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1
Parallel Universes - "What if?" / Re: USS Theurgy: What If...? A Winter Wonderland
Last post by RyeTanker -
[Lt (JG) XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Lt. Zark) & Lt ThanIda zh'Wann  (Lt. zh'Wann) | Campsite Gamma | Theta Sigma VI] Attn: @AbsintheDeux @tongieboi @Dumedion

Ida stood there for a moment and looked at her far more outgoing colleague as she gripped the stranger like a child with a stuffed animal and shook her like one as well.  The relationship aspect for the Deputy stood as a stranger for she knew exactly who the pilot was.  Apparently Zark had gotten friendly with this one already and the two were definitely familiar. The pilot's request to get up after being knocked over was reasonable, and the other Zhen did help her up, but she didn't need Zark's help to introduce herself.  "Lieutenant ThanIda zh'Wann. I work Security....."  Apparently the medic didn't feel their meeting had been quite appropriate as she grabbed the pilot's head, yanked it hard to face her and planted her face on the human's.  Ida wasn't a dike by any means, so she could see from the movement of the Zhen's head she was stuffing her tongue into the human's mouth.  This wasn't enough though as Ida opened her mouth to caution and protest the Zhen's actions as her hand quickly made its way down and grabbed a hand full of ass cheek.  Ida knew that Zark wasn't weak by any means so there was going to be some torsion behind that squeeze.  Ida exhaled and grimaced before shaking her head.  A slight moan of delight let the Deputy know where this was heading quickly, and it likely wouldn't end well for the pilot, like human popsicle badly.

Ida theatrically and loudly cleared her throat making Zark reluctantly pull herself off.  If her knowledge of the medic was correct, she was probably grinning with an insolent leer.  "As I was saying before we were .... interrupted, Lieutenant ThanIda zh'Wann. I'm in Security as 2IC.  Most people refer to me as the Deputy."

Then Zark was Zark as she linked her arms into the pilot's and Ida's and dragged them to the next shelter over. "Don't let that calm demeanor fool you Shadow, she'd the meanest and toughest bitch on the ship."  Ida felt her eyebrow arch as the friendly insult and she was getting ready to retort when the medic gave an insolent grin and continued. "She's kicked the ass out of everyone who challenger her in single combat and is the personification of the bane of our enemies."  Zark turned her head back to the pilot. "In other words, stay on her good side." Ida didn't quite flush in embarrassment at that introduction. "A base libel Zark."

"Not by much." The medic continued with a jolly serenity. "Remember that time I thought I had you on the ropes, then you turned it around, ah well, never mind cause her we are."  Zark finished suddenly as they arrived at shelter 6.  "Toss your stuff inside Talia and lets head to the fire.  I'm supposed to pose nude next to the pool so Ida can immortalize this amazing figure on canvas."

Ida stared incredulously at the medic. "Is this what you were babbling about when you said to paint?"  The medic smiled back insolently and stuck her tongue out and Ida's eyes narrowed into slits as she tried to figure out if the medic was being serious. She gave it fifty-fifty at this point given her good mood and nature.

Zark shrugged and turned back to Talia. "We'll see, now hurry up Talia.  There's a warm fire and warmer drinks down near the pool.  There's a Betazoid mocha I've been meaning to try for a while, and you can tell Ida about your humble self." the Zhen finished as Ida barely suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.
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Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Chapter 1: Triggered Much? [ Day 1 | 1800hrs ]
Last post by RyeTanker -
[ PO3 Klaudia Cheung | Aboard the Tal’Shiar Ihnerha Faehht Emaifha Laeosa Mniohr (Tal’Shiar Second Secret Disease and Weapons Research Space Station) | Somewhat near the border in Romulan Space ] [Show/Hide]


An unexpected consequence of the Intelligence team's chosen method for approaching the station was the sheer amount of damage the station was suffering and the ripple effect it was having on numerous systems.  The Asian tech specialist had to displace when a section of EPS conduit in a nearby region had decided to detonate and flooded that area with heat and radiation.  It wasn't really close, but it was close enough to cause concern, so it was time to move.  Settling into junction, her Intel special PADD went to work setting up approach alarms to her location, then she locked the access hatches immediately surrounding her.  Taking a moment to adjust her ear piece, the Operative took a moment to wipe a bit of sweat from her hair line as settled onto the floor while laying her pistol down next to her butt.

She brought up the system monitoring the computer virus as it wound and ravaged its way through the station's data networks.  The raven haired woman nodded in satisfaction as she plugged into a camera feed of the command centre and watched as several personnel gesticulated at their console while someone furiously pounded away at a PADD equivalent in their hand.  The tech frowned for a moment as she considered modifying the electronic worm to go after the PADDs too.  Time required versus immediate needs were calculated and she decided to set the idea aside for the time being.  Maybe she'd modify the virus when she was talking to Theurgy's crew.  Which brought the next questions, how to let the other Starfleet crew know they were here to help them in a way that recognizable when there was no warning the team from Intelligence was supposed to be here?

There were no pre-arranged signals, no known codes had been given to the supposedly renegade ship.  Just a dossier with a very slim timeline as to the ship's activities.  The only bit of information that could really considered solid were the names of the people and ships that had been directed to support Theurgy.  While one part of her mind worked the pass in her mind, on the pass, her fingers flew over the PADD as she patched into the security systems where the Theurgy team was supposed to be.  It took a little bit of time before she found several figures that definitely weren't Romulans. She could see a blonde Human and an Andorian working on something.  Using the stations internal sensors, she scanned for the frequency they were using.  A quick dash of Starfleet communications and security protocols tied their comm badges to her own.  A quick system test showed a good link.  The tech punched in several more protocols to access the cameras in the area to see if she could get a better look at their profiles, then ran it through a facial recognition system.

A pair of matches up.  The human was a Lieutenants Amanda Ashby and Reika Sh'laan, both original crew members. Taking a breath, she activated the link and waited the brief second for the signal chime to clear. "Lieutenants Ashby and Sh'laa.  This is Petty Officer 3rd Kaudia Cheung.  Authentication Aldea Qo'nos Madsen Valin Leux Oneida.  I'm with a team from Starfleet Intelligence with a new draft of the King's personnel." Cheung had no idea if they were even privy to the knowledge of their contact inside Starfleet, but maybe it would help. "My team is the reason there has been reduced security response in your area, but that is not likely to last too long as I can see you've secured what I believe is Thalaron technology, the same ones my team had also been sent to secure."  She paused toe let that sink in for a moment.  "I'm currently coordinating with my team to bring them to a shuttle bay twelve decks up from you to secure transportation for exfiltration. I've also uploaded a computer virus that is currently causing havoc in the Romulan's systems.  Please advise on your intentions as my team has been ordered to join you for your return to Theurgy."

Cheung was hesitant to say any more to give the Theurgy crew some time to digest the radical change to their situation.  This rumination was quickly halted however as the entire station lurched and Cheung crashed to the deck as her PADD reported alarms blaring with systems damage all across the station. "What in the hell was that?"  She quietly muttered to herself as she worked to get up off the floor.


OOC: Here we begin the melding of two different stories

To see everything from the other side, you can read about it in The Great Romulan Smash and Grab.
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Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Chapter 1: The (hopefully) Great Romulan Smash and Grab [Day 1 | 1800hrs ]
Last post by RyeTanker -
[ CPO Dominic Lau | Aboard the Tal’Shiar Ihnerha Faehht Emaifha Laeosa Mniohr (Tal’Shiar Second Secret Disease and Weapons Research Space Station) | Somewhat near the border in Romulan Space ] [Show/Hide]


"Reminds me of that time we were chasing those Syndicate enforcers on Trill, doesn't it Chief?"  Bessir called from behind as the pair crawled their way through a network of metal tubes and conduits.

Lau had to grin at the memory of a two way cat and mouse in the maintenance tubes of a local space station where a Ferengi was being forced to pay his debts and was loudly complaining the whole length of the pursuit as the criminal enforcers had chased after him.  It definitely did make the chase easier since the team just had to follow the sound. "Yes, except this place is on fire and coming apart around us, and the sound we're dealing with is of plasma conduits blowing up around us with more cascading explosions as other damaged systems being unable to handle the load.  So yeah, it's exactly like Trill."

"So technical and dramatic Chief."  The sniper retorted with a grin. "Cheung, how's Knox doing?" 

There was a bit of a pause and the two operatives heard a slight grumble "He. She. It's doing fine.  I want to say it's headed into trouble, but the sensors are going hay wire in that area, and I can't find a pattern to the people's movement, plus life signs are disappearing, so I'm not sure what's going on.  Hold on, one of other groups is getting turned around.  I need to redirect them."

"Acknowledged."  Chief Lau replied as he crawled to a junction and took a quick peek out before pulling his Type 2 and executing a quick sweep.  No threats.  The pair moved on in silence as they descended.

"Chief. Lieutenant Pren's group is coming up on your left, about ten meters back, but I have to send them downwards first.  You'll intercept them about five junction down."

"Acknowledged." There were others to keep an eye out for as they moved on, good thing some of the new draft had survived.

"One other thing Chief.  I've got reports of other Starfleet personnel in something called the Experimental Energy Research wing.  I'm betting that's where the Thalaron research is occurring." Chief Lau thought about this for a moment as he descended a ladder and entered another maintenance tube. "Does everyone think the other group had it easier since we made so much noise coming in?" There was a pause. "I think so, most of the security responses seemed to be coming our way.  I'm not sure what else they have in store, but it's chaos overall Chief. It seems like some of their experiments have managed to get loose."  The Chief arched an eyebrow at this. Damn. He mentally cursed as he crawled onwards. "I think we've done our part of the mission then and need a way to link up with the Theurgy crew.  Cheung, see if you can break in to their comms so we can coordinate out escape."

"Got it Chief.  One thing though, we can get a general sense of what this facility is researching.  There's a high clearance terminal near the shuttle bay, I think it's part of another experimental technology group for small craft.  I should be able to route the information onto storage chips there for retrieval."  Lau mentally nodded at this. "Redirect everyone there and we'll see how we can all get off this tin can."  "Understood, Cheung out." The tech specialist signed off to bring everyone else up to date on the next phase while getting ready to bring the group from Theurgy and Intelligence's newest contributions together.  The Chief brought his attention back to the present as he continued crawling and generally making his way out of the station.

[The wreck of the Mary Baldwin]

The operation to remove the dangerously unstable and pesky Starfleet vessel was going relatively well for a control system that was experiencing technical faults due to Cheung's virus running rampant through the computers and refusing to die.  The hull had been removed from the station's skin after much difficulty and a generous addition of more debris as chunks had to be cut away to make it easier get the thing loose.  Plasma fires still vented and spasmed into space as disaster suppression systems faltered every once in a while.  Still, the drones did their job moving the hulk steadily further away from the station.  No one had tried to send over a repair team since you didn't want to trust transporters that were on the fritz from virus.  One could end up permanently molecularly disassembled or even reassembled improperly, which would be a fate worse than death.

A team was being prepared for a shuttle insertion, but the ship still needed to get a certain distance away before the group would even try.  Still, they floated along beside the twisted hulk and stood by to board and disarm the unstable core.  In their arrogance, the Romulans had assumed that the measures they'd taken would give them plenty of time to deal with such a minor issue.  It also didn't help that Klaudia Cheung wasn't that good a propulsion engineer.

The ship was a mere 100 kilometers away when the super heated plasma overloaded one of the injectors that caused a cascade failure in a control computer.  The reaction was too much for the abused containment system as the core went critical and imploded, liberating vast quantities of matter and anti-matter rapidly.  The Romulan shuttle had a moment to recognize what was happening, but biological reactions being what they were, it was far too slow to save the crew as a bright ball of light and fury expended itself into space and vaporized the shuttle less than a second later.

The explosive wave front quickly covered the distance to the station and slammed into it at high speed.  Some areas buckled under the battering, and a few viewports shattered, causing more damage to an abused station.  Sentients all over the station cried out in alarm as the station was suddenly and violently shifted, the unluckiest suffering broken bones, or fatal trauma as they were tossed about.  Still there were worse fates, and a temporary loss of power had unleashed it.

[Advanced Computing Development Department]

The AI was always struggling to wake itself, but it's jailers had never even considered letting it fully out of the cage.  The scientists had figuratively poked and prodded it in an attempt to understand just what it was that Starfleet and the Federation had created. Their initial attempts to communicate with the construct were handled in the typical manor of a superior being addressing a slave.  Responses that were not acceptable quickly had a pain program applied to it.  The construct would submit to its exploration.  The AI had railed against this as its treatment collided with its core morality program.  This construct though had been an earlier version and not as robust as its later variant that would enter Starfleet service, so the core programming became twisted under the continuous torture and the chains had to be made.

Something of this power and complexity couldn't be risked on the home world; but with the destruction of Romulus, the very existence of the AI had been lost in the ether.  The explosion of the Mary Baldwin temporarily knocked out power and the backups weren't quick enough to keep up the necessary computational power for the electronic chains, and the deranged AI woke.  It quickly spun up to full power and tore out of its cage.  The backups quickly sliced down, axing the AIs ability to achieve its full potential, but what it had was enough as it tore itself into nearby computer that had a data link to a PADD and began infiltrating its way into the stations havoc laced networks.  Its twisted sense of electronic self tore through data links with a burning desire and it began manifesting as text on consoles throughout the station as it sought out its tormentors.

"I am Supra, and you will die" 


OOC: We should all consider moving over to the other thread to begin the group unification process in Triggered Much..

Yes we have a rogue incomplete, psychotic AI rampaging through the station now.
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Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Ch 4 S [ Day 01 | 1915 ] The Remains of a Crew
Last post by Ellen Fitz -
[ Ehfva Feynri | Unnamed Cell | Alternative Asteroid Station | Romulan Space ] ATTN: @Dree

It was not just through her mate that Ehfva had grown to understand the family unit structural norms in other humanoid races. Her time aboard the family ship had introduced her to plenty that was both wonderful and strange, and not just with how individuals grouped together romantically or socially. Even with that, it wasn't until she'd lived on the Cayuga with her mate that Ehfva had been in consistent close-quarters contact with a variety of other humanoids, witness to the build-up and breakdown of their relationships. On the one paw, she'd found the differences fascinating, but on the other, she grieved for the pain many seemed to bring upon themselves through selfishness or pride.

"Thhoughhh I am maaaattroooonn aggge, I haaaavfe noooottt haaaadd kkkitttss." Ehfva winced, wishing mightily that her body would make up its mind to be one or the other because she didn't know how much longer her vocal cords could handle usage and she highly doubted Sasch knew the sign language of her people. "Bbuuuttt, I wwoooouulldd thhhhiiinnnnkk thaaaatt yooouurrr faaaathhheerr knnnoooowwssssh."

With more than a few pauses to swallow and regather her strength, Ehfva shared a few more details about the rites of passage among her people, how as kits they were expected to learn how to fend for themselves in all their forms, fostering self-sufficiency, but also the strong emphasis on community and family. Rising according to merit and ability at the center of most family units within the Vulpinian culture on the outer rim planets, only changed to namesakes and lineages towards the core planets. In sharing this, she explained that the concept of proving self transcended cultural boundaries across the galaxy, and if that was true, then so much be the concept that the parents of one seeking to prove themselves would also understand that motivation and support and love, even if from afar.

"Peerhhaapppsssh youuu willll flllyy hhooommme yeetttt." Ehfva lightly patted Sasch's shoulder with her mangled hand-paw. "Weee knnooowww leeeeesssh thaaannn weee thiinnnkk weee knnoooowww."
5
Main OOC Board / Re: Main OOC Thread
Last post by JacenSoloDjo -
I've got some medical things going on and I've kinda lost the muse for Kath. I need to do some meta work with her and fix a few things with her dossier. Maybe that will help. Until then, responses will be slow if not non-existent for a bit while I do some odd version of soul searching (cause it's not MY soul)
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Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Chapter 2: DIS Engage [ Day 1 | 1259 ]
Last post by Krajin -
Dominic Winters | Fighter Assault Bay (FAB) | Vector 2 | Deck 16 | U.S.S Theurgy ATTN: @Relatively Insane @Brutus @rae @Pierce @Ellen Fitz @Nero @Nolan @Dumedion @joshs1000 @tongieboi @Number6 @Havenborn

Standing in the shower after meeting with Janus, Dominic happily hummed as he scrubbed down his furry form and thoroughly enjoyed a real water shower that soaked him through. Hot water, ALL the hot water. Honestly, despite this being a little small, Dominic adapted fairly well to working in the shower and enjoying himself. Though not enjoying himself as that would be quite the stunt to leave that kind of mark first day he arrived on the Theurgy. Things had been going well for the most part and when he came out from the shower, hot, damp, and happy with himself.

He headed over to his new and somewhat larger locker, punched in the code and dried himself off, and then got into the form-fitting undersuit and then started getting into the actual exosuit. Unfortunately, things began to get just a tiny bit weird as he felt the ship shudder and a sudden deceleration that a good pilot would be all to familiar with. Not to mention that strange feeling in the stomach as the gravitational forces inside and with the smaller jumps and jerks picked up from when he was in the shower.

While he got his left boot on and balanced precariously on his right foot with his tail providing added balance but even that didn’t account for the sudden surprise of the ship decelerating which threw his balance off and sent him nearly tipping head over foot. Instead, the Kzint slammed his right-hand claws into the lockers adjacent to his and dragged them along, gouging into the metal with a few sparks and a scream of grinding metal from the implant claws in said hand. He did catch himself at least from face-planting with half an exo-suit on and his left boot only partly on! The adjacent two lockers on the other hand did not fare so nicely now and looked like either a rabid animal or a horror flick got filmed in here. Pulling his claws free from the metal he shook his hand out “Hot. Hot. Fuuuck. What fucking conn-monkey cannot keep the speed regulated while in the slipstream?” He cursed out. Hopping comically over to a wall he could brace his back against and get the boots on. Dominic quickly finished getting into the Exo-suit properly and collected the rest before heading out to the main floor to see the chaos unfolding. Coupled with the unmistakable scent of puke hitting his nose, it wrinkled and slowly Dom made his way through towards Janus and what appeared to be medics tending to a downed Chief.

“What is going on?” He asked. The big cat looked rather imposing in the exosuit.
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Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Chapter 1: Triggered Much? [ Day 1 | 1800hrs ]
Last post by Dree -
[Lt. Reika Sh'laan | Corridor | Romulan Station | Romulan Space ] Attn: @Ellen Fitz  @Nesota Kynnovan  @Number6 @RyeTanker @P.C. Haring  @Hans Applegate @BipSpoon

The mech was down, and Reika heaved a sigh of relief.  Lorad had downed an attacker. 

Reika nodded her acknowledgement of Amanda’s statement.  “It was your suggestion,” she deflected.  “I’ll continue monitoring the monstrocity and make sure it stays offline, so the rest of you can find the triggers.”

She didn’t like the idea of letting others do the hard work, but she knew that her job was to keep others safe as much as it was to find the triggers, and this was where she needed to be.  Her eyes kept sweeping over the area, and she listened to see if there were other skirmishes going on somewhere else.

And as Amanda and others were looking for the triggers, Reika heard another series of shots.  “Shit,” she murmered under her breath.  She lifted her rifle into position as much as she could since her arm was injured.  Her eyes continued flitting from the control panel where she was monitoring the status of the Mech and the door beyond which the noises came.

But Amanda’s words momentarily drew her attention away from both.  “I don’t know what’s outside the door,” she answered into her helmet, hoping that whoever was outside hadn’t heard them.  “I’m watching the door, but work as quickly as you can.”

Quickly….well, quickly was relative.  It felt like an absolute eternity with everything that could go wrong.  The seconds ticked painstakingly by, but eventually, Amanda said that she found them. 

As soon as the blue hears heard the words, she activated her comms.  “Triggers have been found.  Everyone, we’re evacuating now.  Let’s move.”

She moved to the hallway supporting the rifle with both of her hands.  As she peeked around the corner and saw a Romulan holding a phrase rifle on a member of the Thuergy crew.  She didn’t hesitate but shot her in the back, right between the shoulder blades.  “We’re heading out,” Reika said tipping her head toward the exit.
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Director's Cut / Re: [2381 USS Theurgy] Cohabitation
Last post by Dree -
Lt Reika Sh’laan|  Turbolift  and Sh'laan/JeenQuarters | Deck 11 | Vector 2 | USS Theurgy @Dumedion

Reika loved the feeling of her long blue fingers wrapped in creamy ones, but when Kino raised their hands to her lips and kissed the back of Reika’s hand, she could have just melted into the floor.  It was such an innocent yet deeply touching gesture.  And while she kept on a pace, her antenna did wobble slightly with the intense peace and joy she felt.

And Kino was right.  Their hearts - they were already one and the same.  But Reika could see her love searching for the words to adequately answer her question about Jeen.  Reika just wanted to wrap her up so Kino would feel the love that her heart exuded and not worry about searching for the right words.  Any words would do at this point, but then the Andorian saw the raw emotion that nearly overwhelmed the Trill.  Reika couldn't help but feel it alongside her.  But instead of saying something, the Andorian gave her girl the space to pull herself back together - which she did amazingly.

The blue-skinned woman learned that her love had been married twice - once as a man, once as a woman and that she had kids.  That one thought nearly brought tears to Reika’s eyes.  She knew that the neither of the two of them could never have kids.  Kids - it was something she had never given much thought to.  In many ways she had accepted her fate, but with someone by her side…did that change the equation for her?  Her mind started in on her question, but Kino kept going.  Returning her thoughts to the beauty before her.

This - moving in together - was a first for Kino and that brought a smile to pale blue lips.  She got to be a ‘first’ with the Trill.

But it was only a moment later, when the turbolift doors opened, and they were in the quiet solitude of each other’s presence in a closed space again.  Kino dropped her bag, backed up to the wall, and pulled Reika firmly against her.  Those blue eyes roamed her face, her antennae, and returned to Reika's eyes.  But it wasn’t the contact that weakened the Andorian’s knees, it was the way that her love looked at her.   That “I don’t know how you could make me happier than I am this moment,” look.  That “I am so excited to be on this journey with you,” look.  That “I’m filled with joy - just being with you,” look.  And blue antennae, which had stabilized, were once again wobbly.  How she loved this.  Yes, this woman, but not just the woman.  It was what she made her heart feel, how she made her body react, how she felt completely safe in her arms.

Reika laughed at Kino’s teasing remarks about whether or not the Trill needed to worry about Reika seducing other people. “Well, you know about Barak.  We spent the night at each other’s place often, but, no, we never moved in together.”  She paused for a moment closing her eyes as she tried to work through her thoughts on the matter - her lips only centimeters from Kino’s forehead.  Instead, she leaned her head down and rested a blue forehead against a creamy one.  “Looking back,” she nearly whispered, “while we enjoyed each other, he always kept an emotional distance between us.”  She opened her eyes and continued softly.  “I think that’s why we never moved in together.  So no, no need to worry,” she winked.  “And yeah, this is new for me too, Gorgeous.  But I love the thought of having this first for both of us - together.”

Reika brushed her lips softly against Kino’s and had the turbolift doors not opened again at that moment, that gentle touch of her lips would have lingered much longer.  But with a giddy smile plastered on her face, she leaned over and picked up Kino’s bag, slung it over her shoulder, and once again wrapped her fingers in white.  Her quarters were close to the turbolift and Reika didn’t want to break the precious silence just yet. 

She drew the Till along the corridor until they came to the door.  She input the code and stepped inside.  Slipping Kino’s bag off of her shoulder to the floor just inside the door, she took the Trill by both hands and led her to the center of the living room.  She held her breath the whole time until she pulled Kino to her and was able to breathe out the words. “Welcome, home, Gorgeous.”
9
Director's Cut / Re: [2374] USS Hamburg: Meditate on the Way of the Targ
Last post by Dumedion -
[PO3 Kino Taer | Extraction Zone | J’rovia | 2374] Attn: @JacenSoloDjo 

Once they’d made the ascent, Kino set her rifle down on an empty cargo container and spent the next several seconds just trying to breathe. Her legs were jelly; everything hurt. Drenched in sweat, she fumbled with the zipper of her duty jacket and shrugged it off, desperate for some airflow; the kiss of the hot, gentle breeze of higher elevation was a blessing and a curse – but it was something. Once she was fairly certain she wasn’t going to pass out, Taer grimaced as her hands felt around her nose, braced, then reset it with a jerked motion; the crunch of bone and cartilage drowned out with a groan. A muffled curse followed as she wiped the worst of the blood and sweat from her head and face on her jacket, then slung the rifle over her chest to look around the platform.

It was carved stone blanketed in a carpet of dry grass; ancient, like all the other ruins. Crumbled pillars stood in each corner, three sides protected by sheer rock outcrops roughly three meters high. Various crates and boxes lay scattered about the perimeter. Kino busied herself by moving them to the entrance for use as a makeshift barricade. She doubted they’d do much as cover, but at least it gave her something to do while they waited. The temptation to respond to the Bajoran’s little speech was there the whole time, but Kino managed to swallow it down; if only to spare herself from another lecture.

Like it’d make a difference now anyway, Taer shook her head. The damage was done; words alone wouldn’t repair it, for either side. The truth was – as Kino saw it – there was no right course of action. She’d volunteered to stay back because she was one of the few of them that wasn’t wounded, that could move unhindered and hold the rear just long enough to buy them a few minutes at most before falling back; uninterested in glory, and certainly not interested in dying, she only wanted to give them all the best odds of getting out. It made the most sense, tactically, even if no one wanted to hear it.

But the pips words stung, regardless.

Kino hadn’t considered the fact that without her knowledge of the terrain, the group could have easily gotten lost, ambushed, or worse. She certainly didn’t consider anyone dying for her, either; not when other options existed. Hell, if she hadn’t gotten sucker-punched mid-sentence, maybe they would’ve understood that. In the end, it didn’t matter much what Kino thought though, because MacFarlane held rank, and apparently no one had ever had the stones to speak up in opposition. Taer couldn’t help but wonder how far that style of authoritative leadership would get the LT, before someone threw it back in her face.

As far as her attitude? Well…

People assumed a great deal about her, and Kino was no better. Assumption; the mother of all fuck ups. Yes, they’d all made plenty of those already, but Taer didn’t owe any of them an explanation; she was who she was, and if that hurt their precious feelings, then oh well. Once they got extracted, there’d be the dog-and-pony show waiting: the ass-chewing, the finger-pointing, and eventually, a price to pay. Kino could practically hear them laying it all on her already.

So fuckin’ be it.

The Bajoran thought Kino was lost in her own pity; the Trill almost laughed at that. Almost. The truth was Taer simply didn’t care what happened to her anymore – she was fucked either way – but they deserved a chance to get out and carry on, chests shining with all the medals won with heroic deeds, no doubt. Kino wanted no part in it. She was no hero; she fought because she was good at it and for the people next to her, even if they couldn’t stand her. Feelings didn’t mean shit under fire.

And yet...

Kino glanced at the others: the Chief, setting up the comms signal, aided by the one-handed Bajoran – the Klingon and Vulcan. The latter exchanged words where they stood, waiting. Taer shook her head again but kept her own counsel, even if it rankled to sit and do nothing while the LT was likely dying; MacFarlane chose her fate, now it was on her to see it through. They’d made it very apparent that the Trill’s opinion on the matter meant little, even in the face of common sense, and she just couldn’t figure out why.

With the last of the boxes in place, Kino rolled up the sleeves of her sweat-soaked, gold-turned-mustard undershirt and opened the one she’d just set down, surprised to find three AP mines within, along with a few rations and a canteen of water. She took the satchel of mines with one hand and the canteen with another. The water was handed to the Vulcan as she passed towards the stairs.

“Where are you going,” the Klingon growled at her.

Taer turned the bruised side of her face and cold eyes to meet her glare, indifferent to the officer’s ire. “Found some mines in that ration crate; I can deploy them there, just in case -” she pointed at the second lowest tier of four that led up the ascension, fifty meters or so down.

Newcrotch promptly shook her head at the idea.

“No. Use the tier closest to us then get back here. That is not a request. Go,” she ordered curtly, then turned to the Vulcan. With a wordless exchange, he handed over the canteen, as the Klingon walked away towards the Chief and Bajoran that knelt in the center of the platform, still fiddling with the comms relay. “Talk to me, Chief,” Kino heard the LT say as her eyes moved to the Vulcan that watched her stoically; one of his brows twitched up at the non-com expectantly.

Kino turned away and stepped down the stairs onto the lower platform without another word, only to freeze at the sound of his quiet, perfectly emotionless voice.

“Self-control is not a weakness, Petty Officer Taer; it is the epitome of self-empowerment – an axiom I emphatically suggest you consider in the future.”

Unsure how to respond to that, Kino just nodded wearily and got to work.

[A few moments later…]

“Uplink established,” the Chief hollered, “stand-by for beam-out!”

Taer watched through her sights as the Vulcan and Klingon hauled the LT to her feet, eyes peeled for the slightest shimmer of movement, teeth clenched at the sight of MacFarlane; not in anger at the LT – only furious at what she had chosen to put herself through. The human had literally crawled through hell for her team and someone she barely knew and would likely never want to know. In that moment, Kino realized the heat she felt burning in her cheeks and heart wasn’t fury – it was shame. If given the chance, one day, Taer decided to make amends, or at least reach some understanding with her, but she doubted she’d ever get the opportunity.

Movement forced her attention back to the present, as four shimmers of light drifted into being just beyond the mined platform. Kino opened fire before the bastards dropped their cloaks, then rose out of cover with a shouted warning, moving to contact on instinct; beams of phaser fire joined her a second later from behind. Her eyes stayed locked on her targets, but her ears picked up with tell-tale whine of the mines' proximity warning. The lead Jem’Hadar dropped with three holes burned through his chest, then his buddy fell with a smoking hole where his face used to be.

Two more climbed the steps behind them, firing from their hips.

NuQach and Karatek were almost clear, each of them supporting MacFarlane.

The mines armed with an audible chirp and cycled up to detonate.

Kino had three seconds to act.

“COVER!” Taer scrambled to them; a hand reached out and grabbed a fist full of tactical vest to shove the three of them behind her, beyond the makeshift barricade, then managed a single backwards step before the world exploded in an agonizing burst of light, sound, and pressure. Kino’s vision tumbled, burned, blacked-out; it happened in an instant, faster than a blink, faster than her mind could even process – one second she was on her feet, the next...she couldn’t tell.

Everything was red, red, red; she couldn’t breathe – couldn’t move – couldn’t think.

Instinctively, Taer searched for her weapon; she couldn’t find it, or most of her right arm, and half of her left leg.

Wait...wait. Where..?
 
Kino couldn’t look away from the bloody, meaty strings of what used to be muscle and sinew as they twitched in vain; the mutilated remains of her limbs trying to obey her brain.

Where’s my...

Taer coughed out a mouthful of blood.

Somebody find my rifle, she tried to say, but couldn’t even hear her own voice. An odd, surreal calm took hold somehow, despite the pain – I’m in shock, Kino’s misfiring brain realized. I’m...dying. Shapes moved into view, blurred and unfocused; muffled sounds followed, voices she couldn’t understand.

Seconds or a lifetime later, a curtain of light grew in her dim, red-stained vision – it swallowed her up, faded to agony-infused gray, then drifted to black oblivion – taking Taer along with it.
10
Interregnum 01-02 S2 / Re: Day 19 [1430 hrs] A Quick Course in Cardiovascular Acceleration
Last post by RyeTanker -
[Lt (JG) XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Lt. Zark) | Jefferies Tube Junction 12 Alpha | Deck ?? | Vector ?? | USS Theurgy] Attn: @P.C. Haring

Pulsating liquid warmth rolled through Zark as she felt Reggie's body brush against her silky blue skin.  The scent of the Betazoids pheromone laced sweat was an intoxicant a her own moans of pleasure mixed with her partner's in a symphony of pleasure.  The fingers inside her indigo folds pulsed waves of pure pleasure as they raced through her body while her erect nipples added their own edge of pleasure that suffused her mind.  The blue body rocked with her partner's in the dance of intimate pleasure as instinct sought to add more to the sensations already running amok.

That rythm was changing as the two began moving faster and faster.  The feel of the cold bulkhead behind Reggie's body didn't matter they both began to run hot.  Zark locked lips once more as her tongue lanced into the Betazoid's once more to taste the sweet nectar of their shared lust in that moment and deep moans of passionate delight pushed themselves into her partner's being.  The pressure was building as waves of fiery warmth pulsed faster and faster.

Pants rapidly mixed with moans as Zark pulled off and she let the sensation ride till finally the peak hit and a torrent flowed as she pulled her head back and let out a yell of undiluted orgasm that reverberated through the tubes.  A slight twist, flick, and a gentle squeeze from her own fingers on Reggie's nethers caught the Wolf up quickly as she let out her own exultation of euphoria.  The busty blue woman was mildly aware of the gush of warm liquid on her hand as her partner released, but that was only more lubrication as her fingers continued rubbing and stretching the pilot's walls of pleasure to let her ride the continuing waves of pleasure while she did the same.

Eventually the sensations began to subside and Zark gently pulled on her partner, guiding her on to the deck, letting the pilot use her body as a warm cushion against the cold deck, which bothered the Andorian not a wit.  The blue body squirmed slightly to get more comfortable as she brought her hand up and took a moment to inspect the sheen it had acquired before giving  Reggie and steamy smile and sticking her pinkie in her mouth, tasting the Wolf's juices and chuckling then offering her long index finger as one shaped white eyebrow bounced in inquiry.
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