Prey

Posted on Thu May 14th, 2009 @ 10:54pm by Captain Vorn Krace & Commander Acle Walex & Lieutenant Commander Abigail Valera & Lieutenant Bradley Openhouse

Mission: Dark Discoveries
Location: USS Iapetus - Bridge
Timeline: MD9 1437hrs

"Captain's Log, Stardate 62910.9

"We have managed to bring our warp core back online, as well as the majority of our other systems, and are once again en-route to the system where we believe the metreon bio-weapon to be. My former first officer's actions have cost us two days worth of traveling time, and we have had to proceed at maximum warp to make up for lost time.

We have located a small ship following the same route as us just ahead, which we believe is carrying cargo intended for 'the Guarded', and we are on-course to intercept. Our long-range communications are still down, so we will only be able to hail the vessel once we are within range of the smaller subspace transceivers onboard. I doubt that they will respond kindly when they find out what we know, however."


"Captain. We are within visual range." Crewman Cook reported from the helm.

"On-screen."

The large view-screen at the front of the Bridge activated, and displayed a view of the rear of the rectangular-shaped starship - a medium civilian cargo carrier design, but it was clear from just looking at it that various weapons had been installed on it.

"We're within communications range now, Captain." came the report from Ops.

"Hail them." Vorn decided to stay seated as he talked to the ship's Captain; he wasn't in the mood this week to put in the effort to play niceties.

=/=I am Captain Lekrit, of the vessel Mosh'Tar.=/= The man who spoke was at the centre of the screen, holding himself proud. Vorn couldn't immediately recall the species, but he knew he vaguely remembered it from images years ago. He was pretty sure it was an Alpha or Beta Quadrant race, but he wasn't sure if it was a Federation member.

"Captain Vorn Krace, of the Federation Starship Iapetus. Drop out of warp, lower you shields and prepare to be boarded while we conduct a search of your cargo holds."

=/=What?? What is the meaning of this? We have done nothing wrong!=/=

"Then you have nothing to hide or be afraid of, Captain. But we are investigating a very sensitive matter, and you will be required to stand down while we board and search your ship." Vorn sighed internally. He really couldn't be bothered putting up with this guy's attitude.

=/=This is an outrage! I am not a member of the Federation! You have no authority over me.=/=

Vorn pointed to the crew members walking around behind the alien. "Maybe not, but some of they are. And I have full authority over you, as you are traveling in Federation space, in a vessel registered with the Federation's civilian cargo bureaus."

The face of the man on-screen turned into a scowl briefly, before he cut the channel without a comment, and the viewscreen returned to a view of the Mosh'Tar's rear end. Vorn glanced over at Acle.

"I should have placed bets on his reaction." he said.

Acle grinned "You think that I would have bet against you captain?" The grin faded and Acle's expression reverted back to stone. While his captain had been talking to the alien, Acle had been researching the ship. "SSS Mosh'Tar. Registration is current and belongs to an out of the way planet near the border. Nothing remarkable about it according to the logs. Of course..." Acle paused as he shifted through information "Currant scans reveal several unauthorized modifications have been made to it. Nothing else to report as of yet."

"Lieutenant Valera; collapse their warp field. Bring them back into sublight speeds. Helm, stay with them."

Abigail turned to her console and tapped a few buttons. Suddenly the ship fell out of warp. "Its done sir.

As the two vessels reverted back to normal space, the first forced and the second following with professional efficiency, the civilian vessel banked sharply, firing off it's rear phasers as it did so, clearly not intending to comply quietly.

"Minimal damage." Came the report from tactical.

"Red alert. Raise shields. Return fire; aim for their weapons and shield generators."

"Aye, Captain."

Even though the Federation vessel was a largely science ship, the Starfleet weaponry and shields were no match for those installed on the cargo freighter, whose shields and weapons were soon disabled with a few well-aimed shots.

"Shields are down, Captain. Weapons have been disabled."

"Tractor beam." Vorn instructed Ops, glancing over at Acle. His expression was clear; 'why did they always have to make it difficult.'

Acle did not bother to reply, but, a predatory gleam appeared in his eyes.

"Open a channel." Lekrit's angry face appeared on the viewscreen again. "I'll say again, Captain. Prepare to be boarded and searched." With that he closed the channel.

Acle looked over at the captain. He spoke without moving his lips "Who would you wish to lead the away team Captain?"

Annalyn looked over at the Captain, "I think I should beam over after the ship is secure, Sir, I have a funny feeling about that ship."

Raging Eagle stood up, looking about from his post, "What do you need me to do? I feel that I cannot do anything more from my console, and would better be suited on my own two feet."

Abigail looked up at the Captain, "I can go with Lieutenant LaToon as backup sir, if you agree."

"You four, go." Vorn said, indicating Acle, Annalyn, Abigail and Raging. "Be prepared for anything, I doubt they'll make this easy on you. Bring me back any signs of metreon particles or any technology which may be part of a device to store or utilise this energy for a weapon. Take Lieutenant Reynolds with you. Go."

Annalyn stood up, "let me get my medical gear, I will in the transporter room quickly." She moved out of the bridge area and as soon as she was clear, teleported to sickbay for an away kit.

Acle nodded then stood. "Aye Aye Captain." He moved to the turbo-lift, heading to his office before moving to the transporter room.

Raging Eagle stood, moving immediately over to follow the one who had left as he was made to be part of this group. As he moved through the hallways, he removed a tricorder and phaser from an interior parts kit and had them fitted to his uniform, nodding carefully as he continued towards the transporter room himself.

"Bradley." Vorn said, turning to his Chief Counsellor after some thought after the three officers and the Chief left the bridge. "I'd like you to bring Ms. Narton to the Ridge for me please, I'd like to draw on some of her experience. Bring Cadet Crossland to, I think it might be a good mental exercise to include her in some brainstorming. Have them meet me there in five minutes, if you can."

"Yes sir." said Bradley as he turned and entered the turbolift.