Climbing a Mountain

Posted on Thu Jul 1st, 2021 @ 3:39am by Rear Admiral Greg Coulson & Lieutenant Ilbis Ilkun MD & T'Han & Commander Nathan Hawkins & Lieutenant Dylan Blake & Lieutenant Commander Cyrus Marner

1,093 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Cheese
Location: USS Kilimanjaro
Timeline: 2430-08-31, 19:30

An Aeroshuttle - also known as an Aerowing - was a specialized runabout-like vessel designed to serve as a scout ship. Aerowings were high-speed reconnaissance ships that were capable of atmospheric flight and for defense. Originally they were never meant to be independent vessels. Each ship was assigned to a specific starship and was handled almost exactly like any other shuttle would have been. Over time Starfleet opted to begin employing them as independent vessels, usually assigned to Starfleet Intelligence or Cadet Training cruises. It was during one such mission that Greg Coulson had fallen in love with the design.

Materializing in the aft cargo compartment, Rear Admiral Gregory Coulson turned and watched as the rest of the refugees arrived inside his ship. He crossed his arms as they arrived, watching each of them closely as they appeared before him on the small two person transporter pad. It would take them a few seconds to all arrive, the computer only allowing them to materialize after the others stepped off the platform.

"I suppose I should welcome each of you to the Kilimanjaro," Coulson greeted with his arms still crossed. "I suppose my next question is what the Hell were you doing on Ni'Var?"

Checking everyone had arrived in one piece including T'Han and her colleagues Hawkins eyed Coulson cautiously. The man was dangerous as were many of the Black Ops Intelligence officers he'd crossed paths with and they were now in his territory. The relieve that Greg hadn't killed them instantly upon the surface could be very short lived if they weren't careful.

"Sightseeing," Hawkins replied opting to keep his cards close.

"Why the Hell would Willian ever approve any of you to go on shore leave in the first place on the Romulan Homeworld? Sounds a bit shortsighted in my opinion," the Admiral said with a sigh. "Now we're all in the same boat and the Federation is on the brink of war."

"Yeah, things didn't exactly go well," Lieutenant Blake said lowly tossing aside the now unnecessary robe.

T'Han stepped forward, "Had you not come to this world, Admiral Coulson, we would not be in the current situation we face."

"I came out of loyalty to a friend," Greg answered as he stood in the cargo section of his runabout. "I came to prevent a death and now I fear whoever was out to kill Sakkath struck against the Praetor instead."

"I assume there's lengthy list of suspects?" Hawkins looked toward T'Han.

The Vulcan V'Shar agent nodded in agreement, "Indeed. There are suspects on every side; nonetheless, the target will be placed on the backs of the Federation. Logic would suggest that they are the most likely source and Admiral Coulson merely confirmed any such suspicions by even being on this world."

"As I said I came to save a friend," Coulson defended.

"Is it not possible that you were duped into thinking your friend was the target while the Praetor was the one at risk?" The Vulcan countered.

"Things like that have been known to happen. Now it seems like you've been made a scapegoat and so have the rest of us." Cyrus remarked blandly. "Now what can be done? I've not training in the Intelligence game, but now I find myself a part of it in some aspect."

Greg considered the entire situation. Could it have all been a plan to drag the Federation into open conflict with the Romulans, or perhaps something else? Sakkath had his own mission and goals with his assignment on Vulcan. Could he have perverted them into something far more sinister? A quest for power?

"We have to talk to Sakkath," the Admiral interrupted. "He's the only one that can fix this at this point."

"Perhaps," Hawkins replied. "Though right now I suspect he's most highly protected person on Ni'Var. Reaching him would be some what difficult."

"Does he have a physician that can see to his health?" Marner threw out some questions. "Is there anyone who has a possible access to him. Trusted attendant? A way to send a message to him?"

Greg sighed, "That's the million dollar question right now, Doctor." He assumed from the questions. "Come with me," he said as he passed through the door and into the internals of the ship. The waverider wasn't a large vessel, but it was more than just a standard shuttle. Roughly the size of a runabout, it slept 6 people comfortably. It didn't take long for them to reach the cockpit of the ship.

Outside the panoramic window the historic Vulcan's Forge could be seen. A sehlat was eating and birds flew overhead. The ship was comfortable, but the light and heat outside were certainly unbearable. Greg sat at the Operations Console as the others entered, "Don't worry. I have activated an adaptive camouflage program. The Romulans can't see us. Yet anyway."

The sight that greeted them and the sleek design of Coulson's ship caused Blake to temporally forget their situation, he whistled softly appreciating the setting.

Marner followed in after Coulson, making room for the others to step inside. He gave a bit of a look over the admiral. "Are you feeling alright?" he queried.

"I'm feeling fine, Doctor, well as fine as I can feel being a wanted criminal," he used his trademark humor as best he could. He logged into the computer panel, reviewing the data that was being provided by the sensors. An alert tone chimed, "Shir'Kahr has been locked down. I'm also reading about a dozen ships in orbit near the Enterprise."

Cyrus shot a sharp glance towards Coulson and then towards those that were there. "Okay that doesn't bode well. What's going to happen to the ship? Are they going to have to surrender?"

He typed on the panel, "I'm not certain. I have to keep sensors to a minimum so that I don't give away out current location." The Admiral brought up the passive sensor monitor and the orbital data that was being relayed from them. He sighed, "It looks like they've lowered their shields and taken their weapons offline. They may be surrendering."

"To avoid any further hostiles I suspect," Hawkins added. "Anything more than finger pointing and strong words could quickly descend into conflict or worse still, war."

"We need to end this," Coulson answered from the forward mounted workstation. "Anyone not wanting to take a little trip had better exit the ship now," he typed on the panel quickly as he brought the scout's systems back online. "I'm going to visit an old friend."

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