[[BACKSIM]] Lt. JG T’Fearne - Twinkle Twinkle
Teayl Thorn
((OOC: just coming back to finish off T'Fearne's tags from the end of Act three. No Tags here ))
((Bridge, Deck 3, USS Ronin))
The tension on the Bridge ratchetted up. T’Fearne braced herself at the slightly too tall tactical station, watching the readings of space around the ship stabilize. As they began to pull away from the moon, the chaos that had warped everything began to lessen, but the young security officer didn’t relax, they were still in danger and not all the crew were accounted for yet.
T’Fearne: Who else is left on the surface?
Kel: A team under Commander Tucker and a team under Lieutenant Shortrith. Lt. T'Fearne signal them both to get back to the Ronin.
A spike of worry pulled at her, she compartmentalized it as her nimble fingers danced quickly across the panel. She couldn’t get a clear signal.
Nicolau: Sir, sensor interference is dropping, we should be able to confirm the location of our people to within a few meters if this keeps up.
Wren: I can’t find their warp signatures just yet, but I’m doing what I can to find them.
T’Fearne’s eyes flicked between displays, recalculating and reassessing her targeting vectors should she need to return fire.
T’Fearne: ::worried:: We need to get them back aboard. I can’t risk firing at Hostile One if it’s got our teams on the moon behind it.
Kel: =/\= Kel to Esot. It looks like the cooling system is working. Crank it as high as possible, maybe we can extinguish the reaction all together. =/\=
Esot: =/\= Response =/\=
She barely heard Esot’s reply. Radiation levels dropped. Whatever the science and engineering departments had done seemed to be providing a reprieve.
Nicolau: Whatever they're doing is definitely have an effect, sir...radiation levels are diminishing, energy readings have plateaued...space around the moon is returning to normal, sir. Well...as normal as it ever is in the Isles.
Kel: The amount of radiation escaping the lid is diminishing. Ensign Wren can we get a lock on our people?
Wren: Yessir, I have a lock on them now. I’m sending the coordinates to the transporter room. They should be out within a few minutes.
Nicolau: Lieutenant Junior...uh...sorry sir...Ian Junior...sorry...escape course alpha and bravo are plotted and on your board, sir. Bravo takes us within a few hundred meters of some stellar debris that's stuck in the moons orbit if you're looking for an opportunity to...razzle dazzle, sir.
With the radiation levels lowering, she tried a comm call again, alerting their teams on the moon.
T’Fearne: =/\= Ronin to surface teams. Immediate evacuation order. Proceed to designated extraction coordinates, clear the moon on shuttles or prepare for imminent transport. =/\=
Wren: I’ve located them, sir. All life signs look strong from here
Kel: Lt. Nicolau what's the status of the black hole?
Nicolau: It appears to be...collapsing, sir. Gravimetric output is down by fifteen percent, radius of the event horizon has contracted significantly.
T’Fearne glanced with apprehension at the readings of the micro black hole collapsing or closing on itself. Description of a micro black hole collapsing on itself. She wasn’t sure about the science of that. Was the anomaly truly closing or was it moving somewhere else?
O’Connor: So I don’t think it’ll be an issue for us. In fact we might be able to use it to our advantage against that slower ship if need be.
The ship shuddered. Her stance widened and grip tightened instantly on the edge of the console, crimping the edge slightly.
Kel: Let me guess, our Sheliak friends?
O’Connor: Actually no, it was some sort of aftershock of radiation from the facility. As it shut down it must have built up in the atmosphere then released as one last burst. Shields drained to 37% though.
T’Fearne blinked, recalibrating. She didn’t understand how that could have been possible. The radiation must have been incredibly dangerous to draw Ronin’s shields down by 63% in one major hit.
T’Fearne: Reinforcing weakened shield sections. ::a beat:: If that had been hostile fire, we would have taken significant hull damage.
Nicolau: Outer hull temperature spiked...minor alpha and gamma radiation bleed through the shields but nothing serious...we blew out a few EPS couplings on deck eight...I think we're alright sir.
Evinrude: =/\= Evinrude to Captain Kel...to anyone on the bridge! Orbital weapons fire is impacting near the facility. Teams on the surface are preparing for evac, is it safe to lift off? =/\=
T’Fearne stiffened as Tess’s voice snapped over the comm.
Kel: =/\= Ensign Evinrude stay calm. It's residual energy in the reactor system breaking loose. The power levels are going down, well done. Tell Commander Tucker to link up with Dr. Shortrith's team and get back to the Ronin, ASAP. =/\=
Wren: Shuttles are being activated again. I’ll alert medical to expect our away teams.
The Vulcazoid’s eyes snapped back to her tactical overlays. Tess, Marty and the other members of the landfall teams were others' responsibility now. Her focus had to remain on the hostile ship and defending the Ronin. She tracked the large Lattice vessel hanging behind them.
T'Fearne: What about the micro black hole? Are we still at risk?
O’Connor: No, it was actually a good thing. I just used the momentum of that blast to move us farther. T’Fearne should have a clear line of fire now.
She exhaled slowly. As the Ronin maneuvered at impulse, Ian was right, she gained the targeting solution on the pursuing vessel, and the shuttles were clear. Her fingers hovered over the controls. She held there, metaphorically with her finger on the trigger, waiting for Kel’s order, but hoping that it would not be necessary.
O’Connor: Incoming message…from the Sheliak vessel.
Nicolau: Any chance you can turn the volume down before he starts speaking?
Kel: Put them through Commander, thank you.
O’Connor: Aye, on screen
The acting captain rose, addressing the cloaked figure again. On the bridge, the assembled crew seemed to hold their breath. T’Fearne sensed that this conversation was their last chance at a diplomatic resolution. If it failed, then she would likely be ordered to open fire on them.
B’hab: =/\= Was it something I said, Captain? =/\=
Kel: =/\= Not at all, Administrator. Some of the reactor components below are coming back on line. You'll note the power level dropping. ::beat:: You're welcome
B’hab:=/\= Well, well, well Captian, what do we have here? I’m guessing it was someone smarter than you to get the Fregengi involved. I had no clue your ship came with a lawyer. This could backfire, you know. =/\=
Kel seemed amused.
Kel: =/\= I did warn you that I would invoke the Federations right to arbitration. As for backfiring, let's just be thankful that's not happening with the reactor on the surface.
Another signal joined the channel, the main display split, a smug looking Ferengi appeared in contrast to the shadowy Sheliak.
Brac: =/\= This is Liquidator Brac, and I’m escorting an Arbitor as requested by Judge Advocate General Representative Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Morrow of the USS Ronin =/\=
B’hab: =/\= This is none of your business, Ferengi; this is between the Alliance and the Ronin, you have no claim to this system. =/\=
Brac: =/\= You are correct, or were correct. As of this Stardate, the Ferengi Alliance has put in a sizable bid on this system. Which would include whatever is left of the station on the moon. You’re both to remove yourselves within the next hour, or face the consequences. I’m willing to parlay if that is your choice; hostilities will not be tolerated. =/\=
The Ferengi’s communication cut off and T’Fearne straightened slightly. Her attention still on Hostile One, but her emotions, hope and anxiety pressed closer to the surface that they should have. Perhaps Ian was right. Her control was starting to wear thin. SHe was not sure how much longer she could keep this level of control.
Kel: =/\= Well. At least he's given me a more reasonable time table to depart. =/\=
B’hab: =/\= You heard the tube grub, what will it be. =/\=
Kel: =/\= Who am I to get in the way of the Treaty of Armens? We'll be under way shortly. Ronin out. =/\=
For a heartbeat, no one on the Bridge moved. And then Wren gave a snort, T’Fearne’s ribcage expanded with a relieved breath and the rest of the crew seemed to relax slightly.
Nicolau: Sir...did you just....use the Ferengi to out litigate the Sheliak?! We should get our people out of here before those two start flinging injunctions in all directions...last thing we need is an away team crippled by a restraining order.
Kel: ::nodding:: T'Fearne coordinate getting our teams back aboard. Wren, O'Connor get us ready to depart for Deep Space 33. ::turning to Nicolau:: Don't worry too much Lieutenant, I'm sure Mr. Marrow is already filing injunctions and changes of venue. This system will be tied up in red tape for quite some time.
Wren: And that’s assuming that other Ferengi families don’t end up placing bids of their own. It may be irradiated, but it could be a beautiful vacation spot in about thirty years.
O'Connor: I’d bet way sooner. Isn’t one of the Rules of Acquisition, Who needs patience when there’s profit?
T'Fearne: ::relieved, responding to Kel:: Yes, Sir! ::eyes scanning rapidly:: I’m monitoring all away team signatures and crafts. Prioritizing those closest to the radiation boundary first. ::a small pause, responding to Ian:: Profit appears to be a more effective negotiating language than logic in this region. I can’t say I approve.
Her voice was high pitched, but steady, even if her pulse was racing. She began reeling in the shuttles and away team members who required beaming aboard.
Nicolau: I'll update those course plots to avoid any red tape, sir. I'll alert you immediately if I see any process servers closing in.
Focused on getting her crew under the protection of the Ronin’s shields, T’Fearne still kept an eye on Hostile One. Nicolau’s jesting comment went over her head. Kel also seemed to be waiting, still standing watching the viewscreen. Ian turned back to look at him.
O'Connor: Sooo, That’s it then? More proof the pen is mightier than the photon, I guess.
T’Fearne glanced up briefly, a faint crease forming between her brows.
T'Fearne: Captain, we have them! All crew accounted for, shuttlecrafts’ Anna Pavlova, Zambezi, Sojourn and Pegasus are on the flight deck.
Kel: Excellent! Mr. O'Connor let's get moving. Best speed to DS33.
Ian laid in the course and turned Ronin away from the moon heading at impulse toward the edge of the system.
Kel: What's our overall status?
Wren: Engineering says that the radiation’s ebbed enough for warp, we should be good to go.
Ian gave her a thumbs up.
O'Connor: Fantastic. Going to warp.
The stars stretched into lines. T’Fearne glanced downward, tracking the Lattice vessel’s energy signature as the distance spanned between them. Everyone was safe, they had recovered many personnel from the base.
T'Fearne: All away teams and equipment accounted for and secured. No hostile pursuit. Tactical systems returning to standby… but remaining ready.
Kel: ::nodding:: Good. Good work, all of you.
Kel stood, already turning toward the turbolift.
Kel: I'm heading to sickbay to check on our people. Get repairs underway and alert me anything changes. Mr. O'Connor you have the conn.
Wren: ::reflexively:: Thank you, sir
T’Fearne remained at her station, fingers still hovering over the tactical controls as if reluctant to de-escalate from red alert.
T'Fearne: Security will maintain a reduced alert posture until we are further clear of the system. I will report to Chief Kessler and assist with coordinating deck sweeps and confirm no residual Lattice Alliance intrusions. ::a brief pause, quieter:: …and check on the returning teams once they clear decon and sickbay.
Ian swapped places with Kel, and Nicolau slipped smoothly back into the helm.
O'Connor: ::slides out of the helm with Nicalau sliding in and turns to Kel as he’s leaving the bridge:: Aye, Nice work, Captain. ::sits down in the big chair which physically feels just a little bigger to Ian:: All right guys, you heard the boss. Let’s get back to work. Let’s get updated radiation damage reports and diagnostics on all….
He trailed on with a slew of orders that all moved them in a direction of getting back to normal operations status.
Auras of relief brushed against her senses with giddy light fingers. She pushed her reaction to it down wearily. Her thoughts strayed to Tess, Kessler and the others from the away teams. Then her gaze went to the top of Ian’s head and her own small hands. She and Ian would need to get to sickbay again soon. Hopefully there was something that could be done to restore them to their correct chronological ages. Right now what she wanted most was a nap.
Outside the ship, the stars slipped by in glowing streaks.
[End Act Three T’Fearne]
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Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14