Are we on our own?
Posted on Sat Oct 4th, 2014 @ 4:02pm by Petty Officer 1st Class Arianna D'Tal & Commodore Kathleen O'Shea & Commander Eliana Masters & Lieutenant Commander Adria "Tempest" Desoro
Mission:
Bloodpath
Location: Taranok IV
Timeline: During recon, and initial report
ON:
"To any friendly ships, or stations, this is Petty Officer D'Tal of the Federation Starbase 80, requesting immediate assistance on Taranok IV! The planet is being invaded by a force of unknown origin! I repeat! Taranok IV is under attack by an unidentified force-"
Arianna's communication was cut off as the equipment threw sparks, and completely stopped functioning.
"Dammit!" She exclaimed loud enough that those in the next room could hear her. She had been working on the communications equipment for the last couple of hours, and though she'd managed to extend it's range, she had pushed it to it's limits. All she could do was hope that the message got out to someone who could actually help them.
Arianna turned around, and walked out of the room to where the others were. She looked at them somberly as bits of gray, and black swirled in her eyes. "I managed to get a signal out, but how far it went, and who might have heard it is anyone's guess." She explained, then turned to Janzen. "Sorry, but your equipment is fried. I had to tweak it in order to try to extend it's range, and set the needed frequency."
"Are we on our own?" Marsay asked her.
"For now, maybe." Arianna replied. "Starbase 80 should be expecting me to arrive back right about now, so when I don't show up, it's likely they will try to contact me, then send someone to find out what happened to me."
The silence that they had been enjoying was shattered by the sound of several craft passing overhead at a very low altitude. As they faded, the room shook violently as several explosions occurred nearby. The craft made one more pass...then the sounds of their intrusion faded.
"This is useless, there has to be a way to get more information," Durion remarked. Signs of frustration replaced the look of determination he had shown while accompanying Arianna and company on their journey from the outskirts. Enough time had passed that the Prepheradian guard was getting impatient with simply waiting around, hoping for a bit of communications equipment to tell them what they wanted to know.
"There's nothing better than getting our own eyes on whatever is going on," he continued. "I suggest that we stay low and quiet, scout the area. Maybe we'll have a better idea of what's going on."
Gabriel nodded, "Nothing will get out easily if they are jamming frequencies." She didn't like the situation that much was certain. But they needed answers however their option for obtaining those weren't ideal either.
As they talked, they noticed that the building just to their south had started to emmit heavy black smoke. It was time to leave.
"Hmmpf," a short exhale addressed the understatement. Durion looked towards Arianna and the rest of the motley crew that had assembled in the building. "We should, at the minimum, find out what's flying around."
As Arianna listened, and watched, the swirls of gray in her eyes was replaced by pitch black. "You, and you stay here with these two." She ordered, pointing to two people at random. "The rest of you grab some weapons... We're going scouting." As she said it, Arianna moved to grab something from the walls with a little more fire power. It's appearance was more like a 21st century M-16. She grabbed a holster for her pistol, andplenty of ammo for both weapons, then looked over the machine gun to learn where everything was.
Marsay approached Arianna,placing ahand on her arm to get her attention. Instinctively, Arianna pulled away, a she turned to face the woman. "Don't touch me!"
"Sorry..." Marsay replied, giving her a sheepish look. "I don't know who you are, but I just wanted to thank you for helping us."
"It's my job to help those who need it." Arianna replied. Over the years she had learned that despite her own flaws, she was still a woman of loyal, and moral character. "We're going to use this facility as a fall back, in case anything goes wrong. I suggest you keep it safe for such an eventuality."
"This time, I won't be caught by surprise if something happens." Marsay gave her a smile, then walked away.
"What about me?" Jim asked Arianna. "So far, I've seen the safest place to be is with you."
"You're with me." She told him. "Stay close, and I'll do my best to keep you alive."
The next moments were filled with the sound of bags being filled and prepared for the journey ahead. They numbered few, so in all likelihood, they were not going to greatly affect the outcome of the day's events by engaging in firefights. But, those with a Starfleet insignia on their jackets knew that if they could gather enough information and get it back to the station, the circumstances would swing greatly in their favor. The question still remained - who and why?
Only a few minutes later, everyone was ready with weapons. As they congregated by the outside door, Arianna looked at Durion. She thought about the danger that might lurk outside the door, and knew that depending on what was out there, things could go very badly. "Think you can take point on this?"
A simple nod was the only response and after a short count to synchronize their timing, Durion rounded the corner of the door and systematically began to check the quadrants for enemies. His HUD was inoperative, but at least it kept the dust from getting into his eyes. A seemingly universal coat of dust and ash covered every exposed surface.
"Clear. We'll head to the city center," Durion announced.
Gabriel waited as orders were issued. Due to their current situation she kept her true identity low profile. Staying vigilant as they progressed.
As they left the building, they headed in the direction of the town's center area. Less than a block up the street, Arianna froze, as she saw what was in the park. "I don't believe it..." She said, then signaled the others with her to make for the park. "Looks like the cavalry has arrived!"
Petty Officer 1st Class Arianna D'Tal
Executive Officer's Yeoman
Academy Cadet
Gabriel (NPC)
Simmed by
Lt Cmdr Adria Desoro
Special Effects by Kathleen O'Shea :-)
Lighting and Sound by Eliana Masters
