Flt. Capt. Karrod Niac - When Two Starships Love One Another Very Much...
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Karrod Niac
Jun 1, 2026, 12:59:27 AM (5 days ago) Jun 1
to USS Ronin – StarBase 118 Star Trek PBEM RPG
((Bridge - Deck 3 - USS Ronin))
Niac: Right back on a course towards Alliance territory. And now we're along for the ride.
Marsek: There's still a lot of interference, but the path that we're following appears intentional - the creature isn't pausing or changing headings. ::indicates her console:: I'll keep watch.
Akani: Captain, what would the possibility be of the Alliance being wary of the entity because of what happened with the Tholian vessel? Or would they be more likely to attack?
He huffed out a small laugh entirely devoid of humor.
Niac: Wishful thinking, Lieutenant. If the Alliance perceives this creature as a threat they're all the more likely to throw everything they have available at it. The Tholians and the Sheliak only agree on one thing...that all other life forms are beneath them. Even big ones.
Akani: There's a possibility that due to the perception of the Ronin as its child, it may believe it has the responsibility to protect us while we get the ship in order?
Marsek: It is moving slowly, like it does feel it has responsibility of the ship's health. The energy readings are remaining the same. ::muses:: The same energy source for offense, defense, and support...how curious.
Morgan: A central system to guide them all I’m guessing.::she gave a one shoulder shrug::
For a moment, his impressions of Sencha and Armo were arguing within his mind, each with a barrage of questions, each wanting no less than a year to study every millimeter of the creature in excruciating detail. He gave his abdomen a quick jab with his thumb to quiet the noise before he responded.
Niac: Interesting as this speculation is we have more immediate problems...and I'll put our hull damage at the top of that particular list. Do you think it's worth trying to free the ship in its current condition?
Akani: I'm inclined to take the protection at face value, and take the time to get the Ronin to the point where we can work without the protection.
Marsek: It doesn't seem as if the creature is expending much energy to bring us along. Whatever it's doing, it's not hurting itself.
Morgan: I fear that’s because the creature is sapping our power whether or not it's aware it’s happening. But we are losing power and I’m afraid the longer we are close to it, we’re going to be drained of power rather quickly.
Karrod glanced back and then towards some of their status monitors even as the lights on the bridge dimmed, then surged to almost painful brightness before fading once again.
Niac: Keep an eye on the EPS grid, Lieutenant Morgan, I'd like to avoid replacing every relay on the ship if we could. Ensign Marsek, are you still picking up anything from those fragments that impacted the creatures exterior?
Marsek: The levels of the tetryonic emissions are lowering, sir. I'm no expert on Tholian weaponry, but I don't think they degrade at that quickly of a rate.
Morgan: They don’t degrade as quickly as that.
An overlay snapped on the viewscreen showing the projected curve of radiation dispersal from their numerous previous contacts with Tholian and Alliance weaponry...and the difference was staggering. What would have normally taken hours or days to disperse seemed to be vanishing by the second.
Niac: It's like the creature is absorbing it as it goes. I wonder if it's capable of recycling it, using as some sort of supplemental power. We need to get back in touch with the away teams....Lieutenant Akani, any luck?
Akani: Response
Marsek: I don't have enough information yet to determine what's happening with the projectiles. At this moment, I'm unable to tell if these are being crushed or even absorbed into it. ::murmurs:: That would sure be something…
Morgan: Just a reminder folks, the creature this close is draining our power, and I’m dipping into reserves just to make sure it doesn’t bleed us dry. Something we obviously agree that it’s not a good thing.
The lights dipped in and out again and the red alert klaxons automatically triggered.
Niac: Silence that alarm, I think we're all thoroughly ::He gestured towards the viewscreen:: alerted. Pull secondary systems offline, it's not like we're going to be able to use them right now anyway.
Akani: Response
Marsek: No great reads on the away teams yet. I also can't determine if what the creature is doing is affecting its inner structure or health - but as it's still steady, I want to tentatively say we aren't hurting it.
Morgan: Between the power drain and interference I can’t get much of anything on the away teams at the moment, no EVA suits and no can do on commbadges either.
His fist fell on the armrest with a thud and his teeth ground together.
Niac: Then we need another option...we're not going to be able to launch shuttles to recover them in these conditions and I'm not sending another team over until I've got a better understanding of what I'm sending them into. Suggestions?
Akani/Marsek: Response
Morgan: ::to the Captain:: I’d suggest we back off and get just outside its range so we can restore some systems.
Karrod gestured back towards the viewscreen and the tractor beam enveloping the ship as they were carried along by the creature.
Niac: If you can think of a polite way to ask our friend out there to let us go I'm all ears, Lieutenant. Speaking of...what's that material doing to the hull? I sincerely hope it's not developing a taste for duranium plating.
Akani/Marsek: Response
Morgan: I’m turning on life support to the three decks that had the hull breaches. I don’t know how much we want to populate those decks, but I don’t see a problem.
An alert from the sensors had his eyes widening.
Niac: The sensor interference from the creature just vanished...we should have a clear view around us again. Try to locate the away team. We'll need Lieutenant Vomek to get that sample...
Every comm relay on the bridge activated at once and a massive voice filled the bridge with a rich, melodic timber.
Narhelion: =/\= Hello, Tiny Predator. =/\=
He glanced around the bridge in amazement and stood, crossing his arms behind his back as he spoke to the air. He couldn't shake that sense he was being looked at once again yet this time the interest seemed less overwhelming. He glanced towards the science station and hooked a thumb towards the comm.
Niac: 'Tiny Predator?' Is that coming through the UT?
Akani/Marsek/Morgan: Response
Somewhat incredulous he turned and tapped at the comm controls, returning the perfectly formatted hail that was, somehow, using Federation standard to speak with them.
Niac: =/\= And hello to you...whomever you are. My name is Karrod...and our ship is the Ronin. We are not a predator...we have no desire to harm you. We wish to make peaceful contact. Can you understand us? =/\=
A visual feed filled the viewscreen with a display that Karrod could hardly parse. It could've been a holographic art installation, yet it seemed vast beyond any scale he could imagine. It could've been some kind of engineering schematic of circuit pathways or data links, with uncountable strands and threads twisting and overlapping in vibrant colors that stretched across the spectrum. There were no features, no definition, no body to speak of that aligned with his concept of an type of known intelligence.
But he could sense something watching. Earnestly. Almost gleefully. It seemed to radiate excitement like a star radiated heat. The strands vibrated like the chords of some vast musical instrument and the voice, infinitely vast yet joyous, filled the bridge once again.
Narhelion: =/\= Narhelion apologizes to Tiny Predator’s fuzzy Caretaker. Narhelion did not realize Tiny Predator Ronin fragility. =/\=
Karrod's face scrunched up as he digested the message and then, with a laugh, he tugged at his beard slowly.
Niac: =/\= Narhelion? Is that your name...or the name of your ship? Either way 'fuzzy caretaker' thanks you, Narhelion. We did not believe you damaged us purposefully. Your energy transfer is also appreciated but doesn't appear to be compatible with our systems...I don't suppose you'd mind deactivating it? =/\=
Akani/Marsek/Morgan: Response
She fell silent and listened to those within her and the converse with the Tiny Predator Ronin, but didn’t focus on any specifically to give privacy and focus on mending the smaller vessel.
Narhelion: =/\= Narhelion has a request. Narhelion is last of my kind. Would Tiny Predator’s fuzzy Caretaker permit Narhelion to take some of Tiny Predator to make a new Narhelion? =/\=
Years of rigorous Starfleet training and decades of dating experience across thousands of light years had him reaching for the mute button on the comm before a stupified response could tumble out of his mouth. He turned back towards the bridge crew with eyebrows heading towards his hairline.
Niac: Did...did the space whale just invite us to make a lil'whale baby?
Akani/Marsek/Morgan: Response
The color patterns on the viewscreen shifted to darker hues and a more intense sort of strobing before the voice resumed, a note of urgency in the place of its earlier joy.
Narhelion: =/\= Caution. Narhelion has detected approaching. Many more angry crystals and unknown vessels with them. Primary offensive armament still healing. Secondary and tertiary armaments are functional but remain in hibernation state. Primary and secondary defensive functions offline and in hibernation state. Recommend hibernation rescindment as soon as possible. =/\=
A pitiable wail that seemed to tug directly on his heart poured from the comm and the patterns of light grew muted.
Narhelion: =/\= Please. Narhelion does not want to expire. =/\=
Karrod had taken a few steps from the Chair and turned back towards his officers, the idea of going into a fight with an Alliance force in their current state his sudden and only concern.
Niac: =/\= We don't want you to expire either, Narhelion. We came to convince you to leave this area of space...but it's too late for that now. Please...wait just a moment. =/\=
He muted the comms once again and walked towards the tactical station.
Niac: Can you tell me the size and disposition of the enemy force, Lieutenant Akani? Lieutenant Morgan...are we going to be in anything like fighting shape when they get here? Ensign Marsek...now that the long range sensors can actually function, can you give us any idea what the creature might be heading towards? I refuse to believe it chose this course randomly.
Akani/Marsek/Morgan: Response
He blinked slowly and pinched the bridge of his nose, glancing back towards the lightshow on the viewscreen that somehow represented the vast creature calling itself Narhelion. He looked towards each officer in turn to make sure he understood the full scope of their present situation.
Niac: You're telling me the creature is heading towards a class ten subspace fissure that could tear the ship apart...but that it's on the other side of a Lattice Alliance task force that could tear the ship apart first...and that's only if we can perform enough repairs in the next few hours to survive until one of those things can tear the ship apart. Did I miss anything?
Akani/Marsek/Morgan: Response
Karrod crossed his arms and snorted quietly.
Niac: Well for a minute there I thought we were in real trouble. Lets see if our new friend will let us talk to Commanders Raga and Kel...because we're going to need to come up with a plan. And possibly schedule a baby shower.
He glanced towards the viewscreen and imagined the kilometers long creature just meters beyond their hull.
Niac: We're going to need a really big cake.
[Tags/End Act 2 for Niac]
((OOC: I'll have a starter for Act 3 for the folks on the Bridge tomorrow or early Tuesday, along with an act 2 closer for DLC over on Narhelion tomorrow. We'll do some team shuffling at the same time so stay tuned!))
================================
Fleet Captain Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0
Niac: Right back on a course towards Alliance territory. And now we're along for the ride.
Marsek: There's still a lot of interference, but the path that we're following appears intentional - the creature isn't pausing or changing headings. ::indicates her console:: I'll keep watch.
Akani: Captain, what would the possibility be of the Alliance being wary of the entity because of what happened with the Tholian vessel? Or would they be more likely to attack?
He huffed out a small laugh entirely devoid of humor.
Niac: Wishful thinking, Lieutenant. If the Alliance perceives this creature as a threat they're all the more likely to throw everything they have available at it. The Tholians and the Sheliak only agree on one thing...that all other life forms are beneath them. Even big ones.
Akani: There's a possibility that due to the perception of the Ronin as its child, it may believe it has the responsibility to protect us while we get the ship in order?
Marsek: It is moving slowly, like it does feel it has responsibility of the ship's health. The energy readings are remaining the same. ::muses:: The same energy source for offense, defense, and support...how curious.
Morgan: A central system to guide them all I’m guessing.::she gave a one shoulder shrug::
For a moment, his impressions of Sencha and Armo were arguing within his mind, each with a barrage of questions, each wanting no less than a year to study every millimeter of the creature in excruciating detail. He gave his abdomen a quick jab with his thumb to quiet the noise before he responded.
Niac: Interesting as this speculation is we have more immediate problems...and I'll put our hull damage at the top of that particular list. Do you think it's worth trying to free the ship in its current condition?
Akani: I'm inclined to take the protection at face value, and take the time to get the Ronin to the point where we can work without the protection.
Marsek: It doesn't seem as if the creature is expending much energy to bring us along. Whatever it's doing, it's not hurting itself.
Morgan: I fear that’s because the creature is sapping our power whether or not it's aware it’s happening. But we are losing power and I’m afraid the longer we are close to it, we’re going to be drained of power rather quickly.
Karrod glanced back and then towards some of their status monitors even as the lights on the bridge dimmed, then surged to almost painful brightness before fading once again.
Niac: Keep an eye on the EPS grid, Lieutenant Morgan, I'd like to avoid replacing every relay on the ship if we could. Ensign Marsek, are you still picking up anything from those fragments that impacted the creatures exterior?
Marsek: The levels of the tetryonic emissions are lowering, sir. I'm no expert on Tholian weaponry, but I don't think they degrade at that quickly of a rate.
Morgan: They don’t degrade as quickly as that.
An overlay snapped on the viewscreen showing the projected curve of radiation dispersal from their numerous previous contacts with Tholian and Alliance weaponry...and the difference was staggering. What would have normally taken hours or days to disperse seemed to be vanishing by the second.
Niac: It's like the creature is absorbing it as it goes. I wonder if it's capable of recycling it, using as some sort of supplemental power. We need to get back in touch with the away teams....Lieutenant Akani, any luck?
Akani: Response
Marsek: I don't have enough information yet to determine what's happening with the projectiles. At this moment, I'm unable to tell if these are being crushed or even absorbed into it. ::murmurs:: That would sure be something…
Morgan: Just a reminder folks, the creature this close is draining our power, and I’m dipping into reserves just to make sure it doesn’t bleed us dry. Something we obviously agree that it’s not a good thing.
The lights dipped in and out again and the red alert klaxons automatically triggered.
Niac: Silence that alarm, I think we're all thoroughly ::He gestured towards the viewscreen:: alerted. Pull secondary systems offline, it's not like we're going to be able to use them right now anyway.
Akani: Response
Marsek: No great reads on the away teams yet. I also can't determine if what the creature is doing is affecting its inner structure or health - but as it's still steady, I want to tentatively say we aren't hurting it.
Morgan: Between the power drain and interference I can’t get much of anything on the away teams at the moment, no EVA suits and no can do on commbadges either.
His fist fell on the armrest with a thud and his teeth ground together.
Niac: Then we need another option...we're not going to be able to launch shuttles to recover them in these conditions and I'm not sending another team over until I've got a better understanding of what I'm sending them into. Suggestions?
Akani/Marsek: Response
Morgan: ::to the Captain:: I’d suggest we back off and get just outside its range so we can restore some systems.
Karrod gestured back towards the viewscreen and the tractor beam enveloping the ship as they were carried along by the creature.
Niac: If you can think of a polite way to ask our friend out there to let us go I'm all ears, Lieutenant. Speaking of...what's that material doing to the hull? I sincerely hope it's not developing a taste for duranium plating.
Akani/Marsek: Response
Morgan: I’m turning on life support to the three decks that had the hull breaches. I don’t know how much we want to populate those decks, but I don’t see a problem.
An alert from the sensors had his eyes widening.
Niac: The sensor interference from the creature just vanished...we should have a clear view around us again. Try to locate the away team. We'll need Lieutenant Vomek to get that sample...
Every comm relay on the bridge activated at once and a massive voice filled the bridge with a rich, melodic timber.
Narhelion: =/\= Hello, Tiny Predator. =/\=
He glanced around the bridge in amazement and stood, crossing his arms behind his back as he spoke to the air. He couldn't shake that sense he was being looked at once again yet this time the interest seemed less overwhelming. He glanced towards the science station and hooked a thumb towards the comm.
Niac: 'Tiny Predator?' Is that coming through the UT?
Akani/Marsek/Morgan: Response
Somewhat incredulous he turned and tapped at the comm controls, returning the perfectly formatted hail that was, somehow, using Federation standard to speak with them.
Niac: =/\= And hello to you...whomever you are. My name is Karrod...and our ship is the Ronin. We are not a predator...we have no desire to harm you. We wish to make peaceful contact. Can you understand us? =/\=
A visual feed filled the viewscreen with a display that Karrod could hardly parse. It could've been a holographic art installation, yet it seemed vast beyond any scale he could imagine. It could've been some kind of engineering schematic of circuit pathways or data links, with uncountable strands and threads twisting and overlapping in vibrant colors that stretched across the spectrum. There were no features, no definition, no body to speak of that aligned with his concept of an type of known intelligence.
But he could sense something watching. Earnestly. Almost gleefully. It seemed to radiate excitement like a star radiated heat. The strands vibrated like the chords of some vast musical instrument and the voice, infinitely vast yet joyous, filled the bridge once again.
Narhelion: =/\= Narhelion apologizes to Tiny Predator’s fuzzy Caretaker. Narhelion did not realize Tiny Predator Ronin fragility. =/\=
Karrod's face scrunched up as he digested the message and then, with a laugh, he tugged at his beard slowly.
Niac: =/\= Narhelion? Is that your name...or the name of your ship? Either way 'fuzzy caretaker' thanks you, Narhelion. We did not believe you damaged us purposefully. Your energy transfer is also appreciated but doesn't appear to be compatible with our systems...I don't suppose you'd mind deactivating it? =/\=
Akani/Marsek/Morgan: Response
She fell silent and listened to those within her and the converse with the Tiny Predator Ronin, but didn’t focus on any specifically to give privacy and focus on mending the smaller vessel.
Narhelion: =/\= Narhelion has a request. Narhelion is last of my kind. Would Tiny Predator’s fuzzy Caretaker permit Narhelion to take some of Tiny Predator to make a new Narhelion? =/\=
Years of rigorous Starfleet training and decades of dating experience across thousands of light years had him reaching for the mute button on the comm before a stupified response could tumble out of his mouth. He turned back towards the bridge crew with eyebrows heading towards his hairline.
Niac: Did...did the space whale just invite us to make a lil'whale baby?
Akani/Marsek/Morgan: Response
The color patterns on the viewscreen shifted to darker hues and a more intense sort of strobing before the voice resumed, a note of urgency in the place of its earlier joy.
Narhelion: =/\= Caution. Narhelion has detected approaching. Many more angry crystals and unknown vessels with them. Primary offensive armament still healing. Secondary and tertiary armaments are functional but remain in hibernation state. Primary and secondary defensive functions offline and in hibernation state. Recommend hibernation rescindment as soon as possible. =/\=
A pitiable wail that seemed to tug directly on his heart poured from the comm and the patterns of light grew muted.
Narhelion: =/\= Please. Narhelion does not want to expire. =/\=
Karrod had taken a few steps from the Chair and turned back towards his officers, the idea of going into a fight with an Alliance force in their current state his sudden and only concern.
Niac: =/\= We don't want you to expire either, Narhelion. We came to convince you to leave this area of space...but it's too late for that now. Please...wait just a moment. =/\=
He muted the comms once again and walked towards the tactical station.
Niac: Can you tell me the size and disposition of the enemy force, Lieutenant Akani? Lieutenant Morgan...are we going to be in anything like fighting shape when they get here? Ensign Marsek...now that the long range sensors can actually function, can you give us any idea what the creature might be heading towards? I refuse to believe it chose this course randomly.
Akani/Marsek/Morgan: Response
He blinked slowly and pinched the bridge of his nose, glancing back towards the lightshow on the viewscreen that somehow represented the vast creature calling itself Narhelion. He looked towards each officer in turn to make sure he understood the full scope of their present situation.
Niac: You're telling me the creature is heading towards a class ten subspace fissure that could tear the ship apart...but that it's on the other side of a Lattice Alliance task force that could tear the ship apart first...and that's only if we can perform enough repairs in the next few hours to survive until one of those things can tear the ship apart. Did I miss anything?
Akani/Marsek/Morgan: Response
Karrod crossed his arms and snorted quietly.
Niac: Well for a minute there I thought we were in real trouble. Lets see if our new friend will let us talk to Commanders Raga and Kel...because we're going to need to come up with a plan. And possibly schedule a baby shower.
He glanced towards the viewscreen and imagined the kilometers long creature just meters beyond their hull.
Niac: We're going to need a really big cake.
[Tags/End Act 2 for Niac]
((OOC: I'll have a starter for Act 3 for the folks on the Bridge tomorrow or early Tuesday, along with an act 2 closer for DLC over on Narhelion tomorrow. We'll do some team shuffling at the same time so stay tuned!))
================================
Fleet Captain Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0
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