Turn Turn Turn

Posted on Wed Jun 23rd, 2021 @ 6:47pm by Lieutenant Leah Bailey & Commander Taeler Santu M.D. & Lieutenant Xavier Leiko & Lieutenant Ausra Danton & Ensign George Paxton

Mission: By Artemis' Bow
Location: USS Cavalier
Timeline: MD-03 19:50hrs
1186 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

The tiny bridge of the Cavalier wasn't really big enough for two command crews, but they all bundled out onto the main deck anyway. Captain Rodriguez scowled at the large group and motioned for his XO and Commander Taeler to join him.

"We picked them up a few moments ago. Must have been hiding in the star's coronasphere." He glanced at Xavier. "Your sensor upgrades helped give us a headstart on tracking them; we'd never have seen them until they were right on top of us."

"We should pull out, regroup with the Athena," Jeron suggested.

"I'm not sure there's time. And they could be going after the Pilgrims, which we're supposed to be here to protect," Rodriguez replied. "We need other options."

Santu was at a loss and also didn't want to get in the way of a command team trying to navigate this developing situation. It was clear the captain was looking for some input from the senior staff available but her specialism was in Medical, she had nothing to add to this particular situation so she made sure she was quiet and out of the way.

"What are we dealing with? What's their firepower like?" Xavier asked, directing his question to the officer standing at the tactical console.

"Not sure yet. We've only just detected them. It's barely a silhouette at the moment," the Ensign standing there murmured.

Xavier moved to the mission ops station, one of the free standing ones that lined the back of the bridge. He activated the console and pulled up the sensor information,the Ensign had been correct, the enemy vessel was too far away to get clear tactical information. "Captain, I would suggest positioning ourselves between this ship and the Pilgrims, maybe once they see a Starfleet ship, they'll back off."

"A ship this size?" Captain Rodriguez glanced over his shoulder. "We're not a Prometheus-class, Lieutenant. We're not equipped for heavy combat..." His brow furrowed as he shared a look with his XO. "Not that we have much choice. Go ahead and reposition us. But keep us away from the Pilgrims; we're here to observe, not to interact."

Ausra had an idea, not that it was a good one. She almost groaned since her last idea had gotten them into a lot of trouble. "Do the pilgrims scare easily?"

"It's not something we've had a chance to find out..." Professor Summers admitted.

"They're closing rapidly now, Captain. Unregistered ship, putting out subspace jamming too." the Ops Ensign reported in. "Coming directly at us."

The bridge fell eerily silent as the viewscreen showed the ugly-looking pirate vessel grow larger. Captain Rodriguez stared straight forward as his XO Jeron looked at the Athena crew with concern.

Santu caught a glance of Jeron, she wondered how she'd react to having a different team of senior officers suddenly on the bridge, giving ideas and trying to work with your crew. She'd be on edge in a situation like this as well.

"Hail them," the Captain ordered. There was a pause as the chime went out.

Then there was another sound - the sound of transporters being used as a dozen armed mercenaries materialised in the small bridge, weapons raised.

"What-" Rodriguez gasped, just as Commander Jeron cracked him on the back of the head with the butt of his own phaser, dropping the surprised Captain to the deck.

"Don't resist!" Jeron declared, turning his hand phaser towards the rest of the bridge crew and the guests from Athena. "I didn't want to bring you all into this, but your little trick with the sensors was going to be a problem." He motioned to the mercs, who seemed to be suddenly taking orders from him. "Take them. Secure them in Cargo Bay One. Keep the professor with us. We'll need his knowledge for phase two."

Xavier went to make a move but felt the end of a phaser rifle poke him in the back. He had spent all day with Jeron, how had he not figured out that the Bajoran was as traitorous as a Ferengi. "Stand down," he said telepathically to the rest of the bridge crews. He didn't want them to play the hero and get themselves killed. "He needs medical attention," Xavier said to Jeron, as he motioned to Captain Rodriguez who was lying on the deck. "Then we can take a tour of the brig," he added, struggling to keep the anger out of his tone.

Santu her muscles were suddenly tense, she had adrenaline coursing through her veins and an anger pulsing in her head. She looked at Jeron realising why he had been on edge and keeping an eye on them. When the call came through in her mind that they should all stand down she wondered where it had come from, but soon realised it was Xavier's voice. With balled fists she raised her hands. She'd stand down now but would pounce at the first opportunity, she had no intention of being incarcerated again.

George didn't even need to hear Xavier's advice, his hands were already up as he pressed himself even further against the wall. As he physically tried (and failed) to manifest the power of invisibility, his mind raced through various scenarios, trying to predict the best outcome. It was clear they were outnumbered and that fighting back here wouldn't render the desired result. Maybe in a corridor on their way to the brig? Assuming Jeron would send a lighter complement of mercs to escort them to a holding cell, an empty corridor might be the best spot to take action. As he had no way of telling the others his thoughts, George stood silently. Continuing to become one with the wall and hoping that Xavier was able to sense everyone's ideas and formulate the best plan.

"Signal Athena," Jeron called, making sure the captives could hear him clearly enough. "Tell them we have their people, and if they want them back alive they'll have to come and get them." He smirked, shooting a look at Taeler. She'd been so naive. "Meanwhile we'll have a free run at those incredibly lucrative beasts out there..."

In typical fashion Ausra opened her mouth. "You're being incredibly stupid." Yes, it might get her shot . . . but it wouldn't be the first time she'd gotten in trouble and it probably wouldn't be the last. She believed in speaking up because it was the right thing to do.

The mercenary standing closest to the science officer used the butt of his rifle and aimed it directly into Ausra's stomach. "Anyone else have an opinion?" He said loudly, flecks of spit flying from his green mouth.

Ausra doubled over in pain. So much for talking him out of anything. Now she didn't even want to try, let him fail or let him be caught because Starfleet would catch up to him eventually.

"Get them out of here!" Jeron barked.

Huddled together, the clustered captive Starfleet officers were guided away from the bridge and back into the bowels of the ship.