S2 M10 - Advenæ

[Solluk]

Katra Station - Operational Control Center

The Ops officer turned her attention away from her console for a moment.  "I'm sorry, Sir.  The XO is still on station, but she's attending via telepresence.  I was in charge here in the OCC until you stepped in.  We're running thin on officers at the moment."

She looked back at her console's readings, adding, "I certainly understand if you can't stay.  Diplomatic matters are of the highest priority right now."

She leaned forward a bit and then said, "Diplomatic Security just reported that the Tholians are using some kind of holographic communication device in the hall outside of their embassy?  They're maintaining a discreet distance, but they feel pretty sure the Tholians are talking to... Kurros?"

She pressed some icons on her console, and a visual of the surface of Meridian zoomed in on the main viewscreen.  It was an orbital view, and not crystal-clear, but it seemed to show Kurros speaking to senior officers on the planet's surface.

[Eydis]

Eydis being the smaller of the two Tholians would turn and peer around hir larger second in command warrior caste member skaldyr. Hir glowing blue eye a product of the crystalline entity. After several seconds of communicating over the lattice with the other two captains. You desire for communication with me and proxy the assembly is declined at this time. You should not assume your desire for communication with the Tholian assembly takes priority. Hubris is not a good trait to have when trying to open a dialogue with the assembly. Neither is your proclivity for deceit. You will request a time to be heard.  A flash of angry fills hir thought space. Making hir blue eye glow brightly. Only for the combined voices of the lattice to calm hir emotion.  Eydis wanted to say far worst and it was evident to all on the lattice. Shiv would reach out over the lattice to zen in particular focusing his thoughts and the image of the interloper and his words. Channeling it over the lattice.  Zex A alien signal has been detected. I have terminated the signals desire for communication at this time.

[Beja]

Katra Station - Surface of Meridian - Meeting Site

Beja wasn't surprised to see the others were not trusting of either Kurros or what the possibility of Sargon's species in the gamma quadrant could mean for those that inhabited the area. It appeared that Rayek was prepared to assume that another enemy was going to try and destroy them all. But Beja wasn't quite so sure, the more this replicant of Kurros spoke, the more suspicious Beja became of the Thinkers.

If what the academy had taught Beja and the other cadets was true, and she had no reason to believe it was not, Sargon's people would still want what they had always wanted - a host that they could inhabit. Why would that now have changed? And wouldn't the people that brag about having all the knowledge in the galaxy be the perfect hosts for such mental beings? Perhaps that was the real issue, Sargon's people wanted the Thinkers to be their host, and the Thinkers did not want this? Or maybe they did and that was the real danger to Kurros power. If Kurros people abandoned him for a greater mental being, where would that leave Kurros?

A soft ding came from Beja's PADD alerting her to a message. It was the higher pitched ding, that was used for messages flagged higher importance. The timing was not the best, because the diplomatic meeting so far with the Thinkers was a tense filled one that brought a lot more questions than answers.

Beja looked towards the Captain to see how he would respond to all of the new information that the clone of Kurros had so graciously shared with them all. She doubted it would change Solluk's mind, but was the choice really his to give? Would Starfleet see it differently than they all did?

[Rayek trLhoell]

Lt Cmdr Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Meridian - Meeting site]

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters] (October 17th)

Tess wasn't sure what Solluk thought of her words, there was not reaction at all before he continued to speak with Kurros. She continued to listen, her attention diverted to baby Fvienn as he grimaced a little in his sleep. It made her smile more than she showed outwardly. Then Kurros revealed who that overly powerful being was. Sargon.

Tess could not say that this name rang any bells. Beja's and Rayek's explanations were very interesting. In any case, she would look at this case later in the database.

"There is still some information missing, Replicant Kurros," Tess said, "You spoke of a prison. What kind of prison is that? And who are the jailers?" Tess just found it hard to trust him.

Surface of Meridian...

Fortunately, although Solluk had no recollection of this 'Sargon,' his officers were much better informed.  Not unexpectedly, Beja's take on the incident was more optimistic, while Rayek's was more critical.  As before, Tess had some incisive questions.  Kurros addressed her holoprojection directly, although his comments were for everyone.

"I see that your understanding of the incident is incomplete," Kurros said, "Not surprising, considering how long ago it happened, and how information tends to be compartmentalized.  Perhaps Sargon and his people themselves had failed to tell the full tale, for it implicates them in dark deeds.

I will not withhold the uncomfortable truth from you.  I will tell you the whole story.

Sargon was a member of a species called the Arretans.  Over time, they became powerful, almost godlike.  But they turned to squabbles among themselves over what they should be allowed to do with their great power.  A war began to tear their empire apart.  Eventually, a few Arretans who desired peace made a series of technological breakthroughs that gave them an advantage over their foes.  They found a way to transfer their consciousnesses into a receptacle, becoming immortal.  But this process would need to be tested.

The extremists who favored war were unaware of this plot, but they knew that some prominent leaders, like Sargon, were planning a bold move to end the conflict.  As a precaution, they stashed their most terrible weapons and technologies in a secret place, planning to feign agreement with the plans for peace.  They would claim to have disarmed, surrendering themselves to the peace faction.  They planned to return to their cache later, and obliterate their enemies.

However, they were arrested before they could complete their ruse.  Sargon and his fellows were not about to perform their consciousness transfers without testing them, first.  They used the technology on the extremists who'd surrendered.  Then, after they saw that their process worked, they placed these captured consciousnesses in a dimensional-pocket prison.   Sophisticated AI automation systems were placed to monitor the prisoners, and see how their consciousnesses fared over the long term.  This would identify any problems with the process that might arise over time.

Finally, when they were content with the efficacy of their process, Sargon and his chosen people submitted themselves to immortality.  They lived as consciousnesses in storage until they encountered the Enterprise, and found people willing to act as hosts for them until they could build machine bodies to house them for the rest of eternity.

Sargon succumbed to his ideals and abandoned his ambitions for immortality.  He and his people are now gone.  But their legacy is a curse that the galaxy must bear.

The extremists they left behind spent millenia in their dimensional prison, gradually learning how to control the machines that were placed to monitor them.  Entropy eventually ate the stability of their pocket-dimension, until it unfolded into our reality.  We Thinkers were not able to find their weapons cache in time.  Nor were we able to find their dimensional prison.  We searched in vain for over a century.  Now it is too late.  They are here.  They are doubtless gathering their ancient weapons, their already extreme minds amplified by thousands of years in captivity.  With no force for peace to oppose them, it will not be long before they dominate the galaxy."

The notion of an opponent with the abilities described in the Enterprise logs was rather disturbing; yet in honesty, they were not the only 'God-like' entities that had been encountered by the Federation.  The Q Continuum, the entity contained by the Great Barrier, even the Traveler and the Caretaker as found in the Delta Quadrant.   The frequency with which these omnipotent beings were encountered made their perceived grandness - less grand.

Also there was the distinct possibility that this was all just a lie.

"What proof do you have that these Arretan prisoners existed let alone have escaped?"

NPC Ensign Nadia Oloze  and NPC Lt JG Saqa7 Mountain-Khan
[USS Healy - Bridge]

[ Ensign L'mar Rhade ] - [ USS Healy - Bridge ]

With the ship now just sitting, Rhade left Darek in charge in Main Engineering and walked off the turbolift onto the Bridge. He was bored, though he had Maximillian in his arms and the black cat was just glaring at everyone, Rhade had an half amused half embarrassed smile on his face as he went to the engineering table at the back of the Bridge and tapped at the controls. In moments the table lit up and Rhade walked over to stand by the Operations console, he spoke up. He heard the ladies announce that the Thinker shuttle's energy was spiking. "Isss therrre sssome forrrm of tarrrgetting sssensssorrr lock?" L'mar asked Oloze.

Nadia whose attention was focused on her console, gave a brief startle at the sudden appearance of the Caitian by her console.  She looked up, turning towards him as she did her best to answer.

"No, not that we can tell, sir.  All our sensors caught was that spike in temperature from the core. Something on that shuttle was drawing a lot of power but what for?  I don't know.  On our ships, systems that draw power in spikes that are that noticable are weapons and transporters.  Should we warn those on the planet?"  The last question wasn't direct to Rhade but rather at this point Oloze was looking past the Caitian towards the Captain and XO.

NPC Cathy Daniels
[Freighter Wonderland]

NPC Juraan Ren
[Nimbus III - Freighter 'Wonderland']

Ever since Juraan had learned that her destination would be the Gamma Quadrant, the Bajoran had been lost in his own head. Why there of all places? He had left that place and never wanted to return. But the Prophets seemed to have intended something else for him. Yes, Juraan was not a believing Bajoran. He wore the earring, but that was out of reverence and in memory of his mother who had died in the Cardassian labor camp Batal and for whom faith had been very important. Juraan had lost his with his parents. But that he came across a stranger here in the Alpha Quadrant so many light-years away, who hired him and then brought him back to his home quadrant ... Juraan couldn't help but see a greater destiny in this.

He was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice Cathy's suggestion to camouflage the charge with a minimal amount of radiation. Only when the ship was shaken by the incoming phaser fire and he was hurled forward, did he emerge from his thoughts.

He cursed a Bajoran curse when he looked at his blinking and wailing console. "They're targeting our warp core!" Another impact. Juraan gripped the edge of the console. "I can't aim target, they're cloaked!" He gritted his teeth. "How the hell are they even able to fire?!" He agreed with Cathy. Finding their attackers would be useless. At her suggestion to run away, Juraan looked over at them. "I don't think we have time for this! They want our cargo and I'm afraid we'll have to defend it face-to-face!"

[En route- Freighter Wonderland]
The idea of hiding their cargo in a stinking trail of radiation was great but neither one of them had enough time to actually think this through further or execute it.
"How on earth did they find us this fast?" Finn wondered to himself, which was now absolutely useless. So was he. He wasn't a fighter pilot but a freighter pilot.
A battle against cloaked ships was damn near impossible.

And Kathy saw it the same way. When she suggested evading them instead of fighting, Finn nodded.
"You're right. Find me the closest Federation space!"
He pulled himself closer to the screens and blinking lights of the console and switched off the autopilot to take over manually.
"Hold on to your seats!" He told he small crew and with a determined expression tried his best to fly a large spiraling circle in order to shake the attackers.
Feverishly he scanned the displays for anything that could be helpful...a nearby planet, black hole, asteroids....
The only thing he could find were a few smaller planets, not close enough though, yet he headed towards them.

Juurans words almost made him break out in hysterical laughter. "Oh really, you're great, man, why don't you grab a flame thrower and light up whatever species is going to try to kill us to get their hands on this? We're three...against...who knows how many!"

No, the best option was to shake them. Getting closer to one of the planets Finn suddenly went into a nose dive towards it's surface in hopes of finding some sort of 'shelter'.

But just in case Juuran was right. "There's a weapon storage near the loading area. Go! Go!"

In Space near Nimbus III

"He's rabbiting," Vettice said as the Wonderland veered towards a nearby planetoid.  "But I'm reading fluctuations to their shields.  Push transport, now!"

"Fluctuations?!"  A male voice complained loudly over comms, "We're not going unless the shields are firmly down!"

"You speak as though you have a choice," she replied, punching the transport button for her boarding team.

Aboard the Wonderland - Cargo Bay

As the Wonderland descended towards a nearby object in space, a familiar whine filled the cargo bay of the craft.  It was a brief whine, lasting about half the time of a traditional transport.  Three figures materialized.  There had been six, originally.  Such was the fate of those who signed on for the Forlorn Hope assignment.

The three figures carried heavy disruptor rifles, and wore combat vac suits, just in case they beamed into an area that was in breach.  They were loaded for war, though there was little chance the civilian crew of this freighter would pose any trouble for them.

Cathy fought with the shield controls, trying to find a power route that wouldn't fluctuate and therefore provide some actual protection against the attack on the Wonderland.  In the back of her mind, she knew the pirates weren't trying to blow up the ship but rather just trying to bring down the shields so that they could board.. but dammit accidents happened.

Juraan's remark that they were likely going to have to fight face-to-face had Cathy paling.  While she'd sparred and done some martial arts training in her time with Starfleet, and could hold her own somewhat against 260 lbs of Orion hybrid... it hadn't prepared her for life and death combat against pirates.

Finn seemed to agree, pointing out to Juraan where the weapons were stored, even as he dove the ship towards the nearest planet.  Cathy gripped her console and her heart suddenly was in her throat at seeing the readings on her console.  "They've transported aboard! They are in the cargo hold!"

Attempting to fight with the shields was a moot point now, so Cathy turned her attention to the problem of the pirates on the ship.  The boarders likely had directed-energy weapons and Cathy wasn't sure if Juraan would make it to the loading area in time to retrieve their own weapons.  Besides which a shoot-out in the cargo bay around the extremely valuable tetracellium was just stupid.

Dammit, Niles would know what to do in a situation like this!  He'd point out some obscure bit of science fact, like how the 5 dimensional crystals - that existed in subspace at the same time as real space could be used as a conduit for drawing tetryon particles into the surrounding area, disrupting the use of directed-energy weapons.   Oh!  That was it!

Cathy started bouncing in her seat excitedly.  "Finn, I have an idea to nullify their phaser or disruptors... then it'll be just your regular old brawl.  Gimme just a moment to start on that process.".

[Paul Wessex]

Waiting for a convenient pause in the conversation, Paul risked putting his head above the parapet and asked a question to this Kurros that all but he seemed to already know, a copy of the individual notwithstanding. "Mister Kurros, sir" he said, smiling wide in his most affable manner as if speaking to a member of the public complaining about the noise. "If I may. You mention the formation of a strategy to counter this great threat, among the Quadrant. Whom exactly are already in this alliance? And", he adopted an expression of polite apology, "with all due respect - it strikes me that a reveal of this dire threat to us - if I take it to be genuine - is completely counterproductive to your goals to negotiate our finite absence in the Gamma Quadrant; surely you realise that Starfleet - indeed, the Federation - will not stand idly by while this mysterious threat supposedly endangers life in this Quadrant and, if you are ultimately unsuccessful, the rest of the Galaxy? Sitting, wringing our hands in concern while we wait for a subspace message for any news is not our way."

He spread his arms, across his assembled peers. "Share with us all you have. Let us help."

He wanted to add, "it's not as if we tried to open dialogue with the Borg" but felt that would only serve to muddy his argument, since - during his Academy training - Admiral Janeway's alliance with the Collective during the 8472 incident was required reading.

[Finn Moreno]

[On board the freighter Wonderland]

Finn was still busy diving towards the planetoid when Kathy's voice got very nervous and loud.
""They've transported aboard! They are in the cargo hold!"
"Oh sh&t." His eyes widened in horror. That meant out running them was no longer an option. Flight had just turned to fight and he'd better have his hands free in order not to get shot in the back.
In a swift motion he pulled the freighter up again, directing it away from the surface and then switched on the autopilot.

Kathy mumbled something about nullifying their phasers and needing a moment...
"Yeah...you've got exactly one."
He dryly joked as he jumped from his seat and headed towards the cargo area where his own weapons were stored except for a small Klingon knife in the back of his belt.
It had become a useful tool in all sorts of situations.

Over the com badge he let Juuran, who was on his way to trouble, know.
"We've got company. In the Cargo bay. Stay where you are."
The ship was small so it was easy to catch up with him, grab him by the jacket and pull him into the sleeping area.
"Shhhh." Finn warned as he pulled a large container from a secret panel in the wall.
The box contained a bunch of phasers as well as knifes and the strange weapon he had brought on from earth: a historic rifle from the 21 st century.
Without hesitation he handed Juuran a phaser, a throwing knife and the popped a few bullets in the old school weapon. "  I think this hasn't been used in a gaxillion years. Won it in a game of cards....In case Kathy blows the phasers out....she's working on it."

Hopefully she'd make it before they were discovered. Finn could feel his heart beat in his neck as heavy footsteps neared.

Ooc: Teatime suggested to move Juuran along.

[Kirok]

Katra Station - Operational Control Center

"Kurros?" Zex echoed.  She was not sure who that was, but the Ops officer didn't make it sound like that was a good thing.  She could not help but look over the woman's should after she started typing at her console.

While she watched the video feed, Eydis reached out to her over the lattis.  "I will be right there" the Deltan said.  "Give me just a moment to finish here" she added.

"Can you please inform the Captain what happened between this Kurros character and Eydis.  The interaction troubled the Tholian for some reason which seems odd to me, but I don't know why yet.  Perhaps he will know what to do with the information, but please send it by encrypted message" she said to the Ops officer before heading back to the lift.

[Solluk]

Surface of Meridian

Kurros looked to Rayek, "We came across an abandoned Arretan installation a long time ago, found records of the means used to create the pocket dimension, and used mathematical computations to calculate the rate of entropy.  Since then, probe sightings have confirmed our fears.  The Arretan extremists, once prisoners, have already begun to reassess the galaxy and prepare for their war of domination.  I would be surprised if their probes had not reached the Trialus system, yet."

After that, Wessex gave an earnest plea appealing to cooperation.  He may have come from the Naval Patrol, but he embodied the philosophy of the larger Federation in an admirable way.  It occurred to Solluk that the man was ideal Starfleet material, and that the service was lucky to have him.

"Let you help?  You have specified the very danger the Federation, and Starfleet, pose to us," Kurros replied.  "Your desire to assist.  Your desire for peaceful cooperation.  It is like a drag parachute on a speeding vehicle.

We need to work quickly and decisively, now.  You would be willing to reach out to our enemy in the same way you are prepared to reach out to me.  I can tell you only this much of our plan:  We will buy obedience, or we will destroy any obstacle in our path.  You have proven difficult to destroy.  Expensive in terms of time and resources.  So we are prepared to buy you out.  You must accept this offer before the galaxy's most dangerous species descend upon us all."

Solluk shook his head, "You may be able to mathematically calculate that a dimensional space may degrade, but you can't calculate someone's state of mind.  You can't use physics algorithms or statistical probability to condemn a species as conquerors.  You appear to be assuming much that is not in evidence.

How long ago were these Arretans imprisoned?  Centuries ago?  Millenia?  Not only is it improper to condemn them based on the records left by one side of a conflict, it is improper to assume them to be a problem before that problem manifests in actuality."

Kurros offered a pitying smile, as an adult might offer a foolish child.  "There it is, again.  The 'benefit of the doubt.'  The kindness that will kill us all.

Six-hundred thousand years, Captain.  Not a century, nor even a thousand years.  A Saint could have been placed in that prison.  After more than half a million years, they would be raving madmen.  These Arretans have powers and technologies that make us- yes, even the Thinkers- seem like insects.  The galaxy can not survive such godlike madmen.  Only a fool would hesitate, and wonder if they might have become 'nice guys' during their confinement.

But I am not here to convince you.  I am not here to work with you.  I am here to buy you out.  To get you out of the way."

Solluk's gaze narrowed, "How is it that you think you can accurately discern the likely actions of an ancient species, but you can't predict what I must now say to your proposal?"

Kurros held up his hand, "You can't say anything meaningful, Captain.  We both know that.  I don't expect an answer now.  You must take this message to your superiors.  But in addition to my offer, you must carry this warning:  If they do not accept my buyout, they will have to accept my hostile takeover.  The Thinkers will no longer engage in half-measures here.  If you won't be paid off, you will be utterly obliterated."

Solluk arched a brow, "That is an easy thing to say, Kurros.  It is a harder thing to accomplish.  And you should know that very well already after having failed so many times.  I will take your message to Starfleet Command, but I do not expect them to think any more of your offer than I do.  And now, this profitless meeting has exhausted its usefulness."

Kurros smiled, "Oh, Captain... I think it will prove quite profitable."

He made a gesture, and vanished in a flash.

Solluk watched the space where Kurros had stood a moment before, remaining silent for a long moment.  Then he turned to regard his staff, "... I have trouble believing anything he said.  This fairy-tale about the Arretans.  The offer to buy us off with technology.  Even the threats.   He didn't even come in person, but sent a clone in his place.  This might as well have been accomplished over subspace messaging.  Why did he really come all this way?  What's the real play?"

As he posed that question, his PADD beeped, much as Beja's had earlier.  He produced the device and began to read its display.

Outside Tholian Embassy - Katra Station

"I see," Kurros said, bowing his head, "perhaps the other ambassadors will prove more amenable..."

The image of Kurros faded from view, the agitation of molecules to create his appearance slowing to their normal rate.  The vanishing left no evidence behind to explain how the apparition had been created.  But it did leave behind an uncomfortable question:  If this technology could agitate air molucules sufficiently to create light and sound, then what else could it do?  Heat metal?  Rupture dilithium crystals?  Incinerate people?

And if it could do such things... why hadn't it been used to do them?  The Thinkers had repeatedly expressed an interest in destroying this facility.  With such a technology, it should have been a trivial matter to destroy Katra.

Cargo Bay - Wonderland

"By the Stars," Creng remarked as he looked around, "Killik, Vok, and Dronis... dead?"

Norvis shrugged, "They're not here.  They knew the risks, just like the rest of us."

Bretia swept the room with her disruptor rifle, "Enough chatter, boys.  We have a ship to secure.  Start by putting transport enhancers on those crates.  That way, if anything goes wrong here, the Eclipses will be able to yank the cargo."

Creng and Norvis reached down to their belts, unsecuring small pattern-enhancer discs.

[Rayek trLhoell]

Lt Cmdr Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Meridian - Meeting site]

Surface of Meridian

Kurros looked to Rayek, "We came across an abandoned Arretan installation a long time ago, found records of the means used to create the pocket dimension, and used mathematical computations to calculate the rate of entropy.  Since then, probe sightings have confirmed our fears.  The Arretan extremists, once prisoners, have already begun to reassess the galaxy and prepare for their war of domination.  I would be surprised if their probes had not reached the Trialus system, yet."

After that, Wessex gave an earnest plea appealing to cooperation.  He may have come from the Naval Patrol, but he embodied the philosophy of the larger Federation in an admirable way.  It occurred to Solluk that the man was ideal Starfleet material, and that the service was lucky to have him.

"Let you help?  You have specified the very danger the Federation, and Starfleet, pose to us," Kurros replied.  "Your desire to assist.  Your desire for peaceful cooperation.  It is like a drag parachute on a speeding vehicle.

We need to work quickly and decisively, now.  You would be willing to reach out to our enemy in the same way you are prepared to reach out to me.  I can tell you only this much of our plan:  We will buy obedience, or we will destroy any obstacle in our path.  You have proven difficult to destroy.  Expensive in terms of time and resources.  So we are prepared to buy you out.  You must accept this offer before the galaxy's most dangerous species descend upon us all."

Solluk shook his head, "You may be able to mathematically calculate that a dimensional space may degrade, but you can't calculate someone's state of mind.  You can't use physics algorithms or statistical probability to condemn a species as conquerors.  You appear to be assuming much that is not in evidence.

How long ago were these Arretans imprisoned?  Centuries ago?  Millenia?  Not only is it improper to condemn them based on the records left by one side of a conflict, it is improper to assume them to be a problem before that problem manifests in actuality."

Kurros offered a pitying smile, as an adult might offer a foolish child.  "There it is, again.  The 'benefit of the doubt.'  The kindness that will kill us all.

Six-hundred thousand years, Captain.  Not a century, nor even a thousand years.  A Saint could have been placed in that prison.  After more than half a million years, they would be raving madmen.  These Arretans have powers and technologies that make us- yes, even the Thinkers- seem like insects.  The galaxy can not survive such godlike madmen.  Only a fool would hesitate, and wonder if they might have become 'nice guys' during their confinement.

But I am not here to convince you.  I am not here to work with you.  I am here to buy you out.  To get you out of the way."

Solluk's gaze narrowed, "How is it that you think you can accurately discern the likely actions of an ancient species, but you can't predict what I must now say to your proposal?"

Kurros held up his hand, "You can't say anything meaningful, Captain.  We both know that.  I don't expect an answer now.  You must take this message to your superiors.  But in addition to my offer, you must carry this warning:  If they do not accept my buyout, they will have to accept my hostile takeover.  The Thinkers will no longer engage in half-measures here.  If you won't be paid off, you will be utterly obliterated."

Solluk arched a brow, "That is an easy thing to say, Kurros.  It is a harder thing to accomplish.  And you should know that very well already after having failed so many times.  I will take your message to Starfleet Command, but I do not expect them to think any more of your offer than I do.  And now, this profitless meeting has exhausted its usefulness."

Kurros smiled, "Oh, Captain... I think it will prove quite profitable."

He made a gesture, and vanished in a flash.

Solluk watched the space where Kurros had stood a moment before, remaining silent for a long moment.  Then he turned to regard his staff, "... I have trouble believing anything he said.  This fairy-tale about the Arretans.  The offer to buy us off with technology.  Even the threats.   He didn't even come in person, but sent a clone in his place.  This might as well have been accomplished over subspace messaging.  Why did he really come all this way?  What's the real play?"

As he posed that question, his PADD beeped, much as Beja's had earlier.  He produced the device and began to read its display.

After Kurros stated that the Think Tank found an abandoned installation and described how they did the calculations that indicated the entropy of the prison, Rayek tried interrupt seeking actual proof not just more words.   "Where? What are the coordinates of this installation you apparently found?" he challenged.

But Paul spoke up then as well and Kurros' attention turned to the Security officer.

Kurros' dismissive response to Paul's offer was unsettling, hearing many of the same views he'd once held about the Federation and Starfleet spoke by another that he considered an enemy.   Thirteen years ago that had been him looking down on Starfleet - mocking their desire to make peace.  Oh how times have changed and he with them!

From there the conversation volleyed back and forth between the Captain and Kurros until Kurros made his bold statement:  Be bought out and leave or be destroyed.  The meeting ended then as abruptly as it had begun.

The moment Kurros left, Rayek pressed a spot behind his left ear and held until it activated his Universal Translator and ear bud comm - he'd respected the no tech intent of this meeting and had had his comm off.

At it's activation, Rayek, like the others, was receiving notification of something odd happening on the shuttle.  When the Captain was notified about Kurros being spotted on the station outside the Tholian Embassy via holograph, Rayek received a mirrored notification to his comm - there were definite perks to being the region's SOO.

Yet hearing about this cause a grimace.  He should've realized that the Thinkers wouldn't just limit their contact to the Captain and his officers.

"Captain, he's likely approached each Embassy not just the Tholians.  What he hopes to gain can be varied - to have them put pressure on us to relinquish Katra, or to urge them to abandon the station."

With the Thinkers moving much more openly, Rayek knew he need to work fast to start building a network of contacts throughout the quadrant to be better able to track their movements and activities.  He'd been less than fully invested into the position since it had been handed to him.    In hindsight, he realized he should have not requested to go on the cultural exchange and instead remained to take up the reigns from Saxon's role...  now months later, there was a void of information where there should have been knowledge of what the Thinkers were planning.

"We should return to the station to see who else he has visited."

He gave a concerned look to his wife as he called for a beam up. "tr'Lhoell to Katra Station.   Four to beam up."

NPC Cathy Daniels
[Freighter Wonderland]

[On board the freighter Wonderland]

Finn was still busy diving towards the planetoid when Kathy's voice got very nervous and loud.
""They've transported aboard! They are in the cargo hold!"
"Oh sh&t." His eyes widened in horror. That meant out running them was no longer an option. Flight had just turned to fight and he'd better have his hands free in order not to get shot in the back.
In a swift motion he pulled the freighter up again, directing it away from the surface and then switched on the autopilot.

Kathy mumbled something about nullifying their phasers and needing a moment...
"Yeah...you've got exactly one."
He dryly joked as he jumped from his seat and headed towards the cargo area where his own weapons were stored except for a small Klingon knife in the back of his belt.
It had become a useful tool in all sorts of situations.

Over the com badge he let Juuran, who was on his way to trouble, know.
"We've got company. In the Cargo bay. Stay where you are."
The ship was small so it was easy to catch up with him, grab him by the jacket and pull him into the sleeping area.
"Shhhh." Finn warned as he pulled a large container from a secret panel in the wall.
The box contained a bunch of phasers as well as knifes and the strange weapon he had brought on from earth: a historic rifle from the 21 st century.
Without hesitation he handed Juuran a phaser, a throwing knife and the popped a few bullets in the old school weapon. "  I think this hasn't been used in a gaxillion years. Won it in a game of cards....In case Kathy blows the phasers out....she's working on it."

Hopefully she'd make it before they were discovered. Finn could feel his heart beat in his neck as heavy footsteps neared.

Ooc: Teatime suggested to move Juuran along.

Cargo Bay - Wonderland

"By the Stars," Creng remarked as he looked around, "Killik, Vok, and Dronis... dead?"

Norvis shrugged, "They're not here.  They knew the risks, just like the rest of us."

Bretia swept the room with her disruptor rifle, "Enough chatter, boys.  We have a ship to secure.  Start by putting transport enhancers on those crates.  That way, if anything goes wrong here, the Eclipses will be able to yank the cargo."

Creng and Norvis reached down to their belts, unsecuring small pattern-enhancer discs.

While Finn and Juraan went to meet, Cathy struggled with the science behind what she needed to do.   For Niles this would be child's play.   The Orion in comparison to Cathy was a genius.  But he wasn't here... she was.  So she had to figure this out on her own.

For the tetracellium to emit a tetryonic pulse - that would disrupt the workings of energy weapons, Cathy needed to create an electric charge within the crystrals... to do this in the cargo hold of the freighter, the only thing Cathy could come up with was venting into the cargo hold some of the ship's spent plasma.  There should be enough ionization in the depleted plasma to trigger the crystals.

She could try using the unused plasma, but its ionization when in contact with the amount of crystal aboard the ship might take out more than just the weapons.   Working at the controls of the still new-to-her ship, Cathy overrode the safety features that were intended to prevent exactly this sort of thing from being done.  She by-passed the alert system that might give the boarders warning and vented the plasma into the hold.   Then prayed this worked.

Cathy called back down the still open door of the cockpit towards where Finn and Juraan "It's done!"

[Tess tLhoell]

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters] (October 17th)

Tess couldn't deny it. She struggled to keep up with everything that was said. She had accessed the database to look up information on that Sargon while simultaneously listening to Kurros. But she was only getting half of it. She was too exhaused and her brain refused to take up the information as quickly and efficiently.

Kurros continued to make unproven statements and speak threats while they were demanding proof and offered to help. It was frustrating. Then Kurros declared the meeting over. However, soon after that, Tess - like the others - received a message about Kurros being seen on the station. Tess immediately had the same suspicion like her husband.

"Do we have a way to terminate that hologram? I don't want to make it so easy to him. If he wants something, he should ... come here himself." No cusswords. Even if she felt like it towards him right now.

Tess met her husband's gaze. She could see the concern in his eyes before he called for the station to beam them back up.

With the meeting over, Tess stared at a random spot blankly for a moment as she recalled what had been said. At least she tried to. Her eyes started to water and burn with how tired she was. And she was aching. But how could she sleep now at a time like this? Her gaze wandered over to the only hours-old little baby boy, swaddled safely and lying in his crib, sleeping soundly. Her heart clenched at the sight and she reached a hand out to gently rest it on the bundle. She had to be there for that tiny life now first and foremost.

She sighed. Let go. Captain Solluk, Rayek, Lt Wessex ... they all were more than capable of handling this situation without her. Tess got up from chair and carefully not to wake Fvienn rolled the crib back into the living room area where Phara sat in one of the armchairs and red what looked like a Romulan novel on a datapad.

"Don't mind me", Tess smiled tiredly at her as she moved to the sofa and sat down on it, the crib next to her. "I need to do some research, I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all", Phara replied with a smile. "But you should get some rest. I'll get you some tea."

"Thank you. I just want to check something. Computer. List all encounters with non-corporeal lifeforms in the past 150 years." She figured there were not that many. Phara brought her a mug of hot steaming tea which Tess accepted with a smile. "Thank you."

The computer bleeped. "Ready."

"Read it out." Tess listened to the computer reading out the list to her. But it didn't even take 5 minutes and Tess had fallen fast asleep on the sofa.

NPC Juraan Ren
[On board the 'Wonderland']

Juraan heard Kathy say that she might find a way to nullify the boarder's weapons and the Bajoran hoped that she would be successful, and that in time.
Finn needn't to tell him where the weapons were stored, Juraan had checked that one of the first things the moment he had put foot on this freighter. Which was odd. Most doctors might have checked medkits first.

Unfortunately his suspicion proved to be true and soon boarders were materializing in the cargo bay. Juraan had not been able to reach that part of the ship but was pulled into a niche by someone - which had the Bajoran almost punch the man in the face. But he realized quick enough that it had been Finn. At the same time there was the whine of the transporter and Juraan wordlessly accepted the phaser rifle from Finn. He had meant to tell Kathy to lock the cockpit, but it was too late now for that. Hopefully the boarders concentrated on the cargo.

Carefully peeking around the bulkhead Juraan spotted three figures. They wore battle suits and helmets. Looking down at his weapon, Juraan set the rifle to maximum power. He just should avoid to hit the cargo. Oh well. One of the three was moving towards them and Juraan willed himself to hold still until he was in a range that would make a hit most effective.

Just in that moment, Kathy called from the cockpit. Aware that the boarders had no clue what was 'ready' Juraan nodded to Finn. They needed to use that advantage. Juraan jumped out of the hide-out, holding the phaser rifle as if ready to fire and approached the group. While hoping that Kathy really had been successful. Otherwise his life likely would end soon.

Hoping the team would react as he expected - aiming their weapons at him to fire (which they hopefully wouldn't) - Juraan kept appraoching quickly trusting Finn to follow. With a yell he rammed his shoulder into the one that was head-on hoping to make him topple over. Since they wore armour, hits wouldn't have much affect. So Juraan drew the knife from his belt and started to locate unshielded areas of the suits that would allow the wearer to move flexibly. Aiming for these spots with the sharp edge of the knife he hoped they would find something that would give them an advantage because those guys with their suits had that even without energy weapons.

[Finn Moreno]

[On board the 'Wonderland']
The circumstances were bad. That was probably an understatement, yet two very impressive things happened. The young underpaid copilot somehow figured out how to deactivate any phaser (Finn would need that trick for later reference). At least she claimed she had. If not, both Juuran and him would soon be history.
The second impressive thing was how incredibly fierce and fearless Juuran was. Didn't he say he was a doctor? He acted more like ex-gun-for-hire.
Finn was right behind him. He had slung a  rifle around his shoulder and held a smaller and a larger knife in both hands as he was really hoping that Cathy had been successful.

Unlike Juuran he had his drawers full but he also knew he had no choice if any one of them wanted to survive.
With a battle cry, that he didn't even know he had in him, he attacked one of the armed intruders. With the smaller knife he attempted to find the gap between body armor on the abdomen. It worked to some extend but the weapon got stuck. For a brief moment he tried to free the weapon but then let go and jumped back to save himself from any blows.

With both hands he gripped the other knife, whirled around to attack the third intruder and slashed the unprotected area on the back of the knee, before he could get his hands on Juuran.

Adrenalin was keeping him going even though a fight of three  intruders with body armor, who were at least a head taller than him, seemed highly unfair and didn't promise a good outcome.
Too bad their own phasers didn't work.

[Kirok]

Outside Tholian Embassy - Katra Station

Zex arrived shortly later.  She found Eydis and hir entourage.  "Eydis, friend of Zex, are you ok?  What happened?" she asked.

"I have been unable to reach Beja and do not think there is a senior officer available to attend the meeting between you and the Klingons.  So, it would be plausible for use to ask to reschedule a meeting for another time.  What do you think of that idea?" the Deltan asked.

[Eli Ferris]

NPC Ensign Nadia Oloze  and NPC Lt JG Saqa7 Mountain-Khan
[USS Healy - Bridge]

USS Healy, in Orbit above Meridian near Katra Station

Aboard the Healy, the Ops and Science consoles simultaneously detected something different.  The temperature of the shuttle's power core increased by 72 degrees for one second.  Then, it gradually returned to normal.  The increase of temperature suggested that the core had momentarily produced additional energy.  However, there was nothing obvious to show where that energy might have gone.  The shuttle remained in stationary orbit.  Nothing seemed to be amiss.

Almost simultaneously Nadia and Saqa7 called out to the Captain. "Captain." "Sir, the Thinker ship." "The shuttles' core spiked in output for a moment." "Sensors aren't reading any noteable reason for that level of energy output." "He's up to something foul, I just know it!"

Eli stood to his feet. "œBring up all sensor information from right before the increase. Display on the main viewer." He had noticed that he was not one to sit still. "œHelm, assess possible courses they could use from their present location. If they make a break for the station prepare to follow on my mark."
Their sensors wouldn't give them much-the Thinkers would see to that. But, every single emission would have a path, of some kind. Energy increasing then decreasing meant an output. To where.
"œOloze, contact Katra and see if they have any energy spikes in their systems. Give them the time frame from our own sensors. Tight band, coded frequency."

He walked up towards the viewer. "What are they doing, eh?"

[Eydis]

and

Outside Tholian Embassy - Katra Station

Zex arrived shortly later.  She found Eydis and hir entourage.  "Eydis, friend of Zex, are you ok?  What happened?" she asked.

"I have been unable to reach Beja and do not think there is a senior officer available to attend the meeting between you and the Klingons.  So, it would be plausible for use to ask to reschedule a meeting for another time.  What do you think of that idea?" the Deltan asked.

Eydis had delayed hir departure and turned to look at the deltan as she came into sight. Hir blue eye was less intense in brightness and more a serene sky blue. Dipping hir head to hir friend "œYes perhaps we should contact the Klingon empire representative to do so. The beings the federation calls the thinkers are how do you say it up to something. The beings arrival was two folded, to as it said establish communication with the assembly and to flex their perceived power. In a certain way they have the same hubris as the Suliban possess. If they are indeed trying to muscle in on the station. I will have to make the assembly's stance known. We will stand with the federation for the rescue of the entities offspring. I have decided to terminate the thinkers attempt at communication."
Eydis would then shift hir thinking a littleI still believe the Klingon empire are not the rightful owners of the cruiser we have returned. Yet if pressed it should be surrendered to them. It would be best to head off any possible conflict before it starts. As a possible new player in the sector threatens the balance. And I would be more then grateful if you could accompany me to the meeting with the Klingon empire. Zex deltan friend of the Eydis and of the tholian people

[Rayek trLhoell]

Lt Cmdr Rayek tr'Lhoell
[Meridian - Meeting site]

Cmdr. Tess t'Lhoell
[Katra Station - Deck 2 - s'Lhoell quarters] (October 17th)

Tess couldn't deny it. She struggled to keep up with everything that was said. She had accessed the database to look up information on that Sargon while simultaneously listening to Kurros. But she was only getting half of it. She was too exhausted and her brain refused to take up the information as quickly and efficiently.

Kurros continued to make unproven statements and speak threats while they were demanding proof and offered to help. It was frustrating. Then Kurros declared the meeting over. However, soon after that, Tess - like the others - received a message about Kurros being seen on the station. Tess immediately had the same suspicion like her husband.

"Do we have a way to terminate that hologram? I don't want to make it so easy to him. If he wants something, he should ... come here himself." No cusswords. Even if she felt like it towards him right now.

Tess met her husband's gaze. She could see the concern in his eyes before he called for the station to beam them back up.

While he waited for the dematerialization of his physical form, Tess' question prompted Rayek belatedly to consider the method of how Kurros was holographically meeting with the embassies.  To the Romulan's knowledge, all holograms were just projections of light and energy contained by force fields.  This was done by a holographic projection system, or emitter, controlled by a computer.  In this case, it should be the station's computer.  If Kurros was using the station's projection system, it meant that the Thinker had managed to remotely hack the system, which due to Kurros' expected arrival had been prepped with additional securities.

Alternatively, Kurros could have brought his own projection system in his shuttle and was projecting it through the station's defensive shielding which was usually up to control access to the station via transporters.

"I recommend having Ops shut down the entire holographic projection system on the station." Such a move would surely upset the Dord the most who used the system to portray their servants.   It would also disrupt the Meridian administration; but such things were of minor consequence if it could prevent the Thinker from achieving whatever goal they intended.

"If Kurros is not highjacking our system, then he is projecting the holographic image through the station's shields - perhaps rapidly modulating their frequency can disrupt his transmission?"

His form disappeared in the swirl of a transporter effect.  Moments later, he reappeared on the station's transporter pad.  He looked to the Captain.  If it were he in charge, Rayek would order both done; but Rayek was never certain which of his recommendations the Captain would agree with, if any.

NPC Phara t'Movel

With the meeting over, Tess stared at a random spot blankly for a moment as she recalled what had been said. At least she tried to. Her eyes started to water and burn with how tired she was. And she was aching. But how could she sleep now at a time like this? Her gaze wandered over to the only hours-old little baby boy, swaddled safely and lying in his crib, sleeping soundly. Her heart clenched at the sight and she reached a hand out to gently rest it on the bundle. She had to be there for that tiny life now first and foremost.

She sighed. Let go. Captain Solluk, Rayek, Lt Wessex ... they all were more than capable of handling this situation without her. Tess got up from chair and carefully not to wake Fvienn rolled the crib back into the living room area where Phara sat in one of the armchairs and red what looked like a Romulan novel on a datapad.

"Don't mind me", Tess smiled tiredly at her as she moved to the sofa and sat down on it, the crib next to her. "I need to do some research, I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all", Phara replied with a smile. "But you should get some rest. I'll get you some tea."

"Thank you. I just want to check something. Computer. List all encounters with non-corporeal lifeforms in the past 150 years." She figured there were not that many. Phara brought her a mug of hot steaming tea which Tess accepted with a smile. "Thank you."

The computer bleeped. "Ready."

"Read it out." Tess listened to the computer reading out the list to her. But it didn't even take 5 minutes and Tess had fallen fast asleep on the sofa.

Seeing the new mother drift off to sleep, Phara smiled and took a throw from the back of the chair she sat at and laid it gently overtop Tess and gently guided the woman to a more horizontal resting position with a pillow tucked under her head.   The Romulan woman then peeked into the crib to be sure the newborn was sleeping soundly.   Assured of this, she cleared away the untouched tea and recycled it before returning to her chair to return to her reading until her help was needed again.   She knew from experience that Tess needed this rest for the baby would likely wake in an hour or so to feed.

NPC Cathy Daniels
[Freighter Wonderland]

NPC Juraan Ren
[On board the 'Wonderland']

Juraan heard Kathy say that she might find a way to nullify the boarder's weapons and the Bajoran hoped that she would be successful, and that in time.
Finn needn't to tell him where the weapons were stored, Juraan had checked that one of the first things the moment he had put foot on this freighter. Which was odd. Most doctors might have checked medkits first.

Unfortunately his suspicion proved to be true and soon boarders were materializing in the cargo bay. Juraan had not been able to reach that part of the ship but was pulled into a niche by someone - which had the Bajoran almost punch the man in the face. But he realized quick enough that it had been Finn. At the same time there was the whine of the transporter and Juraan wordlessly accepted the phaser rifle from Finn. He had meant to tell Kathy to lock the cockpit, but it was too late now for that. Hopefully the boarders concentrated on the cargo.

Carefully peeking around the bulkhead Juraan spotted three figures. They wore battle suits and helmets. Looking down at his weapon, Juraan set the rifle to maximum power. He just should avoid to hit the cargo. Oh well. One of the three was moving towards them and Juraan willed himself to hold still until he was in a range that would make a hit most effective.

Just in that moment, Kathy called from the cockpit. Aware that the boarders had no clue what was 'ready' Juraan nodded to Finn. They needed to use that advantage. Juraan jumped out of the hide-out, holding the phaser rifle as if ready to fire and approached the group. While hoping that Kathy really had been successful. Otherwise his life likely would end soon.

Hoping the team would react as he expected - aiming their weapons at him to fire (which they hopefully wouldn't) - Juraan kept appraoching quickly trusting Finn to follow. With a yell he rammed his shoulder into the one that was head-on hoping to make him topple over. Since they wore armour, hits wouldn't have much affect. So Juraan drew the knife from his belt and started to locate unshielded areas of the suits that would allow the wearer to move flexibly. Aiming for these spots with the sharp edge of the knife he hoped they would find something that would give them an advantage because those guys with their suits had that even without energy weapons.

[On board the 'Wonderland']
The circumstances were bad. That was probably an understatement, yet two very impressive things happened. The young underpaid copilot somehow figured out how to deactivate any phaser (Finn would need that trick for later reference). At least she claimed she had. If not, both Juuran and him would soon be history.
The second impressive thing was how incredibly fierce and fearless Juuran was. Didn't he say he was a doctor? He acted more like ex-gun-for-hire.
Finn was right behind him. He had slung a  rifle around his shoulder and held a smaller and a larger knife in both hands as he was really hoping that Cathy had been successful.

Unlike Juuran he had his drawers full but he also knew he had no choice if any one of them wanted to survive.
With a battle cry, that he didn't even know he had in him, he attacked one of the armed intruders. With the smaller knife he attempted to find the gap between body armor on the abdomen. It worked to some extend but the weapon got stuck. For a brief moment he tried to free the weapon but then let go and jumped back to save himself from any blows.

With both hands he gripped the other knife, whirled around to attack the third intruder and slashed the unprotected area on the back of the knee, before he could get his hands on Juuran.

Adrenalin was keeping him going even though a fight of three  intruders with body armor, who were at least a head taller than him, seemed highly unfair and didn't promise a good outcome.
Too bad their own phasers didn't work.

There was a secondary benefit to flooding the cargo bay with the ionized plasma, beyond it's resultant tetryonic pulses that negated the directed-energy weapons.  It also would help to provide ionic interference against transporter locks.

It might also be possible that the tetryonic pulses would interfere - but Cathy wasn't sure about that.  Nor did she think the ionization would keep the pirates at bay long.  Or surely, venting ionized plasma would be a freighter's standard defense against piracy.  No, the surest way to protect the cargo was to bolt - make a run for Federation patrolled territory before the pirates could work through the interference.   Despite being on the lamb from Starfleet, Cathy would love to see one of their patrol vessels right about now.

Frick.  What to do?

She briefly considered going back to the cargo hold to help deal with the boarders, but Cathy figured unless they got clear of the cloaked ship  more were just gonna keep being beamed aboard.  Interference or not.   She glanced over towards where Finn had set the autopilot - it was set to the ships standard cruising speed, rather than the ships' max.  This was a safety feature or most ships so that you didn't burn out your warp core setting it to autopilot on max and then forgetting about it.

With a determined nod, Cathy keyed in the unlock code for the autopilot and then jumped the ships to it's maximum warp.   The ship might only be able to hold it for 10 or 15 minutes but that might just get them out of transporter range long enough to deal with boarders and then set up a proper defense.