JP - Carry on my wayward son - Part 5 of 8 - LtCmdr. Avander Promontory, LtCmdr. V'Len Kel, 2Lt. Ithri Sh'shelor, Lt. Jack Kessler, Zet Admin. Topok
Amanda Nordstrom
((Itech’eman Facility - Location Unknown))
Topok had been assigned to this facility for thirty solar rotations (days) at this point and had been be given administration over many of the VIP’s in the facility but he had little interaction with VIP 81226-1. That was about to change. This VIP showed up on his morning report as now having been assigned to him for further grooming. Topok decided that this was a great opportunity as this VIP shared the name of two others who had come from a captured ship months earlier and those VIPs had been extremely valuable to their Zet masters.
Picking up a harmon fruit off the table, Topok stepped out of his office and into the lush courtyard of the main facility. It was spacious and gave the VIPs ample space to relax and enjoy themselves and Topok himself enjoyed the surroundings as it reminded him of his home. Sighting VIP 81226-1 Topok walked over to the human and looked down to the ground. The human lay prone, face down to the ground. His ankles tightly fixed together straight out behind him and his arms spread slightly out to his sides. The human pushed his body up and then down, up and then down in a controlled motion over and over again. Topok had seen VIP 81226-1 do this many of the mornings he was here and assumed this was some sort of morning ritual. Topok: 81226-1, good morning. I am Topok, your new Administrator. May we speak?
Jack finished the last set of his pushup reps, eyes closed and picturing Krystal, his sister back on the Oumuamua playing with their dog Lilou. The voice of the Zet broke his thought and he lowered himself to the ground one last time and rolled over to his back. Shading his eyes from the morning sun he gazed up at the Zet who stood towering over him and looking rather lost. He noticed the Zet had a fruit in his hand but it was not being offered to Jack.
Sitting up and then springing himself to a stand, Jack dusted off his hands and snagged the fruit from the Zets hand with a large smile across his face.
Kessler: Sure, and thank you for breakfast.
Jack sank his teeth into the fruit and sucked in the juices that filled the slightly tart fruit.
Topok: (looking to his empty hand and then back at Jack) 81226-1, that was actually my breakfast.
Kessler: Come on Topok, I’ll buy you breakfast.
Jack grinned and patted the taller Zet on the shoulder and began walking across the courtyard towards a sitting area with a number of tables, all of which had a large assortment of fruits and drinks layed out for the VIPs.
As the two moved to a table and took a seat, Jack reached out and slid one of the large bowls of fruit towards the Zet.
Kessler: I know this is meant for us, the VIPs but consider it on, the house.
Jack winked at the Zet and leaned back under the shade of a large canopy tree. If he didn’t know any better he’d thought this tree was akin to a giant willow back on Earth..
Kessler: How can I help you Topok?
Topok eyed the bowl and allowing his fingers to float over the fruit, selected one and lifted it to his mouth. Taking a small bite he enjoyed the flavours and juices that filled the small orb as he sat for a moment reflecting what his new VIP could bring him.
Topok: Your record indicates that you are hunting for your father and mother. A strange devotion to family but your culture is a mystery to many of us. I however see a very profitable arrangement here for us both. You are a wealth of information, a wealth that could catapult me into positions that would take years to achieve without you. Positions that would give me much greater access into tracking your parents and helping you find them.
Jack eyed the Zet and then looked around the courtyard. Other VIPs walked around, some talked to their Zet Administrators and others simply looked lost and unsure where they were.
Kessler: (leaning forward) So another words, I make you rich and you find my parents for me.
Topok: (greedily grinning) No, you will make us both richer than you could imagine.
Jack’s motivation was purely about his parents. Money had little value to him at this point and honestly was not a driving factor within the Federation but as long as Topok or the other Zet didn’t know that then he could use all of this to his advantage.
Kessler: (taking another bite of the fruit) Well, who doesn’t like a little wealth at the end of the day. What do we need to do to get rich quickly?
Topok smiled. This conversation had gone much easier than he had anticipated but he knew the lure of giving this human what he most wanted would help them both.
Topok: Strategy, 81226-1. We must work together and out manoeuvre those who want the same thing we do. Wealth is power and I want the power over my enemy’s and that power gives me the ability to give you what you want. Let’s meet again this afternoon and talk about strategy.
Kessler: (smiling at Topok) I look forward to it.
Topok nodded and then rose from the table and walked off across the courtyard. Jack leaned back and watched the Zet. oO Hook, line and sinker. This is going to be easier than I thought. OoT
((Plausible Deniability, In route to Location Known))
V’Len smiled at the LCARs displays before him. This vessel was indeed unique with features V’Len was sure were not Starfleet approved. Promontory was at the controls, but Xam, an earlier Kel host, was raring to try the controls for himself. There was a series of LCARs systems whose names made no sense.
A button flashed incessantly on the console indicating an active cloak. A tantalising array of non-standard buttons gleamed across the shuttle with names like “holographic armaments” and “rotating warp signature.”
V’Len knew they were already cloaked, but what would happen if the warp signature shifted. Would it also cause the vessel to change the flight feel or was it strictly a facade? No harm in checking. He lifted his hand forward.
Promontory: Don’t touch that.
V’Len withdrew his hand. Perhaps the change would cause the ship to become momentarily visible.
Avander could appreciate that their new shuttle was gawk-worthy. He himself was tickled he got approval to print the modifications to the Argonaut shuttle. Well, maybe “approval” was too strong a word. Commander Rouiancet had been skittish about even knowing too many details (and, thus, had inspired the craft’s name), but fortunately Commodore V’Airu had provided sufficient coverage that they were able to get the new vessel operational. And not a moment too late.
But it was understandable that their guest would be enamoured by some of the more… specialized features.
“Ablative armour” Surely that couldn’t hurt any to try. V’Len reached forward again.
Promontory: Or that.
V’Len withdrew his arms once more and folded them across his chest.
Ithri’s eyes darted over to Promontory who was far too enthused over the ship, though it was a rather humorous thing to witness. That humour was tempered by concern. As far as she knew, the Federation had been given temporary permission to use a cloaking device only because of the threat of the Dominion during the great war that ravaged three quarters of the galaxy. How had they received permission on the smaller vessel? Was it merely because it was smaller, and therefore wouldn't be considered as much a threat? As a fellow Intelligence officer, Promontory likely had that information, but if he did, he hadn’t shared it with her. It was a conversation for another time, once they had returned to the OEB.
Promontory: Do you need something to do V’Len?
Kel: ::unfolding his arms and moving forward in his seat:: Did you need a break? I could take the helm for a few minutes if you need some rack time or some food. I’m always happy to help.
Promontory: (distractedly looking at readouts) No.
Sh’shelor: Promontory is an excellent pilot.
She inclined her head and her antennae turned to do the same toward the man in the pilot’s chair. She, herself, took position next to him, effectively prevening V’Len from having a place up front and so he was stuck behind them. What did they call that in the Academy? A third wheel?
Sh’shelor: And I am an excellent co-pilot.
V’Len frowned but stood up.
Kel: Did it occur to you that my talents extend beyond “checking med kits”.
Promontory: oO Like getting into trouble? Oo Neither of us (indicating himself and Ithri) have specialized medical training. I’d hate to be missing something essential that could help Jack.
Sh’shelor: You are the doctor. Therefore, you should doctor.
The slender hands of the Andorian marine continued to work at the controls, keeping ahead of scans and an eye on system readouts. Thus far, all was quiet, but that would not last very long.
V’Len supposed that they had a point. If Kessler were injured, he would never forgive himself if he didn’t have the right set of supplies. He turned reluctantly and headed to the aft section to see what kind of supplies they had. Maybe they’d let him fly on the way back.
A short time later, Avander went to the multi-use table just behind the cockpit. Pulling up the data that V’Len had provided, he zoomed in again on the structure where Jack was allegedly being held.
Promontory: These schematics look… hinkey
Sh’shelor: Hink…ey?
What an odd word. Ithri had set the universal translator to Standard inorder to help her continued attempts to master the language, but that was one piece of vocabulary she had yet to hear.
V’Len also cocked his head to view the schematics of the facility they had discovered on the planet’s surface. Avander was right, but he was not sure why. Certainly the struction looked cobbled together and perhaps that was what was so odd. Most prisons were planned, this one looked haphazard.
Kel: Looks like they’ve modified and extended the facility numerous times.
Promontory: The security looks inconsistent. There are areas where it’s overdone and then other areas where there’s hardly any. Surely there’s some errors here.
Sh’shelor: Either that, or there is poor oversight.
Was that the proper word to use? Ithri’s chin lifted slightly, her silvery eyebrows arching upward.
Avander gave a slight half-shrug. It could be all of the above.
Kel: This may have been built exclusively for Zet until a few years back when they started branching out and attacking other species. Maybe they’ve had to make extensions on the fly.
Promontory: I guess that’s the downside of subcontracting labour.
Sh’shelor: If they do not care, they will not be as cautious.
The Andorian agreed with a nod. Those not invested would see no reason to spend more than the minimum amount of energy needed, even if what they were contracted for was important. That was evidenced by the inconsistencies that Promontory had pointed out.
Sh’shelor: Though I suppose this means we have an advantage.
V’Len could confirm. The Zet security on the Tranquil Nebula clinic were also lax. They were simply low paid underlings who did not make enough income to care. Still there must be management of some kind present.
Kel: If there are Ethereals present that might change things. Would they really trust high value prisoners to low level lackies?
Promontory: Well, we won’t have to wait much longer….
Sh’shelor: Understood.
She knew both were likely exercising far more patience than they truly felt. Ithri had come to help, but she did not know Jack Kessler, so her concern was more distant than theirs. Still, he was a fellow officer, and she would do her utmost to assist in his escape.
Kel: ::pointing to the schematics:: These structures. Here and here. They have an M-class atmosphere present. They’re large but if they’re housing humans the environment is ideal. We should start there.
Promontory: We’re about to be in sensor range.
Sh’shelor: Acknowledged. Perhaps the ship will be able to pick up something. That was the hope. Ithri glanced back at the physician, a silent offering for him to do something other than check medical kits.
V’Len turned back to the console he’d set up for monitoring the sensor readings.
Kel: ::biting his lower lip:: I can’t pick out Jack’s biosigns. There are plenty of people down there and many could be human but I can’t get exact readings on any one individual.
Sh’shelor: Hm. That is not helpful.
If they could pick up Kessler’s biosigns, that would give them information that would assist in how they approached the facility and what they would do to ensure his escape.
Promontory: What’s the numbers on non-Zet lifeforms?
Perhaps they would be rescuing more than their errant tactical officer. If he was actually alive and there. Avander wasn’t convinced. Intelligence could be faked and it seemed almost too coincidental for them to come across it now.
Kel: How do I know? The blasted bugs are scrambling the signals. There's got to be at least 200.
V’Len stood up and walked in a circle around the cabin. They had a rough idea where, but no idea how. The schematics were helpful but the fact was the prison was likely heavily guarded. Even unmotivated guards could eventually hamper them given their numbers.
Kel: ::disappointed:: We need backup. The three of us can’t waltz in there and get Jack out on our own.
V’Len had already suggested several times that they involve more marines from the OEB or at the very least use the Deniability’s arsenal to cause a large-scale distraction. Promontory had pointed out to him, repeatedly, that local politics would not be best served by a Federation attack on a UDP member.
Promontory: It has to be a small team. We can’t have it known that there’s an official Starfleet presence in this space.
Hence the cloak and the semi-official permission to use it.
Ithri leaned forward and peered at the readouts. She was not the one dealing with such matters, though her curiosity got the better of her. She nodded to her fellow Intelligence officer.
Sh’shelor: Agreed, too large a team is too noticeable. We must also dress the part.
As in, not like Officers.
V’Len walked over and pointed a finger at Promontory.
Kel: ::angrily:: That’s exactly how we lost Jack last time! We had no plan but to go in guns blazing.
Avander’s face flushed at the threatening posture, but he held his ground. He was no longer the timid young ensign V’Len had first encountered.
Promontory: That’s not what happened. (beat) And Jack chose to sacrifice himself to save his friends.
Ithri tensed, her antennae stiff as she observed the tension between the two men. Clenching her first, she readied to herself to intervene, though she, at least, spoke with words first rather than her fist, a sign of her growth in that matter. However, she was not afraid to use physical means to draw the fight to a close.
Sh’shelor: Stop. Think. Listen to what he says rather than what your brain thinks he says.
V’Len turned and skulked over to a seat on the other side of the compartment. He took a long deep breath.
Kel: ::calmly:: Avander, I’m sorry. I just want to get Jack back where he belongs. I…I shouldn't have lost my temper. ::pausing:: If only there was a way to call ahead and let him know we’re here.
Promontory: I get it. (beat) And unless you want to get captured yourself and pass him the message… Well, let’s just focus on rescuing one Starfleet officer at a time…
As Kel apologised, Ithri relaxed a little. The Trilldorian had a temper, which didn’t surprise her, as many Andorians did, and he was half of one. Still, she would watch him carefully, for although her own temper could rise, she also knew that to act irrationally because of it could lead to unpleasant consequences.
Sh’shelor: And we will make sure it remains only that one.
Avander and Kel had never been particular friends. They’d worked together often enough, but it was not the same as others whom he’d served with for longer. At least they were both professional enough to realise that it was the stress talking.
The silence hung for a moment before a tone began to sound from the Tactical station. V’Len turned his head toward Sh’shelor.
Kel: What now?
Promontory: There’s quite a bit of activity around the planet. I’m reading several shuttles.
Once again, Ithri turned her attention to the readouts, then narrowed her eyes before she stretched out a hand, one finger jabbing at a bit of information on the screen.
Sh’Shelor: That is Starfleet. An aeroshuttle.
******
Lieutenant
Jack Kessler
Zet
Prisoner
Itech'eman
Facility
T239901JK1
&
Topok
Zet
Administrator
Itech'eman
Facility
T239901JK1
&
Lt
Cmdr Avander Promontory
Director of Intelligence, Gamma Quadrant Flotilla
USS Octavia E Butler
O239910AP4
&
Lieutenant
Commander V’Len Kel
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
T239811VK2
He/Him (character and player)
&
2Lt Ithri Sh'shelor
Marine Intelligence Officer
USS Octavia E Butler
M239008AD0
