Eviction notice
Posted on Thu Apr 9th, 2020 @ 9:30am by Captain Taliserra Tigran & Ensign Debbie Larson & Ensign Amanda Turell & Ensign Cameron Kore & Ensign Daniel Franklin & Lieutenant Commander Radak & Lieutenant JG Jasad Yuvek & Lieutenant Anthony Edwards Ph. D & Lieutenant Helena Wells
4,727 words; about a 24 minute read
Mission:
The science of stars
Location: Various
Timeline: 24th march 2395
ON:
In her ready room Taliserra sat going over a few reports that she'd received from the away teams. So far the results had been interesting. Signs of a long gone civilisation on one planet, a mid renaissance esque civilisation and a whole range of unknown mineral rocks on the others.
"Anything interesting Tali?" Selene asked.
"Probably nothing you'd be interested in mother," Taliserra said looking up at her mother who had Lashell draped across her shoulder.
"You'd be surprised," Selene replied. "I may be the MD of a admin company but after a few months on here with your crew I've picked up a bit of knowledge about all sorts of stuff."
"Shouldn't you be getting back to Trill at some point soon, surely they can't do without you for this long?" Taliserra asked.
"Oh they can manage, Mikhail and Lucca handle most of the day to day stuff."
The peaceful conversation was quickly shattered when the alert siren sounded and yellow light flashed from the wall. "Captain to the bridge," came across the com system.
"Stay here mother," Taliserra said then bolted out the door to the bridge.
"Report," she called out to Lt Binea who quickly stood up from the Captain chair.
"Five Tzenkethi ships just dropped out of warp at the edge of the system," Binea answered though she struggled to believe what she was saying, there hadn't been much interaction with the Tzenkethi since the war a few decades ago.
Taliserra took a seat in her chair. "On screen."
The viewscreen flicked over to show the Tzenkethi ships, three were very streamlined reversed T-shaped vessels while the other two were much more bulky and positioned carefully behind the wedged formation of the lead ships.
Joran checked his console. "Three cruisers, the other two ships look like they could be cargo ships."
"With that many ships they must mean business," Taliserra remarked. "Hail them."
"Channel open," Binea said from the XO chair.
"Tzenkethi vessels, this is the Federation Starship Wolff, please state your intentions."
Doctor Deepak El-Azar had come to the Bridge in time to see the splendid view of the Tzenkethi vessels... five of them by quick count. Not quite an armada, but definitely not here for an Admiral's ball, thought Deepak as he walked off the turbolift and onto the Bridge. "I don't suppose they are asking for a cup of sugar?"
"They're responding, audio only though," Binea announced as the chair's arm panel beeped.
"Federation vessel, the Tzenkethi coalition claims this system. You have one hour to leave the system," came the gruff voice of a Tzenkethi Commander.
'Rather blunt' Taliserra thought. "What claim do you have to this system?"
The Tzenkethi Commander of the vessel with more considerable power was the only one responding. "Tzenkethi Coalition does not recognise Federation territorial claims to this system. This system is now Coalition space. Leave the system."
"There is a pre-warp civilisation on the second planet. What do you intend to do with them?" Taliserra asked, though her mind was a little more concerned with her away teams.
"Inadequate lifeforms will be exterminated," replied the Commander. "You have been given notice. Leave the system," added the Tzenkethi.
"Standby," Taliserra said then muted the channel. "Thoughts." She turned to her bridge crew.
"They would not have assembled this many ships if they weren't serious about this," Binea said, her antennae curling with concern.
Deepak took the extra seat on the Bridge, the seat reserved for a guest or an adviser. "Tzenkethi are a nasty bunch. They certainly had no issue making waste of Federation worlds and starships during your last war with them. That one was awful. So, they mean business... but so do we?"
"Captain, this isn't a fight we could win if it came to it." Joran threw in his two bits, he'd been scanning the five ships from the start, apart from the transports they were more powerful than the Wolff.
Taliserra's mind raced. She didn't want to start a fight with the Tzenkethi over a few thousand humanoids, but didn't want to leave them to no doubt be exterminated by them.
"I know that look," Deepak said, looking at the Captain. "You are quickly skimming through all the training you've ever had... the Starfleet orders and protocols, the founding principles of the Federation and you are feeling torn because of your Prime Directive," commented Deepak.
He shook his head. "Your back is against the bulkhead here, Captain. We are outnumbered and severely outgunned. Any shot fired here goes down in the Federation historical archives as the day the Second Federation-Tzenkethi War begun. They have an illegitimate claim to this system, and the Prime Directive says that you cannot interfere with 'the natural evolution of a society or civilization,' but interference is going to happen, not by us, but by them. Does a Tzenkethi culling of this system sound natural to you?"
Taliserra shook her head. "No, but we are not in a position to intervene without potentially starting a conflict that could kill more people than we save here. I doubt the Federation would want that."
"Off the record," said Deepak. "Could we abduct these people without their knowing?" he asked, though he could easily read the initial look on Joran's face. "I mean relocating them outside of the system without them knowing," he added.
She shook her head again. "It would take weeks, even if we could find a suitable planet for them. The Tzenkethi aren't going to give us that long."
"Then the present is nothing more than echos of the past, a shadow of the future," he replied solemnly. "People should not have their civilization leveled. There will be no survivors here... not even scattered across the galaxy. Do what you must, Captain."
Taliserra sighed slightly, there didn't appear to be many options left. She reopened the channel. "I have men and equipment on all three planets, I need more time to recover them."
"Your people are pests," replied the Tzenkethi Commander. "The planets are ours. Your people will become the soil beneath us," the commander added. "Leave the system."
"Not without my people," Taliserra said sternly.
"One Earth hour," was the only response given. The Tzenkethi severed the communications channel on their end, terminating any further negotiating. A moment of silence sealed the fate of the civilisation but saved the lives of the Wolff's crew.
Deepak looked at the Captain. "They left you with no choice, Captain. We need to get the away teams recalled before the Tzenkethi have any second thoughts," said the Counselor.
"Helm, set a course to the third planet." Taliserra ordered then turned to Binea. "Send a message to all the away teams, Priority one, prepare for immediate withdrawal."
Radak raised his eyebrows and put down the specimen container he was using. He tapped his com through the EVA suit. =/\=Lieutenant Commander Radak here. What can I do for you?=/\=
=/\=Get your team and equipment together Commander,=/\= Taliserra replied. =/\=the Wolff will be in transporter range in ten minutes. We need to leave the system asap.=/\=
Radak was curious, but he was sure that they would be filled in as soon as they were on the ship again. =/\=Yes, Captain. I will gather my team. We will try and be ready in the ten minute range.=/\= He then looked around at his team. "Alright everyone, let us bring this to a swift conclusion."
"What is it Commander?" Cameron asked hearing Radak's shout from inside the base camp.
"Apparently, we are needed back on the ship. I am not certain as to why. They are coming to pick us up in ten minutes. Please pack quickly," Radak responded. He was already up and started on the process of breaking down camp.
"Must be something important if they want us back so soon," Touma remarked as he started to pack up making sure to try and find every little bit of equipment the team had bought with them.
Gabe grunted. "Sounds about right. It's SNAFU. Maybe we can pass on our findings to SF Science and they can investigate."
=== 10 minutes later ===
=/\= Wolff to away team, are you ready for transport?=/\=
Radak tapped his comm badge, a little out of breath. Regardless of his heritage, packing up a Science team in ten minutes was still straining. =/\=We are exiting the caves now. What is your ETA?=/\= He wanted to give the team a little bit more time if he could, not that they weren't ready.
=/\= We're in orbit, in transporter range in 30 seconds,=/\= came the response.
Radak looked around at the team. "Alright! You heard them. Let's head out!"
"Coming," Cameron said and after hoisting several containers over her shoulder made her way out the cave.
Bringing several more containers along with him, Touma joined Cameron outside.
Gabe grunted and moved several crates into position before taking up his spot to wait for transport. =/\= Ready here Commander, =/\= Gabe informed Radak.
Once everyone on the away team was outside, Radak did a quick head count to make sure he wasn't missing anyone. Once he was satisfied that everyone was present, he tapped his comm badge and nodded. =/\= Away team ready for transport, Wolff, =/\= he informed the ship.
Anthony was in the hide at the time as Jason had just stepped out. =/\= Lieutenant Edwards responding, What's up Captain? =/\=
=/\= Get the hide broken down and ready for transport Lieutenant. We need to leave the system quickly. =/\=
Anthony looked out the window at the bright midday sunlight. =/\= What time frame do we have Captain. We're right in the middle of the day here and you know we have to deconstruct and remove the hide and that is somewhat difficult in the middle of the day when most people are most active. =/\=
=/\= We will retrieve the away team from the outer planet then move into transporter range of you. Eta is around 35 minutes. =/\=
Anthony being a linguistic specialist could feel the stress in the voice of Captain Tigran and responded, =/\= Understood Captain. We will separate the hide into section and tag it for transport, though I expect keeping the electrical cables and and the generator going until it is the last part to be beamed away. =/\=
=/\= Good, we'll contact you again when we're in range, Tigran out. =/\=
=/\= Lieutenant Edwards for Lieutenant Voss, Ensigns Larson and Franklin and HG, Captain Tigran has been in contact. We need to return post haste and start separating the hide into sections for beam out. =/\=
Franklin was the first to respond. =/\= On my way Lieutenant Edwards. =/\= He didn't know much about separating hides into sections but with two engineers he expected they would be fine.
HG was a bit nonplussed on the whole thing having just getting used to the place but that was what she had been told about Fleet. 'Never there long enough to do good.'
She waited a moment before responding. =/\= If we move holoprojectors outside and re-programme them then we can sort of set the 'screen' further out. Weather is good so should not be too much ripple and might hide the rest of the activity for a bit. Then we just have the projectors beamed aboard and hopefully non the wiser. =/\=
=/\= That should work, =/\= Debbie added after hearing Hg's suggestion =/\= I'll have to run out some longer power lines, but that'l only take a few minutes, how long do we have till the Wolff gets here? =/\=
=/\= Thirty five minutes. So long as you’re happy and can understand what HG said then I accept that it is possible, =/\= Anthony said openly, he expected HG knew what she was taking about she was much better with her engineering sciences than he would ever be so liked some confirmation from and Engineer. =/\= It would certainly make it easier to to get it all sectioned out and ready for transport and it will cover all the extra movement that we will need to break it down. =/\=
=/\= I can use the personal phasers to get a couple of the spare projectors out without anyone seeing the setup. Ensign Larson can do the same with the power cables and get them hooked up and we can make sure they are working and then tear the rest of the place apart for transport. There will be a moment when the power is cut that the projectors, generators are visible but just like our arrival will not seem to be anything but a quick mirage I think, =/\= HG replied.
=/\= Sound plan by the sounds of it HG If Ensign Larson's good with it we'll get started as soon as you're all back, =/\= Anthony said .
=/\= Alright on my way, =/\= HG replied
== 25 minutes later ==
=/\= I think we're ready out here Lieutenant, you can turn off the field generators inside, =/\= Debbie comm'd from outside the hide, the holo field flickered slightly but remained intact. "Perfect, we just need to plan the transporter sequence to get everything up to the ship in one piece without the field dropping till the last moment," she said to HG.
=/\= So far so good, no one the wiser or on scanners. I think our keeper is still nursing a headache. Once power is switched off though the projectors will run for a few seconds on residual. That should give enough time to get the generators up and then the screens. It might get really odd looking if anyone is observing. Best we have. =/\=
=/\= It will have to do, I am sure between you and Lieutenant Voss have it all worked out everything to get the whole camp up without our withdrawal being spotted. At least with these suits we only a few milliseconds of vision before the transported lock. Hopefully the keeper will eventually sleep it off. We have gotten a good deal of information, which is just as well because from what the tone of the captains voice I don't expect we'll have another shot at it in the near future, if at all, =/\= Lieutenant Edwards said over the the comm.
=/\= Wolff to away team, we're almost in transporter range, what's your status? =/\=
=/\= Lieutenant Edwards to Wolff, we are on external emitters and screens now, and are separating the hide into sections for transport in like ten minutes we will have it broken down and tagged in order of transport... =/\= Anthony turned to Ensign Larson and Comm'd =/\= Can we do it in Ten minutes?=/\=
=/\= Just about Lt, we'll be ready =/\=
=/\= Thanks Ensign, =/\= Anthony said then as he worked on the bolts to separate the next two sections from each other and opened a channel back to the ship to say, =/\=Edwards to Wolff, we'll be ready in ten minutes.=/\=
=/\= Understood. =/\=
=== 10 minutes later ===
HG double checked the power supply and the emitters. A breeze had started up and it was going to wave the screens. She was not happy with that but it was obvious that they could not do better. She waved to the rest. "I am going to activate my phase device, and keep an eye on tings. Get the rest up. Anthony when you are ready for me, phase and call me and then I will find a nice out of the way place to transition back so the transporter can get a lock..." She trailed off a bit and added, "That gives some ideas. Ah well, later, later."
Anthony watched as piece by piece the hide sections disappeared. As soon the sleeping section was transported away be tapped his comm badge and said to HG. =/\= As soon as we are gone you’ll be on your own. get up there as soon as the generator and screen leave because the Captain seemed like She’s in a hurry to get out of here so no final information gathering we’ll take what we’ve got and continue our research on the ship.=/\= As last section but the generator and the screens left he signaled the rest to get into a nice transport grouping once they were inside the screens. once inside the screens he deactivated his bracelet.
Everything else had disappeared it was just her, the generators and the screens left. She called the ship. =/\= Getting ready to phase, I will switch off the generators. Should have about twenty seconds left before the screens completely fail to get those up. Switching off now. =/\= HG switched off the generators and then stepped away while turning the bracelet on. She stepped around the screen to observe. The transporter should not be able to get a lock on her while phased but not worth taking the chance and she could observe as well.
As soon as the others joined him Anthony tapped his comm badge and said =/\=Lieutenant Edwards to Wolff, Four to beam up!=/\=
In the little house by the lake the keeper nursed a headache. It was like a hangover except he had not had anything like that to drink. He leaned over a basin to splash some water on his face and looked out the window. A beautiful day and a little breeze and for a second it seemed that the whole section of mountainside wavered like a bit of grass. He closed his eyes wishing his head would start hurting and decided that devotions would take place a bit later.
Outside the screens held the illusion for just a few seconds and then it seemed as if a sort of golden light sparkled a moment and they were gone. HG took a quick look around to make sure that it more or less looked cleared. Other than a few depressions in the grass it would be like they were never hear. She got out of sight and phased shifted back in, called the ship and disappeared back to the ship.
Lieutenant Yuvek growled in frustration as the Runabout's communication suite struggled to maintain a stable link with the Wolff.
=/\= Lieutenant Yuvek responding, please repeat message. The planet's radiation is affecting the signal, =/\= the officer said.
=/\= Priority one, withdraw to the Wolff immediately, =/\=
Hunter and Amanda poked their heads into the shuttle as they heard Jasad mention the Wolff. As the order was repeated a second time Hunter hurried to collect his things. "We should leave what we don't need," he called out, starting to break camp and moving the necessities on the shuttle. I wasn't just the call that had spooked him. He'd tell Yuvek after they were safely in orbit.
=/\= Lieutenant Yuvek, acknowledged, =/\= the Helmsman said as he noticed the recent arrival of the crew members.
"We've been given a priority one order. We are to leave behind all non-essential or sensitive Starfleet equipment and technology. We're taking off in 15 minutes. Any questions?" he asked to the gathered crewman.
Hunter shook his head making it a point to start collecting anything that was necessary.
Amanda tapped her comm badge to contact Brendon and Nicola who were out indulging their scientific habits. =/\= Turell to Cross, return to the landing zone immediately priority one.=/\=
=/\=Understood, we're on our way, eta... 10 minutes, =/\= Nicola's voice replied.
With that done Amanda joined Hunter in packing up the base camp, she hoped everything fitted back where it went a few weeks ago.
Ten minutes later Nicola and Brendon arrived back at the camp surprised to see almost all the camp broken down. "What's going on?" Nicola asked.
"I don't know, priority one order to get back the the Wolff as soon as." Amanda replied.
"We'd best get going then." Nicola helped Amanda pick up a crate and carry it into the shuttle.
Brendon headed into the shuttle to help Jasad get it ready for departure.
14 minutes later
Lieutenant Yuvek had to admit that he was impressed with the speed that the crew moved in breaking down the campsite and loading onto the Runabout as quickly as they did. He had already prepped the Runabout to perform a high-velocity takeoff and plotted an escape vector that would allow them to clear the planet's atmosphere.
Although he had no problem simply following orders, Lt. Yuvek still would have preferred to know just what the high-emergency was and what they could expect once they cleared the planet's surface.
Was the Wolff under attack? Had it detected a sudden threat coming upon the away team. Tons of questions filled the man's mind as he continued to guide the runabout through the stratosphere.
"I've got the Wolff on sensors, they're orbiting the second planet," Daniel said from the seat beside Jasad shortly after the shuttle broke out from the planets gravity well and out into open space "And... wow, that's not something you see everyday." He remarked as the sensors picked up something else.
"I'm not a fan of being kept in suspense, Ensign..." Lt. Yuvek said as he continued to navigate the vessel towards his mother ship.
"There are five ships at the edge of the system, they're look like Tzenkethi ships, they are just sitting there though, not doing anything," he told them.
Lt. Yuvek double-checked his sensors to confirm that they were Tzenkethi vessels. They were holding a steady pattern and did not appear to be engaging the Wolff or preparing for any type of action. Perhaps they figured their arrival and presence alone would be enough to send a message to the Starfleet vessel.
"We'll probably be at Red Alert, as soon as the Runabout sets down, everyone report to their designated departments and prepare for engagement with a hostile enemy," he said as the runabout got closer to the ship.
"I have the away teams runabout on sensors Captain," Binea reported from the Ops console now Radak had returned to the XO chair.
"Set a course to intercept," Taliserra ordered.
"Captain, the Tzenkethi are moving, two cruisers just did in system warps," Joran called out in both warning and surprise, warping inside a solar system was dangerous.
"Where are they going?" Taliserra asked though she didn't have to wait long as one of the ships emerged right behind them and the other a short distance from the runabout.
Binea scanned the vessel. "They've charged weapons."
Taliserra spared a glance across at both Radak and Deepak. "Think they will fire?"
Radak was watching the view screen carefully. "I would not assume they will not fire, Captain. Although, I am not sure as to our offence to them?" He was still trying to catch up with what had been going on while he had been on the planet.
Deepak took a deep breath. "I concur with Radak, Captain," replied Deepak. "This situation is very tense right now. They want us to leave and I do not them firing on us will result in what they want. They fire on us and more of a Federation presence will occur in time. They cannot... no, I don't believe they will."
"They're just trying to get us to leave more quickly?" Taliserra remarked, it was only a theory but it certainly sounded plausible.
"They're in weapons range Captain," Joran reported.
"Standby, don't fire unless they do."
Joran's fingers hovered over the fire button waiting for what he hoped wouldn't happen. "Aye, Sir."
The Tzenkethi ship closed till it filled the Wolff's view screen, but remained there closely following the ship, several minutes of shadowing passed.
"They're just sat there," Joran remarked. "This doesn't make sense," he said, putting voice to what he figured everyone else was thinking
Taliserra let out a relieved sigh, so far her theory was sound. "Hail the Moskva"
"They've spotted us, the Wolff is on an intercept course Lt," Brendon reported. "But so are some of the Tzenkethi ships, one of them just warped a lot closer to us."
Lt. Yuvek narrowed his eyes and bit down on his lip as he saw the sensors confirm what the Ensign at reported. He calculated that it would take another 3 minutes to reach the weapons range of the Wolff; however, the Tzenkethi ship would be able to acquire a firing solution within the next 90 seconds.
"Tactical, bring the photonic torpedoes online and target the lead vessel," Lt. Yuvek said, he knew that the vessel would not be able to stand toe-to-to against a Tzenkethi vessel in a direct conflict; however, he only needed to slow them down.
"Set the auto-modulating shield algorithm to begin its rotation at .0331," he said. It had been well over 3 decades since the Federation had engaged the Tzenkethi, so tactical information would be scarce.
"If anybody has any suggestions, they'll be welcomed for the next 60 seconds..." the Cardassian said, as he diverted more power to the Runabout's engines.
'Run away,' Nicola thought though the Tzenkethi ship looked faster than them as well as considerably stronger.
Lt. Yuvek tried his best to hide the complete shock that ran through him as he observed one of the Tzenkethi vessels perform an in-system warp and appear close to them.
"What the hell...?" He said in disbelief. The very use of an in-system warp jump was a manoeuvre that was rarely justified except in extreme situations. The fact that a Tzenkethi would put themselves at risk meant they either really wanted to kill the Federation crew, or their propulsion technology had advanced since their last encounter with Starfleet.
Hunter stayed quiet. He was thinking about the occurrences of just before they left. He said little. He told nobody about what had happened the night before they left.
The Tzenkethi ship closed to within weapons range but didn't fire instead stopping and watching the little runabout pass by.
Lt. Yuvek held his breathe silently for several moments as the Tzenkethi came within weapons range and...
...did not fire.
Lt. Yuvek did not wait for another moment to pass by before he programmed the flight computer to head back to the Wolffe as fast as possible. There was a reason why the vessel was allowing the away team to live, but he knew that now was not the time to question their fate.
=/\= Tigran to Moskva. =/\=
"We're being hailed by the Wolff," Brendon reported.
"On screen," Lt. Yuvek said.
=/\= We're still alive, although I'm not exactly sure why. But we're heading directly for the Wolff, =/\= he reported.
=/\= Keep on course, the Tzenkethi are trying to get us to leave the system, dock as quickly as you can.=/\=
=/\= Roger, =/\= Lt. Yuvek said before closing the signal and continuing on course.
“The Moskva has docked Captain,” Binea reported. “The cruiser shadowing them has joined the one behind us.”
“Good,” Taliserra said finally sitting down in her chair, she'd paced the bridge slowly since the Tzenkethi ship had started shadowing them. “Bracca set a course out of the system, full impulse.”
“Aye, Captain,” Bracca said as he tapped at the helm console. He plotted a course from the edge of the system back to federation space too taking a guess that was where Taliserra was going to order next.
With the ships still shadowing them until they reached the edge of the system where they turned away and headed back into the system Bracca guided the ship to a safe distance away where he could engage the warp engines. “We're clear, course back to federation space?” turning slightly to look at her.
Taliserra nodded. “Engage when ready, warp six.”
“Already plotted Captain.” Turning back to the helm console Bracca hit the control to send the ship warping back home.
OFF:
Captain Taliserra Tigran
Commanding Officer
Lieutenant Commander Radak
Executive Officer
Lieutenant Jasad Yuvek
Chief Helm Officer
Runabout Moskva
Dr. Deepak El-Azar
Chief Counselor
Lieutenant (jg) Anthony Edwards (Ph.D)
Chief Science Officer
HG Wells
Civilian Scientist
PO3 Gabriel D'anconia
Armoury Officer [npc]
Ensign Joran
Sec/Tac Officer [npc]
Ensign Bracca
Helmsman [npc]
Ensign Binea
Ops Officer [npc]
Ensign Debbie Larson
Engineer [npc]
Ensign Daniel Franklin
Alien Archaeologist/Anthropologist [npc]
Lieutenant Jason Voss
Asst Chief Engineer [npc]
Lieutenant JG Touma Kamijou
Asst Chief Science Officer [npc]
Ensign Cameron Kore
Nurse [npc]
Ensign Amanda Turell
Sec/Tac Officer
Ensign Brendon Watanabe
Stellar Cartographer [npc]
Ensign Nicola Cross
Geologist [npc]
Chief Petty Officer Hunter Payton
Nurse [npc]
Gabriel D'Anconia
Senior Chief Petty Officer
Armory Officer
USS Wolf
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