Commander Wil Ukinix - Darker
Wil Ukinix
((Bridge, USS Independence-B, Control Node’s Star System))
As they got close to their destination, several chirping sounds alerted the bridge crew to some vessels approaching at a very long range – but still approaching.
Iovianus: Company on the way
Ukinix: How long have we got.
Moore: According to the computer's estimates, we have one hour - possibly less if they push their drives. ::He glanced over at Kiani for confirmation.::
Kiani: Affirmative Commander. An hour at their current heading.
Wil tapped at the console on his armrest.
Ukinix: Engineering reports that the mods to fake the warp signature are in place. Let’s test it out, and see if that buys us some time. Also, let’s try contacting the Gatineau again.
Iovianus: Sending hail on secured frequencies.
Wil turned and gave a nod of acknowledgement to Cassian.
Kiani: Sir, the previously opened channel seems to be picking up some transmission. ::Harry tapped at his console, attempting to amplify the transference::
Carter: =/\= Good to hear from you Independence.. =/\=
Ukinix: =/\= Oh, thank goodness. Good to see you, Commander. Report? =/\=
Carter: =/\= We've just deactivated the sensor net, now we're covering our tracks. That's the good news. =/\=
Wil exhaled with some relief, blowing out his cheeks in the process, before continuing.
Ukinix: =/\= Well the bad news is we only have a limited amount of time before some imperial patrol ships come and check out what’s going on. =/\=
Moore: =/\= Sir, there's a high probability that they are on alert. While they wouldn't have clear scans of who was involved in the skirmish, the residual energy from our fight, coupled with bursts of energy, could potentially be detected from a significant distance. I doubt they've identified us, but there's a possibility they're on heightened alert =/\=
Wil once again nodded, taking all of the information into consideration.
Carter: =/\= Now that you're here we've got a shot at getting out of this in one piece... =/\
Wil immediately turned to their newest additions.
Ukinix: Ensigns Moore and Kiani. Beam over to the control node and help out Lieutenants Hopper and Reade. And stay bloody safe, that’s an order.
Moore: Aye aye, Sir.
Kiani: Understood, Commander.
Once the two ensigns had left the bridge, Cassian spoke candidly about their situation.
Iovianus: =/\= This smells like we were set up for suicide. =/\=
Wil turned to look at Cassian, then bit his bottom lip for a moment.
Carter:=/\= Maybe not suicide but one hell of a last stand...=/\=
Ukinix: =/\= ::palms up:: Nah nah, we’re gonna be good, plus we have a Klingon warbird cloaked somewhere nearby. We’ve got the numbers and the firepower if we need to fight. =/\=
Iovianus: ::he glanced down at his console:: =/\= Those ships are still closing. =/\= ::turning to Wil:: I don’t want to but should we have Keehani up here when they show up?
Wil grimaced for a moment, for two reasons:
(1) If the Klingon ship got any idea that there was a “Keehani Ukinix” on board the Independence, even though it wasn’t the “real” one, their ally Rebekah Iko might become their enemy real quick – an enemy with the advantage of a cloaking device.
(2) Keehani Ukinix could kill someone with one roll of her eyes, let alone eviscerate them verbally. He didn’t want to be on the receiving end of *that*. She wasn’t happy the first time about impersonating an autocratic Empress, and he was pretty sure she’d be very annoyed about having to do it again.
Apparently Cassian’s suggestion had been heard over comms.
Carter: =/\= Doesn't sound like a bad idea =/\=
oO Yeah, you don’t know Keehani. Oo
Ukinix: =/\= Yeah. Um- maybe. Last resort? =/\=
More klaxons began to sound through the bridge. Wil looked at his display.
Ukinix: Energy surge?
Iovianus: Response
Ukinix: ::Tapping at armrest console:: Without a science officer up here, I can’t make head or tails of it- wait, there’s a vessel appearing. A bloody Starfleet vessel?
Iovianus: Response
Ukinix: Maybe ‘Cisco are sending the cavalry. A bit quicker than I expected.
Iovianus: Response
Ukinix: This is just *weird*.
Quickly, Wil opened comms again.
Ukinix: =/\= Gatineau, can you confirm that’s a Starfleet vessel? =/\=
There was no answer from them. But Wil did notice that it was only one single transport shuttle. That seemed very un-San Francisco like. It was possible then that the transport had “fallen” through an anomaly in the same way the Targhee had. Which meant whoever was on board might be in trouble…
Iovianus: Response
Ukinix: =/\= Gatineau, can you beam them aboard! =/\=
Once again, no response. An anxious Wil turned in his seat to Cassian.
Iovianus: Response
Esma:=/\= We have beamed aboard one human male, slightly disheveled, but he appears otherwise alert and responsive. =/\=
Ukinix: =/\= Good news, Ensign. Keep us apprised. Indy out. =/\=
Wil turned to Cassian, the Indy’s acting First Officer for the time being.
Iovianus: Response
Ukinix: Protocol Parallax says that we need to get rid of that transport shuttle. Like, erase it. We can’t leave any trace of anything Starfleet in this universe. ::Glumly, swallow:: And we’ll have to beam the dead body to the morgue.
Iovianus: Response
Wil shook his head ruefully. It was now six Starfleet officers dead, under his command. He took a moment to close his eyes and pinch the bridge of his nose, to calm himself. The weight of their deaths would have to wait until they had retrieved the Targhee, its occupants, and returned back to their reality. Their home.
The parallel reality they were in was much darker than he cared for.
Ukinix: The other issue we have are the Klingons. We’re using them to get to Idrustix – “Kirilow”, I mean. But I don’t want them toppling a government, no matter how bad they are. Like I said in the briefing, the Prime Directive still applies, just not on the same level. What are our options?
Iovianus: Response
There was another chirp. It indicated an incoming transmission, and it was coming from the Betazoid patrol ships. While they were still fifty-something minutes, it seemed they were keen to communicate. Wil rubbed his forehead, knowing he couldn’t delay the inevitable.
Ukinix: ::Sigh:: I’ll grab Keehani. ::Standing up, walking to ready room:: She’s gonna kill me.
Iovianus: Response
((A minute later…))
Ukinix: Let’s make sure this transmission is encrypted. We don’t want the Klingon vessel to know we have an Empress on board.
Iovianus: Response
Keehani was looking at a PADD in her hand, as she used a wand like device to apply black makeup around her eyes.
Keehani:::re-applying eye makeup:: I’m not an empress.
Ukinix: ::Slight smirk:: No, but you are a princess, Matriarch Ascendant.
Somehow, while still applying her makeup and without looking up, Keehani managed to stretch her leg out and give Wil a quick, swift kick to his calf.
Ukinix: Ow! Oi!
Keehani: ::Still applying makeup:: By the way, Commander Iovianus, has Wil told you yet he is now Son Ukinix of the Ninth House? That he’s accepted his noble title? Is that common knowledge yet?
Wil felt himself *blush*, before turning back to look at the viewscreen. oO Bloody hell, Keehani. Oo
Iovianus: Response
Ukinix: Yeah, um, patch ‘em through, audio only. ::awkwardly clears throat::
There was a pause, before a voice came through the speakers.
Betazoid Patrol Ship: =/\= Patrol vessel. Why did you take so long to answer? Why audio only? Identify yourself, we are not receiving your vessel’s registration through this transmission. =/\=
Ukinix: =/\= Yeah sorry about that, Most of the bridge crew have come down with a ‘flu, and I was just uhh… I had go to the toilet. You know how it is. =/\=
There was a long silence as Wil grimaced, before they finally responded.
Betazoid Patrol Ship: =/\= What are your reasons for this unscheduled patrolling of this system? =/\=
Ukinix: =/\= We broke down. Warp core died. =/\=
It was equivalent of “the dog ate my homework” and Wil knew it – especially in 2400 given that all homework was digital anyway, and a dog would have had to have eaten (at a minimum) several computer cores and communications relays located throughout Earth for that to be true.
Betazoid Patrol Ship: =/\= Stay where you are. We are coming to assist and investigate. =/\=
The transmission was abruptly ended.
Keehani: ::Long Sigh:: … let me talk to them.
Iovianus: Response
Keehani stood in front of the centre chair, gave Wil some serious side-eye through her thick makeup, then lifted her chin and looked at the screen.
The view changed from the stars outside and the Gatineau in the distance, to the view of a Betazoid male in an imperial uniform, looking down at a PADD in his hand.
Keehani put her hand on her hips.
Keehani: =/\= Then consider this test complete, soldier. Your observance of the schedule is diligent, and your suspicions led you to the correct course of action. As Mother Eternal I expect no less. =/\=
The man staring back with black eyeballs placed four fingers on his forehead, and kept them there.
Betazoid Imperial Soldier: =/\= Yes, Mother Eternal, it is an honour that you would run a routine inspection in person, Your Grace. This is unexpected, I’ve never heard of you doing this before- =/\=
Keehani: =/\= ::Narrowing eyes:: You *dare* question your Mother? I will… would… punishment! You would suffer punishment! =/\=
Betazoid Imperial Soldier: =/\= No, no, mother I – it’s just, I heard a rumour that you performed a test on another Betazoid vessel with an advanced ship, but I didn’t believe it. ::Bowing head:: By Janaran Falls, Apologies, Empress Ukinix. =/\=
Keehani: =/\= I will allow it. You will continue your normal patrol, and leave us be. Is that understood? =/\=
Betazoid Imperial Soldier: =/\= Of course, Your Grace. It is a gift from The Four to have had your personal inspection. ::Bowing head:: I am grateful for our Mother’s forgiveness. May The Four protect our Empire. =/\=
Keehani lifted her chin a little more, before discreetly indicating for Cassian to end the transmission.
Ukinix: Did it work?
Iovianus: Response
The First Secretary exhaled a large sigh, before closing her eyes and sitting in the centre chair, and resting her hand on her forehead.
Tags/TBC!
==========================================
Commander Wil Ukinix
Starfleet attaché and First Officer
Amity Outpost
V239511WU0