*The group comes across another set of doors and Husks groaning as if searching.. Along with Marauders, Raiders, and several Brutes... No Banshee yet. Dorman and the people still standing are peering over watching... *
Dorman: *whispering* Well we still need to get around them... but getting by them with all of these wounded is going to be tough..
Ooc: I'll post on Jacob soon. Cause I'm going to have him return to the mountain base to find it basically destroyed.
*OOC: Just don't forget him seeing the scope of the Elibisi war plan... for Earth and held worlds. But not their overall galaxy move. By the way given the Elibisi's cycle it makes sense to visit other places and galaxies. Which is what Kronos would do just as well. *
Jacob soon arrives back at the mountiain base. To find signs of a battle has taken place. Jacob walks into the cave weapons raised. As he sees signs of weapons fire
Jacob: is anyone here. If anyone's here respond.
A small group of 5 odst and 3 ghost step out of the shadows.
Colonel Magnus : sir they attacked in force... Coughs..
Jacob: your hurt colonel.
Magnus: I've been through worse.
Jacob: are you all that's left.
Odst : yes sir.
Jacob: alright we will... I don't really know.
Magnus : we did manage to send out a signal a prowler picked it up.
Odst: we can't just give up.
Jacob: we thought that before what we've learned on earth. We just can't stay.
" Now the gate has been unlatched headstones pushed aside; corpses shift and offer room ,a fate you must abide."
Lasky: it is impressive. If we can get this information and technology to work on a large scale and help find more like it could help turn the tide. And from the information I've read you didn't disappoint. I've been in contact with General Strauss he's going to send delta squad here. Delta is the unsc first contact squad and highly specialized in diplomacy as well as conventional and unconventional combat tactics. They should arrive tomorrow at the latest.
Hammond: All right. We should hear from GE-1 shortly.
*Cariman Gateway. A large number of military personnel are present as GE-1 are escorted into a troop transport truck, which then drives away.
In the back of the truck, Harrison looks at John.*
Harrison: I'm blaming you for this.
John: Why is this my fault?
Harrison: I don't know. It just is.
John: Look, we came out of the Gateway right in the middle of a city centre. What did you expect?
Harrison: I expected to know we were stepping into a city square.
John: At least there isn't a nuclear holocaust.
Harrison: Oh, that's real comforting!
*The truck comes to a stop as the soldiers lead the team out. They step out before a large mansion.*
Soldier: This way.
*They're led inside and are met by a human in a suit. John recognises him from the original mission report.*
John: Colonel Targas.
Targas: It's President Targas now.
What are those restraints doing on them? Remove them, now.
*The soldiers nod and remove the handcuffs.*
John: Thank you.
Targas: I don't believe we've met.
John: Captain John DeFalco, Republic of United Star Systems. I was serving under Captain Allington when she came here 20 years ago.
Targas: Soran Targas.
*He shakes his hand.*
John: This is Colonel John Harrison and his team; Major Carlos Tyler, Sergeant Sy'los and myself.
Harrison: Mr Pesident.
Targas: An honour. Welcome to the United Forman States.
John: We thought the Gateway was in the custody of the Cargan Alliance?
Targas: Up until 15 years ago. When you did not return, we believed the Gateway was permanently inactive. The Gateway became a monument of peace to the Forman States and we petitioned the Cargans to return it.
You emerged in Peace Square, in Fordan City, the Capital of the United Forman States.
It is good that you've arrived.
John: 'Good'?
Targas: The Calen Federation is gearing for an extra-planetary war. They have a satellite in orbit capable of firing a high-energy infrared beam down on top of the entire Forman States.
Harrison: DeFalco, you said these people didn't even have satellites when we last came here.
John: They didn't.
Targas: The Cargan Alliance and the Forman States are still making an effort to commence colonisation of our moon, but our technology to do so is limited.
We only have projectile weaponry and mass-acceleration weaponry at most. How the Calen have advanced so quickly...
But, if they knew that the visitors from a hundred years ago had returned...
John: Targas, the last time we came here, we nearly triggered a nuclear apocalypse.
Targas: This time, you'll be preventing one. We want you to mediate the talks as a formal request from the United Forman States and the Cargan Alliance, before the Calen Federation can use their weapon.
*1 hour later, Lanco III. The Gateway begins to power up.*
Lieutenant: Incoming Gateway!
*The Gateway opens as a forcefield comes up. Hammond, Lasky and Varnak quickly enter the control room.*
GE-1's IDC, sir.
Hammond: Lower the forcefield.
*The lieutenant lowers the forcefield as GE-1 steps through the Gateway. The Gateway closes behind them.
15 minutes later. GE-1 is undergoing a debriefing with Hammond, Lasky and Varnak in the Briefing Room.*
John: So that's the situation. The Forman and Cargan both want us to mediate talks between them and the Calen Federation.
*OOC: Maybe ask why the original project even made contact with a pre-warp civilisation? The Republic do have something similar to the Prime Directive.*
*The group comes across another set of doors and Husks groaning as if searching.. Along with Marauders, Raiders, and several Brutes... No Banshee yet. Dorman and the people still standing are peering over watching... *
Dorman: *whispering* Well we still need to get around them... but getting by them with all of these wounded is going to be tough..
Ryan *whispering*: I can take them, but I'll need some help.
*Cariman Gateway. A large number of military personnel are present as GE-1 are escorted into a troop transport truck, which then drives away.
In the back of the truck, Harrison looks at John.*
Harrison: I'm blaming you for this.
John: Why is this my fault?
Harrison: I don't know. It just is.
John: Look, we came out of the Gateway right in the middle of a city centre. What did you expect?
Harrison: I expected to know we were stepping into a city square.
John: At least there isn't a nuclear holocaust.
Harrison: Oh, that's real comforting!
*The truck comes to a stop as the soldiers lead the team out. They step out before a large mansion.*
Soldier: This way.
*They're led inside and are met by a human in a suit. John recognises him from the original mission report.*
John: Colonel Targas.
Targas: It's President Targas now.
What are those restraints doing on them? Remove them, now.
*The soldiers nod and remove the handcuffs.*
John: Thank you.
Targas: I don't believe we've met.
John: Captain John DeFalco, Republic of United Star Systems. I was serving under Captain Allington when she came here 20 years ago.
Targas: Soran Targas.
*He shakes his hand.*
John: This is Colonel John Harrison and his team; Major Carlos Tyler, Sergeant Sy'los and myself.
Harrison: Mr Pesident.
Targas: An honour. Welcome to the United Forman States.
John: We thought the Gateway was in the custody of the Cargan Alliance?
Targas: Up until 15 years ago. When you did not return, we believed the Gateway was permanently inactive. The Gateway became a monument of peace to the Forman States and we petitioned the Cargans to return it.
You emerged in Peace Square, in Fordan City, the Capital of the United Forman States.
It is good that you've arrived.
John: 'Good'?
Targas: The Calen Federation is gearing for an extra-planetary war. They have a satellite in orbit capable of firing a high-energy infrared beam down on top of the entire Forman States.
Harrison: DeFalco, you said these people didn't even have satellites when we last came here.
John: They didn't.
Targas: The Cargan Alliance and the Forman States are still making an effort to commence colonisation of our moon, but our technology to do so is limited.
We only have projectile weaponry and mass-acceleration weaponry at most. How the Calen have advanced so quickly...
But, if they knew that the visitors from a hundred years ago had returned...
John: Targas, the last time we came here, we nearly triggered a nuclear apocalypse.
Targas: This time, you'll be preventing one. We want you to mediate the talks as a formal request from the United Forman States and the Cargan Alliance, before the Calen Federation can use their weapon.
*1 hour later, Lanco III. The Gateway begins to power up.*
Lieutenant: Incoming Gateway!
*The Gateway opens as a forcefield comes up. Hammond, Lasky and Varnak quickly enter the control room.*
GE-1's IDC, sir.
Hammond: Lower the forcefield.
*The lieutenant lowers the forcefield as GE-1 steps through the Gateway. The Gateway closes behind them.
15 minutes later. GE-1 is undergoing a debriefing with Hammond, Lasky and Varnak in the Briefing Room.*
John: So that's the situation. The Forman and Cargan both want us to mediate talks between them and the Calen Federation.
*OOC: Maybe ask why the original project even made contact with a pre-warp civilisation? The Republic do have something similar to the Prime Directive.*
Varnak: A pre-war civilization... I am sure your laws and mine are a going to make this a sticky situation before we realize it.
Ryan *whispering*: I can take them, but I'll need some help.
*Chambers comes up next to him.*
Chambers *whispering*: You just found it.
*She puts her helmet on.*
Dorman: *Holding up his hand*
Stand down..
*Using the small headset he flips a haptic eye viewer showing more heat signatures ... The biotic energy signatures are not high...*
Dorman: Still too many... Not to mention the Destroyer... off in the distance. All it would need is a single blast to kill most of us. Not to mention I wonder what Mr. Mask is up to right now...
*Elsewhere*
*The Masked Man leans back watching as his men get ready and heal up the wounded..*
Masked Man: Seems to me Dorman is not alone but his numbers are not high anymore... He is again low on supplies. This would be a perfect time to take him out.
*A communication garble comes through barely... a muffled voice...*
Voice: I want you to assure that they survive.. You are only there to accumulate data... on the progress and their combat effectiveness.
Masked Man: So you want me to let him live.
Voice: Affirmative.
Masked Man: Fine. Do you want me to return?
Voice: Your time there is done. There is a hidden shuttle bay not far from there... I do not think the Elibisi would bother...
Masked Man: That has been so far not entirely true.
Voice: Nonetheless Captain... Get there and return.. Our plans are moving forward.
Varnak: A pre-war civilization... I am sure your laws and mine are a going to make this a sticky situation before we realize it.
John: When we originally activated the Gateway, we launched a probe into orbit of the planet. The Gateway was originally in an unattended area at that time.
Unfortunately, the probe was detected after finishing the analysis of the planet's culture. At that point, our non-interference directive went out the window. The probe picked up several Intercontinental Ballistic weapons being launched. Captain Allington immediately ordered that the probe be destroyed before it fell into their hands.
We weren't expecting a post-industrial civilisation there.
After that, we sent a team to perform damage control and stop a war before it got out of hand.
We were lucky. The Forman and Calen stopped the war themselves before it turned into an atomic horror. A lot of people died though.
Hammond: What about this weapon, Captain?
John: Well, the Forman gave us images one of their spy satellites was able to take.
*He passes a set of photos over to them.*
It's way above their technological level.
Hammond: I presume you didn't give them any advanced technology?
John: No. We followed protocol.
Hammond: So that suggests that someone gave the Calen advanced Laser Beam technology.
*Using the small headset he flips a haptic eye viewer showing more heat signatures ... The biotic energy signatures are not high...*
Dorman: Still too many... Not to mention the Destroyer... off in the distance. All it would need is a single blast to kill most of us. Not to mention I wonder what Mr. Mask is up to right now...
*Elsewhere*
*The Masked Man leans back watching as his men get ready and heal up the wounded..*
Masked Man: Seems to me Dorman is not alone but his numbers are not high anymore... He is again low on supplies. This would be a perfect time to take him out.
*A communication garble comes through barely... a muffled voice...*
Voice: I want you to assure that they survive.. You are only there to accumulate data... on the progress and their combat effectiveness.
Masked Man: So you want me to let him live.
Voice: Affirmative.
Masked Man: Fine. Do you want me to return?
Voice: Your time there is done. There is a hidden shuttle bay not far from there... I do not think the Elibisi would bother...
Masked Man: That has been so far not entirely true.
Voice: Nonetheless Captain... Get there and return.. Our plans are moving forward.
Ryan *whispering*: Will, if we try to sneak past, the back half of the group is gonna get slaughtered. Even if I can't win, I can buy you time.
John: When we originally activated the Gateway, we launched a probe into orbit of the planet. The Gateway was originally in an unattended area at that time.
Unfortunately, the probe was detected after finishing the analysis of the planet's culture. At that point, our non-interference directive went out the window. The probe picked up several Intercontinental Ballistic weapons being launched. Captain Allington immediately ordered that the probe be destroyed before it fell into their hands.
We weren't expecting a post-industrial civilisation there.
After that, we sent a team to perform damage control and stop a war before it got out of hand.
We were lucky. The Forman and Calen stopped the war themselves before it turned into an atomic horror. A lot of people died though.
Hammond: What about this weapon, Captain?
John: Well, the Forman gave us images one of their spy satellites was able to take.
*He passes a set of photos over to them.*
It's way above their technological level.
Hammond: I presume you didn't give them any advanced technology?
John: No. We followed protocol.
Hammond: So that suggests that someone gave the Calen advanced Laser Beam technology.
Ryan *whispering*: Will, if we try to sneak past, the back half of the group is gonna get slaughtered. Even if I can't win, I can buy you time.
*The group outside is brought under fire skillfully as they are leaned away from Dorman's group...*
Dorman: Son of a... he was out there waiting... but why he is taking them away from us...
No sense in blowing this move.
If I remember right there is a vehicle storage facility still here.. somewhere.. Old stuff from back in the 25th century... early... before I joined up. They say it was some kind of Depot full of things.
Naturally someone thought of dumping off supply caches like this all over the planet and in the country right now. Might be some medical supplies too... As far as food stuffs go though.. Don't open it.
*They race through as Dorman goes off trying to remember the right hidden passage way...*
John: I want permission to go back, sir. I can perform the mediations while GE-1 try to find out about the satellite.
Hammond: How?
John: A U-23 Shuttlepod can fit through the gateway while cloaked and ascend into orbit under cloak.
Harrison: I am qualified to pilot the U-23, sir.
*Hammond sits there in consideration.*
Hammond: Very well, but you are to avoid detection at all costs. Understood?
Harrison: Yes, sir.
*2 hours later, a small shuttlepod is waiting in front of the Gateway as it opens.
John steps through and is met by a team of Forman soldiers. After they clear the gate, they feel a massive gust of wind behind them as the Gateway shuts down.
30 minutes later. John is sitting at a table with Targas and the Calen Ambassador.*
*The group outside is brought under fire skillfully as they are leaned away from Dorman's group...*
Dorman: Son of a... he was out there waiting... but why he is taking them away from us...
No sense in blowing this move.
If I remember right there is a vehicle storage facility still here.. somewhere.. Old stuff from back in the 25th century... early... before I joined up. They say it was some kind of Depot full of things.
Naturally someone thought of dumping off supply caches like this all over the planet and in the country right now. Might be some medical supplies too... As far as food stuffs go though.. Don't open it.
*They race through as Dorman goes off trying to remember the right hidden passage way...*
*Ryan grabs his shoulder and leads him in the right direction.*
Ryan: I was assigned to that vehicle depot during my days at the academy.
*Ryan grabs his shoulder and leads him in the right direction.*
Ryan: I was assigned to that vehicle depot during my days at the academy.
*They make it to the Passage but the door is forced open already... and they can hear someone getting a shuttle ready. *
Dorman: Someone beat us to it. ?
*They go down, the tunnel is barely functional as most of the doors were forced open and panels out of power. They find the depot still intact the bay doors open as the Masked Man is preparing a shuttle to launch... and it soon takes off as he gives a boy scoutish two finger salute... he escapes into space. and into warp...*
Dorman: I guess his boss wanted him off this planet.
John: I want permission to go back, sir. I can perform the mediations while GE-1 try to find out about the satellite.
Hammond: How?
John: A U-23 Shuttlepod can fit through the gateway while cloaked and ascend into orbit under cloak.
Harrison: I am qualified to pilot the U-23, sir.
*Hammond sits there in consideration.*
Hammond: Very well, but you are to avoid detection at all costs. Understood?
Harrison: Yes, sir.
*2 hours later, a small shuttlepod is waiting in front of the Gateway as it opens.
John steps through and is met by a team of Forman soldiers. After they clear the gate, they feel a massive gust of wind behind them as the Gateway shuts down.
30 minutes later. John is sitting at a table with Targas and the Calen Ambassador.*
*They make it to the Passage but the door is forced open already... and they can hear someone getting a shuttle ready. *
Dorman: Someone beat us to it. ?
*They go down, the tunnel is barely functional as most of the doors were forced open and panels out of power. They find the depot still intact the bay doors open as the Masked Man is preparing a shuttle to launch... and it soon takes off as he gives a boy scoutish two finger salute... he escapes into space. and into warp...*
Dorman: I guess his boss wanted him off this planet.
Ryan: Not surprising.
Let me see if I can get the other shuttle up and running.
Lasky: this is unsettling to say the least. If you bed me admiral I must speak to delta squad about their mission here.
Hammond: Very well.
*Cariman, United Forman States, Fordan City, Central House. John is sitting at the table with Targas and the Calen Ambassador.*
Targas: So what were those rockets doing over the past 2 weeks?
Calen Ambassador: They were sending equipment up to the Station in order to pprepare it for human habitation.
John: Then why is it in geostationary orbit over the United Forman States? That means wasting a lot of fuel to meet up with it.
Calen Ambassador: A freak accident.
Targas: So the satellite is not armed, correct?
Calen Ambassador: Correct.
*John looks at the folder in Targas' hands.*
Targas: I'm glad to hear it. Well, thank you for taking the time to... put my mind at ease... ambassador.
Calen Ambassador: Not at all.
*Meanwhile, in orbit. The shuttlepod is holding a few dozen meters as Harrison and Tyler examine the satellite in EV suits.*
Harrison *Over Comm*: Microwave beam energy receiver, delta-beam transceiver, deuterium RCS... Definitely above their technological level.
Tyler *Over Comm*: This definitely looks like a firing emitter. Judging from the radio-thermics, it looks like she's packed with an infrared generator.
Harrison *Over Comm*: Powerful enough to reach the planet?
Tyler *Over Comm*: Hard to tell without opening her up, but even if it weren't, why would they have a laser this size in orbit pointed down?
Harrison *Over Comm*: Alright. Let's not press our luck.
*20 minutes later, Lanco III. The shuttlepod returns.*
*Rivers gets out from underneath as the navigation comes up...*
Rivers: I know.. Still I prefer the model after this one.
Dorman: Captain go.
Rivers: Yes Sir..
Dorman: Find Terry Allen... Got it?
Rivers: Yes sir.
*Ryan waits 'til Dorman is off before taking to the air. Within minutes, the shuttle is in orbit and being approached by a number of orbs.*
Ryan: I don't think we thought this through.
*Hawk clambers to the front of the cockpit.*
Hawk *weakly*: Send out a call on... this frequency...
*Hawk taps several controls.*
Ryan: Why?
Ah, what the hell?
*He sends out a signal as the orbs get closer before they are engulfed by ZPC fire as the R.S.S. Omaha flies ahead of them, opening her shuttlebay to receive the craft.
Before long, the Omaha fold-jumps out clear and back to friendly space - specifically, the U.S.S. Enterprise-J.*
*OOC: Since the Earth side story is pretty much over with time to toss in the ending parts... to it and move on to the next...*
*The old shuttle reaches a friendly cloaked ship past Alpha Centari .... which receives it... a unmarked Republic vessel with personnel in a different uniform set than that of the Republic.. Much akin to Northman's faction a century ago and a little of Preston's last remnants. Many of them are Northman's men... The masked man leaves the shuttle as it is being combed over by engineers.. *
*Northman stands there waiting his age is exactly the same thanks to the nanites used to slow his aging.. a miracle of the Ghola process. The Masked Man approaches...*
Northman: Do you have the combat data?
Masked Man: Yes. I do. *He hands over a data pad all of the newer archangels created over the last 15 years. *
Northman: Did Alpha cell survive?
Masked Man: Not entirely sure but it is unlikely given the presence at the scene..
Northman: Unfortunate... but what of the other cells?
Masked Man: The other cells are interested in this new research avenue and do want to proceed with it. The Ghola process is of interest to them...
Northman: A steep price yes. But worth their support. Not bad from a man I hear they call the second coming of...
Masked Man: I am a vessel sir.
Northman: Of course a vessel I helped create. One to show a ray of hope to the disillusioned and disenfranchised of this galaxy. Nature's true self. Now Captain.. I want you to return to the Romulan Empire... a man we will need is going to need our help to hide considering he is the only one that can give the Romulan's new ruler a problem he might not be able to contend with..
Masked Man: Wouldn't be wiser to not anger him?
Northman: Afraid of something?
Masked Man: No.. I just don't know how he would respond considering..
Northman: Do not worry about it.
Masked Man: What about Stane?
Northman: Do not worry about that, I have things in motion right now that will deal with him... go on Captain.. Rest up and take your team in there.
Comments
Dorman: *whispering* Well we still need to get around them... but getting by them with all of these wounded is going to be tough..
*OOC: Just don't forget him seeing the scope of the Elibisi war plan... for Earth and held worlds. But not their overall galaxy move. By the way given the Elibisi's cycle it makes sense to visit other places and galaxies. Which is what Kronos would do just as well. *
Jacob: is anyone here. If anyone's here respond.
A small group of 5 odst and 3 ghost step out of the shadows.
Colonel Magnus : sir they attacked in force... Coughs..
Jacob: your hurt colonel.
Magnus: I've been through worse.
Jacob: are you all that's left.
Odst : yes sir.
Jacob: alright we will... I don't really know.
Magnus : we did manage to send out a signal a prowler picked it up.
Odst: we can't just give up.
Jacob: we thought that before what we've learned on earth. We just can't stay.
Hammond: All right. We should hear from GE-1 shortly.
OOC: Will post again when I get the chance.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
In the back of the truck, Harrison looks at John.*
Harrison: I'm blaming you for this.
John: Why is this my fault?
Harrison: I don't know. It just is.
John: Look, we came out of the Gateway right in the middle of a city centre. What did you expect?
Harrison: I expected to know we were stepping into a city square.
John: At least there isn't a nuclear holocaust.
Harrison: Oh, that's real comforting!
*The truck comes to a stop as the soldiers lead the team out. They step out before a large mansion.*
Soldier: This way.
*They're led inside and are met by a human in a suit. John recognises him from the original mission report.*
John: Colonel Targas.
Targas: It's President Targas now.
What are those restraints doing on them? Remove them, now.
*The soldiers nod and remove the handcuffs.*
John: Thank you.
Targas: I don't believe we've met.
John: Captain John DeFalco, Republic of United Star Systems. I was serving under Captain Allington when she came here 20 years ago.
Targas: Soran Targas.
*He shakes his hand.*
John: This is Colonel John Harrison and his team; Major Carlos Tyler, Sergeant Sy'los and myself.
Harrison: Mr Pesident.
Targas: An honour. Welcome to the United Forman States.
John: We thought the Gateway was in the custody of the Cargan Alliance?
Targas: Up until 15 years ago. When you did not return, we believed the Gateway was permanently inactive. The Gateway became a monument of peace to the Forman States and we petitioned the Cargans to return it.
You emerged in Peace Square, in Fordan City, the Capital of the United Forman States.
It is good that you've arrived.
John: 'Good'?
Targas: The Calen Federation is gearing for an extra-planetary war. They have a satellite in orbit capable of firing a high-energy infrared beam down on top of the entire Forman States.
Harrison: DeFalco, you said these people didn't even have satellites when we last came here.
John: They didn't.
Targas: The Cargan Alliance and the Forman States are still making an effort to commence colonisation of our moon, but our technology to do so is limited.
We only have projectile weaponry and mass-acceleration weaponry at most. How the Calen have advanced so quickly...
But, if they knew that the visitors from a hundred years ago had returned...
John: Targas, the last time we came here, we nearly triggered a nuclear apocalypse.
Targas: This time, you'll be preventing one. We want you to mediate the talks as a formal request from the United Forman States and the Cargan Alliance, before the Calen Federation can use their weapon.
*1 hour later, Lanco III. The Gateway begins to power up.*
Lieutenant: Incoming Gateway!
*The Gateway opens as a forcefield comes up. Hammond, Lasky and Varnak quickly enter the control room.*
GE-1's IDC, sir.
Hammond: Lower the forcefield.
*The lieutenant lowers the forcefield as GE-1 steps through the Gateway. The Gateway closes behind them.
15 minutes later. GE-1 is undergoing a debriefing with Hammond, Lasky and Varnak in the Briefing Room.*
John: So that's the situation. The Forman and Cargan both want us to mediate talks between them and the Calen Federation.
*OOC: Maybe ask why the original project even made contact with a pre-warp civilisation? The Republic do have something similar to the Prime Directive.*
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Ryan *whispering*: I can take them, but I'll need some help.
*Chambers comes up next to him.*
Chambers *whispering*: You just found it.
*She puts her helmet on.*
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Varnak: A pre-war civilization... I am sure your laws and mine are a going to make this a sticky situation before we realize it.
Dorman: *Holding up his hand*
Stand down..
*Using the small headset he flips a haptic eye viewer showing more heat signatures ... The biotic energy signatures are not high...*
Dorman: Still too many... Not to mention the Destroyer... off in the distance. All it would need is a single blast to kill most of us. Not to mention I wonder what Mr. Mask is up to right now...
*Elsewhere*
*The Masked Man leans back watching as his men get ready and heal up the wounded..*
Masked Man: Seems to me Dorman is not alone but his numbers are not high anymore... He is again low on supplies. This would be a perfect time to take him out.
*A communication garble comes through barely... a muffled voice...*
Voice: I want you to assure that they survive.. You are only there to accumulate data... on the progress and their combat effectiveness.
Masked Man: So you want me to let him live.
Voice: Affirmative.
Masked Man: Fine. Do you want me to return?
Voice: Your time there is done. There is a hidden shuttle bay not far from there... I do not think the Elibisi would bother...
Masked Man: That has been so far not entirely true.
Voice: Nonetheless Captain... Get there and return.. Our plans are moving forward.
John: When we originally activated the Gateway, we launched a probe into orbit of the planet. The Gateway was originally in an unattended area at that time.
Unfortunately, the probe was detected after finishing the analysis of the planet's culture. At that point, our non-interference directive went out the window. The probe picked up several Intercontinental Ballistic weapons being launched. Captain Allington immediately ordered that the probe be destroyed before it fell into their hands.
We weren't expecting a post-industrial civilisation there.
After that, we sent a team to perform damage control and stop a war before it got out of hand.
We were lucky. The Forman and Calen stopped the war themselves before it turned into an atomic horror. A lot of people died though.
Hammond: What about this weapon, Captain?
John: Well, the Forman gave us images one of their spy satellites was able to take.
*He passes a set of photos over to them.*
It's way above their technological level.
Hammond: I presume you didn't give them any advanced technology?
John: No. We followed protocol.
Hammond: So that suggests that someone gave the Calen advanced Laser Beam technology.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Ryan *whispering*: Will, if we try to sneak past, the back half of the group is gonna get slaughtered. Even if I can't win, I can buy you time.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Varnak: Who indeed..
*The group outside is brought under fire skillfully as they are leaned away from Dorman's group...*
Dorman: Son of a... he was out there waiting... but why he is taking them away from us...
No sense in blowing this move.
If I remember right there is a vehicle storage facility still here.. somewhere.. Old stuff from back in the 25th century... early... before I joined up. They say it was some kind of Depot full of things.
Naturally someone thought of dumping off supply caches like this all over the planet and in the country right now. Might be some medical supplies too... As far as food stuffs go though.. Don't open it.
*They race through as Dorman goes off trying to remember the right hidden passage way...*
John: I want permission to go back, sir. I can perform the mediations while GE-1 try to find out about the satellite.
Hammond: How?
John: A U-23 Shuttlepod can fit through the gateway while cloaked and ascend into orbit under cloak.
Harrison: I am qualified to pilot the U-23, sir.
*Hammond sits there in consideration.*
Hammond: Very well, but you are to avoid detection at all costs. Understood?
Harrison: Yes, sir.
*2 hours later, a small shuttlepod is waiting in front of the Gateway as it opens.
John steps through and is met by a team of Forman soldiers. After they clear the gate, they feel a massive gust of wind behind them as the Gateway shuts down.
30 minutes later. John is sitting at a table with Targas and the Calen Ambassador.*
OOC: Feel free to take the Calen ambassador.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
*Ryan grabs his shoulder and leads him in the right direction.*
Ryan: I was assigned to that vehicle depot during my days at the academy.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
*They make it to the Passage but the door is forced open already... and they can hear someone getting a shuttle ready. *
Dorman: Someone beat us to it. ?
*They go down, the tunnel is barely functional as most of the doors were forced open and panels out of power. They find the depot still intact the bay doors open as the Masked Man is preparing a shuttle to launch... and it soon takes off as he gives a boy scoutish two finger salute... he escapes into space. and into warp...*
Dorman: I guess his boss wanted him off this planet.
*OOC: I have to get to class in a bit.*
Ryan: Not surprising.
Let me see if I can get the other shuttle up and running.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
OOC: Okay, man. I'll handle it, then.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Hammond: Very well.
*Cariman, United Forman States, Fordan City, Central House. John is sitting at the table with Targas and the Calen Ambassador.*
Targas: So what were those rockets doing over the past 2 weeks?
Calen Ambassador: They were sending equipment up to the Station in order to pprepare it for human habitation.
John: Then why is it in geostationary orbit over the United Forman States? That means wasting a lot of fuel to meet up with it.
Calen Ambassador: A freak accident.
Targas: So the satellite is not armed, correct?
Calen Ambassador: Correct.
*John looks at the folder in Targas' hands.*
Targas: I'm glad to hear it. Well, thank you for taking the time to... put my mind at ease... ambassador.
Calen Ambassador: Not at all.
*Meanwhile, in orbit. The shuttlepod is holding a few dozen meters as Harrison and Tyler examine the satellite in EV suits.*
Harrison *Over Comm*: Microwave beam energy receiver, delta-beam transceiver, deuterium RCS... Definitely above their technological level.
Tyler *Over Comm*: This definitely looks like a firing emitter. Judging from the radio-thermics, it looks like she's packed with an infrared generator.
Harrison *Over Comm*: Powerful enough to reach the planet?
Tyler *Over Comm*: Hard to tell without opening her up, but even if it weren't, why would they have a laser this size in orbit pointed down?
Harrison *Over Comm*: Alright. Let's not press our luck.
*20 minutes later, Lanco III. The shuttlepod returns.*
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Lasky: computer raise general Strauss.
Strauss: captain I hope all is well.
Lasky: mostly sir there is a situation that has come up.
Strauss : captain I don't need to remind you that this situation needs to be kept in control.
Lasky: the republic is dealing with it.
Strauss: keep me posted captain. Strauss out.
*Dorman is loading wounded onto the shuttle as well as Hawk and Kira... a medic and Rivers with him to fly the shuttle. *
Dorman: Remember Captain.. Take them to friendly space don't stop for anything.
Everyone else that is not badly hurt get those medical supplies and weapons onto the transports we don't have long.
Rivers: Why did that Masked ****hole have to take the newer shuttle... this thing is a fossil.
*Taking a circuit board out and starts splicing wires trying to get it jump started. *
Ryan: These Type-8's may be old, but they're reliable.
Sometimes 'new' isn't always better. There's a reason these things were in service for 50 years.
*He manages to get the ship running.*
There we go!
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
*Rivers gets out from underneath as the navigation comes up...*
Rivers: I know.. Still I prefer the model after this one.
Dorman: Captain go.
Rivers: Yes Sir..
Dorman: Find Terry Allen... Got it?
Rivers: Yes sir.
*Ryan waits 'til Dorman is off before taking to the air. Within minutes, the shuttle is in orbit and being approached by a number of orbs.*
Ryan: I don't think we thought this through.
*Hawk clambers to the front of the cockpit.*
Hawk *weakly*: Send out a call on... this frequency...
*Hawk taps several controls.*
Ryan: Why?
Ah, what the hell?
*He sends out a signal as the orbs get closer before they are engulfed by ZPC fire as the R.S.S. Omaha flies ahead of them, opening her shuttlebay to receive the craft.
Before long, the Omaha fold-jumps out clear and back to friendly space - specifically, the U.S.S. Enterprise-J.*
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Bridge.*
Drake: What's taking them?
Jack: Relax, Drake. They'll--
*They hear a chime from the console.*
Speak of the devil.
*Meanwhile, Tara's Quarters. Tara is sitting on the sofa in her uniform. She looks up as the red alert klaxon sounds.
She grabs her phaser and looks out into the corridor as an Orion away team searches.
The Zhiyal is using a transporter inhibitor so the Orions can only beam in. They cannot beam out without transporter tags.*
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
Strauss: what is the status of the fleet.
Admiral hood: agreed but with the loss in Cairo sector we need to send ships there as well.
Strauss: agreed admiral. I'll talk to terrace and Harper.
*Kenway's ships move away from hiding under cloak waiting for the main center piece of the action to step up..*
Kenway: Keep it steady Ade...
Ade: Waiting for the Republic to make a move?
Kenway: Aye.. I am.
*The old shuttle reaches a friendly cloaked ship past Alpha Centari .... which receives it... a unmarked Republic vessel with personnel in a different uniform set than that of the Republic.. Much akin to Northman's faction a century ago and a little of Preston's last remnants. Many of them are Northman's men... The masked man leaves the shuttle as it is being combed over by engineers.. *
*Northman stands there waiting his age is exactly the same thanks to the nanites used to slow his aging.. a miracle of the Ghola process. The Masked Man approaches...*
Northman: Do you have the combat data?
Masked Man: Yes. I do. *He hands over a data pad all of the newer archangels created over the last 15 years. *
Northman: Did Alpha cell survive?
Masked Man: Not entirely sure but it is unlikely given the presence at the scene..
Northman: Unfortunate... but what of the other cells?
Masked Man: The other cells are interested in this new research avenue and do want to proceed with it. The Ghola process is of interest to them...
Northman: A steep price yes. But worth their support. Not bad from a man I hear they call the second coming of...
Masked Man: I am a vessel sir.
Northman: Of course a vessel I helped create. One to show a ray of hope to the disillusioned and disenfranchised of this galaxy. Nature's true self. Now Captain.. I want you to return to the Romulan Empire... a man we will need is going to need our help to hide considering he is the only one that can give the Romulan's new ruler a problem he might not be able to contend with..
Masked Man: Wouldn't be wiser to not anger him?
Northman: Afraid of something?
Masked Man: No.. I just don't know how he would respond considering..
Northman: Do not worry about it.
Masked Man: What about Stane?
Northman: Do not worry about that, I have things in motion right now that will deal with him... go on Captain.. Rest up and take your team in there.
*Gyunei comes up to him*
Gyunei: Sir.. it is always a pleasure.
Masked Man: Good to know.