*Earth. Dorman and Co. feel a rush of air above them from an invisible source as the cloaked R.S.S. Normandy lands nearby, undetected, carrying food, supplies and weapons.*
OOC: Also, concerning my last post, I'd appreciate it if we didn't kill off the Republic's leaders. We've done that so many times now it feels like kicking a dead horse... and subsequently shooting it with a submachine gun.
*Pegasus Galaxy. Non-disclosed location. Code Name: The Keep. In a highly advanced operations centre personnel are watching feeds of intel across the entire Republic, including spying on civilians.*
OOC: The O.S.S. is an intel organisation devoted to protecting the Republic's Constitution and its citizens' legal rights under that constitution, as well as the safety of the Republic. The D.I.S. is devoted to the defence of the Republic from inside and outside threats by any means necessary. Allen once compared the O.S.S. to the NSA - I'd say the comparison more rightly goes to the D.I.S.
*Each intel handler is speaking to their own individual agent.*
Handler 1: Archangel 3, this is the Keep. Status update.
Handler 2: Agent 12, package is..
*Elsewhere at the Keep, Ronin is sitting on a bed in his quarters. Dr Miles Warren is checking on him.*
Warren: Physically, I can't see anything wrong with you.
Ronin: Then check again. There has to be something. I've never hesitated before. Never.
Warren: Ronin, relax. You were ordered to shoot a 16 year-old girl. That would make even the most stone cold killer think twice.
*He thinks for a minute, dwelling on the Archangel Project.*
Okay, maybe not the most stone cold...
Ronin: It was a stun arrow. It was simple enough; capture her and return to the extraction point. What went wrong? Why did I hesitate? Have I met her before?
Warren: This is the first time she's been on your mission itinerary.
Ronin: That's not an answer. There's something about her!
What?! What is it?! Who is she?! Why did I recognise her?! Why did she make me hesitate?! WHO AM I?!
*Ronin calms himself down.*
Warren: I don't know. There wasn't much left of you when we found you, Ronin. Your memories were among the things we lost.
*Warren stands up and walks towards the door.*
One thing...
You haven't been experiencing any flashes...? Seeing images that could be memories?
*Ronin looks at him, detecting a hint of insincerity in his voice.*
Ronin: No.
Warren: Just checking.
*Warren then walks out.
S.S. Tora Zhiyal, en route to Newfoundland. Tara is in her quarters, wearing her white vest as she looks at some letters she'd had stored on her personal data rod.
She didn't keep in contact with her parents after she left, but she did keep in touch with Dani for as long as she could.
She sits there, dwelling in serene memories of home; something she'd dare not do before, when she was on the run - letting herself indulge in happy memories could make her forget why she was running... or let her actually grow attached to people.
As she's reading the letters, the door chimes.*
Tara: Who is it?
Luke *Over Comm*: Tara? It's me.
Tara: 'Me' who?
Luke *Over Comm*: That isn't funny.
Tara: 'That isn't funny'? That's a very long name.
Luke *Over Comm*: Okay, hahaha. Can you let me in now?
*Tara smiles.*
Tara: Open.
*Luke walks in, grinning at her.*
Luke: Hey.
Tara: Hey.
*The two stand (or, in Tara's case, sit) there smiling at each other.*
Luke: So... what're you looking at?
Tara: This?
*She glances back at her screen.*
Just some letters from Dani.
Luke: 'Dani'?
Tara: My sister. Big sister, actually. She's nineteen.
Luke: She knows you're here?
Tara: My whole family knows I'm in Pegasus, whether they like it or not. Dani's the only one I kept in touch with.
Luke: Why?
Tara: It's complicated.
*Luke leans on the desk next to her, smiling at her.*
Luke: Try me.
*Tara grins at him.*
Tara: Basically, my mom was a psychotic killer and never even told me. I didn't like that. We argued and it ended with me walking out the door.
Dani helped me get the credits I needed to get a ship to Pegasus and got my things together for me.
Luke: She helped you run away?
Tara: Both my parents knew exactly where I was going. Dani just covertly helped me get there. Once I'd left Pegasus Prime, they couldn't find me.
Luke: Your name didn't flag anything with anyone?
Tara: Luke, 'Tara' and 'Forrester' are common names.
...especially when I switch to spelling my first name 'T-A-R-apostrophe-A'.
Luke: That's the Orion spelling, isn't it?
Tara: Named after one. Old friend of my mom's, apparently.
Also, officially my name is Tara Allington-Forrester. I dropped the 'Allington' part.
And no, not to spite my mother.
Luke: I didn't say anything.
So, don't you still keep in touch with your sister?
Tara: Tried to... but I just stopped being able to get in touch. I had a stable address for a while and Dani had the comm code for it, but...
*She stops, looking down at the floor.*
Luke: Tara?
*He hears her sniffle.*
Are you...?
Tara: Sorry... I...
*She looks back up at him, clearing her throat and wiping her eyes, hoping he doesn't notice the tear on her cheek.*
I had to leave in a hurry. After that, I couldn't get in touch with her back at the Academy.
I left most of my life behind when I left Khitomer, but I left it all behind when I left--
*She stops, though this time more abruptly, like she's stopping herself from revealing something.*
Luke: Tara?
Tara: Sorry, it's just I've never told anyone this. It's not that I don't trust you, it's just... it's difficult for me, you know? It's personal.
Luke: Okay...?
Well... there are a few trust-building activities I can think of. Jack's got me recalibrating the holodeck. I could use a trainee hand.
*Tara smiles (again) before taking his hand.*
Tara: Luke, thanks, but... can I be blunt?
Luke: Sure.
Tara: You've not had much experience with girls, have you?
Luke: That was definitely blunt.
Was I that obvious?
Tara: If I had some polish, I could see straight through you.
Look, I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I mean, I like you... I really do, but...
Luke: But you don't 'like' like me.
Tara: No, it's not that, I just...
*To herself* I am butchering this so bad.
*Normal* I'm not... I'm not--
*Just then, her comm beeps. She turns to the screen to find a new message on the system. She opens it to find her name, written in Orion letters. Her eyes widen as she swears her heart stops.*
Luke: Tara? What does it say?
Tara: It's them.
Luke: Who?
Tara: You know the people who have been chasing me?
Luke: But this is a separate comm code. They shouldn't be able to contact you unless they knew where... you...
Tara: Oh my god.
*She sits there, borderline terrified at the Orion words on her screen.
30 minutes later, Drake is now in the room. Tara has explained what the situation was to him and he looks at the message.*
Drake: You're sure they'd tail us if they could?
Tara: Definitely. The Sela'ni Cartel are obsessed with getting me.
Drake: Easy solution then. Don't reply to the message. They won't be able to track us down.
*Jack is also in the room, looking at his claws protruding from the spaces between his knuckles. Tara is almost terrified of him, but Drake and Luke both know he's just trying to look bad*ss and intimidating.*
Jack: Question is; why are they after you?
Tara: I can't say.
Drake: Jack, Luke, give us a minute?
*The two walk out and Drake sits next to Tara on her bed.*
I promised I wouldn't pry into your past unless it was important in return for you joining my crew. If you're in danger from these people, it's important. If there's anything you're not telling me...
Tara: There's not. I just...
*She looks down.*
Yeah... yeah, there is.
Samana Tr'ian, the leader of the Sela'ni Cartel?
Drake: You get in trouble with her?
Tara: Not exactly. We were friends. When we were little, Samana's sister and aunt were being escorted on a Republic Prison Shuttle. Her aunt was going to testify against 3 of the big Orion Cartels in Republic Space in exchange for a pardon and protection. The shuttle never landed, but a shuttle's worth of debris did.
Drake: Where was this?
Tara: Hood's Landing. Why?
Drake: I know what shuttle you're talking about. My father died on it. He was escorting a prisoner called Sara Tr'ian.
Tara: That was Samana's aunt. The Republic was supposed to guarantee them safety.
Tara never blamed anyone but the D'san's, but when Samana found out, we were 15. I was still out here. She found me and told me she knew. I had no idea what she was talking about. When she told me, I didn't believe her, so I checked with Dani, who checked with mom and dad. It was true. My mom was the one who guaranteed her aunt and sister protection, so Samana blames her as if she murdered them.
Drake: So this is her way of getting to your mom?
Tara: No. In Orion culture, being an accomplice is as bad as the actual crime. Samana didn't believe that I didn't know about it, so she thought I was covering it up. That makes me an accomplice, so she takes comfort in hating me like I'd killed her sister, dreaming up all manner of unpleasant tortures to make me suffer before she finally kills me.
*She bites her lip, anger showing itself.*
*To herself* Or I kill her... whichever comes first...
Drake: I didn't think I'd hear that from you.
Tara: You've only known me a few days.
Drake: Impressions count for a lot.
Tara: Yeah, well, not with me.
Drake: Wanna tell me where the anger is from?
Tara: She's been chasing me all over the colonies for the last 2 years. What do you want?
Drake: There's more than that.
Tara: You asked for the important parts to why she's after me. I gave them to you. The rest is personal.
Please.
Drake: Okay.
Tara, I promise that I won't let them get near you. I give you my word on that.
Jacob is sitting in his quarters looking through old family pictures and some of his dads old files. Looking for any clues to if his dad knew anything that was going on.
" Now the gate has been unlatched headstones pushed aside; corpses shift and offer room ,a fate you must abide."
*OOC: I was at class. So this is my first seeing it. *
Hacks (Northman): The Union is more of a threat than this supposed one.
Mason: You mean it's the more immediate threat. Sovereign nearly held off a combined Klingon-Federation Fleet, plus two of our most advanced warships. Imagine if multiple vessels like Sovereign were to attack.
Mr President, I would strongly recommend increased security measures against the Union, but I also agree with Ramez. Just 1 Shadow ship almost destroyed this planet. I have few doubts that Sovereign could have achieved the same.
Mason: You mean it's the more immediate threat. Sovereign nearly held off a combined Klingon-Federation Fleet, plus two of our most advanced warships. Imagine if multiple vessels like Sovereign were to attack.
Mr President, I would strongly recommend increased security measures against the Union, but I also agree with Ramez. Just 1 Shadow ship almost destroyed this planet. I have few doubts that Sovereign could have achieved the same.
Kyoshi: Harks?
Harks: I think a more preventative measure be taken against the Union, unless Stane turns up in the next three years I don't see how those machines are a threat. It may have been a shadow vessel.
Hence why we should look into the technology we have on hand.
Terry: We are taking a defensive posture but the unity isn't there. I am also going to tell you that Bastion has fallen... That means the defensive line is suspect.. I hear your dad is trying to form up a plan with Bright to start finding more allies and access to the races of the Andromeda galaxy.. We need more ground forces to bog them down on worlds.
Terry: We are taking a defensive posture but the unity isn't there. I am also going to tell you that Bastion has fallen... That means the defensive line is suspect.. I hear your dad is trying to form up a plan with Bright to start finding more allies and access to the races of the Andromeda galaxy.. We need more ground forces to bog them down on worlds.
Dani: Look, my dad is sending me to the Pegasus Gate tomorrow, before the Senate decides to seal it off. I'm just letting you know that it could be a long time before we talk again - if ever.
*Lanco III. There's a large team of Synthesisers, Iconians, and Republic technicians working on attaching power systems to the old Lanco III Iconian Gateway, buried more than 20 years earlier. The lead Iconian tech is showing the holographic presence of Dr Holtz around.*
Iconian: The intention of the project for the immediate future is to access the Iconian Gateway Network the ancestors left behind, and which the combined Romulan-Republic research team reactivated 20 years ago, during the Romulan Civil War. This will allow us to potentially move evacuees or troops from planet to planet while totally avoiding enemy star ships.
If we were using the ancestors' second Gateway Network, we could go anywhere, but, as it is, we'll be restricted to travelling from gate to gate.
After this conflict is resolved, the Republic wishes to restart the exploration of the network, along with Starfleet and other Convention members.
Dani: Look, my dad is sending me to the Pegasus Gate tomorrow, before the Senate decides to seal it off. I'm just letting you know that it could be a long time before we talk again - if ever.
*Lanco III. There's a large team of Synthesisers, Iconians, and Republic technicians working on attaching power systems to the old Lanco III Iconian Gateway, buried more than 20 years earlier. The lead Iconian tech is showing the holographic presence of Dr Holtz around.*
Iconian: The intention of the project for the immediate future is to access the Iconian Gateway Network the ancestors left behind, and which the combined Romulan-Republic research team reactivated 20 years ago, during the Romulan Civil War. This will allow us to potentially move evacuees or troops from planet to planet while totally avoiding enemy star ships.
If we were using the ancestors' second Gateway Network, we could go anywhere, but, as it is, we'll be restricted to travelling from gate to gate.
After this conflict is resolved, the Republic wishes to restart the exploration of the network, along with Starfleet and other Convention members.
What do you think, Holtz?
Holtz: I have several questions such as are they connected to the Frontier of the Unexplored Regions. Another I have is is there a energy surge that is detectable with their scanners?
There is a lot of things we do not know about the Enemy at present.
*Possibility...*
Terry: Hmm So you are going... I am shipping out in a day but you do have a choice to make, there is a choice of your own fate.
*Dor and his patrol ship arrive at the vessel, it is damaged and defunct...*
Dor: Any lifesigns?
Ops: No sir.
*Before they realize it there is a strong reading as the ship fires its weapon blindsiding the Republic frigate. the UNSC vessel comes about and opens fire and soon locks its tubes over bringing forth armed intruders...*
*before long the Intruders have taken the ship and the bridge is battered and the senior crew on the ground in a small bunch as the Intruders arrive at the bridge... in mismatched EV suits...*
Dor: What is the meaning of this.. You have endangered ...
Leader: Shut up mate.
We aren't UNSC..
Dor: Who are you?
What are you with?
*The leader removes his helmet and reveals his human face.*
Captain Kenway: Captain Kenway.. Now.. I want you Captain...
Dor: Dor... Of the Republic...
Kenway: I know who your with man... Its why I wanted to take this ship.. and its goods.
Ade: Sir.. We need to git movin...
Kenway: Aye we do... Put them and any man that doesn't want to join us in the escape pods.
*Before long both ships after the launch of escape pods from the ship are gone... leaving the distress signal. *
*Dor and his patrol ship arrive at the vessel, it is damaged and defunct...*
Dor: Any lifesigns?
Ops: No sir.
*Before they realize it there is a strong reading as the ship fires its weapon blindsiding the Republic frigate. the UNSC vessel comes about and opens fire and soon locks its tubes over bringing forth armed intruders...*
*before long the Intruders have taken the ship and the bridge is battered and the senior crew on the ground in a small bunch as the Intruders arrive at the bridge... in mismatched EV suits...*
Dor: What is the meaning of this.. You have endangered ...
Leader: Shut up mate.
We aren't UNSC..
Dor: Who are you?
What are you with?
*The leader removes his helmet and reveals his human face.*
Captain Kenway: Captain Kenway.. Now.. I want you Captain...
Dor: Dor... Of the Republic...
Kenway: I know who your with man... Its why I wanted to take this ship.. and its goods.
Ade: Sir.. We need to git movin...
Kenway: Aye we do... Put them and any man that doesn't want to join us in the escape pods.
*Before long both ships after the launch of escape pods from the ship are gone... leaving the distress signal. *
OOC: 'Kenway', eh? Been playing Assassin's Creed 3, have we?
Also... slightly overdoing it with the accent, don't ya think?
*S.S. Tora Zhiyal, Bridge. Jack is in the Captain's Chair when Kyra Nayan (the Bajoran Comms Officer) turns to him.*
Kyra: Commander, I'm picking up a distress call.
Jack: What channel?
Kyra: P-Sec.
Jack: Either another Deputy ship is in trouble, or one of the Police Ships is...
Condition Yellow. Get Drake up here.
Kyra: Yes sir. Yellow Alert. Captain Drake to the Bridge.
*2 minutes later, Drake walks onto the Bridge and takes his seat as Jack stands beside him.*
Drake: What have we got, Nayan?
Kyra: It's a distress signal from the R.S.S. Mayne. Looks like an automated distress beacon.
Hard to believe pirate traffic could take her out.
Jack: Unless they were outnumbered.
Drake: Or the pirates were a lot tougher than anything we've seen in Pegasus before.
Jack: Which have been reported back.
Drake: Thanks, Jack. You're a real ray of sunshine, you know that?
Jack: We're 2 hours out of port with valuable medical supplies, Drake. The Vulcans need this cargo.
Drake: You're right.
I think it's time we took the Elim for a spin.
Jack: The Elim can't transport the whole cargo bays...
You are not serious.
*Drake stands up.*
Drake: If the pirates are still there, hopefully they won't care about a small runabout. If they're not, I'll see if anyone's still alive on the Mayne. If they are, I'll call the Hood in.
Jack: That's crazy! If anything, I should go! I've got more combat experience than you AND I'm more expendable!
Drake: That's exactly why I need you here.
I'll see you when I see you.
Jack: And if you get yourself killed?
Drake: Then I'll see you...
...where no shadows fall.
*Jack's face almost twitches at that as Drake walks into the turbolift.*
Jack: Good luck, kid.
*5 minutes later. Drake walks into the cockpit of the Zhiyal's custom-designed and -built runabout, the Elim. Given to Drake as a gift from the Turanian Government, the Elim is the fastest ship of her size in the known galaxies as well as the most power-efficient, with technologies only used by the Turanians, she's a one-of-a-kind; capable of incredible speeds in atmosphere as well as out without any needs for excessive aerodynamic design. She also has teeth, with dual MFP cannons and an array of MFP beams covering all axes, coupled with a fore and aft micro-photon torpedo launcher.
The cockpit has 5 seats; one behind the main control panel (mainly helm and navn though with access to other systems as well), then two at stations on the walls on either side, functioning as comprehensive sensors, weapons, engineering and operations consoles.
Drake sits down in the pilot seat, finding the pre-flights already done. He then checks and finds the shuttlebay doors already open for departure with the clearance logged.
He takes the runabout out and hits the warp drive, headed towards the distress call.
He suddenly hears a loud banging from the maintenance area below the cockpit, as well as an oxygen pressure alarm on his console.*
Drake: What the hell?!
*He gets out of his seat and opens the access panel as Tara climbs out frantically, catching her breath.*
Tara?! What the hell were you thinking?!
Tara: Pirate attack... Figured you could use some help.
*Drake runs back into his station.*
Drake: I'm taking you back to the Zhiyal!
Tara: Look, if they've taken out a Mayne-Class Police Ship, it's probably Orions.
Drake: I am not taking you on a personal vendetta!
Tara: I said 'Orions', not Sela'ni Cartel! They don't have the firepower!
You don't know your way around Orion Cruisers.
*Drake turns around at her.*
Drake: And I suppose you do?
Tara: Samana pretended that she and I were friends briefly a few months back. It was a trick to get me to come to her on her terms and I barely got out of it, but she gave me a tour.
We're past half way there. Are you really going to leave the Mayne hanging?
Drake: It's more complicated than that now. If it is Orions, we'll be in sensor range now. If we turn around, we'll lead them straight to the Zhiyal.
*Drake sighs.*
Take weapons.
Tara: Got it.
*Tara grabs the weapons console, bringing up a sensor read-out as well.*
Drake: The red buttons shoot. Target by tapping the target indicators on the read--
Tara: Sister in the military!
Drake: This isn't military equipment, Tara!
Tara: No it isn't. Military targeting interfaces are more complicated.
Game, set, match.
Drake: Okay, okay...
We're dropping out of warp.
*The Elim drops to impulse near the distress beacon.*
Holtz: I have several questions such as are they connected to the Frontier of the Unexplored Regions. Another I have is is there a energy surge that is detectable with their scanners?
There is a lot of things we do not know about the Enemy at present.
*Possibility...*
Terry: Hmm So you are going... I am shipping out in a day but you do have a choice to make, there is a choice of your own fate.
Dani: What do you mean?
*Lanco III.*
Iconian: The network spans the entire Galaxy, but there's a lengthy connection sequence for these gates compared to others your people have encountered. I believe Captain Samantha Allington referred to it as a 'dial-up' sequence?
*He gestures to the 5 generator-like shapes at the 12, 2, 4, 8 and 10 O'Clock positions, as well as the Iconian glyphs along the rim of the ring.*
Each gate has a 5-digit beacon code, each digit representing a different group in the network, narrowing down the destination. The 5 generators, or 'beacon locks', lock in those digits before sending 5 pulses into the centre of the gate to activate the portal. Once the gate is active, no one can 'dial' it.
Because of the way the gateway network is implemented, no one could detect it, or even read the beacon signals, unless they knew exactly how the gateways worked and had access to one of this generation.
We've prepared for that contingency. It's possible to cut off power to the gateway when a connection is established. Without power, the gate can not be dialed. If that should fail, our people and the Synthesisers have installed a forcefield barrier.
*He gestures to the shield generators mounted to the edge of the gate.*
It uses Iconian forcefield technology, improved by the Synthesisers and the Innovades. In theory, it could withstand the temperatures of a point-blank Obliterator Warhead detonation.
However, I would be remiss if I did not ask for a second opinion and with the Galaxy's foremost expert on ancient Iconian technology on a classified mission right now, I chose to defer to you as the next-best choice.
*OOC: Yeah, I hate to be 'that guy', but John DeFalco is actually considered the best expert on ancient Iconian language, artefacts and technology in the Galaxy.
After all, he found and deciphered the Lanco II Orbital Gate and deciphered the Iconian Gateway network itself, as well as actually getting the Lanco II gate running and decoding the entire Iconian library there.
Yeah, when I originally planned to do a whole massive thing with this gate, John was going to be my 'Daniel Jackson'.*
Hard to believe pirate traffic could take her out.
Jack: Unless they were outnumbered.
Drake: Or the pirates were a lot tougher than anything we've seen in Pegasus before.
Jack: Which have been reported back.
Drake: Thanks, Jack. You're a real ray of sunshine, you know that?
Jack: We're 2 hours out of port with valuable medical supplies, Drake. The Vulcans need this cargo.
Drake: You're right.
I think it's time we took the Elim for a spin.
Jack: The Elim can't transport the whole cargo bays...
You are not serious.
*Drake stands up.*
Drake: If the pirates are still there, hopefully they won't care about a small runabout. If they're not, I'll see if anyone's still alive on the Mayne. If they are, I'll call the Hood in.
Jack: That's crazy! If anything, I should go! I've got more combat experience than you AND I'm more expendable!
Drake: That's exactly why I need you here.
I'll see you when I see you.
Jack: And if you get yourself killed?
Drake: Then I'll see you...
...where no shadows fall.
*Jack's face almost twitches at that as Drake walks into the turbolift.*
Jack: Good luck, kid.
*5 minutes later. Drake walks into the cockpit of the Zhiyal's custom-designed and -built runabout, the Elim. Given to Drake as a gift from the Turanian Government, the Elim is the fastest ship of her size in the known galaxies as well as the most power-efficient, with technologies only used by the Turanians, she's a one-of-a-kind; capable of incredible speeds in atmosphere as well as out without any needs for excessive aerodynamic design. She also has teeth, with dual MFP cannons and an array of MFP beams covering all axes, coupled with a fore and aft micro-photon torpedo launcher.
The cockpit has 5 seats; one behind the main control panel (mainly helm and navn though with access to other systems as well), then two at stations on the walls on either side, functioning as comprehensive sensors, weapons, engineering and operations consoles.
Drake sits down in the pilot seat, finding the pre-flights already done. He then checks and finds the shuttlebay doors already open for departure with the clearance logged.
He takes the runabout out and hits the warp drive, headed towards the distress call.
He suddenly hears a loud banging from the maintenance area below the cockpit, as well as an oxygen pressure alarm on his console.*
Drake: What the hell?!
*He gets out of his seat and opens the access panel as Tara climbs out frantically, catching her breath.*
Tara?! What the hell were you thinking?!
Tara: Pirate attack... Figured you could use some help.
*Drake runs back into his station.*
Drake: I'm taking you back to the Zhiyal!
Tara: Look, if they've taken out a Mayne-Class Police Ship, it's probably Orions.
Drake: I am not taking you on a personal vendetta!
Tara: I said 'Orions', not Sela'ni Cartel! They don't have the firepower!
You don't know your way around Orion Cruisers.
*Drake turns around at her.*
Drake: And I suppose you do?
Tara: Samana pretended that she and I were friends briefly a few months back. It was a trick to get me to come to her on her terms and I barely got out of it, but she gave me a tour.
We're past half way there. Are you really going to leave the Mayne hanging?
Drake: It's more complicated than that now. If it is Orions, we'll be in sensor range now. If we turn around, we'll lead them straight to the Zhiyal.
*Drake sighs.*
Take weapons.
Tara: Got it.
*Tara grabs the weapons console, bringing up a sensor read-out as well.*
Drake: The red buttons shoot. Target by tapping the target indicators on the read--
Tara: Sister in the military!
Drake: This isn't military equipment, Tara!
Tara: No it isn't. Military targeting interfaces are more complicated.
Game, set, match.
Drake: Okay, okay...
We're dropping out of warp.
*The Elim drops to impulse near the distress beacon.*
What the...?
There's nothing out here.
*He hears the proximity alert go off.*
What the--?
Hang on!
*OOC: Actually Assassin's Creed 4.. and enjoying it.
Iconian: The network spans the entire Galaxy, but there's a lengthy connection sequence for these gates compared to others your people have encountered. I believe Captain Samantha Allington referred to it as a 'dial-up' sequence?
*He gestures to the 5 generator-like shapes at the 12, 2, 4, 8 and 10 O'Clock positions, as well as the Iconian glyphs along the rim of the ring.*
Each gate has a 5-digit beacon code, each digit representing a different group in the network, narrowing down the destination. The 5 generators, or 'beacon locks', lock in those digits before sending 5 pulses into the centre of the gate to activate the portal. Once the gate is active, no one can 'dial' it.
Because of the way the gateway network is implemented, no one could detect it, or even read the beacon signals, unless they knew exactly how the gateways worked and had access to one of this generation.
We've prepared for that contingency. It's possible to cut off power to the gateway when a connection is established. Without power, the gate can not be dialed. If that should fail, our people and the Synthesisers have installed a forcefield barrier.
*He gestures to the shield generators mounted to the edge of the gate.*
It uses Iconian forcefield technology, improved by the Synthesisers and the Innovades. In theory, it could withstand the temperatures of a point-blank Obliterator Warhead detonation.
However, I would be remiss if I did not ask for a second opinion and with the Galaxy's foremost expert on ancient Iconian technology on a classified mission right now, I chose to defer to you as the next-best choice.
*OOC: Yeah, I hate to be 'that guy', but John DeFalco is actually considered the best expert on ancient Iconian language, artefacts and technology in the Galaxy.
After all, he found and deciphered the Lanco II Orbital Gate and deciphered the Iconian Gateway network itself, as well as actually getting the Lanco II gate running and decoding the entire Iconian library there.
Yeah, when I originally planned to do a whole massive thing with this gate, John was going to be my 'Daniel Jackson'.*
Terry: Dunno... Something tells me that you might actually stay. Dunno it just seems your father doesn't really get to choose whether to stay or go.
Comments
OOC: Not sure on that... I thought Northman was against the Eblisi?
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
*Dorman has his men stand down*
Dorman: Make sure nothing ID'd their arrival..
Son of a ...
*OOC: Its complicated but he has his own ideas on what things need to happen. Northman does have his own agenda.. If it suits his ends.
Jacob: well i thought no one was coming
Terrace: ha wrong the council just voted i heard and is sending 3 more battle groups this way
Jacob: well things may not be so bad after all then
OOC: Did you forget about this?
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
OOC: The O.S.S. is an intel organisation devoted to protecting the Republic's Constitution and its citizens' legal rights under that constitution, as well as the safety of the Republic. The D.I.S. is devoted to the defence of the Republic from inside and outside threats by any means necessary. Allen once compared the O.S.S. to the NSA - I'd say the comparison more rightly goes to the D.I.S.
*Each intel handler is speaking to their own individual agent.*
Handler 1: Archangel 3, this is the Keep. Status update.
Handler 2: Agent 12, package is..
*Elsewhere at the Keep, Ronin is sitting on a bed in his quarters. Dr Miles Warren is checking on him.*
Warren: Physically, I can't see anything wrong with you.
Ronin: Then check again. There has to be something. I've never hesitated before. Never.
Warren: Ronin, relax. You were ordered to shoot a 16 year-old girl. That would make even the most stone cold killer think twice.
*He thinks for a minute, dwelling on the Archangel Project.*
Okay, maybe not the most stone cold...
Ronin: It was a stun arrow. It was simple enough; capture her and return to the extraction point. What went wrong? Why did I hesitate? Have I met her before?
Warren: This is the first time she's been on your mission itinerary.
Ronin: That's not an answer. There's something about her!
What?! What is it?! Who is she?! Why did I recognise her?! Why did she make me hesitate?! WHO AM I?!
*Ronin calms himself down.*
Warren: I don't know. There wasn't much left of you when we found you, Ronin. Your memories were among the things we lost.
*Warren stands up and walks towards the door.*
One thing...
You haven't been experiencing any flashes...? Seeing images that could be memories?
*Ronin looks at him, detecting a hint of insincerity in his voice.*
Ronin: No.
Warren: Just checking.
*Warren then walks out.
S.S. Tora Zhiyal, en route to Newfoundland. Tara is in her quarters, wearing her white vest as she looks at some letters she'd had stored on her personal data rod.
She didn't keep in contact with her parents after she left, but she did keep in touch with Dani for as long as she could.
She sits there, dwelling in serene memories of home; something she'd dare not do before, when she was on the run - letting herself indulge in happy memories could make her forget why she was running... or let her actually grow attached to people.
As she's reading the letters, the door chimes.*
Tara: Who is it?
Luke *Over Comm*: Tara? It's me.
Tara: 'Me' who?
Luke *Over Comm*: That isn't funny.
Tara: 'That isn't funny'? That's a very long name.
Luke *Over Comm*: Okay, hahaha. Can you let me in now?
*Tara smiles.*
Tara: Open.
*Luke walks in, grinning at her.*
Luke: Hey.
Tara: Hey.
*The two stand (or, in Tara's case, sit) there smiling at each other.*
Luke: So... what're you looking at?
Tara: This?
*She glances back at her screen.*
Just some letters from Dani.
Luke: 'Dani'?
Tara: My sister. Big sister, actually. She's nineteen.
Luke: She knows you're here?
Tara: My whole family knows I'm in Pegasus, whether they like it or not. Dani's the only one I kept in touch with.
Luke: Why?
Tara: It's complicated.
*Luke leans on the desk next to her, smiling at her.*
Luke: Try me.
*Tara grins at him.*
Tara: Basically, my mom was a psychotic killer and never even told me. I didn't like that. We argued and it ended with me walking out the door.
Dani helped me get the credits I needed to get a ship to Pegasus and got my things together for me.
Luke: She helped you run away?
Tara: Both my parents knew exactly where I was going. Dani just covertly helped me get there. Once I'd left Pegasus Prime, they couldn't find me.
Luke: Your name didn't flag anything with anyone?
Tara: Luke, 'Tara' and 'Forrester' are common names.
...especially when I switch to spelling my first name 'T-A-R-apostrophe-A'.
Luke: That's the Orion spelling, isn't it?
Tara: Named after one. Old friend of my mom's, apparently.
Also, officially my name is Tara Allington-Forrester. I dropped the 'Allington' part.
And no, not to spite my mother.
Luke: I didn't say anything.
So, don't you still keep in touch with your sister?
Tara: Tried to... but I just stopped being able to get in touch. I had a stable address for a while and Dani had the comm code for it, but...
*She stops, looking down at the floor.*
Luke: Tara?
*He hears her sniffle.*
Are you...?
Tara: Sorry... I...
*She looks back up at him, clearing her throat and wiping her eyes, hoping he doesn't notice the tear on her cheek.*
I had to leave in a hurry. After that, I couldn't get in touch with her back at the Academy.
I left most of my life behind when I left Khitomer, but I left it all behind when I left--
*She stops, though this time more abruptly, like she's stopping herself from revealing something.*
Luke: Tara?
Tara: Sorry, it's just I've never told anyone this. It's not that I don't trust you, it's just... it's difficult for me, you know? It's personal.
Luke: Okay...?
Well... there are a few trust-building activities I can think of. Jack's got me recalibrating the holodeck. I could use a trainee hand.
*Tara smiles (again) before taking his hand.*
Tara: Luke, thanks, but... can I be blunt?
Luke: Sure.
Tara: You've not had much experience with girls, have you?
Luke: That was definitely blunt.
Was I that obvious?
Tara: If I had some polish, I could see straight through you.
Look, I don't want you to get the wrong idea. I mean, I like you... I really do, but...
Luke: But you don't 'like' like me.
Tara: No, it's not that, I just...
*To herself* I am butchering this so bad.
*Normal* I'm not... I'm not--
*Just then, her comm beeps. She turns to the screen to find a new message on the system. She opens it to find her name, written in Orion letters. Her eyes widen as she swears her heart stops.*
Luke: Tara? What does it say?
Tara: It's them.
Luke: Who?
Tara: You know the people who have been chasing me?
Luke: But this is a separate comm code. They shouldn't be able to contact you unless they knew where... you...
Tara: Oh my god.
*She sits there, borderline terrified at the Orion words on her screen.
30 minutes later, Drake is now in the room. Tara has explained what the situation was to him and he looks at the message.*
Drake: You're sure they'd tail us if they could?
Tara: Definitely. The Sela'ni Cartel are obsessed with getting me.
Drake: Easy solution then. Don't reply to the message. They won't be able to track us down.
*Jack is also in the room, looking at his claws protruding from the spaces between his knuckles. Tara is almost terrified of him, but Drake and Luke both know he's just trying to look bad*ss and intimidating.*
Jack: Question is; why are they after you?
Tara: I can't say.
Drake: Jack, Luke, give us a minute?
*The two walk out and Drake sits next to Tara on her bed.*
I promised I wouldn't pry into your past unless it was important in return for you joining my crew. If you're in danger from these people, it's important. If there's anything you're not telling me...
Tara: There's not. I just...
*She looks down.*
Yeah... yeah, there is.
Samana Tr'ian, the leader of the Sela'ni Cartel?
Drake: You get in trouble with her?
Tara: Not exactly. We were friends. When we were little, Samana's sister and aunt were being escorted on a Republic Prison Shuttle. Her aunt was going to testify against 3 of the big Orion Cartels in Republic Space in exchange for a pardon and protection. The shuttle never landed, but a shuttle's worth of debris did.
Drake: Where was this?
Tara: Hood's Landing. Why?
Drake: I know what shuttle you're talking about. My father died on it. He was escorting a prisoner called Sara Tr'ian.
Tara: That was Samana's aunt. The Republic was supposed to guarantee them safety.
Tara never blamed anyone but the D'san's, but when Samana found out, we were 15. I was still out here. She found me and told me she knew. I had no idea what she was talking about. When she told me, I didn't believe her, so I checked with Dani, who checked with mom and dad. It was true. My mom was the one who guaranteed her aunt and sister protection, so Samana blames her as if she murdered them.
Drake: So this is her way of getting to your mom?
Tara: No. In Orion culture, being an accomplice is as bad as the actual crime. Samana didn't believe that I didn't know about it, so she thought I was covering it up. That makes me an accomplice, so she takes comfort in hating me like I'd killed her sister, dreaming up all manner of unpleasant tortures to make me suffer before she finally kills me.
*She bites her lip, anger showing itself.*
*To herself* Or I kill her... whichever comes first...
Drake: I didn't think I'd hear that from you.
Tara: You've only known me a few days.
Drake: Impressions count for a lot.
Tara: Yeah, well, not with me.
Drake: Wanna tell me where the anger is from?
Tara: She's been chasing me all over the colonies for the last 2 years. What do you want?
Drake: There's more than that.
Tara: You asked for the important parts to why she's after me. I gave them to you. The rest is personal.
Please.
Drake: Okay.
Tara, I promise that I won't let them get near you. I give you my word on that.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
*OOC: I was at class. So this is my first seeing it. *
Hacks (Northman): The Union is more of a threat than this supposed one.
Bishop: and to think they face extinction yet seem at peace here. Better then our last days before the halos.
Sinclaire: yes there resolve is to be xommeneded.
Bishop: yes. There are many interesting races here as well.
Bishop: shall we return to the ship. I would like to run a few holo programs.
Sinclaire: go on ahead. I will meet you shortly.
Bishop returns to the ship and begins a training program. Of ancient precursor design.
Dor: Captain's log... The ship is running a routine patrol of this sector 3-0 Alpha.. So far everything is clear...
end log.
Operations anything on the scanner?
Operations: Only a vessel... It is showing no life signs..
Dor: Bring us in to the ship
Comm AI: Hello Captain. How may I help you?
Terry: Khitomer Forrester residence...
*Synthesizer Dreadnaught Fali is preparing something as he peers at it.. *
Velvar: Sir.
Fali: Velvar good of you to come. I want you to work with the Innovades and get this project running.. It may help later on..
Velvar: Does Sam approve of this?
Fali: She does not like the idea.
Broker: Bastion has fallen.. No survivors...
Mason: You mean it's the more immediate threat. Sovereign nearly held off a combined Klingon-Federation Fleet, plus two of our most advanced warships. Imagine if multiple vessels like Sovereign were to attack.
Mr President, I would strongly recommend increased security measures against the Union, but I also agree with Ramez. Just 1 Shadow ship almost destroyed this planet. I have few doubts that Sovereign could have achieved the same.
Kyoshi: Harks?
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
*Dani comes on-screen, smiling at Terry.*
Dani: Terry. What did the Council say?
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
He watchs the updated reports
Bishop: things are starting to look like the finale days of the war i remember.
Elsewhere
Infinity war room
Jacob: things arent getting better
Terrace: agreed i will take the Forward Unto Dawn and the 2-4 battle groups to help reinforce there defense line near bastion.
Harper: agreed the infinity will remain at the citadel for now while the In Amber Clad remains in virgo until needed
Jacob: well we dont have alot of time so we should get moving.
Harks: I think a more preventative measure be taken against the Union, unless Stane turns up in the next three years I don't see how those machines are a threat. It may have been a shadow vessel.
Hence why we should look into the technology we have on hand.
Terry: We are taking a defensive posture but the unity isn't there. I am also going to tell you that Bastion has fallen... That means the defensive line is suspect.. I hear your dad is trying to form up a plan with Bright to start finding more allies and access to the races of the Andromeda galaxy.. We need more ground forces to bog them down on worlds.
Officer: aye sir
Dani: Look, my dad is sending me to the Pegasus Gate tomorrow, before the Senate decides to seal it off. I'm just letting you know that it could be a long time before we talk again - if ever.
*Lanco III. There's a large team of Synthesisers, Iconians, and Republic technicians working on attaching power systems to the old Lanco III Iconian Gateway, buried more than 20 years earlier. The lead Iconian tech is showing the holographic presence of Dr Holtz around.*
Iconian: The intention of the project for the immediate future is to access the Iconian Gateway Network the ancestors left behind, and which the combined Romulan-Republic research team reactivated 20 years ago, during the Romulan Civil War. This will allow us to potentially move evacuees or troops from planet to planet while totally avoiding enemy star ships.
If we were using the ancestors' second Gateway Network, we could go anywhere, but, as it is, we'll be restricted to travelling from gate to gate.
After this conflict is resolved, the Republic wishes to restart the exploration of the network, along with Starfleet and other Convention members.
What do you think, Holtz?
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Holtz: I have several questions such as are they connected to the Frontier of the Unexplored Regions. Another I have is is there a energy surge that is detectable with their scanners?
There is a lot of things we do not know about the Enemy at present.
*Possibility...*
Terry: Hmm So you are going... I am shipping out in a day but you do have a choice to make, there is a choice of your own fate.
Bishop: admiral harper I wish yo join your ship when it leaves for the front.
Harper: I'll take all the help I can get.
*Dor and his patrol ship arrive at the vessel, it is damaged and defunct...*
Dor: Any lifesigns?
Ops: No sir.
*Before they realize it there is a strong reading as the ship fires its weapon blindsiding the Republic frigate. the UNSC vessel comes about and opens fire and soon locks its tubes over bringing forth armed intruders...*
*before long the Intruders have taken the ship and the bridge is battered and the senior crew on the ground in a small bunch as the Intruders arrive at the bridge... in mismatched EV suits...*
Dor: What is the meaning of this.. You have endangered ...
Leader: Shut up mate.
We aren't UNSC..
Dor: Who are you?
What are you with?
*The leader removes his helmet and reveals his human face.*
Captain Kenway: Captain Kenway.. Now.. I want you Captain...
Dor: Dor... Of the Republic...
Kenway: I know who your with man... Its why I wanted to take this ship.. and its goods.
Ade: Sir.. We need to git movin...
Kenway: Aye we do... Put them and any man that doesn't want to join us in the escape pods.
*Before long both ships after the launch of escape pods from the ship are gone... leaving the distress signal. *
OOC: 'Kenway', eh? Been playing Assassin's Creed 3, have we?
Also... slightly overdoing it with the accent, don't ya think?
*S.S. Tora Zhiyal, Bridge. Jack is in the Captain's Chair when Kyra Nayan (the Bajoran Comms Officer) turns to him.*
Kyra: Commander, I'm picking up a distress call.
Jack: What channel?
Kyra: P-Sec.
Jack: Either another Deputy ship is in trouble, or one of the Police Ships is...
Condition Yellow. Get Drake up here.
Kyra: Yes sir. Yellow Alert. Captain Drake to the Bridge.
*2 minutes later, Drake walks onto the Bridge and takes his seat as Jack stands beside him.*
Drake: What have we got, Nayan?
Kyra: It's a distress signal from the R.S.S. Mayne. Looks like an automated distress beacon.
Drake: Mayne? That's Captain Dor's ship, isn't it?
Jack: I think so.
Drake: Mayne-Class Patrol Cruiser...
Hard to believe pirate traffic could take her out.
Jack: Unless they were outnumbered.
Drake: Or the pirates were a lot tougher than anything we've seen in Pegasus before.
Jack: Which have been reported back.
Drake: Thanks, Jack. You're a real ray of sunshine, you know that?
Jack: We're 2 hours out of port with valuable medical supplies, Drake. The Vulcans need this cargo.
Drake: You're right.
I think it's time we took the Elim for a spin.
Jack: The Elim can't transport the whole cargo bays...
You are not serious.
*Drake stands up.*
Drake: If the pirates are still there, hopefully they won't care about a small runabout. If they're not, I'll see if anyone's still alive on the Mayne. If they are, I'll call the Hood in.
Jack: That's crazy! If anything, I should go! I've got more combat experience than you AND I'm more expendable!
Drake: That's exactly why I need you here.
I'll see you when I see you.
Jack: And if you get yourself killed?
Drake: Then I'll see you...
...where no shadows fall.
*Jack's face almost twitches at that as Drake walks into the turbolift.*
Jack: Good luck, kid.
*5 minutes later. Drake walks into the cockpit of the Zhiyal's custom-designed and -built runabout, the Elim. Given to Drake as a gift from the Turanian Government, the Elim is the fastest ship of her size in the known galaxies as well as the most power-efficient, with technologies only used by the Turanians, she's a one-of-a-kind; capable of incredible speeds in atmosphere as well as out without any needs for excessive aerodynamic design. She also has teeth, with dual MFP cannons and an array of MFP beams covering all axes, coupled with a fore and aft micro-photon torpedo launcher.
The cockpit has 5 seats; one behind the main control panel (mainly helm and navn though with access to other systems as well), then two at stations on the walls on either side, functioning as comprehensive sensors, weapons, engineering and operations consoles.
Drake sits down in the pilot seat, finding the pre-flights already done. He then checks and finds the shuttlebay doors already open for departure with the clearance logged.
He takes the runabout out and hits the warp drive, headed towards the distress call.
He suddenly hears a loud banging from the maintenance area below the cockpit, as well as an oxygen pressure alarm on his console.*
Drake: What the hell?!
*He gets out of his seat and opens the access panel as Tara climbs out frantically, catching her breath.*
Tara?! What the hell were you thinking?!
Tara: Pirate attack... Figured you could use some help.
*Drake runs back into his station.*
Drake: I'm taking you back to the Zhiyal!
Tara: Look, if they've taken out a Mayne-Class Police Ship, it's probably Orions.
Drake: I am not taking you on a personal vendetta!
Tara: I said 'Orions', not Sela'ni Cartel! They don't have the firepower!
You don't know your way around Orion Cruisers.
*Drake turns around at her.*
Drake: And I suppose you do?
Tara: Samana pretended that she and I were friends briefly a few months back. It was a trick to get me to come to her on her terms and I barely got out of it, but she gave me a tour.
We're past half way there. Are you really going to leave the Mayne hanging?
Drake: It's more complicated than that now. If it is Orions, we'll be in sensor range now. If we turn around, we'll lead them straight to the Zhiyal.
*Drake sighs.*
Take weapons.
Tara: Got it.
*Tara grabs the weapons console, bringing up a sensor read-out as well.*
Drake: The red buttons shoot. Target by tapping the target indicators on the read--
Tara: Sister in the military!
Drake: This isn't military equipment, Tara!
Tara: No it isn't. Military targeting interfaces are more complicated.
Game, set, match.
Drake: Okay, okay...
We're dropping out of warp.
*The Elim drops to impulse near the distress beacon.*
What the...?
There's nothing out here.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Dani: What do you mean?
*Lanco III.*
Iconian: The network spans the entire Galaxy, but there's a lengthy connection sequence for these gates compared to others your people have encountered. I believe Captain Samantha Allington referred to it as a 'dial-up' sequence?
*He gestures to the 5 generator-like shapes at the 12, 2, 4, 8 and 10 O'Clock positions, as well as the Iconian glyphs along the rim of the ring.*
Each gate has a 5-digit beacon code, each digit representing a different group in the network, narrowing down the destination. The 5 generators, or 'beacon locks', lock in those digits before sending 5 pulses into the centre of the gate to activate the portal. Once the gate is active, no one can 'dial' it.
Because of the way the gateway network is implemented, no one could detect it, or even read the beacon signals, unless they knew exactly how the gateways worked and had access to one of this generation.
We've prepared for that contingency. It's possible to cut off power to the gateway when a connection is established. Without power, the gate can not be dialed. If that should fail, our people and the Synthesisers have installed a forcefield barrier.
*He gestures to the shield generators mounted to the edge of the gate.*
It uses Iconian forcefield technology, improved by the Synthesisers and the Innovades. In theory, it could withstand the temperatures of a point-blank Obliterator Warhead detonation.
However, I would be remiss if I did not ask for a second opinion and with the Galaxy's foremost expert on ancient Iconian technology on a classified mission right now, I chose to defer to you as the next-best choice.
*OOC: Yeah, I hate to be 'that guy', but John DeFalco is actually considered the best expert on ancient Iconian language, artefacts and technology in the Galaxy.
After all, he found and deciphered the Lanco II Orbital Gate and deciphered the Iconian Gateway network itself, as well as actually getting the Lanco II gate running and decoding the entire Iconian library there.
Yeah, when I originally planned to do a whole massive thing with this gate, John was going to be my 'Daniel Jackson'.*
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
*OOC: Actually Assassin's Creed 4.. and enjoying it.
Terry: Dunno... Something tells me that you might actually stay. Dunno it just seems your father doesn't really get to choose whether to stay or go.
Dani: He does, I don't. He's decided that I'm leaving... and he's made up his mind.
*Dani sighs.*
I guess there's always the chance I'll see Tara again... There's that, I guess...
*She wipes a tear from her eye.*
...even if I never get to come home, or see my parents... or you...
*OOC: Just checking, you do realise that I intended for you to have the pirates capture Drake and Tara, right?*
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood