The planet of death

Posted on 31 Jan 2020 @ 3:11am by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Commander Amelia Fox & Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari & Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov & Ensign Gwen Leighton

Mission: Mission 3 - Whom gods destroy ...
Location: Villanueva
Timeline: MD1 1415
2027 words - 4.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

First Officers log: We have arrived at the coordinates provided by J'Tan to find an enormous planetoid, barren and lifeless. We have howver, been contacted by an automated salesman which suggest that this was once the location of a weapons factory of some sort. The cetea have staked a claim to this planet, no doubt trying to get some of the acient tech working again. We are beaming down to investigate.

"Energise!"

The away team materalised in a dimly lit room, obviously designed to recive visitors. There was a single door on one wall. Amelia looked around for a moment. "Are we all here?"

"Lieutenant Datari, present," the Trill science chief announced softly.

"Ensign Leighton, in one piece." Gwen said, "And hopefully to stay that way." There were more than nerves causing her stomach to jumble. Gwen had no idea what kind of welcome they were in for.

“Lieutenant Belikov present” Rose responded, taking out a tricorder and beginning her scans

Amelia tapped her comm badge "Fox to Andromeda. Away team has arrived in what appears to be a reception room. There's no one else here... Yet."


"Acknowledged Fox. Keep in touch." Jon responded.

The door opened and two Son'a walked in. They eyed the away team with disdain before addressing Amelia. "Welcome to Villaneva. Please follow us."

Amelia nodded and turned to the other members of her team. "Look sharp guys, this could be a trap."

"You think?" Aidan muttered as he suppressed a shudder, "I wish I had my ushaan... I'd feel so much safer.... Or Sherlock..." But he knew how the captain felt about his companion coming in away missions."

Rose quickly moved over to Gwen’s side, “Tell me Ensign, what do you know of the So’na?”

"About as much as you," Gwen said to Rose, "I'm assuming they don't get many visitors as their welcome was rusty as hell." Her eyes took everything in while she made mental notes about their guests and their surroundings, "But we can't be too quick to judge." They walked quietly, Rose still by her side.

Not really expecting to get much out of them Amelia had a stab at questioning their guide.

“So what are you doing here exactly?”

He answered quickly and truthfully “We are trying to reactivate as many ancient weapons as we can to further our noble cause.”

His answer, plus the nonchalant way it was given left Amelia speechless for a moment.

"What Noble cause and why do you need weapons. Why not try a peaceful course of action." Aidan remained a little back as he spoke, wanting to keep out of immediate view.

“And why activate ancient weapons instead of procuring more modern weapons?” Rose added, keeping a close eye on their guides.

Gwen kept her mouth shut. If this ancient tech was worth their time to revive it, she had a feeling they wouldn't take kindly to their scans or queries. In all her years of being around diplomats and other cultures she had quickly learned that any time a group had a cause or a goal they were usually emotionally attached to it. Beings who are emotionally attached don't think rationally if they feel encroached upon.

"They do not know what treasure troves there are here," smirked one of the So'Na.

Gwen quirked her brow. It was an odd comment, as obviously they weren't aware since this was their first visit. She looked to the others in their parties, an attempt to gain an idea of their own level of comfort amidst the new surroundings.

The Son'a who was leading the group shot his underling a look before continuing. "These weapons have the power to reduce planets to dust!" he said with an air of pride. "We will use them to get revenge on those that drove us from our home."

"And those who support them." The other Son'a added quietly.

Gwen was about to ask who, 'they' were when she recognized the species coming towards them. A pair of Orions dressed in a uniform of some kind walked past, heading in the direction they had just come. She didn't recognize the insignia they wore and she was usually aware of the species connect to the federation. They nodded to the Son'a as if they were passing on their way to work.

"And what are they doing here?" Amelia asked, surprised by the interaction.

"They pay us well and in return we let them experiment on some of the ancient biotechnology." The lead responded.

The other Son'a was becoming anxious. "Why are you telling them everything?" he asked nervously.

Without blinking the other struck him across the face with the back of his hand. Gwen unknowingly moved for her phaser, forgetting they'd left it behind as required. She rolled her eyes and relaxed her hand.

"KEEP YOUR PLACE!" The Son'a roared, before adding quietly, "Remember, it's what she told us to do!" He turned back. "I apologise for my colleague."

"Don't mention it," Amelia responded, confused. Who were they taking orders from? She pondered.

Gwen leaned closer to Rose, "I'm getting the feeling that whoever is in charge here....we shouldn't underestimate."

Before Amelia could ask more about the Orions, they entered a vast cavern that seemed to stretch on forever. Above them towered massive cone-shaped vessels that were in various stages of construction. Some appeared to be completed. The whole room made Amelia shudder. These behemoths were not ships in the normal sense. Amelia thought to herself why did these massive things look familiar?

Aidan shivered, having a very very bad feeling about it all. And why was one of them being slapped down so hard for sharing information? "You are paid by Orions?" He asked. "What do they want from you? Are you sure that you will be paid and not be sold?"

The Son'a looked at Aidan but ignored the question.

Amelia had pulled out a tricorder and was scanning one of the immense vessels. "Aidan, are you getting the same reading as I am?" She glanced over at him with a worried expression. "These things are almost three thousand meters long! I'm having trouble getting a clear reading on the inner workings as it has a hull made of pure neutronium. I don't think even quantum torpedoes would put a dent in this thing. No power readings but, I'm getting an antiproton signature."

The Trill nodded as he studied his tricorder. "I'm not sure what to make of these readings but I think the power output will be enormous. Enough to wreak havoc in any system."

The Son'a grinned, which did nothing for his appearance. "Yes! Magnificent aren't they. Soon we will sweep across the galaxy and it will know fear! It will know Death! And WE will have respect once again."

Amelia looked back at him with disdain. "And who came up with this brilliant plan?" She asked.

He turned to her and replied simply "You did."

Aidan turned his head sharply. "She did?" He asked in surprise. "How? When?"

TAG Any reactions

---

Two weeks ago, in The Medusas head 2020

Amelia was sat listening to the Captain outline his plan. When he had finished there was a long pause. Amelia looked skeptical. "I'm not sure about this Sir, I mean how could I convince anyone that I was her? I mean, she must have thought of something like this herself and it could get... Complicated..."

"I know it's asking a lot and I know you can do it. We need information Fox and we need to know what's going on," Jon said calmly.

Amelia took a deep breath and sighed. "Very well. I just hope this is worth it."

---

Present

Suddenly Amelia stuck the Son'a across the face. "You fool, You're supposed to keep that to yourself. With all that skin stretching, did they removed your brain at the same time?"

Gwen took a step back, her hand ready to tap her combadge for a rescue. She paused momentarily as she realized that there was a chance they wouldn't be able to reach the ship. Still, even with that possibility she had to be prepared.

Both men looked shocked for a moment but recovered quickly. The Son'a who was in charge looked at her suspiciously for a moment before he asked quietly "Are you really... Her?"

She looked at him with a sneer of contempt.

The other Son'a produced a PADD and handed it to her. His companion, still skeptical said, "Well you know what to do with this!"

Amelia looked at the PADD. An encrypted file. Putting on her best poker face and covering all outwards signs of hesitation she thought quickly to herself, What password would I set that only I would know?

With a quick, silent prayer. She entered a code and handed the PADD back

On it flashed the words...

ACCESS GRANTED.

Both Son'a now looked genuinely shocked. The one who had been talking most bowed his head slightly "Our apologies Mistress. We were not expecting you so soon! If you'll come with us, we'll take you to Karam"

"What the hell..." Gwen said, "And what about the rest of us?" She spoke up, "Are we to follow or should we just, wait here."

Aidan had observed the process for a little while, a funny feeling creeping up on him. He wasn't sure what the XO was playing at but either this was a case of mistaken identity or... Quietly, he pulled out his phaser and aimed it at the small group. "We aren't going anywhere," he said, eyes fixed on Amelia. "Not until you tell us what is going on."

The 1st Son'a eyed Aidan and his weapon without much concern. "We take our orders from our Mistress only. Our invitation is for her alone."

The 2nd Son'a pulled his own weapon and aimed at the other members of the away team "Let me teach him some manners for you."

Amelia held up her hands "Come on guys, let's not blow things out of proportions here. I'm sure we can avoid any unwanted bloodshed."

Amelia looked at Aidan. "We have an oppertunity here to get more information. I'll go with our guides here and go talk to this Karam. With how they have been treating me, I don't think they're going to hurt me. You take the others and find out exactly what those Orions are doing here. It's bad enough having these guys. You'll be in command till I get back. We'll rendezvous back at the beam in co-ordinates in an hour. If there are any problems, contact me and then call for an immediate beam out. Is that clear Lieutenant?"

"Yes ma'am," the Trill answered, though he was none the wiser with this information. "If you have not returned in an hour, I will come after you," he added, eye-ing the Son'a suspiciously. "Ensign Leighton, with me..." He beckoned her. "We have some investigating to do."

Amelia shot one final look to Belikov and Leighton finally looking at Aidan "Keep safe. Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate."

Aidan arched an eyebrow at her even as the words sank in. He gave the XO a quiet nod before ushering the others away. "Not here," he told them, "let's go outside... this place is getting claustrophobic" He wasn't quite sure what the XO meant with her little riddle, but he was certain that he'd figure it out.

She then turned back to the Son'a "Shall we?"


OFF:

●● Lieutenant Amelia Fox
Executive Officer
USS Andromeda


●● Lieutenant Aidan Datari
Chief Science Officer/2nd Officer
USS Andromeda

●●● Captain Jonathan Reynolds
Captain
USS Andromeda


● Ensign Gwen Leighton
Apprentice Chief Security / Tactical Officer
USS Andromeda

○● Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov
Intelligence Officer
USS Andromeda