Cmdr. (Ensign) Alora DeVeau - "No More Fighting, Please"
Amanda Nordstrom
((Bridge, USS Invicta, Holosuite 4, Deck 5, USS Thor))
The Badlands would show no mercy. While the golden clouds undulated, the storms spit, and the plasma columns spun, the Invicta, in an attempt to help, had been attacked. After ramming the ship, the Xindi poured into the decks. Turning her attention away from outward scans, Alora’s eyes tracked the movements and motions of the invaders that skittered through their decks.
DeVeau: They’re diving deeper…heading to main engineering!
By that point, the hallways had to be pretty darn cold, but how much it affected the Xindi, she couldn’t say for sure. Some did slow down compared to a moment ago, but how long would that last? The computer beeped at her, and she quickly gave an update.
DeVeau: A small number have entered a turbolift and it’s heading for the bridge. The rest are still heading to engineering.
At that point, Tito had not only withdrawn phasers stored in compartments on the bridge, he’d started passing them out. When held out to her, Alora took it grimly.
Tito: We will need to defend ourselves.
Naledi: Crick Snap… Yes, we will. Pew Snap Pop Hiss… Ensign, discreetly send a probe to the edge of the borderlands emitting a distress call only when it leaves weapons range of the USS Invicta.
DeVeau: On it!
Tucking her phaser into her waistband, Alora swerved around and immediately did as Naledi commanded. Meanwhile, Tito offered Naledi a phaser for itself, and the Xindi took it without hesitation.
Tito: Captain, anything else we can use against the boarders?
Naledi: Pew Snap Pop Hiss… Yes, Computer
In response, the computer chirped, a sound far too cheerful for the situation.
Naledi: Pew Chirp Snap Pop Hiss… Transfer command authorisation to First Officer, Lieutenant Tito. Authorisation Naledi-Siera-Yankee-Romeo-Echo-X-Ray.
Computer: Code Accepted. Authorisation Transferred.
With the probe launched, Alora looked up in surprise at the Captain, her eyebrows raised.
Naledi: Pew Pop Snap Crick Chirp Hiss… Cricking and Snapping sounds similar between it and them. This is our defence. If they torture it trying to get the USS Invicta. You will have the real keys to the ship.
In the back of her mind, Alora couldn’t help but wonder if the computer really could not differentiate between Naledi and other Xindi. Personally, she had a feeling it could, but then again, how many insectoid Xindi had she been around? Naledi was the first. It had barely stopped talking when two turbolifts arrived simultaneously, one in each left, and Xindo poured from within, holding weapons trained on each of the officers. The ‘ensigns’ eyes darted from one Xindi to another, and if she moved, she did so slowly and carefully so as not to draw anyone’s fire. Naledi rose from their chair, but Alora stayed put on her own. With her phaser tucked into her waistband and her bottom still on her chair, Alora’s jacket curved over the part of the phaser that stuck out, hiding it from view. She did not reach for it, however, but carefully watched their captors.
Tito: Surrender now or we will defend ourselves.
Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Hiss… Don’t think we will not destroy the ship to prevent you from taking it. Pew Snap… It does not negotiate with Terrorists.
That sentence sounded familiar. Where had Alora heard that before?
Tito/Ch'zila: Response
Pursing her lips, Alora refocused on the situation. They were in a lot of trouble, and to get out of it, they were going to have to navigate things very carefully. However, before she could say a word, the Computer made an announcement.
Computer: Incoming transmission.
Naledi: Pew Crick Snap Pop… Onscreen.
Turning just enough to see the viewer, the image displayed a series of bodies littering the floor of what looked to be main engineering. Alora’s eyes flicked from one to the other. What a horrible waste of life - desperate to take over a ship that wasn’t theirs, the officers had done what they needed to make sure the ship was safe. Even as she thought that, Alora realised those Xindi could very well simply be stunned. She could hope that was the case, especially since the first rule in Starfleet was to try and stun first. A second later, her eyes focused on the main person on the screen - a Bolian who had called to give them news.
Tito/Ch'zila: Response
Chief Engineer: Main engineering is secure Captain, Emergency bulkheads have been sealed. No more Xindi are going to be getting in here.
Naledi: Pew Crack Snap… Thank you, Lieutenant.
With that, the image went blank and Naledi faced the Xindi who obviously led the horde aboard. Alora watched them carefully even as Naledi spoke.
Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Hiss Chirp… It assumes that you needed Main engineering. Sorry to hear about your ruined plans.
DeVeau: You don’t have to do this.
The ‘ensign’ finally spoke up, her emerald gaze shifting from one hijacker to another before finally resting upon the one in charge.
Ch’zila/Naledi/Tito: Response
Not everything in the world made sense, but Alora did prefer to have explanations and reasons for events. The more she thought about it, the less she could understand, but she wanted to understand. Even if she didn’t agree with their abductors, she at least wanted to get a sense of their motivation. Knowing that could also prove useful.
DeVeau: What do you want from us and our ship?
Ch’zila/Naledi/Tito: Response
Stuck in the badlands, the Invicta wasn’t immune from the effects of the rampaging storms and twirling columns of plasma. Eddies flung their way throughout the area, and it was only a matter of time before they got hit. Storms appeared suddenly, sometimes so quickly, you didn’t have time to prepare. While the Xindi had taken the ship, they also limited the officers’ abilities to keep track of the numerous dangers in the badlands.
Beneath her jacket, Alora’s phaser pressed into her skin, the cool metal warming with her heat. Even as she sat there and stared at their captors, its curved barrel reminded her it was there. Yet, she didn’t reach for it - not yet. Perhaps there was a chance they could come out of that not only alive, but without further altercations.
DeVeau: If you tell us what you need, maybe we can help you.
Communication was vital, especially in de-escalating. Alora did have to admit, however, she hadn’t expected what happened next.
Ch’zila/Naledi/Tito: Response
-- Commander Alora DeVeau Chief Science Officer USS Thor & Matriarch of the 15th House Betazed M239008AD0
