Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:08 PM
:::Lanax spun before them, several large lightning storms in the atmosphere::: Open a channel and let’s see if these folks are in a talkative mood.
OPS> ::tap:: Channel open.
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:08 PM
::sitting at the Tactical station, has Science initiate scans::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:09 PM
This is the USS Mercutio, I apologize for our suddent approach, but we would very much like to speak with your Queen or someone associated with her Majesty on a very important topic to our joint security.
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:09 PM
::Watches the information cross her console so she can navigate the swirling energy::
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:09 PM
:;In her seat, right of center, eyes on the viewscreen::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:10 PM
:::There is several moments of silence until a voice speaks.:: Your request is impossible, my Federation friend. We have no Queen. Do you wish to speak to the Lanaxian Ministry instead?
Lt K’Naut, Chief Engr — 05/28/2024 9:11 PM
::tapping his panels, keeping an eye on engineering stuff::
Lt Millie Stepanova, Couns. — 05/28/2024 9:11 PM
::tilts her head in response to what was said::
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:11 PM
::raises a brow::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:11 PM
Oh, I’m sorry I must be behind the times. ::glance to Edra:::
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:11 PM
::Glances up at the screen in surprise::
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:11 PM
::shrugs, not having known that either::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:11 PM
That would be acceptable if they’re available to speak.
Voice> Stay in orbit, we will be in contact on the next solar cycle.
Thank….:::doesn’t finish before the channel is cut by the other side::: you.
Lt Millie Stepanova, Couns. — 05/28/2024 9:12 PM
Next solar cycle?
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:12 PM
Ministry?
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:13 PM
I hope he meant a day and not a year.
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:13 PM
::Tilts head:: How long is an average day on the world?
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:13 PM
Very much so
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:13 PM
Sci> Six hours our time. They spin very fast.
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:13 PM
::pulls up another window on her console:: Since when did they end their monarchy? ::starts pulling up intel data::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:14 PM
We heard they had a queen as of a few weeks ago.
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:15 PM
Before our “friends” came through?
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:15 PM
Sci> Sir, hail coming in.
Open it.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:15 PM
I don’t like where this is leading…
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:15 PM
So, two weeks our time is… oh dear.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:16 PM
:::the viewscreen changes to a Reptillian standing in a large hall:: I understand you’ve come to speak with us? ::his S’s hissing:::
Yea, I am Captain Crow of the Mercutio, I’m afraid that I expected to speak with Queen Lizza.
Reptillian> I am Ganok, Chief Minister for the Republic of Lanax. Lizza and her corrupted regime is no longer in power.
Ganok> What is it I can do for you?
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:18 PM
Corrupted?
Lt K’Naut, Chief Engr — 05/28/2024 9:18 PM
Power?
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:18 PM
What brought about this change for your people?
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:19 PM
::quietly:: According to Starfleet, this would be a…recent revelation.
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:19 PM
::Blinks::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:19 PM
Ganok> Lizza held power through fear and alliances with foreign powers. We finally made an alliance of our own and rose up.
If I may ask, who is your new ally? Anyone we’d know?
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:20 PM
::nods, still surprised::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:21 PM
Ganok> :::his mouth opened, as if laughing::: You are a funny race. They did not even update you with our progress. No matter. I invite you to come down and collect your cargo.
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:21 PM
::Adjusts the orbit slightly to keep it steady::
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:21 PM
C…cargo?
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:21 PM
Oh, well, thank you Minister. Send us the coordinates please.
Ganok> It will be done. :::cuts the channel:::
:::turns around to everyone:: Anyone else’s head spinning?
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:24 PM
He apparently thinks we’re in league with their new allies. Said they hadn’t updated us on the progress.
Lt Millie Stepanova, Couns. — 05/28/2024 9:24 PM
Perhaps it is best if we…play to that assumption?
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:24 PM
Oh, that’s what that meant…
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:24 PM
I think we have to. We have a small advantage here to get intel.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:24 PM
::nods:: I think so
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:25 PM
Probably the best option.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:25 PM
Let’s assemble a team and go down. Ask some probing questions to see what they’re willing to say.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:26 PM
I suppose you want me to do your schlepping for you…::winks::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:26 PM
You do schlep very well.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:26 PM
::sighs::
K’Naut, Millie, you’re with me.
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:27 PM
::quietly to K’Naut:: Stay alert, Bondmate.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:27 PM
::sits in the center chair:: Don’t overstay our welcome.
Lt K’Naut, Chief Engr — 05/28/2024 9:28 PM
::sighs:: Here we go again…
Always, Z, always
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:28 PM
::nods as she stands, heading for the transporter room::
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:28 PM
::Adjusts the course again slightly to bring them to optimal positioning for the transporters::
Lt Millie Stepanova, Couns. — 05/28/2024 9:29 PM
::does a quick check of the knife and ankle holster as she arrives at the transporters, tucking her pant leg over her boot::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:30 PM
::::about ten minutes later the coordinates are sent and the team beams down to the big hall which had been seen earlier. The architecture is ornate, but there is a lot of damage as well, looks like the scene of a fight:::
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:30 PM
::raises a brow at Millie, but grins too::
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:30 PM
So. Who do we think the allies are?
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:31 PM
::looks around as the blue light of the transporter fizzles away:: oh, my…
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:31 PM
Has to be the people in black…unless there’s a third player invovled.
Lt Millie Stepanova, Couns. — 05/28/2024 9:31 PM
All that time with Patricia, and you expect something different? ::smirks, folding her gloved hands behind her as they wait::
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:31 PM
::to Sciences:: Anything showing up on our long range scans??
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:31 PM
Ganok> ::approaches from a side chamber:::: Very prompt, I like that.
Sci> Nothing unusual.
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:32 PM
Do we have any idea who they are?
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:33 PM
Right now the best guess is intel. Either on the books or off the books.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:33 PM
::nods respectfully:: we don’t want to waste your time. It looks like you’ve had your share of clean-up
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:34 PM
Ganok> Any struggle is worth getting your hands dirty. Come, I will show you what we have promised. ::he waves them to follow into the side chamber:::
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:34 PM
::lets out a breath:: Except this doesn’t…seem like my people. Undermining an entire station’s operations, bankrupting an entire planetary economy…
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:34 PM
::follows behind a few steps::
::whispers to K’Naut:: see if you can get any kind of reading on the weaponry used to create that damage…covertly.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:34 PM
::nod:; This is a very tangled web.
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:34 PM
::Nods::
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:35 PM
I mean, I was involved pretty heavily, and derailing a stable planetary government doesn’t quite seem like, well, us.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:36 PM
Ganok> ::the side chamber has dozens of containers stacked three high::: As promised. We expedited the process to meet your time table.
I think a lot of this depends on that cargo.
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:37 PM
Let’s hope it isn’t our style.
Lt Millie Stepanova, Couns. — 05/28/2024 9:37 PM
We should probably…scan the cargo, yes? Make sure it’s as requested?
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:37 PM
That’s very much appreciated. Were there any messages to go along with this?
::nods to Millie::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:38 PM
Ganok> ::opens one container, pulling out a long thin clear tube with a light purplish liquid inside:: 100% pure, as promised.
Lt K’Naut, Chief Engr — 05/28/2024 9:39 PM
::surreptitiously scanning::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:39 PM
Ganok> This will meet with your approval. We have provided enough for you to full fill your next priority. It can easily subdue the ones you transport.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:40 PM
::takes the tube, turns it gently and holds it up to light…nods:: very good. This is exactly what we were hoping for.
Lt Millie Stepanova, Couns. — 05/28/2024 9:41 PM
::places a gloved hand on K’Naut’s elbow:: Send that information up to your Bondmate, since she has the experience with…passenger transport.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:41 PM
Ganok> They should have sent you before. The other woman was….rude, to put it lightly.
Lt Millie Stepanova, Couns. — 05/28/2024 9:42 PM
::smiles, placatingly:: I seem to have more diplomatic experience than…:: trails off, waiving her hand:: Oh, what was her name…?
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:42 PM
Ganok> Kona. Have you not met?
Lt Millie Stepanova, Couns. — 05/28/2024 9:43 PM
In passing. It’s been a while.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:43 PM
Ganok> She seems the time who would sell her own hatchlings.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:44 PM
The Captain has dealt with her more than me. He has made similar claims to yours regarding her disposition
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:44 PM
::adjusts the course slightly again, keeping them in the ideal spot to transport the away team out::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:44 PM
Ganok> ::nods:: Well, I do not wish to keep you from your schedule. It is all yours to take, along with the gratitude of the Ministry.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:45 PM
And our gratitude in return for holding it for us.
::taps her badge:: +TR+ 3, and cargo, to beam up.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:46 PM
OPS> They’re ready Sir.
Get them out of there.
:::;EVEYRONE BEAMS UP:::
Lt K’Naut, Chief Engr — 05/28/2024 9:46 PM
::says quietly to Edra:: the damage was caused by Mk-3 phasers
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:47 PM
::beams into a cargo hold:: I want this substance fully analyzed, asap. ::nods to K’Naut:: thank you.
I’m heading back to the bridge.
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:48 PM
::takes it upon herself to move the ship out of orbit::
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:48 PM
+Bridge+ we’re onboard…heading up to you.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:48 PM
Helm, take us out on a cruising speed, no destination yet.
Lt Millie Stepanova, Couns. — 05/28/2024 9:48 PM
Well…that was interesting. ::follows Edra to the Bridge::
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:49 PM
Aye sir. Cruising speed, anywhere but here.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:49 PM
::takes a Lift with Millie:: indeed. I want to know who this woman is.
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:49 PM
::Plots towards a star in the distance::
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:50 PM
::steps onto the Bridge:: well, that may have created more questions than answers
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:50 PM
It always does. What did we pick up?
Lt Millie Stepanova, Couns. — 05/28/2024 9:50 PM
Woman in charge is named Kona.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:51 PM
It’s being analyzed now, but it’s purple and can be used to subdue prisoners.
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:51 PM
::looks up quickly, concerned::
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:51 PM
::raises a brow at her own description::
Liski?
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:52 PM
A… drug of some kind?
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:52 PM
::turns:::
Seems like it.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:52 PM
::notices the look on her face::
It comes in long tubes. Does that sound familiar?
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:54 PM
::purses her lips:: I can take a look. Should probably have Emma in on the analysis, too.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:54 PM
Did he give any leads to where these new allies went next?
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:55 PM
How much did we just bring aboard?
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:55 PM
::Chooses another star and changes course to suit::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:56 PM
Ops> About thirty containers, each containing ten of those clear rods.
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:57 PM
::jaw drops::
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 9:57 PM
That’s a lot of the purple fluid stuff.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:57 PM
The room we beamed into was also damaged from whatever fighting had happened in the take-over. K’Naut said it was caused by Mk-3 phasers
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:58 PM
I want all of that under guard, no unauthorized access.
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 9:58 PM
If it’s what I think it is…then we have enough to sedate about…thirty thousand people.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:58 PM
30,000?!
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:58 PM
It’s in Cargo bay 2.
Lt K’Naut, Chief Engr — 05/28/2024 9:58 PM
::whistles::
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 9:58 PM
Why would you be needing to knock out that many people?
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 9:59 PM
Ganok indicated that was enough for our “next priority”
Sounds like a single mission for someone.
Lt Millie Stepanova, Couns. — 05/28/2024 10:00 PM
It sounds like we need to figure out who Kona is, and quickly.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 10:00 PM
Name doesn’t ring any bells.
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 10:01 PM
::lets out a breath:: I’ll reach out to my former handler. See if that pings in any of their systems.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 10:01 PM
::sends a priority message to Security heads to keep the cargo under guard, and to not advertise its presence::
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 10:02 PM
And find out if there are any gatherings of that many people coming up anywhere nearby?
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 10:02 PM
::nod:: All good ideas.
For now let’s stay in the local sector.
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 10:03 PM
Aye sir. Flying aimlessly at cruising speed, within the local sector.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 10:04 PM
::sits:: Well, we know what happened to our missing weapons.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 10:04 PM
::to Liski:: does this stuff have a name? I want to see exactly what it does.
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 10:06 PM
Are we giving it a name if it doesn’t have one?
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 10:06 PM
Purple stuff is boring.
But I did just think of something. Someone is going to show up expecting to pick up our cargo and when they can’t….they know where to come looking.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 10:07 PM
If it’s been used, it has one. It’s just a matter of finding any information on it.
Lt Kerwen Nuhl-Helm — 05/28/2024 10:07 PM
I guess we should find out what it’s called. And.. I’ll find us a hiding spot.
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 10:08 PM
::nod:: Maybe we don’t have to go looking for them after all.
Lt. Cmdr. Statzia Liski
APP
— 05/28/2024 10:08 PM
It has a bunch of names. But it’s purposely never hit the market, because it’s not allowed off-planet.
Cdr Edra Crow – Negotiations — 05/28/2024 10:08 PM
::to Henry:: if that’s thecase, should we stash it somewhere off the ship?
(I gotta get going soon)
Cpt H Crow — 05/28/2024 10:09 PM
Extend long range sensors for any ship approaching Lanax. When someone trips that, we’ll make the next move.