LtCmdr Jovenan – Why do our people get kidnapped on every single mission!?
Jovenan
((En route to the Golden Spire, Boraxian Cityship))
Luirétt: We’re being called back to the Golden Spire? ::looks back to Jovenan and the others:: Have the preliminary negotiations concluded already?
It was possible. Jovenan recognised some of the same buildings that they had flown past on their way to the Commercial Sector now from the other perspective as their craft had turned back. She was worried about their loss of control of the craft. Luirétt was the only one of them apparently capable of flying the craft, and they had turned out to not listen to her orders even when they were clear and sensible, but even then, she preferred a person next to her and at least somewhat reliable to control their course over the devil they didn’t know. If it was the Captain or someone from the Boraxian delegation working with her permission as Luirétt had suggested, Jovenan had nothing to worry about, but after seeing the riot and the law enforcement’s response to it, she wasn’t going to sit back and lower her shields quite yet.
Jovenan: Maybe. It would be odd that they didn’t call us first, though.
Bancroft: =/\= Bancroft to Cole, our team’s been rerouted to the Golden Spire. What’s your status? =/\=
Silence fell to the craft for a moment as they all expected Ensign Cole’s response to come through any second now. Seconds dragged on, and it became harder and harder to argue that maybe Ensign Cole was just stepping out of the conference hall to chat with them in private and out of the dignitaries’ earshot. There was no response, not even anything to confirm that the Ensign’s combadge had received the call.
Bergmen: Luirett? It’s possible due to the protests, your people are jamming the comms?
Another reasonable explanation. Blocking the communications was a common tactic at battlefield – the crew had witnessed that themselves when facing the Da’al and the Suliban at the Genesis Planet – but some societies used it even during protests and uprisings. Establishing such an area around the government building would protect the leadership from remotely controlled attacks, too, although Jovenan had to assume that the government had some kind of method to penetrate their own jamming so that they could control their craft.
Luirétt: Response
Well, they’d find out in a moment. The Golden Spire was mere minutes away, and given the remote control, Jovenan didn’t think there was much the team could do to stop the craft. It could still be something innocent, like the Captain asking the Boraxians to get them back when the news of the riot broke out and the communications block was established.
She looked at Luirétt. The inexperienced Yurum leader had gone through several hardships in the matter of days, even just since they left the Golden Spire. Jovenan regretted being so harsh on them when they had tried to talk to the rioters. Even if Luirétt had indeed put them in danger, multiple people shouting at them and physically holding them must have only contributed to their panic and confusion. They weren’t a Starfleet officer, not even someone who should have been in this position. Jovenan turned to them, speaking gently as to confirm to them that the Starfleet team were still there to support them and that there was no reason to fan the earlier spark of animosity.
Jovenan: Luirétt, may I ask, what happened, from your perspective, in the streets just now? Why were the people protesting? What were you trying to accomplish, and why did they behave like that when they saw you?
Bancroft: That wasn’t just civil unrest. That was – ritualistic. Pack behavior. The kind of thing you see in people under chemical influence. Or withdrawal… or both. That wasn’t a protest… it was a breakdown.
Bergmen: Is that why Yurum walked away? Abandon Boraxians?
Luirétt: Response
Jovenan sighed and nodded; it was okay. However, the conversation had to continue later, as the Golden Spire was returning to the view and the craft began the automatic landing procedure. The platform was the same that they had used when boarding the craft not too long ago, but now there were Boraxian officials to receive them. It was expected that there was someone to guide them to Commander Munro’s team, yet there was something off about these individuals. They seemed… jittery. Government officials could have different personalities, sure, but being so afraid of the guests that they were behaving as if they were sent as a bait for the monster seemed less than professional. Something was wrong in here.
Jovenan: What’s happened here?
Bancroft: I can’t be sure, but the frown brigade waiting for us on that balcony doesn’t exactly scream ‘welcome back, we made cake.’
Bergmen: Commander, are you armed, in case things go sideways? I’m not.
This had been meant to be just a diplomatic meeting. They had had their armed security officer with them.
Jovenan: I’m afraid I’m not…
Luirétt: Response
Bancroft: =/\= Bancroft to Cole… do you read me? =/\=
Jovenan waited for a response with bated breath. The explanations and excuses were drying out: something really had happened here, something more serious than just standard government response to a riot. The Security Officer didn’t answer.
Bancroft: ::sotto voice:: Commander, I believe we’re off the grid. Comms are down.
Bergmen: If it looks like a trap, sounds like a trap, smells like a trap… I guess we can voice how this looks, right?
That was… possible. Jovenan pressed her lips tight together. Their welcoming committee didn’t appear to be armed as far as she could see, but hiding sidearms didn’t take much effort, and for all she knew, there could have been a platoon of lethal soldiers waiting for them inside. The scaredy officials could be just a distraction. Or, they were genuine and afraid of something else. The situation was suspicious but not necessarily a trap. It would be unwise to try and fight their way off from the situation now, what could they even do, jump off the spire?
Jovenan: Let’s be cautious. You too, Luirétt. I’m not exactly sure what is happening here, but some of the rules of your society may not apply any more.
Luirétt: Response
The craft landed softly to the platform. Jovenan was the first to leave the craft, feeling relieve in her limbs as she could finally extend them outside the cramped vehicle, but she kept her expression as neutral as she could facing the Boraxians. They didn’t make a move to reveal their weapons or signal their partners, rather, their fear was more apparent from up close.
Boraxian Representative #1: ::measured:: Starfleet… Luirétt. You are… expected. Please come inside.
Boraxian Representative #2: ::glancing over shoulder:: Quickly, if you would.
Jovenan raised an eyebrow. She didn’t know if she should interpret the message as a call of assistance, as a threat or as an order. They did appear sincere about being afraid, at least, although Jovenan still didn’t know enough about the Boraxian non-verbal communication to make a definitive judgement.
Bancroft: Comms down… jittery hosts… whatever’s gone on here, I think we can all agree this isn’t a polite invitation for afternoon tea.
Bergmen: So, it would be great if you could take us to our colleagues, who are negotiating with the Great Mother of yours.
Lt Bergmen managed to keep a friendly expression saying that, despite him being the one to suggest this was a trap. Jovenan tried the same, smiling although her eyes were scanning them for a sign of betrayal.
Jovenan: If you would be so kind.
Luirétt: Response
The Boraxian duo were doing a poor job in disguising their uncertainty. They managed to fill the long pause before responding with shared glances, as if asking one another if the other knew what to say. Admittedly, Jovenan didn’t know anything about the Boraxian customer service culture, but she for certain wouldn’t hire these people to their jobs.
Boraxian Representative #1: That would be a little problematic at the moment, because… (pause) Negotiations are still ongoing! If you just follow us and…
The other Boraxian was also about to say something but stopped just before voicing her thoughts. Jovenan glanced the two. She was from a culture where people tended to trust one another blindly, but even the most naïve of her people would see through such a poor excuse.
Bergmen: I truly apologize and hope you won't view this as an insult, but I'm afraid we'll have to insist that you take us to our colleagues.
Bancroft: Immediately, if you please.
Jovenan: We’ve lost contact with our team. I’m sure your leadership won’t mind interrupting the meeting in such circumstances.
Luirétt: Response
The official who had stated the excuse hesitated, but the other one broke down almost immediately. They jumped forwards and waved all their four arms around in panic.
Boraxian Representative #2: It's not our fault. We have nothing to do with it, trust us! They...they... gone crazy! They were armed and captured your colleagues… and we couldn't do anything, just run! They took them all away! Do you have weapons? Can you contact your ship to help us? Please?
Jovenan’s eyes darted to the other official, who did nothing to deny her partner’s claims or stop them. It was as if the secret had been revealed. Her eyes widened as she understood what the official’s panic-infused stream of words was about. Oh no. Oh no no no no.
Bergmen: Ehm… WoW. (beat) I didn’t expect… (beat) Oh my… wow.
Bancroft: Repeat that, please.
Holding her chin between her fingers, Jovenan tried to make sense of what the Boraxians were saying. Another party had attacked the government’s most secure meeting halls in the middle of the day and kidnapped dignitaries… just like that. Who were they? Insurgents, revolutionaries? Or government spec-ops troops executing an unexpected plot twist? And where were they now? Jovenan’s team had yet to see a glimpse of another Boraxian besides these two – and Luirétt, of course – and certainly not any sort of group who could pull such a move. Were they still in the building or did they leave immediately? Where were the government security?
Doctor Bancroft turned his shoulders somewhat towards her and spoke quietly.
Bancroft: Forgive the obvious, but this doesn’t track. If someone stormed the chambers and abducted a diplomatic envoy, why send a frightened pair of junior functionaries to collect us? Why not security? Or someone higher up the food chain?
Jovenan: I… don’t know. They could have run and be the only ones remaining. ::looks at each of the teammates:: Or do you think they’re in on it too?
Bergmen/Luirétt: Response
Jovenan hated this. She didn’t know who to trust, and the possibility that Commander Munro and her team were captured or possibly even killed was hitting on her. If Jovenan hadn’t suggested splitting up the team, they would have been there. It would have been much more difficult to capture six Starfleet officers than three, armed or not. Was it her fault? It was her duty as the Acting XO to protect their Captain and the crew. All implications were awful: the team could get hurt or killed, Jovenan had to bear their lives on her conscience… and she might need to step up as the Acting Captain if they couldn’t retrieve Commander Munro. She couldn’t do that.
Doctor Bancroft turned back to the two Boraxian officials.
Bancroft: You said they were taken. How do you know that? Did you see it happen? Were you there? Or is this something someone told you to say?
Boraxian Representative #2: ::haltingly:: We… we were there. As part of Advocate Chavrainne’s entourage. ::hiccup:: When… when it happened… we ran. The ones who did it…
The other Boraxian official consoled her colleague as tears broke through. Jovenan knew that she shouldn’t make judgement based on expressions of emotions alone, as those could be faked, but she had hard time assigning these two as co-conspirators to a violent abduction. They looked guilty, not of deception and violence, but of cowardice. They had abandoned their post at the first sight of the enemy and got their protectees captured. She felt sorry for them.
Boraxian Representative #1: We have surveillance footage of the kidnapping. Come. We will show you.
Jovenan looked at her teammates and then nodded to them. The Boraxian officials guided them deeper inside the Spire, and all the way down, Jovenan thought of how to get the other team back – and what would happen if they failed.
((Anteroom, Golden Spire, Boraxian Cityship))
Out of the golden halls and the crystalline windows, the team reached what was little more than a security booth or a utility closet. Jovenan’s eyes scanned the room as soon as they entered there; single door, no windows, the place would have been a perfect place to trap them. For a short moment, she wondered if anyone would even hear their screams here. However, the attack didn’t come, and instead their guides made it to the screen on the opposite wall and activated it. Jovenan allowed her suspicions to fade a little as familiar figures appeared on the screen and caught her attention. Another click, and the image began to move.
At first, the discussion appeared to go ahead smoothly. Jovenan saw each of the team members, Commander Munro, Lt K’Wara, Ensign Cole, seated with a Boraxian woman she assumed the Advocate. They ate some food they were offered, with varying expressions revealing their opinions about it. Lots of talking. And then, things turned worse. Without a warning, a group of armed attackers kicked in the door and rushed into the hall. The juxtaposition of the glittering gold and the weapons of steel, the gracefulness of the Advocate and the brutish demeanour of the attackers, was colossal. The teams were held at gunpoint and surrendered.
Bancroft: ::softly, so as not to be overheard by the two Boraxians:: Anyone else see what I’m seeing?
The Doctor whispered. She looked at him and then the screen. He wouldn’t have whispered if he didn’t mean for the Boraxian officials to hear. He must have been dubious about the recording, why else would he not trust them now? Jovenan looked at her new superior and other colleagues surrender and be taken away. It was easy, but was it too easy, when there were armed attackers holding arms against their temples? She didn’t know any of these people well enough to make the call. If it had been Captain MacKenzie, or Genkos, Talos or Vitor, maybe, but with so few weeks of service together with Commander Munro…
Jovenan: ::quietly:: Do you think it’s fake?
Bergmen/Luirétt/Bancroft: Response
Jovenan felt the chill travel down her spine. If the recording was a fabrication or altered in some way, it wasn’t a coincidence the two Boraxians officials had shown it to them. She wanted to feel sorry for them, pity the fact that they were caught off-guard by something that had supposedly never happening on the peaceful Cityship, but if – if – they were not as innocent as they appeared, Jovenan had allowed them to be guided into their own tombs. She bit her lip and considered her options.
Jovenan: ::quietly:: We have to find out if what we’ve seen is real and if their route was caught on camera. Bergmen, Bancroft, that’s you. Luirétt… Luirétt, can I trust you?
Bergmen/Bancroft/Luirétt: Response
Jovenan: ::quietly:: I’m sorry for having you in this situation. We promised to protect you, but now you have to help us. It’s not fair, but I need you to be strong a little bit longer. ::out loud, to the Boraxian representatives:: How did the attackers enter the building? Did you see them breach in?
Bergmen/Bancroft/Luirétt: Response
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Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Acting XO (Chief Science Officer)
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11