Posted by Lieutenant Commander Stark Nightstalker (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Main Sim - The Final Showdown?

Posted by Gamemaster Conspiracy Theorist (GMT) in Main Sim - The Final Showdown?

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Stark Nightstalker (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Main Sim - The Final Showdown?
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻
snip
Michail was chuckling next to the Captain which seemed to infuriate Pierce no end, it seemed the Counter Strike agent was not immune to being ridiculed. Pierce’s face contorted in rage and he spoke one word at the top of his voice the veins on his head almost exploding with the effort.

“DIE!”

There were moments where time seemed to no longer be relevant and this one seemed to exemplify this idea. Ghubari didn’t look up- she had accepted her fate and she if she were going to die in this moment then she would face it head on.

The servo came down in a sweeping gesture and the debris above shot towards the surface in a rain of death. Michail looked up in expectation. Foremost of the pieces falling was a very familiar object to some of the people on the ground. It wasn’t metal… it was rock.

Not only that, it wasn’t responding to the motions of the servo. Michail was laughing hard now and the cat in his arms leapt to the ground in anticipation of what came next.

The rock descended like an avenging angel. Pierce’s face contorted in terror as he saw his fate too late. “Nooooooooo” he screamed as with a huge crunch he became the centre of an impact crater with a strangely intact rock at it’s centre. The purple cat flashed off through the settling dust cloud and returned with the servo in it’s jaws which had been thrown clear in the explosion. Morphing quickly the cat turned into a hauntingly beautiful woman with purple hair who quickly used the servo to deflect the debris falling through the atmosphere sending most of the pieces away to the east.

Gamemaster Conspiracy Theorist (GMT)

Okay, that wasn’t at all what Ghubari expected and she jolted slightly as Pierce was crushed. Well then.

Michail deftly reached down and removed the portable shield unit from the rocks surface. T’Pon arrived and rushed towards the rock with some kind of black goo which she started to slather liberally over the steaming surface of the rock.

With a grand flourish Michail swept his hand towards the rock. “Please everyone, I’d like you to meet the real hero of the day. Deep Cover Aegis Agent Rxzyth” he added in a grand gesture towards the purple haired beauty “and her companion Meridyth”. Michail added in way of explanation, “In case you’re wondering, this ain’t no ordinary rock, Rxzyth is a Horta, a silicon based intelligence thought to be extinct but snatched throughout time by the Aegis for missions just like this one”. Michail was still chuckling, ‘I love it when a plan comes together” he said still smiling broadly.

The his gaze turned from the Guardian to the Captain and back again and his smile faded a little. “However, this is not the final, final showdown, there is still work to be done”.

Michail

“Indeed,” Ghubari said with almost a hint of amusement. “I’d really like my ship back you know.” She turned her head to Meridyth and bowed her head. “Thank you.”

Meridyth smiled shyly and looked around the group. “Don’t mention it.” She continued to look around the group and in particular at Orvos and the XO. “I jumped at the chance to take this assignment”

Orvos raised an eyebrow as he glanced over at the Commander. “You know me?” he asked curiously, noting her hovering gaze on him and Adam. “And I don’t mean from textbooks. Oh please let me not be in text books!”

Karina had settled those in the out and helped a couple other on her way to the main mass of crewmen around the madman. While she had missed the brunt of the exchange, she arrived in time to hear the order of death screamed and to feel the blast of dust from the fallen rock.

Stepping to the front of the group, Karina looked around as a man stepped forward to speak of the ‘real hero’.

A hand rose to touch the dried and smeared blood on her temple as she tried to take a mental inventory of those she’d meet in the short time since her arrival. She saw the Captain, whom she still hasn’t had a chance to check in with, and the counselor, whom she was glad was all right. One or two others were there as well. But it occurred to her that in the short time she’d been on board, there were still so many she didn’t know.

Without thinking, she quietly moved they the group to stand by the counselor so she at least didn’t feel alone. Even if the woman was oblivious to her proximity just behind her.

Ensign Karina Niles
Medical

When the debris appeared to come hurtling toward the surface, Liam’s eyes snapped up. They widened at the obvious threat baring down them as the CSO braced himself. His arms rushed upward to shield his head. While his cranium was stronger than most, he doubted it could withstand a full-blown ship hull crashing down on top of him.

In the background, his ears caught the screams of Peirce dying when a rock impacted onto him. When the expected pain from gravity pulled debris didn’t occur, Liam’s right eye opened cautiously to understand why. Through the clearing dust, figures became distinguishable once more. Including the addition of the woman holding the servo.

His vision caught T’Pon darting past his peripheral vision then smear something on the rock deep in the newly formed crater. Michail’s words promptly pulled his attention to the captain, the guardian, and the time traveler’s location. His lips pressed tightly together, but never a word escaped them.

Without a word, Liam’s figure turned to head to the Triage Station. Before he could depart the scene completely, blood on Ms. Niles’ head causing him to pause and place a hand onto her shoulder. His eyes studied the wound briefly.

“You should take this moment to make sure you’re alright before tending to others. It wouldn’t be fitting if you weren’t at your best to heal someone,” his voice was calm and eerily steady. Slowly he removed his hand from the doctor’s shoulder then continued to walk away.

–CSO, Liam J. Madison, Sci

Kaylee had remained towards the back of the group of her crew, observing and slightly in disbelief. She slowly made her way closer to the (cat) woman she had befriended in the escape pod. She gave the woman a bow of the head in gratitude but despite her deep curiosity she did not ask any of the many questions running through her brain. For now she surveyed the crew, her friends and family. And waited for what would come next.

-Kaylee Baxter

Meridyth smiled in return. When she spoke her voice had an other than human quality, a sort of contralto harmony overtone that in some ways was similar to Laraan’s but in other ways was very different.

“I apologise for the deception, it was important for Pierce to think that Michail was the agent on board and that I was helping him. Deep cover agents like Rxzyth are very precious and in this case highly useful.” She tossed her purple hair to the side, “It’s an honour for me to be working with her”.

Gamemaster Conspiracy Theorist (GMT)

“I can well imagine, Koraia said.”

There was a slight cough from the other side of the Rxzyth and a slightly aggravated voice spoke up. “Nice to meet you Meridyth… don’t suppose you know how to use that shiny “screwdrivery” thing to remove the neural block on me? I seem to have found my voice now, but my legs and arms won’t obey my instructions”.

Stark Nightstalker CIO

Casting her glance sideways towards her chosen brother, Ghubari moved over and crouched down. “I am so going to remember this,” she teased, patting Stark on the shoulder with fondness.

“This is highly embarrassing” Stark said muttering, but then he smiled broadly “but it’s good to be alive”.

Looking over at Michail, the captain returned to her more serious and calm demeanour. “I want my ship back and we have to get off this place and out of this time. I presume you’re prepared to guide this part of the fun?”

Fl. Captain Koraia, CO

Michail nodded at the Horta. “Rxzyth has had millennia to work on the details but even she isn’t sure exactly how this is going to play out”.

Much had happened quickly after Orvos arrived on the scene. But typical to his people he took a background stance, allowing the captain and others a chance to speak, to turn the tide before he decided to make his own move.

However, much to his surprise, Price was doomed. To say that he found the entire event fascinating was an understatement. The crew had been tricked into sneaking agents of time all about. Some he knew, most not so much. Though the lady…or cat.. no…catwoman…yes. She had caught Orvos interest. She was unique, unlike anyone he had ever met.

And the rock they had brought aboard from Dulmur and Lucsly? Why had that being glowed for him back at the starbase, but not for anyone else?

He watched as everything unfolded, curious as to the captains next move.

Orvos stepped forward to greet them, a look of awe and curiosity about his features. He gestured to the Guardian of Forever. “What is going on?”

-Lt. Orvos Legen, CE

Meridyth spoke up and with a sense of wonder said one word full of import, “Destiny” Michail laughed a little, ‘You’re an incurable romantic Meridyth”. She smiled again shyly like she had at first.

Orvos gazed thoughtfully at the pair. Destiny. It hadn’t quite answered his question, and yet somehow he got the impression it did. That was fine. He was patient man. Destiny usually ended up dragging him along whether he liked it or not.

Konral wondered what the cat had been up to, but he had no clue it was something like this. He scratched his head as he wondered how he could have missed all the signs. “I…” Konral began to speak but said nothing. He just nodded, now wasn’t the time to get trapped in questions, and quandaries. “I think next time you need to just follow better when trying to flee.” Konral finally said, as he flattened his lips as he looked at her.

Meridyth looked a little hurt by that but said nothing other than to cast down her eyes. Michail looked like he was going to say something but then thought better of it.

Vander, CoS

Adam moved forward as well, the time had allowed that to happen. Yet there was more to come he could tell that. This was far from over. Stark had survived that was good, he liked his apprentice. The issues that they still had to resolve we still needing to be resolved, and they had no starship yet. Yet through all of that Adam found himself drawn to the edge of the portal staring at the surface of the Guardian. He could go anywhere to anytime, and do anything. Immediately he decided this was likely something he should never allow himself the chance to do. The Captain would need someone to remain here and in charge, that was likely the smartest role for the android. Not gallivanting through time hunting both Aegis, and the other organization like some implacable terminator.

Commander Adam Chryst, Executive Officer, USS Athena NCC 17819-??

Spppppploooooch…..Nico actually chuffed a laugh and something that might have been a victory BLEEEK! At the smooshing of Pierce. Good Riddance to bad rubbish. With a flirt of his tail and happy bound he moved to check on Shadowbrother with Nightskin in tow. Okay she got there first, but it had been Nico’s idea. Nico Casually head-butted Shadowbrother, WE did it, crazy eyes stupid hat all Flat

Nico the Treecat

Orvos was very happy to see Nico. The little creature was something special for sure. And he had seen the vision Nico had sent him of the once present danger. He knew it had to have been him.

Stark grinned at the serene little being. “That guy was an offence to fashion” he said brightly. Slowly he rose to his feet leaning heavily on his Captain as he did so. “Seems to be wearing off…” He suddenly slumped almost to the ground but then straightened himself took a step and spat in the direction of the now very dead Pierce. “My only regret is I didn’t get to shred that hat myself… while he was still wearing it”.

The poor doctor was at a loss. So much had happened so fast that she truly had no idea what was going on. The fact no one seemed phased, at least the Captain didn’t, made her feel like someone who had walked in in the middle of the play and been suddenly looked at to speak lines she didn’t know she had.

The hand on her shoulder brought her back to her senses and she reached up to touch the line of now drying blood on her temple. “Thank you… I’m ok…” was all she could manage before he left.

She then moved a bit closer to those speaking. Like several others, she was curious what ‘the next step’ was.

Ensign Karina Niles
Doctor

Rxzyth started to glow in pulses as she communicated using morse code at an accelerated rate. Meridyth translated speaking in clipped fashion. “Some of you must return to the ship through the Guardian to a point 47 minutes before the ship exploded. A way must be found to turn the tables on the other ship and to stop Past Pierce from accomplishing his mission. If you are successful then your Present selves and your Past selves will be reintegrated into a coherent whole whereby memory won’t be lost”.

Stumbling a bit in her translation as she was shocked at what the Horta said next, Meridyth continued “She has also requested that your scientists study the Guardian in the interim and their research will also be preserved. Rxzyth herself will burrow into the caverns beneath and take S’Raal and T’Pon with her to set up the clue that she will leave to eventually lead you all to this place”.

Meridyth paused, “It is up to you Captain to decide who will return through the Guardian”.

Kaylee listened to the conversation with great interest, and then turned her attention to the Captain, awaiting to see what decisions would be made.

-Kaylee Baxter

Suddenly a general distress call went out. =/\= Please advise, we are taking fire, I count seven hostiles… damn they’re fast… send backup…eastern quadrant…=/\= the Comm line went dead abruptly.

Gamemaster Conspiracy Theorist (GMT)

Stark Nightstalker CIO

Orvos stepped forward. “I suspect you will likely need me in engineering, captain?” he politely asked, though she would likely sense that he was ready to do just that. Before they left though, he had something quickly to do. He wouldn’t need his wrist devices as they were already on the ship from before. If he left them here in the right hands, perhaps they would get an edge on things while they were gone.

-Lt. Orvos Legen, CE

OOC: Pasting in Kaylee’s post as I missed it while I was replying.

-Tony
OOC: Awfully sorry I was out so long, it’s currently tough for me to keep up any ships apart from my own, but I will try my best because I’ll never leave the Athena!
IC:

Laraan slowly came to. How she got into the escape pod was unclear to her and her chest hurt like hell, in line with her head. Somewhen during the past events since they took Stark, she had hurt herself badly. There was no blood, but she vaguely remembered bumping hard into sharp edges while the ship shook…

She scrambled on all fours out of the already empty escape pod just in time to see the demise of Pierce. That brought a grim smile on her face. Then she spotted the others… and Stark. Her heart made a jump as she saw he was alive and seemingly unharmed. She took way too much time to hoist herself up on both feet with the help of the hull of the escape pod. Then a step… oouch that hurt. But she had to get to him, she could see even from this distance that he was in bad shape and he needed her.

Just as he said that it seemed to be wearing off… presumably his pain? she bridged the last few meters and fell wordlessly into his arms, holding herself up by locking her hands behind his neck and burying her face in his fur. Seeing him being taken away without a chance to fight… not knowing where or when he had gone had rattled her deeply because she had felt utterly helpless and afraid for him.
She started channeling even as their bodies were still 5 cm apart and now that she was in his arms the channeling increased exponentially without her even having to concentrate on it, simply by merit of her strong emotions. It almost made her forget the pain in her chest.

• Laraan, CNS

“Hell of a day” Stark said as he held her up. Whispering into her ears he said “Save your energy Laraan, I’ve had enforced rest for hours and you look pretty beaten up”. Internally he was conflicted between scooping her up and taking her to triage and waiting to hear what the Captain would decide regarding who was heading through the Guardian.

Stark Nightstalker CIO

Dan was stunned by everything he witnessed on the way over to the rest of the team. Walking over to Stark, Dan said, “I seem to be a bit late to the party Commander. What’s going on here?”

Ensign Jones, Science

Stark wasn’t quite sure where to start but looking worriedly at the horizon he spoke tersely, “Turns out we have to go through the portal to rewrite history and get the Athena back but there are a bunch of people trying to make sure we don’t achieve that goal”. He shrugged “Beats fighting the Borg” he finished dismissively.

Jayden remained quiet, back of the crowd. He wasn’t a member of the senior staff and he really had no idea what was going on. He was just going with the flow. He just knew that if Orvos was going anywhere, he wanted to go too. He wanted to help. He watched and listened in to the senior staff’s conversations.

-Jay

Konral looked at Ghubari, shaking his head he was amazed and perplexed. He knew she had a plan, she always did and it seemed like it might just work out. He would follow her lead always.

Vander, CoS

OOC Please excuse me for not snipping this but with people coming back from LOA I thought it would be easier for them if I didn’t.
IC
The sounds of battle were coming close as were the screams of pain from those who were falling foul of the incoming fire fight. There was a feeling of panic in the air but also an implacable resolve as Starfleet training kicked in.

Rxzyth started to glow and the rock beneath her obediently melted out of her way and she swiftly disappeared under the ground leaving behind a smooth sloping tunnel that glowed with heat.

Meridyth looked at those assembled and her face was grave, “We don’t have much time, Rxzyth has suggested that you get the children below into the tunnels she is making, the walls will cool in about five minutes but it would be a good idea to try not to touch them for at least ten. She turned to the Captain, “It would be well if your team was to assemble for the time jump before the Counterstrike agents get here, they will have the same plan as Pierce and the time nexus will not stay open forever”.

Gamemaster Conspiracy Theorist (GMT)
OOC Wrong Character :(

Stark Nightstalker CIO

Karina had been looking around as everyone murmured and passed on the information that some would go back to try and keep this all from happening. As she looked, she saw the counselor. The woman looked as if she was literally collapsed in Stark’s arms.

Realizing this was something she was capable of doing, she moved to the woman’s side. Slowly kneeling beside the pair, she smiled slightly and brushed an errant hair from her face. She looked tossed and scraped up on the surface, but the usual shine was in her eyes once more at the familiar face.

“Laraan… Are you all right?” She tried to keep her eyes on the counselor once a quick cursory look had been given to Stark. For some reason, her heart still seemed to skip a beat around him.

Realizing she might be seen as rude for ignoring him, her cheeks colored slightly as she moved to him and spoke. “I’m guessing that sparring invitation is a rain check for now, Sir?” She tried to laugh but her own ribs hurt from everything they’d been thru. Something told her that her own body was covered in bruises and cuts she didn’t even want to think about. “You all right as well?”

Ensign Karina Niles
Medical