Ensign Zenno - Vulcan Surprise

[Cobalt Penumbra]

((Flashback - Family Quarters, Starbase 307 in orbit above Bolarus XIII)

Father and Mother called for all their progeny to come to the Front Room. Amaddo, Zenno, and Rekko made their way into the room where their parents were waiting. Undoubtedly they had the final reports from the Starbase School for the term. Zenno hated it that they sent the reports directly to the parents before he got to see them himself. Of course Amaddo, the superstar student, would always say “There’s nothing in there that should be a surprise, little brother.”

Their parent’s faces revealed little as the triplets sat. Mother began, “We have the final reports. Do any of you have anything to say before we discuss the particulars, my children?” Caldd had that slight smile she always wore. All the kids knew she was a soft touch and only did this act to please Father. He was very particular about school grade reports.

The teenagers looked at each other and their parents and in the Bolian way, tilted their heads to indicate “no.”

Amadd picked up a PADD and jumped right in without any preamble. “Amaddo, 97.6% average. Gold citations for advanced mathematics, engineering theory, and computer science. ::pauses:: Amadd looked over the top of the PADD at his oldest. “Well done. You would be well on your way to gaining admission to the Applied Science Academy.” Zenno and Rekko didn’t need their Father to say the last part out loud, “And follow in my footsteps.”

The elder Bolian reviewed the PADD and turned to the middle child. “My Zenno. You have done well also. But your choice of electives was questionable. And not suitably rigorous for an aspiring engineer.” oO Never, ever have I aspired to be an engineer, Father. You are trying to bottle the wind. Oo “it appears that you had dropped Spacecraft Architecture Design and Advanced Warp Theory and replaced them with Introduction to Federation Criminal Law and Xeno-Psychiatry?” Amadd looked over the top of the PADD again, but this time with slight annoyance. “You should have consulted us. We could have directed you to the correct courses. Not this claptrap… nevertheless you scored 97%… Almost as high as Amaddo.”

Zenno didn’t have to turn to his left to know his older brother was smirking at him. 

“Your Mother and I have decided that you require tutoring in Science and Engineering to catch up. We will both prepare suitable courses of study for you to complete so that you don’t fall behind. You only have one year to get fully prepared for the entrance exam to the Applied Science Academy. Do you understand?”

The middle child tilted his head in agreement. “Yes, Father. I will do my best.” 

Amadd looked at him and flatly emitted, “That will have to do.”

Caldd took the PADD and gave Rekko her results. “99% with Gold citations in Advanced Physics, Introductory Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science. Even better than Amaddo!” While Mother was just pleased for her children, Zenno knew that the smirk on Amaddo’s face would be gone by now and this pleased him somewhat.

Mother brought this short proceeding to a close by standing. “That’s all for now. Go and prepare for tomorrow. But as for you Zenno, you can accompany me to my lab and we will start your tutoring immediately. I have a lesson ready on duotronic circuitry design.”

Zenno stood up, and with resignation followed her down the hall to the lab, “Yes, Mother.”

((Time Skip - Cell/Unknown location))

Zenno: Commander? Are you there? Can you hear me?

Serinus: I am. Can you hear me?

Zenno: Yes! I can. I think we are next to each other. Are you unharmed?

Serinus: Nothing hurt but my pride. Are you unharmed? oO That must sting! Oo

Zenno: Yes, Commander. But there is one thing I know for sure. This is not Deep Space 33’s brig. 

Serinus: Agreed.

The clack-clacking continued until the Vulcan oO or whatever sort of space sorceress this is Oo came up the hall and planted herself halfway between the cells so she could see into both cells, side-by-side.

Zenno: Release us.

T'Lyra: You could have taken up my offer. I tried to let you off the hook. But, like they say on Earth "Curiosity killed the cat."

Serinus: We had our orders.

This time she ignored his response in favor of his subordinate.

T'Lyra: And you, Bolian. Are you no more than a blind order follower?

Zenno: ::pauses only a moment then tilts his head:: You have annoyed the Commander. It would be wise to release us before you annoy him further. Also, you are under arrest. There are several charges I will articulate under the Federation Revised Statutes. oO She might think I am being glib. But this will come to pass. Oo 

She smirked in a  way that reminded Zenno of his older Brother. It was infuriating, but he would not show any response whatsoever. 

T'Lyra: Typical ::break:: Anyway, good to see you gentlemen are up and about. Lunch will be served in approximately an hour. Until then.

Serinus: Why are you doing this?

She laughed, in a very unVulcan manner, clearly delighted with the question.

T'Lyra: What do you think this is a holonovel? Some old flatvid sci-fi show about space adventures?  Where the antagonist just spells out their plan to you?::break:: Ta-ta for now.

Zenno: Will you be joining us for lunch? We have many questions and would be pleased to host you, even though our accommodations appear to be somewhat meager.

Ignoring this last quip, she turned and walked down the hall without another word.

Zenno: ::Quietly, to Serinus:: “Ta-ta?” That is a human saying. Most decidedly not a Vulcan. Or at least, any kind we are familiar with.

Serinus: I might have a plan.

Zenno: I thought you might. 

Serinus: You have an engineering background, as I recall, Ensign?

Zenno: I… do. Of a kind, sir. oO Engineering! Why does it have to be engineering? I’m ready for fighting. Phaser battles? Yes. Close quarters combat? No problem. But it had to be an Engineering problem. Oo

Serinus: I see. Would you consider yourself at least passable in the basics of electrical engineering?

Zenno: I have had significant instruction. Both in school and… elsewhere, informally. oO I will never speak of this to anyone. If my Father or Brother found out, they would be insufferable about it. “Oh, Engineering saved the day, huh?” Oo

Serinus: It will have to do.

Zenno: I’ll get it done, sir.

Serinus: I've never studied parkour, but I bet I can get to those lights, and break into them to get some components to blow out these fields.

Zenno: If parkour was an elective, I never took it either. But I am certain I can reach the lights as well. 

Serinus: I'll get what I can out, and we can work from there.

Zenno: I’m ready, Commander. I will go at the same time.

Serinus: It will have to work.

Zenno: Agreed. Call it when you are ready!

On the count of three they reached the top of the cells and were able to dislodge some of the components from the lights. Zenno studied the parts and realized he might be able to create a feedback resonator out of the light fixture. He was sharing his procedure with the Commander but Zenno felt distracted. A miniature Nardello was on one shoulder shouting “Work Faster!” And a miniature version of his Brother was on the other, just smirking at him. 

Once the devices were fashioned, they discussed a plan. As near as they could tell, the best option would be to follow the way T’Lyra had gone. 

Zenno: Commander, I will go first. These devices may not work and I will not permit anyone else to take the risk, much less my Department Chief.

The Bolian knew that Serinus may have contrary opinions on this topic, so he decided to preclude any discussion and immediately charged the forcefield with his feedback device leading the way. The tingles and pressure rose and his hands felt like they were being crushed, but he could hear a whine from the emitters until finally it crested and the forcefield emitters crackled once and shut down. Without any discussion, the Commander also pushed through and the two of them took off down the hall. oO If he is mad at me, I will take it gladly. I’ll probably hear about this later. Oo 

((Hallway, Security section, unknown location)) 

The two officers proceeded down the hall on alert for any beings or clues as to where they were. 

Zenno: It’s unclear if we are on a ship, a station, or a planet. But this looks like a Security wing for sure.

Serinus: Response?

Zenno: Acknowledged, Commander. And yes,  I hear it too. It’s coming from behind this door.

The two officers identified a hum of some kind of computing equipment. Or perhaps an energy modulation system. It was coming from behind an unlabeled door on the left. Using hand signals and ready for resistance, the officers made a tactical entry as best they could with no weapons. Zenno had been prepared for a fight. He had been prepared for dangerous equipment or forcefields. He was not prepared for the scene before him.

A body lay on what might be considered a surgical table in an operating theater. There were computers of an unknown design around the room, several work stations, possibly a pharmacology desk, and trays of instruments in the place. Serinus and Zenno cleared the room but no one else was there.

Approaching the table, the two officers were horrified by what awaited them.

The humanoid had several large computer sensors or perhaps transceivers attached at the head. Only a sheet covered the naked body up to the neck and there appeared to be a thick bundle of tubes, wires, and who knows what else attached under the table and then going under the sheet to the abdomen. 

As they approached, Zenno realized who it was. 

Zenno: It’s T’Lyra! And she lives! oO We will not suffer this to be done to one of our officers or citizens. We will deal with this: properly, fully, completely, and in time. Oo

Serinus: Response?

She was not conscious and had multiple bruises that appeared to be at least a week old, and healing. There was also mottling on the skin, dark green, turning paler as its healed. It wasn’t consistent with phasers but indicated that she had sustained several bursts with an unknown style of energy weapon. The imposter had no such marks. Given the number of bruises, it must have been a fierce fight. The Vulcan Security Officer was very formidable. Whoever captured her either had numbers or some other large tactical advantage. As near as the officers could tell, the cord was an umbilical. It kept her alive and also sedated. The purpose of the devices on her head was unknown.

A quick search of the storage cabinets revealed T’Lyra’s uniform, more medical gear including unloaded hypo-sprays, and a Starfleet Medical Tricorder, drained of charge. 

Zenno and the Commander considered their options. They could remove her from the equipment and try to carry her with them to safety. It was impossible to know if she would wake up, or even be mobile if she did. They could try to wake her up here, connected to all of this, and get some answers. They could leave her here and come back once they have called for help. They could also try to find weapons and then come back and try to leave together. The medical implications for the Vulcan in all of the options were unclear. Of course, the Commander may have another idea.

Zenno: If we can’t find anything better, I might be able to craft something from that pharmacy workstation, like a knockout gas, a fire grenade, or something for the hypo-sprays. But we don’t know the physiology of who we are against yet so we don’t know if anything I could make would be efficacious. What’s the play, Commander? Whoever they are, we owe them a visit. oO Gain control of yourself. You feel some rage now, but it’s not going to get the better of you. Oo

Serinus: Response?

Ensign Zenno

Security Officer

USS Arrow

A240006Z13