Judgement Part One: Challenge

Posted on Sat Dec 2nd, 2017 @ 8:29pm by Staff Sergeant Nyx'e'Trixe Valentine & Captain Michelle Bartlett

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Timeline: July 2nd, 2399 1000

The Akira-class starship burst out of warp without any notice whatsoever. It seemed to hesitate for a bare moment before the impulse engines flared to life and the ship, with a distinctly non-Federation paint scheme that made it look more predatory, oriented itself on the Sovereign-class starship sitting in space. A flicker surrounded the ship briefly and several weapons ports opened.

"Captain?" Calypso double-looked at the contact screen to make sure what she saw really was, "We have an Akira coming at us hard, their shields are up and their weapons are hot." Her eyes opened as she tapped the button on her console that raised the shields on the ship. "Our shields are still not at full capability ma'am... And we're being hailed by them."

Thinking it could be an Organization ship seeking vengeance, she simply turned towards Tactical. "Shields up. Yellow Alert. Patch them through."

The screen flicked to the bridge view of an Akira-class ship, the woman sitting in the commanding officer's chair in a silver uniform of non-Starfleet cut. Blonde hair flowed past and over her shoulders and her dark blue eyes pierced the distance between them, an arrowhead under her cheeks with six chevrons etched in. She sat up in the chair and a slight smile crossed her face, "Lady Captain Bartlett, this is Priestess Sixth Class Tilas'e'Tori Nethteli, commanding officer of the Tialan Confederacy Starship Bey'a'Dande. As you may or may not know, as of Nine-Hundred hours this morning, the Tialan Confederacy has withdrawn from being a Federation candidate world and Protectorate unilaterally and a non-discretionary recall to all Tialan personnel in Federation uniform and service has been issued. As we were in the area, I have been commanded by the Council to retrieve Priestess Third Class Nyx'e'Trixe who has taken the surname Valentine, and to return her to Tial immediately."

Michelle stopped for a moment but rose from her chair. Were these people serious? She'd heard briefings about a movement on Tial that felt it and the Federation were incompatible... But this almost seemed completely arbitrary. "Priestess, I will certainly alert Nyx'e'Trixe that she is being ordered back home, but with respect... If she chooses to remain a member of my crew, is that not ultimately her decision to make?"

"No, Captain, it is not." Tilas stated, "As per Starfleet regulations, upon the withdrawal of our membership, all personnel of the affected world automatically have their positions revoked. Additionally, as a member of the Tialan military, the Council has deemed it necessary for Tial itself to strip her of her Starfleet commission as need requires her presence at home. She does not have a choice, Captain."

"I will prepare Nyx'e'Trixe for the possibility of having to return home. In the meantime, as the Federation Council has not formally acknowledged this, I will need to consult with my Diplomatic team and with the Diplomatic Ministry to confirm the validity of this claim. I'm sure you understand it's simply a matter of protocol. I would, however, invite you to please power down your weapons."

"Ma'am, we just received a file, it carries diplomatic headers." Calypso transferred it to Michelle's console.

"Captain, that is a copy of the original from the Ambassador of Tial to the Federation Council. In any case, this can be made simple. I request to speak to the Priestess. We will await your comm within half an hour. And no, Captain, we won't." The screen went blank with a gesture from the Tialan CO.

"All right. Well.. Two can play this game." Michelle said, rather unimpressed by this CO and her general demeanor. Withdrawal was one thing and they had the right... There were more than a few issues with compatibility. But to just show up demanding and threatening a ship with a crew far too sick of being threatened? Bugger that . "Arm phasers, but don't target or fire. Bridge to Lieutenant Valentine."

"Yes, My Lady?" Nyx's voice sounded over the comm.

"Can you report to the bridge?" Michelle asked. "It's rather urgent." she said, still glaring back at the Akira Class ship on the viewscreen. Who the hell did this Tilas woman think she was?

"On my way, My Lady." Within a pair of minutes, Nyx had arrived on the bridge, "My Lady, you commanded my presence?"

"I did." Michelle replied before handing her the diplomatic papers. "I'll have Commander Honn review them, but it would appear Tial has withdrawn from the Federation and pursued its independence. One of their vessels is in our space right now demanding your return."

Nyx's face twitched slightly as she absorbed that, "Well, My Lady, that leaves me little choice, does it not? If Tial has withdrawn, I can no longer serve with Starfleet and my people would require my presence at home." She seemed resigned rather than excited about the prospect of 'going home.'

"Unless you really would rather stay. I may be able to have special dispensation granted for your continued service. I would just have to speak with Commodore Myers." Michelle said. "Under the circumstances, I suspect he may agree that it would cripple the Marine Detachment to go through so many CO's in such a short time."

"For personal reasons, My Lady, I would prefer to remain on the Wellington." Nyx stated definitively, "On Tial, I am an aberration, some would even say I was an abomination." She reached up and brushed her hair slightly, "Sentar, like me, aren't allowed to be priestesses or priests, especially of Bey'a'Dande, it is purely for the Korashe. I and a few dozen others were Chosen when Tial was trying to join the Federation, but of us all, only three of us survived the training. One of us, a good friend of mine, was killed in our first combat and I do not know if the other still lives. I don't fit in, My Lady."

Michelle nodded. "It sounds to me like your quality of life would be better here. I do fear that Captain Tilas won't see it that way though."

At the mention of that part of a name, Nyx felt a shot of adrenaline hit her heart. "Tilas'e'Tori?" She choked out in question.

Michelle suddenly looked a little concerned... She hadn't expected this kind of a reaction, though she couldn't have known any history. "Yes. If there is any reason why I should not release you into her custody or unless you are choosing of your own accord to remain on board, we will of course have to engage in discussion with the Tialan government to ensure you have the right to your own self determination in this instance."

Nyx's eyes flicked back and forth, trying to determine her options. "I don't see any proper reason not to, My Lady, but she has a vendetta against me from twelve years ago. Her brother assaulted me with his friends and I defended myself. He didn't survive." Nyx drew herself up, "My Lady, I request permission to stay on the Wellington."

"I will have Commander Honn begin the process of requesting asylum." Michelle said. "Hail the Tialan vessel" she said to the Ops officer. "Tilas'e'Tori, I have the officer you requested, but she is refusing to comply with your request and has requested asylum. Under regulation, I must forward it to my authorities for consideration."

The Tialan on the screen leaned forward in her chair, interest on her face as she saw Nyx next to Michelle, "As that be, until your people determine the status of the request, Priestess Nyx'e'Trixe will return with us to Tial, to be returned should your government choose to grant her that desire. Tial will guarantee her safety for the duration of those deliberations on her home planet." Next to Michelle, Nyx shifted her feet uncomfortably. "It is commanded by the Council of the Lights."

Michelle's diplomatic training kicked in, and she muted the transmission. It was, to all intents and purposes, a fair compromise. To further dig heels in would not be to anyone's advantage. She looked over at Nyx. "At this point, we don't want to start off their withdrawal by being overtly hostile. We may have to at least let them take you to Tial. How much do you trust them?"

"I would likely be dead before the ship left the system, or shortly thereafter." Nyx stated with grim words, "But if the choice is between the Wellington and-" She cut off as Tilas spoke again

"Let me put things this way, Priestess," Tilas'e'Tori said, noting she couldn't hear them, "Should you not return with me, you will be declared Shilan. Explain that to your 'commanding officer.'" She gave a cruel smile as Nyx went pale.

"Hunted." Nyx said, barely more than a whisper, "I would be exiled and hunted. Shilani are war priests who love the kill, not the fight. They would hunt me wherever I go, not just on Tial. They don't care for their own lives if they die, so long as they complete the job." She straightened up, some decision made, "My Lady, if you could un-mute us?"

"Of course." Michelle said as she un-muted, a little concerned for how this was going to play out. It hopefully wouldn't result in an a war within hours of secession.

Nyx gave Michelle a brief sad look right before turning to the view screen, "My Lady, Priestess of the Sixth Class Tilas'e'Tori Nethteli, I call for Judgement on the matter of myself remaining within the Federation rather than return to Tial."

The older war priestess leaned forward in excitement, this was obviously what she had been hoping to provoke, "Your call is Answered, Priestess." She flicked a hand as her eyes went to Michelle's own, "I am sending coordinates to your ship of a Class M world that is two hours flight time at Warp Five. Deliver your priestess there within three hours. Once arriving, a set of coordinates will be given for a precise place for the Judgment. Your starship will remain outside of transporter range of the planet, or you may choose to merely send a shuttle from here. If after those three hours your Priestess has not arrived, she will be declared Shilan and woe to her."

Michelle looked confused. Judgement? Given what she'd picked up about Tialan culture, nothing about that seemed to be in reference to court proceedings. That said, she simply sat back and heard Tilas' instructions. "We are currently undergoing resupply. I will have a shuttle sent and we will comply with your request to remain outside transporter range." she said, as much as she was unhappy about the idea of that.

"Your shuttle can land at those coordinates if it is what you will send. We will depart." She stated, sending a hand signal that resulted in weapons ports closing. The Akira-class began to turn and accelerate as Tilas looked to Nyx, "Come, Priestess, come and die" The screen went blank and the Tialan ship jumped to warp.

"I suppose we don't have any more of that firedust to just toss at her ship..." she said, rather disapprovingly. "Are they all like that on your world?"

Nyx almost deflated after the screen went to the starfield and she shrugged, "Many are similar, My Lady. This one is more aggressive than most, more ambitious and crusadic. War priests are definitely the most prickly of the lot. Healer priests and Science, Agricultural and Governmental priests are less so, but they tend to stay away from the combat zones. Most of those, in any case, still have the distrust or outright hatred of Sentar, especially those in one of the priesthoods, which is rare indeed, even outside mine own."

"Well.. I promise that once we're here, we'll make sure you feel at home." Michelle said. "I'll inform Starfleet Command of our predicament. I'm sure they'll understand."

"Thank you, My Lady. I will do my best to return in one piece, but... It is unlikely." There was little emotion in Nyx's voice, "Permission to be dismissed?"

"Dismissed. Advise when you're leaving, I'll come see you off." Michelle said.

"Of course, My Lady, we will depart within the hour." Nyx bowed deeply to the Captain, then turned and walked into the turbolift, working hard to keep the emotion on her face as she did.

OFF:

Captain Michelle Bartlett
CO
USS Wellington

First Lieutenant Nyx'e'Trixe Valentine
Marine CO
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Calypso Skyie
Bit part player, FCO
USS Wellington

Priestess 6th Class Tilas'e'Tori Nethteli
CO
TCS Bey'a'Dande