Post of the Mission: A Night at the Opera

[James Ramort]

Discovery!
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# 37 Lt. Tanner Lachlyn

[USS Discovery - Deck 10 - Security]

Quickly traveling through the ship, she arrived at the Deck 10, in the Security Office. Aknowledging everyone else in the room with a nod, she stood on attention and said:
"Crewman Edriron reporting for duty."

Tanner looked up from her PADD and smiled at the new Crewman. A fresh face was always welcome and one that was snappy with their posture,  "Stand easy, and welcome aboard. I'm Chief Lachlyn and I look forward to working with you."

Lilly nodded at the Operations officer, a Bajoran with a stern expression mirroring her own. She stood at attention, ready and waiting for her next set of orders. "Hello, I'm Ensign Hansen"

"Good to see you again Ensign." Tanner said with a soft nod.

As Vila arrived, she assumed her normal cool demeanor. "What is so important that it can't be handled from the Bridge?" She asked Lachlyn. "Was this the Commander's idea?" She sighed. That damned Romulan!

Tanner froze, "I..I guess it's because it was sprung on me so fast I needed time to plan. I didn't think I could explain it that well." She gave Lorut an apologetic look, "If you want, you can do your part of the drill from the Bridge. I don't want to cause an issue."

She looked to the two Ensigns, "We're going to test your ability to handle some situational changes. Somewhere on Deck Fifteen is a device. It's enclosed in a box. It's giving off a very faint signal that you won't be able to pick up unless you're within five feet of it." Tanner motions to Lorut, "When working Security, Ops is your best friend. They can tell you things nobody else can about the ship's status, its systems and what you will come up against."

Tanner grins, "To ensure this isn't too easy, Turbolift access to that deck has been disabled. You can only enter via an access panel." She looks over at Lorut, "You can also throw in a few obstacles if you like, failed systems or rogue force fields."

Checking her PADD, Tanner promptly added, "You have half an hour to find the box, safely. Any questions?"

# 76 Lt. Jg. James Ramort

Commander Rayek tr'Lhoell
[...]
He turned in the co-pilot seat to address the team. "This is a First Contact mission.  Our purpose is to represent the Federation and Starfleet to the best of our ability while learning what we can about the Erewhon people, who have invited us to rest and relax in their state-of-the-art-facility.  We will be discreetly assessing their level of technology, social development and potential threat.  Any questions?"

[USS Discovery | Shuttlebay]
Shaking his head in denying the Commanders questions the checked his Tricorder once again, just to make sure. Making a full analysis of their tech would be difficult without drawing any unwanted attention, especially given their heightened level of technology.

As the Shuttle prepared to take off he took out his Tricorder once more and entered some additional routines. It should perform an active scan of the surrounding area every minute as well as when he activated his combadge, as more discrete way of triggering it should he get into trouble, as well as changing the encryption algorithm of the so collected data to a higher compression and higher degree of fractalization. He also deleted the standard decryption keys and replaced them with his own.
Even if they would question his tricorder now, he hoped they at least would not be able to discern its purpose as quickly now.

Commander Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Station above Verallias II]
Once landed, Rayek led the Away Team out of the shuttle and into a large hall with several unmanned booths located between them and what appeared to be some manner of quantum-transport platform.

With a slight chin-nod towards Ramort and then towards the alien platform, Rayek gestured for the man to take discreet scans of the tech.  Meanwhile, he looked around for any sign of a greeter.

[Station above Verallias II | Shuttlebay]

He would have nearly missed the Commanders slight signal for his fascination of the room. It showcased none of the expected flourishes of a high tech civilisation, as one would guess it to display. But this sleek design was also a hint at its sophistication. New Tech usually started out being quite bulky and hard to maintain, making easy access to its parts a necessary consideration in interior design, he saw none of this on the transporters he now went nearer to.
Their platforms emanated no particular radiation he could detect with a careful glance at his devices, instead they seemed to suck surrounding radiation into themselves. A phenomena that warranted closer inspection.

Commander Rayek tr'Lhoell

No sooner had he started to look about than the same holographic woman from the ship appeared here on the station.

"Welcome Commander tr'Lhoell and welcome to your Away Team.  You stand on the Gateway to Erewhon, where your fantasy becomes reality. In acknowledgement of your society's lack of monetary system, we are waiving the usual entrance fee.  Please head straight on through to the teleporter which will bring you down to the planet."

The hologram gestured for Rayek and the others with him to walk past the entrance booths and over towards the teleporter pad.

[Station above Verallias II | Shuttlebay]

Having to follow the others to the entrance he noted an interesting observation for his eventual report though. This station seemed so used to various cultures visiting that it adapted its behaviour on the fly. Also the existence of a fee to begin with made it obvious the society that fashioned the stations programming still very much relied on systems of monetary exchange as prevalent mean of resource distribution.
Most civilisation abandoned this stepstone of civilisation at some point, some in phases, some altogether, but a group on the level of technical sophistication this station protruded should have waived compensations for mere recreational ventures many a decade if not century ago.

The Hologram also fascinated him, he had not detected any noticeable change in energy distribution or spikes of energy hinting at emitters being activated. It had to be created by projection systems outside of his range or even being isomorphic in nature.
Erewhon didn't ring a bell for him. He could have sworn he had taken a decent enough look at the star charts before taking up his last shift on the bridge in this sector, but he couldn't remember it being listed anywhere. His classes in sociology also didn't mention any Warp Capable Civilisation on thusly named planet, certainly none more advanced than their own tech. So it had to be the name of the station or a word not caught by their translators. An idiomic anomaly great enough to exceed the translations capabilities.

Commander Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Erewhon Station]

The holographic woman smiled towards Malik as he asked questions.    "Our other guests are already enjoying the facility and immersing themselves in their fantasies.  They've been here several days already.  As to what you can expect... well that all depends on what you desire from it.  Erewhon was modeled to appear as a small urban city - such as those from Earth in the early 21st century.  To keep with this theme, guests are given holographic identities to fit with the era. We ask that you do not remove the wristband that contains the holo-emitter for your identity.  Once in the city, you are free to explore and do whatever takes your imagination."  She explained as she motioned for Rayek and the others to step onto the platform.

Rayek frowned slightly at the mention of the wristband holo-emitter.  "Are these holo-emitters truly necessary?" he balked.

The woman looked to the Romulan with a patient smile.  "Yes, it is a requirement of the site.  The wristbands serve several of functions.  It is the means of payment for service, health monitoring, but mainly it identifies you as a guest, and allows our facility to ensure you are enjoying yourselves."  The hologram motioned once more for Rayek to be the first up on the platform.  "You have nothing to worry about. The wristbands will be added during transport."

Rayek glanced around to the gathered officers.  Malik, seemed unimpressed.  Dem and Lek both seemed unhappy to be called on to do this.  The only one somewhat eager was Hansen and that wasn't necessarily a good thing since she seemed to speak to him like he was incompetent and didn't know the first thing about security, much less his job as a First Officer.  The Romulan's expression remained neutral as he tamped down on his usual acerbic commentary and was rewarded when Lieutenant Lachlyn spoke up in response to Hansen.

[...]
Erewhon - Transporter site
Rayek rematerialized in what appeared to be a bustling city center.  On the transport pad around him were several individuals, some he recognized - likely because the Erewhon computer had used a human facial design similar to what his teammates had looked like previously, though some had opted for an appearance completely different.

While Rayek didn't have easy means to see himself, his attire had changed to a dark casual outfit in place of his usual Starfleet uniform.

As he looked over the area, trying to take in his surroundings, an exotic looking woman in an ethnic floral skirt and rather revealing bikini top appeared in front of Malik with a flower lei necklace and drink in hand, which she presented to him after placing the lei around his neck.  "Aloha! Welcome to Erewhon, Malik.  My name is Candy and I'm your holographic server during your stay with us.  I'm here to make all your fantasies come true. Call on me any time day or night."

Rayek watched this exchange in surprise.  Not ever having been to Risa, Rayek didn't recognize the similar style of greeting.  He wondered, why Malik got this special treatment?

A moment later several other Polynesian-looking women and men appeared with more lei's and mai-tai's and approached those in the group that seemed to like the greeting Malik got.  One dark-haired beauty, who reminded Rayek of his own wife, placed a flower lei over his head and offered him the rum based drink.  "Aloha to you as well Commander. You can call me T'Sana.  I'll be your personal holographic server.  If you have any questions or requests for information, do not hesitate to call for me.  I am at your service. What would you like to do first?"

Rayek knew the answer he should give was 'meet with the manager of the facility' but instead he answered, "Tour your facility. Would you be my guide?"

To which T'Sana smiled and nodded in agreement.  "It would be my pleasure to tour you around."

Seeing no other options if not wanting to cause uncomfortable questions he followed the rest of the Team onto the platform.

[Erewhon | City Centre]

The transporter indeed had given him a wristband, a sleek metal band completely black and very light around his wrist. Before his eyes it seemed to change form, becoming somewhat smaller as though as adapting to his human physique. It also transformed its surface to a more reflective silver colour with pattern of interlocked sections on its surface, becoming far more difficult to distinguish from a more common piece of jewellery.
Looking down his body it seemed his uniform had been taken from him, instead being replaced by a loose summer shirt and appropriated trousers. The only hint at his uniform being embroidered bands of cyan fabric at the cuffs of his shirt.
At least his Tricorder was still present but given the ease with which the Aliens had changed his clothing and materialised the wristband around his arm it was a good guess they could have interfered with its internal workings as well.

As the men and women materialised around them and began handing out their lei`s one of them approached him as well. A woman looking to be human and around his age. She was carrying a lei made from blue and white orchids and various iridescent small seashells and extending it towards his head, obviously in an attempt to place it over his head.

"Welcome to Erewhon!"

# 88 Lt. Cmdr. Lek

[Pleasure Planet]

Lek was already skeptical at the entire premise of this facility and the need to masquerade as humans only added to his suspicions. He was glad he had a phaser because it was only a matter of time before this went sideways.

"I hate away missions."

#224, Cmdr. Rayek trLhoell

Commander Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Erewhon - Transport Site]

[Erewhon Transport Site]

Lek watched Rayek's interaction with locals unaware of his intent. It was already clear this planet would not be approved for Federation ships to call here, so he didn't understand the point of his erstwhile friend's actions. With nothing else to do, Lek's thoughts drifted back to Discovery and hoped all was well there. He hadn't been enthused to be part of this away team and hoped his participation in this one would keep his selection for another less likely.

"I wish we would just tell them we were leaving so we could get our gear back and be able to talk to the ship."

He muttered and continued to wait.

[Erewhon - Transport Site]

Tanner had no questions, none of which she could verbalize, at least in the moment. Everything about this place was confusing, and she'd been in a daze the entire time. She held back. She was silent. Shaking her head to the Commander, she made a soft motion and wandered away from the team. Not going far but just away enough to take in their surroundings.

The Romulan tampered down his annoyance as the Security Chief, whom he had set up this meeting for, was silent and shook her head before moving away.  Between Lachlyn's leaving and Lek's irritability (with the Romulan's keen hearing he had overheard the engineer's muttering), Rayek was at his wits end with the Away Team.  Fine, he'd question the woman himself!

Turning back to the waitress, he offered a slight apologetic smile for making her wait.

"Sorry, it seems that my colleague has changed her mind about making an order, but I could use a refreshment.  I'd like to order a small black chai - no sugar or cream.  I do however have a question first, since I'm a guest to Erewhon." He lifted his wrist which held the bracelet which had been placed upon him during transport down to the planet.

Tammy, the waitress, glanced to his wrist uncomprehendingly before looking back up to his face.  "Yes, I recognized immediately that you weren't from around here.  I know all the locals.  But I'll help however I can - what's your question?"

Rayek had expected some sign of recognition or acknowledgement regarding the bracelet, but it seemed it was a Guest identifier for the facility managers, holograms and other Guests only - not the Erewhon workers.  This knowledge changed his line of questioning.

"Hmm.. Well, you see, I was instructed not to remove this bracelet by my guide, T'Sana, or I would incur a fee, as a penalty, to my account.  I was curious as to why?  Also, I assume the cost of my beverage order will be billed to the same account.  Is there a way you can help me access my account, since my guide is not here to help? "

Tammy looked once again to the bracelet, this time more curiously at his explanation regarding the bracelet and it's penalty fee.  "I'm sorry, I don't have the slightest idea as to why. I can, however, help you locate your account.  What's your name again?  I knew it a moment ago when you called me over, but it's slipping my mind at the moment." the waitress commented as she pulled a handheld padd of sorts from her apron.

Rayek blinked in surprise at her apparent previous knowledge of his name.  He hadn't mentioned it to her.  He could understand the holograms knowing his personal information - given that the facility had scanned the ship and it's database prior to making contact.  Did the clone-locals have access to that information as well?  Were they somehow connected to the facility mainframe?  "My name is Rayek tr'Lhoell." he offered his name, which she then tried to type into the padd.

After a moment she frowned.  "I'm so sorry, Mr. Trowell,  I don't understand, why my tablet isn't connecting to the network.  I won't be able to get you any information on your account until that has been fixed."

Rayek ignored the butchering of his surname, and suspected that the problems with her tablet were arising because of the signal interference that they had created.  "That's a disappointing, however, I will try another time. Please, cancel my drink order."

Tammy nodded apologetically.  "Of course. Again, I'm so sorry, I couldn't help more."

Rayek acknowledged her apology with a slight nod, and watched as she took her leave.  She got about 3 meters from the group when her tablet pinged.  She stopped, glanced at it and then turned to look back towards him.  "Oh it's working again!"

She tapped at it's surface a moment before she looked towards Rayek and his group with a nervous frown.  "Um, I don't have access to your personal details, Mr. tr'Lhoell, but it seems your account shows as 'On Hold'. I'm afraid I can't take your order. You'll need to contact your guide for assistance."

The disguised Romulan's eyebrow rose at her sudden correct pronunciation now... Interesting.  And news of the suspended account was troubling, not that the Romulan showed his concern to the the local waitress.

"Ah, thank you for that information.  I will see to that in a bit." He waited until she had made her way back to the restaurant, before turning to seek input from the group.  This was just as Tanner returned and asked a question of her own, offering an observation.

"Can I ask," Tanner said to her crewmates, "Have any of you noticed how quiet this place is for somewhere so busy? I dunno about you but, back home, places like this are loud. People are loud. They bump into you. They're rushing places and moving fast."

Rayek, who usually prided himself with his observational skills, hadn't picked up on that.  He glanced about, alert to this new perception.  At first, he didn't seem to notice what Lieutenant Lachlyn was talking about - the market seemed quite active and loud to him just like any other he'd been to... but after a moment, he noted that all that loud activity only came from those wearing wristbands.  The locals were quite passive in comparison.

"Yes.  Now that you point it out. I think that might be because the locals are somehow tied into the facility's computer.  It could be muting their natural reactions, keeping them docile and under control..." he hypothesized.

# 271 Cmdr. Rayek trLhoell

Commander Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Erewhon | Administrative Area | Facility Managers Office]

[Lt. Jg. James Ramort]
[Erewhon | Administrative Area | Facility Managers Office]

Not Human? Not possessing a Soul? Just what were their standards for meassuring sentience. After what he observed, they were at least able to feel a certain degree of emotion and were capable of higher cognitive functions.

Taking another deep breath he reminded himself that he was a guest in an alien culture. Even if by Federation Standard the Manager had just demonstrate a school of thought in line with famous Warcriminals from History past, he could not do anything against it. Most important would be to get their Crew out of here and back into Federation Space.

"Allow me to once again apologize sincerely on behalf of the Federation. We didn't intend to insult your culture of physiology. Is there anything we could do to make this right. Would it help to show we really meant no harm if we apologised to the Guest that was insulted as well?"

'Artificial lifeform?!'  So this species didn't recognize the clones as having intrinsic rights because of something as intangible as a soul?  Rayek was curious how the Lyssarians reasoned that, and what part 'free will' played in it?

He continued to let Ramort lead the discussion.

The Facility Manager kept its attention on Ramort as the science officer spoke.  At the Lieutenant's suggestion to offer apologies to the insulted Guest, several of the Lyssarian's tentacles swayed above its' head. Rayek wondered at its meaning.  Was that approval?

"That would be a start..."  Wrrhssrw's answered thought the tone sounded somewhat displeased. "Typically, a fine or community service is handed out to the offender as a deterrent.  However, as I understand it, the offender in this situation doesn't even acknowledge his culpability."

There was a pause in the Lyssarian's speech as it swiped at the wall.  The scene on the wall screen changed to show the waiting room.

[Waiting Room - Erewhon]

Lek found a beverage dispenser and ordered two hot coffee like drinks, as hot as the machine would dispense. He then found a water bottle and combined with a strip of cloth he pulled from under the couch, he assembled a makeshift rotating club. It wasn't much, but anyone trying to their hands on him would regret doing so.

"You want me you twisted little squid, come and get me."

"These do not appear to be the actions of someone who is apologetic."

Rayek took in Lek's resourcefulness - somewhat impressed with the engineer's inventiveness, but also fully aware at how poorly this looked.

Rayek looked to the Facility Manager.  "I'll go speak to him." He then turned to Ramort and risked a private aside. "See if you can negotiate to have him disciplined by the Captain, rather than Lyssarian law."

The Romulan then exited the office and returned to the waiting room.

"Lek, hate to build on your paranoia, but you're being watched and its not helping with our 'we come in peace' speech. How about you disassemble that and come say 'hello' and show you aren't a violent person by nature?"

# 306 Lt. Jg. Kalem Michael

"Worked with the Cardassians," she said. "You go back if you're not going to be useful. Otherwise, help me push past this...being," she said. "Choice is yours. But remember what we do to collaborators," she said. She was now fully frustrated and pushed forward. Honestly, a day in a holding cell and the GOOD drugs kinda sounded nice.

Kalem sighed as the Bajoran Lieutenant started to move forward. He let his hand slide along her arm until he reached the elbow. Then, he tries to dig his thumb and fingers into the Ulnar nerve to get her to drop the Phaser in that hand.

"We Both know that the Bajoran resistance had reason to do those things to the Cardassians. They invaded our system, built a station in orbit, took our people, and forced them to work in inhumane circumstances. They killed us without reason and robbed us of valuable resources. As far as I can tell, these people have done nothing warranting our ire. I might not have lived through the Cardassian Occupation but my parents did. I remember the times that they woke up in terror from a dream. WE ARE STARFLEET OFFICERS. WE SWORE AN OATH. We are the guests here. If I need to, I will drag you back myself."

Kalem spread his legs shoulder-width apart into a Klingon combat stance.

# 310 Lt. Don Damien Addams

{Erewhon Station}

Vila raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, we DID swear an oath, and part of that was to GET YOUR CREW MATES BACK," she said. "As I said, if you are going to HELP me do that, fine. If not, I'd advise you to protect your own PiPS and get out of the way," she said. "And if you think for a MINUTE that you will touch me, you will learn QUICKLY that I don't tolerate collaborators well. What will it be, new guy?" She said. She knew she sounded mean, but she didn't care. The rest of the team was still in there, and they were wasting precious minutes. "Go tell the Captain, see if I care," she said, flippantly. Because both she and Tekin knew that she. did. NOT. care. "While you're there, you can tell him that I honored my oath to the Fleet like they honored THIERS to our people," she said...the unspoken part -they did nothing-was left to hang in the air. She wouldn't be that person.

She stepped forward, around the weird worm-gram, and headed forward. She was, by now, fully upset, and bristled at the fact that a new person, who hadn't yet proved himself to her, thought that she was ABOUT to listen to not just a MAN but a man who thought he had some kind of moral high ground.

The kids these days hadn't been taught about their past. What a shame.

She barreled forward, uncaring. The phaser rifle was still out, but as yet, unfired. Anther voice joined the fricassee.

She simply ignored the voice. "I am extracting the rest of the crew," she said, aloud. "Come along if you want. Otherwise, escort whatever his name is back to the meeting place, and I'll be there if I choose to," she said. "Or I'll be in the Brig. But the others will be safe," she said.

She turned back and headed on her way down the corridor. She really should be nicer to the newbies, but they needed to learn, and there was no time like the present. Where the HELL was that RIsian? Broad...shirt? Shoulders? Something?! She really should've ran into someone else by now. Another hologram or...something.

Just as she rounded a corner, though, her Comms beeped. She clicked it on.

Lorut
This better be good.

The female Bajoran, identified by her ridged nose, carried a phaser rifle and appeared to ignore Don's orders entirely, telling him to follow her. 'Who the hell does she think she is? he thought, irritated. Security protocols regarding weapons were clear, and here she was, brandishing a phaser rifle as if regulations didn't apply to her.

The Prime Directive was critical, especially during first contact. A good first impression was paramount, and any misstep could reflect poorly on Starfleet as a whole. For Don, maintaining that delicate balance was essential—one of the many reasons why he had never wanted to be a captain. The weight of command, the pressure of making decisions that affected not just Discovery's  crew but entire civilizations, was too much. The thought of prioritizing the ship over his family was something he simply could not stomach.

"Stand down!" Don barked, his tone sharp and authoritative. His phaser was already set to stun. "Don't force me to stun you. Your overreaction could have serious consequences for Captain Tekin." - and he is much like a fatherfigure.  He shoots to stun if she makes the wrong move.  He hesitated for a split second, almost adding someone I deeply respect—but he stopped himself. It was true, but not something he wanted to admit aloud right now.

He kept the phaser trained on her, his heart pounding as he silently prayed they weren't being watched by the hosts who had allowed them to dock. Captain Tekin was in delicate negotiations, and the last thing they needed was a diplomatic incident caused by an unhinged officer.

He had wondered how the hell a non-security was carrying a phaser rifle. And he was shock he was being forced to being pulling his out. This was not the days when he was a smuggler when you where doing this, questioning, and well Frogger was never was like this which was shocking from the days when he was working for a smuggler gang the second time around. Leggs, she was different she was just a bitch in her own way, manipulator taking over the business.

[James Ramort]

Congratulations to both Commander Rayek trLhoell and Lt. Jg. Kalem Michael for a joint win for the post of the Mission!