Into the Belly of the Beast

Posted on Sunday, 28 February 2021 - 3:24pm by Commander Soral & Lieutenant JG Maximus Mackenzie & Captain Barret Stillwater & Lieutenant Talarn Zilth & Lieutenant Ryan Rose MD & Lieutenant Alex Kingsley & Lieutenant Raith Kolani & Lieutenant JG Adrianna Eberhardt

Mission: Operation: Trail of Tears
Location: USS Standing Bear | Shuttle in Shuttle Bay
Timeline: 2394 - MD 08 -- Night Time

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Shuttle Bay

Soral entered the bay early. He was anxious to get underway. He opened the door of the shuttle and then found that Kolani had been there first. He sat doing the pre-flight checks. "May I be of assistance?"

Raith looked up as he was running the pre-flight checks, not expecting to see anyone else just yet. Upon seeing that it was Commander Soral, Raith put out a hand gesturing to the co-pilot's seat.

"Commander, well you won the race to get here first, after me of course, "Raith said. "Any help would be a bonus, that will get the pre-flight checks completed sooner," Raith said as he handed over a second PADD with the completed checks already shown.

He sat down and began to bring up the appropriate information. "May I ask you a technical question?"

That question prompted a lengthy conversation with the two and Soral was glad to see that Kolani thought his plan workable. Just as they finished their conversation another of their team arrived, namely Soral's wife.

"Evening," Lieutenant Kingsley said brightly as she entered the shuttle. "You two are eager."

"Indeed,” he said. He was eager. If there were Romulans or Remans there he had to help them. He had to get them out.

“Anything I can do to help?” Alex asked Raith as she stowed her science kit.

Ryan had an extra large medical kit slung over his shoulder as he entered. "Hello," he greeted the assembled group, pushing a large lock of hair out of his eyes and smiling politely.

With Mac rounding out the team, the group was complete. Soral looked at the group. "Alright, we will be taking an unorthodox approach to this. You three." He pointed to Rose, Kingsley, and Kolani. "You three will stay up front I want a dark shield between you and Mac and me. If these are Romulans and we could have issues with them identifying us as Federation. Rose I want you ready with a knockout gas if things get heated. Mac get into civvies and I will too. I'll contact the bridge and coordinate with them and then we'll get under way."

Kingsley nodded as she moved to take up her seat. "Good to see you getting out of Sickbay, Doc," she commented over her shoulder as she allowed Raith to work. If he needed her, he would speak up.

Ryan just nodded at Alex, clearly distracted with the orders that had just been given. It was never comfortable when those in Command just ordered things like 'knock out gas' and 'sedative' or 'just stun' as if they were minor things. They were not, and Ryan had seen a simple sedative take an otherwise healthy life. But given the situation, he had to agree that it was the most safe, and the most logical route to take, so he kept his thoughts to himself.

Soral and Mac left the shuttle bay for a moment returning quickly changed into civilian attire. While Mac headed to the shuttle Soral made a few calls. The first being to Adrianna. He waited while the petty officer's screen chimed.

"Commander," Adrianna responded with a welcoming smile. "All ready?"

"We are indeed. We will continue to send you data. I want you to... contact that contact that I gave you from Vulcan, from the V'Shar. See to it that you get copies of anything that mentions what we've found here with respect to Romulus, also keep an eye on the situation."

Adrianna nodded. "Yes, Sir. Are you expecting something off the books?"

"I do not know. I have been getting some telepathic impressions and I wish to have all possibilities covered."

Adrianna accepted his hunch. She was of the belief that gut instinct was the best instinct. "I'll make contact with the guy and keep you posted."

"Thank you." Having finished his call with her he contacted Eyelaya. The call connected right away. "I will require your assistance in the shuttle bay. I need a dark shield to protect the crew from possible Romulan visitors."

"Aye, Sir. On my way."

The next two calls were to Stillwater and Zilth. He watched Stillwater's image and Zilth’s shimmer in a double screen. "Sir," he said to the CO. "Zilth. I have an update. Shuttle is almost ready to depart. I have asked for a shield to be placed between myself and Lieutenant MacKenzie. If there are survivors they may not be too pleased to see us in Starfleet uniform, thus I and Mac have decided to go in civilian clothing." He looked at Stillwater. "If there are survivors we may need medical and security ready for them."

"We will have them ready," replied Stillwater, who looked to Zilth with a silent nod. The Cardassian would know what to do. "You can shed the Starfleet uniform, but Romulans will be Romulans. If you aren't Romulan, they aren't likely to be pleased about your presence, Starfleet or not."

Talarn nodded and stood to make sure everything would be ready. His mind was a spin of all the options that could happen.

Having finished up his calls he entered the shuttle. Looking at his team he took the co-pilot's seat. "I want a roll call,” he said. "Tact sec."

"Go here,” Mac said.

"Medical?"

"I'm all set,” Ryan replied.

"Science ready?"

“Ready.”

He confirmed with Kolani that all was ready. "Alex bring up the probe information. Can you chart us a course in?"

“Already calculated,” Alex assured him.

He hit the coms button. "Standing Bear we're leaving the bay." He watched as the doors swooped open and felt the shimmy of the shuttle as Kolani raised the shuttle. "Slow and steady until we get clear and then follow Alex's plan."


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