Phoenix coming to the rescue (Part II)
Posted on 09/28/2015 @ 12:39am by Captain Syntron & Lieutenant JG Celestine Bijoŭ & Lieutenant JG James Traynor & Lieutenant JG Garvex P'Trell & Commander David Rogers & Lt. Commander Jonathan Livingstone & Lieutenant JG Duncan Argyle
Edited on on 10/24/2015 @ 9:04pm
Mission: Brave New World
"Maintain heading and conditions" Syntron commanded.
He then turned to the counselor manning the Communications post.
"Lieutenant, open up a channel to the Draxx ships drawing toward our position."
A moment later, Lieutenant Bijoŭ announced "The channel is open Captain."
Without a moment of hesitation, the Vulcan initiated a dialogue with the apparent hostile species.
"This is Captain Syntron of the starship USS Phoenix. We, along with the USS Horizon, are representatives of Starfleet from a galaxy beyond the anomaly threshold. Starfleet is an organization preserved by the United Federation of Planets, which is an interstellar federal republic, composed of planetary governments that agreed to exist semi-autonomously under a single central government based on the principles of universal liberty, rights, and equality, and to share knowledge and resources in peaceful cooperation and space exploration. Since its inception, the Federation's territory has extended across more than 8,000 light years, with a diverse membership of over 150 worlds; including a vast array of species from each of these worlds. Aboard this vessel are representatives from many of these diverse worlds cooperatively working together."
Staring at the approaching vessels on the main viewscreen did not deter Syntron from proceeding with his message, but rather encouraged him to get to his main point.
"Our presence here in this region is that of peaceful deep-space exploration. Our principal objectives are the enrichment of Federation knowledge about our galaxy and its inhabitants, the advancement of Federation science and technology, the military defense of the Federation when required, and the implementation of Federation diplomacy when needed. Our journey into this realm is but an extension of these core objectives."
There was no immediate response and therefore the Vulcan captain continued.
"As I am certain based on you apparent technology, you can confirm that our starship poses no immediate threat to your vessels. Our weaponry is offline and even our defensive shields have been deactivated."
Allowing a moment for this information to be confirmed, Syntron supplemented his appeal.
"My intention is to offer an opportunity for peaceful discussions to occur between our representatives regarding any perceived conflict before an onslaught of hostilities are invoked in place of reason."
As the Vulcan commanding officer of the Phoenix spoke, the Draxx fleet took position to box in the three crafts within the orbital region of the system's inner planets. When he stopped, all the cruisers had divided into their destroyer components and completed a globular formation around each of them. Both larger sections of the flagship were envelopped by eighteen smaller warships, each the size and power output of a Defiant class starship; six encircled the isolated USS Phoenix. With all their weapons bearing directly on them at point blank range, none of them would survive the first volley when it would come, even with shields at maximum.
As it were, both the stardrive section and the saucer section of the Horizon had their shields up and phasers hot with a tube already readying a quantum torpedo. But when Syntron finished his speech, phasers went down and the tube closed but shields stayed up. Their navigation lights flashed and, on the Phoenix as well as the Draxx vessels, both messages were translated into audiovisual transmissions.
"This is Starfleet Commander Joey Sisko in temporary command of the Federation's USS Horizon stardrive. Our mission is a mission of peace."
The message of the Half-Bajoran then was immediately followed by that of the Illythirii woman in the center seat of the other section of the flagship.
"This is Starfleet Commander Snowfire Ke'Leysha, acting commanding officer of the USS Horizon's saucer section on behalf of the United Federation of Planets. We are currently engaged in a rescue operation. Do you wish to assist us?"
There was a long moment of silence, the ominious encirclement of the alien warships looming all around them like a swarm of angry hornets frozen in a single second before striking. Some people on the Phoenix' bridge almost jumped out of their seats when the soft voice of Counselor Meyers reported what her console told her.
"Captain, the Draxx vessels are transmitting to one another on an encrypted subspace channel. I can attempt to decrypt their messages and eavesdrop on their conversation."
"I do not recommend this, Captain," Livingstone then interjected. "They might interpret this as a hostile action."
"But it would warn us about their planned hostile actions," grumbled Duncan Argyle, his half-metallic fingers still hovering nervously over tactical controls.
"Fearing the risk should not make us turn into an enemy one who could be a friend," the X'Ell retorted.
"I know Starfleet's Rules of Engagement," Duncan shot back. "And I know also that Captain Garth of Izar who wrote this turned murderously insane afterwards."
"And then was cured," insisted Jonathan.
"There is no cure for a torpedo shot."
"Indeed."
They both became silent, waiting for the one who was responsible for all their lives on board to make the decision... and all those on two more ships and two planets as well.
"Do not attempt to intercept any transmissions among these vessels" Syntron ordered firmly but without actually raising his voice. His message nevertheless was clear to everyone on the bridge.
"The fact that a discussion is occurring at all among the Draxx is auspicious. We will not allow curiosity to undermine any possibility of a non violent outcome... however remote this may appear under present circumstances" the captain concluded, as his keen eyes were studying the formation on the main viewscreen of Draxx vessels surrounding them.
These were the type of situations that every Starfleet captain dreaded most: being ensnared in a hostile position that rendered both his ship and his entire crew in utter jeopardy.
Syntron leaned back in his chair and continued to ponder the gravity of their circumstances.
Could goodwill, reason and peace even have a chance of influence with this species? Would all of these federation ships, their crew and the colonists be obliterated at any moment?
The range of alternatives raced through the mind of the Vulcan at astronomic velocities as he tried to bypass the certainty of this apparent checkmate.
After a few minutes of the ominious lightshow between the dagger-shaped warships, a long moment of utter stillness followed, were only hearts were beating hard against the silence. Then, the destroyer directly in front of the Phoenix on their main vieawer alone flashed the lights along the serrated edges of it's gagged prow.
"We're are being hailed," confirmed Meyers.
"Their willingness to talk is indicative of a will to not commit uneccessary violence," breathed Livingstone with obvious relief.
"Or they have something to say before they destroy us" Interjected Argyle, who was just as annoyed as weary. Looking down at his hand and tapping on the still active borg implants in his skull, Argyle continued. "Even the Borg asked for surrender before assimilating their prey, so wanting to talk isn't always a good thing."
Without acknowledging the words of speculation surrounding him, the captain of the Phoenix immediately responded to the hail received.
"Patch the transmission to the main viewscreen" Syntron ordered, as he prepared himself for the most crucial conversation of this mission, and perhaps his career in Starfleet.
On screen appeared the feral face of a wolf-headed humanoid seated in a high-backed chair, seemingly alone in a narrow cockpit. Obviously the set-up was to hide to the viewer any view of the ship's bridge and it's technology. But the close-up angle of the image also aimed just as obviously at intimidation, showing the fanged mouth and the heavily-furrowed reddish eyes as close as if the creature was at one's throat. The image also shifted and moved at unpredictable moments, showing from time to time very close shots of those angry eyes and threatening fangs to further unsettle the viewer. It was much like the way the Ferengi had used subspace transmissions in the early days of contact with them.
The sound was also enhanced in volume and lowered in pitch, slightly distorted with faint echos almost like wind and distant howlings in the background; sound effects or actual crew talking in some kind of obscure battle language out of frame, it was hard to tell. The overall effect however was unsettling enough to unhinge even a fierce Klingon.
Fortunately, the one facing them in the command seat was one in so complete control of his emotions that even his more influen^cable crewmates remained firm in their discipline and composure as they looked at the bestial face and listened to the low growling voice.
" Federation intruders; we are the Draxx. You are in a quarantine sector. You have allowed a dangerous species to gain freedom to threaten others. You have showed hostile intent towards us. You are a threat to every sentient species. Lower your defenses and surrender. We promise you that your death will be swift and painless. Resist us... and your death will be just as certain... but it will be anything but swift and painless. Your choice."
Syntron listened acutely to the provocative words spoken by the Draxx leader. As anticipated, they were words of threats and intimidation. But as a Vucan, the impact was nonexistent in any emotional way.
"Draxx leader... it is an honor to meet you. I am Syntron of the starship Phoenix. As your sensors will confirm, we have approached you and your vessels with our shielding already deactivated and all weapons powered down. Not as an act of surrender, but as a gesture of peace."
The Vulcan commanding officer kept his voice calm but firm as he proceeded.
"To clarify, we have not allowed any species to enter let alone threaten others from this region. Contrarily, the Zetarians are not only not associated with our Federation of planets, but have entered into our region of space and attacked our Federation outposts and ships as well; going back one hundred forty-one standard years ago. In this respect, we have these unfortunate experiences in common."
Syntron allowed a brief pause to exist before continuing his case.
"Secondly, I can order our other vessels to follow in the lowering of shields and weapons, but not as a means for you to swiftly destroy us. Instead, we would be willing do this to de-escalate our current situation of hostility. I would request however that in turn you demonstrate your valiance by removing the targets placed upon our vessels."
The captain then stared silently into the hostile face of the Draxx leader displayed in menacing form.
"Captain Syntron of the Phoenix; your energy protection being active or not, Zetarians can easily reach us accross space while our weapons are down and before we can bring them to bear again. Our own defenses can not prevent this. But we will not be tamed. Truth sounds in your bark but your eyes are far and your scent doesn't come to us. This is a deception."
From the chair at engineering ops at the back of the bridge, mostly hidden from the main viewer view by the bridge consoles and command station chairs, Rogers followed the exchange between Captain Syntron and the Draxx representative. Although the Phoenix shields and weapons were powered down, David knew that tactical response with the nanite enhanced systems on the ship were over thirty percent faster than any other starfleet vessel, and that their own weapons and shields could power up before the Draxx destroyer's could. Thus, their refusal to power down was a decided problem as far as shields were concerned to themselves.
The comment about scent stymied Rogers for a bit, having grown up on a Ferengi vessel. His first contact with canine's had been at Mars. The concept of scent being used as a familiarization of intent was mostly foreign to a Ferengi raised Romulan-Human hybrid. Things either smelled repugnant or savory. The fact these canine type Draxx used the concept to ascertain intent spoke volumns about their heritage and abilities, beyond the obvious pack style formation of their vessel's layout. David began to wonder if Vulcan logic could even make a dent on these Draxx and their pack style philosophy.
Shifting slightly in his seat, David began softly pressing on the tactile interface of his engineering console in order to be ready to bring all one hundred and thirty percent of the power of the Phoenix' massive supply online.
Looking directly into the predatory face of his opponent, Syntron maintained direct eye contact with the image on-screen as he spoke.
"I understand" Syntron began. "If you were to invite me as a guest upon your ship, or arrive here as our guest, we could continue our dialogue more effectively face-to-face."
Despite Starfleet protocol, the Vulcan captain appreciated that the Draxx needed olfactory confirmation when engaging with someone, especially a new species, for the first time. He also sensed that they appreciated both candor and bravery.
"Captain Syntron of the Phoenix; I , Garawl, beta of our pack, will go to your ship, to you, alpha of your pack. And know this; all our ships will open fire at the slightest change of position or emission other than photonic communication from any of your ships. A detonating device will be linked to my brainwaves on both myself and the shuttle that will bring me to you. Any attempt to overpower me either physically or mentally will result in the destruction of both your vessels."
A few minutes later, a small bullet-shaped craft barely six meters long emerged from the lower back of the Draxx destroyer directly facing the Phoenix and moved in a wide arc to come through the acces of their main shuttle bay.
"One life form, Captain," confirmed Livingstone; Draxx... There is a neurogenic link to a small liquid explosive device on board his shuttle... and on his person."
"Highly concentrated nitroglyceryn; an antique explosive chemical substance that can detonate with a simple chemical fuse... and from any significant vibration," Arguyle confirmed from his own security station. "Too primitive to disarm using modern technology. Basic chemical defusing could not be done witnout the proper know-how and chemical counter-agents and in any case nowhere fast enough to prevent detonation if the neurrogenic connection is severed or altered or the body physically assaulted. These Draxx know what they're doing; a Zetarian invading his body would not be able to take control before the body jerked or fell, causing destonation. And their is enough concentrated explosive here to rip off the top of our entire saucer section... and send a clear signal to the other ships to go in for the kill. It is quite brilliant, actually."
He turned towards Syntron.
"The security team is already in place in the main shuttle bay Captain. I will meet with them to... uh... welcome our, shall we say guest."
Composing himself Argyle continued as he stood from his station.
"Where should we escort him sir?"
Syntron was not appreciative of bringing a sentient being armed with a detonation device aboard his ship, but these were extenuating circumstances at best.
He stood up from the center seat and adjusted his uniform accordingly as he spoke.
"Escort our guest to my Ready Room."
"Aye Sir."
With a nod, Argyle headed towards the turbo lift watching the bridge as the doors closed and he headed for the shuttlebay.
Following Argyle's departure, Syntron conversed briefly with several bridge officers before entering into the Ready Room. With the assistance of the sometimes pesky Yeoman Jessica Albera, this room had been organized and decorated with awards, accolades, medals, certificates and other official acknowledgements of the captain's accomplishments presented by superiors in Starfleet since his days in the Academy.
During the time in spacedock after their first mission on this vessel, the Yeoman also added in other designer accents and features, all of which the captain never really noticed let alone acknowledged her efforts. Yet, these features really set the tone of the room, especially with the Vulcan artifacts and imagery placed artistically around the room.
Syntron paid no mind to any of this as he sat down in his official customized chair and interacted with the technology arranged before him. He studied for a moment a tactical display of the Federation vessels in this region with Draxx vessels surrounding each one of them. He gazed at the ships strategically, as if studying his next move in a Tri-dimensional chess game; knowing that their current situation was much more serious than a mere game.
Several minutes later, the chime to his door rang.
As soon as he gave permission to enter, the door slid open to reveal assistant security chief Argyle standing sideways, letting Garawl of the Draxx enter the room first. If anything, the canine humanoid was even more intimidating than when his whole fanged snout had filled the large viewer on the bridge. His lean, barrel-chested, long-limbed frame was rippling with corded muscles under the leather-like black and bronze uniform he was wearing. Most prominent was the belt around his excessively slim waist; it was a chain of small blinking lights and small transluscent spheres full of a clear liquid he was obviously very careful not to slosh around as his digitigrade feet stepped with care and suppleness on the floor, as if the deckplates were too for his spiked boots.
Once inside, he stood to his full two meters of height and lifted his head, showing for a moment his throat before lowering his reddish gaze to everything but the Vulcan's own eyes.
Argyle noticed the throat gesture and stored the memory as perhaps a gesture of greeting of some sort. Following protocol, Argyle stepped to the back of the room as to continue to provide a security presence while allowing the respective officers to speak. Argyle would stand by until he was dismissed.
Syntron noted the gesture of this canine-like humanoid as he entered the room and mirrored the greeting in a similar manner as he stood before him prior to addressing him.
"Garawl... beta of your pack... we are honored by your attendance upon our vessel" the captain spoke as he cautiously observed his guest with peripheral acuity. Syntron then casually moved from behind his desk into an equivalent position in front of it, all the while allowing for personal space to exist between them.
"From such humble beginnings meritorious affiliations can be forged."
The Draxx was obviously very conscious of the armed cyborg in the room with them. If anything, it pleased him for some strange reason, as if the latent threat he represented somehow gave him an unfathomable edge. He himself however, despite his imposing presence, gave every sign of not being a threat, never looking anyone in the eye nor getting close, powerful clawed hands at his sides and mouth kept open in a nevertheless gruesome smile, his voice down to a low rumbling. Nevertheless, it was evident that he could in an instant become a whirlwind of fangs and claws in a split second... just before his mental connection would detonate his explosive belt and his shuttle craft nested inside their ship.
And that would be the signal for his fleet to start the massacre.
"Syntron of the Phoenix; I can smell you and your pack. You are free of the spirits of evil... but it remains to be seen if you agree with them."
"On the contrary" Syntron spoke with deliberate firmness, yet without aggression." In this instance Garawl, our nemesis is a common one. They are a remnant of a species now intent on regaining their corporeal existence at all cost. It is to our mutual benefit to work in tandem to nullify theses attempts, and if possible, eliminate these threats altogether."
"You howl with strength, Synron of the Phoenix. But, you challenge what you know not. For centuries now, we know of them. We would not eliminate them. Doing so would unbalance the universe. But we could not eliminate them either. They exist outside of corporeal life, as energy. Energy can not be destroyed, only transformed. They knew this. They created their own prison to atone for the sin of their own folly, their own physical destruction brought on them by their hubris when they dared to try and be gods.Two centuries ago, we found them when one of our scout ships was stranded on their haunted planet, yet managed to fly out afterwards. The ship and her crew died in the attempt, but some of the Zetarians survived long enough to flee through the Heart of the universe."
His wolfish head now turned to face that of the Vulcan.
"And now, you come. Your trail emerges from the Heart of the universe... just as it slowed it's pulse. We have seen this, and wondered at this phenomenon. A scout ship was sent. She found you, a strange, unknown vessel born of the Heart... full of the evil spirits of this planet. Our comrades gave their lives to alert us and to keep them in the dead space zone so that they would not infect the rest of our people, the rest of our universe. And now you come again... here."
The sudden silence, following his last growled words, was more deafening than the explosion his large hand prophetisized with it's ominious nearness to his explosive harness.
The Vulcan captain scrupulously processed the words and inflections along with the physicality of the Draxx representative as he responded. This was such a delicate situation... the slightest wrong word or move would result in not just a failed mission or first contact, but in their utter destruction. Yet he also knew that straightforwardness was essential to building a foundation of trust with this species.
"The journey of ours into this region of space is not again for us Garawl. This is a first. How and when the other vessel, the Nuntio arrived here was indeed a surprise to us... and remains a mystery that may not be fully resolved now that the ship has been destroyed. We were searching for such an answer when my away team was besieged by the Zetarians."
Syntron was in a quandary though on exactly how much detail to reveal. What would be relevant to this species? What would be deemed extraneous?
"The Nuntio had vanished from our region of space years ago via unexplained circumstances. Though before its recent destruction in this region, we were able to rescue remnants of their crew. They were initially held in stasis within our pattern buffers, so that we could confirm that they were free of usurpation from the Zetarians. They currently reside now in sickbay but are unconscious... except for one."
"Yet, you have Zetarians on board this vessel. Our scans showed this. No one can be freed alive or even survive direct contact with them. If you have some of your people alive after being tainted by them, this can mean only one thing; you have allied yourselves with them."
The air froze around them. They could all feel that they were just now a word, even a mere thought away, from destruction.
If the long and slow exhale were emanating from anyone other than a Vulcan, in all probability it would have been deemed a sigh. Yet the captain persisted in trying to reach some level of an understanding with the skeptical stranger before him; despite the tension surrounding them like a dense and almost impenetrable deadly fog.
"As you stated earlier Garawl, your kindred would not eliminate these Zetarians... even if they could. Doing so would unbalance the universe. We face a similar quandary as well."
Then he gazed somewhat quizzically at the canine features of this alien antagonist.
"By the same measure as you are placing on us Garawl, should we assume that you have allied with the Zetarians by allowing them access to an entire planet in your region in space?"
"Syntron of the Phoenix, you stumble in here like a pup in another's den, snapping and yapping with ears and eyes still closed. This planet is theirs. This prison is theirs.
Garawl paused to make sure the Vulcan understood what he was saying.
"How and why we know not; but the damage they can do if they escape, that we know well. And now, you harbor them aboard your vessel, seemingly of your own free will. I would know why before deciding your fate... theirs... and ours."
Basically ignoring the Draxx's insolence, a somewhat bewildered expression hinted across the face of the Vulcan commanding officer as he listened. The statement "the planet is theirs" resounded in his mind.
"Are the Zetarians indigenous to this planet?" he inquired before addressing the question he knew that the Draxx wanted answered. But the answer to this question could be pivotal to how he next responded.
"That is what we hypothesize," the Draxx answered. "This is the only planet they have ever been found... before you came and allowed many of them to escape into outer space. Once we made the same mistake; many Draxx sacrificed themselves to try and stop their evil from spreading out. Since then, we have kept watch. We will not dishonor their memories by allowing them... or you... to threaten sentient life again."
Syntron nodded affirmatively as the Draxx representative spoke; allowing a brief pause to linger once he concluded before responding.
"Our intentions are in synch Garawl, beta of your pack," the captain confirmed as he continued to circumspectly study this attaché's reactions. "We do not intend to destroy sentient beings... let alone the plausible last wayward representatives of a dwindling species. Based on the supposition you have provided to us as to their origin, I now have a feasible solution to the Zetarians, which you inquired about... temporarily sequestered in our hanger bay."
Peering intently into the downcast eyes of Garawl, the captain spoke simply and directly.
"We send the shuttle housing the Zetarians back to their home planet."
The caninoid literally went silent, mouth agape, ears twitching. It took him a moment to obviously gather his thoughts around what he had heard. His growling voice was now laced with wonder and disbelief.
"You have them caged? And you are able to safely send them back to their prison? I would truly want to see and learn of such a feat!"
"Of course, Garawl" the captain acknowledged both relieved and pleased with this shift in their conversation; to the extent that could be expected of a Vulcan.
Syntron then stepped beyond the doorway of the Ready Room as he glanced over and caught the eye of his chief engineer at his station. He discreetly signaled for him to join them.
Answering the captain's summons Rogers arose from his seat at engineering and proceeded across the bridge, Wondering briefly what engineering was needed for in a conference. Dropping his reticence immediately though, David paused outside the ready room door and awaited the permission to enter as the entrance sensors registered his presence to Syntron inside.
Entering the ready room, David noted the seemingly relaxed stance of assistant security chief Duncan Argyle. The six foot three inch man stood just to the right of the entrance, his Borg ocular implant seemingly focused on the terminus dot of its laser sight upon the back wall of the room, to the left of Captain Syntron and the imposing back of the Draxx representative. Rogers knew however that Duncan was anything but inatentive at the moment. Proceeding into the room, David took position to the left of the Draxx, assumed the star fleet regulation attention stance and, following protocol, reported directly to his summoner.
"Commander Rogers, reporting as ordered sir."
As the mixed Human/Romulan arrived and stood beside him, the captain formally presented his chief engineer.
"Garawl, beta of your pack... I would like you to meet our chief engineer, Commander David Rogers. He is the officer that devised the technique in which we were able to securely hold the Zetarians in place. He can explain extensively the means by which this feat was accomplished. If you wish, we could then escort you to the shuttle in which they are presently detained."
David nodded and turned slightly to the right to address Garawl, getting directly to the point. The canine stood a full four inches taller than Rogers, his reddish eye's seemingly focused on a Davids throat. David had a fleeting thought that if this hulk of a species ever met the Phoenix ' Caitian security chief, the standoff might prove to be ... explosive!
"Garawl of the Draxx. We found the Zetarian species existed in an electromagnetic state. Using a concept from my species past, called a Faraday cage, I enclosed their forms within an electrostatic charge specifically tuned to their electromagnetic frequency and sustained the charge by super-cooling the Tritanium foil of the shuttle hull. What we call the Meissner Effect allows for no electromagnetic movement into or out of the cage."
Hoping he was succinct enough for the time pressure, Rogers also hoped that his ... simplified ... explanation would suffice to convey the specifics of the Zetarrian trap currently suspended in the Phoenix' shuttle bay. David had no clue as to the scientific knowledge of this imposing beast of a species, but considering their witnessed technology so far, he assumed they knew about electromagnetism and super cooling. Glancing back at captain Syntron, he awaited some response from the Vulcan, or the Draxx beside him, on whether or not to expand further into more detailed specifics.
Garawl listened with obvious attention. At the end, he nodded with his big wolfish head.
"Rowri, you are getting this?"
From somewhere on the Draxx uniform came another growling voice, clearer and softer yet no less assertive, obviously from an open communication device like a combadge.
"All of it," answered the voice. " Scans confirm their claim. Electromagnetism to hinder electromagnetism instead of favoring it... yes, even a simple polarity reversal matching the signal would work. This... Faraday cage as they call it follows sound scientific principles."
"And why haven't we come up with this ourselves?"
The displeasure was quite noticeable in the rumbling voice of the Draxx leader. Another voice, lower in pitch yet definitely soft by force of will answered.
"Gronderr here; our space technology is essentially gravitation-based. These United Federation of Planets people barely use gravitons for their defensive and tractoring systems only and employ electromagnetism for just about everything else. Their science in this field is certainly much more extensive than ours... their technology in this regard is more advanced than ours... and they are certainly more used to work with it. They think in those terms, if you prefer; hence why they tought of it and not us."
"And they have had more contact with the Zetarians in the last hours than we had in the last year," now added the first, higher-pitched voice.
"Hence our... concerns," admitted Garawl. " Transmit this to Alpha Shanarl."
""We will have to send out a log buoy to his position with the relevant data in photonic record," explained the soft clear voice. "We will not receive any answer in less than two hours... unless he disposed of the other intruders and is on his way here."
"Understood... Standby."
He returned his attention to Syntron, lowering his heads and ears while opening his large fanged mouth even more in a huge grin that looked nothing less than a comical, almost cartoonish expression of embarrassement. His large gloved hands slowly and carefully unbuckled his belt of explosive chemical liquid. With slow. deliberate care, he delicately put it down on the floor at Syntron's feet, then unhooked a small transmitter from his ear he offered to the Vulcan before stepping back three steps.
"It seems that we have underestimated you as much as we have misjudged you, Captain Syntron of the Phoenix. In so doing, we may have caused the unfortunate demise of those of your people that went out to intercept us. If that be the case, I offer my life in atonement for this grave mistake."
Syntron signaled the cyborg security officer standing guard to immediately gather the belt containing the explosive chemical liquid that was placed on the floor. He knew that this apparatus needed to be deactivated or disposed of without delay.
Afterward, the Vulcan brought his attention back to his guest.
"Garawl, your offer of self-sacrifice is a noble gesture... one that I hold in reverence. As is the detachment and presentation of the explosive device that was worn by you as a precaution. However, we have reached a turning point between us. We established not only a level of trust that was nonexistent mere moments ago, but have also gained mutual respect for our strengths, differences and a willingness to see beyond the unfamiliar and perhaps first impressions."
The Vulcan then looked again directly at the canine humanoid who had shifted his posture from one of strength when he first arrived to that of compliance.
"In addition Garawl, you are a valuable asset to your pack. We owe this breakthrough to you and your leaders for allowing us to even conduct this meeting on the Phoenix. Therefore, these factors themselves are atonement for any misgivings or misjudgments that have occurred between us, or that are beyond our control."
Then Syntron's voice became slightly solemn.
"However, it would appear that what happens next is up to the interpretation and verdict of your Alpha Shanarl and whomever he may consult in any decision making process."
"You understand well how things are," the Draxx complimented him, not without raising thick eyebrows in honest surprise. "I have sent my recommendation to Alpha Shanarl. I just hope it reaches him before he has destroyed your two scout ships as was planned."
"Captain Syntron; please report to the bridge!"
The unmistakable musical voice of science chief Livingstone, currently the highest ranking officer on the bridge, resounded with definite alarm.
Hearing the urgency in the voice of his CSO, the captain was momentarily hesitant about whether to bring the Draxx officer with him to the bridge. But that tentative reaction passed in a flash now that the explosive device was gone and a solidarity between them had just taken its place.
"Garawl, please join me on the bridge. Whatever situation has arisen may somehow affect you too."
The Draxx simply nodded, but his stare told all about his shift to a weary state of mind.
Syntron also nodded to security officer Duncan Argyle to join them as well.
The captain then exited out of the Ready Room and headed directly toward the avian science chief.
"You have something to report Mister Livingstone?" Syntron inquired as he reached the officer's post.
The X'ell had stayed at his station despite having been put in temporary command of the bridge with both the captain and the chief engineer's absence. He was still looking at his readouts qhen he answered with the same alarmed tone.
"Sir... the Polaris has emerged from the negative energy field surrounding the planet. It was powerless and drifting out of the gravity well on sheer momentum from their impulse drive. Bussard collectors are starting to rebuilt energy reserves from suspended molecules in the space between the planet and it's moons while the hull plates have been polarized to act as solar collectors... but I read no life aboard... except... numerous neurogenic signatures..."
As he spoke, his large golden eyes had turned to the main viewer where the elongated shape of the Aquarius class destroyer slowly drifted end over end before the backdrop of Eden IV. As he paused, he checked his readings again then looked straight at his commanding officer.
"Zetarians, Captain... the ship is full of them."
"WHAT?"
The roar of Garawl could have shattered the bulkheads.
Calmly, despite Garawl's reaction, the Vulcan captain responded.
"Two things Lieutenant Livingstone. First, reconfirm that are there no other life-forms registering on the Polaris. Second, are the Zetarians detected confined or are roaming freely throughout this vessel?"
"Confirmed, Sir; no life form aboard... except for the Zetarians. About sixty-two distinct energy signatures spreaded throughout the ship... strangely unmoving... at very even-spaced points throughout most ship compartments."
"Sir; they are in Grey Mode," added Ensign Tolo just then. "Power is building up within batteries connected to the solar collectors of the hull. With the base material collected by the bussards, they should be able to go into Blue Mode in about a minute."
Hearing this, Garawl activated his personnal transmitter.
"To all hunters; this is Garawl. The vessel that left planet orbit is under control of the evil spirits. Destroy it before it powers itself back up and escape this system."
There were numerous confirmation signals as thirty dagger-shaped ships, each the size of the Polaris, moved away from the three larger Federation starships in a tight arc to converge towards the Horizon's disabled escort ship.
"The Draxx fleet is taking a conical attack vector towards Eden IV," Agyle confirmed as he sat back at his tactical post. "Their weapons are locking on the Polaris. The Horizon's stardrive is moving to interpose itself. They too are locking weapons, on the Draxx vessels... and readying a tractor beam to retrieve the Polaris."
All Hell's fire was about to blaze before them.
From the command chair, Syntron immediately turned toward the Deltan officer manning communications.
"Counselor Bijoŭ, hail the Horizon" he commanded with firmness in his voice; knowing that all of the progress made could be nullified with one contrary action or misstep.
"Commander Sisko is on, Sir," she swiftly confirmed.
"Commander Sisko, this is Captain Syntron. What is the intention of the stardrive command crew in regards to the Polaris and the Draxx?"
For a moment, the face of the Half-Bajoran on screen went blank.
"Sir? They're attacking the Polaris!''
And as he said so, salvos of energy lanced towards the escort vessel, only to be deflected at the last moment by the powerful shields of the Horizon flying between them. The shielding maneuver protected the disabled ship from this first volley; but, as the Draxx destroyers fanned out to encircle the Polaris, it was obvious that the flagship's stardrive alone would not be able to shield them again so completely.
((Note: the posts below were modified and/or incorporated into the new thread "Confrontation within the star system".
Please continue with the story there rather than here)) JT
Syntron turned to Commander Rogers as he spoke on the open channel to the Horizon.
"If we permanently disable the ability of the bussard ramscoops to collect needed materials, perhaps we can eventually send the Polaris and its occupants back to the planet without any further conflict with the Draxx ships or destruction of the Zetarians aboard."
Giving the suggestion a moments thought, Rogers replied.
"it is doable sir, but given the distance, targeting the ram scoops is hit and miss. Not to mention there is a pair of them to disable. So, if you cannot access the onboard computer with your command code override and shut them down, I suggest we interrupt the magnetic field collectors directly."
Livingstone blinked his large eyes up at his commanding officer,
"I advise against direct override, Captain. This would necessitate standard communication channels, an electromagnetic link the Zetarians would use to invade us. I agree interupting their powering up has to be at the source."
The bussard colletors used an ionizing beam emitter to impart a charge onto the neutral particles in space, allowing the magnetic field generator to collect the particles and separate them into usable matter which is stored or used by the ship engines. In this case, the only option David could project from this distance was interruption of the collection field, or denying the field of usable matter; in this case, hydrogen for the Polaris.
"We can sweep the interstellar particles out of the Polaris' path using main deflector, Sir. Reversing the graviton polarity generators and tuning it to the hydrogen frequency of fourteen point seven electron volts will enable us to project a graviton pulse in front of the Polaris, pushing the hydrogen out of its path and leaving nothing for them to collect."
"That will slow them down but not stop them. They have reconfigured the armor plates of the ship as solar panels.," the X'Ell then pointed out.
"Captain!" shouted Argyle to bring their attention back to the main viewer.
On the screen they saw the Horizon fire warning shots across the destroyers' bows, forcing them to veer off to avoid the orange discharge of as many phasers as there were assailing ships. The flagship was a literal flying fortress, even without her saucer section having enough phaser strips to face such an attacking fleet, phasers that were as powerful as those of a space station. And yet, it was only a matter of time before some of those attackers would manage to slip by this fire cover and find their powerless, defenseless target; time measured in seconds.
Now, the Draxx regrouped and came back in two waves of attack groups coming from three different angles.
"The first wave is about to draw fire from the Horizon so that the second group will be able to penetrate their cover and fire at the Polaris," the cyborg tactical officer analyzed. "With only the stardrive's weaponry available, the Horizon will not be able this time to stop them all."
"Do not interfere," Garawl then said to Syntron with a menacing growl. "We know how to deal with such a situation. It will be over quickly. This time, these evil spirits will not threaten you or us and escape again."
((Thread closed)) JT
By David Rogers on 10/17/2015 @ 12:42am
How did Syntron "catch the eye" of Rogers, when he is not in the ready room. Lol. Best lead the Draxx out to the bridge again.
By David Rogers on 10/17/2015 @ 1:51am
I will let Jeff change the post in order to "call" Rogers to the briefing room. ;)
By Syntron on 10/17/2015 @ 9:17am
Done. :-)
By Syntron on 10/24/2015 @ 9:07pm
Thread closed. Proceed with:
"Confrontation within the star system"