[Kiflin]

STAR TREK : The Fearless - "Facing the Inevitable"



Starring


Commanding Officer:

Commander Biiqs "Bix" Tarquin
Played by LogicalLeopard



Lieutenant Commander Thane Va'Rek
Played by Krajin


Chief Science Officer:

LT. Nilen, Azral
Played by KingTernel

Guest Starring


Science Officer:

Ensign Celo, Ellen
Played by Kiflin


Chief Engineering Officer:

Lt. CMDR Sokel, Frov
Played by Kiflin


Engineering Officer:

Lt. Urquhart, Christine
Played by Josh Broughm


Engineering Officer:

Ensign Verce', Jarroth
Played by Kiflin


Engineering Officer:

Ensign Kelika, Valgrek
Played by Kiflin


Doctor

Lt. Sheldon,"Good News" Tracee
Played by Kiflin


Nurse:

Ensign Boyd, Michael
Played by Kiflin

[Kiflin]

"Commander Tarquin to Commander Worf. We need some temporary quarters for Ares personnel. Any way you could help facilitate that?"

A tap on the blackened commbadge. "Thane to Tarquin, when you're available I am in Quarks doing some research on the Fearless and checking who of the Ares' crew is being reassigned."

Current Status - Active Duty - Stardate 58370.2 - July 18, 2381 - 0750



There is no need for any temporary quarters Lt. Commander... your commission has already been stated, and it is there you will find your assigned residence. Check your PADD's for each of your new deck, and quarters assignments. ((Places hands behind his back)) The Fearless has already been docked but it's latest orders have been received just now...


Ok I will head towards the docking pylon for the Fearless then... ((pulls out PADD))


Sounds like a plan... ((begins walking with PADD in hand))


Ensign Verce' reporting for duty. ((stands at attention))


At ease, Ensign... the rest of you HALT!!! The Captain has more to share...


Because of the recent attack upon the ARES, the Fearless has been ordered to pull away from DS9... it is possible that DS9 could have been rigged by a saboteur remotely causing each pylon to detonate via radius or proxy of any starship that recently has docked. Each of you will have to beam aboard the Fearless as no shuttlecraft have been allowed to dock traveling from DS9. Let me be clear... bridge crew officers... it is also likely that the person or persons responsible could still be aboard this station! Stop wasting precious time and beam to the Fearless immediately!

[LogicalLeopard]

Deep Space Nine
Outside the Security Office


Attachment 16868

Biiqs chuckled ruefully at Kira's words, shaking his head. He looked back at Nilen. "Starfleet, through and through. Do this, until we tell you to do that, and do that immediately. All orders are subject to the ever evolving requirement of the service, I suppose. Lets try to do less of that with our command, eh?

Our command, he thought.

He slapped his commbadge and called Thane back. "No doubt you've heard that we're due to report immediately. We can find a spare office or briefing room on the Fearless, or if youd like, whatever passes for Quark's. Please meet me at the Transporter padd at Ops as soon as possible please."

He turned back to Nilen. "If you'll accompany me as well." He began to stroll down the Promenade towards Ops. "You were asking about the Fearless. Honestly Lieutenant, I cant really say I've heard much of her reputation. She's an Excelsior, I know. I think shes spent some time in planetary exploration and charting. Cant say I'm familiar with any of her previous commanders....

Previous commanders... His head began to swim with the idea that in mere minutes, he could be stepping foot on his first command.
Would there be a bosun's whistle? Would they announce him as 'Fearless, arriving?' Center yourself, Biiqs, he thought to himself. Grip the deck with your toes, if you have to.

"So," he said, speaking aloud again, "If she doesnt have much of a distinguished and notable history, I guess we'll have to make it, right Lieutenant?"

As they arrived at Ops, Biiqs approached the duty officer to ask permission to beam out. Immediately afterward he spied someone across the room and pauses in his conversation with Nilen.

"Jarroth Verce!!! Right on time! I heard about your heroics, commendable work, young man!"


((Nilen/Thane/Jarroth))

[Kiflin]

Current Status - Active Duty - Stardate 58370.2 - July 18, 2381 - 0750




Well thank you, Sir. It's good to be recognized for a change... I honestly feel like my true talents haven't been fully utilized yet. Sure I do have engineering prowess however I always figured that my strongest abilities rest in Science and Strategy. To put it bluntly, Engineering is the least of my talents. But I am always greatful for a compliment and I won't let it go to my head...

((Leans in)) Do we know yet who the new Captain is?

Ensign Jarroth took several more steps and placed his feet within the center of the transporter's circular pads. Several more of the Fearless Bridge-crew did the same... only two empty pads remained.

[KingTernel]

Deep Space Nine
Promenade


I walk through the corridors to Ops with my new CO, making conversation as we go. Despite my... uh.. blundering, he seems like a nice enough guy. I think I'm gonna like it on the Fearless. Sure, it's no Sovereign... but maybe your first real commission shouldn't be on something that massive anyway.

"Lets try to do less of that with our command, eh? [...] "So," he said, speaking aloud again, "If she doesnt have much of a distinguished and notable history, I guess we'll have to make it, right Lieutenant?"

I smile, nod, and look at Tarquin. "Absolutely, sir."

When the Bolian leaves to speak with the duty officer and the new Ensign, I walk over to the transporter pad to await transport. While I wait, I listen in on the Commander's conversation with the Ensign.

Well thank you, Sir. It's good to be recognized for a change... I honestly feel like my true talents haven't been fully utilized yet. Sure I do have engineering prowess however I always figured that my strongest abilities rest in Science and Strategy. To put it bluntly, Engineering is the least of my talents. But I am always greatful for a compliment and I won't let it go to my head...

I have to exercise considerable restraint not to roll my eyes. Maybe you should have gone Science or Strategy School instead then.

((Leans in)) Do we know yet who the new Captain is?

Before I even notice, I do a little snort laugh. Having been in basically the same situation just now... it's much funnier on the other side.

[Kiflin]

Deck 6 - The Fearless Transporter Room - Stardate 58370.2 - July 18, 2381 - 0752

Particles of light crisscross while arcing around two sentient beings who have pledged themselves to the Federation, before completely enveloping both Lt. Nilen, and Ensign Verce'. Within a blink of an eye Ensign Verce' remembered that most of his personal belongings still resided upon the ARES starship. Maybe in the near future he could request that his belongings be shipped to the Fearless--- then he realized that something wasn't right. As he looked in disbelief... he could see Lt. Nilen gasp and scream. Jarroth saw himself slumped over, and half his body completely sheered off as if he had been completely cut in two.

Several medical staff were called in and rushed to administer care to his lifeless body. Engineers worked frantically as their fingers floating over the keypads in a desperate effort to calculate what went wrong. He could see the only side of his face that remained had a solitary tear that ran down his slightly beared cheek. Ultimately Jarroth never believed in God or organized religion. He believed that every man or woman were soley responsible for what they did in their life. He believed that no so called "Creator" had any control or influence whatsoever upon anyone. Jarroth thought that those who paid homage to such nonsense were only ultimately doing good because of what they felt earned them the way into "bliss" or heaven.

As he noticed the blinding light above his head he took one last look down at the people he believed he would have time with, and serve under. He only wished he could share with them his thoughts at the moment, that some other realm did exist... he didn't know where the light above him would ultimately lead him to, but he knew he understood that at this very moment the life he had known only an instant before was over...


Catastrophic failure on pad two was likely caused by an overload of several system relays which must be completely removed and replaced before we risk beaming anyone aboard again.


Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done. I can only mention that there is no way that Ensign Verce' felt any pain. His death was instantaneous... I met him only recently. He seemed very kind.


*sighs* I'll make sure my team gets the repair done asap, but we really need to double check all systems before we go anywhere... there is a good chance that this old bucket of bolts is a flying deathtrap. We need to run a complete system wide level 1 diagnostic on all decks... I will update all PADD's with this information.

[LogicalLeopard]

Current Status - Active Duty - Stardate 58370.2 - July 18, 2381 - 0752

((Leans in)) Do we know yet who the new Captain is?

Attachment 16868
Biiqs smiled and stayed silent, giving Jarroth a mischevious wink. As Thane arrived, he turned toward the transporter operator and said, "Energize."

Then he shut his eyes.

An old memory came back to him, from his childhood in Wyoming. One year, he was invited by a friend to celebrate an ancient Terran holiday called Christmas with him and his family. The gift giving was an unexpected surprise - so had the joy of anticipating what was inside the box. He felt a little like that now, as his atoms began restructuring on the Fearless.

However, it wasnt the anticipation of recieving his new command that opened his eyes, nor the sound of a bosun's whistle, it was the screams and coppery stench of blood.

Biiqs eyes snapped open in time to catch the....the thing to his left still standing upright; blood and viscera sliding slowly outward. It wasnt until after the whole thing toppled over to the transporter pad (and nearly on top of Biiqs, had he not deftly stepped backward) that he recognized it as Jarroth Verce.

"Jarr--" The words caught in his throat. Eyes as wide as saucers, he took a half step forward, nearly slipping, then backed up once more. He couldnt do anything. He couldnt say anything. It was one of those injuries that could not be solved even if a whole team of doctors were standing by, like many hed seen during the war.

Even now, he could smell the ozone scent of heavy paricle weapons, blood, and the dust of Ronara Prime.

He shook his head to clear it. I'm the captain. I cannot fall apart now. With great effort, he fixed his eyes on the transporter station, and walked toward it, working his way there via the other side of the transporter pad. Each step felt like he was walking in the ocean, going steadily deeper.


"Report," he heard a hoarse voice say, seconds before recognizing it was his own voice.

A half Klingon woman in an engineering uniform said something, but her voice sounded underwater...

Catastrophic failure....overload of several system relays.....completely removed...replaced......risk beaming anyone aboard again.

Attachment 16868
Catastrophic failure...Am I a failure? He had lost the first person under his own command in the very first seconds of it.

Surfacing once again, he nodded. "Very well. I'll need a full diagnostic run on this and every transporter on the ship, even the cargo transporters. Th...Thane?

He turned to the big Ferasian. The familiar sight of him helped pull him out of the depths "I'll also need security sweeps of this area...everything. A forensic analysis to confirm that this was a malfunction and not something planned, or the work of a third party device, like a Romulan remat detonator."

((THANE))

[
Unfortunately there is nothing that can be done. I can only mention that there is no way that Ensign Verce' felt any pain. His death was instantaneous... I met him only recently. He seemed very kind.

Attachment 16868

Biiqs nodded. "Yes. Kind. He was kind." Biiqs felt his eyes drifting toward the transporter pad, but he snapped them back upward. "Please treat his remains with...dignity and care. After the...the forensic work."

*sighs* I'll make sure my team gets the repair done asap, but we really need to double check all systems before we go anywhere... there is a good chance that this old bucket of bolts is a flying deathtrap. We need to run a complete system wide level 1 diagnostic on all decks... I will update all pads with this information.

Attachment 16868
"Triple check them. Contact DS9 and let them know what happened. They should do the same with theirs. Senior staff will meet in the observation lounge at 0900. If anyone needs anything, I'll be in my quarters."

Biiqs then turned to the doorway, walked a few steps, then looked down at his bloody boots. He bent to unlatch them and step out of them, carrying them in one hand as he walked out into the corridor.

[Krajin]

U.S.S Fearless
Deck Six, Transporter Room


Thane had gathered all of his kit and headed for the transporter room of Deep Space Nine and transported over with the rest of the crew to the U.S.S Fearless, an old but still worthy ship. As it had not been given an Alphabetical addition to its registry number, this hinted the ship was tough or perhaps not seen much action. The blue particle and shimmer that you experience from Starfleet Transporters gave way to the interior of the Excelsior's Transporter room. As Thane took a moment to orient himself, the blood chilling scream, followed by the smell of blood and exposed internal organs wafted up right to his nose.

That is when he saw one of his crew severed in half by the transporter and blood pooling on his boots and kit.

Attachment 16868
Catastrophic failure...Am I a failure? He had lost the first person under his own command in the very first seconds of it.

Surfacing once again, he nodded. "Very well. I'll need a full diagnostic run on this and every transporter on the ship, even the cargo transporters. Th...Thane?

He turned to the big Ferasian. The familiar sight of him helped pull him out of the depths "I'll also need security sweeps of this area...everything. A forensic analysis to confirm that this was a malfunction and not something planned, or the work of a third party device, like a Romulan remat detonator."

That is when the emotional aspect found itself buried behind cold professionalism, the emotions of the situation can be worked on later. Action is needed. "Security will do a sweep of the area." He looks to the Transporter crew. "I want this analyzed. What caused this and why it wasn't picked up on during regular maintenance or refits of the transporter system."

He taps the commbadge "Lt Commander Thane to Fearless' medical team, we need a medical team for body retrieval to the Transporter room on Deck Six, Security I need a team to perform a forensic investigation of the site. Engineering, analyze the system and its parts of the Transporter system. Full level 1 diagnostic. I want to know why this issue was not discovered during the maintenance of the Transporter system. As soon as possible. Thane out." He shoots off the orders over the Comm and looks to Biiqs. "Alright. I will see you in the morning."

Rather than lament over the young man lost at the moment, the Ferasan was all business. Which may seem cold to others he had to be practical about getting this man's death solved. Looking to the crew in the Transporter room "I suggest seeing the counsellor if you need to. If you need me I can be reached by Comm." Thane steps over the bloody mess and takes off his boots, adding them to the stuff he's carrying and now walking bare-paw through the ship to his assigned quarters.

((Biiqs/Simm/King))

[KingTernel]

U.S.S Fearless
Deck Six, Transporter Room --> Deck Three, Officers' Quarters




When I open my eyes for the first time on board the Fearless, I see blinding white light, arcing and dancing around me. I don't think this is quite right. It's pretty, though.

When I blink and open my eyes for the second time, what I see isn't right either. The white light is gone, replaced with--

I gasp for air and I scream.

I scream as the young man in front of me slumps to the ground, sliced completely in half.

I back away from the body into the back wall of the transporter, consumed entirely by the urge to escape, to run away from the visceral scene unfolding before my eyes. Every time I inhale is more frantic than the last as it gets harder and harder to breathe. The only thing I can do is close my eyes, cover them with my hands and wait for it all to be over.

But I don't. When I open my eyes for the third time, I am transfixed by the horror of the officer sliced in half before me, the spreading pool of dark red blood covering the glassy floor of the transporter, the blur of people frantically moving around the scene, the single, round tear rolling down the Ensign's cheek--

"Report," he heard a hoarse voice say, seconds before recognizing it was his own voice.

Even though it sounds as if coming from somewhere far, far away, the commander's voice is what finally pulls me out of the shock for a split second. Enough that I can pull my eyes away from the floor of the transporter. I focus all my willpower on staring at the door of the transporter room. I put one foot before the other and slowly and mechanically walk out of the room without any care for the voices speaking around me. When I make it out of the room, I start running.

I run to the lift and manage to gasp "Deck Three." When the doors open, I run again until I reach quarters that might be mine. I open the door, take a step in and collapse against the door closing behind me. I lean my head back against the cold, metal door and allow myself to think again as I try to take deep breaths.

Only then do I notice the telltale deep red of blood, tracked into the carpeted floor by my completely soaked boots and dripping from the legs of my pants. Oh, God.

[LogicalLeopard]

Current Status - Active Duty - Stardate 58370.2 - July 18, 2381 - 0812


Attachment 16868

He wandered the ship for a good ten minutes. Shoeless. Looking for quarters that hadnt been assigned to him yet. His first stop was Enlisted Berths on Deck 5, where he last resided on the Cairo, also an Excelsior class, years ago. He exchanged a weary smile with the shocked enlisted crew there, and stalked off again, boots still in hand.

Fortunately, he remembered that he should find the Captain's quarters before he ended up at his old room assignment on the Lakota. Once there, his shoulders slumped and the weight of the situation threatened to collapse him to his knees. But he squared his shoulders and forced himself to the shower, depositing his boots and clothing in the refresher. It was funny how one death in peacetime felt worse than dozens in war.

The water did nothing to wash away the pain, but did releve the tension in his muscles. Duty did not permit him to take any time to reflect or mourn to relieve the former. After getting dressed, he sat down at his desk and activated his computer to recieve his orders from Starfleet Command.

((SIMM))

[Kiflin]

Commander Bliiqs...

My name is Commodore Jean-Luc Picard, and I have been granted the task to share with you the current known information about what Starfleet Command has assessed at this present time. We believe that the recent attack aboard DS9 that targeted USS ARES was in retaliation to Captain Jones specifically. Moreover, we believe that Captain Will Storm who we monitored had a brief conversation with Captain Jones is the most likely connection between the Orions and the assassination attempt upon Captain Jones.

Waiting a number of more days continuously docked at DS9 only allowed the USS ARES to become a sitting duck, and ultimately gave the Orions more time to plan and successfully execute their attack. When Starfleet Command was busy making final assessment of this situation something else unprecedented occured...

A total of 27 of our Starbases were attacked before DS9 but the explosive devices were strategically placed to disable the shields and render complete power failure to most of the collective decks. We believe that Captain Storm pre-emptively provided classified information to the Orions in order for these carefully coordinated attacks to be completed on such a scale. It is however very unlikely that the Orions are working alone.

Our forensic diagnostics have told us that none of the remains found at any of the attacked starbases have been Orion... all have been Starfleet Officers... some even fully decorated.

Finally, we seemed to have totally lost all communication with the Dominion as the only space station in range of communicating with them is no longer picking up any com chatter, or sensing any recognizable ion trails from Dominion Starships within the same sector.

Your mission is to head through the Bajoran wormhole and reach the Gamma Quadrant immediately. You are then to head to Sector 0410 to ascertain conclusive knowledge of the whereabouts of the Dominion, and if they have experienced any terrorist attacks towards any of their starbases or installations. Report back to me via PADD once you have discovered, and carefully reviewed what you find.

Do you have anything you would like to share with me, Commander?

[LogicalLeopard]

Current Status - Active Duty - Stardate 58370.2 - July 18, 2381 - 0847


Attachment 16868

"Yes, Commodore." Biiqs cleared his throat and pressed forward. "Less than an hour ago, when beaming over from DS9, one of my crew suffered a horrible accident. Only half of his body...the right half, was beamed to the ship. He was killed instantly, of course. My people are running diagnostics and a criminal investigation is underway. Should we suspect Orion involvement? Am I at liberty to discuss the situation with the Orions, Captain Jones, and the starbases with my crew? And do we have any further information, or even speculation on why this....conspiracy of Starfleet Officers might be working with the Orions?"

((SIMM))

[Kiflin]

"Mmmm.... Commander it is highly unlikely that the soul lost was an accident. Especially if the member of your crew had any involvement in the past with the Orions. I suggest treating the death as a homicide and doing what is necessary to find out who was ultimately-- wait! If this so called accident happened less then an hour ago it is highly likely that the person responsible is still aboard your vessel...

I would suggest using discretion in regards to whom you personally decide to share this knowledge with, especially in regards to the Orions themselves. It maybe prudent on your part to not reveal that you have made the connection with the officers death to the Orions to your entire crew until you confirm the whereabouts of the assassin. Find out what you can about anyone who had any past connections with the deceased crew member and that could reveal not only who the assassin is, but who might be the next target.

As far as us having further information at this time we do not. All I can tell you is that we believe this could be the start of a pre-emptive invasion against the Federation, but we do not know who is responsible. It will be up to you and your officers to piecemail the answers collectively in regards to the identity of the assassin and why we have lost all communication with the Dominion.

Good luck, Commander... dismissed."

[LogicalLeopard]

Current Status - Active Duty - Stardate 58370.2 - July 18, 2381 - 0858


Attachment 16868

Biiqs turned off his computer after his conversation with Commodore Picard. Not the way he would have wanted to meet the man. If it were a more social setting, he would have liked to discuss some of his storied missions. Not dead ensigns and fleet conspiracies. Nevertheless.


He stood up, straightened his uniform, and left his stateroom, taking a turbolift to the bridge. There was no childish desire to close his eyes this time. When he arrived on the bridge, he quickly raised his hand and motioned for the duty officer to stay seated in his chair. When an ensign leapt to her feet to belt out, "Captain on the Bridge," he gave a quick, "As you were" and did not break stride as he continued to the conference room door. It was easier that way, he thought. Now wasn't the time to stop and smell the proverbial roses of command.

In the conference room, he ordered a tonic water and waited for everyones arrival, opening the briefing when everyone was seated.


"Welcome, everyone. I know its been a difficult morning, and the morning isn't even over yet. It is not exactly an auspicious way to begin a new assignment, for those of you who believe such things, but nevertheless, we shall continue to do our duty. I have just recieved notification of our mission."

With a few keystrokes, he brought up a map of the galaxy, which quickly narrowed down to an area of the Gamma Quadrant.

We are being dispatched to Sector 0410 of the Gamma Quadrant, to check on the Dominion contingent there. Apparently, it has gone "dark" conmunications wise, and its up to us to find out why. I dont need to stress the importance of this mission to you all, I'm sure. I doubt this is a simple equipment failure. The Dominion could be planning something, or, as Starfleet seems to believe, may have been attacked by a more poweful or devious foe. Either option is dangerous, but lets not lock oursleves into that sort of thinking. The possibilities are endless, and we won't know until we get there. So lets be sure that were functioning at 100%. I want Engineering to ensure every part if the ship is in fighting form, Tactical as well. Science, keep a lookout on long range sensors for anything anomalous when we get to the Gamma Quadrant. The slightest bit of information could be important. But you all have proven that you know your jobs. I expect you to continue doing them well."


At what seemed like the end of the meeting, he hesitated before dismissing everyone.

"Funeral arrangements for Ensign Verse are still pending. I'll have to review his funeral preferences and act accordingly. You will lilely see a service slotted within the next few days. Jarroth was a wonderful young man by all accounts, and an outstanding young officer. He will definitely be missed. Long may his memory endure" He took a deep, clensing breath after those words, then rapped his closed fist on the table once, palm down.

"In my life, Ive found that the best way to honor the fallen is to take the bits of wisdom and positive things you've learned from them and put them to good use in your own life. In one of his first missions aboard the Ares, I sent Jarroth to escort a high profile prisoner to another vessel. We thought it was a trap, and it turned out to be. But when things got impossible and he was caught in an Orion Cruisers tractor beam, that kid sets the autodestruct on his shuttle in one of the biggest, boldest bluffs I ever saw. I still wonder if it was, honestly. Came down to the second. The Orions couldnt help but back off."

"So whatever happens during this commission, remember the lesson Ensign Verce taught us: When rhe odds are against you, dont give up. Find a solution. Be brilliant. Be brave. Be Fearless."

"Questions? Comments? If not, consider yourselves dismissed. Thane, if I could have a private word after the meeting?"



((THANE/NILEN/SIMM))

[Josh Broughm]

Current Status - Active Duty - Stardate 58370.2 - July 18, 2381 - 0858




Christine had just got her cup of coffee and sat down when she heard the announcement.

=^= Acknowledged, sir! =^=

She then got to work on the task in front of her.