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Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Ep. 2: S [Day 02 | 1743 hrs] Lay Down Your Burdens

Last post by joshs1000 - Today at 05:21:18 AM

Cmdr. (3rd) Hassar al-Zaheer | Observation Lounge 4 | Deck 15 | Vector 03 | USS Theurgy] Attn: @chXinya
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Stars, in their multitudes, filling the darkness of space with a great orderly light. A glimpse into the past of hundreds if not thousands of years. The beauty of it served to both awe Hassar and fill him with a strange heavy sensation like anxiety at the thought of what lay beyond for as many little pinpricks of light were stars, just as many were galaxies with their own millions of stars. He hoped to one day lay down his burdens and see them before he passed into the spirit world. Hassar gazed at the stars in wonder from a floor to ceiling window of one of Theurgy’s small observation lounges that were dotted throughout the ship; a small austere room with but a couple couches that faced out the window. He had found this place as he wanted somewhere a bit more tranquil than his quarters to meditate on the day’s events and the great battle that was yet to come, but as he sat crossed legged on the floor he couldn’t help but forgo his meditation and just stare into space.

Unlike Starfleet ships, Arosan military vessels had no windows, except perhaps a small viewing port near an airlock to aid in docking; the concern that one of these windows could break and depressurize a compartment was too great. For Hassar, he didn’t see the stars for almost the first ten years of his life, and even after the only times he could see them, out the cockpit of a transport craft, through the small windows of a civilian vessel, the time to gaze upon them was always short and unsatisfying. It wasn’t until his species found their new home world that he could finally take the time to actually look up and appreciate the beauty of the heavens. It honestly boggled his mind the more he interacted with members of Starfleet how they could be so dismissive of the fact that they could so easily see the stars, but he was sure it was simply because they had had a far different relation to space than his people did.

Having originally intended to meditate he had stripped off his gear down to just his trousers, laid it on one of the couches along with his guns, and, per his cultural customs, removed his boots and left them by the door. This left him shirtless apart from a bandage wrapped around his chest and the ritualistic body paint he had applied to various parts of his body and face for meditation. Hassar shifted a little to get more comfortable with a mild wince of pain. His wounds from fighting the Romulan earlier in the day had been healed but were still pretty tender. The doctor explained that the tenderness had something to do with the instruments not being fully calibrated for his anatomy or something like that. Medicine was not his strong suit. Surprisingly though it was not the knife wound in his thigh that hurt but rather the big burn he had in the center of his chest. Turns out he had been lucky, his armor had protected him from the disruptor blast itself but the heat had melted the armor material which burned his skin. He actually hadn’t felt the burning sensation at the time, just the feeling like somebody had kicked him in the chest. At any rate, it was distracting for the purposes of meditation which required that he bring his knuckles together in front of his chest with his thumbs pressed into it; every time he twitched or breathed there would be a twinge of pain as the sensitive flesh was prodded and rubbed through his bandage.

He sighed and shook his head then gleaned back out the window, not so much at the stars this time but the spectral streaks of light that flew past. This was an artifact of warp, if he understood what he was told by a Starfleet engineer correctly, though the streaks would seem to be stars flying past they were actually light from stars and other luminous objects being distorted around the warp field as the ship moved. As much as he wasn’t an expert in medical affairs nor was he in warp either, though his people simply called it faster-than-light (FTL). Nonetheless he found the strange streaks mesmerizing to watch and he remembered back on his first trip aboard a Federation starship when he spent hours staring at them, and the stars, from out the window of his quarters.

But he could not remain staring out the window forever, he had duties to attend to before the ship reached its destination and he hoped to get some actual mediation in before he was needed elsewhere. After re-adjusting himself, Hassar took a few slow deep breaths to relax his body then closed his eyes. Slowly he brought his knuckles together in front of his chest, finding a spot that wasn’t too tender, then started to slowly inhale and exhale. His mind focussed on his breathing then gradually it drifted away into some deep recess that only Hassar could reach. He thought of nothing in particular, just took enjoyment in the peaceful silence of an empty world; there was no Theurgy nor great window of stars, no fear or anxiety, his problems were an unfathomable distance from where he was now.

Balance…

Hassar had no way of knowing how long he was in this state but the sudden familiar swish of the doors to the room broke his concentration and took him out of his tranquil state. He turned his head and torso to get a look at the newcomer as said newcomer apologized for disturbing him. Though he had the lights of the lounge turned off to allow the natural starlight to fill the space, the lights of the corridor illuminated what Hassar was pretty sure was a Andorian, the blue aliens with antennae. This one was a lighter tone than he had seen before with long hair. Even in the low light he could see that the Andorian had handsome features.

“No, it’s ok you can come in if you like”, Hassar called after the Andorian before he could leave.

I should have locked the door, he thought to himself as he turned back to the big window of stars with a small smile.

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Epi 2 [ D02 | 2300 hrs.] All Squared up at the Triangle

Last post by Dumedion - February 04, 2025, 09:41:26 PM

In the few short weeks out of cryo, she’d never really spent much time in the pilot’s rec room; the Den had always felt like Ghost’s stomping grounds – thick with cloying cigar smoke and synth-booze. Rawley had always been there, loitering or hunched over the pool table to greet Talia with a grin, no matter who was around.

The place seemed diminished, now.

The lights were dimmed so those who could rest at least could make an honest effort. Talia wanted so desperately to sleep, but her mind simply couldn’t be bothered to switch off – despite how tired she felt, mentally and physically. She’d never flown more than three sorties in a shift. The demands of combat were still fresh, and everything she’d seen and done had yet to be fully processed and decompressed. It was exhausting just sitting there, nursing a cup of coffee, while she tried to quiet her mind and just deal with it all. Others might have sought out the company of peers or friends, but Talia preferred the silence – it was a comfort, away from the noise of the FAB just beyond the bulkhead, a brief respite from endless readiness checklists, inspections, rearming, and most of all, the people.

She’d already noted the change in their eyes. The loss, the anger, the grief.

Some pushed it aside and carried on as if nothing had happened. Most of them. She had to remind herself that for most of the crew, this was only another combat action in a series of running combat actions ever since the Theurgy fought its way out of Sol. Six months of running combat. That was a sobering thought, one that finally punched reality home; the fact of the matter was, the odds of any of them surviving seemed laughable. A distant hope, even. Would Starfleet even accept them if they pulled it off and somehow managed to neutralize the Infested? With everything they’d done, and the unthinkable, unknowable acts to come, the idea seemed hilariously bleak.

Ghost lived that mentality; she took everything in stride, and kept on laughing. Shadow couldn’t quite understand that…nonchalant attitude. Suddenly, finally, it made sense...and then, Talia laughed; a low chuckle, despite everything, as understanding dawned in her heart and mind. Death could claim any of them at any moment, whether they did everything right or not; what mattered was living while it lasted – not chasing perfection, or worrying about what other people thought, or holding grudges against people she’d likely never see or hear from again.

Living. Just that. No more bullshit.

Shadow sat back with a sigh after setting the cold cup of coffee aside, to stretch out on the couch with a snarl of servos from her exosuit. Dark, bloodshot eyes closed, as her mind slowly blanked and slipped away into nothingness. An instant or eternity later, Talia bolted awake to another scramble order. The ship was already under fire as she strode out onto the flight deck, helm tucked under her arm…

We’re in the thick of it now, Arven grimaced as the ship shook around him; the ICU was packed to capacity, as well as the Ward down the hall. They were treating patients out in the reception area, saving space for those more grievously wounded, as well as sending everyone they couldn’t get to the smaller med-station on Vector 3.

“Hold him,” Leux nodded down at his work, as a slim pair of hands held the burnt and smoking remains of an engineer enlisted rating to the operating bed. The seemingly endless barrage of incoming fire wasn’t helping Arven's mood or operating efficiency, which had never been the Doctor’s strong suit. Fortunately, the poor bastard was unconscious, otherwise Leux was quite sure he’d be screaming in agony. There was enough of that going on around him already.

Violet eyes looked up and glanced at the chaos, before turning to the nurse across the table with weary resignation. For his life, Arven couldn’t remember her name; that didn’t stop him from cracking a tired smile, for her sake. “Just want you to know, you’re doing great,” he offered, quite sincerely, but in the usual dead-pan, cynical tone he always used.

She blinked in confusion, then nodded, as if he’d said something utterly unthinkable.

Arven just shrugged and went back to cutting the charred uniform from burnt flesh. He’d done a lot of that already, and the casualties just kept coming. “How many more are out there,” he jerked his head back and to the side without taking his eyes off his work.

“I…a lot,” the nurse hesitated. “We’re running out of room.”

Arven snorted dryly. “First time, eh? Just means we need to work faster,” he paused to rip a swath of fabric free with a grunt, then folded the rest of the man’s shirt down past his waist while the nurse pulled his trousers free. Once he was finally stripped, Leux closed the regenerative processor panels closed over his torso and left leg and activated the console.

“Short run only, we don’t have time for a full cycle. Soon as he’s done, gurney him to the ward or wherever else we have space and send in the next,” Leux nodded to her as another nurse stuck his head into the room.

“Code blue, ICU,” he shouted and disappeared.

Arven ran after him without saying another word.

[...later, shortly after the arrival of the Apache and Allegiant]
[PO2 Kino Jeen | Medbay | Upper Deck | USS Allegiant] Attn: @RyeTanker @Ellen Fitz
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She woke with a start, half-blinded by the light and pain that throbbed in time with her heart. It took a few seconds for Kino to realize where she was and remember what had happened, but she sat up anyway while the fog lifted. The Romulan was the last person she expected to see and wasn’t even on the list of people she hoped to see – but there he was, staring at her with that idiotic grin, like they were old buddies – which the Trill met by narrowing her one remaining eye in annoyance as she slid off the bed to stand.

A hand brushed over the scarred tissue where her ocular implant used to be, then continued up to ruffle through the tangled mess of silver hair with a sigh before she looked around for her weapons. They were gone.

“Where the hell’s my –“ she demanded, but was interrupted as the door opened. Kino’s head snapped around to shoot a glare at the door and the figure that leaned into the room, while the solitary medical officer left.

“Jeen,” Chief Nilsson barked as the ship shuddered around them again. “Get your ass to the armory and get geared up, we’re coming in hot. SecOps will brief you when your ready for transport.”

“What about him,” Kino nodded to the Romulan.

“He’s with you. Agans and Falvar too,” Nilsson nodded to them both, then left.

Kino popped the tension from her neck as she grabbed the bloody remains of her duty jacket and headed to the door. “Outstanding,” she grunted to herself sarcastically. “Look, you better keep up or stay out of my way. I’m not rated for babysitting senior citizens. You fall behind, it’s on you. Oh,” she turned to glance at him with a smirk, “and don’t start with the pet names, or I’ll cut your goddamn balls off.”

That said, Kino strode from the medbay out into the hall, bound for the armory.

[Moments later…]

Kino watched with a bemused expression as Falvar and Agans helped Hirek into a loaned exosuit, the chest-piece still blackened with the disruptor fire from the wound that had killed it’s previous owner during the escape from Romulus. That wasn’t what amused her though; it was the look on the Romulan’s face as he tried to keep up with the rapid-fire instructions from her team-mates as they tried to explain it’s basic combat functions and abilities.

This is probably a bad idea, she brooded, but there wasn't much for it. He lived through the Citadel, and even if he claimed to be some kind of lab-rat, Jeen knew better. He wasn't useless, and like all of his kind, he knew more than he let on. Still, she'd watch him all the same, just in case.

Kino checked the power cells on her sidearm, then slid it into the holster at her thigh and drew her blade to check its edge with a twisted flourish. The edge and balance were good, but she ran a few passes over the blade with a whetstone anyway, until the ship lurched and shook again. “Wrap it up guys,” Jeen interrupted them, stowing the blade and hefting her rifle, then opened a channel up to SecOps on the Ranger. “SecOps, Jeen. Reporting in with Team 3, plus one. Requesting sitrep and orders.”

A familiar gentle lilt came back over the comm, but it seemed drained of its emotion, as if a computer had taken over. ["SecOps acknowledges. Be advised: Commander Akoni is KIA by parties unknown, possibly Romulan or Klingon. Lieutenant zh'Wann is in pursuit of target tango 1 heading towards engineering. Profile on target tango 2 is being built with Thea at this time."] There was a pause to catch her breath. ["Head for the AI core while we generate an intercept for you."] Another pause. ["Tangos 1 & 2 are using some sort of stealth tech to conceal their movements. We can only get a partial read within five meters of active tricorders. Thea is working on cracking the stealth, but she's a bit busy at the moment too. Be careful."]

Kino arched a dark brow over the scarred patch of flesh where her eye used to be. “Jeen, solid copy,” she acknowledged, then turned to her team with a nod. “Saddle up boys, we’re moving.” The non-com paused to mag-lock her rifle to her chest-plate then donned her helm before she tapped out a series of commands on the wrist-mounted PADDs, linking her suit to theirs for tactical C&C while she led them to the transporter room.

In her helm, a miniature 3D render of the Helmet sprang into view as the suits auto-senses compensated to her limited field of vision and depth perception. Kino spoke as they walked briskly, briefing them on what she knew. “Got bogies on the Helmet wearing some fancy stealth gear; numbers unknown, objectives unknown. Deputy Ida is in pursuit, covering engineering. We’re headed to the AI core to lock it down while SecOps chews on intel; once we have their position, we close and take them out. All clear?”

“Romulans,” Falvar grunted. “Those pricks ever fight fair?”

Kino snorted and shrugged, then led them into the transporter, with a nod to the control officer. A tap of her finger opened the channel back up to SecOps. "This is Jeen. Team 3 is ready up. Awaiting beam-out to objective," she reported, once they'd all taken a spot on the pad. "Hirek's with me. You two mind the flanks," she jerked a thumb at the Romulan, then pointed to her squadmates in turn. "Eyes up, heads on a swivel. Don't let these fuckers catch us napping."

The transport officer spoke up as the ship took more hits, holding onto his console. "Coordinates received, standby for transport!"

"Let's rock," Kino grinned behind her helm, rifle held low at the ready, as the world grew bright and indistinct and her team disappeared in four columns of light.

Interregnum 01-02 S2 / Re: Day 19 [1430 hrs] A Quick Course in Cardiovascular Acceleration

Last post by RyeTanker - February 03, 2025, 11:43:57 PM

[Lt (JG) XamotZark zh’Ptrell (Lt. Zark) | Jefferies Tube Junction 12 Alpha | Deck ?? | Vector ?? | USS Theurgy] Attn: @P.C. Haring

The vivacious Andorian arched an eye brow suggestively despite Reggie turning down the idea of trying her own love juice. Still, the intimate sensation of running them down the Betazoid's valley was marvellous and the Zhen hummed happily as she bit her lower lip.

Zark hummed back her response and took a moment brush strands of sweaty dark hair behind the Betazoid's ear before gently tracing the outline of the delicate ridge. Strong and slender arms snaked around Reggie's back and pulled her in, chest to chest and blue lips planted a kiss on darker ones. "Hi yourself." she whispered back. Pulling the Wolf into an embrace, she let other woman rest on her for a moment. Then she chuckled as the Andorian acted as a warm mattress for her lover. Her delicate nose inhaled the Betazoid's pheromone laced skin while idly tracing figure eight's on the pilots back with with feathery grace.

The tracing hand glided upwards and along the dark haired woman's neck, pushing strands aside as blue-green eyes locked with dark ones while a mischevous grin slowly tugged at blue cornered lips. "You know. There's something to be said for the theraputic values of a good orgasm and I think you've been under a lot of stress lately." Blue hands bunched the dark hair above while the free hand pushed a panned one towards her own nethers. Blue lips locked with tanned ones again to start the whole cycle over again.

[Somewhere else with no doors in the way...]

The ensign and the crewman were crawling their way through a series of tubes. Ostensibly they were doing routing maintenance, but in reality, they were fucking off and getting away with it. At least, that was the plan till sounds were making their way through the Jefferies Tubes and it was becoming harder to focus on what they were doing as the sounds became more distinct, frantic, and energetic. "Shit!" The ensign groaned. "I thought they were done, but this is...." He couldn't quite finish as he was at a loss for words. The crewman nodded. "Yeah, we're not getting anything done here, maybe a few decks down. I think the junction down more to the port side is farther away. And has a door." The Ensign nodded in silent agreement as he followed the crewman out of the echo chamber of passion they'd wandered into. Maybe it would be safer to return later. Probably much later.

~FIN~

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Chapter 4: Eating Savi Crow? [Day 1 |1815 hours]

Last post by Eirual - February 03, 2025, 07:24:48 PM

[Ens Mia Dunne | Temporary Quarters | Erudite]
Attn: @Brutus @Griff

Mia had stepped back slightly when Barpin had interrupted Alistair. But his words angered her and she stepped closer once more. “Excuse me, but I think you have some nerve. It was YOUR Savi that asked for our help. It’s us who are agreeing to help you, not the other way around. Your ‘primer’ as you call it, is almost useless in developing a plan to prevent the spread of these… parasites.” Mia was getting more upset by Barpin’s comments, ”And as for calling us inferior? Maybe you should look in a mirror sometime. You aren’t as great as you think you are. You know what, just forget it. You don’t want help. What you want is someone else to blame when your so-called superior species really fucks this up!” She spun on her heel and walked away, calling over her shoulder, “A lot of good people are risking their lives for you. You might just consider that fact!”

Mia was livid. How the hell did this race think it was better than every other. It was the Savi that brought this whole thing down upon them, wasn’t it? Didn’t they care that the information she was asking for could be the difference between success and failure? “Superior my ass!”

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Epi 2 S [D02| 1900] The Ravaged Prisoners of War

Last post by Ellen Fitz - February 03, 2025, 10:49:47 AM

Many years ago...

[Ehfva Feynri | Personal Abode | Okashii Atama | Vulpinian Space ] @Dree @Dumedion

Ehfva's ears lowered, tail tucking between her legs, as her grandmother's tongue continued to swipe over the top of her head. It was a mixed gesture, one of admonishment and encouragement. Sitting across the fire pit was her grandfather, his deep amber eyes watching his mate as she tended to the youngest member of their household.

"Why did you hesitate?" His voice rumbled with his advanced years when he finally spoke, breaking the thick silence that hung over the room like a heavy canopy.

"I couldn't see," Ehfva replied, "at least, not clearly. And when I finally could, it was too late." She dropped her gaze to the earthen floor, ashamed. It was her fault their clan had less to eat this day.

Her grandmother's snout tucked under hers, forcing Ehfva's head up, her gaze connecting. "When you are in doubt, you should be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage. You did well, Ehfva. So long as mists envelop you, be still; be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists."

Ehfva glanced over to her grandfather and again lowered her ears when she felt his gaze penetrate into the deeper truth of why she'd failed on the hunt.

"You were not committed to the hunt." He spoke the truth without harshness, waiting for Ehfva to nod confirmation. "Ehfva," he allowed a pensive silence after her acknowledgment, "whatever you do in life, do the very best you can with both your heart and mind, and if you do it that way, the Power of the Universe will come to your assistance if your heart and mind are in Unity." Ehfva nodded, already feeling comforted and ready to try again another day. "When one hunts, one must be responsible because all of creation is related. And the hurt of one is the hurt of all. And the honor of one is the honor of all. And whatever we do effects everything in the universe. If you do it that way- that is, if you truly join your heart and mind as ane- whatever you ask for, that the way it's Going to be."

Ehfva gave her grandmother's snout a quick lick before padding around the firepit and repeating the gesture with her grandfather.

"I vow never to divide my heart and mind again. I want to live in unity."

Present day...

[ Primary Care unit | Main Sickbay | Deck 11 | Vector 2]

The human scream ripped Ehfva from her medicated slumber. Alertness jolted through her ravaged veins, sending the partially transformed Vulpinian's arms out as if seeking to grab hold of whatever was threatening her. When she grasped air and nothing else, Ehfva's eyes opened, blinked shut against the brightness of the lights overhead, then opened again. Without having to look around, Ehfva could tell they were no longer on the Erudite. The smells and sounds were different.

She quickly recognized the source of the scream, Sash, and without bothering to note if there were any others in the room, Ehfva immediately began the the healing chant she'd taught Sash when they'd been prisoners, hoping the sounds would calm the woman down.

Interregnum 01-02 S2 / Re: Day 09 [15:30 hrs,] Once Upon the Island

Last post by Ellen Fitz - February 03, 2025, 10:25:14 AM

[ Lt. Cmdr. Cross | Pirate vessel qu'DuHSum | BIQ'a'bIng Ocean | Qo’Nos ] Attn: @P.C. Haring

Cross couldn't help the self-deprecating snort. "I can acknowledge without claiming to understand or have all the answers. And I don't have all the answers, if any. I already told you that asking me for emotional guidance is likely not the smartest, er, most logical move to take. In a way, it is twistedly ironic that you would want to look for answers and direction from me. It is somewhat my fault that your ability to control your emotions is shot to shit in the first place." He inwardly shuddered as he remembered the mindmeld. "While there's no amount of apologizing to make up for that, and logically, in reflection, there's no need to apologize because neither of could've known that would happen, I still feel like a right bastard for pulling this cape of chaos onto you."

He physically acknowledged her attempt at renewed intimacy by wrapping an arm around her shoulders and hugging her closer.

"The only sort of comfort I can offer is what I've been doing through physical affection and time spent together. Reassurance is another matter. We're both in new territory, Hathev. If anything you're more the expert when it comes to romantic relationships. I've screwed up every attempt at a romantic relationship I've ever had, and there haven't been many. My life has been fixated on my career ever since I was liberated and tutored. Unhealthy or not, I've equated my identity with my position within Starfleet and all of my friends and acquaintances have been made within the fleet and the line of duty." He shook his head. "I'm rather naive about life outside of the fleet, which includes the finer details of how to navigate a romantic relationship. Sex is one thing I can figure out rather instinctively," he fought the urge to wink, figuring playfulness was not exactly the right thing to convey just yet, "romantically shared emotions another."

Cross momentarily tightened his hold on her shoulders. "What do you want, Hathev? From the rest of the time we have on this ship before we make it back to port and Theurgy? I figure we look at life one hour at a time, we can piece together things more easily than if we look at too big of a picture."

Parallel Universes - "What if?" / Re: [2376] Entanglement of Chaos

Last post by Ellen Fitz - February 03, 2025, 10:09:17 AM

[Ens. Enyd Isolde Madsen | Federation Embassy Compound | Cardassia Prime ] ATTN: @RyeTanker

The longer Ryzit spoke of the details of their upcoming mission, the easier it became to look beyond the absurdity of the moment (that of sitting in the room with the spouses while they continued to be semi-intimate with one another) and accept things at face value. Did she ever expect to sit in the personal quarters of a peer discussing the particulars of a mission while said peer was naked? Not in the slightest. Was she growing accustomed to it? Yes, showcasing humanity's ability to adapt to just about anything.

"My grandmother, were she here, aside from being horrified that we were having this conversation like we are," Enyd waved a hand toward Zark, "would assure you that it doesn't take much acting on my part to generate the notion that I have more of anything except sense. 'Impulsive and foolhardy' were two common descriptors lobbed at me growing up on the ranch, and it seems those two descriptors continue to haunt my steps, considering Zark was assigned to me as a bodyguard, and we are about to waltz into a literal den of thieves for a mission."

Enyd tapped her lips for a moment, mulling over what Ryzit had shared thus far and weaving it with the other details of the mission she knew before she spoke again.

"I normally plan for at least three contingency measures should things go sideways. Which, as Zark now knows personally, tends to be the norm for me." She slanted a wink at her friend. "What will be our 'outs' as you see them when things start to go wonky on us?"

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Epi 2 [ D02 | 2300 hrs.] All Squared up at the Triangle

Last post by Ellen Fitz - February 03, 2025, 07:58:45 AM

As the battle begins... ATTN: All Active Writers

[ Lt. Enyd Isolde Madsen Observation Lounge | V. 1 | Deck 10 | The Helmet ]

There were precious few times when Enyd disliked being a diplomat. Typically, she felt she had more options for action than, say, an engineer or a pilot, when facing difficult circumstances. When squaring up against ships piloted by those who had no interest in standing down, despite best diplomatic efforts, Enyd felt more than a little useless. If they were boarded, or even if they were planetside, she might be able to be useful in a firefight or hand-to-hand (she was passing fair after all in both regards), but when staring into the inevitable mayhem barrel of a space battle, Enyd was superfluous. The best she could do was act as cheerleader for those more capable in the vital systems of the ship that were likely to be the most taxed. She hated feeling so useless and not for the first time wondered if it would wise to invest time in learning more about what Alistair or Frank did, just so she could supplement her time during situations like this.

Glancing over her shoulder at the members of the diplomacy department that had remained on the Helmet, Enyd steeled herself. She was the department head now, for the good or bad of it, and needed to model a proactive stance.

"None of us are being particularly helpful standing here staring at what's about to happen. Go find a place to be useful. I'm heading to sickbay, as there will likely be wounded before this is over."

The crew nodded, sounding off the various departments they would support (engineering, flight deck, sickbay, and security), before breaking up to do that very thing. Enyd paused before leaving the lounge, sending out a silent plea to whomever might be listening in the cosmic wonders, to keep Alistair and Zark safe. They had unfinished business...

As the battle rages...
[ Hirek tr’Aimne | Medical Bay | Upper Deck | USS Allegiant ] @Dumedion

Hirek would be lying if he didn't find sick pleasure in being the one to awaken the Trill. It was a mystery to him and would remain so, at what point in time during their flight from Romulan space back to the Triangle the medical personnel on the Allegiant had managed to patch both of them up enough to a stable and fairly operational level. It would be wise for them both to continue resting, considering the wounds they'd sustained both before they'd made the extra effort to destroy the Citadel during their escape (or at least a good portion of it), and after. However, arriving at the Triangle just in time to witness the commencement of what appeared to be an epic battle, almost to the degree of some of those fought during the Dominion War, left little time for the luxury of rest and recuperation. Besides, from what he now knew about the Trill, she'd be pissed if she slept through this chaos.

Waiting until he caught her bleary-eyed gaze, Hirek snorted when the ship gave a lurch just before he could speak. "Good morning princess. Your chaos skills are needed. We find ourselves in the midst of a battle." He ruthlessly slapped her shoulder with a grin. "You can rest when you're dead. Let's go make ourselves useful. I, for one, didn't survive the Citadel for a second time only to die mere hours later."

[ Ehfva Feynri | Primary Care unit | Main Sickbay | Deck 11 | Vector 2]

Digging her partially clawed hands into the biobed, Ehfva studied the room where they'd placed her. Sash was on the biobed nearby, unconscious as far as Ehfva could tell. The manner in which they'd been brought here was hazy, and in many ways Ehfva still doubted that this was her present reality, and that they were truly saved from the Scions. However, wherever here was, it seemed they'd managed to be rescued from one path towards death only to be deposited onto another.

As alarms blared and on the otherside of the door, she could see crew running to man stations to counteract whatever was happening unseen to the Vulpinian, Ehfva readied herself to stand. Perhaps there was a way she could help, even in her partially transformed state.

"Oh no you don't," a voice sounded from over her shoulder and before Ehfva could protest, she felt the slight sting of a hypospray pressing against her neck. "You won't do anyone any good in your state." Strong hands caught her dead weight, lowering her body to the biobed as the medicine paralyzed her body into a numbed state. "See you on the otherside," was the last thing she heard before she drifted off into darkness...

Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: Ch 5 S [ D02 | 0800 hrs.] No One Left Behind

Last post by Ellen Fitz - February 03, 2025, 07:27:57 AM

[ Captain Jien Ives | Captain's Quarters | Allegient | Undisclosed Hidey Hole | Romulus ] ATTN: @rae @Pierce @Dumedion @P.C. Haring @chXinya @Griff

The clock never stopped. In fact, it often seemed to the Chameloid that time beat a faster beat ever since they'd fled Earth with the reality-shattering truth of the Infested. She'd always enjoyed racing time in her career in some sense or another but even she could feel that there was a breaking point in one's soul when seeking to beat the odds. The crew had weathered more storms than seemed possible, always coming out the other side battered and with fewer numbers but somehow surviving to fight another day. Ives knew she had likely the best crew in the history of Starfleet, and that wasn't just captain's bias talking. To her knowledge no other crew had had to undergo quite so many Federation-shaking events in such a short span of time.

However, even with readily recalled events of dire circumstances turning into successes, Ives never let down her guard. Situated in front of the console in her quarters, listening to what scattered reports she had gleaned from the crew moving among the native populace, Ives grimaced. There was little she could do for those captured without jeopardizing the entire mission, but that didn't mean she would do nothing.

[ "Captain, the secure connection has been made. Patching the contact through to your quarters." ]

Ives leaned forward, folding her hands together as she waited for the screen on her console to change. Seconds later, the now familiar face of Belas i’Mirek tr’Rehu appeared.

[ "Captain Ives, I have news." ]

Ives nodded, "Good news, I hope."

The Romulan gave a half shrug. [ "It is news. Our operatives in the Citadel have discovered the whereabouts of all of your people who were taken and have also come across the few who were not captured. They are currently working with them to orchestrate a break-out." ]

"That is news." She noticed how the Romulan rubbed his lips together as if he were waiting for the opportunity to say more. "You have more to report?"

[ "We have created an opportunity to capture the Praetor, as you requested. However, we will require your ship to apprehend her." ]

"Why is that?" Ives didn't want to refuse outrightly.

[ "We have to protect our operatives and our identities, captain. As much as we can all hope that you are successful in your endeavors. as your success is our success, we must also prepare for the possibility of your failure. We have not worked for so long in the shadows and come so close to our goals only to impulsively throw everything into the open. We will give you the coordinates of where she will be, and when, and if you want to apprehend her, you will need to use your own resources to do so. This should be satisfactory enough, captain. We have already taken great risks in contacting you and sending operatives into the Citadel to retrieve your people." ]

Ives wasn't about to voice his surprise at just how much they had done, but he nodded acknowledgment. He had no doubt there were still layers of machinations unseen going on that they would never reveal, and he knew this third party group was only being so accommodating so long as it suited their desires to overthrow both Tal'Aura and Donatra, but making a deal with a fox to cross the river was sometimes the only option.

"Understood. We agree with the terms of your aid. Send the intel and we will take care of the rest."

If only it was so easy...

[ Commander S'Ririx | onboard the Pratetor's Personal Shuttle | on the way to the Citadel Val’Theldun | Romulus ]

Feeling the hidden communication device vibrate against his skin, indicating the correct coordinates for the "event" to occur, Commander S'Ririx pressed the disguised device installed on his utility belt. Within seconds the command console of the shuttle flickered, the vessel itself giving a sudden lurch.

"Commander, the shuttle's systems are undergoing an unexpected fluctuation." His underling, none the wiser of his sabotage, reported while his Romulan fingers danced across the controls.

Implementing his best scowl, S'Ririx leaned over the young Romulan, "Will this pose a danger to the Praetor?"

"Unknown, Commander. I suggested we land at the Populace Overseer's building just below so I can run a full diagnostic before we continue on to the Citadel."

"That is unacceptable, Uhlan. Call for a replacement shuttle once we land. There is no telling how long your diagnostic will last and the Praetor is most anxious to see the new prisoners."

The Romulan nodded. "Yes, commander," complying with S'Ririx's instructions without delay.

The Reman inwardly sighed, curious if the Starfleet captain he'd heard so much about would, in fact, follow through with the intel given and boldly swoop in to retrieve the Praetor. If he did, S'Ririx owed his brother Titek a bottle of ale.

Main OOC Board / Re: Main OOC Thread

Last post by Brutus - February 03, 2025, 01:04:07 AM

Just a quick heads up - I appreciate the hard work everyone has been putting into wrapping up the chapter. Much obliged as always. We are working to push things along as well. Please take time to look into the Jps and make any final updates, as well as the new chapter threads.

On another note, it has come to the staff's attention that tags are not always generating notifications, and post email notification may be impacted as well. We are looking into it, and I ask y'all bear with as we try and track down any bugs. In the meantime, I recommend using the forum Personal Message system to communicate with writers, or the discord channel, if responses are delayed do to missing notifications.

Live long and prosper my friends,
Brutus