Let Me In!

Posted on Wed Oct 18th, 2017 @ 10:05am by Staff Sergeant Nyx'e'Trixe Valentine & Lieutenant Commander J'Loni Mo'Bri

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: Main Engineering
Timeline: June 17, 2399 0630

ON:

Nyx paced through the hallways down to engineering. She'd made her first stop to the Marine armory to make sure her troops were still standing guard, then to the Security armory and a quick turbolift hop to the Bridge just to ensure that especially up there, the turbolift guards were in full parade uniform and without any sort of flaw. She would not let her people look bad for Commander Bowman. Those three out of the way there was that last place to look at: Engineering. Yes intellectually, she knew just how important Engineering was, after all, it was the heart of the ship and everything that needed power had a line that went back there.

So when she found her Marines on the outside of the door, she was more than a bit inquisitive. She walked up to the door and it didn't open for her. "What's going on, Corporal?" She looked to the senior guard.

"Ma'am, we were asked to stand our guard out here, by Commander Mo'Bri. The doors have remained shut to all but the engineers since then..." He looked nervous as he admitted it.

"And you didn't comm me..." Nyx growled, "We will talk later." She reached past him and pressed the comm, "Lady Commander Mo'Bri, this is Lieutenant Valentine. Why is Engineering locked down? Is there a problem that I should be aware of?"

The door to engineering opened and Nyx was greeted by both Sheba and Lone Wolf sitting infront of her. They both took a defensive posture and were ready to defend their posts as would any other guard dog. J'Loni sensed their sudden excitement and danger and swiftly hurried to the entrance of main engineering. "Lone Wolf, Sheba, stand down, recognize as friend and admit!", she commanded. Both wolves obeyed , but not before they both circled Nyx...smelled her for her scent...and returned to their sitting post just inside the doors. "CPO Nyx is it?", she said. " Please excuse for not alerting you to what was done but it was a necessary step in securing engineering. Both the XO and Commodore authorized it and at this point in time no one is permitted inside engineering out side of my staff. While I understand your superior's orders, I can not allow you or your marines in here. There are Klingons here on the ship, and they hold key spots and until I can identify all their houses, I will not allow them to know what engineering is doing. I hope you understand my actions. At this point, you are the only marine both wolves will allow to access engineering. I could not brodcast over the comm system since we found tampering of it. Now what can I do for you CPO Nyx Valentine?", she said quickly.

At the sight of the wolves on the inside, Nyx's right hand flashed to and put pressure on the shorter sword on her right side, sliding six inches of the 24 of bright metal out with the heel of her hand, fingers coming to rest on the pommel, ready to bring it into nearly instantaneous action. As the wolves circlrd her, the tension in her hand increased, the only single thing preventing her from drawing having had been the words from the engineer. No tinge of fear from her, just wariness. As they resumed their sitting position, she slid the blade back into the sheath

As she listened to J'Loni speak, her eyes flitted around the room, marking potential targets, just in case. "First Lieutenant." She corrected the engineer, "And I must inform you that it is contrary to the orders I was given, My Lady. And I cannot allow you to cut Engineering off completely. My orders, My Lady, are to ensure Engineering is secure and I will ensure such one way or another."

"As I stated, no one except engineering personnel are permitted in engineering, until I am sure that the risk of further sabotage here is past. I am sure your senior officer means well but he is Klingon, and until I can find out from which house he is from, I will not admit anyone except yourself. I mean no disrespect to your orders but mine are authorized by the Commodore himself. If you have any greviances please take them to him or Commander Bartlett. I am sure, were you in my position you would do the same would you not?," she asked.

"Allowing me access would satisfy the strictures of my orders, but not the spirit." Nyx allowed, "However should the specifics of my orders change, My Lady,this agreement may change. What concetns me, My Lady, is that should Commander Bowman or Major Lo'Mah become aware of the measures you have enacted, they may see this as an act of mutiny." Nyx didn't put any inflection, making it a mere statement, "Should I be ordered to apprehend those they state, I may be required to do so. Whether or not I agree with you, My Lady."

"It won't come to that. Lt. Mok'Tor's security details will be enough for now. I will not circumvent Lo'Mah's orders, but until I establish his houses origins the answer is no. You do not need to find that information for me as it would only make him suspicious and built. This is something we do not need. I must further ask you to refrain from speaking to Bowman concerning this as well. She is also under suspect as well...and for your own safety I can not give you anymore information than that at this time. Please trust me in this matter...", she said, looking at Nyx for a good long minute.

During that time of silence, Nyx searched inyo J'Loni's eyes for any hint of subterfuge or that she was just outright lying. Finally, without breaking eye contact, she nodded, "I shall not initiate any conversation in regards to this with Lady Commander Bowman, however I can not refuse to divulge information if she orders it of me, nor can I refuse any lawful order she may give me until I truly believe it is illegal or morally against Federation beliefs."

With a slow, smooth motion, so as not to startle anybody or creature, but not hiding the fact she was doing it, she withdrew half the blade on her right side, the closed her hand arounf the blade itself and squeezed hard. As the sword broke the skin and cut deep, her eyes barely registered the pain, "And should I be ordered to apprehend you by what I believe are legal orders, I will not use your trust in letting me in here against you. I will announce my intentions from beyond the closed doors and give you the opportunity to resist." Blood welled from her hand and she released the blade, gravity and the slickness of her blood letting it slide in, "My blood oath to you, Lady Commander J'Loni Mo'Bri,' She raised her hand to show the wound, "I shall not betray your trust."

J'Loni was fully aware of what Nyx was doing and she stood up straighter to her full height, "I in turn swear by my own blood that I will not betray your trust in me as well", she said, as she pulled her own d'tagh and sliced it for her own blood to flow freely on her hand and grabbed Nyx's hand and held it tightly, letting the bloods mix. "Our blood is made of one in trust, loyalty, honor, friendship, and glory, until death parts us", she said, looking Nyx in the eyes. Lone Wolf gave a howl with the joining of his masters blood with that of another bonded warrior.

"Until death parts us." Nyx repeated. It wasn't the precise wording she was used to, but the meaning and intent was the same at the basic level. "Blood is blood, pain is only pain. Honor. Is. Everything."

"Honor and loyalty is everything", she said to Nyx.


Lt. Cmdr. J'Loni Mo''Bri
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Wellington

First Lieutenant Nyx Valentine
Acting Marine XO
USS Wellington