Subject: SO: Fearless/Approaching the Neutral Zone
Internal Message
Stardate 9711.10
To: All crew
From: Captain Sortha
Re: Family Safety
The news that the Dominion has information about our families is
disturbing. It is always horrible when civilians are pulled into the
fighting. It seems somehow unfair, and dishonorable. However we are in a
fight to the death, as one twentieth century Earth nation-state from your
middle east region put it, -every citizen is on the front line, every citizen
is a combatant, every citizen ..a soldier.
My people waged this type of war against the Romulans for many years, no
quarter or mercy was shown. The Romulans butchered our young, and we in turn
theirs. There is no easy answer. There is no absolute reassurance I can
give you.. no one can. However I spoke personally with Admiral Jaeger and
insisted that Starfleet security or local security personnel be assigned to
your family members.
As you read this all Shadow Operation family members who agree to move,
are being transported deep into the Federation. Every crew member should
review his or her personnel file. Memorize the details included. When
conversing with anyone do not accept knowledge about anything in your file as
proof they are who they say they are, use something other than that which is
contained in your file to verify someones authenticity.
Remember, keep focussed. The quickest way to assure the safety of your
families is to kill as many JemHadar as we can at the front.
Sortha,
Captain, USS Fearless
Sortha finished his memo and sent it to all crewmembers. He turned his
attention back to the forward viewscreen. On one half was space rushing past
them at phenomonal speeds, the other half contained large ship readouts: Warp
efficiency, power utilization, structural integrity and others.
Sortha looked down at the half full cup of Rimorra juice he was drinking.
It had half slid off of the small table deployed beside the Captain's chair.
It was in the process of slowly rattling off due to the shaking of the ship
caused by the sustained high speed warp run.
Only two more hours to the Romulan border Sortha thought, then his
knowledge of the Romulan defense grid would be brought into play. Pressing
the intercom pad on the captain's chair, Sortha asked Lieutenant Sholek and
Lieutenant Commander Rhikal to the bridge. He wanted to get as much
information on Romulan defenses that Sholek might have, and he wanted an
update from Veh on the Avenger and her crew.
Sholek: Please respond with info on Romulan defenses.
Rhikal: Please respond with info on the Avenger and crew.
=============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
USS Fearless Bridge
Stardate 9711.10
"Commander Dyer, you and Lieutenant Quilman, two science officers and two
security officers will take the Vigilance and investigate the Dominion
sightings around the Kredallon system. Prepare your team and the Vigilance.
We'll launch you as soon as we are within range."
Dyer waited for Captain Sortha to finish his marching orders to the
entire crew, and then to the new helmsman, "Lt, you're with me."
Lt. Quilman got up to be replaced by his replacement, and the two
officers made their way to the turbolift.
Once inside Dyer said, "Computer, deck fifteen."
"Lt., good to have you on my team. I've read your file and I'm rather
impressed with your service record."
Dyer slapped his comm badge, "Dyer to Lt. Jarvis."
"Jarvis here sir," came the reply. Her voice showing signs of stress due
to the mission report and the power constraints placed on the ship.
"Lt. I need you to meet me in the main shuttle bay, we are going on an
away mission. Please bring another science officer, mission briefing in 15
minutes. Dyer out."
"Dyer to Ensigns Parker and Redmond. Report to main shuttle bay for an
away mission. Briefing in 15 minutes. Dyer out."
"Lt. we will need the standard shadow ops equipment for this mission. I
don't anticipate anything covert, hopefully we wont even have to leave the
Vigilance but it never hurts to be over prepared. We'll leave it up to Lt.
Jarvis to outfit the runabout with the surveillance equipment she needs."
Dyer and Quilman broke when the turbolift reached deck 15. Quilman left
to round up the equipment the Commander had requested, while Dyer proceeded
to the shuttle bay to begin the preflight inspection of the Vigilance and
await the arrival of his team.
=============================================================
Lt. Thoraz Brynaziir
Thoraz's Quarters
Stardate 9711.10
Thoraz went to his quarters and began trying to contact his family on
Betazed. His father answered.
"Thoraz? What is it? You have not contacted us directly since entering
Starfleet? What is wrong?"
Thoraz explained the security breach and asked his father to relocate.
"Very well, son, the work your mother and I are currently doing can be
done elsewhere." his father responded. However, Thoraz sensed there was
something different, or wrong, or being concealed; but he didn't have time to
pursue the matter.
Then he sat in the dark and began to meditate.
=============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Bridge
Stardate 9711.10
Vehakra arrived on the bridge and stepped out of the turbo-lift. The mood
on the bridge was somber. They were speeding toward Romulan space and would
soon cross over into hostile territory in pursuit of a Federation ship -- a
Shadow Ops ship -- that had been tricked into undertaking a mission that
could harm rather than help the Federation.
She crossed the bridge to where Captain Sortha sat in his oversized
chair. He was engrossed in reading over reports and barely noticed the Orion
female approaching.
"Sir," Vehakra said. "You asked to see me?"
"Yess, commander," Sortha replied. "You sserved under Captain Kostov. I
was wondering what you can tell me about your former commander and crew."
Vehakra nodded and handed Sortha a PADD. "Here is tactical data on the
Avenger. And a current crew roster. The only two members of the crew who
remain from when I served on Avenger are the captain and the first officer,
Lt. Commander Orion Anderson.
"Captain Kostov is a very tough and dedicated captain. She is fair and
has a good sense of humor, and I found her very easy to work for. You knew
what she expected of you and you got the job done no matter what...kind of
like serving under you. When I first went aboard Avenger, the Starfleet
regulars who had served with her from the beginning said she was nicknamed
the 'Ice Queen' because she is very good at shutting down all of her emotions
in a crisis situation. I only served with her a short time, but I found this
to be true."
Sortha nodded, "What do you think iss going through her head right now,
having received orderss from what appeared to be Admiral Ssorvek ordering her
to kill the Romulan emperor because he iss a Changeling?"
"She is undoubtably in 'Ice Queen' mode right now. It may complicate
matters that she worked directly for Admiral Sorvek for several years as a
tactical analyst and strategist in Starfleet Inteliigence," Vehakra
explained. "They were very close. If she believes that was Sorvek she watched
sending his final message before being overrun by Dominion forces, she will
be very intent on carrying out his orders."
"Will she question the orders?" Sortha asked.
"Perhaps. Of course, she has been told to observe radio silence and has
been further told the Dominion will stop at nothing to prevent her from
succeeding. If she is buying into this, it is difficult to say how she will
react," Vehakra said. "The message was very convincing."
"What about this first officer? Anderson?" Sortha said.
"Orion was the only Shadow Ops crew member to remain on Avenger after the
ship was nearly destroyed in an ion storm late last year, before I came to
the Fearless," Veh said. "When we found out Avenger was going to be drydocked
for several months undergoing refit, we were all transfered to different
assignments. Anderson asked to remain with Kostov and because of his loyality
she asked that he be her first officer.
"Anderson is rather...unusual. He is a Vulcan, but was raised on Earth.
His parents did not raise him as a traditional Vulcan and instead encouraged
him to assimilate into Earth's society. They even gave him a human name. He's
very technically skilled and he's a very good pilot."
Vehakra then looked to the captain to see if he had any more questions...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Border Crossing
USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.11
Just Before Entering the Neutral Zone
"Captain," Lt. Commander Tyrian Summers reported from tactical. "Incoming
message from Starfleet Command on a scrambled channel. Its a message from
Starfleet Intelligence. Very brief."
Sortha turned to Summers. "What iss it?"
"It says the USS Avenger accessed Starfleet's central computer system
five hours ago. All they did was confirm whether or not the Shadow Operations
Training Facility in Austrailia was still connected to Starfleet's power grid
on Earth."
"Which it no longer iss, correct?" Sortha asked.
"No sir. When the base was destroyed she was knocked off all military and
civilian communications and power grids on Earth," Summers confirmed. "That
is all the message states. There was no information about Avenger's current
location or a heading."
Sortha turned back toward the viewer and stared ahead at the screen,
considering what this latest piece of information meant...
=============================================================
Lieutenant (jg) Ian Quilman
USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.11
Then somewhat more quietly he informed the crew, "You have 10 minutes to
inform any personnel close to you by subspace that your covers have been
compromised by the Dominion and they are now at risk"
After the briefing I went to a console and thought about sending a message
to my parents about the breach of security. However with my father being one
of the Earth Ambassidor to the Federation, and my mother being a Starfleet
Commander out in one of the fleets the message would not be needed. So I
followed Commander Dyer to the turbolift. I got all the equipment the
Commander had requested and returned to the shuttle and stowed the gear. As
I sat there and waited for the order to launch I saw the info on the crew
roster from the USS Avenger, one of the crew caught my eye.
Name: Lt. JG Bajaraka Y Bham
Race: Human
Age: 21
Birthplace: Quang Linh, Viet Nam, Terra
Lt. Bham was one of the people that I went to ShadowOp's training with on
Earth. I turned to Commander Dyer, "Sir, I know Lt. Bham, permision to
inform the Captain and see if it would help in the upcoming mission?"
=============================================================
Captain Sortha
Bridge
Stardate 9711.11
The USS Fearless had turned to a course parallel with the
Federation-Romulan neutral zone and had maintained this course for one hour.
The engines had been powered back to warp three and engineering teams were
performing maintenance on them.
Although tired the engineering crew was up to the challenge. The Fearless
cloaked although Captain Sortha ordered one warp plasma relay to periodically
vent a trace amount of warp plasma. It was undetectable...almost. Across
the neutral zone powerful Romulan sensor stations picked up the signature
tracking it from the last known position of the Fearless.
The Mukta Nebula was ahead of teh Fearless' flight path, and Sortha
slowed the ship and took up a position in the nebula. The Romulan sensors
picked this up, however the static storms inside the nebula made tracking
difiicult. The sensor stations put the Fearless inside the nebula with
orders to watch for the telltale warp plasma leak of any ship leaving the
nebula. Inside the Nebula on the Fearless, the leak was turned off and the
ship rigged for silent running.
The Fearless detected a large comet that was passing through the nebula,
and running parallel to it on impulse the Fearless engaged the phased
cloaking device and slipped inside the comet. As the comet emerged from the
nebula, it triggered a large electrostatic discharge as it moved from the
highly ionized nebula into normal space, the same type of discharge that
would have illuminated any ship leaving the nebula....
Across the neutral zone the Romulan sensors identified the object as a
comet and disregarded it.
"Helm plot coursse two-two-one mark 00" Sortha ordered. The Fearless
phased out of the comet and headed toward the heart of the Romulan Empire.
"Speed warp 9.9, take us up at one warp factor per five minute period helm,
Let's not give the Romulans any large warpfield distortions to latch onto."
In fifty minutes the Fearless was at warp 9.9 heading across the Neutral
Zone. It flew a circuitous path around known Romulan listening posts and
sensor grids. After six hair-raising, or scale-raising, hours the Fearless
broke through the Neutral Zone into Romulan space....
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Ready to Launch
Lt. Sholek
Stardate 9711.11
Captain's Ready room
After given permission to enter, Sholek approached the Captain and said,
"Captain, you wanted to know what I have on Romulan defenses?"
"Yess," he replied. "What do you have?"
"Concerning territorial defenses, the Romulans have patrols that continually
sweep the border area for cloaked ships. Also, they now scan the area within
the Romulan system. This is due to a Federation/Klingon incursion that took
place several years ago. If the Avenger does make it to Romulus, it will be a
matter of minutes before being detected. Everything else Starfleet knows
about Romulan defenses are on this." Sholek hand the captain a PADD.
"Thank you Ssholek. You are dissmissed."
Sholek left the ready room and returned to Engineering. He was still having
trouble with these dreams. He still was unsure of their meaning.
=============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
Runabout Vigilance
Stardate 9711.11
Dyer finished his pre-launch check of the runabout and helped Lt. Quilman
stow the gear.
Quilman read through the report on the Avenger's crew profiles and turned
to Commander Dyer, "Sir, I know Lt. Bham, permission to inform the Captain
and see if it would help in the upcoming mission?"
Dyer regarded the enthusiastic young Lt. and replied, "If you feel the
information you have on the Lt. has value to the mission, by all means, go
and inform the Captain. I'll brief the others, and we'll get under way, as
soon as Captain Sortha gives the order."
With that Lt. Quilman left the Vigilance on the way to the bridge.
A few moments later Lt. Jarvis arrived with Ensign Kular, a vulcan. They
were followed closely by Ensigns Parker and Redmond.
The five officers sat around the small conference table in the center
section of the runabout and Commander Dyer began his briefing.
"Good morning everyone. As you all know, the Dominion carried out a
covert attack on Earth yesterday. As a direct result of that attack, a ship
serving Starfleet Intelligence is under false orders to Romulus to
assassinate the Romulan Emperor."
"The Fearless is going to Romulus to either convince the Avenger that her
orders are false, or destroy her."
"While the Fearless goes to Romulus, we will depart to check out reports
of Dominion activity within Romulan space. Two weeks ago a Corballan
freighter in the Neutral Zone claims it picked up two Jem'Hadar ships moving
among a small Romulan convoy bound for the Kredallan system. Kredallan is an
uninhabited Romulan system not far from Romulus. A large nebula located there
could be concealing Dominion activity,"
"Starfleet Intelligence has confirmed other sightings of Dominion ships in
the area and fears either the Romulans are secretly negotiating with the
Dominion, or elements of the Empire are in league with the Dominion."
"We will investigate these reports and rendezvous with the Fearless either
on Romulus, or at Starbase 189, depending on the results of our investigation."
"I have taken the liberty of rounding up some gear for us that will help
us in the event that we are discovered, or must engage the Dominion."
Commander Dyer pointed to the storage lockers, "You'll each find a black
covert operations uniform, sub-vocal communicator, two hunter probes, a hand
phaser, a phaser rifle, and a personal cloaking device.'
"Lt. Quilman and I will train each of you in the proper use of these items
before we need to use them."
"Commander," Lt. Jarvis spoke up, "This mission sounds awfully risky, I
don't know how comfortable I am with playing such an active role, my training
is in the sciences, not intelligence gathering and combat."
"Lt., I understand your concerns, and it is because of your training in
physics and stellar cartography that made your the perfect choice for this
mission. Some of the techniques you have used to chart nebula are very
impressive.'
"We must all remember that above all else, we are Starfleet Officers, and
we each have a duty to protect the Federation from it's enemies."
"Get familiar with your gear and stow any personal effects you have, we'll
get underway shortly."
Dyer moved to the cockpit of the small craft and signalled the bridge,
"Dyer to Sortha, my team is assembled and we are ready to launch as soon as
Lt. Quilman returns."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Death on the Fearless
Captain Sortha
Bridge
Stardate 9711.14
On the green lighted bridge of the Fearless, Captain Sortha gave the
order to launch, and the small form of the Vigilance quickly sped away under
cloak. The ship quickly accelerated to warp speed again on its way to
Romulus. The Fearless had been under a complete communications blackout
since nearing the Romulan neutral zone and had been running under the silent
running protocol. Now, halfway to Romulus the nerves of the crew were
getting thin as near misses with Romulan scout ships or other defensive
systems played on their fears.
They were making excellent time, the engines were still operating under
peak efficiencies and no troubles had developed mechanically with the
Fearless. They had two aces up their sleeve that the Avenger did not have.
The first was the data on Romulan defenses that Sholek had remembered.
Although out of date, it was still useful. The other Ace was the simple
fact that the Captain of the USS Fearless was a Gorn exchange officer. Over
the centuries of conflict between the Romulans and the Gorn, the Gorn had
become experts on Romulan strategy, tactics, ships, weapons, and almost
anything else conceivably useful in their fight agaionst their blood enemy.
This had all been inculcated into Sortha in his Gorn Starfleet training. As
such, it just happened that he was one of the most qualified officers
available to the Federation to breach Romulan defenses.
They also had another edge, they knew who they were dealing with.
Captain Sortha had called up all information possible on Captain Anastasia
Kostov from Starfleet records and from the personal knowledge of his crew.
He poured over her academy records, service record, captain's logs and all
other material that would give him some clue as to what she was thinking. If
they met and she could not be convinced to stand down, Sortha wanted to
minimize the loss of life. The Fearless outclassed the Avenger significantly
in both weapons and crew. Although the Defiant class ships were the best
Starfleet had in terms of firepower to mass ratio, they were still small
ships, destroyers, not like the Fearless, which was at least a heavy cruiser
if not a battleship. Firing patterns had already been preprogrammed that
were designed to take out the weapon systems of a Defiant class ship.
Sortha only hoped that it would not come to that. Sortha looked at the
time, his shift was over, and right on time Lieutenant Commander Summers
arrived on the bridge. It would be at least a full day before they arrived
at Romulus. They would not be near any populated areas for at least six
hours so Sortha handed the bridge over to Tyrian. He wanted to be fully
awake when they arrived at Romulus. "Alert me if you detect anything
unussual Commander" Sortha said as he enetered the turbolift. "Aye aye sir"
Tyrian responded smartly as he sat down in the first officer's chair.
Tensely he watched the bridge readouts as the Fearless cruised toward her objective.
=============================================================
Lt. Sholek
Fearless
Stardate 9711.13
'Sholek'
'Sholek'
'Who's there?' he asked.
'She is hiding something. Don't trust her.'
'Who?'
In this dream, all he saw was blackness.
'She.' Something appeared before him. He could tell it was a face. Slowly
the face came into focus. It was Ensign Jefferson.
'Her. Kill her.'
Sholek awoke startled. Was what he saw true? Was there really something
Kimberly was hiding from him.
He sat there and thought. A weed? Since his brother was missing in the dream
the weed could be his brother, a weed in the garden of their family. And
somehow Kim must be involved in this.
He got out of bed and got dressed. Then he headed for Ensign Jefferson's quarters.
"Come in," Jefferson said when she heard the chime after getting out of bed.
She was still in her nightgown, covering up with a bathrobe. "Sholek," she
said, seemingly happy to see him. "What are you doing up at the time? Isn't
now your normal sleep period?"
"I had another dream," he replied. "This time it was specific. And now I
think I understand what it all means."
When he said that her eyes opened wide in surprise. "What do you think they mean?"
"My brother is the weed, the garden being my family. This new dream warned me
about someone close to me. Someone I opened myself up to, showed my weakness.
My wife gave me a specific instruction. She said not to trust you, to kill you."
The ensign became horrified.
"What are you hiding from me, ensign," he demanded angrily.
"I don't know what you mean."
"You lie. Do you think I can not read your face? Now tell me, what are you
hiding!?"
He began to aproach her, backing her into a corner.
"Stay away from me," she said.
Sholek reached out with his hand and placed it on her face. "What are you
hiding? What do you know about my brother?"
She struggled but could not stop herself from saying, "Your brother is still
alive. He faked his death to get rid of you."
He delved deeper, probed deeped with his hands into her mind. "He now resides
on Romulus, awaiting the day I bring you to him. He sent me to break you,
emotionally, hoping you would go mad if I was able to break your emotional
barrier. He knew that if he got you loving then, slowly, you would lose
control. The Federation might then be willing to give you to your people, to
your brother to take care of you. You would then be executed, slowly."
"But now that we are on a mission to Romulus..."
"He wants me to deliver you to him now to kill, now that he has a chance. He
does not want to wait for you to lose control."
"What about the Fearless?"
She struggled again but still gave in, "He will destroy it after we stop the
Avenger and after he gets you."
Sholek needed no more. He gave out a loud howl, picked up the ensign, and
slammed her against the wall shattering her back and killing her instantly.
>From the computer console he accessed the transporter and, after deactivating
the warning systems, transported Ensign Jefferson's body into space. He
quickly set up a computer program to erase all evidence of what he did. He
also had the computer sweep the area clean, removing any trace that he was there.
=============================================================
USS Fearless
Thoraz's quarters
Stardate 9711.14
Thoraz Brynaziir was in his quarters preparing a report for the captain
when he was suddenly overcome with a feeling of intense fear and then anger.
It was coming from someplace on the ship...one of the crew was in danger.
Brynaziir bolted up out of his chair and concentrated, focusing his
thoughts. It was virtually impossible to single out one being's thoughts
aboard a ship filled with almost 1,000 inhabitants. Then, as quickly as it
had begun, the sense of fear was gone, replaced by darkness. Brynaziir
stumbled a little, but supported himself with his hand placed against the bulkhead.
Though the feeling of fear and anxiety had vanished, the anger and a
feeling of betrayal was still coming from someone on the Fearless...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Vigilance on Course
Lieutenant (jg) Ian Quilman
USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.14
Quilman read through the report on the Avenger's crew profiles and turned
to Commander Dyer, "Sir, I know Lt. Y Bham, permission to inform the Captain
and see if it would help in the upcoming mission?"
Dyer regarded the enthusiastic young Lt. and replied, "If you feel the
information you have on the Lt. has value to the mission, by all means, go
and inform the Captain. I'll brief the others, and we'll get under way, as
soon as Captain Sortha gives the order."
With that Lt. Quilman left the Vigilance on the way to the bridge. I
stopped outside of the Captain's ready room and waited for him to ask me to come in.
"Sir, I was one of the last people to see Lt. Y Bham at the training camp
this was right before we both shipped out. Him to the Avenger and me to the
Fearless. It might be possible that he would beleave me if I was able to
speak to him when we are trying to stop the Avenger. If I can be of any use
please tell me."
"Lt. Quilman I will take your info under advisement at this time and you
should report back to the Vigilance ASAP"
"Yes sir."
I made my way back to the Vigilance and got into my duty station right
before we received the order to launch.
=============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
USS Vigilance
Enroute to the Kredallan System
Stardate 9711.15
Lt. Quilman returned to the runabout in short order and very quickly the
captain gave the order to launch. It would be a tricky procedure, trying to
launch a cloaked runabout from a cloaked ship, without giving either away.
The Fearless slowed to full impulse and ducked between a planet and it's
moon exhibiting fierce gravimetric distortions in an effort to mask anything
anomalous that should appear while the launch was taking place.
The runabout left the shuttle bay and immediately activated her cloak. The
Fearless sped off at full impulse and resumed course to Romulus at Warp 9.99
once clear of the system.
The Vigilance sped off to scan the nebula for signs of Jem'Hadar or
Dominion activity. Dyer left Quilman to pilot the craft to it's destination
at a comfortable warp 7.5. He went aft to oversee the outfit of the enhanced
sensors and remodulation of the nacelles to mask the warp signature.
Lt. Jarvis and Ensign Kular were busy with the sensors, and Dyer made sure
that they were having no difficulties.
He took Ensigns Parker and Redmond to the small engine room to work on the
warp core and nacelles. They accessed the control modules and replaced some
isolinear chips and decreased warp field emmissions by 68%.
Completing both tasks, the Vigilance was ready for action once it reached
the Kredallan system. The nebula would prove usefull in disguising their
presence while they scanned for the Dominion activity. They were still 5
hours away. Dyer plunked himself down in the co-pilot's chair and decided to
get to the new Lt. a little better.
"Any thing unusual out there Lt.?"
"Nothing sir," Quilman replied.
"So tell me Lt. What got you interested in Shadow Ops?"
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: Re: SO: Fearless/Death on the Fearless
Sortha responded:
Lieutenant Commander Ki'lal, meet Lieutenant Thoraz in his quarters with a
security detachment. Ki'lal and Thoraz investigate Thoraz's incident.
Sortha out
Subject: SO: Fearless/The Noose Tightens
Lt. Thoraz Brynaziir
Quarters
Stardate 9711.15
"Brynaziir to Captain Sortha", Thoraz nearly screamed into his communicator.
"Yesss lieutenant. What iss it?"
"Captain. I must see you immediately."
"See me in my ready room," Sortha replied.
Thoraz left his quarters and headed to the bridge. He then crossed the
bridge to the captain's ready room. Sortha was expecting him and ushered him
inside immediately and sat him down.
"Captain. Something is terribly wrong on the ship. I was in my
quarters preparing a report for you when I was overcome with ....I don't know
how to really explain it sir. It was as if I was receiving powerful emotions
from someone onboard. I tried to narrow it down, but was unabale to do with
so many crew and so little time. I had a feeling of intense fear quickly
replaced by what I can only call a sense of darkness. I fear that someone is
in danger. I was still able to pickup feelings of anger and betrayal.
However, I am not trained in the social sciences so I am not able to fine
tune my abilities enough to pinpoint where on the ship the trouble is.
However, I feel as if something has already transpired. It may just be
someone's intense nightmare but I don't think so."
=============================================================
Captain Sortha
Ready Room
Stardate 9711.15
Sortha looked at Brynaziir and nodded. "Consult with Lt. Commander Ki'lal
and the rest of the security staff. See if you can figure out what might have
happened. See if it corressponds with anything that happened on the Fearless
about the same time. Then report back to me."
"Aye sir," Thoraz nodded, before leaving to find Ki'lal...
=============================================================
Lt. Commander Tyrian M. Summers
Bridge USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.16
Ensign Yang called to Tyrian from one of the computer stations at the
rear of the bridge. Tyrian had taken over for the Captain only about a half
hour ago. "Sir, I just got a strange reading from the crew quarters."
Tyrian rose out of the first officer's chair and walked back to the station.
"What kind of reading Ensign? "
She replied, "I'm not entirely sure, it seems that it could have been a
site to site transport, but I'm having trouble pinpointing
it...........wait.....its not there anymore."
Tyrian said, "Check all transporter logs."
Ensign Yang looked up, "I just did Sir, according to these logs, nobody
has used a transporter anytime recently."
Tyrian said to her, "Trace the patterns that were there before they
disappeared and let me know if you find anything."
She replied, "Aye sir." and went to work immediatly.
=============================================================
Ensign Jamie T. Marcus
USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.16
Ensign Jamie Marcus lithely ran down the hallways of the Fearless, one
step behind the burly Lieutenant Commander Ki'lal who led the security team
of five security officers. Within seconds of the call they had reached
Lieutenant Brynaziir's quarters.
"What is the problem?" Ki'lal asked harshly.
"I sensed that someone was in trouble on the Fearless" Brynaziir
responded, "I can not be more specific except that I felt extreme emotional
distress and then ... nothing." Ki'lal questioned Brynaziir further as Jamie
stepped back and queried the computer through her comm badge.
"Computer, identify life forms on USS Fearless, sentient only, number count only."
The computer responded: "994 life forms currently present."
Jamie continued, "Computer how many life forms present one half hour ago?"
The computer responded again, "995."
Jamie took a deep breath, "computer compare scans, identify crewmember
not reading life signs presently from one-half hour ago."
After two seconds the computer responded, "There is no life form reading
for Ensign Jefferson."
Jamie stifled a gasp, Jefferson was her roomate. "Computer where is
Ensign Jefferson now?"
"Ensign Jefferson is not onboard the USS Fearless" the computer informed
her blandly.
"Computer, last known position of Ensign Jefferson?"
"Ensign Jefferson was last identified in her quarters, no record exists
of her presently" the computer again responded. Jamie quickly informed
Lieutenant Commander Ki'lal and Lieutenant Brynaziir of what she had learned.
=============================================================
Romulan Warbird Tarendak
On Patrol in Sector 23-B, Romulan Empire
Stardate 9711.16
It had been a usual routine patrol for the warbird. Search sector 23-B
near the Neutral Zone for anything unusual and report to Romulan Fleet
Command anything out of the ordinary.
With the Federation and Klingons busy fighting the Dominion, there was
little for the Romulans to be concerned with, but there was always the
possibility the Klingons might get cocky and try to sneak across the border
for some kind of raid...especially since the Empire had signed a
non-aggression pact with the Dominion. The Klingons were not very pleased
about that decision, but the Romulan Empire had no intention of getting
dragged into a conflict with the Dominion right now.
Manning his sensor console, Centurion Precias had seen little activity
in recent hours. Nothing was going on of any significance...no unidentified
ships, no ususal energy readings, no unexplained transmissions. All was quiet.
That was, until a minute energy reading crossed the sensor panel,
catching the centurion's interest. He studied it for a moment, fixed on its
coordinates and then turned in his chair toward the ship's commanding officer.
"Commander Jalnad," Precias said. "I am detecting an unusual energy
signature at coordinates zero-four-six mark one-five."
The elder Romulan, Jalnad, turned toward the young centurion and folded
his hands across his lap. "Explain unusual reading, centurion?"
"There was a faint energy signature. It lasted only a second. Similar in
frequency to a transporter beam," Precias said. "A passive scan would not
have detected it, but I was running my hourly active energy field scan when
it turned up."
Jalnad sighed. "Range?"
"About two light years. Right on the edge of our sensor range," Precias
confirmed.
"Any ships in that area?" the commander asked.
"None. Nothing in that area to be precise," Precias said.
Jalnad stood and crossed the bridge to where the young officer sat.
Looking over his shoulder, he studied the reading and frowned. "Helm, lay in
a course to those coordinates. We have nothing better to do at the moment."
The Warbird, still cloaked, proceed to the coordiates at top speed and
was there in a short time. They came to a full stop and engaged in an active
sensor sweep of the surrounding area. Jalnad stood behind Precias the entire
time, watching the readings for himself.
"No further energy readings sir, but I am detecting an object floating
in space at 450,000 kilometers off our port bow," Precias said. "It appears
to be...organic."
Jalnad frowned. "Life signs?"
"None. I'm doing a DNA scan," the officer confirmed. His eyes then lit
up and his mouth nearly dropped open. "Sir, DNA readings confirm it is the
body of a human."
"A human?" Jalnad exclaimed. "Here? Have transporter room three beam the
corpse to our medical bay. Have security on hand, just in case."
Jalnad headed down to the medical bay and when he arrived he found a
couple of doctors and some security officers assembled around one of the
beds. There, on the table, was the body of a human female. She appeared to
have died before being beamed into space, which an autopsy would soon determine.
What was more significant was the clothing the woman wore. It was a
Starfleet uniform.
"How did the body of a Starfleet officer get here?" one of the
centurions asked in disbelief.
"I do not know," Jalnad said. "Doctor, I want an autopsy doen of this
female. Find out whatever you can about here, including how she died and how
long she has been dead.
"Command Jalnad to the bridge. Alert Romulus that we have found the body
of a dead Starfleet officer. Send transmission on a coded frequency. Also,
begin an intense sensor sweep of this sector. Contact the warbirds Keradek
and Hustalin in the adjoining sectors to also be on alert. I think we have
unwelcome visitors..."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Hitting the Fan
Lt. Sholek
USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.16
Sholek returned to his quarters. He calmed down a bit a began to use his
logic. He realized that there were people aboard with psychic powers who may
have detected what he did Since his emotional shield was down they probably
detected his rage as well.
The first thing he did was set his console to download all info he could
access on Jefferson. Next he would have to find a way to hide what he did
while it was still possible. He would need an alibi if they decided she was
murdered. He knew that some people saw him head towards Jefferson's quarters
but he could claim to have gone to Engineering but had to head back to his
quarters because he forgot a PADD.
The advantage of that was that he was seen heading back to his quarters
from Jefferson's quarters, which was near Engineering. He picked up a PADD
and headed to Engineering and went to a secluded area to add back sensor data
to what he had erased. He noticed someone had called up the number of
sentient beings aboard a few minutes earlier but no one had thought to check
with internal sensors to see where everybody was, at least not yet.
The disappearance of Jefferson was not reason enough to check on
Sholek's whereabouts anyway. He also had to destroy all evidence of tampering
with the sensor logs. With luck, it may be blamed on a Dominion infiltrator.
=============================================================
Lt. Commander Tyrian M. Summers
Bridge: USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.17
Tyrian sat in the first officer's chair. Almost ten minutes had passed
since Ensign Yang had detected the strange transporter signature that had
dissappeared almost instantly afterward, with no trace on the logs.
Suddenly, the bridge door opened and the Captain came back onto the bridge,
he had only left off his shift about a little of an hour ago.
Tyrian stood up and asked with a puzzled look, "Sir?"
The Captain looked at him and told him to carry on then went into his
ready room. Tyrian nodded and sat back down. Shortly after, Lt. Brynaziir
came through the doors, nodded at Tyrian, and then went into the ready room
also. A few minutes later, Brynaziir came back out and left the bridge.
Almost as soon as Brynaziir had left the bridge, Ensign Yang excitedly
turned around in her chair and called to Tyrian: "Sir, I believe I have
pinpointed the transport, it originated in......" Tyrian ran over and said,
"Where??"
The ensign hesitated so to say it confidently, "Crew
quarters......quarters of ensigns Marcus and Jefferson. The transport
ended.....if my calculations are correct.....outside the Fearless."
Tyrian looked forward at the screen and called out: "Computer, located
ensigns Marcus and Jefferson." The computer beeped and replied, "Ensign
Marcus is currently in turbolift 2. Ensign Jefferson is not on board."
Tyrian asked. "Computer, what is the current crew count now as opposed to an
hour ago?" The computer beeped again and replied: "An hour ago the crew
count was 995.
Currently it is 994." Tyrian's mind lit up with alarm, Ensign Jefferson
had left the ship, and maybe beamed to a cloaked ship. Tyrian wanted to know
who else may be involved in this incident. Tyrian said to the computer,
"Computer, list people in those quarters in the last 24 hours."
The computer replied, "Three. Ensign Jefferson and Ensign Marcus."
Tyrian said outloud: "Captain Sortha to the bridge. Bridge to Commander
Ki'lal." A moment later the Klingon responded: "Ki'lal here, go ahead."
"This is Commander Summers, we have a security breach in the form of an
unauthourized transport, I'd like to question Ensign Marcus, with you present
as security chief of course, in the security office."
Ki'lal replied, "Acknowledged" Then the Captain came through the doors
of his ready room and Tyrian walked over to explain the situation to the
captain.
END
=============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Bridge
Stardate 9711.17
What the hell was going on? Vehakra was trying to listen in on all the
commotion over the unauthorized transport and the possible disappearance of
Ensign Kim Jefferson.
While all this was going on, Vehakra began to notice some unusual
communications traffic along the Fearless' route to Romulus. A flurry of
coded transmissions had begun criss-crossing the region and several ships had
visibly been dispatched in to the sector from Romulan starbases and outposts.
Vehakra managed to intercept and download a transmission, which was
obviously encoded. She then finished a sensor sweep and turned toward the
captain, who had just finished talking with Summers on the upper part of the bridge.
"Captain Sortha," Vehakra reported. "If I am not mistaken, I think this
sector may have just went on alert. A number of encoded transmissions have
been firing back and forth through this sector and an increased rate, and
several ships mobilized from starbases in the area, then cloaked. I have
downloaded one of the transmissions, but the code is unfamilar to the ship's
computers. It will take some time to decrypt. Orders?"
The Orion woman then awaited her Gorn captain's orders...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/The Ruse Continues
Lt. Sholek
Stardate 9711.17
Engineering
In engineering Sholek began to go over anything in his mind that may be
helpful. He had established an alibi which could not be disproven. He had
altered the logs and made sure there was no way to trace it to him. He
conitunually monitored all cominications within the Fearless. It was obvious
that people had realized that Jefferson must have beamed off.
'What's this,' he thought. He noticed that someone just asked the computer
about who was in Jefferson's quarter in the past 24 hours. He had not been in
her quarters in several days prior to the recent incident. They did meet in
ten-forward, but there were others in hearing distance. It is posible they
are assuming she fled the Fearless and the scan is to find any posible
acomplisses.
Of couse it was made by Tyrian, that illogical human. Any accomplice
would have altered the logs like what happened with the transporter.
"Sholek to Ki'lal," Sholek said trying to eliminate any posible suspition.
"I have tried to contact Ensign Jefferson, but have received no reply. The
computer indicated she is not aboard. Do you have any idea what has happened
to her?"
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Troubleshooting
=============================================================
Captain Sortha
Bridge
Stardate 9711.18
Sortha turned quickly to Lieutenant Commander Rhikal, "you have number
one computer usage priority to decipher those Romulan transmissions with the
exception of the sensor section.
Keying Lieutenant Commander Ki'lal Sortha ordered him to implement a
complete security search of the ship and implement changeling identification
protocol alpha, and to conduct a full investigation of the disappearance of
Ensign Jefferson.
Sortha also ordered several random course changes and ordered Lieutenant
Commander Summers to review all of Fearless' sensor logs, both internal and
external at the time immediately preceding and subsequent to her beam-off.
Soon thereafter, in his ready room, Sortha attempted to analyze the events
logically. He had dealt with the Romulans before and he tried to put his
mind into that mindset.
Fact: Ensign Jefferson beamed off the Fearless at 1905 hours. She was
either transported off by somebody or she beamed herself off. Either could
be possible. If she beamed herself off, it was presumably to a cloaked
vessel as that section of space was completely void. Alternatively she was
beamed off by a cloaked vessel. Currently the Romulans did not have any
vessels that could effect a transport without blowing their cloak. It was
possible that the Romulans had perfected a cloak that could do this. This
thought sent a chill down Sortha's spine.
But why risk beaming an operative off the Fearless, it was just as
likely that the Romulans would kill the operative in an attack on the
Fearless, they had after all killed thousands of their own troops in the
botched invasion of Vulcan. --Unless she were a high level Tal Shi'yar
agent. That would mean that the Fearless was possibly being shadowed by a
cloaked Romulan vessel. The fact that they had not attacked would mean that
they wanted the Fearless to reach Romulus as part of some larger scheme.
Sortha looked at the board and saw a number of Romulan ships converging
on the point where Jefferson had been beamed off, and not toward the
Fearless' current position. That data would indicate that they were not
aware of the Fearless' presence- unless it was a possible misdirection.
Sortha also reviewed the communication traffic. It was initially coded but
not disguised. It was therefore not a secret high priority transmission.
However later communications had been both scrambled and disguised.
A normal starship would not have detected them, but the Fearless was a
veritable moving listening post with the sensor capabilities of a large fixed
sensor array. That data would indicate that they had stumbled across
something. It was possible that normal Romulan fleet elements were not aware
of a secret Tal Shi'yar mission. That could be one potential explanation.
Assuming that Jefferson had transported herself off the Fearless was also
possible, but again unlikely. There would be no problems disturbing a cloak
if she beamed herself onto a cloaked ship with its shields down, but the
timing and accuracy of the transport would have to be extremely fine. It
would necessitate some communication between Jefferson and the Romulans and
the Fearless had been bottled up as tight as could be since reaching teh
neutral zone. Any transmission would have been detected.
So it would have required advanced planning, which was impossible. Only
Sortha had known what course the Fearless would take, there was no way to do
an accurate beam-out to a cloaked vessel under those conditions. It would be
akin to.... well the odds were astronomical. The odds would lesson somewhat
if she was transported by a cloaked ship after she had beamed off into open
space, she could survive vacuum for perhaps 20 seconds, possibly 30 if she
was in fact a Romulan. Still the odds were very low. Sortha discounted the
possibility that she beamed herself off the Fearless.
So that left the possibility that the Romulans had the technology to
track the Fearless under cloak and beam someone through their cloak without
detection. Again small odds, Starfleet intel would have detected something
that big, and if not Starfleet then surely his people would have. Something
simply was not right. Neither explanation was plausible, so there must be a
hidden component.
Another possibility sprang to mind. Jefferson was a changeling and
faked the beam-out and was still on the ship. Sortha reviewed the security
protocols he had taken. He had conducted changeling searches almost to the
point that the crew was complaining about it since last contact with any
other ship. Perhaps the changeling had been masquerading as a piece of
furniture and not a crewmember. Damn those things he thought. He just
wanted an enemy he could hit.
Perhaps Jefferson discovered him and he was forced to kill her to cover
up his tracks. That would mena that there could be a changeling aboard.
Sortha ordered a comprehensive search of the ship with polaran fields that
would destabilize the changeling's form. Again, the changeling possibility
existed but was not likely. Still he wasn't going to take any chances.
He had to wait until the search of Jefferson's quarters was thoroughly
completed, or the Romulan transmissions were decoded, or the search of the
surrounding space around the Fearless at the time of Jefferson's beam out
arrived. One hour ago he had been comfortably laying on his beloved heat
rock in his quarters, now he was wide awake and faced with a most perplexing
mystery. Well he would eliminate all the possibilities, and if nothing
showed up, then he would look to investigate the impossible. Either way, it
was going to be one long night, he thought as he stared at the viewscreen
with his huge jaw propped in one hand.
=============================================================
Lt. Thoraz Brynaziir
USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.18
"Ki'lal, it appears we have a mystery. Check sensor logs to see if
Jefferson activated the transporter from these quarters. We may have spies
onboard. Ensign Marcus, you are Jefferson's roommate, correct?
"Yes" replied the Ensign.
"Have you noticed anything unsual in Jefferson lately?"
"Not really," Jamie said. "I've really only known her a short time."
"Ki'lal, how do want to proceed from here?"
"I will begin a review of the sensor logs," the Klingon said. "I'll get
back with you. Continue using your telepathic abilities to scan the crew."
============================================================
Lt. Commander Ki'lal
Stardate 9711.18
Bridge
Ki'lal began to search the sensor logs. Ensign Gaelon was in
Jefferson's quarters, sweeping for any clues, again. Sholek called him over
the comm system and Ki'lal could only shake his head.
"Sholek, this is Ki'lal. We are searching and have been for about 3
hours, still nothing. I'll update you as soon as we find something."
Back to work, thought Ki'lal. "Gaelon, run another high-band sensor
sweep of the room. Search for any, and I mean any, traces of DNA, skin
tissue, especially that of non-humans.
"Aye, commander," said Gaelon. A minute later, "nothing, sir."
"Dammit!" said Ki'lal, slamming his hand down on the counsel in front
of him. "Grrrrrrr.....computer, was there ANY use of the transporter
during the hours that Jefferson was last on board."
"45% possibility," said the computer.
"Gaelon," said Ki'lal.
"Aye, sir."
"Search for any residue transporter signatures,"
"Searching, sir," said Gaelon. "Sir! I think that I've found some,
granted very little, but some transporter signature. The tricorder shows a
very faint signature."
"Ki'lal to security team beta, meet me at Ensign Jefferson's
quarters, we think we found the reason for Jefferson's disappearance."
"Aye, aye, commander," said the beta team leader.
=============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Bridge
Stardate 9711.18
Vehakra worked for several hours while security swept the ship for clues
about the disappearance of Ensign Jefferson. Vehakra had some familiarity
with Romulans codes, which helped her in the process of breaking the encoded
transmission they had captured.
Fearless, like all Shadow Ops ships, carried some of the finest
codebreaking equipment in Starfleet. Of course, the Sovereign-class ship had
sacrificed some of its scientific sensor pallets for all its surveillance and
spy equipment, but that was what Shadow Ops was all about.
After three hours on the code, Vehakra finally made a breakthrough which
helped her to decipher a portion of the message...but that was enough for her
to understand what all the commotion was about.
Veh quickly made a record of the decoded portion of the transmission,
downloading it to a PADD, which she gathered up and headed over to Sortha's
ready room with.
After pressing the button outside the door, she heard the Gorn reply, "Enter."
The Orion female entered Sortha's office and crossed the room to his desk.
"What iss it, commander?" Sortha asked.
"I have deciphered a portion of the code. From what I can tell so far
from this message, a Romulan warbird on patrol in the sector we just left,
Sector 23-B, detected an unusual energy signature and went to investigate,"
Vehakra began. "At the source of the energy signature, they found a body
drifting in space. It was the body of a human female, wearing a Starfleet uniform."
Sortha growled under his breath, "Any more?"
"That's all I have so far sir, I think I can decode the rest in less than
an hour," Vehakra said.
"Good work, commander," Sortha said. "It sseemss we have a problem, though."
Vehakra nodded and waited to see what Sortha's next order would be...
=============================================================
Runabout Vigilance
Approaching the Kredellan System
Stardate 9711.19
For more than one day the runabout had traversed Romulan space, still
cloaked, until it reached the edge of the huge nebula which obscured sensors
from detecting the solar system on the other side.
Dyer ordered the ship into the nebula, which required the lowering of the
cloaking device, but the nebula made the ship just as invisible to sesnors.
It would be a six hour trip through the nebula until Vigilance would be in a
position to see what was going on inside the Kredellan system.
Just before entering the nebula, Lt. Quilman took notice of an increase
in communications traffic throughout the sector, most of it coded on
heavy-duty Romulan encryption frequencies.
"Sir, Sector 23-B appears to have just gone on some kind of alert,"
Quilman confirmed. "Several Romulan ships have mobilzed from bases in this
sector and are beginning some kind of search pattern. They appear to be
focusing in the vicinity of where the Fearless should have passed through
Romulan space several hours ago."
Dyer frowned, but there was little they could do. "Continue monitoring
transmissions. We'll remain on course."
The runabout then cut through the nebula and on toward Kredellan...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Trouble in Kredellan
Captain Sortha
Ready Room
Stardate 9711.21
"Good work Rhikal" Sortha growled, "so she was transported into open
space. I think we can assume that she didn't go willingly. Vacuum is not
very hospitable" the big Gorn mused. "Go over our sensor logs very
carefully, see if you can detect any details about the body after it was
transported. It should show up on sensor logs. Some of the scientific
scanners may have recorded data about her, at least whether she was alive or
not directly after she transported."
"Aye aye Captain" Rhikal responded and left quickly.
Sortha's next action was to send a message throughout the ship,
"Attention all hands, intruder alert, implement maximum ssecurity level
protocols. This iss not a drill." Then contacting Ki'lal directly he
asked, "what has the search of Ensign Jefferson's room and personal
belongings revealed?"
=============================================================
Lieutenant (jg) Ian Quilman
USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.20
"Sir, I was attracted to Starfleet as a child. My mother is a Commander
serving in one of the fleets at this time. She has been an Intel officer her
whole carrer. My father was serving as Earth's Ambassador to Romulus at the
time that I was born. It seems funny now that all the time we were on
Romulus my father was being shadowed by the Romulians and my mother was free
to go about her business without being noticed. She was at that time the
highest ranking Intel officer that Starfleet had on Romulus. That's how I
came to speak Romulian without an accent. We were on Romulus for 10 years
and then returned to Earth. Mom went back out on ships and Dad was sent to
be the Earth Ambassador to the Federation. When I was old enough I applied
to Starfleet. My grades were good enough to get me in and I always wanted to
go into the Intel side like my mother. But when I was interviewed
by a ShadowOp's officer I thaught that it would be more exciting.
"Sir we are now at Kredellan."...
=============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
Runabout Vigilance
Entering the Kredellan System
Stardate 9711.20
Dyer listened as Lt. Quilman told of his parents and their involvement
with Starfleet and the Federation. It was not easy following in the family
footsteps. Dyer new this first hand. He was glad Quilman had found his own
path in Starfleet.
As they were speaking, the computer chirped. Quilman glanced at the panel
and then announced, "Sir we are now at Kredellan."
Dyer touched the console, "Dyer to Lt. Jarvis, if you and Ensign Kular
would kindly come up to the front, I'd like you to begin your active scans."
Lt. Jarvis entered the front compartment of the runabout. She and Ensign
Kular took the helm and set their instruments to begin scanning for Dominion activity.
"Lt Quilman, join me at the conference table, I'd like to go over a few
things regarding this increased comm traffic by the Romulans." Dyer was
wondering what could possibly have happened that put the whole sector on alert.
As the two officers entered the center compartment, Ensigns Parker and
Redmond were just beginning a game of cards.
Dyer began, "Lt. I'd like you to begin monitoring all of that comm traffic
and have the computer decode it. I want to find out what's going on that put
these folks on alert. I can't believe that Fearless has been discovered."
Quilman suggested, "The possibility also exists that they could be
responding to Dominion activity."
"Very true," Dyer continued, "But we must find out for sure. If a fleet
of warbirds decides to descend on Kredella I'd like some warning."
"I'm going to go and see if I can give Lt. Jarvis a hand," Dyer headed up
front again to see how the scans were going.
=============================================================
Runabout Vigilence
Kredellan Nebulae
Stardate 9711.21
The runabout reached the edge of the nebula, but remained partially
concealed in the purplse and blue gases while they ran a sensor sweep of the
nearby planets. As the search ran, Lt. Jarvis was busy working on the coded
transmission the ship had intercepted en route to Kredellan.
Suddenly, Jarvis bolted from his chair and swung his head around at Dyer.
"Sir. I've found out something."
"Report," Dyer said, swiveling in his chair.
"The transmission we intercepted was a general alert throughout this
sector. A Romulan warbird investigated a mysterious energy signature and
found a body drifting in space at a set of coordinates along the route
Fearless was taking to Romulus. It was the body of a human female dressed in
a Starfleet uniform...cause of death unknown," Jarvis said.
Dyer frowned and looked a Quilman, who looked equally displeased.
"Stay on it," Dyer ordered. Kular then looked up from his console and got
Dyer's attention.
"Sir, I'm detecting a large convoy of Romulan ships, 39 assorted
freighters and transports guarded by what looks like five warbirds at
coordinates zero two zero mark five eight," Kular explained. "They are
orbiting the fifth planet of the Kredellan system, a huge gas giant world
approximately the size of Saturn."
"Any hint they detect us?" Dyer asked.
"Doesn't appear so," Kular said, "There are no other readings. No life
signs on any of the planets, or....wait."
Dyer tensed in his chair, "What is it."
"Some of the ships in that convoy, approximately 18, are not Romulan,"
Kular said. "They have configured some of their energy output to appear
Romulan, but they aren't."
"Well, what are they ensign?" Dyer asked, becoming frustrated.
"Dominion ships," Kular confirmed. "Six battle cruisers and 12 attack craft."
Quilman looked at Dyer, "looks like we've got trouble."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Unsolved Mysteries
Ensign Jamie T. Marcus
USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.22
Ensign Marcus had been searching her own room, that she shared with Ensign
Jefferson, with five other security officers for three hours straight. It
had been determined that ensign Jefferson had been beamed by somebody, or
something, into space. Word had gotten around quickly. She hadn't had a
chance to really get to know Jefferson very well, and for once she was glad.
It would have been much more difficult if she had lost a friend.
Jamie felt sorry for Lieutenant Sholek. His picture, next to Jefferson's
bed, looked sad and forlorn. She wondered how he was taking it. Probably
the ship's Betazoid security officer would try to console him. She didn't
know Sholek very well either so she didn't know what his reaction would be.
But, no matter, it was always tough losing someone you cared for.
Jamie examined the picture frame with Sholek's picture slide in it. It
was of the type that would also display a three dimensional static or two
dimensional moving image. She assumed that the circuitry on the back of the
picture was for that purpose. As she looked through Jefferson's drawers she
also found two other pictures. She stared at the strangers in the picture
slides. Were they Jefferson's family? Jamie briefly considered if someday
someone would be going through her personal effects. The picture slides were
of the same type as Sholek's. Strange Jamie thought, that they were
identical. One would think that the family pictures would be older, and
perhaps from a different manufacturer.
She took the pictures over to the frame, and inserted them into the
frame/viewer. Nothing remarkable. Then she sat the pictures down and
looked at them together. They were identical looking except for the picture
they displayed. Wait.... the circuitry on the backs were in different
places.... odd. Out of curiousity she rearranged the pictures, so that the
circuitry lined up... even odder she thought. Why would the pictures have
circuitry that could overlap? Unless they were meant to interact with each other.
Jamie went over to the frame. They wouldn't fit. Sitting down she
stared at the pictures and frame again. Then taking a pocket screwdriver out
of her investigation toolkit she loosened the screws that held the frame
components together. It had the effect of widening the slot that the picture
slides were inserted into. Compressing the three picture slides together so
the circuitry matched up she inserted it into the frame. Nothing happened.
Sighing, she was about ready to look at something else when several
characters rolled across the screen..... the screen read "Enter Access Code"
Wow, Jamie thought what is this??? The unit was starting to become warm
to the touch, so she put it down and scanned it with the tricorder. It was
building up a very high power level......then the tricorder identified the
device as a transmitter. Holy shit Jamie thought to herself, this damn
thing is a covert transmitter! Quickly she removed the pictures and smiling
a big smile, she tapped her comm badge: "Captain Sortha and Lieutenant
Commander Ki'lal, I think I found something that might be of interest...."
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Bridge
Stardate 9711.22
Vehakra had finished going over the sensor logs with a fine toothed comb
with little luck. The Fearless had been travelling at warp eight when Ensign
Jeffferson was beamed off the ship. Her body had been left thousands of
kilometers in the ship's wake in a fraction of a second.
Sensors recorded a small object left behind the ship at the coordinates
the Romulans had discovered Jefferson's body at. One second it wasn't there,
the next it was. But the sensor readings were so insignificant they barely
registered. That, Veh figured, was the only record the sensors had recorded
of Jefferson. And although it was little to work on, it confirmed one thing
to Vehakra...Jefferson was dead when she was transported off Fearless. If
not, the sensors would have registered a brief lifesign and an alarm would
have been sounded at Ops on the bridge.
"Captain," Vehakra said, turning toward Sortha. "Sensor records reveal
nothing more about Jefferson than the fact she was dead when she was
transported off the ship. Cause of death, time of death...all of that
information is not known."
============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
Runabout Vigilance
Kredellan Nebulae
Stardate 9711.22
Dyer paused for a moment to collect his thoughts. He had not expected to
find such a large force in the Kredellan system. And the news about the
female Starfleet officer floating in space near Fearless' flight path was
not welcome news.
He looked around the cabin at the 5 officers, all of whom were looking to
him for an action plan.
Dyer began, "Okay team, first, this team is in no position to launch any
kind of initiative on the Kredellan Fleet. We will engage the cloak and take
a nice leisurely ride through the system to gather some more detailed
information on the fleet.
"Second, Lt. Quilman and I will begin working on a plan to infiltrate the
Romulan ship that salvaged the human body. Whoever she was, she has no place
on a Romulan Warbird.
"Once we've recovered the body, we'll rendezvous with Fearless to give her
the fleet data we've gathered.
"Ensign Parker, take the helm and plot a course to circle the Kredellan
fleet. Keep a distance of at least 1,000,000 kilometres. We'll make two
passes and then head back to the posted coordinates for that Warbird.
"Ensign Redmond, I want you to continue to monitor the Romulan
transmissions, I want a report every 15 minutes.
"Lt. Jarvis, you and Ensign Kular take every reading possible on those
ships, we aren't going to stay very long to study them, but all information
possible may be helpful.
"Lt. Quilman, you and I will move to the Conference table. If this plan
is going to work, we'll need very careful planning.
Ensign Parker announced, "Sir, course plotted and laid in!"
"Engage ensign," Dyer commanded, "Let's keep on our toes people. Keep your
eye on those ships for any sign that they might detect our presence."
Dyer and Quilman left the four Starfleet Regulars in the forward
compartment while they went to plan their infiltration. The sat at the
conference table and Dyer looked at the PADD that held the transcript of the
intercepted transmission, "Well Ian, now's the time to put your knowledge of
Romulans to good use. What would be a good place to start?"
Dyer looked at Lt. Quilman for his opinion...
============================================================
Romulan Warbird Tarendak
In Sector 23-B, Romulan Empire
Stardate 9711.23
Commander Jalnad walked into the medical bay on his ship and approached
his ship's physician, Dr. Sel'mah. The female Romulan was working diligently
at her desk, reviewing PADDs of information and studying something under a
microscope from time to time. She looked up as he approached.
"Welcome, commander," she said, nodding.
"Your findings?" he asked, bluntly.
"Some very interesting details," the doctor said, handing Jalnad a
report. "The female was dead before she ended up in space. It appears someone
grabbed her by both arms and threw her against a solid object, a wall or the
floor perhaps, and shattered her back. This caused spinal injury and killed
her almost instantly."
"Not many humans or other Federation races, except maybe a Vulcan, has
that kind of strength," Jalnad speculated. "Anything in the Tal Rhakkan
database on Romulus that might shed some light on who she is?"
"Actually, yes," she said. "This woman held the rank of ensign, which
means we should have no data on her whatsoever. But as it turns out, this
woman was recruited by the Tal Rhakkan as a spy last year just before she
graduated Starfleet Academy. She has provided several meaningless reports in
recent months and the exact nature of her assignment with Starfleet is
unclear. The Tal Rhakkan has sealed many of the details in her file. He name
is Kim Jefferson."
"The records are sealed?" Jalnad asked, frowning. "Why?"
"Unknown. There's a tangle of red tape attached to this file," Dr.
Sel'mah said. "It looks like Jefferson went to work for Starfleet
Intelligence a short time ago and someone higher up in the Imperial Defense
Forces took an interest in her work. She's been reporting to that person in
particular for months, but exactly who that is is still unknown."
Jalnad hated the Tal Rhakkan. When the Tal Shiar was destroyed by the
Dominion three years ago, he and many other Romulans silently applauded their
demise, but not this new secret police organization had risen from the
Shiar's ashes and they were just as bad if not worse.
"I will contact Imperial Fleet Comand to see if they can obtain the data
for us," Jalnad said. "Has security had any luck with this Jefferson's comm-badge?"
"Somewhat. Security disassembled the device and learned that unlike other
Starfleet comm-badges, this one did not contain a chip with personal data
about the wearer, nor the serial number and name of the vessel it is registered to."
Jalnad smiled, "A covert operations ship. That is standard Starfleet
Intelligence procedure on its spy ships. Very tricky. Also, I forgot to ask,
how long was the female dead?"
"Less than one hour before we discovered her remains," the doctor confirmed.
"Thank you," Jalnad said. "Continue with your investigation. I will speak
with Admiral Varala regarding the release of this Jefferson woman's records
from the Tal Rhakkan."
Jalnad then turned and headed back to the bridge...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Closing on Romulus
Captain Sortha
USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.24
Sortha had just finished a debriefing with his senior officers. The
picture looked like this: Somehow Jefferson was working for somebody else,
who that was exactly was unknown. The composition of the communications
device pointed to no particular race or group. The components could be
bought in almost anyplace in the galaxy. Someone had killed her for some
reason, and then beamed her into space to cover their tracks. There was no
record in the computer banks of this ever happening. Whoever killed her most
likely erased the computer files of the transport. Lieutenant "Ki'lal"
Sortha said: "Determine who on this ship has the knowledge to so thoroughly
delete those computer files."
After everyone had left Sortha mused to himself. There was someone on
board working at cross-purposes to their mission. Painstakingly Sortha went
over the command overides that he alone possessed and changed them in the
ship's computer. He didn't know who was up to what, but he wasn't about to
have someone try to take control of any ship systems at a critical time. The
overrides were coded to Sortha's personal voice only. After several hours of
painstaking work, he sighed, satisfied with his work.
Returning to the bridge he sat in his large oversized chair. Checking
the ship's position, he said "we should be within scanning distance of the
Romulan home system on long range scanners. Anything to report?"
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Bridge
Stardate 9711.24
"Space traffic in the Romulan home system appears to be normal," Vehakra
reported. "I am reading ten uncloaked warbirds in the vicinity of Romulus, on
routine patrols and or orbiting the homeworld. There also 24 transports and
similar craft in and around the planet, as well as six scout-class ships, 15
freighter, 21 shuttles and 26 defensive fighter craft...all at non-alert status."
Sortha nodded, "Bussy, but not unusual. And apparently, if the Avenger
iss here, it hass not yet been detected. What about visible defenssive
sightss," Sortha asked.
"There are two battlestation class orbital implacements above Romulus,
various tracking and sensor satellites and orbital arrays, I'm also detecting
a tacheyon detection grid around Romulus itself," Vehakra said. "Any cloaked
ship coming within transporter range of the surface would be exposed."
Sortha nodded, "The improved ssecurity Ssholek mentioned in hiss report,
the ressult of Captain Picard's vissit to Romuluss six yearss ago. What iss
our estimated time of arrival?"
"Two hours, current speed," Ensign Talbot, the current helmsman reported.
"Remain on course," Sortha said. "Rhikal, Summers, I need some ideass of
how an Away Team would be able to be transsported through the tacheyon grid,
from a cloaked ship, without that sship being detected."
"Aye sir," Vehakra said, turning in her chair to glance up at Tyrian Summers...
============================================================
Lt. Commander Ki'lal
Jefferson's quarters w/beta security team
Stardate 9711.24
The security team arrived soon after Ki'lal arrived at Jefferson's quarters.
"Begin searching these quarters," ordered Ki'lal. "Samuelson and
Bjorn, use the tricorders to search for a definite transporter signatures.
The rest, begin to search the room VERY carefully."
The team searched the room for about ten minutes, Gaelon and Ki'lal
were searching her bedroom. Ki'lal tore the sheets up, threw the pillow on
the floor, and overturned the mattress.
"Gaelon, take a look at this," said Ki'lal.
There was a small communication device, set to communicate with
Romulus. (FROM THE GM: I guess Ki'lal didn't read Jamie's post...so we'll say
this is a second device)
"What in the hell? OK, now we have a mystery on hand. Ki'lal to
Captain Sortha," he said tapping his comm badge."
"Sortha here. Go ahead."
"Sir, we have found a small communication device set to communicate
with Romulus, and we believe we have found some transporter signals, both in
Jefferson's quarters. Since this seems to be a security breach, and since
it deals with the Romulans, how should we proceed?"
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Marcus Arrested
Captain Sortha
Bridge
Stardate 9711.24
Sooo Jefferson was a Romulan Agent..... too bad whoever killed her,
didn't capture her instead, she would have proved most useful... given the
proper motivation Sortha thought. Well, he had to do something, but what
there were very few clues as to Jefferson's killer. "Did you run DNA scans
on the transmitter, to see if anyone besides Jefferson touched it?" Sortha asked.
"Ensign Marcus' was on both transmitters" Ki'lal responded. That was
likely considering they were roomates... still Sortha could not take any
chances. "Detain Ensign Marcus in the brig for questioning" Sortha ordered.
There was a killer on the run, and the only hard evidence he had pointed to
Ensign Marcus. "Ki'lal I am afraid that you will have to interrogate her
fully. Begin in six hours. Sortha out."
============================================================
Ensign Jamie T. Marcus
USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.25
Marcus was shocked at hearing the orders. She was a suspect but.... All
she could do was to go along with her fellow security officers as they hauled
her off to the brig.
============================================================
Lieutenant (jg) Ian Quilman
Runabout Vigilence
Stardate 9711.25
"Sir, I'm sure that you know what the Romulan's command structure is like.
They try to follow orders as much as possible. The central command does not
like to have the ships captains think too much on there own. So the ship
that the Starfleet woman is on will be checking in with Central Command often
to see what their next orders are. This should allow us to figure out which
ship she is on. As for trying to infiltrate the ship perhaps we can command
them into giving us the body. If we decloak in front of them and order the
body transfered to our ship they might go for it. We can tell them that we
have just captured this ship from the Marquis and are taking it back to
Romulus for further study. That we are members of the Tal Shiar and that we
have been rerouted to pick up the body so that the ship can get back to
patrol duty. If we can make our faces look more like a Romulan and with my
lack of accent we should be able to pull this off. What do you think sir?"
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Bold Plots
============================================================
Lt. Sholek
Stardate 9725.11
In his quarters/before arriving at Romulus
Sholek was sitting down, thinking. There was more to the mind meld he had
with Jefferson. He recalled coordinates on Romulus where she was supposed to
meet with his brother. And a signal. A becon to alert Sorna to the aproach of
the Fearless.
Sholek could not return to Jefferson's quarters were the devise to send
the becon was located. He could use the computer in engineering to do it.
Sensors wouldn't register it since it would within the interference from the
warp engines. Except that this signal would be sent towards Romulus.
Vengence.
Fortunately for him, no one has come to console him. Either this was too big
of an emergency or they knew he would reject such an emotional display.
In engineering, after sending the signal, he set up a computer virus
designed to delete the command codes. The codes could easily be recalled from the
computers back up memory, but it would work long enough to transport to Romulus.
Later, as the ship approached Romulus:
A tacheyon grid? It was based on older Romulan technology and would be easy
for Sholek to get around, given the time. He would have to relay this to the
Captain. Time was closing. Vengence would be his. He smiled.
============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
Runabout Vigilance
En route to sector 23-B, Romulan Empire
Stardate 9711.26
Dyer listened to Lt. Quilman and considered the possibility of carrying
out his plan.
"There are a couple of problems with that idea," Dyer began, "First, this
is a Starfleet Runabout, not a civilian freighter. There were very few
Starfleet vessels commandeered by the Maquis, and your plan depends on the
scenario being plausible.
"Second, the Maquis rebellion has been quelled in the Federation. The
Romulan's are not ignorant of this fact. Their intelligence is in some
instances better than ours.
"Third, we have no EMH on this ship, it would be nearly impossible for
even one of us to have his/her physical characteristics changed surgically.
"The final flaw in your plan is that the Tal-Shiar was destroyed by the
Dominion three years ago, they have been replaced by an elite police force
called the Tal Rhakkan that is more loyal to the ruling council than the Tal
Shiar ever was.
"I had thought of more of an invasion. I want you to work on a way to
make the transporter more accurate at a greater distance and less noticeable.
"When we reach sector 23-B, we will move in as close to the Romulan ship
as possible. The tachion emissions from the other Romulan ships should
disguise ours well enough. We will scan for the human genetic pattern. It
should be easy enough to locate on a ship full of Romulans. You and I will
then beam directly to the coordinates of the body, secure the room, grab the
body, the clothes, the communicator, and anything else pertaining to this
woman. Lt. Jarvis will then beam us out and we will head directly for this
energy field." Dyer was pointing at a star chart.
The energy field was one of the most dense fields in the alpha quadrant.
It was forbidden for any federation vessel to enter due to the severe damage
to the ships systems that could be the result.
"Sir, that energy field will disrupt all ships systems including
propulsion. We would be committing suicide if we entered." Lt. Quilman was
concerned at the Commander's apparent lack of concern for the ship and crew.
"I'm aware of that Lt. That's why for the duration of our trip, Ensign
Kular and myself are going to reconfigure the shields to protect us for a
short time in the energy field. The protection that we get will sustain us
for long enough to fly through the energy field and approach Romulus from a
different direction than the sector that's on alert. I think that will
improve our chances for survival.
"Once we reach Romulus, we will rendezvous with Fearless, and with any
luck, we will soon be on our way back to Federation space with the Avenger
alongside."
While the two were talking, Ensign Redmond came into the cabin and gave
Commander Dyer the report on the communications he'd been translating. Dyer
scanned the PADD. The Romulans had discovered that the woman didn't have any
identifying markings on her communications equipment, and they concluded that
she therefore must belong on a covert operations ship. Very good. Dyer must
remember not to underestimate this Captain.
The Romulans had also discovered that this was the body of Ensign Kim
Jefferson. Apparently a double agent for the Romulan government. The
Captain was trying to get her file opened. The Tal Rhakkan had it sealed.
The details were fuzzy, but maybe later communications would clear them up.
"Good work ensign, keep on it." Dyer frowned at the news that Fearless had
been infiltrated by a Romulan double agent and he hadn't had any idea. He
set Lt. Quilman to work on the transporter while he went up front to work on
the shields with Ensign Kular. This was going to be a rapid infiltration and
planning had to be meticulous.
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Arrival at Romulus
Captain Sortha
Bridge
Stardate 9711.28
Silently the Fearless glided into the Romulan home system. The cloaked
ship had cut engine power upon entering the system and had continued on only
with inertia. Sortha sat fuming in his command chair. If it were not for
the fact that the mission was so critical he would have aborted it long ago,
whether or not Starfleet lost an entire Defiant class ship and her crew. It
was only the fact that the Romulans could be pulled into the war on the side
of the Dominion that had prompted him to proceed even this far.
So far no one had come forward over the killing of Ensign Jefferson, it
had been 12 hours. If a member of the crew was responsible in some act of
rage, they would have come forward by now, their conscience being too much
for them to let Marcus take the blame. From this Sortha could only assume
that whoever had killed Jefferson was acting on a prepared plan, and that...
made him even more nervous. He had routed all shipwide comm channels
through his command station on the bridge. Anything going out would have to
have his personal ok. Still spies were notorious for coming up with ways to
circumvent security precautions. Sortha took a deep breath, and decided he
had no choice but to proceed with the mission, spy on board or not.
On the screen a tactical of Romulus and the tachyon grid that protected
it was displayed. Dozens of ships came and went, befitting the status of the
capital world of an Empire. Sortha eyed the data on the ships entering and
leaving. "Commander Rhikal, find me a ship that is more massive than the Fearless..."
At her station Rhikal turned to comply, then stopped and looked at the
Captain...if he's thinking what I think he's thinking, she thought. In his
chair, Sortha just barred a toothy smile in her direction.
============================================================
Lieutenant (jg) Ian Quilman
USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.28
"Sorry I did not know the Tal-Shiar was destroyed by the Dominion three
years ago, and the elite police force called the Tal Rhakkan was now in
power, and more loyal to the ruling council than the Tal Shiar ever was.
"As for an invasion we can do some slight modifications in propultion
system and reroute some of the power into the transporters we can have a much
longer range than now. And if we modulate it with the shields that should
mask the signal that we give off. As long as the Romulain ship is not
cloaked then we should be able to transport on with no problem. If we beam
on with our personal cloaks turned on than overpowering anyone in the room
should not prove to be a problem. We will not be able to use our phasers
though so we do not set off any alarms. We should use knives and phasers
only as a last resort."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Vigilance
Lt. Sholek
USS Fearless
Stardate 9711.29
Thanks to his Vulcan training, Sholek has be able to avoid a conflict
with his conscience about having Ensign Marcus take the blame for what he did.
Unfortunately his Vulcan skills were diminishing. His conscience was getting to
him. Fortunately he had found a way to get Ensign Marcus out.
He had requested a meeting with the captain who was now a waiting him is his
ready room.
"Captain, I believe I have found away through the tachyon detection grid. It
would involve taking control of one of the satellites that make up the grid
and creating a small enough hole for a shuttle to get through undetected.
Here are the specifics." He handed Sortha the PADD.
"Very good, Ssholek," he said. "Is there ssomething elsse?"
"I don't believe Ensign Marcus could have murdered Ensign Jefferson. The
internal sensor logs indicate she was with other people at the time of the
transport. That could not have been faked without the other people also being
involved. And if they are we have something bigger to worry about. These
people should be questioned with Lt. Brynaziir present to verify their
testimony."
"How could thiss have been over looked."
"In Lt. Commander Ki'lal's rush to get someone to blame this on he and his
team failed to look at all possible evidence that might have been corrupted.
The sensor logs can be altered. They did not realize that they might show she
was with someone."
============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
U.S.S. Vigilance
Approaching Sector 23-B
Stardate 9711.29
Dyer had returned to Lt. Quilman who had some further ideas on the
invasion. The work on the shield modulation was going well. By the
time they arrived at sector 23-B, the ship would be ready.
Dyer listened to Quilman's ideas and replied, "That's precisely what
I was looking for Ian. I'll leave it to you to prepare our gear for the mission."
"Set up the transporter as per your suggestion and reconfigure it to
the shields. Then help Ensign Parker set up the computer relays to
transfer the power we need to boost the transporter signal. This has
got to be very easily reversible 'cause when we get back, we are going
to want to leave in a big hurry."
"Ensign Kular and I will have the shields remodulated, to protect us
in the energy field by the time we reach the ship. I'll be up front with
Ensign Redmond going over these transmissions.
"Our E.T.A. to sector 23-B is 1 hour 48 minutes, I want to be in and
out of that ship and out of the sector by the time 2 hours has elapsed,
prepare well Lt.
Dyer returned to the forward cabin, and thought about the upcoming
mission. He was nervous, the last away mission he had been on, was not a
good one for him. Spending three days in a coma in sickbay was not his
idea of fun. He was determined to make this one better, and it wouldn't
be long now.
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Going In
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Bridge
Stardate 9712.01
Vehakra Rhikal studied some incoming Romulan comm-traffic and took note of
some interesting facts. Once she had analyzed the transmissions, she turned
to Captain Sortha, who was busy guiding the Fearless in toward Romulus for his plan.
"Sir," Rhikal said.
"Can thisss wait, commander?" he asked, studying some readouts. "I am
bussy at the moment."
"I don't think so sir," Vehakra pressed on. "Romulan orbital traffic
controllers are investigating an anomaly which occured two hours ago.
Something they think was a cloaked ship, was briefly revealed by the tacheyon
detection grid, just barely skimming across the upper atmosphere of Romulus.
The incident lasted all of about 2 seconds and there was not enough
information available for the Romulans to make any final decisions. It has
been dismissed momentarily as a cloaked Romulan ship which strayed into the
detection grid by accident, smugglers or simply a phenomenon."
Sortha's attention was now garnered. "Your analysis, Vehakra?"
"Considering the speed the unidentified object was travelling at, it
could have been a cloaked ship attempting a near-warp transport," Veh said.
"That was one of the options Lt. Commander Summers and I discussed for
defeating the tacheyon detection grid...having the ship speed through the
grid at near warp speeds and transport the away team as we passed by."
"That iss a dangerouss manuver, iss it not?" Sortha asked.
"Very. Without a highly trained engineer or transporter operator on
board, it is not recommended," Veh confirmed. "You could end up transporting
an away team into a wall, an object or a person on the ground."
"Can you get a fix on the course and heading thiss object took?" Sortha asked.
"I'll try, sir," she said. "I'll have to see if I can intercept more Romulan data."
Vehakra Rhikal then returned to work as Sortha continued to move the ship
into position...
============================================================
Captain Sortha
Bridge
Stardate 9712.01
"Helm course 111 mark 7" Sortha said calmly. Ahead of them a large
Romulan ore freighter slowly held course for Romulus. It was a large
cumbersome ship, made for transporting the bulk ores used in the fabrication
of heavy equipment. It could only make warp 4, but since it's duties were
confined to within the Romulan empire and its cargo was non-critical and was
part of a large merchent fleet it really didn't matter. It was however, the
perfect ship for what Sortha had in mind.
The Fearless, still cloaked edged closer and closer to the Romulan ship.
Soon the Fearless was making minute course corrections, placing it directly
behind the Romulan ship which was cruising along at .1 lightspeed. On the
bridge of the Fearless, the lights turned blue as Sortha ordered the phased
cloak engaged. "Overtake them Lieutenant" Sortha ordered the current
helmsman. Slowly the Fearless overtook the ore freighter and eventually
merged with it. "Match freighter speed and course helm" Sortha ordered. The
Fearless had watched numerous identical freighters follow the same course
through the tachyon grid, hopefully this one would follow suit.
After several minutes Lt Cmdr Rhikal announced, "approaching tachyon
grid Captain." As the crew held their breaths, they entered the tachyon
grid. With the Fearless completely enveloped within the dense cargo of ore
the freighter carried, it didn't set off any alarms. The Romulan sensor net
only recorded yet another boring passage of a boring ore freighter. Once
past the tachyon grid, the Fearless cut engine power and drifted away from
the freighter. Sortha let out a sigh of relief, not even a blip on the
Romulan sensors. So far so good. The next phase of the mission would not
be so easy.
Captain Kostov's ship would need to find a way through the tachyon grid
to get close enough to transport crew to Romulus. Alternatively they could
sneak someone onto a ship headed to Romulus to insert the team that way.
The Vigilance did not have a phased cloak, so they could not duplicate the
Fearless' strategem.
Sortha ordered the sensors to search for the faint traces that the
Vigilance might leave inside the tachyon grid. Someone looking for that
signature specifically might have a chance of spotting it. Sortha also
ordered the tachyon grid monitored carefully. If there was even a small
malfunction or momentary blip he wanted to be notified. If Sholek could find
a way to shut down a part of the tachyon grid for a second, then Captain
Kostov's crew probably could as well. If they werent here yet, they'd spot
them coming through. With the powerful sensors of the Fearless Sortha was
sure of that. If they were already through... that would be more difficult.
He'd have to send an away team down to the surface. There they could work
with the underground to contact the Federation agents. Since they believed
that they had received bona fide orders from Starfleet they would most likely
contact the resistance or Federation agents on Romulus for help. Inserting
the away team would be interesting. Any transporter activity would be
identified. The away team would have to go in the old fashioned way.... and
ironically, the insertion method was appropriate.
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Mission Briefing
Captain Sortha
Conference Room
Stardate 9712.02
Sortha had briefed the away team on their mission. Simply put it was to
contact Federation agents on Romulus and enlist their aid in finding Kostov's
crew. Once they found them they were to persuade them to abort their false mission.
Sortha had read Kostov's biography thoroughly. In a mission of this
importance she would most likely lead the away team herself. Her ship and
its survival would be secondary to completing her mission which she believed
to be critical, just as the Fearless and its crew were expendable in their
mission to stop the assassination.
The Romulans simply could not be brought into the war on the side of the
Dominion. The Dominion plot to kill their Emperor must be exposed.
Sortha had chosen Lieutenant Commander Rhikal to lead the away mission.
She knew Kostov and would be instrumental in convincing Kostov the Fearless
was in fact the Fearless and that they had been given false orders.
Accompanying her would be Lieutenant Sholek, since he was Romulan and
knew his way around Romulus, Lieutenant Cmdr Summers, Lieutenant Brynaziir,
as he could pick out the emotional signitures of the Vigilance's crew.
Sortha also assigned a young Vulcan security officer Ensign Shalar and
Ensign Marcus.
Marcus had of course not really been under suspicion, but had been used
(with her permission) as bait to draw the real killer of Ensign Jefferson out
into the open. That strategem had unfortunately failed.
Rhikal, Summers, Brynaziir and Marcus had been altered to look like
Romulans. For everyone but Rhikal it had been relatively easy, some hair
dye, a little cosmetic work and they were good to go. Rhikal had required
some heavy doses of skin pigmentation, similar to that once used on Earth to
create false tans, but more powerful. It made her slightly nauseous but it
was not harmful. The officers looked like picture perfect Romulans.
Sortha continued the briefing "You will be inserted by a high altitude
freefall skydive. We've replicated the appropriate suits and equipment for
you and you'll have several practice sessions in the holodeck. Ensign
Marcus, one of your specialties at the academy was zero-g acrobatics, so I'm
sure you will enjoy the ride...you're in command until the team hits the
ground, then Rhikal will take over. As to the freefall for the rest of you,
well just get through it, get on the ground and make contact with our
operatives. Lt Cmdr Rhikal outfit your team with whatever you think you'll
need. Lieutenant Sholek, you are the only genetic Romulan, so if the others
are caught by security scans or whatever, you must continue on the mission
somehow. The top priority is to make sure the Emperor is not killed and that
the Romulans find out that the Dominion set them up. I don't have to tell
you the importance of this mission, you already know that. Insertion is in
five hours. Get your practice runs in with the holodeck and then report to
airlock 21-G. That's all, dismissed."
Sortha wanted to go, but it was simply impossible to pass off the large
Gorn as a Romulan. Lieutenant Ki'lal likewise was too hard to pass off as a
Romulan. After the others had left, Sortha looked to his old crewmate from
the Stealth. Drawing close to the Klingon Sortha informed him quietly.
"There is a good chance that they may get caught, and I am not willing to
let them be tortured in a Romulan prison. If they are caught we need to be
ready with a lethal strike team to get them out. It may require a pinpoint
freefall insertion and you blasting your way through shielding to get them
out. We can extract you then by transporter and then we'll fight our way
back to the Federation if necessary. Also", and Sortha's growl became a
whisper, "we may have to board the USS Avenger. They have a small crew, and
I'd want them taken out with as little bloodshed as possible. Have another
team ready for that. I would think about 40-50 security hitting them at once
will be sufficient. In either case YOU will lead the away team. Come up
with good plans for either eventuality and report back."
As Ki'lal left, his stride more determined as it always was right after
he had received difficult orders, Sortha went back to the bridge and his
search for the Avenger.
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Free Falling
Lt. Sholek
USS Fearless
Stardate 9712.02
Lt. Sholek gathered the members of the away team. He had to instruct them on
proper Romulan etiquette. "I believe the best way to due this would be to mind
meld with each one of you," he told them. "This would prevent slipping and
could be easily removed when the mission is over. I do, however, need your
permission."
============================================================
Lt. Thoraz Brynaziir
Holodeck
Stardate 9712.02
Immediately after leaving sickbay, Thoraz headed for the Holodeck. At
Starfleet Academy and at ShadowOps training he concentrated on communications
and security, so Thoraz needed all the practice he could squeeze in.
"High altitude freefall" mused Thoraz, 'this is is going to be one
memorable Away mission'; especially since Thoraz had only the very basic of zero-g
training and that was the only training even remotely similar to to freefall that
Thoraz had ever learned.
"Brynaziir to Marcus", he said as he tapped his comm badge once he
reached the Holodeck.
"Marcus here," she replied.
"Ensign, I will require intensive training for this mission. Can you join
me in the Holodeck?"
Thoraz then turned his thoughts to the mission. The rest of it he knew
how to do. He was trained for it. Infiltration and information gathering -
his stock in trade. It was a good thing he spent his free time during the
trip to Romulus studying Starfleet records on Captain Kostov. He had a good
idea of her personality now, which would help him try to track her down with
his telepathic abilities.
'Good thing Humans and Romulans have such marked differences, that should
help isolate the Avenger Team' he thought as Ensign Marcus entered the holodeck."
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Sick bay
Stardate 9712.03
Vehakra could not believe how she looked. Her skin was sort of a
caucasian human color with a greenish tinge to it -- the skin of a Romulan.
With her short, bowl-cut prosthetic hair piece in place and an outfit
consisting of Romulan civilian clothing, she couldn't recognize herself in
the mirror. It was amazing.
As she grew accustomed to the new look, Vehakra began to contemplate the
mission ahead. A freefall drop to the surface of Romulus? How quaint. Where
did the captain come up with such insane ideas??? All he simply had to do was
alter the transporters to give them a Romulan signature...something Sholek
could complete easily in under three hours. With all the transporter activity
from orbit to the surface, no one would notice the difference.
Oh well. The captain had decided it was to be a freefall drop, so that is
what it would be.
Vehakra gathered up a few items she needed and headed off toward the
holodeck. "Rhikal to Away Team. Meet me in Holodeck Two for our first
freefall simulation," she said, tapping her comm-badge.
Commanding the away team was going to be another new aspect she'd have to
deal with on this mission. And as the thought sank in, Vehakra found she kind
of liked it.
When she arrived at the holodeck, she entered and waited for the rest of
the Away Team to arrive...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Getting Ready
Lt. Commander Tyrian M. Summers
Onboard USS Fearless
Stardate 9712.03
Tyrian was gathered with the other members of the away team, all had been
altered to look like romulans, and it was a very convincing looking team.
Tyrian could'nt get used to the pointy ears he had. Lt. Sholek was to
instruct them on proper romulan etiquette. He suprised Tyrian by asking the
members to mind meld with him, with thier permission. Tyrian was the first to
speak up, "Lieutenant, I mean no disrespect to you or your culture, but there
will never be a day when I willingly open the full range of my thoughts to
anyone in a mind meld, I will stick with the condensed report in the computer
on Romulan etiquette, or anything else you can verbally add, thank you for
your offer." Tyrian then stood back and waited to see what the other members
would do.
============================================================
Lt. Thoraz Brynaziir
USS Fearless
Stardate 9712.04
Thoraz agreed to the mind meld with Sholek.
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
USS Fearless
Stardate 9712.04
Vehakra looked at Sholek and pondered his offer. While there would be
advantages to having such information implanted in her mind, she could not
accept the idea of somebody 'messing' with her brain. She had been physically
altered already for the mission, having her mind tampered with was not
acceptable.
Also, as mission commander she needed her head clear and if something went
wrong with the meld, it could interfere with her ability to think and make
decisions. She had to keep that in mind.
Besides, there was something she did not like about Sholek...he was as
personable as a Vulcan could get and that had never been a problem, but he
just always made her feel uneasy. That also played into her decision.
"Sorry Sholek," she said, waving him off with her hand. "I'll pass. Not a
bad idea though, but its just not for me."
============================================================
Ensign Jamie T. Marcus
Holodeck Two
Stardate 9712.04
In the time remaining before the jump, Jamie instructed all the members of
the away team in how to maneuver in zero-g and freefall. Although there was a
standard course at the academy for this, it was only several weeks, and in
general most people hated it.
Jamie took to it like a fish to water however. She took the advanced
courses and often spent leisure time making her own freefall jumps from high
altitudes. It was a complete adrenaline rush. She had picked up the habit
after one of her relatives told her that her great grandfather was an
accomplished jumper in his later years. Like much of everything else she
followed in his footsteps.
They had made 5 practice jumps so far in the holodeck. Thoraz was
looking very green, as was Veh. Even the Vulcan and the stoic Sholek appeared
to be combating some inner queasiness. Tyrian however seemed to be enjoying
it. After the seventh jump, everyone seemed to be up to speed, at least with
basic maneuvers- she'd leave the acrobatics for the leisure jumps. Although
more hair-raising, there was no chance of their transport being picked up by a
Romulan monitoring station, and the Fearless would not have to be uncloaked
for even a second.
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Daring Raid
Cmdr. Dyer & Lt. Quilman
On board Romulan Warbird
Sector 23-B
Stardate 9712.02
The time passed quickly during the final leg of the trip to rendezvous
with the Romulan Warbird. Dyer worked with Ensign Kular and got the shields
remodualted to offer the protection that they would need during their escape
through the energy field on-route to Romulus.
Lt. Quilman had put his skills to task and reprogrammed the power relays
to accept the increased power to the transporter. He'd also briefed Ensign
Parker on the new modifications and how to reverse the process quickly and
boost power to the engines so we can make a quick getaway if the need should arise.
Everything was in place, and he and Lt. Quilman stood on the runabout's
transporter pad, dressed in their Shadow Ops fatigues. The small back-pack
each carried contained a hunter probe, two stun grenades a tri-corder and a
type II phaser. The two were equipped with Shadow operations personal cloaking
devices this would hide their presence in the medical bay. Dyer hoped that he
didn't have to kill anyone, but was prepared to if it was necessary. They
both carried a knife; Quilman's was a standard blade, about 20 cm in length;
Dyer carried a Klingon d'k tahg which he preferred.
Dyer checked his comm signal through the sub-vocal communicator that
allowed he and Quilman to keep in touch with one another and the ship. The
signal checked out fine.
He asked the Lt. "Ready??"
Quilman nodded. So Dyer looked at Ensign Parker, and said, "Energize!"
They materialized in an unoccupied area of the deck that the medical lab
containing Jefferson's body was located.
Immediately after they materialized on the deck the two officers engaged
their personal cloaks so as not to be observed. They then made their way to
the medical lab.
So far so good the Romulain's had not taken notice of any annomalies
yet. In the medical lab there were four people as well as the body of a
human that they have started to examine.
The pair of cloaked Shadow Operatives still weren't able to determine if
it was the body of Ensign Jefferson.
"Sir, I think that I can generate an emergincy medical situation in
Engineering so as to clear out some of the personal here," Lt. Quilman told
Commander Dyer over the sub-vocal communicators.
"Go ahead and try Lt." came Dyer's reply.
Quilman went back out into the hallway and down to a room that the tri-
corder showed to be empty and linked into the Romulan computer system.
Getting by the new codes that were in the system was the hard part. Getting
the computer to simulate a call for all medical personal to report to an
engineering emergancy was the easy part. As Quilman came back out of the room
and saw two of the medics move out of the med lab and start down the hall
leading to engineering.
The two remaining people in the room, appeared to be the chief medical
officer, and a commander with the Romulan Fleet. They were hudled over a
terminal at a side table. Dyer moved closer to the body laying on a table in
the center of the room. It was definately ensign Jefferson.
Dyer touched his chronometer to activate his sub-voc communicator, "Lt.
we'll have to immobilize these two, and then seal the room. You take the
doctor, I'll take the Commander."
Quilman acknowledged and the two set to motion. Simultaneously, they de-
cloaked, and grabbed the unsuspecting Romulan Officers. Dyer belted the
Commander in the back of the head with his elbow. A sleeper hold would have
been nice but the Romulan was a good 4cm taller than Dyer. The Commander
turned to face his attacker, and Dyer suckered him with a square jab to the
nose. The Romulan's hands came up to protect his face. Dyer took advantage
of the surprise and dropped another elbow to the Romulan's upper back. The
Officer dropped like a sack of grain.
Dyer finished him off with a knee planted right in the middle of his
face. The Romulan fell to the floor, in obvious pain, and only in a state of
semi-conciousness. Dyer found a hypospray, and administered enough sedative
to keep the big Romulan out for a couple of hours.
Quilman took advantge of the Doctor's seated position and administered a
nice quiet sleeper/choke hold and the female slumped over her terminal in a
matter of seconds.
Dyer turned the hypospray on her, just to be on the safe side.
"Excellent, secure the room then grab Jefferson's uniform, and get her
equipment. I'm going to clean up their files here." Dyer gave the order. He
glanced at his chronometer, 9 minutes had elapsed since their infiltration.
Dyer went to work on the computer system. Romulan systems were pretty
simple to crack, protocols were pretty much the same as Starfleet. Trple
redundancy, etc. It was pretty easy to find a back door into the system. He
downlaoded all the information the ship had on Kim Jefferson, and initiated a
cascading virus that would disable the ship for a good long while as well as
erase the databse.
"Come on Ian, let's get out of here." Dyer stepped over to the body.
Quilman joined him in seconds.
"Dyer to Vigilance, energize and initiate pre-arranged flight plan."
The two officers and their cargo, were beamed back aboar the Vigilance
and the little ship was once again en-route to Romulus.
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Holodeck Two
Stardate 9712.07
"OK, everyone, that should do it," Vehakra said as the latest freefall
simulation ended. "We all made it that time...three times in a row. I wish we
could have more time to prepare, but we need to get moving. Gather your gear
and assemble in cargo bay seven in thirty minutes. We'll be jumping from
there. Dismissed."
As the team filtered out of the holodeck, Vehakra caught up with Sholek and
tapped him on the shoulder.
"Sholek, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about Kim," Vehakra said. "I know
you two spent a lot of time together. I hope we figure out what happened to her."
"As do I, commander," Sholek replied.
"Sholek. I'm really going to need your expertise on this assignment," Veh
told the Romulan. "I want you to act as my advisor while we're on the ground.
Don't let us do anything stupid."
They then headed off to gather their gear...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/The Drop
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Cargo Bay
Stardate 9712.06
When Vehakra Rhikal entered the cargo bay with her gear, she was met by
Lieutenant Sholek, Lt. Commander Summers, Lieutenant Brynaziir, Ensign Shalar
and Ensign Marcus -- her team for the mission.
Together, the team donned its dive outfits -- specially constructed full-
body armor designed to withstand the heat and friction of a high altitude drop
from the upper atmosphere of a planet. The suits were bulky and restrictive,
but they would protect the team members well.
"OK, listen up," Vehakra said, taking center stage in the cargo bay. "This
is going to be the real thing, so remember your training. We have selected a
drop point four kilometers outside the Romulan Capital City. From there we
will either walk or acquire transportation. Once we are on the ground, our
first priority is to make sure we are not seen. Then we must regroup if for
some reason we don't land in the same area together. Then, the suits must be
vaporized before we start out for the city."
"Away Team," the captain's voice sounded across the cargo bay speakers.
"We will reach the drop point in three minutes. Are you ready?"
Vehakra nodded, "As we'll ever be, sir."
"Good luck. When you are ready for evac, ssend the extraction ssignal,"
Sortha said. "Sstand by for drop."
The non-team personnel cleared out of the cargo bay and the team finished
donning their uniforms and stowing their gear in packs. They then moved into
position by the main cargo doors.
Veh could feel the butterflies in her stomach. She hated this freefall
diving. The simulations had been bad enough, but this was the real thing.
Still, she maintained a solid front for the rest of the team, some of who she
figured also weren't pleased to be jumping out of a perfectly good starship.
"Drop in thirty seconds," a voice notified the team as warning lights and
sirens filled the cargo bay. "Standby for depressurization."
The team activated their suit's life support systems and stood ready as
the cargo bay door slid open, revealing space outside and the looming bulk of
the surface of Romulus below. With the forcefield still in place, there was
nothing to worry about at the moment, but when that field came down they would
all be tossed very unceremoniously into the upper atmopshere of the planet.
When the countdown ended, the cargo bay forcefield was lowered and the
team was sucked out of the cargo bay and into the upper atmosphere of
Romulans. They then began their descent toward the surface of the planet, the
guidance systems in the suits manuvering them on course for the landing site
as they dropped quickly through the upper atmosphere...
============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
U.S.S. Vigilance
Stardate 9712.06
Lieutenants Quilman and Jarvis to Ensign Jefferson's body to the rear cargo
area of the runabout. Dyer moved to the forward cabin to get the latest report
on the Romulan transmissions and see that they were on course.
Five minutes had passed since they beamed off of the Warbird and Ensign
Redmond reported that an Intruder Alert had been sounded aboard the Romulan
ship. Several ships had broken off from the pack and were on course to
Romulus, several others were on course to the Neutral Zone.
All were engaged in heavy tachion sweeps, in order to detect a possible
cloaked ship. Luckily, none were pursuing the Vigilance. They would
logically follow the most obvious courses of action first. By the time they
decided to search elsewhere the Vigilance would be not easy to find.
They were E.T.A. 25 minutes to the energy field so Dyer went back to change
into uniform. He grabbed a cup of black coffee from the replicator and went up
front again.
"Why don't you go and take a break ensign," he said to Parker, who'd been
piloting the craft now for five hours. "I'll take the helm."
"Very well sir," Ensign Parker was a fine officer. He might even talk to
the Captain about recruiting him into the ranks of Shadow Operations.
Dyer settled into the pilot's seat and disengaged the auto pilot. After
about 7 minutes he checked the sensors and signalled the 5 other officers on
board, "Grab a seat everyone, we'll be entering the energy field in 30 seconds."
They entered the energy field as planned. The ship took a pounding, but
the modified shields were holding. The sensors were useless as expected so
Dyer switched to visual and slowed to .25 impulse. They would be clear of the
field in 12 minutes. The ride through was unimpressive. The light show in
the field was not spectacular compared to some that the Commander has seen
during his years on a science vessel.
The emerged from the field, and laid in a new course, direct for Romulus.
Dyer instructed Ensign Redmond to continue scanning for Romulan transmissions.
"Ensign Kular, I need you to use your most sensitive equipment and scan our
surroundings for tachion emissions matching shadow operations cloaking
devices. Somehow we need to find the Fearless. Keep your eye open for any
cloaked Warbirds while you're at it."
"We'll give it 72 hours and then we'll head back to Federation space with
our information and rendezvous with Admiral Jaegar."
============================================================
Runabout Vigilance
En Route to Romulus
Stardtae 9712.07
"Commander," Lt. Quilman said from the pilot's chair on the Vigilance.
"We've got a problem."
Dyer, who had been resting in one of the empty cockpit seats, got up and
moved to look over Quilman's shoulder. "Report."
"I thought we made it through that energy field without a hitch a few
hours back, but there was an unforseen problem," Quilman said. "Our warp coil
is malfunctioning. It won't effect our speed or ability to travel at warp, but
it could give off a signal that would be detectable through the cloaking
device."
"Damn," Dyer snapped, pounding his fist on the back of the chair. "Can we
fix it?"
Quilman checked a few screens of data scrolled in front of him. "Perhaps.
But we'll have to either put down somewhere or find a place to hide for a few
hours. We're pretty close to Romulus now, I'm not sure if there's anything
around here."
"How about here," Quilman said, pointing to some asteroids on the sensors.
"At coordinates zero-two-five mark three-eight, just outside the main Romulan
star system. It's an area of asteroids and other debris."
"As good as any," Quilman said. "Let's just hope we can get in there
without being detected."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/On The Ground
Lt. Commander Ki'lal
Fearless
Stardate 9712.07
INTRA-SHIP MESSAGE
From: Lt. Cmmdr. Ki'lal
To: Captain Sortha
Sir, I have come up with a plan for each eventuality. Hopefully, we will
not need them. Lt. Gaelon, my most trusted officer, will lead the rescue op
on the Avenger. I, by your orders, will lead the rescue op. I will take ten
security officers and we will do an air strike. I will send four to take out
the shields and the rest will rescue the POWs. Training missions in the
holodeck will begin immediately. Sir, as always, I am open to any more suggestions.
Qa'plagh!
Lt. Cmmdr. Ki'lal
END INTRA-SHIP TRANSMISSION
============================================================
Lt. Sholek
Stardate 9712.08
Cargo Bay
Sholek stood there gazing at the planet he had once lived on. It was a
beautiful green. He had missed it, although he would not admit it. Now not
only would he see his planet again, but also the Emperor and his brother. He
had a plan in mind on how to reach the Emperor but would require getting rid
of the other team members. It was a one person job and might be avoided. If he
could get to the Emperor. Vengeance!
============================================================
Lt. Commander Tyrian M. Summers
Romulus Upper Atmosphere
Stardate 9712.08
Tyrian dove along with the other members of his team down towards the
surface of Romulus. The suit he wore was very bulky and restrictive, but
served its purpose of keeping him alive. He enjoyed this type of thing, it
brought an instant adreneline rush to him. The surface seemed to be rushing
towards him. Tyrian had a smile on his face as he went speeding down toward
his latest mission.
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Romulus
Stardate 9712.08
The fall through Romulus' atmosphere was exhilarating, but it was something
Vehakra only wanted to do once. Going through re-entry was the worst. The
protective suit around her sparked and burned for nearly a minute. Then, after
that, it was a clear drop straight toward the ground below.
The surface of Romulus became very visible after they entered the moderate
cloud cover over the land below. It was night time, but the lights of the
sprawling metropolis of the Romulan capital could be seen, as well as
crisscrossing patterns of light from the network of cities and towns branching
off from the central city.
The team had assembled in sort of a triangular formation by this point and
each of them were homing in on a set of coordiates below which had been
designated as the landing zone. When they reached the proper altitude, each
team member deployed his or her parachute and began the final descent toward
the surface of Romulus.
As they gently glided in, the Away Team one by one touched down in a
forested area outside the capital. They all managed to land within 50-100
yards of each other, some were in the woods while others were in the clearing
designated by the Fearless as the landing zone.
Vehakra's chute caught in a tree in the forest. Fortunately she was only
about 12 feet off the ground, hanging by the chute straps with her legs
dangling above the floor of the forest below. Once she got her bearings, Veh
popped her chute loose and dropped to the ground below.
She got up and stripped off her jump outfit and helmet. With the jump
clothing removed, she heaped it in a pile and vaporized it with the Romulan
disruptor she'd replicated on the Fearless before the mission. She then fired
into the tree and destroyed the chute, its straps and the branch it was caught on.
That task finished, she hoisted her pack on her back and set out for the
clearing to rendezvous with the rest of the team...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Discoveries
Captain Sortha
Bridge
Stardate 9712.10
As the away team had been practicing their high-altitude jumps, Sortha had
put the Fearless' science teams to full use. The brief distortion in the
tachyon grid detected by the Fearless earlier was replayed and replayed, each
time the ship's powerful computers analyzing it in a different manner.
Sortha had accessed the complete and latest Starfleet logs on the USS
Avenger that had been downloaded into the Fearless' data banks prior to their
departure for this mission. These data included warp signatures, shield
modulations, energy emissions, warp-wave front distortion profiles, and a host
of other data. After numerous simulations, it was determined that the tachyon
distortion was 88% likely caused by a high speed warp flyby of the USS
Avenger. In addition six transporter signals disguised as standard Romulan
transporter patterns were detected at the exact time the tachyon distortion
occurred. The signals indicated a beam down to the Jetraal section of the
Romulan Capital City.
The Fearless' computer had also laid in several possible courses the
Avenger might have taken based on the agle of entry into the tachyon grid and
exit as well. Finally, computer enhancment of the stored sensor data
immediately after the tachyon incursion showed several ghost like images,
almost like a series of still pictures of the USS Avenger coming out of warp
and heading away from the planet on heading zero-two-five mark three-eight.
Without the exact specifications and detailed Starfleet records the
Fearless possessed on the Avenger, they would not have been able to track it.
Unless the Romulans were very lucky, they wouldn't have either. Sortha
considered his options as he looked at the data.
============================================================
Ensign Jamie T. Marcus
Surface of Romulus
Stardate 9712.10
Jamie soared through the atmosphere like a fiery comet. The faceplate
protected her and allowed her to see the friction flames that surrounded her.
The suit was stuffy and warm, but otherwise she felt no discomfort. Inside
her head she thought of the total rush she was feeling.
As they cleared the upper atmosphere the flames disapated and the Romulan
countryside came into view. It was night time and lights showed where major
population centers were. Jamie followed the others down. They were
scattering somewhat, so she aimed for the middle of the pack so that at least
she would be centrally located when they landed.
After several minutes her wrist altimeter indicated that it was 5 seconds
to chute deployment. After five seconds the suit altimeters automatically
deployed the black parasails and the team slowed. Almost as soon as they were
slowed to safe speed, it was time to land. Jamie saw briefly the clearing and
maneuvered herself over to it in the final seconds of airtime.
She landed running, dragging her chute out behind her so it wouldn't
land on top of her. After it was on the ground she ran back toward the chute
detaching it and rolling it up as she ran. Depositing it in a pile, she
ripped off her flight suit, piled it on top of the chute and instantly
vaporized it with a blast from her Fearless replicated Romulan disruptor.
She saw Tyrian folding his parachute as well. In the trees off to one
side she saw Lieutenant Commander Rhikal dangling, then detaching herself and
subsequently vaporizing her chute. Soon the team was gathered together.
Jamie waited for Rhikal's instructions.
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Romulus
Stardate 9712.10
Vehakra and the team gathered in the clearing near the woods where they
landed and she quickly took account of the team. They were all present and
accounted for, and undamaged from the fall.
"Well, that went well," Veh commented. "At least we're all alive and
functioning, unlike the simulations. Good job.
"We can't all go in to the Romulan capital together. The idea is not to
draw attention to ourselves," Vehakra said. "Before we left the Fearless,
Captain Sortha said the Fearless' sensors determined the Avenger team may have
beamed into the Jetraal section of the city, a neighborhood to the northeast.
We're going to spereate into two teams.
"I will take Ensign Marcus and Lt. Brynaziir with me and go to the
Krokton Section of the city to seek out our contact in the Romulan Underground
-- a Romulan woman named T'Lara," Vehakra explained. "Meanwhile, Lt. Commander
Summers will lead Lt. Sholek and Ensign Shalar into the Jetraal section of the
city to search for the Avenger Away Team. Best way to find them is to run
tricorder sweeps of the neighborhood and look for non-Romulan life signs. But
be careful not to give yourselves away.
"There's a street market in the Jetraal Section. We'll meet there tonight
at 1700 hours to see what is going on," Vehakra continued. "Make sure you all
make it to the rendezvous...there's a citywide curfew imposed at 2000 hours
and we'll have to be off the streets. Unless there are any questions, let's
get going." Vehakra then looked around to see if there were questions...
============================================================
Romulan Scoutship
Sector 23-B
Stardate 9712.10
The Romulan Scoutship Zendrah dropped out of warp and cautiously approached
the Warbird Tarendak as if drifted aimlessly through space.
"Report," Commander Jahn ordered his operations officer on the bridge of
the scout ship.
"Sensors are reading multiple lifesigns. It appears the entire crew is
present and accounted for," the young Romulan centurion reported. "They appear
to be disabled. It is the Tarendak...the ship that found the dead human a
couple of days ago."
"Hail them," Jahn said. The centurion complied, but shook his head.
"No response," he said. "They do not appear to be receiving our hails.
Only life support appears to be functioning."
"Prepare a boarding party to beam over and investigate," Jahn said.
"Contact Imperial Fleet Headquarters and inform them of the situation."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Sholek Screws Everyone
Captain Sortha
Bridge
Stardate 9712.11
Captain Sortha gazed at the orb that slowly rotated on the viewscreen. How
many times had his people wanted to be in a ship with the capabilities of the
Fearless this close to Romulus. It was a powerful temptation not to vaporize
a city or two.
Instead Sortha dicussed his attention on the data that had just been
discovered about the Avenger.
"Scan the system starting with the coordinates along heading zero-two-five
mark three-eight" Sortha ordered. "Limit your search initially to the range
of personal communications devices with Romulus as the center point. The
Avenger will have to stay close enough to receive an extraction transmission."
He knew his teams carried personal communications devices. The phrase
"I will be home late because of shopping for tendrak soup ingredients and 2002
Romulan Ale" broadcast as a normal personal message meant the team was ready
for immediate extraction.
Several other innocuous phrases were prepared that meant various messages
from the team as well. Sortha waited for the results of the scan.
Soon, Sortha was handed a PADD by one of the bridge crew, detailing the
results of the scan. There were eight planets in the Romulan homesystem, and
multiple celestial bodies like moons, planetoid, asteroids and comets. There
were many pockets of gravimetric disturbance, which made sense because there
were probably a score of cloaked Romulan vessels moving in and out of the system.
Also of interest was an asteroid field on the outer limits of the system
and an ion storm just on the exterior of the system which seemed to have been
raging for some time. Otherwise, there was little to report...unless the
Avenger was hiding somewhere among these physical features of the Romulan home
system...
============================================================
Lt. Sholek
Stardate 9712.11
nearing the Romulan capitol
Sholek had a minor problem, Summers and Shalar. It would be easy to get rid
of them. They would be searching for non-Romulans and wouldn't even detect his
leaving until it was too late.
The entered the city quite inconspicuously. He ushered the other two into a
little cafe like place. When they were inside he began to discuss how to
proceed. "If we just go out and sweep around with our tricorders, we will
easily be noticed. The best approach would be to hide the tricorder in your
clothing, walk about the area for several minutes, and then find a secure
location to examine what the tricorders read." After they had a drink they
began their mission. They stayed in the same general vicinity slowly combing
the city.
Sholek watched as Summers and Shalar walked away from him and took off for
the Imperial palace.
At the front gate a guard appeared and said, "Halt civilian. You know that no
one is permitted in the palace."
Sholek looked around him making sure no one was watching. The guard had a
disrupter pointed at him and there were several other guards nearby. It was
obvious that no normal Romulan would be able to get by. But Sholek was no
ordinary Romulan.
"Move along!" the guard commanded.
Sholek acted like he was going to walk away but then reached out grabbed the
guard's arm and put his hand on the guard's face. It took but a few seconds to
convince the guard to let him in. Also, it was brief enough to not draw
attention. The guard escorted him inside and led Sholek to the Emperor. He saw
several other civilians in the halls and became curious as to why they were
there. It was soon obvious that they were employed by the government. Most
were busy with janitorial duties others were employed by the counsel members.
"The Emperor is in here," the guard said. "He is busy right now reviewing the
idea of joining the Dominion and will talk with the counsel this evening about it."
"Surely he does not intend to suggest that we join the Dominion?" Sholek
responded.
"It is only being discussed like any other issue is. That doesn't mean there
is even a slight possibility of it going through, but you never know."
"Why are there no guards outside his door?"
"If anyone was to break through the outer defenses they would head straight
for any door that is guarded from the outside. No one but the Emperor's guards
know were he is at."
The guard left and Sholek depressed the door chime. "Come in," called the Emperor.
"What do you want. I'm busy," the Emperor said just before looking up.
Sholek put up his hand. "Before you call your guards, I would like a chance
to explain myself," he requested.
"Very well and be quick about. I do not enjoy being disturbed."
"I am Lieutenant Sholek of the Federation starship the USS Fearless. Recently
the Dominion attacked a secret training base on Earth and was able to send a
communiqué to another starship, the USS Avenger. A changeling, disguised as a
Vulcan Admiral, convinced them that you were a changeling and sent them to
kill you hoping to draw the Romulan Empire in to the war with the Dominion on
the Dominion's side. The Fearless has been sent to prevent this from
happening. I had parted from the rest of my crew and the away team here who is
now looking for the Avenger's away team, so that I could talk directly to you.
I have had training on Vulcan and was able to mind meld with your guard and
convince him to bring me to you.
"I would like to prove that I am not a changeling." Sholek pulled out a
dagger and cut his open palm and squeezed out the green blood.
"Then let me prove that I am not," the Emperor offered. He cut his own palm
and squeezed out the same greenish blood. "I assume that you were not at all
instructed to come to me, correct."
"That is correct."
"Why then did you come to me? You could have simply searched the city for
non-Romulans and never had allowed me to know you were even here."
"I also have a personal request. My brother is the one responsible for
creating the circumstances that resulted in my leaving my home here, as I have
recently discovered. He was able to spy on me using a starfleet ensign. When I
had discovered this I killed her. But only I know she was a spy. I would like
to get at my brother. He had my family killed and simulated his own death to
get me to leave. I call upon to Romulan right to blood. My brother is Sorna.
He is working with the Naitara family."
"Then you may have your vengeance," the Emperor said smiling.
============================================================
Romulan Imperial Palace
Stardate 9712.12
While Sholek and the Emperor conversed for a long time about the
circumstances which brought him there and the threat to the emperor by the
unwitting Avenger strike force, they were not aware they were being monitored.
In an adjoining chamber, the emperor's chief advisor, Defense Minister
Demtok, sat and observed the conversation between Sholek and the Emperor via a
hidden nanoprobe in the emperor's chambers. And what Demtok heard angered him.
Once enough of the conversation had been recorded, Demtok opened a
frequency to the Warbird J'Hakka with the fleet in the Kredallen system. Once
the frequency was secured and encrypted with a new and elaborate Dominion code
-- one that could easily be mistaken for a Romulan transmission, only much
more sophisticated, the face of a Romulan male appeared on the desktop viewer.
"What is it?" the man asked.
"There is a problem," Demtok said. "I need to speak with the commander."
"She is busy," the Romulan replied.
"Get her, now!" Demtok insisted.
The Romulan male frowned and disappeared from the viewer for a moment.
Shortly there after, the screen was filled with the face of an attractive
female Romulan. She was a very unique Romulan, in many ways, especially
because of her short blonde hair and human-like features.
"What is it?" Commander Sela asked.
"A Romulan who claims to be with Starfleet is here, meeting with the
Emperor. He breached security and was accepted in to see the Emperor," Demtok
said. "He told the emperor about the Avenger. He knows."
"Do you have a recording?" Sela asked, hissing through clenched teeth.
"Standby," Demtok said. He transmitted the recording and Sela viewed it
for several minutes before looking back at the screen.
"Sorna's brother, Sholek is here," Sela smiled. "Sorna will be quite
pleased to hear this."
"But the plan, what about the plan?" Demtok asked. "Surely this will be a
problem. This Sholek has ruined our plan."
"Not necessarily," Sela said. "Have Saleran and her agents proceed with
Plan B. Seperate one of the Avenger operatives from the rest and keep him or
her out of contact with the others and their ship. That person alone must
complete the attack on the emperor and be captured or killed in the process."
"It will not be easy," Demtok said. "He will increase security."
"You are his Minister of Defense. See to it there is a hole in his
security," Sela said. "As soon as we have word of the emperor's death, our
task force, joined by the Dominion ships we have here at Kredallen will move
on Romulus and we will take control."
"I hope you are correct, Sela," Demtok said. "We've worked too ong and
hard on this plan."
"It will work," she replied. "Meanwhile, once you've informed Saleran of
the change in plans, contact Sorna and feed him this information. It will give
him time to lay a trap for this traitor...this Lt. Sholek."
============================================================
Emperor's Chambers
Romulan Palace
Stardate 9712.12
As soon as Sholek had left the emperor's chambers, the emperor summoned his
top security officer, a centurion named Navek.
"Navek, we have a problem," Emperor Larmok explained. "It has come to my
attention that a Starfleet assassination team is possibly here, on Romulus,
planning to kill me. They supposedly think I am a Changeling. Alert the Tal
Rhakkan and my personal security force to tighten all security around me and
my family. Then, alert the military to the possible presence of one or more
cloaked Federation starships in our space. If they are found, they are to be
captured. If capture is not possible...destroy them."
Navek nodded, "The man who broke in here. The one you allowed to stay.
What about him?"
"Let him go for now, but put a tail on him," Larmok said with e smug grin.
"He may have saved my life by providing me with the information I just gave
you...but he is still going to serve another purpose. He's going to help rid
me of one of my greatest rivals -- the Naitara family. After that, if he still
lives, he too will die."
"As you wish, your highness," the big Romulan, Lavek said, turning and
departing to carry out his orders.
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Avenger Found
Lt. Sholek
Stardate 9712.12
Leaving the Romulan Imperial Palace
As Sholek left he could not help but feel that the emperor was going to use
him. The way that the Emperor had smiled, it seemed to him that the emperor
would use him to get to the Naitara family, his biggest rival. This of course
was as planned. But what about someone spying on the emperor. No doubt someone
was listening to their conversation. It would be hard to figure out who, but,
most likely, they would do little or nothing that would interfere with Sholek's plans.
One of the emperor guards was behind him, of that he had no doubt. Sholek
headed to were his brother would lie in weight for Jefferson to arrive with
Sholek. He walked into a back ally and climbed a ladder that was on the side
of a building. Cautiously, the emperor's guard looked behind the corner
thinking he might have lost Sholek. When he noticed the ladder he slowly
looked up. Sholek dropped on top of him and quickly nerve pinched him.
Sholek placed his hand on the guards face. He would remember nothing
about his orders and would be confused as to what to do after he awoke, which
wouldn't be for at least 30 minutes.
Jefferson was supposed to meet Sorna in a secure location on the Naitara
family land. It was not far from the city and Sholek was able to get there in
less than an hour. The Naitara family had the entire place swarming with
guards. Jefferson was supposed to arrive and have the guards get Sorna.
Sholek held the mini-hologenerator in his hand. He activated it and the image
of Jefferson, dressed in Romulan civilian clothing, appeared. Now he would go
for it.
They aproached the main gate. "I am here to see Sorna," the image of
Jeffereson said.
"So it's you," one of the guards said. "Sorna has been waiting for you. I
thought you'd be dressed in a Starfleet uniform."
"We were forced to join the rest of our crew in a free fall jump from our ship."
The guard led them onto the Naitara grounds.
"Wait here," commanded the gaurd.
They waited for a few minutes. Out of the main building appeared Sorna,
Sholek's brother.
"Big brother," he said. "So good to see you. I've heard you've been having
some bad dreams as of late. Dreams that involve our family."
"You are not a part of my family," replied Sholek. "I have disowned you."
"Very well," Sorna replied. "I had figured you would leave Romulus and go to
some abscure area to live out your extended days. Some place I could easily
reach you and kill you. But no. You went to the Federation and hid out on
Vulcan. I was not aware of your location until you had joined Shadow Ops. It's
hard to put spys on Vulcan. But Starfleet is watched constantly.
"Right now there are ships in orbit that are cloaked and awaiting your ship
to finish its mission. Then it will be blown out of the sky along with the
Avenger. Both are being closely monitored. Not even your phase cloak was able
to escape our detection.
"Now is your time to die," Sorna said as he pointed his disrupter at the
Jefferson image and fired, destoying a tree behind it.
Sholek pulled out his type I phaser and shot Sorna. The guards would suspect
nothing. They had expected to hear two blasts and they were not paying enogh
atention to realize that the two were not the same sound.
Sholek swiftly moved towards Sorna and kicked Sorna's disrupter away from him.
"Vengeance is mine," Sholek said smiling. He bent forward and mind melded
with Sorna and obtained the location of the ships in orbit and discovered a
personal transporter he could use to transport away from here. Then he touched
Sorna's mind in such a way as to make him incapable of thought and brain dead.
His guards would find him and attempt to keep him alive even while brain dead.
Sholek ran towards the transporter located in a nearby room. Before entering
the room, he peered in (the door was open to alow fresh air to enter) and saw
a guard there. He stunned the gaurd and went over to the transporter. He put
in coordinates that would place him back outside the capitol city.
============================================================
Captain Sortha
Bridge of the USS Fearless
Stardate 9712.13
With the away team down on Romulus, it would presumably be some time
before they were able to locate the Avenger operatives. With the free time
Sortha decided to search for the Avenger. They wouldn't go far, and stay
within communications range.
The ion storm just on the exterior of the Romulan home system intrigued
Sortha. Although an asteroid field would be perfect for the Fearless (using
the phased cloak) it wouldn't be good for the Avenger. With all the rock
fragments, there would be deflections as they were bounced off a starship's
shields, any ship hiding there would be detected by anyone paying close attention.
Sortha ordered the Fearless out the same way they came in. A large
freighter outbound from Romulus with heavy machinery was detected and the
Fearless merged with it through the tachyon grid. Once on the outside Sortha
computed a parabolic course that would take them by the asteroid field and
into the ion storm.
"Lieutenant Ki'lal" Sortha ordered, "coordinate with the astrophysics lab
and stellar cartography. Feed sensor data from the asteroid field into a
tracking program with the main comuter. Track asteroid and rock fragment
movement in the asteroid field. From that data project each fragments course
and speed. Use that as the baseline. Then set a program that will alert us
of any deviation in fragment movement or speed. If the Avenger is in there we
will see at least several rock deflections off their shields. With our
computer and sensors it should only take several minutes for the computer to
track the entire field. Run the analysis as we go by. We'll be moving
outside the asteroid field and moving slowly so there should be plenty of time. "
"Aye sir" Ki'lal responded smartly.
Captain Sortha continued, "then once we reach the ion field, assuming we
didn't detect the Avenger in teh Asteroid field" we'll scan for areas of
negative ionic disturbance. By patching in the mass, and shape of the Avenger
into our sensor sweeps and scanning the ion storm intently we should be able
to spot them. They will appear as an area with no ionic interference.
Sensors will be hampered by all the interference so you will probably need to
set up a filtering system to filter out false readings. By taking multiple
reading from different positions and comparing them through a multiple
regression statistical matrix we should be able to nail down the Avenger
within a short time, assuming they are in the ion storm."
"Aye Sir" Ki'lal who was manning tactical responded, "then once we find
them things will get interesting."
"That it will" Sortha admitted. The big Gorn leaned back in his chair
as the Fearless moved toward the asteroid field. At last they were doing
something. The Gorn as a race were very patient, but Sortha always liked to
be moving toward a goal.
"Once we locate the Avenger we need to be prepared for several
eventualities. The Avenger is proceeding under the assumption that they are
operating on orders from Starfleet. It is highly likely that they will not
have changed their prefix code as I have already done for the Fearless. I
will lower their shields using the prefix code, and then beam alone onto their
bridge. I will beam in next to the ops station where the prefix code override
is and prevent anyone from using it.
"I will convince them that I am Starfleet. Since I am the only Gorn still
serving in Starfleet they should be able to confirm my identity quickly, and I
will simply cut myself and bleed on their deck to convince them that I am not
a changeling. I will give an okay signal with the first 60 seconds. If I
haven't done it by then you will lead the boarding party to take the Avenger.
Take two security for each crewmember on the Avenger, phasers set on stun,
full starfleet body armor. Take them down quickly Commander " Sortha
ordered, "the longer it takes the more chance for unecessary bloodshed."
Then calling for yeoman Marcellus, Sortha had her bring up his dress
Starfleet uniform with all his decorations from his quarters. Most likely
Kostov would be on Romulus, and the Avenger would be under command of a senior
officer. Sortha hoped the obvious show of command authority as represented by
the Starfleet Captain's uniform and decorations would be enough to make the
bridge crew pause long enough and prevent him from being vaporized before he
could prove his identity. "By the way, when we lower their shields, let's
also take down all automatic defense systems as well." he added grinning.
"If the prefix code doesn't work, then we'll have to come up with another
plan. Recommendations??"
============================================================
Ensign Jamie T. Marcus
Surface of Romulus
Stardate 9712.12
Jamie was feeling disturbed. Hundreds of Romulans swirled about her. It
was somewhat clausterphobic. She felt naked and exposed. She and Veh and
Thoraz had split up briefly to cover more ground. Their tricorders were
concealed and running. Once they had taken 15 minutes of readings they would
find a secluded spot and view the results.
They planned on meeting every hour to check in with each other. It was
only several minutes until it was time to check in. Walking down a less used
street toward a more deserted area Jamie heard behind her "Hey you, stop!"
Fighting the urge to comply, she kept walking casually hoping that she was not
the target of the order. The order was repeated directly behind her. This
time she stopped. She surveyed the street, several poorer looking Romulans
loitered about. As she turned around she saw that it was a single large
Romulan male. He walked up to her menacingly and said in a low growling
menacing voice, "you are scanning this area, scanning this close to the
Imperial palace is illegal."
Jamie noticed the guard wore a simple energy detection device, the type
that would detect scans and or weapon discharges in the immediate vicinity.
Fortunately it was not a full tricorder, otherwise he might have detected she
was human. "I am not" she responded indignantly in slightly slurred Romulan,
giving an air of slight intoxication. She thanked herself for the fact that
she had studied Romulan and Klingon at the Academy.
"You are too" the plainclothed security officer demanded. "You have a
scanning device!"
"I have a device, I'm a scientist you know" she said indignantly, "But
it's not...... Jamie reached into her satchel pulling out the Romulan looking
tricorder, ...oops. Damn, I have to fix that damn button." she said looking
sheepishly at the guard as she turned it off. She noticed he had stiffened as
she reached into the satchel.
The guard looked at her skeptically "It doesn't matter, you have violated
the law, you will come with me." He reached out and grabbed for her arm.
Several of the street Romulans were watching with interest now. Jamie
decided she couldn't be brought in, even for a minor offense, so she executed
an unexpected attack....she slapped him straight across the face. The guard
was shocked, he was prepared for resistance but not an indignant slap. He got
very angry very quick. As she slapped him, Jamie said very loudly in Romulan,
"I..am..not..that..kind..of..girl!"
The guard decided he had had enough and lunged at her. As he came in,
Jamie dropped to one knee. His target having disappeared, the guards momentum
carried him over her lowered body. As he was going over she stood up quickly
pressing her shoulders up against his legs and sending him head over heels to
crash awkwardly against a concrete wall. There was a sickening thud and he
crumpled to the ground unconscious. Jamie brushed herself off, stuck her nose
in the air indignantly, and harumphed loudly as she called him the Romulan
version of a sex pervert. Several of the street Romulans snickered. Quickly
she vacated the area and making sure no one followed her went to rendezvous
with the rest of the group and check readings.
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Romulus Capital City
Stardate 9712.13
Vehakra Rhikal and Thoraz Brynaziir were in the Krokton Segment of Romulus'
capital city. Romulan civilians milled about on the streets going about their
business. Veh was nervous, but did her best to conceal her feelings. She
disliked Romulans, especially after her last experience in Romulan space when
she was captured and interrogated by the half-human/half-Romulan Commander
Sela. It was an experience she'd rather forget.
Marcus had broken off from the team to do some scans around the Imperial
Palace and was to meet the entire team at the rendezvous later in the evening.
Meanwhile, Veh and Thoraz were seeking out their contact with the Romulan Underground.
After searching the streets of Krokton for about two hours, they arrived
at a restaurant where they were supposed to meet the underground contact
working with Starfleet -- T'Lara. They entered the restaurant and sat down,
ordering modest meals and trying to remain inconspicous.
About 30 minutes into the meal, a Romulan woman approached the table,
gave Veh and Thoraz an unusual stare and then sat across from them where she
began reading data on a padd.
"That's her," Brynaziir said softly, motioning toward the woman with a
nod of his head. "I can sense she wants to talk with us. It is urgent.
Something has happened."
Vehakra finished her meal and paid the bill with money furnished her and
the team by the Fearless before they departed. They then stood and began to
leave the restaurant. As they did, Veh stopped at the table where the woman
was seated and leaned down toward her.
"Excuse me. My friend and I are here from the Loran Provence and we are
unfamiliar with the city," Vehakra began. "We are looking for the Imperial War
Museum. Can you help us?"
The woman looked at the two, her eyes seemingly relieved of some burden.
She nodded, "Certainly. It is two streets north and turn left. In fact, I
wasn't really hungry, I could show you the way."
This was unexpected, but a glance for Thoraz indicated he felt she was
not concealing anything. vehakra nodded, "We would greatly appreciate that."
The woman stood and guided them out into the street. They walked about a
block and then she led them down an alley. Once they were alone, she huddled
close with them and spoke.
"I am T'Lara. Starfleet said you would come. Something is going on," she
began. "Two hours ago there was a massive surge of security personnel taking
to the streets. They are all plainclothes and they are looking for someone.
Also, security at the palace has been doubled."
Vehakra frowned. "Maybe the Avenger team tried to kill the emperor and failed?"
"We have heard of no attempt, but sources indicate a man -- a Romulan --
entered the palace grounds just before the alert went up and may have hurt a
couple of guards. Rumors I have heard back from our spies indicate the Romulan
was not turned away by the emperor, and in fact they met in private for nearly
one hour. Then the man left the palace grounds and was gone," T'Lara said.
"Right after he left was when the alert went up and the security forces were
intensfied."
"An informant? Someone who knew we were coming, or the Avenger was
coming, and they alerted the emperor," Vehakra said. "Dammit. This is going to
complicate matters. If the Romulans are actively scanning for non-Romulan DNA,
we're all going to be found...the teams from both ships."
"Our spies are trying to learn more," T'Lara said. "Meanwhile, you must
come with me. I have a safe hiding place for you. Our people can meet with you
there and discuss what they know as soon as our spies get back."
Vehakra, still uncertain, took Thoraz aside. "What do you think?"
"I sense no deception. She is genuinely concerned and wishes to help us,"
he replied.
They turned back to T'Lara. "OK. But in three hours we have to rendezvous
with the rest of our team so we can get them to safety as well. It would not
be safe to try and contact them now."
"Agreed," T'Lara said. "Come with me."
They then set out for the tunnels under the Romulan capital...
============================================================
Runabout Vigilance
Romulan Asteroid Field
Stardate 9712.13
The repairs were well under way. The problem was not so big, but could
have been had they not been travelling to Romulus an unexpected way. If the
malfunction had been detected while they were cloaked, it would have allowed
an enemy ship to target them and destroy them.
Although the Vigilance didn't have very powerful shielding, she didn't
have any while cloaked. That was one of the drawbacks of cloak technology.
Ensigns Parker, Kular and Commander Dyer were working on the warp coil and
estimated another two hours for repairs to be completed.
Lt. Jarvis' voice came over the Comm system, "Commander, you might want to
take a look at this."
"On my way." Dyer responded and left the two ensigns to work on the repairs.
Dyer made his way to the cockpit. "What's up Lt.?"
"We were running the sensor sweeps you requested and we came up with this."
The Lt. pointed to a graph on the screen. "It looks like it could be a cloaked
ship. Tachyon distortion levels are within the prescribed range for such devices."
"It looks like a Klingon signature," Dyer was pretty sure of that. He had
seen many signatures like that one during his stint as first officer on the
U.S.S. Victory. "Have the computer run a comparison with known cloak signatures."
Dyer already knew the outcome of the comparison. He slid into the tactical
chair beside Lt. Quilman who was still manning the helm, keeping the small
ship right in tight to the big asteroid they had taken refuge behind.
He made his fingers dance on the console and searched the Shadow Ops
database, that only he and Quilman on this ship had access to.
He didn't think it could be Fearless out there. The new phase cloak was
not modelled after the Klingon cloaking device. it was Starfleet's own
technology. Nobody had anything like it.
"So who's out there?" Dyer thought to himself. His fingers did another
dance and then bingo.
The U.S.S. Avenger utilizes a Klingon Cloaking device captured during the
conflict with the Klingons last year. This had to be her. The Klingon fleet
was involved in the direct confrontations with the Dominion in the Alpha
Quadrant. They had no covert ships doing any spying on Romulus that he knew
of. This was too much coincidence to take for granted.
"Sir," Lt. Jarvis turned in her chair. "The computer confirms it is a
Klingon cloak signature. Estimates approximately 5 years old."
That was the clincher. The ship whose cloaking device Avenger employs was
launched about 4 years before she was captured. The match was perfect.
"Lt. Quilman lay in a coarse to intercept that signal." Dyer then tapped
his comm badge.
"Ensign Kular, how much longer for repairs?" Dyer asked.
"I would estimate sir, repairs will be completed in 47 minutes and 12 seconds."
"Ensign, you have 10 minutes. We have to move."
Turning to Ensign Redmond, "Ensign, you're with me. Let's go give them a
hand. Quilman, be ready to go as soon as we signal. I have a hunch that
sensor anomaly is our missing U.S.S. Avenger, and we are going to retrieve her
and her crew before they do irrepairable harm to the Federation."
Dyer walked to the back with Redmond and aided in the final repairs to the
warp coil.
They would need complete surprise to sneak up on these fellow Shadow
Operatives. Now all he needed was a plan to get on board the Avenger and
convince whomever was in command that his orders were authentic and theirs
were not before they killed him.
============================================================
Runabout Vigilence
Romulan Asteroid Belt
Stardate 9712.13
"Sir," Redmond reported. "The source of the tacheyon emissions is moving at us."
"What?" Dyer asked. "Full stop!"
"Answering full stop!" the ensign replied. "The anomaly is moving to within
10,000 kilometers, 8,000 kilometers, seven, six..."
Quilman glanced at Dyer. "What are they doing?"
"They have apparently seen us too," Dyer exclaimed. "Standby shields and
weapons, just in case this turns bad."
"Four thousand kilometer, three, two," Redmond said, becoming tense.
"They've stopped...2,000 kilometers off our port bow."
Dyer breathed hard for a moment and sized up his options. As he did,
Redmond offered one more report. "Ship decloaking dead ahead."
On the runabout's viewer, the image of a Federation Defiant-class ship
appeared directly in front of the runabout. Suddenly, her forward running
lights blinked in rapid succession and the ship immediately re-cloaked, but
maintained her position.
"What was that?" Quilman asked.
"Redmond, any indication she was visible outside the asteroid field?" Dyer asked.
"Unlikely. The asteroids around us are very dense and contain numerous
sensor shielding compounds and minerals," Redmond said. "She was visible for
all of five seconds. I'm detecting no activity in or around us."
"Her running lights," Quilman said. "Some kind of code?"
"Morse code, an old Earth maritime signal," Dyer smiled. "Too rapid for us
to read visually. Playback sensor logs and have the computer decode."
Quilman's fingers danced across the computer board in front of him and a
message scrolled on the viewer: "Stand by. Kostov transporting aboard."
A moment later, two swirling columns of light appeared right behind Dyer
and Quilman and came to form the bodies of two women -- one human and one Bajoran.
"I am Captain Anastasia Kostov. This is my security chief and acting first
officer, Lt. Dara IIia," the tall, blode human female said. "Now that I'm
officially violating my orders, would you mind telling me what the hell is going on?"
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Major Problems
Lt. Sholek
Stardate 9712.13
Capitol city of Romulus
Sholek re-entered the city. He used his tricorder, he located Summers and
Shalar not far from where they should have been based on their speed.
He had both of them follow him to a secure location and then said, "They know
we're here."
"Who?" asked Shalar.
"At least one Romulan family and the emperor. Most likely more. We're going
to have to scan close by the palace. That is the only way we can get this done
fast. The Avenger team can only reach the emperor there. The guards will not
like it if we get too close so be careful.
"The may use sewer access to reach the emperor. Does either of you want to
volunteer to go into the sewers? It would be easier to monitor them from
beneath. An the only accesses from them to the palace are close together."
"Why don't you go?" Summers suggested. "You are the one with the most
knowledge of the layout of the sewers."
"Very well," Sholek replied. "I will go. But be careful. You have no idea
what these people can do."
As Sholek went away, Summers said, "I get the distinct impression that he is
trying to lead this mission."
============================================================
Captain Sortha
Bridge
Stardate 9712.13
The Fearless had just started it's scans when Ki'lal pounded his fist on
the tactical board. Turning around Sortha asked, "What is it?"
"Sir, sensors indicate a Defiant class ship decloaked at coordinates
1200.13, wait, it's cloaked again. Scanning..... I'm also detecting the
Vigilence, it is emitting a slight trace from it's warp core signature."
"Damn!" Sortha swore, rising out of his chair. "System activity?"
"Scanning...." Ki'lal answered. "Sir! I'm detecting large numbers of
gravimetric distortions heading toward the position where the Avenger decloaked."
"All stop!" Sortha ordered. "Any tracking toward us?"
"Not yet" Ki'lal snarled back. "Sir, the Romulans appear to be
executing a standard capture formation. The entire system has gone on full
alert. There appear to be no less than.....42 separate ships moving into
position around the Avenger and Vigilence. Over 50 other ships are taking up
defensive positions around the perimeter of the system and an additional 104
ships appear to be moving in from the exterior of the system."
"Well what do you expect, this is the Romulan home ssystem. Romulan
sshipss here are thicker than fliess on a dead carcass' body. Imagine if a
Romulan sship decloaked by Earth! The whole system isss wired to the max to
detect intruding sshipss, with listening sstations, powerful ssensor arrays
and any number of detection devicess." Sortha growled back. He was not in a
good mood.
"Sir" Ki'lal sounded somewhat hesitant this time.
"What isss it?" Sortha asked ominously.
"We've got this from Romulus."
Ki'lal played a transmission. It basically was ordering a planetwide
search for Federation spies. It gave the actual names and descriptions of the
Fearless away team and indicated there were more spies as well.
"Damn!" Sortha swore for the second time in as many minutes. "Someone
from our team must have been captured and given up that information. Scan
planetwide transmissions, see if the Emperor has been killed yet."
Ki'lal responded after several seconds, "It appears that he is still alive
and well from the way the commtraffic sounds.
From the other side of the bridge a communications ensign spoke up "Sir,
I don't know if this is important, but I'm tracking a report about an attack
on some Naitera family... Apparently one of their main lieutenants was
assassinated. Either dead or critically injured. When I ran his name through
Starfleet intelligence records it sent up a red flag. Apparently the person
attacked is the brother of Lieutenant Sholek!"
The big Gorn stared very impassively at the starfield as he digested this
information. "Sir" Ki'lal said, "the Romulans have now got the Avenger and
Vigilence boxed in. They are....trapped." Silence hung heavily over the
bridge of the Fearless. Across the screen dozens of Romulan ships, some not
even bothering to cloak frenetically sailed across the screen.
"Put us in that large comet" Sortha ordered as he spotted a large chunk
of matter slowly cruising by their position. Quickly the Fearless drifted
into the comet, "match course and speed." Sortha ordered. "If the Avenger
can at least let us know who they have on the planet, we can use their
Starfleet records to identify their specific life signs and quickly pluck them
all off with the transporter. Monitor communications between the Avenger and
Vigilence closely."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Underground Meeting
Captain Anastasia Kostov
Aboard the Runabout Vigilence
Stardate 9712.14
Captain Kostov recognized the man wearing the commander pips as Commander
Michael Dyer, first officer of the USS Fearless. They made hasty introductions
and then Dyer began to explain the situation, and Kostove felt her heart drop.
"False orders," she repeated. "Dammit. I knew we should have broken our
orders and checked out the validity of that message. It was a Changeling
impersonating Admiral Sorvek all along? Is the admiral...is he alive?"
Dyer nodded, "Yes, but last we knew he was in a coma. The Changeling used
some kind of devestating mind probe on him to extract the codes necessary to
pull off the ruse. The Changeling escaped and his Jem'Hadar destroyed the
Australian training base. Admiral Jaegar sent the Fearless to find and stop
you at all costs. The Romulan Emperor is not a Changeling."
Just then, warning lights and sirens went off all over the runabout.
============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
U.S.S. Vigilance
Stardate 9712.14
Dyer began briefing Captain Kostov on the situation, and hadn't gotten very
far when Ensign Redmond interrupted.
"Sirs, I am reading a lot of traffic coming our way. There appear to be 42
ships moving into position around us and the Avenger. Over 50 other ships
are taking up defensive positions around the perimeter of the system and an
additional 104 ships appear to be moving in from the exterior of the system."
Redmond was obviously nervous about he activity.
"Captain," Dyer said returning to Kostov, "Now is probably not a good time
to continue my briefing. All you need to know for now is that your orders are
false and we've got to get your team off of the planet before they kill the emperor."
Kostov regarded Dyer for a moment, "Since you're here and sensors show that
you are truly human, I'll go along with your story Commander. The fact that
you command Admiral Jaegar's ship also lends credence to your story. We will
return to the Avenger and try and get back to the planet and extract our team."
"Sirs," it was Redmond again. "The 42 ships have got us blocked in. The
lead ship is hailing us. They give us 60 seconds to respond or they will open fire."
"Damn," Dyer had hoped to avoid this. He was sure that no one had detected
their malfunction, but it appears now that he was wrong.
"You'd better go back to your ship Captain." Dyer said.
Kostov nodded to Quilman who activated the transporter and beamed her and
Lt. Dara IIia back to the bridge of the Avenger.
Dyer then watched the view screen as Captain Kostov acknowledged the
Romulan hail.
He touched his chronometer, activating the sub-vocal communicator. "Dyer to
Sortha." Hoping his Captain was in range. The transmission was on heavily
encrypted wide beam carrier wave the Romulans would likely not be able to
decrypt anytime soon.
"Go ahead Commander." The answer came quickly. "We're on our way to assist."
"Captain, the data we gathered in the Kredellan system indicates a strong
Dominion presence. But also confirmed that the Romulans are involved. It
appears as though someone is desperately trying to draw the Romulans into this
war on the side of the Dominion.
"I think that Captain Kostov can hold this fleet off long enough for you to
get back to Romulus. I'll bet the emperor has no idea of what's going on in
the Kredellan system. I'll transmit the data to you now. If you could get
this data to him, hopefully he can call these dogs off."
Dyer signalled Lt. Jarvis to transmit all the data on the Kredellan Fleet
through the secured sub-voc frequency, and then he listened as Kostov spoke
with the Romulans.
============================================================
USS Avenger
Bridge
Stardate 9712.15
Back on the Avenger, Kostov and Dara found things to be equally chaotic.
Duffy was going crazy as a fleet of Romulan ships appeared decloaking all
around the asteroid belt, their sensors scouring the area for any sign of the
Federation ships.
"Duffy," Kostov barked and she returned to her chair. "Report!"
"It looks like we weren't as shielded from detection as you thought, sir.
The Romulans detected us during the split seconds we decloaked. That, on top
of the bad warp coil on the Vigilence, has attracted more than 100 ships."
Kostov turned pale. She was certain they would not be able to detect the
ship decloaking, not for that short of a period of time in the asteroids,
which should have shielded them from sensor scans. That was, unless, the
Romulans were tipped off somehow that cloaked Federation ships were nearby.
"Can we get out of here?" Kostov asked, feeling very guilty about what was
happening.
"There's too many of them. We could never punch out of here without being
detected. They are laying down a tachyeon detection grid between the ships on
all sides of the asteroid field," Duffy said, studying the tactical situation.
"I'll keep looking for a way out."
"Sir," Dara reported from her station. "The Vigilence has sent an
encrypted message to the Fearless informing them of the situation. The
Romulans have begun jamming."
"Quickly," the captain said, standing up. "Transmit data about our away
team to the Fearless. Make sure it is also encoded. If nothing else, at least
the Fearless can extract them from Romulus if we are destroyed."
The captain's words hung in the air as the bridge crew worked furiously.
Dara made the tranmission and not a moment too soon as enough Romulan ships
converged on the asteroids they were able to blanket the area with intense
jamming.
"Sir," Duffy reported. "Incoming tranmission from the lead Romulan warbird."
"On screen," she muttered.
The face of an older Romulan commander appeared, "Federation ship. You have
been detected, we know you are here. Uncloak and prepared to surrender your
vessel at once. You are in violation of Romulan space and of the Treaty of
Algernon which prohibits the Federation from using cloaking technology."
"They think there's only one of us," Kostov said. "But it won't be long
before they figure out there's two. Ensign Rahman, keep us as close to the
nearest asteroid as you can. Power down all non-essential systems, except life
support and the cloak. Let's maintain a low profile for now and hope they miss
us. Maintain sensor contact with the Vigilence's warp coil. If we have to, we
can beam Commander Dyer and his team off the ship and let the Romulans destroy it."
"What about the Romulan transmission?" Duffy enquired.
"Let them eat static. We acknowledge nothing. We stay put for now and
wait," she said. "If worse comes to worse, we'll either fight our way out of
here, or I'll self-destruct the Avenger. meanwhile, I will entertain any
suggestions any of you have?"
============================================================
Lt. Thoraz Brynaziir
Romulan Underground
Stardate 9712.15
As Thoraz and Veh were lead through the underground complex Thoraz began to
try more aggressive attempts to detect non-Romulan thoughts. Starting in a
tight circle he extended his 'reach' in concentric circles. The farther out
he scanned the more of a toll the process began to take on him. Veh noticed
he was lagging behind as Thoraz tripped and almost fell at one point.
"Lieutenant, what is wrong," Veh asked as she noticed his closed eyes and
grimace." Thoraz continued his scan, barely registering her query.
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Romulan caverns
Stardate 9712.15
Vehakra and Thoraz arrived in a natural cavern under the city, still guided
by T'Lara. The cavern was unnaturally lit and appeared to serve as some kind
of meeting place. Assembled there were several Romulan commoners, all
seemingly concerned as they saw T'Lara and the two mystery Romulans approaching.
"I found them," T'Lara said as the group of six Romulans gathered stood and
approached. "Just in time, too. Security forces are sweeping the city. Is
there any more information?"
"There is," an older Romulan male said, stepping up. "Our sources at Fleet
Command indicate a Federation ship is being tracked in the nearby Remas
Asteroids. A number of ships are converging on that site to search for the
intruders."
Vehakra frowned. "That could be any one of our ships. This is not good. Do
you have any idea how we can find the other team and stop them from killing
the Emperor?"
The Romulan Underground members all looked at one another, until T'Lara
glanced up and nodded, "We think there is a Tal Rhakkan unit operating in the
city posing as members of the Romulan Underground movement. They are strongly
active in the Jetraal Section of the city. That is who we think is behind the
continued charade that has fooled the other Starfleet strike force."
"Any idea where we can find them?" vehakra asked.
"They use an herbal medicine shop there as a front," T'Lara explained. "I
could take you there, but not until it is safe."
"I still have people above," she said. "We need to get them to safety."
"Lotar here shall take one of you back to the surface to find them," T'Lara
said, motioning to the older Romulan male. "Who will go?"
"Thoraz, go with Lotar to the rendezvous site and get Summers, Marcus,
Sholek and Shalar," Veh said. "They will be at the market place in about one
hour. Get them and bring them here so we can plan our next move."
Thoraz nodded and left with Lotar. Veh then walked with T'Lara. "What about
the Emperor? When is the Avenger strike team most likely to make there move
against him?"
"Security has been tightened and the emperor has likely cancelled all
public appearances," T'Lara said. "Palace security has been tightened three-
fold. No one is getting in there. No one at all."
"You said someone got to the emperor a couple hours ago," Vehakra asked.
"Do you know who that was?"
"An informant perhaps," she shrugged. "Perhaps the person that alerted them
to your presence here."
A deep, male-voice then broke the calm of the cavern. "I think you'll find
the answer to that question much closer to home than you imagine."
Vehakra's head snapped around toward the source of the voice. There, in an
adjoining tunnel, appeared a cloaked figure. The man took several steps into
the light and slowly pushed back his hood to reveal his face. He was an older
Romulan...though Vehakra wasn't exactly sure he WAS Romulan...he looked more
Vulcan. And then, she suddenly recognized who it was.
"Thank you for joining us Ambassador," T'Lara said, bowing her head
slightly. "This is the leader of the Starfleet unit sent to prevent the
assassination."
"Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal," she said, stepping toward the figure with
her hand extended.
"I am Ambassador Spock," he said, shaking her hand. "I come to serve."
Vehakra smiled, this man was a living legend. She knew he was on Romulus,
but never expected to meet him. It was indeed an honor.
"Sir," she said. "You said the person who met with the Emperor was someone
close to us? A member of our team?"
"I believe so," Spock confirmed. "If I am correct that a Romulan named
Sholek still serves in Starfleet?"
Vehakra felt her jaw clench. That Romulan son of a bitch!
"He does," she confirmed.
"My sources indicate he met with the Emperor for approximately one hour
this afternoon after breaching palace security," Spock explained. "Whatever he
and the emperor discussed was apparently cordial enough that he was allowed to
walk out of the palace unscathed. Security around the emperor was tightened
immediately."
"Damn him," she snapped. "He had no right. What was he thinking?"
"Revenge," Spock interjected. "Shortly after the meeting, a Romulan known
as Sorna was murdered at an estate belonging to the Naiara family, just
outside the capital. The Naiara family has long been at odds with Emperor
Lamok. This Sorna is the brother of Sholek."
"What about the detection of a cloaked Federation ship T'Lara spoke of,"
Veh asked Spock. "Do you know more about this?"
"Not at the moment," he said. "However, the Underground has friends at
Imperial Fleet Command. We should know more soon."
"Thank you ambassador," Veh said.
"Your thanks is unnecessary," Spock said. "We must stop the Dominion from
plunging the Romulan Empire in the war."
"The Dominion isn't acting alone?" Veh asked. "Are they?"
"To accomplish the level of deep penetration into the Romulan government
they have established could not be done without help from inside," Spock
concluded. "In exposing the Dominion plot, we must also bring forth their
conspirators."
Vehakra nodded as she and Spock continued to discuss the situation...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Doubts about Sholek
Lt. Commander Tyrian M. Summers
Romulus
Stardate 9712.15
Tyrian had been scanning for hours, unsuccessfully. Sholek was getting
on his last nerve, his bossy attitude unnerved him. But unfortunatly, he
could do little at this point, they were on Romulus in the middle of the
mission. Tyrian did not trust Sholek, why exactly he could'nt quite figure
out, he never liked the Romulan, but he had stayed out of Tyrian's way, up
until this mission anyway. Tyrian was simply going along with Sholek's plan,
but was showing great caution, without showing Sholek that he did'nt trust
him, Tyrian knew you should never underestimate a Romulan. If forced to,
Tyrian would kill him, as he would any member of the team that got in the way
of a mission. Hopefully Sholek underestimated this illogical human, being
underestimated was always the best advantage.
============================================================
Lt. Thoraz Brynaziir
Romulus - Marketplace
Stardate 9712.16
"Lotar, I will trust you to guide me as I will be telepathically scanning
for non-Romulans as we go. I might be able to find the Avenger's Away Team as
we go to the rendezvous spot." Thoraz then began to concentrate and
consequently almost missed the sub vocal communication coming from Commander Rhikal.
"Thoraz, Ambassador Spock is here. He says Sholek may have informed the
Emperor that we are here. Proceed with extreme caution and return as quickly
as possible."
"Acknowledged, Commander." Thoraz then informed Lotar as well.
"This could very well complicate matters. Maybe I should proceed alone
to the rendezvous."
"No Lotar, if I am not there, the team may assume that we were caught and
then it would be even harder to locate them."
Close to an hour later, after dodging several patrols and nearly being
caught a few times, Thoraz spotted Marcus. Thoraz signalled to Jamie to enter
the alley he and Lotar were hiding in.
"Jamie, we have a problem" Thoraz explained what the Ambassador
suspected. "Have you seen Summers, Sholek or Shalar? There are too many
patrols right now. I will remain here to wait for Shalar and SHOLEK; but I
think you should return with Lotar. Before you object must i remind you that
I am better qualified to evade the patrols and contact both our team and the
Avenger's if I should detect them? Now go, before we attract too much attention."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Dangerous Liasions
Lt. Commander Tyrian M. Summers
Romulus
Stardate 9712.16
Sholek had dissappeared into the sewers only a few minutes later, leaving
Tyrian with Shalar up on the crowded streets of the city. After their last
conversation, Tyrian really felt distrust in Sholek creeping up on him. It
was apparent that Sholek did'nt want to be around the two for some reason.
Tyrian's gut told him something was wrong, they were as about as vulnerable as
they could be here on Romulus.
Tyrian turned to Shalar and said, "Our chances of finding the Avenger team
now are like finding a needle in a haystack, I think Sholek could have his own
agenda here, and I think we are in greater danger than we should be at this
point. Let's try to locate the rest of the team, I dont want to break the
communication blackout yet until we absolutly have to." With that, the two
walked off into the crowd of Romulans, blending in. Tyrian still had that
sinking feeling that something was going on, and he couldnt quite figure it out.
============================================================
Lt. Sholek
Stardate 9712.16
Romulan sewers
Sholek walked through the sewers, scanning with his tricorder. The odor was
getting to him.
As he walked, he came to a drop off. Down below was a collection of sewer
water to be sent to a treatment facility.
When he turned around, he saw a figure in the shadows. He scanned with his
tricorder but was getting odd reading. Who ever that was it did not produce
any detectable life signs.
"Who is there?" Sholek demanded.
As the figure entered the light emitted by Sholek's light source he said,
"Sholek. It is me."
"You? What are you doing here?"
"Come now Sholek," the figure said, "doesn't your Vulcan logic tell you that.
I would have thought it would be amazingly obvious. I, of course, am working
for the Dominion and I am here to get payment on your debt."
"I owe you nothing Magus. I killed Shakia for you in payment for healing my legs."
"You've changed since we last met Sholek. Your mind has grown stronger. I
can't control your mind like I could have before. But, anyway. I am here to
kill you, none the less."
"Why?"
"I'm done with you. You have served your purpose. You have alerted the
emperor to the threat to his life and killed his only major rival." Sholek
appeared surprised. "Come now, Sholek. Why do you think it was so easy to get
to the emperor. I made sure you had very little trouble getting in. Do you
think that the emperor always has only one guard guarding his gates. And what
about you brother? No one bothered to check you or your hologram for weapons.
And do you think they would not detect you approaching and noticed that
sensors only read one life sign. And even on your ship. Did you think it you
could have possibly hidden yourself so easily." That last sentence really
shocked Sholek.
"Ah, yes," Magus continued. "We knew about that. Who do you think gave you
those dreams? Who pushed you to kill Jefferson when you found out the truth.
You never would have done that if I hadn't pushed you to. I had been following
you since you entered Romulan space. We knew where your ship was thanks to one
of my spies who has been following Jefferson to you.
"Now the emperor will be killed by a Starfleet officer and no family will
step up quick enough to prevent the Romulan empire from joining the Dominion.
And I will rule your empire for them. I am to be set up in charge here, my
incentive to join the Dominion. The Founders were impressed with my psychic
powers over the weak minded. They had to either ask me to join or risk me
taking control of their stupid Jem'Hadar.
"And once I kill you, I will take your body back to my home planet and place
you will all my other trophies from my other enemies I beat."
"You forget one thing," Sholek replied.
"What's that?" Magus questioned.
"I can run," Sholek said jumping off the edge into the pool waiting below.
Magus was able to get a shot off though.
"Damn," he said, "he's wearing the Shadow Ops armor." Magus jumped in to
follow Sholek.
They swam into a large pipe that branched off from the pool. Magus was slowly
gaining on Sholek.
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Caverns Beneath Romulus Capital
Stardate 9712.17
Vehakra was in awe that she had met and was speaking to Spock...the
legendary Spock. It was a very exhilerating experience. He was living
Federation history.
But, she forced herself to remain professional and focused on the mission.
"Ambassador, is there anything you can do to help us?" Vehakra asked the Vulcan.
"Perhaps," Spock replied. "My position here on Romulus has gone from being
considered a nusiance six years ago to one of respected statesman. The
government here has changed somewhat in the time I've been on Romulus.
Relations between the Romulan Empire and Federation have improved and a more
moderate senate is in place. Even Emperor Lamok is more....enlightened than he
was when I first arrived.
"I meet with members of the government frequently to discuss matters of
interest to the Romulan Underground movement, and they listen for the most
part. The Underground is more accepted these days, but as long as they do not
overstep their grounds. Some free speech is tolerated, but only to a point. At
least I enjoy some level of freedom and am not always hiding in the shadows.
"I could request a meeting with the emperor. He and I have had some
interestng talks in the past," Spock concluded. "However, I am not certain he
will listen to me. At least I would be able to learn what Sholek has told him
and what he intends to do about the situation."
Vehakra nodded. "That could be a help to us. Meanwhile, we could continue
our search for the crew of the Avenger. Perhaps in the morning T'Lara could
guide my team and I to the Jetraal Section of the city so we can look into
this imposter Romulan Underground cell she spoke of. They may be the ones
manipulating the Avenger's crew."
"I will make the proper contacts to arrange a meeting with the emperor.
He is very busy at the moment. He will give the State of the Empire address
day after tomorrow," Spock said. "Hopefully he will be willing to meet with me."
Vehakra stopped and looked at Spock, "State of the Empire address?"
"Yes. His largest public appearance of the year," Spock said. "It is held
in the plaza at the end of the steps to the Romulan Senate, in the center of
the city."
"Outdoors? And it is broadcast planetwide?" Vehakra asked, her voice
becoming concerned. Spock stopped and raised one eyebrow, now following her
train of thought.
"Broadcast live across the Empire," Spock said. "You believe the Avenger
team may kill him during this speech?"
"It is the only public appearence you can be certain he will not cancel
for security purposes," Vehakra said. "It would not bode well, with the
Federation and Klingon Empire at war with the Dominion right now for the
Romulan emperor to cancel a speech of such importance."
Spock nodded, "Such an attack would be suicidal. It would not be logical."
"To prevent what they think is the Romulan emperor on the verge of
aligning himself with the Dominion, you can be certain they will risk
everything to kill him there and prove he is a Changeling," Vehakra said. "Or
they'll die trying."
"I will contact you when I learn whether Lamok will meet with me or not,"
Spock said, pulling his hood back over his head. "Until then, remain here.
T'Lara will see to your needs."
Vehakra nodded and Spock turned to leave. As he walked away, Ensign Jamie
T. Marcus, joined by Thoraz, came into the cavern through one of the adjoining tunnels.
"Where are the others?" Veh asked.
"Lotar remained behind to wait for them," Thoraz said. "They should be
along shortly."
============================================================
Lieutenant (jg) Ian Quilman
USS Fearless
Stardate 9712.17
"Sir, I may have found a way out for us." I told Commander Dryer
"Go ahead lieutenant."
"We were detected by the leak in our warp coil, if we shut down our warp
drive and coast under the Avenger we will be able to use their shields to
cover us and they can tractor us out of the belt while still cloaked. We
should be able to get out that way. If not then I recommend we abandon the
Vigilence and beam ourselves into an asteroid that has a big enough hollowed
out spot in the center and stay their while sending the Vigilence on an
collision course with as many Romulan ships as possible. They will try to
stop the ship by firing at it but only to disable, not to destroy until it is
too late. This may give the Avenger enough of an opening to
slip out and join up with the Fearless. The Fearless can always come back for
us later. If we find the right asteroid it will shield us from the Romulan
sensors until we can be picked up."
============================================================
Avenger and Vigilence
Romulan Asteroid Belt
Stardate 9712.17
As Dyer and Quilman mulled their options, six of the Romulan ships sitting
just outside the asteroids fired several barrages of disruptor fire and plasma
torpedoes into the area around the two Starfleet ships.
While none of the shots scored a direct hit, the explosions and hurling
debris slammed both ships around. When it was over, both remain cloaked but
shaken. A new transmission then came through.
"Federation ship. That was your final warning," the Romulan commander's
voice said sternly. "Surrender...or die. You have five minutes."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Emergency Beam-out
Captain Sortha
Bridge
Stardate 9712.18
Sortha paced the bridge of the Fearless. He had known the ods against a
clean mission were bad from the start but it did nothing to aid his
frustration. Dozens of Romulan ships were converging on the asteroid field
where the Avenger lay cloaked along with the Vigilence.
"Captain" Lieutenant Ki'lal spoke up abruptly "the Vigilence has sent us
their scans of the Kredellan system. They show heavy Dominion activity in
Romulan space. They also show several Romulan ships as well. The Vigilence
was able to get this out just before they were blanketed with heavy jamming.
The Avenger also sent us information on their away team down on the planet."
Ki'lal concluded.
"At leasst they were able to get uss that information. We mussst usse it
wissely, they may have paid for it with their blood."
"They acted honorably." Ki'lal concluded, "they gave us the tools to
complete the job...despite their imminent destruction."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that Commander" Sortha said. "We may just
be able to salvage something from this. Sortha barked out a string of orders
in rapid succession:
Intelligence section: Run the Romulan vessels the Vigilence recorded
with Starfleet intel records and try to identify which sships the Vigilence
detected.
Helm: Plot a course back to Romulus, impulse, silent running.
Tactical: Prepare five class 1 probes, download the data the Vigilence
gained from the Kredellan system annd set it to broadcast on all frequencies
with a three minute time delay."
"Engineering: rig a two second warp core emission that will duplicate the
Vigilence's earlier emission we recorded."
"Hanger Bay, prepare a shuttle for lauch. Program its warp core to emit
a steadily increasingly bad warp signature identical to the Vigilence's,
building up to a warp core breach. Prepare to launch on my command."
"Transporter room, lock onto all lifesigns from the away teams that you
can identify. Now that you have the Avenger's away team patterns, we should
be able to detect them unless they are in a shielded area. "
"Helm: Take us through the tachyon grid, there has to be enough traffic
and unscheduled flight plans from ships responding to teh Avenger that we
won't get identified as hostile right away."
The Fearless moved forward under impulse power. With all the ship
movement and attention centered around the asteroid belt, they were able to
make the short trip back to Romulus without being challenged. There were
actually two very near misses where rushing Romulan vessels almost collided
with them. Everyone on the bridge was working feverishly in the few minutes
they had to carry out their captain's orders. It was a credit to Starfleet
that no one questioned for a second the seemingly unrelated series of orders.
The Fearless passed through the tachyon grid. Everybody on the bridge
tensed as they passed through. Once they were through, Sortha ordred: "Helm,
plot a course out of the system, full impulse to clear the system and then
warp 9.9, five second burst. Releasse the false Vigilence warp core signature
as we go to full impulse, intermittent signal. Transporter room lock onto
all available away team life signs. Release the probes, zero acceleration,
back us away from them and allow them to drift out of our cloak."
Things were happening very fast indeed. The probes were released, as the
Fearless scanned Romulus intently for away team members. The high intensity
scans alerted Romulan defense stations who scrambled quickly to identify the
source of the scans. Sortha wasn't going to give them the time they needed:
"Transporter room energize!" he ordered. In a different part of the Fearless
transporter crews worked at breakneck speed transporting up those that they could.
"Now release the Vigilence warp core signature, execute preplotted
course..engage!" The Vigilence jumped to full impulse in a gut wrenching
burst of acceleration. Alarms went up all over the system at this new
activity. The Fearless passed the inner planets of the Romulan system and was
headed into open space. By now Romulan ships were changing course to
intercept. It was a matter of seconds.
The Fearless cleared the system and Sortha ordered warp speed. Surging
ahead the Fearless started blowing the Vigilence's warp core signature all
over the system. It was getting progressively worse mimicking a stressed warp
core being pushed to the limit. After four seconds of warp speed Sortha
ordered the shuttle launched. It broke out of the Fearless's cloak cover and
immedietely assumed the transmission of the Vigilence warp core signature.
Simultaneously the Fearless stopped emitting it and dropped out of warp and
phased into a large chunk of asteroid that had been previously identified.
The shuttle continued on, emitting the Vigilence warp core signature as well
as numerous false life signs.
Approximately 11 Romulan ships were now vectoring in on the Fearless'
shuttle. Before they got within weapons or close scanning range however the
preprogrammed warp core breach occurred and the shuttle was blown to
microscopic fragments all over space.
"Sortha to transporter room....who did we get?"
"After several seconds the reply came back... "Sir, we retreived
Lieutenant Commander Summers, Lieutenant Commander Rhikal, Lieutenant
Brynazir, Ensign Shalar, and Ensign Matt Browner and Lt. JG Bajarka Y Bham.
We were unable to locate Lieutenant Sholek, four of the Avenger crew are still
unaccounted for, and Ensign Marcus was in contact with another life form and
we were unable to get a clear lock on her. Everyone else is accounted for."
Shortly thereafter the five class one probes, now in geosynchronous orbit
around Romulus started broadcasting the scans the Vigilence had obtained in
the Kredellan system.
"Let's see what the Romulans make of this" Sortha thought to himself.
============================================================
Ensign Jamie T. Marcus
Romulus
Stardate 9712.18
Once Spock saw Jamie across the dimly lit cavern he felt an unusual
feeling. Moving closer he looked at her closely. There was something
familiar...
Jamie was trying very hard to control her excitement. She was right next
to the legendary Spock. She had read everything available about him,
especially about his exploits on the Enterprise NCC-1701, and NCC-1701A. She
hesitantly walked up to him as he regarded her with one eyebrow quizically
raised. "I sense something familiar about you ensign, have we met?"
Jamie responded "no sir, we haven't."
"What...is your name ensign?" Spock asked.
"Jamie T. Marcus" she responded in a slightly quivering voice.
Spock regarded her for several seconds as his still sharp and logical
mind computed data and assumptions. "What is the name of your grandmother?"
Spock asked as if he expected he knew the correct answer.
Jamie smiled broadly, "Carol Marcus, my grandmother was Carol Marcus." A
very very slight hint of a smile played for a very brief second across Spock's
stern face. "I take it your grandmother's brief reunion with Jim Kirk was how
shall we say...successful?" Again the faint hint of a smile.
Veh and Brynaziir were staring at the two with open mouths, especially
Veh who saw this lowly ensign speaking with such ease with what she considered
a living legend.
"Yes it was. She would have not gone through with the pregnancy had it
not been for the death of David Marcus, but by then it was all she had.
Genesis was a disaster, her son was dead, her career in ruins. Let's just say
that no one in the family wanted to admit that Grandpa Jim was actually my
mother's father. " This time Jamie smiled, "they are still a family of
scientists, they just about all had coronaries when I said I wanted to join
Starfleet!"
Slowly Spock raised his hand in the Vulcan salute and Jamie copied it
placing her palm to his. She knew of the bond between her famous grandfather
and this man. Illogical though it was, the touch seemed the right thing to
do. Suddenly the other away team members disappeared in a shower of
transporter patterns and she was left alone in the cavern with Spock and the
resistance.
============================================================
Ambasaador Spock
Caverns Beneath Romulus
Stardate 9712.18
Spock and Jamie stared at where the team had been standing a moment
earlier, then looked at each other.
"The Fearless must have retrieved them," Marcus said. "But why not me?"
"You and I were in contact with one another," Spock concluded. "They must
have decided not to take the chance of beaming you aboard while we were
touching."
Jamie Marcus shrugged, "What now?"
"I doubt this is over yet," Spock said. "You will join me in arranging a
meeting with the emperor. Come."
Together, Spock and the granddaughter of James T. Kirk set out together to
make contact with Emperor Lamok...
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Transporter Room
Stardate 9712.18
Veh looked around and saw that she and the team were safely aboard the
Fearless once again. They were joined by two unfamiliar individuals who
appeared to be Romulans. As security trained weapons on the two, the mess was
quickly sorted out.
"They're human," Thoraz announced, motioning for everyone to stand their
ground. "They are Shadow Ops agents."
The two humans disguised as Romulans looked around, a little startled, then
one spoke. "I am Lt. JG Bajarka Y Bham, this is Ensign Matt Browner. We're
from the USS Avenger."
Vehakra stepped off the transporter pad and approached the two men. "Lt.
Commander Vehakra Rhikal. USS Fearless. We were on Romulus trying to find you."
"Why?" Browner asked.
"Your orders were falsified by a Changeling impersonating Admiral Sorvek,"
Vehakra said. "Emperor Lamok is not a Changeling. If you were to assassinate
him, you would be hurting the war effort, not helping it."
"Our team?" Y Bham asked. "Where is the rest of our team?"
"You were the only other non-Romulans we detected, besides our own team,"
the transporter chief announced.
"Then they're dead?" Browner asked.
"Or shielded, or no longer on the planet," Vehakra added. "You were split
up I take it?"
Y Bham nodded, "Yes. And we were just attacked by our contacts in the
Romulan Underground, just before you transported us."
"They must be part of the group of Romulans who are collaborating with the
Dominion," Veh said. "Come on. Let's get out of these disguises and go speak
with Captain Sortha. He'll want to know what went on down there. More of your
team may be down there still planning to go ahead with the assassination."
"What about the Avenger?" Browner asked.
"That's another story," Veh added. "Come on. We'll brief you on everything."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Plot Thickens
Lt. Commander Tyrian M. Summers
USS Fearless: Transporter room #2
Stardate 9712.18
Tyrian beamed off the surface of Romulus rather abruptly, he had no way
of knowing it. He and Shalar had been standing in a crowd of Romulan
civilians, and he could see them scattering away from the disappearing
figures. They reappeared with most of the other away team members and some
Avenger crew members. Sholek and Marcus had not been beamed out.
Tyrian stormed out of the room towards the bridge to see what was going on
not even bothering to stop to have his Romulan disquise removed. He wanted to
see what was going on, he had been out of the loop for a while while down on
the planet.
It appeared they had been pulled because their mission had been a total
screw up, and Tyrian wanted to find out what happened to Sholek and Marcus, he
wanted a chance to go back down if the Captain was going to send anyone.
============================================================
Commander Dyer
U.S.S. Vigilance
In the asteroid belt
Stardate 9712.19
Dyer and his crew held on tight during the barrage of weapons fire from the
Romulans. There was no damage the ship, and Dyer suggested to Quilman that he
power down the warp coils.
Dyer listened to the incoming message from the Lead Warbird.
"Federation ship. That was your final warning," the Romulan commander's
voice said sternly. "Surrender...or die. You have five minutes."
Dyer didn't like the time frame and started to weigh his options.
Quilman's plan was probably going to be their best shot. They couldn't risk
beaming over to the Avenger, the signal would be noticed for sure. Right now
only one of them was in jeopardy. There was no sense in risking two ships.
As the rest of the ships closed in on their position, and the clock ticked
for the crew of the Vigilance, the Romulan's began frantically sending
messages to Romulus.
"Ensign Redmond," Dyer almost knocked the man out of his chair at
communications, "What are they saying?"
"A ship has just penetrated the tachion grid, and they fleet is now
tracking the warp core signature that lead it to this position moving out of
the sector at incredible speeds. Five probes have been left inside the tachion
grid and are now transmitting the data we collected on the Kredellan System
and the ships we found there.
"Commander," Quilman interrupted the Ensign, "The forty two ships
surrounding us are moving away in high speed pursuit of that warp coil
signature. The signature matches ours exactly.
Dyer jumped into the co-pilot's seat and began to scan the readings that
Quilman was presenting.
"Lt. use thrusters only, and move us out of this asteroid field."
"Ensign Redmond, send a narrow band signal to Captain Kostov, telling her
we're taking advantage of this break and getting out of here. We'll repair our
warp coil and rendezvous either with Fearless or meet everyone back in
Federation space." Dyer was not gong to let this extreme good fortune go to
waste, now was the time for action.
Lt. Quilman moved the ship out of the asteroid field and away from Romulus.
"Commander, a federation shuttle has just decloaked about 1 light year from
here. It's warp signature matches that of the Vigilance, and there is a
breach in progress."
"I see it Lt," Dyer responded. "It's configuration matches that of one of
the Fearless' shuttles. They must be using it as diversion. Way to go Captain Sortha."
The crew, with the exception of Lt. Quilman and Ensign Redmond, went to
work repairing the damaged coil so they could get out of the system
eventually. Dyer only hoped that he could find Fearless, and that Captain
Kostov could retrieve her team in time.
============================================================
Lt. (jg) Bajaraka Y Bham
Sick Bay, USS Fearless
Stardate 9712.19
This was getting repetitive! Once again, I got up from the sensor bed with
my face all tingly but at least this time, when I looked into the mirror, it
was *ME* looking back!
A kind of cute-looking lieutenant commander got up from the next bed and
said, "O.K., let's head for the briefing room and we'll get you guys up to
speed." The voice was that of one of the 'Roms' that we'd seen in the
Transporter Room but she was *DEFINITELY* looking better now!
I followed her down the corridor with Browner following along. "I'm
Bajaraka Y Bham, but my friends call me "Badge". What's your name?", I said.
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
USS Fearless
Stardate 9712.20
Vehakra Rhikal was glad to have her old face back, and her green skin color
restored. Once she was finished in sickbay, she tied her long black hair back
into a pony tail, pulled on her uniform as was ready to go back to work.
Veh pulled back the privacy divider around her biobed and looked at the
Avenger crewman next to her -- Bajarka Y Bham. He was looking at his face in a
mirror the Fearless' chief medical officer, Dr. Cassandra Ming, had provided
him and he seemed pleased to have his old face back too.
"O.K., let's head for the briefing room and we'll get you guys up to
speed," Veh said.
Y Bham looked at her and stared for a moment, followed by a slight smile.
Veh turned and started out for the conference room, with Y Bham and the others
following behind her.
"I'm Bajaraka Y Bham, but my friends call me 'Badge'. What's your name?"
the lieutenant asked, tagging along behind Vehakra.
"Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal," she replied. "My friends call me Veh."
"Can you tell us more about what's going on?" Badge asked.
"At the moment I'm not really sure what is going on," she replied. "Our
captain chose to pull us out off Romulus before we made contact with your
team. Something must be going on."
The entered the conference room shortly thereafter and awaited the arrival
of Captain Sortha.
============================================================
Emperor Lamok
Romulan Palace
Stardate 9712.20
Lamok watched the sensor logs downloaded from the probes orbiting Romulus
with great interest. Surrounded by several of his top aides, including Demtok,
Lamok was not pleased.
"It must be a Federation ruse," Demtok said. "They can't expect us to
believe Romulan and Dominion ships are in the Kredallan system."
"Why would they lie?" Lamok questioned.
"To draw us into the war on their side," Demtok concluded, trying to keep
the emperor from believing the truth. "I will dispatch several ships to the
Kredallen system to investigate sir."
Lamok turned to one of his other advisors for a moment, "Admiral Tomax,
what do you make of this data?"
"Sir," said Admiral Tomax, commander of the Third Imperial Fleet. "The
Starfleet Intelligence data accompanying the information downloaded and
broadcast by the probes in orbit has identified several of the warbirds in
this joint Romulan/Dominion fleet. Oddly, all of the ships identified have
either been decommissioned or lost...all within the past year. Our records are
showing the same identifications, and some the Federation people failed to make."
"Get a ship into the Kredallen system immediately and determine what is
really there," Lamok told his admiral.
"Sir," Demtok began, "Perhaps I should handle the deployment of ships?"
Lamok glared at Demtok, who was becoming increasingly annoying. "Admiral
Tomax's fleet is the closest to Kredellan. He can have ships there in under
five hours. Ship deployment is not your responsibility, Demtok."
"My apologies, your Highness," the aide replied, determined to prevent the
emperor from learning the truth. "What about the Federation ships detected in
the asteroid belt?"
"That ship was destroyed," Admiral Sehalat replied, commander of the First
Fleet. "There is no confirmation there was more than one ship."
Demtok grinded his teeth, "But what if there still is? That was no shuttle
detected decloaking."
"We aren't exactly sure what we saw decloaking," Sehalat replied. "The
sensor image was too brief. And when our ships arrived at the asteroids, the
only thing we found was the lone warp coil emission in precisely the same
location as we'd seen the ship decloak. We are continuing to patrol the
asteroids and the surrounding area carefully."
Demtok knew the Avenger was out there, but he could do nothing to reveal
that information. All would be revealed soon enough.
"Very well," the emperor said. "Tomax, get me a report from Kredellan on
the double. Continue to patrol the system and keep palace security tripled.
Meanwhile, my state of the empire address is in less than 24 hours, so I have
work to do. Dismissed."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Fortune Favors the Bold
Captain Sortha
USS Fearless
Stardate 9712.21
Captain Sortha allowed himself a small measure of satisfaction. The
Romulans had fallen for the ruse, at least for now. With detailed
investigation they might figure out what had actually happened, but he'd
bought some time, just how much remained to be seen. The Romulan ships
bombarding the asteroid field had been called off, giving Avenger and
Vigilance some breathing room. Sortha hoped that Kostov and Dyer would be
able to keep a low profile, he had no way of knowing how damaged they might be
from the Romulan bombardment. The Avenger could take a pounding with its
ablative armor, but the Vigilance was a much weaker ship. Sortha stopped
himself from fretting like a mother Gorn with a nest full of eggs.. Dyer
seemed a smart officer, he should be able to take care of himself.
At one station on the bridge Sortha saw the probes telecast still
playing. It must be appearing on every videomonitor on Romulus. The Romulans
had captured four of the probes and were close to capturing teh fifth...they
weren't destroying them,,, so the broadcast would be stopping soon. It had
however served its purpose. It had alerted loyalist Romulan forces as to the
presence of Dominion presence in the Kredellan system, or at least that
something was very rotten in Kredellan.
The broadcast had also served another purpose. It had alerted the
remaining away team about the latest events. No doubt the remaining
operatives would see it shortly. Sortha had been briefed by Veh as she had
her makeup removed in sickbay. He was furious over Sholek's escapades. He
simply did not know what to think. Either he was grossly insubordinant, a
traitor, or he was operating on information that no one else had that he had
discovered on Romulus and hadn't had time to share. For Sholek's sake he
hoped it was the third option. Sortha had hoped to nab more of the Avenger's
away team members, as they were the ones tasked with the assassination, but he
had only been able to get two. Four were still unaccounted for. And there
was still Sholek and Ensign Marcus at large- a mere ensign fresh out of the
Academy and Shadow Ops training. On the other hand he was heartened by the
reported involvement of Ambassador Spock. It was always encouraging to have a
living legend on your side.
In many respects the current situation was very similar to a game humans
called bridge. Two partners attempted to cooperate in a card game where they
were not allowed to communicate with each other. Each person had to figure
out what the other team mate was doing by the cards he played. Yes, very
analagous Sortha thought. And the game they were playing against the Romulans
was also very much like Chess-- where threre was an infinite variety of move
and counter-move, where the game could be razor -close with one side winning
only because they were one-half move ahead and achieved checkmate first.
Sortha joined the rest of the away team and briefed thame on the current
situation. "The Romulans have been alerted to the presence of Dominion and
rogue Romulan ships in the Kredellan system. This tips the scales sharply in
our favor. We have observed fleet movement toward Kredellan. If the
Dominion ships move out of Kredellan they will be spotted. If they remain
there they will shortly be found. Before time was on the side of the
Dominion, now it is on ours. We believe there are still four Avenger crew on
the planet, possibly still attempting to carry out their original mission.
There are still two Feraless members there as well, one of which at least can
be trusted to carry out her mission. In addition we know that Ambasssador
Spock is actively helping us. I had hoped to get more of the Avenger away
team, but that wasn't possible. However, the Dominion must now attempt to
carry out their plans before they are discovered at Kredellan. Once that
occurs their chances of bringing the Romulans in on their side will be close
to zero.
They will have to accelerate their plans to assassinate the Emperor, that
makes them have to plan on the run, as we have to. The field is now even
people. Tell me how to tip it in our favor! Suggestions?" Sortha waited
expectently. He had a plan but he wanted to hear any suggestions the crew
might have.
============================================================
Ensign Jamie T. Marcus
Romulus
Stardate 9712.21
(Captain Sortha contributed to this post)
Jamie, Spock and the rest of the underground watched the broadcast from
the probes from the Fearless. Spock raised an eyebrow. "It would seem that
the Dominion is moving rapidly to co-opt the Romulans. It appears that they
have two plans. The first is to frame a Federation member as the assassin of
the Emperor, or the Praetor as he is called on Romulus. This would guarantee
that he Empire would not come to the assistance of the Federation and Klingons
against the Dominion with a probability of approximately 98.5 percent. It
would also have a 35.7 percent chance of pulling the Empire directly onto the
side of the Dominion, and this percentage would increase to at least 72.44
percent assuming the Dominion has someone in the Romulan Imperial high
command. If this fails, it appears they are ready to stage a coup. Although
the forces they have at Kredellan are not huge by fleet standards, factoring
in the confusion amongst Romulan forces during a coup d'etat, they could prove
successful in seizing power. Our first course of action would be to..."
"Make sure the Praetor is not assassinated." Jamie chimed in.
"Yes" Spock finished, "make sure the Praetor is not assassinated. This
will however be a difficult task. The Praetor no doubt has increased his
security immensely with this information. However this will not matter if one
of his guards is an assassin. We must make sure that all Federation members
are accounted for, so that they can not be blamed in any assassination. There
still remains the possibility that a changeling could impersonate a Federation
member, but if he or she had an ironclad alibi, that would then implicate the
dominion. Our first task therefore is to ascertain the whereabouts of any
Federation members on Romulus."
"It appears that Captain Sortha has already tried to remove as many of
our people as possible from teh scene."
"It is a logical first step. However much work remains to be done. We
must insure that all remaining Federation personnel on Romulus are accounted
for and have airtight alibis over the next several days."
"They can get arrested or be kept under house arrest at all times. That
would give them an alibi." Jamie offered.
"That would serve the purpose" Spock continued, "however we could also
send out a planet-wide bulletin for all Federation personnel to go to the
Federation consulate. There are few Federation personnel on Romulus, mainly a
skeleton diplomatic staff. They could be housed in the Federation embassy and
we could request they be put under heavy guard by a number of Romulan troops
under the pretense of police protection. We can request a contingent from
different branches of Romulan security including their secret service, their
fleet, planetary police, as well as the local constablary. A large variety of
guards will mitigate the chance that a member could be secretly spirited away
to be a patsy by any single service that was compromised by Dominion infiltrators."
Jamie marvelled at Spock's logic. No wonder Grandpa Jim had been so
successful, how could you not be with someone like this helping you!
"I will inform the Federation representative here" Spock said. Within
hours we can have all non-Shadow op personnel securely accounted for. The
task remains, how do we find the remaining shadow-ops personnel? This will
require some thought."
"How do we guard the Praetor against attack from his own people?" Jamie
inquired.
"If the Praetor is unfortunately assassinated, as long as it is not by a
Federation member the damage will be containable. The greatest threat is that
he is assassinated by one of the Avenger members OR he is assassinated by a
changeling impersonating a Shadow ops member who is still at large."
"If we can't locate all our people then we'll have to be able to stop the
assassination, but that means we'll have to be able to have people on teh
planet" Jamie exclaimed excitedly.
"That will prove to be difficult" Spock announced, I do not see..."
"A treaty negotiation!" Jamie exclaimed.
"Explain." Spock commanded. He was interested in her explanation. He
had long ago learned not to ignore the intuitive leaps of reason that humans
made... especially ones from this family.
"If the Praetor is engaged in negotiation, like around the clock
negotiations, then we will have people present near him at all times." Jamie
continued on excitedly.
"That is a possibility" Spock admitted, "it will take the Romulans less
than seven point five hours to discover Dominion/disloyal Romulan activity in
the Kredellan system. However the negotiation will have to be of immense
importance to involve the Emperor."
"How about a resettlement of the treaty of Algernon?" Jamie asked folding
her arms smugly across her chest.
"That is a possibility, but" Spock went on.
"You don't know that the Fearless is equipped with a phased cloak
Ambassador Spock." Jamie chimed in.
Spock paused for only half of a second, "I had heard of experiments
involving the USS Pegasus, I did not know they were successfully reproduced.
That then is a logical plan. Large scale adoption of phased cloak technology
by the Federation would tip the balance of power in the Federation's favor in
any future Federation Romulan war. The Praetor will feel obliged to
negotiate. And, if I can get word to him about our suspicions, he will be
more than happy to cooperate... as long as he acts logically." Spock
concluded.
"If anyone can convince him it's you Spock" Jamie said smiling a strangely
familiar impish grin.
"I will inform the Federation ambassador that he must request an urgent
treaty negotiation immediately" Spock said. "Then we must reach the
Federation consulate immediately. It is several miles from here."
Quickly Spock called the Federation Ambassador. The ambassador was not
very happy with the idea...or the thought of taking orders from a civilian,
but considering that civilian was the famous Spock of Vulcan, he decided he
should cooperate.
BRIDGE OF THE FEDERATION STARSHIP USS FEARLESS
Onboard the Fearless, the communications officer on the bridge detected
the transmission from teh Federation embassy. "Sir, the officer said getting
Sortha's attention, "the Federation ambassador sent a message to the Emperor
informing him the Federation wants to renegotiate the Treaty of Algernon,
specifically the use of ..... phased cloak technology!"
As Captain Sortha digested this news, a small grin turned to a large one.
"Helm, take us to the edge of the Romulan system, then turn us around and set
a course straight to Romulus at Impulse speed. Prepare to drop cloak! Full
running lights. Prepare to broadcast recognition codes on all channels. I
hope everyone can dust off their dress uniforms." The big Gorn's eyes
sparkled luminously. This was going to be one away mission the Captain led.
"Lieutenant Commander Rhikal, if this works, you will be in command of
the Fearless. Lieutenant Commanders Summers, Khilal.... you'll be beaming
down to Romulus with me." Sortha chuckled at the thought of a Gorn in
Starfleet uniform negotiating on Romulus. Well there was a saying on
Earth....Only Nixon could go to China, and only Kirk could go to Q'onos.
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Cliffhanger
Lt. Sholek
Stardate 9712.22
Romulan sewer
Sholek kept swimming. Holding his breath, he swam out an opening and gasped
for breath. This sewer passage had two walk ways, one on each side, for
cleaning duties back before the invention of robots to complete the job. He
got on the right walkway and started running.
"You can't run forever Sholek," he heard from behind him.
"I only need to reach a way out and wait for the Fearless to transport me
out," replied Sholek.
Magus began laughing. "Your ship has deserted you. They made a fly by and
beamed out most of your crew and several of the Avenger crew. They have left
my telepathic range, but I doubt you'll be seeing them again, what with them
knowing about you visit to the emperor and hearing about the killing of your
brother. They believe it was you, but there are still doubts about that.
They'll probably leave you here, forever convinced you betrayed them. Even
more so when they find out a changeling disguised as you killed the emperor.
His address is in less than an hour. You would be able to get in undetected,
since you're Romulan. And you have no alibi.
"Any last words."
"Shit," Sholek said as he threw all his strength behind as right blow to
Magus' head. Magus reached up just in time, catching Sholek's fist, crushing it.
"Today you die," Magus said smiling.
Without thinking, Sholek quickly kicked his right foot into Magus' groin.
Magus dropped, groaning. Sholek started running, knowing he didn't have much
time. He found a sewer portal and got out of there. He smelt really bad,
causing people to walk away from him. He tapped on his comm-badge in Morse
code, S-O-S.
============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
U.S.S. Vigilance
Romulan Star Empire
Stardate 9712.23
Dyer and his crew worked feverishly to get the warp coil repaired. It took
the four of them the better part of an hour to complete the repairs. But at
last the were complete, and the Vigilance could once again move at full warp speed.
Commander," It was Redmond, who had been monitoring communications.
"The Federation Ambassador has just sent a message to the Preator, requesting
an audience to reopen the treaty of Algernon. Specifically the use of "Phase
Cloak" technology."
Dyer was shocked. How could the Ambassador know of Fearless' capabilities?
"Ensign, is there any sign of the Fearless?"
"None sir, although she'd be difficult to pinpoint with all the tachyon
disturbances in the sector."
"Okay people, here's the plan. This seems like a plan to try and get the
away teams off of the planet before they can complete their missions. If I
know Captain Sortha, he'll go into this in full-dress, announcing to the
universe that he just penetrated their defenses and they didn't know it.
"Keep your eye open for Fearless, the moment she decloaks, I want us
directly behind her and ready to dock. We'll use the opportunity of the ship
decloaking to get on board. We can remain cloaked until the shuttle bay doors
are closed and no one will ever have to know that we were out here."
"Sir," Lt. Quilman spoke up, "You've got you wish, Fearless just decloaked
at the outer edge of the system. She's coming in full running lights on,
shields down, broadcasting all known recognition signals.
There are four warbirds closing in to escort her to Romulus."
"Excellent. Lt. Lay in a coarse to intercept, maximum impulse. We need to
get there before they reach Romulus."
Ensign Redmond spoke up, "Shall I open a channel to Fearless?"
No Ensign, they'll be under heavy scrutiny with the presence of those
Warbirds. We'll sneak up behind her and transmit the codes to open the doors
ourselves."
Dyer watched through the view screen as the shuttle closed on the Fearless.
He was glad to finally have a way back onto Fearless. He didn't like the idea
of heading back to Federation Space, but that would be his only other option
if this opportunity hadn't presented itself.
He could risk the lives of these people by waiting around the system any longer.
"Hang on people, here we go." Dyer announced as the runabout moved into position.
"Initiating signal to Fearless." Lt. Quilman announced.
"Keying command override," Dyer added, "The doors are opening."
"Take us in Lt. Nice and gentle, the tractor beams aren't going to grab us
this time."
"We're down Commander," Lt. Quilman was noticeably relieved.
"Close the bay doors Lt., and when their down, decloak and disembark. Good
work people."
Dyer waited for the doors to close, and then he left the shuttle bay to go
brief his Captain on their successful mission.
============================================================
Captain Sortha
Bridge
Satdrate 9712.23
Commander Dyer made his way to the bridge, as expected many of the bridge
crew were in full dress uniforms. "Ah, commander, welcome back" Sortha said
as Dyer stepped onto the bridge. It appears that we are receiving the red
carpet treatment" Sortha hissed as he sarcastically motioned to the four
warbirds escorting them to Romulus.
Like the Fearless, they had their shields lowered as a sign of good faith,
although on all ships fingeres hovered over shield activation controls that
would be depressed at the slightest indication of any power builup in any
weapons systems.
As the Fearless cruised toward Romulus, Dyer briefed Sortha on his
activities. "It was lucky for usss we ssimultaneously invesstigated both here
and the Kredellan ssssystem" Sortha mused. "You did a good job out there
Commander." He also updated Dyer and Quilman, who had resumed his post at
helm, on the Fearless' activities.
Soon the Fearless was in orbit around Romulus, and a signal inviting them
to the negotiations was sent from Romulus. Beam-down coordinates were given,
and after careful scrutiny, it was determined they were valid coordinates and
that they were just outside the Praetor's palace.
Captain Sortha, Lieutenant Commanders Summers and Ki'lal and Lieutenant
Brynaziir made their way to the transporter room. Sortha had picked this
delegation as much as for its combat effectiveness as its negotion ability.
The negotiations were simply a ploy to get the Fearless members in position to
protect the Praetor if need be. In addition, Sortha expected Ensign Marcus,
and the Federation Ambassador to join them down on the planet and perhaps
Ambassador Spock as well.
Turning to Dyer Sortha grinned and hissed "Keep my sssship in one piece
Commander, you have the conn. We'll all have subvocs so you can monitor what
is happening. Rhikal you're acting exec officer. If you have time clear up
this mystery with Ensign Jefferson. If our renegade Romulan friends show up
from Kredellan, let the loyalist Romulan forces take care of them ...or get
the loyalists to do ssso. I don't want the hull paint chipped unecessarily"
Sortha admonished.
"Four to beam down" Sortha ordered.
"Aye aye sir" the transporter chief replied as he began the transport.
============================================================
Romulan Imperial Palace
Stardate 9712.23
"They what?" Praetor Lamok asked, bolting up from his chair as he faced his
defense minister, Demtok and Admiral Tomax.
"There is a Starfleet ship in orbit, Sovereign-class, claiming it is here
to open talks regarding phased cloaking technology," Demtok said. "Their
captain wishes to meet with you."
Lamok was dumbfounded. "Meet with me? Talks about phase cloaking
technology? This is absurd!"
"I agree," Demtok said. "I suggest we board and capture the Federation ship
and seize this illegal cloaking device."
"Sir," Tomax injected. "I disagree. If the Federation wishes to...share
this technology, it would be a great asset. Attempting to board and capture
the ship would probably result in them destroying the ship, with the phased cloak."
Demtok glared at Tomax, "They are openly violating our space and the Treaty
of Algernon. They cannot possess cloaking technology period!"
"You are correct," Lamok added, looking at Demtok. "But, I am willing to
hear the Federation captain out. We do not need to make an enemy of the
Federation right now and if they are here admitting to possessing this illegal
technology, then I'm sure we can work out some sort of amicable agreement. Set
up the conference chamber on the fifth floor, I will greet the Federation
envoy there."
"Your Highness," Demtok said. "I advise you to reconsider. Attacking the
ship and capturing it is a more viable option. They have shown nothing but
deception so far."
"Enough, Demtok," Lamok snapped. "I don't know what has come over you in
recent days, but you seem bent on starting a conflict with the Federation. Calm down."
"I'm sorry sir," Demtok said.
As they spoke, another aide entered and approached the Praetor. He
whispered something in Lamok's ear and then stepped back.
"He's here? Word travels quickly," Lamok asked. "Show him to the fifth
floor conference room, he may join the discussion."
"Who's here?" Demtok asked.
"Ambassador Spock and an associate," Lamok said. "This should be very
interesting indeed."
"Your Highness. I recommend doing blood screenings on everyone who beams
down from the Starfleet ship. They could be Changelings," Admiral Tomax said.
Lamok nodded, "Agreed. Have our medical staff send my personal physician.
Come, let's go see what the Federation wants."
They then turned and departed for the meeting room...
============================================================
Kredallan System
Stardate 9712.23
"What do you mean you're leaving?" Commander Sela asked the Vorta in
command of the Dominion fleet at Kredallan. "We should depart for Romulus at
once. Make our stand there!"
The Vorta smiled and shook his head. "I'm sorry commander. But the entire
plan is coming apart at the seams. Half the Romulan fleet is undoubtably
heading for Kredallan as we speak. It would be unfortunate for them to
discover our ships hiding here. I'm afraid you are on your own."
Those words stung Sela. Seven years earlier she'd spoken those same words
to Lursa and Betor, the sisters of the Klingon named Duras, during the Klingon
Civil War. When the Federation exposed the Romulans involvement in the Klingon
war, while they were supporting the Duras family, Sela decided to withdraw her
forces and cut the Duras sisters off. After that, they lost the war and were
driven from their home.
Now, standing here on what was to be the eve of her own coup against the
Romulan government, Sela was being hung out to dry in a similar fashion by the
Dominion.
"The Avenger crew is still on Romulus and two of their agents are under
the direct influence of my people, who have convinced them they are with the
Romulan Underground," Sela said. "Lamok will die tomorrow morning during his
address to the Romulan people."
"Time has run out," the Vorta said, his voice sounding very impartial.
"If he is killed and the government falls into disarray, the Dominion would
always be happy to step in and help restore order. Why, if you are successful
in seizing power yourself, we'll gladly allow you to join us, but this fleet
is leaving for Cardassian space...now."
The Vorta nodded to his two Jem'Hadar bodyguards and they started off the
bridge of Sela's Warbird, en route to the transporter room. Sela, seething
with anger, motioned to her security guards and then all hell broke loose.
Sela drew her disruptor and shot the Vorta in the back, vaporizing him
instantly. The two Jem'Hadar went to turn on her, but two of Sela's security
officers fired, killing one of the Jem'Hadar. The other soldier killed both
Romulan centurions, before Sela herself killed him.
"Commander!" the ship's ops officer shouted. "Somehow the Dominion ships
were in contact with the Vorta, they are powering weapons and moving to attack."
"Send out a general distress message," Sela said. "Inform Romulan Fleet
Command that we have found Dominion ships at Kredallan and are engaged in
combat with them. Send reinforcements. Order all of our ships here in the task
force to decloak and attack. Get the freighters and transports into the
nebula! Move!"
Sela then led her ships, originally meant to be part of the coup against
Lamok, in to battle with her former cohorts...the Dominion...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Explanations
Romulan Imperial Palace
Romulus
Stardate 9801.03
Praetor Lamok and two of his aides, Demtok and Tomax, entered the
conference chamber and were met by a male Vulcan and a female Romulan.
The Vulcan was Ambasaador Spock, whom the praetor had met and engaged in
debate with many times in the past. He had decided to allow Spock to remain on
Romulus, his activities monitored, rather than allowing him to wander Romulus
spreading his propaganda regadring Romulan/Vulcan reunification unchecked. He
had been advised to either kill, imprison or expell Spock from the empire
after Commander Sela's botched attempt to invade Vulcan seven years ago --
shortly after he ascended to the throne upon his father death.
But Lamok decided to allow Spock to remain among the dissidents who called
themselves the Romulan Underground. He allowed Spock to continue his teachings
about Vulcan ways, but countered everything the Vulcan did by spreading his
own theories about how Romulans had parted from the Vulcans when they tried to
make themselves something they were not ment to be, by accepting strict forms
of emotional control and pacificist ways. If nothing else, it had created
enough doubt about Romulan heritage to keep a majority of the people loyal to
the empire...at least for now.
While he recognized Spock, the woman he did not. She was probably one of
his dissident friends, Lamok assumed -- though she was rather attractive, the
praetor decided, greeting her with a grin.
"Ambassador, how good to see you again," Lamok said, raising his hand in a
traditional Vulcan salute, which Spock duplicated.
"It is good to see you as well, praetor," Spock replied. "My associate and
I are here to join the talks with the envoy from the USS Fearless regarding a
reopening of the Treaty of Algernon. I have spoken with the Federation
consulate here on Romulus and I have been assigned to speak on behalf of the
Federation in these talks, alongside Captain Sortha."
Lamok nodded, "Good. I will enjoy hearing your explanation about why the
Federation has broken the Treaty of Algernon and why I should allow this
betrayal to go unpunished?"
"These are difficult times. There is a war going on, praetor, one your
people are trying to stay out of...but for how long will this be possible?"
Spock asked. "And certainly it is only logical for phased cloaking technology
to be applied against an enemy as strong as the Dominion. It may be the
Federation's only hope for defeating this enemy."
"A treaty is a treaty," Lamok said. "The Federation agreed not to research
and develop phased cloaking technology. Six years ago we discovered there was
a secret project to do this and again, Starfleet shut it down, claimed it was
an unauthorized project and assured us it would not continue. Then we were
generous enough to loan your people a cloaking device to be used aboard the
Defiant for missions into the Gamma Quadrant...but yet we hear it has been
used routinely in the Alpha Quadrant and furthermore, that some captured
Klingon cloaks are mnow being used on some Starfleet ships. The noble
Federation is proving just how truly decepitful it can be. I should capture
the Fearless and gut the phase cloaking technology from it, and make it an
example of how the Federation should abide by its agreements."
"You will not do that, because it is not logical," Spock continued. "And
you have proven time and time again to me that while you are often loud and
prone to posturing, you are always very logical in your decisions."
"Perhaps," Lamok said with a smile. "So where is this Captain Sortha?
Sound like another logical,emotionless Vulcan name."
"Sssorry to disssappoint you," a deep, hissing voice replied from behind
the emperor. He turned to see four of his own guards surrounding a group of
Starfleet officers. One was a human, another a Betazoid, the third a Klingon
and the fourth, the one who had just spoken, was....a Gorn. "I am Captain Ssortha."
Lamok smirked and turned to Ambassador Spock. "A Gorn serving in
Starfleet...now I have truly seen everything."
"Shall we sit and talk?" Spock asked.
Lamok looked around at all the players and shook his head. This was
getting way too difficult for him to comprehend: first there was Sholek's
unusual visit and word of the plot against him; then the body of a human
female was found floating in space; then his fleet began chasing sensor echos
of what could have been two or more cloaked Federation ships: followed by the
destruction of what appeared to be one of the cloaked ships at the same time
as probes appeared over Romulus broadcasting news of a joint Romulan/Dominion
fleet in Kredellan; now a Starfleet vessel arrives claiming to have a phased
cloak and its Gorn captain now wanted to open negotiations regarding this
technology.
"Yes, ambassador, let's talk. I'm eager to hear what this mess is all
about," Lamok said. "Demtok, cancel my State of the Empire address, I think
this is going to take longer than a few hours to discuss."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Raid Authorized
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Bridge
Stardate 9801.03
Vehakra Rhikal sat at her post at Ops and studied the transporter logs from
the beamout of the away teams earlier. She focused on the sites where Ensign
Matt Browner and Lt. JG Bajarka Y Bham had been beamed up from and slowly made
the connection she was looking for.
She then turned and rose, approaching Commander Michael Dyer who sat in
his chair, Captain Sortha's being too big for a human to be comfortable.
"Sir," she began. "Do you have a moment?"
"Yes, commander," Dyer said. "What is it?"
"I've been studying the transporter logs from the away team extractions
and I believe Browner and Y Bham were lifted out of a store in the Jetraal
Section of the city which is a front operation for the Tal Rhakkan unit posing
as members of the Romulan underground," Vehakra said, handing Dyer her
findings. "I was preparing to go investigate this shop at the urging of
Ambassador Spock's underground contacts, but we were beamed up before that.
According to both Browner and Y Bham, that shop is where they were supposed to
make contact with the Romulan
Underground, and it turned out to be full of Romulan agents and at least one
Changeling. The rest of their team disappeared from this same store shortly
before we beamed them out.
"With your permission, I'd like to take Browner and Y Bham down to investigate?"
She then looked at Dyer and awaited an answer...
============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
U.S.S. Fearless, Bridge
Stardate 9801.03
Dyer considered the information contained in the PADD while Veh stood there
awaiting an answer.
"Very good work Commander. I suppose until we can get Browner and Y Bham
back to Avenger, they might as well serve Shadow Ops with us. I'll draw up
their temporary transfer orders while you prepare for your mission. Can I
suggest you add Lt. Quilman to your team? His knowledge of the Romulus will be
beneficial, and besides, I think he was kind of bored with me on the runabout."
"Yes sir," Vehakra replied, then turning to Quilman, "Lt. report to sick
bay for surgery."
Tapping her comm badge she spoke again, "Ensign Browner, Lt. Y Bham, meet
me in sick bay in five minutes, we'll be returning to the surface."
Veh turned from Dyer and made her way to the turbolift, followed closely by
Lt. Quilman.
"Commander Rhikal," Dyer called to her as the doors swung open. "Good luck,
and be careful."
"Aye sir." She replied and turned, leaving the bridge via turbolift two.
Dyer touched a button on his console opening a channel to Lt. Aries.
"Aries here sir."
"Lt., please begin an autopsy on Ensign Jefferson's body. Leave no stone
unturned, is that clear?" Dyer was determined to get to the bottom of the
murder of the young ensign.
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Preparing to Go Back
Lt. (jg) Bajaraka Y Bham
USS Fearless
Stardate 9801.04
PERSONAL LOG:
I can't believe it! I just get back from shooting (and kicking) my way out
of a really dangerous situation while disguised as a being of another species,
just have time to catch my breath and I have to return! Out of the frying pan
and back into the frying pan!
IN SICKBAY:
"Commander!", I said to the tall Vulcan female who was issuing all the
orders. "I am Lieutenant (JG) Bajaraka Y Bham of USS Avenger. Although I
am not a doctor, I *AM* a Medic 1 and headed the team who did all the
changeover work on our ship for our mission. Can I assist you in any way
or would you prefer that I just stand in line with the rest?"
"No, we can use all the help we can get especially if you've done this
before. How would you suggest we proceed with THIS patient?", she answered.
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Sickbay
Stardate 9801.04
Vehakra Rhikal sat up on the biobed and looked in the mirror once again at
the Romulan disguise Dr. Cassandra Ming and Lt. JG Bajarka Y Bham had given
her once again.
Also disguised as Romulans were Lt. Ian Quilman, Ensign Matt Browner and
finally, Y Bham himself. With that task completed, they suited up in the
Romulan clothing and then departed for the transporter room.
"This will hopefully be a short trip. We want to check out the herbal
medicine shop where Browner and Y Bham were, just prior to beaming them out.
The Romulan conspirators who are in league with the Dominion are probably
using it as a base of operations," Rhikal explained as they walked toward the
transporter room. "We're going to hit the shop in a full frontal assault. We
go in, try to obtain as much data and or prisoners as we can and then beam
back out."
"What about the Romulans?" Quilman asked. "Won't they detect an
unauthorized transport?"
"That's why we're in a hurry," Veh said. "Captain Sortha has requested a
couple of members of the engineering staff to beam down to be on standby if
needed for technical support in the negotiations with the Praetor. We'll be
beaming down simualtenously, only our transporter beam will be diverted to
another location. Once we're finished, there will be a short burst
transmission from one of our comm-badges signalling to beam us up. The
extraction should be a little harder to detect."
They arrived in the transporter room and were met by a couple of security
officers who handed out their gear. Vehakra was personally carrying a Romulan
disruptor pistol, a Romulan tricorder and holographic imager.
Once the gear was dispursed to the team, vehakra checked with the
transporter chief and went over the plan, then returned to the team. "OK,
let's move. We'll be set down inside the store. It is nighttime in the Romulan
capital, so we don't want to be on the street unless it is necessary. We'll
start on the ground floor of the store and work our way down into the caverns
beneath. Disruptors on stun."
They then stepped up on to the transporter pad and stood with their backs
toward one another, disruptors drawn and ready.
"Energize," Vehakra said, and a moment later they disappeared in a
shimmering swirl of light.
============================================================
Lt. Clayton Aries
Sickbay
Stardate 9801.04
Aries removed his surgical mask and stepped back from the table where he'd
been performing an autopsy on Ensign Kim Jefferson. He entered the last data
in the padd he carried, then tapped his comm-badge.
"Aries to Commander Dyer," he said.
"Go ahead," Dyer replied.
"I just finished the autopsy on Jefferson," he began. "Although the
Romulans had already performed an autopsy, I was able to tell this much.
Jefferson was dead when she was beamed into space. Her back was broken by a
very harsh impact. From bruise patterns on her body, it looks like someone
literally picked her up with their hands and threw her against a bulkhead with
incredible force. There are imprints of hands on either upper arm --
indicating someone grabbing her with great force -- were evident. It doesn't
appear she struggled at all, no other bruises, no damage to her hands other
than some damaged to the blood vessels caused by the vaccuum conditions of
space. Whoever did this would have to be incredibly strong."
Dyer scratched his head. "How many members of the crew possess such
strength?"
"Captain Sortha, Lt. Sholek, perhaps Lt. Commander Ki'lal if he were in a
rage, and there are three Vulcans on aboard, among the Starfleet regulars, who
could cause such an injury," Aries replied. "Unless there's someone among the
crew who is not what he or she claims to be. Is there anything else you want
to know, sir?"
Aries then awaited Dyer's reply....
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Sholek Returns
FROM THE GM: This is normally an off night for me, but I thought I'd get this
posted so we could wrap up the loose end of Sholek still being on the surface.
Captain Sortha
Romulan Imperial Palace
Stardate 9801.05
Sortha enjoyed the obvious hostile stares the Romulans were giving him.
He also enjoyed the looks of fear he was receiving. Although Romulans were
tough opponents in space, in person- in hand-to-hand combat they always got
the worst of it when fighting the Gorn. Sortha regarded the Romulan Praetor,
he looked intelligent. Sortha thought he was a man who would be logical and
practical...for a Romulan.
============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
U.S.S. Fearless, Bridge
Stardate 9801.05
Dyer got the reply from Aries. Definitely murder, but with four out of the
six suspects being who they are, he had one other question.
"Lieutenant, did you by any chance run a neurological scan to try and
determine Jefferson's brain activity before or during her death?"
"No sir, I didn't think I had any reason to." Aries replied.
"Get back to me with your findings, Dyer out." Dyer hit a few keys on his
console and began reading the reports of the preliminary investigation into
this death by Captain Sortha and Lt. Commander Kil'al. It seamed that the only
person that didn't have a rock solid alibi was Lt. Sholek. Every other suspect
was with someone during the time of Jefferson's death.
Just then Dyer as interrupted by the acting communications officer.
"Sir, I am picking up a faint signal from the planet, it's a series of
beeps, but the signal is definitely of a federation origin."
"On speakers, lieutenant," Dyer listened as the message was piped over the
bridge speakers. Definitely a pattern, morse code, he thought. He'd read a
little about during his tour on the Victory.
"Run that signal through the computer Lt." Dyer ordered.
"The computer recognises the signal as morse code, and decodes it as S.O.S."
"Tactical, lock onto that signal and energize." Dyer almost yelled at the
poor young Lt. (jg) holding that post right now.
"This is the transporter room Commander, we have Lt. Sholek here but he's
not in very good shape."
"Help the Lt. to Sickbay." Dyer then moved to his panel again and keyed a
channel to security.
"Ensign Parker here sir," was the reply. It was good to hear from the
young ensign who'd been aboard the Vigilance with him.
"Mr. Parker, I want two security officers to meet Lt. Sholek in Sickbay.
Stay with him and when he's well enough I want him escorted to the Captain's
ready room. I have a few questions for the lieutenant."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Falling to Romulus
Lieutenant (jg) Ian Quilman
USS Fearless
Stardate 9801.06
As the Fearless' transporter room disappears and the ground of Romulus
appears we arrive just outside of the herbal medicine shop. We take up a
defensive position around the door, and force it open. There is nobody in the
front room of the shop, and we start to move into the interior rooms and find
the way down into the caverns beneath. As we get to the bottom of the
stairway, we see half a dozen guards and tunnels leading off in all
directions. We fire on the guards and take most of them out by surprise, only
one makes it out one of the tunnels leading off into the darkness. I take off
after the guard since I was the closest to him when he broke off and ran.
============================================================
USS Fearless
Bridge
Stardate 9801.06
Commander Michael Dyer awaited word from the Away Team and Captain Sortha's
"diplomatic team" when suddenly Ensign Loomis, the officer currently manning
tactical, spoke up.
"Sir," he began. "A Romulan shuttlecraft just blasted off what must be a
cloaked Romulan warbird just inside the tacheyon detection grid...though it
was apparently not detectable by the Romulans. The shuttle is damaged and
spinning through the atmosphere toward the surface of Romulus."
"Life signs?' Dyer asked.
"Two...one is...is Vulcan, the other is...it appeaars to be Sectoid," the
confused tactical officer said.
"Vulcan and Sectoid," Dyer repeated. His mind raced, Sectoids came from a
region of space controlled by Cardassians. They were a subjegated race, and
one of them ironically served onboard the USS Avenger.
"Sir, the shuttle is burning up and is almost outside transporter range,"
Loomis said. "Your orders?"
============================================================
Romulan Imperial Palace
Romulus
Stardate 9801.06
The parties were both seated. Sortha with Spock and Jamie beside him and on
the other side of the table, the Praetor and his aides Tomax and Demtok.
Scattered around the table were also the other members of both parties.
"So, Gorn, tell me why I should sit here and listen to you?" Lamok said.
"You have invaded our territory, broadcasted some far fetched tale of Dominion
ships hiding in the Kredellan system across the homeworld of the Romulan
Empire, and then announce that you have a phased cloaking device aboard your
ship and expect me to negotiate with you. Tell me why I shouldn't just take
this technology and throw you and your crew in a prison?"
The Romulan then glared at Sortha and awaited a response...
============================================================
Captain Sortha
Romulan Palace
Stardate 9801.06
The Federation Ambassador sat directly across from the Praetor,
Ambassador Spock sat to the right of the Federation Ambassador, while Sortha
sat to his left. Lieutenant Commanders Summers and Ki'lal as well as Ensign
Marcus stood behind the Federation delegation. Lieutenant Brynaziir sat to
the left of Sortha and slightly behind him.
Across from them sat the Praetor, as well as two of his deputies to
either side. Sortha noticed one of them was looking rather frustrated.
Behind the Romulan delegation stood 6 heavily armed burly Romulan guards
wearing the purple and black uniforms of the Imperial Guard. The Starfleet
personnel were all unarmed, having been thoroughly searched beforehand. This
didn't bother Sortha too much however, he knew the capabilities of his team.
All were excellent hand-to-hand fighters. Besides the room was relatively
small, making the effective use of energy weapons difficult. In addition
Sortha, Summers, Brynaziir and Ki'lal all had personal transmitters implanted
within them. They would be able to receive and send messages to the Fearless
unless they were actively blocked.
Sortha had briefed his team beforehand. Brynaziir was to inform Sortha
of any suspicions immediately. Everyone was ready to prevent an attack on the
Praetor.
"So, you have developed a phased cloak" the Emperor mused, "Quite
impressive...also quite illegal."
Ambassador Spock replied, "That is open to interpretation."
Turning narrowed eyes to Spock the Praetor inquired, "I half expected as
much from you...Vulcan, no doubt you have constructed some obnoxious fifty
step logical argument to justify yourself."
Replying easily Spock replied, "Not at all... it is only a 14 step argument."
Then Sortha interrupted, "Diplomacies aside, now that we are all
assembled, I sssugest we sshut the room, and have everyone prove they are not
a changeling."
"The Gorn have so much tact" one of the Praetor's aides remarked
caustically, "he is obviously so afraid of the shapeshifters that he has
become delusional and paranoid."
"I was not ssspeaking for, nor wass or am I concerned about my own
personal ssafety" the big Gorn rumbled, "rather I am concerned about the
ssafety of your Praetor and the ultimate fate of the Alpha quadrant." The
aide snorted, "that's better rhetoric than most Gorns, have you been spending
a lot of time around this Vulcan, Gorn?"
"Enough", one of the Praetor's military aides snapped, "the Gorn are no
cowards, they are worthy adversaries, and although I would like to kill you
now Gorn, you speak the truth." With that he pulled his ceremonial dagger
very slowly and sliced his hand letting a trickle of green blood flow out.
"All of you" the Praetor himself said, looking about the room. One by one the
Romulans all repeated the ritual, all resulting in fresh green blood. Then
one of the Romulan guards proceeded to do the same thing on the Federation
personnel. All bled. Finally the Praetor himself sliced the back of his
hand, once again green blood appeared, dripped and remained as blood, not
turning into changeling form.
"Satisfied?" the Praetor asked.
"Quite" both Spock and Sortha replied.
"Now as I was saying" Spock continued, "Under the treaty of Algernon,
both parties agreed that the Federation would not employ cloaking technology,
however the phased cloak represents a scientific development of such magnitude
that it does not apply under the original conditions of the treaty. It is
thus not a cloaking device, rather it is a phasing device. Nor did the
Federation develop the technology. Phased technology was developed by a
starship captain illegally, and without the knowledge of the Federation
council. The fact of his subsequent court martial, on charges of violating
the treaty of Algernon by developing or improving cloaking technology
indicates that he was acting illegally and that he was violating Starfleet
regulations, hence he was in point of fact, already acting in such a manner as
to relieve him of command. Since these actions proceeded the actual
development of a working prototype he was technically not a Starfleet officer,
he ceased to be one when he originally violated Starfleet regulations. If you
examine exhibit one, this is evidenced by Starfleet docking him his backpay or
compensation and benefits to the date when he initiated work on the phasing
technology. A prototype was developed but subsequently resulted in a
malfunction that destroyed the USS Pegasus. The USS Enterprise subsequently
found and salvaged the USS Pegasus. According to interstellar salvage rights,
the Federation became the legal owner of the illegally developed phasing
technology. Now if one looks at..."
Across the table the Romulans eyes started to glaze over at Spock's long
winded monologue. Meanwhile the Romulan fleet was heading toward Kredellan,
it would be less than one hour until the arrival of the bulk of the Romulan
fleet, with scout ships due to arrive in only fifteen minutes. At the
negotiations, the Federation team ignored Spock and concentrated on watching
all the access points to the room as well as all the Romulans. It was a
matter of time...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Last Minute Rescue
Commander Michael Dyer
USS Fearless, Bridge
Stardate 9801.07
"Vulcan and Sectoid," Dyer repeated. His mind raced, Sectoids came from a
region of space controlled by Cardassians. They were a subjegated race, and
one of them ironically served onboard the USS Avenger.
"Sir, the shuttle is burning up and is almost outside transporter range,"
Ensign Loomis said. "Your orders?"
"Lock on to the passengers of that shuttlecraft and get them out of
there," Dyer didn't hesitate. "Try and retreive the shuttle with the tractor beam."
Ensign Loomis' fingers flew over the console and within seconds the two
passengers were standing in front of Dyer on the bridge.
Dyer turned back to Loomis. "Did you get the shuttle?"
Loomis looked up, "No sir, but the tractor beam altered the shuttles'
course. It is now headed for a field about two kms from the capitol."
"Nice try ensign."
Dyer turned to face his guests, "I'm Commander Michael Dyer, welcome to
the U.S.S. Fearless." He awaited an explanation.
"I'm Lt. Commander Orion Anderson, the Vulcan posing as a Romulan said.
"This is Lt. Cka. We're from the USS Avenger."
============================================================
Lt. Thoraz Brynaziir
Romulan Imperial Palace
Stardate 9801.07
As Ambassador Spock began his oration, Thoraz lightly touched his Captain's
left arm in such a way as not to be noticed by any of the Romulans. 'The cue"
Sortha thought, 'Something must be up.'
Thoraz knew he had to inform his Captain about the Romulans, but to do so
unobrtrusively, that was the key. How could Thoraz let Sortha know that Tomax
and the Emperor were merely suspicious while the one called Demtok seemed to
be hiding something?
Lightly, Thoraz began tapping his fingers on his leg, in code. Thoraz
tapped out D-E-M-T-O-K hoping his captain could hear the light brushing of his
fingers against his uniform pant leg.
============================================================
Imperial Palace
Romulus
Stardate 9801.07
As the two negotiating teams listened to Spock, and Brynaziir finished
trying to get his message to Sortha, the door to the room opened and an aide
entered. The Romulan approached Admiral Tomax and whispered in his ear. The
admiral raised an eyebrow, excused himself and followed the aide from the room.
Passing by Sortha and the others, they heard one brief passage of dialouge
between the two as they walked by.
"...is she insane? Her ships can't expect to win. How long until task force
one reaches...."
Tomax and his aide then disappeared into the next room and the door closed
behind them.
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Surface of Romulus
Stardate 9801.07
Vehakra watched as Ian Quilman broke from the team and pursued the last
Romulan down a side tunnel into the caverns beneath the Romulan capital. She
glanced over to Bajarka Y Bham and nodded to the Avenger officer.
"Back him up," she said. "Browner and I will have a look in the main
cavern below."
As Y Bham split off, Vehakra led Matt Browner through a different tunnel
and into the main chamber used by the fake Romulan Underground members. They
looked around, scanning with tricorders and found no one else present.
Vehakra went to a computer console and began to look it over. With a few
touches to the keypad, she was able to access data the Romulans had been
working on before her team barged in on them.
"I recognize the symbols used in these reports," she told Browner. "These
Romulans are with the Tal Rhakkan, though I don't think it is an official
operation. They must be working with the Dominion on their own."
Normally Veh would have had to have cracked the computer code, but because
they had surprised the user the files were open and accessible. She quickly
went to work, downloading data by the droves.
As she worked, she came across a report detailing the number of Dominion
ships at Kredellan and orders which took a number of Romulan ships from the
usual routines and moved them into a special force to join the Dominion ships
at Kredellan. It was a blueprint for a coup, all being engineered by radical
forces within the Romulan Empire bent on seizing power and joining the
Dominion.
Finally, Veh found one more piece of interesting data. It was the location
of a Tal Rhakkan safehouse nearby. The house was, interestingly, shielded from
sensors and transporters and was equipped to house several members of the Tal
Rhakkan for several days. Recent activity logged there included a reference to
"two visitors" described as Romulans, but with the genetic composition of a
human and a Romulan/Klingon hybrid. It had to be two members of the missing
Avenger away team.
Logging the data, she then prepared to leave the caverns with Browner to
see if Y Bham and Quilman had any luck...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Talks Continue
Lt. Thoraz Brynaziir
Imperial Palace
Stardate 9801.08
Thoraz seized the moment. As Tomax and the aide passed by, Thoraz leaned
over and whispered into his captain's ear.
"Demtok is nervous and frightened. He appears to want these talks to end
quickly. I sense he is hiding something. The admiral WAS relaxed at the
start, but now ..."
Thoraz watched the Romulans as he talked. He didn't want to appear
intrusive or create a diplomatic faux pas. After he had finished talking to
Sortha he glanced back at Ki'lal and Summers to see what they were thinking.
============================================================
Lt. Sholek
Sickbay
Stardate 9801.08
After it was detirmined that Sholek was well enough to go see Commander Dyer,
the medic on duty let him go.
When the turbo lift opened, Dyer looked over at Sholek then headed towards
the Captain's ready room signalling that Sholek should follow.
"You had somehing to ask me, Commander?" Sholek started. "I would like to
tell you that have information that would be of value to you about what has happened."
============================================================
Kredellan system
Romulan Empire
Stardate 9801.09
A Romulan task force consisting of 25 warbirds broke through the outer
perimeter of the Kredellan Nebula and neared the site where a combined fleet
of Romulan and Dominion ships had been reported by the USS Fearless upon her arrival.
What they found, was the end of what looked like a devastating battle. The
broken pieces of several Warbirds and Jem'Hadar ships were scattered around
the system, fires still burning inside some of them. A small cluster of cargo
ships and transports were orbiting a nearby planetoid, surrounded by three
damaged, but still functional Romulan Warbirds.
No Jem'Hadar ships remained, but the ion trailis of at least five Dominion
ships were read on sensor scans moving away from Kredellan and the Romulan
Empire at maximum warp.
On the lead vessel in the Imperial Third Fleet, Commander Geldan hailed the
surviving Romulan ships. "Romulan vessels. Identify yourselves and explain
what has happened."
The lead warbird responded and the image of a female Romulan -- with
blonde hair -- appeared on the viewer. She was shaken, a gash visible across
her forehead, but she appeared to otherwise be OK.
"This is Commander Sela, we are all that remains of a Tal Rhakkan special
operations unit that was performing manuevers nearby under order of Admiral
Tomalok, the new overseer of the Tal Rhakkan," Sela explained. "We intercepted
a message from Romulus regarding Dominion ships at Kredellan and responded. We
found a number of Jem'Hadar ships here and attacked. They were supported by
these Romulan freighters and transports, all aquired through blackmarket
contacts, no doubt. We engaged and this is all that remains of our task force."
Geldan frowned. DamnTal Rhakkan, always sticking its nose it with secret
orders and classified operations. Still, he was having trouble accepting
Sela's word, there were reports from the Fearless' sensor logs that indicated
supposidly decommissioned Warbirds were among the ships here earlier. And
Sela's ship, by coincidence, was also unregistered and officially reported to
be decommissioned.
"Do you require assistance?" Geldan asked.
"Yes, all three of our ships are damaged and we have wounded," she said.
"Very well, we'll keep five ships here to deal with this situation,
Commander Salkaan will take the rest of the task force and pursue those ion
trails. Make sure those Jem'Hadar are out of Romulan space," gelden said.
"Standby for assistance, Commander Sela."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Betrayal Exposed
Lt. Commander Tyrian M. Summers
Romulus
Stardate 9801.10
Tyrian stood ready to jump if the Romulan guards moved to do something
that would threat on the Captain. He had been unarmed but wore his emergency
transmitter that could signal the ship. He really was not too worried about
an attack, he was in the company of some ferocious warriors, he also figured
he could disarm one of those Romulan guards pretty quickly if neccessary. But
for now, he would stand by and let them make their move.
============================================================
Captain Sortha
Romulan Imperial Palace
Stardate 9701.10
Sortha had learned to go with his Betazoid officers readings. If Demtok
was hiding something, then perhaps with the proper baiting he could be drawn
into a indiscretion. Sortha looked at his watch. The Romulans would have
reached Kredellan by now. As Ambassador Spock paused, Sortha spoke up. He
knew the fact that he was a Gorn would help him to provoke Demtok.
Looking at Demtok directly Sortha said in his commandingly deep and
slightly hissing voice. "We all know why we are really here, don't we
Demtok?" All eyes turned to Sortha and Demtok.
"Yes, to show how you developed illegal cloaking technology!" Demtok said icily.
"Don't play the wounded party" Sortha hissed slyly, "Your little
inssurection iss over. By now the Dominion and your disssloyal Romulan forces
will have been discovered at Kredellan. A matter of technology development is
irrelevant compared to collaboration with the Dominion."
Leaping to his feet Demtok pointed an accusatory finger at Sortha, "You
Gorn scum, how dare you accuse the Romulan Minister of Defense of high
treason! What right do you..."
"The right of protecting the Alpha quadrant from takeover by the Dominion
gives me that right. You and your conspirators are idiotss to trusst the
Dominion. You are no better than those traitorous Cardassian cowards who
capitulated to them."
Shaking with rage Demtok was turning a bright shade of green. He pounded
the table "remove this scum!" he howled.
"And betraying your Praetor iss perhaps the worsst crime of all, if I
undersstand Romulan ethics correctly" Sortha finished icily.
By now the room was entirely silent as everyone watched the interplay
between the two. All had seen the data obtained from Kredellan. All knew
that high treason was not without precedent. The guards watched carefully for
any sign of trouble. Demtok was shaking. He didn't know about the strategem
that Sela had pulled off, attempting to cover their tracks. He knew that if
he didn't escape off the planet soon he would be trapped and implicated.
"I do not have to stand for this" Demtok yelled.
"Like the cowardly collaborator you are, you run from the truth!" Sortha
yelled after him.
Demtok froze in his tracks, his whole body shook. He turned suddenly
drawing his disruptor. Sortha waited for the inevitable shock that would
quite possibly disintigrate him.
Ki'lal and Summers took a couple steps toward Demtok, ready to intercept
him before he could shoot, but simultaneously the trained Praetorian guard
drew their disruptors...and aimed them at Demtok. They stunned him just as he
was letting off his shot at Sortha.
The disruptor blast went right over Sortha's shoulder, close enough that
his tough reptilian hide was blackened. He stood there with the top of his
shoulder smoking as Demtok crumpled to the ground.
The Praetorian guards covered everybody in the room as well as even each
other. Slowly everyone put their hands in plain sight and the guards
reholstered their weapons. "That was interesting" Jamie Marcus breathed slowly.
"Yes indeed" the Praetor said. "We will interrogate Demtok to see what
he knows...as you know we can be most persuasive. If he is indeed a
conspirator, he will may dearly. If not, I will let him reckon with you Gorn."
"The logical step would be to wait here until we hear from Demtok's
interrogation and for news from Kredellan" Spock offered.
"Yes, it does seem so.." the Praetor responded.
============================================================
Romulan Imperial Palace
Moments after the confrontation
Stardate 9801.10
Admiral Tomax returned to the room, concerned about the news he had heard
of the confrontation between Sortha and Demtok during his brief absence. Tomax
came to stand at the head of the table and spoke.
"I have received news from my fleet, which has arrived in the Kredellan
system," Tomax said. "They found wreckage and debris left from a battle
between Dominion ships and a small task force of Romulan Warbirds operating in
nearby space on covert manuevers. The Warbirds apparently responded to the
news that Dominion ships were in Kredellan, there they discovered a force of
Dominion ships among a fleet of Romulan vessels, all apparently stolen by the
Dominion after they were decommissioned. Three of the responding warbirds
survived the battle, all ut a handful of Dominion ships were destroyed. Those
that survived are fleeing Romulan space. We are trying to track them now."
Praetor Lamok nodded and turned his gaze toward Sortha. "I believe we owe
you our gratitude, captain. You were correct. But I suspect there is more to
this story?"
"There isss," Sortha hissed. "If Demtok is involved, as I ssusspect he
isss, you may have conspirators within your own rankss."
"Admiral Tomax, contact General Jehda of the Tal Rhakaan. I'd like to know
what kind of secret manuevers his vessels were conducting in that area," Lamok
told his advisor. He then turned his attention back to Sortha and Spock, "Now,
gentlemen, there are still two issues I'd like to discuss with you...your
phased cloaking device and this rumored plot against my life by Starfleet
operatives who are said to believe I am a Changeling."
============================================================
USS Fearless
Bridge
Stardate 9801.10
Commander Michael Dyer had just arrived on the bridge with Lt. Commander
Orion Anderson and Lt. Cka of the Avenger, when the tactical officer reported
an incoming transmission on a Shadow Ops frequency.
"It's being piggy-backed on a Romulan carrier signal," the officer
reported. "Audio only."
"Interesting, on speakers," Dyer replied.
"USS Fearless, this is Sergeant Jahkar, Federation Marine Corp attached
to USS Avenger. Identification cade Sigma-Four-Seven-Alpha-One-Niner. Myself
and another operative from the Avenger are on the surface. We have discovered
a fake Romulan Underground cell which is comprised of Tal Rhakkan agents who
were trying to use us to assassinate the Romulan Praetor," the voice
explained. "We have secured the group's safehouse, we have data and a prisoner
who may be helpful to the Romulan government. We are at the following
coordinates. The building we are in is protected by a dampening field which
would prevent you from scanning us or beaming directly in or out. Please
acknowledge."
Dyer then looked to Andreson and Cka to see if they recognized this Jahkar
and his authorization number...
============================================================
Caverns beneath Romulan Capital
Stardate 9801.10
Ian Quilman followed the fleeing Romulan down several dark, damp tunnels
into the depths of the cavern-network beneath the capital city. He finally
reached a larger, lit chamber apparently used by the Tal Rhakkan for storage.
He looked around, seeing now route out of the cavern except the one he'd
entered through, but yet there was no sign of the Romulan he'd chased in
there. Quilman cautiously stepped further into the room, his pistol in hand,
scanning the area for any sign of the Romulan.
Above his head, among a group of stalagtites hanging from the ceiling of
the cave, one of the rocky protrusions suddenly morphed into a hanging glob of
tendrils which dropped down onto Quilman and wrapped around his
neck...proceeding to choke him violently.
At the tunnel entering the cave, Lt. JG Bajarka Y Bham appeared and was
shocked to see Quilman struggling with what appeared to be a Changeling...
END TRANSMISSION
From ShdoOps@aol.com Tue Jan 13 16:27:27 1998
Subject: SO: Fearless/Avenger: Coming Together
Commander Michael Dyer
USS Fearless
Bridge
Stardate 9801.10
Dyer took a minute to excuse himself to go to the ready room to talk to
Sholek, who had been waiting now for a minute or two.
"Lt. Sholek, I have read the data on your apparent transgressions during
the away mission, and have some concerns about your performance before your
departure for that mission. I understand your willingness to clarify this
matter and share the information you have. The unfortunate thing is, This ship
is in the middle of several operations right now and I don't have time to
listen.
"Due to the severity of the matter, I have no choice but to temporarily
relieve you of duty, pending the outcome of an investigation into your
conduct. I will reserve comment on what I've read regarding the incidents on
Romulus. I must also confine you to quarters. I assume I can trust that a
guard need not be posted."
Sholek acknowledged and left the ready room to return to his quarters.
Commander Dyer followed him back to the bridge, and faced the two visitors
from the Avenger.
"Well, does this message and Authorization work for you?" He asked
Lt. Commander Anderson.
============================================================
Lt. Commander Orion Anderson
USS Fearless
Stardate 9801.10
Orion was silent for a moment, as he tried to recall Jahkar's
authorization number. Then it clicked. "Yes!" he said, "its him!" He turned
to the tactical officer. "Patch me through" The officer nodded.
"Jahkar? This is Lt. Commander Orion Anderson, on board the USS Fearless.
How do you recommend we proceed?"
============================================================
Sgt. Jahkar
Safe House
Stardate 9801.10
How do I recommend we proceed? Boy, this Starfleet was really going to be
hard to get used to, especially when a commanding officer asks a grunt for a
recommendation. But, Jahkar had a plan.
"Sir. I am going to deactivate the dampening field. At the same time, I
will activate a repeating signal broadcast on all Romulan frequencies
identifying this house as a base of operations for the conspirators against
the Praetor," Jahkar said. "With the dampening field down, you'll be able to
beam us out and the Romulan authorities can seize this place and confiscate
all the data and find out for themselves what these people were up to."
"Make sure you bring back copies of the data," Orion said.
"Acknowledged," Jahkar said. "Give us five minutes, then standby to
transport."
Jahkar left the communication equipment and proceed to access the Romulan
computer they'd been using since their arrival. He then began to download the
contents of its memory on a disk.
Agrippa returned in time to help him complete the download of data, then,
when they were finished, Jahkar activated the signal and sent it to all
Romulan military frequencies, then he deactivated the dampening field. A
moment later, he and Agrippa were enveloped in the Fearless' transporter beam
and they were gone.
============================================================
Lt. (jg) Bajaraka Y Bham
Caverns beneath Romulan Capital
Stardate 9801.10
PERSONAL LOG:
At the tunnel entering the cave, I was shocked to see Quilman struggling
with what appeared to be a Changeling in the form of a hanging glob of
tendrils which was choking him violently.
At first, because Ian had his back to me, the changeling was directly
between us but, as he struggled, I an turned and I was able to get a clear
shot at the part of the creature furthest from Ian. It let out a shrieking
sound, though, since it hadn't formed a mouth, I don't know how, and fell to
the ground. Before it could reshape or move, I shot it twice more, just to
make sure of it. All that was left of it then was a glowing spot on the hard
earth floor.
Ian clapped me on the shoulder and then we both ran back along the tunnels.
...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Avenger -- More Potential Problems
Commander Michael Dyer
U.S.S. Fearless
Bridge
Stardate 9801.11
"Tactical, open a secured Shadow ops channel to Lt. Commander Rhikal." Dyer
was going to get his people off the planet before they got killed by some
renegade Tal Rhakkan strike force.
"Channel open sir," the Tactical officer reported.
"Fearless to Away team."
"Go ahead Fearless." It was good to hear that Veh's team was safe.
"Commander, we have recovered the two remaining Avenger team members.
Prepare to beam back to the ship. When you return, head right for sick bay and
get into a nice comfortable face."
"Glad to hear it Commander," Veh replied. "We're ready to go whenever you are."
"Bridge to Transporter room one." Dyer was feeling very good about this
mission. The only people he had to worry about now were in now immediate
danger at the Imperial Palace. "Lock onto away team and energize at your
discretion."
"Now Mr. Anderson. Perhaps while we have a few minutes you might explain
why I had to rescue you from a Romulan shuttlecraft about to burn up in the
atmosphere?"
============================================================
Lt. Sholek
Stardate 9801.10
Confined to quarters
'Hello Sholek.'
Sholek looked up, searching for the source of the voice.
'It's me.'
"What do want, Magus."
'My operative on board your ship. Your Commander is in jeopardy. You can't
win Sholek. Give up. Surrender yourself and your ship to me. I'll be
merciful.'
Sholek sat and concentrated. He was able to block Magus's telepathy.
"Sholek to Commander Dyer," he said. Some one onboard is conspiring with the
Dominion. They may try to attack the bridge. I suggest you cut off access to
the bridge."
============================================================
FROM THE GM: Jahkar's post will presumably take place after Orion answers Dyer's question...
Sgt. Jahkar
USS Fearless
Stardate 9801.11
Jahkar thought it was good to be off Romulus and restored to his half-
Klingon/half-Romulan self. He and Mark Agrippa were done in sickbay, where
they were greeted by Lt. Commander Anderson and Lt. Cka.
"Commander, it is good to see you," Jahkar said, hopping down from the
biobed. "What is going on?"
Orion explained how the Dominion had tricked the Avenger into coming to
Romulus in the first place, then went on to tell how he and Cka were captured
by the traitorous faction of the Tal Rhakkan that had been misleading he and
Mark all along. He also explained how Y Bham and Browner were now down on the
surface with a Fearless away team raiding the herbal medicine shop where the
Avenger's team had become seperated in the first place.
"Sounds like we missed most of the action," Jahkar said. "So what now?"
"Now we wait for the Fearless' captain to finish with the Romulan Praetor
so we can all start back for Federation space," Orion said. "We can hopefully
soon be returned to the Avenger."
"The Avenger is still alright, isn't it?" Jahkar asked, his concern for
Dara coming forward.
"As far as we know she's still hiding somewhere nearby," Orion said. "They
know what's going on, according to the Fearless, but we don't know what they
are up to at the moment."
Jahkar yawned, then handed Orion his datapadd, "Here's the data I
downloaded from the Romulan computer at the safehouse we were in. I don't know
about Mark, but I need to catch a little shuteye. Do you mind if we catch a
few hours of sleep?"
"Go ahead, I'll wake you if anything develops," Orion replied. Jahkar then
headed off to quarters provided him by the Fearless.
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Avenger -- Leaving Romulus
Lt. Thoraz Brynaziir
Diplomatic Negotiations
Stadate 9801.12
As the disruptor blast nicked Sortha and continued on, over top of Thoraz's
head he had new insight. Thinking to himself, 'I never realized how dangerous
Diplomatic relations could be' and as he thought this he turned to look at
Summers and Ki'lal, the last of the original members of Red Squad. Of those
left serving together only Sholek was missing. But before Thoraz's mind
could venture that was he was abruptly brought back to the present. After
this mission he would have to contact his parents again.
============================================================
Commander Michael Dyer
U.S.S. Fearless
Stardate 9801.12
"Sholek to Commander Dyer," Dyer was surprised to hear Lt. Sholek's voice.
"Some one onboard is conspiring with the Dominion. They may try to attack the
bridge. I suggest you cut off access to the bridge."
"Dyer here Lt., with all of the commotion over and everyone back on board
why don't we take time for that chat now. Why don't you meet me in the ready
room and you can explain why I should cut off access to the bridge. Dyer out."
Turning to his tactical officer, "I want all secondary controls on the ship
cut-off, and with the exception of Lt. Sholek and the security officer that
accompanies him, no one is to come on the bridge without my authorization.
Understood."
"Yes sir," the tactical officer said as he began cutting off control of the
ship.
Shortly after that Lt. Sholek entered the bridge and the two officers moved
to the Captain's ready room to talk about all that had gone on before, during
and since Sholek's trip to the planet's surface.
============================================================
Captain Sortha
Romulan Imperial Palace
Stardate 9801.12
Sortha explained the entire scenario to the Romulan Praetor and his top
commanders, starting with the Dominion attack on the Shadow Ops base in
Australia, the falsified orders given to the Avenger, the discovery of the
Dominion forces at Kredellan, and the efforts made to stop the Avenger's crew.
Meanwhile reports were coming in from all over Romulus and from Kredellan
confirming the story.
After Sortha was done the Praetor and his officers looked concerned.
"Divide and Conquer I believe is the Terran term for this strategy" the
Praetor finally replied.
"You must see the unarguable logic against cooperation with the Dominion"
Spock replied calmly. "They are so powerful that the whole Alpha Quadrant
must stand against them. To do otherwise would be suicide."
For once all members in the room were in agreement, nodding their heads,
the Romulans finally realizing the nature of the threat.
"Very well, for saving my life you have my gratitude. But there is still
the matter of the phased cloak..."
The Federation ambassador spoke up for the first time "I am sure that
should the Romulan Empire join us in our battle against the Dominion, that we
would surely share such technology with our allies..."
The Praetor smiled, "well put, and... worthy of a Romulan. Very well.
You and the Avenger will be escorted out of Romulan space, however... do not
make such a covert attempt again, by then we will have learned how to
penetrate your cloak."
"I believe that after Commander Sela's attack on the Dominion forces,
that you will be engaged in battle with the Dominion shortly" Spock said, "I
suggest you prepare."
"That we will Vulcan,... that we will."
As they left the table and prepared for transport back to the Fearless,
Spock approached Sortha.
"You will be returning to the Romulan Underground, sssir?" Sortha asked.
"In time," Spock replied. "However, for some time I have wanted to return
to the Federation. My services may be needed in resolving the war with the
Dominion."
"Negotiating an end to thiss conflict may be imposssible, ambasssador,"
Sortha said. "The Dominion will accept nothing lesss than control of the Alpha
Quadrant. They will fight to the lasst Jem'Hadar."
Spock nodded, "Perhaps. Still, I would like to return to my home in its
time of need. Can I accompany you back aboard the Fearless?"
"It would be my honor," Sortha said. "Ssortha to Fearlesss, prepare to
transsport ssix."
Within minutes Sortha and the away team had beamed back to the Fearless.
Sortha received Dyer's report, and after having been briefed on Sholek's
warning ordered a level 1 security alert, which meant that no crewmember was
left alone, they moved in groups of three with all accounted for.
In addition all crew members were tested to see if any changeling had made
its way onboard. It was standard operating procedure to test all members
returning from away teams by now, but Sortha was not one to take chances. A
signal was sent to the Avenger, and the two ships headed back for Federation space.
There was still the matter of Sholek, and his "spy" to take care of.
============================================================
USS Avenger
Romulan Star System
Stardate 9801.12
Captain Anastasia Kostov sat on the bridge of the Avenger, awaiting word
from her Away Team. This had been a long and exhausting mission and she just
wanted to get everyone back in one piece so they could all go home.
It had been hours since the Fearless decloaked over Romulus announcing it
was there to negotiate the use of phased cloaking technology. So far, there
had been no aggressive moves against the ship as it orbited the Romulan
homeworld. Still, she hated being in the dark.
Finally, a transmission was intercepted by Lt. Duffy at tactical which
brightened the day.
"Captain, incoming transmission from the USS Fearless," Duffy said. "It's
Lt. Commander Anderson."
Kostov smiled. "On screen."
Orion Anderson's face appeared on the screen. The Vulcan was smiling as
he sat on the bridge of the Fearless looking back at Kostov.
"Captain," he said. "I am glad to report the entire Away Team is
accounted for and aboard the Fearless. The situation on Romulus has been dealt
with. The plot against the Romulan emperor is no more."
Kostov nodded, "Thank god. I was beginning to think we'd never see any of
you again. Is everyone alright?"
"We're all fine. The doctors here have ever restored those non-Vulcanoids
among us to their original appearances," Orion said. "Fearless will be leaving
the system shortly, uncloaked and escorted by several Romulan Warbirds.
Captain Sortha wants you to come alongside the Fearless and decloak and join
him for the trip home."
"I take it we're getting the boot?" she said.
"The Romulans are grateful to us for uncovering the plot against their
leader, but they would like us to leave...immediately," Orion confirmed.
"Very well," she said. "When the Fearless gets underway, we'll come
alongside. You can all beam back over then."
Orion nodded, "We'll see you soon, captain. Fearless out."
"Helm, standby to get us out of here," Kostov said. "We're going home."
============================================================
Lt. Clayton Aries
Sickbay
Stardate 9801.12
Aries continued his autopsy and scans of Kim Jefferson's body as Fearless
prepared to leave Romulus. As he worked alone at the start of the late shift,
Ensign Roberto Cortez entered sickbay rubbing his temple. The young
engineering officer appeared a little pale and uncomfortable.
"What is it, ensign?" Aries asked.
"Terrible migraine headache, sir," he said, slumping to a biobed. "I can't
sleep, can't eat...I've had it for about two hours."
"Let me check it out," Aries said, closing the door to the room he was
conducting the autopsy in. He got out a medical tricorder and began to scan
Cortez's head.
He checked the readings, frowned, and then checked them again. "This is
unusual. Your brain in experiencing strange elevations in electrochemical
impulses. Have you ever been examined or tested for telepathic ability?"
"No sir," Cortez said.
"Well, if I didn't know better I'd say you had similar elevations in
certain brain chemicals comparable to that of a Betazoid or a Vulcan," Aries
said. "I'm going to give you a dose of a drug that should ease the pain, but
I'll need to run a few more tests."
Cortez nodded, "Whatever you say."
Clayton Aries was also intrigued because he had also found similar
imbalances in Kim Jefferson's brain which occured before she died. It had led
Aries to theorize she was either an emerging telepath, or that she was under
the influence of a powerful telepathic power. It was a report he was about to
go hand Commander Dyer when Cortez had walked in.
Aries prepared a hypospray, then turned back to inject Cortz. But the
ensign was not on the table. He was standing nearby, reading over the padd
Aries had set down...the padd containing the test results on jefferson.
"Give that to me," Aries barked. "You aren't authorized to see that, ensign."
Cortez looked up, his face twisted partially in rage and partially in
confusion and fear. Aries took a step back and reached down for his phaser,
still attached to his belt per standard Starfleet orders for ships during wartime.
"Ensign, something is affecting your head. You need to give me that PADD
and sit down," Aries said calmly as he took the phaser off his belt.
"Your investigation into Jefferson's death is quite interesting," Cortez
said. "Too bad you'll never be able to impress the captain and commander with it."
Cortez then pulled his own phaser and fired, slamming Aries in the chest
and propelling him back against the bulkhead. The young medical officer slid
to the deck, his phaser still clutched in his hand. By the time his body
reached the deck, Clayton Aries was dead.
Ensign Cortez gasped and took several steps back. "No! No! What have you
done? Why did you make me kill him?"
The voice in his head spoke, "You are not done killing, not yet. Find
Captain Sortha and kill him...and when you have killed him with your phaser,
you will tell the crew Lt. Sholek mind melded with you and ordered you to kill
Aries and Sortha both. Do you understand me, ensign?"
"Yes," Cortez said, tears running down his cheeks. "Yes Magus. I
understand and will obey."
Cortez then left sickbay, bound for the bridge...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Wrapping Up
Captain Sortha
Bridge
Stardate 9801.14
"Sir!, unathorized phaser fire in the sickbay. Present are Doctor Aries
and Ensign Cortez." Liuetenant Ki'lal replied from his station on teh bridge.
"Very well" Sortha said. "Put up security forcefields around that area
and send a security team."
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
Deck 16
Stardate 9801.14
Vehakra happened to be on deck 16 when the security alert went out about
phaser fire in sickbay. already close to the disturbance, Veh drew her sidarm
and jogged down the corridor, passing several Starfleet regulars on the way.
When she reached sickbay she saw Ensign Cortez walked along the corridor, a
demented look in his eyes. He must have just slipped out of sick bay before
the force fields went up.
"Ensign Cortez!" Vehakra yelled as he passed her in the corridor and kept
walking toward the turbolift that would take him to the bridge. "Drop your
weapon and don't move."
Cortez spun around and fired at the Orion woman, his phaser blast seering
past her head as she dived for cover in a doorway. He turned to run, but
Vehakra returned fire and slammed him to the deck with maximum stun setting.
She got up and carefully approached the fallen officer. When she got close
enough she kicked away his phaser and rolled him over with her foot. Behind
her, she heard multiple footsteps approaching. Veh glanced back and saw Ki'lal
and Thoraz running along the corridor with a team of three security officers.
"I got him," she said. "He got past the doorway to sickbay before the
force field went up."
"Ki'lal to Sortha," the Klingon said as he and his men stopped. "Lt.
Commander Rhikal has secured Cortez."
"Where's Aries?" Sortha's voice responded.
As Ki'lal and his officers picked Cortez up and secured him in binders,
Vehakra and Thoraz went to sickbay. When the force field was lifted, they
entered and found Clayton Aries sprawled on the deck, the front of his shirt
singed from phaser fire.
"Rhikal to bridge," Veh said, kneeling to check his pulse. She then shook
her head as Sortha's reply came.
"Report," he said.
"Sir, Aries has been killed. It appears Cortez did it," Veh said.
"Sseal off ssick bay. Get a ssecurity team in there to make ssure nothing
hass been tampered with," Sortha demanded. "We'll get to the bottom off thisss yet."
============================================================
USS Fearless
Romulan Star System
Stardate 9801.14
Flanked by four Romulan warbirds, Fearless broke orbit from above Romulus
and headed toward the Neutral Zone. Soon thereafter, the Avenger decloaked
nearby and, under the watchful eye of the warbirds, joined formation alongside
the Fearless for the voyage home.
Before going to warp, Orion Anderson, Cka, Jahkar, Matt Browner, Mark
Agrippa and Bajarka Y Bham were transported from the Fearless back to their
own vessel, the USS Avenger, where they were welcomed by Captain Kostov and
the rest of the crew.
The two ships, joined by their Romulan escorts, then jumped to warp and
began the trek home.
============================================================
Romulan Imperial Palace
Romulus
Stardate 9801.14
Commander Sela, escorted by two armed palace guards, entered the Praetor's
main audience chamber and approached the imperial throne. Seated on the raised
throne was Praetor Lamok, and to his right was Admiral Tomax.
Sela stopped midway to the throne, bowed, and then stood awaiting Lamok's
order for her to speak.
"Welcome, commander. I understand you fought well at Kredellan against the
Dominion forces," the Praetor said.
"Yes, your highness, the Dominion forces conspiring against us at
Kredellan were defeated," the blonde Romulan/human woman reported.
"Fortunately we were nearby so we could stop them. There is no telling what
they planned to do."
Lamok grinned, "No, there is not. I am glad to see you made it back in one
piece. But I am puzzled by some things. First, I am unable to find answers as
to why your ships -- unregistered Warbirds reported to be decommissioned --
were operating in that region of space?"
"We were on manuvers for the Tal Rhakkan," Sela said. "Minister Sharek can
confirm our orders."
"Unfortunately, Minister Sharek took his own life several hours ago,"
Lamok reported, as Sela nearly turned pale. "He apparently did so after we
learned he was involved in a plot with the Dominion to assassinate me and
overthrow our government."
Sela looked surprised, "I knew nothing of such a plot, your majesty. I
was merely on maneuvers as ordered by the minister."
"Not according to other's I have spoken with," Lamok said.
"Such as?" she questioned.
From off to the side of the chamber a door opened and both Defense
Minister Demtok and Admiral Tomalok were led out in shackles and chains. They
were flanked by several guards witrh disruptors. Both looked as if they'd been
interrogated...severely.
"They say you were part of the plot to kill me and blame it on the
Federation so our people would join the Cardassians and Dominion in the war
against the Federation and Klingons," Lamok said. "Is this true, Sela?"
The daughter of Tasha Yar squirmed and looked around nervously, but there
was no way out. She had to think quickly to find some way out of this mess.
"Praetor," she said, her voice softening. "I...I was involved...but I was
forced to participate by Minister Sharek. He had produced falsified evidence
that I was involved in a conspiracy against you and said if I did not help him
he would arrest me for treason...I had no choice. But when I saw the
opportunity to turn against the Dominion, I took it. I stopped them from
attacking Romulus. It was me."
"I am aware of your actions against the Dominion," Lamok conceded. "I am
also aware that you have been named as an accomplise by these two men. Records
found in the Tal Rhakkan offices indicate you were also in leage with Sharek."
Sela held out her hands, searching for mercy, "I am telling the truth,
praetor. Please, believe me."
"Place her under arrest," Lamok said. "All three of them will stand
trial. We shall allow an Imperial Magistrate to decide your fate Sela. If they
find that you acted under duress, I will be merciful and will spare your life.
If you are found guilty....you will be executed. Take them away."
The guards shackled Sela and the three were led away. As they left, Sela
shouted and screamed in protest...all the while proclaiming her innocense.
Even after they were led through a door and down into the detention center
below the palace, her screams could still be heard echoing through the chamber.
"My officers will continue to round up the conspirators," Tomax said as
Lamok sat on his throne and pondered the situation. "They should all be in
custody by tomorrow."
"Admiral," Lamok began. "Do you think I should have allowed the Fearless
and Avenger to leave? They came here in cloaked vessels...a clear violation of
the treaty. Was I remiss in my duties by allowing them safe passage home?"
Tomax considered the question a moment, then sighed, "I am as concerne
about their violation of the Treaty of Algernon as you are, sir. But these are
difficult times. The war against the Dominion cannot be won without the aide
of such technological advances. And you have said time and time again that we
are not going to join them in this fight. They are all that stands between us
and the Dominion. Some allowances may be necessary if we are going to remain
neutral."
"So what you are saying, Tomax, is we are going to have to put up, or
shut up...as the humans would say?" Lamok added with a grin.
"Yes," the admiral said. "I believe your assessment is correct. We can
address this phased cloaking device another time...when the threat of the
Dominion no longer hangs over our heads."
Lamok raised one eyebrow, much like Ambassador Spock, and nodded
throughfully. "Indeed, admiral. Indeed."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Leaving Romulan Space
Captain Sortha
Log
Stardate 9801.16
"Captain'ss log. Stardate 9801.16. The Fearlesss is approaching the Neutral
Zone. We are sstill being accompanied by our Romulan esscortss and the USSs
Avenger. The trip hass been uneventful, as far as the Romulanss are concerned.
We sstill have a mysstery on board, however. Ensign Cortez, for some reasson,
losst his mind and attacked and killed Lt. Clayton Ariess...our Shadow Opss medic.
"Dr. Ming believes Ariess had learned that ssomeone with strong telepathic
abilitiess may have been manipulating Ensign Jefferson's mind. That same
person may have also been controlling Cortez, who iss in the brig unable to
answer questions because he is unable to remember anything.
"Ssholek is sstill under suspicion in Jefferson's death and for acts of
treason against us while we were on Romulus. But Ming thinks it is possible
Ssholek was also a victim of this telepath and may have killed Jefferson
without thinking, or because he was unable to resist. That still does not
explain hiss actions in going to Praetor Lamok and telling him about the
presence of Shadow Ops operatives on Romulus. Until we have answers, Sholek
remainss confined to quarters. If we determine he killed Jefferson, and that
he did it while being controlled by this unknown telepath, he could be
vindicated of the crime. But his actions on Romulus may prove to be
inexcusible. My security team continues to investigate."
============================================================
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
USS Fearless
Stardate 9801.16
Vehakra was glad to be headed back home. She had found little time to talk
to Orion when he was aboard the Fearless, and even less time to speak or meet
with Captain Kostov. Being near them again brought back old memories of her
service on the Avenger, but they were the only familiar faces that remained on
that ship.
The Orion woman found herself also a little saddened by the death of
Clayton Aries. She had barely worked with the Shadow Ops medic, but she knew
he would be missed. She, like the rest of the crew, now wanted some answers
about his death.
Her quest for answers to this and other things had led her to Sholek, who
was confined to his quarters still. When she arrived outside his room, one of
the security officers outside the door let her in and she saw the Romulan
seated in a chair across the room, staring down at a PADD in his hands.
"What do you want, commander?" Sholek asked.
"Answers," she said in a soft, but determined voice. "Specifically, I
want to know why you betrayed us on Romulus. I understand from Romulan
Underground sources who spoke with Ambassador Spock before we left Romulus
that you secretly visited Praetor Lamok and told him there were two Shadow Ops
teams operating on Romulus. Then you went to your brother's house, with
Lamok's blessing, and killed him. I know we all made it back in one piece, but
why did you do that? Fortunately Lamok didn't use that information to track us
all down and kill us, but he could have if he was so inclined.I commanded that
away team and I deserve an answer Sholek. Why? "
Veh then waited for the Romulan to reply...
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Ki'lal's Dream
Lt. Cmmdr. Ki'lal
Quarters
Stardate 9801.17
Ki'lal was glad the mission was over. He hated the Romulans and he hated
even being near their territory. As the ship left Romulan territory, a sense
of ease fell over him; he now would not have to deal with them.
Ki'lal was exhausted. He needed rest. He laid down on his bed and slept.
Then the dream began. Ki'lal was walking down a dark corridor with very few
torches lit on the wall. He could hear a deep grumbling, almost a low roar.
He looked around, yet could see nothing. There were no doors, no exit, no escape.
As Ki'lal walked further down, he felt the floor slip out from underneath
him. He fell, but landed quickly. He was hurt, but could go on. He had
nothing but the clothes on his back and a bat'leth; as if he were going into
battle. The grumbling grew louder, and sounded like a dragon from earth mythology.
He came to an open room. He looked around; this room was comparatively
brighter, yet shadows still crept. He heard a large door slam behind him.
The room grew quiet.
"Ki'lal," he heard a voice say.
"Yes?!? Who or what are you?"
A man stepped out of the shadows. "I am Kahless."
And it was. Ki'lal was dumbfounded; was this still a dream, where was he?
"Ki'lal, you must find your family roots. If you do not, you _will_ die.
You will die," and Kahless' voice faded out.
Ki'lal sat up straight in his bed, sweating cold sweat. Was it a vision?
Was it a dream? He had to find out.
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Sholek's Corrected Response
Lt. Sholek
Stardate 9801.19
Fearless
Sholek became worried. He had not finished his report for the Captain and was
not prepared to answer questions until the Captain was aware of what had transpired.
"You will obtain the answers to any question you may have," Sholek began,
"after I have given my report to the Captain." Although he retained an
appearance of calmness, he just now actually became calm. Fortunately his
worrying had not brought down his barrier to protect him from any telepathic entity.
"What about going to the Praetor," Veh countered. "According to Ambassador
Spock's sources you told Lamok we were on Romulus trying to stop the Avenger
crew. A short time later your brother, a Romulan named Sorna, turned up dead
at the Naitara family residence outside the capital city. Coincidence?"
"As I said," he replied, "all your questions will be answered after I have
given my report to the Captain."
As Vehakra left, Sholek asked, "How can you be sure this Sorna is my brother.
Romulan records would show that my brother is dead. This Sorna may merely be
someone who was watching the Dominion too closely and was killed for it.
Actually, I believe I heard that he is brain dead."
"Is that what you think really happened," she questioned him.
"It is a possibility and one that was obviously over looked."
============================================================
Captain Sortha
Ready Room
Stardate 9801.20
Sortha had spent hours reading over the official reports on the murder of
Ensign Kim Jefferson, the allegations against Sholek about his activities
while on Romulus, and the various mission debriefing logs.
And although they were now back in Federation space, Sortha still couldn't
help but feel like there was unfinished business.
Officially, there the murder of Jefferson was unsolved. There were a
handful of suspects, but there was no evidence of any kind that could link one
particular person to her death. Even Cortez, who was down in the brig babbling
about voices in his head, couldn't be placed at the scene of the murder
because he had been working a bridge shift at the time of the murder. He was
accounted for.
Sholek was not, however, accounted for at the time of the murder. Nor was
Lt. T'Par, a Vulcan working in engineering who also possessed the strength to
kill Jefferson in the manner she was slain...and the technical ability to
alter computer and transporter logs without detection.
Had the telepathic individual believed responsible for controlling the
minds of Cortez and Jefferson also been behind Kim's death? And if so, was
this being on the Fearless or somewhere else?
But the questions had to be answered. It was time to talk to Sholek one
on one and get this over with. Even if he wasn't responsible for Jefferson's
death, there were other allegations suggesting Sholek may have told the
Romulan praetor of the existence of Starfleet operatives on Romulus...an act
of insubordination, if not downright treason.
For this matter at trhe very least, Sortha wanted an explanation.
"Sortha to Ki'lal," the big Gorn captain said, tapping his comm-badge.
"Ki'lal here," the Klingon security chief responded.
"Bring Lt. Ssholek to my ready room," Sortha said. "We have much to
disscusss."
END TRANSMISSION
Subject: SO: Fearless/Heading to Starbase 347
Lt. Commander Vehakra Rhikal
USS Fearless
Stardate 9801.21
Vehakra had volunteered to show Ambassador Spock around the Fearless while
the ship was en route to Starbase 347. She did it partly because Spock was a
living legend, and partly because she wanted to get her mind off her anger at Sholek.
They had started in engineering and completed the tour in the ship's
forward lounge. Now finished, they sat and had a drink together.
"So tell me, commander," Spock began as he sipped from a glass of Vulcan
tea. "You seem to be under some stress. Is something bothering you?"
Vehakra sighed. "I'm just not pleased with the behavior of one of our
officers on the Away Mission. That's all."
"You refer to Lt. Sholek?" he asked.
"Yes. His behavior lately has been highly uncharacteristic," Vehakra said.
"I am familiar with Sholek and his background. I remember reports of him
when he was an officer in the Imperial Fleet years ago. I also heard stories
of his efforts to adopt a Vulcan lifestyle," Spock said. "I must agree his
behavior is uncharacteristic."
Vehakra set down her raktagino and looked up at Spock, "Sir, what about a
brother? Your sources said he killed his brother while on Romulus a few days
ago. But Sholek claims his brother has been dead for years."
"He did have a brother and yes, I remember hearing he was killed many
years ago," Spock said. "But my sources on Romulus said they confirmed that
the Romulan he killed at the Naitara estate was indeed his brother, Sorna."
"Is it possible your source was wrong?" Vehakra asked.
"Yes," Spock confirmed. "That is a possibility. Captain Sortha also
mentioned he is a suspect in a murder aboard the Fearless?"
Veh nodded, "Ensign Jefferson. Somebody killed her by throwing her against
a bulkhead, then beamed her body into space and erased all the computer and
transporter logs."
"Wasn't both Jefferson and the crew member who went insane, Ensign Cortez,
found to have elevated electro-chemical activity in their brains?" Spock asked.
"Yes," Veh said. "Why, does this sound familiar?"
Spock looked off across the lounge, like he was peering into deep space
itself and then he slowly nodded, "There are a handful of Romulans who are
said to possess incredible telepathic abilities. They are called the Chosen.
They usually keep their abilities secret, or sometimes work in small covert
groups. They can sometimes form a link with an individual and are able to
control their mind over long distances...even across space."
Vehakra looked at Spock in disbelief. "I've never heard of them."
"I have only heard the legends, from the young members of the Underground
movement. They are shrouded in mystery and folklore, much like the vampire
lore of Earth's past," Spock continued. "I mention it only because I have
considered all other options and have found few explanations of how a
telepathic being could control the minds of two individuals such as Jefferson
and Cortez from a great distance. The only other option I can suggest is that
the person responsible for this act is on the Fearless itself."
"That's also possible," Vehakra said. "Is it possible this being also
took control of Sholek and made him do the things he did?"
"There are always possibilities," Spock concluded. "He could have been
under control of a telepath, or even the telepath's intrusion into his mind
could have shaken his Vulcan emotional control, allowing his Romulan side to
take over."
"We may never know," Veh said solemly.
"Indeed," Spock began. "But, there is the possibility I could mind meld
with him, if Sholek and your captain are agreeable to this. I could find out
what has caused the changes in him and whether or not he commited the acts he
is under suspicion of."
Vehakra shrugged, "Shall I ask the captain?"
"I will suggest it, to both he and Sholek at the same time," Spock said.
"How long before we reach the starbase?"
"Eight hours," Vehakra confirmed.
"Thank you for the tour of the ship, commander," Spock said. "And for the
ride home. It is good to be back in the Federation, even if it is at a time of war."
Spock then turned and left, heading for the captain's ready room...
END TRANSMISSION