Cmdr. Katsim Peri - "Black is Black"
Amanda Nordstrom
(( Bridge, Deck 1, USS Octavia E. Butler ))
Ives wasn’t an unknown. Although Starfleet had never encountered her before according to their files, she had certainly been busy in the quadrant. The problem was, chatter didn’t really give much information, just that she kept herself busy. As far as Peri could see, there wasn’t even a picture, though that certainly could simply mean they hadn’t dug deep enough.
However, a picture was unnecessary since the woman herself remained on display via the viewscreen. She seemed wholly unconcerned about their presence, which meant she hid it very well, or she had something up her sleeve. Peri cast a glance toward Forsyth. She really wished the sensors were working better. When the computer beeped to draw her eyes back to it, she blinked, then, in a low voice that only the two women on the Butler bridge could hear, she softly spoke.
Katsim: One of the other ships is turning back.
It wasn’t as big as Ives’ ship, but it was the largest of the ones that had started to scatter away.
Forsyth: (low) What?!
Obviously Forsyth didn’t like the fact another ship aimed toward them. Why they had turned back, Peri couldn’t say, but obviously they were going to find out soon enough. While she and Forsyth continued to work at their consoles, Rouiancet continued the conversation with Ives.
Rouiancet: =/\= It sounds as though I ought to speak with your parent organization, then. And since you and I have already established a dialogue... =/\=
That’s right, Ives had mentioned something called ‘Black Kris’. That was a new term for Peri, and while Forsyth took a look at their tactical situation, she elected to switch gears. Her fingers moved and tapped away upon the console and input a search string for that name and anything associated with it.
Katsim: Black Kris…
Her voice was merely a murmur, barely audible, certainly not heard by anyone across the other side of the comms. Obviously, they were a shady organisation of some kind, that much they could infer, but details mattered, and Peri hoped she could find more of them.
Ives: =/\= Captain, what you are propos--- (offscreen) Say again?! =/\=
Forsyth: Captain Rouiancet, we may have a problem….
Rouiancet: What is it?
The words came rapid fire, but Peri found bent over her console to work on getting information. Information was important and valuable, and could very well be the thing that made for a successful mission - and the lack thereof could make for an unsuccessful one. Her fingers tapped a steady, quick rhythm, still seeking while she heard Forsyth behind her.
Forsyth: Responses
And then Ives’ voice broke in.
Ives: =/\= Damn their--- (comms muffled) =/\=
The sudden shift in her tone and the subsequent muffling caused Peri to lift her gaze to the viewscreen. Whatever was happening, Ives wasn’t happy.
Rouiancet: Lieutenant, shields are still up, yes? We might need them.
Forsyth received Peri’s attention and she nodded to the woman, perhaps in encouragement, or maybe in certainty that Forsyth was already on top of the situation.
Forsyth: Responses
Rouiancet: What about our echolocation? What's the likeliest vector?
Katsim: It’s heading back toward us.
Us, meant the Butler and the Sweet Charlotte. Whether or not the ship was aimed for one or the other specifically, it was too early to tell, but the ship was definitely getting closer.
Forsyth: Responses
Rouiancet: =/\= Captain Ives, what's happening over there? =/\=
Katsim: The ship is within weapons range.
That meant they could hit it, but that also meant the other ship could hit them - or Ives’. Either way, it changed the situation, and now they would have to be doubly obvious. Keeping the shields up was most definitely wise.
Ives: =/\= Response =/\=
Forsyth/Rouiancet: Responses
Carefully watching, Peri noticed that the ship was headed toward them, but not in the way she expected. It didn’t barrel down straight toward them, but shifted away slightly, as if it was going to come alongside.
Katsim: Captain.
Peri didn’t say more than her title. Instead, she sent the image so she and Forsyth could see what was happening.
Ives: =/\= Response =/\=
Forsyth/Rouiancet: Responses
While there had been a dozen or so ships at one point, most of them had scattered and flitted away. The one that headed toward them that right minute had obviously changed their mind. It wasn’t as large as Ives’ ship, or the Butler, but it was large enough. Since sensors remained non viable thanks to the magnetar, they had no idea what sort of weaponry it boasted, or what damage it could do. As she worked, Peri saw that someone had rerouted more power to the shields. Meanwhile, her search for information regarding the Black Kris came up. While it wasn’t as comprehensive as she would have liked, it did have a little more information than they had found about Ives herself.
Katsim: The Black Kris. It Started in the Alpha Quadrant as a part of an Orion cartel cell. It’s evidently come into its own and has firmly established itself in the Gamma Quadrant.
She paused as she saw another name that was even more familiar among the bits of information she gleaned.
Katsim: There’s mention of them having some sort of interaction with the Consortium…
That name had been whispered in various places throughout the Gamma Quadrant. While Peri had not received any information herself, she had seen some intel come through regarding them. What did they have to do with the Black Kris?
Ives: =/\= Response =/\=
Forsyth/Rouiancet: Response
-- Commander Katsim Peri Chief Science Officer USS Octavia E. Butler M239008AD0