Chapter 3.1

Posted on Mon Jul 3rd, 2023 @ 10:50am by Lieutenant JG Rrawran & Lieutenant Hezaar & Lieutenant Jardok & Lieutenant 0110 & Lieutenant Percival Godfry & Lieutenant JG 1001 & Captain Wilkan Targaryen & Commander Bezru Tua & Legate Moteek Ardat & Gul Nayat

3,896 words; about a 19 minute read

Mission: No Sleep Tonight
Location: USS Enterprise
Timeline: 2431-05-31, 00:05

Lieutenant 1001's career had been one for the record books. A Bynar, he was atypical among his species because of the difficulties he'd experienced bonding to his world's master computer which almost led to his having been discarded by his people and euthanized for his challenges. Instead, he had somehow thrived despite the disadvantages, unlike his brother who had seemed to excel at everything he ever attempted.

For almost his entire life, 1001 had wanted to differentiate himself from his brother and live his own life. Nonetheless, his brother had made that practically impossible. When they decided to join Starfleet both had chosen to pursue different planetary campuses. His brother had been selected for the Main Campus on Earth, while 1001 barely scraped by to be approved for the Denobulan Campus. He flourished at the Academy because he was one of the few Bynars ever to join Starfleet and was quite popular, but his brother always dragged him down. To cope with his gifted brother, 1001 had become an addict. In an addled state he'd almost killed his brother on a training accident, which had led him down the road to recovery.

But it was never an easy road, especially when he kept being the tag-along. Starfleet didn't want to lose his wunderkind brother so they always kept them together. They were on the North Carolina together. Then they went to the Resolute because his brother got promoted. 1001 had tried to stay behind, but his brother insisted and Starfleet move him to the Resolute as "not to break up their bonded pair." Eventually they ended up on the Pioneer as department heads, but still it was only to appease his brother and 1001 knew it. His connection told him so. He almost escaped when the position opened on the Enterprise to serve as Chief Flight Controller and Starfleet approved his transfer, but it wasn't long after that his brother became Operations Manager.

He was an albatross. That was the only explanation.

"We are approaching the Serris System," 0110's words echoed in his ears as the Operations Manager announced that they were almost to their destination.

1001 looked toward his brother as he kept focus on the Flight Controls. As the Helmsman of the Enterprise it was his job to oversee their travels and navigate the vessel. His brother, as always, was trying to prove himself superior. "Confirmed, Admiral," was all he could say in response to his brother's announcement.

In the Captain's Chair, Admiral Willian Targaryen nodded and answered, "Thank you, Lieutenants. Can you take us to Impulse, Mister One?"

The Helm Officer could hear it, even if his brother couldn't. The Admiral was annoyed. It was in the way he gave the order, more a question than a directive. Had the Admiral been wondering if 1001 was able to do his job without his brother? Every Captain they had served with so far seemed to have asked that at least once in their tenure. He moved his lavender fingers quickly over the interface, adjusting the slider controls for the engines. "Slowing to Impulse, Captain," he confirmed happily to try to overcome the stigma.

"Mister Zero, confirm status of the rest of our fleet," the Captain ordered as he checked the readout on his armrest.

One watched as his brother brought up a display, his words as precise as the computer buffer would allow him to be, "The vessels of our task force have entered into an X formation alongside of us. All vessels are at yellow alert."

"Any sign of our friends?" Willian asked the Science Officer.

Lieutenant Godfry looked at the sensor readout, "I'm picking up what appears to be a Cardassian Force on the outskirts of this system, Admiral. They're at Tactical Alert."

"Exec, please ask the Ambassador to join us on the Bridge."

The Trill Executive Officer nodded, sending a message to the Ambassador inviting him to come to the Bridge. She turned toward the Tactical Officer, "Any details you can give us, Commander?"

The translators came alive to match the native language of the Rorworr Officer, but they struggled with the native barks, growls, and snarls of the canine originating alien. "They're in a standard assault wall formation, Commander. Combat ships in the front, their command vessel safely in the middle, and a line of destroyers protecting the aft flank."

"They're ready to fight," Jardok commented from the Life Sciences Console.

"And this ship is more than capable of giving them one," Rrawran motivated.

While the banter passed through the Bridge, Lieutenant 1001 kept watching his screens intently. Normally, as a pilot, he was all for getting in the middle of some interplay on the Bridge, but something about all of this wasn't right. He could feel something else was going on. It was almost like a gut instinct. When they discussed coming to Serris only an hour ago the Security Chief had pointed out that a Ferengi named Agakor had threatened the crew of the Resolute after having been arrested in this system. This figure was probably out here, somewhere. He typed on the console, looking at the sensor data intently. He was searching, scanning for any evidence of his theory. this drew his brother's attention.

"What are you working on?" Zero asked through their link.

As he worked on the readout he answered, "I think that someone else is out here. I can feel it."

"There is no evidence whatsoever that there is anyone else out here aside from the Cardassians and our own fleet," his brother chided as he typed on his own console. "Just because you feel something does not mean it is an accurate appraisal of our situation."

"Didn't the reports suggest that Agakor was meeting with someone in this System? Isn't that the reason that we came here in the first place? The Cardassians are here. Doesn't mean that someone else isn't here too." He adjusted the scan location.

The other Bynar overrode the Sensor access, disabling the Helm's access. "By your own admission the presence of the Cardassian ships does not mean someone else is here."

Lieutenant 1001 looked at his brother, anger on his expression, "Why did you do that?"

"I have already explained."

"Speak verbally," the other Bynar corrected.

Admiral Targaryen stepped toward the Helm and Ops consoles, "Problem, Gentlemen?"

"No, Sir, just a disagreement," 0110 excused.

1001 corrected again, "I was researching the potential that Agakor's friend was nearby. The Operations Manager locked out my sensor access."

"Is this true?" The Admiral questioned 0110.

"Yes Sir," 0110 answered. "There is no evidence that Agakor's threat was not an empty one. To run a scan of the area could alert the Cardassians that we are in the system."

Rrawran interrupted, "We came here on suspicion from Agakor that he was meeting with a 'powerful friend' and the Cardassians are here, Lieutenant. That's more than empty."

"I tend to agree," the Admiral answered. "Restore Lieutenant One's access to the Sensors, please. I prefer my pilot not to be flying blind anyway."

Zero nodded, "Aye."

"Run your scans, Lieutenant," Willian approved as he walked toward his chair. "Alert me the minute you find something."

The young Bynar nodded, "Yes Sir."

"We're not far from where the Poseidon distress call originated," Counselor Jardok reminded the Admiral from his workstation.

Willian nodded, reminded that the Ops Officer had not informed him of the original receipt, "Thank you for reminding me, Counselor."

"Do we begin scans for any survivors, Captain?" The Vulcan asked earnestly. "The Poseidon may be an older design, but she was fully manned at the time of her loss. There could be a multitude of personnel seeking rescue."

The Captain of the Enterprise smirked at the reminder. When his father was first assigned to the Maelstrom Starfleet was hard pressed to find personnel to assign to the region. In the modern era they seemed to have more than enough crews available to meet the needs and then some. "Once the mission is over then we'll intervene."

A series of alarms rang from the Science Station. Lieutenant Godfry immediately got to work, typing on the interface, "Admiral, sensors are detecting another ship incoming!"

"On screen," Willian ordered looking up at the viewer.

In the distance a Federation Starship, Reliant Class, slowed from warp. Their Acting Tactical Officer, Commander Rrawran, reviewed the data that scrolled over his workstation. The mechanized voice of his translator belt spoke for him, "Sensors have identified it as the Uhura, Sir."

"Probably out here responding to the distress call," Commander Tua said as she rose from her chair and approached the Operations station. Reaching forward she typed on Lieutenant Zero's console, "If they get spotted by the Cardassians they'll give us all away."

"Military secrets are the most fleeting," Lieutenant One joked.

Tua continued, "It could spook the Cardassians, or their friend."

"I'm still scanning," Lieutenant One explained as he returned to business. The Admiral had supported him, but he knew that support would come to a point of no return. "There's a lot of space out there and this isn't the most reputable system in the Maelstrom."

"And right now we look like an aggressor," Zero interjected.

"The Cardassians may already be on edge," Rrawran noted from the Tactical console. "One of the Hideki's has an overloaded Chambers Coil. They've detached from the main fleet and are falling away."

The Admiral smirked, "Nice to know that some things are falling into line." Willian knew that the Valhalla was nearby. He wondered if they had somehow implemented this challenge.

Targaryen sighed, knowing full well that they were pushing their luck by the moment. The Commander of the makeshift Battle Group looked at the Tactical Plot, "Might as well make our presence known. Helm, intercept course for the Cardassian force. Full Impulse."

The Bynar nodded, "Aye Sir."

Seconds passed before alarms cried out on multiple workstations. It was Godfry who got to report out on them, "They've spotted us, Sir!"

Willian looked back at his Tactical officer, "Rrawran assure our force that they are to remain at standby for the time being. Anyone who opens fire will answer to me."

"Transmitting," the Rorworr answered.

"Who makes the first move, Admiral?" Tua asked as she stood next to her Commanding Officer.

Willian took a breath as he thought that over. "We do. Mister Zero, open a channel to the Cardassian Flagship." He tugged on his uniform tunic as he watched the viewer, wondering where the Ambassador was.

A familiar Cardassian face appeared on the Enterprise's viewscreen. "You again! This system has been claimed by the Cardassian Union. You will withdraw or you will be fired upon."

"Nice of you to remember us, Gul," First Officer Tua greeted from her chair next to the Admiral's.

Targaryen repressed the urge to both smile and yell at the interruption from his Executive Officer. Instead he went for the third option, "Gul Nayat the Serris System is neutral territory and the Cardassian Union ended several decades ago, replaced by the democratic Republic structure your member worlds currently enjoy. We are happy to support your current enjoyment of access to this system, but we cannot allow you to claim it."

"The Republic was dead before it started. The only way Cardassia can stay strong is with the Union. The Serris system was unclaimed space which we have now claimed. Don't threaten us with empty claims of not allowing us to claim this system. Starfleet and the Federation are weak, you are no match for us." Nayat replied, a smug smirk on his face. "Withdraw before that fancy ship of yours becomes dust. Do not test our resolve."

It had taken the elderly Cardassian ambassador a moment or two to reach the bridge, he walked in to a familiar face, and caught his message, riddled with warning to the Enterprise crew. He gripped the edges of a nearby console as he stood as an observer. A large shawl wrapped highly around Ardat's fragile and chilled body.

"Gul, there is no need to make threats against us, especially as my Battle Group and yours are evenly matched." Willian noticed that the Cardassian Legate had arrived on the Bridge. Turning his attention he motioned toward the Ambassador, "There is someone on this Bridge that may also disagree with your assessment of the Republic. May I present Ambassador Moteek Ardat, with whom I am certain that you are familiar."

"Ardat is an old fool!" Nayat said with a laugh. "Part of a Cardassian government that the Cardassian people do not recognise! As for our strength, we may be evenly matched at the moment but my reinforcements are closer than yours. Make the right choice here today."

Willian looked at the Ambassador then back toward the Cardassian Gul, "Hard to believe that he's an old fool, a little chilly every so often, but he's far from a fool Gul Nayat. While we are also closely monitoring the Demilitarized Zone, there are no indications of any vessels inbound, only the older vessels that you have here already. Nonetheless," Glancing back at his Security Chief the Admiral nodded with subtlety, "We are well aware that you are here interested in meeting with a 'powerful friend.' I regret that we're going to have to delay that meeting. Commander, place the Ambassador into custody."

Rrawran looked surprised, "Admiral?"

"Ambassador Ardat is the person that Gul Nayat was waiting to meet with. We just happened to be the accidental delivery drivers," Targaryen explained as he glanced back at the viewer, "Sorry you came all this way for nothing, Gul, but the Ambassador will be remaining in our custody."

"A small cog in a large machine." Nayat smirked. "Well played, Admiral. However, this is hardly a win for the Federation or Starfleet. The Cardassian Union will be whole and strong once again."

The Captain of the Enterprise smirked, "Maybe not so much a loss as you may think, Gul Nayat. As we speak Starfleet and Cardassian forces are currently conducting coordinated strikes against leaders of the True Way. I am, however, willing to make you an offer that I think you may not be able to refuse."

The Gul frowned before looking off screen to find out whether what the Admiral was saying was true or not. Moments later he received the unfortunate news that it was true. "I see, you speak the truth. So this meeting was a way of keeping our forces busy while a sneak attack against was made. A cowardly move, even for the Republic."

"With respect your group launched the first assault toward neutral worlds within the Maelstrom attempting to gain a foothold," Willian returned. "Capturing two star systems and moving to a third is no small feat to ignore, but I am willing to allow bygones to be bygones if you accept the following offer. The Republic and the Federation are contented to allow you to retain custody of the Alioth System; however, you will withdraw your ships to that planetary system immediately. Our guest," he looked at the Legate, "will be returned to you with the express requirement that if any of you enter Cardassian or Federation held space you will be seen as violating our territory and will be dealt with accordingly." He returned his full attention to the Gul, "I would advise you or the Legate, whomever is truly in charge of this little nation, to decide quickly because this offer won't last forever."

The Captain of the Enterprise approached his chair and turned back toward the monitor, "Your only other alternative is to open fire on my flotilla and, even though you are outfitted with the weapons of the Interstellar Coalition, I can guarantee that my force would be able to overwhelm yours." He sat, "So what will it be, gentlemen?"

Nayat didn't like the options. "I'll need a moment to discuss with my superiors."

The Captain of the Enterprise looked at the former Republic Ambassador, "Well, here he is."

Before any could speak indicators at the Science Station on both the Bridge of the Enterprise and aboard Gul Nayat's ship began to flash red. Willian turned back inward toward his Bridge crew and looked at his Operations Manager, "Mute."

The Bynar reacted quickly, "Channel muted."

Willian looked up at the Science Officer, "Report now."

"Sensors are detecting a high energy scan emission coming from not far away from here, Admiral. Pinpointing now," Godfry informed as he typed on the console's keyboard. Reaching up to the large wall mounted workstation, the computer displayed a star chart and a target reticule appeared in the center. "I've got it, Sir."

Turning back toward the viewer, "On screen."

The viewscreen cut the Cardassian Bridge to a small window and replaced it with a starchart showing the immediate surroundings of the Serris System. Nearing the outskirts, the visual zoomed in to display the source: A Cardassian Hideki Class scoutship. The Admiral sighed, knowing all too well what was going on. He was afraid of this, now everything that they had put into place to ensure that they acquired the Interstellar Coalition's weapon was about to collapse like a house of cards. Immediately afterward the Valhalla appeared alongside the Hideki Class ship, showing itself as a true predator albeit a wrongfully accused one.

"Unmute," Willian ordered.

The Bynar nodded.

The Captain of the Enterprise crossed his arms, "Gul Nayat, our scans have identified that one of your vessels has broken off and is approaching the Starship Valhalla. I am afraid that I am going to have to identify this incident as an act of aggression on your part. Neither of us want a war today, Gul, so I am going to allow you a new alternative. Withdraw now, keep your planet, your Ambassador, and we will handle your lost vessel. I need an answer, now."

Nayat considered his options quickly, he knew his side wasn't ready for war just yet and jeopardising other moving parts now would seriously hinder them later on. "Very well, Admiral, I accept your terms. Helm, plot a course out of the system. Send word to our fleet to withdraw. Until next time, Admiral."

"One last thing, Gul," Willian looked at the Ambassador for a moment before continuing, "We will transport your Ambassador back aboard your ship momentarily. First, each of your vessels will eject your primary phaser coil just to ensure that you aren't planning to fire when our defenses are down. Once our shields are back in place you may beam the coil back aboard your ship prior to departing for your new territory. Call it a gesture of good will."

Rrawran stood next to the Legate, "May I escort the Ambassador to the transporter room?"

Targaryen looked at the viewer, "That's up to our Cardassian friend. What will it be, Gul?"

Nayat clinched his jaw in frustration. "I gave you my word, we will leave in peace, Admiral." He said through gritted teeth. A few moments past before the Gul added. "Fine! Send word to the fleet to eject their disruptor coils and then wait for our order to beam them back aboard."

"Thank you, Gul Nayat. We will transport the Ambassador over momentarily. Enterprise out," Willian nodded, ordering the channel to be closed. He turned toward his Security Chief, then glanced back at the Ambassador, "Escort our friend, Legate Ardat, to the Transporter Room, Commander. We will order his transport over when we've confirmed that the Cardassian ships are unarmed."

Godfry looked at the Sensor Screen, "Confirmed, Sir, their coils have been ejected."

The Admiral nodded, "I'll miss our teas, Legate, but I have a feeling you will end up missing our friendship far more. Get him off my ship."

Before the Ambassador could say another word, Rrawran started to escort him toward the Turbolift door. When they were inside and the door slid shut behind them, Willian addressed his crew, "Excellent work, everyone. We've been able to keep the peace," he glanced at the Cardassian ships hovering on the viewscreen, "at least for now. Maintain alert status, but we're not leaving until we know for certain that the Cardassians are returning to their own territories."

"We should monitor them even longer than that," Commander Tua proposed. "I recommend that we escort them back to their territory, Admiral."

"Not this time, Commander, we'll give them the benefit of the doubt." He approached his Captain's Chair and took his seat. "I am curious about our prize though. What's the status of the Cardassian vessel that broke off?" He looked at Lieutenant Godfry.

The Hysperian typed on the keyboard of his station, "Sensors are detecting that it's under tow, Sir, but I'm... hold on." He started typing quickly on the screen. He sighed, "Dragonsblood!"

"Language," Lieutenant Zero chided.

Ignoring him, "I'm detecting weapons fire aboard the Hideki. Also, the Uhura and the Valhalla seem to be powering weapons."

"What the Hell is going on over there?" The Trill First Officer asked shocked at the report. "We need to get over there."

"Captain Jamison has it under control, Exec." Willian excused, "and Captain Bishop is very experienced. They'll be fine."

She sighed, "That's a lot to ask for, Sir, knowing how important that ship is to the Federation's future."

"They can handle it, Commander," he said with finality. "Trust them."

"Yes Sir," she answered as she focused on her control console, wanting to scream.

The Captain of the Enterprise glanced at the First Officer, wanting to say more but choosing instead to censor himself as not to make things worse. He was about to head for his Ready Room when he heard the communicator engage.

"Rrawran to Bridge."

Willian went to hit the control when his XO beat him to it, "Go ahead, Commander."

"Legate Ardat has been returned to the Cardassian Flagship."

"Confirmed, Admiral," Lieutenant Zero reported from the Operations console.

Mister One motioned toward the viewscreen as the Cardassian warships started to maneuver away, "Looks like the fleet is leaving us too."

"Not a moment too soon," Commander Jardok said flatly. "I am uncertain how much more cowboy diplomacy the crew could take."

Admiral Targaryen nodded, "Agreed. As our Cardassian friends are leaving the area lets do the same. Exec, signal the fleet to return to DS12 at Warp 6. Stand down from Red Alert, but maintain monitoring of the area should they decide to double back."

The Trill First Officer nodded in agreement as the lights went from their darkened state to normal levels, "Yes Sir."

"I'll be in my Ready Room if any of you need me," the Enterprise's Captain said as he rose from his chair. "I recommend that you all get some rest while you can. Signal the night watch crew to report to their stations."

"Aye Sir," the Operations Manager answered as the young Bynar input the commands on his keyboard.

The Vulcan Counselor as he approached the Captain's Chair, "Enjoy your evening, Sir, I have the Bridge."

Willian nodded, politely, in response as the Senior Staff and the Night Watch crew traded placed on the Bridge of the Enterprise. Admiral Targaryen let out a sigh of relief as the last Cardassian ship entered warp, "I am relieved, Commander, I am relieved."

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