Ensign Cecil Valo - From the Mouth of Babes
Aaron
(( Warrior Sports, Promenade, Commercial Sector, Beta Module, DS33))
He fought on with all the resolution, rage and anger that was boiling through the battlefield. He soaked it all in like a sponge, letting it fuel his actions like adrenaline.
But then it began to shift. He took only a moment to scan the battlefield, taking in the state of the Starfleet teams against the overwhelming and unrelenting force of the enemy. He found himself in close proximity to Raga and looked to him with a concern that was embedding itself into his fiber.
Valo: Sir, we’re losing morale.
Kiran: ::looking at Valo:: Understood, but not the time. Rely on your training; thinking too much might get you dead, kid.
Raga: Focus on what you’re doing, Ensign. Morale shifts during battle, but the priority is staying alive and fighting.
The Betazoid grimaced at their responses. Perhaps the emotions around him had impacted his own - They pretty much always did, but ultimately, he was only trying to report what he was sensing.
T’Fearne: Ronin Strong, huh? :: Saying it mostly to herself, but glancing at Valo::
Cecil smirked to T’Fearne, perhaps he wasn’t the only one feeling just a bit like an outsider. He was realizing that he was going to have to do quite a bit of adjusting to fit in. Nothing new there. Regardless, he had a job to do, and he intended to do it.
(( Muster Point 4, Deck 6, Main Compartment, DS33 ))
The team reached Muster Point 4 and an officer shouted a warning as soon as they approached.
Security Officer: Get behind the barricade, we're setting off explosions!
Didn't have to tell him twice. The Team Seiuri point men covered as he ran in step with T’Fearne, jumping behind cover amidst the chaos. He could say one thing for the leadership, he felt a hell of a lot safer with them at his side.
Kiran: ::a half smile creased the corner of his mouth:: I think it’s time to blow this popsicle stand!
Raga: What is the fascination with destruction of dessert carts? You’ve been around Humans too long, Chief.
T’Fearne::: Joining in:: I missed out on visiting the Warp Stone Creamery before the Alliance shot the station to the Great Fire. I think the Commander should take Seiuri Squad out for ice cream after we deal with these intruders. :: flashing a wry grin:: I’ve had this flavour called smoked salt caramel at the academy. It was good, interesting flavour profile.
Breeze: Response
Cecil spared them a glance after sending a volley into the corridor ahead of them. He supposed he should try to loosen up a bit and do his part to lighten their dire situation like any normal well adjusted person would do.
Nah.
BOOM!
His social escape route came in the form of a massive explosion that shook the chamber with disorienting force. He coughed through the smoke and lifted his arm over his eyes as he regained his bearings.
Kiran: ::covering his head and then peaking:: I can’t see a damn thing; anyone got a visual on the bogies?
He couldn’t see much either, but he definitely felt the presence of more of them advancing. Their energies were strange…
Kiran: Sir, that didn’t even dent their line much…
Raga: Didn’t expect it to, we’re outnumbered here, Chief. Just consider it a target-rich environment. The more we take out the more they have to commit. Hold the line while I get an update on the situation.
T’Fearne: Yes, sir. :: To the other ensign:: Valo, let’s make every shot count.
He gave her a firm and resolute nod, glad to have her at his side.
Breeze: RESPONSE
WHUMP!
He hadn’t seen where it came from, but the effects were quickly obvious as light flicked out and the Alliance soldiers were forced to turn their blasters into melee weapons. He could feel their frustration, and he liked it.
Kiran: Orders, commander?
Raga: We hold here. Looks like the transporter inhibitors here are working. ::He tapped his comm badge:: =/\= Seiuri to Epsilon, hostiles have breached the tubes in the vestibule. Junction thirty seven, Alpha. See what you can do to get those inhibitors up again. =/\=
Solana: =/\= Epsilon copies. =/\=
T’Fearne::: Pulling at pointy ears and talking slightly too loud:: A little warning before the next detonation would be helpful, Chief.
Breeze/Kiran: RESPONSE
Raga: Eyes and Ears ::He announced to let those around him know they should close their eyes and cover their ears::
He launched his attack with beautiful effect. Even with his eyes closed and ears covered the light was bright and the roar resounding. He felt the shock echo through him and brought his weapon to bare, the sight of a dwindled number was welcome.
T’Fearne: Let’s keep a close watch on the impact of these stun grenades. The reduction in their numbers suggests they might be vulnerable to this. oO Could sound or frequency be a weakness we can exploit? Oo
Valo: ::A sharp nod:: Good thinking. ::He meant it.::
Breeze/Kiran: RESPONSE
Raga: As long as those inhibitors do their job they can’t beam into this section. Which means that bottleneck is our friend, their numbers are ineffective as long as they can’t get more than a handful through at a time.
T’Fearne:::finding a clear angle:: I’ve got a good line of sight. Engaging now.
Valo: I’m with you!
He followed her lead and added his firepower to hers with a focus on reigning havoc on enemy combatants focused on her targeted strike. A blaster to the face might not take one down, but it certainly affected their targeting ability.
Breeze/Kiran: RESPONSE
A forceful push from the enemy and they were forced to take cover as disruptor fire swam through the corridor. Cecil took a deep, calming breath and focused on the advice he had been given earlier - Don’t get dead, stay alive and keep fighting.
Raga: Another transport just docked at port two, but we’re holding port one. Looks like they're concentrating their forces here, trying to break through. Keep laying down fire. ::He looked at everyone briefly:: This is a siege, not a skirmish. Five up and firing, give the others a chance to breathe. Swap out between waves and everyone fires when they push hard. Understood?
T’Fearne: Sir.
Valo: Got it.
Breeze/Kiran: RESPONSE
A comms broadcast crackled through the sector, a voice breaking through the static.
Niac: =/\= Ronin to All Federation Outposts and Installations in sector A113. We are coming. *static* We will not abandon you. For your tomorrows...we give our todays. Ronin Out. =/\=
Raga: Our friends, our family are coming for us. I don’t know about you, but I intend to be here when they arrive.
T’Fearne: We’ll hold the line. Every second we buy them gives a better chance to get to us.
Even for the pessimist that was Cecil Valo, the broadcast was reassuring. While he had no idea how far out rescue was, the idea that it was coming was welcome. Like holding your breath under water, but knowing that the surface was just a few strokes away.
Raga/Breeze/Kiran: RESPONSE
T’Fearne: The physical detonations don’t seem to faze them much. :: Shouting over the noise:: But the stun grenades… do we have any intel on their weaknesses? I’d even settle for an allergy at this point.
Valo: I don’t know about allergies, but they certainly seem to find us to be irritants.
Raga/Breeze/Kiran: RESPONSE
T’Fearne: Can we play something through the station’s announcement system? Maybe a sound or frequency they’d dislike, be confused by… or even one they might be attracted to?
Raga/Breeze/Kiran: RESPONSE
Valo: Are there any mobile holographic emitters we have access to? Even visual stimuli they might respond to.
Raga/Breeze/Kiran/T’Fearne: RESPONSE
They were getting a rhythm now as they held the line. Cecil crashed back down roughly after his makeshift squad of five sent a volley. He peaked back over the barricade at an idea.
Valo: There’s a bulkhead just over the corridor, it looks like it was damaged in the explosion. If we can give it just a bit more coaxing, it could block their advance. Maybe not for long but, it could buy us time. ::He looked to Kiran and offered a mischievous smile:: What do you think, old man?
Raga/Breeze/Kiran/T’Fearne: RESPONSE
Ensign Cecil Valo
Security Officer
USS Ronin
C239205AF0