Quietly Does It Part II
Posted on Mon Oct 28th, 2024 @ 6:36pm by Captain Marc Kidd & Commander Mariko Tao & Lieutenant Christopher Blake & Lieutenant Sorine Kaida & Lieutenant Vincent 'Ghost' Zandrell & Lieutenant Sarah Graesyn & Cassandra Frost
Edited on on Mon Oct 28th, 2024 @ 6:49pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: Cardassian Station Breyet Nor - The Badlands
Timeline: MD010 1415 hrs
Seeing his chance, Chris banked the shuttle sharply and snapped them around to line up with the docking port. He fired the thrusters to slow them down and match rotation before easing them against the hull where the air lock engaged.
"All ashore who's going ashore." He said with a slight grin. The feeling of being out and piloting like this was an adrenaline surge he'd missed.
"Good job, Lieutenant." Mariko commended the man. "We will all follow Ms Frost's lead, as she is the apprehension officer. Keep your eyes open, listen out for anything and keep focussed. We'll follow the tracker on Vamcet and hopefully get him back onto the shuttle before anyone knows we were there." she said hoping that no-one else would be with him. That would certainly complicate things.
Sarah confirmed the docking and then moved to get up from her station, transferring engineering display back to the helm while simultaneously loading a trojan to the system that would buy them a few minutes of operational time without hassle. “I just bought us a couple of minutes by forcing the station systems into diagnostics mode…. I estimate no longer than seven minutes before they begin to reboot internal sensor grids starting with the station command center and spreading out one section at a time.”
"That's great, Ms Graesyn. Thank you." Mariko was impressed by her, and the team so far was doing extremely well. "Kaida, please point Miss Frost in the way of the tracker on Vamcet and we'll get moving. Time is ticking... Lieutenants Blake, Zandrell and Graesyn, keep your eyes open for anything we need to avoid or deal with. If we can increase our time window that would be great, also any other interference we can throw up to make our stay here as easy as possible." he instructed as they began to move.
Cassie took a deep breath in before holding it for a moment and slowly releasing it. Her heart was beating like there was no tomorrow, and all her mind could focus on was her desire to capture this man. He'd gotten away from her once, she wasn't going to let him go again.
Vincent checked his EM-33 in his side holster before checking the transporter gun. As he eased the gun into his hip holster he closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh. "Walk in the park. Just like old times, Ghost." He said softly before looking over to Frost. "On your six, Boss."
Cassie gave Vincent a nod, “let’s hope you’re right. I can’t let this arse get away again”
Kaida put her head to one side and tried to stretch her neck ever so slightly. "Ahead left out of the airlock and approximately 150 meters down the corridor." She began, there was no use giving too many directions as she wasn't sure Vamcet was going to remain in one place.
Legate Baruul stared at the screen in the Command Center of his station. No one had dared to enter the Breyet Nor since it was built all those years ago. However, Starfleet was here now. With a swift nod of his head he dispatched two platoons of troops to intercept the interlopers. He had no idea why they had come this far into the Badlands, but he would find out if it took every last man that he had.
Vamcet sat on his usual stool at the corner of the bar. He had wanted to contact Bajor, Starfleet, someone and let them know he had to repent and pay the price for his crimes. However, his son stopped him at every turn and now he was locked away on this god forsaken station. He wondered what was going on when two platoons of troops marched past the window. Nothing happened here that warranted that kind of response. he thought. Vamcet drained what was left of his kanar, paid his bill, and decided to go investigate.
Keeping her breathing as quiet as she can, Cassie made her way along the corridors away from the airlock while listening out for anything out of the ordinary. "These Cardassian stations don't leave a great deal of room to manoeuvre."
Sarah chuckled softly at that comment. “Indeed they don’t. Makes it easy to set up kill lanes though.” She checked her tri-corder and grimaced. “I am picking up a power fluctuation 10 meters ahead; if I am right there should be a power coupling that we can access and disable, if the station is setup to standard it will take out the security grid for this section.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Only taking out one grid will alert the security station. Unless we’re going to use it to set up an ambush, I’d recommend we use our tricorders to mask our life signs.” Cassie suggested.
Mariko listened to the two women speak and bit the inside of her lip as she thought. "Graesyn, if you can disable it and make it look like a malfunction then do it. We need this to be quick and we can't afford to find another route. Ms Frost, mask our life signs as well. I'm getting a bad feeling about this." she said before looking at Kaida. "Is Vamcet still in the same location?" she asked.
Sarah jumped into action; popping the panel off the wall that covered the coupling and popped open her engineering kit, within moments she had triggered a surge through the system that read as nothing more than malfunction in the grid but that would take out the sensor and security systems for the entire section that they were in. “That’ll cover us until we get out of this section; considering standard Cardassian maintenance procedures I imagine they won’t bother to send a repair crew until well after we are gone.”
"No, he's on the move. 500 meters south and continuing to gain distance. " Kaida replied forcing herself to not shiver. "I can't tell from these damned schematics where he might be headed though."
"There's an maintenance access point not far from here." Vincent said, remembering the plans of the station from the last time he was onboard one. It was why he wanted to join the team. His experience when it came to walking through stations of this design undetected. "If the XO permits, we can use it to get around a big easier. Or, alternatively, I can take it and we can try to get this guy by surprise?"
"I trust your expertise on this type of station Lieutenant." Mariko looked over at Vincent. He was confident, capable and she knew that usually splitting up on this type of occasion may not have been the best idea but it would be foolish to not use his knowledge to their advantage. "Take Lieutenant Sorine with you and circle around Vamcet's signal."
Vamcet made his way through the station as he followed the platoon. When they realized who followed them they stopped and came to attention. "Gul we did not know that you were behind us." The Legate in charge said. "What is happening on this station." Vamcet commanded and was informed that someone or something had triggered a proximity alarm. They were going to investigate. "You will take me with you." Vamcet commanded, being the most feared Gul in Cardassian history certainly had its perks.
With Zandrell and Sorine going an alternate route Mariko pushed forward with the others. "The fact we've not came across any Cardassian's yet, any at all is concerning. It's like they've cleared the halls for us." she commented.
The first group of five Cardassian officers rounded the corner and found the Starfleet team. "Sound Intruder Alert!" The clear leader of the group ordered, which was immediately followed by a loud klaxon and flashing red lights. "As we will honor the current treaty between our peoples we will offer you one chance to surrender. No harm will come to you if you surrender. Your presence on this Cardassian station is in violation of the treaty and I am placing you under arrest." The Cardassian continued as his compatriots leveled their weapons but held their fire.
Sarah eyed the Cardassians feet and then glimpsed at the readings on her tricorder as her work at the power coupling earlier was building and a large plasma surge began to build behind the wall next to the Cardassians. “I can’t say that I’m sorry about this….” She pulled her phaser, set it to max with a couple quick clicks and then fired at the wall panel, rupturing the conduits just ahead of the surge and unleashing its full force upon the squad of them.
Legate Hardroal scowled as he now had their answer. He ordered his men to open fire, although the phaser blasts lanced out blindly. The group took cover and waited for the smoke to clear. Hardroal knew why Starfleet was here and if he could help it they would never leave, let alone leave with their quarry.
Getting down on her belly, Cassie started crawling forward into the smoke. This was a little tactic she’d used before to use as a surprise attack. Very few people expected someone to actually be in the smoke. Pausing a short way in as the smoke started to dissipate, Cassie made herself as flat as she could while holding the phaser at the ready for the first sign of movement.
Mariko was displeased with Lieutenant Graesyn's impulsive actions. The initial response in such scenarios should never be to open fire, particularly when outnumbered by Cardassians on the station. While they might deceive and have no intention of keeping their word, it would have allowed Zandrell and Sorine an opportunity to flank them, gaining some tactical advantage. Graesyn's hasty decision led to a chaotic outbreak of smoke, gunfire, and mutual aggression. "We are here for Gul Vamcet. We have a warrant for hsi arrest. Surrender him, and we can settle this now!" she shouted amidst the noise, seeking cover. Drawing her phaser, she returned fire to protect herself and her team. She had spotted Vamcet in the background as they turned the corner, yet he remained strangely silent for someone seemingly intent on being captured.
When the smoke cleared one could see that the blast doors behind both Vamcet and the Starfleet team had been closed. At station operations they had lost all contact with that section of the station and Legate Baruul had engineering teams working he problem. "You are trapped. You have no authority here Starfleet. Surrender yourselves or die for crimes against the Cardassian Union. I will repeat one last time your presence here is in violation of the treaty we have with your government and your continued violence is an act of war. This is your final warning." As a show that he meant business Hardroal fired and hit the wall inches from Tao's head.
"I hate to be the one to point this out.. but we aren't the only ones stuck! You happen to be just as trapped with us as we are you, Legate!" A surge of adrenaline, and anger, rose in Sarah's core at the Legates shot near Tao's head and she fired her own phaser, not bothering to make it a warning shot and aiming straight for Hardroal, center mass as was taught at the academy and completely forgetting to readjust the power setting on the weapon.
As Mariko ducked for cover, the shot that was fired at her struck the bulkhead, and the heat and force of the impact caused her to fumble momentarily. Surrender was not a viable option; the notorious Cardassian courts would show no mercy. Lieutenant Graesyn, driven by emotion rather than strategy, shot Legate Hardroal in the chest, sending him to the ground motionless.
Mariko seized Graesyn's arm, pulling her in. "Lieutenant, you must control yourself. Now. If you're unable to think clearly as you've been trained, I'll resort to the transporter gun and send you back to the shuttle myself before you jeopardize us all," she said, leveling the woman to her eye line and placing a hand on each shoulder. "Breathe deeply, Sarah. Concentrate on me," she instructed, holding Sarah's gaze. "We need a plan that allows us a direct hit on Vamcet with the transpo-gun. Your history with the Cardassians aside, I need you present, with me, with us," she continued, signalling Blake and Frost to keep up their covering fire on heavy stun. "Sarah, I'm counting on you to think this through and find us a way out, not just continue firing until there are no more Cardassians left."
Maintaining her cover fire, Cassie made sure to fire as close as she could to prevent them from moving forward. She to resist the urge to charge her way down the hallway. Normally in this situation, she'd throw a flashbang down the hallway and double back to look for another way around, but she wasn't the lead on this one. "what's the move Commander?"
Sarah inhaled, meeting Mariko's gaze only briefly before nodding and glancing around the area. "My apologies, Commander... I'll do better." She shook her head as she ducked behind a bulkhead as one of the Cardassians placed a poorly aimed shot nearby. "Ms. Frost... what can you see from your position?" She readjusted her phaser to the stun setting and placed down some suppressive fire while she surveyed the walls, looking to see if there were any maintenance hatches.
Cassie squinted a little, trying to get a better look through the smoke caused by the phaser and Disruptor impacts on the walls, “I’m not sure, I think there’s at least 5 Cardassians, maybe more. No way forward without casualties” she reported, quickly glancing around for another solution, never taking her eyes off the enemy for more then a few seconds.
Glinn Perletz saw the Legate drop. With a quick movement he made sure that Hardroal was alive, he was but heavily stunned. He took command of the group and made sure that Hardroal was moved to the rear to protect from further injury. "Fire at will!!" he spat the words out with a hatred that only Cardassians seemed to have the ability to possess.
All of the Cardassians with the exception of two fired. Of the two remaining one tended to Hardroal and the other worked on the systems in an effort to get the doors open or restore communications. As for the shots they came close but the smoke was still a bit much to fire through. One shot hit the deck plating at the feet of Cassandra Frost narrowly missing her, and another hit the wall just above Mariko's head. That shot close enough to singe her hair.
The situation was escalating quickly.
Mariko smoothed down her hair, extinguishing the lingering embers threatening to ignite her. She cycled through potential strategies, but none seemed promising. They were aboard a massive station, with an indeterminate number of Cardassians, unknown firepower, and compromised sensor capabilities due to The Badlands. Their covert entry could be perceived as a declaration of war; they had engaged without provocation, injured a high-ranking officer, and were now losing ground as swiftly as latinum slips away after a poor investment.
"Lower your weapons," Mariko instructed the other officers, Blake, Frost, and Graesyn. Empathy wasn't required to sense their reluctance, their resistance to the command given the dire circumstances, but she saw no alternative that would ensure their survival should more Cardassians arrive. The absence of communication with Zandrell and Sorine was troubling. She had anticipated they would regroup, but perhaps Vincent's intelligence was flawed, or they had encountered unforeseen obstacles.
With visible hesitance, her team ceased fire, and Mariko tossed her phaser into the open, signalling the Cardassian patrol. "Cease fire! I am coming out unarmed," she announced, displaying her empty hands from her concealed position before stepping out as their gunfire halted. "I am Commander Tao of the USS Artemis, the leader of this team, and I assume full responsibility for our actions. I offer my surrender for custody, with the understanding that a ranking military officer is accountable for the conduct of their subordinates, and request that they be permitted to depart on our shuttlecraft." She stood resolutely before the Cardassian officers, their fingers twitchy on their triggers. It was time for a leader to emerge and determine their fate. "I recommend accepting my proposal. It's uncertain how Starfleet would perceive a Cardassian station of this magnitude and capacity situated so near to Federation territory, unbeknownst to us. Such a presence could be interpreted as a hostile gesture, potentially a preparatory ground due to The Badlands' impact on sensors. It would be regrettable, given the extensive efforts our peoples have invested in restoring trust and cooperation over recent decades."
Sarah watched and listened, her phaser down but her eyes roved, keeping an eye out for their target and still looking for another maintenance hatch. She knew that everybody in the section they were in were stuck together, Cardassian and Federation alike and by her estimation the damage wasn't likely to be easily fixed from the external side in a short amount of time. And I appear to be the only engineer here, so getting anything working again is on me. Breathe Sarah, Breathe.
Perletz wanted revenge and he stood with his disruptor aimed at Mariko as she walked toward him. The rest of the Cardassian team kept their weapons up but held fire. The Glinn watched and thought deeply, the proposal was the best option. "Very well Commander we will accept your proposal and you will stand trial on Cardassia for what you have done." He snapped his fingers and another Cardassian came to his side. "Take her into custody. Then take the rest of them to a transporter pad."
The Cardassian guard took three steps toward Mariko when Gul Vamcet stepped into the middle of the stand off. "Stand down Dalin... You too Glinn." He growled as the Glinn's weapon was right on the Gul's chest. "They are here for me. They are here to see that justice is done. You would have justice for Hardroal and not for Bajor. You will release all of them, and I will be going with them. That is an order. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!" The final order was shouted gone was the feeble old man of late and in his place was the Gul of old. When the Cardassians began to protest Vamcet cut in again. "I DID NOT ASK FOR A RESPONSE. Now, will you obey or do you want to be in the stockade." He turned on his heel. "And as for all of you. If you want this outcome. Then you will accept my proposal. You will keep any knowledge of this station, of anything you have seen or learned here classified. If it is learned that any of you have spoken about it Cardassia will seek extradition for all of you on the charges of espionage. Now, I know that as a Commander in Starfleet you can speak for your Captain and your crew. The way I see it the only choices you have are my proposal or be taken to a Cardassian prison now. Choose you have thirty seconds..." No one knew but Vamcet had mustered all of his strength to keep the image of the strong Gul.
Cassie looked in confusion between Gul Vamcet and Commander Tao. This was definitely not the outcome she was expecting from a mission like this. She had expected a drawn out fire fight, with the away team going from room to room scouring the station for their target. Instead, their suspect had turned himself in and practically saved them from a public execution on Cardassia Prime after a show trial.
"A most unexpected outcome..." Mariko commented quietly. She had seen a Cardassian in the background, a man not taking part in the aggressive action of his compatriots but instead watching with a keen eye. As it was now revealed to be Vamcet, the man whom they'd come to take into custody, was giving himself up and saving Mariko from retribution for their actions. With no real decision to make, "I accept your proposal Gul Vamcet." she responded respectfully, it was better than the alternative. "We will classify the location of your station, that I can promise you. However, striking it from record and withholding it from our superiors is not my decision but my commanding officers. I can assure you the decision will be given the strongest of considerations. I prefer the end to hostility here and depart this station with you in our custody Gul." she could see a waiver in his eyes. It was slight, but there and anyone who was trained to be a diplomat, one trained to seek out tells and signs of weakness, would notice these things.
Mariko stepped forward towards Vamcet and bowed her head slightly, "If you would follow me sir."
Sarah was calm again, focusing on her breathing, though she kept a wary eye on the team of Cardassians that Vamcet had dressed down. It was then that she remembered the transport-guns and she looked down to the one hanging from its sling across her torso with a wry smile. It would be wise to utilize it as soon as we are out of sight of the goons I think.
Perletz stepped forward and holstered his weapon. "Gul this is not needed. We can arrange for no harm to come to these officers and perhaps even get them released to their ship without you going with them. You must reconsider." There was a lot that rode on this and Perletz knew it. Vamcet had a head full of secrets and with the right amount of coaxing it would be possible for him to spill them all. Of course he could order Vamcet's execution right here and now. In fact almost instinctively Perletz leveled his weapon on Vamcet.
Gul Vamcet walked to Mariko when he stood shoulder to shoulder with her he heard the words of Perletz. The older Cardassian turned to face the Glinn and smiled ear to ear. "Do it... Do it now...." His voice did not waiver, there was no fear in it. His voice was calm and direct almost vulcanesque. "If you hold true to your convictions you have to fire. So, fire... Do you think I am not ready to die. I have been ready to die since before you were weaned from your mother's milk. Now fire... Kill me..."
There was a long silence in the corridor. The Cardassians were thrown for a loop by the sudden request of their beloved Gul. The Starfleet team was left bewildered by the events as they unfolded, and yet here they were. It was Vamcet who broke the extended silence. "You are useless..." He said to Perletz and then spat on the floor at his feet. "These pieces of skragh (shit) will do nothing further. Let us go." With that Vamcet placed his hands behind his back and allowed Mariko to lead him away. His head was high and his chin level. His body language was that of a person who was done talking for the foreseeable future.
What Mariko observed among the Cardassians caused her to hesitate. Being of Japanese descent, she was cognisant of her ancestors' tendencies to sacrifice their lives—seppuku—to demonstrate loyalty to their lord by following him in death, to protest against a policy of a superior or the government, or to atone for a failure in their duties. However, this seemed less about honour and more about a lack of common sense, a trait she found prevalent among Cardassians, and to some extent, Klingons. A fear of death was normal; Mariko considered it crucial in such situations as it heightened alertness and sharpened senses.
"Graesyn, Blake, please lead us back to the shuttle. Ms. Frost and I will follow behind Gul Vamcet," Mariko instructed as they started moving. She monitored the stationary group of Cardassians until they turned a corner and disappeared from view. While on the move, she dispatched a coded message to Zandrell and Sorine, instructing them to rendezvous at the shuttle immediately. It was time to depart.
"Acknowledged." Blake replied over the comms as he dodged yet another plasma release before slowly approaching the station to dock. He was a little apprehensive about the casual and how easy this was. He would keep the flyer armed for as long as he could.
A Joint Post By
Commander Mariko Tao
Executive Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Gul Vamcet
Former Administrator of the Porchet Labor Camp
Lieutenant Christopher Blake
Chief Flight Control Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Sorine Kaida
Criminal Investigations Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Vincent Zandrell
Tactical Officer, USS Artemis
Executive Officer, Emergency Services Unit
Starfleet criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Sarah Graesyn
Chief Engineering Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Cassandra Frost
Criminal Apprehension Officer, USS Artemis
Commanding Officer, Emergency Services Unit
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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