[USS Charon, bridge]
Ian was stunned momentarily at the captain's mention of the shuttle. His anxiety returned for an instant, but faded. He had known this was always a possibility. Accepting the situation he simply stood at attention awaiting the captain's orders. If hell existed he wondered if he would share a room with Shiarrael T'Rehu. An eternity stuck with her might be torture enough.
The thought of her children being raised without a mother shook her but she pushed them away, forcefully, and concentrated on what had to be done "tell them to g-" An echoing hum filled the bridge again and Shiarrael stood up.
Globs of blood dripped from her back and backside as she waited for another wave of Romulan marines- but to her surprise none materialized. Certainly a Romulan was among the group- a short frail looking man, his eyes studying his surroundings casually while those with him gasped and wretched at the bloodshed. Finally he looked at her, a stern disapproving gaze. Shiarrael smiled and felt tired as the tension eased "Commander Kanryth, I would have thought you long gone by now."
Globs of blood dripped from her back and backside as she waited for another wave of Romulan marines- but to her surprise none materialized. Certainly a Romulan was among the group- a short frail looking man, his eyes studying his surroundings casually while those with him gasped and wretched at the bloodshed. Finally he looked at her, a stern disapproving gaze. Shiarrael smiled and felt tired as the tension eased "Commander Kanryth, I would have thought you long gone by now."
"Fortunately for you my crew has an insatiable curiosity. We came to investigate the distress signal and found a beaten dog." Khiy pressed his commbadge "lock on the modified tractor beam" he said and then looked at Shiarrael again "but we are not alone. There is a Vaek'Riov- he is in the process of securing the other ship. Vaek'Riov Itsak tr'Sahen."
Shiarrael paled at the name. 'Could it be?' She wondered. How long had it been since she last spoke to her cousin? The irony was certainly fitting. "The planet? The people- they launched some type of mutagenic weapon into atmosphere."
"All dead." Khiy said. He prodded one of the dead Romulans with his boot "it seems you have been busy. My men will help you secure your ship."
Shiarrael simply nodded at his words.
"Damn", Lamont said not realizing his words could be heard. Seeing the looks of the others he chided himself internally for his emotional outburst. Perhaps he should talk to Lt. Tyrax later on. His emotions seemed to be a growing source of trouble for him as of late. Her insight might be of some value. He dismissed the errant thought.
The news of the planet however sent an electric current though him. He had to speak as he would be unable to cope with having done nothing.
"Captain, I know we are in no condition to mount an attack, our position is weak, we are guests in Romulan space, and the Charon is badly damaged , but surely we must do something in response to what has occurred? Are we just going to limp away and ignore those who were sacrificed?"
"Captain, I know we are in no condition to mount an attack, our position is weak, we are guests in Romulan space, and the Charon is badly damaged , but surely we must do something in response to what has occurred? Are we just going to limp away and ignore those who were sacrificed?"
A spark burned passionately in the ambassador's eyes. He couldn't explain why. He just felt angry for some reason. Too many had died for them to just walk away from this. If Rehu wanted to accuse him of being insubordinate then so be it. At least the voices of the dead crying out for justice would be heard.
The young Vulcan had remained motionless, except for a brief nod of greeting towards the new arrivals. The Commander's demeanor towards her CO however earned him a marginally raised brow, and because Sakarra was still a mightily annoyed Vulcan, a stern glance out black eyes that gleamed with unusual intensity.
With a movement that might have looked casual, were the scantily clad woman any other species, and the sword in question not stained with emerald blood, she placed the blade over her helm console and brought up whatever readings Charon's sensor pod was still capable of delivering. Which, surprisingly, was rather detailed and more than one could have expected. More debris, for one.
"Fascinating."
"Fascinating."
The young woman turned back towards her Captain whose face had lost some color at the mention of a name that sounded rather familiar to Sakarra as well. Not the rude Commander of Sunheart, but quite possibly another relative.
She nodded towards the CO, indicating that the tractor beam had gained hold and only seconds later, Charon shivered like a race horse before the collapse and lurched ever so slightly.
She nodded towards the CO, indicating that the tractor beam had gained hold and only seconds later, Charon shivered like a race horse before the collapse and lurched ever so slightly.
Her seat was drenched with Caitian and other blood, and her still not fully healed injuries were becoming more and more of a bother, but Sakarra stood next to her helm console, eyes firmly on the readouts. Limp away indeed.
She could certainly relate to the good ambassador's sentiment. However, from the looks of it, there was little left for them to do in either case.
Except mourn all the wasted lives.
She could certainly relate to the good ambassador's sentiment. However, from the looks of it, there was little left for them to do in either case.
Except mourn all the wasted lives.
"Attack who mister Lamont?" Shiarrael threw a vexed expression at the ambassador "our first priority is to assess our situation- before that is done it will be premature to decide on what we will do after."
She understood Lamont's feelings. Shiarrael felt equally appalled by the tragedy but the dead would not rise nor be able to appreciate any vengeance done in their name, haphazardly or not
"Commander Kanryth, return to your ship. Let my crew assess our status- and then I will contact you." She looked at Sakarra "go change Lieutenant- mister Lamont you have the bridge." She stood and casually walked into her ready room leaving a trail of blood following her with each step.
She understood Lamont's feelings. Shiarrael felt equally appalled by the tragedy but the dead would not rise nor be able to appreciate any vengeance done in their name, haphazardly or not
"Commander Kanryth, return to your ship. Let my crew assess our status- and then I will contact you." She looked at Sakarra "go change Lieutenant- mister Lamont you have the bridge." She stood and casually walked into her ready room leaving a trail of blood following her with each step.
Lamont felt the urge to protest, but as much as he hated to admit it, the captain was correct. Who would they fight? What facts did they have?
The captain disappeared into her ready room issuing several orders. Moments later, Commander Kanryth disappeared in a shimmering cloud leaving only Lamont and Lt. Tyrax on the bridge.
"Lieutenant, forgive me for my flattery, but it is a human failing. You were quite simply magnificent."
Magnificent?
Sakarra experienced a sudden, irrational urge to employ a suitable colorful metaphor, but restrained herself.
Looking into Lamont's haunted eyes, she exhaled softly, giving a courteous half-bow of acknowledgement. He had only meant to be … nice.
Sakarra experienced a sudden, irrational urge to employ a suitable colorful metaphor, but restrained herself.
Looking into Lamont's haunted eyes, she exhaled softly, giving a courteous half-bow of acknowledgement. He had only meant to be … nice.
As humans often did, he had picked a terrible time for that, but one could hardly fault him. When all he saw was composure and grace under pressure, but none of what burned beneath, fighting and clawing to come to the surface, it only meant she was succeeding at keeping the burden of worrying for her from him. It was the Vulcan way. And a compliment for that, she could readily accept.
"Your courtesy is accepted with gratitude, ambassador, the flattery however is quite unnecessary." she looked down at her unsatisfactory attire and picked up the sword, giving one more polite nod towards Lamont.
"I shall return shortly."
What else could be said? There were no words for … this.
"I shall return shortly."
What else could be said? There were no words for … this.
Lamont offered a tiny smile at the lieutenant's reply. He watched her depart leaving him alone on a blood soaked bridge littered with debris and the bodies of the dead. He looked at the captain's chair, but given its saturation with blood he opted for a nearby seat instead and instructed the computer to open a channel to the ship.
"Attention all hands this is the bridge. The intruder situation will be solved momentarily. All non-essential personnel are to remain in emergency shelter areas until further notice." Lamont reduced the ship's alert status to yellow given the assistance being provided by the Quantum Fury. "All departments report your status to the bridge as soon as possible. Sickbay, please dispatch several corpsmen to the bridge when security has secured the ship. Bridge out."
"Attention all hands this is the bridge. The intruder situation will be solved momentarily. All non-essential personnel are to remain in emergency shelter areas until further notice." Lamont reduced the ship's alert status to yellow given the assistance being provided by the Quantum Fury. "All departments report your status to the bridge as soon as possible. Sickbay, please dispatch several corpsmen to the bridge when security has secured the ship. Bridge out."
Lamont closed the channel leaning back in the chair staring at the wrecked bridge and the death around him. So many lives had been lost today and for what purpose?
He hoped an answer was forthcoming. The dead demanded justice. And in Lamont's view, they were entitled to it even if it clashed with his pacifist sensibilities. Someone had to be held accountable for this tragedy. He hoped they would learn the truth.
[End Log]
Captain Shiarrael Rehu
Commanding Officer
USS Charon
Commanding Officer
USS Charon
Lieutenant Sakarra Tyrax
Chief Helm Officer
USS Charon
Chief Helm Officer
USS Charon
Ambassador Ian Lamont
Diplomatic Advisor
USS Charon
Diplomatic Advisor
USS Charon
