[Act 3] Commander Wil Ukinix - Hitchin' A Ride
Wil Ukinix
//First Officer’s Log, Stardate 240007.15
We thankfully found and retrieved Ambassador Vataix, Lieutenant Richards, Ensign Veers, and Lieutenant Iko from Kirilow - oh yeah, and Rivi's mum Naminae and that Taival noble that I haven’t met yuet. We also now have in “guest” quarters, with a security officer posted outside each, the parallel versions of Rivi, Tri’lea and.. ::sigh:: me. She’s so bloody annoying.
Anyway, we also have a seriously twisted version of Richards – freak - and a grumpier and older looking version of Ucron Dro. These people in this universe have had it tough.
Bad news is that Nathan and Princess Tri’lea are missing after they went off on the Targhee with a parallel universe version of a bloke named Talos Dakora. Apparently in our universe he’s an Intelligence Officer on the Artemis-A, but this version is an Inquisitor of some sort. I mean, he’d *better* be the parallel universe version or Addison MacKenzie’s got some ‘splainin’ to do. //
((Bridge, USS Independence-B – Kirilow System))
Wil stood next to his second cousin, with his arms crossed, and watched again as his doppelganger second cousin, with her chin lifted, addressed the screen like she was some sort of stuck up noble.
Which she was. But which cousin? ::taps nose::
M-Keehani: =/\= I am Empress Keehani Ukinix, Mother Eternal of the Unified House of Betazed, Matriarch of the Ninth Wing of Betazed. By noble decree, I demand that Niarivi Vataix must meet with me at the prison Colony on Idrustix, the fourth moon of Kirilow VIII. I am aware that you are not from our reality. I understand you may have some of my subjects in your custody. Similarly, I am in possession of two of your acquaintances - Lieutenant Junior Grade Nathan Richards, and Daughter Ascendant Tri'lea Polgonz. Failure to comply with my decree will result in their deaths. Niarivi Vataix, you have five minutes to acknowledge, and not one second more. =/\=
Wil looked at Keehani, who had her mouth covered with her hand, clearly in shock. He glance was interrupted when Ambassador Vataix addressed him.
Vataix: And the line is registering as live?
Wil didn’t even need to look at the console he was standing next to. It had already told him it was the real deal.
Ukinix: Hundred percent, Ambassador.
Vataix: Open the channel.
Ukinix: Aye, ma’am.
Wil smiled a little as he tapped the console to open comms. This Rivi that was present on the bridge, “his” Rivi, registered so differently with his empathic abilities compared to the parallel version of her. Ambassador Vataix was controlled, confident, measured, and dignified.
The other Rivi was just a right royal pain in the arse – correction – right *noble* pain in the arse.
Vataix: =/\= Empress Ukinix, this is Ambassador Vataix of the United Federation of Planets. I accept your... invitation. =/\=
The viewscreen changed. There was Keehani, the other Keehani, with her trademark dark eye makeup, wearing some sort of pink, flowing, ornate outfit. When Wil glanced at Keehani again, she slowly rolled then closed her eyes, as if she had not wanting it to be true but it was.
M-Keehani: =/\= An “invitation”, Niarivi? No, a “decree”. That means you will do it, as ordered by the leader of this Empire that you currently find yourself in- =/\=
Empress Keehani looked up, seemingly noticing the
M-Keehani: =/\= Oh look. ::Smile:: My impersonator. ::Smile fades:: That is an act punishable by death. =/\=
Keehani: ::Shocked sigh, under her breath:: She’s a monster...
Wil swallowed a little when Empress Keehani smiled again. She may not have heard what his Keehani had said, but she must have sensed the sentiment from Keehani’s reaction. Her smile returned again – it was a proud smile, and Wil gathered it was a show of the power she had.
Vataix: =/\= Yes, we have several Betazoids on board, perhaps some you might recognize. =/\=
M-Keehani: =/\= I certainly have recognised several so far. Tri’lea Polgonz… Niarivi Ukinix – correction, ::slight smirk:: Vataix – ha! – , and now… well, it is as if I am looking into a mirror. You certainly surround yourself with the best and worst of Betazoids, Niarivi? =/\=
Vataix: =/\= There are among my staff and guests. =/\=
M-Keehani: =/\= Then I have a proposal. I would like my Betazoids, and less importantly my Terrans, back. I’m sure you would like pretty boy Richards and your Daughter “Ascendant” – hmmph, figures – back. I propose, as part of a prisoner swap, a discussion between us and your Klingon ally that is accompanying you. And do not deny that. Our science scholars have detected the traces of a Klingon cloaking device in your proximity. =/\=
(OOC from Rich: Discussed with Danny the plan for M-Keehani to also be announcing a summit on Outpost Supremacy between the Betazed Empire and the Cardassian-Klingon Alliance.)
Vataix: =/\= That is quite the ambitious proposal, Empress. =/\=
M-Keehani: =/\= Maybe it is time to end this war with the Klingon-Cardassian alliance. And maybe, just maybe, you can help broker a truce. A deal, as it were. =/\=
Empress Keehani’s eyes narrowed as she stared into the screen.
M-Keehani: =/\= And do not question my ambition. It is what I, and this empire, is known for. =/\=
At this, First Secretary Keehani steepled her hands over her mouth and nose. Empress Keehani, once again, smirked wickedly as she observed her counterpart’s reaction.
Vataix: =/\= Very well. I will send representatives on my behalf to the summit. =/\=
M-Keehani: =/\= You will bring your prisoners to Idrustix so we can, in good faith, perform a prisoner transfer. Then we can begin discussions at the “summit”… Yes, I like that term. =/\=
Vataix: =/\= I hope for a fruitful meeting, Empress. =/\=
M-Keehani: =/\= I will remind you that you are now guests of the Betazed Empire. As such, you will work towards a successful meeting with a productive outcome. Otherwise, operational procedures dictate that there will be punishment. =/\=
The comms call abruptly ended. When Rivi turned to look at Keehani and Wil, she would have seen both of the Ukinix cousins standing next to each other, staring at the screen with their jaws dropped slightly.
Ukinix: ::Staring at screen:: Holy $@^#.
Keehani: ::Ignoring Wil:: Madam Ambassador, this could be a trap. Are you certain you trust her?
Vataix: No, I don't trust her--certainly not completely. But she is holding two of our own and perhaps this summit of hers can buy us some time.
Ukinix: Now that the cat’s out of the bag, we may not have much time. There are thousands of patrol ships out there, and long-range scans are telling us that thousands more are coming back. This ship is tough, but we don’t have that kind of defensive firepower.
Carter: Response
Keehani: Then we should attend the summit in good faith. And a prior meeting with… ::sigh:: *her* to discuss matters before the summit may be a proactive de-escalation tactic. ::To Rivi:: Bi-lateral relations of sorts, Madam Ambassador.
Iovianus: Response
Any: Response
Rivi looked at the assembled officers and staff for a moment, deciding how she wanted to do this.
Vataix: All right, Keehani, you're coming with me of course. You too, Robin.
Keehani: ::nervous swallow:: Yes, Madam Ambassador.
Hopper: Response
Vataix: We'll be bringing the prisoner the Resistance caught, the version of Nathan Richards in this universe. I believe I can convince Dro to come with us to see to it that our Tri'lea is returned. I don't know if the same can be said though for the other Betazoids native here, including his actual daughter.
Keehani: ::Quietly:: Ergh, they can *have* that Richards.
Hopper: Response
Ukinix: Abassador, we have to be careful. We can’t just hand over the other Tri’lea Polgonz if we know she’s going to get killed. Protocol Parallax says we’re to interfere at a minimum, but I think we’re past that point now. We can’t just stand by and let people die.
Carter: Response
Any: Response
Vataix: Wil, John, I want you to head to the outpost for this summit between the Betazed imperials and the Klingon-Cardassian Alliance.
Ukinix: ::nod:: Aye, Ambassador.
Carter: Response
Vataix: Bec, Ikaia, head with them. It can't hurt to have a couple of Klingons on our side as well.
Wil grimaced a little. That meant that he was going to have to tell Rebekah Iko of their true origins. He wondered how she would take it… and what she would do and say when she learned of her human/Klingon hybrid counterpart.
Iko: Response
Wong: Response
Vataix: Ensigns Kiani and Esma, go with them as well to observe and assist in whatever way Commander Ukinix sees fit.
Kiani: Response
Esma: Yes, Madam Ambassador.
Rivi then looked over at the rest of the Amity crew members she hadn't yet addressed.
Vataix: Cassian, I'm leaving you in charge here on the Independence.
Iovianus: Response
She glanced over from Cassian to Scotty, Cara, and the other two new ensigns, Moore and Blackwood.
Vataix: All of you remaining on the ship, it's your job to find us the best plan to get back to our universe. Have a plan ready when I get back.
Iovianus: Response
Moore/Blackwood: Response
Reade/Veers: Response
Vataix: All right, let's get to it.
Wil gestured with a tilt of his head towards the doorway to Carrer, Kiani, Esma, Iko and Wong. As they left, Wil touched Keehani on the arm to get her attention, then moved to a quiet spot on the bridge.
(OOC: This conversation is out of earshot of everyone, so no need to include these tags in your sims)
Ukinix: You gonna be ‘right?
Keehani smiled for a moment, thankful for her cousin’s concern. That smile quickly vanished as she thought about the task ahead of her.
Keehani: I’ll be fine.
Ukinix: You sure?
Eventually she shook her head, then shrugged.
Keehani: No. But this is the job, isn’t it?
Wil smiled for a moment, before Keehani let a reluctant smile appear on her lips. He stepped forward and wrapped her up on a momentary hug.
Ukinix: Be careful, alright? You’re with good people, they’ll look after you.
Keehani stepped back, and pressed Wil in the chest with her index finger.
Keehani: You too. The Klingons here are the old fashioned Klingons that hate the Federation- ::correcting herself:: Terrans. They’re just as dangerous as the Betazoids, ::small scowl:: I can’t believe I just said that.
((Later - Bridge, IKS ngem qul – en route to Outpost Supremacy))
With the Gatineau used by the Ambassador to meet with the Empress on the prison moon colony “Idrustix”, Wil had decided on a different strategy to get them to the Outpost Supremacy in orbit of Kirilow.
Basically, it was getting a lift from the Klingons.
Ukinix: Awesome ship, Warrior Iko. ::Turning to others:: Right, gang?
Carter/Kiani/Esma/Iko/Wong: Response
M-Iko: Response
Wil carried a plain, small bag over his shoulder. He pulled out one of the items that was in it, and held the neck of it in his hand.
Ukinix: Hey, I don’t suppose you’d be up for a trade would you? ::lifting up wine bottle:: Good quality Earth wine, for a bottle of genuine blood wine?
M-Iko: Response
There were a few beeps from consoles followed by some discussion in Klingon amongst the crew (some words of which Wil picked up - and was sure there were jibes about humans being said when he’d head the term “tera’ngan” being said with a sneer) when the Outpost Supremacy appeared on screen.
Wil froze. It was basically Amity Outpost. It looked pretty much the same, except the spires at the top and the bottom were longer and, for some reason, looked deadlier.
It was unlikely this space station had a Mezzanine.
Ukinix: ::Staring at screen, slightly awed, slightly perturbed:: Well this wasn’t on my mission bingo card.
Carter/Kiani/Esma/Iko/Wong/M-Iko: Response
Tags/TBC!
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Commander Wil Ukinix
Starfleet attaché and First Officer
Amity Outpost
V239511WU0