LtCmdr. Talos Dakora - Vacay Gone Astray
Travis
((Port Side Observation Deck - Nova Gamma Borealis Cruise Ship))
Talos had been enjoying himself thus far and the gaggle of Junior Officers that had come along had proven to be good company. With the prospect of some beverages from the repli-bar in the immediate future, Talos was feeling good about his choice of shore leave activity.
The amplified voice of the guide once again echoed throughout the ship.
Guide: And we’ve arrived at the historic Idran Sys– ::His words broke off.:: Wait. What’s that?
Uh– stand by, we’re having some technical difficulties.
Talos raised an eyebrow, fixing Gila with an expression that was more confusion than concern.
Dakora: As long as the drink replicators still work…
Sadar: S-Somehow, I’m not certain that’s our chiefest concern right now, Sir.
Talos was about to deliver a gentle admonishing jab to the perpetually nervous Mizarian urging her not to always assume the worst, when the Guide’s voice broke the silence again. This time the Bolian’s words were colored with a hint of panic.
As Gila began to set about fiddling with her ring, Talos reflexively patted the spot where he always kept a Type-1 Concealment phaser– or at least, where he HAD always kept it, when he had been an Intelligence Officer. The little space at the small of his back, just inside his belt was disconcertingly empty now.
Guide: There is no reason for alarm! It appears there are some other vessels in the area right now and–
A nasty hiss and the discordant electronic that meant that someone had just brute-forced their way into the NGB’s comm system split the air, just before a gravelly voice spoke over the intercom.
Voice: =/\= Unknown Vessel, you have invaded the sovereign territory of the New Idran Confederacy. Stand down shields and prepare to have your vessel impounded. =/\=
Talos groaned audibly. Oddly, he found himself more annoyed by the disruption of his pleasant vacation, than he was scared of whatever this unknown threat was. As the line for the repli-bar dispersed and the frightened passengers retreated to their seats, Talos cast a final forlorn look at the picture of the tropical drink he’d wanted on the menu display.
Dakora: You have your comm-badge, right?
He shoved his hand into his pocket, feeling the comforting delta shape of his.
Sadar: Y-Yes Sir, but-
The streak of light that flew past the wide display windows caught Talos’ eye and he managed to drop to one knee just as the torpedo erupted just outside of the danger-zone. Even so, the warning shot that had been fired across the bow had been enough to rattle the civilian passengers inside the defenseless vessel.
Dakora: I don’t like these guys already. ::He gritted his teeth as he stood back up.:: Let’s get back to the others.
A sense of panic was taking hold aboard the ship and Talos had to fortify his mind against the overwhelming collective fear that battered his empathic senses. As they arrived at the seating area where they’d left Savel and Gnai, Talos watched as Gila shifted gears. Momentarily pulling herself out of her own fear and nervousness to check on the others, like a good Medical Officer should.
Sadar: Everyone okay!?
Gnai: Minorly stunned, but fine, sir!
Savel: Responses
His eyes scanned the large open observation deck, hoping for some idea to spark. If they were going to do something, they were rapidly running out of time.
Dakora: We all have our badges, so we should have peer-to-peer comms if we get separated.
Once again, the unfriendly-sounding voice boomed over the intercom so loudly that it distorted slightly as it overloaded the speakers.
N.I.C. Voice: =/\= Last and final warning. Lower shields. =/\=
They could only watch through the large window as the blue shimmer of the shield receded. He didn’t blame the Captain but at the same time, he felt a twinge of disappointment that he hadn’t even tried to make a run for it before rolling over.
Sadar: That is… Not ideal.
Gnai: Not in the slightest! ::looking to Ens. Savel:: This seems to be yet another crisis together. Perhaps if this is resolved, you and this should not be on missions in the future.
The amorphous Ensign in the containment suit seemed a bit incredulous.
Savel: Responses
Dakora: I read some reports about these kinds of groups back when I was in Intel. They board unescorted civilian ships, ransom off or maroon the occupants on nearby world, then strip the boat for parts on the black market.
He frowned.
Dakora: I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like being marooned or seeing the look on Captain MacKenzie’s face when she has to negotiate my ransom. If any of you have an idea, now’s the time.
Gradually the mean-looking vessel of the New Idran— whatever they were called slid into view. The design was crude and inelegant, but there were enough hardpoints with weapons mounted to them studding the hull to make up for the apparent lack of graceful design.
Talos’ gaze shifted to the form of the Bolian guide who had appeared on deck, his hands raised as he tried desperately to placate the crowd.
Guide: ::shouting:: Quiet! QUIET!
For just a moment, the tumultuous crowd complied.
Dakora::Whispering to the others:: He’s not going to be able to control this crowd for long…
Savel/Sadar: Response
Guide: I've been in... brief negotiations with the New Idran Confederacy. This is fine, you don't need to panic--
His words fell away as a glass bottle soared through the air, crashing into a bulkhead behind the man. Another, then another followed it. Sensing the danger he now found himself in, the guide rushed through to a nearby door, frantically entering a code and slipping inside just as another drink splashed against the door.
A heavy thud sounded as the enemy ship mated with the NGB’s docking port.
Gnai: More likely surrender, given how quickly this ship dropped shields…
Talos nodded in Gnai’s direction.
Dakora: This ship isn’t armed. There wasn’t much they could do. ::His eyes narrowed as he turned an idea over in his mind.:: We might be able to do something, though.
Savel/Sadar: Response
Gnai: Is there... any way to contact the Artemis? Or is this ship completely alone here, at the mercy of whatever this New Idran Confederacy may be?
It was a possibility. If they could make it to the comms room, which would be below decks. But the odds that this New Idran Confederacy group would be jamming their comms seemed high. They’d stepped on the ship's internal comms rather effortlessly.
Dakora: It’s worth a shot. If we can slip into the employees-only areas below decks, we can avoid getting rounded up with all the other tourists at least. ::He shrugged.:: Then if we can make it to the Comm Room, we can try for help.
Savel/Sadar: Response
Gnai: Response.
Motioning for them to follow, Talos moved toward the backside of the deck, eventually coming to an alcove he’d seen earlier. He paused in front of the door for a moment.
Dakora: Luckily our Bolian friend thinks his code out loud as he enters it…
Quickly, he punched in the code he’d listened in on as the Guide had run away and the door slid aside.
Dakora: Everybody in!
Savel/Sadar: Response
Gnai: Response.
TAG/TBC
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LtCmdr. Talos Dakora
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0