Assistance
Posted on Wed Jan 16th, 2013 @ 12:03am by Captain Vorn Krace & Commander Jordan Gunning & Chief Warrant Officer K'Vaal Th'raas & Lieutenant Allison Cathcart & Ensign Mitch Stewert
Mission:
Heart of an Explorer
Location: USS Iapetus Bridge & Planet Surface
Krace was strolling across the bridge from his ready room to the turbolift when an alert chime sounded from the operations console towards the front of the control center. He paused in his step to turn to the officer on duty with a silent inquiry as to the cause of the alert.
"We're receiving an incoming hail from the planet's surface, Captain," the officer informed him.
"Put it through," Krace ordered, moving to his space at the center of the bridge and silently relieving the officer there of command. "Prefect," he said, as soon as he recognized the face of the woman that appeared on the view screen. "What can I help you with?"
"Captain," the woman began, her body language clearly heavy with the weight of the responsibility governance of her world was placing on her shoulders. "I find myself in the unenviable position of once again having to ask for your assistance."
"What's wrong?" Krace asked, his face creasing with concern as to the nature of the request that was forthcoming. There was obviously the ongoing issue of the virus, which Krace's team augmented with Doctor Drani were still working on, but the nature of the conversation suggested that this was something extra.
"As you know, those infected by the virus inevitably become violent and carnivorous," the Prefect began. "We have had to deal with more frequent outbreaks of violence and panic as the infection has spread, and our available security forces are stretched thin. Though it is a decision that a number of my ministers disagree with, I feel I must ask if you can provide assistance with the latest violent outbreak in Ktentha Province. If you could send teams down to try and protect the uninfected there and help contain the infected, I feel that we may be able to prevent greater loss of life better than if we tried to spread our own forces any thinner."
The notion of sending Starfleet Security forces down to the surface to potentially fire upon the local population was a concept that automatically unnerved the captain. "Is it not possible for your own people to handle the situation?" He asked.
"I am afraid not, Captain," the Prefect responded. "Their numbers have been severely reduced by infections, and they are already dealing with similar violent outbreaks in five other cities. We simply do not have the resources to spare."
Vorn considered the issue for only a few moments, but knew that in the end there was only one option available to him. The Prime Directive did not apply, as they had received a very specific request for aid, and it was most definitely a pressing need. "Commander Gunning, assemble a security team in the transporter room, and have them kitted out in EV suits," he ordered. "Tell them to set phasers to stun only."
Gunning's feet had just reached the optimum point on the top of his desk. He had spent many a wistful hour trying to find the point where his leg wouldn't go to sleep and had finally got it when the Captain's commanding timbre echoed through the bulkheads of his office.
"Acknowledged, Captain." Gunning's hand fell immediately on the page function of his desk. Alpha Security Team would currently be intercepting page messages on their comm badges and preparing to move to the transporter room.
He finally pressed his comm badge, "Alpha Team, planet-side, E.V., Tee-Arr Five." The shortened code was easily penetrable to the untrained ear but saved the Commander all of five seconds.
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The Chief of Security's EV suit chafed around the neck as the muzzle of his rifle scanned the situation. The gentle hiss of the open comm channel was interrupted by the unmistakable voice of Lieutenant Cathcart. "She wasn't half understating the case."
Beyond the door lay a muddy, trampled field with what looked like a barn at the end of it. The only other feature was a thin tree line which ran the length of the field. Gunning could see the tiny defensive perimeter that had been created by the Maltorran security force. It was what lay between them and the structure which really worried the security team.
Infected Maltorrans. A quick count gave the impression of almost one hundred but he thought better of actually counting.
"Suggestions?" He asked quietly, trying not to attract too much attention.
K'Vaal steeped forward, phaser rifle slung over his shoulder and holding a Tricorder in one hand. "Sir, what if we set up mobile shield emitters? We could use some of the natural barricades to further increase the coverage area given the resources we have available."
Taking a PADD, Th'raas held out to the Commander. It was a terrain map of the area. " I believe that we can set up a command center here. ." he added, pointing to a spot on the map. "This arena in the center can easily serve as both a command center, and staging area." he began "I noticed that there are roads leading from every outlying sector to there and the encircling river can also provide us with a natural barricade."
Gunning took the PADD and reviewed the map. Th'raas was right enough; the area would be perfect but the small matter of distracting the infected Maltorrans long enough to get there remained.
"Okay, let's go for that." Gunning replied quietly. "We'll use the line of trees to try and disguise our movements and set up a forward staging post at the Maltorran checkpoint beyond. From there, we'll move on to our new operations center."
Gunning began to check the function of his rifle. He was unconvinced by the cover that the treeline would provide but it was their only chance to get there undetected.
"Set your rifles to a light stun setting," he ordered the team, "we don't know what impact particle weapons will have on their condition so don't fire unless you absolutely have to. Keep low, keep quiet, don't make any sudden moves. Ready?"
"I am sure we will get the opportunity to find out Commander!" Thr'aas remarked as he begrudgingly lowered the power output on his rifle. He himself wondered if they would get out of this quagmire that they suddenly found themselves in.
To be Continued...
Captain Vorn Krace
Commanding Officer
Commander Jordan Gunning
Chief of Security
CWO K'Vaal Th'raas
Tactical/Security Officer
USS Iapetus
