The Fire Before The Storm

Posted on Sat Nov 4th, 2017 @ 1:15pm by Captain Michelle Bartlett & Lieutenant Commander J'Loni Mo'Bri & Lieutenant Kevin Barnaby & Lieutenant Mok'Tor & Lieutenant Cor Cordale & Staff Sergeant Nyx'e'Trixe Valentine

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: Bridge
Timeline: June 18, 2399 @ 0055

Kasella was in the Captain's seat, awaiting what she knew was coming. She was unhappy that Bartlett had removed Lo'Mah even if it was ordered by that fool of a Commodore. But it wouldnt matter soon enough. He had served his purpose and got rid of that pathetic Bajoran woman in Engineering. As best she could tell, Bowman and Commander Meru got along. Meru seemed almost betrayed when "Bowman" came back and began actually enforcing rules and regulations.

She had canceled the Delta Shift that night and decided to push the Gamma Shift to 0600. Nobody was happy about it, but as this was the last watch most of them would ever have anyway, she figured it was no issue. She sat quietly, saying almost nothing as she waited. "Perhaps the Organization was lying..." Bowman said.

"Excuse me, My Lady?" Nyx asked from the secondary tactical station, "Lying about what?" She still sported the slightest bit of a shiner that J'Loni had given her in the 'failed assault' from early that morning. Lo'Mah hadn't seen her since then, but it was still a good idea to keep.

"We... have received reports that Lieutenant Mordin sent the Organization after us to try and teach us a lesson." She said, making information up on the fly. "Admiral Marquette and Commodore Myers have been compromised. They were informants all along." she said.

That sat wrong with the Tialan, exceedingly wrong, given what she knew and what she suspected, "My Lady, I am not certain your information is accurate. I questioned Milady Mordin and I did not get the feeling of deception that might indicate she had designs against the ship."

"Well, she managed to trick someone into getting her freed. If Marquette wasn't an Admiral, I've locked her up too." Kasella replied. "If it were up to me, we'd have sent a few quantum torpedoes in the direction of the Dalacari outpost for screwing with us but... I am but a humble servant of a Federation that just wants to give everyone a hug."

Nyx raised an eyebrow. That was a bit beyond just a little frustration coming from the commanding officer, "My Lady, that would be to the extreme, even for mine own people. If I might gice you my opinion, I believe Milady Mordin was indeed innocent of the crime."

J'Loni knew that her presence was needed on the bridge, bit before she started she put a com into her grandfather. "Computer open secure channel to the IKS Vor'kon, Captain Kar'Beleck", she said qiuckly. "Channel open, Commander", came the reply. On the screen eas her grandfather, dressed in his full battledress, baldric, showing all the pins of the alligned houses including the Chancellor's as well. "Grandfather, how far are you from here?", she asked quickly. "We are about half an hor away from the Dalacari outpost, why?", he asled. "Grandfather you must hurry, my gut feeling is telling me things are going to come to a head. I must go as I have to get ready for the talks. Please hurry, Quap"la", and she cut the com link. Pulling on her Klingon uniform boots and adjusting her armor, something she hadn't worn since her anniversary of her rite of ascension, she looked in the mirror. She had now become the embodiment of a true Klingon and adjusting her own baldric, attaching the only link to the Federaton, her combadge, she picked up yhe carefully wrapped quiver thatheld Nyx's swords and headed to the bridhe with Lone Wolf walking obediently at her side.

Thinking again, as she was about to enter the lift, maybe it was too soon to be in Klingon uniform, so she went back and changed and then proceeded to the bridge with the leather quiver on her shoulder. Her trusted companion at her side, the lift doors opened and stepped on to the bridge but...

"I wouldn't get too attached to the Ts'usugi." Kasella said. "They'd kill us all if they felt it was warranted. Which is why we shouldn't get too close to them. We need more reliable allies like the Koldarans." she added.

Koldarens, Nyx knew were one of the more warlike and aggressive species in this Quadrant. Allied with them would absolutely be against the Federation's ethos and no officer would consider it, typically, "I would prefer the Ts,usugi, Lady Commander Bowman, less likely to turn on us for no reason." Her primary focus went to the Commander for good, the change in address her only change from deference to more caution.

"You sure have a lot of opinions on foreign policy for a Marine, Lieutenant." she said dismissively as she looked over her shoulder and tapped a message in Cardassian. 'Set course 123 Mark 5. Decloak on my command and not before. The fall of Dalacar will begin here.'

When in the Academy, Nyx didn't have much or really any socual life, preferring to keep to her traditional way of keeping prepared for war. Part of that was the learning of various terms and phrases in as many written and spoken languages as she could learn. So when she saw the words 'decloak on my command' and 'fall' with the planet's name of Dalacar in the same writtem format, it took her a couple seconds before her brain recognized the language as Cardassian. Her hand had no such illusions and before her brain caught up, her phaser pistol was in her hand as if it teleported there, moving to aim at Bowman.

Off to ber right, a science officer between them, she heard a gasp from the security officer across the bridge at the primary tactical stationa and saw the tell tale reach for his own sidearm out of the corner of her eye. She let her gun hand go limp, twisting her arm, turning her head so one eye tracked the barrel and the inoffensove officer between them, then fired two shots that passed two inches in front of the science officer and dropped the security officer, his phaser clattering to the floor.

Nyx immediately sidestepped as her pistol came back around to train on the Commander, one hand extended with two fingers and her thumb stretched to the helm officer starting to grab for the phaser under her console, "Don't." Nyx told her quietly and Calypso stopped the motion. "Lady Commander Bowman, you are under arrest for treason against The Federation and collusion with the Cardassian Order against a Federation ally."

"I beg your pardon, Lieutenant??" she said. "You better have proof or I will end your Starfleet career here and now. GET OFF THE BRIDGE!" she said, approaching Nyx as though shove her toward the turbolift herself.

Nyx didn't say a word, sending two shots into the Commander, dropping the officer. Immediately, Nyx dropped to her knees, hands stretched out away from her body, the phaser pistol's trigger guard holding the weapon dangling loosely.

It was a shocked few seconds before Calypso resumed the grab for her pistol and brought it up aimed at Nyx, the tip wavering in its aim, "Lieutenant!" She squaked, not sure which one she was talking to, "Disarm her."

A security officer kept his weapon focused on Nyx. "Commander Bartlett, report to the bridge immediately with a detail. There's a mutiny in progress." The officer kept his phaser focused.

"One step ahead of you. On my way." Michelle's voice came over the commbadge.

"My Lord, "Nyx didn't know what the rank of the security officer, but spoke to him from a subservient level just in case, "You can disarm me at your leisure, I will not resist."

It didn't take but 0.03 seconds forl J'Loni to react and even less for Lone Wolf who was already moving around the command center headed for the Cardassian as he had been trained for. From the quiver on her shoulder she pulled Nyx's swords and sent them in the air towards her, Honored Friend, your swords."

An officer nearby caught them just before they left J'Loni's arm and he held on to them before looking at Lieutenant Valentine. At that same moment, Lone Wolf sprang, pinnning Bowman to the deck, not moving. "Nyx, she is all yours", J'Loni said. What J'Loni had nor realized was that Bowman was already down, but never the less, Lone Wolf was straddling the woman.

The officer looked at Bowman laying unconscious, and the Klingon in front of him... He wasn't nuts enough to take a Klingon armed with one wolf... But what the hell was going on. "Lieutenant Valentine, leave the bridge and join me in the brig."

Nyx stood, hands going behind her head, fingers interlaced, "Yes, My Lord, as you command."

Michelle walked off the turbolift with Mok'Tor and a security detail. "Lieutenant, as you were." Michelle called out. "Stand down, Crewman."

"Commander, Lieutenant Valentine--"

"I gave you an order, Crewman." Michelle said in a tone that would tolerate no opposition. "Stand down. Now."

"That was an ordder officer and I suggest you obey or I will drop you where you stand", Mok'Tor said. "Lt. T'Lar, has all this been recorded in the ships computer for the record?", he asked her.

"Yes, Lt. Mok'Tor it has sir", she said.

"Good, it is now a matter of public record of what has been and is what follows. Continue the recordings Lietuenant", he said, as he looked at her and she nodded in acknowledgement.

"Ma'am, she fired at a superior officer and-- "

"That's not Commander Bowman." Michelle said to the confused officer. "Take out your tricorder and scan her very carefully."

The Crewman did as he was told. "Holy shit, she's... She's Cardassian!"

"Gul Kasella of the 10th Order has been our guest for the last four months in what I would very euphemistically refer to as a rather unauthorized exchange program. I'll explain once there's not a fleet of Klingons on the way to try and kill us all." she added, assuming the chair. "Ms. Forrester, Note the log that as 0058 hours that I assumed command under emergency regulations with the authorization of Admiral Marquette."

"So noted," Ilona replied shortly.

Nyx's face was a mask of confusion, "My Lady?" She approached the Captain's chair, then went to one knee, "Am I not getting arrested, My Lady?" Her voice was softer.

"No. You're being escorted to quarters and you'll remain there until this fight is over. You may leave the bridge on your own." she said before tapping her commbadge. "Lieutenant Barnaby, report to the bridge. I think you've figured out what's going on, Ms. Valentine."

"As you command, My Lady." Nyx rose, then nodded to the security officer with her swords, "Please, milord, bring thise with ys and I will show you where to put them." She knew the officer was only an ensign, but protocol demanded in this case.

The Ensign looked confused for a moment, though he saw a look from Michelle indicating he should probably do as he was told. "Of course." The Ensign replied.

Her weapon lowered to point at the ground, Cally shook her head at the insanity that had appeared to engulf the bridge. Finally, she turned her head and slid back behind her console, sliding the weapon into its holster under it.

"Commander, my grandfather is sitting off our port bow. Do you wish him to decloak or remain cloaked? As I said there is an equal force of Klingon ships on their way. Your orders sir?", she said.

She turned to the engineer. "Tell your grandfather to hold position and remain cloaked. I want them to get a little overconfident... Raise shields, Mr. Barnaby and prepare weapons." Michelle said.

Turning to her engineering console she commed her grandfather, " Priority One message to IKS Vor'Kon, Grandfather remained cloaked untill further ordered", she said. "Vor'Kon to J'Loni understood, Quap'la", said her grandfather. "Commander, Captain Kar'Bleck has responded and is awaiting on your orders to decloak", she said.

"Aye Ma'am." Barnaby said, as he relayed her orders. "Shields up, Phasers are primed and Forward Quantum Torpedo Bays are loaded." He then took his hands away from the console. "Tactical is ready to fire on your order." T'Lar, looked at Lt. Barnaby and introduced herself, "Lt. TLar Bishara, your tactical/security officer reporting, under these circumstances, sir. Firing patterns laid in and ready to go. There is one thing engineering says is that the ststems are currently at 65 percent and climbing
By the time we should need them they will be at 90 percent. Shields are currently 70 percent readiness. Lt. Cmdr. Mo'Bri sends her best and asks that you try not to scratche the paint", she said smiling.

"Tell her I'll do my best." Michelle said.

As things started to settle on the bridge, another hail came through. This one came from the Dalacari Station itself. The identifier code behind the contact was unusual in that it shared the same binary school of thought as any Dalacari, but the identifier continued to just identify the source of the call and the identity of the caller as the Dalacari Station itself.

"On screen." Michelle said, looking confused at what was in front of her.

The image on screen was something of a digital landscape. Obviously artificial even to the least observant individual in space. The figures on said landscape had all the indications of a Dalacari, except they were completely devoid of unique, identifying markings. It was as though someone had said 'What's the bare minimum to be a Dalacari' and made one in digital space.

"Apologies for the direct communication, but in regards to powers not part of the Joint Defensive Accord this unit must seek authority to access sensor records. This unit is Tee Eee Six Three Seven, and is the installed warmind and Thinking Engine for the Dalacari Station "Frontier Midnight". This unit requests access to sensor readings from both the Wellington actual and active fighter craft to better gauge predictions and propagate strategies. This will also allow Wellington fighter craft to be designated as Friendly in regards to IFF Friend or Foe recognition and tracking weaponry. Once the upcoming potential conflict is resolved, this unit will scrub access codes given for this one time access. Does the commanding presence of Wellington actual consent?"

"This is Commander Michelle Bartlett of the Federation Starship Wellington. I consent." she said. "Who the heck...?" unsure who was sending this.

"This unit thanks you for your verbal consent. These permissions will expire in one week, unless reinstated or rescinded earlier." and then the screen switched over from the digital Dalacari to a more real and familiar one.

"Commander Bartlett? Rostra Tang here, been a while. Hello." one of the twins waved. Actually waved. "Sorry about that, station proceedure and, technically you aren't..."

"... a Dalacari or a Ts'usugi, so the station's Thinking Engine needed your permission to piggyback sensor data. I'll explain it all after everything. Shipmaster Tukal said there..."

"... was trouble brewing, something Jason said, so I got myself to Station Ops and started, well... I guess Jason was right. I don't have an Off switch." and the pair laughed. Then the laughter kinda petered off...

"I can tell... you're a little busy so I'll... I'll call you back. Over and out Commander." and the screen waited for Michelle to reply before the feed was cut.

"Thanks for the help. Give my regards to the Ship's Overseer." Michelle replied as the screen went back to normal.

Kasella was coming to, still restrained by some of the guards Michelle placed for her.

"What the hell are you doing?" Kasella asked.

"Stopping you dead in your tracks, Gul Kasella." Michelle replied. "Mr. Mok'Tor... Get her to the Brig." she called out.

Lone Wolf was still standing over the Cardassian, with his ears laid back, waiting for his next command as Mok'Tor approached.

"On your feet p'tagh! You are not fit to live. Were I not a Starfleet Federation officer, I would have killed you long time ago", he said looking at Commander Bartlett, " With all due respect ma'am," he said.

"You're such fools. You think your band of Federation ships and these Dalacari have any chance over the 10th Order?" Bowman asked, not knowing what was being worked on for the last 2 days.

"Maybe we'll patch the battle through to your brig cell so you can find out." Michelle said. "Get her off my bridge." she added dismissively to Gul Kasella. Mok'Tor, shoving her un lady like, dragged her to the lift and went to the brig with Lone Wolf as his escort. Mok'Tor has some where else to be and in a hurry.

J'Loni's hands flying over her engineering console and a smile crossed her face. "Commander, we got propulsion, weapons, and shields up to 90 percent! I don't know how the Musketeers did it, but they did", she said relieved.

"Security Team 4 to Bridge." an officer's voice came over the comms. "We have a brig breach. Lo'Mah attempted to escape and there's a Security Officer on the run."

"Stop him by whatever means necessary, and get to the brig to make sure he stays put." Michelle said. "Bridge out."

"Commander...Enemy Klingon ships decloaking off the port bow. 4 Nev'gar criusers with 16 BOP's", T'Lar said quickly.

Michelle looked straight ahead at the viewer. "Shields up. Red Alert. Commander, tell your grandfather's fleet to stand by. Ms. Forrester, send a message to the Frontier Midnight. Advise them we've got company.

TO BE CONTINUED....

END