Lieutenant JG Ragh- New Friends?

[Ryan Augustyn]

[[Holodeck]]

(( Main Bridge, USS Buffett ))

 

Ragh had blindly called into the voids of space and hoped someone would answer. So far, no one had.

Ragh: Okay, change of-

Unknown: =/\= USS Buffet, we heard your message. What we do here is our own concern. (A pause) But we are.. open, to further conversation. Give us thirty minutes and await our hail. =/\=

They answered! Ragh was truly surprised, his open hail was a bit of a 'hail mary.' But what could they possibly need those thirty minutes for. 

Bakk: From a security standpoint, I have concerns about this course of action. A Romulan or potential third party wants us to wait for thirty minutes. They could be assembling reinforcements.

Nis: We think he’s right. 

Bakk: We could assemble our own reinforcements, but the timing window is not large. Also it would be viewed as aggressive, and we are already tending away from that sort of approach.

Nis: Reinforcements are off the table for now. We’re too close to the border. 

Rouiancet: I concur. Waiting is dangerous.

Ragh: I agree. Not only do we not have the time, I don't want to risk escalation. We don't know for sure this other party has ill intent. If they do, well, I'm confident we can outrun them.

The Buffett was a protostar class, one of the current fastest ships in the whole fleet. It might pack a punch, but sure as heck can outrun the best of them.

Nis: There are other ways we can prepare. (turning to console)

Rouiancet: Yes, and I have a preliminary report on the source of the signal. I'm having the computer continue to track it.

Ragh: Thank you, very good. Let me know when we find anything out.

Nis: We’re keeping an eye out for enemy ships, but the region still seems deserted. Ensign Bakk, anything interesting in the most recent probes? 

Bakk: Response

That was the last thing Ragh expected to hear.

Nis: So you’re saying that comet … has a gun? 

Rouiancet: (looking around) What?

Ragh: A gun? I'm going to need more to go off of than that, Ensign! What do you mean firing capabilities?

A comet with a gun, now Ragh had heard everything. It was clearly with shields and weapons, these comets were either here to protect something, or they were something worth protecting.

Rouiancet: To what end? The comet doesn't even have comms.

Ragh: This doesn't bode well. (To Rouiancet) Put us on yellow alert. My orders remain the same: we're here to talk. Any ideas where these new friends are broadcasting from? Surely not the comet?

Nis/Bakk: Responses

Rouiancet: Wherever the speaker is, they're not on the comet. The signal's point of origin is far distant, probably even beyond any of the other comets.

Ragh nodded confirmation. That was at least something. The last thing they needed was the comets to open fire on them, though that still was a possibility

Ragh: Interesting, that means there is the possibility of cloaked ships nearby.

Nis/Bakk: Responses

Rouiancet: Call coming in, Captain. Receive?

Ragh: (Nodding) On the main screen.

Unknown: =/\= Hello Buffet, as promised.. =/\=

On the screen came the familiar visage of a Romulan. A younger man, but he gave of a very confident and commanding look. But Ragh also noticed, he looked almost at ease. He didn't know what to make of that.

Unknown Romulan: =/\= I'd prefer to keep our identities to ourselves, if you don't mind. =/\=

Ragh: =/\= That is acceptable. =/\=

Ragh didn't see a point in disagreeing. It's possible the Romulans had the advantage, tactically speaking, but for now there was no reason now to trust them.

Unknown Romulan: =/\= I see you've discovered the comets. =/\=

oO Interesting.. Oo

Ragh: =/\= We have. Is it safe to assume they are a.. mutual discovery? =/\=

The Klingon chose his words carefully as he did not want to come off as accusatory.

The Romulan man nodded.

Unknown Romulan: =/\= A good assumption. I must apologize, we detected these most interesting comets in a simple survey of our borders, and well, we had to investigate for our safety. You understand, I'm sure.  =/\=

Ragh: =/\= Of course. Would you mind if we have a few moments to discuss this privately? The last thing I'd want would be for either of us to come to the wrong conclusions. =/\=

Ragh detected the hint of a frown creep across the Romulan's face but it didn't last. He knew how to play the game, as well.

Unknown Romulan: =/\= If you wish. You know how to reach us, but Captain, don't keep us waiting. =/\=

The screen went black.

Ragh: Thoughts?

Rouiancet/Nis/Bakk: Responses

Ragh: I think they're telling the truth about the comets. I also don't buy their story about why they were in the area but right now that's besides the point. As long as we have a mutual goal, we all get along.

Rouiancet/Nis/Bakk: Responses

Ragh: No, for right now I don't want to do anything to give them reason to doubt us, even though I know for a fact they've scanned us. 

Ragh knew he was playing it overly safe, possibly to their detriment, but he had a gut feeling that this was the right path to follow.

Ragh: We need something we can offer them, some bit of information, anything. Just to show them we mean to cooperate.

Rouiancet/Nis/Bakk: Responses

Tags! and TBC!

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Lieutenant Junior Grade Ragh

Medical Officer 

USS Octavia E. Butler 

O240212R13