[REPOST] CDR Naxell — Hope, if not Certainty

[Naxell]

((OOC: Due to Google shenanigans, I was not sent Travis's (LCDR Valeris) sim from yesterday. This is the same sim i sent earlier, modified to include content Travis wrote. For those of you not on the bridge before the timeskip, nothing has changed.))

((Bridge, Deck 1, USS Khitomer, Ceram Archipelago))

th’Vrosa: This is a performance that makes us seem inept, foolhardy, or spurious. We must at least consider a different course of action.

In front of everybody, on his first day at his post on the Bridge, Ensign th’Vrosa had done the unthinkable—he had spoken truth to power. Commander Nax-Ellarneii-Tellargo was impressed, notwithstanding that he was the power unto which truth was told. It was a rare Ensign who, upon leaving the Academy, felt sure enough in their own judgment and insight to give voice to doubts and qualms, but if there was any duty post which demanded that kind of cocksureness, it was the ship’s Counselor.

Naxell: I agree. ::to Dewitt:: Number One, this charade needs to end at some point. I don’t know whether we’ve reached that point yet, but we’re going to. And soon I think. That’ll be delicate work.

Dewitt: You’re right. The cover was built for the moment, not the relationship.

Valeris: Assuming the ruse hasn’t gone too far already.

It was easy enough to identify the flaws in their approach to the situation so far. And it was easy enough to dismiss any harm to one’s pride by admitting freely that the “approach,” to the extent that it could be described as such, was wholly improvised. The Captain had been off the Bridge, and the Velithari had demonstrated instant hostility to even talking to Lt. Commander Dewitt, due to his gender. But as much as Naxell knew the way they had been going was wrong, he wasn’t sure yet that the direct opposite course was the correct one.

th’Vrosa: ::Offering to the floor:: There seems to be a malaise regarding the Velithari. We don’t have definitive evidence they mean us harm so we should lead honesty forward.

Naxell: No definitive evidence, yes.

His tone was unsatisfied. There was, of course, the thoroughly shredded remnant of a Lattice Alliance fleet that the Velithari (or their cloud) had handily dispatched before Khitomer even arrived. And the aforementioned hostility to Lt. Commander Dewitt. And if the filaments themselves weren’t strong circumstantial evidence of hostile Velithari intent, Naxell wasn’t entirely sure how else they could be taken.

th’Vrosa: A simple unencrypted open broadcast. Something on a frequency band that our floaters can pick up and :stressing the word:: our friends to be can also catch on whatever hardware they’re running. Something on a harmless enough frequency to keep the filaments happy.

Dewitt: We have the capability to open a channel to Lieutenant Semara. The Velithari Captain probably is with her. For all we now the communication channel does not influence the filaments. ::looking towards Valeris::

Valeris: We haven’t seen any reaction from them so far with the communications from Semara. 

There was some relationship between the filaments and the cloud itself, where the former was seemingly constructed out of the latter. And while sensors and communications were blocked by the cloud, they were not as badly inhibited by the filaments themselves. Perhaps it was merely the small diameter of each individual molecular strand, or perhaps there was some change in the properties. Study for another day, he mused.

Morda: Lieutenant Michaels and I had open comms centimeters from the filaments in the Jefferies tube, and the ship’s full of activity on that channel - no indication they’re sensitive in this EM or subspace spectra.

th’Vrosa: The facts as have been presented to me simply do not justify the risk of alienating this species this early in our relationship.

Naxell raised his hand as the conversation continued, in an effort to curb it from getting too heated. There was a time for speaking frankly, and the Ensign’s eagerness to do so was right for the moment. But the moment had passed, and they now found themselves in a time for working collaboratively.

Naxell: Whether they are alienated by us may be well beyond our control, Mister th’Vrosa. Keeping in their good graces could very well be incompatible with our mission objectives.

Dewitt: I agree, Ensign. But let’s keep in mind that the Velithari have been the ones having issues with our cultural differences. If you don’t want to alienate them, we might have to shove all males into a cargo bay like cattle.

He placed his hand gently on Connor’s wrist, both a quiet approval and a check on his tone. This was to be a conversation, a discussion. Not a debate. They had enemies without, and there would be no use to multiply them within.

Morda: ::Pivoting from his console:: From a security perspective, sirs: I’d feel more comfortable coming clean once we have everyone back aboard, and preferably once we’ve regained maneuver and initiative on the field.

Valeris: I have to agree. We don’t know how they will react when they find out we have equality within our ranks.

Naxell: In an ideal situation, gentlemen, I would agree. But this is far from ideal, and we cannot depend upon things we cannot ourselves control. For now, we’ll still go with the “fuzzy” transmission, but no explosions. ::a pause:: What’s our status on the resonance frequency?

Beside him, his First Officer stood from his seat and tapped his combadge. So much of their discussion seemed speculative, even if it wasn’t entirely uneducated. He needed concrete facts. Could they or couldn’t they send a transmission? If no solution to that problem could be found, it hardly mattered how they executed it—openly, or discretely.

Dewitt: =/\= Bridge to Graves, what’s your satus? =/\=

Graves: =/\= C-Communications e-established. =/\=

Dewitt: =/\= Acknowledged, Mr Grraves. Patch the line through, please. ::to Morda:: Ensign, we’re listening for now, not talking. =/\=

Morda: ::Pivoting back to his console:: Aye, sir. Snooping.

Naxell shifted in his command chair. The transmission would be coming from around him, but he leaned forward just the same, as if preparing to eavesdrop on whispers from another restaurant table. He had no idea what they would hear, but he was certain they would find value in it.

There was a hazy static from the bridge speakers before a brief conversation between Ensign Matthews and Lieutenant Semara. He was alive, they already knew, but now he was in touch with their away team leader. That was promising. What’s more, she was communicating with him openly. Well, as openly as Lieutenant Semara tended to communicate.

But then something shifted in the audio.

Dewitt: ::to Valeris:: Lower the volume, we don’t want to upset the filament any more than we need to.

Naxell: You think that’s from the filaments? It seems like a transmission.

th’Vrosa: Response

It wasn’t understandable, until it was. Something had come out of the cloud, or out of the Jorogumo, perhaps. Initially it was just sounds, and squeaks and clicks. Then words started to take shape as the universal translator found something it could sink its computerized teeth into.

JOROGUMO: oO =/= CAPTAIN-MOTHER/LISTENING-WEB. THE MALE-BODY IS ABSENT/UNHELD. NOT WITHIN THE CLEANSING-HOLLOW. NOT WITHIN ANY SEEING-EYE/EGG-EYE QUESTIONED. A SECOND-SHAPE TRAVELS/THREADS BESIDE HIM. THAT SHAPE BELONGS OUTSIDE MY WEAVING/WATCH-PRESENCE. THE STRANGER-BODIES OBSERVED THE EMPTIED SKIN-CHAMBER. FORGIVE/UNBIND THIS FAILURE-THREAD, CAPTAIN. THE MALE WAS NOT LOST/RELEASED. THE MALE WAS NOT KEPT/CONTAINED EITHER. =/= Oo.

Naxell’s eyes narrowed and his bearded jaw loosened. So much of it was incomprehensible. Or should have been Words that were perfectly understandable in isolation had been organized in such a way that none of them seemed to mean what they ought to. And yet, all of it made sense, the longer it sat in his head.

JOROGUMO: oO =/= BE UNBOUND, ALYA-THREAD. THE MALE COMMUNICATES/REACHES THROUGH HIDDEN-DISTANCE TO HIS COMMAND-BODY/SUPERIOR-WEAVE. SOMEHOW-IMPOSSIBLY HE LOOSENED/SHED HIS BINDINGS-SELF. HE DISPLAYS GREATER CUNNING-CAPABILITY THAN OUR BREEDING-MALES/DRONE-BROTHERS. =/= Oo.

JOROGUMO: oO =/= RESPONSE/ANSWER =/= Oo.

JOROGUMO: oO =/= INDEED/CONFIRMED. HE IS DISRUPTION-TROUBLE/CLEVER-DANGER. SEE WHETHER YOUR WALKING-GROUP/TOUR-WEAVE CAN RETRIEVE/RECLAIM/REWEB HIM. BRING ADDITIONAL SISTERS-BODIES/WATCHERS IF NECESSITY-HUNGER PRESENTS. =/= Oo.

One thing was certain to Commander Naxell: there was a great deal of learning going on. The bridge crew were learning about the Velithari, and the Velithari were learning more than they could have imagined from Ensign Matthews. Half a smile crept onto his lips. You show ‘em, Richard.

JOROGUMO: oO =/= RESPONSE/ANSWER =/= Oo.

JOROGUMO: oO =/= IF CALM-CERTAINTY REMAINS WITHIN YOUR EYES/WEB-SENSE, YOU MAY RETURN/RELEASE THE MALE-BODY TO HIS VESSEL-HIVE ACCOMPANIED BY ONE-OR-MANY OF THEIR SHARED-CREW. I SUSPECT-BELIEVE THE MALE DID NOT COMPREHEND/SENSE THE NEBULA-DANGER/HUNGER WHEN HE ENTERED/WANDERED WITHIN ITS BREATHING-MIST. =/= Oo.

JOROGUMO: oO =/= RESPONSE/ANSWER =/= Oo.

He sat up straight in his command chair, and spared a glance to Dewitt. Things were starting to go their way, and an understanding was developing. The cloud, the Velithari knew, was dangerous. The only possible reason to send someone out there was to kill them or, perhaps, destroy it. And if they relied upon this cloud for protection against outside actors?

Naxell: They’re sending him back.

Dewitt: =/\= That was internal communication by the Velithari? =/\=

Morda: What about Lieutenant Semara and the others -- do we still have that connection?

Graves: =/\= Response =/\=

Morda: If that’s the ship’s computer speaking, it sounds like it might be willing to let him go and offer us some grace. I wonder if that grace would persist if we come clean on our gender ruse.

Valeris: If that was the ship’s computer, it was giving a fairly comprehensive recommendation. But it is ultimately up to Captain Rana whether or not Matthews or any others are to be released. Plus, I think it just broke our ruse for us. ::Beat:: "The male reaches through hidden-distance to his command body" doesn't really speak to his "command body" being on the Velithari ship.

Commander Naxell rubbed his bearded chin with his thumb. Just like that, the optimism was sucked out of the room by a stark observation of reality. They didn't know enough about the Jorogumo’s captain to know what recommendations she might accept. The only thing they could hang their hat on was that it was unlikely she would be given a recommendation she couldn't accept.

th’Vrosa / Dewitt / Graves: Response

Valeris: I do have to give it one thing, it seems to understand that we don’t mean any harm and we are here basically by accident.

Yes. There was that. Some movement towards common understanding. Unfortunately, it had only come by means of signal intercept.

th’Vrosa / Dewitt / Morda: Response

Valeris: What is the plan now, Sirs?

Something shifted under Naxell. It was subtle, but distinct, and it made his stomach churn. He stood. Naxell hadn’t been present at any of Starfleet’s past battles with the Lattice Alliance, as so many of Khitomer’s crew had. But when he learned he was to be posted to the front-line of the ugly regional conflict, it sharpened his effort to learn as much about the enemy’s Sencha weaponry as possible.

Dewitt / th’Vrosa / Morda: Response

The Captain looked to Lt. Commander Dewitt, concern in his eyes, searching to see if the man felt what he did. Then, to be sure, he looked towards the Engineering station at the stern of the compartment. If anyone on the ship was going to feel the effects of this detestable weaponry, it was going to be the Betazoid engineer. Telepaths were extremely susceptible.

Naxell: ::to Valeris:: Can we power up our anti-Sencha hull plating?

Valeris / Dewitt / th’Vrosa: Response

Naxell: Do it. Now.

((Timeskip, Almost an Hour Later, Conference Room, Deck 1))

He tried not to look sheepish in front of a group this large. There was much to discuss and precious little time to discuss it. The situation, as dire as it had seemed hours before, was even worse now. And there was nothing to be done except work together. This required showing both humility and confidence, two flavors that did not usually go well together.

Naxell: Captain Rana, I must apologize for our deception. I am Commander Nax-Ellarneii-Tellargo, “Naxell” to most, and I captain the starship Khitomer. When your people displayed hostility towards my second-in-command, Lieutenant Commander Dewitt ::gesturing:: we opted to lower the temperature, so to speak, by offering a more comfortable face. Lieutenant Semara, whom you know well, is actually my Intelligence Officer.

Rana / Dewitt / Semara: Response

Naxell: I’ve spoken with Dr. Ohnari about your people’s history with the “Takers,” was it? I assure you, we are not conquerors. We are explorers. Our laws—our Prime Directive—forbids us from interfering with your people and your culture. But it does not prevent us from defending you against outside aggression, as you have experienced against the Lattice Alliance. Your tactical assessment, Lieutenant Zerva?

He pressed a contact on the table’s control panel and an approximation of the cloud, the Khitomer, and the Jorogumo appeared in holographic form in the center of the room. Two more blips appeared just outside, and wave-like forms were beamed into the cloud, towards the two ships.

Zerva / Morda: Response

Naxell: Our best guess, Captain, is that the Lattice see the Velithari as a thorn in the path of their conquest, and they want to smooth you out. They’re firing indiscriminately. It’s probable that they don’t see us, but their Sencha weaponry is especially dangerous to your cloud. Lieutenant El’Heem?

El’Heem: Response

For the same reason that Naxell wouldn’t order Khitomer to warp inside the cloud, the Lattice Alliance vessels were firing their Sencha weaponry towards it. Something about the way the cloud interacted with subspace made it especially susceptible to the weaponry, a fact which the doomed Lattice fleet must not have figured out before it was too late.

Naxell: I’m afraid it gets worse, Captain. As bad as the Sencha technology is for your cloud, it is even worse for organic life, especially life that communicates by means of telepathy. Fortunately, our doctors have come up with inoculations that have shielded our crew from the worst of these effects. If you accompany Dr. Ohnari, Lieutenant El’Heem, and Ensign Melville-Kilpatrick to sickbay, we can adapt our technology to your physiology and with any luck to Jorogumo itself.

Rana / Ohnari / El’Heem / Melville-Kilpatrick: Response

Naxell: While you are there, I would invite your technician, Vidya, to assist in the effort to free our ship from the cloud so that we may better defend you. My First Officer—my true First Officer—will personally oversee this effort in Main Engineering.

He looked towards the Engineering team. Without his XO on the Bridge, he’d be losing a key voice in what seemed like an inevitable fight, but he knew the ship would be better served by having its former Chief Engineer back in his familiar setting.

Vidya / Dewitt / Valeris / Michaels: Response

Naxell: In the meantime, the rest of us will begin work on the tactical aspects. Lieutenant Semara will lead the effort. It’s at least two-to-one out there, so we’ll need to be creative.

Semara / Zerva / Morda / th’Vrosa: Response

There was never certainty to be found in these kinds of meetings. Then again, there wasn’t certainty to be found in much anything in the Alpha Isles, he’d learned. But Naxell prayed that if nothing else they found hope and a renewed dedication to the mission of Starfleet. Whatever happened next, he wanted the crew to be proud of it.

Naxell: Thank you for your trust, Captain Rana, Ms. Vidya. The rest of you, dismissed.

Rana / Vidya / Any: Response

TBC

——— ●●● ———

Commander Nax-Ellarneii-Tellargo

Commanding Officer

USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)

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