[Blaster]

Oki

[Asteropax]

Just letting everyone know, I've spoken with the FEO about Allan's removal during my leave of absence. They filled me in on everything and I completely agree with their decision. What he did was wrong and I only wish I was here to have handled the situation myself.

On a happier note, I'm starting to catch up on everyone's posts and I see I have a lot to look forward to! It will take me some time to read through everything and get my own character back in action. Hopefully very soon!

Also, a belated welcome to Blaster!

[Blaster]

Thanks Asteropax

Also just a bit in case anyone's confused, the Orion I added in as a potential story idea but it wasn't really uncommon for Orions to be involved, I mean they do have a tendency of going where they can get slaves and all that.

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Also I am considering the Orion as part of the main story, need to see how it goes.

[LogicalLeopard]

Thanks Asteropax

Also just a bit in case anyone's confused, the Orion I added in as a potential story idea but it wasn't really uncommon for Orions to be involved, I mean they do have a tendency of going where they can get slaves and all that.

- - - Updated - - -

Also I am considering the Orion as part of the main story, need to see how it goes.

I like the idea of the Orion. I think it would be interesting to have the Naausicans teaming up with the Orions as part of a larger, unknown Orion Syndicate scheme. That would play into some of the ideas we had about the traitor. Maybe she's a field observer for the Syndicate. It would also play into Jei's Easter egg about the data packet in the shuttle - something larger and very important is going on.

[Blaster]

At the moment I have two ideas for the story, both go in different directions. I will talk with Asteropax about both to get his opinion. One of them is a bit, out there.

[Silynn]

I like the idea of the Orion. I think it would be interesting to have the Naausicans teaming up with the Orions as part of a larger, unknown Orion Syndicate scheme. That would play into some of the ideas we had about the traitor. Maybe she's a field observer for the Syndicate. It would also play into Jei's Easter egg about the data packet in the shuttle - something larger and very important is going on.

Nausicaans are smart, but more of a predatory way. An Orion is a different kind of smart, especially the females. Cunning, Manipulative, Subtly elegant. Really looking forward to how all of these plot threads play out.

FYI, whomever placed the 'data packet' may soon realize that it likely got vaporized when the shuttle went 'boom'. Desperation could begin to set in.

And stuff ground side is entering the exciting part.


P.S. Welcome back Asteropax!

[Blaster]

Nausicaans are smart, but more of a predatory way. An Orion is a different kind of smart, especially the females. Cunning, Manipulative, Subtly elegant. Really looking forward to how all of these plot threads play out.

FYI, whomever placed the 'data packet' may soon realize that it likely got vaporized when the shuttle went 'boom'. Desperation could begin to set in.

Aye. Nausicaans are more predators and brutes then thinkers and tacticians.

Also they will most likely realise it.

[LogicalLeopard]

I just got back and will start going through everything. If there is anything specific I need to be made aware of, please let me know straight away.

Hey, did you want to go ahead and take over Rping the assault on the Island Citadel with Kurts and Phoenix Team? We were talking about Ops and Engineering being involved in that, as far as getting the shield down with a tachyon pulse. The Diplomatic Officer was going to try a bit of diplomacy too, with all that taking place after the hostages are retrieved from the mountains.


I have a 4 person team in a "backdoor" entrance to the cave. They were supposed to surveil the Nausicaans, but I think I it might be fun to have them take down the few in the caves. Prior to the captain getting back, I was playing it as if R'Turan was moving up the timetable on rescuing the hostages due to the Nausicaan activity regarding the crashed shuttle.

I think they could probably take the few Nausicaan guards in the caves, and retreat out the back way. Maybe have the Runabout create a diversion in front so no guards from the barracks run in to aid them. Any thoughts on that?

[Asteropax]

Hey, did you want to go ahead and take over Rping the assault on the Island Citadel with Kurts and Phoenix Team? We were talking about Ops and Engineering being involved in that, as far as getting the shield down with a tachyon pulse. The Diplomatic Officer was going to try a bit of diplomacy too, with all that taking place after the hostages are retrieved from the mountains.

I have a 4 person team in a "backdoor" entrance to the cave. They were supposed to surveil the Nausicaans, but I think I it might be fun to have them take down the few in the caves. Prior to the captain getting back, I was playing it as if R'Turan was moving up the timetable on rescuing the hostages due to the Nausicaan activity regarding the crashed shuttle.

I think they could probably take the few Nausicaan guards in the caves, and retreat out the back way. Maybe have the Runabout create a diversion in front so no guards from the barracks run in to aid them. Any thoughts on that?

No takeovers; it's your show. 100% honesty; I wasn't even sure how to go about including the assault on the island as I was spending a lot of time figuring out how we would go about exposing of the traitor on the Ares.

My thoughts on your plan, the timetable speedup for the hostage rescue is great since our characters are likely very eager to get going on taking the Nausicaans down following the shuttle crash. The cave fight sounds really interesting and I like the idea of the Runabout, but why don't we have the Fighters handle the diversion? Having everyone involved in the Island Citadel assault is really good, as is having it follow the rescue. Perhaps the diplomacy could be used to stall the Nausicaan leadership while Phoenix Team performs its halo jump?

At the moment I have two ideas for the story, both go in different directions. I will talk with Asteropax about both to get his opinion. One of them is a bit, out there.

Taking a wild guess on what the ideas are, I starting putting some thoughts into a few reasons on why an Orion was at Dorvan V shortly after reading through that part of the story. I came up with 2 possible explanations which also explain everything that's been happening during our mission:

1) The events on Dorvan V have all been part of a Syndicate Operation

The attack on the Ares during Chapter 1 was by Orion starships and the attack was to try to disable our ship so we would not be able to come to the aide of the residents on Dorvan V. Although the attack succeeded in delaying our arrival, they didn't prevent our arrival or the early appearance of the Lakota they began using more subterfuge against us. The Nausicaans were contracted by the Syndicate to do most of the grunt work, getting paid with Dominion War salvage scattered throughout Cardassian Space, while the Orions began enslaving some of the local population. The traitor aboard the Ares decided to become an agent of theirs in order to get a chance at revenge against the Cardassians for killing a family member during the war. The Orion who was just captured was actually sent to our ship to procure additional supplies for them, disguised by their agent as humanitarian supplies in Cargo Bay 2.

2) The Orions were contracted by Federation Officials dissatisfied by the peace with the Cardassians

As someone suggested earlier, this draws some inspiration from Star Trek VI. Several Federation Officials/Admirals feel that the Cardassians need to be forever ended as a threat and have decided extreme measures need to be taken. They contracted the Orions and the Nausicaans to raid Dorvan V and the people living there, who had previously denounced their Federation citizenship. Both parties were promised Dominion War salvage, specifically weaponry, while anything else on the planet was theirs for the taking, including its people. The Orion presence largely fled after the destruction of their ships during the Chapter 1 battle while the "getting was good" but some stayed in the hopes that the Operative would turn things back in their favor. Information already provided on Ensign Barron, the traitor, states that one of his parents is an Admiral, making him the disgruntled Federation Officials'/Admirals' operative in this scenario. He succeeded in sneaking an extremist group of Bajorans, somewhat inspired by the Circle from DS9 Season 2, aboard our ship and has been keeping a close watch on their equipment in Cargo Bay 2. This Bajoran group is their fallback, in case the Orions and Nausicaans fail.

Either way, their plans are starting to unravel and we'll soon narrow down that Cargo Bay 2 is connected to everything going on. The transmission sent to the Orion ships to signal them to attack during Chapter 1 was from a console in said cargo hold. The sensor beacons along with parts for the disguised device in the sewers were originally kept there as well. The transporter in Cargo Bay 2 is how Ensign Barron has been able to slip out and contact the Orions and Nausicaans on Dorvan V as, to our character's current knowledge, is in charge of security there. My thoughts on exposing him are that he either releases the Orion or allows the Bajoran extremists to check out their supplies. Depending on how we want the story to go, whichever group the traitor is helping gets caught in the act and he escapes to make one last effort to try to force us to do what his leaders want.

Not sure if this is what you were going for but I'm always open to suggestions. What were your thoughts, Blaster?

[Blaster]

I added the Orion in as a sort of twist to the story in a way, making it seem like there is some sort of conspiracy going on instead of just a Nausicaan raid.

My first option is that the Orion is from a splinter group that left the syndicate and have teamed up with the Nausicaans to get as much stuff as they can, as well as get money.

My second Option is that its the syndicate making deals with the Nausicaans to get weapons, armour, devices and slaves, the slaves being citizens from Dorvan V.

Third: They are being employed by renegade Federation officials to enslave and harass the people of Dorvan V

[Asteropax]

I added the Orion in as a sort of twist to the story in a way, making it seem like there is some sort of conspiracy going on instead of just a Nausicaan raid.

My first option is that the Orion is from a splinter group that left the syndicate and have teamed up with the Nausicaans to get as much stuff as they can, as well as get money.

My second Option is that its the syndicate making deals with the Nausicaans to get weapons, armour, devices and slaves, the slaves being citizens from Dorvan V.

Third: They are being employed by renegade Federation officials to enslave and harass the people of Dorvan V

All of these are good suggestions and I like the second option the most.

I feel the first option wouldn't work as the Orions and Nausicaans are both typically pirate groups. There is little sense in them teaming up as they would have to share the spoils. With the third option, the Federation is so against slavery so they wouldn't even consider providing support to, or fund, a Syndicate Operation. I know it's shooting down my own ideas too but I think there is a way to combine things.

The Orion Syndicate is known to be excellent at espionage and deception. The Orions currently on Dorvan V are under the guise, to the Nausicaans, as buyers of the goods they've plundered on Dorvan V. In reality, they are scouts for the Syndicate as they plot to take over the Nausicaan's operation. The plot changed with the revelation that the Ares was bringing industrial replicators via the Traitor aboard our ship. This drew their attention to us and the 2 ships which they were in control of moved to intercept us to steal these. They were unsuccessful and both ships were lost during the Chapter 1 battle. Now stranded, the remaining Orions are keeping the loss a secret from the Nausicaans to hide their own weakness. They are attempting to figure out a way off the planet without the Federation, Cardassians, or Nausicaans noticing, explaining why they're working alongside the Nausicaans. The Orion woman we captured was originally sent to spy on the Nausicaans but is now going to attempt to learn all she can about the Ares. She won't be successful as a change in the Brig's guards, as suggested by Tess, will make her natural advantage useless.

The Traitor, Ensign Barron, ultimately wants to avenge the death of one of his parents during the Dominion War. Furious that his surviving parent, an Admiral, is wasting time with rebuilding instead of looking to avenge the loss of her spouse, came up with a plot to end the relief aid to Cardassia. Using his relationship to his advantage, he made contact with a group of Bajorans who were still furious over the Occupation and succeeded in bringing them aboard under the guise of humanitarians. His communications with the Orions and Nausicaans have been with the intent to create confusion. This way, when the Bajoran extremists he's been helping will be able to attack the Cardassian Embassy unopposed. With Starfleet blamed for bringing terrorists to Cardassian Territory, the Detapa Council will demand the Federation leave its space. With their weakened military and struggling people, they won't survive the numerous pirate bands pillaging their colonies. Ensign Barron doesn't care who gets in the way of his vendetta or the long term implications of his actions; all he wants in vengeance.

What does everyone think of this?

[WelshAvenger]

Gets my vote, although there will be a reckoning for (soon to be Ensign) Amita Patel. Doc'll take take of Ensign Barron

[Silynn]

I think a blend of the mentioned is also the most interesting (and believable) scenario.

The only thing I would suggest is that Ensign Barron likely is *not* the mastermind. He is the tool, obvious fallguy for the true villain. The puppetmaster isn't even *the* guy, as that person would be another 'tool' for the *real* powerbroker orchestrating this web of deceit.

Add to that this whole scenario for Ensign Barron is likely not even the true objective of this powerbroker.

I think that the ARES Staff could discuss and develop that overarching idea and not really have to define it until a much later time when it would suit the ongoing main story further down the line. Keep that kind of a mystery and drop a taste of it now and then. Use it as a sub-plot motivation device, etc.

[Blaster]

Its a good idea, but maybe we could change the story up a little bit,

[Asteropax]

I think a blend of the mentioned is also the most interesting (and believable) scenario.

The only thing I would suggest is that Ensign Barron likely is *not* the mastermind. He is the tool, obvious fallguy for the true villain. The puppetmaster isn't even *the* guy, as that person would be another 'tool' for the *real* powerbroker orchestrating this web of deceit.

Add to that this whole scenario for Ensign Barron is likely not even the true objective of this powerbroker.

I think that the ARES Staff could discuss and develop that overarching idea and not really have to define it until a much later time when it would suit the ongoing main story further down the line. Keep that kind of a mystery and drop a taste of it now and then. Use it as a sub-plot motivation device, etc.

There are a few possible "true" masterminds we could work with. Perhaps Ensign Barron is working for a reborn "Maqui" group of Federation colonists following the Dominion War? Or a corrupt Bajoran Official, hence the smuggling in of the Bajoran extremist group, doesn't feel the Cardassians have suffered enough for the Occupation? There are plenty of things we can figure out for down the road and have plenty of time. As of right now, this is the "detective reveals foe's motives after capture" along with some plot guidelines towards/at the end of the current chapter.

Its a good idea, but maybe we could change the story up a little bit,

It looks like only part of your post made it here, Blaster. What ideas do you have for changing up the story to better fit everything?

Speaking of the chapter's end, I mentioned a while ago in a story post that we're going to have some additional officers join us to finish filling up the ship's roster, (additional scientists, engineers, couple family members who didn't join at DS9) from the Lakota and a space station. As we won't be getting to visit Deep Space 3 for some time (months in story, who knows real time) and had some crew transfer off the ship (at the hospital ship following the Ch 1 battle and to the Lakota), I've decided to have a special transport bring the DS3 officers to us at the end of our current chapter. That ship will also be taking the prisoners we've been capturing on off our hands and will assist the Lakota until the defensive satellites are fully deployed while we head out to begin our real exploration mission.

. . . "We have plenty of quarters available for later as we’re expecting a few more officers to join us from the Lakota and then at Deep Space 3.”

This way we won't have to wait for a potentially loooooong time to get in some sub-plots, such as Sam's wedding.

- If its not any trouble, might I ask you to officiate my & Akyv's wedding? She wants to live on board wirth me now and we figured that we could do it here on board the ship.