Stardate: 90605.2307
Scene: USS BANGA BRIDGE
Time: Dawn of the day when the creatures break through Alyza's barricade
(actually a few minutes before the creatures break through)
Minutes earlier, Selak and another security detail had beamed down to
coordinates they thought were near the last known position of Alyza's
team. The comm blackout had continued along with transporter beamouts
being useless. To top it off, sensors were still very hazy in the area of
the teams. Blind and useless the BANGALORE hung in its orbit awaiting
word any word from its incessant hails to the surface.
"Sir," began the female ensign at ops, "we've just received a response
from our planetary hails."
Zack sat up straight in the command chair. "Away team?"
"Negative sir. It's coming from an independent settlement or so they call
themselves."
Zack thought for a second before, "On screen, ensign."
Immediately the face of young rougish looking man appeared on the main
viewer. Possessing hawkish features and an arrow shaped nose, his face
contorted in a frown. "Federation vessel, you are violating our private
space."
Zack stepped into his role immediately. "The Federation does not
recognize your claim on this planet." Zack stepped from the command chair
and moved towards the screen. "We are here on a fact finding mission.
Would you now care to explain what you're doing here?"
The man paused for a moment. Zack had walked up to stand next to the ops
console now and it's operator. He felt a gentle nudge on his leg.
Looking down at the ensign in the chair, he raised his eyebrows. Since
the planet's inhabitants had opened communications, the ensign had been
able to scan the planet and locate the away teams.
Selak's signature was about several meters away from the small triangle
indicating Alyza's position. What was interesting were the small
lifeforms surrounding Alyza's position and the high level of biomass in
the area. Alyza's team was surrounded by dead somethings.
Zack's pulse raced. Quickly he tapped the key on the console that muted
the comm link.
"Can we beam them out?" asked Zack.
"Negative on that sir," replied the ensign. The comm blackout has been
lifted, but their generators are still scrambling our transporters."
"BANGALORE to Selak," said Zack without missing a beat.
["Selak here, sir. Have you discovered a way to cut through the
interference?"]
"No time for small talk Selak. Alyza's team could be in trouble. Our
sensors show them to be several meters northwest of your position.
Proceed with all possible speed to their location!"
["Aye, sir."]
"BANGALORE out."
Zack nodded his head at the screen and the ensign reopened the channel to
a furious voice.
"...leave our space or be shot down!"
"Strong words for someone in your position mister," stated Zack playing
as if he'd heard every word of the man's conversation.
The man brooded over this for a moment before turning to speak to someone
out of range of the viewer. "I apologize for my...attitude earlier. You
are welcome to beam down to these coordinates where we can talk in a more
civilized manner."
"I thank you for the offer, but as I am sure you will understand, we'd
like to beam down to our own set of coordinates," said Zack with a smile
across his face.
The man seem to contemplate this for a bit, before nodding his head in
agreement. "Very well, at your discretion."
The comm link broke then. "Ensign," began Zack, "status of the
transporters."
"Their scramblers are down in an area approximately 5km from the location
of our away teams."
*Damn. Too far away to be any good to Alyza or Selak* thought Zack.
"Status of the away teams?" he then asked.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Thigpen
Lt(jg) Zack Hogan
DS 101 CSO
>"BANGALORE to Selak," said Zack without missing a beat.
>
>["Selak here, sir. Have you discovered a way to cut through the
>interference?"]
>
>"No time for small talk Selak. Alyza's team could be in trouble. Our
>sensors show them to be several meters northwest of your position.
>Proceed with all possible speed to their location!"
>
>["Aye, sir."]
>
>"BANGALORE out."
>
**SD: 90606**
**Scene: The Planet's surface**
Selak and the two security officers reached the top of a hill and were
confronted by the sight of the away team surrounded by the 5 remaining
creatures, about 50 meters away on the next hill.
"Their position is about to be overrun." Said Mendez, the female
security officer.
"We need a diversion. Fire in the direction of the creatures." Said
Selak.
"But Sir, their out of range."
"I just want to get their attention."
The phasers fired and after a couple of meters the beams broke up into
a spectacular display something similar to fork lightening.
Everyone stopped and looked at the light show, including the night
crawlers. *NRPG: As good a name as anything for them.*
McLeary and Roberts breathed a sigh of relief, when they realised what
it was. The creatures, however, were a little confused.
They usually foraged for food at night, hiding in holes in the sand
during the day, away from the bright light. Already the sky was
getting lighter with the new day. Only driven on by the lust for food,
but this was something new. The phaser fire hurt their sensitive eyes
and for the first time, they became afraid.
As Selak and the others ran up to the away team, they turned and fled,
leaving a swirling pattern behind them in the sand. All except one.
The largest of them held his position defiantly, until finally he
turned away and more slowly than the rest, moved off.
"Well I must say, you cut that fine." Said Ip'sc. The tone in his
voice was harder than he meant, due to the tension of the situation
they had been in.
Selak looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Commander," He said,
turning to Alyza. "We appear to have communications with the
Bangalore." He then issued everyone with one of the spare phasers they
had brought and instructed everyone in there limitations.
Without any formalities, Alyza tapped her comm badge and got an update
of the situation from a very relieved Lt(jg) Hogan. She then turned to
the rest of the party.
"We are expected at the camp, so I think we had better set off and see
If we can find a diplomatic solution to this situation. I want nobody
to draw their weapons unless we come under fire, understood?"
With that they set of for the camp.
**1 hour later**
**Scene: Bangalore bridge**
"The away team have reached the camp. We can get a transporter lock
on them." Said the female ensign at ops.
"Good, keep the lock on them." Said Zack. *This is where the fun
begins* He said to himself.
**Scene: The Planet's surface**
The creature sank down into its hole in the sand, away from the bright
sun. He had stayed after the others had fled, only to realise that the
situation was hopeless. The forgotten instincts he had felt before
about the way his species had hunted a millennia ago, were beginning
to fade. He was alone again in his dark hole, but he was sure there
would come a time when he would feast on the new prey they had found.
NRPG:
All: We've arrived
Gretchen: Did you like the picture?
Respectfully submitted
Shaun
Ensign Selak FCO/CNO
DS 101
**SD: 90610**
**Scene: The Planet's surface**
After Lt. Roberts had been safely beamed back to the Bangalore, the
remaining members of the away team approached the ex-Marquis camp.
About 50 meters away from the nearest hut was a vessel similar in
design to the Starfleet DEFIANT-Class.
"Okay everyone keep your eyes open, but remember, do not draw your
weapons unless we are fired upon." Said Alyza.
She had considered keeping half the away team back until she had made
contact with the people at the camp, but finally came to the
conclusion that if they had intended to attack the away team, they
would not have left the interference generators at the camp switched
off, which would have allowed the Bangalore to send reinforcements or
even fire from orbit. No, She was sure that they would not attack
until they had a chance to talk.
Finally a door opened in the nearest hut and a Terran, who looked to
be about 50 years old stepped out. His skin was slightly darker than
most pale skinned humans and he had some kind of tribal tattoo on his
face.
"That's close enough." He said "we have phasers trained on you. If you
reach for your weapons, you will be shot."
Alyza studied the man carefully. "We are here to talk. You do not need
to make threats. we have no intention of starting a war between us."
The Indian shifted uncomfortably. "Very well, you may come into the
hut."
The away team entered the hut and were asked to sit at a large table
in the centre of the room. Selak walked round to the far side of the
table so he could keep an eye on the door. He also noticed a large
display panel which looked like the control panel for the static
generators.
"I thing you should know that we have no intention of leaving this
planet." Said the Indian.
"And we will fight to defend it as well." Said the captain of the
STARLIGHT INTRUDER, as he entered the hut and sat down next to the
Indian.
"We are not here to start a fight or to remove you from the planet. We
came here to survey the planet for colonisation by our own people."
Said Alyza.
"We are ex-Marquis, wanted by the federation and you expect us to
believe that you are on some sort of survey mission." The captain
said.
"We didn't even know you were here until we arrived. How could we with
your static generators blocking all attempts to scan the planet."
Added McLeary.
The two men looked at each other, not knowing whether they could trust
these Starfleet officers.
"The question remains, what do you intend to do about it, now that you
Know we are here?" Said the Indian.
Now it was the Starfleet officers turn to look at each other. They
were wanted criminals, but they were not in any position to do much
about them. Finally Selak spoke up.
"Commander, If this planet is to be colonised, then somebody will have
to do a lot of work in preparation for that day. Wells will need
digging and a survey of the planets plant and wildlife will need to be
done. Not an easy task.
"Are you suggesting that we leave them here to do that work?" Said
Alyza.
"Some cultures would consider exile to a planet such as this to be a
fitting punishment for most crimes." He continued.
"That is an interesting proposal but I'm not sure Starfleet would
agree with you." Alyza said.
"What other options do we have then?" Said Ip'sc
Everyone looked hard at each other.
NRPG. Okay, that's my idea. Backpost if anyone wants to add a bit
to the story.
Respectfully submitted
Shaun
Ensign Selak FCO/CNO
DS 101
Stardate: 90610.2236
Scene: Maquis raider
Time: Backpost, during the battle between the BANGA and the three Maquis
raiders
Dorove Spilipoulos gripped his control panel tighter as he saw the small
starship come out of its death dive into the planet's atmosphere. *This
could have been an easy victory with the three of us* he thought in the
split second before the starship shot up and away from his forward viewer.
In the next second, he knew his small raider would slam into the wall of
air that had been held at bay by the other ship's shields. He knew he
wouldn't survive unless...
Dorove tapped his control panel twice and threw his ship into a corkscrew
pattern, rolling over and over. Hopefully, corkscrewing into the oncoming
wall of air would lessen it's impact.
Dorove was right. The wall of air bounced his craft around tremendously.
His two wingmen were not so lucky or skilled. They slammed into each
other and ended in fiery balls of light. Dorove only lost his wings and
internal stabilizers and a host of other important systems.
Things were failing so fast he couldn't even bring the ejection system
online. He only hung on for dear life as his craft spiraled down to the
planet's surface. He knew he had to complete his mission and find out
what the traitorous ex-Maquis were doing on this planet. That would keep
him going.
[SNIP]
Scene: USS BANGALORE Bridge
Time: Next Day
Zack accepted the steaming cup of coffee from the medic. So far he taken
a trip to his quarters to get a shower and a fresh uniform. He still
hadn't slept in the last 24 hours and it was beginning to catch up to him.
"Computer, commanding officers log. Begin recording."
<<<<>>>>
Lt.Cmdr. Alyza's away team has made contact with the ex-Maquis on the
planet. The situation appears tense, but workable. Lt. Roberts is well
and has been returned to the away team after a few hours of rest. Repairs
to damaged portions of the BANGALORE are going well. Our new CEO has
literally thrown himself into his new role. The ship should be back at
100% operating efficiency in the next few hours.
Long range scans have picked up no further incoming ships. Scans of the
planet's surface have confirmed that we destroyed two of the three
attacking Maquis raiders. The destruction of the third is unconfirmed at
the moment. I only hope that the negotiations on the planet are not
hindered by my actions in destroying those three raiders.
End log computer.
<<<<>>>>
Zack leaned back and drank long and heavy from the steaming coffee mug.
[SNIP]
Scene: A few meters from Maquis Camp
Dorove Spilipoulos's left arm hung limp and useless. During the night,
some small bloated looking creatures had set upon him. Dealing with them
would have been a small matter if his rifle had not exploded burning his
hand and forearm. He had to resort to his photon grenade launcher which
would have been a little overkill for the little beasties. But they had
been so fast that all of them had scattered after he had fired the first
shot.
That was fine with him. As long as they left him be. Trekking through
the dust, he'd followed the trail of others, Starfleet officers. They had
led him to his target, the ex-Maquis's camp.
Dorove crouched behind a nearby rock to wait and see what would transpire.
He cradled his grenade launcher in his one good hand as he eyed the
Starfleet uniforms and dusty brown figures conversing.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Thigpen
Lt(jg) Zack Hogan
DS 101 CSO
Stardate:90610.1420
Scene: USS BANGLADORE, Sickbay
He's got an infection in his right leg. Get me 20cc of Gericlad.",
heard Roberts from one of the doctors. He's was barely conscious, hearing
brief phrases from the medical tem working to save him."
"Regenerator's ready doctor.", said another voice.
"Ready some neural fiber implants. We may have to replace some
lost nerve strands. Prep for suregery."
That was the last thing Roberts remembers before drifting into
unconsicousness.
Time had past, he wasn't sure how long. But he was standing in a
large room, almost like a stadium. He was familiar with the place,
although he was sure he never been here before. Rows upon rows of seats
lined the walls, spiraling upwards. The room seemed to be a hexagon. One
flag hung on one of the walls.
Although no one was in the room Roberts heard voices. He turned
around, looking for the source of them, but could find no one.
"Alga Metrion, if you do not agree for unconditional military
support, my sector will begin building our own ships."
"Impossible.", said a different voice. "That is against Wel'h
stipulations. You will fragment the government."
A flash of light came about, blinding Roberts for a moment. When
his vision cleared he was in the same room, but it looked different. The
walls were cracked and crumbling, the flag in pieces. In the center was an
alien, the same blue-type aliens in his other dreams. It was holding an
item.
"No one will ever know of our disgraced.", mumbled the alien.
Roberts walked over to him and looked at the device. He knew what it
was...
Respectfully submitted
Robert Stadnik
Lt. John Roberts
Specialist, currently Chief Operations Officer
Deep Space 101
stadnr01@student.ucr.edu
Stardate: 90610-1830
Scene: Planet Surface - Marquis Hut
ds101@protv.ro
McLeary listened intently to the conversation going on with the
stranger but at the same time he began to study the room they were in.
It had been built out of a variety of materials mostly from material
found in old Starfleet junk piles when a ship is disassembled and the
parts that have little purpose are discarded. Some other materials
were not Federation. Wood like substances were used as studs. The
building reminded him of something from history, Earth history of the
17 and 1800s. Indian Wikiups of the Northern tribes - Mohawks and
Herons. Though this facility was much more complex. It was rounded
at the top with some kind of air handling unit placed on the ceiling.
All the beams curved towards the top and center. There was at least a
second room off to the right with a make-shift door latched shut.
Mick wondered who or what might be behind it.
It look as though they (whoever they were) had been here quite some
time. There was, almost, a homey atmosphere. Wall hangings,
furniture, of sorts. Some reasonable amenities. Also there seemed to
be something that looked like a replicator in the corner.
It was then that Mick noticed a stone tablet lying against the wall.
He could barely make out what was on it but did recognize one
distinctive feature. A octagon diagram surrounded some very familiar
markings at the top of the tablet. Micks heart pounded, these were
the same kind of markings he had studied on the station - in the
computer core. *Well, if we can make peace with this guy, I might
find this trip well worth the risks of creatures and such.* Mick
thought as he strained to see more of what was on the tablet.
Submitted:
Chuck Stotz
Ensign Michael McLeary
**SD: 90614**
**Scene: The Planet's surface**
The negotiations continued without the two sides able to come to a
compromise. The problem was, the Ex-Maquis had no option but to
reluctantly trust the Starfleet officers, if they wanted to stay on
the planet and the Starfleet officers did not have the authority to
let them stay. Finally Selak stood up.
"Commander, if you would excuse me, I need to stretch my legs for a
moment."
Alyza looked at the Ensign, the look in his eyes told her he had
something else in mind.
"Very well, I think we should all take a break for 30 minuets so we
can consider what has been said so far."
McLeary was also glad to have a break. He intended to use the time to
examine the stone tablet a little more closely and see if he could
find out where the Ex-Maquis had come across it.
Selak stepped outside and walked away from the camp until he was out
of hearing range of the others.
"Selak to Bangalore." He said, as he tapped his comm. badge.
[Zack here, how is it going down there?]
Selak brought Zack up to date on the negotiations so far.
"We need you to contact Captain Ruane and see if he can get permission
from Starfleet HQ on the Idea of leaving them here to work on the
preparation of the planet for colonisation. We need some official
promise to offer these people and we need it in 30 minuets."
[You don't want much do you Selak. Very well, I'll see what I can do.
Hogan out.]
As Selak walked back to the camp, Dorove Spilipoulos shifted
uncomfortably. He had heard every word that had been said from his
hiding place behind the rock and was now thinking how to use this
information to his best advantage.
**Scene: DS 101**
Admiral Tulok had read the autopsy of the dead Nausicaan and had not
found any link to the case he was investigating. The Vulcan
Isolationist Movement did not hire assassins but the coincidence was
to much to be ignored. There was also the fact that he had been also
killed. He reasoned that it probably was another assassin due to the
fact that a complete search of the station and a DNA scan of the murder
weapon had not turned up a single additional piece of evidence.
Even the blood trail had turned out to be the Nausicaan's, the murderer
would have been covered in it from the gushing wound.
"Computer, Display a list of all non-Starfleet personnel currently
aboard DS 101."
Came the reply.
"Start with Vulcans, people with Known criminal records and people that
have come aboard in the last month."
Admiral Tulok settled back and prepared himself for a long day.
NRPG:
Kevin: Phil wants these people to stay on the planet so there should
be no problems with the request, but I thought that this would
give you an opportunity to add something if you want to.
Phil: If you are back, do you want to add something?
Chuck: Not sure where you want to take the story about the stone
tablet, so I've left an opening for you to follow up on.
All: If anyone wants to add to the negotiations, then please do.
I'm finding it difficult to think of anymore that I can say at the
moment.
Tatya: How do you feel about writing some more little twists into the
story?
Respectfully submitted
Shaun
Ensign Selak FCO/CNO
DS 101
**SD: 90614.1848**
**Scene: The 'Chiefs' Hut**
The negotiations had moved to a table by now, the StarFleet officers
sat opposite the ex-maquis. Some were interested in the architecture of
the hut, others kept an eye on the guards present, one seemed to find an
old stone tablet of particular interest.
Chief Gollan sat opposite LtCmdr.Alyza, he wondered why StarFleet had
seen fit to send a heavily pregnant Vulcan to this planet; he considered
this as he also considered their claim to be here on a survey mission.
It certainly seemed odd that the CO of a party intent on bringing them
to justice was pregnant, perhaps their story was true. Gollan decided
he would take each step as it came, if they were telling the truth then
negotiations would pass relivly smoothly, if they were lieing; well then
Captain Bellamey could deal with them.
...three hours later.
"We do not completly trust you yet StarFleet, but we shall consider
your ideas so far. Perhaps a self-imposed 'exile' could be considered a
punishment by your superiors. To us it makes no difference, we only
wish to remain here and live in peace as we were meant to." The Chief
wound down the days talks. Mostly they had been geared towards how
StarFleet and the Federation could be worked around. Things were
difficult apparently. LtCmdr.Alyza had informed Gollan that the Feds
quite liked the idea of a colony in the Amgine Sector and perhaps some
arrangement would need to be established to allow Federation settlers
elsewhere.
"If you will excuse me, I require rest. Captain Bellamey will show
you to your quarters." Gollan stood and headed through a door at the
rear of the room.
"You heard him, off your feet and out of the door." Bellamey waved
his gun towards the exit of the hut. Alyza nodded before standing, the
rest of her team followed suit. Soon they were being walked towards
another, larger, hut.
**Scene: The Desert Sand, Outside the Camp**
The downed Maquis spy watched as several Starfleet officers were led
from one hut to another. He correctly guessed that the hut they had
come from belonged to the leader of this group of ex-Maquis. Slowly,
and quietly he crept along the sands towards it's door, a knife held
firmly in his hand, perhaps he could cause some trouble here before
taking the STARLIGHT INTRUDER and reporting his findings to Maquis HQ...
Submitted by Phil Long
Capt.Graeme Philip Ruane
Commanding Officer
Deep Space 101, Amgine Sector
Antelope Squadron, Cocoon Fleet
<**NRPG**>
All: Okay, you're being taken to a holding cell, in the interests of
peace I suggest you stay there...although I believe a Maquis operative
might be about to shatter that peace...and who will get the blame eh?
-Cheers, Pinky.
(
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