Lieutenant Tito: Despair leads to foolish decisions.

[btv.abreu]

((USS Thor, deck 5, Holodeck 4, Invicta Bridge simulation))

Tito narrowed his eyes. This was getting them nowhere, and if Ch’zila wasn’t lying they could have a bigger problem.

 

Tito: This isn’t the way…

Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Hiss… Agreed, this is getting pointless. We can’t hear the eggs, and they wouldn’t be able to fight us for at least another month anyway.

DeVeau: We’re willing to help you without coercion.  Wouldn’t a peaceful solution be better? 

Ch’zila: Crick Snap Pop…Very well. If you won't give us this starship, then we will take the brood aboard one of your shuttles. Gurantee our safe passage to the shuttlebay and give us a shuttle and we can end this.

He couldn’t shoot. It would be a blood bath. 

He couldn’t self destruct the Invicta, he needed two codes and that would take too long.

Tito was running out of options.

So he reverted to the drastic one.

Tito: Computer, Command Code Tito Echo Alpha one seven zero zero. Give me full control of shuttle bays and open them to space on my mark, or if any weapons fire is registered on the bridge.

Computer: Acknowledged.

Tito tilted his head to Ch’zila.

Tito: Anyone shoot and your Nursery goes flying back to the Badlands

Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Hiss… So, will you stand down? Or face the consequences of what you’ve done?

Ch’zila: Hiss Snap Crack… No! You musn't! The brood is our future!

Tito lowered his phaser and looked defiantly at Ch’zila.

Tito: Do you really care to risk it? We are offering help… We can help. But we will defend us.

The only reason you are not laying on the floor is because we are a Starfleet ship.

Naledi: Crick Snap Pop Pew… We have already given you the benefit of the doubt, it is clear you are desperate. Don’t do anything else stupid and we will all live. Including your offspring.

Ch’zila appeared to be considering it. Tito wasn’t proud of what he had done, but at least Ch’zila wasn’t threatening the others.

Naledi: Pew Pop Snap Crack… If it puts it’s weapon down, will you stand down? Accept the help we were already offering?

Ch’zila hadn’t got a chance to answer before a commline opened.

Naledi: Pew Snap Pop… What’s the news, Lieutenant?

Tito allowed himself to turn to the viewscreen.

Blue Lieutenant: Security reports the Xindi threat has been neutralised and the bodies, both unconscious and deceased are being moved to Cargo Bay Five.

DeVeau: Captain, I think it would be wise to check on the children.

Ch’zila: Crick Hiss Smack… Our young are safe within the brood pod. It is heavily shielded.

Tito looked between Naledi and Alora.

Naledi: Response.

DeVeau: I know you are all resistant to radiation, but the Badlands aren’t a normal area of space, and children, even children of such a hardy species, are more susceptible.  

Ch’zila: Pop Snap Chirp… If your Captain will agree to give us the shuttle, we will leave this vessel with our brood. They will no longer be any of your concern.

Tito holstered his phaser and looked at Ch’zila. 

Tito: But we still want to help. ::he looked at Naledi:: Computer return shuttle bay commands to regular functions and disregard my last order. Command Code Tito Echo Alpha one seven zero zero.

Computer: Acknowledged

Naledi: Response.

DeVeau: It’s not just radiation.  Stress, even before birth…er…hatching…can negatively affect the health of the children, even right before emerging.  We don’t really want to send them into space, but if you allow us to help you and them, then we can stop all this before it gets worse. 

With that Ch’zila ordered it’s soldiers to release their hostage. 

Ch’zila: Snap Pop Crack… I am choosing to believe you will keep your word. We release this human in exchange for the safety of the brood and a shuttle upon which to transport them and ourselves.

Naledi: Response.

Tito nodded. He didn’t had much to add and as Ch’Zila and it’s boarding team began lowering their weapons. He raised an eyebrow when he saw unsheath a blade.

Ch’zila: Hiss Chirp Rattle… As a sign of good faith, I turn over my Oath-Shard. Its edge carries my scent, my service, and my surrender.

That must be their ritual formality for surrendering. Tito stepped to the side, giving Naledi room. 

Naledi/DeVeau: Response.

Ch’zila rotated the blade so the edge faced inward, something similarly done by humans.

Ch’zila: Pop Crack Snap… Take it, and with it, the truth of my intent.

Naledi/DeVeau: Response.

Tito turned to Naledi as he nodded to Alora. 

Tito: Ensign let's resume the original plan and have the Medical team look into the Nursery. 

::He looked at Ch'zila:: When we were closing in on your ship we had a shuttle ready. ::turning to Naledi:: Should we offer that one Captain?

Naledi/DeVeau/Ch'zila: Response.

Tito nodded and stepped closer to Ch’zila. 

Tito: If I am permitted, I want to apologize and ask your forgiveness for what I have done. 

Despair is a bad advisor and I was misguided by my will to protect the crew.

Naledi/DeVeau/Ch'zila: Response.

TBC/TBC 

Lt. Vitor R.S.Tito 

Science Officer

USS Thor, NCC-85852

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