Ensign Zenno - Crouching Vulcan, Hidden Agent
Cobalt Penumbra
((Corridor, Deep Space Thirty Three))
They exited the doors with a woosh, and began the short trek to the Security Office.
Serinus: We have to tread our ground carefully here. ::lowly:: The Ambassador has a reputation for grumpiness.
Zenno: If I may, sir. A question. If all they wanted was a second set of eyes, they could has asked for a call or sent us their plans to review. I am unsure of why we had to come down here if that’s all she wanted. The ship could use us there right now, and I am… concerned about them. oO If someone on the ship dies and I’m not even there, does that count as “one?” Oo
Serinus: Firstly, Mr. Zenno, it is our duty to follow lawful orders. Secondly, I trust our NCOs implicitly. I've trained them well, and we have contingencies for every scenario that we could imagine.
Zenno: I understand, sir. Thank you. oO Every scenario we could imagine? I can imagine quite a lot. I hope he imagines more than me. Of course, I might be a weirdo. We will have to think on this. Oo
A few silent moments passed, and they turned into the next door, There was chaos as they went to enter.
((Security Office))
Then as they passed through, there was quiet. Like an Academy dorm party when Academy security came around. They were quickly being stared at like they were walking into the only bar in a backward, insular village.
Serinus: Lieutenant Commander Serinus, this is Ensign Zenno. We'd like to review your security plan for the up-coming diplomatic talks. oO Right to business. Love it. It appears that our hosts… do not love it. Oo
A Vulcan setting behind the right desk rose and addressed them.
DS33 Vulcan Security Officer: Everything had already been analyzed and forecast. Our facilities and ::pregnant pause:: resources are vastly superior to any starship’s capabilities. We suggest you adjourn. Everything that can be done has been done. Your efforts would be redundant. Our plan is already in place. May I direct you to the mess deck? Perhaps you can enjoy a beverage while we complete the preparations.
Zenno would not interject first in such an exchange. But he watched as the Commander immediately returned fire.
Serinus: Lieutenant, I imagine that you and your people are more than competent. However, the Arrow has more experience with the Shelliak than possibly any Starfleet ship ever. Tell me, Lieutenant, have you ever prevented a planet-wide genocide?
Zenno: We had sent briefs ahead of our arrival. There was an extensive section on the Arrow’s history with the Shelliak. Were they included in the “everything” that was analyzed? oO This retort was only at one-tenth Nardello power. We will have to work together, after all. Best to not go all “Doomsday Machine” right at the start. Oo
DS33 Vulcan Security Officer: ::ignores Zenno completely:: Commander, we have seen the reports of the actions attributed to the Arrow. Our files are most extensive. oO Attributed? I believe that was returning fire! Oo
Serinus: Try two.
The Commander was silent and the Vulcan female did not move. Zenno could barely make out that she was still breathing. All of the other officers were staring as well. “Why is this happening? Is this just unit on unit nonsense? Or is there something else going on?”, he thought. Perhaps the role of peacemaker would suit the moment.
Zenno: Lieutenant, time is short and there is much to do. Certainly there would be a more fruitful and productive way to spend the day? ::hopeful::
The Vulcan officer moved her head slightly, as if seeing Zenno for the first time. She had the appearance of one who had just noticed a stain of plomeek soup on her uniform.
Serinus: Now, kindly begin briefing us, or else I'll have to tell Commander Stergis that you are preventing us from doing our jobs.
The Bolian was prepared for another quip. Perhaps even violence. He was not prepared for the sudden warp speed change in the Vulcan’s attitude. It was head-spinning in its immediacy.
T’Lyra: ::Acting as if the previous conversation had not even occurred:: Greetings. I am Lieutenant T’Lyra. Extensive preparations are underway. We can begin immediately in the Briefing Room. This way. ::Pivots and walks away toward the briefing room at a rapid clip, not even checking to see if the Arrow crew is following::
Surprised by this sudden change, the Commander and the Ensign paused a moment before following.
Zenno: ::under his breath, to Serinus:: Sir, this is damn peculiar.
Serinus: Response?
The Arrow crew proceeded down the hallway and turned to the left to follow the Vulcan when the world went black.
((Time Skip - Cell))
There was a light. Not the warm yellow of Sol or the blue warmth of Bolarus, but one harsh, white, and sterile. Zenno opened his eyes slowly and saw a row of plasteel plates with regularly spaced lighting pods. He was on the floor of what appeared to be a cell or brig. He tried to move his arm and it obeyed, achingly and with much protest. Righting himself, he sat up and surveyed his surroundings. A cell, perhaps 8 meters a side and squarish. A table was affixed to the wall, and there was a chair, a sanitary station, and a ledge that was presumably for sleep. One entire wall was missing and open to a hallway, likely having a forcefield. The Commander was not here.
Attempting to rise, his legs appeared to be most distressed at this request and provided much feedback that this was not the ideal situation. Holding on to the table, Zenno tried to think. “What had happened? An attack? A trap? You are literally the worst Security Officer in the world. Resign now and save the Fleet from your proved incompetence… getting captured by space hooligans on your very first mission.”
The Bolian chuffed and took in his surroundings. While he had never toured DS33’s Brig, he was sure that this was not it. Nothing about this room was Starfleet… or even Federation standard. He was… elsewhere. He couldn’t even tell if he was hidden somewhere in DS33 or on a ship somewhere. All of his kit and his comm badge had been taken from him.
Gathering his strength, he moved towards the presumed forcefield and tested it with the back of his off-hand. Indeed, he felt the tingles and pressure that told him it would be unwise to push further forward. He leaned as far forward towards the forcefield as he dare and in a low breath he said…
Zenno: Commander? Are you there? Can you hear me?
Serinus: Response?
Zenno: Yes! I can. I think we are next to each other. Are you unharmed?
Serinus: Response?
Zenno: Yes, Commander. But there is one thing I know for sure. This is not Deep Space 33’s brig.
Suddenly taken by a mood, Zenno considered, “If I’m the one that dies, does that count as one, or is my number still zero?” He shook his head. “Stop this nonsense and get back at it. Professionalism, respect, watchfulness. What would Nardello say?”
The Bolian turned to consider the room and his options. But off in the distance, he could hear the clack-clack of some footsteps approaching from down the hall.
TAG/TBC
Ensign Zenno
Security Officer
USS Arrow
A240006Z13