbed out, indicating the away team should as well.

The compound included two other bunkers, one smaller than the 'house' and was clearly a garage of some sort as the away team could see a second armored hover car parked inside. The third bunker was large, but closed and its purpose was unknown. The sprawling compound also contained dozens of daub and wattle structures that seemed to be home to several dozen members of one of the Klingon 'subject' species, jeghpu'wI, they used as laborers.

In fact, an older Klingon male was outside one of the primitive homes beating a pair of the laborers as they exited the car and while distance made hearing the Klingon difficult, the Universal Translators picked up "...dare to escape? I will kill you!"

It was at that point the Valkra called out. "Father!" And this stayed the Klingon's hand from killing the laborers, but not from back handing them before he stormed over to confront the away team.

"I am Kruze, Son of Meltok and what in Grethor are you Federation toDSah doing here!"

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 1 - Bridge]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian wasn't certain it was possible to get madder than he already was, but somehow, he managed. He knew an explosive outburst wouldn't help matters, so he forced himself to take two deep breaths before he spoke again.

"Signal the away team they have company. Have flight change the mission profile from high orbit surveillance to close top cover. In addition, make sure those shuttles have security and medical personnel aboard in case this goes any more pear-shaped that it already has. Oh, and launch two more shuttles for high orbit surveillance."

Grateful that the Captain's ire didn't turn on him at his added bad news, Lahr nodded at the order.  "Aye sir."

He then called down to the planet.

"Challenger to Commander Briggs.  Ship sensors were online for a moment."   Lahr didn't need to explain why they were down in the first place - the Commander would have been aware of them being down prior to their beaming down.  "I got a glimpse of several unknown lifesigns surrounding your location. The Captain wanted me to let you know you may have company shortly and we are providing shuttle coverage if needed on your signal."

After passing on that message Lahr contacted the two shuttles departing for high orbit, informing them of the change in plans, and then contacted the shuttle bay to prepare to  launch another two shuttles for high orbit sensor scanning - with their readings sent to the Challenger.   He then called down to Sickbay, and to Security, to have them send personnel to join the shuttle flight crew.

Not long after, those high orbit scans showed the away team on the move at speed -  which Lahr reported out to the Captain.   The high-orbit shuttles and the top cover shuttles tracked them until the away team arrived at some sort of primitive village containing several of the unfamiliar lifesigns and a Klingon lifesign.

"They seemed to have arrived at their destination"  Lahr informed the Captain.

[Don Damien Addams]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian wasn't certain it was possible to get madder than he already was, but somehow, he managed. He knew an explosive outburst wouldn't help matters, so he forced himself to take two deep breaths before he spoke again.

"Signal the away team they have company. Have flight change the mission profile from high orbit surveillance to close top cover. In addition, make sure those shuttles have security and medical personnel aboard in case this goes any more pear-shaped that it already has. Oh, and launch two more shuttles for high orbit surveillance."

[USS Challenger - Bridge]

Casey was shaking his head as the Captain had a wee temper. He was thankful that helm control was operational not like what had happened to sensors. The worst thing that could happen the front main screen stop working.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Abandoned Administration Center - Arak]

As soon as Ruth applied the stimulant, the woman jerked awake and she latched onto Ruth's forearm with a grip like a vise until recognition reached the young woman's eyes and she loosened, but did not let go, her grip.

"A human?"

She growled, but there wasn't any heat in her question. She looked at the rest of the away team, her eye pausing on K'Teng, before her gaze returned to Ruth and she let her go.

"There were five of them; they must have been scouting the area and saw me arrive. They followed me in here and tried to ambush me. I got three of them before I passed out. The other two must have fled. Hah! Cowards."

See spotted the axe on Ruth's belt and grinned.

"I'd be careful with that Earther, they use a paralytic on their blades."

She got to her feet and gave Ruth another hard look before continuing.

"My name is Valkra. I would have you accompany me to my home and talk to my father about evacuation. The Steegar are becoming too aggressive, but he refuses to see that. You must make him see sense."

As Valkra spoke, Kyle's engineering eye fell on the sub-space console. It seemed Valkra had wired a big stack of batteries to it. The whole assembly is crude but is nonetheless a clever piece of work, eliminating the need for the inoperative power plant. Whatever other talents she might have, she had the makings of a decent engineer.

[Abandoned Administration Center - Arak]

"That's quite some grip you have there Ms Valkra.  As for the axe, don't worry, I'm used to handling them.  Were it not frowned upon for standard Federation use, I'd keep my throwing axes in exactly that same spot, hence the leather loops on my belt.  I'm of Viking descent, now I'm not sure if that means anything to you but suffice to say... quite used to axes, but I thank you for the information about the paralytic."

She smiled in what she hoped was a friendly way to the woman as she helped her towards the car outside.

"As for forcing your father... we're not in the habit of forcing people against their will. It's not a sign of weakness, however we in the Federation aim more for diplomacy than force.  In my experience if you go in guns firing or axes flinging and use force, people respond unpredictably and you lose control of the situation. We'll do our best to persuade and negotiate with your father if the situation cannot be resolved otherwise in situ." Ruth assured her, looking to Kyle for affirmation of her statement.  He knew she was more of a 'throw axes and answer questions later' person for preference but she hadn't made Captain and was currently Commander by splitting too many heads open along the way!

[Abandoned Administration Center - Arak]

Valkra's head canted as she listened to Kyle with some confusion.

"What do you mean you can't force him? Of course you can! Or are Earthers even softer than I've been told?"

She didn't wait for a response and stormed out of the communications room and shouted over her shoulder. "Follow me."

Valkra exited the building and headed for an armored hover car parked next to the building, pausing only long enough to shout.

"What are you waiting for? Get in!"

Once everyone was aboard, she drove for twenty minutes at an alarming rate of speed, so fast that it was nearly impossible to get an idea of the landscape beyond the rolling wall of trees to either side. The passed through a barrier fence of brambles, thorny trees, wooden stakes, and barbed wire before pulling up to a bunker like building. This is where Valkra parked and climbed out, indicating the away team should as well.

The compound included two other bunkers, one smaller than the 'house' and was clearly a garage of some sort as the away team could see a second armored hover car parked inside. The third bunker was large, but closed and its purpose was unknown. The sprawling compound also contained dozens of daub and wattle structures that seemed to be home to several dozen members of one of the Klingon 'subject' species, jeghpu'wI, they used as laborers.

In fact, an older Klingon male was outside one of the primitive homes beating a pair of the laborers as they exited the car and while distance made hearing the Klingon difficult, the Universal Translators picked up "...dare to escape? I will kill you!"

It was at that point the Valkra called out. "Father!" And this stayed the Klingon's hand from killing the laborers, but not from back handing them before he stormed over to confront the away team.

"I am Kruze, Son of Meltok and what in Grethor are you Federation toDSah doing here!"

[Compound]

Ruth rolled her eyes at the lead Klingon.  "Honestly, you'd think the Klingons with their rich language would manage to articulate better than calling us toDSah!" she said.  She knew it might be provocative but she wanted to take the attention away from Valkra's father and onto herself at the moment.  She motioned to the Security crew to check on the labourer that the Klingon had backhanded and stood to her 5'10" height almost face to face with the Klingon, she was pretty sure he could feel the rage radiating off her and she could certainly smell him... typical Klingon... sweat and bloodwine.

She spoke slowly (because she was seething and trying not to fling the axe at the leader, her hand was itching to do so but she was trying to keep her temper in check.) in Klingon.

"What kind of a bIHnuch (coward) abuses those less fortunate than themselves.  I thought Klingons were about honour?!"

She turned slightly to Kyle, muttering "Ha'DIbaH! (Animal)" under her breath. "I'll let you take this one otherwise I'm likely to use this axe on him, this place is hot and he's just making me hotter.  I've already counted to a million to try to calm down, give me two minutes I want to try and get Valkra and her Dad inside so we can look after Valkra a bit better, I can try talking to the father, if you want to deal with the Klingons, if you need a hand I do speak their language and I'll try not to throw too many insults at them!"

[Ian Galloway]

[Compound]

Ruth rolled her eyes at the lead Klingon.  "Honestly, you'd think the Klingons with their rich language would manage to articulate better than calling us toDSah!" she said.  She knew it might be provocative but she wanted to take the attention away from Valkra's father and onto herself at the moment.  She motioned to the Security crew to check on the labourer that the Klingon had backhanded and stood to her 5'10" height almost face to face with the Klingon, she was pretty sure he could feel the rage radiating off her and she could certainly smell him... typical Klingon... sweat and bloodwine.

She spoke slowly (because she was seething and trying not to fling the axe at the leader, her hand was itching to do so but she was trying to keep her temper in check.) in Klingon.

"What kind of a bIHnuch (coward) abuses those less fortunate than themselves.  I thought Klingons were about honour?!"

She turned slightly to Kyle, muttering "Ha'DIbaH! (Animal)" under her breath. "I'll let you take this one otherwise I'm likely to use this axe on him, this place is hot and he's just making me hotter.  I've already counted to a million to try to calm down, give me two minutes I want to try and get Valkra and her Dad inside so we can look after Valkra a bit better, I can try talking to the father, if you want to deal with the Klingons, if you need a hand I do speak their language and I'll try not to throw too many insults at them!"

[Kruze Compound - Arak]

Ruth could see multiple expressions race across the Klingon's face, incredulity,  rage, amusement, and then something she could not quite identify. He gave her a blistering gaze that might have melted titanium if it wasn't followed by a beaming smile.

"I like you Human, you have Klingon fire in your belly! Do you have a mate? No matter. I will kill him if you do and take you for myself. My question remains though, why are you here Earther?"

[Ocras Abisa]

[personal quarters]

Ocras sealed his uniform and placed the badge on his breast. It had been more than two years since he had been on the Challenger, and he felt awkward after his sudden absence. He'd been called back to Betazed for a diplomatic posting that turned into essentially babysitting visiting dignitaries. His marks in sociology at the Academy had been a strong argument in his favor, but the real reason he'd been posted there so quickly was that the embassy he was posted to was lead by an Earther who demanded that all of his attaches be either from Earth or Star Fleet officers. That lead to two years of feeling the Ambassador's mistrust and doubts, and the frustrations of the other attaches. It had not been a pleasant post for anyone. At the end of the Ambassador's tour on Betazed, he had returned to Earth and Ocras had been reassigned to the Challenger. Apparently his position in Operations had been given to someone else, correctly after so long an absence, so he was now assigned to the Security division.

His shift was coming up, so he would need to head to the bridge. He closed his eyes and focused while setting the mental walls that would keep the thoughts of the rest of the crew out of his mind. When he'd been on Betazed, he'd only had to shield from the aliens. He had been able to relax and trust that any thoughts that came into his mind were sent with good intent. That most of the people he encountered would know how to contain their own emotions and thoughts. Only children and aliens didn't know how to keep their thoughts to themselves.

He shook his head and grinned ruefully at his reflection in the mirror. He was delaying, and he knew it. Their mission was a patrol of the Romulan border, but no one expected much action. Security would be different, but he would have time to ease into the new division. Painting a polite smile on his face, he left his quarters and walked to the turbo lift to go to the bridge.

[Bridge]

When the doors opened, Ocras stepped forward to look for the senior officer on the bridge. It seemed to be the Captain. Great. He was a few minutes late, and the Captain was the one he had to report in to.

Steeling himself, Ocras waited for an opening, then spoke. "Captain. Apologies for being tardy. Lt. JG Abisa reporting. Should I take the Security station here, or report to the armory? Unless there's something else that needs doing?"

[Don Damien Addams]

[personal quarters]

Ocras sealed his uniform and placed the badge on his breast. It had been more than two years since he had been on the Challenger, and he felt awkward after his sudden absence. He'd been called back to Betazed for a diplomatic posting that turned into essentially babysitting visiting dignitaries. His marks in sociology at the Academy had been a strong argument in his favor, but the real reason he'd been posted there so quickly was that the embassy he was posted to was lead by an Earther who demanded that all of his attaches be either from Earth or Star Fleet officers. That lead to two years of feeling the Ambassador's mistrust and doubts, and the frustrations of the other attaches. It had not been a pleasant post for anyone. At the end of the Ambassador's tour on Betazed, he had returned to Earth and Ocras had been reassigned to the Challenger. Apparently his position in Operations had been given to someone else, correctly after so long an absence, so he was now assigned to the Security division.

His shift was coming up, so he would need to head to the bridge. He closed his eyes and focused while setting the mental walls that would keep the thoughts of the rest of the crew out of his mind. When he'd been on Betazed, he'd only had to shield from the aliens. He had been able to relax and trust that any thoughts that came into his mind were sent with good intent. That most of the people he encountered would know how to contain their own emotions and thoughts. Only children and aliens didn't know how to keep their thoughts to themselves.

He shook his head and grinned ruefully at his reflection in the mirror. He was delaying, and he knew it. Their mission was a patrol of the Romulan border, but no one expected much action. Security would be different, but he would have time to ease into the new division. Painting a polite smile on his face, he left his quarters and walked to the turbo lift to go to the bridge.

[Bridge]

When the doors opened, Ocras stepped forward to look for the senior officer on the bridge. It seemed to be the Captain. Great. He was a few minutes late, and the Captain was the one he had to report in to.

Steeling himself, Ocras waited for an opening, then spoke. "Captain. Apologies for being tardy. Lt. JG Abisa reporting. Should I take the Security station here, or report to the armory? Unless there's something else that needs doing?"

[USS Challenger - Bridge]

Casey had to look to see this person. A trait of knowing was a good one in his book. Some would claim being nosey was a bad trait. That was fine. Casey was not your average person. There was rules he go by and the rules of his. Be yourself rule.

He gave the new crew member a wave over his left shoulder to greet the new Betazoid. Casey has no idea what race he was. "œHey, there!" He greeted.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 1 - Bridge]

[Bridge]

When the doors opened, Ocras stepped forward to look for the senior officer on the bridge. It seemed to be the Captain. Great. He was a few minutes late, and the Captain was the one he had to report in to.

Steeling himself, Ocras waited for an opening, then spoke. "Captain. Apologies for being tardy. Lt. JG Abisa reporting. Should I take the Security station here, or report to the armory? Unless there's something else that needs doing?"

[USS Challenger - Bridge]

Casey had to look to see this person. A trait of knowing was a good one in his book. Some would claim being nosey was a bad trait. That was fine. Casey was not your average person. There was rules he go by and the rules of his. Be yourself rule.

He gave the new crew member a wave over his left shoulder to greet the new Betazoid. Casey has no idea what race he was. "œHey, there!" He greeted.

Casey wasn't the only one to turn in their seat to look to the officer reporting in late when the Captain was in a mood.   Lahr wondered if the Security officer would be scrubbing the hull with a toothbrush once their current mission was done.   That would be funny to see.  The Andorian lifted a hand and offered a friendly wave to the Betazoid.  Wondering if the man remembered him or not.  It wasn't likely.  At the time Abisa was in operations, working the Bridge mainly and it was Lahr who was one of the nameless security crewmen that patrolled the ship.

It was a bit humorous to hear that Abisa was in Security while Lahr was now the one on the Bridge at Ops.  "That's what you call 'role reversal'."

The Andorian wondered where the Captain would assign the tardy officer.

"Welcome back to Challenger, Abisa." Lahr greeted, his antenna flicking towards the betazoid alertly.  His former depressed mood having faded away with the activity of following Ruth's position via the shuttles sensor scans. He couldn't wait until the repairs to the chips were done so he had his workstation up and running again.

[Ocras Abisa]

[Bridge]

Ocras felt general welcoming emotions from the crew, and he smiled briefly at the two who greeted him, while waiting for the Captain's response. It might be a reprimand, it might be a joke, or Ocras might find himself serving on every away team to every swamp world. Only time would tell.

His eyes flickered to the Andorian. He was vaguely familiar. Perhaps he'd been on board during Ocras' previous brief tenure.

[Ian Galloway]

[Bridge]

When the doors opened, Ocras stepped forward to look for the senior officer on the bridge. It seemed to be the Captain. Great. He was a few minutes late, and the Captain was the one he had to report in to.

Steeling himself, Ocras waited for an opening, then spoke. "Captain. Apologies for being tardy. Lt. JG Abisa reporting. Should I take the Security station here, or report to the armory? Unless there's something else that needs doing?"

[USS Challenger - Bridge]

Casey had to look to see this person. A trait of knowing was a good one in his book. Some would claim being nosey was a bad trait. That was fine. Casey was not your average person. There was rules he go by and the rules of his. Be yourself rule.

He gave the new crew member a wave over his left shoulder to greet the new Betazoid. Casey has no idea what race he was. "œHey, there!" He greeted.

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 1 - Bridge]

Casey wasn't the only one to turn in their seat to look to the officer reporting in late when the Captain was in a mood.   Lahr wondered if the Security officer would be scrubbing the hull with a toothbrush once their current mission was done.   That would be funny to see.  The Andorian lifted a hand and offered a friendly wave to the Betazoid.  Wondering if the man remembered him or not.  It wasn't likely.  At the time Abisa was in operations, working the Bridge mainly and it was Lahr who was one of the nameless security crewmen that patrolled the ship.

It was a bit humorous to hear that Abisa was in Security while Lahr was now the one on the Bridge at Ops.  "That's what you call 'role reversal'."

The Andorian wondered where the Captain would assign the tardy officer.

"Welcome back to Challenger, Abisa." Lahr greeted, his antenna flicking towards the betazoid alertly.  His former depressed mood having faded away with the activity of following Ruth's position via the shuttles sensor scans. He couldn't wait until the repairs to the chips were done so he had his workstation up and running again.

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

Ian wasn't happy about having to rely on shuttles to relay data to the ship, but it was better than being completely blind. At least they knew the away team had made contact with the woman that had sent the distress signal. When the security officer arrived, Ian could have laid into him for being late, but that would have been petty. It wasn't this new person's fault the sensors were down and Ian wasn't about to take out his frustrations on an essentially innocent officer.

"Welcome Lieutenant. You can take tactical. Not that it will matter much if'n it were ta come ta shootin'. Unless you happen ta have some special gift with manual targetin' visually."

[Ocras Abisa]

[Bridge - USS Challenger]

"Welcome Lieutenant. You can take tactical. Not that it will matter much if'n it were ta come ta shootin'. Unless you happen ta have some special gift with manual targetin' visually."

Ocras frowned as he moved to his station. "I'm competent with manual targeting, but I wouldn't call myself gifted."

His fingers moved across the panel, and his frown deepened. The captain's comments made sense now that he could see all of the blank lines where sensor data should have been. At least the current mission parameters were still visible. Ocras began reading through the doc, making notes on his terminal about potential rescue or relay operations should the away team get into trouble.

[Kyle Briggs]

Arak

"I'm afraid my science officer is correct. Starfleet isn't in the business of forcing people to relocate."  Kyle replied as they took Valkra's vehicle to her father's compound.

Compound

They arrived at the compound in time for what apparently looked like a punishment session being carried out by Valkra's father. He immediately approached them and demanded their reason for intruding. Ruth gave him a little lip back which brought a smile to the male Klingon's lips as he repeated his question.

"Your daughter contacted us for assistance. It seems the natives are getting restless and she thinks you need to evacuate." Kyle told him honestly. "My ship has contacted me and there were some of them closing in on us at the administration building. I'm not sure if they followed us here or not so maybe we should get on with the discussion as I'm sure you are in no way in an evacuation mood."