Margaritaville [Part III]

Posted on Tuesday, 23 June 2020 - 6:13pm by Commander Soral & Captain Barret Stillwater & Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali & Lieutenant JG Adrianna Eberhardt

Mission: Operation: Iktomi
Location: SS Heart of Nuvia
Timeline: 2393 - MD 05

{ON}

It had been a relatively quiet past few hours aboard the Risa luxury cruiser. Commander Barret Stillwater had given orders to the USS Standing Bear to keep its distance and take refuge near a nebula that would help mask its presence. He had some of his best officers with him including his First Officer, Lieutenant Commander Soral. This meant that the Standing Bear was operating without its Commanding Officer and First Officer. Stillwater had entrusted the command of his starship to Lieutenant JG Surev, Chief Engineer and Lieutenant JG Kingsley, Chief Science Officer.

The crew of the Risa luxury cruiser had continued to go about their normal routine: tending the bar area, providing massages in the spa, and ensuring that children were following the rules in the ship's gymnasium and pools. Stillwater and his crew had routinely spread themselves throughout the luxury cruiser. Stillwater himself was strolling on by the portside observation area on one of the upper decks as the ship's comm blasted music from various cultures and civilizations; however, the recent trend had been from Earth's musical database. The most recent song had been "Rock A Hula" by Elvis Presley.

Stillwater had walked over to a Tikki themed bar and ordered two Andorian Sunsets, one Vulcan spice tea, and a sidecar. Carrying the heavy metallic tray of drinks over to the trio of Soral, Vali, and Baciami, Commander Stillwater gave a nod to the few security personnel that were looming around blending in and mingling with tourists. "Two Andorian sunsets for the ladies, and a Vulcan spice tea for you, Number One," said Stillwater.

Soral inclined his head slightly as he accepted the tea. He was on his guard. Not only did he have an away team to help defend but a CO what should have stayed home where there was no danger.

"Thank you, but I'm seeing someone," Adrianna chuckled, teasing the guy.

Stillwater unphased by the teasing comment simply nodded and delivered a response of his own. "Considering I brought drinks to the three of you, I am clearly open to making things interesting" replied Stillwater. "Fortunately, for you all, I am contempt in my current involvement, and ex-Borg Cardasassians are plenty of spice on their own."

"Tease," Adrianna smirked, before taking a sip. She genuinely thought she'd be reprimanded, but this was just entertaining. She wasn't about to push the teasing further though.

T’Lanna smiled and looked at her drink curiously. “I take it these cocktails are of the non-alcoholic variety? I’ve never tried one.”

Adrianna took a sip, her pallet identifying it straight away, "no alcohol. Either way - you'd struggle to get an Italian drunk."

T’Lanna nodded. “Thank you. I’m afraid pregnancy rules out any alcoholic beverages for me, I rarely drink anything out of the ordinary!” She grinned as she picked up her drink and sipped it. The taste was quite pleasant.”

There was a change of song and Elvis Presley faded out and transitioned into Jimmy Buffet's "Margaritaville" to which Stillwater grabbed his sidecar cocktail and took a few sips. Why does every damn cruise ship, space-faring or otherwise have to play this damn song he thought to himself.

T’Lanna was enjoying the music, she liked Earth music and this song was particularly apt given the current situation. She smiled as she relaxed back in her seat actually feeling a lot more relaxed than she had been when she first boarded the ship.

Adrianna watched the bar become more like a lounge. It was strange to see. It was truly day and night. Her eyes focused more on the main entrance way to the place though, "I think it's going to be a busy evening."

“It certainly looks that way” T’Lanna nodded in agreement. “I could get used to all this luxury.”

"I was always told that if you ever got used to it, you weren't truly living luxury," Adrianna smiled before saying, "perhaps we should do a lap? I mean there's plenty of people here and my butt is going numb."

"Petty Officer, I do not want to hear lap dance used on a mission again," said Stillwater. "Besides," he said pulling out a pocket chronometer on a chain, "I think your butt is about to get some excitement" he added. The Commanding Officer started to ease away from the trio and gave a look over towards one of the security personnel. Inside job he thought as his eyes scanned the room and he caught sight of a female Flaxian.

Soral sighed her too His hand tightened on the glass.

Adrianna looked mortified, "that's not what that means-"

No sooner had his eyes caught sight of the Flaxian moving towards an exit did the luxury vessel violently shake after the sound of a loud boom. Dozens of people began to scatter and others dove for the floor. The lights flickered and the music stopped. "All hands, fires in the engine room. Emergency personnel respond!" announced the Captain. The ship's alert status changed immediately to what appeared to be a yellow alert. The Captain's voice over the ship's comm again. "Passengers remain calm. I repeat remain calm and proceed to your cabins"

The vessel shook once again, the lights went out leaving everyone in the dark for a few seconds before emergency lighting was brought online by backup generators. Chandeliers swayed above Stillwater and the sound of glasses and bottles breaking at the bar were soon drowned out by the sound of energy weapons discharging in the corridors.

Soon, the doors by the Tikki bar opened and in came a motley bunch: Two Ferengi escorted with heavily armed Nausicaans and a few Breen. Commander Stillwater gave a nod to the security personnel from Standing Bear who immediately opened fire on the motley bunch. Stillwater grabbed the heavy metallic drink tray he had used not too long ago to bring his crew beverages, and pulled it back towards him before launching it forward in frisbee like motion towards one of the Ferengi, causing it to spin as it cut through the air and collided with the Ferengi's skull. "Keep engaging!" he shouted to his security personnel and the luxury cruisers' crew.

He shot a look at T'Lanna. It was a look that said it all Make yourself vulnerable as the plan was for her to be the lure and it appeared at though the fish were biting today. Now, they just needed to take her.

T’Lanna saw the look, she purposely got herself separated from the group and the other guests hiding where she’d be easily found by those looking for her.

"Protect the civilians!" he shouted to Soral and Baciami. Stillwater himself had retrieved the concealed phaser he was carrying. He pushed a family of three towards another exit and shielded himself from weapons fire, taking cover behind a bulkhead. He peaked out after a few seconds and fired off a few shots at a Nausicaan.

Soral wanted to ask What the hell do you think I am doing? but before he could even form it he was picked up by the throat by one of the Nausiccans and tossed against the wall. His side screamed. He could foretell another lecture from both Alex and the doctor. Soral stood and ran after the Naussican. Picking up a hair on the way he swung it at the beast knocking him into a Breen. Now it was two against one.

In all the activity T’Lanna was waiting, it wasn’t long before a shadow fell over her. She was wrestled up off the floor before something pressed to her neck with a hiss. She was clear headed for a few moments more before it took effect and she flopped into her captors arms unconscious.

Adrianna scrambled to step between a Nausiccan and a family. She pushed the youngest out the way quickly, having something sharp graze her shoulder by the Nausiccan. Though a few punches later he was flat on his back. One of the few benefits of learning to box, but also be part of the family business for years. Adrianna looked to the family noticing they were still there and barked, "run." Adrianna spotted out the corner of her eye, T'Lanna getting pulled away, and made a note of the timings in her head before having her feet swept from underneath her. The fight resuming on the floor.

Commander Barret Stillwater saw that Vali had been taken, drugged by the looks of it. Good, he thought to himself. Take the trojan horse right to the doors and into your castle his mind active seeing their plan go into effect.

"They're Starfleet!" shouted the Ferengi Stillwater had nailed with the flying tray. Clearly, the phaser fire and training was giving it away, but they would have no knowledge that Vali was.

Stillwater made his way towards the Ferengi, tackling him to the floor and unleashing a furry of fists to the Ferengi's face, repeatedly pummeling him until the Ferengi's nose was broken and his face bloodied from the assault. The Ferengi shrill screams; however, it attracted the attention of one of the Nausicaans who gave Stilllwater a heavy kick in the side and caused Stillwater to go rolling off with an injury to his ribs.

Adrianna had grabbed her phaser and in a panic had shot the Nausicaan who she was fighting but was now pinned under him. She tried to push him off but the deadweight was fighting with her adrenaline's inability to co-operate. The woman saw the person neat Stillwater, aimed, and shot at him, grazing his arm. It was as a distraction, so he wouldn't go about kicking anyone else. Either way, Adrianna could probably get away with playing dead in her current position.

T’Lanna came to slightly as she was being carried away, whatever she’d been given it was just enough to get her away quickly. She was drowsy and lightheaded but she could see enough to know she wasn’t with the others anymore. She just hoped the ship was able to keep a lock on her.

Soral having cleared his little section pulled a phaser and fired at the Nausicaan who was threatening the captain. The being howled and fell with a sickening thud stunned to the ground.

Soral ran over to Stillwater helping him up and trying to shield him at the same time. "That is precisely why a CO should stay aboard ship. Preferably bubble wrapped."

"Maybe if the XO didn't get himself injured, the CO wouldn't have to do things himself" shot back Stillwater. "Besides, I lived near Klingons the past few years. You think I haven't been in a fight?"

The shootout had settled down. Stillwater saw one of the Ferengi injured still there. He moved over towards the Ferengi and crouched by him retrieving his commbadge =/\= "Stillwater to Standing Bear, lock onto my coordinates and transport the Ferengi bio signature to Sickbay."

He continued with his orders =/\= "Standing Bear, begin pursuit of that vessel!" =/\= added the Commanding Officer.

Commander Stillwater looked around at the mess. "That was fun" he said with a nod to Soral. "Come, we need to get to the Bridge of this vessel. We will join the pursuit" he added.

"Indeed. A most logical choice." He looked at Stillwater. "I believe the appropriate phrase is. I call shotgun."

Stillwater snickered. "Good place to have you, Soral."

"Little help," Baciami barked, still trying to lift the deadweight.

Soral looked up. He walked over to where Baciami was lifted the offending deadweight and helped her up. "Secure him and Let's get to the bridge."

Adrianna quickly brushed herself off, grateful of the helping hands, "thank you, sir."

They all headed to the bridge. He vowed they'd get Vali back and soon. He disliked this plan with a passion.

{OFF:}