Lt. Kim Stapledon - Getting Away With Questions
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John Smith
Jun 23, 2026, 10:15:07 PM (4 days ago) Jun 23
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((Power Chamber 2, Deck 742-Beta, Voth Generation Ship Igirni))
Kettick: Lieutenant Stapledon, would technology capable of creating stable wormholes on demand be able to produce these kinds of readings on your tricorder?
Kim noticed several reactions. They looked like surprise but also something else.
Stapledon: Possibly, sir. But I will say this. The odds of a wormhole forming by random in a black hole are pretty small.
The Remmilian was still looking at his screen, head tilted sideways in puzzlement.
Kettick: I am not a scientist by any means, and astrophysics is not one of my strong subjects. But I just linked up with Igirni's sensors, and the huge ship that appears to have just closed the white hole is giving me cause to wonder, is all.
Kim's eyes widened.
Xarrin: So, the secret is out. ::He pressed a button on the console and opened a channel:: =/\= This is Xarrin. Energise. =/\=
((Transporter Pad, Voth City ship, Delta Quadrant))
They beamed to a transporter pad in what might as well have been a different vessel. Kim took stock of the situation. They were surrounded by several armed guards. Xarrin held his hands up but Kim suspected it was an act.
Xarrin: I am Xarrin.
Voth: Clearly. I am Tobrak, Security Advisor to the Minister. ::pointing at Kettick and Stapledon:: And they are?
Xarrin: They are Starfleet. From the records you sent me, I understand you’ve encountered them before.
Kettick: Lieutenant-Commander Kettick, Starfleet. Green-Two-Three-Nine-One-Zero-Seven-Lima-Red-Zero.
Inwardly she sighed. So they were prisoners. She quickly recalled her training and said calmly.
Stapledon: Lieutenant Kimberly Stapledon, Starfleet. India two three eight six zero one Kilo Bravo 0.
Xarrin: They answered the distress call. They did not come here to fight.
Tobrak: Perhaps. The Minister will know what to do with them. Come.
So there was a bureaucracy. Or at the very least a minister.
Xarrin: ::quietly, to Kettick and Stapledon as they walked:: You were correct. The anomaly was artificially created, as were the reactor troubles. All of it was a part of a plan to bring the Igirni back to the Delta Quadrant. ::short pause:: I’m sorry you were dragged into this, but you will be several orders of magnitude safer here with me than aboard the Igirni.
Kim noticed several reactions. They looked like surprise but also something else.
Stapledon: Possibly, sir. But I will say this. The odds of a wormhole forming by random in a black hole are pretty small.
The Remmilian was still looking at his screen, head tilted sideways in puzzlement.
Kettick: I am not a scientist by any means, and astrophysics is not one of my strong subjects. But I just linked up with Igirni's sensors, and the huge ship that appears to have just closed the white hole is giving me cause to wonder, is all.
Kim's eyes widened.
Xarrin: So, the secret is out. ::He pressed a button on the console and opened a channel:: =/\= This is Xarrin. Energise. =/\=
((Transporter Pad, Voth City ship, Delta Quadrant))
They beamed to a transporter pad in what might as well have been a different vessel. Kim took stock of the situation. They were surrounded by several armed guards. Xarrin held his hands up but Kim suspected it was an act.
Xarrin: I am Xarrin.
Voth: Clearly. I am Tobrak, Security Advisor to the Minister. ::pointing at Kettick and Stapledon:: And they are?
Xarrin: They are Starfleet. From the records you sent me, I understand you’ve encountered them before.
Kettick: Lieutenant-Commander Kettick, Starfleet. Green-Two-Three-Nine-One-Zero-Seven-Lima-Red-Zero.
Inwardly she sighed. So they were prisoners. She quickly recalled her training and said calmly.
Stapledon: Lieutenant Kimberly Stapledon, Starfleet. India two three eight six zero one Kilo Bravo 0.
Xarrin: They answered the distress call. They did not come here to fight.
Tobrak: Perhaps. The Minister will know what to do with them. Come.
So there was a bureaucracy. Or at the very least a minister.
Xarrin: ::quietly, to Kettick and Stapledon as they walked:: You were correct. The anomaly was artificially created, as were the reactor troubles. All of it was a part of a plan to bring the Igirni back to the Delta Quadrant. ::short pause:: I’m sorry you were dragged into this, but you will be several orders of magnitude safer here with me than aboard the Igirni.
Kim chose to stay silent. Given the fact that they'd spent the past several hours working in and around a nuclear reactor that didn't seem too watertight to begin with that was probably true.
Kettick: One wishes you could extend the same consideration to the rest of the people that have been left behind.
Stapledon: Why have you detained us?
Xarrin: Why? That is a question the Minister is best placed to answer…
Their escort pushed open a pair of large ornate doors doors, and Kim and Kettick followed.
Tobrak: Minister. I present Xarrin and Starfleet.
Xarrin bowed low in front of the Voth behind the desk.
Xarrin: Minister. I am Xarrin. I have delivered the Igirni as agreed.
Zishi: You’ve done well. ::his stern gaze moved to their visitors:: Who, indeed, are they?
Kim remained silent.
Kettick: Lieutenant-Commander Kettick, Starfleet. Green-Two-Three-Nine-One-Zero-Seven-Lima-Red-Zero. We have responded to the Igirni's distress signal. :: He pointedly turned his compound eyes towards Xarrin :: In good faith.
Stapledon: Lieutenant Kimberly Stapledon, Starfleet. India two three eight six zero one Kilo Bravo 0. I concur.
Kettick: One wishes you could extend the same consideration to the rest of the people that have been left behind.
Stapledon: Why have you detained us?
Xarrin: Why? That is a question the Minister is best placed to answer…
Their escort pushed open a pair of large ornate doors doors, and Kim and Kettick followed.
Tobrak: Minister. I present Xarrin and Starfleet.
Xarrin bowed low in front of the Voth behind the desk.
Xarrin: Minister. I am Xarrin. I have delivered the Igirni as agreed.
Zishi: You’ve done well. ::his stern gaze moved to their visitors:: Who, indeed, are they?
Kim remained silent.
Kettick: Lieutenant-Commander Kettick, Starfleet. Green-Two-Three-Nine-One-Zero-Seven-Lima-Red-Zero. We have responded to the Igirni's distress signal. :: He pointedly turned his compound eyes towards Xarrin :: In good faith.
Stapledon: Lieutenant Kimberly Stapledon, Starfleet. India two three eight six zero one Kilo Bravo 0. I concur.
She took stock of the situation. The Igirni was a generational ship. Someone had wanted them back in the Delta Quadrant. But how nmuch of the ship's culture would still be recognizable to the people here? Could they utilize that to their advantage somehow?
Zishi: I am sorry, you were not supposed to be involved. ::he looked at Xarrin sternly:: My agents were not supposed to let any distress signals occur. ::he looked at the other two:: Are you free to speak on the behalf of your crew?
Minister/Xarrin: Response
Kettick shook his head.
Kettick: I am not a duly appointed representative of Starfleet. My Captain, his First Officer and our diplomatic envoy are still on the Igirni.
Zishi: But you are the ones I have here. ::sighing:: My sympathies. I know what it’s like to be separated from your family - it’s why we brought the Igirni home… But it was a one way trip - I can’t send you back.
Kettick shook his head.
Kettick: I am not a duly appointed representative of Starfleet. My Captain, his First Officer and our diplomatic envoy are still on the Igirni.
Zishi: But you are the ones I have here. ::sighing:: My sympathies. I know what it’s like to be separated from your family - it’s why we brought the Igirni home… But it was a one way trip - I can’t send you back.
Single use wormhole? Kim took catalogue of that. She would need to somehow get information on how they had managed it.
Stapledon: You utilized an existing wormhole?
Xarrin / Kettick: Response
It was a risky move. Some captors didn't appreciate being questioned, particularly when the prisoner refused to divulge any information themselves.
Zishi: We only had the power to open a single wormhole; it was a once in a generation opportunity. Which I suspect is why… Xarrin, was it? Why Xarrin brought you along - it was too risky not to.
They needed them. Why? Once in a generation opportunity... The most obvious explanation for that was the generational ship's speed.
Xarrin / Kettick: Response
Zishi: Response
What she needed was more information.
Stapledon: For what purpose?
Xarrin / Kettick: Response
Zishi: Response
Zishi: Response
Lt. Kimberly Stapledon
Chief of Science
USS Eagle-A
I238601KB0
Pronouns:
Character: She/Her
Writer: He/Him
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